"Play It Safe??..Be Bold!!!"

 Hebrews 11:6

   “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”

One of the myths that has been crippling to Christianity for years is that Jesus has called us to “play it safe” "be tolerant"…when that was not taught or how Jesus or His followers followed the scriptures. 

Acts 20:24
      But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. 




Galatians 2:20
       I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 


       Jesus did not "play it safe" , Paul did not "play it safe" , the disciples did not "play it safe". We are called to be bold as the church did in Acts.

Acts 4:18-31
       So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 

 But Peter and John answered them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard." 

  And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened. 

  For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old. 

  When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 

  And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, "Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, 

  who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit, "'Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples plot in vain? 

  The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers were gathered together, against the Lord and against his Anointed'-- 

  for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, 

  to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. 

 And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, 

  while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus." 

  And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.

    Do you shy away and avoid sharing your faith or your testimony with others for fear of persecution? In the face of great hardships and persecution the "Acts Church" chose to pray for boldness. They did not "play it safe", they stepped forward in the name of Jesus.
     I am not saying they condemned and judged...NO.. they loved and spread Jesus's message with compassion. Risky?? no not at all, they had a great insurance policy! They had Jesus in their hearts, living in them, they were filled with  Holy Spirit and God was on their side.


Romans 8:31-33
       What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 

           He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 

           Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. 

   How do I know if God is leading me or if it is my own idea? That's a great question. How many times have you done nothing because you lacked the faith to step forward? When I have a leading I believe to be from God, I ask myself three things.

1.) Is it in direct conflict with the word of God? The Holy Spirit will not lead us down a path that is in conflict with the word of God.

2.) It stays on your mind, dominating your every thought. The more you dwell on it, the more brilliant the light shines and the hotter the fire in you to "make it happen"

3.) Seek the advise of Godly brothers and sisters. Do they affirm your thoughts? 

    Proverbs 15:22 tells a to seek counsel to be successful. 

  If you can answer "Yes" to all three questions, with no reservations, I believe your on the right track. Be bold, Step out there.

Romans 8:28

      And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

 Christians can not sit at home and hide. We cannot go to church and fellowship and turn a blind eye to what is going on outside the churches doors.

    There are around 2.2 Billion people in the world that profess to be Christian, that's about 1/3 of the worlds population. It is the #1 "religion" in the world. 

     What would happen if all those who profess to be christian acted, taught and shared the same as those in that little church in Acts did.. with boldness??

   Brothers and sisters make today, the day you really start living as Jesus taught. He lives within each and every one of us. We can make a difference. The great revivals of the past were started with and love and compassion as Jesus taught. They (revivals) did not become great by spreading fear and judgement.

   God bless you always!

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