when I call to remembrance the [a]genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also. 6 Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:5-7
Paul spoke encouragement to Timothy in 3 ways!
He acknowledged His faith,
He charged Timothy to stir up what had been given,
and reminded Him that God had given power love and a sound mind.
Acknowledging Our Faith
Recognizing faith is important because doubt divides and faith unites. The devil knows this and will work hard to persuade us to believe we have no faith. Funny, we can believe we have no faith. We do have faith and we need to remind ourselves that it is a gift of God.
Stir Up the Gifts Given
Taking an inventory of promises, prophecies, and supernatural experiences, and then stirring them up by using them again, acknowledging them, and expressing them to God, is a huge way of strengthening. We have faith. Now, let’s practice, in His presence, our gifts. If our gift is prophecy, then we can prophecy in His presence. If it’s a teaching, then teach in His presence. Tongues or faith, practice in His presence. There, we find an audience of heavenly beings and witnesses who will celebrate our faith, as we stir up our gifts in the presence of God.
Remember What is Ours and What isn’t Ours
Fear, timidity and being shut down is not from God. A spirit of fear is never from God. We have been given a spirit of power, love and a sound mind. We acknowledge this, and then we experience it. We allow power, love and soundness to fill us. Soon, we are inside the strength of God and His confidence.
Faith, hope and love all find fresh expression within us as we acknowledge our faith, stir up our gifts, and partner with power, love and a sound mind.
