Ernest Shackleton the famed adventurer and explorer wanted to be the first person to cross Antarctica.  It had already been discovered but no one had crossed from shore to shore.  Within him was this passion, this calling to take the risk and explore the whole continent. 

In the days before GPS and cell phones, Shackleton set out to find a band of men who would go on this journey with him.  He placed an ad in the newspaper looking for a “few good men.”  The ad read, “Men wanted for hazardous journey.  Small wages, bitter cold, long months in complete darkness, constant danger, safe return doubtful.  honor and recognition in case of success.” 5,000 men applied.

Within the heart of mankind is a sense of adventure.  Most people play life safe.  Never taking any risks.  They read the ad that says hazardous journey and constant danger and decide that it is not for them.  There are, however, those who read the ad, recognition and honor in case of success.

There are risk takers and those who like the safety.  Which one are you?

All of us are called to take bold risks for the Kingdom of God.  I am not talking, just about risking our lives , but rather being willing do something for God.  Most people will hide behind fear of failure and never attempt anything.  They will always play it safe, because they do not want to disturb the status quo.  Then there are many who will hold back because change is too hard.

God is not looking for a people who want to stay comfortable but for a people who are willing to stretch themselves.  Who will be willing to risk reputation, comfort, security and mediocrity, and attempt something great for God.  It was William Carey who said, “Expect Great Things From God, Attempt Great Things For God.”

We often expect God to do great things for us, but we attempt very little for Him.  We wait for Him to do something and then we will act.  But God waits for us to make the move.  He is waiting for us to launch out.  Peter did not know if he could walk on water until he got out of the boat.

We could advance the cause of Christ more if we would get out of the security of the boat.  Money follows ministry, salvations follow evangelism, transformation follows action.  Let’s take bold risks for God!  Let’s do something great for Him!

Sunday afternoon Josh and I took a 3 mile hike.  We went to Hobbs Conservation area and hiked the Bashore Ridge Loop.  It was a good brisk hike.  Alot of hollows but the greatest part was the view of Beaver Lake.  On the ridge loop it takes you by a ridge that overlooks the Lake and it was beautiful on this sunny day!  I think the most interesting sight was the old truck that seemed out of place.  I wondered if they broke down a long time ago and never got it towed.  The chrome in the middle of the windshield looked brand new.  It was extremely shiny with no rust.

We have been having spring-like weather here in Northwest Arkansas so we went out for the day, Saturday.  Took a trip to Devil’s Den State Park.  One of the most beautiful places of NWA.

We had another a great day yesterday.  The worship was awesome.  The team introduced Everlasting God and the crowd picked it up quickly.  Our Project Rebuild is coming along well.  We have already received pledges and offerings that total around $20,000.  God is supplying our needs!

We began our Wisdom For Living series by looking at the story of Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived.  God asked Solomon what he wanted God to do for him.  Solomon had a blank check from God and he asked for Wisdom.  We learned how Solomon was tested by God and wound up passing  the test.  I am looking forward to our new series from the book of Proverbs.

• Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today.
• Never trouble another for what you can do yourself.
• Never spend your money before you have it.
• Never buy what you don’t want because it is cheap.
• Pride costs more than hunger, thirst and cold.
• We seldom repent of having eaten too little.
• Nothing is troublesome that we do willingly.
• How much pain and evils have cost us that have never happened.
• Take things always by the smooth handle.
• When angry, count ten before you speak; if very angry, count to one hundred.

There is a song by one of my favorite bands, Delirious?, called History Maker that explains our mission as believers. 

Yes, it’s true today that when people stand
With the fire of God, and the truth in hand
We’ll see miracles, we’ll see angels sing
We’ll see broken hearts making history
Yes, it’s true and we believe it we’re living for You

I’m gonna be a history maker in this land
I’m gonna be a speaker of truth to all mankind
(History Maker, by Martin Smith of Delirious?)

What a message!  What a calling!  You and I are meant to be history makers.  Note the line that said that we’ll see broken hearts making history.  Everyone of us has a story.  We all have something that has affected our lives, but God has created each of us to be History Makers.

God is not limited because of where you have been.  His hands are not tied because you have made mistakes in your life.  His purpose for you is unchanged no matter where you have been or what you have gone through.  You are to be a history maker!

Think of the rough shod group that He chose as disciples.  They all deserted Jesus when He was arrested.  They ran away like cowards.  Thomas doubted. Peter denied. The rest departed but yet they were His disciples.  This was the lot that He chose to represent Him.  After the resurrection and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit this roughshod group of disciples became fire-baptized History Makers.

My favorite verse in all of the New Testament records, "These who have turned the world upside down have come here too."  (Acts 17:6)

They can run but they cannot hide.  The world changers had come there to that town too.  Oh, if it could only be said of today’s believers that we have turned the world upside down.  It would be an awesome thing if the world would be a little intimidated because of the church’s power. 

You have the ability to make history wherever you are.  On your job you can turn them upside down. In our community you can make a difference.  You can change the world one life at a time.  Child of God, you are a history maker!

Let’s go out and win the world for Christ.  Let’s look at the opportunities God has placed all around us and work for the furthering of the Gospel. 

Is your heart in your worship?

Psalm 9:1 says, “I will praise You, O’ Lord, with my whole heart; I will tell of your marvelous works.”

There are a couple of things that we can learn from such a powerful Scripture.  First is the heart of praise.  Often when we praise God we do it only half-heartedly.  We come to church shackled with our problems and our cluttered minds and only give a portion of ourselves in worship.  In our time of prayer at home we move quickly past the praise and worship to the ask and receive mode. 

The thing about praise is that if you will do it long enough your troubles will seem to vanish.  Yes, they are still there but your perspective changes.  After lifting up the magnificent name of Jesus you can’t help but have faith that He will bring you through.  Praise is the catalyst that propels you past the circumstances of life, past the hum drum of routines in life, past the endless deadlines.  Praise helps us focus on an eternal God that is concerned with our daily needs.  We have a tendency to think that if we praise God He won’t answer our prayers.  We feel like we have to tell God our problems for Him to know about them.  Friends, I believe in bringing our requests to God, but we must praise Him with our whole hearts.

I can guarantee  that if you will praise Him with all you have, He will show up to meet your needs.  The Bible says that God inhabits the praises of His people.  Selfishness keeps us focused on our problems instead of on the God who has the answer to those problems.  I challenge you today to praise God with your whole heart and see what happens.  You don’t have to be at church to praise God you can do it wherever you are.

Second, We must tell of His wonderful deeds.  Why must we tell of God’s marvelous works?  Of course, because He deserves praise but especially because when we tell of His marvelous deeds it causes us to believe that He will do it again.  I don’t know about you but everyone has a story to tell.  Everyone can look back at how God acted on their behalf at one time or another.  Thanksgiving helps us focus on what God has done rather than on what He hasn’t done.  God’s ways are marvelous.  His works are beyond compare.  Some may say, “He hasn’t done anything for me.”  If God doesn’t do anything else for me, He has already done enough by saving me from sin.  There is always something to be thankful for.