For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you…(2 Timothy 1:6 NIV)

I am continuing to work on week 4 of my Bible study, A Woman’s Heart, God’s Dwelling Place. The last couple of weeks have been heavy on the Ouch! factor.

If you have followed my blog for any length of time, you will have noticed an ongoing theme. One that concerns my seeming inability to jump off a cliff into the waters of obedience where God’s blessings flow like the purest mountain stream. I posted previously about doing something just because Jesus said so and about being slow to obey. Those posts were in February. I haven’t gained much ground since then I don’t think.

I feel stymied. I can’t explain it. I don’t know if it’s fear. I don’t know what it is. Lack of confidence? Maybe.

If I believe God’s Word to be true, and I do, then why the difficulty relying on Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength?” Arghhhh! Sometimes I get so angry with myself!

Last week in my study I read about Bezalel. I admit I had never heard of him before. In case you haven’t either, I will elaborate a bit. Bezalel’s story can be found in Exodus 31:1-11. God told Moses that He had filled Bezalel with “the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts-to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of craftsmanship.” (vv. 3-5) This was so Bezalel, along with another character mentioned in vv. 1-11, Oholiab, could furnish God’s dwelling place.

Bezalel didn’t have the skills or knowledge to do these things until the Spirit of God came upon Him. But God called him to the job, and then He equipped him for it.

How many times have you heard the phrase, “God doesn’t call the equipped. He equips the called?” Do I believe that? Really? If I do, then what’s the problem? If I don’t, then…well, we have bigger issues!

The truth is, I do believe it. I see God equip people to fulfill their life’s calling all the time. And I see the power of God at work in their lives. I know it had to have come from God. Heck, I experienced that myself just this past Friday. That wasn’t me. I know that. It was totally God! No question. I give Him all the credit.

Beth Moore says this about Bezalel. “His job was out of his league. God purposely assigned Bezalel a task beyond his capability so that He could fill him with His power.”

Concerning fulfilling our own purposes, Beth says this:

“Anything of priority in the Kingdom is out of our league. God places us in positions beyond our capabilities so that we will be at His absolute mercy, realizing that only He can succeed. God searches for laborers who will simply let Him do His job through them as His vessels. When you work for God, with your assignment comes the guarantee that you will be equipped for the job.” (Pg. 64)

Ummm…yeah, what she said.

Then of course this week, Day 1 talks about how “one of our greatest battles is within ourselves, warring with our minds.” (Pg. 76)

And then back to the whole obedience thing.

“Our obedience does not make God bigger or better than He already is. His essence is unchanged by our obedience or lack of it. Anything God commands of us is so that our joy may be full–the joy of seeing His glory revealed to us and in us.” (Pg. 79)

Which brings me to our scripture reference at the top of the page. Second Timothy 1:6: “For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you…”

Stay tuned for Part 2 tomorrow.

All quotes with page number references are from A Woman’s Heart, God’s Dwelling Place by Beth Moore.