For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable” (Romans 11:29).
Paul urged Timothy to fan his gift into flame. Timothy’s hesitation likely stemmed from intimidation because of his youth, yet Paul reminded him that the gift was still there. Why? Our spiritual gifts often remain dormant for various reasons, but we must do the same—stir them up. Just as natural talents and skills are honed through training, practice, and repetition, spiritual gifts are activated the same way: by putting our faith into action. We will never see the sick healed if we never pray for the sick. We will never exercise authority over demons if we never act in faith in the Name of Jesus when those situations arise.
An interesting story is found in Mark 9:14–28. A desperate father brought his demon-tormented son to Jesus’ disciples while the LORD was on the Mount of Transfiguration. The disciples could not cast out the demon despite their best efforts. When Jesus returned, He cast the demon out and later told His disciples, “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting” (Mark 9:29).
Notice two important truths. First, the disciples refused to accept failure as final. They went directly to Jesus to ask why they could not cast it out. Second, Jesus did not need to go away to pray and fast—He already lived a lifestyle of prayer and fasting, staying continually connected to the Father.
Jesus declared, “If I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you” (Matthew 12:28). The Kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power (1 Corinthians 4:20). That same power and authority Jesus gave the first-century Church remains available today through the Holy Spirit. God has not changed His mind. He does not revoke what He has given.
Far too often, doubters claim signs, wonders, and miracles ceased with the last Apostle. Yet those voices frequently come from those who have never truly fasted, never spent nights in prayer, or never pressed in to see the hand of God move. We cannot expect dramatic results from mediocre, hurried prayers. The heroes of faith—James with his calloused knees from prayer, Stephen full of power even as he was being stoned, Polycarp and Ignatius facing martyrdom with bold prayers—all lived lives of deep devotion.
The same gifts, the same power, and the same authority are still ours today. We simply need to reach out and lay hold of them through prayer and fasting. Our God does not change His mind, and He cannot lie. Therefore, His gifts and calling are irrevocable. Let us continually press in with effectual, fervent prayers, for “the effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” (James 5:16).
Heavenly Father, thank You for the gifts that You have given us. Help me to stir up the gifts that You have bestowed on me. Encourage my heart so that I might not be intimidated or afraid to use my God-given gifts. In Jesus’ Name I pray, amen.