Category: II Corinthians

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The Gift of Generosity

Giving and Receiving!

These two actions account for most of the stress during the Christmas season. “I have to make sure I’m getting them something they REALLY want… I don’t have the $ to get them what they want most.”

“What if they get me something I don’t REALLY want. How do I seem gracious and not disappointed?”

Oh yes, I’ve gotten those gifts that you want to “re-gift” or had the thought, it probably would have been better if they hadn’t gotten me anything at all. Wrong on my part and I will be the first to admit it. I needed a gracious heart to receive because they gave out of love.

But I want to focus on what I’m giving this year and not what I’m getting. The Lord has blessed us so much that the thing I find I desire to give most is more of me. My desire is to have a generous heart – it truly is a gift.
“Lord show me how to live less for myself and more for others. Let me hear your voice more clearly so that I am obedient when you ask me to reach out to help others. More willing to sacrifice my own desires to see others obtain theirs. But most of all to be your hands and feet to those around me. ”

Dave and I have a friend who lived a life of generosity. His first question in any situation was what can I give – how can I express my love in a tangible way. He believed in honoring people, making them feel special. After being around him for a while the generosity he displayed became contagious and we found ourselves looking for ways to give. Sometimes what we gave was nothing more than a smile or a kind word but at other times it has been finances, a meal, clothes, gifts for children and even a car of two. But what we learned is it isn’t the size of the gift, it’s the heart attitude.

“Each one of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give. You should not give if it makes you unhappy or if you feel forced to give. God loves those who are happy to give. 8 And God can give you more blessings than you need, and you will always have plenty of everything. You will have enough to give to every good work. 9 As the Scriptures say,

“He gives generously to the poor;
his goodness will continue forever.”

10 God is the one who gives seed to those who plant, and he gives bread for food. And God will give you spiritual seed and make that seed grow. He will produce a great harvest from your goodness. 11 God will make you rich in every way so that you can always give freely. And your giving through us will make people give thanks to God.” II Corinthians 9:7-11 ERV

Giving is an outreach of God’s heart. It was God the Father who gave the first gift on that Christmas Day. He gave from his heart; He gave his Son! The bigger blessing is in the giving than in the receiving. That’s what God the Father did, He gave His only begotten Son, so that we might have relationship with Him. He gave what He treasured most because of His love for us.

It’s good to give from the heart but this year I desire to give my heart with greater abandon, all of me, to the One who gave all for me!

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The Gift of Potential

Have you ever noticed how God seems to take the unqualified, the uneducated, the common and uses them to accomplish great things? He took Noah, as an old man and made him into a master ship maker. David was just a boy watching sheep and he became a giant slayer. Moses had a speech impediment and he spoke before the pharaoh and delivered the Israelites from Egypt. Peter was a fisherman and he became one of the foundational pillars of Christianity.

“My dear friends, remember what you were when God chose you. The people of this world didn’t think that many of you were wise. Only a few of you were in places of power, and not many of you came from important families. 27 But God chose the foolish things of this world to put the wise to shame. He chose the weak things of this world to put the powerful to shame.

28 What the world thinks is worthless, useless, and nothing at all is what God has used to destroy what the world considers important. 29 God did all this to keep anyone from bragging to him. 30 You are God’s children. He sent Christ Jesus to save us and to make us wise, acceptable, and holy.” I Corinthians 1:26-30 CEV

When our kids were little we taught them a song. Had it on cassette tape and would play it over and again while we traveled up and down the road. It was a song that reinforced the potential that we’ve been given by God.

“I am a promise,
I am a possibility
I am a promise with a capital “P”;
I can be anything, anything God wants me to be…

You are a promise!
You are a possibility!
You are a promise with a capital “P”!
You are a great big bundle of potentiality!…

So keep on list’ning, you’ll hear God’s voice,
And keep on tryin’, He’ll help you make the right choices —
You’re a promise to be anything He wants you to be!
I’m a promise to be anything God wants me to be!
You’re a promise to be anything, anything He wants you to be!”

We taught our kids that God has designed each one of us perfectly and that He has a plan and a purpose for our lives. That is so true! But it’s not just a concept that we wanted our kids to embrace, it’s one that we must never forget! At times, we are overwhelmed by what we see around us and amazed that God still has so much in store for us, we just have to listen and follow His plan.

I will continue to pursue the course and plan that God has for me. It’s a gift that is designed specifically for me. Something that might be similar to what He has designed for someone else but this plan has my name on it; it has been custom-built just for me by the Father and I won’t give up until I know that I have accomplished all He has in mind.

He has placed His power within me and it’s my prerogative to release that power or thwart it. Like the electrical switch in my kitchen – I can turn the light on or work in the dark. But when I allow God’s power to work the results are far above anything I could ask for. I see it this way, the Lord is the power source and my potential is the light bulb. It can be small and insignificant like a night light or it can be as brilliant as a flood light. But whatever the wattage, it’s His power that causes the illumination.

“ God once said, “Let light shine out of the darkness!”[a] And this is the same God who made his light shine in our hearts to let us know that his own divine greatness is seen in the face of Christ. 7 We have this treasure from God, but we are only like clay jars that hold the treasure. This is to show that the amazing power we have is from God, not from us.” II Corinthians 4:6-7 ERV

Open the gift of your God given potential today!

“So I bow in prayer before the Father. 15 Every family in heaven and on earth gets its true name from him. 16 I ask the Father with his great glory to give you the power to be strong in your spirits. He will give you that strength through his Spirit. 17 I pray that Christ will live in your hearts because of your faith. I pray that your life will be strong in love and be built on love. 18 And I pray that you and all God’s holy people will have the power to understand the greatness of Christ’s love—how wide, how long, how high, and how deep that love is. 19 Christ’s love is greater than anyone can ever know, but I pray that you will be able to know that love. Then you can be filled with everything God has for you.
20 With God’s power working in us, he can do much, much more than anything we can ask or think of. 21 To him be glory in the church and in IChrist Jesus for all time, forever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians 3:14-21 CEV

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The Gift in the Plain Wrapping

Have you ever bought a gift, the perfect gift, and had to keep it hidden away in the closet or under the bed so that it wouldn’t be found until just the right time? This has been THE most special, spectacular gift ever. You may have even started dropping hints like “you are absolutely going to love the gift I got for you”. The excitement was building! You could hardly wait, the anticipation of giving this wonderful present filled your every thought! But because the gift was so special you knew it didn’t need fancy bows or brightly colored paper, simple and plain was the best – it wouldn’t detract from the gift.

If that has ever been your experience then you know just some of the joy and anticipation that God the Father was feeling on that night when He sent the angels to the fields outside of Bethlehem to herald the news, His gift had arrived!

“That night in the fields near Bethlehem some shepherds were guarding their sheep. 9 All at once an angel came down to them from the Lord, and the brightness of the Lord’s glory flashed around them. The shepherds were frightened. 10 But the angel said, “Don’t be afraid! I have good news for you, which will make everyone happy. 11 This very day in King David’s hometown a Savior was born for you. He is Christ the Lord. 12 You will know who he is, because you will find him dressed in baby clothes and lying on a bed of hay.” Luke 2:8-12 CEV

Enter Jesus, the best gift ever!

“God loved the people of this world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who has faith in him will have eternal life and never really die.” John 3:16 CEV

God had been waiting to give this gift, wrapped in the body of a human baby, since way back in the Garden of Eden. God had enjoyed his relationship with Adam and Eve and would walk and talk with them each day until they sinned and broke that bond. From that time forward God the Father began working on a plan that would restore that relationship.

“Anyone who belongs to Christ is a new person. The past is forgotten, and everything is new. 18 God has done it all! He sent Christ to make peace between himself and us, and he has given us the work of making peace between himself and others.

19 What we mean is that God was in Christ, offering peace and forgiveness to the people of this world. And he has given us the work of sharing his message about peace. 20 We were sent to speak for Christ, and God is begging you to listen to our message. We speak for Christ and sincerely ask you to make peace with God. 21 Christ never sinned! But God treated him as a sinner, so that Christ could make us acceptable to God.” II Corinthians 5:17-21 CEV

Jesus restored us to the position that we had before Adam sinned. In Christ we are a NEW CREATION – a new creature – like the one that God created in the Garden. Jesus restored us to our place of being created in God’s likeness.

“But God is rich in mercy, and he loved us very much. 5 We were spiritually dead because of all we had done against him. But he gave us new life together with Christ. (You have been saved by God’s grace.) 6 Yes, it is because we are a part of Christ Jesus that God raised us from death and seated us together with him in the heavenly places. 7 God did this so that his kindness to us who belong to Christ Jesus would clearly show for all time to come the amazing richness of his grace.
8 I mean that you have been saved by grace because you believed. You did not save yourselves; it was a gift from God. 9 You are not saved by the things you have done, so there is nothing to boast about. 10 God has made us what we are. In Christ Jesus, God made us new people so that we would spend our lives doing the good things he had already planned for us to do.” Ephesians 2:4-10 ERV

In Christ we have been made new. It’s not something we work to earn but something we receive freely by grace. Just as Adam, created man, was God’s idea and he did nothing to deserve or even request his creation, it was God’s plan; so is salvation and the restoration of man to a living and loving relationship with the Father God.

So since it’s Christmas, I give you permission to open the best gift you have ever received, the One that came wrapped in muslin cloth and was placed on a bed of hay in a manger – the gift of salvation, of renewed life and relationship with the Father. Open it now and share it with others!

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The Gift of Strength

Don’t you love looking at the presents under the Christmas tree? There are all shapes and sizes, some in plain paper and others with big fancy bows. As a kid it was torture to have them out too early and yes I admit there was one year in particular that my sister and I opened some to see what was inside and then carefully wrapped them again.

The gift I’m giving you this morning also comes in all shapes and sizes and so I’ve included several boxes for you to open. I have for you this morning the gift of strength. Yes, strength. Lots of different examples in the Bible for you to see on this one.

Most notably we have Samson who destroyed God’s enemies with his great strength. But we must also be reminded of Noah who took on a huge construction project with just his 3 sons to help; David, a young shepherd who killed a lion, bear and a giant; Elijah, the prophet, who called down fire from heaven, defeated 400 prophets of Baal and outran Ahab’s chariot all in the same day. Then there was the woman who had bleeding condition for over 17 years and she faced a hostile crowd to get to Jesus; Paul was shipwrecked numerous times and was also beaten for his preaching but he kept going. Peter needed moral strength and failed when he denied Christ but went on to be a powerful preacher after the Lord forgave him.

The Bible is full of examples for people needing and finding strength; some was physical strength, while other strength came in the form of courage and mental fortitude. Some challenges were common and others were life threatening; sickness, emotional distress, financial ruin, failed relationships, fractured families, perilous circumstances.

Any of those sound familiar? God is so practical. He isn’t just concerned about the “religious” part of our lives, He desire is to fill every area of our life with His life changing relationship. I’m going to take a moment to run through a few Scripture verses on strength so bear with me.

“He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.” Isaiah 40:29 KJV

“The Lord is my strength. He saves me, and I sing songs of praise to him. He is my God, and I praise him. He is the God of my ancestors, and I honor him.” Exodus 15:2 ERV

“God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect.” I Samuel 22:33 KJV

“Behold, thou hast instructed many, and thou hast strengthened the weak hands.” Job 4:3

” God is the one who gives me strength. He clears the path I need to take.” Psalm 18:32 ERV

“Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.” Psalm 27:14 KJV

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1

“The Lord is my strength and song, and is become my salvation.” Psalm 118:14

“But he replied, “My kindness is all you need. My power is strongest when you are weak.” So if Christ keeps giving me his power, I will gladly brag about how weak I am.” II Corinthians 12:9 CEV

“Christ is the one who gives me the strength I need to do whatever I must do.” Philippians 4:13 ERV

“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31 KJV

Each verse is like opening another package – more treasures inside each one – more strength when it’s needed.

I don’t know what situations are working to deplete your strength today but I do know the one who steps in and takes over when we feel we have come to the end of what we can do. Instead of coming to the point of exhaustion start out by saying this little prayer.

“Father, today I don’t want to operate in my power. I’m prone to fail. I want to have Your strength in all that I do, in every situation I want to depend on You and Your abilities.”

Enjoy the gift of His strength!

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First Give Thanks

Thanksgiving is coming soon and there is so much preparation still to be done. Groceries to buy, miles to be driven, pies to bake, turkey to prepare and cleaning to be done – but in all of this it’s important that we don’t lose sight of why we celebrate on the 4th Thursday of November.

I’m one of those who try to image myself being in the situation; you know, I try to see what it must have been like to be with Noah on the ark, standing on the bank of the Red Sea when it parted, being with the shepherds when the angels announced Jesus birth, standing at the foot of the cross during the crucifixion. Yes, being there for all of those and then also imagining what it must have been like at that first Thanksgiving.

These people had faced devastating trials during the first year in the new world. Peril by crossing the sea that cost so many lives, disease, malnutrition, harsh weather conditions, lack of knowledge of their surroundings and perils from the inhabitants of this land. They gave all they had to make this new world their home – some lost their spouses and children to death, heartbroken they had to continue to press on or die themselves. They had to build shelters and plant gardens. Their survival that first year was truly a time to give thanks! It was their belief in worshipping God freely that brought them here and so it was an expression of their very lives to stop and thank Him for His provision and protection one year later.

I don’t really think they looked like the people in this painting. I don’t image after that first year that their clothing was this clean and bright or that their cheeks were quite this rosy and beards so well groomed. But I do image that what they may have lacked in outward appearance was overshadowed by the gratitude they felt in their hearts.

“Father, you so graciously brought those pilgrims through a year of hardship and struggle in this new land. They came with a desire to worship freely and seeking to build a land where men were equal. They willingly faced the perils of sea and land; weather and wild but they persevered with Your help and the help of their new found allies. Our hearts are grateful that because of their sacrifice we are able to call this land home.

We are also grateful that because of the sacrifice of Jesus we can call heaven home and spend eternity in Your presence. We are dependent on You and Your direction for our lives as much as those early settlers that came to Plymouth Rock. We come to our Rock, the solid rock, Christ Jesus and in Him we find life.

Our desire is to let the light of Jesus shine from us so brightly that the world may see your great love. Our prayer to You, in Jesus name.”

The Apostle Paul desired that the light of the gospel, the good news, shine through him and through us.

“We are not preaching about ourselves. Our message is that Jesus Christ is Lord. He also sent us to be your servants. 6 The Scriptures say, “God commanded light to shine in the dark.” Now God is shining in our hearts to let you know that his glory is seen in Jesus Christ. 7 We are like clay jars in which this treasure is stored. The real power comes from God and not from us. 8 We often suffer, but we are never crushed. Even when we don’t know what to do, we never give up. 9 In times of trouble, God is with us, and when we are knocked down, we get up again. 10-11 We face death every day because of Jesus. Our bodies show what his death was like, so that his life can also be seen in us. 12 This means that death is working in us, but life is working in you.” II Corinthians 4:5-12 CEV

Paul experienced the death of his daily needs and desires – comfort, security, safety, freedom; so that he could bring the message of new life in Christ to the world. Jesus sacrificed the desires and needs of his life to provide salvation and Paul was willing to continue to take that message around the known world.

As we finish our preparations for time with family and friends, let’s remember to do the same. When we’re tired, hungry, inconvenienced by long lines and irritable people, let’s let the light of Jesus shine through us to bring the power of God to others. In us is the light of God wanting to shine for all the world to see!

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Family Resemblance

As you know, Saturday we celebrated a day of thanks with my Mom and some of her wonderful friends. These folks have been there to help her when we couldn’t and some of them have known her most of my life.

My brother, sister and I were so glad we were able to thank them personally for all the do for Mom.

One thing I kept hearing as we would talk is how much of a family resemblance they could see in us and our kids. (Of course I was showing off pictures)

But the resemblance I wanted them to see most was the one between us and our heavenly Father.

As I focus on my relationship with the Lord, I desire to see His characteristics more evident in my life each day. I want people to be able to look at me and say, “You look like your Father.” God’s word validates that

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” II Corinthians 5:17

and “God knew them before he made the world. And he decided that they would be like his Son. Then Jesus would be the firstborn of many brothers and sisters.” Romans 8:29

So many today are buying these DNA kits so they can trace their heritage. If you had a DNA test what would it show?

God has given us His DNA (Divine Nature Attributes) and place them within us; love, joy, peace, gentleness, goodness, meekness and faith.

“God’s Spirit makes us loving, happy, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, 23 gentle, and self-controlled. There is no law against behaving in any of these ways.” Galatians 5:22-23 CEV

I hope when you look at me you can see a family resemblance!

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The Smell of Sweet Perfume

Chanel – White Diamonds – Giorgio – Shalimar – perfumes! All have a wonderful odor.

Just one drop, and a room will be completely filled with fragrance. Have you ever experienced that? Just one little dab of expensive perfume on a cloth or piece of clothing will bring a wonderful bouquet to all the other clothes in your closet or drawer. Or maybe you’ve had the experience of walking past someone and you pick up on the sweet smell of perfume and it reminds you of someone you love or a place you love.

“I am grateful that God ALWAYS makes it possible for Christ to lead us to victory. God also helps us spread the knowledge about Christ everywhere, and this knowledge is like the smell of perfume.” (emphasis mine) II Corinthians 214 CEV

The Apostle Paul tells us that we should be thankful because God ALWAYS causes us to triumph in Christ. ALWAYS!! Not just occasionally, not just half the time but ALWAYS!

And then He helps us spread the message of Christ and His victory everywhere like a sweet perfume. We’re not the perfume, the message of Christ is. We’re simply the article that transports the aroma.

Reminds me of the woman who broke the box of expensive perfume and poured it on Jesus. People were upset because she had wasted such a costly ointment but everywhere Jesus went, He left a sweet smelling fragrance and there was no denying that they had been in His presence.

“Six days before Passover Jesus went back to Bethany, where he had raised Lazarus from death. 2 A meal had been prepared for Jesus. Martha was doing the serving, and Lazarus himself was there. 3 Mary took a very expensive bottle of perfume and poured it on Jesus’ feet. She wiped them with her hair, and the sweet smell of the perfume filled the house.” John 12:1-3 CEV

Are we leaving people with the ability to sense that they have been in the presence of the Lord? Talking about His victories in our lives isn’t bragging on us and our great feats; it’s simply leaving the fragrance of Christ for others to enjoy.

“In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” I Thessalonians 5:18 KJV

Be grateful, be thankful, leave a sweet smell!

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Yuma Sure Isn’t Heaven

My mother is 94 and when we talk she is spending more time talking about heaven. In fact a while back she came out in the living room and announced that she was really disappointed. Why, I asked. She said “I dreamed I was in heaven and when I woke up I was in Yuma”. That made both Dave and I laugh. Yes, I can imagine that would be disappointing.

Thinking about the things I have to be thankful for and things I’m looking forward too. Like Mom, I know heaven will be better than Yuma. Heaven is being in the presence of God; one scripture says that in His presence is fullness of joy! It is also the absence of sin, sickness, poverty, fear, hatred, stress, anxiety and heart ache. None of these will be in heaven and Jesus came to bring the power of heaven to earth.

Remember Jesus teaching His disciples to pray – “thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven”. I pray that for you today – Lord, let Your kingdom come in the lives of my friends today. Let them realize they can live in your presence, your kingdom on earth as it is in heaven!

I know this is possible because when Jesus was in the synagogue and was given the Scriptures to read, He found the place from Isaiah that said

“The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent Me to proclaim freedom to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free the oppressed,
19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.
20 He then rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. And the eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fixed on Him. 21 He began by saying to them, “Today as you listen, this Scripture has been fulfilled.” Luke 4:18-21 Holman

And then Jesus went out and did exactly what He had just read from the Scripture. His ministry was healing the sick, cleansing the lepers, raising the dead, giving sight to the blind and setting free those whose lives had been in bondage to sin. His message and His power are the same today – now that power flows through us as His ambassadors.

“What we mean is that God was in Christ, offering peace and forgiveness to the people of this world. And he has given us the work of sharing his message about peace. 20 We were sent to speak for Christ, and God is begging you to listen to our message. We speak for Christ and sincerely ask you to make peace with God. 21 Christ never sinned! But God treated him as a sinner, so that Christ could make us acceptable to God.” II Corinthians 5:19-21 CEV

If you are doubting your ability to fulfill the task, just remember that God has promised to equip us for “every good work”.

“All Scripture is given by God. And all Scripture is useful for teaching and for showing people what is wrong in their lives. It is useful for correcting faults and teaching the right way to live. 17 Using the Scriptures, those who serve God will be prepared and will have everything they need to do every good work.” II Timothy 3:16-17 ERV

Enjoy God’s presence today and then take a little bit of heaven to those around you. They could certainly use it too!

“You will teach me the right way to live. Just being with you will bring complete happiness. Being at your right side will make me happy forever.” Psalm 16:11 ERV

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Life Lessons from a Cleaning Bucket

Do you enjoy cleaning?

Strange question but I do. Always have. When I was a kid I would like to see my room cleaned – bed made, clothes hung up and things in place. (Now I did have the one junk drawer but we won’t talk about that.) Then once I was married and had a home of my own I never really minded all that comes with cleaning – mopping, dusting, vacuuming, laundry, windows, bath rooms. I like it all but mostly I like the end result. I even clean the baseboards, dust the ceiling fans and pictures a couple times a year. I know, I know.

There’s a house that sits kitty corner from ours and it is used as a vacation rental. About a year and a half ago I was asked if I wanted to clean it occasionally. Of course, I like to clean. But for the last year I have been cleaning it twice a month and to be honest it is getting a bit old. I’m not getting as much pleasure out of it as I did when I started.

In fact, I told my friend, Pam, a couple weeks ago that I didn’t think I would do it anymore after the first of the year. But…yesterday!!! Yes, yesterday I had an epiphany. Truly, now don’t laugh. I had started to clean, it was so quiet and then I realized I should try to see if I could get Pandora on my phone. See, you thought I got some great revelation from God, didn’t you?

Sure enough. I downloaded the app and voila – music! I was thrilled. For over a year I had been cleaning in silence. Normally I like the quiet but not when I’m cleaning. Crank up the tunes! I have a station I like to listen too, Guy Penrod music, and it’s upbeat, happy, Gospel music. There I was just cleaning away with a big smile on my face and a song on my lips.

Then a song came on that I have sung for years – means the world to me but when I related it to my cleaning it took the meaning deeper. This song was published in 1910 by Julia Johnson, Grace Greater than Our Sin.

“Marvelous grace of our loving Lord,
Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt!
Yonder on Calvary’s mount outpoured,
There where the blood of the Lamb was spilled.

Refrain:
Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that is greater than all our sin!

God’s grace is the cleaning agent that cleanses my life from the effects of sin! WOW!! Just like I was removing the dust and dirt, cleaning the floors and washing the mirrors, God’s grace sweeps through my life bringing a pardon for the wrong that deserves a sentence of death and cleansing me from the guilt!

Walking out the front door yesterday, looking back as I always do, making sure everything was done and in place, I had a new joy and a thankful heart because God’s grace has cleansed my life and made it new.

“We are careful not to judge people by what they seem to be, though we once judged Christ in that way. 17 Anyone who belongs to Christ is a new person. The past is forgotten, and everything is new. 18 God has done it all! He sent Christ to make peace between himself and us, and he has given us the work of making peace between himself and others.” II Corinthians 5:16-18 CEV

I’m thankful that I’ve been cleansed!

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Cross the Finish Line!

Did you know that God desires for you to be triumphant today?

Well He does! He has provided a way for you to ALWAYS be victorious – not so, you say. Yes way! And when we do triumph and give Him the glory, it’s like the smell of a sweet perfume. So when folks ask “What’s that smell (i.e. how did you come out that victorious), we can say, “Oh, it was God helping me, taking me through, making me victorious.”

In the book of Daniel we read of 3 young men who refused to compromise their stand for God. The king had ordered everyone in the realm to bow before his statue and worship him. Take a knee! But these three, even though they were in the king’s employ, refused.

The king’s anger was out-of-control. He demanded their worship and their allegiance. Again they refused even though death was to be their most certain consequence. The king ordered the refining fires to be heated to the greatest possible intensity, seven times hotter than it had ever been. And when the three publically stood in opposition to the king he had them bound and thrown into the fire.

“So the soldiers tied up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and threw them into the flaming furnace with all of their clothes still on, including their turbans. The fire was so hot that flames leaped out and killed the soldiers.

24 Suddenly the king jumped up and shouted, “Weren’t only three men tied up and thrown into the fire?”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” the people answered.

25 “But I see four men walking around in the fire,” the king replied. “None of them is tied up or harmed, and the fourth one looks like a god.”[a]

26 Nebuchadnezzar went closer to the flaming furnace and said to the three young men, “You servants of the Most High God, come out at once!”

They came out, 27 and the king’s high officials, governors, and advisors all crowded around them. The men were not burned, their hair wasn’t scorched, and their clothes didn’t even smell like smoke. 28 King Nebuchadnezzar said:

Praise their God for sending an angel to rescue his servants! They trusted their God and refused to obey my commands. Yes, they chose to die rather than to worship or serve any god except their own.” Daniel 3:21-28 CEV

When we serve the King of Kings we aren’t promised a perfect life but we are promised a protected life. These men came out of a life threatening situation and they didn’t even smell like smoke. What obstacle do you face that could be any greater than this? God is the same now as He was then.

Here’s to victory today – Always! ” Now thanks be to God, who always leads us to triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.” II Corinthians 2:14

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