As I was reading our text in Daniel 3 today, I had a thought that I hope will encourage you today.
SUNSCREEN. Odd word for this time of the year, isn't it? Sunscreen protects us from the sun's rays. There are various grades of protection we can apply to our body to protect it from the sun. How you are affected by the sun is based on how much you apply to your body.
Sunscreen... what is it for, and how does it relate to the Daniel Fast? Good question?
The scripture that jumped off the page is vs. 17-18... "If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up."
Well, as we read about the story of these 3 young men who had everything to live for, did you wonder why they were not afraid? I did. I mean, think about it: they were young men who had been under house arrest for a crime they didn't commit. Sure, they were living as servants to the King and all of their necessities of life were provided for. The king was King Nebuchadnezzar and he selected these young men out of all the men of the nation to serve him. But, in reality, they were prisoners in their own city. They were allowed to walked around and hang out with their friends, as long as they obeyed the King's rules. If not, they would either be sent home, or possibly thrown into prison. Even though they were not bound with chains, they were still under a restraint: they were captives in their own country. They had the freedom to walk around and talk to their friends, eat, sleep in a nice bed, but did not have the liberty to do as they pleased.
In the story, King Nebby (it's easier to write) had a statue built in his own honor and everyone was required to bow down and worship it when the music played in the city. No exceptions, bow down or be thrown into a burning furnace. WHAT? That's a little much don't ya think? A furnace... this king meant business. Pride, arrogance, paranoid, I don't know, he had issues.
So, as we read, these 3 young men would not bow down to the King or his idol for any reason...even if it meant certain death.
This is where the story gets interesting... The king had a rule and these young men broke it; they were to be punished and thrown into the furnace. The king was so upset that He made it 7 times hotter. He must have really been mad. These 3 young men were bound and pushed into the furnace. But when the king looked inside he was shocked to see not only 3 young men who were NOT dying... on the contrary, the 3 boys and a FOURTH stood. No screaming, no pain, they were actually walking together in the hot scalding, blistering, blazing, ouch....furnace and all the restraints had burned off of them.
What made the difference? It was the Protection that they had...they had SONSCREEN. King Nebby said it looked like the Son of the gods was walking with these boys. WOW...so in other words God showed up and literally protected these young guys from being burned up by the Fire. The Son of God was sent to protect them from the effects of the Fire.
So what can we take away from this story? Well, we know King Nebby was fearful of the Hebrew God who protected these boys, so he changed his rule that all of the people would worship the God of the boys, not the statue of himself...Wasn't happening!!!
There was a Faith in God that was more than just believing in God.
These young men had a relationship with God that gave them a level of confidence that even though they could die in the furnace they were not afraid. They were committed to God and would not compromise their beliefs...even if it mean death.
When we face some of the most difficult times in our lives remember that there is "SONSCREEN" available for us.
The Bible says in Isaiah 43:2 "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned, and flame will not scorch you."
How to apply SonScreen to your Life today:
1. They were committed to God... you don't need to compromise what you believe.
2. They stood together...you don't have to go through difficult times alone.
3. God's protection covered them...He will protect you from the effects of this world.
4.Trust God...He promises to be there in the middle of your Storm.
If you are looking for him you will find him.... He is right there with you.... Let him be your "SonScreen": Your protection from the elements of life.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Monday, January 16, 2012
"The Finish Line Is In View"
GOOD MORNING, What an exciting service at World Hope yesterday... TRUST GOD. ...let's not be performance-driven... but allow God's Word to lead us and guide us...
Well... It is the 3rd and final week of the Daniel Fast and, for many of us, we are in the final stretch. I want to encourage you to finish strong. It can be one of the more difficult weeks for you, but i know you can do it. Our text is Psalm 51. Here is my thought for the day...
Did you ever run track when you were in school? Maybe you have to think back a few years and are reminded how long that actually was. (!!!!) Oh well, that's another topic for another day. ---- Do you remember the last lap of a race, coming around the last turn, with the finish line in view -- for me, it felt like the LONGEST STRETCH OF THE TRACK! But I also remember, at that time, the energy was pushing me and I found an inner strength to run harder. In that same way, I realize this last week of the Daniel Fast can feel like the last lap of a race and you don't know if you are going to make it.
HEY...I am your biggest fan...I am right there with you running beside YOU as a Team mate...saying, COME ON, YOU CAN DO IT...WE CAN DO IT....Because I believe in you and the Cause....
You might feel tired or weary, drained with some fatigue in your muscles or "belly" -- ready to quit for whatever reasons -- but you know, in your heart, that when you finish the Fast you will have accomplished the "event" and will have no regrets. You will carry that thought of success and lessons with you throughout your life.
Look in front of you... there it is...the finish line...only 6 days and you will be able to eat whatever you want. (As your stomach growls now - haha)...
That's where my thoughts are this morning... I don't want to go back to the way it was before the Daniel Fast. I want to take the lessons that I have learned and continue to hear what the Holy Spirit is doing inside of my life. I will add some things back to my diet, but I feel better physically, I feel stronger, my mind is open...and my direction is more clear than before... why go back?
My Spiritual Insight is following closely behind what I am experiencing physically... My Faith is stronger, my Heart is open, my Mind isn't fragmented with so much to do, and I can See the Next Step for my LIFE more clearly. Write down what you are learning.... use it as a guide during 2012.
In our devotions today, the verses that speak to me are 10-12 (NIV) Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
I have learned more about myself during this Fast ...so I am convinced that I can make it, and not just make it to the finish line ...I can use what I have learned, and continue in the race that the Lord has destined for me to run!
So yes, I will continue to run... but it will be with a new vigor, excitement and expectancy. It is a new season for you and me! Look up and see your Future...it is bright and rewarding. YOU CAN MAKE IT...
Well... It is the 3rd and final week of the Daniel Fast and, for many of us, we are in the final stretch. I want to encourage you to finish strong. It can be one of the more difficult weeks for you, but i know you can do it. Our text is Psalm 51. Here is my thought for the day...
Did you ever run track when you were in school? Maybe you have to think back a few years and are reminded how long that actually was. (!!!!) Oh well, that's another topic for another day. ---- Do you remember the last lap of a race, coming around the last turn, with the finish line in view -- for me, it felt like the LONGEST STRETCH OF THE TRACK! But I also remember, at that time, the energy was pushing me and I found an inner strength to run harder. In that same way, I realize this last week of the Daniel Fast can feel like the last lap of a race and you don't know if you are going to make it.
HEY...I am your biggest fan...I am right there with you running beside YOU as a Team mate...saying, COME ON, YOU CAN DO IT...WE CAN DO IT....Because I believe in you and the Cause....
You might feel tired or weary, drained with some fatigue in your muscles or "belly" -- ready to quit for whatever reasons -- but you know, in your heart, that when you finish the Fast you will have accomplished the "event" and will have no regrets. You will carry that thought of success and lessons with you throughout your life.
Look in front of you... there it is...the finish line...only 6 days and you will be able to eat whatever you want. (As your stomach growls now - haha)...
That's where my thoughts are this morning... I don't want to go back to the way it was before the Daniel Fast. I want to take the lessons that I have learned and continue to hear what the Holy Spirit is doing inside of my life. I will add some things back to my diet, but I feel better physically, I feel stronger, my mind is open...and my direction is more clear than before... why go back?
My Spiritual Insight is following closely behind what I am experiencing physically... My Faith is stronger, my Heart is open, my Mind isn't fragmented with so much to do, and I can See the Next Step for my LIFE more clearly. Write down what you are learning.... use it as a guide during 2012.
In our devotions today, the verses that speak to me are 10-12 (NIV) Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
I have learned more about myself during this Fast ...so I am convinced that I can make it, and not just make it to the finish line ...I can use what I have learned, and continue in the race that the Lord has destined for me to run!
So yes, I will continue to run... but it will be with a new vigor, excitement and expectancy. It is a new season for you and me! Look up and see your Future...it is bright and rewarding. YOU CAN MAKE IT...
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
"No Miracles for You"
Daniel Fast DAY 10 - Luke 4
I recall the popular scene on Seinfeld in which the soup CHEF said to George and Elaine - because of disrespect and not following protocol..."NO SOUP FOR YOU" and they were banned from receiving any soup.
I was thinking about our text today in Luke 4, and it made me curious about something. Could lack of honor and respect for Jesus keep... or should I say LIMIT Jesus from doing miracles in His home town? The Bible says that the devil messed with Jesus in many areas of His LIFE in the desert, while he was fasting those 40 days. After the fast, the Spirit of God sent him to his home town of Nazareth. Makes me think HMMMM? Why, after such a challenging time in the desert, would Jesus be sent to His HOMETOWN, Nazareth... God knew that Jesus would be treated differently when the crowd realized that He was actually Joseph's son and that He grew up in that city.
So here's one of my questions... could it be that, when people are familiar with you - your upbringing, your parents, your successes, your failures, your mistakes - could it be that THEIR lack of faith could put limitations on God's anointing in Your life? In the same way, the lack of respect that Jesus experienced in the Temple put limitations on HIS ministry in Nazareth.
This shouldn't make a difference right? Well it did...when Jesus went into the church to worship...He stood up and read a passage in the Bible (scrolls) out of the book of Isaiah that would define His ministry on this earth. Well, that was cool for a moment, until Jesus then said, "and today everything I have read is going to happen because I am that person".
When Jesus made that statement - and it registered to those who were listening - they probably said something like...say WHAT, you said WHAT? ...I mean HUH? ...WHAT? ...well, I think you get it....they were upset that someone who grew up in their town would come back home after being away, doing "God only knows what" (now that's funny...right there) only God knows (....Haha....Yep, it just comes out sometimes...can't help it.)... Anyway, they were upset so they kicked Jesus out of the temple accusing Him of fraud.
They forced Jesus out of town, even to the edge of a large hill, intending to push Him off. Something very amazing takes place that many of us miss. I want you to look at what the Bible says here...look at verse 30.
ARE YOU READY? (paraphrased here:) They could not touch Him and He just walked between them and left that area. Did you catch that? They could not lay a hand on Jesus...God's protection on His life became a shield around Him. He walked between them and went to the next city and ministered to the people in Capernaum. Yes, there He was healing and loving on people, just the way He wanted to do in Nazareth, but His power was limited because of doubt and unbelief. the disrespect of his anointing..."NO MIRACLES FOR YOU, Nazareth."
Here is my other question. So, can disrespect or dishonor for the messenger of God, whomever that might be, limit the anointing in that individual's life? From what I have read the answer is, YEP!
What I like is what comes after this situation in Nazareth...It did not hinder or keep Jesus from living out His purpose and anointing. What an exciting insight for me and for you to understand.
So during the next 11 days during the Daniel Fast...don't be discouraged because you are not seeing the results of your obedience to God. Keep on loving, sharing the love of Jesus, and keep believing for Miracles in your life and through your LIFE. GOD IS FAITHFUL..
I recall the popular scene on Seinfeld in which the soup CHEF said to George and Elaine - because of disrespect and not following protocol..."NO SOUP FOR YOU" and they were banned from receiving any soup.
I was thinking about our text today in Luke 4, and it made me curious about something. Could lack of honor and respect for Jesus keep... or should I say LIMIT Jesus from doing miracles in His home town? The Bible says that the devil messed with Jesus in many areas of His LIFE in the desert, while he was fasting those 40 days. After the fast, the Spirit of God sent him to his home town of Nazareth. Makes me think HMMMM? Why, after such a challenging time in the desert, would Jesus be sent to His HOMETOWN, Nazareth... God knew that Jesus would be treated differently when the crowd realized that He was actually Joseph's son and that He grew up in that city.
So here's one of my questions... could it be that, when people are familiar with you - your upbringing, your parents, your successes, your failures, your mistakes - could it be that THEIR lack of faith could put limitations on God's anointing in Your life? In the same way, the lack of respect that Jesus experienced in the Temple put limitations on HIS ministry in Nazareth.
This shouldn't make a difference right? Well it did...when Jesus went into the church to worship...He stood up and read a passage in the Bible (scrolls) out of the book of Isaiah that would define His ministry on this earth. Well, that was cool for a moment, until Jesus then said, "and today everything I have read is going to happen because I am that person".
When Jesus made that statement - and it registered to those who were listening - they probably said something like...say WHAT, you said WHAT? ...I mean HUH? ...WHAT? ...well, I think you get it....they were upset that someone who grew up in their town would come back home after being away, doing "God only knows what" (now that's funny...right there) only God knows (....Haha....Yep, it just comes out sometimes...can't help it.)... Anyway, they were upset so they kicked Jesus out of the temple accusing Him of fraud.
They forced Jesus out of town, even to the edge of a large hill, intending to push Him off. Something very amazing takes place that many of us miss. I want you to look at what the Bible says here...look at verse 30.
ARE YOU READY? (paraphrased here:) They could not touch Him and He just walked between them and left that area. Did you catch that? They could not lay a hand on Jesus...God's protection on His life became a shield around Him. He walked between them and went to the next city and ministered to the people in Capernaum. Yes, there He was healing and loving on people, just the way He wanted to do in Nazareth, but His power was limited because of doubt and unbelief. the disrespect of his anointing..."NO MIRACLES FOR YOU, Nazareth."
Here is my other question. So, can disrespect or dishonor for the messenger of God, whomever that might be, limit the anointing in that individual's life? From what I have read the answer is, YEP!
What I like is what comes after this situation in Nazareth...It did not hinder or keep Jesus from living out His purpose and anointing. What an exciting insight for me and for you to understand.
So during the next 11 days during the Daniel Fast...don't be discouraged because you are not seeing the results of your obedience to God. Keep on loving, sharing the love of Jesus, and keep believing for Miracles in your life and through your LIFE. GOD IS FAITHFUL..
Monday, January 9, 2012
I Will Praise Him
When I think of all that God has done for me in my Life...I am reminded that I can not forget to acknowledge God and give him Praise, which is thankfulness and gratitude for what He means to me.
In our "Devo's" on our 8th Day of the Daniel Fast, Psalms 100 vs. 5..."For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;his faithfulness continues through all generations." Remember today that God is good and you can count on Him...and HIS LOVE is waiting to be released in your life. He is Faithful...
I Will Praise Him...
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