A Risk A Day

Next time you're bored..

2011-07-11T01:00:00.002-06:00

The next time you're bored, take some time and walk or drive around your neighborhood. Praying to the Lord, He may enlighten you on some people who could use encouragement or a listening ear. If you don't know what to do, remember that prayer is one of the most effective ways to influence someone's life - ask the Spirit to influence and bring folks into right relationship with Him.

His glorious riches

2011-06-16T01:00:00.000-06:00

He has glorious riches! (Far more than we can understand or imagine)

"I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith." Ephesians 3:16-17a, NIV

Something new

2011-06-01T01:00:00.000-06:00

Learn one new and interesting thing about another culture and then pray for those people today. If you like, share your newly learned fact in a comment to this posting.

Easy to forget..

2011-05-31T01:00:00.002-06:00

It is easy to forget how blessed we are in the U.S. to have freedom to practice differing religions. Reviewing the Voice of the Martyrs stories, it is a hard but good reminder that persecution is happening today in the church. For one story, see this article.

For more on being a "soldier for Christ", see 2 Timothy 2. "No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier..."

Memorial Day

2011-05-30T01:00:00.003-06:00

For those in the United States, today is a day to reflect on those who have given their lives in country service. Here's an informative site on the history of Memorial Day and how to remember lives lost and those serving today.

Praise the Lord that we have men and women who give their life to uphold life and liberty on U.S. soil! Today, please also pray for your country.

Clearing out the closets

2011-05-28T01:00:00.001-06:00

Survey your home and box up 1-2 dozen food items you won't eat or things that you won't use to be delivered to a local charity at a later date.

Are we not blessed if we can get rid of 24 items and not have a problem surviving? Praise the Lord, from whom all blessings flow!

Mother's Day

2011-05-08T01:00:00.002-06:00

Happy Mother's Day!

Praise the Lord for the mothers out there who work hard to raise the next generation of God-fearers. I believe it's still true today: God loves it when families raise up Godly kids (see Malachi 2:15 among a multitude of other verses).

And moms are a key part of God's plan for building up, disciplining, feeding, educating, enjoying, loving, cheerleading and supporting kiddos. So, keep up the good work moms.

If you're a dad today, perhaps you can give your wife some time off? Or help the kids with a craft to honor mom? If you're a child and your mom is still around, how about honoring her and letting her know that you love her?

Photo of kids by kalimevole

Know your Leader!

2011-03-26T01:00:00.001-06:00

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?

2011-03-25T01:00:00.002-06:00

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?

2011-03-24T01:00:00.003-06:00

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

2011-03-16T01:00:00.001-06:00

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!

2011-03-10T01:00:00.002-07:00

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?

2011-03-09T01:00:00.002-07:00

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

2011-03-08T01:00:00.001-07:00

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?

2011-03-07T01:00:00.003-07:00

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

2011-03-01T01:00:00.003-07:00

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?

Thinking on true, noble, just, pure, lovely things

2011-02-24T01:00:00.003-07:00

This was a prior risk, but it's worth repeating: think and meditate on true, noble, just, pure, lovely things.

"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things." Philippians 4:8, NKJV

I included a recent picture of my daughter, who I think of with this verse.

God bless ~

Prayer

2011-02-21T01:00:00.002-07:00

Today's risk: pray for a country you know the name of, but do not know where it is. Pray for the Christian churches in that country to live bold lives.

Spiritual blessing

2011-02-19T01:00:00.002-07:00

How much spiritual blessing do you have in your life? Or is that even the right question to ask?

Today's risk is to review this passage, and come to a better understanding of what God gives Christians:

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ." Ephesians 1:3, NIV

Happy Valentine's Day from God

2011-02-14T01:00:00.003-07:00

"Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends." (John 15:13, NKJV, see also Romans 5:8)

If you have not yet received Christ's gift of grace, now is the "accepted time" to believe on Him! "For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life." John 3:16

For the Christian risk-takers who see this blog, God has given us the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:17-21). Today's risk is to share the good news of God's grace with others. Let us be bolder still in the ways we are willing to "make a fool" of ourselves for the sake of someone finally "getting it"!

Hooray for God's great love for us!

Quick, hide (for women also!)

2011-02-12T01:00:00.000-07:00

Thanks to someone who commented last week on "Quick, HIDE!":

'Thanks for reminding us to rid ourselves of the things that tempt us - for women, I know that it's important not to watch shows that glorify thin women. It's too tempting to believe that we should all look like that, when the Bible clearly tells us that "You are ALL beautiful, my love, there is no flaw in you."' (Song of Solomon 4:7)

I have heard from older women that there are other temptations for women to be wary of. Titus 2 carries exhortations, the opposite of which can come understanding of common temptations. Or the challenge of not gossiping: "Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered." (Proverbs 11:13, ESV)

This week's risk? Understand temptations that affect you, and plan an evacuation route when that comes, just as occupants of a building on fire must know the exit path! Praise the Lord that He does not give us a temptation which we cannot handle! (1 Corinthians 10:13)

Quick, HIDE!

2011-02-01T01:00:00.003-07:00

"The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it." Proverbs 27:12, ESV

Today's risk: scan for danger, and hide yourself. What does this mean? Well, one way to practice this is if you know where you are susceptible to temptation (such as letting loose gossip from your mouth), you can choose to 'not give opportunity for the flesh'.

On one business trip years ago, I learned that it was unhealthy for me to have a hotel room that overlooked a pool - being a single man, it just wasn't good to see women swimming below me, especially since they could not see me. Reading the Bible, I know that David had a very similar problem (see 2 Samuel 11), and thus it may be more of a universal problem for a man to 'look down' and see a woman. (Men, a similar issue is when you wear dark sunglasses to a beach so that your eyes can roam freely - be cautious not to give opportunity for the flesh!)

On a recent business trip, I checked into a room that was close to a pool. Realizing that was not healthy for me, I requested another room immediately. I felt at peace that I had made the right decision - I had "hidden myself" from the potential for temptation to lust after a woman as a married man.

Risk-takers: when you see danger (not to be confused with a risk that the Lord would be glorified in your taking), hide yourself! And in so doing, you will bypass suffering from "going on".

Prayer

2011-01-31T01:00:00.001-07:00

Pray for a pastor or ministry that you know of today. These groups need prayer support!

Prayer

2011-01-29T01:00:00.003-07:00

Today's risk: spend a solid 5 minutes in prayer today. If you can last longer than 5 minutes, you may just be practiced - praise the Lord!

And in case this sounds like I'm coming from a 'holier than thou' standpoint, I'm not - I'm still working on keeping my mind focused on prayer for amounts of time. John Piper recommends a "prayer closet" or area that is exclusively for prayer. If you have even a little space, this may help you focus on the Lord and what He would have you pray for. Get going - commune with Him, your soul deeply desires it, whether your flesh wants to let that be known or not!

Single parenting

2011-01-28T01:00:00.002-07:00

I have a hard enough time caring for my two kids when my wife is out of town! I am amazed by the energy level it takes to feed, bathe, clothe, change, care for, discipline, cheer up, play with, ... well, you get the point.

If the Lord leads you, today's risk is to help out a single parent (usually a single mom, but not always). While providing for a family is a "load", single parenting is usually a burden - it's HARD.

"Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." Galatians 6:2, NIV