Know your Leader!

When soldiers are proud of the country they serve, they are also proud of the strength of their country. They serve and respect their military leaders. They are a (very) small part of something larger than themselves, yet they take part in necessary teamwork towards a goal.

Is it not right then that Christians, who are "soldiers of Christ" (see 2 Timothy 2), take pride in the Lord? Should not soldiers of Christ understand more about God? Would you serve as a soldier in a war you knew little about, serving a country you barely knew?

Then, as risk-takers for Christ, study the Word. Hard.

And speaking of studying the Word, don't fall into the trap that you shouldn't care much about the Bible, that you should just be out and about all the time. Though some things in the Bible are "hard to understand" (2 Peter 3:14-16), your love can abound more in knowledge and all discernment (Philippians 1:9-11).

How big is God?

How big is God? Check this out:

"For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. [For all things originate with Him and come from Him; all things live through Him, and all things center in and tend to consummate and to end in Him.] To Him be glory forever! Amen (so be it)." Romans 11:36, AMP

Think about it. Can we as humans actually comprehend "all things"?

Risk-takers have a big view of God.

How big do you think God is?

Is your perspective of God big enough? God is a mysterious, just, gracious, lovely God. He is timeless. It is even said that what He has prepared for those who love Him no person has ever grasped!

"Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him." 1 Corinthians 2:9b, NKJV

So then, why do we consider Jesus merely a buddy beside us, a friend who is there when we feel we need Him, but other times irrelevant and unnecessary? This is a wrong view of the "great and awesome God" (Deut 7:21). And I don't mind saying this since other Godly men have said this.

Check out "The Attributes of God" by A.W. Tozer for a life-altering perspective change on who God is. A puny and wrong view of God can seriously affect growth in the Christian life.

Whatever you do reply

Thought this was a response worth sharing to the "Whatever you do" post:

'Oh, this one is hard. It seems so simple to "change our view" on working for our boss, or our teachers, or our family, to working for the Lord, but this is SO much easier said than done. This is where the Lord's strength must come in - we cannot do it on our own strength (at least, I cannot. I am entangled by the cares of the world, fear of man, emotions, exhaustion...). All we can do is say, "Lord, I am willing to work as unto You. Please give me the strength to do so", and then see how He can work through us.

Thanks for the challenge, though. We all need the reminder.'

Don't trust in riches!

If we learned anything from dotcom's busting and 401(k) plans dropping value, it should be that our trust should be with the Lord and not "our plans".

"Whoever trusts in his riches will fall,
but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf."
Proverbs 11:28, ESV

The Godly woman and man will learn not to trust in "unrighteous mammon" (Luke 16:9-13), but to use it as a wise steward!

Food service, anyone?

In reference to yesterday's message on Colossians 3:23-24, I think of people who serve food to others. If it really is "the Lord Christ you are serving", would you not then carry a better attitude towards others? Imagine giving Jesus Christ attitude as He ordered a fish sandwich, or being short with Him on the phone, or cheating on your timecard with Christ as your boss...

You get the point. Whatever your work is, imagine you are interacting with Christ every time you serve someone. Would you not be humbled and careful to give your best? (John 12:3) It may give you a new perspective towards joyful and wholehearted service!

Whatever you do

Whatever you do, do it with all your heart, as working for the Lord! See Colossians 3:23-24

Who is in need of hope?

A challenge and risk from my pastor, Bennett Boothe, today: pray for the Lord to show you one person a day who is in need of hope. You can provide this hope by knowing the Word (in both senses, the Bible and Christ!) and having a willingness to share your hope; put another way, your love may abound more through your understanding - Philippians 1:9-11.

Free garage sale

With warming weather in this part of the world, my wife and I thought a garage sale would be overboard for getting rid of the stuff we had. We'd have to advertise in order to amortise, plan it out... so we decided to put our junk on our corner and put up a sign that said

FREE
(gratis)
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16

I figured that it seems obtrusive to just force someone to read a Bible verse or consider God, but perhaps giving somebody something for free would make them OK with seeing a verse that reminded them: "be reconciled to God before it's too late!" We had several interesting conversations with folks who came by, and started relationship with a few neighbors. Cool!

I mention this not to gloat, but to be excited about ways this community of risk-takers are "being bold" for Christ. (For if we're not bold now, won't we look back later and think how we missed opportunities in the here and now?)

Any ways you care to share your boldness to encourage and inspire the group?