Fanning the Flame

II Tim. 1:6-7

"For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control."

Paul is reminding Timothy that if his gift remains unused it will lose its strength. He must fan it into flame so that he may burn brightly in what God has called him to do. In the notes of my Bible, it says that the meaning of 'gift' is not clear. For Timothy it could have been related to his call since it also mentions the laying of hands which could have been his ordination. But as I read this verse, I see a connection between the 'gift' and the Spirit within us. Before Jesus left for heaven, He gave his disciples a great gift, one that would indwell them convicting, teaching, leading, and bringing to their remembrance all that He had said. That gift was the Comforter, the Holy Spirit. That same gift dwells in me!

How is this gift flamed? It seems to me that the answer lies in v. 7. God has given us a spirit of power, love, and self-control. All three of these qualities come from within, qualities uniquely related to the work of Holy Spirit. I can not flame this gift into flame myself, it must be "according to the power at work within us" [me]. Later in this chapter Paul says "By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you."[v.14] It is clearly the work of the Spirit that empowers my spirit. Not only is He my source of power, He is the conduit for the love of God. Rom. 5:5 says "God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us." Finally, self-control is a fruit of the Spirit. By His indwelling presence He changes my life by growing a healthy crop of His fruit in the fertile ground of my heart.

How important is the Spirit of God within me! For me to have His power, love, and self-control, I must obey the clear commands of Scripture concerning Him and His ministry within me, commands like 'live according to the Spirit.";"Be fervent in the Spirit."; "do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God." ;"Praying at all times in the Spirit."; "Do not quench the Holy Spirit."; and acknowledging that "He dwells in us." My obedience to these commands then fans the flames of the Spirit of God within me. My obedience gives him free course to do what Jesus sent Him to do. Truly, it is the Spirit that empowers my spirit. I need not fear what the evil one throws at me because I have within me an unending source of power, love, and self-control. If fear does have a foothold in my life, then I am not resting in the Spirit and His ministry. If I am not fervent in my walk, then I am quenching Him or even grieving Him. Jesus gave me His Spirit because He knew exactly what I would need to live for Him. What are my choices? I can either fan the flame of the Holy Spirit within by my obedience, or I can live a life of fear because of my disobedience. The choice seems pretty clear to me.

Father,

Make me responsive to Your Holy Spirit as He works within me empowering me to live a life of power, love, and self-control. Put within me a desire to be so fervent that the world and its hold fades and loses its power over me. Thank You for this great gift of Your Spirit.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Godliness with Contentment.

I Tim. 6:6-8

"Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content."

Earlier in I Tim. 4:7 Paul talks about training for godliness. Here again he mentions this subject, but now he adds a qualifier. Contentment is coupled with godliness. How would godliness with contentment bring gain into my life? Simply put, it would take my focus off what the world has to offer and replace it with an eternal perspective. Houses, possessions, fashion, or any number of things would not be symbols of status, wealth, or 'coolness.' Instead with contentment in control, I wouldn't have to fret about what my clothes looked like, how large or stylish my home was, what kind of a car I drove, how beautifully my house was decorated, just to name a few. Instead, I would look at my house and appreciate it for what it is, a house, a dwelling place, a place to gather, a place to be protected from the weather, not a status symbol. The same goes for my car. If it is functional and it it gets me where I need to go, then I can praise God.

I know for most women how they dress and look is pretty important. I think that on the whole we have been conditioned to think that we must look a certain way. We grow up thinking that how we look is a statement of who we are. But I don't think that is really true? Personally, I know I am self-conscious about my clothes or even my appearance if I think I look dowdy. Even though I am older, and it really shouldn't matter, these thoughts still surface in my thinking. All I can say is what a pull the world has! I know that my character and my spiritual relationship are the most important things in my life, the things that should identify me, but still deep inside me is the pull of the flesh. Yet, I wonder where the line is between looking acceptable and buying into the world's system? I am thinking it must be related to my attitude and my desire. These areas must reflect Jesus Christ and bring glory to God. Since I am a citizen of heaven and not of this world or its culture, I must look forward to a "city that has foundations, whose builder and maker is God."

Several years ago I heard Helen Roseavere speak at a conference about her life of continual service. She saw no need to retire and take it easy. When I looked at her, I saw she was a sweet, elderly lady who really didn't reflect any of the styles of this world. But as I listened to her, all I could see was her love for Jesus. It consumed her in all she said and did. During her entire session, I found that I could not keep from smiling. Her joy for the Lord was had infected me. Her godliness with contentment revealed great gain. When I went home that night, I realized what I wanted. I wanted the gain that comes from godliness with contentment.

Father,

I confess many times I care too much about the world and its system. Spirit, convict me when I lose my focus. Take my eyes back to the One who died for me. Lead me ever closer to God. Help me to bring glory to His name.

In Jesus name,

Amen

To Rebuke or Not?

I Tim. 5:1-2

"Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity."

I have definite feelings about receiving or even giving a rebuke. Something in me doesn't even like the word itself. It is so harsh! I think that my feelings about this word are associated with what I have experienced in the name of a 'rebuke.' In the past, I have had the pleasure of receiving many rebukes from Christians carrying chainsaws who felt it was their duty to cut me down to nearly nothing. This was a truly unpleasant experience! I don't think it ever drew me closer to God; instead it made me create walls to protect myself. Not only did these rebukes give me a sense of isolation from others and even my church body, but they made me feel inept in my walk with the Lord. Initially, I thought if I never rebuked others that no one would rebuke me. To a large degree, this did protect me, but it didn't grow me in the bonds of Christian fellowship. Even though I have let down the walls and have made myself vulnerable to other believers and their rebukes, I still need to understand this process and rid myself of old emotional baggage.

I think that Paul really clarifies this for me when he talks about the manner and the relationship. Here he says that the manner involves encouragement and sincerity. Encouragement speaks of lifting up not tearing down. It is more than sharing a story from my storehouse of failures; instead, it is from Christ [Phil. 2:1]. It is not something that I drum up from my human emotions or my sympathetic impulses, but it is something that I am empowered to do by the Holy Spirit. I think that this encouragement could take many forms from having a conversation or even just a time of listening, a note, meeting physical needs, but most of all I think it is praying for that person. When I am praying, then I know my heart is right and is free from any insincerity. My motives are pure. My heart is united with God's heart concerning this person. Perhaps, the rebuke should not really be aimed at another, but should be focused on myself. Often, when I am irritated at others, it is because I am not right in my heart. If I am praying, the Spirit will reveal it all, my heart's true motives as well as the direction of spiritual encouragement. After I have sought the Lord and feel His leading, then I can go to another person to encourage sincerely.

Rebuking should be like a family relationship. A family always speaks to me of love, patience, understanding, and forgiveness. I never fear that I will lose my relationship with the family. Still not everyone has that family relationship, but I think everyone knows what they wish their family relationship was like. Paul says rebuke the older men like fathers. Even though I am 62, I still speak to my father in a very respectful way. I never call him down harshly, but I appeal to him calmly and in love. I share the Bible with him because that is our common ground. Likewise, the older women are rebuked as mothers. I think being a mother is a complex relationship that is characterized by a big heart. A mother's heart always loves and cares for her child no matter what that child does or what the child becomes. The child knows this and many times that is the force that gets the child through the hard times. I think that if I were rebuking my mother, I would have in my mind all the love and caring she has shown me through the years. So even if she is in a bad place now, her past must be considered in the way that I talk to her. Speaking to a mother's heart must involve tenderness and appreciation. Younger men and women should be rebuked as brothers and sisters. It is true that brothers and sisters do fight, but I don't think this is what Paul is emphasizing. When I look at my children and their relationships with one another, I see loyalty and concern yet without thinking that their way is only one way. I think Paul is saying that a rebuke should be done with a family love that appeals to them on the true heart issue, an issue that must be dealt with on a spiritual level.

Nowhere in these verses do I see anything about harsh words; in fact later in the passage, Paul warns against prejudging. That is why rebuking another believer must be bathed in prayer. The human tendency is to prejudge, to put others down as a way to lift oneself up. He also talks about the purpose for the entire process, that is to be pleasing in the sight of God without reproach. My heart for another is to be for our mutual growth in the Lord, so that we both will be pleasing to God free of reproach. If that were the only motive in a rebuke, would it still be hard to take? I think so because a rebuke attacks pride. I know that many times when I was rebuked, my silent response was to look at that other person's life. With my wounded pride in control, I could always find many flaws in them. Even though Paul talks about the heart attitude in giving the rebuke, I think it applies to receiving one as well. If the rebuke is given in as a sincere family member who wants to encourage, then I need to receive it that way. Humility should govern the giving and the receiving of a rebuke. So to answer my question, I should rebuke others when God lays it on my heart, and I should receive the rebuke in a spiritual manner as well.

Father,

I do have baggage in my life concerning the rebuking process. I give it to you and ask You to clean my spiritual slate. Make me receptive to everything You bring into my life, the rebukes, the pain, the trials, the illnesses, and the blessings. I know that You have grace enough for all of them. Thank You for sending believers into my life who care about my spiritual growth.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Train Yourselves for Godliness

I Tim. 4:7b-8

Paul explains in a simple way a very great principle. He takes a good thing like bodily training and compares it to godliness. Bodily exercise has great value for health, quality of life, and overall well-being. By its very nature, it demands a good deal of discipline to achieve results. For me, I know how hard it is to get out of bed early, get ready, drive to the gym, and then swim and exercise for my hour every day. It demands my commitment and consistency. If I am willing to meet these demands, then the benefits are mine. Yet, Paul says "Rather train yourselves for godliness, for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come." Here is a case of the 'good-better' principle. Though exercise is essential for a healthy life and is a good thing, godliness is necessary in this life and the life to come and is a better thing. Choices are often made between good things and better things. That's where the rub is. Often, the good things are healthy, fun, wholesome, and even relationship building; yet, Paul is teaching believers to be discerning. Does what I am doing benefit this life and the life to come? Does what I value replace godliness in its time and frequency? Since I am a passionate person, it's pretty easy for me to get passionate about many things, but am I as passionate about godliness? Does my training for godliness hold a place in my heart that supersedes all the other things that I like to do?

Not only that, but the demands of exercise need to parallel my approach to holiness. The same commitment and consistency needs to be at work in my life for me to really get a handle on holiness and to see the the end result. It reminds me of Olympic athletes whose training is all consuming. Never losing sight of their goal, they take great joy in the process and in the achieving. Their intense work and dedication becomes the passion of their lives. The end result is they excel. I think godliness demands the same mindset, a mindset of devotion, endurance, and great joy in the achieving. The difference is that being godly comes only through the power of God. Even though I train, God empowers. He wants me to be willing and dependent so that when He trains me for godliness, I will "run in the way of His commandments." Since I consider exercise a painful process, I would never have to consider it as taking the place of godliness in my life, but I am sure there are other things that seek to steal my time away from the better choice. I must remember that "Godliness is of value in every way." I have to ask myself the hard questions about my life and what I value. Is godliness my passion?

Father,

I ask You to empower me to train for godliness. Lord, I so want to be godly and realize the promise that it holds for this life and the life to come. I confess that many times I have allowed other things to block my focus. I confess that I have not always chosen what is of value in every way? Thank you for Your grace and mercy. Continue to work in me and flood me with your grace to grow.

In Jesus name,

Amen

The Mystery of Godliness

I Tim. 3:16

What is the mystery of godliness? If I were to hear that phrase out of context, I might think that it would refer to me being godly since my actual achieving a godly state is a mystery to me. Sometimes it is so confusing to consider that at the same time that I am supposed to strive to be holy, God must work in and through me to be holy. Where is that mysterious line where my striving stops and God's power begins? Still this is not the mystery that Paul mentions here. He is referring to God's revealed plan of salvation. "Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness." I would confess with Paul that the gift of my salvation is great indeed. I have often wondered why God would choose me, why He would make me His child, and why He would allow me to be in His presence for eternity. All I can do is praise Him for His steadfast love and mercy!


Paul then goes on to explain this mystery. It begins with Jesus' manifestation in the flesh. Understanding fully that God as the Son came to earth to take human form is impossible. I have to accept that by faith. How could God become human? Not only that but what about His virgin birth, His humble beginnings, His life of pain and suffering, His paying our debt, and His horrific death? Even the faith that I have to accept all this as true is a gift from God. Why would God shroud all this in such a mystery? I think it is so that man could not boast in His knowledge or understanding, so that God is glorified in all things.


In addition to this, He was "vindicated by the Spirit." The footnote in my Bible says this refers to the resurrection. His Spirit was brought back to life by the power of God. Paul said in I Cor. 15:19 "If we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied." Without the resurrection, we have no new life; we have no hope. Rom. 6:5 says "For if we have been united with Him in a death like His, we shall certainly be united with Him in a resurrection like His." What a mystery this is that we can be united with Him in death and resurrection! In Phil. 3:10 Paul desires that he "may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and may share in His suffering, becoming like Him in His death." God showed us such great love when He made it possible for us to know Jesus in His death and resurrection. What a blessed mystery! Not only that but He was "seen by angels." His victory over death was witnessed by all the host of heaven. I can just imagine the praise session they had in heaven when Jesus stepped out of the grave alive from the dead.


The mystery extends to His being 'proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, and taken up to glory. " Specifically, he was preached to the Gentiles and not just to Israel. In Act. 13:46 Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly saying,"It was necessary that the word of God be spoken first to you. since you thrust it aside and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold we are turning to the Gentiles." It is all of grace that salvation extends to me. In the early church many believed the message. Down through the ages of time, many believed as well, but yet another mystery deals with who believes. God gives us free will and a choice, yet at the same time, He is sovereign and has every decision I make and every step I take already in place. How does it all fit? It is a great mystery that I will not know until I am taken up to glory to be with Jesus. Jesus is there waiting for me now. He is preparing a place for me. He has promised that He will come again and take me to be with Him. What a glorious time that will be!


All of this is the mystery of godliness, the mystery of God's plan for the salvation of man to be worked out through the personal sacrifice of His Son. I must agree with Paul when he says, "Great indeed." It takes a load off me to know that it is a mystery, and that I don't have to struggle to understand how all of these great truths work. I just have to believe and accept by faith. I can rest in the fact that God's ways are not my ways, and His thoughts are not my thoughts.

Father,
Thank you for revealing even a small portion of this great mystery to me. Most of all thank you that Your plan included Jesus being proclaimed to the Gentiles. Help me see the opportunities that You bring my way to share this great mystery with others. Help me to walk worthy energized with you great power.
In Jesus name,
Amen

Praise the Lord!

In Ps. 145 David shows us his heart for God. It is as if one word was not 'weighty' enough to express his praises to God so he used many. For me, each variation showed differences in emotion or situation, but even more than that they show how praise was in every part of his life. Initially he extolled, and he then went on to bless, praise, meditate, declare, pour forth, and sing aloud. Sadly, I have to ask myself if my praises are always the same words with the same emotions? Are my praises reflecting the living and ever growing relationship that I have with God? David has shown me that my praises can not be static, they must be dynamic.

I see that David's praise included so many of the attributes of God. Beginning with graciousness, he then added merciful, slow to anger, loving, good, faithful, kind, and righteous. David learned these attributes from his deep relationship with God. He knew God was gracious because God had been gracious to him. He knew God was slow to anger because God has been so with him. His life had been personally shaped by God's sovereign nature. Because of this, David's heart was full of praise for who God was.

David then recounted the many ways that he had seen God work in human affairs. He saw God as the One who upholds the fallen and the humble, the One who feeds the seekers, and the One who satisfies the desire of living things. The Lord is near to those who call on Him in truth and fulfills the desire of those who fear Him. He preserves those who love Him, but destroys the wicked. Had David ever fallen and been humbled? Had he ever called to God from a heart that feared Him? Had he been fed and satisfied? Did he feel God's nearness? Yes, so many times and in such great ways. David knew that praise must come from a personal relationship with God. If not, the praise is nothing but a ritual, a formality, or a duty. David's praise flowed unstoppable from a heart that sought after God's own heart.

The last verse of the psalm sums up David's thoughts. Here he says, "my mouth will speak the praise of the Lord, and let all flesh bless his holy name forever and ever." David knew there was no stopping, his praise must go on and on. His words would constantly speak praise not just to express his heart alone, but to be that example for all flesh so that they might bless God's holy name too. Over the ages, how many people have been impacted by David's heart of praise for God? How many people have seen David's heart and prayed for a similar heart, a heart that seeks the very heart of God, that thirsts and pants for courts of the Lord, that knows that the sacrifices of God are a broken and contrite heart? David passionately praised the Lord and so must I!


Father,
Search my heart. Reveal to me what keeps me from being consumed with You and keeps me from pouring forth Your praise. Be merciful to me and grow me lovingly into what You would have me be. I praise Your name for who You are, and for your many works that I see in my life, the lives of others, and in all creation.
In Jesus name,
Amen

My True Child in the Faith

I Tim. 1:2

In I Timothy Paul has written to his 'true child in the faith'. What depth of relationship and singular focus is expressed in that descriptor! Even though their relationship was based on faith, it had transcended those boundaries to become a family relationship. They knew firsthand that the bond in the family of God is like no other. Even more than that, Paul considered him a 'true' child, someone who was without artifice and personal ambition. His commitment to walking worthy of Jesus Christ was his personal focus, a focus that he and Paul shared. This truly was a godly friendship with godly goals. It makes me think about my friends. What are the things we share? What are the things we like to do? Even if we are believers, how much of our 'friend' time is spent with a spiritual focus? Have we compartmentalized 'friend' time as a separate thing from our worship or our ministry? I can only imagine what friendships would be like if they shared this intense spiritual focus.

Since Paul considered him a child, it would mean he had done some parenting or mentoring. Certainly his parenting meant spending hours together praying around the Throne of Grace. It meant sharing intense sessions of teaching the riches of the Word, as well as experiencing missionary journeys together as they served the Lord whom they both loved. This parenting meant time, time with an eternal perspective. As I reflect on my parenting. I know it was in my heart that my children would grow up godly, but I wonder if I spent my hours focusing on the things that grow godliness. I wonder if they saw in me the godly model that Paul was to Timothy. Shouldn't it be the same in my relationships in the family of God?

Do I have a 'true child in the faith'? Am I the mentor that I should be to others? Is this a ministry that believers should actively seek to have? Col. 3:16 says "let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God." I think this is what Paul was doing with Timothy. He was sharing with Him the Word, its application, worship, praise, and thanksgiving, all of these believers should share together. Later, Paul said to the Philippians, "Therefore my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown..." His love for them grew because their sharing had an eternal perspective. His relationship with them included the deepest emotions of love and concern. They were his brothers. What are my emotions for my body of Christ? Am I cultivating times of parenting and mentoring? When I see someone down or struggling, do I take the time to meet their needs, to come alongside them as a parent would for a child? Am I loving the family of God as God would have me?

Father,

What a great gift you have given me in the body of Christ! Help me to ever be alert to the needs of others, and more than that, to reach out to meet those needs. Spirit, lead me to the ones who need this relationship. Teach me how to mentor with an eternal perspective. I confess too many times I am concerned about my needs and the needs of my physical family. Forgive me and use me now as You would have me to be used.

In Jesus name,

Amen