Doing the Right Thing (2)

               
'...Be it known...that we will not...' Daniel 3:18 KJV

I was a little surprised today to not find a single response in my emails about my challenge to have you share what God is doing in your life, and especially Sunday's service. One of the greatest things we can do is share with others what God has done for us. With that said I hope you will take the time let me know those little things that are happening in your spiritual walk.

A friend of mine once said, responsibility is over rated. He really said it in a different way but you get the point. "Be it known...that we will not." Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego had achieved career success, so they had nothing to gain by challenging the king of Babylon. So, why did they? Because he ordered them to disobey God and violate their convictions by bowing down in worship before a pagan image. No doubt they could have reasoned, 'Better a live dog than a dead lion. If we stay alive, maybe we can do good for God and for others.' That philosophy would have convinced many of us, so why not them? Because they realized that Nebuchadnezzar was not the reason for their success. He may have been an instrument God used to promote them, but he was not the source of either their significance or their security. Those two things came from God-and they understood that you can't abandon the principles of God and walk in the blessings of God. Example: If you need financial assistance and are asking God for help, yet refuse to do what His word says; the Apostle Paul made it clear, "if you don't work you You don't eat." Don't grieve the One who controls everything. These three Hebrew boys knew better: '...Our God whom we serve is able...' (Daniel 3:17 KJV) Able to do what? '...Able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think...' (Ephesians 3:20 NKJV) By refusing to bow, when bowing seemed like the expedient thing to do, they turned the hearts of a nation to God. Now, your influence may not be that widespread, but one thing you can count on: others are watching who will be influenced by the stand you take. So ask God to strengthen you, and do the right thing! You are loved...