“And some of the wise will fall victim to persecution. In this way they will be refined and cleansed and made pure until the time of the end. For the appointed time is yet to come.” Daniel 11:35 Strange verse for a meditation you may say, but let us consider. Daniel is hearing these words as he learns about the end times. Yes persecution happens, even if you live right and do good. Some would have you believe that God … Continue reading →
“I prayed to the Lord my God and confessed. O Lord, you are a great and awesome God. You always fulfill your covenant and keep your promises to those who love you and obey your commands.” Daniel 9:4 Recognition of the one being spoken to is important. Maybe you have never thought about it, but we tend to do this in other human situations as well. You introduce a guest speaker by sharing some amazing thing he has done. In … Continue reading →
“You were dead because of your sins and because your sin nature had not yet been cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross.” Col. 2:13-14 An old old hymn comes to mind. “At the cross, at the cross, where I first saw the light and the burdens of my heart rolled away. It … Continue reading →
“Behold God is my help. The Lord is the upholder of my life.” – Psalm 54:4 Sometimes I just need to focus. Have you been there? A crisis comes unexpectedly and I get in react mode rather than to think rationally. This morning the phone rang and yes it was an emergency. I was sleeping real good, so I let the person call back several times before I finally answered. Time for mom mode to kick in, but I felt … Continue reading →
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea.” Psalm 46:1-2 How can we defeat fear? Yes faith is the key to defeating fear. Because God is a very present help in times of trouble we need not fear. In my head I see a scene from a movie. A building is burning. People find themselves … Continue reading →
“Yet what we suffer now is nothing when compared to the glory he will reveal to us later.” Romans 8:18 Labor pains, we women who have had children can remember them. In the moment we are suffering we may be thinking it sure would be nice if men had to suffer like that. Funny thing though, that once the baby is in our arms the pain is forgotten. How strange that such a painful period of time just fades away … Continue reading →
“We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also aught to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need, but shows no compassion, how can God’s love be in that person? Dear children, let us not merely say that we love each other. Let us show the truth by our actions.” – 1John 3:16-18 In … Continue reading →
“Blessed are those who fear to do wrong, but the stubborn are headed for serious trouble.” – Proverbs 28:14 Have you ever known someone who insists on doing what both you and they know to be wrong? The boss says you can’t go out to lunch because he needs something done that really matters, yet you leave for lunch? You know you struggle with strong drink, yet you say, “just one won’t hurt me,” even knowing that one will lead … Continue reading →
“Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart.” – Psalm 119:2 Good morning brothers and sisters. I read our verse and think of a hero. What does someone do with a hero? In my head I see a child who has a hero. Just for an example let us say this child is a young lad who loves baseball. Since I am a Reds fan the lad will be too. On the team is a … Continue reading →
“If we are thrown into the blazing furnace the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power your majesty. But even if he doesn’t, your majesty, we want to make it clear to you that we will never serve your gods or worship the statue you have set up.” Daniel 3:17-18 Most would serve a god who always answered prayers with a yes, but what if he said no? Faced with death … Continue reading →
Are you involved with a church and want a good ministry idea? Then listen up because I have an idea and want it to happen, but right now I could only help with information. Let the love of Christ shine. When someone gets diagnosed with Covid, they are told to stay home and not associate with anyone. That creates a problem, especially if you are low income and don’t have what you need on hand. Oftentimes the person required to … Continue reading →
The words of King Darius: “He rescues people and sets them free by working great miracles. Daniel’s God has rescued him from the power of the lions.” Daniel 6:27 CEV What a testimony! King Darius has seen the power of God and shares what he now knows with his people. Oh what a beautiful morning in his kingdom. But wait. What did it take for Darius to come to this point? Just a few days ago he was willing to … Continue reading →
“Then the king gave orders to arrest the men who had maliciously accused Daniel. He had them thrown into the lion’s den along with their wives and children. The lions leaped on them and tore them apart event before they hit the floor of the den.” Daniel 6:24 When you set a trap for others it might well be used to trap you. Such was the case with those who tried to get rid of Daniel. Over and over in … Continue reading →
“The king was overjoyed and ordered that Daniel be lifted from the den. Not a scratch was found on him for he had trusted in his God.” Daniel 6:23 Yes the impossible can happen. Daniel did not have a mark on him and yet he spent the night with lions. He paid a visit to the home of the lions and did not become the main course. His trust in the Lord was well placed. Yesterday we looked at Darius. … Continue reading →
“When Darius got there he cried out in anguish, Daniel, servant of the living God whom you serve so faithfully, was your God able to save you from the lions? Daniel answered, long live the king. My God sent his angel to shut the lions’ mouths so that they would not hurt me, for I have been found innocent in his sight and I have not wronged you your majesty.” Daniel 6:20-22 Daniel lives! Can’t you just see the relief … Continue reading →
