How Do We Fan Our Gifts Into Flame? (3) By Babatunde Olugboji
In the past two weeks, we have been addressing the issue of fanning into flame the gift of God and last week we discussed the importance of identifying our gifts.
This week, we’ll continue examining why it is absolutely important to stir up the gift of God in us.
The Bible says “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18) Offering thanksgiving to God for the spiritual gifts He has given us means being grateful for all the blessings we enjoy, and such blessings include our spiritual gifts. 
Be careful not to focus too much on the gift you don’t have and what you believe God hasn’t given you at the moment. We can easily lose sight of God’s goodness, so start by thanking God. Also, you may not immediately recognize their relevance, but prayer, repentance and confession of sins are big factors in fanning the flame of our gifts.
The Bible says in James 5:16 “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.“
Do you know that sin and selfish attitudes can quench your fire? The Bible says God’s kindness leads us to repentance. When you start to thank God for everything, then conviction returns to your soul. Confession cleanses you and takes away your burden. God draws near to the humble and repentant heart.
Have you noticed that sometimes our flame flickers because we only approach God for “what He can do for us” and “not for who He is?” Seeking God for who He is, is a sure way to fan the flame of our gift. You can still bring all your needs to Him but remember to lay them at His feet and to seek God’s heart for your needs. Do not rely on your own understanding but rely on God’s faithfulness. When you get to know Him more, you will understand how He is working in your circumstances, not the way you want it, but the way God wants to.
To know Him better is to love Him and to give yourself completely to Him. Doing so means you will be filled to the fullness of Him.
Get on your knees and surrender your everything to Him, not just some, but everything. Psalm 138: 2 says…. for you have exalted above all things your name and your word.
In ancient Israel the priests were instructed not to let the fire on the altar go out (Leviticus 6:9) This required a lot of work and a lot of firewood and fuel to keep the fire burning throughout. Especially in a land where there are no thick forests.
Let’s look at the fire on the altar as a symbol of our devotion to the Lord through which our gifts are being used at its full potential. Spiritual passion is not something to be treated lightly or taken for granted because it will grow cold if we fail to supply it with fuel.
Will you pray like David did in Psalm 139: 23-24? “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me and lead me in the way everlasting!”
Have a great week.
Kingdom Dynamics, a weekly column written by Dr. Babatunde Olugboji, the President, Kingdom House, a non-profit organization in New Jersey, USA.
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