Fan Into Flame The Gift Of God

In 1 Timothy 1:6, Paul writes to “fan into flame the gift of God.” Find out what this means for women in ministry.

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For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
1 Timothy 1:6-7 ESV

First Timothy 1:7—the teddy bear of all Scripture. So much peace in one promise. In today’s webinar, we learn we can feel peace even in the day-to-day disorganization of ministry, all thanks to the promise of 1 Timothy 1:7. 

As I panned out to study the context of our lovely journal-cover verse, I discovered more encouragement for women using their gifts in ministry just one verse back, “For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God.” 

Continue with me for the story of my Rhema word for 2021. I’ll show you what it means to fan our gifts into flame and get ready for His divine appointment. 

An Invitation to Fan Into Flame the Gift of God

In November, the Candidly Christian contributors were amid conversation in our private Facebook group when Laura Marshall wrote, “Valerie, May the road rise up to meet you… That was from the Holy Spirit to you. I had no idea what it meant or where it was from until I just looked it up!”

“May the road rise up to meet you” is the first line of a traditional Irish blessing I’ve held dear since I was a girl, part of a precious heritage from my grandmother. Laura knew none of this, so of course the Holy Spirit used her to snag my attention.

Laura also didn’t know that as the new year approached, I’d been thinking and praying about my future as a writer and dreams of freelancing. I hadn’t heard the familiar Irish blessing in ages, so Laura’s special-delivery message yanked my thoughts to a screeching about-face.

And I replied, “guess I better get moving then.”

And move I did. The blessing became my compass as the Lord directed my first steps toward 2021. With my fan in hand, Jesus breathed into my writer’s flame. 

I began at the beginning—grammar and punctuation. I asked questions, read primers, and took courses. When the opportunity came a few months later, I was ready.

When was the last time you received a Rhema word? Was it directly from God, or did He use someone or something else? Thank Him for His divine messengers, and ask Him to help you be sensitive to His next Rhema word.

Your Turn to Fan Into Flame the Gift of God

My friends, the road can’t rise up to meet you unless you’re already walking. You can walk this ministry road because God gave you a spirit of power, love, and self-control, but you must develop and maintain your gifts for the journey.

What does the mean for you, dear ministry sister? I don’t know, you’ll have to take that to the Lord, your CEE (Chief Executive of Everything). Invite Him in. Ask Him to show you what’s ahead. Then keep your eyes and ears open, and your fan close by, so you’re ready when your Rhema word comes. 

In the meantime, I leave you with this: 

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again,
may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

What road is rising up to meet you? Ask Jesus to point you towards your first steps.

Next Steps

Watch the Webinar

Organization and The Mind/Body Connection with Katie Chavez

Read The Partner Post

Each week, Karen Lindwall-Bourg and Valerie Riese each write a post for the Community and Education Webinar.

Join Us on Facebook!

For more encouragement, join us on Facebook:
NACWE Freedom Facebook Group
or
Karen Bourg Companies Facebook Group

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Valerie Riese

Valerie is a wife, mother, blogger, breast cancer survivor, and virtual assistant. After suffering years of debilitating anxiety, she learned that victory over anxiety comes only through surrender to Jesus. Valerie writes to point women to the Jesus as co-director of Candidly Christian, and as a freelance writer and editor. You can learn more about Valerie at ValerieRiese.com

He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it  (1 Thessalonians 5:24).

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