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Tag Archives: character

Living Without Compromise #2 Be Ready to be Tested

02 Tuesday Oct 2012

Posted by eisakouo in Daniel - No Compromise

≈ 7 Comments

Tags

character, convictions get tested, courage, Daniel, Daniel 3:8-18, is my faith for sale?, Meshach and Abed-nego, Nebuchadnezzar, no blame, prevent them from changing me, prophet, Shadrach, sold out, what you do when no one is looking

 

 

Yesterday, I blogged about how Daniel took a stand on not defiling himself with the food off the King’s table. It is a good thing when believers develop convictions and standards. What most don’t realize is those same principled convictions will get tested and tried. Listen to what eventually happened to Daniel’s buddies.

12 There are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the administration of the province of Babylon, namely Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego. These men, O king, have disregarded you; they do not serve your gods or worship the golden image which you have set up.”

…. But if you do not worship, you will immediately be cast into the midst of a furnace of blazing fire; and what god is there who can deliver you out of my hands?”

16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego replied to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to give you an answer concerning this matter. 17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. 18 But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” Daniel 3:8-18

 

As I said, every principled conviction we possess will eventually get tested. These men purposed not to bow down and worship idols… even the King. The punishment in this case was to be thrown into an instant crematorium.  Shadrach, Meshach and Abed nego were not even phased by this threat. They didn’t blame God and they didn’t blame others. They stood on their principles and left the results to the Lord.

Here is the point… We are only able to withstand the tests and temptations of life when we internally value our relationship to God more than what we potentially have to lose in the flesh. Effective service in God’s Kingdom means we are willing to surrender everything in order to faithfully promote the Lord’s work. Even though it appeared that Nebuchadnezzar and his officials were in charge, the Lord was actually calling all the shots… He was in control of everything. Someone once said:

  • He’s all the direction we ever needed: He is THE WAY.
  • He’s all the revelation we ever needed: He is THE TRUTH.
  • He’s all the fulfillment we ever needed: He is THE LIFE.

Character has been defined as “what you do when no one is looking.” When no one was looking these young men made a conviction not to defile themselves. When no one was looking these young boys made a principled conviction to follow God’s command not to worship any other gods except Jehovah.

So what would you have done when the test and temptation came to abandon your convictions in order to save your life? Surely God would have understood because your life was at stake. No, God doesn’t understand. He knows your character will grow as you take a stand on your convictions. The reality is you make these types of character decisions everyday in big and small ways. Every day you make choices that show whether you are courageous or cowardly. You choose between the right thing and the convenient thing. You stick to your convictions or you cave in for the sake of comfort, greed, or approval.

The big question we all need to ask and answer is… Is my faith for sale? Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego proved they couldn’t be bought for any price. Most believers will stop having a quiet time for a few extra moments of “sleep”, much less a king ordering them to do so. It takes over 200 gallons of water to baptize a believer and just a few drops of water to keep that same believer from attending church on any given Sunday. What will cause you to forfeit your allegiance?

Somewhere in the “Believer’s Dictionary” is the definition for the phrase “sold out“. Being sold out means that no price in this world will buy or steal your affections from God. It takes real courage to be a Christian. You hear some people say that being a Christian is for weak people, cowards, old ladies, and sissy’s.  The truth is it takes courage to own up and confess to your sins. It’s not easy to repent and be honest before a Holy God. In reality, cowards are weeded out in the beginning. Our faith continues to be forged day-in and day-out when we stand on our convictions and principles.

A prophet once came to a city to convert its inhabitants. At first the people listened to his sermons, but they gradually drifted away until there was not a single soul to hear the prophet when he spoke. One day a traveler said to him, “Why do you go on preaching?” The prophet said, “In the beginning I hoped to change these people. If I still shout, it is only to prevent them from changing me.”

This is the question we all have to ask and answer… Is my faith changing my environment or is my environment changing my faith and altering my beliefs?

 

Blessings,

Pastor

 

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Journey of Faith Picture Quotes

24 Saturday Mar 2012

Posted by eisakouo in Quotes

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

aim at heaven, character, Christian quotes, Cowper, cs lewis, destiny, forgiveness, Frank Outlaw, inexcusable, inspirational quotes, spiritual beings, Stephen Covey, turn your life around, what happened, what you have been given, wisdom

 

I have been blogging on Abraham’s journey of faith these past few days and have used some of these quotes in my blog.  I have posted some of these again with a few addtions.  Some of the pics come from photobotos.com.  If you get a chance check them out.

…. If you like these quotes you also might like these other posts on “faith”

http://wp.me/p1GmG0-6o

http://wp.me/p1GmG0-dR

Blessings,

Pastor

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Learning to Live Within Your Anointing (Part 2) How to Be a Leader God Uses

16 Thursday Feb 2012

Posted by eisakouo in Our Journey Into The Promised Land

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Tags

anointing not up for debate, character, do not mock God, Humble, Korah's rebellion, Motivate honestly, Numbers 16, Robert Kraft

 

 

The story of Korah and his followers gives us a clear picture of what not to do with the gifts, abilities, and anointing of God.  Korah could have been a leader God used, if he had simply stayed within God’s boundaries.  How do we do this?

 

#1 Measure Yourself Humbly and Do Not Magnify Yourself.

 

8 Then Moses said to Korah, “Hear now, you sons of Levi, 9 is it not enough for you that the God of Israel has separated you from the rest of the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to Himself, to do the service of the tabernacle of the LORD, and to stand before the congregation to minister to them; 10 and that He has brought you near, Korah, and all your brothers, sons of Levi, with you? And are you seeking for the priesthood also? (Numbers 16:8-10)

 

Magnifying oneself is exaggerating one’s importance and contribution. It is a sign of the beginning and the cause of one’s fall.

 

Korah’s grandfather occupied an important place in the ministry of the Lord. Kohath’s family was one of three families appointed to serve in the sanctuary.

This family had the highest honor because the holiest items in the tabernacle were assigned to their care.  This included the Tent of Meeting or tabernacle, the ark of the covenant, the table of shew-bread, the candlestick, the altar of incense, and altar of burnt-offering. God had promised that they would never to be cut off from the Levites.  Wow!

 

BUT THE SONS OF KORAH WANTED MORE…

This family was more privileged than most, yet it wasn’t enough.   They began to entertain thoughts of greater service and positions.  The tasks and anointing God placed on others was coveted by Korah and his followers.

 

The father of Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots, reminded him several times of a humbling truth. “Whenever you get too high on yourself, go down to the beach and look out over the vast ocean. Then, pick up a handful of sand and realize that one grain is all you are in the space of time.” (USA Today 1/21/97)

 

 Someone noted, “The less privileged  looked up at the sons of Korah, gushed in their presence, and pined for an opportunity to safeguard the most holy things, to keep Moses and Aaron company, and to serve God up-close and personal.”

 

#2 Motivate People Honestly and Do Not Mislead Others. (Numbers 16:12-15)

 

Many people motivate others in the wrong way.  They only look after their own interests and take advantage of people’s trust, fear, and ignorance.

 

The mutineers were essentially calling Moses a tyrant, a liar, and a sadist. Dathan and Abiram reopened old wounds by echoing the ten spies’ claims that Egypt represented everything good – milk and honey (13). They twisted the promises of God by saying Moses personified death and torture and the Promised Land epitomized wastelands and barrenness.

 

Moses, a good leader, offered a measured response and opportunity for those in rebellion to “opt-out” and correct the situation. Dathan and Abiram dug their own grave when they refused to control the damage, confess their wrongdoing, and correct people’s misperception.

 

Moses gave Dathan and Abiram more leeway than Korah, but the two didn’t show up or shut up! He was disappointed, exasperated, and angered by their unproven accusations (16:15). He had gone out of his way to meet them, mend fences and make up (16:4), but the two did not even have the respect to see, face, or confront him (16:12).

 

 

#3 Meet God Honorably and Do Not Mock Him! (Numbers 16:41-50)

 

 

THE ANOINTING IS NOT UP FOR DEBATE

Korah and company accused, defied, and humiliated Moses in public. They succeeded in shredding Moses’ reputation to pieces, pouring contempt on his leadership, and raising issues about the land.  The problem here… Moses was God’s ordained leader. Moses was both appointed and anointed.  When God appoints, gifts, and anoints someone, that person is not up for debate.

 

 

 THE END RESULT OF THIS CANCER  

At the end of the two day incident, close to 15,000 people died. The stern judgment could have been averted, but the people did not stop their complaining or accept their responsibility. They rolled up their sleeves and prepared for a confrontation. The Lord’s judgment was not as lenient, gracious, or merciful the second time round.

Moses could not prevent the breakout of the plague. His intervention could not stop the plague because the offenders were insolent and impenitent.

 

How could people be so wrong?  How could people see such miraculous signs/miracles and then attack God’s servant? 

 

The answer is rebellion! It may be in our hearts, just not revealed in our character until we are faced with it.  Korah and his followers forfeited their call because of rebellion. God will not allow rebellion to remain.  He must remove and replace it.

 

The good news, when confession of sin is made and intercession is offered, God restores His anointing and presence. Rebellion can be corrected.  It simply has to be dealt with God’s way.

 

These sons of Korah did not fare very well in this generation.  But they rebounded in later generations.  They became renown for their worship and psalms.

 

Blessings,

 

Pastor

 

 

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Great Billy Graham Quotes

17 Saturday Dec 2011

Posted by eisakouo in Quotes

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

angels are nearer, being a Christian, character, child, Christian quotes, courage, God is alive, God proved His love, inspirational quotes, possessing riches, problems, reconciliation and peace, two hands, wealth

 

 

 

 

“Being a Christian is more than just an instantaneous conversion – it is a daily process whereby you grow to be more and more like Christ” – Billy Graham

 

 

“God proved His love on the Cross. When Christ hung, and bled, and died, it was God saying to the world, ”I love you.”“ – Billy Graham

 

“Believers, look up — take courage. The angels are nearer than you think.” – Billy Graham

 

“The number one problem in our world is alienation, rich versus poor, black versus white, labor versus management, conservative versus liberal, East versus West . . . But Christ came to bring about reconciliation and peace.” – Billy Graham

 

“A child who is allowed to be disrespectful to his parents will not have true respect for anyone.” – Billy Graham

 

“There is nothing wrong with men possessing riches. The wrong comes when riches possess men.” – Billy Graham

 

“When wealth is lost, nothing is lost; when health is lost, something is lost; when character is lost, all is lost.” – Billy Graham

 

“Only those who want everything done for them are bored.” – Billy Graham

 

“Nothing can bring a real sense of security into the home except true love.” – Billy Graham

 

“God has given us two hands — one to receive with, and the other to give with. We are not cisterns made for hoarding; we are channels made for sharing.” – Billy Graham

 

“I can tell you that God is alive because I talked to him this morning.” – Billy Graham

 

“I just want to lobby for God.” – Billy Graham

 

“Billions and billions of stars and planets out there, and behind them all are God.” – Billy Graham

 

 “Courage is contagious. When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are often stiffened.” – Billy Graham

 

“It is not the body’s posture, but the heart’s attitude that counts when we pray.” – Billy Graham

 

 

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