| Stoking the Fire Sam and his friends at summer camp were spending a night in the woods. Their tents were pitched in a clearing about a two-mile hike from their cabin. Mack, their counselor, was helping them build a campfire. “Okay, Jimmy. That hole’s good,” Mack said. “Sam, you arrange the sticks, and Scott can light the fire.” Sam laid two medium-sized sticks across the hole. Then he stacked smaller sticks across them. On top he added some pine needles. That created a tinder pile above the ground so air could move through it. Around this he made a teepee of larger sticks. Striking a match, Scott lit the tinder pile from underneath. The pine needles started smoldering. “Somebody fan it a little,” Mack said. Sam grabbed a paper plate and fanned the embers, and soon they had a blazing fire. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you what your spiritual gifts are. Then fan them into flame by practicing them. First Peter 4:10 says, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others.” Do you have the gift of encouragement? Then start encouraging people who need it. Do you have the gift of teaching? Begin teaching others what you know about the Bible. God’s gifts aren’t meant to smolder. They’re meant to burn brightly so they can help your classmates, neighbors, and friends. Bible verse: Fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you. – 2 Timothy 1:6 Words to Treasure: Do not neglect your gift. – 1 Timothy 4:14 | 
