If you go through life without opposition, you're probably spineless and unwilling to take a stand for anything. Like the dog with the bobbing head in the car window, you just nod your head in agreement in every conversation. If however, you have the gumption to believe in something, some folks will come against you.
The greater your leadership position, the greater the number of people who will attempt to throw you into the lions den. Will you take a stand or crawl under a rock? There once was a Lamb who sacrificed His Life, but, alas, He became a Lion and the Savior of all Life who believe in Him.
The greater your leadership position, the greater the number of people who will attempt to throw you into the lions den. Will you take a stand or crawl under a rock? There once was a Lamb who sacrificed His Life, but, alas, He became a Lion and the Savior of all Life who believe in Him.
DAY NINE WORD
“And thou shalt
love the Lord thy God
with all thine heart,
and with all thy soul,
and with all thy might.”
Deuteronomy 6:5
love the Lord thy God
with all thine heart,
and with all thy soul,
and with all thy might.”
Deuteronomy 6:5
DEEP THOUGHTS
Today's Bible verse is the greatest commandment. Jesus quotes Deuteronomy 6:5 in Matthew 22:36-40 when the religious scholars were trying to trap Him. They tested Jesus with this question as it is written in the Passion Translation, “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” Jesus answered him, “‘Love the Lord your God with every passion of your heart, with all the energy of your being, and with every thought that is within you.’ This is the great and supreme commandment. And the second is like it in importance: ‘You must love your friend in the same way you love yourself.’ Contained within these commandments to love you will find all the meaning of the Law and the Prophets.” Another way to paraphrase the greatest commandment would be to say "I love God with all of my understanding."
Many folks today claim to be Christians, but there is hardly any evidence of believing in Christ through their actions. It's like they've put their faith in a suitcase and stored it away until it's time to go to heaven. Some folks grab their faith in a crisis and then stow it away again when the crisis is over. God doesn't work part time. You don't have to live life on your knees, but your faith should be evident by the work of your hands.
In the Book of Daniel, we read about man who was filled with godly wisdom like no other and ended up in the lions den. Daniel didn't wait for a crisis to use his faith to call on God. It was his faith that caused him to be thrown into a den of starving lions. If you are a leader, chances are there's somebody coveting your position. That's what happened to Daniel, jealous of his power and authority, the scoundrels under him devised an evil plan to remove him.
They first looked at his life, examining his habits and character. They found nothing but integrity and humility in Daniel. In other words, they couldn't find any wrongdoing to accuse him of. Evil has a way of finding a way to make accusations in the best of circumstances. They devised a plan to fool the king through flattery by inflating his ego. They knew Daniel would never stop following his faith and worshipping God. The deceivers urged the king to make a law that everyone had to bow down to worship the king only for a period of 30 days.
The king was sad when they caught Daniel breaking the law, but he knew the law was irrevocable. Daniel was thrown into the lions den only to have God shut the mouths of the lions. In the morning when he was found to be alive, they lifted him out of the den and a short time later, his accusers became the lions breakfast. God always takes care of business!
Daniel knew that his faith could cause him trouble, he still lived out his faith for all to see. In the face of ridicule, and personal danger, Daniel's faith was alive and is a perfect witness to the kind of faith that we should have. Don't wait until life throws you into the lions den to strengthen your faith. Ask God right now for the kind of faith that moves mountains. He may hand you a pickaxe and say "Start removing this mountain one stone at a time." Persevere and just believe - God will bring joy out of your mourning and beauty from your ashes. He may even feed your crisis to the lions of pride.
Many folks today claim to be Christians, but there is hardly any evidence of believing in Christ through their actions. It's like they've put their faith in a suitcase and stored it away until it's time to go to heaven. Some folks grab their faith in a crisis and then stow it away again when the crisis is over. God doesn't work part time. You don't have to live life on your knees, but your faith should be evident by the work of your hands.
In the Book of Daniel, we read about man who was filled with godly wisdom like no other and ended up in the lions den. Daniel didn't wait for a crisis to use his faith to call on God. It was his faith that caused him to be thrown into a den of starving lions. If you are a leader, chances are there's somebody coveting your position. That's what happened to Daniel, jealous of his power and authority, the scoundrels under him devised an evil plan to remove him.
They first looked at his life, examining his habits and character. They found nothing but integrity and humility in Daniel. In other words, they couldn't find any wrongdoing to accuse him of. Evil has a way of finding a way to make accusations in the best of circumstances. They devised a plan to fool the king through flattery by inflating his ego. They knew Daniel would never stop following his faith and worshipping God. The deceivers urged the king to make a law that everyone had to bow down to worship the king only for a period of 30 days.
The king was sad when they caught Daniel breaking the law, but he knew the law was irrevocable. Daniel was thrown into the lions den only to have God shut the mouths of the lions. In the morning when he was found to be alive, they lifted him out of the den and a short time later, his accusers became the lions breakfast. God always takes care of business!
Daniel knew that his faith could cause him trouble, he still lived out his faith for all to see. In the face of ridicule, and personal danger, Daniel's faith was alive and is a perfect witness to the kind of faith that we should have. Don't wait until life throws you into the lions den to strengthen your faith. Ask God right now for the kind of faith that moves mountains. He may hand you a pickaxe and say "Start removing this mountain one stone at a time." Persevere and just believe - God will bring joy out of your mourning and beauty from your ashes. He may even feed your crisis to the lions of pride.
DAY NINE PRAYER
Thank You God for being the Author and Finisher of our faith.
You are alive in us in all we do and say.
You know our thoughts before they happen.
You know our destiny and our purpose.
You know which one of us will deny You.
Help us O God to remain steadfast in our faith.
Strengthen us when we are weak.
Give us courage when fear closes in.
Draw faith from us as honey from a rock.
Make us alive in You with every breath.
And may our breath of words be a witness to You.
In Jesus Name.
Amen
You are alive in us in all we do and say.
You know our thoughts before they happen.
You know our destiny and our purpose.
You know which one of us will deny You.
Help us O God to remain steadfast in our faith.
Strengthen us when we are weak.
Give us courage when fear closes in.
Draw faith from us as honey from a rock.
Make us alive in You with every breath.
And may our breath of words be a witness to You.
In Jesus Name.
Amen
Author's Note: This article is part of a 21-day Series called, "YWAP Fast 2019." Each year, the YWAP Directors and countless other folks begin the New Year on a 21 Day Fast. We set aside extra time to honor God and seek His will for the New Year. This series will eventually be written in book form as a model to teach future YWAP generations. We welcome your comments or questions. Jesus loves you and so do we.
For more information about how you can become a YWAP supporter and volunteer, please leave a message or call us at 716-830-8240. Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for somebody. Jesus loves you and so do we. #ywapbuffalo #ywap4God #ywap716 #JLYASDW
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