FAMILY IT! -- Wednesday Family Devotion -- "Don't Go with the Flow"

Supplies: Bible; small bowl of water; small things that will be moved by the water (glitter, small beads, tiny paper wads, etc.)

READ

Read through a version of Daniel 3, the story of the three men in the fiery furnace.

THINK 

Take your bowl of water and add the glitter or beads.  Observe what happens.  Depending on what you use, they may slowly sink to the bottom of the bowl, or they may float on top.  While there is some motion right away as the glitter finds a place to land, you will notice that it finds that place and settles quite quickly.  It takes less than a minute for everything to become nice and still.  Now use your finger to stir the water quickly—try to create a mini-whirlpool right there in your bowl.  Observe again.  What’s happening to the glitter?  It’s moving!  It’s getting caught up in the current you created and is following your finger.  Even after you stop stirring (go ahead and pull your finger out), you’ll notice the water continues to spin in the same direction for awhile, along with the glitter.  Currents sure are strong!

There’s another current that pulls on us with incredible power: the “Everybody Else current.”  This is the pull of others on our choices and decisions.  Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego had to fight a very strong Everybody Else current.  When King Nebuchadnezzar instructed all of Babylon to bow down to the idol he had made, Everybody Else did.  When the music played, Everybody Else stopped what they were doing so they could worship a ninety-foot tall golden statue.  And when Everybody Else noticed that Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego weren’t cooperating, Everybody Else tattled to the King, who threatened to roast them like a s’mores marshmallow if they didn’t do what Everybody Else was doing.  Talk about a strong pull!  I can only imagine how difficult it was for these guys.  All of the other leaders were doing exactly what they were told at exactly the right times.  How many times do you think they had to fight off the urge to just do what Everybody Else was doing?  

You have an Everybody Else current in your life, too.  (We all do.)  It’s made up of friends, neighbors, classmates, coworkers, TV—anybody who tries to influence what you do, what choices you make.  The problem is, Everybody Else doesn’t always follow Jesus.  Many times the way Everybody Else is going will lead you away from Jesus.  Take some time and share a current your battling right now, or maybe one that you have to fight a lot.  What makes this current so strong for you?  Have you ever gotten caught in it?  What was the result?

APPLY

Even though the Everybody Else current was strong, Shadrach, Meshacbh and Abednego refused to follow along.  They knew they wanted to be committed followers of God.  That commitment to the Father helped them resist the pull of the EEC.  And in the end, what looked like a tragic ending became an angel dance party!

What about you?  When you make a commitment to follow God, you will find you have an anchor that will help hold you in place when Everybody Else is trying to spin you into oblivion.  In addition, your family can serve as a countercurrent, pulling you back to Jesus if ever you start to drift.  Every time you stand strong, you get to be a part of your own angel dance party.  How awesome is that!  Join together to commit your family members and your family unit to follow God’s lead.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

PRAY

Heavenly Father, You have set a path for us.  You have a unique direction for each member of our family, and for our family as a whole.  But each of us is being pulled in different directions, away from You.  Today, Lord, we commit to follow Your path.  Give us the strength of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, the strength to stand up for You against a powerful pull.  Thank you for being with us, even in the middle of a blaze of controversy.  While everyone else is spinning and going nowhere, we want to dance with You, Jesus!  Amen.

REPLY

Did you and your family enjoy this devotional blog?  We'd love to know about it!  Our hope is to continue providing this weekly opportunity for families to do a devotion together.  If your family did this devotion, please shoot us an email, text or just post a comment to this blog.

READ IT! - Monday Reading - Daniel 3

Yesterday, the sermon included the following scripture.  

Let's review it together today.

Daniel 3

New Living Translation (NLT)

Nebuchadnezzar’s Gold Statue

3 King Nebuchadnezzar made a gold statue ninety feet tall and nine feet wide and set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. 2 Then he sent messages to the high officers, officials, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates, and all the provincial officials to come to the dedication of the statue he had set up. 3 So all these officialscame and stood before the statue King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

4 Then a herald shouted out, “People of all races and nations and languages, listen to the king’s command! 5 When you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and other musical instruments, bow to the ground to worship King Nebuchadnezzar’s gold statue. 6 Anyone who refuses to obey will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.”
7 So at the sound of the musical instruments, all the people, whatever their race or nation or language, bowed to the ground and worshiped the gold statue that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
8 But some of the astrologers went to the king and informed on the Jews. 9 They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “Long live the king! 10 You issued a decree requiring all the people to bow down and worship the gold statue when they hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and other musical instruments. 11 That decree also states that those who refuse to obey must be thrown into a blazing furnace. 12 But there are some Jews—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—whom you have put in charge of the province of Babylon. They pay no attention to you, Your Majesty. They refuse to serve your gods and do not worship the gold statue you have set up.”
13 Then Nebuchadnezzar flew into a rage and ordered that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought before him. When they were brought in, 14 Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you refuse to serve my gods or to worship the gold statue I have set up? 15 I will give you one more chance to bow down and worship the statue I have made when you hear the sound of the musical instruments. But if you refuse, you will be thrown immediately into the blazing furnace. And then what god will be able to rescue you from my power?”
16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. 18 But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.”

The Blazing Furnace

19 Nebuchadnezzar was so furious with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego that his face became distorted with rage. He commanded that the furnace be heated seven times hotter than usual. 20 Then he ordered some of the strongest men of his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. 21 So they tied them up and threw them into the furnace, fully dressed in their pants, turbans, robes, and other garments. 22 And because the king, in his anger, had demanded such a hot fire in the furnace, the flames killed the soldiers as they threw the three men in. 23 So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, securely tied, fell into the roaring flames.

24 But suddenly, Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in amazement and exclaimed to his advisers, “Didn’t we tie up three men and throw them into the furnace?”
“Yes, Your Majesty, we certainly did,” they replied.
25 “Look!” Nebuchadnezzar shouted. “I see four men, unbound, walking around in the fire unharmed! And the fourth looks like a god!”
26 Then Nebuchadnezzar came as close as he could to the door of the flaming furnace and shouted: “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!”
So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stepped out of the fire. 27 Then the high officers, officials, governors, and advisers crowded around them and saw that the fire had not touched them. Not a hair on their heads was singed, and their clothing was not scorched. They didn’t even smell of smoke!
28 Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! He sent his angel to rescue his servants who trusted in him. They defied the king’s command and were willing to die rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. 29 Therefore, I make this decree: If any people, whatever their race or nation or language, speak a word against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, they will be torn limb from limb, and their houses will be turned into heaps of rubble. There is no other god who can rescue like this!”
30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to even higher positions in the province of Babylon.

PREPARE FOR IT! - Saturday Reading - Daniel 3

Tomorrow's sermon will include the following scripture.  

Let's read it together today to prepare our hearts.

Daniel 3

New Living Translation (NLT)

Nebuchadnezzar’s Gold Statue

3 King Nebuchadnezzar made a gold statue ninety feet tall and nine feet wide and set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. 2 Then he sent messages to the high officers, officials, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates, and all the provincial officials to come to the dedication of the statue he had set up. 3 So all these officials came and stood before the statue King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

4 Then a herald shouted out, “People of all races and nations and languages, listen to the king’s command! 5 When you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and other musical instruments, bow to the ground to worship King Nebuchadnezzar’s gold statue. 6 Anyone who refuses to obey will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.”

7 So at the sound of the musical instruments, all the people, whatever their race or nation or language, bowed to the ground and worshiped the gold statue that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

8 But some of the astrologers went to the king and informed on the Jews. 9 They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “Long live the king! 10 You issued a decree requiring all the people to bow down and worship the gold statue when they hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and other musical instruments. 11 That decree also states that those who refuse to obey must be thrown into a blazing furnace. 12 But there are some Jews—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—whom you have put in charge of the province of Babylon. They pay no attention to you, Your Majesty. They refuse to serve your gods and do not worship the gold statue you have set up.”

13 Then Nebuchadnezzar flew into a rage and ordered that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought before him. When they were brought in, 14 Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you refuse to serve my gods or to worship the gold statue I have set up? 15 I will give you one more chance to bow down and worship the statue I have made when you hear the sound of the musical instruments. But if you refuse, you will be thrown immediately into the blazing furnace. And then what god will be able to rescue you from my power?”

16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. 18 But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.”

The Blazing Furnace

19 Nebuchadnezzar was so furious with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego that his face became distorted with rage. He commanded that the furnace be heated seven times hotter than usual. 20 Then he ordered some of the strongest men of his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. 21 So they tied them up and threw them into the furnace, fully dressed in their pants, turbans, robes, and other garments. 22 And because the king, in his anger, had demanded such a hot fire in the furnace, the flames killed the soldiers as they threw the three men in. 23 So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, securely tied, fell into the roaring flames.

24 But suddenly, Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in amazement and exclaimed to his advisers, “Didn’t we tie up three men and throw them into the furnace?”

“Yes, Your Majesty, we certainly did,” they replied.

25 “Look!” Nebuchadnezzar shouted. “I see four men, unbound, walking around in the fire unharmed! And the fourth looks like a god[!”

26 Then Nebuchadnezzar came as close as he could to the door of the flaming furnace and shouted: “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!”

So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stepped out of the fire. 27 Then the high officers, officials, governors, and advisers crowded around them and saw that the fire had not touched them. Not a hair on their heads was singed, and their clothing was not scorched. They didn’t even smell of smoke!

28 Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! He sent his angel to rescue his servants who trusted in him. They defied the king’s command and were willing to die rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. 29 Therefore, I make this decree: If any people, whatever their race or nation or language, speak a word against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, they will be torn limb from limb, and their houses will be turned into heaps of rubble. There is no other god who can rescue like this!”

30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to even higher positions in the province of Babylon.

Standing in Prayer / Standing in Honor - A Letter from Pastor Todd

Dear PoC Influencers,

Some time ago, I had an opportunity to attend an event with several other people where I was asked to teach on various principles of discipleship. While at the event, I witnessed the mistreatment of one of the participants. I didn’t know the back story. I didn’t know the full circumstance. I didn’t know either side. All I knew was what I witnessed - that the treatment of this fellow believer was so over-the-top, so public, and so calculated that it was clear to me that it had been planned for some time. It also seemed desperate and misguided. It broke my heart. And, because of my very limited view and contact with the individuals, there was little I could do. So, I prayed. And, as I prayed, I consistently felt a missional impulse from the Lord to simply watch and pray, wait, and keep my eye on this fellow believer.

As I watched this believer from a distance, I was more and more impressed by her ability to show grace under fire. While I waited for God to present me with an opportunity to “remember” her, I was able to see in her some very impressive things that I would not have seen if I had not obeyed the Lord’s direction to simply “keep an eye out”. Often, if we are too quick to react, we miss the chance to collect much-needed evidence that only comes as we simply “let things play out”. I came to appreciate how she handled herself, even in the face of confusing opposition that just didn’t make sense. I began to pray that God would bless her and her family. Even though we did not live close to each other, the Lord listened to the prayers we were both praying, independently of each other. A few months later, the opportunity I was waiting for presented itself, and I was able to “remember” her and use my limited position and influence to help promote her so that others could see God use her in a powerful and unquestionable way.

Last week we looked at a rather unsatisfying story in the Bible – the destruction of Sodom and
Gomorrah. It was a hard lesson to preach: we must intercede . . . even if the situation seems hopeless.
Well, this week, as we look to Daniel chapter 2-3, the story is a little more hopeful. It just feels right, and the listener/learner is able to enjoy a powerful moment as God delivers the three Hebrew children out of the furnace. High-5’s all around. It’s simply an amazing story of God’s faithfulness.

As we look to the beginning of the story at Daniel 2: 48-49, we see Daniel, from a position of influence, “remembering” his friends, promoting his friends, and then watching as his 3 friends show world-changing steadfast and brave faith that is obvious to all as they are challenged to take a stand for God. Remember that the three Hebrew Children: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had already
been standing together in prayer with Daniel for some time. All of this bold praying led to Daniel’s
“promotion” first as Daniel interpreted a dream for Nebuchadnezzar, the King of Babylon who then gave Daniel a high position within his government. And, that’s when Daniel remembered His friends and asked the King to give his friends, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, jobs as administrators. God gave them influence and authority as they remembered each other. And they understood that all authority is meant to be used to serve and lead people to draw closer to God. Once promoted, Daniel jumped at the opportunity to enlarge His team of God-fearing influencers who had a heart for the city. Who better to have on your team then those who have been standing with you in prayer?

Let me ask you, what would happen if, like Daniel, we determined that those who have helped with
prayer shall, out of our gratefulness, share in our honor? Like Daniel, we might also find that those
who stand with us in prayer are more ready than any other to serve and influence with us. One of the
best ways to be caught red-handed in the middle of God’s plans is to ask the Lord how to leverage the
influence He has given us in the community so that we can remember and promote the people of God
who earnestly seek Him and run hard after Him to the point that an entire city begins to take notice.
Look what happened after God miraculously protected and delivered Daniel’s three friends from the
flames. Daniel 3: 27 reads, “All the princes, governors, lieutenant governors, and other officials of the king gathered to look at the three men . . .” Amazing!

PoC, God wants your life to influence your city. Who is standing with you in prayer? Who has shown
themselves to be faithful and a God-lover? Ask God to show you how you can join Him in His mission by allowing others to share in your honor.

I can’t wait to see you Sunday. The PoCKidz will be with us, so it’s gonna rock . . . hard!!

Remember your Red-Handed Challenge to do at least one random act of kindness this week. Keep
joining God. Don’t be afraid to get caught right in the middle of His plans.

Remembering You Always in Prayer,

Pastor Todd