Living Fountain

The apostle Paul in his second letter to Timothy whom he regarded as a son, he writes to encourage Timothy, while he himself is suffering on the account of the Gospel. Paul writes that he is reminded of Timothy’s sincere faith in the Lord, and reminds him to “fan into a 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.” (see 2nd Timothy 1:6-7)

How many fathers and mothers in the Lord continue to write, speak and encourage those that the LORD has given to them not only by flesh and blood but also those to whom they have led,ministered to, and mentored or trained in the ways of the LORD as children?

How many of us who have been given any of the spiritual gifts of the LORD and have allowed our passion for the Lord to dwindle as we have suffered great hardships which made a way for the enemy of souls to come and pry open a spot in our armor?

How many of us feel as I do, that you feel that your passion for the LORD has been dwindling as a result of fear creeping into your heart through our hardships and difficulties?

I think that many of us and myself included need to step out and use the spiritual gifts that the LORD has given each of us through the laying on hands.

First, we need to admit and confess that we have allowed the enemy a way into attack us by making us believe that “none of this is real” or “we are just making all this up in our own minds.” We need to confess and turn from these thoughts and realize that the devil is bombarding our minds with these things and rebuke them in the Name of Jesus. Then, we need to reaffirm who we are in Christ and the only way I know to do that is to immerse yourself into the word of the LORD through reading , pondering, studying and having regular times of fellowship with other believers in the LORD.

So, reflect on the following passage and then consider the following thought is the devil using fear to cause each of us to be ineffective in the things of the LORD. Let me encourage you as the apostle Paul does.

2nd Timothy 1:8-12 ESV

Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in the 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 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 the way I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.

There is a song that is coming to my mind, I don’t know who wrote it but the lyrics are here below:

“No way we are not ashamed, of the Gospel or his name, holy hands lifted high to the name of Jesus Christ.”

May you each be blessed and encouraged to take a step out in faith.