2 Timothy 1:6 was the focus of a sermon I heard preached by Bishop Palmer from the Iowa area of the United Methodist Church, at the Bishop Convocation at Mt. Wesley this past week. Let me share a few thoughts from the bishop with you.
First, Paul says to Timothy, "Stir into flame the gift of God, which is in you."
The Bishop asked us to look honestly at our own hearts and lives and ask, "How have your flame grown cold?" "Are there some coals still glowing in your spirit?" He reminded us that the Holy Spirit can, if we let Him fan the Flame back to a blaze inside of us!
Second, Paul reminds Timothy of his roots in his faith in his mother and grandmother's relationship with God. Bishop Palmer, reminded us that our roots and our mission is God and God alone! Or as John Wesley put it, "We have nothing to do but save souls!" Are we focused on our true mission as disciples?
Third, remembering our mentors in the faith, parents, Sunday School Teachers, Pastors or Youth Leaders, Grandparents and many other helps us to know where we come from, and who we are? Paul is saying to Timothy, "You come from good stock, boy! Don't forget it!"
Fourthly, Remember to trust in the blood of Jesus and in nothing else! Not form or ritual, persons or things, but in Christ alone!
Fifth, Remember that we have power available to us at all times. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is in us!
Lastly, because God is alive in us in power, "Think Big!" "Dream Large!" As one person I know puts it, "thinking outside the box ideas need to be ones that might get you fired!" Bishop Palmer said, we need to pray for the spiritual gift of desperation! That is to be desperate to find and do the will of God in this place!
Something to think about, and pray over and see what God will stir up in us!
Yours in Jesus,
Rev. Richard
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