Scripture: Acts 28 v 1-10.
Paul and the 275 member crew were washed up on this Greek
island after being shipwrecked in a terrible storm on the Mediterranean Sea. In
the midst of the storm when all were in fear of their lives and trying to get
into a lifeboat, Paul brings a word from God to them, Unless you all stay in
the ship we will all be drowned. They listened and during the night the ship
ran aground on an island and everyone was still alive.
The islanders make them a fire and while collecting more
wood for it Paul gets bitten on the hand by a venomous snake, which has no
effect on him. (See Mark 16 v 17-18).
The islander's opinion of Paul swings from escaped
murderer getting his just desserts, to a god who should be worshipped, when he
doesn't die. He then heals a man of a serious illness which leads to all the
islanders coming for prayer and being healed.
This is how Jesus reaches the lost. You are made vulnerable from the
very start (Paul was a prisoner)and then you face a near death experience
(shipwreck) so everyone can see a miracle (when no lives are lost).
Next you are venomously attacked (Paul was bitten by a
snake) but overcome this and people take notice.
Then another vulnerable person gets healed then everyone
wants the touch of Jesus. This is what is known as a move of the Holy Spirit to
be a witness for Jesus and the Kingdom of God. When it happens on a larger
scale it is called a Revival. This world desperately needs a true revival right
now.
So to be really used of God be ready for weird things to
happen to get His message across. Don't panic be bold and strong and Jesus will
do the rest. God is seeking those who not only spiritually "think out of
the box" but actively do "out of the box" things under His
control to bring the knowledge of Jesus to the lost.
This world is full of drama everywhere with fires,
floods, tornadoes, tsunamis, earthquakes, protestors, civil wars, plagues of
strange diseases, feuds, messy divorces, so one of the plans of God is to bring
peace to the troubled and fearful.
He will use the peacemakers, His children, so when all
around you are screaming with fear, calm them, pray for the peace of Jesus to
pass all understanding, and let Him take control through you. There is nothing
the Father will not do to reach the lost through you if you let Him.