Read Daniel 3:26-30
“Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, and spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come hither. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, came forth of the midst of the fire” (v. 26).
What a wonderful testimony of the power of God! The deliverance of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego must have greatly encouraged the faithful Jews and brought conviction to those who were compromising their faith.
Life may be fairly safe and comfortable where you and I are living today, but in many parts of the world God’s people are paying a high price to maintain their testimony and their separation from the world. As we move toward the end of the age, the furnace of opposition will be heated hotter and hotter, and the pressure to conform will become stronger and stronger. It will take a great deal of grace, prayer, courage, and faith for the holy people of God to stand tall for holiness, while others are bowing the knee to the gods of this world.
Revelation 13 and 14 tell of a day when those who refuse to obey the godless leader will not even be allowed to buy and sell the basic necessities of life. May God help us to be faithful to the end and keep our trust in the God of deliverance. (Marshall Mosley)
Trust in God’s power to deliver you!
This week’s featured devotional is the Thursday, May 1, 2014 entry of Opening the Word. Order your copy!
Photo credit: "flaming gold" by palo used under CC BY 2.0 / Resized and cropped.

Read Psalm 85:1-13
“Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?” (v. 6).
The familiar hymn by William P. Mackay had three verses of praise to God before this plea from Psalm 85:6: “Revive us again.” This is a good way to begin seeking revival. Give thanks for all God has done. Then begin considering what we believers should do to promote revival.
Four potted plants may serve to illustrate the likeness between plants and the Christian walk. One was healthy and growing. One was very droopy. One was not the right shade of green. One was too small and spindly and had grass growing in the soil. The learners observed that water, sunlight, and plant food were all needed for healthy plants. Grass should be removed. When all that is done, healthy plants grow and become stronger.
Christians should be growing in grace and becoming stronger in faith. God increases our capacity to be like Him, and to influence others for good as we grow. In order to grow we need:
Prayer -- Constantly keep in touch with God and pray specifically for revival and the needs of the local church.
Bible study -- Feed on God’s Word.
Walking in the light -- Be totally obedient to the known will of God.
Getting rid of the weeds -- Receive God’s grace to remove addictions
and bad habits.
Thanksgiving and praise to God -- Appreciate Him! (SSC)
“Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you” (Jas. 4:8).
This week’s featured devotional is the Friday, April 25, 2014 entry of Opening the Word. Order your copy!
Photo credit: "Hiking boot plant pots" by Bods used under CC BY 2.0 / Resized and cropped.

Read Acts 13:26-33
“But God raised him from the dead” (v. 30).
An interesting history surrounds the grave of Abraham Lincoln. In 1876 thieves exhumed the casket in an attempt to steal his body for ransom. The plot was foiled when the thieves were unable to manage the 500 pound, lead-lined cedar coffin. Later in 1901 it was exhumed again to be moved into the reconstructed Lincoln Tomb. Under the supervision of Robert Todd Lincoln, re-interment took place as twenty-three people observed. Those present were afraid the rumors of the theft of Lincoln’s body might be true. It was decided that the coffin should be opened to assure that he was still present. Fleetwood Lindley (1887-1963), a young boy of fourteen who was present, was interviewed shortly before his death. He confirmed that Lincoln was perfectly recognizable more than thirty years after his death.
There were rumors surrounding the death of Jesus Christ as well. These rumors were shattered as people witnessed that they had seen Jesus. Individual accounts could be discarded, but when groups of people, and even more than 500 on one occasion, stated that they had seen him, skeptics had to wrestle with the possibility of the resurrection of our Lord. Lincoln was still in his grave. He can no longer make a proclamation to free people from slavery. Our Lord, however, continues to free people from the slavery of sin every day, because He lives! (Gayle Woods)
Because He is alive, our Lord continues to free people from the slavery of sin every day!
This week’s featured devotional is the Monday, April 14, 2014 entry of Opening the Word. Order your copy!
Photo credit: "Abraham Lincoln memorial" by Gage Skidmore used under CC BY 2.0 / Resized and cropped.

Read 1 Corinthians 3:1-9
“For we are laborers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building” (v. 9).
Here is hope for the discouraged Sunday school teacher, the pastor questioning his calling, the weary and disillusioned missionary. There is encouragement and, yes, strength for the believer struggling to faithfully share his faith and live a Spirit-controlled life in the home, on the job, and in the neighborhood.
It is a glorious privilege to labor together with God while He is at work both in us and through us. We are enabled to share His truth with those we could never reach in our own efforts; using ways we could not accomplish except for Him. To work with God we must lay aside the “I’ll do this my way” attitude. There is no room for self-exaltation, promotion, or a spirit of independence, nor for putting forth minimal effort or doing less than our best. Exhaustion and frustration come quickly when we work for God rather than with Him. Paul exemplified this delicate balance in his life and ministry. Paul gave all of himself to God’s work but did not minister in his own strength or wisdom, nor put undue emphasis on his unworthiness and thorn in the flesh. Paul allowed the sovereign God to orchestrate the timing, places, means, and results of his ministry. (LeeAnn Davison, Free-lance writer, Norwood, Ohio)
God uses man; we do not work alone!
This week's featured devotional is the Wednesday, April 9, 2014 entry of Opening the Word. Order your copy!
Photo Credit: "Sunrise in Geneva" by Patrick Nouhailler used under CC BY 2.0 / Cropped.