On Christmas, we hope that our loved ones will use the gifts we give them. We don't expect to see the items hidden in the basement, tucked away in a shed, or tossed in the trash. We expect to see our gifts on a mantle, or used and worn with appreciation. When God gifted us the Holy Spirit inside of us, he also provided spiritual gifts, and guess what? We're called to use them! In this text, Paul urges us to "fan into flames" God's gifts to us. Like Paul in prison, we must keep our eyes on the Kingdom and shake off the hindrances of our day.
How do you live your life? Is it in surrender to God and generosity? Is it with a focus on the eternal treasure in...
John Newton's well known hymn, "Amazing Grace" uses words taken directly from today's text. "I was blind but now I see" exclaims the man...