Fan Into Flames – 2 Timothy 1
“For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” 2 Timothy 1:6-7
Dark Times
Paul and Timothy were facing serious struggles and saw that things were about to get worse. It was a very dark time in their lives. Paul, near the end of his life, writes from prison in Rome to the young pastor Timothy this second letter. It encourages Timothy and lets us know that when we face dark times in our own lives, God is still faithful and loves us. He will provide light for our paths.
“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God according to the promise of the life that is in Christ Jesus,
To Timothy, my beloved child:
Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy. I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” 2 Timothy 1:1-7
Fan into Flame
I love that phrase ‘fan into flame’! When we are in the middle of dark times, God is always there for us, but we have a job to do too. We need to fan into flame the gift of God within us. When we trust God for our salvation, He puts His Spirit in us. God does not fear anything or anyone. His Spirit is full of power and love and self-control. This Gift of God is within us. We have to fan it into flame.
An Old-Fashioned Bellows
When I read this passage, I remembered that my grandfather used an old-fashioned bellows like the one in this week’s free printable when he was building a fire in the fireplace. A bellows draws air in and then focuses it and blows it out the other side. The oxygen fueled the fire and fanned the flames higher.
Similarly, we have to remind ourselves Whose Spirit in within us, fanning into flame the gift of God within us. He has equipped us with everything we need to accomplish His purposes in our lives.
“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence” 2 Peter 1:3
Breathe in the Spirit
When we stuck in the darkness, we need to breathe in the Holy Spirit and then breathe out reminders of the all-powerful, incredible God whose Spirit is within us and empowers us, like a bellows fanning into flame the gift inside us.
“Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.” 2 Timothy 1:8-12
Not ashamed
We are not ashamed because He has done so much for us. When we bring our minds into alignment with Who God is, we will be convinced that He is able to protect and keep us and our gifts.
“Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.
You are aware that all who are in Asia turned away from me, among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes. May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains, but when he arrived in Rome he searched for me earnestly and found me— may the Lord grant him to find mercy from the Lord on that day!—and you well know all the service he rendered at Ephesus.” 2 Timothy 1:13-18
2 Timothy 1 Action Step:
Fanning into flame involves telling ourselves the truth about Who God is and reminding ourselves that His Spirit is within us. Today, take some time to realign your mind. My pastor says often that we can not apply God’s Word to our lives, we need to apply our lives to God’s Word. His truth is unchanging and only when we bring our lives into alignment with Him will we find peace in the middle of dark times.
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2 Timothy 1 Prayer:
Dear God, Thank You for never leaving us. You are always with us, even in the middle of our darkest times. Help me see what lies I have been believing that keep me from fanning into flame the gift You have placed in me. Remind me to keep fanning the flame on a daily basis. In Jesus’ name, amen.
If you want to see other posts in this series, click here for the series overview page: https://www.devotioninaction.com/light-in-dark-times-a-study-in-2-timothy/
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