Wednesday, March 04, 2009

ARE YOU PREPARED TO LIVE WITH INSECURITY?



Hebrews 11:7 ‘By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.’(NIV)

“When you live by Faith, you are living on the edge of insecurity”

Faith heroes always challenge the the status quo. In one way or another, they are not ‘normal’ by most people’s standards.

God told Noah to build a boat. ‘Great,’ said Noah, ‘what’s a boat?’ ‘You know,’ came the reply, ‘one of those things you use when it rains a lot.’ Noah was excited, but perplexed. ‘Great,’ he said, ‘what’s rain?’ (Genesis says there had never been rain to the point in time.) When God told Noah to build a boat, it wasn’t a balsa-wood boat-in-a-bottle constructed out in the garden shed. Noah built a supermarket-sized boat in his driveway — and several other people’s driveways. It was huge! Tourists came from miles around to take photographs of ‘the fool and his boat’. Noah found favour with God — and saved his family — because he refused to be ruled by popular opinion. God declared a flood to world that had never seen rain — and only Noah was prepared to believe him. Were their moments when Noah felt doubt? Of course. Were there times when Noah wished someone else had received the call? Sure. Nevertheless, Noah was prepared to live with the insecurity and that was what made him a world changer.

Prayer: ‘Dear Father, thank you for the example of people like Noah who are obeyed your call even in the face of ridicule. I want to pursue your call on my life whatever the cost, so please, I pray, trust me, call me afresh even today.’

Tuesday, March 03, 2009

ARE YOU A DANGEROUS PERSON?



Hebrews 11:33-34 '[It was faith people] who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies.' (NIV)

Faith people are dangerous people! They are not people who mirror the status quo: they challenge the way things are and point the way to something better, the Kingdom of God. Sometimes, they are sandpaper that disturbs a complacent world. William & Catherine Booth defied religious convention and brought relief to millions suffering in poverty. They challenged the powers of respectable society.

William Wilberforce, the famed English politician, worked for over a generation to overthrow the practice of slavery in the British Isles. He challenged the powers of trade and commerce that lived off the sweat and suffering of the slaves.

Martin Luther nailed 95 statements to the door of a city church one October morning. His statements called for massive reform of the Catholic Church. He was ex-communicated by the pope and then called to appear before a council of princes. Facing possible death, he ended his defence with this classic statement: 'I cannot and I will not take back anything. My conscience is bound by the Word of God. Here I stand. I cannot do otherwise. God help me. Amen.' He challenged the powers of dead religion -- and changed not just the church, but also the world. Faith people are dangerous people. What 'damage' can you do to the Kingdom of darkness today?

Prayer: 'Lord, help me to be dangerous to the ways of this world. Help me to stand up to the pressures of conformity and complacency. Help me, even today, to do some damage to the Kingdom of darkness, by walking in your light.'
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