No Risk,No Rewards (August 16)

No risk, no rewards

"Then Peter said, 'Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you.  In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.'  Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong."  Acts 3:6,7.   Peter had just recovered from his public failure for cowardly denying that he knew Jesus.  He was lovingly forgiven by Jesus and restored with the disciples to launch Christianity.  While going to the temple one day, he saw a crippled beggar asking for money.  To Peter this was an opportunity to prove the power of Jesus Christ that would flow through him to heal a crippled man.  It was a risk because of his past failure and weakened reputation but he decided to put his faith in God and speak the words of faith.  The crippled was healed by the Name of Jesus to the Glory of our Heavenly Father.  No risk, no rewards.    I read some time ago: "To laugh is to risk appearing a fool.  To weep is to risk appearing sentimental.  To reach out to another is to risk involvement.  To expose your feelings is to risk rejection.  To place your dreams before the crowd is to risk ridicule.  To love is to risk not being loved in return.  To go forward in the face of overwhelming odds is to risk failure.  But risks must be taken because the greatest risk of all is to risk nothing.  The person who risks nothing does nothing, has nothing, and is nothing.  He may avoid suffering and sorrow, but he cannot learn, he cannot feel, he cannot change, he cannot grow, and he cannot love.  Chained by his certitudes, he is a slave.  Only the person who risks is truly free."   Jesus took a risk by coming to earth to save the world, knowing that many would reject Him.  Now we must take risks to love others, heal the sick, help the poor, and share the good news that Jesus Christ is Savior of the world.  When you pray, God listens.  When you step out, God releases miracles and His manifested glory in and through you.   Kingdom Declaration: I pray and obey to share and show the love of Jesus Christ to the world.   @Dr Pat Francis @Chayil$