A Lesson from Paul and Silas

But at midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed. Acts 16:25-26

Paul and Silas were traveling all over praying for people and preaching the Gospel. They were evangelizing as Jesus commands us to do in Mark 16:15, as He says, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” Paul & Silas were out in the world doing the will of God. Yet, they were beaten with no cause and thrown in prison unjustly (Acts 16:22-24). Now if you were like me you would ask, What kind of reward is that for preaching the Good News? These men were doing what the Lord had commanded but they were beaten and thrown in prison.  

Certainly, times come when you find yourself doing all that you know to be right. You are serving the Lord with all your heart, exercising humility, loving your enemies, and exhibiting faith you didn’t even know you possessed. But somehow, everything is going wrong in your life. You are treated unfairly, all the doors of opportunity are closed, your prayers don’t seem to be heard, and God seems so far away from your circumstances. The natural response for any human being would be to become discouraged, discontented, grumble and complain against God. Some would even stop praying and stop the work that the Lord has commanded them to do. But look at Paul and Silas…their response is astounding. Acts 16:25 says, “But at midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God and the prisoners were listening to them.” While others were sleeping or wallowing in their sorrows, they were wide-awake, encouraging themselves in God because they knew He was in control. They were praying because they knew their future was in His hands. The fact that the other prisoners heard them indicates that they were loud enough for everyone to hear. They weren’t silent with their prayers. They sang aloud to God, worshipping and praising Him.

When it looks like all hope is lost and nothing seems to be working out, don’t complain but pray. Worship the Lord in Spirit and in truth. Pray as much as you can. Pray in the morning, on your lunch break, before bed…in the midnight hour. We are to trust in the Lord with all our hearts and lean not on our own understanding. Acknowledge Him in all our ways and He will make our paths straight before us (Proverbs 3:5-6). Rest in God. Trust in God. Keep doing all that you know to be right. Continue to do the will of God. Be steadfast in prayer and praise. When you do, suddenly your change will come. The Bible says, Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed (Acts 16:26). The doors that were closed will open, the windows of opportunity will come, and the chains that once held you back will not only be loosened for you but for the people around you. The Bible says, everyone’s chains were loosed. There is deliverance in your prayers and there is deliverance in your praise. Therefore, be steadfast in God.

The Lord your God is in your midst, The Mighty One will save, He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing (Zephaniah 3:17).

Be Blessed

MY NEW BOOK IS HERE!!!

 

Romans 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose." (KJV)

Romans 8:28 speaks volumes to me this morning as I announce the launch of my new book. Every situation that we go through, if we just bring it to the Lord, He in His own time and His own way will allow that thing to work out for our good & for His glory.

As I sought God and became more serious about my walk with Him, I wanted to live an obedient lifestyle before Him. I wanted to please God with my walk. Now, as a young lady coming from the ways of the world that was and at times still is a challenge for me. However, I made the decision to trust God, be obedient, and wait on Him for a spouse. Once I surrendered and began to live in obedience to God’s ways as a single young woman, I faced different challenges. As I looked around, I realized that I was not the only one experiencing these challenges. As I read different blogs, talked to friends, church members, and colleagues, my spirit became extremely heavy. There were so many singles all over that were weary, discouraged, and deceived. The Lord placed on me such a heavy burden for singles and for this book. 

Thus, with a lot of prayer & God-given courage, I stepped out on faith and published my 1^st book, "Single, Saved, & Seeking Him: Encouragement for the Single Christian" through my new publishing company, Words From Heaven Publishing. The Bible says, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart; and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths" (Proverbs 3:5-6). He has certainly directed my path in regards to my single walk with Him…and He will do the same for you. If you’re single, engaged, or know someone that is single, I encourage you to get a copy of this book. As the Lord ministered to me, He gave me His words to minister back to you.

 

I pray that you remain Encouraged as you Seek Him…Be Blessed!

You may purchase a copy of my book HERE

GOD WAITS

1 Peter 3:19-20 After being made alive,[a] he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits—to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water,

Do you know that God waits? He suffers long. He is a longsuffering God. 1 Peter 3:20 talks about the longsuffering of God. It talks about how He waited patiently for Noah to build the ark. He waited for Noah to finish so that He could perform His word.

Do you know that God waits for us? The Bible says in 2 Peter 3:9, The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. He waits for us to do what we said we’ll do. He waits for us to come to true repentance. He waits for us to come to Him in prayer. He waits for the morning to come so we may rise to give Him glory & thanks (but some of us never do). He waits. As I asked the question in my heart, God why do I have to wait? He reminded me that He waits too.

Do you know that whatever promise you are waiting for, God is waiting with you? Yes, God works, but He also waits. He waited for Christ to be born in the Earth. He waits for His second coming. He waits with us. Yes, He is the Creator of time & is everywhere at the same time, but He waits. He waits for the appointed times just as we do. He understands the importance of the right time, His time.

We wait for change and for God’s time. Yet, God waits for us to change and He waits for the appointed time to bless us. Therefore, be encouraged as you wait. Know that God is waiting with you.

Be Blessed.

Who Shall Separate you from the love of Christ?

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long;
We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”

 

Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8-:35-39).

 

The daily struggles of life are enough to make a person depressed and want to give up. From finances, to sickness, to loss of a loved one, the trials we face can cause us to question God’s love and sovereignty. Many times in my own life I’ve asked God, “Where are you? Do You not see me? What are You doing?” Some of the battles we face and trials we endure can cause us to become bitter with God or even lead us astray from the will of God. As I prayed today, I became discouraged because sometimes it seems as if I pray often but get no answer. Though I felt this way, I know that the true reason that I keep seeking God is because I know He exists and He is a Rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Another reason that I continue to seek God even though I may not get answers to my prayers right away, is because I’m determined to know and love God. The Lord has put a determination in my heart to love Him, to seek Him, and to serve Him with my whole heart. I believe that this determination has come because of the different tests that I’ve endured, like unanswered prayer.  

 

As I read the scripture it reminded me that no matter what I’m going through God still loves me. And so it is with you. No matter what you are facing, don’t let the enemy tell you that God doesn’t love you, or that He has forgotten about you. That’s a lie. The Apostle Paul asks, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?” Will you let these things separate you from the love of God? Be determined to know Him, to love Him, and to commune with Him even in your distress. These things that are happening to you are working out for you a greater glory. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory (2 Corinthians 4:17).

 

I want to encourage you today as you read Romans 8:35-39. Nothing that we have done or anything that we face in life is able to separate us from the love of God. He loves us with an everlasting love. Just because you are going through or you don’t get answers to your prayers doesn’t mean that God has stopped loving you. Furthermore, it doesn’t mean that you should stop loving God. So

even when your prayers remain unanswered. Even when you become weary in well doing. Even when you are facing every trial known to man. Ask yourself, “What or who shall separate me from the love of Christ?” The Bible says that even in these various trials, you are more than a conqueror through Him who loves you.

 

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed— always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body

(2 Corin. 4:7-10).

The Lord is Your Portion

The Lord is my portion or share, says my living being (my inner self); therefore will I hope in Him and wait expectantly for Him. ~ Lamentations 3:24

In the book of Lamentations, what did the Prophet Jeremiah mean when he said the Lord is my portion? The word portion here means inheritance or share. What better inheritance can you have than God?

Over the past few weeks, I have been professing to God that He alone is my portion. No matter what I think I lack, my cup is always running over because God Himself is my portion. The same is true for you. As I looked at Numbers chapter 18, God explained to Aaron the priestly duties that he must share with his sons. After that, God told him that he was to have part of the most holy offerings…from all the gifts the people brought to God as most holy offerings…that part belonged to him and his sons (Num. 18:9).

And this also is yours: the heave offering of their gift, with all the wave offerings of the Isrealites. I have given them to you and to your sons and to your daughters with you as a continual allowance forever: everyone in your house who is (ceremonially) clean may eat of it. ~ Numbers 18:11

Aaron lacked no good thing because God was his portion. God told Aaron, “You shall have no inheritance in the land [of the Israelites]; neither shall you have any part among them. I am your portion and your inheritance among the Israelites” (Num. 18:20). Oh my goodness, in other words God was separating Aaron and proclaiming that his portion was God Himself. We who are Christians belong to God and God belongs to us.

Sometimes we look at the world and the people in it and we think they are winning or getting over on God. God is saying to us, “Don’t worry about it. They have already received their share. As for you, I AM your portion.” In Psalm 73 Asaph complained about this very thing. He said, “But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; my steps had nearly slipped. For I was envious of the boastful, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked” (Psalm 73:2-3). He then proclaims, “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the Rock and firm Strength of my heart and my Portion forever (Psalm 73:26). He knew that no matter what happened in this life, as long as he had Almighty God on his side, his inheritance was great.

David said in Psalm 23, The Lord is my Shepherd [to feed, guide, and shield me], I shall not lack. God is your Provider, your Guide, and your Shield. You shall not lack any beneficial thing. Understand that if God is your portion, nothing else matters. He alone has all power, all might, all strength, all wisdom, and all resources. He is inexhaustible. How can you lose? If God is your portion, circumstances and people won’t dictate your disposition. You have all you need in Him. God Himself is your reward.

In a vision, God told Abram in Genesis 15:1,“Fear not, Abram, I am your Shield, your abundant compensation, and your reward shall be exceedingly great." And since Abraham is our ancestor in the faith, this inheritance has been passed down to us.

The cares of this life are enough to burden us with feelings of hopelessness, depression, fear, and anxiety. However, we are to cast our cares on Him because He cares for us (1Peter 5:7). Remember: Fear not, God is your Shield, your Portion, and your exceedingly great reward.

Be Blessed...in Jesus name.

Do You Really Know God?

[For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection [which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death, [in the hope] that if possible I may attain to the [spiritual and moral] resurrection [that lifts me] out from among the dead [even while in the body]. Phillipians 3:10-11

            How did you come to know those that are the closest to you? You probably spent a lot of time with them over an extended period. We naturally come to know each other through relationships (fellowship) with each other. In a relationship you usually communicate often - you stay connected to that person. As a result, a bond and a relationship is formed. You can say with an honest heart that you know that person. The same way we get to know people, we can get to know God. Knowing God derives from a relationship. You didn’t become acquainted with those closest to you by weekly rituals and practices. Similarly, you don’t get to know God by weekly rituals and practices. Christian spirituality is about your relationship with God, not religion (Don’t use that as an excuse to skip church, ha-ha).

            We get to know the character of God as we invite Him into our everyday affairs. We also get to know God by studying His Word because the Word is God (John1:1) and studying the life of Jesus, who is the Word of God (Rev. 19:13), and was God is the flesh. Getting to know God is a moment-by-moment, hour-by-hour, day-by-day relationship and conversation with the Father.

  So many of us go to church but don’t have a solid relationship with God. He longs to fellowship with us. When we are in fellowship with God, we are less likely to give in to certain temptations and think erroneously about the different trials we face in life. When tribulation comes, instead of blaming God you will learn to thank God because you know that He is working all things out for your good (Romans 8:28). To know God is to understand His attributes and become acquainted with Him. How can we say we know God if we don’t understand who He is? Many times God will position us where He can reveal Himself to us. For instance, God allows you to lose your job. God can show Himself to you as your Provider in this circumstance. Sometimes, the uncomfortable circumstances that God allows are simply a means for you to get to know God. It’s a way for Him to make Himself known to you.

            I’ve learned that prayer is vital in my journey of getting to know God. It’s in prayer that God will instruct, correct, comfort, and answer us. It’s important to your Christian walk that you have that one-on-one time with God. If you look at Moses, he often withdrew from the people to talk with God. The bible says that God spoke with Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend (Ex. 33:11). That’s my heart’s desire – to be that close to God. Psalm 103:7 says, “God made known His ways [of righteousness and justice] to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel.” There was a difference between the type of relationship that Moses had with God compared to the children of Israel. They knew His works (God blessed me with a job, a car, a spouse, etc). However, Moses knew the ways of God. He understood God. He knew God personally. It’s one thing to know of a person, but it’s another to intimately know someone.
 

            No matter what challenges we face in life, we should be able to stand because of our knowing God. He is faithful, He is able, He is a deliverer, and He knows all things. The enemy may try to discourage and sway you away from the will of God, but because you know your God, you can withstand. Daniel 11:32 says, “And such as violate the covenant he shall pervert and seduce with flatteries, but the people who know their God shall prove themselves strong and shall stand firm and do exploits [for God]." Those who don’t know God or understand His ways are likely to give up under pressure. However, those who know God will withstand the pressure, receive the anointing, and do great things for God.

       This is what the Lord says: “Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, but let the one who boasts boast about this: That they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the Lord (Jeremiah 9:23-24). Get to know God.

Be Blessed.

The God Who Sees and Hears

Then she called the name of the Lord who spoke to her, You-Are-the-God-Who-Sees; for she said, “Have I also here seen Him who sees me?” Therefore, the well was called Beer Lahai Roi; observe, it is between Kadesh and Bered. Genesis 16:13-14

            I’m going to be honest and admit that sometimes I don’t think that God sees or hears me. There are times when I feel forgotten or invisible to God. But, I thank God for His word that reminds me of the truth. The truth is, God does see me. He sees and hears all of us. God showed me numerous scriptures that testify to the fact that He is the God Who sees and hears. The scripture that resonates with me the most is Genesis 16:13-14. In Genesis Chapter 16, the bible chronicles how Hagar, an Egyptian maidservant, fled from her mistress Sarai. Then, God found her (Genesis 16:7). I love the fact that the bible says that God found her. He found her, which means His eyes were upon her. God knew where she was because His eyes were upon her, even in her wayward state. He saw her and came to her aid. Hagar was an Egyptian, she wasn’t  a Hebrew, she wasn’t even one of God’ s people. Nevertheless, God saw her. She wasn’t anyone of great importance. But God saw her. She wasn’t even Abraham’s wife, she was the mistress, the maid, the pregnant woman on the side…but God saw her. I believe God visited her because she didn’t ask to be put in that position. It was forced on her because they (Abraham & Sarah) couldn’t wait on God for His promise in His time (that’s a whole other topic). Anyway, I believe He showed compassion on her because of her situation. Regardless of the cause, He saw her just as He sees you.

            In Genesis 16:14, it mentions the well called, “Beer Lahai Roi”, which literally means Well of the One Who Lives and Sees Me. One thing we have to remember is that God is a living God. His Spirit is alive and moving all the time. The bible says in 2 Chronicles 16:9, that eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. Proverbs 15:3 says, the eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good. He sees us no matter what it looks or feels like. So when the enemy tries to penetrate your mind with negative thoughts that are contrary to the word of God, remind yourself of El Roi, The God Who Sees. He is always watching and He sees you. He sees you when…no one else does. He sees you when…you do good deeds out of the sincerity of your heart. He sees you when…you are weary but you keep pressing on in faith. He sees you when…you continue to do the right thing despite what it seems. He sees you. 

            God visited Hagar again in Genesis 21 proving that He hears us. After Hagar and her son Ishmael were told to leave the camp of Abraham and Sarah, they journeyed into the wilderness of Beersheba. And God heard the voice of the lad. Then the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said to her, “What ails you, Hagar? Fear not, for God has heard the voice of the lad where he is (Genesis 21:17).  Meeting Hagar where she was again, God not only saw, but He heard this time. When you feel like God doesn’t hear your prayers or see your needs, God says in Psalm 94:9, "He who planted the ear, shall He not hear? He who formed the eye, shall He not see?" Why would He give us ears to hear and eyes to see if He couldn’t hear or see? After all, we are made in His image.

            Be encouraged. God sees and hears you. No matter what it looks like, things aren’t always the way they seem, especially with God. He knows. Trust Him even when it seems He doesn’t see you. There is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account (Hebrews 4:13). Continue to pray and cry out to God. God promises in Psalm 34:17 that the righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles. This is a promise and we know that God keeps all His promises. For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us (2 Corinthians 1:20).

Believe that God's eyes are upon you.

Be Blessed.

RESIST TEMPTATION

Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. James 1:12-16

    
     What is temptation? Temptation is a desire or craving for something, especially something considered wrong.  It means to lure, entice, appeal, persuade, or pull. We have all been tempted before, as temptation comes in different forms. You may be tempted to give up on God today. You may be tempted to cheat on your spouse, engage in an immoral sexual act, or get drunk although you haven’t picked up a bottle in years. You may be tempted to act outside of your character simply because you are weary in well doing. However, the bible says, “Blessed is the man who endures temptation” (James 1:12).  Please understand that these temptations are there to test you. Notice they come at your weakest moments. The enemy knows when to tempt you and lure you away from your purpose, away from your integrity. The bible tells us your adversary, the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). The enemy can’t tempt you with something you don’t like. He is going to tempt you with that thing that you struggle with, that thing that you find attractive. However, you need to submit yourself to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you (James 4:7).

 

     I believe one of the reasons God came in the form of a man, Jesus, was to understand what we as humans face on Earth. I believe He wanted to feel our pain, anxieties, temptations, and heartaches.

     For because He Himself [in His humanity] has suffered in being tempted (tested and tried), He is able [immediately] to run to the cry of (assist, relieve) those who are being tempted and tested and tried [and who therefore are being exposed to suffering]  Hebrews 2:18

     He is concerned about us. Therefore, He lowered Himself for the sake of us in our weakest moments. Jesus is holy. Therefore, He did not sin. He could not sin. It’s not in His nature. However, that doesn’t mean He was not tempted. The devil tempted Jesus in the wilderness but He resisted him (Matthew 4:1-11).  As Jesus was tempted and did not sin, so you can be tempted and not sin. For we do not have a High Priest Who is unable to understand and sympathize and have a shared feeling with our weaknesses and infirmities and liability to the assaults of temptation, but One Who has been tempted in every respect as we are, yet without sinning (Hebrews 4:15). So you see, you can turn to Jesus in prayer when you are tempted. It’s not as if He doesn’t understand. Whatever you’re struggling with, He can help you. But you have to want His help. Moreover, you will be richly rewarded for resisting temptation and overcoming your trials (James 1:12).
 

     What temptation is it that you are rehearsing in your mind? Whatever it is, bring it to Jesus. You must watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak (Matthew 26:41).

 

Remember, no temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation, He will also provide a way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

1 Corinthians 10:13

 

God is Molding You-The Teacup Story

As I prayed today & sought God about my personal circumstances, He reminded me that everything that I'm experiencing now (good & bad) is for my making. Many times when go through trials and we think that the trial is going to kill us. We'd rather give up than go through the process. The Holy Spirit reminded me of a story that I once read called "The Teacup Story." Reading this story today gave me the perspective I needed to continue on. The circumstances you are facing are not meant to kill you, but to prepare you. Remember, God is the Potter and we are the clay. I hope this story blesses you as it did me. 

The Teacup Story 

There was a couple who took a trip to England to shop in a beautiful antique store to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary. They both liked antiques and pottery, and especially teacups. Spotting an exceptional cup, they asked “May we see that? We’ve never seen a cup quite so beautiful.”

As the lady handed it to them, suddenly the teacup spoke, “You don’t understand. I have not always been a teacup. There was a time when I was just a lump of red clay. My master took me and rolled me, pounded and patted me over and over and I yelled out, ‘Don’t do that. I don’t like it! Let me alone.’ But he only smiled, and gently said, ‘Not yet!’” “Then WHAM! I was placed on a spinning wheel and suddenly I was spun around and around and around. ‘Stop it! I’m getting so dizzy! I’m going to be sick,’ I screamed. But the master only nodded and said, quietly, ‘Not yet.’”

“He spun me and poked and prodded and bent me out of shape to suit himself and then… Then he put me in the oven. I never felt such heat. I yelled and knocked and pounded at the door. Help! Get me out of here! I could see him through the opening and I could read his lips as he shook his head from side to side, ‘Not yet.’”

“When I thought I couldn’t bear it another minute, the door opened. He carefully took me out and put me on the shelf, and I began to cool. Oh, that felt so good! Ah, this is much better, I thought. But, after I cooled he picked me up and he brushed and painted me all over. The fumes were horrible. I thought I would gag. ‘Oh, please, Stop it, Stop it!’ I cried. He only shook his head and said. ‘Not yet!’”

“Then suddenly he put me back into the oven. Only it was not like the first one. This was twice as hot and I just knew I would suffocate. I begged. I pleaded. I screamed. I cried. I was convinced I would never make it. I was ready to give up. Just then the door opened and he took me out and again placed me on the shelf, where I cooled and waited ——- and waited, wondering “What’s he going to do to me next?” An hour later he handed me a mirror and said ‘Look at yourself.’ “And I did. I said, ‘That’s not me, that couldn’t be me. It’s beautiful. I’m beautiful!’”

Quietly he spoke: ‘I want you to remember,’ then he said, “I know it hurt to be rolled and pounded and patted, but had I just left you alone, you’d have dried up. I know it made you dizzy to spin around on the wheel, but if I had stopped, you would have crumbled. I know it hurt and it was hot and disagreeable in the oven, but if I hadn’t put you there, you would have cracked. I know the fumes were bad when I brushed and painted you all over, but if I hadn’t done that, you never would have hardened. You would not have had any color in your life. If I hadn’t put you back in that second oven, you wouldn’t have survived for long because the hardness would not have held. Now you are a finished product. Now you are what I had in mind when I first began with you.”

The moral of this story is this: God knows what He’s doing for each of us. He is the potter, and we are His clay. He will mold us and make us, and expose us to just enough pressures of just the right kinds that we may be made into a flawless piece of work to fulfill His good, pleasing and perfect will.

So when life seems hard, and you are being pounded and patted and pushed almost beyond endurance; when your world seems to be spinning out of control; when you feel like you are in a fiery furnace of trials; when life seems to “stink”, try this….

Brew a cup of your favorite tea in your prettiest teacup, sit down and think on this story and then, have a little talk with the Potter.

 

Author Unknown

Be Blessed.

Modern Day Martyrs

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and He will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if He does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” (Daniel 3:16-18, NIV)

 

Although I had read the book of Daniel  many times before, this time it was different. As I read chapter 3, these verses began to awaken something in me. Reading it caused me to ask myself the hard questions.  It opened my eyes to a new perspective. These scriptures scream out one word to me, loyalty. What God is showing us in this passage is the kind of loyalty He desires from His people.

 

While  Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, they were still in captivity along with the other Hebrews. They were held captive but still serving God. They were facing a life or death situation, but refused to worship any another god. These young men didn’t have a King James Bible to read or church services to attend. Nevertheless, they served God whole-heartedly. They were willing to face death in order to maintain their integrity. They were willing even if God didn’t deliver them from the fiery furnace. What God was saying  to me was, “Yes I have made many promises to you that I plan to keep. But, if I never deliver you will you still serve me? If I decide to change my mind, will you worship me? If I never do anything else for you, will you still love me?” We get so excited and “Jesus Happy” when things go our way and when life is comfortable. But what about when life is unfair and when God doesn’t appear to be blessing you? Will you still hold on to your integrity, worship, and serve God only? Or will you go back into the world and put worldly matters ahead of  God?

   

Make no mistake about it, God is not man, that He should lie, or a son of man, that He should change his mind. Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not fulfill it? (Numbers 23:19) Hypothetically, what if He doesn’t answer your prayers, will you still put God 1^st? What if your ministry seizes to prosper, will you still serve Him from the sincerity of your heart? These young men told King Nebuchadnezzar that even if God didn’t deliver them, they would still worship no other god. How loyal is that?!

 

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were willing to become martyrs for the God they served. They were willing to suffer so that God may get the glory from their lives. They were willing to go through the pain so that God’s purpose would be accomplished. Is that your heart? Are you willing to hold on to your integrity no matter how embarrassing, hurtful, tiresome, or painful your circumstances may seem? Are you a “Modern Day Martyr” for Christ?