Based on “When the Heat Gets Turned Up” by Pastor Dean Corns;
8/28-29/10, Message #DC133; Daily Devotional #1 - “One True God”
Preparing the Soil (Introduction): In the era of television awards shows, celebrities glam up before the lights, camera, and action. The shiny, black limousine pulls up to the fan-filled street, and they step out to walk the exclusive, red carpet. These ordinary men and women are idolized around the globe. They find their seats, wait for their category to be announced, and as they anxiously wait to hear their name read aloud, it happens. The glory stroll to the stage begins, as they deliver a thank-you speech and clutch their golden statue. All eyes are on them as they stand before the crowd. According to the world’s standard, they have arrived.
Planting and Watering the Seed (Growth): During his reign, King Nebuchadnezzar built a very tall, golden statue of his own. It stood in the middle of the desert of Babylon and was to be worshipped by everyone, at the sound of the music. The penalty for not bowing down to the image was a trip to the blazing furnace (Daniel 3:4-6). When the music sounded, there were three young captives who refused to give worth to the golden idol. Their faith in the One True God was the line in the sand that they would not cross (Daniel 3:18). And on their way to the fiery pit, the king saw them as dead men walking. All eyes were on them as they were tied up and thrown into the furnace, while their eyes were fixed on the Lord (Hebrews 12:2). As the king gazed into the fire, he said, "Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods." (Daniel 3:25). Despite the smoke and flames, these young men were freed from their ropes as the Son of God stood in the midst with them. Their conviction about and confidence in a faithful God only confirmed that they did not have a god they could hold in their hand, but One who was holding them. These boys saw the golden statue for what it was—a man-made idol—and they refused to conform to the patterns the king demanded (Romans 12:2). They made a decision long before they faced the blazing furnace, to follow God no matter their circumstances. According to God’s standards, they had arrived.
Harvesting the Crop (Action/Response): It is ironic that in today’s Godless society there are gods everywhere. They come in all shapes and sizes, colors, sounds, and smells, yet they are simply obstacles and deceptions that keep people from having a relationship with their Creator. A temporary, man-made deity is worthless, whereas the eternal God is worthy of all praise. And we know that Satan tries to blind us with smoke and scare us with fiery trials, but Jesus came to rescue us (John 10:10). Satan promises many things, and often people do enjoy short-term success and pleasure. But remember, he is the father of lies (John 8:44), and everything he does will eventually crumble to pieces. In due time we will see him and say, “Is this the man who shook the earth and made kingdoms tremble, the man who made the world a desert, who overthrew its cities and would not let his captives go home?" (Isaiah 14:16-17). He lives to see you die, but Jesus died so you would live! All eyes are on you, Christ follower. Ask yourself:
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Do they see the Son of God in the midst of your fiery trials?
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Do they see you loosed from your chains and walking in freedom, in the face of adversity?
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Do you follow the Lord no matter your circumstances?
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Does your life reflect the worship of the One True God?
What a concept it would be for the created to worship the Creator. Oh, how precious the blood of Christ that washed away the sins of the world. It was Jesus who laid down the red carpet of love for us to walk into God’s grace-filled arms. His eyes are on us; He calls us by name, and He tells us to come, just as we are. He carries us through it all and remains the One True God.
Cultivating (Additional Reading): Deuteronomy 4:23-24; 1 Corinthians 3:11-15; 1 Peter 1:6-7
KYR
Calvary Chapel of Melbourne; 2955 Minton Road; W. Melbourne, FL 32904; 321-952-9673
All Bible references are from the New International Version (NIV) unless otherwise noted.