Faith Greater than a Furnace

I spoke at Woodford Christian School this morning to 100 kindergarten through 8th graders. It went well. I spoke on Daniel 3:13-29; the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace. This is my all time favorite story from the Bible. It shows the blinded eyes of King Nebuchadnezzar and his confident attitude in his gods and his 90 foot tall golden idol. It also demonstrates the faith that these 3 men had in our God. Their faith was so strong that they knew without a doubt that God would save them from the fiery furnace and He did. They did not waver in their stance against placing another god before the One True God. They were a visible testimony to the king and all who were there for the glory of God and His capabilities. God performed a miracle so great that the king renounced his own gods and made God the head of the land and even place rules for required obedience and praise for Him. God did not let these faithful men down just like He doesn't let us down when we are in a time of need. Oh, to have faith like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego!

Take a Stand

I am finishing the study with my student ministry tomorrow night on "Do Hard Things" which is a book by Alex and Brett Harris. This is the 5th and final week of the study and it deals with "Taking a Stand." The Harris' are 2 young men that have done the things they promote in their book and this 5th focus is no different. I only hope to proclaim this principle to my students in hopes that they would stop living for the world and live their life for the purpose of Jesus Christ. Pleasing people in the world today is only temporary and we can receive eternal blessings through glorifying Christ while we are here on earth. God commands us throughout the Bible to be free of this world and to proclaim Him only in the things that we do. We are to live in the world but not be of the world. Taking a stand for God requires being made fun of, persecuted, laughed at, uncomfortable, and uneasy but you will be respected once people realize you are sincere in your stand for God. Your sincerity must make it through the beginning of the stand and persevere to the end for ultimate glory in Jesus Christ. Listen to what Jesus says in John 17:14.

Southeast Conclave

I attended the Southeat Conclave last week on January 29, 30, and 31 in Atlanta, Georgia. There were some great speakers in Francis Chan, Chap Clark, and Ergun Caner along with great worship led by Todd Agnew and emcee Brock Gill (illusionist). I enjoyed my 3 days there and really got alot out of the time in seminars and worship. God spoke to me in some clear ways regarding our student ministry, campus outreach, mentoring, and the love of Christ for all! I am so excited to put into place some of the things God laid on my heart while I was there. I became convicted over the thought that everything I do for our student ministry needs to be Jesus-centered and the complete focus of all the programs and events we have. Everytime we get together we have to have the focus of Jesus to make our time together worthy and successful. In ministry, we get caught up in the events and details while forgetting the real reason for the events and programs. Jesus is the focus and must be evident in all that we do.