The Prophet Daniel

As a young teenager, Daniel was taken into captivity to Babylon.

According to Jeremiah 25:1-14 and 2 Chronicles 36:14-21, the Southern Kingdom (Judah) would be punished (captivity) as a nation for their rebellion against God.

Captivity brought changes for everyone, including young Daniel:
  Strange location (Jerusalem to Babylon),
  Strange food (the King’s food which probably had been offered first to the idols),
  Strange names (Daniel “God is my judge” to Belteshazzar “Bel’s prince”)

Daniel and three friends made a dietary commitment to God to remain “undefiled.” The results were “supernatural”

God had caused the official to show favor and sympathy to Daniel…” (Daniel 1:9)

To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning…” (Daniel 1:17a)

In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he (King Nebuchadnezzar) found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom.” (Daniel 1:20)

 True wisdom comes from God…

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
all who follow His precepts have good understanding.
To Him belongs eternal praise.” (Psalm 111:10)

Daniel experienced God’s blessings, His faithfulness and His fulfilled promise. He lived to see the end of the seventy years of captivity.

We would be wise to commit ourselves to God!

 

A Tribute to a brother in Christ

Friday night a friend of mine was killed in an accident. An old man, which I hope to be someday, ran a stop sign and my friend “t-boned” him. My wife and I (along with others) tried to provide comfort for the family and expect to be involved in the funeral preparations today. 

Many of you may identify, somewhat, with the emotions and fears of this man’s newly widowed wife, his sons and daughters (5 children and 2 grandchildren with 2 more on the way).

Jose had some verses (in Spanish) on a sheet of paper next to the door frame in his kitchen as well as a paraphrase of the “Apostles Creed”:

Psalms 119:11 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.

1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

John 14:6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

I believe in God the Father, Almighty, maker of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son, our Lord; who was crucified, dead and buried; rose again on the third day; and sits at the right hand of God the Father; from there He will judge the living and the dead. I believe in the church, the communion of saints, the resurrection of the body and life everlasting.”

The first time we met Jose he told us of his love for Jesus Christ! He is my “brother” and I shall see him again.

Blessings to you all!

 

Four Categories for Spiritual “Planning”

On my Social Security earnings statement I was amused to see encouragement for us to learn the basics of financial management. The government set up a website  to help us. A link will take you to another site for further savings advice (pg 7):

When it comes to finances, people generally fall into the following groups. Where do you fit in?

Planners control their financial affairs. They budget to save.

Strugglers have trouble keeping their heads above rough financial waters. They find it difficult to budget to save.

Deniers refuse to see that they’re in financial trouble. So they don’t see a need to budget to save.

Impulsives seek immediate gratification. They spend today and let tomorrow take care of itself. They couldn’t care less about budgeting to save.”

People fall into similar categories when it comes to Spiritual planning. Jesus said,

I am the way and the truth and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through me.”
(John 14:6)

Planners consider truth and life. They seek a future.

Strugglers have trouble believing there is truth and life – or a future.

Deniers refuse to see that they’re in trouble. So they don’t see their need… They don’t realize they’ve “missed the mark.”

Impulsives seek immediate gratification. They live for today and let tomorrow take care of itself. They couldn’t care less about their future.

Which category describes you?

Do not let your heart envy sinners,
but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord.

There is surely a future hope for you,
and your hope will not be cut off.”
(Proverbs 23:17-18)

Blessings in Christ!

 

Proverbs Insight…

Proverbs 30 opens with a new author, “Agur, son of Jakeh.” It’s of interest that after the wisdom of Solomon, Agur writes (verse 2),

I am the most ignorant of men; I do not have a man’s understanding.”

 

Agur goes on (verses 3-4) to ask a series of interesting questions about the “Holy One.”

Who has gone up to heaven and come down?
Who has gathered up the wind in the hollow of His hands?
Who has wrapped up the waters in His cloak?
Who has established all the ends of the earth?
What is His name, and the name of His son?
Tell me if you know!

Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Agur asked for the name of the Son of the Holy One!

His name is Jesus!

 

Gossip…

Almost 3000 years ago Solomon made observations about life. His wisdom is as insightful today as it was to the people of his day. Here are a few of his observations (Proverbs 26:21-22) about GOSSIP…

Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down.

As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strive.

The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a man’s inmost parts.

Consider the relationship of the character traits of “gossip” and “quarrelsome.” They seem to go together with the person who lacks integrity.

 

A touch of nature…

Yesterday morning’s fog made it difficult to drive. When the sun finally burned off the haze the view was inspirational.

Praise the Lord from the earth… lightning and hail, snow and clouds, stormy winds that do His bidding… kings of the earth and all nations, you princes and all rulers on earth, young men and children. Let them praise the name of the Lord, for His name alone is exalted; His splendor is above the earth and the heavens.   Psalm 148: 7a,8,11-13

 

True Virtue…

True virtue in the Christian life is not “polishing” human qualities, no matter how fine they may be, but producing divine qualities that make the person more Like Jesus Christ. (from The Bible Exposition Commentary. Copyright © 1989 by Chariot Victor Publishing, and imprint of Cook Communication Ministries. All rights reserved.)

2 Peter 1:5-9

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.
NIV

 

Newly unemployed son…

One of my sons called this morning to tell that his job position didn’t survive the latest round of job cuts. I recalled a time when his mother and I were facing the “unknown” (job-wise). I reminded my son what we did during difficult times:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
     Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV)

These were two of the verses his mother had marked in a Bible, a personal gift to him.
He remembered!

 

Awake at 4 a.m.

-23 / -47 windchill

Thinking how the “fruit of the Spirit” contrasts with the “Jezebel” spirit. Pondering how this relates to a person’s ability to receive forgiveness (from God and others) and extend forgiveness (to others).

“A man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense.” Proverbs 19:11 NIV

“Good sense makes one slow to anger; and it is his glory to overlook an offense.” Proverbs 19:11 ESV

And thinking how this relates to the passage (2 Peter 1:5-9) for Sunday’s message…