S: Luke 24:38,49 “Why are you frightened?” he asked. “Why are your hearts filled with doubt? “And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.”
O: Jesus reappeared to the disciples and they were afraid and doubting God's plan. Jesus then reassured them that He would send the Holy Spirit and would fill them with power.
A: My doubting God's plan becomes evident by the emotion of fear in my life. When I am afraid I am doubting God's plan. I need to meditate on the comforter (Holy Spirit) within and the power He gives me to live without fear and to live in boldness.
P: Jesus, praise you yesterday as I confessed discouragement and you met me with joy and hope. Help me to realize that the Holy Spirit lives inside of me and gives me strength for today. Help me to trust in your plan and live in confidence not doubt.
"Daniel 3:28 (NLT) 28 Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! He sent his angel to rescue his servants who trusted in him. They defied the king’s command and were willing to die rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. Daniel 3:29 (NLT) 29 Therefore, I make this decree: If any people, whatever their race or nation or language, speak a word against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, they will be torn limb from limb, and their houses will be turned into heaps of rubble. There is no other god who can rescue like this!” " O: 1)Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego had a choice 2) They knew that if God didn't intervene, they would be killed. 3) What made their faith so strong, when they were probably isolated from other believers. 4) Did they give each other strength? 4) They had no assurance of being delivered, and didn't probably know much about eternity. But they knew they couldn't bow to anyone besides God. 5) The 4th person in the fire (Christ or an angel) was with them, probably 5) Isaiah 43:2 says When you walk... not if.
A: Yesterday I read a story of 3 men in Turkey who were tortured for their faith. It really has haunted me. Not everyone is rescued, but God promises to be with everyone who goes through a life and death experience. Today I want to pray for the persecuted church, and also for myself, if this ever happened to me. P. Lord, I know that the blood of martyrs is precious to you. I know that you could have spared them all with your almighty power, but some you have chosen to die for your precious name. I thank you for the faithfulness of these people that willingly chose death, rather than recant. I pray for those that didn't know the violence was upon them, but endured, torture and violence beyond what is imaginable, but Lord, you were with them. You gave them the grace to endure to the end. And many times the testimony of their deaths had a much greater impact on their people group, than their lives. Lord, I pray for persecuted Christians. Especially in Sudan, China, Myanmar, North Vietnam, and the Arab World. Lord, I pray that they would be sold out for you. Strengthen their walks with you. Help them not to fear, but to run to you as their source of refuge. Help them not to weaken when they are mistreated and tortured. Make your presence with them so real, that they are given strength that comes from you, and many, many people come to you as a result of their sacrifice. Lord, I pray especially for the children, and wives that are left behind Lord. Be the children's father, Be the groom's of the wives that lost their husbands. Lord, we know that this persecution can happen anywhere, and I ask you for strength if it comes to me. That I will not even think of the cost. I pray the western church gets their roots deep down into your marvelous love, so that we can endure to the end. Amen
I liked your comment about "They had no assurance of being delivered, and didn't probably know much about eternity. But they knew they couldn't bow to anyone besides God."
S: Luke 24:38,49 “Why are you frightened?” he asked. “Why are your hearts filled with doubt? “And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.”
ReplyDeleteO: Jesus reappeared to the disciples and they were afraid and doubting God's plan. Jesus then reassured them that He would send the Holy Spirit and would fill them with power.
A: My doubting God's plan becomes evident by the emotion of fear in my life. When I am afraid I am doubting God's plan. I need to meditate on the comforter (Holy Spirit) within and the power He gives me to live without fear and to live in boldness.
P: Jesus, praise you yesterday as I confessed discouragement and you met me with joy and hope. Help me to realize that the Holy Spirit lives inside of me and gives me strength for today. Help me to trust in your plan and live in confidence not doubt.
"Daniel 3:28 (NLT)
ReplyDelete28 Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! He sent his angel to rescue his servants who trusted in him. They defied the king’s command and were willing to die rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. Daniel 3:29 (NLT)
29 Therefore, I make this decree: If any people, whatever their race or nation or language, speak a word against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, they will be torn limb from limb, and their houses will be turned into heaps of rubble. There is no other god who can rescue like this!” "
O: 1)Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego had a choice 2) They knew that if God didn't intervene, they would be killed. 3) What made their faith so strong, when they were probably isolated from other believers. 4) Did they give each other strength? 4) They had no assurance of being delivered, and didn't probably know much about eternity. But they knew they couldn't bow to anyone besides God. 5) The 4th person in the fire (Christ or an angel) was with them, probably 5) Isaiah 43:2 says When you walk... not if.
A: Yesterday I read a story of 3 men in Turkey who were tortured for their faith. It really has haunted me. Not everyone is rescued, but God promises to be with everyone who goes through a life and death experience. Today I want to pray for the persecuted church, and also for myself, if this ever happened to me.
P. Lord, I know that the blood of martyrs is precious to you. I know that you could have spared them all with your almighty power, but some you have chosen to die for your precious name. I thank you for the faithfulness of these people that willingly chose death, rather than recant. I pray for those that didn't know the violence was upon them, but endured, torture and violence beyond what is imaginable, but Lord, you were with them. You gave them the grace to endure to the end. And many times the testimony of their deaths had a much greater impact on their people group, than their lives. Lord, I pray for persecuted Christians. Especially in Sudan, China, Myanmar, North Vietnam, and the Arab World. Lord, I pray that they would be sold out for you. Strengthen their walks with you. Help them not to fear, but to run to you as their source of refuge. Help them not to weaken when they are mistreated and tortured. Make your presence with them so real, that they are given strength that comes from you, and many, many people come to you as a result of their sacrifice. Lord, I pray especially for the children, and wives that are left behind Lord. Be the children's father, Be the groom's of the wives that lost their husbands. Lord, we know that this persecution can happen anywhere, and I ask you for strength if it comes to me. That I will not even think of the cost. I pray the western church gets their roots deep down into your marvelous love, so that we can endure to the end. Amen
I liked your comment about "They had no assurance of being delivered, and didn't probably know much about eternity. But they knew they couldn't bow to anyone besides God."
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