A Complete Revolution.

Daniel 3:17-18
17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. 18 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."

The devotion book for the week of the mission trip has been found! It was in the place where I thought it was but I just didn't look hard enough. Thanks Mom! There are few more things that I wanted to pull from that book.

On the fourth day we were told that were "free to be REVOLUTIONARY." If we're free from everything that keeps us from sincerely loving God and other people, as mentioned last week, then this freedom is "revolutionary." It's a completely different way of living!

Revolution is defined as "a drastic and far-reaching change in ways of thinking and behaving. A sudden or momentous change in a situation."

I challenge you to read a little bit more than what I provided you with today in Daniel (go to the end of the chapter/verse 30). By doing this, you can see that these three men were able to sacrifice their lives to indicate just how much they loved God.

King Nebuchadnezzar (don't ask me how to pronounce that!) created a golden statue and commanded everyone to worship it. If they refused to follow his orders, they would be thrown into a furnace. The three men in this story, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego believed in the one true God, and would NOT worship anything else. And yes, this was even the case if they had to die. The King was very angry with their response (which you can find in the verses I provided above).

Talk about infuriated, the King demanded that the fire was heated seven times hotter than usual, tied the men together, and threw them into the blazing conditions. If you do read on, you will notice that the fire did not leave its mark on the men. They were unscathed by the intended harm because God is good!

After witnessing that, I would be changed, wouldn't you? That was definitely the case for King Nebuchadnezzar. He transformed into a follower of God and soon enforced that everyone in his land should honor God.

Just as the three men let "God use their faith to change the heart of a king" don't be afraid to do the same. Just don't think you have to do exactly what they did. Don't find a fiery furnace to jump into. Follow their example as a whole by pushing back everything that prevents you from truly loving God. Don't worship anything else but God, even those golden statues.

I just hope and pray that you can bring a "revolutionary change" to others by loving and serving others through your faith knowing that Jesus is the greatest revolutionary out there!