~ Alyson Kieda- When two firefighters, weary and sooty, stopped at a restaurant for breakfast, the waitress recognized the men from the news and realized they'd spent the night battling a warehouse fire.
To show her appreciation, she wrote a note on their bill, "Your breakfast is on me today. Thank you . . . for serving others and for running into the places everyone else runs away from . . . Fueled by fire and driven by courage, what an example you are." (Google image, Fire fighters.) [video of great response for her kindness]
In the Old Testament, we see an example of courage in the actions of three young men: Shadrach, Meshack, and Abednego (Daniel 3). Instead of obeying the mandate to bow down to a statue of the Babylonian king, these young men courageously showed their love for God through their refusal.
Their penalty was to be thrown into a blazing furnace. Yet the men didn't back down: "If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty's hand. But even if he does not . . . we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold" (vv. 17-18).
God did rescue them and even walked with them in the fire (vv. 25-27). In our fiery trials and troubles today, we too have the assurance that God is with us. He is able.
[Taken from Our Daily Bread Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved. www.odb.org] [5/4/21]
Our Prayer today by- Kelly Balaire, Letting Go to God
"Father, I love you. I thank you that you have good things for me. Forgive me for carrying what you want to help me with. Forgive me for doing things on my own. Forgive me for forging my own way. Today, I admit that I don’t always know my way. I often take things into my own hands. Will you forgive me for that too?
I love you so much. I want to truly follow Jesus and to be led by the Holy Spirit. Please teach me and lead me in that way. Please give me all the grace I need today to connect with you and to lean on you, in trust. I really do trust you with all my heart, soul, mind and strength. Thank you for all you do for me. Your ways are my best ways. In Jesus’ name. Amen."
Josh Card's message on Stories and Bricks Excellent! Our dealing with our past "bricks" of anger, hurt and resentment, can bring release and freedom to accomplish great things for the kingdom.
Our Ambassador to Israel, Michael David Evens' comments:
"Even when things seem to be impossible, God is able to work miracles. He is faithful to deliver those who put their trust in Him—even if it takes angels to do the job."
Daniel 6:19-22 "The king—cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spoke and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom you serve continually, able to deliver you from the lions? Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever. My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me."
~ We can believe that the Lord watches over each of us, and that He is determined to keep us from evil. His plans for us are good, and He is well able to help us be established in the way we should go, doing His will for us.
Today's guest post:
3 Questions to Ask if You Doubt Your Salvation
Reverend Kyle Norman- "We all want to be forgiven. More importantly, we want to know that we are forgiven – not just of our past sins, but of our future sins as well. As we go through the messiness of life, we desire an assurance that we have been redeemed from every imperfection and fault. Furthermore, when it comes to the matter of eternity, who does not want to know that they are on the side of everlasting life? Assurance of salvation is one of the deepest longings of our hearts."
The North Country Christian Fellowship Center Churches,
located in the St. Lawrence county of NY,
broadcast their Sunday services at 10 or 10:15
You can view past services too.
Sermon listing: https://www.
Other messages can be found on the MISC link.
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