Belief, "rekindled anew"

From 2 Timothy 1 - 

"I often think of that genuine faith of yours—a faith that first appeared in your grandmother Lois, then in Eunice your mother, and is now, I am convinced, in you as well. Because you have this faith, I now remind you to stir up that inner fire which God gave you at your ordination. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power and love and a sound mind."

That last sentence is a classic on the Sunday school memorization circuit, but may I make a bold statement? You will never have a "spirit of power and love and a sound mind" if you will not believe. The foundation of Paul's statements, here, is Timothy's "faith" (πίστεως), which didn't denote observance of a system of beliefs, but rather belief, trust, in the One who Himself is Life, the Truth, the Way. Every moment of your life gives opportunity for Belief in the person and promises of Jesus; Belief, too, is the foundation upon which the "gift of God" in you will be built (v. 6).

And how good is that "stir up that inner fire" command! The Greek there is "rekindle anew the gift of God." Can you picture that? In the darkness of night, turning over the remnants of a fire and seeing the low-glowing embers still alive. My friends, the Jesus in you never ceases to burn; His gifts for His Gospel will never be quenched.

Today, let us "rekindle anew" the fire of His love by believing Him in all things, in every moment!