HOW ARE WE TO REMEMBER WHAT THE PROPHETS AND APOSTLES SAID? In the apostle Peter’s second letter, he shared his intent to stimulate their thinking by urging them to always remember the words of the holy prophets and of the commands of Jesus given through the apostles. In this way, Peter put the writings of
THE WRITING ON THE WALL Daniel warned Belshazzar, king of Babylon, that he had not learned to honor God and give Him thanks, even though he had witnessed how God had humbled his predecessor, Nebuchadnezzer. God sent Belshazzar a message, written on the wall of his banquet hall by a disembodied hand as he and
WHO IS THIS GOD OF HEAVEN? Daniel introduced Nebuchadnezzer, king of Babylon, to the God of heaven. He made it clear that what the king had asked of his wisemen was an impossible task, but the God of heaven had revealed the answer. For Nebuchadnezzer had asked that his wisemen tell him his dream and
A PRAYER VIGIL IN BABYLON TO THE GOD OF HEAVEN When Daniel heard of King Nebuchadnezzer’s intent to execute all of Babylon’s wisemen for being unable to recount and interpret his dream, he asked the king for a time extension. That night, Daniel got with his three friends and fellow exiles, Shadrach, Meshach, and a
SET FREE TO SERVE NOT TO SIN As exiles in this world, citizens of the kingdom of heaven, we have been set free from slavery to sin and the world’s system. We live in this world, but we are not of this world. Our citizenship is in heaven. Yet, this freedom is not a license
THE DISTINGUISHING MARK OF TRUE CHRISTIANITY IS LOVE The apostle Peter taught that the foundation of being a Christ-follower is obedience to the truth, which is the gospel of Jesus Christ. For the one who has believed that Jesus died for their sins, was buried, and raised on the third day, has been cleansed of
HOW TO BE TRULY GLAD Dear brother and sister in Christ, have you learned the art of being truly glad? The apostle Peter knew this gladness. In this one verse, he shared his secret. First, focus on the “wonderful joy ahead.” For we have a priceless inheritance being kept for us in heaven, and not
REMEMBER TO PRAY FOR THE SICK An often overlooked resource in the modern church. Having available modern medicine, we forget the benefit of prayer and laying on of hands. Yet, the Bible says that having the elders in the church pray for you and anoint you is the proper response when you are sick. In
HOW BIG AND HOW LOVING IS YOUR GOD? Why should the child of God fear anything? What is so great or terrible that it should trouble the believer’s heart with anxiety? Let us join with the apostle Paul who asks the rhetorical question, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Rom. 8:31).
FAVORITISM HAS NO PLACE AMONG THE FAITHFUL The apostle James wrote that believers should not show favoritism to some over others. He especially had in mind those who were favoring the rich over the poor. He said that showing favoritism exposed not only their evil motives, it was actually committing sin. This instruction continues