Bellows

Daily Reading:  2 Timothy 1

Fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.  For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline. (2 Timothy 1:6-7)

Devotional Thought: Do you know what bellows are?  They are tools used to provide air to a fire - to make it burn hotter and higher.  The Apostle Paul wanted to be a bellows to Timothy.  He had a special relationship with Timothy.  He loved him as a son and led him as a student.  They were brothers in the Lord, partners in ministry and friends in life.  Paul appealed to those aspects of his relationship with Timothy to challenge him to "fan into flame the gift of God which is in you."

Let his words challenge you today.  While God gives us the power of the Holy Spirit, the love of Christ, and the holiness of the Father, w e can direct the bellows of our faith on them:

• Spirit-power.  That is generated by faith, but quite unlike other sources of power it is not depleted through use, rather it is renewed.  We fan Spirit power into flame by utilizing it!

• Christ-love.  This is placed in our hearts by the Spirit, but it is expressed as self-sacrificing, unconditional love of Jesus.  Like Spirit-power, Christ-love is fanned into more ardent flame by expressing it: both to Christ and to those he died to save.

• Father-Holiness.  To be holy is to be morally pure and set apart for the Father’s use.  Only God can make us holy.  But we can perfect holiness and fan it into flame by giving careful attention to our thoughts, our words, and our deeds.  Are we available for God’s use?  Both in surrender and in purity?

Fan these things into flame today!  You need not be timid about expressing the power, the love, and the purity of God. After all, he gives us the power, the love and the self-discipline we need!

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for the gifts of God that are in me.  Help me to keep those gifts burning bright.  And help me, also, to encourage others to fan their flames hotter and higher.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 119:25-32

25 My soul clings to the dust; give me life according to your word!

26 When I told of my ways, you answered me; teach me your statutes!

27 Make me understand the way of your precepts, and I will meditate on your wondrous works.

28 My soul melts away for sorrow; strengthen me according to your word!

29 Put false ways far from me and graciously teach me your law!

30 I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I set your rules before me.

31 I cling to your testimonies, O LORD; let me not be put to shame!

32 I will run in the way of your commandments when you enlarge my heart!