Thursday, May 14, 2020

FAN INTO FLAME THE GIFT OF GOD (part 1)


Text:  2 Timothy 1:5-6
5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.
6 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.

Background:
Paul understood what it was like to have his faith severely tested. His words to Timothy (above) was his reminder to Timothy in how to survive when life’s storms come crashing down upon him.
Our faith in God (Jesus) is being tested in a big way. 

Question:
As our world continues to face this horrid covid-19 virus, we can easily become discouraged.  Our faith is tested and hope sometimes seems to be fading.  We might be asking… where is God in all of this?  How can we survive the storm(s) we are facing?
                                        
Message in a sentence: 
Like Paul, like Timothy, and yes like me, and most likely you, discouragement can come knocking when facing hard times.  Out of his own experience, Paul offers encouraging advice for all of us to follow when our faith gets tested.

My thoughts about Paul's advise.

1.       Look for Christian examples.
Timothy looked up to Paul, who stood firm in His faith despite persecution, imprisonment, and beatings.  The church looked to Pastor Timothy to stay strong despite trials.  Who do you have as  examples of unwavering faith during these trying times?

2.       Look at what God has done for you.
Paul reminded Timothy how God used others, like mom and grandma, to have a sincere faith.
Who can you credit with pointing you to faith in Christ? or to helping you grow in your faith?

3.       Look at how God might be using this “storm” we are facing for His purposes.
Paul knew from experience that God used the storms of life to bring about his greatest desire, that being, for us to look to Jesus and accept His grace and love.
Are you praying only for God to fix our problem or do you pray that He might use this time for his purposes in your life and in the lives of others?  

4.       Look at how the enemy (Satan) is using this “storm” in order to attack not just unbelievers but believers as well.
Do you recognize his darts being thrown your way like…. discouragement, fear, anger,
 impatience, doubt or hopelessness?  Why do you think Satan attacks Christians?

5.       Look to Jesus, our Saviour and Champion, who himself healed the broken-hearted, calmed the angry sea, fed the multitude with a boys lunch, cast out legions of demons, accepted the outcasts, the downtrodden, the poor, the estranged, and GAVE THEM LIFE through his own suffering and death.  Above all remember HE IS ALIVE and lives in you. (The gift of God)

      This passage from John’s gospel is one I readily need to stand on. 
 It reminds me of the One who lives within me. 
John 16:33
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. 
In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Stay tuned for the next couple of weeks as we discover more about 
"the gift of God".




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