Stir The Fire

 

"Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands" (2 Timothy 1:6).

The apostle Paul seems to have some concern for Timothy his son in faith, as he reminds him to 'stir up the gift of God".  To "stir up" literally speaks of a fire that is losing its flame that needs to be stirred to get the flames going again.

There are many theories as to why Timothy's fire may have been waning.  Perhaps the pressures of being a young pastor of an important church weighted him down.  No doubt he was worried for his spiritual dad, Paul, who was in jail.  It may have been both of those things and more, but it is clear Paul wanted to encourage his son to be sure to stir up the Lord's fire afresh in his heart.

Picture with me a campfire.  The fire is blazing in the middle, flames rise up and the wood is crackling.  On the outer part of the fire there is some wood that is blackened by the fire but isn't really burning, the flames have had some affect but there is no fire.  Beyond the outer wood are the rocks that surround the fire, they may get some warmth but will never catch fire.

If you were to apply our campfire picture to your walk with the Lord, where would you find yourself?  Are you in the midst of the fire, ablaze for God, crackling with joy as His Holy Spirit burns within?  Are you on the outskirts of God's moving, touched by the Spirit occasionally, the fire may blacken a bit but doesn't remain?  Are you a rock, you enjoy the warmth of God, but are outside the fire of God?  Be honest with yourself, perhaps you need to stir up the fire, or allow God to start the fire for the very first time.

  The Bible speaks of the Holy Spirit as being like fire.  The best way to stir the fire of God in your heart is to surrender more of your life to the control of the Holy Spirit, and to set your heart and mind on spiritual priorities, through prayer, reading God's word, and being in fellowship. You know more than anyone how it goes with the Holy Spirit fire in your heart. It might be a good time to apply Paul's encouragement to yourself, stir up the coals and get the fire going.

Lord, breathe afresh upon us all, stir our hearts by the fire of Your Holy Spirit!

GLORIOUS

"The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you;

the Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace"

Numbers 6:24-26

 

As a young 20 year-old brand new baby believer, I was told of a great church filled with young people on fire that were Jesus Freaks. This church was called Calvary Chapel. A couple of friends and I figured we should go check it out. We arrived to a packed-out building and sat up front on the floor. When Pastor Chuck stood at the pulpit to teach, I confess I was a little surprised, I wondered how this guy who didn't really look all that hip, could reach all these hippies.

 

When he began to teach the Word of God, my surprise disappeared, it was very clear...this man was anointed by God.

 

So many of us have our Pastor Chuck stories, memories that stir up snapshots in our minds. I can still see him sitting on his office floor with my then three-year old daughter. He had pulled out a box of rocks he collected from Israel and was telling Melissa about David and Goliath....amazing!

 

My most lasting memories and thoughts of gratitude, go clear back to that first Bible study. At that study and countless studies to follow, he taught the Word, as the Word of God, with assurance and confidence, and it stirred in me a lifelong love for God's Word. I feel so blessed to have sat under such Spirit anointed teaching.

 

I am not alone in saying that as a pastor, I have looked to Chuck as my pastor. He was always rock steady, never tossed to and fro. I have taken his solid lead through the winds of Charizmania, and Y2K, through 9-11 and economic woes. His confidence in Jesus' love for the church was contagious.

Anyone who ever saw Pastor Chuck teach, had to know that he was crazy about Jesus. His love for the Lord was reflected in that great smile and those eyes. We are sad, yet we rejoice, for Pastor Chuck is now smiling bigger than ever, for he is beholding his First Love. We love you Pastor Chuck, well done.