The 5 Minute Discipleship Podcast

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#106: Being a Living Sacrifice for God Nov 24, 2020

Show notes

“I beseech You therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.” Romans 12:1
Paul says “I beseech you”, or more accurately “I plead with you”, or, I’m “Begging” you.
Paul said “... to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God.” The expression “living sacrifice” is set against the backdrop of the Old Testament sacrifices. While the Old Testament worshiper offered an animal, the New Testament worshiper is to offer himself or herself. Just as the people of Israel presented their animal sacrifices to the priests we are to hand over our bodies to God. We do this out of reverence to God for what he has done for us through his Son, Jesus Christ, we give ourselves to him.
If we know the Lord, this is the only reasonable thing to do. Nothing else makes sense. This is our “reasonable act of service” to the God who saved us.
“I beseech you, by the mercies of God” – what compels us to action? What leads us to give of ourselves? What lead us sacrifice? It is the recognition, the acknowledgement that we have received God’s mercy. Our response is to say, yes to whatever God asks.
We present our bodies, our lives to be holy and to please God…not in a way that is works for salvation, but as a result of our salvation. We do not just present our work to God…you can work for God and not present yourself to God.
The point here is not to present to God your bodies and not your mind or heart or spirit. He is going to say very clearly in verse two: “Be transformed in the renewal of your mind.” The point is to stress that your body counts. You belong to God soul and body, or you don’t belong to him at all. Your body matters.
Someone might think: Why would God be interested in my body? It’s overweight, or underweight, wrinkled, blotchy, achy, diseased, impulsive, nervous, unattractive, lazy, awkward, disabled, near-sighted, hard-of-hearing, stiff, and brittle. What kind of sacrifice is that? The Old Testament demanded a flawless sheep. I don’t measure up.
That kind of thinking totally misses the point. The sacrifice of our bodies to God is not a sacrifice for sin. That is done already in the sacrifice of Christ.
John Piper - Let every act of your body in living be an act of worship. That is, let every act of your living body be a demonstration that God is your treasure. Let every act of your living body show that Christ is more precious to you than anything else. Let every act of your living body be a death to all that dishonors Christ.
This commitment is an act of our will. It isn’t automatic. It’s a decision that you must think about rationally and then make. No one else can do it for you. You may have grown up in a Christian home. Perhaps you trusted Christ as a child. But as you get older and begin making your own decisions, you have to decide to give your body, your possessions, and your entire life completely to God.
It’s asking a lot isn’t it, but let’s recognize this truth: Jesus is worthy of our sacrifice. He willingly laid down his life for us, and in response we give our lives to Him.
Today’s Challenge: Lord, here are my hands. Lord, here are my lips. Lord, here are my eyes. Lord, here are my ears. Lord, here are my feet. Lord, here are my thoughts. Lord, here is my voice. Here I am, Lord. All that I have, I now give to you.
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#105: Living by the Golden Rule Nov 23, 2020

Show notes

What is the golden rule? In Matthew 7:12, in Jesus’ sermon on the mount, he said, ““So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”
Did you catch it? Jesus says, this one sentence sums up all the teaching of the Law and the Prophets…”do to others what you would have them to do you.”
Matthew 7:12 is so common that many people don’t know it comes from the Bible and Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. They mistakenly think it is simply moralistic advice or a positivity quote. Mathew 7:12 is a spiritual principle that gets to the heart of Jesus’ sermon.
It is not simply a moralistic statement…be kind to your neighbor. It is not a pity quote. Like everything else Jesus has taught us in the Sermon on the Mount, it requires the power of God to live out this verse.
We must be very careful to get this verse right. It is sometimes misquoted to say… “Whatever others have done for you, do also for them.” That is not what Jesus is saying here. This verse is not about payback. It is not about manipulation to get what you want. It is about honoring God by putting others, their needs, and their interests above our own.
It’s right here where my carnal nature can rise up and say, “Why would I want do do that?” What’s in it for me? Have you ever felt this way? I give and give and give, but they never give back to me? We have to be careful about our motivations. True love gives without expectation.
If you want joy…give to those who cannot pay you back. Give to those who cannot return the favor. It is God who rewards and blesses us.
I also want to say something very important: This verse is not the essence of Christianity. You cannot reduce Christianity to a single statement…be kind to your neighbor.
Christianity is about God, motivated by incredible love, rescuing us from our sinfulness by Jesus sacrificial death on a cross. It is about God restoring to a relationship with Him. The result of our placing our faith in Jesus and receiving His salvation, is a life that is lived by a completely different set of values.
Obedience to the Golden rule is the outflow, or the result of someone whose life has been change due to a conversion experience. We would only be inspired to live this way due to our hearts and lives being radical changed by Jesus.
A transformed heart leads to transformed relationships.
When we came to Christ and received salvation, up to that point we only lived for self. That’s not to say we were incapable of offering kindness to others. But in most cases, our greatest concern was our own happiness. We see this lived out everyday in our society.
Here’s a great truth to remember: Jesus doesn’t want to just transform your behavior, he wants to transform your heart.
This is why Jesus begins by changing us from the inside out. When we enter into a relationship with Jesus Christ, the power of the Holy Spirit begins to work in our lives and makes us new. Your perspective changes. Your desires change. You now want to please God with your life. It gives you joy to honor God.
2 Corinthians 5:17 - “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”
Today’s Challenge: In our prayer time today let’s ask God how we can apply this verse to my life…at home, in our families? at church? at work? in the marketplace? Let’s begin to practice living out the golden rule.
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#104: The Names of God Nov 22, 2020

Show notes

Shakespeare once said that a rose called by any other name would still be a rose. He said there is nothing in a name, but in a sense he is wrong. I can prove that to you very simply this morning because if I were to give you a check signed by my name for a million dollars, it would be absolutely worthless! If Bill Gates were to give you a check in that amount with his name upon it, it would be worth a great deal to you. Names do mean something.
In the Bible, God goes by many different names. One Bible scholar has counted 63 names of God found in Scripture. That may seem like a lot to us, but God is so awesome that the number of names we could use to describe Him is as endless as he is.
As you read scripture and you see the many names of this one God, there are a few things to consider.
1. These names are given by God, not thought up by people. God is not some abstract thought or nameless power. God is personal and knowable. And one of the ways his personality is known is through the giving of his names.
2. Each name of God reveals one of his qualities or characteristics.
3. These names were given to God’s people in order to help us in a moment of need.
Why is it important that we talk about the names of God? Because his names reveal who He is. Here are few of his names as listed in Scripture:
•God the Creator (Elohim)
•God the Lord (Adonai)
•God our Peace (Jehovah Shalom)
•God our Provider (Jehovah Jireh)
•God the Covenant Keeper (Yahweh)
•God the Almighty (El Shaddai)
•The God who is there (Jehovah Shammah)
•God the Healer (Jehovah Rapha)
•God of Power (Jehovah Sabaoth)
•God is my banner (Jehovah Nissi)
Here are four things I want us to know about the name of God:
His name is good. Psalm 52:9: “I will praise you forever for what you have done; in your name I will hope, for your name is good.”
2. His name is great. 2 Samuel 7:25-26: “…Do as you promised, so that your name will be great forever…” There is no greater name than the name of God.
3. His name is majestic. Exodus 15:11: “Who among the gods is like you, O LORD? Who is like you--majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?” This means that there is no one else like Him. He is omnipotent and incomparable.
4. His name is near. God is high and holy and yet, amazingly, He is also close to us. Allow this truth to fill your heart. God is not distant, but has instead come close to each one of us so that we can get to know Him. Psalm 75:1: “We give thanks to you, O God, we give thanks, for your Name is near; men tell of your wonderful deeds.”
Today’s Challenge: What is our response to the name of God? Well, there are many, but today let’s start by praising the name of God. Let’s worship Him because He alone is worthy. Lift up his name and let your life bring him glory and honor.
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#103: Learning to Lean on Jesus Nov 21, 2020

Show notes

Can I ask you a question: Do you have “crutches” that you lean on? Relationships, close friend, spouse, girlfriend, boyfriend, reputation, popularity, job, finances, or health? If you find yourself saying, “I don’t know what I would do without…. I don’t know what I would do if I didn’t have…” you might be leaning on a crutch.
A crutch can help you get through a hard time, but a crutch was never meant to be permanent.
If I break my ankle and walk with a crutch, you would understand that. It might take six weeks for my ankle to heal, but eventually you would expect me to walk on my own. At some point you would expect me to get rid of the crutch. If three years later I still have the crutch, you know there’s a problem.
If we are not careful we tend to hold on too tightly to things and people. We tend to put our trust in things that are visible, you know, those things that are right in front of us. We crave a sense of personal security. We say, “As long as I have this…or that, I know I’ll be okay.”
The danger here is that these crutches tend to take the place of God in our life. Instead of our trust being in God, we place our trust in people and things. This is idolatry and that’s a problem. God wants us to find our security completely in Him. Everything else is temporary and somewhat unreliable. What would you do if suddenly the things in your life that bring you security were gone?
Proverbs 3:5-6 - “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
What keeps us from trusting God with all of our hearts? Our real problem is that we have misplaced our security. We find security in things that are temporary. So often these things fail and disappoint us.
Instead, we need to learn to put our security in God who is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
ILL: Story of Randy Reid, a 34 year old welder who was working near the top of a newly constructed water tower outside of Chicago. He slipped and fell 110 feed to the ground. He barely missed hitting rocks and debris and landed in a six-foot pile of soft sand near the base of the tower. Miraculously he only suffered a bruised lung. Ironically, when the paramedics were carrying him to the ambulance, he kept asking, “you aren’t going to drop me are you?”
The guy falls off an 11 story water tower and lives, only to be concerned about a stretcher ride three feet above the ground.
Are you questioning God’s ability to carry you? Life brings us much uncertainty: the health of our marriage, sky rocketing college tuition, aging parents, the insecurity of our jobs, the loneliness of being single, rejection of people we thought were our friends, depression, and the list goes on.
We are learning that people and things will come and go. Only God offers lasting security. When you lose something in your life that was a great source of security, you have a tremendous opportunity to stop trusting in the things the world offers up for security, and you begin to learn to trust God.
True security is only found in Jesus Christ. No matter how many friends you have, no matter how much money you have in the bank, without Jesus you have no security.
Today’s Challenge: Are you willing to completely trust Jesus with your life? With your health? With your family? With your future?
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#102: Our Battle with Doubt Nov 20, 2020

Show notes

When I think about doubt, my mind wanders to one of the disciples of Jesus. His name was Thomas. For 2,000 years he has been nicknamed “Doubting Thomas.”
We find the story in John 20. Jesus has been crucified. His 12 disciples are in hiding. The doors are locked. The resurrected Jesus had already appeared to his disciples. But, you know, it doesn’t hurt to lock the doors! We learn something interesting about Thomas.
He wasn’t with the disciples the first time Jesus appeared to them proving his resurrection. They tell Thomas what had happened and he makes his famous statement, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it.”
A week later Jesus appeared to the disciples again and this time Thomas was with them. Jesus said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side, Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God.”
Like Thomas, all of us have times when we doubt God in some way.
•Some of us question whether God would love and accept us.
•Some of us question whether the Bible can be completely trusted
•Sometimes we doubt because we can’t reconcile the world’s suffering with a loving God.
•Some struggle because in all of our difficulty and discouragement we can’t see God.
Here’s what we need to understand:
•Our faith is stronger because we have dealt with our doubts.
•Tested faith is the strongest kind of faith
•You will go through periods in your life where you will ask, “God, are you there?” “God, are you going to answer my prayer?” “God why is this happening in my life?”
•But as you sort through these things, as you investigate, your faith becomes stronger.
So, what should we do with our doubts?
1. Identify your doubts - When we get specific about our doubts that’s when God will help us work through them. When I get specific about my doubts, I can look for answers in God’s Word. I can talk with trusted friends. I can read helpful books. And most of my questions are answered.
C.S Lewis once wrote, “If ours is an examined faith, we should be unafraid to doubt. If doubt is eventually justified, we were believing what clearly was not worth believing. But if doubt is answered, our faith has grown stronger. It knows God more certainly and it can enjoy God more deeply.
2. Discover the root of your doubts
Where are they coming from?
•Is it fear?
•Is it an incomplete understanding of God?
•Is it because we have based our faith on our feelings?
3. Don’t give up searching for answers
Jeremiah 29:13 – “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all of your heart.”
4. Ask God to reveal himself to you
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7 NIV)
If you are struggling with doubt, you can pray, you can study, you can ask God to reveal himself to you, you can read. The answers are there. God will use your doubts to deepen your faith.
Today’s Challenge: Identify your doubts and bring them to God. Ask for His reassurance. Study his Word. Look for the answers. Hold onto your faith in God. You may be in a difficult season, but you are not alone.
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#101: Today Matters Nov 19, 2020

Show notes

Listen to James 4:13-15 - “Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”
It would seem that James is saying “give no thought for tomorrow…don’t plan for tomorrow.” But this is not what he’s trying to communicate.
James is saying to us – “Seek God’s will and then do it!”
The Bible has a lot to say about time. The most important thing it says is something we know already—that our time is limited. Time can be used or wasted, it can be invested or squandered, but either way, once used, it can never be regained. Time matters because we have such a limited supply. The most famous passage in the Bible about time reminds us that there is a time for everything in life. Here are the first four verses from Ecclesiastes 3:
There is a time for everything,
And a season for every activity under heaven:
A time to be born and a time to die,
A time to plant and a time to uproot,
A time to kill and a time to heal,
A time to tear down and a time to build,
A time to weep and a time to laugh,
A time to mourn and a time to dance.
We don’t often think about it, but our time belongs to God, and therefore how we spend my days is a sacred issue. Someday you and I will answer for what we did today.
So, how should we spend our time? The truth is most people know the right things to do. It’s just we put it off. We delay. We don’t do it. We say tomorrow. Later. Someday I’ll… “One of these days I’ll get around to it.” We keep putting off.
Why do we delay? What keeps us from doing what we know God wants us to do?
1.We refuse to make a decision - The Bible says in James 1:8 “The double minded man is unstable in all he does.”
“I’m trying to make my mind up!” Paralysis of analysis.
2.We are afraid – Proverbs 29:25 – “Fear of man will prove to be a snare”
Whenever we are afraid of something we tend to put it off. We tend to delay. It could be the fear of failure. So you don’t want to even try. It’s fear that keeps you from surrendering your life to God.
1.We procrastinate – “Proverbs 13:4 – “A sluggard’s appetite is never filled, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.” “A lazy person wants much, but gets little”
Today Matters! What is it that God asking you to do? What is your next step? I believe many of you know right now what God is wanting you to do! You can’t stop thinking about it.
Fully surrender your life to Christ

Be baptized
Share your faith
Join a small group Bible study
Begin reading the Bible
Forgive someone
Step us and serve in a ministry
Go on a missions trip

There’s always a cost in delay. There’s always price tag that goes along with procrastination. You have one life to live for God. Don’t waste the opportunities God is giving you.
Today’s Challenge: As you listen to God’s direction, take a step of action. Don’t miss it. Don’t let today go by without taking a step of obedience. And while you are at it, be sure to thank God for the gift of today.

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#100: Celebrating 100 Episodes of The 5 Minute Discipleship Podcast Nov 18, 2020

Show notes

Hey everybody. I’m Loren Hicks and this is episode 100 of The 5 Minute Discipleship Podcast. I can hardly believe we are at the 100th episode. Several months ago, I sensed God leading me to step and out do something I had never done before. While I was an avid podcast listener, I had never recorded an episode, nor did I know how to do it.
I’ve been a pastor for 26 years, I have devoted my life to leading people to Christ and helping them become fully devoted followers of Jesus. But, I always felt there was more I could do to help people grow in their faith. For many Christians, it seemed that they attended church on Sunday, but there was a disconnect when it came to their lives during the week.
Over the past 100 episodes I have shared my heart with you. I’ve brought the word of God to you in short episodes that are right to the point.
I have been completely amazed at what has happened these past three months. As of this recording, the podcast has been downloaded over 24,000 times. We have listeners all across the united states, and around the world.
My sincere prayer is that these past 100 episodes have inspired you towards a deeper, more intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. I hope you are on the journey of being a disciple who will make other disciples. I hope this podcast has played a small part in your spiritual growth.
I want to express my deep gratitude to each one of you who have listened to this podcast. Special thanks to each of you who have subscribed on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or any of the other podcast apps. I’m indebted to those of you who have taken the time to leave a review. This has helped far more than you know.
I’m honored by those of you who felt the podcast is worthy of telling a friend, or sharing on social media. These actions have caused this podcast to grow exponentially.
So, what’s next? I believe we are just getting started. I will continue podcasting daily, but on occasion, I’ll add a bonus episode where I interview a pastor, author, or leader who can speak to the topic of discipleship.
I’m also excited about my new email course called “Reigniting Your Spiritual Passion.” I created this email course for people who are hungry for more of God. So far, 50 people have taken the course. You can enroll right now for free by texting the word “five” to 69922.
Today on this celebration episode, I have some other news. In fact, I have waited for this episode to share an exciting update. I’ve been working hard on another project.
By Christmas, I plan to release a book on Amazon called, The 5 Minute Discipleship Journal. It will be a print book designed for daily spiritual growth. It will guide your daily devotions and quiet time to help you stay consistent on the journey as a follower of Jesus. I can’t wait for you to get a copy of the discipleship journal and I believe it will be a great blessing in your life.
Other goals I’m working towards is an online discipleship community. A place where we can come together and grow together.
Today’s Challenge: There are a few ways you can help.

If you haven’t already, subscribe to the podcast.
70% of podcasts are listened to on Apple Podcasts, rate and leave a review. I can’t tell you how much this helps.
Share the podcast on social media - tell a friend
Send me an email at loren@5minutediscipleship.com and let me know if there is a topic you would like me to cover in a future podcast episode.

Thanks again for joining me for the 100th celebration episode. Before we go, let me remind you to sign up for my 7 day email course called “Reigniting your spiritual passion.” You can sign up for free by texting the word “five” to 69922. And until next time, let’s continue on our journey as followers of Jesus.

#99: The Difference Between Happiness and Joy Nov 17, 2020

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We live in a country fascinated with happiness. Who doesn’t want to be happy? We all do. In 1776 the writers of our Declaration of Independence wrote, “God has given us three inalienable rights: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
And pursue it we do! Many surveys have asked Americans, “What is it you want most in life?” And the overwhelming majority of Americans answer: “I want to be happy.” Listen for it. It comes up in our conversations all the time.
•Struggling in marriage – I deserve to be happy
•I just want my kids to be happy
•This job doesn’t make me happy
Paul writes a letter to the church in Philippi. The church is in the same city where Paul was stripped, beaten, and thrown into prison. You might think he has some bad memories about Philippi, but listen to what he says…
Philippians 1:3 – “I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy…”
The difference between happiness and joy:
Joy in the Biblical context, is not an emotion. Joy is an attitude of the heart. It is not necessarily based on something positive happening. Joy is something that lasts; happiness is something that is temporary. When happiness fades away, joy remains. Joy is something God deposits into us through the Holy Spirit. Paul wrote in Galatians 5 that joy is one of the fruit of the Spirit.
It’s been said that happiness is like a thermometer that changes based on the environment that surrounds it. Joy is thermostat that we can learn to set and will affect the environment around it.
Definition by Kay Warren - “Joy is the settled assurance that God is in control of all the details of my life, the quiet confidence that ultimately everything is going to be alright, and the determined choice to praise God in every situation.”
Joy is a benefit of salvation. It is God given. Does every Christian live with joy? No. Why? They choose not to. “I can’t have joy because…” You misunderstand joy. It’s not conditional. It’s God given.
Happiness is rooted in where you are in your circumstance: physically, relationally, financially, vocationally. Joy is rooted in where you are spiritually.
Someone here today needs to be reminded that Jesus is for you and he’s working in you. He’s going before you. He’s watching over you. He has your back. He is in your heart and by your side. You may be in trouble, in debt, in prison, homeless, suffering, in a hospital bed, but if you are in Christ Jesus, you can still have joy.
Joy is not a feeling. Joy is not the same as being in a good mood. The Bible never actually says “Be in a good mood.” Joy is rest. Joy is contentment. Joy is trust and confidence. Joy is the ability to rejoice in any situation.
Today’s Challenge is very simple: Choose joy. No matter your circumstance, no matter your health, no matter your relationships, no matter what is happening in our country, you and I can choose to live in the joy of the Lord.
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#98: The Promise of Eternal Life Nov 16, 2020

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One of the greatest promises in all of the Bible is found in John 3:16. It is God’s promise to us that he offers eternal life. It says,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
How many of you believe this promise? We are banking on eternity with this promise!
Many Christians struggle to believe the promise. They might not verbally express their fear, but inwardly they live in fear they might not be truly saved or ready for Heaven.
Struggling with this fear as a teenager. Am I saved? Did I do it right? I’m not perfect, when I die, or if Jesus returns, am I ready? By the time I graduated high school I probably prayed the sinners prayer 5,000 times.
I’ve discovered I am not alone in the concern over my salvation. I’ve talked to a lot of Christians who, no matter how many times they pray and ask for God’s forgiveness they can’t find the assurance of salvation. They wonder, “Did I get the prayer right? Was I sorry enough for my sins? Did I repent enough? Did I understand grace? Did I do it right?
When asked if they know for sure if they are going to heaven when they die, they will answer something like this: “I hope so” or “I think so” or “If I’m good enough.”
I want to be very clear this morning. Jesus Christ came to save sinners. That’s you and me. His death on the cross paid the penalty for our sins opening the door for us to be forgiven. Salvation is not based on your works or your good deeds. It’s based on the good works Jesus has done for us.
God offers us salvation, forgiveness of sins, and the promise of eternal life as a gift to us. It’s motivated by His incredible love for us. We receive this gift by believing Jesus Christ is the son of God and in his death and resurrection; and by confessing with our mouth Jesus Christ is Lord.
Can we be sure? Can we have assurance of our salvation? Can we really know that we have eternal life. The answer is yes.
God wants us to know that we have eternal life.
“I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” (1 John 5:13)
Our heavenly father wants us to be secure in his love and in his promise. He doesn’t want us to feel afraid everyday and wonder if we are saved or not. This is not a Father’s love.
The confidence of our salvation is found and anchored to God’s Word.
Many Christians lack the joy and assurance of their salvation because they will not take God at His word. They do not accept at face value what He says, but rely on their personal feelings instead of on the Scriptures.
“Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.” (John 5:24)
Today’s Challenge: If you have trusted Jesus Christ as your savior and Lord, if you have confessed your sins and offered God your repentance, and if you believe that Jesus Christ died for your sins and rose again from the dead you are saved. Rest in the promise of God. He will keep his word.
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#97: The Attack on Your Faith Nov 15, 2020

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We are on a journey of faith. We have a clear destination ahead. We know the way. Along the way there are unexpected difficulties and setbacks. There are hindrances and things that slow us down. These are attacks on our faith. Some along this journey, have become discouraged. Some have even given up and are no longer on the journey. But there are some of us who know that the journey is worth it. We will not give up. We will not quit. We will arrive at our destination.
One of my favorite Bible stories is found in Daniel chapter 3. It’s the story of the young Jewish men who are captives in Babylon. Shadrach, Mecshach, and Abendego found themselves in a place where their faith was challenged. Living in a land of idol worshippers, they had to stand for God when it was unpopular to do so, and it was also potentially deadly.
King Nebuchadnezzar had constructed an idol. It was a statute made of gold, and 90 feet tall and 9 feet wide. This thing was huge.
The King gathered a large group of leaders to come to the dedication ceremony. The King gathered many different government leaders, including Shadrach, Meshack, and Abednego. Bible scholars believe Daniel was back in the city, as the ruler of the province. Nebuchadnezzar had arranged for a great orchestra to play for the occasion. He commanded the band to play and instructed everyone to bow down in worship of the statue. Verse three informs us… “Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.”
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego immediately faced a difficult choice. For the Babylonians, this was no big deal. Idol worship was a regular part of their lives, but for these young men the decision was to bow, or to burn. They knew what God had said about giving worship to idols.
If you have read the story, you know the young men stood strong for God and He protected them. But the story reminds us that our changing culture will ask you to bow down to their idols. In that moment your faith comes under fire and you will be tested. You can stand strong during this test knowing you can always trust the character and faithfulness of God.
Your faith will be put to the test.
Will you have courage?
Will you face rejection?
Are you willing to be criticized?
Are you willing to lose some friends…or some family for the sake of Christ?
Will you stand strong under adversity?
Will you continue to trust God when you don’t see the answer to prayer you desire?
Will you hold onto your faith when others are walking away?
I love the calm resolve of these young men. They didn’t panic. They didn’t argue. They didn’t fight back. They didn’t lead a rebellion, plan a boycott, or condemn the king for building his idol. They simply trusted God. “We are sure of God, but we are not sure what He will do.”
They didn’t even feel the need to defend their decision. They simply said, “We will not bow.”
What about you? Will you stand strong when your faith is attacked?
Today’s Challenge: Determine that God’s opinion matters more than anyone else. Pursue a close relationship with God on a daily basis. This way your roots will go deep and you’ll be strong when the adversity comes. Your faith will be attack, but you don’t have to bow.
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