I had trouble with Monday’s post, mainly because volumes could be written on the gift of His Spirit within believers. I felt like I handed you a spoonful of truth from an ocean of life-giving water. It pained my perfectionistic side. But I pray He graced each of us with a fresh sense of the gift of His Spirit within us.
flickr photo credit: trey ratcliff
Now to stir Him up.
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, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
2 Timothy 1:6-7
His Spirit enables us to walk these days in power, in love, and with self-control. Let that sink in for a minute. His Spirit enables. But we always have choice as to whether or not we follow Him.
At any given moment of any given day I’m either walking around in my flesh or I’m submitting to His Spirit. (Galatians 5:16) And it’s pretty easy to spot. If I’m fearful, it’s my flesh. If I’m rude, flesh. If I’m worrisome, flesh. If I’m anxious, divisive, immoral, or out of control, flesh, flesh, flesh, and flesh.
But when I “fan into flame the gift” of His Spirit, love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control appears. (Galatians 5:22-23) And when His Spirit flows in and through me, I live the abundant life Christ promised. And it’s in spite of the moment. It’s in spite of my latest trip to the grocery store with three kids at lunchtime who wouldn’t stop whining. (OK, maybe I’m still a little scarred from that one.)
So here’s how I personally stir Him up. Especially on those extra-hormonal fleshly days.
- I confess :: Whenever I see *me* being all *me-like* I try to step away and confess. Hopefully before anyone gets their feelings hurt. I say things like, “God I can’t honor you or bring blessing to myself when I live out of my flesh. Forgive me.” I say it out-loud if possible, assuming I’m not in Target.
- I declare :: I declare His Word. I declare true things. He brings to mind verses I’ve memorized (another reason to memorize Scripture) or I may pull out my Bible. But however it happens, I start preaching to myself. “God you have sealed me with Your Spirit. My soul finds strength and joy and peace in You. Fill me, God. Fill me full.”
- I praise :: Usually declaring truth leads to praise. It’s just like church. A little preachin’. A little singin’. And even some dancin’. Just start dancing, people. Yesterday this song got me out of a momentary funk. But if rap isn’t your thing, then this song is bound to stir Him up within you.
- I believe :: I walk away from that moment of confession and declaration, choosing to believe. I may not “feel” Him immediately. But He inevitably shows up. He always stirs. I choose to believe that He will indeed fill me full again today.
We can’t even begin to walk in our individual giftings until we know what it means to walk fully in His Spirit — listening to Him, praising Him, and submitting to His lead. So let’s fan into flame the gift within us.
Fill me, Lord…
How do you personally “stir Him up” within you during those extra-fleshly moments?
Lara. Oh my sweet friend. This was wonderful. Inspired. needed. Thank you for reminding me that it is He who enables me to walk in His spirit. On my own I can do no good thing and lately, there’s been too much flesh and not enough spirit in me… Just know this moved me today. XO
You are precious, Krissie. Some days are so flesh-filled. {frustrating!} Choosing to stir Him up with you, friend.