2 Timothy 1:2-12 Timothy is a young pastor and a disciple of Paul. Paul is reminding him to use the gift that God has given to him. The basic gift that God gives all believers is eternal life, but Paul is reminding him of a particular gift, the one he received when Paul laid hands on him. What the gift was we don't know, but Timothy knew. Perhaps by leaving it unknown, the Holy Spirit is telling us to begin using the gifts that God has given to us. "Fan them into flames: How do you tell if your gifts, talents or abilities are from God? Do they or the way we use them reflect God's character that we see in Jesus Christ? Do they promote His kingdom? Do they give credit to Him? Do they build up other people? If they don't, don't go there. Perhaps you haven't as yet discovered any particular gifts, but as a believer, you have the gift of eternal life. The object is to begin to live your life as though everything you did or said had eternal significance, because it does. And with God's help to build His character into that life. Paul gives us some guidelines. God has not given us a spirit of timidity (also translated fear or cowardice). We like to describe it by other terms like discretion, or later would be better, or I'm not in the right mood, this is not a good time, etc. The spirit He has given us is characterized by love, power and self-discipline. Don't be ashamed to give testimony about the Lord but look for opportunities. We tell people about Jesus, not to make ourselves look like someone special, but because we love the Lord and the person were are testifying to; because we believe the power of God is present to do whatever He wants to do. He has given us the ability, if we choose to use it, to live a self-disciplined life; i.e., to live the testimony we are sharing. And to decide to share it boldly. He has saved us and called us to a holy (set apart for Him) life.

What Kind of Spirit Do You Have?