2/10/2010

We have been going through the book of Daniel in the last couple of weeks.  We have seen how Daniel has been living in Babylonian captivity (Babylon is not just a place--but a pagan, secular culture, mixed religions---sort-of like the world system today).  Daniel refused to eat the choice food of the king and he ended up being a great witness because he looked 10 times better than the rest that ate the kings food. 

In the eastern culture, to eat someone elses food choice is to "shake hands"--sign of friendship.  Daniel refused to be friends with the world.  He RESOLVED not to allow the world to defile him or corrupt him. 

Our teens need to resolve daily not to join in on the world and allow it to defile them.  We need to be THERMOSTATS not THERMOMETERS.  Being a thermometer--you are allowing the culture to warm you up or cool you down.  A thermostat sets the temperature and changes the atmosphere! 

I went to Daytona Beach college yesterday for a career fair (we know the provost and he is a Christian).  We asked if we could use a table and network--trying to find volunteers for our youth ministry.  Well of course it was awkward that we were the only "Christian" table amongst all the businesses.   But we resolved and changed the atmosphere.

People both came to us and we went to others and shared the Gospel with them.  One interesting thing was that even though I had a headache--the gospel was still powerful.....it is like a grenade...pull the pin and it will do the work.  The power of the gospel message.  Also I said to one of the students....I can give you a million dollars, but I can't give you peace of God and assuarance of salvation---only comes through a relatiosnhip with Jesus.