Integrity Trusts God Unconditionally - Evangelical Caucus/Devotional

Gracetoyou.org ^ | 1997 | John McArthur, Grace Community Church

[metmom]

“Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego answered and said to the king, ‘O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to give you an answer concerning this. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up’” (Daniel 3:16-18).

Unconditional obedience is the trademark of mature faith.

In Matthew 13 Jesus speaks of people who hear the gospel and initially respond with joy, only to turn away when persecution arises. Tragically, that’s a common occurrence today that is caused by preachers who promise health, wealth, prosperity, and special miracles to all who believe. People who embrace such error are not prepared for the cost of discipleship (cf. Matt. 16:24; John 15:20).

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego understood what it meant to serve God unconditionally. They knew He could move in their defense if it pleased Him to do so, but their faith was not dependent on miracles or any other special benefits they might receive from Him. They stood on convictions and deferred to His will even when doing so brought the threat of a fiery death. Their attitude was that of Christ Himself as He faced the agony of the cross and prayed, “Father . . . not as I will, but as Thou wilt’” (Matt. 26:39).

Their response to King Nebuchadnezzar’s ultimatum may sound arrogant or disrespectful, but they were simply acknowledging that they had nothing to say in their own defense. They had served him faithfully as far as they could, but serving his gods and bowing down to his image was out of the question. God forbids any form of idolatry, and they would not be coerced or intimidated into disobeying Him.

Like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, your faith in God isn’t measured by whether or not He rescues you from a difficult situation, but by your willingness to trust and obey Him unconditionally.

Suggestions for Prayer

Express your love to the Lord and your desire to serve Him faithfully despite the circumstances.

For Further Study

Read Matthew 13:1-23. What response does each soil represent?

From Strength for Today by John MacArthur Copyright © 1997. Used by permission of Crossway Books, a division of Good News Publishers, Wheaton, IL 60187, www.crossway.com.

[metmom]

Studying God’s Word ping

[Qwapisking]

There is only one overarching question each proclaiming Christian must ask themselves...do you IN God or do You BELIEVE God. even the devils believe IN God but they have no Salvation through their belief however the Word of God states that Abraham BELIEVED God and it was accounted to him for Rightousness and thus Salvation through his belief. only you can ask and answer this simple question for yourself. how you conduct your own life in response to this question will determine whether or not you only believe IN God or if you truly BELIEVE God. my prayer is for each proclaiming Christian to answer Themselves honestly, Amen.

[aces]

Blessed day yall hear?

Tired of this world now that it’s collapsing and man’s vision is move into space like Cosmic cockroaches spreading disease and death?
Tired of fake religions that preach God somewhere else only and being in the church means a congregation of like minded people?
Don’t forget the veil was torn when Yeshua left on the cross.He is here now in all things..invisible without faith..
What the world wants is
Kind of like a toothless impotent God that only serves our laughable goodness..so as the world begins to burn we are forced to deal with the vast expanse between Christ teachings and the world’s point of view of such..in all walks and understandings and faiths. We need our Jewish King..so does Israel.

What was missing that man became so blind and dark? Even after being told..Ears to hear it seems..like older and younger children.

The answer is faith..we still believe we are just bodies not eternal souls and ascending towards God’s love is not in the picture.
Free rockin boogie
https://rumble.com/v4ze0xq-fake-rightious-boogie.html

[If You Want It Fixed - Fix It]

....I don’t know....better a republican who can actually win, even if he is everything we don’t like morally, at least he will vote with our guy...

So i vote “Barabas”!

Hmm.