Devotional Thoughts...

I just started Daniel today in my morning devotions. LOVE the Old Testament and I'm excited about preaching some KILLER OT stuff through our Heroes series. One of my favorite stories in the OT is Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. When I read the story today a line jumped out at me that never really had before. It should really be the theme to our lives. It's not flashy or anything, just stood out.

In Daniel 3:12 King Nebuchadnezzar had ordered everyone to bow down to this towering image he had made when they heard the instruments sound. The instruments sounded and all bowed, except some of the Kings men came running to the King and in this verse said "But there are some Jews..." I want that said of me that if the WHOLE WORLD goes against God "But there was one man..." "But there was this church..." "But there was this family..." Jesus kind of spoke of this in Matthew 15 when he said "What good is it if you gain the whole world yet forfeit your soul". The young men from Judah could have bowed down with everyone else "But there were some Jews..."

THEN one of the GREATEST verses in all of Scripture I got to read today. Inspires me every time I read it. The King is thrown into a fit of rage because they wouldn't bow down. He told them they had one more chance or he'd throw them in the fire and said "then what god will be able to save you?" My boys answer in Daniel 3:16-18 with some of the greatest words of trust, courage and POWER in the Scripture. "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. (HERE IT COMES) But even if he doesn't, we want to make it clear to you, Your majesty, that we will NEVER serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up." In Pastor Jeff words they said BRING IT KING! HA. I love it.

I want a "but even if..." faith. That REGARDLESS of what happens in my life, in our church or in this world, I will not bow down to ANYTHING but Jesus Christ and HIM alone! Do you want a "but even if..." faith?

Following Christ,

Jeff