Context: 2 Timothy 1: 1-18

Focus: 2 Timothy 1: 3-7

For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.”
2 Timothy 1: 6-7

God gave us the gift of His Holy Spirit. When we are perfected in His love there is no room for fear. As we move forward by obeying the promptings of His Holy Spirit we stir-up the power to submit ourselves to His Calling and our lives are ablaze as He breathes His Word into our hearts and minds.

                                              Four Things needed to keep our Faith Burning

First there is heat (friction): – TRIALS – Sometimes when there is persecution or opposition coming against our faith, it causes us to rally for what we know and believe.

Second there is Wind or Oxygen that resuscitates our complacency. Before Jesus ascended into heaven He breathed into His disciples the Holy Spirit – giving them the power to witness His Gospel.
(John 20:22)

In the beginning God breathed into Adam and He became a living being.
(Genesis 2:7)
At the time of our resurrection – Jesus will call us forth with His voice and we will all rise from the dead to newness of life.
(John 11: 43, 1 Thessalonians 4:16)

And during trials the Lord will resuscitate the flame that is flickering and about to go out by our calling on His Name and speaking His Word.
(Ezekiel 37: 3-10)

Third there has to be fuel: The wood nourishes the fire.  We need to feed on the Word of God.  “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” Luke 24:32

Fourth the fire has to be “kindled” stirred up to keep it going which is our response to the promptings of the Holy Spirit which moves us forward in our calling and our purpose in the Kingdom of God. The perfect setting: No doubts, fear or double-mindedness but completeness,  focused on the faithfulness and steadfastness of Christ’s love.
(Philippians 3: 13-14)

At the time of Pentecost the disciples were waiting in “one accord”, united, for the wind to ignite and fan the gift for the gospel message. When the wind came, the manifestation  were tongues of fire resting on them as they began to glorify God with different tongues, whereby, the nations of the world were gathered understanding the message spoken in their own language. ( Acts 2: 1-13)

So don’t quench the spirit with complacency or indifference, but rather, respond immediately to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, keeping the fire of faith burning continuously until His Coming. (Isaiah 30:21)

And don’t let the enemy try to quench the power of the Holy Spirit within you by  accusations and trials that try to overwhelm you with the waters of affliction.

Don’t give in, but rather stand up in faith with your head above water, with hands lifted up, praising your Saviour and Lord.

No trial of oppression can quench the flames that God sends that ignite our faith when we surrender ourselves completely to His Will. ( 1 Kings 18:38)

CR:  1 Peter 4: 12-13, 1 Kings 18:31, Isaiah 40:30-31

Lord, help me keep the faith which you’ve given burning with love, obeying every prompting of your Spirit as I put in subjection all things in response to your call.