Unless otherwise stated, all scripture quotations are taken from the New American Standard Bible® (NASB), Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.
Used by permission. www.Lockman.org
2 Timothy 1:6
“For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands”
John 7:38
“He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’”
(Emphasis added).
You are embedded with the power of God and the fire of the Holy Spirit. For this reason was Timothy reminded to kindle what was in him. By kindling it, he would be letting it out. The Lord Jesus also says to His believers that a fount is now in them from where rivers of water will flow out. This fire was put within you to be kindled so as to set you and everything that comes in contact with you on fire. Also, these rivers are supposed to flow out and not to remain in you lest you receive the rebuke given to the man who did not let out what was given to him. His lord called him a “wicked and slothful servant” (Matthew 25:26, KJV).
Then, how do you kindle this fire to set aflame everything around you? How do you let out these rivers to completely flood your territory?
Bible Study
Jeremiah 20:9
“Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.” (KJV)
Through frequent study of the word, the Holy Spirit will infuse the fiery word into your spirit and soul and set you aflame. When you are inflamed, you will not be able to contain it and it will therefore come out of you. Prophet Jeremiah was so filled with the word that even when he wanted to be quiet, the word was like a burning fire in his bones and he could not hold it in.
Prayer
Acts 2:42-43
“They were continually devoting…to prayer. Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles.”
These people were ordinary people who have just received some cloven tongues of fire. But because they gave themselves continually and steadfastly to prayers, they soon flooded the whole territory with the presence of God and a holy awe. The impact of what came out of them was felt not only by the people around them but also by the powers of darkness as they wrought many signs and wonders.
Faith
Matthew 17:20
“And He said to them, “Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you.”
Hebrews 11:6 says “And without faith it is impossible.” There is practically nothing that can be possible without faith. The disciples, though having received authority from Jesus, could not cast out the demon from the young boy. The fire was in them but they could not set on fire that which was around them. And when Jesus arrived, He cast out the demon from the boy and was cured at once. The disciples questioned Him why they could not cast the demon out and they were told it was because of their faithlessness. You need faith to release what is in you.
Fasting
Matthew 17:21
“But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”
In addition to prayer, you need to fast. The disciples were struggling with the demon and could not cast it out. They were powerless before it and could not at all bring about any positive effect but Jesus, with one word, drove out the demon. He then also revealed to the disciples that they needed to fast in addition to their prayers.
When you fast, every obstruction to the outflow of the rivers inside you will be cleared and everything that can quench your fire is made quiet and incapacitated.
Obedience
1 Thessalonians 5:19
“Do not quench the Spirit.”
Disobeying God is tantamount to quenching His Spirit Who is the Source of the fire and the Fountain of the rivers in you. When you walk in disobedience, the well in you will no longer spring up and there will be nothing to let out. But when you walk in obedience, the well will not only spring up but spring up to the point of overflow.
Fellowship
Proverbs 27:17
Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.
It is imperative you fellowship with other believers. Timothy could not even have been reminded to fan into flame his fire if he was not having fellowship with Paul. You will be able to easily know your capacity and also outbring what is in you. And there is a great tendency that if you are alone, you will become lethargic and lukewarm. But in fellowship with others, your gifts are sharpened and your desire to deliver is whetted.
Evangelism
Mark 16:15,17-18
“And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues; they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.’”
The power of the Holy Spirit in you will not flow out if you do not go out to preach the gospel. An outflow of power and fire of the Holy Spirit is the sign given to identify those who preach the gospel. If you are not a preacher, there will be no need for this sign to accompany you. Be a preacher of the gospel and the fire in you will be let out effortlessly to enlarge the kingdom of God.
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