This week, I was reading the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Daniel chapter 3.

I came across these two verses, and although I've read them dozens of times, and have heard this story hundreds of times, one particular phrase really stuck out.

Here are the verses that I want to focus on:

Daniel 3
16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.
17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.
18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.

The phrase I want to focus on is found in verse 18: "But if not..."

When you read verses 16 and 17, you see that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are talking directly to the king. They refused to disobey their Lord and bow down before the golden image. They knew that God was mighty, and that He could deliver them from the fiery furnace. Yet, they continued on with "But if not, be it known unto the, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up."

Basically, these 3 men were telling the king, "We know that our God is able to protect us from you, and from the fiery furnace. BUT, even if he chooses not to deliver us from this, we are still going to do what is right in his eyes." Now, I know I'm paraphrasing, but isn't that what you get from the story?

The phrase brings me back to a time in my life when I was so angry at God. My father was sick and dying of a rare cancer. I knew that God had the power to heal my Daddy, and that was all I wanted. I wouldn't consider any other option. I wanted my Daddy strong, healthy, and at home where he belonged - not sick and dying in a hospital bed.

My Daddy, however, never stopped praising the Lord or serving him. Ever. He even wrote a song about how we need to spend more time serving the Lord because we just don't know how much time we have left here on earth. He witnessed to the unsaved that came to visit him, and he never got angry with God.

My Daddy was much like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He knew that God could heal him of his cancer, but even if he didn't, Daddy was still going to serve Him.

Sure, we trust God. We know He is all powerful and can do anything according to his will. But, just how much are we willing to serve Him? If we knew that some harm could come to us, would we still be so willing to give up everything? Would we follow Christ no matter what?

10 years ago, I couldn't say that I would follow Christ no matter what. I became angry with God when He took my Daddy from me. But, now, I see that it was all a part of His perfect plan.

Yet, still, even today, I struggle with this. When bad things happen, I wonder why God allows it. It is a huge downfall of mine, and one that I pray daily that I will overcome. I want to be willing to serve God come sunshine or rain. I want to have the strength and courage that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego possessed. I want to serve God no matter what He decides is best.

What will you decide to do today? Will you trust God to take full control - no matter what? Or will you continue to take matters into your own hands?

While I was gone this weekend, I received several prayer requests that I need to share with you. Please take a few moments to pray for those who have taken the time to send in their request.

• A request from Lori:

My husband has been unemployed for over a year. He got a call back for a welding job and he goes to take his welding test on wed. please pray and agree with us that he will pass his test with a steady hand and not be nervous! also please pray and agree that we have a safe and healthy delivery for our beautiful little girl on the way as well as myself. Thank you. God bless.

• A request from the Black Family:

i am seek out prays for my family we have been having a financial hardship, there are days we do not know if we have enough money to pay bills,feed our kids and then some. with child care being so expensive where we live i have no choice but to stay home, my husband already works 2 jobs and still it seems as just not enough. we have recenlty had a car broke down and family pitch in to buy as a 1985 car that is nice however is a gas gusler! months go where we pay only rent and then put other bills behind. i just ask for prays for strength and wisdom to over come our hardships, look pass our woes and see the light ahead. thank you

• And, lastly, a request from Jeff:

1. my house would sell if that is God's will - i cannot live there as i was driven out by electronic harrassment from the Government. i am told by proffesionals an organization called DARPA.

2. my car would sell if that is God's will, an electronic device was implanted into it which is used to harrass me daily

3. i would be able to find a job

Dear Heavenly Father, I bring these requests before you. You know the needs of the people above, and you have full control over their situations. Times are so difficult for so many right now, Lord, and most days it seems impossible to survive. However, you have promised in your Word that you will supply all of our needs. You care for those who belong to you, and we can trust that you will provide. Comfort these families. Help them to look Up and remember that you are in control and you love them. We ask all this in your name. Amen.

Another Sunday. Another day to set aside and give completely to our Lord and Savior.

Here's the selection I want you to think about today:

Psalms 25

1 Unto thee, O LORD, do I lift up my soul.

2 O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me.

3 Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause.

4 Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths.

5 Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.

Psalms 101:3 - I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes:

I had to do a lot of praying about this lesson. I'm still praying that God uses my words to have me say exactly what HE would want me to say. There are just so many ways that this could go. But my desire is to honor God in everything that's said and done on this blog.

I thought that this verse said it all for this topic. "Wicked thing" doesn't really have to be an object, a person, or a magazine or computer screen. A wicked thing is anything that takes your eyes off of Christ. When our eyes are off of Him, we fall into sin.

There are wicked things all around us. They're going to enter our line of vision, no matter how hard we try to keep them away. The problems arise when we "set" them before our eyes. We allow them to stay there. We dwell on them, keep our focus on them, and forget that God is in control and wants the very best for us.

May we always have the mindset of Psalm 141:8 that says, "But mine eyes are unto thee, O GOD the Lord:"

As parents, we need to remember how many temptations there are for our children and their eyes. TV shows, internet websites, even boyfriends and girlfriends can cause even the strongest child to stumble. Pray daily for your child. Ask God to keep a hedge of protection around them. And let your child know that you love them and you're there for them. Talk to them. Keep the lines of communication open. And watch what you're putting in front of your own eyes. After all, you're the one they're looking up to. What do you want them to see?

If you have a problem with your eyes, and you've noticed a shift in your focus, give it over to the Lord. He can solve any problem. You just have to be willing to really give it up and let Him have control. It will be the best decision you ever made.


(The remainder of the lessons will follow next week. This weekend, I'm taking some time off and focusing on my husband and our marriage.)

For the last few weeks, God has laid a song on my heart. The song is one that you probably sung in Sunday School as a child, or have taught your own children to sing. The song is "Oh Be Careful..." You know the one: "Oh be careful little eyes what you see. Oh be careful little eyes what you see. For the Father up above is looking down with love. Oh be careful little eyes what you see." The song goes on to talk about our ears, our mouth, and our hands.

If you are a fan of Christian Music and have heard of Casting Crowns, they have a song that really hits home and is based off of this children's song.

Take a moment to listen:



Over the next week or so, I want to break up the words of the children's song and touch on each part - our hands, eyes, mouth, and ears.

As parents, we have little eyes that are constantly watching us. We all need a reminder now and then about the basics.

I hope that this short Bible study will be a blessing to you. I'll start with our eyes in tomorrow's lesson. Please join me, and add any comments that you have.

Phil sent me this message, and I wanted to pass it along to all of you:

Please Pray this Prayer as the HOLY SPIRIT leads or Pray over the parts
of this Prayer you agree with....Please pray GOD gives me all the desires
of my heart that are righteous in GODs eyes In JESUS Name...Pray GOD sends
me on the mission He has for me now In JESUS Name...Pray GOD raises me a
mile above Satan and those used by Satan to glorify GOD In JESUS
Name...Pray GOD Blesses me financially now and always In JESUS Name...Pray
GOD heals my body completely In JESUS Name.Pray GOD brings me my soulmate
if its meant for me to be married,if its not meant for me to be married
Pray GOD takes away all desires to be with any woman In JESUS Name

...............
Please give this Prayer Request to your Prayer Warriors,church staff or do whatever you want with this prayer  request...Pray if there are any Demons blocking this Prayer Request,Pray
GOD will remove them from blocking this Prayer Request..Thank You very much.

Dear Lord, I bring this man before you. You are perfect, God, and you have set before each one of us a perfect and holy will. May this man find peace and know that he is following the path you have set before him. Let him live a life that is pleasing to you and you alone. Bless him and keep your hands upon him. Amen.

I received an email from Lora, who recently submitted this prayer request. She is asking for prayer again, and I wanted to share it with you:

I am asking for another prayer.  My 18 y/o son is still making poor choices and struggling with his faith and finances.  I ask that God would show favor upon him and forgive him.  That he would put the Holy Spirit within him and turn his life to Christ.

My husband also continues to struggle with his faith and his relationship with our son.

Please Lord come into our home and take control of it. Help us to open our hearts and minds to your will and be a better Christian family.

Dear Lord, we come to you and ask you to be with this family. Be with this son, Lord. He's so young, and has so much to learn. Help him to understand that he needs his parents and that everything they do for him is out of love. Help the parents to deal with the situation with love and respect. Give them guidance on how to handle the situation. Be with this husband as he struggles with his faith. Help him to step up into a true relationship with you and realize that in order to gain control, he must be willing to give You full control. You can heal this broken family, Lord. Help them to open their minds and hearts to the things you have for them. Your will is perfect, and when we trust you, there is peace. Bless this family. Give them wisdom and strength in all areas. Amen.