God Requires Risky Obedience

In summary of Luke 19:26 it says, “To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given to them.  Those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away.”

Bottom Line:
Risk you life and use well what you are given, if you do you’ll find even more is given to you.  However if you do nothing and play it safe then even what you have will be taken away.

What this means to me:
If I’m willing to risk my life in obedience to what He asks of me, he will provide more than I can ever dream of.  If instead, I try to play it safe, then what I do have will be taken away and I’ll end up holding the bag.  If God is asking me to take a step of faith, but I hesitate to take it (waiting until he shows me the steps afterward), I’m actually not waiting on God, rather he’s waitin on me.  God wants to use risks of obedience in my life to push me deeper in faith.  I need to step toward faith even when I don’t know what the next step will be.  The not knowing is what requires my faith and it compels me to rely on God to guide me forward.  What seems to be a no-guarantee situation actually comes with the greatest guarantee of all - a God-guarantee; that he’s working in my life.  With this I can enter into the risky obedience know that God will provide the strength to do it.  That he will help change my priorities to match his, (sacrificing in faith), what I cannot keep for the things that can never be taken away.   I can engage in the risky obedience of making disciples of people I encounter and teaching them that a risky obedience of following Jesus comes with a God-guarantee. Today I will consider tasks that are before me that at this point seem impossible.  I’ll think about how my approach to it can change if I believe it comes from God and he is wanting me to move forward in risky obedience.

Faith Involves Taking Risks

In summary of 1 Thessalonians 5:24 it says, "The one who chose you can be trusted, and he will finish what he has set out to do.”

Bottom Line
The one who called you is completely dependable.  If he said it, he’ll do it!

What this means to me:
God, who has chosen me, is completely faithful and dependable.  In Him I can fully trust.  Because of this, he will finish what he sets out to do.  As I follow him, he will move me deeper in faith by asking me to take risks.  I am certain that they will never be a “leap of faith” into darkness; rather they will be specific risks he asks of me.  Each risk, taken in faith helps to show exactly how he will take care of me (just as he promised.)  Each step of faith I take will help me get away from living by sight and closer to living in a life of faith, where I truly believe I’m secure in God’s promises.  So for me taking risks do not come naturally.  I’m the one who always feels better seeing it laid out on a map before I proceed.  What this passage tells me is that If he asks it, he will provide.  It’s up to me to take the step, perhaps without seeing a full map.  Today, I will consider if there are some steps God is asking me to take that seem risky and how I can move forward with them in faith.

Being An Influence For God’s Glory

In summary of Matthew 5:14-16 it says, “Your are the world’s light - it is impossible to hide a town built on top of a hill.  No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket.  Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your your light shine before others that they may see your moral excellence and your praiseworthy, novel and good deeds.  Then they can recognize, honor, praise and glorify our Father who is in heaven.”

Bottom line:
You’re here to be light, bringing out God’s goodness in the world.  A light is not something you hide.  Instead it is put in a high spot so that it can provide light to every.  So let your light shine before others.  Then they can recognize and praise the Father who is in heaven.

What this means to me:
I’m here in this life to be a vehicle for God to use.  I’m am to show others the difference it makes to have God working in one’s life.  God is not a secret to be kept.  I’m to go public with this (as public as a city on top of a hill.)  I should not hide under a bucket, instead I should give light to others.  I’m to be generous with my life, serving others and showing what the grace of God has done for me.  By opening up to others, It will prompt people to also open up to God who is our generous Father.  By myself, I cannot make myself the light of the world.  It is only because of my relationship with him, that I become that light, that reflection of him in me, a real life.  He calls each of us to follow him, and he tells us that “whoever follows me will have the light of life and will never walk in darkness.  My focus therefore must always be on the light; humbly trusting Jesus to reveal the light through me.  My influence and visibility is a result of who is living within me, and not because of what I do.  God is the one who will put me in a place of influence and visibility.  I’m just a steward, so I must get out of the way (my way) and let Jesus work through me.  Today I ask God to humble me and help me consider how he has placed me in a place of influence for his glory alone.  I ask for wisdom and discernment as I follow the example of Jesus and his direction for my life.

Tell God Exactly How You Feel

In summary of Job 7:11 it says, “I cannot keep from speaking, I must express my anguish and distress, so I cry out to you.  My bitter soul must complain.”

Bottom Line:
I can't be quiet! I am angry and bitter. I have to speak.

What this means to me:
Often I think that I should not complain to God, he has given me so much.  Part of me is holding back and not being honest with God.  But God already knows what's in my heart.  But this passage from Job tells me that Job felt comfortable enough with God to speak what was on his heart.  I too should not refrain from speaking what’s on my heart to God.  God can handle my emotions.  It’s ok to be honest; tell it all to God, get it off my shoulders.  God completely understands me and my hurts and he won’t be surprised by my emotional state.  So I don’t just need to “grin and bear it,” I can tell God exactly what I feel. It’s in this process that I come to understand more about him and his will for me.  Life was never meant to be easy.  It’s important to note that even though Job questioned God’s actions, he never stopped trusting God.  I know that this life is all a training ground for what he wants to do through me in this life and beyond.  Therefore, I will remember its ok not to restrain my real feelings before him.  I can speak and let God know of my disappointments, bitterness and fears.  I’m going to lay it all out on the table and then know that he will work in my heart for what is best because God can handle it.  Today I will think about those things I may be holding onto, the “gin and bear” it stuff.  I’ll take it to God in prayer.

Making God’s Word Is My Authority For How To Live My Life

In summary of Hebrews 10:35 it says, "Don’t throw away your confident trust in the Lord.  It carries with it a rich reward in the world to come."

Bottom Line:
Keep on being brave! It will bring you great rewards.

What this means to me:
In this world full of attacks on biblical worldview, I need to live with uncommon courage by continuing to accept God’s Word as my authority; God said it, I believe it, and that settles it for me whether I fully understand it or not.  Doing so allows me to build on the rock that never changes and not on the popular opinion of the time.  God gives both his promise and his oath and these are unchangeable because he is unchangeable.  In addition I need to continue to make it my priority to spend personal time with Him.  The more time I spend with him the less I can be influenced or intimidated by the opinions of others and the more courage I’ll have.  I need to realize that standing courageously for biblical views won’t be easy, but this scripture this morning encourages me to remember that the rewards of doing so will last forever.  
Today I will pray this:

“God, I want to be a person of courage. I don’t want to back down. I don’t want other people to control what I say or think. I want to build my life on a biblical worldview. I make these two commitments today: First, I accept your Word as my authority. You say it, I believe it, and that settles it. Second, Lord, I want to spend time with you every day. I want to get to know you personally, Jesus. I want to be so full of joy and courage that people say, ‘That guy’s been with Jesus.’ I ask you to help me to be fearless for the truth. In your name I pray. Amen.”

Stand Up For Sanctity

In summary of Acts 18:9 it says, “And one night the Lord said to Paul in a vision, Have no fear, but speak and do not keep silent”

Bottom Line:
Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent

What this means to me:
I am to not be afraid, I am to speak up for what is true and right.  I am to let no one silence me.  As I am working through my worldview and searching God’s truth on all matters, there are three controversial parts I must maintain.  They will require the most courage to speak up about.  These are topics that most will disagree on and will passionately argue with me about.  The three revolve around sanctity.  

• The sanctity of life:  God has a purpose for every unborn child.  God had planned me before I was born and before my parents were born and well before the he created the universe.  I need to speak up for those who can’t speak for themselves: the unborn.  Every life is sacred.
• The sanctity of sex:  Sex is only for marriage.  Sex was God’s idea, it isn’t dirty or wrong; sex is holy.  God’s instructions never change.  Premarital sex is unacceptable to God.  Living together without being married is unacceptable to God.  Adultery is unacceptable to God.  Ponography and the objectfication of women are unacceptable to God.
• The sanctity of marriage:  One man and one woman for life.  That is God’s intended original design.  God is very clear on the issue of marriage: “At the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh . . . So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate”” (Matthew 19:4-6 NIV).

So as a follower of God and his truth, I need to have the courage to stand up for these areas, even and especially when it’s not the popular or politically correct thing to do.  Today’s world seems to slowly begin to accept the opposite of these truths.  I will need to be able to communicate well God’s viewpoint on all three of these topics.

Going Against The Worlds Opinion

In summary of Matthew 10:32 it says, "Everyone who acknowledges and confesses following me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven."

Bottom Line:
To those who acknowledge and profess their faith in Him before others publicly, He will likewise be acknowledge by Jesus before the Father.

What this means to me:
If I stand up for Jesus publically, against the worlds opinion, Jesus will stand up for me before the Father in Heaven and vouch for me.  I can’t turn tail and run as it wouldn’t show my real faith and reveal that I’m more afraid of men and their opinions than God.  To live with uncommon courage and stand up for Christ, I need to learn how to clarify my worldview (what I’m basing my beliefs on) and understand the non-Christian worldviews:

• Materialism: What matters most is money/possessions.  In this view, success is measured by wealth.  However, we did not come into the world with anything and we will leave it with nothing.  Then why would it be beneficial to build up a pile of things that you will leave behind?  The greatest things in life aren’t things.
• Hedonism: Whatever feels good is good.  Pleasure is the goal and the god. In this view life is to be comfortable and fun.  What we find in scripture is that happiness is not the goal in life; happiness is a byproduct of living out your purpose.  God provides happiness to the ones who please him.
• Individualism: What I want comes first.  God didn’t create us to live for ourselves.  If we are to follow Jesus, you have to put aside your selfish ambition.  
• Socialism: Government should control everything. There is nothing wrong with politics, but it shouldn’t be your savior.  We are to be responsible citizens, but we do now own government our lives.  A greater loyalty should be to God and not government.  

The result of folks following these worldviews is a crumbling of our culture, crisis in our schools, corruption in our businesses, chaos in our government, carnality in our churches, confusion in our families, and conflicts in our personal lives.  Any time we miss following the owners manual (His Word) we are the ones who end up getting hurt.  When we break God’s laws we are really breaking us.  I believe God is call me to stand up for his truth “against world opinion.”  This will require really having a solid foundation in God’s Word and the uncommon courage that will come from my relationship with him.  Today I will make it a priority to go back though the notes on the “Truth Project” and really grasp the worldviews presented there and the contrasting views of God.