I love to sit by a campfire, especially on a cool evening (and make s'mores!)…but we are getting off topic.  I got to thinking about fire and how it relates to our spiritual walk. I came across 2 uses of fire in the Bible (there are probably more, but I will stick with a 2 point message today!).

-          2 Timothy 1:3-6 – Paul is teaching Timothy to ‘fan into flame' the gifts that he had been given.  Timothy was young, had believing family members and was being used by God.  Paul urged Timothy to work at those gifts.  They needed attention and care in order to grow and be more useful.  When starting a fire (or keeping it going), one often has to blow or fan the flame to get the fire to really take off.

• How about your spiritual fire?  Is it burning hot or does it need some fanning?  Work on your gifts to make them of even better use for the Kingdom.

-          Jeremiah 6:29 – in this passage, the fire mentioned is used to refine metal. We all know how metal is put into a hot fire to burn off the impurities.  The Lord is telling to Jeremiah to be a tester of the people, to make sure they have been made pure.

• How about your life?  Have you been refined by the fire?  Will you allow the Holy Spirit to work in your life and clean up the impure thoughts, attitudes or actions so you are ready for use?

What will you do this week to ‘fan into flame' your gifts and abilities for God?  Or is there some testing that needs done by the fire?

PB