Recommended Read: In the Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day

I heard Bishop Joseph Garlington speak and he gave the scripture about Benaiah, one of David's Mighty Men, who went into the Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day and ended up with the victory.

2 Samuel 23:20-23

20There was also Benaiah son of Jehoiada, a valiant warriorⁱ from Kabzeel. He did many heroic deeds, which included killing two champions^j of Moab. Another time, on a snowy day, he chased a lion down into a pit and killed it. 21Once, armed only with a club, he killed a great Egyptian warrior who was armed with a spear. Benaiah wrenched the spear from the Egyptian’s hand and killed him with it.22Deeds like these made Benaiah as famous as the Three mightiest warriors. 23He was more honored than the other members of the Thirty, though he was not one of the Three. And David made him captain of his bodyguard.

Getting in the Pit with the Lions 

 The premise of this book is that every believer in Jesus Christ should be producing fruit in their life.  We only produce fruit in our lives by living a lifestyle of faithfulness and FAITH.

Many Christians do not have faith.  They have religion They don't take risks.  They play it safe and their lives look no different than if they did not believe in God and because of this lack of faith, they don't produce fruit.

Mark Batterson's charge to Christians is that they should chase Lions into the pit, do battle with them, and believe God for the victory.

Stories of Faith and Faithfulness

The best part of this book are all of the stories about Faith and God's Faithfulness.  Mark tells his stories but he also includes the stories of others which is so encouraging.

One way to know you attend a dead church is if there are no stories of God's miraculous provision or any stories of Great Faith.

Nothing says Dead Faith more than lack of action and excitement.

Legacy

At Shiloh Church the pastoral team is very big on LEGACY. It's not just about US.  It's about our legacy of faith and  prayers that will outlast our lives.  It's about planting seeds that will someday sprout into mighty oaks giving glory to God.

God Given vision and Not Fantasies 

As Dr. Nina says at Shiloh Church, we must know the difference between God Given Vision and Fantasies.

Batterson talks about God Given Vision and what accompanies that.   There are disappointments, road blocks, detours, discouragement, sacrifice, etc.  It's not name it and claim it or blab it and grab it nonsense.  God Given Vision requires faith and determination so I appreciate Mark Batterson not sugar coating this and selling the readers fantasies.

This is a great book to encourage you and to remind you that with Faith in God, your life and legacy is LIMITLESS!