Stand Up

Today, I was thinking about the scripture in Daniel Chapter 3 where it talks about three men; Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. The scripture talks about how they took a stand in worshiping and serving the one and only true God. When it seemed like everyone else was giving into the worship of a false idol these young men stood up, they stood up for their beliefs, their God and their right to worship him.

Thinking over this set of scriptures, I realize that I have heard this story multiple times growing up but never before have I realized how relevant this story can be when compared to our world today!

You see in a very similar way, the world around us is changing, we are facing more and more pressure every day to worship and serve the things of this world. We may not see it as that but the pressure is there, with social media and peer pressure and just the way our culture has shifted, the world is trying to force their beliefs and ways of life on us.

Like never before I believe we have a chance to stand up and make a difference, even though we may face persecution like these three Hebrew men did we must remember "That God will never leave us or forsake us" and just like God showed up in the fiery furnace, he will show up in the midst of our trials!

You see God will actually bless us when we stand up for him and he promises that he will not leave our side! So, trust in God and the plan he has for you! And make a stand! Stand up for Christ in our world today, in our schools, at our jobs, represent the one who has never left, who promises to stay with us and who will be with us into the ends of the earth!

Our world needs to see the hope in the people who have enough faith to stand up for Christ! So, stand up and shine your light! Show the world there's a better way to live!

So, I challenge you to read over Daniel Chapter 3 and think about how you can make a stand!

-Pastor Phil