“Let it be known to you . . that we are not going to serve your gods.” Daniel 3:18 NASV

Do the right thing without regard to profit or pain.

My thoughts and comments today are, “do the right thing.”

Life presents you with consequential moments of decision. What you decide at such times shapes your life from that day forward. Some decisions are just choices with multiple acceptable options. However, there are matters that draw the line between right and wrong. At the risk of being ludicrous, let me illustrate the difference. What you choose to wear may be only a matter of preference and style, or the lack of it. However, which side of the freeway you decide to drive on will seriously impact the safety of others, and your own. The latter decision is consequential.

Three Hebrews were faced with a life shaping decision. Daniel 3:1-18. By royal command, the King decreed that everyone would bow down before a golden image at his command. To obey the king would desecrate their faith and renounce their God’s command – the first Commandment, “You shall have no other gods before Me . . you shall not bow down to them or serve them.” Exodus 20:3-5 NKJV.

They were captives in a foreign land. In spite of that beginning they had risen to places of privilege and prominence there. Everything they had gained and currently enjoyed would be forfeited. Of even greater gravity, to disobey the king would risk their lives. This was no small matter to the King, nor to them. Choices have consequence, immediate as well as eternal. They could make the right choice when it counted most because they had established a record of doing the right thing. See Daniel 1:3-8 NKJV.

What did they do? More importantly, what would you have done? Thankfully, the Bible records their answer. “Our God, Whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O King, But if not, let it known to you that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the golden image which you have set up.” Daniel 3:18 NKJV. These Hebrews did the right thing; they obeyed God rather than man. See Acts 5:29 NKJV/Proverbs 29:25 NIV.

They could make a right choice because they knew that was the right thing. They knew the right thing in the clutter of conflicting demands and inherent self preservation because they knew their God. Here is the secret to their moral and spiritual strength. They knew God’s ability and power, “Our God . . is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace.” They long before made a non-negotiable commitment, “Our God, Whom we serve . .” But as importantly, they knew God’s character, “He will deliver us from your hand, O King.”

When you are certain about God and your convictions, doing the right thing is simpler. They understood their deliverance from the furnace was not assured, but their deliverance from the King was. They trusted themselves to God’s hand, not the king’s. You can’t really know who you are until you are sure who God is. What is the thing with which you are struggling? Do what’s right.

Moses’ instruction to Israel is wise advice still today, “Listen to the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in His eyes . . Do what is right and good in God’s sight, so that it may be well with you.” Exodus 15:27/Deuteronomy 6:18 NIV. When tempted to do what friends pressure you to do, or what your own desires dictate you do, do what God wants you to do. That’s always the right thing. Doing the right thing is neither convenient nor always spares you hurt. You do the right thing because it is the right thing to do, without regard to profit or pain.

My prayer for you today is that you will never shy from doing what’s right to say or do.

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.” Philippians 4:6 NLT.

Worry is a needless waste of life.

My thoughts and comments today are about “worry.”

When I awakened, I was aware that as I slept my mind had been actively but unsuccessfully trying to figure out situations that are presently of concern. The last couple of days have been unusually demanding, with matters still unresolved, duties and deadlines, and plans and consequential decisions ahead. Just a normal slice of life, really. I had not rested as well as I should have, because my thoughts were churning about solutions that I could not achieve. That’s tiring mentally, emotionally, physically, and often spiritually. That’s needless worry and wasted energy.

In 1988, the most unlikely song became popular, winning a Grammy as #1 pop song of the year; it was a song with a Jamaican sound, Bobby McFerrin’s “Don’t worry; Be happy.” That’s good advice, though not always easy to do. The song was simple, even repetitive, but there was something about its happy rhythm and hope-filled message that captured hearts. Who wouldn’t like to be happy instead of worry?

What worried you a month ago? Can’t remember? Yet whatever occupied your time and thoughts wasted energy you could have used better elsewhere. What worries you right now? Anything you can do about that? Then do that, but if you cannot control or change what worries you, occupy your mental and emotional energy with something more productive.

A more beneficial question may be, “Why am I worried?” Jesus had a lot to say about worry, “So I tell you, don’t worry about every day life . . can all your worries add a single moment to your life? Of course not.” See Matthew 6:25/27. That’s great advice and very rational. Worry is a needless waste of life. Unfortunately, telling yourself or another not to worry doesn’t work very well, does it? So Jesus gives you the reason that all worry is wasted. “Your Heavenly Father already knows your needs, and He will give you all you need from day to day if you live for Him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern. So don’t worry about tomorrow.” Matthew 6:32-34 NLT.

Worry results from allowing tomorrow’s concerns to crowd out your primary concern today - living for God and keeping His Kingdom first. God will take care of your tomorrows, as He does every day. “Worry is interest paid on trouble before it is due.” William R. Inge. What’s the rush?

Worry changes nothing for the better; prayer changes anything! Worried people feel they have to “do something,” even it doesn’t work! Then pray; that works. Here’s what God says you can do about worry, and it does work! “Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again – rejoice . . Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:4/6-7 NLT. Don’t worry; pray! Whatever worries you, put it in God’s hands and rest awhile. See Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT.

My prayer for you today is: direct your energy profitably; never waste it worrying.

“My servant Caleb has a different spirit.” Numbers 14:24 NIV

You won’t make a difference until you are willing to be different for the right reason.

My thoughts and comments today are about being “different by design.”

There is much talk about scientific cloning. Amazingly, scientists have found a way to duplicate an animal exactly. But in a non-scientific way, social cloning has been going on forever. People more comfortable to conform, fitting in with the crowd - accepting every fad and fashion without discernment or discrimination. The Creator went to great effort to make you a unique individual, a wonderful one-of-a-kind design, but “in His image and likeness.” Genesis 1:26-27 NIV.

There are a few who go to the other extreme, and refuse to be like, look like, or act like anyone else, without any idea why they want so badly not to be seen as different. Those folk only succeed in being odd or strange, ignored by some and irrelevant to most. But there are also people who stand out in any crowd for the right reason; they know who they are and to Whom they belong. That makes them wonderfully different from many others for all the right reasons.

Caleb was different from the majority, according to God’s testimony of him. “My servant Caleb has a different spirit.” Numbers 14:24 NIV. He knew the reason he chose to be different. He chose to be God’s servant - to do the will of God whatever others chose to do, to live for something more than the moment, to partner with an almighty God who would do “exceeding abundantly above all that you ask or think.” Ephesians 3:20.

The other ten men of Israel came back from investigating the “Promised Land” and said, “We can’t!” The majority is not always right; popular opinion is not necessarily the best opinion. Caleb and Joshua, willing to be in the minority, said, “With God, we can!” Read Numbers 13-14.

When I was a boy and not very adventurous or determined, my Dad would often answer my excuse that, “I can’t,” with a simple, never changing response, “Can’t never did anything.” And of course, he was right. If you think you can’t, you won’t. And even when you can’t, God can if you are willing to obey Him in what you do.

When God told Joshua that there was a lot of Promised Land that still remained to be possessed, Caleb now 85 years old still had “a different spirit.” Read Joshua 14:6-14. Caleb volunteered to take the mountains where the giants still lived. He could, because he knew His God was able.

How was Caleb’s spirit different from others? The Bible explains the one defining characteristic about Caleb, “He has a different spirit and has followed the Lord fully!” Numbers 14:24/Joshua 14:14. There is no greater confidence builder than to know that you are following the Lord fully.

You can’t help but be different, if you are following the Lord fully. You are probably going in a different direction than the crowd. You have different priorities than others. Your goals are eternal. Your values are righteous. You serve a different Master than do they.

You won’t make a difference until you are willing to be different for the right reason – to be a servant of God! Being different is not your objective; it is just the predictable effect of following God fully. With God, you will go places you never imagined, do things you never thought you would do, and become more than you otherwise would be. Without the Lord Jesus in your everyday life, you are going nowhere but just don’t know that yet.

My prayer for you today is that the difference others see in you is Jesus.

“If the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us?” Judges 6:13 NIV

It is only trust that will lead you to God’s truth.

My thoughts and comments today are, “trust the truth.”

Questions! You will have many of them, and your most frequent question will be, “Why?” Some questions you can answer, but not always get right. You will try to answer others questions, but with little success now; only later they may become clear as you learn to trust God in that moment. It is only trust that will lead you to God’s truth. A teacher educates by presenting truth, then posing relevant problems and asking questions. You learn when you know the right answers.

Questions are unavoidable. So much happens in life that is not easy to understand. Your knowledge and understanding is incomplete, as is mine. None of us know everything. Read 1 Corinthians 13:9-13 NLT. But God knows all things!“ I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure.’” Isaiah 46:9-10.

Gideon struggled with honest questions. Read Judges 6:2-6 NKJV. In what seemed very difficult and unchangeable circumstances, Gideon looked for evidence that God was with him, even asking, “If the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us?” Judges 6:13 NIV. You’ve felt that way; we all have. He assumed that if God were with him there and then, his present circumstance would be better. Gideon’s false assumption caused a perspective too small. Don’t categorize God to fit your circumstance. Gideon’s question misled him to interpret God in light of his own situation, rather than considering the broader context of God’s character and faithfulness forever. When the moment is confusing, the long view of eternity is better.

One practical thing about questions, learn to ask questions that best lead you to truth. I have found that there are questions, profitable and unprofitable. “Why?” may well be the least productive one. First, you probably won’t figure that out most of the time, so it is just wasted emotion. Secondly, the answer won’t change what happened, nor make you feel better about it.

I have found it more useful to ask, “What now?” Here are some questions that I have found helpful: What can I learn from this experience? What is God doing or saying to me right now? How can I respond that most honors God, and reflects my trust and faith in Him? Those kinds of questions help you to trust God and will ultimately lead you to truth – God’s truth. When you don’t know the right answer, you can still do the right thing.

The Apostle Paul wrote, “And this small and temporary trouble we suffer will bring us a tremendous and eternal glory, much greater than the trouble. For we fix our attention, not on things that are seen, but on things that are unseen. What can be seen lasts only for a time, but what cannot be seen lasts forever.” 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 TEV. Are you willing to trust the truth? Here is the Bible’s wise counsel, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.” Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT. It really is this simple. “Trust in the Lord . . delight in the Lord . . commit your way unto the Lord . . rest in the Lord.” Psalm 37:3-8 NKJV.

My prayer for you today is: trust the truth as found in God’s character and Word.

“Outside were conflicts, insider were fears. Nevertheless, God . . ” 2 Corinthians 7:5 NKJV

Successful people study possibilities, then strategize ways to succeed.

My thoughts and comments today are about “problem solving.”

A lot of success in life begins with your perspective. Do you look at a problem and decide that you can’t solve it? Or do you look at the problem but see the possibilities, however remote they appear, and determine maybe you can? Some people just naturally focus on problems and choose an easier way; successful people study the possibilities and strategize ways to succeed. Every problem you face will be accompanied by voices that suggest you are not able. Sometimes that is the voice of others; other times, it may be your own. Paul described such an occasion, “We were troubled on every side. Outside were conflicts, inside were fears. Nevertheless, God . .” 2 Corinthians 7:5-6 NKJV. Your problem is bigger than you thought if you do not include God.

David was crowned as King over Judah, the two southern tribes of Israel. Then he was recognized as King over the northern ten tribes of Israel. King David was faced with a seemingly impossible problem. Read 2 Samuel 5:1-10 NKJV. An old enemy inhabited a fortress that was critical to his occupying Jerusalem, the capital of the nation. The Jebusites who occupied Zion were confident that their fortified walls were impenetrable. They taunted David and his soldiers, “You’ll never get in here. Even the blind and lame could keep you out.” The walls were high, the enemy powerful, and their voices intimidating. This stronghold was a problem.

David looked at the problem honestly, and then studied the possibilities. Every problem can hold a possibility, but every possibility also has a problem that you must face, solve, and overcome. You can do that if you will. Rather than attacking the walls that were strong and heavily guarded, he discovered that his soldiers could enter the city through the water tunnel and overcome its defenders. He faced the facts that were daunting, but found truth that was empowering. “Nevertheless, David took the stronghold of Zion!” 2 Samuel 5:7 NIV. Where others saw walls to keep them out; David saw tunnels to let them in. That’s problem solving at its best.

In his campaign for the presidency in 1968, Senator Robert Kennedy, adapted a quote from George Bernard Shaw (1925 Nobel Prize for Literature), “There are those who look at things the way they are and ask, ‘why?’ I dream of things that never were and ask, ‘why not?’” That’s problem solving. Perspective is either your problem, or where you will find your possibility. See Mark 10:27 NLT. Looking at the same thing in the same way brings you to the same conclusion. Perspective lets you see what was unseen and believe for what was not previously considered. I appreciate this definition of Godly wisdom: “the ability to see your situation from God’s eternal perspective.” What changes could you expect in everyday life if you did that?

What is the problem you face today? What is the stronghold that blocks your achievement – a losing battle with an old habit – a lack of resource – your limited ability – brooding anger – fearfulness – little faith – personal failure? Your God is stronger than every enemy, knows the way through every obstacle, and possesses every resource you will need. Paul’s confidence can be yours, “We use God’s mighty weapons . . to knock down the devil’s strongholds.” 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 NLT. Use your head sensibly, but always listen to God in your heart as well.

My prayer for you today is that you look for God’s possibilities in any problem you confront.