Monthly Archives: September 2017

Daniel

Do Not Alter

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Reading about Daniel this morning in Daniel 6.
10 Now when Daniel knew that the document was signed, he entered his house (now in his roof chamber he had windows open toward Jerusalem); and he continued kneeling on his knees three times a day, praying and giving thanks before his God, as he had been doing previously.  source  NASB
Something I appreciate about him: when the decree came directing that prayers could be offered for the next 30 days only to King Darius and not to any other god and certainly not the GOD of Daniel, Daniel did what he had already been doing.
Praying evening, morning and noon unashamedly before an open window facing toward Jerusalem (please recall he was in a foreign land) to GOD.
He did not start something new because of the decree and he did not cease the good he was doing because of the decree.
Let us be reminded the decree was for only 30 days. Even so Daniel did not reason within himself, ‘well, it’s only 30 days. GOD will understand. I can start praying again when the 30 days have expired.’
Let not our obedience to GOD be altered by the will of man – not any man or any woman;  no matter how influential they may be, nor how close in relationship.  This is not easy but the same GOD who enabled Daniel is here to enable us. 

Chazaq! 

Gospel of John

A Tweak and a Tad

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I have a homepage I check from time to time offered by Free Dictionary dot-com.  There a word for the day can be found. Today the word was feeder.  I like the train of thought that followed.

Here’s the definition given:  A branch that flows into the main stream.

And I thought if I tweak that just a tad and add some Scripture, I have a definition that I am growing into. 

A branch that flows into and from the main stream.  

 John 15: 4 Abide in Me, and I will abide in you. The branch cannot itself produce fruit, unless it abides on the vine. Likewise, you cannot produce fruit unless you abide in Me. 5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for apart from Me, you can do nothing. source

A branch that draws Life and nutrients from the The Main Stream (The Vine) and flows out to others.  :)

May it be so, Adonai! May it be so more and more every day. 

Chazaq! 

Proverbs

Wisdom Speaks

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For today

Proverbs 19: 20 Listen to counsel and accept discipline,
That you may be wise the rest of your days.

Proverbs 19: 23 The fear of the Lord leads to life,
So that one may sleep satisfied, untouched by evil.  source

Chazaq! 

Acts

Boldness

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I was reading Acts 4 this morning. Peter and John were fresh from a night in jail and went immediately to people of like faith to pray. 

24 So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: “Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them, 25 who by the mouth of Your servant David have said:

‘Why did the nations rage,
And the people plot vain things?
26 The kings of the earth took their stand,
And the rulers were gathered together
Against the Lord and against His Christ.’

27 “For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together 28 to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done. 29 Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, 30 by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.”

31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.  source 

They prayed aloud together. They praised and confessed the sovereignty and power of GOD the Creator. They prayed His Word back to Him. They plainly explained their situation. And they asked for boldness to continue to proclaim His Story.

Thank You Sovereign Lord and Father. Thank You for Your Word that teaches us, encourages us, and convicts us. We pray for such love for You as had these and such courage to be bold in proclaiming Your Story of Love, Grace, and Forgiveness not only to those inside Christendom but those yet outside. We acknowledge here that Your Son is the only way of salvation for all mankind.  Thank You for giving us faith to believe and pray.  

Chazaq!