Making the Impossible Go Away!

Every day you and I find ourselves confronted by new challenges, problems, and difficulties. Some of these “obstacles of life” are such that you can climb over and out of them on your own while others appear as a wall with a top beyond your reach. You struggle throughout your day to find a door to pass through, often to no avail.

You may have situations standing in defiance in your life right now that you have ceased to struggle against any longer—you’ve given up! Maybe it’s a sickness, a financial situation, problems with your children or spouse? Satan has overwhelmed you with whatever it is and he seems to have won the victory.

You have been taught to accept too many things as they appear to you to be. You’ve been programmed by your society to give up on things easily rather than becoming too overwhelmed by them. If the obstacle appears to be beyond your ability to overcome, you quickly accept that as fate and give up. If the situation appears beyond your own ability to work out, you throw up your hands and accept the defeat and walk away. The time has come to make impossible go away!

Making the impossible go away involves recognizing where the struggle comes from. Paul said: “For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12 NLT). As a believer in Jesus Christ, you must recognize that your struggles arise from evil spiritual forces that are aligned against you. Recognizing the source enables you to recognize you need something more than simply yourself to win.

Making the impossible go away involves meeting the challenge head-on in the strength and power of the One who is able. When confronted with a difficult situation, Jesus made this powerful statement: “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God” (Mark 10:27 NLT). You have a power available to you that will overcome every obstacle, break down every wall, tear down every fortress that may be standing in our path. Jesus said “Everything is possible with God”—no if’s, and’s or but’s about it!

The challenge you are facing can be brought down and overcome through Jesus Christ today. Face your struggle head-on in Jesus’ name and allow His power to take over your situation and usher you into victory!

Scripture Reading: “Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm” (Ephesians 6:10-13 NLT).

Prayer: Father, I often find myself confronted by impossible situations. Too often, I am quick to give and run. But, I know that is not Your will. Please give me the strength and tenacity to stay in the battle and to fight through to victory. Help me to trust in You and the promises in Your Word. Help me, Lord, in everything I am facing this week to stay strong and to not allow anything that comes against me to overwhelm me in any way, through Your strength…in Jesus’ name…AMEN!

Gimme that Moment Back, Please!

How often do you find yourself wishing you could retrieve a certain moment in time? Maybe you said something, did something, responded wrong—whatever it may have been you just wish that moment had never taken place. You would love to be able to say, “Gimme that moment back, please?”

I think about what is perhaps the biggest “Gimme that moment back” moment ever. The Scripture says: “The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too” (Genesis 3:6 NLT).

How often did Adam and Eve reflect on that moment in time when they silenced the voice of GOD in their hearts and allowed worldly influence to creep in? When they were confronted by GOD the first time about their sin? When they were forced out of the garden in shame? When their son murdered his brother? When they saw the world falling apart around them?

All of these were reminders to them of GOD’s warning: “You may freely eat the fruit of every tree in the garden—except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat its fruit, you are sure to die” (Genesis 2:16-17 NLT). Their world began to die around them and the significance of GOD’s words became reality. Everyday this warning sounds for us but do we listen?

Every day we toy around with things in life that we know we should stay away from. And every day, we get bit by them. We find ourselves wanting that moment back—wanting a do-over, please, only to find it is too late, the sin has been committed the consequences have arrived. The sad truth is we seem to never learn! We go right back to the tree and take another look at the forbidden fruit and try to justify why we need to reach out and take another bite—only to discover we are the one to truly get bit.

Paul warned us to “Stay away from every kind of evil” (1 Thessalonians 5:22 NLT) for a reason. He understood the cost that had to be paid. He understood the repercussions of disobedience that would continue to resound from generation to generation.

Instead of needing to retrieve a bad moment in time, take your eyes off the deadly fruit, quit toying around with sin and follow Jesus Christ and allow right living to consume your total being.

Scripture Reading: “And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect” (Romans 12:1-2 NLT).

Prayer: Father in heaven, my life is filled with moments I wish I could take back. My mouth has said things it should’ve never said; I have carried out things in life that should’ve never been done. I just wish that I had a do-over. I am thankful that You have redeemed me through Jesus Christ. I am thankful that I am forgiven and my past is washed away by the blood of Jesus. I ask for Your strength to just say NO! when temptation comes my way. Help me to say NO! to the things that easily distract me and pull me away from Your truth. Help me to focus on You and to remain that way…in Jesus’ name…AMEN!

Just Another Number?

In a great big world with billions of people scattered all about, it is very easy to find yourself overwhelmed with life and feelings of insignificance. It is easy to lose hope, to lose a sense of meaning, to forget how special you really are. You may be asking right now, “Who me—special?” I feel so insignificant, how can I be special?

You walk out on a dark, cloudless night; look up into the sky and before you a gorgeous tapestry of trillions of stars light the sky. The Scripture says: “God made two great lights—the larger one to govern the day, and the smaller one to govern the night. He also made the stars.” (Genesis 1:16 NLT). You begin to think about a GOD big enough to speak such beauty—such majesty—into existence. You begin to find yourself becoming even smaller and more insignificant than before.

But, GOD’s plan didn’t stop there. Certainly, He created all the beauty; He created all the majestic scenery around about us. He created a great diversity of living things and scattered them all across the earth. But, GOD’s plan was still incomplete. The Scripture tells us GOD had a crowning achievement in mind. All of these other things were created so that this soon coming “crowning achievement” could enjoy it all and rule over it.

Consider that crowning moment as you grapple with thoughts of your own insignificance: “God said, ‘Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.’ So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them” (Genesis 1:26-27 NLT).

You are precious, vital and significant to GOD. He knows you in a special way. He who counts the stars and call them each by name (Psalm 147:4) knows the exact number of hairs on your head (Luke 12:7). He personally put you together according to His plan in your mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13); He knew you before you were born and gave you a reason for being, significance and purpose (Jeremiah 1:5).

You are a special person with special meaning and a very special reason for being. GOD calls you His child and looks favorably upon you as a very special creation. You are a person of significance!

Scripture Reading: “You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me!” (Psalm 139:13-18 NLT)

Prayer: Father, it is so easy to become overwhelmed by life—easy to become a victim of life’s clutter and simply to forget that this is not really what You designed my life to be. I try to find some semblance of significance for my being but in human eyes, I seem like just another number. It can really get me down. LORD, help me to not look down but to look up and to realize that no matter what others in this world may say about me, I am special to You! You know me; You love me; You designed me for a reason. I am not just another number to You. Father, help me to understand all this and to learn to live my life as the person You have designed me to be. Thank you, LORD, for caring and loving me!…in Jesus’ name…AMEN!   

Cheap Talk Needs to Stop!

We are living in a world of cheap talk. Politicians spew cheap lies to gain a vote. Sales people overrate their products to make a sale. Way too many pastors and preachers have cheapened the gospel message to prevent people from being offended. Everywhere you look, cheap talk is flowing!

I often find myself reciting these words from a song that was popular back in the 80s: “You’re the only Jesus some may ever see. You’re the only words of life some may ever read.” It often acted as a reminder to me of the importance of right words and right actions in my everyday world. It helped me to focus on what the right thing to say is even when my mind is telling me to tear ‘em up with harsh, unnecessary words.

Another little saying that goes around occasionally is: “You can talk the talk but can you walk the walk?” A good thought if implemented into our lives. But, we find ourselves flippantly spouting off these and similar sayings without truly considering the depth and meaning reflected in them—without considering whether our own lives are reflecting the true intent. The WWJD (What would Jesus do?) phenomenon of a few years back was based upon an awesome premise but soon became so flippantly overused that it lost most, if not all, of its meaning and impact and, sadly, has become a societal joke.

What am I saying to you today? Talk can be so cheap and yet painful. Cheap words flow out of the mouths of fools like water from a fountain. I believe it is vital that you understand these words of Jesus: “What you say flows from what is in your heart” (Luke 6:45b NLT). The Proverbs writer put it this way: “The heart of the godly thinks carefully before speaking; the mouth of the wicked overflows with evil words” (Proverbs 15:28 NLT).

So, what can we learn from this? Flippant, foolish talk is a reflection of what is truly in the heart. We can learn a great deal more by considering all Jesus said: “A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart” (Luke 6:45 NLT).

Good things flow out of the mouth of the individual who has a good heart; whereas, evil flows from an evil heart. How often do you think before you speak? How often do you consider what the impact of what you are about to say may have on those around you—positive or negative? How often do you look back and wish you had thought it out better before you let it spew out?

The Psalmist put it out there this way: “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer” (Psalm 19:14 NLT). Eliminate your life’s cheap talk by asking GOD to give you a clean heart which will produce clean thoughts and clean conversation that ultimately please GOD.

Scripture Reading: “A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions” (Matthew 7:18-20 NLT).

Prayer: Father in heaven, too often I find myself talking without thinking. My mouth seems to have a mind of its own and often spews things which shouldn’t be coming out. Help me, LORD, to consider my words before they fly from my lips. Help me to choose my words carefully so that what I say may encourage others rather than discourage them. Help me, LORD, to glorify You with all that I say and all that I do carefully considering how Jesus would respond in my every situation of life. May my heart be pure so my words may be pure…in Jesus’ name…AMEN!

Too Overwhelmed by the Problems to See the Answer!

How often do you find yourself wandering in a wilderness of despair? You feel no one cares, often rejected, ridiculed, and taken advantage of, maybe even feeling like an outcast? Problems surround you.

Worse yet, there seems to be a wall between you and GOD? You feel you are drying up; you thirst but you never find satisfaction? You hunger but what you have never seems to fill the void? The spiritual dryness that has swept in and taken over your being seems to be destroying you from the inside out. What can you do? Where can you find relief?

Take a look at a similar situation found in Scripture. Genesis 21 tells us: “Abraham got up early the next morning, prepared food and a container of water, and strapped them on Hagar’s shoulders. Then he sent her away with their son, and she wandered aimlessly in the wilderness of Beersheba. When the water was gone, she put the boy in the shade of a bush. Then she went and sat down by herself about a hundred yards away. ‘I don’t want to watch the boy die,’ she said, as she burst into tears” (Genesis 21:14-16 NLT). We find this young woman with her young son wandering in an arid desert with nothing to survive on. Life appears hopeless! When what little she has is gone, she faces the inevitable for she and her son with deep grief in her heart.

But the story doesn’t end there. As we continue to read: “God heard the boy crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven, ‘Hagar, what’s wrong? Do not be afraid! God has heard the boy crying as he lies there. Go to him and comfort him, for I will make a great nation from his descendants.’ Then God opened Hagar’s eyes, and she saw a well full of water. She quickly filled her water container and gave the boy a drink” (vv. 17-19). GOD heard Hagar’s cry and He got her attention. He spoke to her. Her eyes were opened and she discovered the answer to her need was right there. Hagar had become so overwhelmed by her problems she failed to see the answer!

The same happens in our lives. Satan blinds us to the answers we desperately need by overwhelming our lives with problems. Instead of being able to see the answer, we just see problems—everywhere. GOD is trying to get through to His people today. He is trying to get us to Wake-Up and recognize He has the answers. We must simply trust in Him and His ability for that is the key to survival for all believers in this world.

Scripture Reading: “The LORD is good and does what is right; he shows the proper path to those who go astray. He leads the humble in doing right, teaching them his way. The LORD leads with unfailing love and faithfulness all who keep his covenant and obey his demands” (Psalm 25:8-10 NLT).

Prayer: Father, too often I allow problems to overwhelm me. I find myself so enshrouded by them; I cannot see a way out. They encumber me and cloud my vision, leading me to a sense of insecurity and a loss of closeness to You. May I learn to look beyond the issues of life and to look to You, the Life-Giver! May I trust in You and Your ability to help me and even deliver me when the problems arise. You are my GOD, my Savior and my King! I love You and praise You for always being there for me…in Jesus’ name…AMEN!

Relief from Life’s Overwhelming Pressures!

Life can be tough! Life can be exhausting. Perhaps you are feeling it pressures today? Overwhelmed by life? Feeling as though making it through another day is gonna be really tough? You are not alone!

Mark helps us to understand pressure by sharing a part of a day in Jesus’ earthly life. It says He healed many of their diseases, cast out many demons and the whole town where He was, gathered around Him (Mark 1:30-34). How did Jesus have the strength to carry this heavy burden day after day? Stressful? Overwhelming? Absolutely! But, Jesus knew the answer to receive the relief He needed. He understood the key to peace of mind in the midst of overwhelming storms.

The following verse says: “Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray” (Mark 1:35 NLT). He could’ve slept in. He could’ve just locked Himself away for a time; but, He didn’t. He needed strength that could only come from One Source. He went to His quiet place and communed with the Heavenly Father. He prayed and as He did, the Father overshadowed Him with His peace, strength and security. The Father’s arms of love helped Him in His hour of need.

When we become overwhelmed by life, we tend to lock ourselves away and just grieve in our problems. We lie around and sulk and allow our difficult circumstances to overcome us, depress us, and eventually destroy us, if we do not get a handle on things. The key is to start everyday communing with the Father and also to go to Him immediately when the pressures begin to build.

Prayer recharged Jesus and prepared Him to continue ministering and impacting lives. Mark tells us that following His prayer time, He went straight out and began touching lives through ministry once again.

That is what prayer will do for you today. It prepares you to face your new day, your new hurdle, your new problem and to end your day victorious over everything that was thrown at you.

Scripture Reading: “But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit, and await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life. In this way, you will keep yourselves safe in God’s love” (Jude 20-21 NLT).

Prayer: Father, I am so aware of the fact that I fail to pray and commune with You as I should. I tend to use prayer as a crutch to get me out of difficulties rather than being prayed-up in advance of the problems so I may be victorious even before they come. Forgive me for this. Help me, LORD, in my prayer-life and prayer-time to understand the importance of praying as I recognize the importance JESUS placed upon it. I desire to serve You, love You and commune with You more every day, Father…in Jesus’ name…AMEN!

Listen for the Whisper!

It’s easy for believers to become disillusioned in today’s messed-up world. One moment you are experiencing GOD’s great power and awesome presence only to find yourself wondering in a dry, arid desert the next. You go from the mountain-top to the valley-low in a very short time and wonder, “What happened?” Where did GOD go? You’re not alone!

Consider Elijah’s situation for a moment. He had just come off the mountain-top. He had witnessed GOD’s glorious power unleashed on the ungodly only to find himself a short time later wandering in the desert of gloom. He cried out to GOD: “I have zealously served the LORD God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too” (1 Kings 19:10 NLT).

What happened? His prerogatives got all messed up. Church, we have been programmed to believe that the only time GOD is really moving is when the building is rocking, the lights are flashing, the sound is deafening and people are wandering around in a daze. We have been taught to create an environment that places people into the experience which is not necessarily all wrong, but not all right either.

Consider GOD’s response to Elijah: “Go out and stand before me on the mountain. And as Elijah stood there, the LORD passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire” (vv. 11-12a).

Too often, man makes vain attempts to conjure up the presence of GOD through worldly ways only to discover GOD is not found in these things. These experiences fall short of meeting the true needs of the people. Certainly, GOD can and will work through man’s vain attempts but GOD’s way is much different. He desires to touch and impact the heart of man in a personal way. This is done through a thorough teaching and preaching of the Word of GOD from the man of GOD!  

Notice what happens next: “After the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And a voice said, What are you doing here, Elijah?” (vv. 12b-13). In a gentle whisper, GOD spoke to Elijah; Elijah recognized GOD’s divine presence and was brought back to reality. Then, GOD was able to once again commission him to go out and fulfill his ministry call.

We have gotten so loud at times that we’ve drowned out the still small voice of GOD. GOD has called His church to impact its world, but the church too often has relegated itself to impacting the people that happen to make it through the doors.

The problem with today’s church is that too many church leaders have forgotten what the true mission of the church is. Believers have been duped into thinking that it’s all about me—what I can get, what blessings I can receive, what GOD wants to give me.

But, that isn’t it. It’s all about Him. It’s all about hearing from Him. It’s all about serving Him. It’s all about doing His will in and through the church. The mission of the church is to make disciples and to send them out as evangelists. Churches have lost their outward focus and turned inward. They’ve gotten caught up in trying to make something happen that was never really meant to be.

Scripture Reading: “And then he told them, Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:15-16 NLT).

Prayer: Father, too often I get caught up in the moment and forget Your call, purpose and plan for Your church as well as for me. I find myself being entertained rather than inspired to listen and hear from You. Help me, Lord, to just sit still for a while and enjoy Your presence and to lift up praise to You and to hear everything You have to say to me. I desire to do Your will, Oh, my GOD!…in Jesus’ name…AMEN!

GOD Came Through!

Do you ever wonder if GOD even hears you when you pray? Have you found yourself so distraught over a particular situation that you have just given up all hope of any relief? Where is GOD? Why isn’t He listening? Why isn’t He doing something?

Isaac found himself in a similar situation. The Scripture says: “Isaac pleaded with the LORD on behalf of his wife, because she was unable to have children. The LORD answered Isaac’s prayer, and Rebekah became pregnant with twins” (Genesis 25:21 NLT).

It’s important to remember that GOD’s promise to raise up a great nation was to come through Isaac. Isaac’s parents, Abraham and Sarah, had waited beyond their years of child-bearing for the fulfillment of GOD’s promise, but GOD came through and Isaac was born.

Now, Isaac finds himself in a similar situation. I’m sure Isaac had been praying for a child for a long time. But, something different happened here. He got real serious with GOD. The Scripture says he pleaded with the LORD and GOD came through—in great abundance.

James gives us some great instruction concerning this matter when he says: “Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it. And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure” (James 4:2-3 NLT). We receive from GOD when we get serious with GOD—when our heart and motives are right.

Too often, we are flippant in our prayers and petitions. We ask half-heartedly because we really aren’t convinced of GOD’s ability to answer and meet our need. Isaac didn’t give up. He knew GOD was a GOD of miracles and was capable of fulfilling His promise. So, he prayed and GOD came through.

Today, you have unmet needs—sickness, financial situation, trouble with your kids, whatever the need may be—it is time to get serious with GOD and then watch GOD come through in a supernatural way. James shared this important thought: “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results” (James 5:16 NLT). Confession plus prayer equals wonderful, supernatural results!

Scripture Reading: “Come and listen, all you who fear God, and I will tell you what he did for me. For I cried out to him for help, praising him as I spoke. If I had not confessed the sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. But God did listen! He paid attention to my prayer. Praise God, who did not ignore my prayer or withdraw his unfailing love from me” (Psalm 66:16-20 NLT).

Prayer: Father, I know You hear me when I pray even when I pray amiss. Help me to trust in You. Help me to follow Your Word. Help me to align myself with You instructions so I may truly experience Your greatness in and through my life! I have needs today and I pray that You take these burdens, lift them from me and help me to be strong. I know You will come through for me as You always have and for all that I am so grateful to You…in Jesus’ name…AMEN!   

Peace in the Midst of Every Storm!

We are living in tumultuous times! The extremes of society are applying a heavy burden of stress on so many. Suicide numbers have sky-rocketed. Individuals desperately seeking counseling and medication from psychiatrists are at an all-time high. The rapidly rising numbers of assaults and murders across our nation puts people on edge. What is going on? What can a person do to find peace in the midst of every storm?

In the midst of a crisis situation, the Psalmist discovered the only means of peace. He wrote: “LORD, my heart is not proud; my eyes are not haughty. I don’t concern myself with matters too great or too awesome for me to grasp. Instead, I have calmed and quieted myself, like a weaned child who no longer cries for its mother’s milk. Yes, like a weaned child is my soul within me. O Israel, put your hope in the LORD — now and always” (Psalm 131:1-3 NLT).

In the midst of the storms around about us; in the midst of your own personal storms, there is a rock that is sturdy, unfaltering and strong. There is a peace that passes human understanding. There is a shelter that will not falter or give way. His name is JESUS! The Psalmist understood the exceeding abundance of abilities manifested through JESUS.

The Psalmist did not have to concern himself with matters which were too big or too heavy or too burdensome; he simply handed them over to the LORD and found peace like a baby suckling milk from its momma. Too often, we take our eyes off of the only One able to carry our load and place them upon ourselves. We allow ourselves to become encumbered by burdens we should never have to personally bear as children of the KING.

The storms of life may gather; they may howl and cast terrifying lightning bolts all around you. They may tempt you to terror in the light of their threats of bringing overwhelming damage and destruction to your life. But, in the midst of it all, you can find peace! In the midst of every storm that gathers around you, you can find safety and security—through JESUS CHRIST your LORD!

The world would tell you that you are all alone to face these impending terrors, but GOD says: “be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the LORD your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you” (Deuteronomy 31:6 NLT). Rest in GOD today. Hand Him your storms and He will take care of them as you learn to simply rest peacefully in His sheltering arms.

Scripture Reading: “But now, O Jacob, listen to the LORD who created you. O Israel, the one who formed you says, “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior” (Isaiah 43:1-3 NLT).

Prayer: Father, the storms of trouble have surrounded me. I find myself overwhelmed at times by troubling things I simply cannot handle. Today, I desire to learn to trust completely in You. I pray You would show me how so I may experience the peace that only You can give. As I face the world today, may I know that my GOD is going before me and You, LORD, will not allow me to be overtaken by these terrors that rage around me, but I will go forward carrying Your peace everywhere I go. Thank you, LORD…in Jesus’ name…AMEN!

Choosing What is Right Regardless of the Consequences!

Have you ever found yourself faced with a decision that could have serious implications? You know what the right thing to do or say is but you also know in so doing you face the possibility of maybe losing your job or a friend or something else. What do you do? It’s definitely a tough call.

Most every day our faith will be challenged. We will be faced with issues and decisions that require a departure from the crowd’s choice if we intend to do or say what we know is right. In the business-world, you will be asked, and too often, forced to say and do things which you know are wrong, maybe not seriously wrong, but still wrong. So, where do you draw the line? What do you do? You need that job; you don’t want to anger a friend—what do you do?

It’s hard to confront this dilemma due to its often serious ramifications, but I believe we have an obligation to GOD to choose what is right regardless of the consequences. Consider the challenge these men faced: “Nebuchadnezzar said to them, ‘Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you refuse to serve my gods or to worship the gold statue I have set up? I will give you one more chance to bow down and worship the statue I have made when you hear the sound of the musical instruments. But if you refuse, you will be thrown immediately into the blazing furnace. And then what god will be able to rescue you from my power?’” (Daniel 3:14-15 NLT).

Simply put, do what I tell you to do or else it’s going to get real serious for you guys—serious to the point of death. Now, I don’t believe any of you will be challenged as seriously as these three guys were, but your faith will be challenged.

So, what did they do? The easy way out would have been to simply say, “Ok, I’ll bow down on the outside but, inside I continue to stand! It’ll be ok, GOD understands my situation.” But, without hesitation, these men chose the tough road as they replied: “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. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. 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.” (vv. 16-18).

For their refusal to bow, they were thrown into the furnace; but, GOD delivered them from it and they came out untouched by the flames. In addition, GOD received the glory and honor for their faithfulness. Certainly, it’s tough in today’s world to take a stand and just say “NO!” There is almost always an easier out but choosing what is right regardless of the consequences is GOD’s design and purpose for His people.

Scripture Reading: “Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell….Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven.” (Matthew 10:28,32-33 NLT).

Prayer: Father, it is often tough in today’s world to stand up for what is right. It is so much easier to follow the crowd and go along with what I am being told to do. But, GOD, I know that dishonors You. I desire to honor You in all I do, so I pray You would give me the strength today to follow You and to do what You have called me to regardless of the consequences the world may deliver to me. I seek to do Your will, O, Lord always…in Jesus’ name…AMEN!