Speaker: Ben Sigman
Theme: What I Want to Tell my Kids about Following God
Weekend Music links on iTunes: The Time Has Come by Hillisong United; God is With Us by Michael Olson; Strong Tower by Kutless; Lead Me to the Cross by Hillsong.
Read: : 2 Corinthians 4:18; Daniel 3:13-27
Think: Pastor Ben told us on Sunday of three types of convictions. The first is a public conviction; one that we hold when faced with other people but do not always feel when alone. The next is a private conviction; which may change when tested. The final is a core conviction; a belief that we hold so deep inside us that nothing can change it and it shows through what you do and how you live. In our passage Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego held such a core belief. Not only that God is real but regardless of Him saving them they would not turn their back on him and worship another.
We are blessed to live in a society where we are not persecuted for our core conviction in the reality of God though not all Christians have been or indeed are right now. As we live in this society we need to live according to our core belief that God is real and unchanging. We can show this to people by how we live and the choices we make as well as how we love each other. "Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:34-35
Our way of being with others and through life will show that for us ‘God is real' is a core conviction and in this way affect those around us to want to know more about Him.
Do: Take some time to think about how you show that God is real in your life, what actions do you do that others can see as being affected by God? Spend some time thanking God for the freedom to live without being persecuted for following Him. Not all people have that same freedom. We need to pray for those in other countries who do not have the same blessing.
The following links to websites provide some information about the persecution of Christians around the world. Operation World can help us focus prayers each day on countries in need of more of God's presence.
www.persecution.org
http://www.operationworld.org/country/indo/overvw04.html
Pray: Lord, we thank you that you have made Yourself known to us and are part of our daily lives, please help us to show You to those we meet. Thank you for the blessing of living in a place where we can worship you and show the reality of you to others without fear. We ask that you would support and protect those around the world who suffer because of their love for You, please help us to remember to lift them to you in prayer as our brothers and sisters in You.
The eDevotional is written each week by a team of volunteers from Timberlake Church. |
