Thursday, February 23, 2017

February 24, 2017

                                            Day Three                                  

    February 24, 2017

    The Birth Of A Dream

Then God remembered Rachel; he listened to her and opened her womb.” Genesis 30:22

Rachel was Jacob’s dream wife.  They were very much in love.  Like most married couples, they desired to have a child so their love could walk upon the earth.  God listened to Rachel’s dream for a child, and He answered her prayer by giving them a son.  Their dream became a reality named Joseph.

It is impossible to overestimate the power and role of dreams in human existence.  Dreams have brought us lifesaving medical breakthroughs and soul-stirring revival movements.  Some of our greatest athletic achievements are the result of a personal dream.  The United States of America is the result of a dream of real democratic government by a group of patriots.  Martin Luther King changed the course of a nation because he had a dream.  Your world and “the” world can be changed because of the dream inside you.

These dreams are your daytime dreams – your vision, your hopes, your aspirations, and your desires.  A God-given dream won’t go away.  Search your heart and mind to get in touch with the dream God has put inside you.  Then pray about it and take action! 

Fred Wes’ dream to build a larger facility finds its biblical connection in Habakkuk 2:3, “For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false:  Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.”


Prayer Focus:  Pray that our church’s vision will become a reality in God’s perfect timing.  Pray that our dreams of saving friends and family through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ will come about because of our new building.  Ask God to reveal or clarify your personal dream that is His will for your life and direct you in acting on it.

February 23, 2017

                                                  DAY TWO                                                    
February 23, 2017

  Don’t Let The Fire Go Out!

“Why is the house of God neglected?  Then I called them together and stationed them at their posts.”  Nehemiah 13:11b

When the Olympics came to America several years ago, part of the experience was to see the Olympic flame.  For every Olympics, a flame is lit from the eternal Olympic flame in Greece and then carried to wherever the Olympic games are being held.  The flame made its way to Atlanta for the opening ceremonies by traveling all over America first.

Volunteers and heroes from all over America carried torches holding the flame from place to place.  While the flame was passing through Tacoma, Washington, Harley Sheffield had the honor of carrying it on his bicycle.  As he was crossing the Tacoma Narrows Bridge, the expansion grates on the bridge blew a tire out on his bike.  The torch popped out of its holder, fell onto the bridge, and broke into pieces.  The Olympic flame was extinguished.

Sheffield was horrified.  They would have to go all the way back to Greece and start over again!  He would go down in history as the man who allowed the flame to go out!  His panic was unnecessary because a “mother flame” was present in a trailing van as well as a replacement torch.  Thus he could resume his duty, and the Olympic flame traveled onward.

This story provides a great illustration of our walk with God.  Too many times we stumble and allow our flame to go out.  If your flame has been doused, there is not a “mother flame” to restore it.  But there is a “Father flame” who stands ready to light your torch today, and He will keep it lit.

Prayer Focus:  Pray that God will light our spiritual torches with the oil of the Holy Spirit.  Pray that Fred Wes will always be on fire for the Lord.  Ask God to make your spiritual flame burn brighter (increase your faith).  Our Scripture today tells how God enabled Nehemiah to restore the priests to their duties.  Ask Him how He can enable you to restore, rekindle, or resume something for Him that will give Him glory.