Abriendo un camino

Hace poco tuve una conversación con un amigo que me dijo: “Sé que Dios va a arreglar las cosas, simplemente no veo cómo”. He estado allí tantas veces… más veces de las que me siento cómodo, pero cada una de esas situaciones ha fortalecido mi fe cuando llega la próxima circunstancia.

Saber que Dios está en control y que está resolviendo las cosas incluso/especialmente cuando no podemos ver lo que está pasando es un gran lugar de paz y consuelo. Entregó a Noé en el diluvio, David de Goliat, Daniel de los leones, José en Egipto, Pablo en prisión, el ladrón en la cruz y no renunciará con nosotros o a los que amamos.

“Grandes bendiciones pertenecen a aquellos que son tentados y permanecen fieles! Después de que hayan demostrado su fe, Dios les dará la recompensa de la vida eterna. Dios prometió esto a todas las personas que lo aman. 13 Cada vez que te sientas tentado a hacer algo malo, no debes decir: “Dios me está tentando.” El mal no puede tentar a Dios, y Dios mismo no tienta a nadie. 14 Te tentan las cosas malas que quieres. Tu propio deseo te lleva lejos y te atrapa. 15 Tu deseo crece dentro de ti hasta que resulta en pecado. Entonces el pecado se hace más y más grande y finalmente termina en la muerte16 Mis queridos hermanos y hermanas, no se dejen engañar por esto. 17 Todo lo bueno viene de Dios. Cada regalo perfecto es de él. Estos buenos dones provienen del Padre que hizo todas las luces en el cielo. Pero Dios nunca cambia como las sombras de esas luces. Siempre es el mismo. 18 Dios decidió darnos vida a través del verdadero mensaje que nos envió. Quería que seamos los más importantes de todos los que él creó”. Santiago 1:12-18 ERV

A veces hacemos las cosas al revés. A veces decimos que Dios me está poniendo a prueba o me pone a través de este juicio para ver de qué estoy hecho. Dios no hace eso. Cuando las pruebas, las pruebas y las tentaciones provienen de nuestra propia creación o de la influencia de Satanás en el mundo. Dios interviete para darnos la fuerza para ganar la batalla.

Noé no tenía idea de cuánto tiempo estaría en el arca. David recogió cinco piedras para su cabestrillo; no sabía que el primero mataría al gigante. José sirvió trece años como esclavo en Egipto antes de ser ascendido. Pablo fue apedreado, naufragado, golpeado y encarcelado, pero dijo que eran aflicciones ligeras y que la gracia de Dios era suficiente en todas las situaciones.

“Las tentaciones en su vida no son diferentes de lo que otros experimentan. Y Dios es fiel. No permitirá que la tentación sea más de lo que ustedes pueden soportar. Cuando te sientas tentado, él te mostrará una salida para que puedas soportar”. I Corintios 10:13 NLT

En el servicio de adoración del domingo cantamos la canción “Way Maker”. La letra de esa canción que más significa para mí son las siguientes: “Incluso cuando no la veo, estás trabajando, incluso cuando no lo siento, nunca estás trabajando, Nunca paras, Nunca dejas de trabajar, nunca dejas de trabajar, nunca dejas de trabajar”.

Dios nunca deja de trabajar – Hace un camino para nosotros. Dios nos llevará a la victoria. Denle gracias por todos los dones buenos y perfectos que ha proporcionado.

“Ahora gracias a Dios, que siempre nos hace triunfar en Cristo…” II Corintios 2:14

Family Legacy

What do you pass down from generation to generation? What family stories are forefront; which recipes; which photographs or printed articles?

Yesterday I was privilged to sit and watch the Prayer March with my mother. At ninety-seven her memory is beginning to fail but she remembered some of the clips that were shown of Billy Graham crusades from fifty years ago. She and my father left us a family legacy of faith in God, dependence on His word and commitment to prayer.

It’s at times like these I ask myself what are my children and grandchildren learning from me? It’s important to me that they know how good God is and how many times I would have been overtaken by despair and discouragement if my Father God had not been my source of strength!

When there was no one else to depend on, when hope was all but gone, when situations looked disastrous He was there! When things were good and grand, when blessings were obvious, when I felt strong and at ease He was there! Times of health and healing, prosperity and lack, courage and disappointment, joy and heartbreak, purposeful direction and aimless wandering – through all of these He was and still is there!

I can think of nothing greater that I can leave them as a family legacy than my dependence on and trust in the Lord and His word.

“I will praise You, my God and King. I will honor Your name forever and ever. I will honor You every day, and praise Your name forever and ever. The Lord is great and our praise to Him should be great. He is too great for anyone to understand. Families of this time will praise Your works to the families-to-come. They will tell about Your powerful acts. I will think about the shining-greatness of Your power and about Your great works. Men will speak of Your powerful acts that fill us with fear. And I will tell of Your greatness. Many words will come from their mouths about how good You are. They will sing for joy about how right You are.

The Lord is full of loving-favor and pity, slow to anger and great in loving-kindness. The Lord is good to all. And His loving-kindness is over all His works. 10 All Your works will give thanks to You, O Lord. And all those who belong to You will honor You. 11 They will speak of the shining-greatness of Your holy nation, and talk of Your power. 12 They will make Your powerful acts and the great power of Your holy nation known to the sons of men. 13 Your holy nation is a nation that lasts forever. And Your rule lasts for all time.

14 The Lord holds up all who fall. He raises up all who are brought down. 15 The eyes of all look to You. And You give them their food at the right time. 16 You open Your hand and fill the desire of every living thing.

17 The Lord is right and good in all His ways, and kind in all His works. 18 The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth. 19 He will fill the desire of those who fear Him. He will also hear their cry and will save them. 20 The Lord takes care of all who love Him. But He will destroy all the sinful. 21 My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord. And all flesh will honor His holy name forever and ever.” Psalm 145 NLV

What I want them to know, what I want everyone to know, is the Lord is good. He takes care of those who love Him. He forgives our sins and His love endures forever. I can think of no greater legacy than that!

Take Time to Pray

Did you know there will be a prayer march in Washington D.C. today? Franklin Graham will lead a prayer march from the Lincoln Memorial to the Capitol Building with several stopping places along the way for specific prayer.

I ask you to take time, whereever you are, to join in prayer with those in Washington.

If you’re like me, you have been praying for this Nation and our leadership for many months now. We are commanded to pray for those in authority.

“First of all, I ask you to pray much for all men and to give thanks for them. Pray for kings and all others who are in power over us so we might live quiet God-like lives in peace. It is good when you pray like this. It pleases God Who is the One Who saves. He wants all people to be saved from the punishment of sin. He wants them to come to know the truth.” I Timothy 2:1-4 NLV

I don’t pray for one political party or another, nor do I pray just for the President. I pray for all members of Congress, the Supreme Court, Governors and local judges. I simply pray that all of our leaders will make just and righteous decisions; decisions that please and honor God as the founders of our nation intended.

And then I pray that we all honor the Lord with our actions and our words. How often do we pray for others to change but first and foremost we must be willing to conform to the person God has called us to be.

“Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.

16 Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. 17 And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.” Colossians 3:12-17 NLT

Some think of prayer as an action of last resort – a cry of desparation. That it can be! However, I see prayer as a time to talk with my Father telling Him my concerns and seeking His direction and answers. I’ve found it’s much better to get His direction instead of begging Him to get me out of a mess.

“‘Call to Me, and I will answer you. And I will show you great and wonderful things which you do not know.’” Jeremiah 33:3 NLV

Will you join me today in praying for our Nation? Let’s follow the instruction of the Apostle Paul and “Pray without ceasing”.

AMEN!

Enjoy the Feast

Yesterday morning I showed you how God’s word is referred to as milk and when we are new babies in Christ the Word of God provides us with the nourishment we need. But the Bible also has many references to our being fed by God’s word. It is our life-giving sustance. So this morning I would like to share a few of my favorite verses with you – enjoy the feast!

I praise God for those who have been called to the work of translating the Bible, not just in foreign languages, but into versions that make it easier for us to use and understand.These verses have really helped me and I hope that there are one or two that provide what you need!

HE WILL NEVER LEAVE ME OR LET ME DOWN! “Let yourcharacter or moral disposition be free from love of money [including greed, avarice, lust, and craving for earthly possessions] and be satisfied with your present [circumstances and with what you have]; for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!]” Hebrews 13:5 AMP

WHEN CHRIST RULES, PEACE REIGNS “And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state] to which as [members of Christ’s] one body you were also called [to live]. And be thankful (appreciative), [giving praise to God always].” Colossians 3:15 AMP

HE CARES FOR ME “Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.” I Peter 5:7 AMP

I HAVE AN OVERFLOWING LIFE “The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).” John 10:10 AMP

MOSES AND I HAVE THE SAME GOD, THE GREAT I AM! “And when that time comes, you will ask nothing of Me [you will need to ask Me no questions]. I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, that My Father will grant you whatever you ask in My Name [as presenting all that I Am].24 Up to this time you have not asked a [single] thing in My Name [as presenting all that I Am]; but now ask and keep on asking and you will receive, so that your joy (gladness, delight) may be full and complete.” John 16:23-24 AMP

MY FATHER’S WORD GIVES ME CONFIDENCE “And this is the confidence (the assurance, the privilege of boldness) which we have in Him: [we are sure] that if we ask anything (make any request) according to His will (in agreement with His own plan), He listens to and hears us.15 And if (since) we [positively] know that He listens to us in whatever we ask, we also know [with settled and absolute knowledge] that we have [granted us as our present possessions] the requests made of Him.” I John 5:14-15 AMP

Feasting on God’s Word is one of the best meals ever!

Growing Strong

I love babies!! ❤❤

We have two grown grandchildren, three young grandchildren and one great grandchild. I’ve been working on photo boards and attending birthday celebrations during the last couple of months. First birthday, third birthday and fifth birthday…lots of pictures to look at while I reminisce.

I remember holding all six of these precious ones in my arms, speaking softly, swaying gently as they slept in my arms. What a blessing to hold a sleeping babe! As much joy as that brings no one wants them to remain babes forever. We desire to see them grow strong and healthy.

It’s a routine with babies – eating and sleeping, sleeping and eating. It’s required for growth.

They eat all the time and make no apology for it. They have a God-given instinct to eat and they let us know about it. We quickly learn which cries mean I’m hungry, tired, mad or wet. As they get a little older we learn signs long before they can articulate their request.

We need to follow their example.

“Be like newborn babies who are thirsty for the pure spiritual milk that will help you grow and be saved. 3 You have already found out how good the Lord really is.” I Peter 2:1-3 CEV

We need to be like babies – sincere, innocent with an overwhelming desire to grow – to eat spiritual milk (the Word) and learn of the Lord’s goodness.

Growing is natural, it’s good, it is proof that we are healthy and strong. Babies also get thirsty and sometimes just need a drink of water and not a feeding of milk. It keeps them hydrated and all their organs working well. We also need water, but the living water, that only Christ can give.

“Jesus answered, “You don’t know what God can give you. And you don’t know who I am, the one who asked you for a drink. If you knew, you would have asked me, and I would have given you living water.”11 The woman said, “Sir, where will you get that living water?…13 Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again. 14 But anyone who drinks the water I give will never be thirsty again. The water I give people will be like a spring flowing inside them. It will bring them eternal life.”15 The woman said to Jesus, “Sir, give me this water. Then I will never be thirsty again and won’t have to come back here to get more water.” John 4:10-15 ERV

When little babies are hungry they cry and their parents get them a bottle and provide them with nourishment. Scripture tells us that our Father runs to our cry.

“Those who are hungry and thirsty to be right with God are happy” , because they will be filled.” Matthew 5:6 NLV

When was the last time we cried to let the Father know we are hungry for the sincere milk of God’s word or the living water that only He can give? When we do, we will be filled.

Weak, Trembling, Worried?

How many times have you awaken in the night heavy hearted? There’s something going on with family or work and you think you’ve got it under control and then there’s that middle-of-the-night awareness and your peace is destroyed.

Laying there, all the what-if scenarios run through your mind and you figure you will never get back to sleep. All there is to do now is pray for morning. But wait…

“Here is a message for all who are weak, trembling,  and worried: “Cheer up! Don’t be afraid. Your God is coming to punish your enemies. God will take revenge on them and rescue you.” Isaiah 35:3-4 CEV

“Strengthen the weak hands and make firm the feeble and tottering knees. Say to those who are of a fearful and hasty heart, Be strong, fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance; with the recompense of God He will come and save you. Isaiah 35:3-4 AMPC

The Lord has given us a promise of peaceful sleep. Our bodies were designed to rest. Daniel slept in the lions’ den, Peter slept in a prison cell, and Jesus slept in the bow of a boat on a stormy sea. Each one of them was surrounded by their problems but they were in a place of peace; they were trusting God.

“In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for You, Lord, alone make me dwell in safety and confident trust.” Psalm 4:8 AMPC

Our heavenly Father provides us with a place of safety, a place where we can trust in His protection and provision. He is there, always, during the watches of the night. Jesus knew this better than anyone and here is what he said:

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.] 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest (relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls. 30 For My yoke is wholesome (useful, good—not harsh, hard, sharp, or pressing, but comfortable, gracious, and pleasant), and My burden is light and easy to be borne.” Matthew 11:28-30 AMPC

When we are burdened and we come to Jesus He will give us rest. He wants us to learn from Him; He trusted the Father implicitly. He knows that’s where we will find true peace and rest.

I woke earlier than usual this morning and here are the words that filled my heart and my mind. They are the words of an old hymn which was first published in 1878. These are the words of the chorus and the second stanza.

Glory to His Name,
Glory to His Name:
There to my heart was the blood applied;
Glory to His Name!

I am so wondrously saved from sin,
Jesus so sweetly abides within,
There at the cross where He took me in;
Glory to His Name!

Jesus, abiding (living, making his residence) within our hearts replaces the worry, the fear and the weakness with His peace and rest! May you rest in peace.

Making A Way

I recently had a conversation with a friend who said “I know God is going to work things out, I just don’t see how”. I have been there so many times…more times than I am comfortable with but each one of those situations has bolstered my faith when the next circumstance comes.

Knowing that God is in control and that He is working things out even/especially when we can’t see what’s going on is a great place of peace and comfort. He delivered Noah in the flood, David from Goliath, Daniel from the lions, Joseph in Egypt, Paul in prison, the thief on the cross and He won’t quit with us or those we love!

“Great blessings belong to those who are tempted and remain faithful! After they have proved their faith, God will give them the reward of eternal life. God promised this to all people who love him. 13 Whenever you feel tempted to do something bad, you should not say, “God is tempting me.” Evil cannot tempt God, and God himself does not tempt anyone. 14 You are tempted by the evil things you want. Your own desire leads you away and traps you. 15 Your desire grows inside you until it results in sin. Then the sin grows bigger and bigger and finally ends in death.16 My dear brothers and sisters, don’t be fooled about this. 17 Everything good comes from God. Every perfect gift is from him. These good gifts come down from the Father who made all the lights in the sky. But God never changes like the shadows from those lights. He is always the same. 18 God decided to give us life through the true message he sent to us. He wanted us to be the most important of all that he created.” James 1:12-18 ERV

Sometimes we get things backwards. Sometimes we say God is testing me or putting me through this trial to see what I’m made of. God doesn’t do that. When the trials, tests and temptations come they come from our own making or the influence of Satan in the world. God steps in to give us the strength to win the battle.

Noah had no idea how long he would be in the ark. David collected five stones for his sling; he didn’t know the first one would kill the giant. Joseph served thirteen years as a slave in Egypt before he was promoted. Paul was stoned, shipwrecked, beaten and imprisoned, but he said those were light afflictions and that God’s grace was sufficient in every situation.

“The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.” I Corinthians 10:13 NLT

In Sunday’s worship service we sang the song “Way Maker”. The lyrics in that song that mean the most to me are these: “Even when I don’t see it, You’re working, Even when I don’t feel it, You’re working, You never stop, You never stop working, You never stop, You never stop working”.

God never stops working – He makes a way for us. God will lead us into victory. Thank Him for all the good and perfect gifts that He has provided.

“Now thanks be unto God, which always causes us to triumph in Christ…” II Corinthians 2:14

Life Changing Moments

Imagine with me, if you will, the following scenarios: You placed an ad in Craig’s List to sell your Jeep. Weeks pass and no one comes but then there’s a phone call from a man who wants to come look at it. He comes with his wife, they buy the Jeep and in the process you learn that she is someone you met over 30 years earlier. Her mother had opened her home to your cowboy Bible studies. A friendship renewed!

Then there was the time you stopped in a restaurant in a small town in norther California. As your husband comes through the door and approaches the counter, a man sitting there sees the words on his belt buckle “Jesus Is Lord”, falls to his knees and repents because he has been running from God.

One other time, you find yourself stopping in a pharmacy and meet a young woman who is obviously upset. You ask to pray for her and she bursts into tears. You pray, the Lord lifts her burden and you leave.

All of these, and others, were life changing moments for us and for those we encountered. They were divine appointments that the Lord orchestrated and we were blessed to be a part of.

I’ve been looking at people who encountered Jesus. Each one started out as a normal day, normal routine but they encountered a divine appointment. Some were moved by what Jesus did and others by what Jesus said.

Remember the Samaritan woman? Her life and the life of her town were changed by the words of Jesus. Jesus had stopped on His journey at the town well when He met a woman.

“Many of the Samaritan people in that town believed in Jesus. They believed because of what the woman had told them about him. She had told them, “He told me everything I have ever done.” 40 The Samaritans went to Jesus. They begged him to stay with them. So he stayed there two days. 41 Many more people became believers because of the things he said.42 The people said to the woman, “First we believed in Jesus because of what you told us. But now we believe because we heard him ourselves. We know now that he really is the one who will save the world.” John 4:39-42 ERV

And then there was the man at the pool who had been lame – His life was changed by the words “take up your bed and walk”. Jesus was just walking through town when he met this man.

“Afterward Jesus returned to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish holy days. Inside the city, near the Sheep Gate, was the pool of Bethesda, … One of the men lying there had been sick for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him and knew he had been ill for a long time, he asked him, “Would you like to get well?”…Jesus told him, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk!”Instantly, the man was healed! He rolled up his sleeping mat and began walking! But this miracle happened on the Sabbath” John 5:1-9 NLT

And then there was Zacchaeus. He started his day by attending a parade; he heard that there was a famous man coming through town that day and he wanted to see what He looked like. It was a life changing event.

“Jesus entered Jericho and made his way through the town. There was a man there named Zacchaeus. He was the chief tax collector in the region, and he had become very rich. He tried to get a look at Jesus, but he was too short to see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree beside the road, for Jesus was going to pass that way. When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. “Zacchaeus!” he said. “Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today.” Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy. But the people were displeased. “He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner,” they grumbled…Jesus responded, “Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.” Luke 19:1-10 NLT

We are here to be an ambassador, a representative for Christ. Be open to divine set-ups. These are life changing moments for you and those you meet.

Struggling for Victory?

For years the words “victorious living” were not a part of my vocabulary. Life was a daily struggle – Dave going off to work each day, raising two small children, tightening the budget, stressful days and sleepless nights.

There wasn’t much joy or peace in our lives. We loved the Lord and felt it was our lot in life to just struggle through down here and when we got to heaven it would all be worth it.

Then one day we heard a preacher on television talking about Victorious Christian Living. We listened as he preached, writing down every verse he used and asking ourselves if this was really true. After the program was over we looked up the verses to make sure they weren’t taken out of context. We knew Scriptures could be twisted to say just about anything so we wanted to make sure that the intent of these verses matched the message being preached. They did.

“But we have power over all these things through Jesus Who loves us so much. 38 For I know that nothing can keep us from the love of God. Death cannot! Life cannot! Angels cannot! Leaders cannot! Any other power cannot! Hard things now or in the future cannot! 39 The world above or the world below cannot! Any other living thing cannot keep us away from the love of God which is ours through Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:37-39 NLV

That message gave us a hunger to know more of God’s word. We began to apply the Scripture to specific areas of our lives. We found that we could trust God’s word in every situation. It didn’t happen over night, it was a process.

I knew so many Christians like me. Living with a motto of “hope for the best, expect the worst and you’ll never be disappointed”. I wanted to share with them the victory I had found in God’s word.

I wanted everyone to know that God is a good and loving Father. His plan is for us to be victorious. We don’t have to earn His love, He gives it unconditionally and His word explains all of this. Since then I have taken every opportunity I am given to help others understand the powerful life God has provided for us.

“And they shall be Mine, says the Lord of hosts, in that day when I publicly recognize and openly declare them to be My jewels (My special possession, My peculiar treasure). And I will spare them, as a man spares his own son who serves him.” Malachi 3:17 AMPC

That’s why I write this blog. That’s why I have written “Like A Diamond”. Our lives in Christ are multifaceted. Each facet causes us to sparkle with the brilliance of God’s love, grace, compassion and forgiveness. We have great value to our heavenly Father. He sees us as precious treasures “Like A Diamond”.

If you struggle with victory in your Christian walk or know of someone that does then I believe this book will be a help to you. It is eleven chapters filled with Scripture and teaching on who God has designed us to be.

My prayer is that we all shine “Like A Diamond” for God’s glory!

 

Book Titles



Books ordered here will be autographed.

Who Is The Enemy?

For the last couple of weeks I have written about the circumstances and situations in life that cause fear and unrest. The good news is that our God is bigger than any of them and He will walk through every situation. We can trust Him.

God is faithful! Yes, He is. His faithfulness endures to a thousand generations, as if there were any question about it. He can be trusted to keep His word.

This morning we will look at Daniel. He had co-workers who hated him and would go to any length to sabotage his credibility and even go so far as to want him dead. They had the king enact a law that anyone who prayed to a god other than whom the king said would be thrown into the lion’s den.

They knew full well that Daniel spent hours each day praying to His God. Once the trap was set, they brought Daniel before the king; judgment was made and Daniel was taken off to certain death in the lion’s den.

In the morning, the king came to the lions’ den and called out to Daniel. He responded and the king had him brought out of the enclosure. Daniel gave glory to God for His faithfulness and the co-workers were sent to their death for trying to destroy Daniel.

“19 The next morning, King Darius got up just as it was getting light and ran to the lions’ den. 20 He was very worried. When he got to the lions’ den, he called to Daniel. He said, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God been able to save you from the lions? You always serve your God.”21 Daniel answered, “King, live forever! 22 My God sent his angel to save me. The angel closed the lions’ mouths. The lions have not hurt me because my God knows I am innocent. I never did anything wrong to you, King.”23 King Darius was very happy…The lions did not hurt Daniel because he trusted in his God.24 Then the king gave a command to bring the men who had accused Daniel to the lions’ den. The men and their wives and children were thrown into the lions’ den… 25 Then King Darius wrote this letter to all the people from other nations and language groups all around the world:Greetings:26 I am making a new law. This law is for people in every part of my kingdom. All of you must fear and respect the God of Daniel. Daniel’s God is the living God; he lives forever. His kingdom will never be destroyed. His rule will never end.27 God helps and saves people. He does amazing miracles in heaven and on earth. He saved Daniel from the lions.28 So Daniel was successful during the time Darius was king and when Cyrus the Persian was king.” Daniel Chapter 6 ERV

True Story!

Who was Daniel’s enemy? Was it the king who sentenced him to death? Could it have been the co-workers who were jealous of Daniel, his wisdom and position? Were the lions’ his enemy? Perhaps, Daniel’s enemy was unseen and lurking in the background. Daniel’s enemy was the same one, that those of us who seek to honor God, face on a daily basis.

“Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.” Ephesians 6:11-13 NLT

Are you facing a lions’ den today? You notice that Daniel didn’t change his commitment to the Lord just because the circumstances changed. Daniel was a faithful man, he continued to serve God in spite of the circumstances. And God continued to be faithful to His word and to the man who served Him. Like Daniel, we will still be standing when the battle is over. Be faithful today and you will find that God is faithful too!

“For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him…” II Chronicles 16:9