2 TIMOTHY 1:6 “For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God…For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, of love, of self-discipline.”

2 Chronicles 20: 21b “Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army…”

Isn’t it true that we can all use “dear friend” reminders? Especially on our faith walk when we find the embers burning low and those fine qualities we need to hang on to being sucked out of us. Through the years I have loved those who have stood beside me to give encouragement or even a firm kick in the pants to get me fired up again. Even better is when God’s Holy Spirit calls you to rise to higher ground in your faith.

I believe this phrase, “Fan into flame the gift of God” means to get yourself back up to where you need to be in your personal life with Jesus. The Apostle Paul directs this statement to Timothy, a young pastor at the time, and wants to remind him that you don’t forget where you came from, but you are constantly being reminded of who now lives in you – Jesus! It’s allowing His Holy Spirit to lead; it’s learning to allow God’s presence to remove fear and replace with love, power, and self-discipline (1 Timothy 1:6); it’s advancing forward into a spiritual position you’ve not considered before; it’s going one step beyond your comfort zone to a place where only faith and the presence of the living God dwells; it’s about REVIVAL that transforms and gets you fired up to serve the King! Different seasons will come and go; willingly receive them, for these are the moments that will be of great growth in your life.

As I share the following words, I want to proceed with graciousness and respect. I know one’s love toward a wife or a husband is dear and sacred and I acknowledge with honor those who have lost a loved one. I praise God for the heavenly resting place He brings to those who leave this life to be with Christ. (Read my previous posts: A Glorious Day – Part 1, A Glorious Day – Part 2, & A Glorious Day – Part 3) I say this with deep sensitivity as I tell about a particular season of my life.

Years ago, I had just come off a year-long medical treatment. (Read my previous post: Build Up the Walls). No sooner than I was off my treatment, my wife, Marla, was diagnosed with Stage 3 Breast Cancer. The transition between our illnesses was only two weeks apart. She had been there for me during my treatment and now it was my turn to give her my very best. It was a fast-moving cancer and the events that transpired and the hurdles and obstacles that we were facing felt tremendous. It was recommended that only “quality of life” be provided.

We were blessed by a dear friend who came to our rescue and became our Health Care Advocate. She broke through the highest level of bureaucracy and red tape and we were able to get Marla the needed treatment and medication. Months into her cancer treatment, a CT scan revealed a black spot on her liver. We were told it could possibly be cancer that had metastasized in her liver. A PET scan was immediately provided and we would know the results that week.

I remember silently crying out, “Lord, spare my wife…take me…our girls need her more than I do. Save my love from this sickening disease.” I didn’t know what else to do.

In retrospect, God purposely had me reading the Book of Joshua, the mighty warrior of God. He obeyed the living God and God fought his battles. From here God directed me to 2 Chronicles 20:13-22 where WORSHIP to God was the weaponry that God’s people were to use in the battle that was before them. “Worship the Lord” was impressed upon my heart.

Charles H. Spurgeon reminds us, “God is to be praised with the voice, and the heart should go therewith in holy exultation.”

It was around this time that my oldest daughter, Autumn, had graduated from college and returned back to her high school as an amazing educator and worship leader for our middle school and high school students. She took this phrase, “fan the flame,” to the next level of honoring the Lord. Her purpose was to teach the students how to encourage friends on their faith walk to honor the Lord through worship and quiet time. This became the banner for our yearly spiritual emphasis week where guest speakers came to challenge young hearts; lives were transformed. Their faith and God-given gifts were stirred up! Many students came to Christ and to this day remain strong in the faith and ministry. I learned from her the power of worship and how it pleases the God of the heavens. I had no idea how I would need this lesson in worship for what was to come.

On the night before we were to receive Marla’s test results, I remember God placing on my heart to call my two daughters together so we could join in a family prayer. I had planned to share with my girls what the doctor had told us, but most of all, I wanted them to learn about God’s incredible will and for us not to be dismayed if things were not as we had hoped.

Just before this family meeting, my wife came to me and said, “Robert, if it’s God’s will for me to be with Him, I am ready.” I was struck with tears…speechless…I could only hold her. I shared with my family that I was studying Joshua and that during my study I had come across a passage of Scripture found in 2 Chronicles chapter 20, that said God will fight our battle for us as we sing and worship Him. At that, we prayed, and Autumn led us in worship as we petitioned the Lord and asked for this spot to be removed from her liver. We were in agreement that whatever His will, we would trust Him.

Let’s look back at 2 Chronicles 20:15-22. (If you have time to read the whole chapter, please do.) God revealed to the king that they just had to stand firm in the Lord and take up their positions. This battle was not for them to fight…it was God’s battle. King Jehoshaphat bows his face to the Lord and all God’s people fell down in worship before the Lord. This word worship means to have reverence and awe. King Jehoshaphat then appoints men to sing to the Lord and praise Him for the splendor of His holiness. These singers were literally sent out to lead at the front of the army! No fear, right! And here’s what they sang, “Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever” (2 Chronicles 20:21). And God defeated their enemy!

God doesn’t always give us “yes” answers. Sometimes we receive the “no” answers. But in every situation, we must learn how to accept the yes’s and the no’s and trust that both are from a loving God. The key is to say and believe in our heart that His will be done.

Since my girls were young, we always tried to teach them how to receive the yes’s and the no’s from their earthly dad and mom so that as they began to grow independently in their own faith, they would be able to understand the divine yes’s and no’s from their Heavenly Father. I wanted them to see the power of God as He worked in their mom’s life. I desired for us to know there is power behind the prayerful heart of worship and that this very worship can tear down the ugly attacks of the enemy. I wanted for us, as a family, to see and believe that God will fight our battles when we trust and worship His holy name. This was our prayer that night.

The following day, the test results were revealed. The spot on her liver was gone! We praised the Lord with tears in our eyes and said to Marla’s oncologist, “We prayed and He answered.” You talk about a revival – a refreshing and strengthening of the heart, mind, and spirit – a fanning of the flame.

This is exactly what I see taking place in King Jehoshaphat’s heart as he saw the Lord fight his battle and this is exactly what was filling our hearts. We continue to praise God to this day…Marla is a cancer survivor of 13 years this past June! Praise Jesus!

Graham Truscott says, “When God’s people begin to praise and worship Him using the Biblical methods He gives, the power of His presence comes among His people in an even greater measure.” I want a greater measure of His power in my life and I pray you find a greater measure of His power in whatever season you are in. Do whatever you can to fan the flame in your heart…to worship Him in and for the splendor of His holiness.

Let me tell you, I love to go for long drives alone with God. It’s my time to crank up the praise and worship music and lift my heart to the Lord as I recall His tremendous grace he pours out on me every day. Find time in your day to do the same and life up His name in worship. Yes, I will “Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever.” It’s all to His marvelous glory (1 Chronicles 20:29-30).

Psalms of Worship:

Psalms 59:16 But I will sing of your strength; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning. For you have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress.

Psalms 63:3-4 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.

Psalms 66:4 All the earth worships you and sings praises to you; they sing praises to your name.

Psalms 8:1 O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens.

Psalms 29:2 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness.

Psalms 95:6 Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker!

Psalms 99:5 Exalt the LORD our God; worship at his footstool! Holy is he!