KHANDIE'S KORNER - "DECEMBER 21, 2003"

home.gif (910 bytes)

Timely Insights into God's Word from Khandielese Reyes

I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys.This Weeks Message- (scripture taken from King James Version)

"BETTER TO SERVE GOD, NOT MAN"

“Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and accused the Jews.  They spake and said to the king Nebuchadnezzar, O king, live for ever.  Thou, O king, hast made a decree, that every man that shall hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, shall fall down and worship the golden image.  And whoso falleth not down and worshipeth, that he should be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.  There are certain Jews whom thou has set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou has set up.  Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.  Then they brought these men before the king.  Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up?  Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of myhands?  Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.  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.  But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we WILL NOT serve thy gods, NOR worship the golden image which thou has set up.”  (Dan 3:8-18) 

Most every Christian knows of the story of the 3 Hebrew boys: Shadrach, Meschach, and Abednego who were tossed into the fiery furnace by king Nebuchadnezzer and yet who walked away from what should have been a complete disaster, with not a hair on their heads singed nor smelling of smoke!  This message is preached by many Ministers of the Gospel, as a testimony of the young men’s faith in the Lord God.  But, there is an even more powerful message in their testimony, more greater than walking out of the furnace untouched by the flames, one that speaks a lot about their character, their dedication and Love by the choice they made.  That message is, It is “Better to Serve God, NOT man.” 

King Nebuchadnezzar had an image of pure gold made of approximately 90 to 100 feet high, and had commanded ALL that upon hearing the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, they should fall down and worship the golden image, and anyone found not doing so would be cast into the fiery furnace.  Everyone adhered to this command with the exception of three Hebrew men of God who choose to defy king Nebuchadnezzar’s decree, and continued to serve the ONE and ONLY God, The God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob.  When they were brought before the king, they had all opportunity to make excuses to him as to why they refused to “bow the knee” to his gods in hopes of their lives being spared, yet instead they spoke boldly and fearlessly proclaiming: 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.  But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we WILL NOT serve thy gods, NOR worship the golden image which thou has set up.”  Even when facing death, they REFUSED to back down declaring that it is their belief the Lord would deliver them, but EVEN IF HE DIDN’T they would NOT worship nor bow down to king Nebuchadnezzar’s idol!  Their dedication to The Lord was evident by their refusal to submit to any other man made god.  They honored The Lords commandments in which He declared: “Thou shalt have none other gods before me. Thou shalt not make thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in the heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the waters beneath the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them: for I the lord THY God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me, And showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments” (Deut 5:7-10) and because they choose to serve GOD and submit to the commandments of the LORD, and not man, The Lord delivered them from the fiery trial of the furnace.   

How many within the “Church”, (The Body of Christ), would be AS dedicated as these three were?  How many if faced with even death would choose to DIE rather than DENY The Lord?  Many would say “Lord, I would die for you, I would die for my faith” and yet, even Peter spoke these words which he sincerely believed until he was tested by being placed in that very position, thus…He fled and denied ever even knowing The Lord.  Many “professing believers” today have reacted in the same manner as Peter.  Perhaps in a more subtle way, but nonetheless, STILL denial.   In the midst of attempting not to offend the “unbeliever”, or other “faiths”, some Christians have kept their Love for the Lord hidden so as not to appear “pushy”, or labeled “fanatical” by some, rather than share this Love with other’s who’ve as yet have not had opportunity to KNOW the Love of Christ.  But, the Lord has declared to such: “But whosoever shall deny me before men, HIM will I ALSO DENY before my Father which is in heaven.” (Matt 10:33) There have also been many who have kept silent when they should have spoken fearing tainted reputations, loss of job security, and loss of “friends”.  Although their lives may have not been threatened, perhaps jobs, reputations and friends were, thus they’ve CHOSEN to remain silent of their faith believing it to be easier to follow the dictates of man.  They feel that The Lord knows the truth that’s in their hearts and he would understand if they choose not to speak of their faith and love of him to others, for if they do, they may lose everything!  But, the Lord has declared to such: “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow ME.   For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.  For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?  Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matt 16:25-26) Many have said they would not serve idols and yet they are doing this very thing.  For an idol is not just a “graven image” made out of stone, wood, gold or silver, but is ANYTHING or ANYONE that has been placed in a position ABOVE God!  This could be one’s job, wealth, reputation, family, friends, and YES even a ministry!  For if there is ANYTHING in this world that has a greater importance in the heart of a believer over the Lord, this IS an idol!  And the Lord has declared to such who do so: “He that loveth father or mother MORE than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter MORE than me is not worthy of me.  And he that taketh NOT his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.” (Matt 10:37-38) 

Many have heeded to the voice of man rather than God, and have chosen to submit to the word of man rather than the word of God.  For when God speaks, his words are questioned, but when man speaks his words ring truth to the hearer, and are readily received, thus they follow him.  Yet, man does not possess the ability to grant one “Eternal Life”.  Nor, does man have the power to wash and cleanse the sinner of all iniquity and unrighteousness.  ONLY CHRIST JESUS, possess these free gifts offered to ALL who would repent and receive.  Knowing this as TRUTH, knowing who holds the key to eternal life, knowing who freely gives unconditional love to ALL, knowing who loves us MORE than anyone in this world, KNOWING WHO IS COMING AGAIN……It is BETTER TO SERVE GOD, NOT MAN! 

I Love you all so very much.  Have a blessed week in the Lord and remember: Whatever we do, do ALL for the GLORY of GOD, who ALONE is worthy of the GLORY and the PRAISE! 

The Lord be with you this day and always!  Shalom Uvracha (Peace and Blessings)…….. 

Kadosh, Kadosh, Kadosh,
Adonai Elohim Tzeva-ot
Asher Hayah Va-ho-veh VaY’vo 

Holy, Holy, Holy
Lord God Almighty

Who was and is and is to come!

littlerose.gif (186 bytes) Khandieleselittlerose.gif (186 bytes)
Daughter & Servant
   of the Lord God
  rose13.gif (10213 bytes)

Find true peace now.
Find True Peace Now

prayer.gif (3860 bytes)
Need Prayer? Click Here.


CYBER-CHURCH.COM is not responsible for the content of any advertising banners displayed on our Guestbook by Bravenet Web Services or GuestWorld. As a ministry that is in the world but not of the world we ask that you too be understanding if that content is not consistent with our moral standards. If you do see something that interests you and is consistent with your convictions we ask that you consider patronizing that advertiser. Thank you to  Bravenet and GuestWorld for their valuable free services.