Vineyard Church | Weekly Update October 29th, 2025

Every generation faces its own furnace. In Babylon, it roared with flames. In our world, it hums quietly through pressure, pace, and the pull into conformity.

The command hasn’t changed much: “When the music plays, bow.” Bow to comfort. Bow to control. Bow to the small gods that promise peace if you’ll just stop standing out.

The story in Daniel 3 reminds us that God still meets His people in the fire. The furnace was supposed to destroy Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, but it became the place they met the One who would not abandon them. The fourth figure in the fire still walks with us when the heat turns up.

Sometimes we ask God to take away the fire, but He’s more interested in revealing His presence inside it. Faith isn’t the absence of fear, it’s allegiance that outlasts it. As Bonhoeffer said, “Faith is only real when there is obedience, never without it.”

John Wimber reminded us, “Faith is spelled R-I-S-K.” It’s the quiet courage to say, “Even if He does not, we will not bow.”

Here’s what that might look like for you this week:

• In your workplace: choosing integrity over advancement.
• In relationships: choosing service over being served.
• In your thoughts: choosing worship over worry.

The idols of our age don’t wear gold; they wear comfort and control. But they burn just as hot when we let them take God’s place.

When Jesus stood before Pilate, He didn’t fight for power; He bore witness to truth. He showed us what it means to stand firm in a kingdom not of this world. As we move through this week, let's take a moment to ask:

Where am I tempted to bow when Jesus is calling me to stand?

The King who confronts idols is not far from the fire. He’s already there, waiting, steady, unshaken. Let's stand together, I'll see you on Sunday!

Adam Greenwell
Lead Pastor
Vineyard Church
www.billingsvineyard.org