Kathy Howard's Blog: Unshakeable Faith for Life, page 91

My husband really enjoys this Cajun restaurant not far from our home. The first time I went with him I didn’t like what I ordered, but I thought it must have been just that dish. Since Wayne likes the place, I decided I should give it another try. In fact, I tried it a third time for good measure. Three strikes and that restaurant is out for me.

How could two people – who usually agree on most things – form such a different opinion from the same basic experience? I don’t understand it, but I really don’t understand how the two criminals that were crucified on either side of Jesus witnessed the same Savior and made such drastically different decisions.

39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”

40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”

42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Luke 23:39-43, NIV

The two criminals both saw Jesus’ response to the crowd, the soldiers, and the Jewish leaders. They both had heard of His miracles and teaching. Yet in their dying moments, one rejected Him and one recognized Him as King. With his last words, the repentant sinner accepted Jesus as his Savior. Then he opened his eyes in paradise.

Don’t wait until your last breath to give you life to Jesus. Do you know Him as Lord and Savior?Share and Enjoy:[image error][image error][image error]

Following God is no guarantee that all our problems will turn out like we want them to. Sometimes circumstances remain difficult. Occasionally situations continue to be painful. And sometimes we even die without understanding all of God's purposes in this life. But we can still trust in God's character and faithfulness no matter how things appear to us.

Trust in dire circumstances

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego demonstrated this kind of trust in God with what could have been their dying words. In the sixth century B.C., these three young Israelite men had been captured in Jerusalem and carried off with many others to serve in the royal palace in Babylon.

After years of humble service, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were forced to make a life and death decision: Either bow down and worship the idol set up by the king or be thrown into the fiery furnace. After their first refusal, King Nebuchadnezzar – whom they had served loyally – gave them one more chance.

"If you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?" 16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, "King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty's hand. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." Daniel 3:15b-18, NIV

Faith, no matter the outcome

The steadfast faith of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego demonstrate trust in God and obedience to Him no matter the appearance of their circumstances. Whether things are good, hard, or absolutely desperate, we can lean on God and trust in His love for us. We can resolutely stand firm in our faith in God even when we don't know what the outcome of our circumstances will be.

God choose to physically rescue Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These three young men were thrown into the furnace but were miraculously not burned. In fact, they did not even smell like smoke when they were brought out. However, God does not always choose to deliver His people in this life. Sometimes He chooses instead to sustain us until He brings us into His presence.

Right now I face some circumstances that look bleak. God has spoken to me today in the "dying" words of these faith heroes. I consciously choose to continue to worship my God even if things do not turn out the way I hope.

Do you face a situation today that seems bleak, dire, and hopeless?

Will you choose to cling to God no matter how He chooses for it to turn out?Share and Enjoy:[image error][image error][image error]

Imagine that someone sitting next to you in a restaurant began choking on her dinner. What would you do first? What would be the most important course of action?

Tell her she should take smaller bites and chew her food more thoroughly.
Show her how to perform a Heimlich maneuver on herself.
Try to find someone else in the restaurant to help her.
Immediately perform the Heimlich and save her life.

I think most of us would agree that the last option is the best. (Of course if we have no clue how to perform the Heimlich, then the third option could also save her life.)

When you encounter people who are spiritually dying what do you do first? What is the most important thing to tell them?

One of my favorite Scripture passages is 1 Corinthians 15. In the first 8 verses, the apostle Paul succinctly shares the heart of our faith – the Gospel – and tells us why this news is "of first importance."

Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. 2 By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. 3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. 6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 8 and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born. 1 Corinthians 15:1-8, NIV

The Greek word translated as "of first importance" in verse 5 means "chief, principal, first in rank or quality." There is no news, no information, no message more important than the glorious truth that Jesus died for our sins and then conquered death to give us eternal hope. Yet, we often hesitate to share this message.

What do you tend to tell others first about your faith in Christ?

How much importance do you put on sharing the Gospel message with others?Share and Enjoy:[image error][image error][image error]