Monday, March 20, 2017

March 21, 2017

                                           
DAY TWENTY-EIGHT
March 21, 2017

We Have Never Done It This Way Before!

“He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all.  This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, ‘We have never seen anything like this!’” Mark 2:12

Ancient sailors recorded many times that in the midst of a coming storm the top of their ship’s mast would be circled with a mysterious circle of light.  Many times their hair would begin to stand straight out from their heads as this light appeared.  They called it St. Elmo’s Fire.  Any experienced sailor knew it was then time to take cover because the air was so electrically charged that a lightning strike was imminent.

The air must have been so charged in Capernaum at the time this Scripture passage took place.  There was a crowd, and this crowd was curious about the ministry of Jesus.  Scribes surely were scowling as they watched this new Rabbi closely, hoping that they could catch Him in an error.  The room was charged with excitement.  Everyone knew that something dramatic was about to take place.  It was not St. Elmo’s Fire; it was the King of King’s fire.  For when He is present, something miraculous is going to happen.

Sure enough, excitement mounted as four men began to tear up the roof in order to let a friend down in the presence of Jesus so that he could be healed.  The Bible says they literally “took off the roof.”  When believers at Fred Wes gather, it ought to be a “roof-raising experience.”  And we too should be able to say, “We’ve never seen anything like this before!”

According to this passage, three things are needed to have a “roof-raising” experience with Jesus:
We must have a Savior who can save.
We must have a preacher who can preach.
We must have a flock who has faith.

Prayer Focus:  Pray that Fredericksburg Wesleyan Church will be filled with people of faith like these four roof removers, for they did everything possible to bring their friend to Jesus.  Ask the Lord to make you like one of these four.


March 20, 2017


                                         
DAY TWENTY-SEVEN

March 20, 2017

Are You Dangerous?

“Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

When we are called by God our Savior out of sin’s bondage, we begin to journey with Him.  We follow Him as our Captain and Leader into the promised purpose of the future, our destiny.  Along the way, God will stretch us.  He will enlarge the horizons of our vision.

Jim Elliot, the great missionary who gave his life trying to reach the Auca Indians said,  “Am I Dangerous?”

If we are honest with ourselves, we may find that we are utterly ordinary and commonplace.  We profess to know a power the world cannot reckon with.  We are all sideliners, coaching and criticizing the real wrestlers, while content to sit by and leave the enemies of God unchallenged.  We are often spiritual pacifists, conscientious objectors in this battle to the death with principalities and powers in the heavenly places.  The world cannot hate us; we are too much like its own.  Oh, that God would make us dangerous! 

How do we get there?  According to Joshua there are several principles:

Choose to be strong.
Choose to be courageous.
Choose to be obedient.

Read Joshua 1 and write down everything God commands him to do.  Then reflect how these commands compare with what the Lord is calling you to do.


Prayer Focus:  Pray 2 Chronicles 15:7 for our church,  “But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.”  Ask the Lord to embolden us with strength, courage, and submission to Him to follow the path He has placed before us.  Pray these traits for yourself as well.