Therefore I remind you to stir up (stir into flame, rekindle, kindle afresh, fan into flame) the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.  For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Tim 1:6-7

Think about a match for just one second.  It only takes a match to set a forest ablaze... only one match can ignite an entire timberland woods with flame!  But the conditions must be right...  if the wood is damp and wet, it seems the fire can't catch very good.  In this case, one little match isn't that big of a deal.  

I got a picture one day of one little match… one little fire.  What I noticed about this match was that a strong wind would blow it out pretty easily... in fact a very strong breath would reduce the flame of that one match to a glowing ember.  Try it when you get a chance... how hard do you have to blow before a match will be overwhelmed and turn to an ember?  You don't have to blow hard... and that is the point.   

Now, picture this.  Picture 20 people gathered together... each with their own little fire.  Now by themselves, a strong wind would overwhelm any one of these... however, when these 20 are concentrated, you can light a pretty big fire.  I got the idea of a torch.   One torch can be easily blown out... but it takes a much stronger wind to blow out 20 or 30 torches all burning together.  

So, big deal.  The picture isn't even that great a paradigm.  Here is what I believe the Lord was trying to show me.  Many people are hungry for God to move.... they are hungry to see the winds of the Spirit blow... they want GOD in their midst, moving and acting, picking us up along in His current.  

The problem is that if the Spirit were to REALLY blow, most of us would be overwhelmed by Him... we would wind up becoming an ember instead of a bigger flame.   However, when the Spirit finds a group of people... it doesn't even really matter HOW many, it mainly matters that their is a MASS... who are bearing the Fire of God in their hearts, then He can BLOW very strongly on them collectively.  And in this dynamic, instead of the flames being extinguished, a strong wind actually makes the flame grow and get bigger!!  Fireman who battle forest fires battle against the WIND all the time... the WIND makes the fire grow out of CONTROL.  No human can control it sometimes, and only sometimes by grace rain will come or the wind will let up so it can be contained.

If the strong wind had just been blowing when the forest fire originally started, it might have blown out the flame that started the blaze to begin with.  Interesting picture isn't it??  That is why corporate hunger for God is so important... we must as a Body seek His power, His presence, and His outpouring.

I felt the Lord say this when I was thinking about this picture one day: "My Spirit sure does look good on you!  In fact, He reminds Me of Someone I know... when I see Him on you, it reminds me of the one who sits at my right hand!"  

If you are hungry for the wind of the Spirit to blow in your life and in your church... then keep the faith, travail in intercession, and look for those that are carrying the fire of passion in their heart.   Two are better than one.. a chord of three is not quickly broken... and ?? is a majority that makes God say, "I think I'll go down and visit them with my very glory!"  I can't tell what the ?? translates into as far as a number... I just know that God is going to blow through a group of those bearing the flame and passion for Him.  Otherwise, He would get lone ranger heroes. 

But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.  Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 2 Tim 2:20-22

Will you guard the holy fire of God that is in you ??

Will you gladly kindle afresh your one little fire ??

Would you keep keep the impurities out of it's oil so that it may burn bright ??

Would you stop the worries of this world from smothering it ??

It may seem small and insignificant, but together with other believer's who have passion for God, your one little flame can grow to be a big flame... and when the winds blow, watch out!  Nothing man can do will be able to stand against it! 

Lord, breathe upon our hearts and ignite in us passion for you....Amen.