From “Rylisms” by James Ryle

You have to…. 

Take a Risk

“Men who hazarded their lives for the name of the Lord Jesus.” (Acts 15:26)

 
The status quo requires no risk. Nothing ventured; nothing gained. But excellence, by its very nature, requires that you break out of the pack and pull away from the common and ordinary, shaking off the mundane and mediocre. Hey, the only thing in the middle of the road is yellow stripes and dead armadillos!

 
It has be said many times, “If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got.” What this means, then, is if you want something that you’ve never had before, you must be willing to do something that you’ve never done before. And that is where RISK comes into the equation.

 
Noah built a boat in the middle of a desert —that was a risk. Abraham left his home and went out, not knowing where he was going – that was a risk. Moses forsook the security of Pharaoh’s palace, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God —that was a risk.

 
Daniel prayed to God though the king had decreed death to any who dared do so—that was a risk. David faced a giant in the open field of battle—that was a risk. John the Baptist confronted the sins of King Herod—that was a risk. Peter walked on water—that was a risk. Paul openly declared to Caesar himself that Jesus Christ is Lord—that was a risk.

 
These were men of whom the world was not worthy. These are the fathers of our Faith, and we are their sons and daughters. Now it is our turn. Now we have the opportunity and the abilities to not only follow in their steps, but to go beyond where they themselves were able to go. But it will require a definite dose of vision, passion, discipline and risk.

 
Are you willing to make that leap?

 

 

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From “Rylisms” by James Ryle

To not bring this to your attention would be an act of the most vile hatred for you.  Love means sharing that which is above all true. 

A Day of Reckoning

“Bring here those enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, and slay them before me.” (Luke 19:27, NKJV).

 
There is a finality to unbelief. Those who reject Christ and refuse God’s only provision for salvation will most surely die in their sins. The Bible leaves nothing vague on this matter, for the stakes are high and eternal.

 
The writer of the Book of Hebrews presents the clearest case regarding this weighty issue: “Anyone who disobeys the Law of Moses is put to death without any mercy when judged guilty from the evidence of two or more witnesses. What, then, of those who despise the Son of God? who treat as a cheap thing the blood of God’s covenant which purified them from sin? who insult the Spirit of grace? Just think how much worse is the punishment they will deserve! It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God!” (Hebrews 10:28—31, Good News Bible).

 
Moreover, Jesus said, “Whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder” (Matthew 21:44). Christ is the Rock. You and I must fall upon Him and be broken – redeemed from all self-righteousness and sinful independence. Otherwise, the Rock will fall on us and we will be crushed—separated forever from God, and from all things good and holy.

 
C.S. Lewis wrote, “In the end there will be two categories of people. Those who say to God, “Thy will be done,’ and thus enter Heaven; and those to whom God says, ‘Thy will be done,’ as they enter Hell.”

 
A Day of Reckoning is coming for believer and unbeliever alike. For those who reject Christ it will be a day of terror—and finality. For those who love the Lord, and served Him faithfully in life, it will be a day of reward and great joy.

 
What are you doing to be best prepared for that coming Day?