<\/p>\n
DO NOT BE FAR BUT FOCUS ON GOD<\/b><\/p>\n
Those that are far from God consciously or unconsciously have taken the way of death. One cannot be far from God and not far from death. To be far from God is not to trust in God.
\nAmong what transpires when one is far from God are:
\nWhen one is far from God, one’s flesh and heart will fail.
\nOne’s feet will stumble and steps will not stand but slip off.
\nOne that is far from God will be envious of the boastful (seeing and paying attention to the prosperity of the wicked)
\nBible points it out in different pages the most glaring identities of the wicked:
\nThe strength of the wicked is firm.
\nThe wicked are not in trouble as other men.
\nThe wicked perverts the way of justice; walks with perverse mouth.
\nPerversity is in the heart of the wicked and the wicked does evil continually.
\nPride is the portion of the wicked and violence serves as the pattern in their walk of life.
\nThe wicked do not acknowledge God but lean on their own understanding.
\nOften the wicked have more than heart could wish; they increase in riches; they grow.
\nThe wicked one is far from God.
\nWickedness is a sin.
\nAre you one that envies sinners?
\nIt is written, “Do not envy sinners, but be zealous for the fear of the Lord all the day.” (Proverbs 23:17)<\/i><\/b>
\nHowever, it is good to draw near to God. One that trusts in God hopes and rests in God.
\nTrusting and hoping in God prompts one to declare the works of God.
\nKnowing to declare the works of God causes man to be decorated with presence of God.
\nTo declare the work of God is to be obedient to God and disobey the gods of this world. The three friends of Daniel (Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego) demonstrated what it means to declare the works of God and be decorated by God. The three friends of Daniel disobeyed King Nebuchadnezzar by not worshiping a gold image. Whoever does not fall down to worship gold image was to be casted into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. Attempts to get them worship did not work and the king questioned: Who is<\/i> the god who will deliver the three friends from his hands?
\nThe three friends of Daniel, in the face of untimely death declare the wonder-working God stating, “…O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If that is the case, 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 be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.” (Daniel 3:16-18)<\/i><\/b> It is impossible to declare the wonder-working God in the face of a challenging confrontation like that of the three friends and not have God decorate the declarer of His wonder-working name.
\nGod decorated the three friends immediately in an uncommon way in the history of creation when He came down to deliver them in the fiery burning furnace. They were highly decorated and the king could not resist from announcing the awesomeness of God.
\nIt happened while they are in the burning furnace that God Himself came down instead of sending an angel for their deliverance. When the king saw the God whom he did not know before, he was astonished and he stated, “Look!” he answered, “I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.”<\/i><\/b>(Daniel 3:25)<\/i><\/b>
\nThe three friends of Daniel, while in captivity, despite their challenging situation consciously took to the way to have life by remaining close to the God of their fathers and they were not far from God. The wicked was not a challenge to them as they remained focused on their God. The three friends of Daniel trusted in God and their hope could not become rusted.
\nThe Bible is written for our learning because God did not speak to waste His word. The same God of yesterday is the same today and forever. Draw nearer to God, ignore the wicked, focus and hold onto God in these days of rising challenges and you will ride above all.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
DO NOT BE FAR BUT FOCUS ON GOD Those that are far from God consciously or unconsciously have taken the way of death. One cannot be far from God and not far from death. To be far from God is not to trust in God. Among what transpires when one is far from God … Continue reading May 2013 Issue<\/span>