"Fan the Flame"

Fan the flame, the sacred fire,

That burns within your heart,

The power, love and discipline,

The Spirit will impart,

To do the things that you can’t do,

But what you know you ought,

The wisdom that the Scriptures teach,

And all the Good Lord bought,

When on the cross He paid the price,

For us to live a life,

Filled with the Lord’s own presence,

And free from stress and strife.

The fire, a living river,

Also a healing wind,

As quiet as a flying dove,

Let that great flow begin.

Be filled to overflowing,

In His presence be immersed,

Receive the Spirit’s gifts and fruit,

And quench your inner thirst.

And then, all clothed with power,

We will His witness be,

Anointed and on fire,

With a life of liberty.

‘Cause when we fan the fire,

He changes how things go,

Energizes and empowers,

He lets His children know.

“This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you…” (2 Timothy 1:6, NLT)

No less than the great apostle Paul had laid his hands on Timothy and prayed for him to receive God’s power. It must have been a wonderful experience for both of them! No doubt God used Timothy in profound and powerful ways, as Paul’s son in the gospel. But Paul encouraged him to fan the flame. Why? Because the flame has a tendency to burn low as we encounter various trials and challenges. If Timothy needed to do this, how much more do we? Fanning the flame means to refocus on our dependence upon the Holy Spirit, who gives us power, love and self-discipline. He lives through all who cooperate with Him.

Lord, help us fan the flame of Your Spirit, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Don Dane, dondane.com. Used by permission. Thanks, Don, and God bless you.