Daniel: Faithful Living

In our ongoing series on Daniel (October 23) we turn to Daniel 6 and to one of the most well-known stories in the Bible – Daniel in the Lion’s Den. Daniel is a righteous man lowered into a pit of death which is sealed by a stone. The forces of death (i.e., the lions’ mouths are closed) are stopped and the man emerges alive from the pit. I hope this plotline sounds familiar.

In our ongoing series on Daniel (October 16) we go to Daniel 5. A new king – Belshazzar. A different heart and outlook – Disaster for him and for the empire he rules. Mysterious writing appears on the wall of his banquet room – easily seen, but not easily understood, until Daniel is summoned to read and interpret the very words of God. Find out how this connects with you.

In our ongoing series on Daniel, we turn to Daniel 4. The king has another dream. Daniel interprets it for him, but the news is not good. The king continues in his pride, and suffers the consequences. However, God is faithful, even in the life of a pagan king.

In our ongoing series series on the prophet Daniel, we turn to chapter 3. The king makes a massive statue of himself and demands worship of his image. Three young Jewish men refuse to bow the knee on pain of death. They are thrown to the flames and heat of a smelting furnace as punishment. God comes through. The three young men come through.

In our ongoing series on the prophet Daniel, we turn to chapter 2. The king of Babylon has a disturbing dream, and he demands that his spiritual advisors tell him the actual dream before interpreting it. No one can possibly do this. Daniel and his three companions have an all night prayer session and God reveals to Daniel the king’s dream. God comes through.

This week in our series on the prophet Daniel, we turn to Chapter 1, where we are introduced to this remarkable young man, who with his three friends, has been departed from his native land under hostile circumstances and is now in a foreign, pagan nation. Since circumstances reveal character, we find that Daniel is quiet, tactful, and firm in his faith. God comes through

Now that summer is over and the fall schedule is starting up, it is time to refocus spiritually. This message is from 2 Timothy 4.6-8 where Paul assesses his life of faith, now that he knows that he will soon die. Paul has always had the end in mind – the Day he stands before Christ. Nothing gives us focus like that.