2Timothy 1:6. “Put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God that is in thee…” THE GIFT. Remember the first light of life when you wanted to let others know you were saved? Remember the first time you prayed with concern that you might be and do what God wanted? Remember the times when the Word of God began to bring real light into your soul? Remember the desire to teach the younger ones in the Sunday School class the way of salvation? Remember the first tract you gave out, and the man said, “Judas, when and hanged himself. Go and do thou likewise.” Remember the first time you gave out hymn #129 after Uncle Ed prompted you? Remember the first time you gave thanks at the Lord’s Supper, and you were so scared, And Mrs. Mulholland said it really helped the worship meeting? Remember the first time you spoke in the open air at Ferndale, Washington, with George and Ed Styles? Remember the first soul you led to Christ? Remember the call? Remember the way God led you to Newfoundland? STIR UP THE GIFT OF GOD THAT IS IN THEE!
“Thanks so much, O Gracious Father, for giving me a memory. It would be awful to not be able to recall the ways of God with me. You remember, and so do I, how my father used to thank Thee for a “sound mind.” I didn’t realize at the time that that was much more than words to him. He wanted it badly and thanked you for letting him and his mother have it to the end. This gift that You gave me; it kind of defies the descriptions that are in the Bible because, even though I want to be able to preach the Gospel effectively, it seems to take a lot of preaching to see results. Thanks and glory be to God for every soul saved. And the desire to see Christians growing – that’s in the list too, although I’m not good at it. Maybe that’s best, though, Father, because I know myself well enough to know I would want to be taking some credit here. The young are really on my heart, Father, and I don’t know how my gift in this area can be stirred up. I’ve got grandchildren, and I don’t want them to go downstream, but up to the Head Waters where the Living Water is fresh and pure and cooling to a lukewarm generation that likes tepid Christianity. I long for young men and women to want and claim an abundant life! Is there some part of this gift, Father, that could
be used to help the next generation feel the invigorating power and accompanying joy of doing God’s will? If there is, I want to stir it up as soon as possible. Amen.”