Dare to be a Daniel

 Stepping into our time machine once again—the annals of history—we zoom back to the year 605 B.C. Nebuchadnazzar, King of Babylon, besieges Jerusalem and takes Jehoiakim, king of Judah, captive. Ravaging the city, he carries into exile to Babylon the remnant, those who escaped the devastation. In Babylon they are forced to be servants of Nebuchadnazzar, then of his sons, then of the kingdoms of the Medes and Persians—70 long years.

(This removal of God’s people from the Promised Land happened with God's permission. By their idolatrous worship and disobedience to God's commands, scoffing at His prophets, they only heaped upon themselves God's wrath and their pending doom.)

Among those taken captive is a youth named Daniel, who, because of his aptitude for learning and handsome appearance, serves in the king's palace all the days of captivity— through the reigns of Nebuchadnazzar, Belshazzar, Darius the Mede, and Cyrus the Persian. And Daniel loves his God—the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—and faithfully serves Him, too, all his life. He is thus a faithful witness before the governing powers that be, never compromising his faith in any way.

Yet, some administrators and other officials criticize Daniel's stance and seek grounds for accusation against him. Finding none, they devise their own. They convince Darius the Mede, then king in Babylon, to issue a decree, "that anyone who prays to any god or man during the next thirty days, except you, O king, shall be thrown into the lions' den" (Daniel 6:7)

Undaunted by the decree, Daniel continues as he has always done—in his upstairs room, facing toward Jerusalem, praying three times a day to his God, and giving thanks.

A-ha! Finding Daniel in his praying ways and asking God for help, his accusers take him before Darius. And, "in accordance with the laws of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed," Daniel is thrown into the lions' den.

Unable to sleep all night, however, and without eating or any palace entertainment, at daybreak, Darius rushes to the lions' den. He is pleasantly surprised finding Daniel unscathed and safe, the angels of God had shut the lions' mouths. Consequently, Darius has Daniel's accusers along with their families thrown into that den of lions. The lions overpowering them crush their bones.

Darius then writes to all the "people, nations, and men of every language" about Daniel's God, "...He is the living God and he endures forever; his kingdom will not be destroyed..." (Daniel 6:26)

Our time machine now sweeps us home back to the 21st Century, and we realize that the spiritual warfare continues throughout the world, as in the days of Daniel, even worsening, and will continue to the end of time.

God continues His search today for faithful "Daniels" and "Danielle’s," uncompromising in their faith. Those who will bravely stand before the nations and the governing powers that be, perhaps in the face of intimidation and ridicule (perhaps in the face of actual persecution), and proclaim that our God is the living God, the one true God, enduring forever, whose kingdom will not be destroyed. (See Matthew 16:18.)

Through these dark days, today let us pray as Peter prayed in the first century, "Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus" (Acts 4:29-30).

The LORD says,  

"Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth" (Psalm 46:10).


For further study and/or group discussion: Daniel 1, 6; 2 Chronicles 12; 36:15-23.

Coming next month Recovering Eternal Values

 

A Sight of Wondrous Beauty I See

 A sight of wondrous beauty I see: no ordinary baby

Lying in a manger, more than a prodigy. Born of a virgin,

Conceived of the Holy Spirit, the Christ (Messiah),

Born to me Savior and Lord!

(See Matthew 1:18; Luke1:27-28; Galatians 4:4.)

A sight of wondrous beauty I see: no ordinary man walking the earth,

More than a “miracle worker.” Existing with God since before the beginning of time,

He’s all-powerful, all-knowing, and everywhere present.

He created all things and through Him, all things hold together.

He heals the blind, the deaf, the crippled, the diseased, and the sin-sick.

He aroused the crowd. He turned the world upside down – nay, upside right!

(See Colossians 1:15-17.)

A sight of wondrous beauty I see: a rugged cross on a hill called “Calvary,”

Blood-stained, where He suffered and died for me –

Paying the penalty for my sin.

(See Matthew 27:35-38; Mark 15:25-32; Luke 23:32-43; John 19:18-27.)

A sight of wondrous beauty I see: the tomb

Where He was buried, the entrance, sealed with a stone.

My sins, too, are buried there – forgiven, as far as the east is from the west.

(See Matthew 27:57-61; Mark 15:42-47; Luke 23:50-56; John 19:38-42.)

A sight of wondrous beauty I see: the stone rolled away.

He is raised from the dead – raised to eternally secure

The future of all who receive Him in repentance and faith;

Now seated at the Father’s right hand in Heaven,

He prays for His own. He prays for me.

(See Matthew 28:1-7; Mark 16:1-8; Luke 24:1-12; John 20:1-10;

Luke 24:50-53; Mark 16:19-20; Acts 1:6-11.)

A sight of wondrous beauty I see: Jesus –

God’s love gift to the entire world!

(See John 3:16; Romans 5:8; 8:32; 1 John 4:9-10; 5:13.)

Thank You, Father, for first loving me, that I may love others likewise.

Thank You also for all the “cloudy days” that are sure to come my way.

Your grace is all-sufficient for this earthly life with my sight daily fixed on Jesus,

Working and watching for His return.

(See Exodus 4:12; John 17:18; 20:21; Matthew 28:19; Luke 19:13; 2 Corinthians 12:9)

Coming next month Dare To Be a Daniel

 

Purposes, Plans, and Pursuits

Imagine with me for a moment the idea of time travel, as if that were possible. 

Zap! Uh! We did it. Imagine that. 

Checking the time log we find ourselves having gone way back in time to those biblical days of Noah, after the flood. Take a look around. Notice all the people -- multitudes: men, women, and children -- Noah's descendants. 

With the crowd, we now journey eastward and notice some of the people settling on a plain in Shinar, which is situated between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers (that plain in later years is to become ancient Babylon, modern-day Iraq). There, we observe that the people purpose to build for themselves a city and a tower that would reach to the heavens.

We hear their reasoning, "Let's make a name for ourselves so we won't be scattered over the earth." But God also hears them and is saddened at what they desire to do, without regard for the desires of their Creator. "If as one people, speaking the same language, they have begun to do this," the Almighty reasons, "then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them."

All of a sudden, there's a great confusion of speech -- a babbling -- and a scurrying about, shuffling here and there, each one scrambling to find someone s/he could understand. In groups, and tribes, and peoples -- nations of men, women, children -- they are scattered over all the earth.

Of a sudden we, too, find ourselves swept away to another time, to the New Testament era, hearing the words of Jesus, that He will build His church and nothing, not even the gates of Hell, will overcome it.

Continuing our travels through time, we find ourselves hundreds (or thousands ) of years beyond the days of Noah and the days when Jesus trekked the Promised Land. We are halfway around the world -- in the young nation of America. There, we watch for a moment as Marcus and Narcissa Whitman prepare to head West, zealous to work among the Cayuse Indians in the Oregon Territory.

The trip West is anything but easy, and not any better once they reach Oregon. There is land to be cleared, houses to build, and fields to plow. Much of Marcus and Narcissa's time was given to working the land. Being consumed with growing and harvesting crops leaves little time for their medical work, language study, and evangelism.

The Whitmans soon becoming prosperous farmers, Marcus succumbs to the grips of materialism. Narcissa, also, loses her excitement and zeal for their missionary work among the Indians, which drove them west initially. Having surrendered to such captivity, it is Whitman's plantation that suffers loss by a Cayuse massacre.

And God looked for a man and a woman who would zealously "stand in the gap," keeping their spiritual fervor, helping to build Christ's Church among the lost peoples of the world (see Ezekiel 22:30). God continues His search today.

Let us consider God's Classified: WANTED: Heroes (m/f). No experience necessary; we provide all skills, abilities. Committed persons of any age, gender, race, background, education welcome. Many positions open, with excellent blessings and benefits, guaranteed. A lifelong work, continuing onward till upward.

Perhaps more familiar are Jesus' words,
"Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously,
and he will give you everything you need," (Matthew 6:33 NLT)

For Further Reflection -- encouraging family or small group discussion:
Genesis 11; Matthew 16:13-20; Mark 8:27-29; Luke 9:18-20; Matthew 6:25-34; Luke 12:22-31.

Coming next month The Time Had Fully Come. 

God's Desire for All Peoples

 Adam slept with his wife, Eve, and she became pregnant and gave birth to a son, Cain. Later, she conceived a second time and gave birth to Cain's brother Abel. (Read Genesis 4-9.)

Thus, began man to multiply upon the earth, just as God said. But, mankind knowing good and evil (Genesis 3), wickedness, terror, and immorality also increased in the earth.

Through the years God saw just how great man's wickedness had become, that every inclination of man's heart was only evil all the time. Mankind thought they could do better without God and made themselves their own gods. This seriously grieved the heart of the true God, the one who perfectly spoke everything into being. (See Genesis 1-2.)

So God decided to wipe man off the face of the whole earth. Yet, there was one -- Noah -- who found favor in the eyes of the LORD (Genesis 6:8).

Noah obeyed God in that which was entrusted to him. He built the Ark -- a large boat -- to save 

himself, his family, and the animals too -- two of every kind -- from the coming flood, the coming doom.

And the rain came, to the surprise of the unbelieving.And it continued for some 40 days.
The flood covered the entire earth 150 days than receded. 

Afterward, God remembered Noah, his family, and all the animals. He brought them out of the Ark, it has rested on Mount Ararat in modern-day Eastern Turkey.

Setting a rainbow in the sky, God promised that He would never again destroy life with a flood.

God commanded Noah to "be fruitful and multiply (increase) in number" (Genesis 9:1) to once again fill the earth with more just like him -- more in God's own image. 

Yet, every inclination of man's heart was still only evil all the time; the evil one continuing deceptively to nurture man's evil nature with pride, immoral conduct, greed, and every evil intent. (See Luke 17:26; cf. 1 Peter 3:19-21.)

But God never gave up on His human creatures. He continued His plan to prevail -- that His kingdom might reign throughout the earth.

To one named Abraham, God promised, "... All peoples on earth will be blessed through you." And at the perfect time, God brought His Son to humanity, the Son of God and born of the seed of Abraham -- the blessing for all peoples. (See Genesis 12:1-5; Galatians 4:4.)



In the New Testament, we see Him. Jesus is His name (the "Immanuel," as mentioned in the Bible at Isaiah 7:14, which means "God with us," Matthew 1:23). He came into the world to restore fallen humanity to the Heavenly Father.

As Abraham was called, and Jesus called His 12 disciples, so God continues to call people today, to leave their "comfort zone", go as He directs, and go where they may not know, seeking first God's kingdom among all peoples of the world. (See Matthew 6:33.)

Robert Morrison was one who sought God's Kingdom, to reign among the Chinese people. Born in England in 1782, Morrison is remembered as the pioneering translator of the Chinese Bible.

If, as a child, he was asked, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" Morrison would have probably answered with great enthusiasm, "A missionary!" That was his lifelong dream, and his prayer to God was that he would be sent to "that part of the world where the difficulties are the greatest."

His dream was realized and his prayer answered. For 25 years Morrison persevered in China. Through hardship, depression, and ill health, he labored tirelessly at his assigned task. During those years, however, he saw fewer than a dozen Chinese converted to Christianity.

Nevertheless, the foundation was laid for future missionary work in China. Others soon followed, seeking first God's desire for His Kingdom to reign among the Chinese. Without Robert Morrison's faithfulness, the work of Hudson Taylor founder of the China Inland Mission (now OMF International), as well as that of Gladys Aylward, and Jonathan Goforth might not have taken place.

Today, multitudes worldwide wait to hear God's Good News for all peoples. And God waits to hear other "Robert Morrisons" answer just as enthusiastically, "I want to be a missionary!"


Coming next month Purposes, Plans, and Pursuits

Impressions From The Heart is a self-employed endeavor for the glory of God. If readers of these posts are blessed, challenged, and encouraged to share their faith, thank you for your support via PayPal. 

A More Secure Trust

 It was written a long, long time ago: "Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God..." (Psalm 20:7-8).

And today, just as centuries ago, some trust in that which is seen, putting their hope merely in the physical -- the stock market, jobs, health, humanity...  But we who know the LORD, trust in Him who is unseen, the ever-faithful one, our help in this present age, our only hope for our eternal future.

We are living in tumultuous times today, no denying. Natural disasters, economic failures, wars, rumors of wars, famines, earthquakes, and the like, seem to be on the rise. Some may ask, when troubles, dangers, and setbacks arise, "Oh, where is God in all this?" Or, as Job's wife confronted her husband when they lost everything (the Bible tells us), "Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die!" (Job 2:9).

To her, Job replied, "You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good things from God, and not trouble?" (Job 2:10).

As Job reflected on his loss, he realized, "The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD" (Job 1:21).

In threatening times, and times of disaster, when the bottom seems to have dropped out of everything, some will believe God is far away. But He is where He always has been: on His throne and still in charge of it all. Reigning in the lives of believers, He cares for our every need. Our task in this mortal time is simply to trust and obey, to be ready to go where He wants to send us to declare His glory among the 'nations'. (See 1 Peter 2:9.)

He has a "better idea" for our lives and the 'nations' than what we can ever dream up for ourselves -- a better idea, a better purpose. In Him, we have a more secure trust. We need not live in fear of crashing stock markets, natural disasters, or even "global warming". He cares for us all ever so lovingly and sufficiently, and in Him, we have a peace that the world cannot take away.

Looking back a couple of centuries, we see a person, George Muller, 

who realized his more secure trust. Born in the kingdom of Prussia in 1805, this man, known to us as a man of faith and of prayer, in his youth strayed deeply into sin before Christ rescued him. Almost every form of sin characterized his youthful lifestyle.

How could one imagine this corrupt youth would become a man of extraordinary faith and prayer? Yet, there's no imagining with God; He has one's life planned out even before he is conceived. Through extraordinary circumstances, God had indeed brought George Muller out of the miry clay and molded him into a man of extraordinary trust in God. Becoming so entrenched in his faith, loving the Word of God, he so longed for that day when he would see his Savior face to face.

At the age of 70, George Muller set out on evangelistic tours, traveling 200,000 miles worldwide, preaching the Good News of the Kingdom in many lands and in several different languages. Muller never told anyone of his financial needs, but "only" prayed, and all-sufficient God always provided all Muller needed.

There is no barrier or limit -- age or otherwise -- to what God can accomplish through one who realizes his more secure trust.

"So we don't look at the troubles we can see right now; rather, we look forward to what we have not yet seen. For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever" (2 Corinthians 4:18, NLT).

For further reflection: Psalm 23:1; 46:1-3; Matthew 6:25-34; Luke 12:22-31; Romans 8:28, 29; John 14:27; 2 Corinthians 9:8; 12:9; Philippians 2:4.

Coming next month God's Desire for All Peoples.

Impressions From The Heart is a self-employed endeavor for the glory of God. If readers of these posts are blessed, challenged, and encouraged to share their faith, thank you for your support via PayPal. 

Glimpses of My Life Journey (A Trailer)

Late in Life

These late years (2016 thru 2020) have been hard times for me—not the best of times—experiencing the happenings in our nation and then the covid thing worldwide. Going through these days in my aloneness hasn’t helped much either in relieving the tension, as well as cloudy rainy days. (I’m looking forward to my move back into Pine View apartments on the campus of Columbia International University.)

 

Through these years it seems like we’ve all been trekking along the bumpy rough 2016 highway; for four years plus the nation has been experiencing that impeachment sham, and then the covid pandemic worldwide,  then the stolen election, and all that has been built up by the previous administration for the "Making America Great Again", is now being torn down by the illegitimate executive administration to attempt to make us something different other than as we were founded on biblical principles. No wonder I sense, as difficult as that may be humanly thinking, that the end of this mortal time is nearer than ever before. I don’t think others see it as I. And even it’s interesting to me how I see things these days—from an eternal perspective. As I drive about, noticing all the structures and such—buildings, highways, etc.—it all comes across to me as MANufractured artifices, nothing that will last. (Consider 2 Peter 3:6-8.) And trash is thrown everywhere seemingly moreso than ever before.

And I can’t help it, the realization of the end times. Two worlds (roads, realities) crossed my path, and praise God, I chose the one less traveled by, and that made all the difference. To live life simply for the frivolousness of this temporal time—career seeking, fortune building, etc.—is meaningless. (Consider Ecclesiastes 1:1-11.) I’m sure glad there is more to life than this mortal temporal time. Come, Lord Jesus.

 

Early in Life

Some years before I’d experienced the “highway 2016” roughness, I ventured out West to begin my “employment” (in ministry) with the then U.S. for World Mission. On very little support I went—just $50 a month—nevertheless I guess I was sent anyway with the church’s blessing. I went out by bus and came back by bus 15 years later.

 

Back in Columbia, I was employed until mid-2008 and then unemployed. And then what was termed “retirement,” even though I haven’t been ready (financially) to do such a thing. (Other employment still is necessary, at least part-time.)

 

Possibly another misstep

Nevertheless, considering retirement, what is the average amount of savings one should have to do such a thing? I guess that depends on the individual how much he/she wants when they’re ready to relax and give up their laboring days. But I’m sure, certainly more than $5000, eh? To my shame, I guess, but I have less than $5000 in savings. Not good I think. How can that be enough for me to enjoy those so-called “golden years”? 

Ah, for me, I had been unfaithful, I think, in handling God’s finances (His treasure) with which He entrusted me. (Consider Mark 12:41-44. The Life Application Study Bible notes, [brackets mine] "... As believers, we should consider increasing our giving--whether money [treasure], time, or talents--to a point beyond convenience or calculation.")

 

The lessons learned

That being said, in handling it all now, finances are tight, but I am somewhat managing better (and I do give). But I’m not doing so well particularly in grocery shopping--not a favorite activity of mine--not having enough for groceries to last sufficiently through a month. Not interested in cooking just for myself, I just do the simplest thing and primarily microwaveable. (Perhaps my “mealtimes” can be termed simply as “nibbling,” just a bit here and a bit there.)

 

 

My being transient most of my life, I never had a home of my own—always renting somewhere. I never had an abundance of anything of much value—possessions or wealth—growing up and even now. (And some of what I do have or did, have been given to me.) As I put it: I have very little of nothing and not much of everything. In visiting others' homes I’m awed (but not envious) of the stuff/furnishings they have. Wow! But in not having lots of stuff, my moving out, and moving into another place makes it that much easier. And thus, having little is possibly a blessing, as it keeps me conscious that God is my provider—as “He so feeds the birds,” Matthew 6:26. As God says, “Do not worry [nor be anxious],” Matthew 6:25-34,  even with my little. Yet, how easy it is for one, with an abundance of wealth and possessions not to worry than for one with not so much wealth or possessions.

 

And yet, as mentioned, I’ll soon be moving again back into Pine View Apartments, being once again on the C.I.U. campus and desirably to remain until my upper taking. Pine View is better for me I believe.  And then perhaps once settled in maybe God will/still/could have some other even part-time employment for me; I trust God for that to be if He so wills.

 

 

Summing up

From Ohio, God brought me out of my old life (a wilderness without Jesus), and roundabout my transient life, God brought me to Columbia, South Carolina, particularly to Bible college where my life has been transformed. Perhaps I can consider my coming to Bible college my mortal  “Promised Land,” anticipating my upper taking “in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye,” (1 Corinthians 15:51-53). What will that be like? 

Come, Lord Jesus. Until then, as mentioned, I can’t see how I can live my life now simply for the frivolousness of this temporal time; I’m mortally here (as all of God’s children) as a salt-spreader and light bearer of God’s eternal truth,  through whatever employment God may yet have for me. (Consider Matthew 5:12-14.)

Read the full feature at My Life Story.

A Worthy Occupation

 God's Word is precious, like nuggets of pure gold (See Proverbs 2:1-5). Through the Word of God, we can understand where we have come from, why we are here, and where we are going. Through God's Word also we can understand God's will for our lives in this time and for all the 'nations' (peoples) of planet Earth.

Through imagination travel back with me now before time was when nothing existed except God alone. God then spoke, and the universe and its vast array came into being, and thus also began time.

Then God made man, sculpturing them, male and female, from the dust of the ground. God breathed into them the breath of life; man became a living soul, created in God's own image. God commanded the man to "be fruitful and increase in number." He also gave man dominion over the rest of creation (See Genesis 1:28).

God then entrusted man with the responsibility of caring for His creation, placing the man and the woman in the Garden of Eden (somewhere between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, present-day Iraq) to work it and take care of it (See Genesis 2:15).

But the serpent was also in the Garden, filled with all the evil intents of that one who was cast out of Heaven because of arrogance and pride, desirous to exalt himself even above its Creator (See Isaiah 14:12-14).

Being deceived by that serpent, man betrayed God and shunned his responsibility (See Genesis 3), plunging the entire human race into rebellion against God. As a result, a great gulf was fixed, separating God and mankind to this day, that gulf incapable of being bridged through any human effort whatsoever.

God still loved His human creatures, however (See Genesis 3:21), and began His work -- His one pursuit -- to woo them back to Himself. Eventually, God would give them a second chance with the coming of the second Adam, Jesus (Yeshua), the Christ (Messiah), the only "bridge" capable of spanning that "great divide." (See Romans 5:10-21; 1 Corinthians 15:12-34.)



Fast-forwarding, we come to the New Testament era, where we see Jesus at Jericho (in the nation of Israel north of the Dead Sea, east of Jerusalem and Bethany). Through one of His parables, Jesus teaches us that God has once again given man a trust. (See Luke 19:11-27; Matthew 25:14-30; John 9:4, 5.) As it is with God, so it is to be our one pursuit -- faithfully laboring at it until Christ returns -- that the 'nations' may be saved and come to the knowledge of the Truth (See 1 Timothy 2:4)

It's our heavenly work on Earth, more precious than gold, or any earthly ambition, not merely "wood, hay, and straw" (See 1 Corinthians 3:12). Such will all perish with the perishing of time. It is, therefore, "required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful" (1 Corinthians 4:2).

We once more fast-forward, to the year of our Lord, A.D. 1900, and meet one such faithful steward -- Amy Carmichael. Her obedience to God's command led to the founding of Dohnavur Fellowship in southern India.

At Dohnavur Amy saw the need: young girls were sold as temple prostitutes to be "married to the gods," and later made available to Hindu men frequently appearing at the temple.

Moved with compassion at what she saw, Amy embraced her calling ("putting her hand to the plow," Luke 9:62) and never looked back. Laboring faithfully for over 50 years, children were rescued from an empty life (See 1 Peter 1:18-21) and led to a new life of purpose in Jesus Christ. (See John 10:10b)

By twelve years into Amy's work, 130 children were cared for at Dohnavur. Amy faithfully pursued her God-given trust.


Today God waits for other "Amys," and "Aarons," to realize their precious labor -- that one occupation worthy of their lifelong pursuit. He listens for that sincere cry of the heart, answering the call of Isaiah, "Here am I. Send me!" (Isaiah 6:8).


Coming next month A More Secure Trust

Impressions From The Heart is a self-employed endeavor for the glory of God. If readers of these posts are blessed, challenged, and encouraged to share their faith, thank you for your support via PayPal.