Day 25 of 40 Day Discipleship Walk with Jesus Christ: Apply your faith – Short Story on Faith and Risk
Wednesday, December 25th, 2024
Full 40 Day Discipleship Walk with Jesus Link – https://www.otakada.org/get-free-40-days-online-discipleship-course-in-a-journey-with-jesus/
A Christmas Gift Link for New Life in Jesus Christ Link here-
https://www.otakada.org/how-to-be-born-again/
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.
Nurturing relationships mean taking risks. We risk when we tell someone we love them. We risk when we become vulnerable. Risk is an action that shows that our faith is real. If I said that I believe that a certain chair could hold me, by faith I could say “yes it is strong enough” but really only by taking the risk of sitting on it, can I show that my faith is genuine. Sometimes we believe certain things by faith, like God’s love for us and his forgiveness. This leads to risking loving and forgiving someone else. The more you can take risks of faith, the more you will become aware of God working around you. Like reaching out to help someone with a need, or suggesting something helpful or offering to do something with another person.
These risks will deepen our relationships both with God and others.
Short Story on Faith and Risk
As a young adult, I had always been skeptical of religion. I saw it as a crutch for the weak-minded, a way to avoid taking responsibility for one’s own life. But then, something unexpected happened. I found myself in a situation where I had no one to turn to, no one to trust. I was lost and alone, and I realized that I needed something more than just my own strength to get through it.
I remembered a phrase my grandmother used to say: “Have faith, child. God will provide.” I had always dismissed it as empty words, but now, in my darkest moment, I felt a desperate need to believe. So I closed my eyes and prayed.
I prayed for strength, for guidance, for a way out of this impossible situation. And as I prayed, I felt a strange sensation, like a warmth spreading through my body. It was as if God was listening, as if He was reaching out to me.
I opened my eyes to find a solution to my problem, one that I never could have imagined on my own. It was a risk, a leap of faith, but I knew that I had to take it. And so I did.
The results were unbelievable. I was able to overcome the obstacle that had been holding me back, and I found a new sense of purpose and direction in my life. I realized that my grandmother had been right all along, that faith could move mountains and overcome any obstacle.
From that day on, I knew that I would never be the same. I had experienced the power of faith, and I knew that I would always have God to turn to, no matter what challenges lay ahead.
End
For Reflection:
- Think of one risk you have taken that really seemed to work
- Think of one that didn’t. What was the difference?
Make Life Count:
- Take a step of risk Do something that could fail, but where you trust God for strength and success.
A Special Christmas Message to a Special Person today!
Celebrating the Birth of Our Eternal King
Celebrating the Birth of Our Eternal King
Today, we joyfully celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, our everlasting King! But how did this magnificent story begin? To combat and eradicate the devil’s influence, which started in Genesis 3, God took a monumental step by sending His Son to save humanity. This act was not without its dangers; it involved the risk of a painful death—the sacrifice of a sinless martyr. He embraced the cross with unwavering faith, believing that those who put their trust in Him will never face death but, instead, will enjoy eternal life. While some have daringly chosen to believe in Him and His completed work, many others still hesitate.
Life itself is filled with risks, from the mundane possibility of drifting into sleep and not waking up, to larger life decisions we make every day. We are all engaged in some level of risk, whether we acknowledge it or not. Our existence hangs in a delicate balance, influenced by both significant and trivial choices or even the choices left unmade. Rather than facing an eternity separated from God, why not take a leap of faith? Trust in the love that Jesus has for us and recognize that He came to earth to sacrifice Himself for our sake. Hell and heaven exist as opposing realities, and believing that God has provided a path through Jesus—who atoned for our sins—is a bold but essential choice.
The birth of Jesus that we celebrate today, on what we know as Christmas, signifies the beginning of a divine mission aimed at saving humanity. Many have chosen to risk believing in His existence, accepting Him as the only way to the Father, the embodiment of truth, and the source of life. No one can access the Father except through Jesus Christ!
This Christmas, as we reflect on His arrival and the glorious mission that He undertook for our redemption, why not take a chance? Embrace faith in Him, and find the hope and freedom that comes from knowing Jesus.
Make a decision today by visiting the Christmas gift salvation link above or below: https://www.otakada.org/how-to-be-born-again/
Merry Christmas from all of us at God’s Eagle Ministries (GEM)
Shalom!
Ambassador Monday O. Ogbe
P.S – First and Second reading for further meditation and contemplation John 14:1-14 and John 1o:30-38
14 Do not let your hearts be troubled (distressed, agitated). You believe in and adhere to and trust in and rely on God; believe in and adhere to and trust in and rely also on Me.
2 In My Father’s house there are many dwelling places (homes). If it were not so, I would have told you; for I am going away to prepare a place for you.
3 And when (if) I go and make ready a place for you, I will come back again and will take you to Myself, that where I am you may be also.
4 And [to the place] where I am going, you know the way.
5 Thomas said to Him, Lord, we do not know where You are going, so how can we know the way?
6 Jesus said to him, I am the Way and the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except by (through) Me.
7 If you had known Me [had learned to recognize Me], you would also have known My Father. From now on, you know Him and have seen Him.
8 Philip said to Him, Lord, show us the Father [cause us to see the Father—that is all we ask]; then we shall be satisfied.
9 Jesus replied, Have I been with all of you for so long a time, and do you not recognize and know Me yet, Philip? Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father. How can you say then, Show us the Father?
10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in Me? What I am telling you I do not say on My own authority and of My own accord; but the Father Who lives continually in Me does the ([a]His) works (His own miracles, deeds of power).
11 Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me; or else believe Me for the sake of the [very] works themselves. [If you cannot trust Me, at least let these works that I do in My Father’s name convince you.]
12 I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, if anyone steadfastly believes in Me, he will himself be able to do the things that I do; and he will do even greater things than these, because I go to the Father.
13 And I will do [I Myself will grant] whatever you ask in My Name [as [b]presenting all that I Am], so that the Father may be glorified and extolled in (through) the Son.
14 [Yes] I will grant [I Myself will do for you] whatever you shall ask in My Name [as [c]presenting all that I Am].
30 I and the Father are one.”
31 Again his Jewish opponents picked up stones to stone him, 32 but Jesus said to them, “I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?”
33 “We are not stoning you for any good work,” they replied, “but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God.”
34 Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your Law, ‘I have said you are “gods”’[a]? 35 If he called them ‘gods,’ to whom the word of God came—and Scripture cannot be set aside— 36 what about the one whom the Father set apart as his very own and sent into the world? Why then do you accuse me of blasphemy because I said, ‘I am God’s Son’? 37 Do not believe me unless I do the works of my Father. 38 But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father.”
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