POPULARITY
Categories
In this episode of the Campus Ministry Today podcast, we're sharing Clayton Bullion's talk from EDM 25 on the hardest and most unreached places on campus and in the world. With a reminder that God's past faithfulness should inspire today's radical obedience.
In his message No Other Gods, Pastor Steve Penate reminds us that the Ten Commandments are not about rules but about radical love and intimacy with God. To have “no other gods before Him” means nothing can compete with His presence or share covenant space with Him. In every generation, false gods—whether idols of stone, money, success, self, or culture—fight for our devotion. But just like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, when we refuse to bow, even in the fire, we encounter the true and living God who walks with us. Radical love leads to radical obedience, intimacy, and transformation.
When you and I were growing up as kids, why were we taught about Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the fiery furnace instead of Hanniah, Mishael and Azariah? Underground House Calls is a part of "Go and Do," a ministry equipping believers to help their fellow believers in persecuted countries. More information can be found at: http://www.becomingjoshua.org
This week's episode is a wild ride through Daniel chapter 2—and boy, does it get exciting! King Nebuchadnezzar has a nightmare so scary it makes him furious. He demands that his wisest helpers tell him not only what his dream means, but also what the dream was! Yikes. Nobody could do that—except for one person God had prepared… Daniel!
Journey with us as we examine the faith of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, uncovering the vital role private conviction plays in resisting compromise. See how the Holy Spirit empowers us to stand strong in the midst of cultural pressure and public trials. Let your daily obedience shape your story and reveal Who you truly worship.Scriptures ReferencedProverbs 4:23; Isaiah 43:2; Daniel 1:5-20, 3:16-18; Matthew 6:6, 6:24, 22:37-40; Luke 6:27-28, 16:10; John 13:34-35; Romans 12:2; James 2:26Key InsightsWhy the refusal to compromise reveals who you truly worshipHow your private life and small decisions build the backbone for public faithThe difference between bite-sized and king-sized relationships with the Holy SpiritGod's presence in your trials and the real miracle of the furnacePrayer TargetsPlease join us in prayer for:A hunger for the Word.Tears for the lost.Testimonies to share.Get sermons delivered automatically: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Pocket Casts | YouTube | Your Favorite Podcast AppWe would love it if you would consider joining us in person for one of our Sunday gatherings.Gathering TimesSundays, 9:00 AMSundays, 11:00 AMThursdays, 6:00 PMContact InfoSpringhouse Church14119 Old Nashville HighwaySmyrna TN 37167615-459-3421 Additional ResourcesConnect online: Download our appVisit our website at SpringhouseSmryna.com.Subscribe on YouTubeGiving: Online tithes and offeringsJoin us online: LivestreamLearn what we believe.Find out what ministries we support.Discover Springhouse Theatre CompanyCCLI License 2070006
Have you ever felt pressure to compromise your faith—to bow to something other than God? Babylon represents the culture of compromise, calling us to trade faithfulness for comfort. In Daniel 3, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refuse to bow to Nebuchadnezzar's golden image, even when threatened with the fiery furnace. Their story reminds us of this truth: Faithfulness means resistance. Resolve leads to resilience. And our refuge is not found in avoiding the fire, but in walking with Jesus through it.
How do you make decisions in the face of fear? Today's episode follows three brave young men as they defy an earthly king to obey their Heavenly King. We explore the history of Babylon, learn about the plight of Judah, and follow Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego as they find themselves face to face with Jesus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this stirring message, evangelist Bob Holmes reminds us of the limitless power of God. Drawing from Hebrews 11 and stories of faith, he illustrates how the Creator who spoke the world into existence can do anything, anywhere, at any time. Through personal testimonies and biblical examples, this episode calls listeners to renewed faith, trust, and courage in the God who still works miracles today.Topics DiscussedThe nature of faith from Hebrews 11God's power as Creator compared to man's inventionsTestimonies of God's providence in ministry and daily lifeHow faith emboldens us to face trials like David, Shadrach, Meshach, and AbednegoEncouragement to trust God rather than worryThe reality that God can work in any circumstance—palaces, prisons, deserts, hospitals, or even the belly of a fishPractical stories of answered prayer and miraculous provisionKey TakeawaysFaith pleases God: Without faith, it is impossible to please Him.God is unlimited: He is not bound by time, place, or circumstance.Worry denies His power: Trust replaces fear when we remember who God is.God still works today: Just as in Scripture, He answers prayer, provides, and shows His power in unexpected ways.Our role is trust and obedience: We can follow Him confidently, knowing He is already ahead of us. If you've been encouraged by this podcast, please take the time to give us a five-star rating and write a brief review. That would help tremendously in getting the word out and raising the visibility of the Thee Generation for others. For more faith inspiring resources and information about joining Thee Generation, please visit theegeneration.org.
In this Bible Story, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego refuse to worship the statue Nebuchadnezzar set up, and are thrown into the fire as punishment. The flames rage but they are unharmed. The Lord protects them, and Nebuchadnezzar awes at the power of their God. This story is inspired by Daniel 3. Go to BibleinaYear.com and learn the Bible in a Year.Today's Bible verse is Daniel 3:25 from the King James Version.Episode 164: Nebuchadnezzar, filled with ego, built a statue like the one in his dream. But this one was made entirely of gold, a representation of his kingdom being eternal and rejection of what God said would happen. He ordered all the men of Babylon to gather and bow down to the statue. However, there were three men in the crowd who would not. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. These three were thrown into the fire for their testimony and refusal to bow. But God did not abandon them. Instead, He used this as a prime opportunity to show Nebuchadnezzar and the whole kingdom of Babylon His power. In response it was they who bowed to Him.Hear the Bible come to life as Pastor Jack Graham leads you through the official BibleinaYear.com podcast. This Biblical Audio Experience will help you master wisdom from the world’s greatest book. In each episode, you will learn to apply Biblical principles to everyday life. Now understanding the Bible is easier than ever before; enjoy a cinematic audio experience full of inspirational storytelling, orchestral music, and profound commentary from world-renowned Pastor Jack Graham.Also, you can download the Pray.com app for more Christian content, including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Visit JackGraham.org for more resources on how to tap into God's power for successful Christian living.Pray.com is the digital destination of faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.Executive Producers: Steve Gatena & Max BardProducer: Ben GammonHosted by: Pastor Jack GrahamMusic by: Andrew Morgan SmithBible Story narration by: Todd HaberkornSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dante, Statius, and Virgil arrive on the seventh terrace of Mount Purgatory filled with the flames of lust.The pilgrim must make his precarious way between those burning fires and the abyss just to his right, a narrow path that may give us a clue to the poet's own fears of lust.This passage is a grab-bag of ideas, hymns, references, and emotions. Join me, Mark Scarbrough, as we explore it more fully.Please support this podcast with a one-time donation or a very small monthly stipend using this PayPal link right here.Here are the segments for this episode of WALKING WITH DANTE:[01:23] My English translation of the passage: PURGATORIO, Canto XXV, lines 109 - 139. If you'd like to read along or continue the conversation with me by dropping a comment on this episode, please find its entry on my website, markscarbrough.com.[03:55] Three curiosities: a double meaning at line 109, the flaming geography, and the parallels in INFERNO, Canto XXV.[08:13] Three surprising moments in the passage: a bit of humor, a glancing reference to an Aristotelean mean, and a direction connection with our poet.[12:21] A hymn for chastity and a reference to Shadrach, Mishach, and Abednego from Daniel 3.[16:56] Three examples of chastity . . . except the third seems smudged or inaccurate.[23:08] Penance as a medieval medical remedy.[24:19] PURGATORIO, the most human canto, about human development and art, all connected to nature.[26:21] Rereading the passage: PURGATORIO, Canto XXV, lines 109 - 139.
On this special live episode of The Vonu Podcast, hosted on the P.A.Z.NIA Radio Network, we dive deep into the coming solar-powered, mesh network connected, bitcoin reality with Shadrach, and his colleague, Polycarp. They are doing great work in physical space and time, whether building out digital infrastructure, investigating alternative… The post Vonu Podcast #235 LIVE: A Coming Solar-Powered, Mesh Network Connected, Bitcoin Reality w/ Shadrach & Friends [P.A.Z.NIA RADIO NETWORK] appeared first on The Vonu Podcast.
Through the famous story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, we will see an example of courage that could only come from faith in God. These three young men knew that God was bigger than anything life can throw at us. And more importantly, that God was better than anything death could take away. So what does courage look like in your life right now?
In this Bible Story, we were introduced to Daniel and his friends Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. The three young men are specially chosen out of the Judaen captives to sit under the king as wise men. King Nebuchadnezzar attempts to indoctrinate them into Babylonian ways, however they prove that following the Lord proves to be more useful for human flourishing. This story is inspired by Daniel 1:1-16. Go to BibleinaYear.com and learn the Bible in a Year.Today's Bible verse is Daniel 1:8 from the King James Version.Episode 162: The kingdoms of Israel and Judah had fallen and the men of nobility were taken captive. Among these handsome and well educated men were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. These four feared God and though they were brought into the King's court to be influenced, God used them to skillfully influence the King and his men instead.Hear the Bible come to life as Pastor Jack Graham leads you through the official BibleinaYear.com podcast. This Biblical Audio Experience will help you master wisdom from the world's greatest book. In each episode, you will learn to apply Biblical principles to everyday life. Now understanding the Bible is easier than ever before; enjoy a cinematic audio experience full of inspirational storytelling, orchestral music, and profound commentary from world-renowned Pastor Jack Graham.Also, you can download the Pray.com app for more Christian content, including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Visit JackGraham.org for more resources on how to tap into God's power for successful Christian living.Pray.com is the digital destination of faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.Executive Producers: Steve Gatena & Max BardProducer: Ben GammonHosted by: Pastor Jack GrahamMusic by: Andrew Morgan SmithBible Story narration by: Todd HaberkornSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Discover how trust, clear mandates, and accountability can turn students into passionate disciple-makers and missionaries, even in the hardest places. Robel Disasa shares how empowering student leaders has sparked a movement for the Great Commission—even when staff aren't allowed on campus.
Send me a Text Message!Yep, you're right. It's not even the book of James. But I felt like the message this weekend that I gave on Shadrach, Mesach and Abednego meeting God in the fire, was worth giving to more people. So rather than moving onto James 5, this one is going all the way back to the Old Testament book of Daniel. It's the message I gave this weekend. If you listened to it all ready last weekend, maybe God wants you to ponder it one more time. :)Sometimes God saves us from the fire, sometimes He meets us in the fire. But we never go through the fire alone!
Forging is violent. It's hot. It's pressure.And it's what God uses to shape a man into who he was made to be.In Daniel 3, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stand in the fire—not because God failed, but because He's forming something. Sanctification isn't what earns our place in God's family. It's what proves it.In this episode, we break down:Why spiritual pressure is often confirmation—not contradiction—of your callingWhat biblical manhood looks like under trialThe truth about worship and the subtle tyranny of compromiseHow Daniel's friends changed a king by refusing to bowThe real meaning of sanctification and how it shapes everything from family to legacyIf you're feeling heat in your home, your work, or your soul—this is for you.Kavod Family is a 501(c)(3) Non-profit Christian Ministry.
Pastor Bryan shares the second half of a lesson from Daniel, Chapter 3. In this story that highlights great faith, Dr. Chapell reminds us that the faith of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego was not in expected God to save them, but in trusting God, no matter the outcome. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1286/29
How do we follow the Lord in a world that is increasingly hostile to Him? Today we look at Daniel 3 and learn some key principles from the faithfulness of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and see that sometimes obedience to God means civil disobedience to the world. Join us! Check out our Bible Study Guide on the Key Chapters of Genesis! Available on Amazon! To see our dedicated podcast website with access to all our episodes and other resources, visit us at: www.keychapters.org. Find us on all major platforms, or use these direct links: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6OqbnDRrfuyHRmkpUSyoHv Itunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/366-key-chapters-in-the-bible/id1493571819 YouTube: Key Chapters of the Bible on YouTube. In 2025, we were added to the "Best 100 Bible Podcasts" list from www.millionpodcasts.com. We are grateful to be included in the "Top 100 Bible Podcasts to Follow" from Feedspot.com. Also for regularly being awarded "Podcast of the Day" from PlayerFM. Special thanks to Joseph McDade for providing our theme music.
Every believer will endure fiery trials. It is not if, but when. The story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego teaches us how to navigate the difficulties of life. That even with personal struggles, challenges, or even persecution God is always present with us. We must remain faithful and trust God above the circumstances, even when the pressure tries to seduce us into compromising and bowing to the fire. Our outcome will not only be deliverance but lessons in endurance through the fire. Our unwavering faith during adversity serves as our testimony to the power and presence of a God who never leaves His people.
Hey friends, Amy here! We're officially in August and if you're like me, you might've had moments this year where you thought, “I really expected more by now.” Maybe you've been pressing in, praying, hoping—and the change hasn't shown up yet. If that's you, I want to remind you of one powerful truth: your faith matters.This episode is a charge to your spirit. A reminder that faith is not passive—it's a force. It's the thing the enemy is actually after. He doesn't care about your house, your job, or your finances. He's after your belief—because your faith has the power to move mountains.I talk about how we build faith like a muscle—through the Word, through community, through what we feed our minds and speak from our mouths. I share how your friends of faith matter more than you think, and how easy it is to accidentally feed fear instead. But you don't have to stay stuck. You can rise.We also get real about fiery seasons—the kind you barely survive. I share a powerful moment with a friend who walked through the fire and came out not even smelling like smoke. That's the kind of legacy a life of faith leaves: one that ripples, transforms, and overcomes.So if your soul needs a reset, if your vision feels cloudy, or if fear has been too loud lately—press play. This is your reminder that you're here for more, and that the same God who parted the seas lives in you.Connect With Us:Website: https://www.youaremore.comFree Download: 5 Steps to Win Through AdversitySocial Media: Follow us on Facebook and InstagramEmail: amy@amywienands.comEpisode Minute By Minute:00:00 – What to do when life looks different than you expected01:00 – Why the enemy is after your faith, not your stuff02:30 – Faith is a force: it changes everything03:30 – Building your faith muscle starts in the Word05:00 – What to do when the Bible feels overwhelming06:00 – Speaking God's promises over your situation07:00 – Fear vs. Faith: the two forces shaping your life08:30 – Everyone has fear—here's how to confront it09:30 – The power of faith-filled friendships10:30 – Speak with a “see-through” mentality12:00 – The fire won't consume you: the story of Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego13:00 – You're on this earth to win14:30 – Speak to the mountain—don't just report it16:00 – Fear paralyzes; faith mobilizes17:00 – Final encouragement: you're made for moreBe intentional, stay focused, and remember you are more!
Sometimes we run away from our talents because we think God wants us to become a hermit version of ourselves. However, the truth is that God may wish to us to lean into the gifts He has given for His glory. We see the lives of Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego use their talents to take a stand for God and give Him glory. Daniel 1:17 As for these four youths, God gave them learning and skill in all literature and wisdom, and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.Following Jesus and enjoying life are not mutually exclusive. Let's connect to learn more about how that can look in your own life.Let's connect on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, or LinkedIn!
Right between soul fatigue and soul restoration lies the battlefield of your faith. In Part 3 of our Psalm 23 Collection, Pastor Travis Hearn delivers a prophetic “bonus track” message that shakes the very foundations of compromise. Rooted in the sacred words of Psalm 23 and the fiery showdown on Mount Carmel, Don't Bow to Baal is a call to holy defiance—a divine interruption between green pastures and soul restoration. This isn't just another sermon. It's a spiritual wake-up call. With piercing conviction and biblical power, Pastor Travis reveals how the enemy strikes hardest when you're most vulnerable—right after the breakthrough, right after the blessing. Baal may no longer be a statue, but its spirit is alive and thriving in our culture. In the pressures of popularity, comfort, and conformity—will you stand, or will you bow? Drawing from Elijah's confrontation with Baal, Jesus' wilderness temptation, and the unwavering fireproof faith of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, this message ignites courage to stand when everyone else bows. It calls you to rebuild your altar, reignite your fire, and renounce every idol fighting for the throne of your heart. The line has been drawn. No more wavering. No more silence. No more compromise. If you don't bow—you won't burn. The fire isn't your end; it's where God reveals Himself. Welcome to the holy resistance. DON'T BOW TO BAAL.
Series: "For the City" (Vision), Jeremiah 29:4-7 #FTCTitle: “Why pray for the peace and prosperity of the city?"Subtitle: "Our plan for loving God and loving people in our city and beyond."Scripture: Jeremiah 29:4-7; Mark 4:26-29; 1 Corinthians 3:6-9Go: John 17:20; Luke 10:1-11Gospel: Acts 17:32-34 (4 responses/traffic light)Grow: Matthew 22:37-39; 28:18-20 + 411 + Commands of ChristGather: Acts 2:36-47 + Commands of Christ 3/3rds groups; DBS; Hi/Lo; Follow & Fish; etc.Guide: (MAWL)Bottom line: We pray for and seek the peace and prosperity for our city because it's God's missionary plan for loving God and loving people.INTRODUCTIONCONTEXTSERMON OUTLINECONCLUSIONNOTESOUTLINESQUESTIONS TO CONSIDER DISCUSSION QUESTIONSMAIN REFERENCES USEDOpening prayer: Lord God, help us grow to be and do like Jesus, while abiding in him and leading others to do the same. INTRODUCTIONI love coffee cups. I don't drink coffee. I know, I know, that's weird on multiple levels. Let me tell you how hopeless I am. I don't drink coffee (and hot chocolate on a little), but I love to shop for coffee cups. Now, I do have a pet peeve about coffee cups. When we get our theology from coffee cups.Coffee cup theology can be misleading. I mean, there's just no room for context on that shiny cup of ceramic goodness. It's not like the coffee cup with Jeremiah 29:11 on it (“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” NIV) has room to say that Israel was told this by God while living in exile in the capital city of their arch enemy the Babylonians because they were spiritually unfaithful to him. Not sure that would sell well either.Transition:“Have you ever found yourself somewhere you didn't want to be, facing a situation you didn't choose? That's where the Israelites found themselves—exiled in Babylon. And yet, God speaks into their situation, not with an escape plan, but with a call to pray for and to seek the peace and prosperity of the place in which they're stuck.”Understanding ExileDefinition (Jeremiah 29 context):In this passage, exile refers to the forced relocation of the people of Judah from Jerusalem to Babylon after its conquest by King Nebuchadnezzar in 597–586 BC. It wasn't just geographic—it was spiritual, cultural, and emotional dislocation.They were living among people who didn't share their faith, customs, or values—a godless empire with strange idols and foreign tongues. Yet God didn't say, “Escape.” He said, “Engage.”Key insight:Exile is not just displacement; it's God's discipline with a redemptive purpose.It reminds us that home isn't always where we are, but where God is.OUTLINEWHY we should pray for the peace and prosperity of our city:Because the Lord told us to. (29:4) Our faith is that simple. A. Either we trust and obey the Lord, orB. We don't. To not trust and obey is sin.Because it's part of God's way of rescuing his people from the kingdom of darkness. He tells Israel to settle down and live their lives in the midst of their (and his) enemies. But to do it with an eye to the crowds (the harvest) and the clouds (his return) for their transformation. This requires prayer. Abiding in Christ.The crowds, in this case, happen to be his enemies--the Babylonians.The clouds, in this case, refer to the end of their exile in 70 years.WHAT does this look like? We "bloom where we're planted." We settle in to our circles of influence and accountability.Influence--those circles of people we interact with where we live, work, learn and play.Accountability--we will stand before God one day and answer for how we did or didn't do this; for how we led or didn't lead our family to do this. God planted you at your address for a reason. For this season, you're to be Jesus to those around you there.We multiply. We build our career and homestead as if we're going to be here a while. For Israel, it was in the midst of their enemy, Babylon. For us, it is in America and in the midst of enemies of God. (29:5)We build our family. (29:6)This includes our biological family. (Kids, grandkids)Can include extended family. Can include adopted family. (Formally and not)Certainly includes your spiritual/church family.We do this until our "70 years" are over. Then we go home; back to Jerusalem/Zion. Cf. Revelation 21:1-8We pray for the peace and prosperity of our city where we live, work, learn and play. (7)We do this as we go about our lives.Why? Because it benefits us and our family tangibly.Because it benefits us, and family and our world spiritually/eternally.We do not believe those who live for other gods. (29:8-9)We do this until he takes us home. This is his plan for us.HOW we pray for the peace and prosperity of our city: "A Vision For the City: Jesus & Paul's Strategy Illustrated by 4 Fields of Kingdom Growth" (Optional)oGo together: John 17:20 - that we may be one as we pray and go into the cityLuke 10:1-11 - How Jesus trained his disciples to go:Pray for workers for the harvestBe a worker in the harvestBe prepared to suffer in the harvestGo empty-handed so you'll depend on the LordLook for people of peace; they unlock many moreBless them and then receive what they offerHeal the sick; proclaim the good news that the kingdom of God is nearLeave when not welcomed; tell them why you're moving onGospel: Acts 17:32-34 (4 responses)Share the gospel wherever you goSome will mock you--move onSome will want to know more (or pretend to want to know more) - give them more Some will trust Christ--give them more & train them upSome will already know Christ--offer to train them upGrow: Matthew 28:18-20 + 411 + Commands of ChristLearn the words, ways and works of Jesus ChristLead others in the words...Gather: Acts 2:36-47 + Commands of Christ - Shows us how to live as the church3/3rds groups; DBS; Hi/Lo; Follow & Fish; etc.A church does not have to look like what we see most visibly in AmericaIt doesn't require a seminary degreeIt doesn't require bricks and mortarTo say you follow Jesus but don't actively engage as a member of a church is not the NT wayGuide: (MAWL) We lead others to follow us as we follow Jesus byModeling for themAssisting themWatching them Leaving them to do it and lead others to do itCONCLUSIONConsider sharing the story of why Neal McGlohon started the Cypress Project here (see notes).So the Lord Jesus calls his disciples to keep their eyes on the clouds and the crowds. Keep your eyes on the people you see where you live, work, learn and play each day. For he has you there on purpose for a purpose.Also, keep your eyes on the clouds. For this is not all there is. This is not our home. Our home awaits us. Our exile in this world is temporary. We will go and stand before our Creator one day. And as his kids we'll be welcomed home with great zeal from our Lord and Savior. However, if we do known him as Lord and Savior, we'll simply meet him as Lord. And that means we'll be forever separated from him. And that will be eternal misery.But if you're here today, know that God has surrounded you with people who have their eyes on the crowds and the clouds. As we await his return to take us home, we are looking for opportunities to show and tell the good news about a great kingdom and exalted king. A king who forgives and blesses beyond anything we could ever deserve.He calls you to himself right now. Will you believe and receive his mercy and grace today?Bottom line: We pray for and seek the peace and prosperity for our city because it's God's missionary plan for loving God and loving people.Will you believe apart of that plan?INVITATIONWhat about you?Peter puts it all in perspective in his first sermon:““Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”” Acts 2:36-39 NIVHow do we respond? Answer 2 questions:Take out a card or piece of paper right now. Write down the answer to these questions: What is God saying to me right now?What am I going to do about it? Write this down on a sheet of paper. What I hear you saying, Lord, is ___________________.[my name] is going to believe/do __________________________________________________ as a result.Finally, share this with your Home or Mission group this week when you gather as a testimony about what God is doing in your life. You don't have to get too specific to give him praise.Lord's Supper, 1 Cor 11:23-26 is good passage.Also, say something like, "Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again." (past, present, and future)PrayNOTES
Daniel 3 - Shadrach, Meshach, and AbednegoJacob Wang, Youth PastorDesert City ChurchPhoenix, AZ
When we REFUSE to let go of God, then He won't let go of you. Let's dive in as Chris shares about Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego who refused to bow down to their surroundings, and God came to their rescue.These are the scriptures referenced: Daniel 3To stay connected and to support this ministry click here:https://linktr.ee/hopeandanchorchurch?utm_source=linktree_profile_share
The story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego – their refusal to bow down to the king's image and their deliverance from the furnace – is among the most oft-told of the Bible. Archaeology has provided a compelling backstory for that event, illuminating some of drama that the narrator would have assumed. Dr. John Walton, Old Testament Professor Emeritus at Wheaton Graduate School, is a frequent contributor to this podcast. He has many volumes in his “Lost World” series along with many other publications, including (with Andrew Hill), A Survey of the Old Testament (4th ed.). He is currently collaborating with Dr. Aubrey Buster in preparing a major commentary on Daniel (NICOT). The first volume on Daniel 1-6 is due out soon. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/4kIGFj9 M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/4kSBFIV
In a culture that tried to reshape everything about them, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stood firm in quiet defiance, refusing to bow. This week, we'll dive into the story of their bold obedience in Babylon and how their actions spoke louder than words. When the fire raged and the pressure mounted, it revealed the power of a God who shows up in the furnace. If you've ever felt alone in the fight to stay faithful, this is your reminder: the fire can't destroy you when Jesus is in it.
In "A Secret of How to Receive and Keep Your Divine Healing - Part 11," Dr. Edith Davis delves deeper into the foundational principles of divine healing and manifestation. She draws a parallel between the physical laws of gravity, thrust, and lift, and the spiritual laws of faith and grace, explaining that these spiritual laws enable believers to "override this accursed earth" and bring heaven to earth. Dr. Davis highlights that Jesus delegated His authority and power to His followers, empowering them to extract divine healing, health, riches, wisdom, and understanding from the spiritual dimension. Key takeaways from this powerful message include: The Laws of Faith: Just as there are immutable physical laws, there are spiritual laws. The primary law for believers is the law of faith. Hearing and Understanding the Word: It's not enough to just hear God's Word; one must actively listen and seek understanding to prevent the enemy from stealing it. Speaking the Word: Boldly confessing and declaring God's Word, even in the face of adversity or shame, is crucial for manifestation. Dr. Davis shares a powerful testimony of her friend's cancer healing through this principle. Doing the Word: Faith requires corresponding action. Being a "doer of the Word" and following the Holy Spirit's leading is essential. Testifying to the Word: Publicly sharing God's goodness and the miracles experienced reinforces faith and encourages others. Walking in Forgiveness: Unforgiveness is a major block to receiving and retaining divine blessings. Emulating Christ's forgiveness on the cross is vital. Guarding Your Tongue and Heart: Slander, gossip, and offense are hindrances to healing and blessings. Maintaining a heart free from these keeps the channel open for God's work. Understanding Fear vs. Faith: Satan operates through fear, while God operates through faith. Fear can open doors for the enemy, as exemplified by the story of Job. Dr. Davis reinforces these principles through biblical examples like the woman with the issue of blood, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace, and Daniel in the lions' den, demonstrating how they applied the laws of faith to experience miraculous deliverance. This teaching serves as a practical guide for believers seeking to walk in a greater measure of divine healing and operate in the miraculous power of God. This is episode 364. +++++++ MY AUDIO BOOK IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE You can Divorce Proof Your Marriage by understanding the Secret Keys of Love. You will come to understand that your Marriage has an enemy. You will come to understand that you are dating your future spouse representative. You will come to understand that your Marriage has the gift of Supernatural Sex. For more information about purchasing this audio book, click here: https://personalbuy.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/product8702.html
Fear says, What if this goes wrong? Faith says, Even if it does, God is still good.Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had that kind of faith... and it's the kind I want too.
In this episode, I'm speaking directly to the Kingdom Creatives; you know who you are. If you feel that fire in your bones to speak, build, write, or launch something for the Kingdom, this one's for you. We're diving deep into the journey of what I call the Roaring Bride, those of us being refined in hiddenness, shaped in the wilderness, and prepared for something greater than comfort or applause. If you've been asking, “Why am I still in this hard season?” let me remind you: the wilderness isn't punishment. It's preparation. I'll walk you through what it really looks like to submit to the process, lean into intimacy with the Lord, and discover your true roar, the one that doesn't come from striving, but from abiding. If you're ready to launch your podcast, monetize your message, and fund the ministry God has called you to roar—join us at resistandroar.com. Raise your roar, let's create and build together! Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Kingdom Creatives 00:53 The Roaring Bride: Hidden and Refined 03:20 The Call of the Wilderness 07:08 The Importance of Community and Fellowship 08:18 The True Roar vs. False Confidence 16:30 The Woman in Revelation 12 24:30 The Process of Hiddenness and Forging 27:11 The Fire Within: Embracing the Wilderness 30:01 The Wilderness Season: A Time of Preparation 31:36 The Roar of the Bride: Emerging from Hiddenness 33:33 The Process of Dying to Self 34:47 Remaining in the Fire: Lessons from Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego 37:34 God's Protection in Our Waiting 39:38 The Anointing Oil of the Holy Spirit 41:12 Emerging from the Wilderness: The Roaring Bride 41:41 Intimacy with a Powerful God 47:06 The Transformation of Desires in the Wilderness 49:49 The Roaring Bride: Carrying His Glory 54:38 Encouragement for the Waiting Season 55:56 Outro VIDEO podcast (1).mp4
What does it really mean to trust God in uncertain times? In this Summer at Graceway message, Pastor Tim Dunn unpacks powerful lessons from the lives of Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, and Daniel. Discover the spiritual rhythms that build trust, the importance of remembering who God is, and how to keep your faith anchored when life gets hard. Whether you're in the fire or the lion's den, this message encourages you to talk to God, reflect with others, and hold onto hope.
Sometimes, the storms and fires we face in life are not accidents or oversights, but rather moments that God has intentionally allowed so that His glory might be revealed. Just as Jesus intended to pass by the disciples on the stormy sea, or as God allowed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to enter the fiery furnace, there are times when God's plan is to let us walk through difficulty so that we can encounter Him in a new and deeper way. God is never caught off guard; He always has a plan, even when the enemy seems to be at work. From the very beginning, God declared that every scheme of the enemy would be met with His own redemptive plan. Grace is at the heart of God's dealings with us. It is free, but it is not cheap. When Jesus encountered the blind man outside Jericho, He did not simply react to the man's cries—He acted with purpose. The blind man's healing was not just about restoring sight, but about inviting him into a new life, one that would cost him his old way of living. Similarly, Zacchaeus, the despised tax collector, went to great lengths to see Jesus, disregarding his own dignity and honor. Jesus, in turn, honored Zacchaeus by choosing to stay at his house, an act that scandalized the religious crowd but transformed Zacchaeus' life forever. These stories remind us that Jesus is always coming into our situations, often in ways we do not expect. He is not bound by our customs, our expectations, or our sense of timing. Whether it's the blind man, Zacchaeus, or even Lazarus in the tomb, when Jesus shows up, everything changes. He brings grace, honor, and transformation to those who are willing to pursue Him, even at great personal cost. Our response, like those in the stories, should be to glorify God publicly, recognizing that every blessing and every act of mercy is an opportunity to praise Him. No matter what you are facing, do not lose hope. Jesus is coming into your situation. His intention is to reveal His glory, to bring grace to your house, and to change everything. Let us pursue Him, receive His grace, and respond with lives of praise and generosity, knowing that when Jesus comes, nothing stays the same.
In today's Morning Manna, we step into the fiery furnace with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—and discover that true freedom is not found in comfort, but in the presence of the Fourth Man. As King Nebuchadnezzar looks on in awe, he sees not three but four men walking unharmed in the flames. What unfolds is a divine revelation of God's power, Christ's presence, and the miraculous deliverance of His faithful servants. Receive encouragement, insight, and the assurance that no fire is too hot for the presence of God to bring you through. Teachers: Rick Wiles and Doc Burkhart.Join the leading community for Conservative Christians! https://www.FaithandValues.comYou can partner with us by visiting https://www.FaithandValues.com/donate, calling 1-800-576-2116, or by mail at PO Box 399 Vero Beach, FL 32961.Get high-quality emergency preparedness food today from American Reserves!https://www.AmericanReserves.comIt's the Final Day! The day Jesus Christ bursts into our dimension of time, space, and matter. Now available in eBook and audio formats! Order Final Day from Amazon today!https://www.amazon.com/Final-Day-Characteristics-Second-Coming/dp/0578260816/Apple users, you can download the audio version on Apple Books! https://books.apple.com/us/audiobook/final-day-10-characteristics-of-the-second-coming/id1687129858Purchase the 4-part DVD set or start streaming Sacrificing Liberty today. https://www.sacrificingliberty.com/watchThe Fauci Elf is a hilarious gift guaranteed to make your friends laugh! Order yours today! https://tru.news/faucielf
Almost every Christian denomination accepts that God is sovereign--which is interpreted to mean that He always does precisely what He pleases, and everything that happens on earth has either His explicit or implicit stamp of approval. So when we find ourselves in a crisis--we or someone we love gets a terminal diagnosis, or we don't have enough money to make the mortgage and may lose the house, or we're in the direct path of a natural disaster, etc--we pray for a miracle, because we all know that God can do anything He wants. And who knows? Maybe He'll say yes. But if He says no, the common theology goes, it's because He sees the bigger picture. He knows more than we do, and we have to just trust that He knows best. That sounds so spiritual, doesn't it? Some believers manage to weather these trials of faith, pointing to Job as their example, when he said, "The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord" (Job 1:21) and "Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him" (Job 13:15). (One side note. When you hear of a great saint who loses everything and yet clings to their trust in God anyway, certain that He has a greater purpose for their loss, does that inspire you to praise God--or to praise that great saint? Who actually receives the glory for that?) This theology has its roots in Calvinism, which espouses an extreme form of predestination (meaning that God chooses whether each of us will ultimately be saved, or damned, before we're ever born. He has to do this, they argue, because it is God who gives us the faith even to be saved, Eph 2:8-9, and if He withholds that faith, salvation for that individual is impossible.) So God, in this theological persuasion, decides a priori who will be saved and who will not, and then punishes those to whom He has not given the faith to be saved for their sins. They do have scriptures to back up their argument--if you take them out of context. One of the big ones is Romans 9:18-21, which says: "Therefore He has mercy on whom He wills, and whom He wills He hardens. You will say to me then, 'Why does He still find fault? For who has resisted His will?' But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, 'Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor?'" In this passage, Paul was comparing Israel's hardness of heart in rejecting the Messiah to Pharaoh from the time of the Exodus (Romans 9:15-17). The reason it took ten plagues and the decimation of Egypt for Pharaoh to finally release the Israelites was because Pharaoh's heart was hardened, far beyond reason. Paul's point in this passage was that God did this so that He could display His power to the Israelites, delivering them with great signs and wonders (Romans 9:17). If Pharaoh hadn't resisted, it would not have taken great miracles to do it. (In the same way, Paul argues, the fact that Israel had rejected Jesus gave the Lord the opportunity to bring the Gentiles in to the New Covenant, too.) But if God hardened Pharaoh’s heart, is Pharaoh still responsible for his own actions? If we go back to the original source text, we can see that this isn't quite the whole story. God did tell Moses in advance that He would harden Pharaoh's heart before the plagues ever began (Ex 4:21, 7:3). But for the first five plagues, Pharaoh hardened his own heart (Ex 7:22, 8:15, 8:19, 8:32, 9:7). It was only by the sixth plague that the scripture says God hardened Pharaoh's heart (Ex 9:12). Pharaoh still made his own choice first; God just enforced it and used it for His own purposes. I love the analogy Charles Capps uses to explain this. If one sets clay and wax out in the hot sun, the sun will harden the clay, but melt the wax. The sun adds the same heat to both, but the substance (wax or clay) determines its effect. A potter chooses whether to make “noble or ignoble” vessels from clay not arbitrarily, but on the basis of the quality of the clay. If the clay is supple and pliable, it can be made into something beautiful; if it is brittle, it might not be fit to shape into something worthy of display. God works with what we give him. In the same way, in Jesus’ Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:1-23), the sower sows the Word indiscriminately, but it is the condition of the soil that determines the harvest. Luke later writes that God is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34), and Peter writes that He is not willing that any should perish (2 Peter 3:9, more on this later). Likewise, any reasonable person would have been terrified into obedience by the plagues, long before they progressed to the death of the firstborn. And some of the Egyptians did believe and take refuge in Goshen, and the final exodus included “a mixed multitude” (Exodus 12:38), meaning some of the Egyptians were convinced, converted, and left with them. God gave the Egyptians the opportunity to escape the plagues that might otherwise have caused death, telling them to pull their livestock and their servants inside before the hail (Exodus 9:19), and to paint their doorposts with the blood of the Passover lamb (Exodus 12:22-23), which was symbolic of and foreshadowing the blood of Christ. Again, the Lord is “not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is long-suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). He didn't want to harm the Egyptians, but neither did he want them to keep His people in bondage. So, did God harden Pharaoh’s heart? Yes, but perhaps only in the sense that God performed the miracles, and Pharaoh’s heart was such that those miracles caused him to dig in his heels. We’ve all met stubborn people like this, with whom any direct attempt at persuasion will cause them to double down on their original position. God does not override our free will, so in this case, He worked with it, using it to His advantage. Our choices do matter. But He's so amazing that He takes those choices and still manages to work “all things together for good to those who love God, who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). As a result of Pharaoh’s stubbornness, God’s people had a legacy of spectacular stories to remind their children and their children’s children of His might on their behalf. My point in saying all that is just that the argument that God sovereignly controls everything that happens is inconsistent with the overall teachings of scripture; even the individual verses that seem to suggest that don't stand up to scrutiny. But a larger problem is that, taken to its logical conclusion, the theological position that God's will is absolute, and will come to pass no matter what we do, leads to a sense of futility. Why pray--why even evangelize--if God is going to do what He's going to do, regardless? To their credit (though against logic), most Calvinist denominations recognize that the scriptures are very clear that we should still both evangelize and pray, and they therefore preach that we should do both, just because God said we should. (Sort of the equivalent of a parent saying, "Because I said so, that's why!") But historically, many Protestant denominations stemmed from or were heavily influenced by Calvinist doctrine. As a result, until about the late 18th and early 19th century, almost all missionary activity around the world came from the Catholic church, which I suspect was precisely because it held no doctrine of predestination, so they thought their efforts could make an eternal difference. Motivation matters. (Protestant missions largely date back to William Carey's work in India in 1793. The London Missionary Society was founded two years later, in 1795, and in 1810, the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions was founded.) Even if we're not ultimately each predestined for heaven or hell, God is still sovereign, though, right? He knows way more than we do. So doesn't that mean sometimes He'll say no to our prayer requests, and when we all get to heaven, we'll understand why? Yes, God is sovereign in the sense that He is all-powerful, all-loving, and all-knowing, but He is not all-controlling (and I covered this extensively in this podcast https://www.drlaurendeville.com/podcasts/why-bad-things-happen-from-a-biblical-perspective on why bad things happen, from a biblical perspective). God told Adam and Eve not to eat of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil; they did anyway. Was that God's will? Certainly not! He did everything He could to keep them from doing it, short of making them automatons, when He told them, don't do it. Likewise, any sovereign can set laws that his citizens may not necessarily obey. The US is a sovereign nation and in 1974 the administration set the "National Maximum Speed Law" of 55mph. But many drivers exceeded that speed limit daily. The New English Translation has the word “sovereign” appear more than any other biblical translation (368 times). Not one of the original Hebrew or Greek words connotes the idea that He controls everything that happens. Most of the time, "sovereign" is just the way they render God’s names. The word sovereign is often translated from Shaddai (meaning Almighty) when it’s part of God’s name (48 times in the OT). Other times it’s translated from ‘elohiym: supreme God, as a superlative, or ‘elyown, meaning High or Most High. Sometimes it's thrown in as part of the transition of ‘Adonay: an emphatic form of the Lord. Sometimes it's translated from tsaba’, also translated the Lord of Hosts, meaning one who commands an army. In some cases the word sovereign is used to describe God's characteristics, but in context, it doesn't mean what we typically mean by the word (that His will always happens). The NET version of 1 Chronicles 29:11 says, "O LORD, you are great, mighty, majestic, magnificent, glorious, and sovereign over all the sky and earth! You have dominion and exalt yourself as the ruler of all." Only this translation uses the word sovereign; the others , translate it Head. This word connotes the idea of a supreme ruler, but not of one who always gets His way. Psalm 84:11 says, “For the Lord God is a sun and shield (magen: shield, buckler, protector).” The same verse is translated in NET: "For the LORD God is our sovereign protector." Clearly the word magen does not indicate that He always gets His way, either. Sovereign power is also translated as holiness from qadash: "to consecrate, sanctify, prepare, dedicate, be hallowed, be holy, be sanctified, be separate." This word is used in Ezekiel 28:25: "'This is what the sovereign LORD says: When I regather the house of Israel from the peoples where they are dispersed, I will reveal my sovereign power (or holiness) over them in the sight of the nations, and they will live in their land that I gave to my servant Jacob." It doesn't mean supreme dictator there either. Micah 5:4 says, "He will assume his post and shepherd the people by the LORD's strength, by the sovereign authority of the LORD his God. They will live securely, for at that time he will be honored even in the distant regions of the earth.” Sovereign authority here is the words ga'own (exaltation, majesty, pride) shem (name, reputation, fame, glory): thus, it's better translated “in the majesty of the name” of the Lord. Not a supreme dictator there either. Habakkuk 2:14 says, "For recognition of the LORD's sovereign majesty will fill the earth just as the waters fill up the sea." Sovereign majesty here is yada (to know, to perceive, to make known) kabowd (glory, honour, glorious, abundance), also translated “for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord.” Still not indicating ultimate control over everything that happens. Of course God's will does not always come to pass. As I mentioned earlier, the classic example of this is 2 Peter 3:9: “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance,” and 1 Timothy 2:4: “[He] desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” Matthew 18:14 also says, “Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.” Jesus paid for the sins of the whole world, not just those who are saved. 1 John 2:2 says, “He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world”, and 1 Tim 4:10 says, "That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.” This doesn't sound like a God who created anyone for the expressed purpose of eternal damnation to me. On the contrary, He did everything He could possibly do to save us all, short of making us automatons. But not everybody will be saved, because He doesn't force us to choose Him--nor does He make any of our other decisions for us, either. Jesus said in Matthew 7:13: "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it." God wills it; He paid an enormous price for it; but He won't get all of us, because we get a choice. There are other verses that imply the concept of sovereignty as we typically define it (in the sense that when God decides to do something, He does it, and no one can stop Him). Here are a few of those verses: Job 42:2: “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.” Isaiah 46:10: “I declare the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.” Romans 8:28: “All things work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose.” (i.e. He can use bad and work it for good.) But these verses refers to God’s right and His power -- they say nothing about voluntary restrictions that God has placed upon His own power. Those limitations are defined by the covenants God had in place with mankind at various points in history. Once He gives His word that He will do this and not that, He cannot violate it--He exalts His word even above His name (Psalm 138:2). It's the integrity of His word that literally holds the universe together (Hebrews 1:3). Again, more on this in this podcast: https://www.drlaurendeville.com/podcasts/why-bad-things-happen-from-a-biblical-perspective and extensively more in "Blood Covenant Origins" and "Blood Covenant Fulfilled" from this book series: https://www.drlaurendeville.com/books/biblical-retellings). A quick overview, though: since God gave the earth to man in the garden, and man decided to obey Satan, God had to find a legal entry to get back in. That was the purpose of the covenants—first the Adamic, then the Noahic, then the Abrahamic, then the Mosaic, and now finally, the New Covenant. In the middle three there were stipulations of what we had to do, and therefore what God would do for us, if we kept up our end. But there were provisions for blessings even in those. For instance, a common Old Testament example I've heard preached to back up the idea that we never know what God's going to do, but we should have faith in Him anyway, is Daniel 3:18. Here's how that verse is preached: "If you throw us into the fiery furnace, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But even if He does not save us, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up." Except that's not what that verse actually says. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abendego, the Hebrew kids in Babylonian exile in that story, were under the Mosaic covenant, and they were on the right side of it--so they had a right to the blessings (Deut 28:7), and they knew it. They knew God’s promises. That’s why they were able to stand up to the king—just like David could call Goliath that “uncircumcised Philistine,” absolutely convinced of the outcome, because he had a covenant, and Goliath didn’t. In the story in Daniel, what the verse actually says is, “If you do not worship, you shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.” The Jewish captives respond saying, “If that is the case” (implying, if you will throw us in to the furnace, the subject of the previous verse). Then they say, “But if not”—and the Hebrew never qualifies if not what. People tend to assume they are saying “but if God doesn’t deliver us” (the end of the previous thought). But it could just as easily have meant, “If it is not the case that you will throw us into the fiery furnace,” just like it did in previous verse. This would change the entire meaning of the verse, and would be far more consistent with the rest of scripture. I can think of no instances anywhere in scripture where someone put faith in God’s covenant promises, and God did not come through. He can’t not come through—because again, He exalts His word above His very name (Ps 138:2)! In the New Covenant, Jesus paid to make sure we are always on the blessing side, having fulfilled the law perfectly on our behalf, and become the curse for us (Gal 3:13). Because of that, every single promise is now Yes and Amen in Him (2 Cor 1:20). When Christ saved us, the word in Greek is sozo—that word appears 110 times in the New Testament. It includes spiritual salvation, but it also means physical healing, to rescue from physical danger, and to deliver from the penalties of judgment. All of these things are accessed by faith. Scripture doesn’t say that sometimes God says no to physical healing; on the contrary, every time someone came to Jesus for healing, they got it—and He was the exact image of the Father (Col 1:15), doing nothing but what He saw the Father doing (John 5:19). He turned no one away, saying, “Nope, this one is God’s will for you, to bring glory to Himself.” What brings God glory is healing, not sickness (John 9:1-4), and the “fruit” of answered prayers (John 15:7-8). It’s the blessings of God on our lives that are supposed to get the attention of the world around us. So back to the issue of praying for miracles. The theological position of most Christian denominations is that God can do anything, but there’s no guarantees that He will. Because of course, we can look around and see so many good Christians (some of the best!) who pray, and don’t seem to receive. What are we to do with that? Shouldn’t we adjust our theology to account for all of these practical examples… no matter what the Bible actually says? My dad died of cancer when he was 48 years old. We had lots of people praying. I had several well-meaning believers after the fact try to console me with the idea that God “allowed” this to happen for some inscrutable reason of His own… maybe someone might come to the Lord as a result of our loss, someone suggested. (What actually happened was that I became a religious Pharisee for about 10 years, going through the motions, but I didn’t trust God at all. I figured, based on that theology, that God was like an army general who made sacrifices for the greater good, and sometimes—sorry!—it’s you. The effect on the rest of my family's faith and outlook on the world was similar to mine, or worse.) All of that is predictable in hindsight, because cancer and death are the fingerprints of the Enemy, not of God. The Enemy comes to “steal, kill, and destroy”—Jesus came that we might “have life, and have it more abundantly.” It’s very clear who does what. But the vast majority of the body of Christ today preaches this confused theology, attributing horrific things to God under the strange explanation that because God’s ways are higher than our ways, somehow from His perspective, bad is good, and wrong is right, and once we all get to heaven, we’ll understand. (No wonder I didn’t trust God anymore when I believed this. How could I trust a God like that?) I get why the Church at large preaches this—they’re trying to make the Bible fit our experience. God's supreme sovereignty is a nice, spiritual-sounding explanation which borrows from the long Calvinistic tradition, even if we don't take it quite to that extreme (though some denominations still do even that). But what finally set me free was when I realized that God’s definition of good and mine are actually the same. That my dad’s death at such a young age was never His will. That how God dealt with mankind at various times in history was dependent upon the covenants in place at the time--and today, we're under the best covenant of all, the one where all the curses for disobedience are paid for in full, and all that's left is the blessing, which we can receive by faith. Here's what that doesn't mean: it doesn't mean that faith is a new form of works, that God now watches to see if we reach the critical threshold of faith before He doles out our miracle... and if we don't quite get there, ah, too bad, try harder next time. No! He's not responding in real time to our faith at all, deciding which requests to grant and which to refuse. God already provided every blessing in spiritual form in Christ’s atonement, 2000 years ago (Gal 1:3, Isaiah 53:4-5, 1 Peter 2:24). We receive all of those blessings now the same way we receive salvation: by faith. It's "in your account" already, as it were, just waiting for you to make a withdrawal--just like salvation is freely available, waiting for you to accept it. But God is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34). He doesn’t sovereignly say yes to one person and no to another for things that we know are in His will—if we know that we’re asking for something already in His explicit will, He hears us, and if we know that He hears us, we know we already have the requests made of Him (1 John 5:14-15). (That is the key, though--we can only have faith that we'll receive things that were already paid for in the atonement of Jesus. We can ask God for other things outside of that, but in those cases, God might say yes, or He might say no, for our own good--James 4:3. So it's quite useful to know scripture, so you can know for sure what you can stand on!) Back to my dad, and so many others besides. At that time, my family didn’t know any of this. We thought, we should pray, we should ask, and maybe God will say yes and maybe He will say no. But that’s not faith—that’s hope. And God didn’t say no—He said yes, 2000 years ago! Jesus paid an incredibly high price for God to say yes. Jesus also gave us the formula of how to receive in Mark 11:23-24: believe, and don’t doubt. If you do that, it’s as good as done. Unopposed faith (without doubt, James 1:6-8) is the substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen (Heb 11:1). It’s cruel to tell people that they didn’t receive their miracle because they didn’t believe hard enough, or pray long enough, though. But the solution to that isn’t to blame God’s “sovereignty” instead! (That’s how people lose their faith—who wants to serve a God whom they believe “allowed” the Holocaust, or 9-11, or child trafficking, or etc to happen?) Rather, the solution is to understand that we’re in a war, and that Satan is seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). While he’s a defeated foe ever since the cross (Col 2:15), and we now have authority over him through Jesus (Matt 28:18, Eph 1:17-19), most of us don’t know it. We don’t know that, with the authority we now have, Satan’s only weapon against believers now is deception and fear (2 Cor 10:3-5)—and of course anything he can indirectly control against us that is part of the fallen world. But Jesus has already overcome the world on our behalf (John 16:33). And understanding God’s perfect love for us casts out fear (James 4:18). Because if He loves us enough to send Jesus, how will He not also freely give us all things (Romans 8:32)? But most of us are so focused on what we see, on the things this world says, that a cancer diagnosis, for example (or any other terminal doctor’s report, or insurmountable financial problem, etc), strikes fear into our hearts. Whatever we focus on, we magnify—and if we’re in a church that tells us maybe God will come through and maybe He won’t (for things that He’s explicitly promised in His word), then we’re standing on shifting sand. It’s hard enough to deal with our own doubt and unbelief, without being surrounded by the doubt and unbelief of others. But absolute trust God’s word—even if it means isolating ourselves from well-meaning believers who might cause us to doubt—is the only way. Jesus on numerous occasions got away from the crowds or put everyone out of the house except for his few top disciples before he performed a miracle. Abraham received because he did not consider anything except God’s promises (Romans 4:19). He didn’t have a contingency plan (or at least he didn’t anymore after the whole Ishmael thing was out of the way). Because he didn’t consider any of the natural circumstances, he didn’t waver in his faith. In the same way, today, our lack of fear of Satan’s schemes is proof to him that we’re going to win (Phil 1:28)—and if we stand firm (Eph 6:13-14) and resist the devil, sooner or later, he has to flee (James 4:7). We’ll win, if we don’t quit. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Paul talks about his imprisonment: It was not in vain; the Gospel was still getting out 3 ways God used Paul's imprisonment Paul's courage was making other people courageous Paul is happy about preachers who hate him? How Paul embodies Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego Don't just check out one… Take a look at them all! YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hnh-aqfg8rw Ko-Fi - https://ko-fi.com/p40ministries Website - https://www.p40ministries.com Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/p40ministries Contact - jenn@p40ministries.com Rumble - https://rumble.com/c/c-6493869 Books - https://www.amazon.com/Jenn-Kokal/e/B095JCRNHY/ref=aufs_dp_fta_dsk Merch - https://www.p40ministries.com/shop YouVersion - https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/38267-out-of-the-mire-trusting-god-in-the-middle Support babies and get quality coffee with Seven Weeks Coffee https://sevenweekscoffee.com/?ref=P40 This ministry is only made possible due to your generous support https://ko-fi.com/p40ministries
In this message, we look at the Story of Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, & Abednego. These men lived under immense cultural pressure to compromise their faith. Yet respectfully defiant, they honored God, and God showed up for them in miraculous ways. Likewise, we are pressured by culture or government to compromise our faith; we choose to honor God. We don't bow to the cultural norms of society, but we are a light with grace and truth to God's unchanging word. Support the show
Send us a textEver faced a moment when everything was stacked against you? Daniel's life in Babylon reveals what genuine faith looks like when confronted with impossible situations. Daniel and his friends encountered three life-threatening challenges that mirror our own spiritual battles: fear when Nebuchadnezzar demanded the impossible, fire when refusing to bow to idols, and fangs when Daniel's prayer life earned him a trip to the lions' den. In each impossible scenario, God transformed the situation into something remarkable.The fear of death became supernatural peace as God revealed Nebuchadnezzar's dream to Daniel. The fiery furnace meant to destroy Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego became an encounter with God's presence, as a fourth figure appeared walking with them among the flames. The lions' den designed to silence Daniel's devotion became a platform for God's provision as He shut the mouths of hungry predators.What stands out is how Daniel maintained unwavering integrity. He didn't compromise when offered the king's food, didn't hide his prayers when they became illegal, and didn't waver in his convictions when threatened with death. His testimony wasn't built on last-minute emergency prayers but on a lifestyle of consistent devotion—serving God "continually" as King Darius observed.This message challenges us to examine our own response to cultural pressure and spiritual threats. Are we bowing to the golden statues of our day? Are we praying only in emergencies or maintaining a consistent relationship with God? Do we believe God can transform our greatest threats into our greatest testimonies?The God who delivered Daniel is still working today, ready to transform your fear into peace, your fire into process, and your fangs into provision. Your trial has purpose beyond what you can see. Stand firm in your faith, and watch God show up powerfully in your impossible situation.Cornerstonehttps://www.cornerstoneaz.org/Follow Jesushttps://www.cornerstoneaz.org/follow-jesusLife Groups https://www.cornerstoneaz.org/life-groupsGiving https://cornerstoneaz.churchcenter.com/givingChurch Center App - Download then add Cornerstone Christian Center in Avondale, AZiOShttps://itunes.apple.com/us/app/my-church-center/id1357742931?mt=8&ls=1&ign-mpt=uo%3D4Android https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ministrycentered.churchcenter----Instagram https://www.instagram.com/cornerstoneazFacebookhttps://www.facebook.com/cornerstoneaz.orgTwitterhttps://twitter.com/cornerstoneaz.org
On this Faith Friday edition of Morning Manna, we step into the heart of the furnace with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. As the rage of King Nebuchadnezzar boils over and the flames are stoked seven times hotter, we witness the cost of unwavering faith in the face of tyranny. Why did God allow His faithful servants to be cast into such a deadly trial? And what does their bold stand teach us about trusting God when the heat gets turned up in our own lives? Join us as we explore Daniel 3:19–23 and discover the power, purpose, and peace of standing firm when the fire is at its fiercest.Join the leading community for Conservative Christians! https://www.FaithandValues.comYou can partner with us by visiting https://www.FaithandValues.com/donate, calling 1-800-576-2116, or by mail at PO Box 399 Vero Beach, FL 32961.Get high-quality emergency preparedness food today from American Reserves!https://www.AmericanReserves.comIt's the Final Day! The day Jesus Christ bursts into our dimension of time, space, and matter. Now available in eBook and audio formats! Order Final Day from Amazon today!https://www.amazon.com/Final-Day-Characteristics-Second-Coming/dp/0578260816/Apple users, you can download the audio version on Apple Books! https://books.apple.com/us/audiobook/final-day-10-characteristics-of-the-second-coming/id1687129858Purchase the 4-part DVD set or start streaming Sacrificing Liberty today. https://www.sacrificingliberty.com/watchThe Fauci Elf is a hilarious gift guaranteed to make your friends laugh! Order yours today! https://tru.news/faucielf
What does integrity look like when the heat gets turned up? In this powerful message, Pastor Craig Stephens takes us through the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Daniel 3. These three young men didn't just claim to follow God—they proved it when everything was on the line. Their courage in the face of cultural pressure and a blazing furnace reveals what it means to have character that doesn't bend. Discover how small daily decisions of faithfulness prepare us to stand firm in moments that truly matter. This message will inspire you to live boldly and trust that your integrity can glorify God and impact others—even in the fire.
Jesus Is the Hero of the Story – Week 5Living with Confidence When Obedience Costs (Daniel 3)What do you do when obedience to God comes at a cost? In the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, we see how faith isn't proven by comfort but by conviction. Because Jesus has already secured our rescue, we can stand with courage, endure opposition, and experience peace—even in the fire. He is with us, and He is enough.
"You have to place a demand on the anointing by being obedient. We have to line our lives up with God's word because Jesus Himself says that those who obey Him love Him." --Dr. Edith Davis In this installment of "A Secret of How to Receive and Keep Your Divine Healing," Dr. Edith Davis delves deeper into the principles of manifesting total healing and wholeness in the physical realm. She underscores that divine healing, along with health, riches, and wealth, is a finished work already established in the third heaven. Listeners are taught to activate this reality by placing a demand on God's Word and the anointing, likening it to a baby nursing from its mother – pressure must be applied to receive the supply. Dr. Davis highlights the critical roles of speaking life, not death, over circumstances, boldly declaring God's promises, and standing firm against opposition, referencing biblical examples like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and Daniel. She also differentiates between miracles and the blessing (barak), advocating for a life of sustained blessing through obedience and the continuous renewing of the mind with God's incorruptible Word. This episode empowers believers to understand their authority in Christ and persist in faith, resisting the enemy's strategies of fear and delay. This is episode 361. +++++++ MY AUDIO BOOK IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE You can Divorce Proof Your Marriage by understanding the Secret Keys of Love. You will come to understand that your Marriage has an enemy. You will come to understand that you are dating your future spouse representative. You will come to understand that your Marriage has the gift of Supernatural Sex. For more information about purchasing this audio book, click here: https://personalbuy.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/product8702.html
What it means to be a light for God in a dark society; three traits that caused Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to rise far above their peers in Babylon; based on Daniel chapter 1. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1213/29
NEW PODCAST: On this special solo edition of Stand Up For The Truth, Dave Wager asks a loaded question many of us don't stop to think through: What are we really asking when we sing “God Bless America”? This isn't just about waving flags or reciting patriotic songs. Dave unpacks the biblical reality that blessing always comes with responsibility. Drawing from Psalm 33:12—“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord”—he challenges listeners to consider whether we're seeking comfort or commissioning. Have we used our blessings to glorify God and serve others, or have we settled into comfort and forgotten the Giver? From the roots of Irving Berlin's famous song to the fiery furnace of Daniel 3, Dave walks us through what true loyalty looks like—loyalty to God first, even when national pride gets loud. Patriotism isn't wrong, he says, as long as it doesn't eclipse obedience to the Lord. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego didn't start a rebellion, but they drew a clear line. The call is the same for us today: respect authority, pray for leaders, and live lives marked by godliness and dignity—but never bow to what contradicts God's Word.
What it means to be a light for God in a dark society; three traits that caused Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to rise far above their peers in Babylon; based on Daniel chapter 1. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1213/29
Shannon Compere brings an honest, powerful word about staying rooted in God when life feels like too much.
# Miracles and Messages: Understanding Divine Communication In the fifth week of our "Miracles" series, we delve into the profound spiritual dimensions that challenge the materialistic view of the world. We explore the concept of "thin places," where God's divine presence breaks through, affirming the reality of a spiritual realm governed by His sovereignty. However, these encounters come with a caveat: God's actions may not always align with our desires, yet they are always for our good and His glory. ## **Daniel 5: The Handwriting on the Wall** The sermon centers around the story from **Daniel 5**, where King Belshazzar witnesses a miraculous event—a divine hand writing on the wall. This event serves as a confirmation of God's previous warning through Nebuchadnezzar, emphasizing that God's messages are consistent and align with His revealed truth. ### Key Themes - **Spiritual Reality vs. Materialism:** - In a world that often prioritizes the material, the sermon reminds us that our faith calls us to recognize and seek the spiritual dimensions where God operates. - **God's Consistency:** - The miracles we read about in Scripture, like the handwriting on the wall, consistently reinforce God's truth and character. - **Isaiah 55:8-9** reminds us that God's ways and thoughts are higher than ours, urging us to trust Him even when His actions seem contrary to our desires. - **Testing the Spirits:** - When seeking divine guidance, not every message we encounter comes from God. The sermon advises testing these messages against Scripture to discern their origin. - **1 John 4:1** instructs believers to "test the spirits" to ensure they align with God's revealed truth. - **The Role of Faith:** - Faith is pivotal, especially when God's guidance leads us into discomfort or sacrifice. The story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace exemplifies unwavering faith—they trusted God regardless of the outcome. ### Lessons from Belshazzar's Downfall - **Arrogance and Disrespect:** - Belshazzar's downfall was precipitated by his arrogance and disrespect for God's holiness, as he desecrated sacred temple artifacts. - **Consequences of Ignoring God's Warnings:** - Despite knowing Nebuchadnezzar's story, Belshazzar failed to heed the warnings, resulting in his kingdom's downfall. - The sermon underscores the importance of learning from past divine messages and aligning our actions with God's will. ### Practical Application - **Be a Student of the Word:** - To discern God's messages, immerse yourself in Scripture. Knowing God's Word is essential to understanding His guidance and resisting deceptive messages. - **Seek Godly Counsel:** - Like Daniel, seek wisdom from those who walk closely with God, as they can provide clarity and insight into God's messages. ### Conclusion Ultimately, the sermon calls us to trust in God's consistent character and His plans, which may not always align with our own but are always for our ultimate good. By living in alignment with His Word and seeking His presence in the thin places, we can navigate the challenges of life with faith and confidence in His divine purpose. --- For further reflection, consider reading **Daniel 5** and **1 John 4:1** to deepen your understanding of the themes discussed in this sermon.
On this powerful Faith Friday, the Morning Manna team unpacks Daniel 3:1–18, the epic story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego's bold stand in the face of deadly opposition. As King Nebuchadnezzar demands idolatrous worship under threat of a fiery furnace, these faithful men choose loyalty to God over obedience to worldly power. Their declaration, “We will not bow,” models for believers today what it means to stand firm in faith—peacefully, boldly, and humbly—even when the cost is everything.Rick Wiles reflects on the courage required to remain obedient in a world increasingly hostile to biblical truth. The message underscores that true faith is not presumption—it's submission to God's will, whether or not deliverance comes. The broadcast concludes with Holy Communion, calling believers to spiritual preparation and trust in the sovereignty of God.Join the leading community for Conservative Christians! https://www.FaithandValues.comYou can partner with us by visiting https://www.FaithandValues.com/donate, calling 1-800-576-2116, or by mail at PO Box 399 Vero Beach, FL 32961.Get high-quality emergency preparedness food today from American Reserves!https://www.AmericanReserves.comIt's the Final Day! The day Jesus Christ bursts into our dimension of time, space, and matter. Now available in eBook and audio formats! Order Final Day from Amazon today!https://www.amazon.com/Final-Day-Characteristics-Second-Coming/dp/0578260816/Apple users, you can download the audio version on Apple Books! https://books.apple.com/us/audiobook/final-day-10-characteristics-of-the-second-coming/id1687129858Purchase the 4-part DVD set or start streaming Sacrificing Liberty today. https://www.sacrificingliberty.com/watchThe Fauci Elf is a hilarious gift guaranteed to make your friends laugh! Order yours today! https://tru.news/faucielf
“Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said… Be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods.” — Daniel 3:16, 18 The narrative of the manly courage and marvellous deliverance of the three holy children, or rather champions, is well calculated to excite in the minds of believers firmness and steadfastness […]
Todd Ahrend dives into the three major lies that keep college students from engaging with faith.