This is “the way”.

Do you seek promotion with God?

 Daniel made a request of the king, and he appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego over the affairs of the province of Babylon. But Daniel remained at the king’s court. Daniel 2:49

Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the province of Babylon. Daniel 3:30

What events happened between those two verses?

The way up in the Kingdom… is the way through… (total loss – total surrender) death.

God only trusts ‘dead’ men.

You never totally know God is all you need – until He is the only Person / thing you’ve got.

He answered and said, “But I see four men unbound, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods.” Daniel 3:25

Are you ready for the tests that promotion in the Kingdom requires?

How much of what you do is done from selfish pursuits? How much of what you do is by your own strength? How much fear, doubt, and stubbornness remains within you?

Are you ready to step into an all-consuming fire?

What is the Holy Spirit asking you to give up right now? What path has He had you on? One of self-denial? Is He asking you to strip away your ‘old’ self … by giving away things that you think you need? Is He leading you into difficult steps … for your ‘old’ self?

Who’s life are you living?

Can you in ALL honesty before God …  say as Paul said?

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Philippians 1:21

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. Galatians 2:20

Do your traditions and worldly education hinder your faith, belief, and walk with God? Do they run counter to what the Holy Spirit is trying to teach you, and the path you are to walk with Him? Our expectations and views of God often are so infantile in His sight, yet He still loves us, just as parents love their new born child. BUT… if you want promotion with God – then you must give up your childish ways.

God loves the ekklesia SO much that He is willing to cleanse, correct, discipline, and redirect their traditions and selfish ways. Our ‘institutional Church systems’, liturgies (orders of service), and traditions often hinder and compromise our walk with Him. Our stubbornness, fear, doubt, pride, lust (greed), and self-preservation pervert the path we are to walk with Him.

How much did Jesus change the ‘ways’ of the Pharisees that they were absolutely sure were correct and “righteous”? Even the first century ekklesia / Church had difficulty with liturgies, and wolves, and hirelings, and traditions, how are we any different after 1,900 years? Is our “religious” class (spiritual leadership) now any better than then?

Why do you think we are better now? Because of our bigger nicer buildings, facilities, and grounds? Because of the bigger “Church” staffs? Because we can do nicer more exciting Church “services”, with lights, and sound, and darkened auditoriums?

Or is He just looking for our … real heart?

Are you ready to step into the fire… for Him? No matter what happens and the cost it will require … even and up to your death?

TC2.