ONLINE CHURCH BULLETIN

Chilly?

Daniel 3.16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter.

17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king.

18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." 

19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was furious with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and his attitude toward them changed. He ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual

20 and commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace.

21 So these men, wearing their robes, trousers, turbans and other clothes, were bound and thrown into the blazing furnace.

22 The king's command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the flames of the fire killed the soldiers who took up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego,

23 and these three men, firmly tied, fell into the blazing furnace. 

24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, "Weren't there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?" They replied, "Certainly, O king." 

25 He said, "Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods." 

26 Nebuchadnezzar then approached the opening of the blazing furnace and shouted, "Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!" So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire,

27 and the satraps, prefects, governors and royal advisers crowded around them. They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them. 

28 Then Nebuchadnezzar said, "Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king's command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.

When you are feeling the chill of winter (as we are now in Tennessee), read Daniel 3. The three lads--Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego--were ready to pay the ultimate price for their faith in God. They knew He was able to deliver them and that they were in His hands. We consider these youngsters great heroes of faith because their trust in God was greater than their fear of the heat...and God was faithful to keep them cool!

Consider how this plays out in other lives. Consider the missionary who forgoes "air conditioning" and other comforts in North America and chooses to sweat on a daily basis in Africa as he obeys the great commission. Consider those in Cambodia who risk losing their freedom when they assemble and worship with other Christians. Consider Christians who refuse to "go along with the crowd" on a daily basis.

As we look at our lives, do we see a determination to trust and obey the Father that enables us to overcome our fears? Do we want to be on the narrow way regardless of the consequences?

This story of the three faithful Hebrews has challenged me for years. I recall trying to help fry fish in a large pot over an open fire. The fire was so hot that it was very difficult to stay close enough to it to handle the fish for more than a few seconds. This helped me appreciate the courage of these youngsters...and to pray that God would help me to have the courage to live my faith regardless of the consequences.

He is able to deliver us. Recall this as you warm up from the winter chill.

Dear Father, sometimes we struggle to trust and obey. Help us to have a stronger faith, to always know You are able and that You are faithful to us. We want to be courageous as we show Christ to the world. Forgive us for our doubts and help us to know that You are always taking care of us--whether we live or die. Help those who are hurting. We ask this in the name of Christ, our Deliverer. Amen.

1 John 5.14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: 15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

Only God can know HOW our prayers WORK but we believe HE answers. Please write me to add names to the prayer list and to report changes in status.

Let us be thankful and prayerful!

Love
Brad Forgy