Draw a line in the sand!

I went to a youth conference a few days ago and heard a message that I wanted to pass along as we get ready to go into a new year. As followers of Jesus it's time if you aren't already to make a stand for our God! Thus the statement "draw a line in the sand". This means I will not cross what boundaries God has set for me and I have set for myself. If I may, let me give you a few pointers:

1. Line of conviction: As a follower of Christ, I have convictions and standards I will not cross....period! God has given us a guide book and expects us to follow it. Are we? Here is an example in the bible:

King Nebuchadnezzar commanded all to bow down to a statue to worship it. Everyone obeyed but three men:

Daniel 3:16-17

16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. 17 If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king.

They had a line of conviction, even in the face of death! Don't cross the line drawn in the sand!

2. Line of association: It is no great revelation that the people you hang out with is who you become! This may be the time to adjust your friend list! The list of men in the last verse stood strong together. The bible says:

Proverbs 27:17 

Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.

While we are to try and win the lost we are to be very careful whom we spend great amounts of time with so we are not drawn into the ways of the world!

3. Line of confidence: Do you have confidence in your God? Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego did! "Our God is able to deliver"!!!! Oh yes He is!!! Here is another verse to grab on to:

Romans 8:31

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

We got God on our side!

So with a new year upon us...draw a line of conviction, draw a line of association, draw a line of confidence, and don't cross them!

Have a blessed new year and may we stand for KING JESUS!

Tom