I Think I Smell Smoke

This devotional was originally written in August 2008.  Since we are studying Turning Points in Daniel's life, the subject of his three friends and one of their major turning points was part of our study in Sunday School yesterday.

I'm a little choked up this morning.  I think it's my allergies acting up and I think I know why.

I have been in a fiery furnace lately.  Actually, I feel a little ashamed to call it a fiery furnace when I think of Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah's real fiery furnace (better known as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.)

All of us have our difficulties and trials and sometimes they feel a lot like a fiery furnace.  I was reading Daniel 3 again this morning and was reminded of how Hannaniah, Mishael, and Azariah came through their fiery furnace unscathed, unscorched, and not even the smell of smoke on them.  I am concerned about how I am handling my fiery furnace.

"So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out of the fire, and the satraps, prefects, governors, and royal advisers crowded around them.  They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their head singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them." (Daniel 3:27-28)

You might have an idea why I am all choked up, but just in case you didn't get it, I am allergic to smoke.  I am very convicted that my faith and my trust in my God (the same God these three young Jewish boys worshiped), has been very small in my fiery furnace.  Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah believed that our God is able to save and rescue.  Most of you will remember the story - God did not deliver them from the furnace, but He delivered them through it.  Either way, He is able and He will do it.  In Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah's words:  "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, 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)

PRAYER:  Lord, forgive us for our unbelief, our lack of trust.  You are able to deliver.  You will help us through our fiery furnace even if you do not deliver us from it.  Thank You and praise You that you are trustworthy.

Serving Him,
Kay Martin

(Today, I do not remember what fiery furnace I was going through in August 2008, but God obviously delivered me from it or through it.  This time next year, maybe you will not be able to remember the fiery furnace you are experiencing right now.)

These Troubled Times

We truly are living in troubled times.  Many leaders - from Washington on down - seem to be going their own way and not God's way.  Even in these troubled times, we must remember that God is in control - He is sovereign.

In Isaiah 45, we see a very interesting concept.  God anointed and bestowed a title of honor on a king who did not acknowledge Him.  "This is what the LORD says to His anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I take hold of to subdue nations before him . . . . ; I will go before him . . . "   (Isaiah 45:1-2).  This passage was written about 150 years before there was a king Cyrus which makes this passage even more profound.

King Cyrus was a Gentile king who did not acknowledge God but God had a purpose for placing Cyrus in that position.  "For the sake of Jacob my servant, of Israel my chosen, I summon you by name and bestow on you a title of honor though you do not acknowledge me" and "so . . . men may know there is none beside Me."  (Isaiah 45:4, 6)   

God is sovereign.  He truly is in control of everything and can use pagan, non-believing leaders to accomplish His plan.  Our leaders, whether we like them or not, would not hold their offices unless God allowed it or chose them for their positions.

A comforting thought - God is always in control and He is always faithful and trustworthy.  We can rest in that truth in these troubled times.

Serving Him,
Kay Martin 

   

America, There Is Hope

America, my country, continues to be on my heart. The LORD told Jeremiah, "If at any time I announce that a nation or kingdom is to be uprooted, torn down and destroyed, and if that nation I warned repents of its evil, then I will relent and not inflict on it the disaster I had planned." (Jeremiah 18:7-8)

It seems that it just might be time for America to "repent of its evil" so the Lord will relent and not inflict on us the disaster He has planned. Many Americans have turned their backs on God and are worshiping material possessions, power, prestige, social standing, other people, etc. Worshiping these things? I think God would say, "Yes, America, you are worshiping these things."

When we place anyone or anything before God, that person or thing becomes an idol. What has mankind always done with idols? Of course, the answer is, worship them. The first of the Ten Commandments is "You shall have no other gods before me" and the second one is "You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything . . . . . . . . . . You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I the LORD your God am a jealous God . . . . . ." (Exodus 20:3-5)

If we rid ourselves of our idols, turn to God, and repent of our idolatry (our evil), then God will hear us and He will relent from His punishment. America, there is HOPE!

Serving Him,

Kay Martin

God, Heal Our Land

God has given us the prescription for bringing healing to our land. "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." (2 Chronicles 7:14) This verse of Scripture is written to God's people, so we need to heed His directions. First, we are to humble oursleves. Most Americans could use a big dose of humility! As Christians, humility should be a defining characteristic in our lives, but some of us have gotten so far away from a spirit of humility, we may not know what it looks like! God says, "Humble yourselves, pray, and seek my face." Once we humble ourselves, we will see the need for prayer and for seeking God's face. Prayer draws us closer to God as we pour out our hearts to Him and listen to Him. "Seek His face." Seek to know who He really is. The more we know Him, the more humble we will become and the more we will see the importance of prayer. The formula for God to heal our land is simple. As God's people, we must humble ourselves, pray, and seek His face. When we do these three things, God says, "THEN (my emphasis) I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." It is worthy to note that this formula is for God's people, not the world, and not politicians who are unbelievers. We are often very quick to blame our politicians for the woes of our country, but God promises healing to our land when His people humble themselves, pray and seek His face. God always keeps His promises. Let us humble ourselves, get on our knees, and seek His face. If we as God's people do that, then I trust that He will heal our land. Serving Him, Kay Martin

God is Love

"And He passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, 'The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet He does not leave the guilty unpunished'." (Exodus 34:6-7) Beth Moore used these verses of Scripture as her focus passage for the Living Proof Live conference this past weekend in Memphis, TN. What a blessing!

God abounds in love. His love is loyal and steadfast. He maintains His love, which means He guards His love for us, protects it, and keeps it. "God is love", (1 John 4:16). Most of us have head knowledge of these facts about God's love. Do we have heart knowledge? Can we grasp the truth that no matter what, God loves us?

Beth pointed out to us the fact that because "God is love," He cannot love us less or He would be less God. Grab onto this truth. God loves us, no matter what. This truth will change our lives. Many of us feel unworthy of anyone's love, but if Christ lives in our hearts, we are loved now and always will be.

Now what do we do with that love? We must love as God loves us. We must protect, maintain, and guard our love for others, especially for family.

The Virtuous Woman

"Who can find a virtuous woman?" (Proverbs 31:10) The Proverbs 31 woman is a rare jewel. She does it all! She is the ideal or model God has placed in His Word for us to pursue. Her husband has full confidence in her and she brings him good not harm. If you are married, the first order of business is to bring your husband good not harm. Look for his good points. Remember what attracted you to him in the first place. Learn to overlook some of his idiosyncrasies. He is most likely overlooking some of yours. The Proverbs 31 woman is a busy woman. She is not idle. She works with eager hands and she works vigorously. This has a lot to do with her attitude and some of us may need an attitude check. Are you facing your day's work with a feeling of resentment? Are you working with eager hands and with vigor? The amount of work you are able to accomplish depends on several personal circumstances, but the attitude with which you face your duties, comes from the heart. Let's let God check out our attitude and our heart. He can make it new. A worthy goal is to work toward becoming a virtuous woman, a rare jewel. Do not be discouraged if you are not all she is. Remember, she is the ideal and we want to become more like her. "Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised." (Proverbs 31:30) Serving Him, Kay Martin

Why Read Proverbs?

Chapter one of Proverbs gives us several reasons for reading through the book of Proverbs. "For attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight; for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair; for giving prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young." (Verses 2-4) If you are trying to establish the practice of a daily Quiet Time, the book of Proverbs is a great place to start. Read the Proverb that corresponds with the day of the month and you will read the entire book in one month. This is a discipline I have completed a number of times through the years, and each time, different truths speak to me. We can gain wisdom, knowledge, and understanding through the pages of Proverbs. There are simple commands such as, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding." (Proverbs 3:5) There are many, many informative statements such as, "For a man's ways are in full view of the LORD and He examines all his paths." (Proverbs 5:21) We also find many wise statements to help us live our lives more closely to God's desire for us such as, "A man of knowledge uses words with restraint and a man of understanding is even-tempered." (Proverbs 17:27) Blessings will be yours as you pour over the pages of Proverbs and you will gain wisdom.