Living in the power of the Spirit

"I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline" 2 Timothy 1:6-7 (NIV).

It is not good enough to keep the gifts God gives on a shelf in a cupboard at home – we must use them!

"Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them,’ because ‘with the measure you have it will be measured to you – and even more’"– Mark 4:24-25 (NIV).

The greater our commitment and determination to seek the kingdom, the greater our engagement in the kingdom will be.

Acts describes the powerful (the word is actually violent) coming of the Spirit at Pentecost, AND the way that anointing was then worked out, and continued to be received – (Acts 4:31, 8:6, 10:44, 19:6).

Yesterday, we looked at how, as a young man, I was filled with the Spirit and received the gift of speaking in tongues. I should add that over the past nearly five decades, as I have used that gift in prayer and intercession and worship the Holy Spirit (despite my mistakes) has tutored me how to use this gift, and it is now a vital, powerful and essential part of my prayer life. As Paul writes - Anyone who prays in tongues edifies themselves (builds themselves up spiritually) – 1 Corinthians 14:4.

The point is that we must use the spiritual gifts that God gives us.

Our muscles grow when we use and exercise them, but if a muscle is not used, it becomes weak.

When we use the gifts God gives, then we can learn how to use them well, and they become effective and fruitful.

If we do not use them, then they tend to shrivel up, and we become less effective in the kingdom.

And so, as disciples (apprentices) in the kingdom of God, we must use the spiritual gifts the Lord gives us. As Paul instructs Timothy, "fan into flames the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands" - 2 Timothy 1:6 (NIV).

What I’ve seen over the years is that those who give themselves to seeking and practising the ministry of prophecy become effective in the prophetic ministry.

It is those who commit themselves to seeking the healing ministry and praying for the sick who, after twenty years, can look back and tell a whole number of stories of God healing people.

It is those gifted with the gift of evangelism and who give themselves to telling others about Jesus who see the evidence of this gift outworking in people coming to Christ.

The same goes for all the other gifts.

"Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them." Mark 4:25 (NIV).

We ask the Spirit come because Jesus told us to wait for him (Luke 24:49), because the scriptures instruct us (Joel 2:12, 2:28), because of the apostle’s example (Acts 1:14), because Jesus promised (Luke 11:13), and we ask based on the finished, complete, perfect, eternal work of Christ’s atonement (John 7:39, Titus 3:5-6). We believe our Saviour’s promise and we receive by faith (Mark 11:24), and we continue ‘fanning into flame’ the gifts that the Spirit gives each of us.

I’m committed to praying for everyone who wants to respond, and will take three days to fast and pray for every person who is committed to seeking the filling of the Holy Spirit in their lives at this time.

Please email me if you would like me to pray for you as you seek the Lord to fill you with His Spirit. If you’re serious about seeking the Lord, then I’m serious about praying for you and interceding with you!