Scripture: Matthew 14.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

9 Then the king regretted what he had said; but because of the vow he had made in front of his guests, he issued the necessary orders. Matt 14:9 (NLT)

APPLICATION
(How Can I apply what God is saying here to my circumstances today?)

We must be extremely careful what we say under the pressure of a crowd. We must take a stand for what we believe and then act in accordance with that, no matter who may be in our presence. In the excitement of a dance performed by Herodias’s daughter, Herod promised her anything she wanted, and he promised this in the presence of all those around him. He was forced to follow through with her request for the head of John the Baptist. I believe that folk around us will respect us all the more for taking a stand for something they have seen us believe in over time, and not cave in because of the moment or because of who may be in our presence. As we take a stand for Jesus in our everyday lives, we will be faced with decisions that will dictate us responding as Jesus would of, or whether we respond as the crowd wants. Quite often the two decisions can be very different. As followers of Christ we must depend on His power daily to help us be representatives of His in all our decisions, all our actions, all the words that blurt out of our mouths. The lost are paying close attention to determine if they can trust us in representing Christ in ALL that we do and say. Who are you representing today?

PRAYER
(With God’s help, what am I going to do differently today because He said it?)

Father I ask for strength today and everyday to help me represent You well to a lost and dying world. There will be many that cross my path today that will not know You personally. May they see Christ in my actions, through the words that I speak, through my mannerisms and may I be consistent and unwavering in my belief, regardless of whose presence I may be in. May I be a vessel that You can work through today to reach the lost and/or bless Your people.