As we pick up in our series Portal, Pastor Paul reminds us as we continue to look at God’s story within the Bible it’s real-life accounts of man and God’s interaction that we find, not just the fun children’s tales. But it’s stories where we examine human weaknesses, failures, and successes that bear personal relevance for us now. We travel through the portal to see the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—three faithful men we find amidst the chaos of Babylonian exile. Everything seeks to strip these men of their identity in God from their new names, diets, and command to worship an idol “when the music plays”. Paul challenges us to think critically, how often do people today ourselves included bow to the “image” of culture, media narrative, social demand, success “when the music plays”. He encourages us to have a prevenient resolve—a prepared mindset formed ahead of time to face future temptation or trials, rather than making decisions in the moment under pressure. What moments do we bow to? Paul invites us to have a made-up mind to choose God instead of the ever-playing “music” of culture and temptation.

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