Making a difference

By Raly Ewemie

ARE YOU POSITIONED AND READY TO BE SET ABOVE THE CROWD, MAKE AN ETERNAL DIFFERENCE, AND BE A HERO OF FAITH?

While studying the heroes of faith in the book of Hebrews chapter 11, I was struck by the second verse, that the act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors setting them above the crowd: “Because of faith, the men of old were approved by God.”

There were a few things I noticed that were common among these heroes of faith and I just can’t wait to point them out and ponder them a bit with you. For I strongly do believe that if we are going to change our world, make an eternal impact, and be set above the crowd like these heroes, then we must pursue and embrace these heart-attitudes that will make a big difference in our faith walk.

A Heart-Attitude of Relationship With God

Without a relationship with the Father, in no way will you get to see the supernatural or the impossible become possible. There has to be a relationship with the only One that can make that possible.

Jesus disciples said to Him “Master teach us how to pray.” They knew there was something great about the prayer life of Jesus. They knew when He came out of His closest time alone with Lord, supernatural things happened. Jesus taught them by saying “When you pray say, ‘Our Father who art in heaven…’” See, guys, there has to be a relationship between you and the

Father first. Jesus practiced what he preached. He walked His talk.

My mum had an encounter with Jesus and he said to her, “I am the way the truth and the life, no one can come to the Father but only through me.” (John 14:6) My mum knew immediately that Muhammad could not get her connected to God, only Jesus could. Jesus did not come to bring us into a religion but into a relationship with the Father. Each of these heroes had a relationship and an encounter with the Father.

A hero of faith has A Heart-Attitude of Relationship With God.

A Heart-Attitude of A Child Before God

In Matthew 18:2 Jesus says that we must become “as little children” in order to enter the kingdom of God.

One of the most common characteristics of a child is one of meekness and humility. A child has no pride, ambition or self-importance. A child will take you for your words. If you promise a child something, they do not question how you are going to bring that about, all they are concerned about is that you’re going to do what you said you would do.

Jesus encourages us to add to our faith such child like attitude. The Great heroes of faith displayed this so greatly, believing that God is Who He says He is and He can do what He says He can do. Amen.

A hero of faith has A Heart-Attitude of A Child Before God.

A Heart-Attitude of Obedience

“If you truly love Me, you will obey my instructions.” Jesus says in John 14:15. Preceding every great act of God is an instruction from the Lord. Our heroes heeded the instruction of God rather than question His instruction.

Even when it did not make sense, they obeyed. Our heroes demonstrated their faithfulness to God and brought glory to God, hence there was an overflow of God’s blessings. In this spirit, let us not forget that dying for the sake of Christ is also a great blessing, in fact, a great honor.

I encourage you to study and meditate on the scriptures and ask Holy Spirit to bless you His revelation knowledge:

*I Peter 2:2, *2 John 1:6, *Joshua 5:6, *2Corthians 10:5,

*Deuteronomy 11:1, and *Exodus 19:5

A hero of faith has A Heart-Attitude of Obedience.

A Heart-Attitude of Risk Taking

Before a miracle takes place there is always a risk to take. Before a dream can be accomplished there is always a risk to take.

In my life I have seen and heard God tell me to do things that did not make sense to me: things that were way beyond what I was qualified for; things that looked so crazy; things that looked impossible.

I found myself arguing with God and looking for signs to prove that this or that could not be possible or work out. Fear had a grip on me but, Praise God, still with fear in my heart, I went ahead and took those steps.

I have also found myself going ahead without thinking about it an only as I found myself already right in it, do I start asking myself, the question, “This does not make sense, how did I take such a great step? Oh nooo! How did I get into this? Then I am drawn to depend on God throughout it all and, believe me, I have seen God do great and wonderful things, miracles beyond my wildest dreams. I have found myself doing things I never, ever thought I could do or achieve. The most beautiful of all is that my intimate relationship with the Lord deepens because of what we’ve been through together.

A hero of faith has A Heart-Attitude of Risk Taking.

Here are a few profound heart-attitudes to ponder that have richly blessed me:

* Everybody wants to be a diamond, but very few are willing to get cut.

* He who is not courageous enough to take risks in life, dies without living

it.

* People who live life in fear of taking risks die without living it- Fola.

* Whoever will save their life will lose it, but whoever will lose his life for My sake will find it. Matthew 10:39.

* Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far it is possible to go. T.S. Eliot.

* What you have to do and the way you have to do it is incredibly simple. Whether you are willing to do it is another matter- Peter Drucker.

* If you risk nothing, then you risk everything- Geena Davis.

* Take risks: If you win, you will be happy: if you lose, you will be wise.

A Heart-Attitude of Anticipation to Our Heavenly Home

Each one of these people of faith died not yet having in hand what was promised, but still believed. How did they do it? They saw home way off in the distance, waved their greeting, and accepted the fact that they were transients in this world. People who lived this way made it plain that they were looking for their true home.

If they were homesick for the old country, they could have gone back any time they wanted. But they were after a far better country than that, a heaven country. You can see why God is so proud of them, and had The City waiting for them. Hebrews 11:13-16 Msg

There is a song I just loved during my early years as a Christian, “This world is not my home I am just passing through…”

Jesus said to his disciples and us that we are not of this word. He also said, “I am going away that I might prepare a place for you, so that where I am, you also will be. For in my Father’s house there are many mansions, if it were not so, I would not have told you.” John 14:2

Our heroes of faith were thankful to all God did in and through them, but the greatest desire in their hearts was to see and be in that heavenly home that the Father promised.

My greatest desire, by the help and revelation of the Holy Spirit, is to eventually be in my true home, my eternal heavenly home where there will be no weeping, evil will be wiped away, and Jesus and righteousness will rule.

ARE YOU POSITIONED AND READY TO BE SET ABOVE THE CROWD, MAKE AN ETERNAL DIFFERENCE, & BE A HERO OF FAITH?

Raly Ewemie is a devoted Missionary - with over a decade work experience in different countries across the globe. She’s the brain behind www.reflectinghisbeauty.org, a website that enriches people with Godly values and supports Missionaries in their work for God. She’s based in Abbotsford BC, Canada. E-mail: raly@reflectinghisbeauty.org