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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Outstanding (04/21/11)
So you want to stand out in God’s kingdom? You’re gifted and you want to be accepted, or remembered for doing something great! Who doesn’t want a legacy? But how is that appropriate, and what’s your motivation?

In Genesis 12:2 (NLT), God called Abram (Abraham) and promised, “I will bless you and make you famous…” The same God of Abraham wants the same for his seed – that includes you. God is calling you too, and I believe God wants what you want, IF you want what he wants! So here’s how you too can distinguish yourself:

1. Have Faith in God’s Promise: God discloses his intentions and his method to bring them to pass by his promise, and he establishes the motive and the appropriate motivation as he continues, “…and I will make you a blessing to others.” If there is any other motivation for repute in your heart – stop reading now! His promise shall be - to bless many through you!

2. Have Faith in God’s Plan: The first thing God does is command Abraham to get out! He tells him to leave his country and his people – everything and everyone familiar and comfortable. Abraham was set to be a great leader right where he was, but God wanted him to follow a new plan, in a new place, and to originate a new kind of people.

3. Have Faith in God’s Pace: The first thing Abraham did was obey! He moved, set out - started walking! In the People’s New Living Translation, God said, “I want you to go to the land I will guide you to.”

People say, “Don’t get ahead of God.” God created the universe so he is certainly bigger than that! The heavens cannot contain God – he contains them. How can you get ahead of him? Can anyone step around him, or over him to get ahead? He won’t take you faster than you’re able to go! If you go too fast, the most you can do is run into him! He will guide you to where he wants you at just the right time. Rest in his timing, and in his will, and follow him at his pace.

4. Have Faith in God’s Power: God said to Abraham, “I will cause you to become...,” and “I will make you famous…” God caused the sun to be in the sky and he made it send forth light by his command to, “let there be…” He made the earth turn, and he made mankind from the dust of the same earth. He is able to make things happen in and through you.

Any prestige you or I might enjoy, he makes it! Any preeminence gained, he causes it. He is the source. Abraham’s legacy is by God’s grace and therefore to God’s glory. His blessings are based on your submission to his plan and his pace, and by having faith in his power. You may enjoy the blessing of participating in what God does, but the power belongs to him.

5. Have Faith in God’s Purpose: His good purpose is the motive and must be the sole motivation for any recognition you or I receive. His perfect plan is to bless whosoever with salvation through faith. God promised to let Abraham’s name live and God documented him forever as our exemplar of faith – he obeyed God based on faith in his promise, his plan, his pace, his power, and ultimately his purpose.

“What's more, the Scriptures looked forward to this time when God would accept the Gentiles, too, on the basis of their faith. God promised this good news to Abraham long ago when he said, "All nations will be blessed through you." And so it is: All who put their Faith in Christ share the same blessing Abraham received because of his faith. Through the work of Christ Jesus, God has blessed the Gentiles with the same blessing he promised to Abraham, and we Christians receive the promised Holy Spirit through faith (Galatians 3:8-9,14 NLT).”

God wants obedience motivated by stand-out faith! He SHALL bless many others through you as you, like Abraham, exemplify your faith. Trust his promises, his plan, his power, his pace, and his purpose and go! Tell others about his grace and witness to his power to save.

Just keep in mind, he promises to bless you, not blow your trumpet. So when you achieve that little bit of fame in his kingdom, he wants the glory!
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This article has been read 559 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Janet Richey 
04/28/11
I really liked this article. I think many struggle with being successful according to God's will without being prideful. I like how you used all "p" words. It makes it easier to remember.
Debra Hindman
04/29/11
Good teaching! We NEED to know how to follow God, and let Him take over as we yield our talents to Him. I liked this!
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
05/04/11
You wrote a nice sermon with some good advice. I noticed your used a lot of explanation points say to limit them for dialog. Let your words stand alone, they are powerful enough to standby themselves. I liked the scriptures you used; they went well withyour message.
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
05/06/11
Congratulations on ranking 11th in level 1!