Category Archives: Daniel’s choices

Prayer Day 3 of 8??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #279

30 Wednesday Oct 2024

Posted by in Daniel Prayed--Do You?, Daniel Prayed--Will You?, Daniel's choices, Daniel's Prayer, Praise God Today!, PRAY! PRAY! PRAY!, Prayer, Prayer or Panic?

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Prayer Day 3 of 8???   A Word from THE WORD!!! #279

Our prayer for today is from Daniel, but also from his friends, not just a prayer but a testimony of the strength that dependence upon God provides.  And as I’m often wont to say, “We win!”  And that what Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego said as well.  Let me preface this with a bit of context, Daniel and his friends were taken captive and carried to Babylon to serve in the king’s palace; but their commitment and devotion was totally in their God—Jehovah God Almighty.

“But Daniel purposed in his heart

that he would not defile himself

with the portion of the king’s meat,

nor with the wine which he drank:

therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs

that he might not defile himself.”  Daniel 1:8

Without going too deep, I do need to say that Daniel and his friends remained faithful to God, they had been put to the test at the beginning, and then in chapter 2 they had another crisis of life and faith.  They chose to pray together, and God heard and answered those prayers. (And just FYI verse 17 is their Hebrew names, not the names given them by the Babylonians! verses 1:16-17)

“Then Daniel went in,

and desired of the king

that he would give him time,

and that he would shew the king

the interpretation.

17 Then Daniel went to his house,

and made the thing known to

Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions:

18 That they would desire

mercies of the God of heaven

concerning this secret;

that Daniel and his fellows should not perish

with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.

19 Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel

in a night vision.

Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.”   Daniel 2:16-19

Daniel and his friends heard from God.  And what did they do when they saw God’s answer?  What we should always do, they praised God and Daniel wrote down part of their praise; one of the most revealing and powerful passages in scripture.

“Daniel answered and said,

Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever:

for wisdom and might

are his:

21 And he changeth

the times and the seasons:

he removeth kings,

and setteth up kings:

he giveth wisdom

unto the wise,

and knowledge

to them that know understanding:

22 He revealeth

the deep and secret things:

he knoweth

what is in the darkness,

and the light

dwelleth with him.

23 I thank thee, and praise thee,

O thou God of my fathers,

who hast given me wisdom and might,

and hast made known unto me now

what we desired of thee:

for thou hast now made known unto us

the king’s matter.”  Daniel 2:20-23

May we pray with this same confidence!

Amen and Amen!!!

Mindset Matters??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #261

18 Wednesday Sep 2024

Posted by in Daniel Prayed--Will You?, Daniel's choices, Dare To Be Different!, Mindset on Jesus!, Trusting God, Trusting Jesus, Truth is True, Tuned In To Jesus, Turn to God's Word

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Mindset Matters???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #261

“But Daniel

purposed in his heart

that he would not defile himself

with the portion of the king’s meat,

 nor with the wine which he drank:

therefore he requested

of the prince of the eunuchs

that he might not defile himself.”  Daniel 1:8

Our mindset matters, because as a quote from Mahatma Ghandi (among others who made similar statements, he seems to have been one of the first) says:

“Watch your thoughts,

they become words;

watch your words,

they become actions;

watch your actions,

they become habits;

watch your habits,

they become character;

watch your character,

for it becomes your destiny.”

Daniel had made up his mind because his heart was purposed on God’s Word and His ways!  Yet, Daniel and his friends were never arrogant or demanding, they had respect and worked through the powers that were over them.  And they could do that because ultimately their confidence was in their God—chapter three confirms this as Daniel’s three friends face the fiery furnace.  For you see, they had made their mind up long before this incident—in verse 8 of chapter 1!

“Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear

the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery,

and dulcimer,

and all kinds of musick,

ye fall down and worship the image

which I have made; well:

but if ye worship not,

ye shall be cast the same hour

 into the midst of a burning fiery furnace;

and who is that God

that shall deliver you out of my hands?

16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered

and said to the king,

O Nebuchadnezzar,

we are not careful to answer thee

in this matter.

17 If it be so, our God

whom we serve

is able to deliver us

from the burning fiery furnace,

and he will deliver us out of thine hand,

O king.

18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king,

that we will not serve thy gods,

nor worship the golden image

which thou hast set up.

19 Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury,

and the form of his visage was changed

against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego:

therefore he spake,

and commanded that they should heat the furnace

one seven times more

than it was wont to be heated.” Daniel 3:15-19

The result of their faithful commitment to their God was not only miraculous but gave glory to their God!  Yet the glory only came when they were willing to trust their God to bring them through the fire, or out of it on the other side!  What are you trusting God with?  Or are you trying to do everything yourself?  Even this furious king saw what their God could do, when they were delivered “in the fire”!

“Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said,

Blessed be the God

of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego,

who hath sent his angel,

and delivered his servants

that trusted in him,

and have changed the king’s word,

and yielded their bodies,

that they might not

serve

nor worship

any god,

except their own God.” Daniel 3:28

What are you worshipping?  Where are your time, energies and devotion going?  What does your speech and actions reveal about you and your “god”?

Paul had some very wise counsel for us, and I find it worthy of continual consideration.  May it speak to us today and may each of us draw nearer to our God rather than this world.  May we consider the things that Paul reminds us of and choose wisely in our daily walk.  May we be found to be devoted to the God we claim to love and serve?

“Wherefore putting away lying,

speak every man truth with his neighbour:

for we are members one of another.

26 Be ye angry, and sin not:

let not the sun go down upon your wrath:

27 Neither give place to the devil.

28 Let him that stole

steal no more:

but rather let him labour,

working with his hands the thing which is good,

that he may have to give to him that needeth.

29 Let no corrupt communication

proceed out of your mouth,

 but that which is good

to the use of edifying,

that it may minister grace

unto the hearers.

30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God,

whereby ye are sealed

unto the day of redemption.

31 Let all

bitterness,

and wrath,

and anger,

and clamour,

and evil speaking,

be put away from you,

with all malice:” Ephesians 4:25-31

Oh, that our speech and behavior would reflect the power of God that saves and keeps us!  This flesh is a constant pull against the things of God, we must be like Daniel and make up our mind and our heart to “not defile” ourselves!  Others may throw mud, but we must remain faithful to our God who is ever working to make us into the “image of His Son”!  (See Romans 8:28-29)

May we be faithful testaments of the transforming grace and salvation that Jesus bought with His own blood!  That we would spread holiness, joy and peace not corruption!

“Be not deceived:

evil communications

corrupt good manners.

34 Awake to righteousness,

and sin not;” 1 Corinthians 15:33-34a

Let’s follow Daniel’s and his friend’s example and keep a holy mindset rather than a worldly one!  It shows!  It matters!!!

Amen and Amen!!!

Perfect Peace Or Panic??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #260

16 Monday Sep 2024

Posted by in Daniel's choices, Eyes that SEE HIM, Faith, Faithful Follower, Faithful God--Faithful me!, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Peace, Peace of God, Peace that passeth ALL understanding, Perseverance, Trusting God, Trusting Jesus, Tuned In To Jesus, Weariness

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Perfect Peace Or Panic???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #260

“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace,

 whose mind is stayed on thee:

because he trusteth in thee.

4 Trust ye in the LORD

for ever:

for in the LORD JEHOVAH

is everlasting strength:” Isaiah 26:3-4

Peace can be an elusive commodity—but it is ever found in Jesus and Father God when we determine to set our eyes on God!  To have this peace requires some effort—first of all we must know Jesus as our Lord and Savior, and then to commit ourselves to making Jesus a priority.  That is so much easier to sit here and type into this post, than it is to flesh it out in everyday living.  I am committed to this discipline, but when life interferes—like from the moment my feet hit the floor!  Although my goal is to put Jesus first in all things, I get into the kitchen and instead of making my tea and getting to prayer time, I see dishes that need to be loaded into the dishwasher, or crumbs that need to be swept up, clothes that need to be put away, the trash needs to be taken out before the trash man comes, or a thousand other things of less import.  But being human, these things so easily drag me away, and my time is not used where I intended to use it–to be with my Lord.  Now, let me say that even when I’m taking out the trash or watering, or walking I walk with Jesus, but there is a commitment that we must make to see that our “mind is stayed on thee”!

Let’s use scripture to hopefully help us do a better job of keeping our mind stayed, fixed and tuned to Jesus!

“Be not deceived;

God is not mocked:

for whatsoever a man soweth,

that shall he also reap.

8 For he that soweth to his flesh

shall of the flesh reap corruption;

but he that soweth to the Spirit

shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

9 And let us

not be weary in well doing:

for in due season we shall reap,

if we faint not.

10 As we have therefore opportunity,

let us do good unto all men,

especially unto them

who are of the household of faith.” Galatians 6:7-10

As we walk with Jesus and keep ourselves immersed in His Word, we can draw closer to our Lord than most people will understand; for many in our culture want Jesus to stamp their ticket to heaven but they have no desire to serve or follow Him in their life.  How about you?  Are you counting on a punched-ticket, or a personal relationship with the Lord of the universe?  If we know Him Paul reminds us that we can be faithful and successful in all the things that God leads us to.

“I know both how to be abased,

and I know how to abound:

every where

and in all things

I am instructed both to be full

and to be hungry,

both to abound

and to suffer need.

13 I can do all things

through Christ

which strengtheneth me.”  Philippians 4:12-13

I can because Jesus Christ my Lord paid the price at Calvary and purchased my soul, heart and life—what less could I do but keep my heart and mind set on Him! No!  I don’t get it right all the time, but I do get up when I fall, repent and seek His forgiveness, cleansing and hope for now and forward, because His Word tells me I can do that!  (I encourage you to read all of 1 John, it’s only a few chapters yet they are powerful and life changing when we heed what John reveals Jesus more and more!)

“But if we walk in the light,

as he is in the light,

we have fellowship one with another,

and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son

 cleanseth us from all sin.

8 If we say that we have no sin,

we deceive ourselves,

and the truth is not in us.

9 If we confess our sins,

he is faithful

and just

to forgive us our sins,

and to cleanse us

from all unrighteousness.

10 If we say that we have not sinned,

we make him a liar,

and his word is not in us.”  1 John 1:7-10

In bringing these thoughts to a close for today, I want us to consider how we stay in that “perfect peace”; and the author of Hebrews gives us some solid advice, if we will but heed it (and Hebrews 12 is another chapter that I’d encourage you to read in its entirety!)

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about

with so great a cloud of witnesses,

let us lay aside

every weight,

and the sin which doth so easily beset us,

and let us run with patience

the race that is set before us,

2 Looking unto Jesus

the author

and finisher of our faith;

who for the joy that was set before him

endured the cross,

despising the shame,

and is set down at the right hand

of the throne of God.

3 For consider him

that endured such contradiction of sinners

against himself,

lest ye be wearied

and faint in your minds.” Hebrews 12:1-3

And just FYI, this great cloud of witnesses is not referring to a great arena in the sky applauding loudly to cheer us on, rather (in my opinion) it is a reference back to chapter 11 which many refer to as the chapter of faith, recounting the faithfulness of God to His own, regardless of their circumstances—check it out!

As I want us to get back into the book of Daniel, we see that Daniel, and his friends, are excellent examples of having that perfect peace and how to keep it, in spite of their circumstances or the choices of their peers!  How about you and me?

“But Daniel purposed in his heart

that he would not defile himself

with the portion of the king’s meat,

nor with the wine which he drank:

therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs

that he might not defile himself…

…. 17 As for these four children,

God gave them

knowledge

and skill in all learning

and wisdom:

and Daniel had understanding

in all visions and dreams.” Daniel 1:8 & 17

It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test. Peace is an amazing place to dwell; so let’s be Daniel’s in a world of lions (and we’ll get to that as we go, Lord willing.)  What an amazing life of faith, peace and power Daniel and his friends lived—even though their circumstances were less than what we would call ideal.  Remember God is faithful to His Word in every single circumstance!  May you pursue the God of peace, keeping your eyes on the prize—Jesus!

Amen and Amen!!!

Looking Up Instead Of Around?? A Word from THE WORD!!! #258

12 Thursday Sep 2024

Posted by in Daniel Prayed--Do You?, Daniel Prayed--Will You?, Daniel's choices, Daniel's Prayer, Dare To Be Different!, Grace, Gratitude, Gratitude Is Timeless, Gratitude to Generosity, Great is Thy Faithfulness, Power of Prayer., PRAY! PRAY! PRAY!, Prayer, Prayer or Panic?

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Looking Up Instead Of Around?? A Word from THE WORD!!! #258

I hope to spend the next few weeks looking into the book of Daniel.  I think it timely and worthwhile.  Daniel is one of my biblical heroes, and his testament to faithfulness is one of the most amazing in scripture. So what I’d like to do this morning is to take a glimpse into the heart of this young man to gain a bit of perspective that I pray will help you through each day.

The context of this excerpt of scripture is that Daniel and his friends faced imminent death, so Daniel had asked the King for time to reveal his dream after no one else could.  Daniel went home and called his three friends to pray with him for God’s answer.  And God did answer!  May we be as faithful to praise, worship and honor our God for His faithful provision when we ask—and even before we ask more often than not!  I pray that this will help you finish your week on the upswing—looking up rather than around you.  May God bless you in all your ways! (Remember Proverbs 3:5-6)

“Then Daniel went to his house,

and made the thing known

to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,

his companions:

18 That they would desire mercies

of the God of heaven concerning this secret;

that Daniel and his fellows

should not perish

with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.

19 Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel

in a night vision.

Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.

20 Daniel answered and said,

Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever:

for wisdom and might

are his:

21 And he changeth

the times and the seasons:

he removeth kings,

and setteth up kings:

he giveth wisdom

unto the wise,

and knowledge

to them that know understanding:

22 He revealeth

the deep and secret things:

he knoweth

what is in the darkness,

and the light

dwelleth with him.

23 I thank thee,

and praise thee,

O thou God of my fathers,

who hast given me wisdom and might,

and hast made known unto me now

what we desired of thee:

for thou hast now made known unto us

the king’s matter.”  Daniel 2:17-23

I pray that you will find confidence, encouragement and hope in this amazing revelation of the character of our God.  He is ever faithful, and He calls us to come to Him in every situation.  May you see His hand at work today, as we live for our Lord and Savior Jesus!

“Seeing then that we have a great high priest,

that is passed into the heavens,

Jesus the Son of God,

let us hold fast our profession.

15 For we have not an high priest

which cannot be touched

with the feeling of our infirmities;

but was in all points tempted

like as we are,

yet without sin.

16 Let us therefore come boldly

unto the throne of grace,

that we may obtain mercy,

and find grace to help

in time of need.”  Hebrews 4:14-16

Amen and Amen!!!

Resting IN HIM Is A Must!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #790

22 Friday Apr 2022

Posted by in Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Commitment Or Convenience, Daniel Prayed--Will You?, Daniel's choices, Daniel's Prayer, Faithful, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Faithfulness, Remember, Resting In Jesus, Resting Or Wrestling?, Safe Place

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #790   Resting IN HIM Is A Must!!!

 

I hope this finds you enjoying spring; here in Oklahoma it’s been a revolving-door spring, with 90’s one day and 60’s the next, but I’m so glad to see green grass, daffodils, and looking forward to the Iris to bloom.  The beauty of God’s creation is such a blessing to me, and I pray that it is to you.  I am sitting here watching my hummingbird feeder (I finally have one little bird coming), and even had a visitor to my seed feeder, which pleased me greatly.  I miss the cardinals but, in our apartment, we are too far from the trees to see many of them.  I say all this to remind us that we can take comfort and joy in all of God’s creation, and it can be balm to our soul.

“For the hurt of the daughter of my people

am I hurt;

I am black;

astonishment hath taken hold on me.

22 Is there no balm in Gilead;

is there no physician there?

why then is not the health of the daughter

of my people

recovered?”  Jeremiah 8:21-22

Jeremiah grieved for the spiritual condition of his people, and I feel much the same way, yet Jeremiah asked the question, “Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there?”; for he knew that Gilead (a region in Israel known for its healing balm) had a balm for physical healing, yet his people were still in need of spiritual healing, yet had no desire for it!  How like our culture today, yet are we hurting for the condition of our world?  Are we throwing up our hands in frustration, or praying for our country?  How do we do that?  We can take a lesson from Daniel (and while we won’t look at all of chapter 9 here, I encourage you to spend some time in this portion of Daniel), and humbly identify with the sin and desperate spiritual condition of our nation’s people, seeking God’s face for mercy and help!  Notice that Daniel was in God’s Word and what he saw brought the need of prayer to his heart and mind!  What are we reading?  Watching?  Jesus, please help us to remember to “rest” in YOU, not the world, feasting on YOUR Word, and learning to not only rest in YOU, but to also walk and work in the power of YOUR precious Holy Spirit!

“In the first year of his reign I Daniel understood

by books the number of the years,

whereof the word of the LORD

came to Jeremiah the prophet,

that he would accomplish seventy years

in the desolations of Jerusalem.

3 And I set my face

unto the Lord God,

to seek by prayer and supplications,

with fasting,

and sackcloth,

and ashes:

4 And I prayed unto the LORD my God,

and made my confession, and said,

O Lord, the great and dreadful God,

keeping the covenant and mercy

to them that love him,

and to them

that keep his commandments;

5 We have sinned,

and have committed iniquity,

and have done wickedly,

and have rebelled,

 even by departing from thy precepts

and from thy judgments:

6 Neither have we hearkened

unto thy servants the prophets,

which spake in thy name

to our kings,

our princes,

and our fathers,

and to all the people of the land.

7 O Lord,

righteousness belongeth unto thee,

but unto us

confusion of faces,

as at this day;

to the men of Judah,

and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem,

and unto all Israel,

that are near,

and that are far off,

through all the inhabitants of Jerusalem,

and unto all Israel,

that are near,

and that are far off,

through all the countries whither

thou hast driven them,

because of their trespass

that they have trespassed against thee.

8 O Lord, to us belongeth

confusion of face,

to our kings,

to our princes,

and to our fathers,

because we have sinned

against thee.

9 To the Lord our God

belong mercies

and forgivenesses,

though we have rebelled against him;

10 Neither have we obeyed

the voice of the LORD our God,

to walk in his laws,

which he set before us

by his servants the prophets.”   Daniel 9:2-10

What does this have to do with rest?  Good question.  As we think about the life of Daniel, we find that scripture has nothing negative to say about this faithful man of God; this man who was a teenage captive of the Babylonians when they conquered Jerusalem, yet he had made up his mind to be faithful before his GOD regardless of his circumstances, and we can have that same confidence when we learn to rest in God in total obedience with a commitment to faithfulness before HIM (Dan. 1:8).  Notice that Daniel never says “they did….”, but we; even though he was personally innocent before God (see chapter 6:22), yet he identified with his people’s sin.  Oh, to be found faithful before God, even when that means I must learn to “rest” in HIM, not depend upon ‘self’ as I identify with other’s failures! Ouch!

The Psalmist says it better than I can:

“Fret not thyself

because of evildoers,

neither be thou envious

against the workers of iniquity.

2 For they shall soon be cut down

like the grass,

and wither

as the green herb.

3 Trust in the LORD,

and do good;

so shalt thou dwell in the land,

and verily thou shalt be fed.

4 Delight thyself also in the LORD;

and he shall give thee the desires

of thine heart.

5 Commit thy way unto the LORD;

trust also in him;

and he shall bring it to pass.

6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness

as the light,

and thy judgment

as the noonday.

7 Rest in the LORD,

and wait patiently for him:

fret not thyself

because of him who prospereth

in his way,

because of the man

who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

8 Cease from anger,

and forsake wrath:

fret not thyself

in any wise to do evil.

9 For evildoers shall be cut off:

but those that wait upon the LORD,

they shall inherit the earth.”  Psalm 37:1-9

And just some food for thought about “rest”—it can also include: rely upon God, run to God and not the world, relax in God’s total sovereign control, and rehearse continually what I know to be the true, reliable and proven character of my God by staying in HIS WORD!  Fret not—but rest IN HIM!

“Study

to shew thyself approved unto God,

a workman

 that needeth not to be ashamed,

rightly dividing

 the word of truth.”  2 Timothy 2:15

And just an observation: if we are called to “rightly” divide God’s Word, it can also be “wrongly” divided; and if we haven’t “rightly divided” for ourselves we will be subject to believing the “wrongly divided” opinions of the world!

Amen and Amen!!!