Verse of the Day 10/26

Through the Bible - Jeremiah 18-20, 2 Timothy 3

 

Good morning,

Greed, as we considered yesterday, and faith appear to have at least one thing in common, that of taking risk.  With greed it is risking, sometimes all, for personal gain, gratification or glory (likely all three).  Faith takes risk to love, to reach out, to hope against hope for others.

 

John Piper in "Don't Waste Your Life" writes,  "The strength to risk losing face for the sake of Christ is the faith that God's love will lift up your face in the end and vindicate your cause. The strength to risk money for the cause of the Gospel is the faith that we have a treasure in the heavens that cannot fail. The strength to risk losing life in this world is faith in the promise that he who loses his life in this world will save it for the age to come."

 

This kind of risk, this kind of faith is not easily understood by the world.  But putting it into practice won't go unnoticed.

Hebrews 11:6 (New Living Translation)And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.

 

I heard the song "That's What Faith Can Do" while driving in the car yesterday.  It went well with the thoughts of what John Piper wrote.

 

I've seen dreams that move the mountains 
Hope that doesn't ever end even when the sky is falling
I've seen miracles just happen, silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand  new, that's what faith can do

 

It doesn't matter what you've heard
Impossible is not a word
It's just a reason for someone not to try
Everybody's scared to death
You may decide to take that step
Out on the water, but it'll be all right

 

Life is so much more than what your eyes are seeing

You will find your way if you keep believing

 

Overcome the odds when you don't have a chance
(That's what faith can do)
When the world says you can't, it will tell you that you can

 

Even if you fall sometimes
You will have the strength to rise

 

 Read the short passage below.  Notice how it is sandwiched between Enoch and Noah.  God took one out from his circumstances, the other went through the Flood.  Both lived by faith.  What risks did they take?

 

What can faith in God do for you or friend today?  Are you willing to risk it?

Blessings,
Mike

mikevw@bellsouth.net
mikesvotd.blogspot.com

Hebrews 11:5-7 (New King James Version)

⁵ By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, "and was not found, because God had taken him"; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God. ⁶ But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
⁷ By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.