Tag: #godislove

And Then There were Four

And Then There were Four

Together with kindness and in understanding, let’s take this time to self reflect. I am here to inspire, encourage, and remind you that God has given us the most important weapon we have to fight the enemy, His Word.

Now let’s dress our soul like we dress our bodies, EVERYDAY!

And Then There Were Four

“Look!” He answered, “I see four men loose, walking in the mist of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the son of God.” Daniel 3 :25 NKJV

In the summer of 605 B.C., Daniel,  Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were taken from their homes, families, culture, way of life, and thrusted into a Babylonian world. Stripping them of everything, they were given new names. But in due time, the king and his people would know there is a God in Babylon.

As we rewind back to the beginning of book of Daniel, we see Nebuchadnezzar’s chief official, entering Jerusalem, and taking the young men captive. The Babylonians were looking for certain qualifications in areas like- without physical defect, handsome, learns quickly, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king’s palace. These four guys weren’t just better than the rest, they were ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters” in ALL of Babylonia!

King Nebuchadnezzar recognized that they were the cream of the crop. So, he took them under his wing, giving them food and drink from his own table. Even though he offered, they did not accept it. They were trained in the ways of the Babylonians. Eventually they were appointed as administrators over the province of Babylon. Keep in mind that there were all kinds of ideas being put into the king’s head, as he was reminded that those Hebrew boys did not serve his gods or worship the golden image that he has set up.

Full of furious rage, he commanded that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought to him. He wanted to see where their loyalties lie. His bottom line was simply this, when you hear the music, fall down and worship the image that I have made. However, if you do not, you all will be cast into a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you out of my hands?”

For these three guys, their actions came down to faith in the one true God. Imagine it, everyone looking and waiting for them to bow down. Can you hear the whispers, and mummering of the crowd and kings court alike?  And how about that sour look on the kings face, that said, “well, I am waiting.”

They responded to the king like this, “ O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”

In my mind I see an embarrassed and now furious king who would not be made a fool of, as he ordered the furnace to be heated seven times more than usual.  He ordered some of the mighty men of his army to bind them and cast them in. Even the king’s soldiers were killed because it was so hot. And they fell bound into the burning fiery furnace.

Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished and rose up in haste. He declared to his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?” They answered and said to the king, “True, O King.” He answered and said, “But I see four men unbound, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods.”

Nebuchadnezzar recognized the supernatural miracle before him. He calls them out of the furnace, he declared, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God.”  Not a hair on their heads were singed, and no smell of fire on their clothing.  He went on to say, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and delivered his servants, who trust in him, and set aside the king’s command, and yielded up their bodies rather than serve and worship any god except their own God.”

Trials in this life are unavoidable friends. This passage of scripture is meant to stir up our heart, giving us the assurance, that we can come through those obstacles and challenges.  Just like God was with them in a strange Land, he is indeed with us in the hot furnaces of our lives too. Here are three take aways from the three Hebrew boys: One, their confidence in the God,  Second, their acknowledgement of God over the world’s most powerful king resulted in God’s supreme power being revealed to unbelievers Thirdly, their faith demonstrates that God will deliver, giving victory to his children.

Remember friends, we are each other’s keeper and the only time we should be looking down on someone is when we are helping them up.

A Bridge Over Troubled Waters

A Bridge Over Troubled Waters

Together with kindness and in understanding, let’s take this time to self reflect. I am here to inspire, encourage, and remind you that God has given us the most important weapon we have to fight the enemy, His Word.

Now let’s dress our soul like we dress our bodies, EVERYDAY!

A Bridge Over Troubled Waters

“And when He had entered into a boat, His disciples followed Him. And behold, there arose a great tempest on the sea, insomuch that the boat was covered with the waves; but He was asleep. And His disciples came to. Him and wake Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We perish!” And He said unto them, “Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith?” Then he arose and rebuked the wind and the sea, and there was a great calm. Matthew 8:23-26 NKJV

Leading up to Jesus and is disciples leaving from Capernaum, a great many things happened. In Matthew Chapter eight, we see Jesus in supernatural mode with the miracles of healing. He starts things off by healing a man with Leprosy. The man came and knelt before Jesus, which is a clear indication that he had heard about what he can do. He said to Jesus, “Lord if you are willing, you can make me clean.” Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man saying, “I am willing, be clean.”

Next, we have the faith of the Centurion. His servant was at home paralyzed and suffering terribly. Wasn’t this thoughtful of him? To think of the servant, who perhaps may have been more of a friend to him, than his own kinfolks. Jesus did ask him if he needed him to come to his home, but thoughtfully he knew his house wasn’t in any shape for the King of Kings. Knowing we are only filthy rags before his majesty and glory. He said to Jesus, “just say the word.”  Here we see a clear view of faith in action as the Centurion recognized the power of God’s Word. Jesus said to him, “Go, let it be done just as you believed it would.”

A busy Jesus continued healing many. Coming to the rescue, He cured those who had fever, possession, infirmities, and disease. It was finally to leave the area. And after a long day it was time to get some rest. Can you see him friends, as he finds himself a quiet corner on the deck of the boat. With his own soft animal skin blanket, he neatly folds it up to make a pillow for his head. He lay’s back listening to his disciples talk about all of the amazing things they witnessed Jesus do, how many people were helped, and that the word will travel far and wide about our Jesus. Still in my own thoughts, I see him casting his eyes upward to the heavenly skies, tuning out their conversation. As the boat rocked, a sleepy Jesus yawns, until He drifted off to sleep. What a peaceful sight.

As Jesus was getting some much-needed ZZ’s, there came a sudden furious storm on the water, so the waves swept over the boat. All in an uproar and afraid the disciples woke up a sleeping Jesus saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown! Now here they are on board with the Son of the Living God, and they are worried about a storm. It was apparent they already forgot all of the healing and miracles he performed just today! Can you see them all in a panic, talking and shaking Jesus awake all at once? Jesus woke up to commotion on the ocean and I am not talking about the storm.

Naturally Jesus’ first step was to get everyone to calm down, for they were gripped with fear. Jesus then said, “you of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and waves, and it was completely calm. Can you imagine in those moments what the disciples must have felt, as they realized what message they sent to Jesus by their actions. Can you hear them friends talking as Jesus tries to go back to sleep. I can hear them saying, “ya’ll we gotta do better. Here we are on board with the Captain of the sea, we know there is nothing ordinary about Him, he is God among us, He has all power and he wasn’t going to let anything happen to us on this journey. And how do we repay him?” When they arrived on the other side of the region, Jesus restored two demon possessed men.

I am reminded that Jesus is my bridge over troubled waters. And when the waters seek to take me under, he comes to my rescue pulling me from depths unknown. In this life there are many kinds of storms. The winds are strong, the rains can be quiet heavy, and the disruption can leave plenty of debris in our path. But there is something about knowing that Jesus is my bridge over troubled waters, and even when I fail friends, I know that because of He lives I can face today, tomorrow, and the next day!! He has the power to bring us through the storms. Hang your anchor into His Word.  Amen!

Remember friends, we are each other’s keeper and the only time we should be looking down on someone is when we are helping them up.