Nope. Not Today!
(Becoming today’s Shadrach, Meshach and Abendego!)
On Sunday, Pastor Dany spoke about Shadrach, Meshach and Abendego using the scripture Daniel 3: 12-28. In today’s world, we need more Shadrachs, Meshachs and Abendegos. In fact, I personally believe it is almost imperative that we all become Shadrachs, Meshachs and Abendegos. Teens you are faced with situations in today’s America, like no other generation before you. You are at an important transitional time in your life and you are being bombarded with ideas and lies that are being presented to this world as truth: Evolution and the acceptance of homosexuality, transgender, as an acceptable life, to name just a few. These along with the media telling you that you are only acceptable if you look a certain way, act a certain way, and refuse to believe a certain way.
When you were little you were basically fed the Word and told it was good and right. But you are at a time in your life where you are able to read, understand, study, search out, and pray for understanding for yourself. It is imperative in the world we live in, for you to decide whether you believe the Bible is the truth or whether you will believe everything and anything the world says. It is imperative because it is time for you to make decisions, for you to stand up, for you to be bold, for you to make a difference. Although, I pray your parents are prayerfully making decisions about your education, it is ultimately you, who has to walk the halls of your schools. It is you, who has to interact with people on your sports, and academic teams. It is you, who has to go to art lessons and music practices. It is you, who will visit friends in their homes or have them to yours. Because of this, it is you, who needs to know exactly what you believe and it is you, who will have to stand up for what you believe to be right.
The only one who can be with you at all times is the Holy Spirit. He is there to guide you and comfort you. I urge you, if they don’t already, to ask your parents to pray with you before you go to school each day, before you go to sports or other extra-curricular activities. (For those of you whose parents are not Christians, find a youth leader or a leader in your church or a prayer warrior that you know and ask them to pray for you as you go through your days.)
There are some changes coming about to the Virginia Public Schools this coming year. In Gloucester, students are now permitted to use the restroom based on the gender they identify with, not the gender they were born. In Fairfax, they are now teaching gender identity, and that this evolves throughout your life. I urge you to devour the Word of God on these topics, talk and pray with your parents, if you feel uncomfortable with any changes within the school you attend, encourage your parents to go with you to talk with the school leaders.
Then STAND, stand for what you believe, this doesn’t mean you have to protest, this doesn’t mean you should treat anyone badly. We can conquer all with the LOVE of JESUS. Read the love chapter, 1 Corinthians 13. Then treat everyone with love and let God do the rest. I assure you that as you become more and more aware of who you are, IN CHRIST, (recommend reading “IN CHRIST” by Mark Hankins) you will find it easier to love even the most hateful people. Pray for those people who persecute you, pray for those who make you feel that you are less, because you refuse to do anything contrary to the Word. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abendego, didn’t go and argue with Nebuchadnezzar, they didn’t try to bring harm to him. They also, didn’t let Nebuchadnezzar or those around them, get into their heads and cause them to stress out, or feel anxious. No they just stayed calm, spoke the Word, stood for what they believed, and God showed up.
I remember when I was young, we did a musical at our church about Shadrach, Meshach and Abendego, 2 things I remember was that the guy who played Nebuchadnezzar somehow made his voice so big and so loud it was scary, it made the sanctuary shake! For a little kid that was scary. But the part that has stayed with me all these years is Shadrach, Meshach, and Abendego, went into the furnace in their robes bound and barefoot and when they came out they were in jeans, black shoes, leather jackets, white t-shirts and sunglasses looking like they stepped out of the 50s, because it was “COOL in the Furnace”! They had listened to God, personally stood for what they believed in – God had shown up on their behalf!
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abendego, didn’t let what the rest of the world did make them feel anxious, not worthy, fearful, or hateful. They didn’t try to do things to themselves to make the pain of what they were going through go away. They didn’t try to push their views on others. No they just basically, went to what the Word said, chose to stand by it, respectfully told Nebuchadnezzar, “NOPE. NOT TODAY!” and let God do the rest.
Remember that as you come against these obstacles we are here to pray for you, just go to the GroupMe Krave Youth and type #Nope.NotToday and we will pray. You do not need to say why you are requesting prayer. We will all start to lift you up in prayer asking God to strengthen you. Also, for those who are praying, remember when we pray in the Holy Spirit with tongues, that is the perfect prayer, God knows what they need. If you are not part of the GroupMe Krave Youth be sure to sign up before or after services in the Krave Sanctuary.
Now for some fun, starting with this blog, each week I will be writing a blog to go along with Pastor Dany’s teachings. Each week I will pose a question at the end of the blog. Krave Youth, if you can bring me the correct answers, to each of the questions, before our 4th Sunday Morning service each month, there will be something special in store for you. Each month will be something different. It could be something small, could be something big, something funny or something serious. You have to bring me the answers to find out.
This week’s question: Using the Amplified Bible “Love does not insist on ________” (finish the verse)