Daily Devotion

December 18, 2014

When God Lights a Fire Under You


“Great persecution broke out…and all…were scattered.” Ac 8:1 NIV

Jesus never intended His disciples to get comfortable in Jerusalem and stay there. He told them, “Forgiveness of sins will be preached in [my] name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem” (Lk 24:47 NIV). They were only supposed to remain in Jerusalem long enough to be infused with power, then take the gospel to the world. But they “returned to Jerusalem…And…stayed continually at the temple, praising God” (vv. 52-53 NIV). Now it’s okay to wait on God for directions and the power to carry them out, but not to keep repeating some earlier experience you’ve had. Jesus said, “You will receive power…and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all of Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Ac 1:8 NIV). So how did God get them out of their comfort zone? By lighting a fire under them! “Great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and …Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went” (Ac 8:1-4 NIV). We all believe the gospel must be preached to every nation, but few of us want to leave home and take it to them. We’re willing to pray, and even pay, as long as we get to stay. But when God has a mission for you He will do whatever it takes to get you moving. Before He will let you miss out on your destiny, He will permit trouble to uproot you. You can’t freeze-frame the past or relive it. And you can’t keep God’s blessing to yourself. When God lights a fire under you He’s saying, “It’s time for you to move!”

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