FOUR GOOD MEN
Today’s Reading: Daniel 1-2
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
Among the ruins of Ephesus is one of the largest ancient amphitheatres in existence today. The four great empires of today’s reading, including the one that built this gigantic structure, have come and gone. The Kingdom established by God through His Son, Jesus Christ (Messiah), remains forever!
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: Daniel 2:19-20
Then the secret was revealed to Daniel in a night vision. So Daniel blessed the God of heaven. Daniel answered and said: “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and might are His.”
Daniel, an outstanding man of God, served as a leader over the entire 70 year period of Babylonian/Persian captivity. He represented the true God so well that the emperors acknowledged the God of Israel as GOD as a result of Daniel’s ministry. This Old Testament book can only be compared with the New Testament book of Revelation for its prophetic content. God is “forever and ever, for wisdom and might are His!” (2:20).
Daniel chapter one singles out four young Hebrew men for their excellence of character. The king’s assessment, as a result of his interview with them, was that they were 10 times more qualified than the others. This provides a challenge for us to be people of excellence!
Chapter two moves us directly into the recognition that God alone knows the secrets of the human heart, and He alone can reveal that which people on their own can never know. Daniel pulls back the curtain and writes of four great empires. The current Babylonian one, and the Persian, Greek, and Roman empires yet to come. The confession of King Nebuchadnezzar in 2:47 is astonishing. This proud Emperor fell prostrate on his face and declared to Daniel, “Truly your God is the God of gods, and the Lord of kings!” From Daniel we learn to bring our witness for God into the culture, into government and into everyday life. This is happening today in the country called by Winston Churchill “the Pearl of Africa,” Uganda (more details tomorrow).
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, I bow before You in recognition that You are my King! Rule and reign in my life, I pray. Reveal Yourself to me as I read Your Word and pray each day. Grant me, I ask, understanding and the wisdom to apply Your Word to my life in practical ways that will bless, not only me, but all those with whom I come into contact. I pray this in the Name of the One who did this at all times, Jesus Christ. Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I want to thank my sons with all my heart for their participation in this blog. I’ve mentioned before that Ron helps me (I’m semi-illiterate in computers) by formatting and posting the blog each day, every day. The amazing blog experience of Ron’s wife Ann from yesterday’s blog is well worth reading again and sending to others. Tomorrow, God willing, I’ll try to connect readers with a prayer from Uganda’s President. This illustrates, as did Nebuchadnezzar’s experience, that, as a result of strong prayers and faith, God gets through to heads of state.
Yours for the fulfillment of God’s purposes in our time as demonstrated in their time by those four young men in today’s reading,
David
Amen, David. It was so rewarding to read Daniel, this morning. Praise God for revealing to him. Blessings dearest saints in the Lord.
What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 1:13
Let Us Adore, Elevation Worship
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnnaYH3UmHk
“The day when Jesus stood alone
And felt the hearts of men like stone,
And knew He came but to atone
That day “He held His peace.”
They witnessed falsely to His word,
They bound Him with a cruel cord,
And mockingly proclaimed Him Lord;
“But Jesus held His peace.”
They spat upon Him in the face,
They dragged Him on from place to place,
They heaped upon Him all disgrace;
“But Jesus held His peace.”
My friend, have you for far much less,
With rage, which you called righteousness,
Resented slights with great distress?
Your Saviour “held His peace.””
–L. S. P.
Streams in the Desert, March 18
Beautiful…Amen! and Amen!
Just to let you know Beverley that over the years “Streams in the Desert’ has been such a blessing and encouragement to me -especially through tough times. Mrs. Charles Cowman wrote a book about how “Streams” came to be. Her Christian husband was severely ill after years of ministry. However, in his home he had a map of the world spread out before him and he spent the rest his life -though ill – in intercession for the the world. To encourage him every day, Mrs. Cowan would dig up inspirational thoughts, poems etc to give to her husband to encourage him. After His “Promotion to Glory”, she tells the story of “Streams” in a book called “The Vision Lives” – telling the story as she traveled around the world and ‘Stream’ became such an inspiration to so many then..and now!. “Streams” …. in the “Desert” – cool refreshing blessings giving strength in them midst of difficult, hot, desolate times in our lives. May all bloggers to be encouraged. Blessings to David and his team as he faithfully puts out this blog every day. I joined David in his prayer today as I strive to be God’s person in a needy world. Samuel
Thanks for the reminder of the call for excellence. Also, for the prayer – one to pray every day!
Thank you, David and all of your family, for your love of the Lord, your faithfulness to his Word and the encouragement and wisdom you give to all of us on this daily journey together.
Our God is an awesome God!
Praise the Lord God Almighty that He should love even me!
Yes! Praise the Lord Almighty!!
I said your prayer as well David
Oh, Daniel, one of my favorite books and more so since I have just finished reading, “Agents of Babylon”, an excellent book which gets you right into the heart and soul of Daniel, his three friends and his time, Babylon! Got a much deeper understanding of all the prophesies, dreams and visions! Now I want to go back and read “Agents of the Apocalypse” again. Thank you David, Ron, Ann and Reynold for leading the way in this great study of the Word! Like the poem Beverlee. God bless all!
About two years ago, our morning bible study group did a study on the Book of Daniel. Its content is worth re-reading again and again.
Thank you Pastor David for leading in prayer. I joined in with you.
Great picture Reynold…detailed in structure and depth. I recall being on those steps when we were there during the “Journey of Hope”
Looking forward to tomorrow’s blog!
Have a Blessed Day in the Lord all you Saints.
I prayed your Prayer for today, Pastor Mainse.
” Blessed be the Name of God of heaven forever and ever,
for wisdom and might are his.”
Thank you all for your prayers, it was good for me to remember that you were praying for me. God gave me great daily devotionals and kept reminding me of hymns that ministered to me as I needed. Once a nurse told me, as she was leaving my room, that I had to just take it day by day. I immediately thought of the hymn
” Day by day and with each passing moment, strength I find to meet my trials here;
Trusting in my Fathers wise bestowment, I’ve no cause for worry or for fear.
He whose heart is kind beyond all measure gives unto each day what He deems best, lovingly its part of pain and pleasure, mingling toil with peace and rest.”
I went to see my doctor for a visit on January 6 th and came home yesterday. I had my hip replacement removed and a spacer put in, as well as a puck of antibiotics. I also had 2 more antibiotics. I was not allowed to walk for 6 weeks, then for 2weeks only 50% weight bearing. Now I am allowed to walk with a walker. I will still have to have another surgery to have another hip joint put in.
This was my 3 rd surgery on the same hip. I had a major infection, which seems to have cleared up.
It is good to be back, I continue to need your prayers. Thank you all so much.
God bless you all.
Praise God for your testimony Mary Stewart, I pray for a total restoration!! God is Faithful and true, Praise is Holy Name!!!
Glad you are back home, Mary. Praise God you can return to the daily bible readings and blog. Happy to hear the hymns gave you strength.
Mary, thank you for the poem, “Day by day” – always a good reminder.
“Lord, give Mary the strength she needs today and may your healing process continue as she prepares for a further surgery. ‘They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength..they shall walk and not be faint’ (Is.41:31). The word ‘faint’ means “to cave in on the inside” but I also pray that outwardly you will become stronger and stronger as you take the essential time you need to recover.” Samuel
Here is an awesome video on Israel at the forefront of the refugee crisis on a distant shore:
The Island of Tears Documentary
https://vimeo.com/151279276
I just can’t imagine the terror the Syrian refugees must feel; the circumstance they have to live in, then journey on the ocean, then re-settlement. Praise to God for the incredible tender heartedness of the Israelis who help them in this video.
So glad to hear that you are home Mary, may God continue to heal your body. Will continue to pray for you.
Thank you Beverlee for the video, the tears just flew out of my eyes as I watched. I personally feel that I have nothing to complain about. Thank God for those dedicated Drs and nurses.
I pray that we would all be faithful as Daniel was, what an example to all of us. Blessings from Eleanor M.
Thanks so much Ron & Anne for your help with your Dad’s blog. It’s really good!
Appreciate the time and dedication you give to it.The photos as well AS THE COMMENTS AND EXTRA “MINI” VIDEOS ETC MAKE IT A PLEASURE TO LOOK FORWARD TO EVERY DAY !
THANKS AGAIN,
GRACE GOHEEN PT HOPE , ON
good day Mary Stewart! Lord God this precious child of Yours has had many surgeries and she needs more. Lord You walked with me when I broke my leg, I ask that You would guide and speak healing to her body! Lord I pray You would find some soft exercises she could do even now and continue as she heals. Lord You took my broken leg and gave me swimming! UNBELIEVABLE! You did that for me Lord! I pray that You will do the same for Mary! Giver her a cheerful thankful heart each day! She is alive! She can read this Bible Study, she can read the blogs posted, blogs that show tremendous care and love from all the people! IT IS A BLESSING TO READ GOD’S EVERY DAY! Thank you Lord, I just read THE MORE WE THANK GOD FOR HIS FAVOUR, THE MORE OF HIS FAVOUR YOU WILL SEE!
Mary you can go to Google and type in Christian Gospel music and turn the volume up high! Soon you will be tapping your toes to the music! We know that the Lord will never leave us nor forsake us! He tells us those preciouis words! Keep in touch Mary, You have a GREAT DAY and REMEMBER GOD LOVES UNCONDITIONALLY! PRAISE HIS NAME ABOVE ALL NAMES!
Blessings to everyone this day! I also just read: WHEN YOU GET IN A HABIT OF BRAGGING ON GOD’S GOODNESS, YOU’ll SEE HIM DO THE EXTRAORDINARY IN YOUR LIFE!