Stir It Up
Happy 2023!
It’s been a while but I’m glad to be back with the very first blog of the year which I have titled Stir It Up.
Believe it or not, growing up I was very quiet and shy. Anything that involved public speaking was torture for me. As I entered into my early teen years, God would speak to me about the calling He had over my life and how He would use me to bring His Word. I doubted so many times and basically laughed it off as if it would never happen. (God has a sense of humor, because here I am)! Seriously, there was no way I would or could ever hold a microphone, Countless times, I doubted this Word and it was much easier to believe the lies in my mind than God’s truth. I am not capable, others do it better than me, I am not a preacher, I don’t know how to speak well. I am not an author, I am not a blogger. I don’t know how to write, I don’t know how to lead, will people even listen to me? How will you use me, Lord? These were questions constantly on my mind that I wrestled with for years. With time and maturity in my Christian walk, I began to see God’s plan unfold right before my eyes.
I want to say that what God speak over your life, that Word will not come to pass overnight. There is a process you must to go through and it requires a lot of patience and trusting in God’s purpose for your life. I call this God’s School of Hard Knocks.
Fan into flames
the gift of God which is already in you.
Today, I want to talk a little bit about Timothy and extract some truths that will hopefully help and encourage you as you continue your faith walk in the Lord.
2 Timothy 1:6-8 in the NLT version says:
This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. (the NKJV says “to stir up the gift of God which is in you”).
v.7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidly, but of power, love and self-discipline.
v.8 So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord.
2 Timothy is believed to be the last letter written by Paul before being put to death. He was in prison, on death row, waiting to be be-headed. And he decided to write a letter to Timothy. Why would he write a letter like this? Why were these his last words? Because as his death was nearing, he understood the true meaning of life; to do what you’ve been created and called to do.
Ecclesiastes 9:10 (NLT) says this:
Whatever you do, do well. For when you go to the grave, there will be no work or planning or knowledge or wisdom.
On that glorious day when I stand before the Lord and He asks me what did I do with what He gave me; my response will be “I used it all for Your glory”. My desire is for there not to be once single bit of gifting in me. I want to use everything He has given me now.
The two most important days of your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why you were born. So, my question to you today is: What is your gift? Find out and begin to stir is up! If you don’t know what you should be doing, ask yourself these questions. What do I like to do? What would I do for free? And what comes easy or natural for me to do? God will oftentimes use your passion to point you toward your purpose.
Timothy was a young man in which I was able to relate to especially in my early years. He was young, shy and full of insecurities. This is why in verse 7 Paul tells him: For God has NOT give us a spirit of fear and timidity…Timothy was an introvert, he was timid, he was scared at times. He wasn’t like Paul who was outspoken. He didn’t like the limelight, he was more of a “behind the scenes” type of guy. He was completely opposite than his mentor and spiritual leader.
God has a sense of humor and He chooses the unpredictable, the unqualified, the unpopular, the marginalized to display His glory for His glory. For example, lets take a look at:
Moses. Had a valid excuse, he had a speech impediment. He told God, you can’t use me because I have a stuttering problem, so I don’t think I’m the right guy to lead the people of Israel out of slavery. That will require leadership and communication and I can’t do it…..but God used him anyway! He used a man who could barely speak to lead easily two million people. God will do the unthinkable in your life because it is Him that qualifies, not man.
Jeremiah. This young man also gave God an excuse. He was just a kid when God called him to speak. After accepting the call, he became one of the most prominent prophets in the Old Testament. Jeremiah’s prophetic words are key components to the existing history of the nation of Israel and is someone who we still teach and preach about.
What am I trying to say here? In other words, God doesn’t care about our excuses. He has a plan and a purpose in each of our lives. And when we leave the excuses to the side and accept the call, we will then see His glory, wisdom, favor, mercy and grace upon our lives.
Paul tells Timothy in verse 8 “never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord.” The testimony of our Lord Savior is the gospel. To be ashamed of the Gospel is to be ashamed of Christ. Romans 1:16 says “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.”
Do you want to experience God’s power? Go to the Word and spread the gospel. You will begin to see true transformation because that is what His Word does. Hebrews 4:12 says “For the Word of God is alive an active. Sharper than any double-edge sword, it penetrates even to diving soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart”.
Speak the Word of God and spread the gospel and you will see how the Holy Spirit will take care of everything else.
Paul knew that his last words needed to be directed to Timothy. There was a sense of urgency for this young man to take heed of his last and crucial words. I can imagine Paul trying to convey the importance of this message so that Timothy would never forget who he was when times go tough.
Your last words will always be the most important words people will listen to and remember. Have you thought about what your last words would be? If you had a month, a week, a day left on this earth, what would be your last words?
Today, as I end I want to convey the same message to you. If you don’t ever read my blogs again, if you don’t ever pick up a book of mine, or if we don’t ever cross paths again, let this be my last words to you.
Friend, I know you’re young or older. You may be a single mom and things are really hard right now and you just don’t see yourself fulfilling what you’ve been called to do. Perhaps you’re a young wife, a new mom and don’t know what you’re doing— God gives you grace to do what you do each day. Maybe you’re a college student, working professional or a retired employee—God sees you! No matter what season you may be in, remember God’s Word, it will sustain you when you feel like giving up. When all else fails, when people are no longer around, when disappointments hit, when the storms rise; His Words remains!
Remember what you have learned, remember what you have seen. As Paul encouraged Timothy, I do the same to you, remember who you are in Christ. Remember why you do what you do; there will be times when you’re going to want to throw in the towel but if you manage to go back to your “why”, it’ll keep you going. Remember that character triumphs over age. You may be young or old but you’re called. Your flaws do not determine your call! You have been chosen and now it's time to stir up the gift that God, not man but that God has given you.
I encourage you to “stir up”, to “fan into flames” the gift of God which is already in you. It’s in you so that you can accomplish them for His glory. Regardless of what happens this year, never stop fanning the flame because the fire that is in you must be kept alive. Stir it up!
Be Encouraged, Be Blessed!
~landypf