She Reads Truth // Daniel 3:1-23

Daniel may be one of my favorite books in the bible. And so, when I found out the She Reads Truth was doing a study on it, I didn’t care that it’d be my fifth time reading it through from start to finish. I got excited. And today, I was reminded again of how great our God is {even though we stopped just before God shows His power and faithfulness}. Specifically the verses.

If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will never serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up. {3: 17-18 || ESV}

"but if not, …"

To have a faith like those men {Meshach, Adegnego, and Shadrach} who declared that God will deliver them from the fiery furnace. Who were also confident enough to say, “but if not…” they would never serve their gods or worship their images. I long to have a faith like that — I aim, daily, to be reminded of this kind of faith in God.  

The commentary from todays quiet time is something I would like to share — She Reads Truth says,

“And if not…”

I feel like that’s the rally cry of my faith. I hold on to the idea that Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego had. I believe that God will show up, that He will show up here on Earth and move in His people and move mountains.

“And, if not…”

And if not, He is still good. He is still the King Most High. He alone is still worthy of our worship. It is still worth it. It would be far better for me to perish than to live a life of bowing down to a lesser god.

We may not live under a government that dictates who or what we can worship, but how often do we voluntarily allow idols to take residence in our life? Comfort, safety, health, wealth. How often do we bow down and sacrifice for those things?

I have hopes. I have desires. If I’m honest, sometimes I hope God’s desires line up with my desires for my life, not the other way around.

But, I believe I’d give up comfort, safety, health and wealth to more fully know God. I believe that giving up those things would benefit me here on Earth. And, if not, I have the comfort of knowing there is glory in Eternity.

Do you have something you are hoping God will show up and do? Do you trust that He is good to grant that desire? Do you trust that He is also good in the “And, if not…”?

Hands and Feet.

"And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation." (Mark 16:15) 

I’m excited for what’s happening in my heart, in our hearts right now. There is a group of five girls, myself included, that have been brought together — tonight was our first meeting, out of weeks of trying to make this small group happen. 

We’re reading Undaunted, by Christine Caine. We were to read the introduction and the first chapter. My word, friends — He is stirring in our hearts. Tonight we focused on the simple, but oh so big question, “Why didn’t you come sooner?” 

For those of you who don’t know who Christine Caine is, she is a God-loving woman, Greek, and from Australia (and SO much more). But she has had the calling of reaching out to young ladies in sex-trafficking. I first heard her speak at Passion 2012 conference, in ATL, GA.  In Undaunted, Caine speaks about her conversation with young girls whom she helped rescue from the brothels, they asked her, “Why didn’t you come sooner?” 

This is a question that has tackled my heart, and is just urging myself and this group of girls to take action. We need to actively become Christ’s “hands and feet.” We talked about one young ladies’ call to international missions, but collectively decided to pray and earnestly seek Christ and show Christ in the local city of Wilmington. 

There was a long discussion, prayers, comments, and just an overwhelming emotion to make the young, Christian community known there. We want to help do our part in this generation, who’s yet to succeed in a way to evangelize effectively, in the local city. We have big ideas — we have ideas that are molding and we pray will form into something so successful, ultimately for the glory of God. 

My friends, we need your help — please pray. Prayer is one of the most powerful tools that we can use, here. We need to seek God. Pray that we are actively seeking Him. We are taking small steps, we are looking to reach out of our comfortable lives and spread His word. I don’t want to be comfortable anymore. 

“God doesn’t call the qualified. He qualifies the called.” 

Next Saturday will be our first outreach. I humbly ask that you pray for us — pray for open hearts, minds, for us to be uncomfortable, for us to have hearts like servants for our Father. Prayer for us to prepare ourselves for reaching out to the homeless — that we can share with them, talk with them. Pray that we can be His hands and feet. 

"for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." (2 Timothy 1:7)

spreading the word.

“It is written, ‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.’” [NIV]

it is a darn shame that some people just don’t understand, they don’t know, are naive, and just won’t listen anymore. i’ve seen so much controversy as of late, about believing in Him and that people are pushing their religion on others, etc. i understand that some people just aren’t ready to hear about the Truth, but don’t be rude to those who are trying to share the Good News. we [us, christians] are doing what we’ve been told, to spread the Gospel.

Romans 10: 14-17

“How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?” Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.”

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my friends, we are simply just doing what we’ve been told. my apologies to those who have a skewed version of Christianity, and who view it simply as just a “religion.” it is so much more. it’s a relationship with the only Perfect Being. who doesn’t long for a perfect relationship? my apologies to those who have heard about God, through the Gospel being “shoved down their throat.” that is not how I wish you would’ve heard it. [however, some are taught that way & may not know better.]

it’s a genuine story about love. and my prayer is that one day “every knee will bow and every tongue confess.” until then, i’ll be doing my part in sharing the greatest Story of all. i’m planting the seed and praying God helps make it grow.