“...Thou shalt have no other gods before me...” (Exodus 20:1-4 KJV). “...Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image,
or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth
beneath, or that is in the water under the earth...” (Exodus 20:1-4
KJV).
“...Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, do not ye serve
my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up? Now if ye be ready
that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut,
psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the
image which I have made; well: but if ye
worship not, ye shall be cast
the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God
that shall deliver you out of my hands?...” (Daniel 3:13-19 KJV).
“...Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the
king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it
be so, our God whom we serve is able
to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if
not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor
worship the golden image which thou hast set up...” (Daniel 3:13-19 KJV).
*
Why did the Hebrew boys find themselves in
a STORM of LIFE? They CHOSE to OBEY God’s Holy Word
no matter what. “...Thou shalt have no other gods before me...” (Exodus 20:1-4 KJV). “...Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image,
or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth
beneath, or that is in the water under the earth...” (Exodus 20:1-4
KJV).
What HAPPENED because they decided to OBEY
God’s Word? They were threatened, by the KING and his ARMY, to be THROWN into a
FIERY FURNACE. “...Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury
commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Then they brought these men
before the king. Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, Is it true, O
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the
golden image which I have set up? Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear
the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all
kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well:
but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery
furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?...” (Daniel 3:13-19 KJV).
Were the Hebrew Boys willing to FACE the
cost and consequence for standing upon God’s Word? YES. “...Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the
king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it
be so, our God whom we serve is able
to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if
not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor
worship the golden image which thou hast set up...” (Daniel 3:13-19 KJV).
What REAL STORM did the Hebrew Boys
EXPERIENCE? They were actually thrown into a fiery furnace. Why? “BECAUSE” they
did not and would not worship “the Golden image.” “… [King] …Nebuchadnezzar ... commanded the most
mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace. Then these men were
bound in their coats,
their hosen, and their hats, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace ...these three men, Shadrach,
Meshach, and Abednego, fell
down bound into the midst of the
burning fiery furnace…”
(DANIEL 3). “...In the world ye
shall have tribulation...” (John 16:33 KJV).
God’s GLORY (his presence,
his goodness, and his power) is
WITNESSED in the Hebrew Boys obedience.
His presence is WITNESSED because his indwelling Holy Spirit WORKS “in”
and “through” his people. “…God ...does
the work IN and THROUGH all of us who
are his. …… (1
Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT). “…The HOLY SPIRIT DISPLAYS
God’s power THROUGH each of us …… (1 Corinthians 12:4-11
NLT). “…the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works…” (John 14:10 KJV).
His
goodness is WITNESSED through the spiritual FRUIT the Holy Spirit produces “in” and
“through” their lives. “…God ...does
the work IN and THROUGH all of us who
are his. …… (1
Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT). “…The HOLY SPIRIT DISPLAYS
God’s power THROUGH each of us …… (1 Corinthians 12:4-11
NLT). “…the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works…” (John 14:10 KJV). “... The [invisible]...Holy
Spirit produces this kind of fruit
in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. …”
(Galatians 5 NLT).
His
power is WITNESSED through the STRENGHTH he supplies, to his
people, “in” and “through” his Holy
Spirit. “…God ...does
the work IN and THROUGH all of us who
are his. …… (1
Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT). “…The HOLY SPIRIT DISPLAYS
God’s power THROUGH each of us …… (1 Corinthians 12:4-11
NLT). “…the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works…” (John 14:10 KJV). “… [God, the Holy Spirit] grant[s]… [his people]… to be
strengthened with might by his
[holy] ... Spirit in the inner man…”
(Ephesians 3:16 KJV). “…[God’s people]...
can do all things through Christ which
strengtheneth [them]…” (Philippians 4:13 KJV).
The Hebrew Boys were
created to GIVE GLORY to God, upon earth, at this particular time and for God’s
particular purpose! They were FULLY equipped to be the WITNESSES for God, the Holy Spirit, they were created
to be. “…
The God of peace … that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip[s] [his
people]... with everything good for doing his will,
and …work[s] in [them]… what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ,
to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen…” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV). “…NOW UNTO [GOD, the HOLY SPIRIT]... THAT IS “ABLE” TO DO… according to the [HOLY]...
POWER that worketh in [his people]…”
(Ephesians 3:20 KJV).
“……It is
…God who does the work IN and THROUGH all of us (his people) who are his.
… (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT). “ …We have this treasure “in” earthen vessels…” (2 Corinthians 4:6-7 KJV).
The Hebrew Boys had
what they needed to OBEY God’s word. They had what they needed to GO into the
STORM, which included the fiery furnace. They had what they needed to go
THROUGH the STORM on to overwhelming VICTORY “over” the STORM. “…
The God of peace … that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip[s] [his
people]... with everything good for doing his will…”
(Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV). “…God
will supply all
[you need to be his WITNESSES]…” (Philippians 4:19 NASB). “…my cup runneth over (with God’s GLORY upon my life)…”
(Psalms 23:5 KJV). “…God will generously
PROVIDE (his GLORY) ...all you need. Then you will always have
everything you need and plenty left over to “SHARE” WITH OTHERS…” (2
Corinthians 9:8 NLT).
BECAUSE God, the Holy Spirit, SUPPLIES the WITNESS of HIS own GLORY “in” and
“through” his people; the Hebrews Boys PROVED to be HIS DISCIPLES. “…God ...does the work IN and THROUGH all of us who are his. …… (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT).
“…The HOLY SPIRIT DISPLAYS God’s power THROUGH each of us …… (1
Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT). “…the Father that
dwelleth in me, he doeth
the works…” (John 14:10 KJV). “… [God’s
true disciples will]… bear much fruit, and …PROVE to be [God’s]… disciples…”
(John 15:8 NIV). “…The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in ...[their]...
lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness…”
(Galatians 5:22 NLT). “...Give to the Lord the glory he deserves!..” (1 Chronicles 16:29 NIV).
The more
spiritual fruit, the indwelling Holy
Spirit, is allowed to produce “in” and “through” you, like he did the
Hebrew Boys, the more God is glorified. “...Herein is (how) my Father ...[is]...glorified..” (John 15:1-10 KJV).
The more
God is glorified, the more his presence, his
goodness, and his power upon earth, is witnessed through his people! “...Herein is (how) my Father ...[is]...glorified..” (John 15:1-10 KJV).
When God’s people trust in, depend upon,
and cooperate with GOD, “INSIDE” a STORM, it will turn out GOOD for them. God
uses STORMS to PRUNE or SANCTIFY his people .“...Every branch
(Child of God)... that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye (People of God) are clean through the Word
which I have spoken unto you....” (John 15:1-10 KJV).
“...the will
of God (his heart’s desire.), [is]…your SANCTIFICATION …” (1 Thessalonians 4:3 NASB). “…God Himself SANCTIFY you entirely…”
(1 Thessalonians 5:23 NASB). “...You
[people of God]... were washed (cleansed), you were sanctified, you were
justified (made right with God again) by the [indwelling Holy] Spirit of our
God ...” (1 Corinthians 6:9-11
NIV).
There is ALWAYS a process, of
SANCTIFICATION and God can GO INSIDE the STORMS of LIFE and make them work together
for your spiritual GOOD. “…all things work together for GOOD
to them that LOVE
GOD (and keep his commandments), to them who are THE CALLED (chosen) to his
purpose” (Romans 8:28 KJV).
“…The plans [God has]…for you…. [are]…plans to prosper you and not to
harm you, plans
to give you HOPE and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV).
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end” (Jeremiah
29:11 KJV). “ ... in the PROCESS
of TIME
“IT” CAME TO PASS…”
(Genesis 4:3 KJV).
INSIDE the STORM SURRENDER to the PROCESS
by trusting in and depending upon God’s will for your life... whatever it is. “...Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and
said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this
matter. If it be so, our
God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if
not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor
worship the golden image which thou hast set up...” (Daniel 3:13-19 KJV).
“…Father …not My
will, but Yours be done…"
(Luke 22:42-43 NIV). “…I do nothing of myself…” (John 8:28 KJV).“…the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works…” (John 14:10 KJV). “...He gave Himself over to Him (God, the Holy Spirit.) ...” (1
Peter 2:23 KJV).
INSIDE the STORMS of LIFE or INSIDE the
FIERY FURNACES your “emotions” are CHALLENGED and can become wearisome, but
STAND FIRM! “…Let us
NOT become weary in doing good,
for at the PROPER
TIME WE WILL REAP A HARVEST
if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9 NIV). “... the
faithful followers of the Lord ...keep their promises
[to God]... even when it hurts...” (Psalms 15:4 NLT).
BEING “INSIDE” a STORM can put you on the BRINK, BORDER, or EDGE, of utter
DESPAIR. “...I [would have]... fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living...” (Psalm 27:13-14 KJV).
INSIDE the
STORM, the PATH gets MIGHTY narrow sometimes, but at the end of the day, I
would still encourage you NOT to give up! “...In the world ye shall
have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world...” (John 16:33 KJV). “…THE WAY is
narrow that LEADS TO LIFE, and there are few who find it…”
(Matthew 7:13-14 NASB).
“... Here
on earth you will have many trials and
sorrows. But take heart, because I
have overcome the world..." (John 16:44 NLT).
“...Let
not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid...” (John 14:27
KJV). “...we must [go]...through much tribulation [to]...enter into the kingdom of God...” (Acts 14:22 KJV).“...Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen
thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord....” (Psalm 27:13-14 KJV).
“...despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved
us...” (Romans 8:37 NLT).
It is
INSIDE the STORMS of LIFE many will choose to GIVE UP and stop ABIDING with
CHRIST. It sometimes “seems” like the redeemed are doing the RIGHTEOUS thing
and being punished while others are not, but “seem” to be flourishing instead. “…Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily (the unrighteous “seem” to be flourishing, but
are not. They are, however, being given an opportunity to get right with God) …[nonetheless]...the HEART of the sons of men (especially the unrighteous) is fully set
in them to do evil [instead of repenting]….”
(Ecclesiastes 8:11 KJV).
GOD IS GOOD to ALL people. “…He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the
unrighteous…” (Matthew 5:45 NASB).
However, he is especially and particularly
good to “HIS” people. “…You (God, the Holy Spirit, particularly) surround
[your people] WITH FAVOR (GLORY) as with a shield…” (Psalms 5:12 NASB).
The magnificent thing about the Hebrew
Boys is that God CHOSE them. Out of ALL the people, upon earth. God chose them
to be WITNESSES of his GLORY at “THIS” particular time and place. "…You
did not choose me but I chose you…”
(John 15:16 ASV). “…ye are a chosen generation…” (1 Peter
2:9 KJV). “...For thou art an holy people
unto the Lord thy God: the Lord thy God
hath chosen thee to be
a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth...”
(Deuteronomy 7:6). “...you are a chosen people…” (1 Peter 2:9 NIV). “…The
God of our fathers hath chosen thee…” (Acts 22:14 KJV).
"…[the Hebrew boys]... did not
choose (God, the Holy Spirit]...” (John 15:16 ASV). "… I (god, the holy
spirit) chose ...[the Hebrew boys]….” (John 15:16 ASV). "… I have chosen
you….” (John 15:16 KJV).
WHY?
"... I (God, the Holy Spirit) chose ...[the Hebrew boys], and appointed ...[them]... that
...[they]... should go and bear fruit...” (John 15:16 ASV).
God is the Chooser.
The HEBREW BOYS were ALL WITNESSES, sent
by God, the Holy Spirit, to GIVE
glory to God’s presence, goodness, and power
upon earth. “...you will be my
witnesses, telling people about me everywhere (through speech and CONDUCT)...” (ACTS 1:8 NLT).
“... the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control...” (Galatians 5:22-23). “…The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives (the lives of the CHOSEN)…”
(Galatians 5 NLT). “…Ye shall know them
by their fruits…” (Matthew 7:16 KJV).“...you (chosen ones) will be my witnesses...” (ACTS 1:8 NLT).
God has CHOSEN you and it is
your DECISION to CHOOSE him back. “…Choose you this day whom ye will serve (obey)….” (Joshua 24:15 KJV). When you
CHOOSE God back, you will demonstrate it by your LOVE FOR HIM. “…If you love me, you
will keep (cooperate with) my commandments…”
(John 14:15).
The Hebrew Boys demonstrated
their LOVE for God. They CHOSE HIM. “...Shadrach, Meshach,
and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not
careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery
furnace, and he will deliver
us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto
thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up...” (Daniel 3:13-19 KJV).
“God [the Holy Spirit] … worketh
in [the Hebrew Boys]…” (Philippians 2:13 KJV). “…the Father [the Holy Spirit] ...that dwelleth in…
[the Hebrew Boys], he doeth the works
(displaying HIS GLORY “in” and “through” them)…”
(John 14:10 KJV).
“…God [the Holy Spirit DID] ...the work IN AND THROUGH [the
Hebrew Boys]… (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT). “…The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
longsuffering, gentleness, goodness,
faith, Meekness, temperance…”
(Galatians 5:22-23 KJV). "....The [indwelling]...Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in [their]...lives …” (Galatians 5 NLT) “…The
Holy Spirit gives birth to SPIRITUAL LIFE (in ALL PEOPLE)…” (John
3:6 NLT).
“…GOD IS SPIRIT…” (John 4:24 KJV).
“...God (the Holy Spirit IS THE ONE) who ... gives life (spiritual life) and breath (existence) to everything..” (Acts 17:24-25 NLT).“...[God’s]
…Holy Spirit …is the SOURCE [of it
ALL]…” (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT).
“…The Spirit of God dwell[s]… in you…” (Romans 8:9 KJV). “…Jesus Christ is
IN YOU…” (2 Corinthians 13:5 KJV). “…[You] CAN DO all
things (produce fruit, display God’s presence, goodness, & power, keep his
commandments, and do his righteous works) THROUGH Christ which strengtheneth
[you]…” (Philippians 4:13 KJV). “….Apart from [the Holy Spirit]…
[you cannot]..do nothing…” (John 15:5
NIV). “...you are not
free to carry out your good intentions. …
…” (Galatians 5 NLT). “….“…I
want to do what is right, but I
can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t…” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).
Therefore, “…If
you love me, you will keep (cooperate with) my
commandments…”
(John 14:15).
WITHOUT God, the HEBREW BOYS would have
been USELESS in displaying God’s GLORY upon earth. “…if a field bears thorns and thistles, it is useless. The farmer will soon condemn that field
and burn it…” (Hebrews 6:4-8 NLT). “... Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he (the Holy Spirit) taketh
away ...If a man abide not in me, he
is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and
cast them into the fire, and they are burned....” (John 15:1-10 KJV).
God is
NEVER glorified by your human efforts that usually only produce religious
works, religious entertainment, religious opinion, religious modifications of
God’s truth, religious appearance, religious lifestyles that also include
blatant practices of sin, or religious showmanship, etc. "…That
which is born of the flesh is flesh…”
(John 3:6 KJV). “...the
flesh
profits nothing…” (John 6:63 NASB). “...
Now the deeds of the flesh are evident...[to
God] ...I forewarn you, just
as I have forewarned you, that those who
practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God...” (Galatians 5:19-21 NASB).
In the story of the HEBREW
BOYS, the “…The Holy Spirit ...[gave]... birth to..[their]...
SPIRITUAL LIFE …” (John 3:6 NLT). “... The Holy Spirit produce[d]... this kind of
fruit in ...[their]... lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness,
and self-control. …” (Galatians 5 NLT).
"…[God, the Holy Spirit]... is
glorified by this, that ... [“the HEBREW BOYS” bore]... much fruit...”
(John 15:8 NIV).
“…Ye shall know [those who are
glorifying God]… by their fruits…” (Matthew 7:16 KJV). “…He who ABIDES in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit … ” (John
15:1-11 NASB). “…The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering,
gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance…” (Galatians
5:22-23 KJV). "…My Father is
glorified by this, that “YOU” bear much fruit, and so PROVE to be My
disciples” (John 15:8 NIV).
Therefore, “…If
you love [GOD], you will keep (cooperate with) [HIS]...commandments…”
(John 14:15).
"…My Father is glorified by this...” (John 15:8 NIV). WHAT? "… that “YOU” bear much fruit...” (John 15:8 NIV). WHY? "…[Then you]... PROVE to be
My disciples” (John 15:8 NIV). The HEBREW BOYS
“PROVED” to be HIS disciples.
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