"Why should we sit here waiting to die."  |  MAY 19, 2013  |  READ: 2Ki 7:3 NLT

STEP OUT ON FAITH

Unless you're willing to take risks you won't succeed in life.  Yes, there's a time for playing it safe.  But when caution becomes a lifestyle, you get bogged down in mediocrity and failure while life passes you by.  When you finish praying, searching the Scriptures and listening to godly counsel-you've got to step out in faith.

    Four lepers sat outside the famine-stricken city of Samaria.  They considered their situation.  "We're starving to death.  There's food in the city.  Enemy soldiers are in the  city.  We can play it safe, sit here and die.  Or go into the city and see whether they feed us or kill us!"  They knew their worst option was playing it safe and doing nothing.  So what happened?  They were saved by taking a step of faith.  Now, your risks maybe less dramatic, but unless you take them you'll never fulfill your God-given assignment in life.  The Bible says, "Whoever digs a pit may fall into it; whoever breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake.  Whoever quarries stones may be injured by them; whoever splits logs may be endangered by them" (Ecc 10:8-9 NIV).  By trying to avoid falls, bites, injuries, danger, etc, you miss out on life's opportunities.  Walking by faith means: (1) Accepting worthwhile risks.  You've got to go out on a limb for that's where the fruit is.  (2) Preparing wisely for your risks.  God rewards excellence.  "Using a dull axe requires great strength, so sharpen the blade...That's the value of wisdom; it helps you succeed" (v. 10 NLT).  So go ahead, step out in faith!