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September 20, 2004 Creative Connection Weekly Devotional Ignite - Flameworthy by Ed Young If we are thrown into the flaming furnace, our God is able to deliver us; and he will deliver us out of your hand, Your Majesty. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up. Daniel 3:17-18 We learn it from a very early age. For many, it is the mantra of their existence. In business, in relationships, and even in religion, the idea permeates our thinking and our culture. In every decision, every day, we want to know, "What's in it for me?" No matter how altruistic you are, or think you are, if you are honest with yourself, you ask yourself and others that question often. As Christians, though, we should be asking another question. Instead of asking, "What's in it for me?" we should be asking, "What's in it for Thee?" Being a follower of Christ is not a me-istic endeavor. We don't "get into Christianity" because of the personal benefits. We obey God simply because He is God. And we trust Christ simply because He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Are you willing to be thrown into the fire for your Christian convictions? Are you willing to say, "I will follow you, Lord Jesus, even if it means I must suffer for your sake." In Daniel 3, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego said, "What's in it for Thee?" They stood by their God simply because he was God and because He deserved their love, their devotion, and their very life. One way or another God would deliver them--either by physically saving them from the fire or by delivering them to an eternal life in heaven. The Apostle Paul said this in Philippians 1:20-21, "...Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." As you take a stand for Christ this week, consider the following Fire Facts: Rise Above Verbal Flamethrowers: It's never worth denying God, even in the face of tremendous peer pressure. Develop a Disposition of Confidence: Be confident that God will take care of you. Even in death, God will deliver you. Don't Allow Circumstances to Cause You to Compromise: Conviction and compromise are opposing forces. When you give in to your circumstances, your convictions begin to erode. Grasp God's Hand as You Walk Through the Fire: God has not promised to take you out of the fire but he has promised to take you through it. Realize that God Has a Promotion for You: It is through the valleys, not the peaks, in life that God is able to take you to the next level of spiritual maturity. When you stand for him, God always has greater things in store for you. For more information about relationships and other subjects, visit the Creative Connection website: www.creativeconnection.org � 2004 Creative Connection ____________________SUBSCRIPTION INFO_______________________ * This newsletter is never sent unsolicited. To unsubscribe from this newsletter immediately, simply click on the link below. If this link is not clickable, simply cut and paste it into the address bar of your browser. http://www.salememail.com/unsub/241/1698058.aspx * Copyright � 2004 Salem Web Network and its Content Providers. All rights reserved. 1698058 ____________________________________________________________ TRINITY COLLEGE & SEMINARY OFF CAMPUS & ONLINE Experience Personal & Ministry Growth Through Bible-Focused Degree Programs Associate and Bachelor of Arts Master of Arts, M.Div., Doctor of Arts, Doctor of Ministry http://l.salemweb.net/tcs2003tr/footer/ ____________________________________________________________ Questions or comments can be sent to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
