In Daniel the 1st chapter we are introduced to three companions of Daniel: Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego. These were not their real names. These were names given to them when they were put under Babylonian captivity. Their free Hebrew names were Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. Because they knew they were free to worship God, they would not bow to an idol that was made in the likeness of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. Because they would not bow, they were ordered to be burned in a fiery furnace. But in spite of the threats made, they still would not bow their knee to an idol. Their faith is an excellent example of people who have faith in the face of fire. Life circumstances can sometimes try to persuade us to give in to the idols set before us. Alcoholism, drug addiction are just some of the idols offered to many to keep them from worshipping God with their lives. But God gives us the grace to get through the struggles of life without giving in to anything that tries to take the place of our commitment to our God. What a wonderful example we have in the lives of these three young men who would not bow their knee in the face of fire!

Before the conquest of Jericho in Joshua 6, God had miraculously provided manna to the hungry Israelites during their forty years in the wilderness. After crossing over into the Promised Land, the manna had stopped and God had encouraged Israel to begin to plant seed. The seed planted, represented an ownership of the Promised Land through sowing and reaping that would bless the nation of Israel and teach them a Godly principle of living in the blessing of God. When you sow, you can reap a harvest. God wants His people to have a blessed harvest in their lives. Harvest blessing comes when you are in a position to plant seed. Instead of being spoon fed with manna, the Israelites were now learning to be sustained by living in the blessing of harvest. Manna is given when you’re in the wilderness; but sowing and reaping happens when you move into your Promise Land! You can pray for the blessing or live in the blessing.

Romans 12:2 - “And be not conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.” The renewing of the mind is when your mind takes on new ideals and new attitudes. It is becoming a radical thinker that is not conformed to the status quo, but is always looking for the good and acceptable and perfect will of God. What is a “radical” Christian? A radical Christian is one who stands out from the world. Jesus was considered radical by the religious community because He was different in the way He thought about God. Some may see us as radical because we don’t think of God in terms of religion, but in relationship. There are four areas we must become radical in if we are to be different from regular religion. 1. Become radical in prayer. 2. Become a light in the darkness. 3. Become a believer of faith and action. 4. Be committed to the things of God. God is not looking for the regular, He is looking for the radical! Let’s make a difference in the world!!

There is a book entitled, “What Men Know About Women.” It’s pages are all blank! Most men don’t know too much about their wife's reasoning or needs. Some men have said, “I’ll never be able to understand women.” Yet the Apostle Peter said in I Peter 3:7, “Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them (your wives) according to knowledge, giving honor to the wife...” The Bible says we should have knowledge as husbands on how to know and understand our wife. According to Ephesians 5:25, the husband’s primary responsibility toward his wife is to love her. “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the Church and gave Himself for it.” The kind of love Christ gave to the Church was a word in the Greek called “agape.” “Agape” love means a love that is of the highest level. It gets nothing in return and seeks only the good for the one loved regardless of the personal cost or sacrifice. This gives an entirely new meaning to the misunderstood role of the husband being the “head” of the household. Sir, you are not your wife’s boss...you are her example through love. There is alot to learn about what a husband needs to know about his wife, and in return please God through our actions as Godly husbands.

The Super Bowl is always a game that brings out the best of the best in football. Whoever wins, the important thing is, that each player on both teams must know their position and how to make the plays in order to be effective. Players go by a playbook that gives them the positions they will play. In Christ we have all been given positions, ministries, gifts and talents that make up our calling in God. If we are to win, then we must go by God’s playbook. The dynamic of God is that He is always at work in our lives to carry out His will for His Kingdom. We must find out what God’s plan is and follow it in order to be effective in the winning of souls. We are told in Philippians 4:13, that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. His strength comes when we follow His game plan. WE WERE WON TO WIN! Christ won us through His blood so that we could win others. Let’s get in the game and do things God’s way. Every victory is a touchdown for Him! We are in God’s Super bowl, Let’s WIN!