That is why I would remind you to stir up (rekindle the embers of, fan the flame of, and keep burning) the [gracious] gift of God, [the inner fire] that is in you.
—2 Timothy 1:6
Do you ever feel like an eagle in a chicken yard? You know in your heart that there is much more within you than you are experiencing and expressing in your life right now. You feel certain God has a great purpose for your life—and you cannot escape or ignore the inner urge to “go for it.”
I encourage you today to fan the flame inside you. Fan it until it burns brightly. Never give up on the greatness for which you were created, and never try to hide your uniqueness. Instead, be thankful for it, and be thankful that God has something special in store. Realize your hunger for adventure is God-given; wanting to try something new is a wonderful desire; and embracing life and aiming high is what you were made for. You are an eagle!
Prayer of Thanks: Father, thank You for the dreams and desires You have placed in my heart. Thank You that You have a destiny for me. Today, I will dare to dream of all the wonderful things You have in Your plan for my life.
Knowing and Doing
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.”
Galatians 2:11–13
Each July hundreds of people from around the world descend on Pamplona, Spain for the annual running of the bulls. Through the narrow streets of town, people run ahead of the charging bulls heading for the ring where bullfights will be held. Some only go once, but others take the challenge again and again. The book Fiesta: How to Survive the Bulls of Palmplona includes a section with advice from experts who were veterans of the event. One of those authors, Bill Hillman, found his expertise called into question when his leg was seriously gored during the 2014 run. He had accumulated a great deal of knowledge, but knowledge alone is not enough.
The confrontation between Paul and Peter over how to treat Gentile believers revealed this disconnect. Peter was fine eating with Gentiles as long as no one in Jerusalem knew about it. He recognized that as believers saved alike through the blood of Jesus, there should be no barriers in fellowship regardless of race. But when he might have been criticized for doing right, Peter abandoned the principle he knew was correct.
The opinions of men pale in comparison to the commands of God. Yet all too often, we do not do what we know is right because of how we believe it will be received by others. We certainly should be kind and courteous in our dealings with others, just as Jesus was; but we should never allow opposition or criticism to deter us from putting our knowledge into practice.
Galatians 2:11–13
Each July hundreds of people from around the world descend on Pamplona, Spain for the annual running of the bulls. Through the narrow streets of town, people run ahead of the charging bulls heading for the ring where bullfights will be held. Some only go once, but others take the challenge again and again. The book Fiesta: How to Survive the Bulls of Palmplona includes a section with advice from experts who were veterans of the event. One of those authors, Bill Hillman, found his expertise called into question when his leg was seriously gored during the 2014 run. He had accumulated a great deal of knowledge, but knowledge alone is not enough.
The confrontation between Paul and Peter over how to treat Gentile believers revealed this disconnect. Peter was fine eating with Gentiles as long as no one in Jerusalem knew about it. He recognized that as believers saved alike through the blood of Jesus, there should be no barriers in fellowship regardless of race. But when he might have been criticized for doing right, Peter abandoned the principle he knew was correct.
The opinions of men pale in comparison to the commands of God. Yet all too often, we do not do what we know is right because of how we believe it will be received by others. We certainly should be kind and courteous in our dealings with others, just as Jesus was; but we should never allow opposition or criticism to deter us from putting our knowledge into practice.
Today’s Growth Principle:
It is only when we do what we know is right that our conduct matches God’s plan for our lives.
The Heart of an Eagle
by Joyce Meyer - posted July 08, 2017That is why I would remind you to stir up (rekindle the embers of, fan the flame of, and keep burning) the [gracious] gift of God, [the inner fire] that is in you.
—2 Timothy 1:6
Do you ever feel like an eagle in a chicken yard? You know in your heart that there is much more within you than you are experiencing and expressing in your life right now. You feel certain God has a great purpose for your life—and you cannot escape or ignore the inner urge to “go for it.”
I encourage you today to fan the flame inside you. Fan it until it burns brightly. Never give up on the greatness for which you were created, and never try to hide your uniqueness. Instead, be thankful for it, and be thankful that God has something special in store. Realize your hunger for adventure is God-given; wanting to try something new is a wonderful desire; and embracing life and aiming high is what you were made for. You are an eagle!
Prayer of Thanks: Father, thank You for the dreams and desires You have placed in my heart. Thank You that You have a destiny for me. Today, I will dare to dream of all the wonderful things You have in Your plan for my life.
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