M
MrVersatile48
Guest
Take heart from how God proved His love to repentant Rahab here:-
A Safe Place for Rahab
Dr. Chuck Betters
She's called Rahab, the prostitute in the Hall of Faith (Hebrews 11). Her
actions helped the Israelites win the battle of Jericho. She had heard
stories of God's power and presence and she welcomed his representatives
(the spies). By faith she trusted God for deliverance when no one else did.
As a result God saved her from destruction and welcomed her into His
family. The Bible tells us that the Israelites didn't seem to know what to
do with her at first. They set up a place for Rahab and her family ?outside
the camp.? And yet in the first chapter of Matthew we see that Rahab is
listed in the genealogy of Christ. What happened that enfolded her into the
family of God?
Her culture, appearance, and lifestyle as a prostitute certainly caused the
Israelites to view her with suspicion. Since her beauty became legendary,
it's possible that the women especially had trouble welcoming her. I like
to imagine that an older Israelite woman, perhaps the mother of one of the
spies, took Rahab under her wing and taught her the traditions and
idiosyncrasies of being an Israelite. Somebody had to take a stand and make
the covenant family a safe place for Rahab.
Rahab is a true adopted daughter of the King of kings. Although our
circumstances are different, her rebirth symbolizes every believer's
journey. Biblical faith makes us new. Therefore, the baggage of our past
does not negate our opportunity for ministry (Matthew 1:5). The love of
Christ crosses all lines. What attracted Rahab to the community of God?
Would Rahab be safe in your local church? Would she even be welcome? One of
our goals in the church I pastor, Glasgow Reformed Presbyterian Church
(http://www.grpc.org ) is to make the church a safe place for broken people. It's
only through the changed lives of the people in the local church that we
become a magnet for unbelievers. And we can't choose what that magnet will
draw into our presence!
Whoever helped create a safe place for Rahab got inside her heart by
considering:
What it was like for her to join the Israelites and travel by foot through
unknown territory with people she did not know, caring all of her earthly
goods, unsure of her destination?
What were some of Rahab's practical needs?
As you consider the "Rahabs" in your midst, remember that every person in
the local church was or is a Rahab. None of us is saved by our good works,
only by the redeeming love of God. We are all equal in sinfulness.
Ask yourself:
1. What baggage does this modern day Rahab need to unpack in order to
experience God's love, i.e. what was her life like before coming to your
church, or even in the present?
2. Does she feel out of place as she tries to learn the new customs and
traditions of your local church family?
3. What are her practical needs?
4. What was the kindest thing someone did for you as a new believer?
Prayerfully consider doing it for this modern day Rahab.
Jesus tells the story of the shepherd who wouldn't rest until he found his
one little lost sheep. God sent the spies into Jericho to rescue his little
lost lamb, Rahab. What lost lambs is God sending to your local church and
are you making your church a safe place where they can meet Jesus and grow
into strong men and women of faith?
Adapted from Treasures of Faith, Living Bolding in View of God's Promises
by Dr. Chuck Betters, pastor/teacher, MARK INC Ministries. For more
information, visit http://www.markinc.org.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Over 90% of street prostitutes are addicts
Over 80% have been physically attacked
& folk get rougher all the time
Praise God that Jesus still saves
& that "they who are forgiven much, love much"
Google Teen Challenge - the best drug/alcohol rehab prog on Earth
Must go
God bless!
Ian
A Safe Place for Rahab
Dr. Chuck Betters
She's called Rahab, the prostitute in the Hall of Faith (Hebrews 11). Her
actions helped the Israelites win the battle of Jericho. She had heard
stories of God's power and presence and she welcomed his representatives
(the spies). By faith she trusted God for deliverance when no one else did.
As a result God saved her from destruction and welcomed her into His
family. The Bible tells us that the Israelites didn't seem to know what to
do with her at first. They set up a place for Rahab and her family ?outside
the camp.? And yet in the first chapter of Matthew we see that Rahab is
listed in the genealogy of Christ. What happened that enfolded her into the
family of God?
Her culture, appearance, and lifestyle as a prostitute certainly caused the
Israelites to view her with suspicion. Since her beauty became legendary,
it's possible that the women especially had trouble welcoming her. I like
to imagine that an older Israelite woman, perhaps the mother of one of the
spies, took Rahab under her wing and taught her the traditions and
idiosyncrasies of being an Israelite. Somebody had to take a stand and make
the covenant family a safe place for Rahab.
Rahab is a true adopted daughter of the King of kings. Although our
circumstances are different, her rebirth symbolizes every believer's
journey. Biblical faith makes us new. Therefore, the baggage of our past
does not negate our opportunity for ministry (Matthew 1:5). The love of
Christ crosses all lines. What attracted Rahab to the community of God?
Would Rahab be safe in your local church? Would she even be welcome? One of
our goals in the church I pastor, Glasgow Reformed Presbyterian Church
(http://www.grpc.org ) is to make the church a safe place for broken people. It's
only through the changed lives of the people in the local church that we
become a magnet for unbelievers. And we can't choose what that magnet will
draw into our presence!
Whoever helped create a safe place for Rahab got inside her heart by
considering:
What it was like for her to join the Israelites and travel by foot through
unknown territory with people she did not know, caring all of her earthly
goods, unsure of her destination?
What were some of Rahab's practical needs?
As you consider the "Rahabs" in your midst, remember that every person in
the local church was or is a Rahab. None of us is saved by our good works,
only by the redeeming love of God. We are all equal in sinfulness.
Ask yourself:
1. What baggage does this modern day Rahab need to unpack in order to
experience God's love, i.e. what was her life like before coming to your
church, or even in the present?
2. Does she feel out of place as she tries to learn the new customs and
traditions of your local church family?
3. What are her practical needs?
4. What was the kindest thing someone did for you as a new believer?
Prayerfully consider doing it for this modern day Rahab.
Jesus tells the story of the shepherd who wouldn't rest until he found his
one little lost sheep. God sent the spies into Jericho to rescue his little
lost lamb, Rahab. What lost lambs is God sending to your local church and
are you making your church a safe place where they can meet Jesus and grow
into strong men and women of faith?
Adapted from Treasures of Faith, Living Bolding in View of God's Promises
by Dr. Chuck Betters, pastor/teacher, MARK INC Ministries. For more
information, visit http://www.markinc.org.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Over 90% of street prostitutes are addicts
Over 80% have been physically attacked
& folk get rougher all the time
Praise God that Jesus still saves
& that "they who are forgiven much, love much"
Google Teen Challenge - the best drug/alcohol rehab prog on Earth
Must go
God bless!
Ian