“But when I look in the rearview mirror, I realize that the biggest risks were the greatest opportunities.” (from Mark Batterson’s new book)
That is an awesome and scary thought. In fact there are a couple things that come to my mind that should shock us: 1) fear may keep us from the greatest places and 2) risk may change my perspective.
“Just then a woman who had hemorrhaged for twelve years slipped in from behind and lightly touched his robe. She was thinking to herself, "If I can just put a finger on his robe, I'll get well." Jesus turned— caught her at it. Then he reassured her: "Courage, daughter. You took a risk of faith, and now you're well." The woman was well from then on.” Matthew 9:20-22 (MSG)
That is a familiar story we have heard. Do you remember it? The lady had been sick for a long time and knew that Jesus could make a difference in her life. She took a risk to get to Jesus. She took a risk and allowing Jesus to heal her.
Jesus said, “you took a risk of faith.” Is faith a risk? How can that be?
Be careful when you ask questions like that.
Faith is always a risk. It is like giving or tithing when that is all the money you have, but you know what God says and that He provides. It is like leaving one job for another that is different in many ways or by moving to a new town where you know only few people. It is like accepting rejection because you know what you have to share or do is worth the risk. It is like investing in something with lots of time or effort or money trusting that the dividends will be worth the investment.
Risk is a word that the church and Christians fear. What risks are we willing take so more people will go to heaven? What are we willing to risk to see that the church is more successful and touches more lives? What risk are we willing to take to obey Jesus?
We don’t move into risk just for the adventure. That is dumb. We take risk because of the call of God.
“Our lives are at constant risk for Jesus' sake, which makes Jesus' life all the more evident in us. While we're going through the worst, you're getting in on the best!” 2 Corinthians 4:11-12 (MSG)
Does that make sense? Faith is always a risk when Jesus is involved. You cannot outthink God. You cannot reason with your mind about God’s plan. It is a risk to live by faith.
How about a testimony of a man who took some risk (you can read the chapter to get the rest of the story)?
“For he risked his life for the work of Christ, and he was at the point of death while trying to do for me the things you couldn't do because you were far away.” Philippians 2:30 (NLT)
That is an awesome and scary thought. In fact there are a couple things that come to my mind that should shock us: 1) fear may keep us from the greatest places and 2) risk may change my perspective.
“Just then a woman who had hemorrhaged for twelve years slipped in from behind and lightly touched his robe. She was thinking to herself, "If I can just put a finger on his robe, I'll get well." Jesus turned— caught her at it. Then he reassured her: "Courage, daughter. You took a risk of faith, and now you're well." The woman was well from then on.” Matthew 9:20-22 (MSG)
That is a familiar story we have heard. Do you remember it? The lady had been sick for a long time and knew that Jesus could make a difference in her life. She took a risk to get to Jesus. She took a risk and allowing Jesus to heal her.
Jesus said, “you took a risk of faith.” Is faith a risk? How can that be?
Be careful when you ask questions like that.
Faith is always a risk. It is like giving or tithing when that is all the money you have, but you know what God says and that He provides. It is like leaving one job for another that is different in many ways or by moving to a new town where you know only few people. It is like accepting rejection because you know what you have to share or do is worth the risk. It is like investing in something with lots of time or effort or money trusting that the dividends will be worth the investment.
Risk is a word that the church and Christians fear. What risks are we willing take so more people will go to heaven? What are we willing to risk to see that the church is more successful and touches more lives? What risk are we willing to take to obey Jesus?
We don’t move into risk just for the adventure. That is dumb. We take risk because of the call of God.
“Our lives are at constant risk for Jesus' sake, which makes Jesus' life all the more evident in us. While we're going through the worst, you're getting in on the best!” 2 Corinthians 4:11-12 (MSG)
Does that make sense? Faith is always a risk when Jesus is involved. You cannot outthink God. You cannot reason with your mind about God’s plan. It is a risk to live by faith.
How about a testimony of a man who took some risk (you can read the chapter to get the rest of the story)?
“For he risked his life for the work of Christ, and he was at the point of death while trying to do for me the things you couldn't do because you were far away.” Philippians 2:30 (NLT)
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