{"id":18841,"date":"2021-01-30T15:29:25","date_gmt":"2021-01-30T20:29:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mdkumc.org\/ministry\/?p=18841"},"modified":"2021-01-30T15:29:25","modified_gmt":"2021-01-30T20:29:25","slug":"january-30-wearing-our-courage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mdkumc.org\/ministry\/?p=18841","title":{"rendered":"January 30 Wearing Our Courage"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Bible in a Year:
\nExodus 23\u201324 Matthew 20:1\u201316
\nIf I am a man of God, may fire come down from heaven.<\/p>\n

2 Kings 1:10
\nToday’s Scripture & Insight:<\/p>\n

2 Kings 1:9\u201315
\nAndrew lives in a country that\u2019s closed to the gospel. When I asked how he keeps his faith a secret, he said he doesn\u2019t. He wears a button that advertises his church, and whenever he\u2019s arrested he tells the police that \u201cthey need Jesus too.\u201d Andrew has courage because he knows who\u2019s on his side.<\/p>\n

Elijah refused to be intimidated, even when the king of Israel sent fifty soldiers to arrest him (2 Kings 1:9). The prophet knew God was with him, and he called down fire that consumed the platoon. The king sent more soldiers, and Elijah did it again (v. 12). The king sent more, but the third platoon had heard about the others. The captain begged Elijah to spare his soldiers\u2019 lives. They were more afraid of him than he\u2019d ever been of them, so the angel of the Lord told Elijah it was safe to go with them (vv. 13\u201315).<\/p>\n

Jesus doesn\u2019t want us to call down fire on our enemies. When the disciples asked if they could call down fire on a Samaritan village, Jesus rebuked them (Luke 9:51\u201355). We\u2019re living in a different time. But Jesus does want us to have Elijah\u2019s boldness\u2014to be ready to tell everyone about the Savior who died for them. It may seem like one person taking on fifty, but it\u2019s actually One on fifty. Jesus provides what we need to courageously love and reach out to others.<\/p>\n

By: Mike Wittmer<\/p>\n

Reflect & Pray
\nHow does Jesus provide what you need to be courageous? What does God want you to know and do?<\/p>\n

Holy Spirit, thank You for living in me. Fill me with courage as I tell others about Jesus.<\/p>\n