DAY THIRTY FIVE | Stand Out From The Crowd

June 4, 2009

WELCOME TO DAY THIRTY FIVE | STAND OUT FROM THE CROWD

1Chr. 4:9 – Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain.”

1Chr. 4:10 And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, “Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” So God granted him what he requested. Now Jabez was more honourable than his brethren.”

Jabez chose to live in a manner that exceeded the behaviour of those around him. He chose to ignore the peer pressure and the crowd dynamics imposed upon him.

There are certain crowd dynamics, that we should be aware of, and guard against, if we are to succeed in life.

1. Crowds always follow. We are called to be leaders who lead in life.
2. Crowds need the spectacular. We are called to be faithful in the little things.
3. Crowds turn away quickly. We are called to stay until the job is done.
4. Crowds create heroes. We are to honour those who show the fruits of righteousness and faithfulness
5. Crowds desert you when trouble comes. We are called to stand in the day of trouble and fight the good fight of faith together.
6. Crowds want to be entertained. We are called to love the meat of God’s word and consume it.
7. Crowds want it for free. We are called to pay the price to serve the cause of Christ.
8. Crowds always forget. We are called to remember Him and not to forget all His benefits.
9. Crowds run on enthusiasm. We run on momentum that comes from consistent action.
10. Crowds live by convenience. We live by convictions.

Don’t be content to run with the crowd. Follow Christ as an individual and you will find crowds coming to watch you shine.

PRACTICAL

1. Identify the ways in which you act to hide in the crowd.

2. Plan ways to change your “crowd” behavior to “leader” behavior.

3. identify friendships that keep you back with the crowd and decide to change them.