Announcements
LIVING CROSS: If you are interested in participating in this year’s production entitled, “Convincing Thomas,” you can register online through the Church Website or sign up at the Welcome Desk. The Living Cross offers a wide range of areas for individuals to involved - from speaking to non-speaking parts, crowd scenes, props, make-up, tech crew, or just helping out behind the scenes. Contact Pastor Jung with any questions.
TITHING ENVELOPES: If you have Tithing Envelopes that were not picked up and you would now like to get them, please contact the Church Office.
MILITARY PRAYER LIST: We are updating our military list for our Wednesday prayer bulletin. Forms will be available at Welcome Desk if you would like to add a person for prayer or update a previous submission. You may also email the information to: cbowers@opendoorchurch.org.
From My Heart
Last Tuesday I was reading Daniel 3, describing the image of gold and King Nebuchadnezzar ordering all the dignitaries and people in the kingdom to attend the day of dedication ceremonies. The king had his men blow a trumpet and ordered folks to bow to the idol when they heard the sound. It seems that everyone did as the king commanded, except for the three Hebrew associates of Daniel: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
It is amazing how even back in the time of Nebuchadnezzar and Daniel, the cancel culture was going strong. Some Chaldean folks noticed that everyone else bowed when the trumpet sounded, but the three Hebrew teenagers did not! So, instead of minding their own business, they had to squeal on them, which put Nebuchadnezzar in a tight spot. I suppose every generation has had those folks who take it upon themselves to tell on someone who is not complying with the rules and mandates of the king!
Now, if the king does nothing, he will look weak, so with everyone looking on he felt he simply had to act, despite the consequences! So, the king calls for the three boys and said, “We are going to do this again, and if you boys don’t bow before the image - well…we going to have a major problem!” He said, “Either bow down to the image or you three will be thrown into the fiery furnace! There is no way you will be able to survive that furnace!” I am quite sure he thought this threat would surely do the trick, and they would comply!
But, in verse16, the boys said, “Well king, we are not afraid to speak up here and tell you what we think about this matter. If it so be that our God will deliver us…that is great! But, if He doesn’t deliver us from the fiery furnace, that is ok too! We will just go to be with Him in eternity!” The king probably said, “But, nobody can come out of there alive!” And the three said in effect, “Well king, we are concerned about coming out, we just know we have to go in, because we are not bowing down to an image of a man!”
In verse 19, that infuriated the king! He ordered the furnace be made seven times hotter than it had ever been! And then ordered the three boys be cast in the fire. Now, you know the rest of the story, and the Lord did protect them. But ask yourself this question, “Has the devil ever stoked up the fire on you?” I am sure he has. Sometimes, the fire can get tremendously hot! But let’s remember the promise, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5). Let’s keep our eyes on the Lord and trust Him no matter how hot the fire may be!
Have a wonderful day!
Pastor Norris