Standing for God is critical for people to see and trust the God we serve

scenes of Daniel 3

scene 1: The command to Wroship the Golden Image

scene 2: The Courage of the Hebrew Boys

Accusation of the Chaldean Leaders against the Hebrew

boys

Resolve of the Hebrew Boys

scene 3: The Miraculous Deliverance

A Furious King

A Fiery Furnace

A Fourth Man

scene 4: Acknowledgement of the Most High God

Representing God in secular space. Secular space is great space to put our sacred commitment to Jesus on display. I am where I am by design and not by chance.

When we have clarity on our identity it helps us not to yield to compromise. Everyday we are in situations that challenge us to compromise. Yet, if we are going to live an un-compromised life before God we need to determine where we are going to draw the line, demonstrate integrity, depend on God, and remain disciplined!

Last week pastor spent considerable time teaching on the Apostle's Paul's prayer for the Ephesian church as recorded in Ephesians 1:15-23. It was a prayer for wisdom and understanding of what God the Father had done in and for believers thorugh the resurrection of Jesus Christ. He closed the message with the admonishment that will be difficult to live a life of victory as a Christian if we do not know the hope of our calling, the riches of his glorious inheritance, and the incomparable great power manifested for us who believe in Jesus Christ as our savior. Finally, in verses 22 and 23 Paul describes Christ as the exalted Head of His body, the Church.

I'm praying that we might know who we are in Jesus. Are you going to step up to the level God is calling you to? Do you know who you are? God treasures you!!!

God's #1 objective of every follower of Jesus Christ is for us to be like Jesus. Becoming like Jesus requires beholding Jesus. Becoming like Jesus is a Holy Spirit driven process. There's only 1 limiting factor to us becoming like Jesus.

The presence of God drew in, sustained, and changed Moses. Jesus lived to bring glory to HIS father. Jesus taught us we can be productive from God apart from communion. (John 15:1-5) We cannot glorify God apart from a constant communion with God.

what will it take for us to prepare ourselves to depart in peace? We shall be righteous and devout and must long for the Messiah. Simeon models a God centered life and he revolved his entire life around God. When we are concerned about what God has to say and not what man has to say, is a way to keep God centered. As we leave the year 2015, what's been at the center of our lives during the year? We can all do better at centering Christ in our lives, and better at being God led. When God is speaking, are we too busy to slow down and hear his voice?

God orchestrated all events and circumstances of life to establish his purpose. He is always working behind the scenes to bring himself glory. Proof is in parts of the Old Testament. God is working in all circumstances for a purpose.

You can be a faithful servant of God and still not believe the God you serve. Or not believe everything the God you serve says. God still gives grace and mercy even to those that doubt. Let's celebrate God as a redeemer. God uses ordinary people to accomplish his purpose.