Do you cultivate vertical and horizontal relationships? (88-5)~ Barry Werner


Do you cultivate vertical and horizontal relationships? (88-5)

Relational skills are very important to godly leaders. A godly leader’s faith doesn’t simply revolve around religious creeds or doctrines even though God-honoring creeds and doctrines are important. God designed us to have vertical relationships with Him and horizontal relationships with the people around us. Developing good relationships is critical to any leader’s long-term success. Review again 1 Samuel 25 this time making comparisons between the approach to relationship building of Abigail and her husband Nabal.
As you review Abigail’s actions think about the following relationship building skills:
  • Abigail exemplified humility; she listened to her servant
  • Abigail knew how to appeal to David in order to accomplish her goal; she understood people.
  • By giving David and his men what they needed, Abigail added value to him, encouraged him, and won his favor.
  • Abigail had a generous spirit to meet the need of those who needed help.
As you review Nabal’s actions think about the following relationship killers:
  • Nabal put his confidence in his wealth and felt he didn’t need to build relationships with people.
  • Nabal became selfish and distrustful of others.
  • Nabal did not recognize the value of those around him and did not give recognition or encouragement to those who had helped him succeed.
  • Nabal lived with self-centered motives and refused to help those in need.
  • Nabal felt his position in life gave him the right to belittle others.
Jesus summarized the need, for everyone not just leaders, to cultivate vertical and horizontal relationships. His summary simply stated said to love God with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself. When Jesus speaks effective leaders listen.
Ecclesiastes 4:10 If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!
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What opportunities are tempting you? (89-1)

Are you being deceived? ~ Kay Arthur


What happens when you don.t know God? When there.s no knowledge of God in the land, in the place that you live, what happens?

Well we.re all going to believe something, and the something that we will choose, in all probability, will be a lie. And that lie will lead to deception and that deception will lead us farther away from God into actually, the judgment of God.
Well Beloved, we have come to what some consider the third message of Jeremiah. Others say, “Well, it.s the second message.” What is the message?

The message is one that is telling these people, as I said in the opening to the program, “You are deceived.” And he.s going to let them see that deception and where that deception leads. Now what has he done in Jeremiah? Well, in Jeremiah chapter 1 we have met Jeremiah the prophet. We have heard that
his message and his ministry began in the thirteenth year of Josiah. (See Jeremiah 1:2)

And as he brings this message, he is told that he is to be a prophet, not only to Judah, but a prophet also to the nations. (See Jeremiah 1:5) God assures him that He watches over his work to perform it. (See Jeremiah 1:12) God tells him, “I.m sending you to a people who have forsaken Me, a people who have gone after other gods, a people who have worshiped the works of their hands.”

He assures him that He.s going to be with him and that he is to deliver the message and he is not to be dismayed by these people.s faces. And as He tells him that He lets him know, “They.re gonna fight against you. They.re gonna come against you, but I have made you like a bronze wall. I.ve made you like a fortified city and you can stand.” (See Jeremiah 1:16-18)

Then in Jeremiah chapter 2 through Jeremiah chapter 3, verse 4 we believe that we have the first message of Jeremiah. Some say, “No, there.s only two up to the point of chapter seven.” But we believe we have the first message.

And the first message is this: [“You.ve forsaken Me. You.ve turned from the fountain of living waters and you have gone over here and you have hewn cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water.”] (PARAPHRASE, Jeremiah 2:13)

So what is God.s message?

Well, if you.ve forsaken Me, God.s message is, “Hey, return to Me. Return to Me. Come back to Me.” “„Return, O faithless [ones and] I will heal your faithlessness…..” (Jeremiah 3:22)

We see that God.s eyes are searching for someone who will do justice and who will be truth. (See Jeremiah 5:1-3) And by that he means who will walk in truthfulness, who will walk in faithfulness?

And then in Jeremiah chapter 7, we have the next message, and this is what we.re looking at this week. It.s chapter 7, 8, and 9.

And it is a chapter that has the word “deception” in it. It.s a chapter that has the word “deceit” in it. And what you see is His eyes are looking for faithfulness, and yet He.s not finding it because here is a people that are deceived. This is a people that are saying one thing, but they are living another way. Now what is that called? It.s called hypocrisy. Well in
Jeremiah chapter 7 the chapter opens up this way, and let me read it to you.

“The word that came to Jeremiah…the LORD, saying, „Stand in the gate [of the temple] of the LORD.S house [stand in the gate of the LORD.S house] and proclaim…this word, and say, “Hear the word of the LORD, all [of you] Judah, who enter by [the] gates to worship the LORD!”.” (Jeremiah 7:1-2)

Now you have to understand the temple was the center of everything. It was like the heart of Israel. It was the center of Jerusalem. It was up on a mount. It was a gorgeous, gorgeous structure that Solomon had built. All the inside was just laden with gold. Over the place where the holy of holies was there was the Shekinah glory, the pillar of cloud during the day, the pillar of fire during the night. This was the house that was called by God.s name.

And so He.s sending Jeremiah and He says, “I want you to go to that temple, and when you get there and you see these people that are entering in to the house of the LORD, I want you to tell them “„…“Hear the word of the LORD…!”.” (Jeremiah 7:2)

And the word of the LORD is this: You.re trusting in vain things.

Listen to what He says.

“Thus says the LORD…the God of Israel, „Amend your ways and your deeds, and I will let you dwell in this place. Do not trust in deceptive words, saying “…the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD..” He says, “„…Amend your ways…..” (Jeremiah 7:3-5)

Now why is He saying that?

Because He.s told them over and over and over again, “I.m going to judge you. I.m going to judge you, and I.m going to judge you because you.ve forsaken Me. I.m going to judge you because I can.t find anybody that is seeking after justice and that is seeking after truth. I am going to have to judge you.”

And so as He tells them that He is going to have to judge them, He.s speaking to them as they come into the temple.

It.s like somebody.s standing outside in front of the church and saying, “Wait a minute. Before you go in there I just want to say one thing to you, you need to amend your ways. You need to change the way that you.re living.” And they.d brush him aside and say, “Hey, leave me alone. Leave
me alone. I.m a Christian. I.m fine.

Have you ever talked to someone and said, “But wait a minute, you have professed to know Jesus Christ and you.re gonna steal, you.re gonna lie, you.re gonna cheat, you.re gonna do that to your neighbor. You mean, you.re gonna sleep with her? You told me that you believed in Jesus Christ.” Do you see?

So they.re saying,

“Hey, I.m fine, “„“…the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD.”.” (Jeremiah 7:4)

They think that they.re okay because the temple of the LORD is there.

And if the temple of the LORD is there God would never destroy the city.

Now God has been telling them, “You.re going to go into captivity.”

God.s been telling them He.s going to destroy Jerusalem, but they haven.t listened and they think, no, it.s not gonna happen because of the temple of the LORD.

It.s like you say it three times and it.s like a rabbit.s foot. You rub it three times and it works.

And so they were saying, “„“…the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD.”.” (Jeremiah 7:4 It.s not gonna happen. They were deceived. Watch what He says. He says,

„Do not trust in deceptive words…..” (Jeremiah 7:4) And you want to mark “deceptive.”

You want to mark “deceit” and I put a black cloud around it.

And then I kind of shade it gray.

And what I do is I put a black arrow down, because deception destroys you.

Deception puts you in darkness.

Deception doesn.t make things black and white.

They make them gray and neutral.

And so He says, “„…If you truly amend your ways…if you truly practice justice between a man and his neighbor, if you do not oppress the alien, the orphan, or the widow, and [you] do not shed innocent blood in this place, nor walk after other gods to your own ruin,.”

He says, “„then I will let you dwell in this place, in the land that I gave to your fathers [forefathers] forever and ever..” (Jeremiah 7:4-7)

He says, “I promise you this land. I promise it to you forever and ever and ever.”

But He also told them in Deuteronomy if you get in the land and you do not obey Me then what.s going to happen is I.m going to kick you out of the land. You.re just gonna be kicked out.
You.re gonna go into the other nations and you are going to be dispersed. (See Deuteronomy 29:25-28)

And they.re thinking, “Oh no, oh no. “„“…The temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD.”.” (Jeremiah 7:4)

God would never do that to His temple.

And God says, “Oh yes I would. And the only way for you to stay in this land, the only way for Me to bless you is for you to amend your ways; that you change your ways.”

Remember they.ve forsaken Him.

Remember He.s saying, “Return to Me,” and that.s the only way it.s going to happen.

Now why? Well, when you come to the end of this message which is in Jeremiah chapter 9, what you see is, you see God defining Himself, describing Himself.

And I want to jump there for a minute because I want you to see and to understand Precious One, how vital it is that you understand and that you know God, and that you have a correct understanding of Him.

This is what He says in verse 24, “„But let him who boasts boast [in] this, that he understands and knows Me…I am the [one] who exercises lovingkindness [and] justice and righteousness on earth…I delight in these things…..” (Jeremiah 9:24)

So when He tells them to amend their ways, what do they have to amend?

Well, first of all they have to “„…practice justice between a man and his neighbor,.” and that.s not happening.

And God.s a God of justice so you.ve got to do that.

Then He says, “„If you do not oppress the alien, the orphan…the widow, and [you] do not shed innocent blood in this place, nor walk after other gods…..” (Jeremiah 7:5-6)

Who is God? He is not only justice, but God is righteousness. And they.re not behaving righteously. They.re not following the commandments. They are not obeying the voice of the Lord.

They.re simply thinking: Hey, I, I.m a child of God, the temple.s here. I.ve got it made.

You know it.s like, oh, I walked an aisle. You know, have you ever shared with someone and they just kind of brush you off. And they brush you off with “I.m a Christian, I.m all right.”

I think, “Hey, I.m not sure you really are. Because if you were a Christian, wouldn.t you be excited about
someone sharing truth with you, doing what God called them to do?” We.ve come back to Jeremiah chapter 7, this new message that has to deal with the fact that the people are trusting in deceptive words. In verse 4 of chapter 7 it says, “„Do not trust in deceptive words…..” (Jeremiah 7:4)

You come down to verse 8 and he says, “„Behold, you are trusting in deceptive words…,.” listen, “„…to no avail..” (Jeremiah 7:8)

When you and I believe a lie, when you and I are deceived, that deception has an effect on us. That deception changes the way that we think, the way that we behave.

I.m telling you, if we really understood the righteousness of God, the holiness of God and the justice of God in having to deal with unrighteousness and ungodliness, if we really understood the justice of God when we looked at the cross and realized that God.s justice, His holiness, demanded a sacrifice for the sins of mankind; otherwise there would never be forgiveness of sins.

I mean you look at the cross and it shows you the justice of God, the righteousness of God, and it shows you the lovingkindness of God.

The word in the Hebrew is “hesed” “h-e-s-e-d” and it is a word that is used to define God. When God passes in front of Moses it says “the God who is full of lovingkindness.” (See Exodus 34:6)

He is a God of love. He is a God of compassion, but He is a God of righteousness. And if we.re not righteous, Precious One, then God has to judge you. And so when you believe a lie it carries its consequences.

Oh, you may not heed them immediately, but if what you are believing is wrong, it leads to death. The Bible says, [“As a man thinks in his heart, in his mind, so he is.”] PARAPHRASE, Proverbs 23:7)

And if you are thinking crooked you are going to be crooked. If you are thinking vile you.re going to be vile. If you.re thinking immoral I guarantee you, eventually you.ll be immoral. If you.re thinking rebellion in your heart I guarantee you unless something
happens, you.re going to rebel.

So he says to them, “„Behold, you are trusting in deceptive words to no avail. Will you steal, murder…commit adultery…swear falsely…offer sacrifices to Baal and walk after other gods that you have not known?.”

And then you get up; you.re doing all these things and “„then come and [you] stand before Me…,.” at the temple, and you stand there in the “„…house, which is called by [His] name…..” (Jeremiah 7:8-10) “„“…the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD.”.” (Jeremiah 7:4)

You.re saying it three times. You think it.s a rabbit foot, and now you.re standing before the temple of the LORD, you.re standing in this house which is called by the LORD.S name.

And He says, “„[It.s] …become a den of robbers in your sight…?.”

He says, “„…Behold, I even I, have seen it,. declares the LORD.” (Jeremiah 7:11)

I.ve looked at the temple, and you know what? It.s not the sacred holy temple that I intended. It.s become a den of robbers. And if you studied the Scriptures you know that all sorts of idols were set up there.

You know that there were male cult prostitutes plying their wares right in the temple.

You know that there were idols to the sun god and things like this. I mean it was a den of iniquity, but it bore the name “the temple of the LORD.”

What.s going on in your church? What is the reputation for First Baptist or First Methodist or First Presbyterian or whatever? What is the reputation of the people in that church? Are they coming and they.re going and they.re going about their ways?

They, they go, they worship. They take communion. They baptize their children and everything. I mean if you.ve watched any of the “Godfather” series, I mean you see the godfather and all of his clan in the church and the baby.s getting baptized. You see him paying the Father generously.

But then he walks out and what is he?

He.s nothing but a gangster. He.s nothing but a murderer? He.s a drug dealer. He sells alcohol. He flaunts it in front of the law. We look at “Godfather” but we don.t look at us.

We don.t see that, listen, what we are is what gives the church the reputation that it has. And you and I are Christians.

That means
that we are called by His name.

And so when the church empties out and the people go out, what do you see?

He.s saying you.re a people that are saying “….the temple of the LORD…,” (Jeremiah 7:4) and yet you.re just a den of robbers.

He says, “„I.ve seen it,. declares the LORD.” Then He says this. “„But now go to My place which was in Shiloh…..”

He says, “„…Where I made My name dwell at…first, and see what I did to it because of the wickedness of My people Israel..” (Jeremiah 7:11-12)

I will never forget going to Shiloh. It was just absolutely incredible. You can.t go there right now and we don.t take our teaching tours there because it.s really not safe. It.s West Bank territory right now. But listen, it wasn.t

West Bank territory in the eyes of God. It is the territory that God gave to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and his descendants forever. And when they came across that Jordan River the first time under Joshua they brought the tabernacle. They brought that tent. They carried those parts of the tent and they got to Shiloh and the clouds stopped and they set up the tabernacle there. Incredible! Incredible!

I.ve been there. I.ve stood out there and I.ve looked around me and I.ve been filled with awe and I.ve talked to some of my Jewish friends and where was it set? Where.s the east?” The tabernacle was always set up with its one and only door toward the east in the light of the rising sun. So if you find the east and then you turn around so that you.re going west, you.re going to go all the way until you come to the Holy of Holies.

And I remember standing there teaching, teaching out of Samuel, teaching out of Joshua, teaching them where they were, teaching out of Judges and showing them this is Shiloh. This is where the tent was. This was about 300, 350 years that the tent was set here. It wasn.t its final resting place.

And then I turned and I said, “And some of you are sitting in the Holy of Holies.”

Oh my goodness, what overtook your heart at that moment?

And it just made you realize that a holy God wants a holy people. And Precious One, if you.re not living in holiness and yet you.re saying, “The temple of the LORD, this body.s the temple of the LORD, sure I.m a Christian. Oh, it.s okay. God knows. God
understands; besides look at the rest.”

I want to tell you something. You are trusting in deceptive words. You have been deceived and you can.t live that way and expect to see God. The Bible says in Hebrews 12, [“without holiness no man will see the Lord.”] (PARAPHRASE, Hebrews 12:14)

God expects you and me to be holy.

His lovingkindness, His justice, His righteousness command it and supply it.

Greg Laurie (Blog) ~ People who are suffering


Some thoughts on ministering to people who are suffering


  It has been said that if you preach to suffering people, you will never lack for an audience.

Over the years, I have taught extensively on the topics of suffering and evil. I am happy to say that what I have taught in the past is true. Though my understanding of suffering has deepened of late, I still quote the same Scriptures and rely on the same truths.

When I was called on to minister to a person who found out they were going to die, or who had lost a loved one, I would try to be as compassionate as I could be. Having two close friends whose children have died, I felt I had come as close to that flame as one could without personally experiencing it.
But now, I realize I was not even close. I had no idea what it was like. I see it differently now.

Suffering is messy

Randy Alcorn, in his excellent new book If God Is Good, talked with Joni Eareckson Tada. Reflecting on 40 years in a wheelchair, she said to him, “I’ve learned that suffering is messier than I once thought.”
That is so true.

Sometimes, when people come with their “Gospel Guns” loaded for bear to “help us,” they actually instead hurt us instead. It’s not what they say that is necessarily wrong (though sometimes it is). More often, it’s in the way they say it. They’re just a bit too quick on the draw.

Time to get on with our lives?

Since our son went to heaven, I have spoken with many, many people who have also had loved ones die, especially children. What they have told me was, “Thank you for being honest about it all.” Many have told me that it gives them hope.

I never asked for, nor did I desire, a ministry to people who had lost loved ones, but I have it now. I will do what I can do, though it will never be enough.

One lady wrote me and told me that my book Hope for Hurting Hearts, written in the aftermath of my son’s death, “saved her life” (her words not mine). But really, I am just a fellow-sufferer on this road of pain, pointing you to the One who I depend on each and every day–Jesus Christ.

Here is what I would say to you who have lost a loved one or if you are ministering to someone who has had someone close to them die.

Be patient.

Do not say to them, “It’s time to get on with your life!” That is like salt in a wound.
If someone is not able to “get on with their lives”  too quickly, as people think they should, they feel like they are spiritually deficient or weak.

Listen, you are simply human! Your depth of sorrow and loss is simply an indication of the depth of your love.

There is a place for deep sorrow

When David’s son Absalom died, David wept and said,  “I wish it had been me instead of him!” (2 Samuel 18:33), even though Absalom was a wicked son in many ways. When Steven was stoned to death, “godly men wept over him” (Acts 8:2).
You cannot rush this process nor should you. As Scripture says, “There is a time to weep, and and a time to laugh. There is a time to mourn, and a time to dance” (Ecclesiastes 3:4).
These things take time and lots of it.

Weep more, speak less

Coming back to the way that I try to minister to someone who has lost a loved one, I still quote Scripture, but not quite in the same way. I say it with more tenderness, understanding, and compassion.
I don’t have to “muster that up” because I feel what they are feeling, in a way.
I listen more, and say less. Scripture reminds us, “Let every man be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger” (James 1:19).

I am not suggesting that you not try to minister in word to someone who is hurting, but try to show compassion. Don’t be flippant.

As Scripture says, “Weep with those weep” (Romans 12:15). Sometimes that is the most effective thing you can do.

The Plot to Kill Jesus and the Last Supper ~ WoW 7 Minute Bible


The Plot to Kill Jesus and the Last Supper 

Matthew 26:1-20; John 13:3-5,12-19,21; Matthew 26:22-30; Psalm 109:21-23; Proverbs 20:1
Now it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, that He said to His disciples, "You know that after two days is the Passover, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified." Then the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders of the people assembled at the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas, and plotted to take Jesus by trickery and kill Him. But they said, "Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar among the people."
And when Jesus was in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, a woman came to Him having an alabaster flask of very costlyfragrant oil, and she poured it on His head as He sat at the table. But when His disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, "Why this waste? For this fragrant oil might have been sold for much and given to the poor."
But when Jesus was aware of it, He said to them, "Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a good work for Me. For you have the poor with you always, but Me you do not have always. For in pouring this fragrant oil on My body, she did it for My burial. Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her."
Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, "What are you willing to give me if I deliver Him to you?" And they counted out to him thirty pieces of silver. So from that time he sought opportunity to betray Him.
Now on the first day of the Feast of the Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying to Him, "Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?"
And He said, "Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, 'The Teacher says, "My time is at hand; I will keep the Passover at your house with My disciples."'"
So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them; and they prepared the Passover.
When evening had come, He sat down with the twelve.

Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.


So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, "Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.


"I do not speak concerning all of you. I know whom I have chosen; but that the Scripture may be fulfilled, 'He who eats bread with Me has lifted up his heel against Me.' Now I tell you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe that I am He."


When Jesus had said these things, He was troubled in spirit, and testified and said, "Most assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me."


And they were exceedingly sorrowful, and each of them began to say to Him, "Lord, is it I?"


He answered and said, "He who dipped his hand with Me in the dish will betray Me. The Son of Man indeed goes just as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born."

Then Judas, who was betraying Him, answered and said, "Rabbi, is it I?"
He said to him, "You have said it."

And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, "Take, eat; this is My body."


Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father's kingdom."

And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
Matthew 26:1-20; John 13:3-5, 12-19, 21; Matthew 26:22-30


WORSHIPBut You, O GOD the Lord,
Deal with me for Your name's sake;
Because Your mercy is good, deliver me.
For I am poor and needy,
And my heart is wounded within me.
I am gone like a shadow when it lengthens;
I am shaken off like a locust.
Psalm 109:21-23 

 
WISDOM
Wine is a mocker,
Strong drink is a brawler,
And whoever is led astray by it is not wise.
Proverbs 20:1

Charles Stanley ~ How to Reach Your Goals


How to Reach Your Goals 
Isaiah 41:10
 
Yesterday, we learned the importance of determining goals. We should also be sure to establish them with God's guidance, rather than devising them on our own and expecting Him to bless our efforts. Our success will be determined by our dependence upon the Lord. If we set out to accomplish anything in our own strength?even a godly task?we will fail.

Other factors can also help us achieve an objective. A consuming passion, for example, can provide motivation and prevent discouragement. In addition, we should have confidence to reach the goal, knowing that the Lord will equip us for every task He assigns. Think back to David, the shepherd boy: he seemed like no match for Goliath, but God prepared him through his experience in protecting sheep from dangerous animals.

Planning a step-by-step course of action will also help us to be successful?a calendar is useful in setting up deadlines for each part of the plan. And two more things we need are courage and consistency. Fear of failure and the opinion of others can be paralyzing. But courage comes from reading God's Word, praying, and turning a deaf ear to negativism.

Then, consistency will keep our eye on the goal so we will not deviate from it
 .
You can continue to live as before, or you can find out what God plans to do in your life. Is He leading you toward a specific goal? Remember, the Lord is all-powerful. If you employ these principles, you'll experience His ability to do mighty things and accomplish His divine objectives for you.

Handling Adversity ~ Chuck Swindoll


Handling Adversity

by Charles R. Swindoll
 

Job 1-2, 42 

Step into the time tunnel with me, and let's travel together back to Uz (not the wizard of, but the land of). Wherever it was, Uz had a citizen who was respected by everyone. Why? Because he was blameless, upright, God-fearing, and clean living. He had ten children, thousands of head of livestock, acres and acres of land, a great many servants, and a substantial stack of cash. No one would deny that he was "the greatest of all the men of the East." His name was Job, a synonym for integrity and godliness.

Yet, within a matter of hours, adversity fell upon this fine man like an avalanche of jagged rocks. He lost his livestock, his crops, his land, his servants, and all ten children. Soon thereafter he also lost his health.
The book that bears his name records an entry he made into his journal soon after the rocks stopped falling: "The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD" (Job 1:21).

Following this incredible statement, God adds: "Through all this Job did not sin nor did he blame God" (1:22).
The logical questions are, Why didn't he? What kept him from bitterness or even thoughts of suicide?

At the risk of oversimplifying the situation, I suggest three basic answers that I have discovered from searching through this book.

First, Job claimed God's loving sovereignty. He believed that the Lord who gave had every right to take away (Job 1:21; 2:10). Job looked up claiming his Lord's right to rule over his life.
Second, he counted on God's promise of resurrection. "Even after my skin is destroyed, yet from my flesh I shall see God" (Job 19:26). Job looked ahead, counting on his Lord's promise to make all things bright and beautiful in the life beyond.

Third, he confessed his own lack of understanding. What a relief this brings! He didn't feel obligated to explain why (Job 42:2-4). Job looked within, confessing his inability to put it all together.
He rested his adversity with God, not feeling forced to answer why.

When we're looking in all the right directions, we won't take the wrong turn.

God wants to adjust your attitude ~ David McGee


1 Corinthians 1:15
"lest anyone should say that I had baptized in my own name."
NKJV
Life Lesson

God wants to adjust your attitude.
---------------------
Paul, in writing this letter to the Corinthians, dealt with division inside the church. Any idea you may have that church is a perfect place is shattered the moment you walk through the door. It was the same in the early church. We all bring something valuable to the church, but we also, because we are sinful people, add to the problems.
In this letter, Paul takes on people's attitudes; their way of thinking. Do we need to be challenged today? Absolutely we do. Being saved does not mean we're done being changed. We continue to be changed, and as we are, our ideas and concepts of what it means to be a Christian are challenged. God wants to adjust our attitude and if we are truly honest with ourselves, we are desperate for that change until the time comes for God to adjust our altitude.

Dear Father,
Thank You for loving me. Thank You for Your Son Jesus who died for me so I could have life more abundantly. Lord, I confess to You that I am struggling. I have been looking to the world for answers rather than depending on You. I surrender my heart to You, Lord. Forgive me for being distracted. I want to look to You, my all sufficient Christ. Your Word is all I need. In Jesus' name, Amen

Raul Ries ~ Living One Day at a Time


Living One Day at a Time

“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season
we shall if we do not lose heart.”

Galatians 6:9
 

William Elliot said, “The reason why so many of us are overwrought, tense, distracted and anxious is that we have never mastered the art of living one day at a time. We can’t quite help ourselves. But mentally we live in all three tenses at once: past, present, and future, and that will not work! 

The load of tomorrow, added to that of yesterday, carried today makes the strongest falter.”

When we take on more than today, we can grow weary. Live one day at a time and do good. In due season, you will reap a harvest.
Thought for the Day:

God told us to live today. We can all handle today!

Dry Bones ~ Whitehouse Blues

   


  • Whitehouse Blues
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Whitehouse Blues

Whitehouse Blues

Obama's Whitehouse Pressures Israel : Dry Bones cartoon.
I am off on a speaking tour in the States until the end of October. I wrote, drew, and posted a set of cartoons to provide you with a daily chuckle while I'm away.
This is one of those cartoons.

“He’ll Take the Fear, You Keep the Change” ~ Mark Balmer


Based on “Under HIS Influence—Changed Lives” 
by Pastor Mark Balmer;
9/26-27/09, Message #MB390;
Daily Devotional #7 - 

“He’ll Take the Fear, You Keep the Change”


Preparing the Soil (Introduction):  Pastor Mark asked us to think about the most unlikely person we know who would someday become a Christ Follower.  Whether it is a relative, friend, co-worker, or neighbor, I’m sure we all know someone that we have doubts would ever be responsive to the Gospel.  That doubt feeds our fear of witnessing, and we may miss golden opportunities to tell them of their need for Jesus. 

We need to ask ourselves why we doubt, and why we fear this most important work we have as Christ followers.  When we doubt that anyone would ever receive Christ, we actually doubt God’s ability to change their heart. We must remember that it is the Holy Spirit who convicts the heart, and that no one is beyond the reach of God. We may doubt our own ability to witness effectively to someone that is close to us.  Again, as we seek to live under HIS influence, we must rely on the power of the Holy Spirit to work through us.

Planting and Watering the Seed (Growth):   Fear is another factor that prevents us from even taking the first step in witnessing to others.  We must ask ourselves what it is that we fear.  Are we afraid of offending someone?  If you knew someone had an illness that could be cured, would you risk offending them by telling them of the cure?  When we consider the lost state of one who does not have Jesus as Savior, do we dare not to tell them of their eternal fate without Christ?  Again, we must rely on the Holy Spirit to overcome our fear of witnessing.  I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. (Psalm 34:4)


Harvesting the Crop (Action/Response):  We have been commissioned by Christ (Matthew 28:19-20), empowered by the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8), and inspired by the example of the disciples in the book of Acts.  Jesus has promised never to leave us or forsake us. We can do all things through Him who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13).

 As you seek to change lives in the world around you, start with your own.

Ask God to show you what it is that is keeping you from sharing the Good News with others.  Ask Him to fill you with more of His Spirit and the boldness to allow the Spirit to work through you to change lives, including your own.

Cultivating (Additional Reading):  Romans 10

Let this mind be in you ~ Bob Hoekstra


Jesus, the Ultimate Example of Humility

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a servant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. (Philippians 2:5-8)
 
In order to live daily by the grace of God, we must be willing to walk in humility. "God gives grace to the humble" (1 Peter 5:5). The word of God offers extensive teaching concerning a life of humility. Moreover, in all of the Scriptures we will find no greater insight than that which pertains to Jesus, the ultimate example of humility.

Before He came to earth as a man, Jesus had existed throughout eternity past as deity, the eternal Son of God. "Bethlehem …out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be ruler in Israel, whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting" (Micah 5:2). Since He was God, claiming deity was not an inappropriate intrusion into another's domain: "who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God."

Although He would of necessity exist endlessly as God (even during His pilgrimage as a man), He did not go about independently exercising His Godhood: "but made Himself of no reputation." Instead of manifesting all of His innate glory, He functioned as any human slave would: "taking the form of a servant, and coming in the likeness of men." During His earthly ministry, He Himself would emphasize His servanthood role. "The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many" (Matthew 20:28).

In His majestic salvation mission, Jesus, the Son of God, would voluntarily accept the path of humility. "He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross." This humility involved a yielding to the Father that was so extensive He would even embrace the most abhorrent death of all, a sin-atoning crucifixion. In spiritual agony, He would pray, "O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will" (Matthew 26:39). This humble surrender to the Father's will is the path that our Lord calls us to walk. "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus."

Dear Lord, my heart is humbled as I consider the humbling You accepted in coming to this sinful planet. As God, You deserved all honor and glory. Yet, in order to please the Father and to save sinners, You were willing to become a lowly, human servant. Unlike Your example, I am easily tempted to resist humility, even though I deserve to be totally humiliated. Lord, please work in me a humble heart like Yours, in Your holy name, Amen.

Comforted to comfort others~Jon Courson




That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto. 1 Thessalonians 3:3





‘Don’t feel bad about our situation,’ Paul is saying. ‘Don’t be surprised to hear people are chasing us around Greece, throwing rocks at us, trying to destroy us. Appointments with trouble are already in our Daytimers. We told you this would happen. It’s all part of the program.’


‘Welcome this man,’ the Lord told Ananias concerning Paul, ‘for I’m going to show him he must suffer greatly for the sake of the Kingdom,’ (Acts 9:16). This prophecy, given at the very outset of Paul’s ministry, would indeed prove to be true.
‘Blessed be the Father of mercies, the God of comfort,’ Paul would later write to the Corinthians, ‘Who comforts us in our troubles that we may be able to comfort others with the comfort we ourselves have received,’ (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).


A.W. Tozer was right when he said, ‘Before God can use a person greatly, He must allow that person to be hurt deeply.'
This isn’t because God is mean, but because He knows we can’t comfort others unless we’ve been comforted ourselves.

Jesus is the key to freedom ~ Mike MacIntosh


And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame, rather than having two feet, to be cast into hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched. Mark 9:45





Don't let anyone lead you to believe that hell isn't real. Proverbs 17:20 says that hell is never full. It's as if the enemy is looking for candidates every single hour to fill it up. Isaiah 5:4 says that hell has "enlarged herself and opened her mouth without measure." You see, there is this continual building project going on in the bowels of the earth. Every day--every minute--it is expanding, adding new cell blocks and openings for the souls that are taken off the planet. 2 Samuel 22:6 and Psalm 18:5 say that hell is filled with sorrow. Why would you want to go to any place that is filled with sorrow?


In Psalm 9:17, it says that the wicked go into hell and all nations that forget God go into hell. You know that our nation is at the point of forgetting God. You are the last generation to know Him if we don't pass on the Good News of Jesus Christ.


But thankfully the story doesn't end here. There's hope! In Revelation 1:18, Jesus appears to John and says, "Behold, I have the keys to death and hell." Do you believe this for your life? Aren't you glad that He holds the keys? And those keys aren't the ones to lock people up; they are the keys to set people free! Isaiah 61:1 says that, "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, for He has anointed me to preach the gospel, to bind up the broken hearted, to set the captives free, to open up the prison door and to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord."


How wonderful to know that the Devil is not holding the keys any longer to lock you up. Jesus has wrestled them away--on the cross--to unlock the prison doors, to set our moms and dads, brothers and sisters, sons and daughters, bosses and co-workers--to set them free! For whom the Son sets free is free indeed (John 8:39). You only have two choices in life. Choose to be free in Jesus Christ today.

A father's love ~ Joyce Meyer












As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. As a father loves and pities his children, so the Lord loves and pities those who fear Him [with reverence, worship, and awe]. For He knows our frame, He [earnestly] remembers and imprints [on His heart] that we are dust.— Psalm 103:12-14


God removes all that makes us unrighteous (our transgressions) and sends it as far away as the east is from the west. How far is the east from the west? A long way!

God knows our weaknesses, and He remembers that we are but dust. We put a lot more pressure on ourselves than God would ever put on us.

When my son was small, he decided to do something nice for me. He got a bowl of water and went out on the porch. Soon he came to me and said, "Mommy, I washed the windows for you." The porch was wet. He was wet. The windows were smeared up. But he did it because he loved me.

God reminded me of this one time. He said, "Do you remember what you did afterward? You sent your son off to get cleaned up and then you went and cleaned up his mess when he wasn't looking." God showed me that He does the same with us.

God is aware of our imperfections, and He receives what we do out of love for Him. He will cover our tracks, clean up our messes, and hide them so we won't even realize what a mess we made.

He does this because we are in Christ, Christ is in Him, and He is in us.

Who are your heroes? ~ Greg Laurie


But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.




We hear the word "hero" thrown around a lot today. If a person is a great athlete, adept at a certain sport, we will call him or her a sports hero. There is a computer game called "Guitar Hero." And then there is the sandwich we call a hero. We hear the word used a lot. But do we even know what it means? It seems to me that in our culture we have many celebrities, but very few heroes.

A hero is a person who does something selfless, something sacrificial. A hero is someone who puts the needs of others above his or her own. Sometimes heroes are known in their own lifetime for their achievements. Then there are times people are called heroes long after they are gone. In this case, we sometimes call them unsung heroes, because we didn't realize how heroic they were until after some time had passed. The stand they took wasn't the popular thing to do at the time, but in retrospect, we realize they were heroic—they really were doing the right thing when no one else was.

Unsung heroes are sometimes wives and at other times are husbands. Sometimes they are children. But more often they are parents. Unsung heroes can be teachers, coaches, uncles or aunts. Grandparents are automatically heroes in my book, unless they do something to mess that up. An unsung hero is someone who works behind the scenes and doesn't care if another person gets the credit. Sometimes unsung heroes are sidekicks. Where would Sherlock Holmes be without the faithful Dr. Watson? Where would the Lone Ranger without Tonto?

There are a lot of unsung heroes who never get the credit. And though they may be unknown to us, they are completely known to God.

Twitter Proverbs from Rick Warren













  • RT @carlester I'm reading & studying Purpose Driven Life over the next 40 days. Do you know anyone who wants to join me?
  • If u look at the world,u'll be depressed.If u look within, u'll be distressed.If u look at Christ,u'll be at rest.-CTenBoom
  • People tend to believe the parts of the Bible they like & ignore/deny what doesnt fit their system.U cant box in God!
  • Sex is far more than a physical connection.You give yourself.Tell teens they don't make a condom to protect your heart.
  • Seminary teaches u to THINK & learn essential tools u dont know u need yet. Just beware "Knowledge puffs up"1Cor.8:1 I
  • Kingdom-minded leaders give children's & student ministry PRIORITY "...They ARE the kingdom of God!"-Jesus. Love Next Gen!
  • it takes about 10yrs of local church pastoring to lose the arrogance u pick up in seminary,otherwise u likely wont lose it.
  • "The very day I call for help, the tide of battle turns.Enemies flee!This one thing I know:God is for me!" Psalm 56:9 LB
  • It's HOW u live,not HOW LONG that matters; the donation of ur life,not the duration. U choose 2waste, spend,or invest time
  • Your creation cost nothing. Your salvation cost God’s son. Your sanctification costs your ego.
  • USAToday asked to post winning cover of THE HOPE YOU NEED contest Fri. AM! We're also giving a gift 2 everyone who entered!
  • "In the Church of Jesus Christ there can &should be no non-theologians." - Karl Barth
  • Fear-based evangelism lasts as long as the fear.U need Jesus not because U'll die tonite but because U must live tomorrow
  • "Just as my mouth can taste good food, so my mind tastes truth when I hear it." Job 12:11 (Living)
  • Last taboo illness is mental.If u have a family/friend I care; rw@saddleback.com "Help me,my thoughts are troubled" Ps55:2
  • Pain can Protect"Surely it was for my benefit Isuffered such anguish.In ur love u kept me from a pit of destruction"Isa38:17
  • Some people are so open-minded their brains fall out. Prov.14:15 "Only fools believe everything they hear"
  • Grief is God's tool to help life transitions.Cry with another person present.It's healing.Never stuff it or cry alone.Mt5:4

Daniel 5:1-6:28 ~ Bob Caldwell












5:12 Inasmuch as an excellent spirit, knowledge, understanding, interpreting dreams, solving riddles, and explaining enigmas were found in this Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar, now let Daniel be called, and he will give the interpretation."
6:5 Then these men said, "We shall not find any charge against this Daniel unless we find it against him concerning the law of his God."
Up to this point, Daniel has proven to be an amazing man with a single passion to live his life before God. He revealed his unswerving loyalty to God as a young man, and that loyalty of love for God continued throughout his life. And here in chapters 5 and 6, he's an amazing example not only of starting right but finishing right. No one but God ever owned him. Such men are ultimately the only free men in this world. His success, his position, and his wealth had no hold on him.
We see this exclaimed when he is chosen—above all other wise men in the entire Babylonian Empire—to solve the miraculous handwriting that appeared on the wall in the palace of Belshazzar, the current ruler of Babylon (5:1-12). When offered wealth and positions of honor in reward for the interpretation of these mysterious words, Daniel made it clear that he was not for sale; his interpretations would be a gift from God. He would receive no gifts or honor from this king who Daniel knew God had judged and would allow to be overthrown for his arrogance (5:18-28).
What's so amazing about Daniel's life is that here he is once again invited to share in another transition of power when the Medo-Persian Empire takes over the Babylonians. He never had to compromise or play politics for the high places of power in which he walked. He simply did one thing --he lived before God, faithfully and selflessly serving wherever he was placed. The result was inevitable. He exhibited an "excellent spirit" that distinguished him above all of his peers. His peers, however, responded with a plot to destroy him. They knew the only trap they could set for him would be to catch him in something related to his loyalty to God, something that, though right before God, would be seen as worthy of death before man.
What our enemies see is important, what they know we will always do in our response to God is one of the greatest proofs of who we are (6:1-9). Daniel's jealous enemies were able to enact a law that made praying to any man or god except the king a death-penalty crime. They felt sure their plan would work because everyone knew Daniel openly prayed three times a day while facing Jerusalem.
Daniel did pray, was caught, and was thrown to the lions. But what Daniel's enemies did not know was the God he prayed to was real. In the end, Daniel escapes without injury, and the lions had Daniel's enemies for lunch.
It is only those who choose to live faithfully before God are free from the fear that man will win in the end. Finish well—live freely from the fear of what man can do to you. Instead, live full of faith and hopeful in what God alone can do.



Daniel 5:1-6:28 Belshazzar's Feast
1 Belshazzar the king made a great feast for a thousand of his lords, and drank wine in the presence of the thousand. 2 While he tasted the wine, Belshazzar gave the command to bring the gold and silver vessels which his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the temple which had been in Jerusalem, that the king and his lords, his wives, and his concubines might drink from them. 3 Then they brought the gold vessels that had been taken from the temple of the house of God which had been in Jerusalem; and the king and his lords, his wives, and his concubines drank from them. 4 They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold and silver, bronze and iron, wood and stone.
5 In the same hour the fingers of a man's hand appeared and wrote opposite the lampstand on the plaster of the wall of the king's palace; and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote. 6 Then the king's countenance changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his hips were loosened and his knees knocked against each other. 7 The king cried aloud to bring in the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. The king spoke, saying to the wise men of Babylon, "Whoever reads this writing, and tells me its interpretation, shall be clothed with purple and have a chain of gold around his neck; and he shall be the third ruler in the kingdom." 8 Now all the king's wise men came, but they could not read the writing, or make known to the king its interpretation. 9 Then King Belshazzar was greatly troubled, his countenance was changed, and his lords were astonished.
10 The queen, because of the words of the king and his lords, came to the banquet hall. The queen spoke, saying, "O king, live forever! Do not let your thoughts trouble you, nor let your countenance change. 11 There is a man in your kingdom in whom is the Spirit of the Holy God. And in the days of your father, light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, were found in him; and King Nebuchadnezzar your father—your father the king—made him chief of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, and soothsayers. 12 Inasmuch as an excellent spirit, knowledge, understanding, interpreting dreams, solving riddles, and explaining enigmas were found in this Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar, now let Daniel be called, and he will give the interpretation."
The Writing on the Wall Explained
13 Then Daniel was brought in before the king. The king spoke, and said to Daniel, "Are you that Daniel who is one of the captives from Judah, whom my father the king brought from Judah? 14 I have heard of you, that the Spirit of God is in you, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom are found in you. 15 Now the wise men, the astrologers, have been brought in before me, that they should read this writing and make known to me its interpretation, but they could not give the interpretation of the thing. 16 And I have heard of you, that you can give interpretations and explain enigmas. Now if you can read the writing and make known to me its interpretation, you shall be clothed with purple and have a chain of gold around your neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom."
17 Then Daniel answered, and said before the king, "Let your gifts be for yourself, and give your rewards to another; yet I will read the writing to the king, and make known to him the interpretation. 18 O king, the Most High God gave Nebuchadnezzar your father a kingdom and majesty, glory and honor. 19 And because of the majesty that He gave him, all peoples, nations, and languages trembled and feared before him. Whomever he wished, he executed; whomever he wished, he kept alive; whomever he wished, he set up; and whomever he wished, he put down. 20 But when his heart was lifted up, and his spirit was hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him. 21 Then he was driven from the sons of men, his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling was with the wild donkeys. They fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till he knew that the Most High God rules in the kingdom of men, and appoints over it whomever He chooses.
22 "But you his son, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, although you knew all this. 23 And you have lifted yourself up against the Lord of heaven. They have brought the vessels of His house before you, and you and your lords, your wives and your concubines, have drunk wine from them. And you have praised the gods of silver and gold, bronze and iron, wood and stone, which do not see or hear or know; and the God who holds your breath in His hand and owns all your ways, you have not glorified. 24 Then the fingers of the hand were sent from Him, and this writing was written.
25 "And this is the inscription that was written:
MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN.

26 This is the interpretation of each word. MENE: God has numbered your kingdom, and finished it; 27 TEKEK: You have been weighed in the balances, and found wanting; 28 PERES: Your kingdom has been divided, and given to the Medes and Persians." 29 Then Belshazzar gave the command, and they clothed Daniel with purple and put a chain of gold around his neck, and made a proclamation concerning him that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom.
Belshazzar's Fall
30 That very night Belshazzar, king of the Chaldeans, was slain. 31 And Darius the Mede received the kingdom, being about sixty-two years old.
Daniel 6The Plot Against Daniel
1 It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom one hundred and twenty satraps, to be over the whole kingdom; 2 and over these, three governors, of whom Daniel was one, that the satraps might give account to them, so that the king would suffer no loss. 3 Then this Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king gave thought to setting him over the whole realm. 4 So the governors and satraps sought to find some charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find no charge or fault, because he was faithful; nor was there any error or fault found in him. 5 Then these men said, "We shall not find any charge against this Daniel unless we find it against him concerning the law of his God."
6 So these governors and satraps thronged before the king, and said thus to him: "King Darius, live forever! 7 All the governors of the kingdom, the administrators and satraps, the counselors and advisors, have consulted together to establish a royal statute and to make a firm decree, that whoever petitions any god or man for thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions. 8 Now, O king, establish the decree and sign the writing, so that it cannot be changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which does not alter." 9 Therefore King Darius signed the written decree.
Daniel in the Lions' Den
10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days.
11 Then these men assembled and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God. 12 And they went before the king, and spoke concerning the king's decree: "Have you not signed a decree that every man who petitions any god or man within thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions?"
The king answered and said, "The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which does not alter."
13 So they answered and said before the king, "That Daniel, who is one of the captives from Judah, does not show due regard for you, O king, or for the decree that you have signed, but makes his petition three times a day."
14 And the king, when he heard these words, was greatly displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him; and he labored till the going down of the sun to deliver him. 15 Then these men approached the king, and said to the king, "Know, O king, that it is the law of the Medes and Persians that no decree or statute which the king establishes may be changed."
16 So the king gave the command, and they brought Daniel and cast him into the den of lions. But the king spoke, saying to Daniel, "Your God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you." 17 Then a stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signets of his lords, that the purpose concerning Daniel might not be changed.
Daniel Saved from the Lions
18 Now the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting; and no musicians were brought before him. Also his sleep went from him. 19 Then the king arose very early in the morning and went in haste to the den of lions. 20 And when he came to the den, he cried out with a lamenting voice to Daniel. The king spoke, saying to Daniel, "Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?"
21 Then Daniel said to the king, "O king, live forever! 22 My God sent His angel and shut the lions' mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you."
23 Now the king was exceedingly glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no injury whatever was found on him, because he believed in his God.
Darius Honors God
24 And the king gave the command, and they brought those men who had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions—them, their children, and their wives; and the lions overpowered them, and broke all their bones in pieces before they ever came to the bottom of the den.
25 Then King Darius wrote:
To all peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth:
Peace be multiplied to you.

26 I make a decree that in every dominion of my kingdom men must tremble and fear before the God of Daniel.
For He is the living God,
And steadfast forever;
His kingdom is the one which shall not be destroyed,
And His dominion shall endure to the end.

27 He delivers and rescues,
And He works signs and wonders
In heaven and on earth,
Who has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.

28 So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.



Daniel 5:1-6:28
v. 1 Belshazzar – For centuries, scholars had criticized the book of Daniel for its reference to this mysterious figure about whom history and archaeology had said nothing. All extra-biblical accounts discovered through the end of the 19th century had stated that a man named Nabonidus was the last king of Babylon. Several archaeological discoveries around the turn of the century, however, showed that Belshazzar was a real individual and had been appointed as co-regent over the empire, while his father was on the outposts fighting against the Medes and the Persians. This is an excellent example of archaeology confirming the truthfulness of the Scriptures.
the King – Technically, Nabonidus was the actual head of the empire, but his son was named co-regent, which means co-king and, although his status was secondary to that of his father, he would have been called "king."
Great feast – The ancient Greek historians Herodotus and Xenophon confirm that a great festival was celebrated in the city of Babylon, the night it was conquered by the Medes and the Persians.
Lords – men of noble birth in positions of governmental authority within the empire
v. 2 Gold and silver vessels…had taken – In the year 586, Nebuchadnezzar had destroyed the Temple of Yahweh in Jerusalem, taken the gold and silver instruments used for worship, and brought them into his own storehouse of treasures.
His Father – As stated above, archaeology has confirmed that Nabonidus, the last king of Babylon was Belshazzar's father, but descendants of great men are often referred to as "sons" of the men in question. Consider, for instance, the kings of Judah being referred to as "sons of David." Nonetheless, some continue to criticize Daniel here, because Nabonidus was known to be the son of a commoner and of no relation to Nebuchadnezzar. However, kings would often refer to an important monarch as their "father" in order to bring legitimacy to their reign. It is also possible that Nabonidus married a woman descended from Nebuchadnezzar to strengthen such a claim.
Concubines – Functionally these women were wives, but they held a lower status than a true wife.
v. 5 Gods of gold…stone – The people were holding this feast in honor of false gods that were made of the same kinds of materials from which they were eating and drinking. It's meant to be taken as a bit of irony.
v. 6 Joints…were loosened…knees knocked – These are sayings that merely mean that he was scared. They are not to be taken literally.
v. 7 Cried aloud – literally, "shouted with great strength" (Aramaic)
Astrologers – those that interpret patterns in the stars as signs giving information about the future
Chaldeans – a group of men devoted to occult practices and notorious for their ability to read and interpret portents of the future
Soothsayers – A magician that specializes in predicting the future and foretelling events. Each of these men relied upon pagan practices and demonic arts to reveal things about the future. They were called upon because of the king's confusion at the strange event that had just occurred.
Purple – Purple die was extremely difficult to come by and could only be afforded by the very wealthy. Thus, purple became the color of nobility and royalty.
Third ruler – This further confirms the consistency of the Bible with the archeological record, because Belshazzar was the second in the Kingdom. Thus the highest position the king could bestow upon anyone was that of third.
v. 8 Wise men – generic term used of the different classes of magicians outlined in the previous verse
v. 9 Countenance – The look or expression on the face. In this case, the king's expression became one of discouragement and perplexity.
Astonishedshebash (Heb.) means to be perplexed or confused
v. 10 The Queen – Many think that this is referring to Belshazzar's mother, rather than his wife, and that she was the one wielding real authority in the city.
v. 11 In whom is the Spirit of the Holy God – This is the same phrase used of Daniel by Nebuchadnezzar. (Dan. 4:8, 9, 18) This shows that Belshazzar's mother is at least familiar with Nebuchadnezzar's sayings and might be evidence that she is his daughter or granddaughter, making Belshazzar a descendant of Nebuchadnezzar on his mother's side.
Light, understanding, and wisdom – Each of these terms is meant to evoke the same idea: that Daniel is a man of great wisdom. It is very common in Jewish writings to repeat the same terms and ideas as a poetic form. This repetition of an idea is called parallelism.
v. 12 Explaining enigmas – Literally in Aramaic, this means to "untie knots" and is metaphoric of solving difficult problems.
v. 18 Most High God – Daniel used this term to emphasize the fact that his God, Yahweh, is greater than all other gods. He did this because the king worshipped many false gods, and Daniel wanted him to know that the interpretation he was about to give came from his God and would prove that Yahweh is greater than the gods of all the men that had been trying to interpret the writing on the wall.
v. 19 Majesty – his greatness or grandeur; the display of his power, most of which is described in the rest of the verse
v. 20 Heart was lifted up – a metaphor for pride
Deposed – Removed from his position. Daniel is here recounting the events of the previous chapter.
Glory – Here the word glory is being used in the same way that "majesty" was used in the previous verse.
v. 21 Heart was like the beasts – Here, heart is speaking more of the man's spirit or mind. It is saying that Nebuchadnezzar was thinking like an animal.
Dwelling – He had lived in the wild with animals.
Till he knew – Nebuchadnezzar was in this state until he recognized the truth that Yahweh is the Most High God and does whatever He pleases. As Daniel retold this tale he was trying to draw a parallel between the two kings and warn Belshazzar that his own pride would lead to judgment just as it did with Nebuchadnezzar.
Whomever he chooses – Daniel is teaching the king that there is nothing special about him in particular, but that he holds this position only because God gave it to him. He can take it away just as easily as He gave it.
v. 22 You knew this – Belshazzar has no excuse for his own pride as he was well aware of what had befallen Nebuchadnezzar.
v. 23 Lifted yourself up against – a metaphor meaning that he had pridefully resisted the Lord
Do not see or hear or know – Daniel is simply teaching the king that the gods he worshipped are nothing more than inanimate objects that are of no help to him.
v. 25 Mene – Comes from the word mina, which was a monetary value as well as a unit of measurement used by the Babylonians. It is used here to mean numbered, counted, or measured in a numerical sense.
Tekel – Comes from an Aramaic verb meaning to weigh and is related to another monetary unit, a shekel.
Upharsin – This comes from the Aramaic verb "Peres" meaning "to divide" and was used also as a monetary unit meaning a half shekel.
v. 26 Each word – It is most likely that, although the Babylonians would have understood the meaning of each of these words individually, they would not have been able to piece together the message. In what follows, Daniel unfolds the overall meaning of the message.
v. 28 Peres…divided…Persians – As stated above the Aramaic word Peres, from which Upharsin is derived means "to divide." Interestingly, this word closely resembles the Aramaic word for Persian, which is Paras. And so, there is a word play used here in the original that would have been evident to the original hearers.
Darius the Mede – As it once was with Belshazzar, there is debate as to who this Darius the Mede may have been. Extra-biblical sources and archaeology makes no mention of this person, and all other historical sources say that Cyrus the Persian was the conqueror of the Babylonian Empire. Some people argue that Cyrus made Darius a co-regent, as Nabonidus had done with Belshazzar. This would make some sense, as historical sources indicate the Cyrus did in fact place a man called Gubaru in position as governor of the city of Babylon. The ancient Greek playwright, Aeschylus, in his play "The Persians" says that the first king of Persia was a man he referred to simply as "The Mede." He, contrary to other historical sources, says that Cyrus came third. In any case, it is impossible to completely explain the entire historical record at this point.
Received – Some point out that because the text says that Darius "received the kingdom" that his authority must have been delegated to him by Cyrus the Persian.
The Kingdom – The Greek historian Xenophon confirms this account of the taking of Babylon by recording that the Persians had diverted the waters of the Euphrates and entered the city through the dry channels of the riverbed. When the Persians reached the walls of the city they found them wide open due to the feasting and revelry that the Babylonians had been taking part in throughout that day and night. They entered the city unimpeded and two generals slew Belshazzar.
Daniel 6
v. 1 Satrap – A governor over the provinces of the Persian Empire, 120 satraps were placed under the leadership of three main overseers to help them govern the lands formerly under Babylonian control.
the whole kingdom – refers to all the lands occupied and controlled by the Medo-Persians
v. 2 Governor – The 120 satraps were under the authority of these governors (about 40 satraps to each overseer). They were to help Darius govern the lands of Babylon.
So that the king would suffer no loss – Refers to financial and territorial loss. One of their roles was to collect taxes.
v. 3 an excellent spirit was in him – Spirit here refers to the seat of the mind. He had a good mind or a good attitude, and had a reputation for honesty in fulfilling his responsibilities before king Darius.
v.4 charge – they were seeking to convict him of a crime
Concerning the kingdom – This phrase refers to "the law of the land." The governors and satraps are trying to find out if Daniel has broken any laws.
v. 5 the law of his God – These men knew that Daniel was faithful to keep the Jewish laws and were convinced that the only way they could get the conviction they wanted was to find some Hebrew law that would be in opposition to the Persian law. They knew that Daniel would choose his own laws over the law of the land, but they also knew he would obey the Persian law in all other instances.
v. 6 thronged – to gather together and present themselves in an imposing and almost forceful manner
Live forever – a common greeting when addressing a ruler or king
v. 7 Statutes – a decree or law
Petition – To request or ask something of someone. These men knew that Daniel would pray to his God regardless of what the law of the land might state.
Den of lions – A pit, where wild animals might live. The language used seems to indicate that the den was more like a hole in the ground as opposed a cave in the side of a mountain.
v. 8 sign the writings – By "signing" the decree, Darius would establish it as a law for the Medo-Persian Empire.
which does not alter – It was the practice of the Medo-Persians that once a law was established it could not be revoked or changed by anyone, not even the king himself.
v. 10 open towards Jerusalem – Jerusalem lay to the west of Babylon, and it was the practice of the Jews in that day to face the Holy City when praying.
as was his custom since early days – This phrase would be better understood as "just as he had always done."
v. 11 Supplication – to make a request or ask a favor of somebody
v. 13 due regard – This is referring to Daniel paying proper respect towards Darius and the law he had established.
v. 14 set his heart on Daniel to deliver him – Darius understood that he had been duped and made a mistake in writing the decree, but, given the unalterable nature of the law, he could do nothing to change it, in spite of trying desperately to do so.
v. 16 deliver – to free or rescue
v. 17 a stone – It is thought that the stone was a flat stone that would fit over the mouth of the pit like a lid.
signet ring – A signet ring was a ring that left an impression either on clay or wax. This was to act as a signature to authenticate messages. It was also used to mark ownership of property. In this case, the signet ring of the king was used to seal the stone at the mouth of the pit. This was to assure that nobody would intervene to remove the stone.
v. 18 Fasting – To abstain from eating or drinking for any of various purposes. In this case, Darius has the hope of obtaining a request from God
his sleep went from him – He couldn't sleep.
v. 20 lamenting – to weep or wail, to cry out in sadness
v. 22 angel – messenger
v. 24 broke all their bones in pieces – Another way of saying this phrase, could be "torn apart" or "devoured."
v. 26 the living God – Darius refers to Daniel's God as "the living God." Thus he acknowledges that God is a living and real God, unlike the dead idols the rest of the kingdom worshipped. He is active and intervenes in the lives of those who trust him.
Steadfast – enduring, remaining, or standing fast in spite of adversity; faithful
Dominion – what is under one's control
Daniel 5:1-6:28
v. 1 Belshazzar – For centuries, scholars had criticized the book of Daniel for its reference to this mysterious figure about whom history and archaeology had said nothing. All extra-biblical accounts discovered through the end of the 19th century had stated that a man named Nabonidus was the last king of Babylon. Several archaeological discoveries around the turn of the century, however, showed that Belshazzar was a real individual and had been appointed as co-regent over the empire, while his father was on the outposts fighting against the Medes and the Persians. This is an excellent example of archaeology confirming the truthfulness of the Scriptures.
the King – Technically, Nabonidus was the actual head of the empire, but his son was named co-regent, which means co-king and, although his status was secondary to that of his father, he would have been called "king."
Great feast – The ancient Greek historians Herodotus and Xenophon confirm that a great festival was celebrated in the city of Babylon, the night it was conquered by the Medes and the Persians.
Lords – men of noble birth in positions of governmental authority within the empire
v. 2 Gold and silver vessels…had taken – In the year 586, Nebuchadnezzar had destroyed the Temple of Yahweh in Jerusalem, taken the gold and silver instruments used for worship, and brought them into his own storehouse of treasures.
His Father – As stated above, archaeology has confirmed that Nabonidus, the last king of Babylon was Belshazzar's father, but descendants of great men are often referred to as "sons" of the men in question. Consider, for instance, the kings of Judah being referred to as "sons of David." Nonetheless, some continue to criticize Daniel here, because Nabonidus was known to be the son of a commoner and of no relation to Nebuchadnezzar. However, kings would often refer to an important monarch as their "father" in order to bring legitimacy to their reign. It is also possible that Nabonidus married a woman descended from Nebuchadnezzar to strengthen such a claim.
Concubines – Functionally these women were wives, but they held a lower status than a true wife.
v. 5 Gods of gold…stone – The people were holding this feast in honor of false gods that were made of the same kinds of materials from which they were eating and drinking. It's meant to be taken as a bit of irony.
v. 6 Joints…were loosened…knees knocked – These are sayings that merely mean that he was scared. They are not to be taken literally.
v. 7 Cried aloud – literally, "shouted with great strength" (Aramaic)
Astrologers – those that interpret patterns in the stars as signs giving information about the future
Chaldeans – a group of men devoted to occult practices and notorious for their ability to read and interpret portents of the future
Soothsayers – A magician that specializes in predicting the future and foretelling events. Each of these men relied upon pagan practices and demonic arts to reveal things about the future. They were called upon because of the king's confusion at the strange event that had just occurred.
Purple – Purple die was extremely difficult to come by and could only be afforded by the very wealthy. Thus, purple became the color of nobility and royalty.
Third ruler – This further confirms the consistency of the Bible with the archeological record, because Belshazzar was the second in the Kingdom. Thus the highest position the king could bestow upon anyone was that of third.
v. 8 Wise men – generic term used of the different classes of magicians outlined in the previous verse
v. 9 Countenance – The look or expression on the face. In this case, the king's expression became one of discouragement and perplexity.
Astonishedshebash (Heb.) means to be perplexed or confused
v. 10 The Queen – Many think that this is referring to Belshazzar's mother, rather than his wife, and that she was the one wielding real authority in the city.
v. 11 In whom is the Spirit of the Holy God – This is the same phrase used of Daniel by Nebuchadnezzar. (Dan. 4:8, 9, 18) This shows that Belshazzar's mother is at least familiar with Nebuchadnezzar's sayings and might be evidence that she is his daughter or granddaughter, making Belshazzar a descendant of Nebuchadnezzar on his mother's side.
Light, understanding, and wisdom – Each of these terms is meant to evoke the same idea: that Daniel is a man of great wisdom. It is very common in Jewish writings to repeat the same terms and ideas as a poetic form. This repetition of an idea is called parallelism.
v. 12 Explaining enigmas – Literally in Aramaic, this means to "untie knots" and is metaphoric of solving difficult problems.
v. 18 Most High God – Daniel used this term to emphasize the fact that his God, Yahweh, is greater than all other gods. He did this because the king worshipped many false gods, and Daniel wanted him to know that the interpretation he was about to give came from his God and would prove that Yahweh is greater than the gods of all the men that had been trying to interpret the writing on the wall.
v. 19 Majesty – his greatness or grandeur; the display of his power, most of which is described in the rest of the verse
v. 20 Heart was lifted up – a metaphor for pride
Deposed – Removed from his position. Daniel is here recounting the events of the previous chapter.
Glory – Here the word glory is being used in the same way that "majesty" was used in the previous verse.
v. 21 Heart was like the beasts – Here, heart is speaking more of the man's spirit or mind. It is saying that Nebuchadnezzar was thinking like an animal.
Dwelling – He had lived in the wild with animals.
Till he knew – Nebuchadnezzar was in this state until he recognized the truth that Yahweh is the Most High God and does whatever He pleases. As Daniel retold this tale he was trying to draw a parallel between the two kings and warn Belshazzar that his own pride would lead to judgment just as it did with Nebuchadnezzar.
Whomever he chooses – Daniel is teaching the king that there is nothing special about him in particular, but that he holds this position only because God gave it to him. He can take it away just as easily as He gave it.
v. 22 You knew this – Belshazzar has no excuse for his own pride as he was well aware of what had befallen Nebuchadnezzar.
v. 23 Lifted yourself up against – a metaphor meaning that he had pridefully resisted the Lord
Do not see or hear or know – Daniel is simply teaching the king that the gods he worshipped are nothing more than inanimate objects that are of no help to him.
v. 25 Mene – Comes from the word mina, which was a monetary value as well as a unit of measurement used by the Babylonians. It is used here to mean numbered, counted, or measured in a numerical sense.
Tekel – Comes from an Aramaic verb meaning to weigh and is related to another monetary unit, a shekel.
Upharsin – This comes from the Aramaic verb "Peres" meaning "to divide" and was used also as a monetary unit meaning a half shekel.
v. 26 Each word – It is most likely that, although the Babylonians would have understood the meaning of each of these words individually, they would not have been able to piece together the message. In what follows, Daniel unfolds the overall meaning of the message.
v. 28 Peres…divided…Persians – As stated above the Aramaic word Peres, from which Upharsin is derived means "to divide." Interestingly, this word closely resembles the Aramaic word for Persian, which is Paras. And so, there is a word play used here in the original that would have been evident to the original hearers.
Darius the Mede – As it once was with Belshazzar, there is debate as to who this Darius the Mede may have been. Extra-biblical sources and archaeology makes no mention of this person, and all other historical sources say that Cyrus the Persian was the conqueror of the Babylonian Empire. Some people argue that Cyrus made Darius a co-regent, as Nabonidus had done with Belshazzar. This would make some sense, as historical sources indicate the Cyrus did in fact place a man called Gubaru in position as governor of the city of Babylon. The ancient Greek playwright, Aeschylus, in his play "The Persians" says that the first king of Persia was a man he referred to simply as "The Mede." He, contrary to other historical sources, says that Cyrus came third. In any case, it is impossible to completely explain the entire historical record at this point.
Received – Some point out that because the text says that Darius "received the kingdom" that his authority must have been delegated to him by Cyrus the Persian.
The Kingdom – The Greek historian Xenophon confirms this account of the taking of Babylon by recording that the Persians had diverted the waters of the Euphrates and entered the city through the dry channels of the riverbed. When the Persians reached the walls of the city they found them wide open due to the feasting and revelry that the Babylonians had been taking part in throughout that day and night. They entered the city unimpeded and two generals slew Belshazzar.
Daniel 6
v. 1 Satrap – A governor over the provinces of the Persian Empire, 120 satraps were placed under the leadership of three main overseers to help them govern the lands formerly under Babylonian control.
the whole kingdom – refers to all the lands occupied and controlled by the Medo-Persians
v. 2 Governor – The 120 satraps were under the authority of these governors (about 40 satraps to each overseer). They were to help Darius govern the lands of Babylon.
So that the king would suffer no loss – Refers to financial and territorial loss. One of their roles was to collect taxes.
v. 3 an excellent spirit was in him – Spirit here refers to the seat of the mind. He had a good mind or a good attitude, and had a reputation for honesty in fulfilling his responsibilities before king Darius.
v.4 charge – they were seeking to convict him of a crime
Concerning the kingdom – This phrase refers to "the law of the land." The governors and satraps are trying to find out if Daniel has broken any laws.
v. 5 the law of his God – These men knew that Daniel was faithful to keep the Jewish laws and were convinced that the only way they could get the conviction they wanted was to find some Hebrew law that would be in opposition to the Persian law. They knew that Daniel would choose his own laws over the law of the land, but they also knew he would obey the Persian law in all other instances.
v. 6 thronged – to gather together and present themselves in an imposing and almost forceful manner
Live forever – a common greeting when addressing a ruler or king
v. 7 Statutes – a decree or law
Petition – To request or ask something of someone. These men knew that Daniel would pray to his God regardless of what the law of the land might state.
Den of lions – A pit, where wild animals might live. The language used seems to indicate that the den was more like a hole in the ground as opposed a cave in the side of a mountain.
v. 8 sign the writings – By "signing" the decree, Darius would establish it as a law for the Medo-Persian Empire.
which does not alter – It was the practice of the Medo-Persians that once a law was established it could not be revoked or changed by anyone, not even the king himself.
v. 10 open towards Jerusalem – Jerusalem lay to the west of Babylon, and it was the practice of the Jews in that day to face the Holy City when praying.
as was his custom since early days – This phrase would be better understood as "just as he had always done."
v. 11 Supplication – to make a request or ask a favor of somebody
v. 13 due regard – This is referring to Daniel paying proper respect towards Darius and the law he had established.
v. 14 set his heart on Daniel to deliver him – Darius understood that he had been duped and made a mistake in writing the decree, but, given the unalterable nature of the law, he could do nothing to change it, in spite of trying desperately to do so.
v. 16 deliver – to free or rescue
v. 17 a stone – It is thought that the stone was a flat stone that would fit over the mouth of the pit like a lid.
signet ring – A signet ring was a ring that left an impression either on clay or wax. This was to act as a signature to authenticate messages. It was also used to mark ownership of property. In this case, the signet ring of the king was used to seal the stone at the mouth of the pit. This was to assure that nobody would intervene to remove the stone.
v. 18 Fasting – To abstain from eating or drinking for any of various purposes. In this case, Darius has the hope of obtaining a request from God
his sleep went from him – He couldn't sleep.
v. 20 lamenting – to weep or wail, to cry out in sadness
v. 22 angel – messenger
v. 24 broke all their bones in pieces – Another way of saying this phrase, could be "torn apart" or "devoured."
v. 26 the living God – Darius refers to Daniel's God as "the living God." Thus he acknowledges that God is a living and real God, unlike the dead idols the rest of the kingdom worshipped. He is active and intervenes in the lives of those who trust him.
Steadfast – enduring, remaining, or standing fast in spite of adversity; faithful
Dominion – what is under one's control



"Inasmuch as an excellent spirit, knowledge, understanding, interpreting dreams, solving riddles, and explaining enigmas were found in this Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar, now let Daniel be called, and he will give the interpretation." –Daniel 5:12
"Then these men said, ‘We shall not find any charge against this Daniel unless we find it against him concerning the law of his God.'" –Daniel 6:5
We may be known for many things in this world, God, but are we known for our strong faith in You? Are we known for obedience to Your commandments to love You and to love one another? Gird us, God, so that we may only be trapped because of our obedience to You and our love for You.

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