What Choices Are You Making?
There are many choices to be made in this life, so this is a beneficial question to ask yourself: “What Choices Are You Making” today? Our choices shape our future and can take us in many directions. Our choices affect us and those around us, those we love. It is most important to keep all this in mind.
My husband recently traveled through airports from the East to the West Coast. Throughout his journey, he witnessed people dressed in animal costumes, murals on airport walls that disgusted him, public behaviors of rudeness, and a general display of unhappiness on the public’s faces. He undoubtedly knew what a sheltered and quiet life we live; in the small community we call home.
At the same time, I traveled to see the show “Daniel” at the Sight and Sound Theater in Lancaster Pennsylvania. Our trip could not have been more diverse from one another. Although there were tourists in the area I was in, people were smiling and joyous, and the locals were accommodating and friendly.
Sitting in the reality of the production of “Daniel” I could visualize the evil of those days. It challenged me to ask myself, “Could I stand boldly to reject bowing to false idols or kings of this age? Would I be willing to end my life to stand for Jesus as Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego did?”
Each of these men placed their faith in the true and living God. Each man had to answer for themselves when faced with a CHOICE.
We read about Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego in Daniel 3:
Daniel 3:14-15 – 14 Nebuchadnezzar spoke, saying to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the gold image which I have set up? 15 Now if you are ready at the time you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, and you fall down and worship the image which I have made, good! But if you do not worship, you shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you from my hands?”
Daniel 3:16-18 – 16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. 17 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. 18 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.”
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego were thrown into the fiery furnace, but did they die? NO! Nebuchadnezzar saw a fourth man. Jesus was there in their midst, shielding and protecting them! They did not even smell like smoke!
We see in chapter six that Daniel was tested when some leaders plotted against him and tricked King Darius into signing a decree that all people bow to no other gods or kings but King Darius for 30 days. Daniel refused to do so and continued to bow before the only true and living God three times a day. The leaders raged against Daniel and demanded the king throw Daniel in the lion’s den, just as the signed decree required. Although King Darius was fond of Daniel, he was bound by the agreement. Daniel was thrown into the den of lions. Did Daniel die? NO!
Daniel 6:19-23 – 19 Then the king arose very early in the morning and went in haste to the den of lions. 20 And when he came to the den, he cried out with a lamenting voice to Daniel. The king spoke, saying to Daniel, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?”
21 Then Daniel said to the king, “O king, live forever! 22 My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you.”
23 Now the king was exceedingly glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no injury whatever was found on him, because he believed in his God.
We could go on and on through the Bible noting the martyrs who suffered for the cause of our Savior.
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In a recent prayer group, my husband and I were discussing all this when we remembered how Noah preached of a coming flood and was ridiculed for 120 years. The people listening to Noah had not seen rain before, so naturally they would question his remarks about a flood.
When we testify of the goodness of God, many do not understand our words or emotions either. Noah was alone in his sentiments and faith. (Yes, alone. There were only eight people on the ark, his family. Read Genesis 7.) We draw strength from one another in our faith as we gather together and discuss the examples we have in God’s Word.
This all reminded us that we are living in evil days, the last days. The scriptures came to mind of 2 Timothy 3; and of course, Matthew 24:37 – But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.
So, we should not be surprised by what we see and hear, but just stand strong in our faith and boldly make the right choice.
Luke 21:28 – Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”
Jesus is coming soon!
Help us Father to make Correct Choices!
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Thankfully this prayer group ended our conversation that day with scripture to encourage ourselves. In the same manner I wish to encourage you that in the face of evil – choose joy, choose to worship, choose the king of kings.
* JESUS IS KING! *
1 John 4:1-3 – My dear friends, don’t believe everything you hear. Carefully weigh and examine what people tell you. Not everyone who talks about God comes from God. There are a lot of lying preachers loose in the world. 2-3 Here’s how you test for the genuine Spirit of God. Everyone who confesses openly his faith in Jesus Christ—the Son of God, who came as an actual flesh-and-blood person—comes from God and belongs to God. And everyone who refuses to confess faith in Jesus has nothing in common with God. This is the spirit of antichrist that you heard was coming. Well, here it is, sooner than we thought! (The Message Bible)
1 John 4:4 – You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
Luke 1:37 – For with God nothing will be impossible.
Hebrews 13:5 – Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Philippians 4:6-7 – 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Notes:
- If you are new to this blog, please understand that I have a ministry in discipleship, so I challenge you and encourage you to grow in your personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
- All scripture is taken from NKJV unless otherwise noted.
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