“But when Daniel learned that the law had been signed, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open toward Jerusalem.” Daniel 6:10 NLT
Christians struggle today as to when is it appropriate to disobey the government. What would be a legitimate reason to ignore certain laws and encourage others to do the same. I’m sorry, I’m not about to give you an approved list which enables you to defy the government, but I will give us all an example of what is right when the time is right.
The prophet Daniel lived his entire adult life in captivity. Captured as a teenager and brought to Babylon during the destruction of Jerusalem, Daniel proved to be an example of one who completely trusted and obeyed God whatever the circumstances. He never wavered, and the Lord used Daniel to work out and reveal His purposes. Now in his eighties, and still well respected by those who now held him captive, Daniel was about to put his faith and obedience on display.
Daniel was one of the top officials in the new kingdom of Medo-Persia serving Darius the king. Darius’ favoritism of his highly regarded official brough envy among his colleagues so much they concocted a plan to get rid of him. They convinced the king to sign a law stating that “for the next thirty days any person who prays to anyone, divine or human— (except Darius the king)—will be thrown into the den of lions.” (Dan.6:7 nlt) They knew Daniel would not comply, seeing him three times a day praying towards Jerusalem, they got him, well, sort of.
If you’re familiar with the story of ‘Daniel in the lions’ den’ you know it has a happy ending. Daniel knew that if he obeyed the king’s law, he would be disobeying God. So, he did what he always did, he reached out to God for help in his daily prayers. Daniel had no assurance that God would deliver him, but he knew that He could, and he was not going to disobey the Lord God who had blessed him all his life. Let the same be said of us.
“He said: ‘In my distress I called to the LORD, and he answered me. From deep in the realm of the dead I called for help, and you listened to my cry.’” Jonah 2:2 NIV
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A ‘distress call’, also known as a distress signal, is an internationally recognized call for help. The calls are communicated through radio signals over medium to high frequencies across land or sea. The signals alert emergency units that a watercraft, aircraft, or other vehicle is in imminent danger and in need of rescue. Other forms of distress signals include an emergency aerial or handheld flare, sending morse code S.O.S., showing flames on a vessel, a continuing sound of fog-signaling devices, and firing a gun at one-minute intervals. All are forms of communication with the sole purpose of crying out for help in a desperate situation.
The prophet Jonah sent out his own distress call from the belly of a great fish. He no doubt needed a rescue. Although he was in that desperate spot due to his own disobedience to God, he cried out to the only one who could save him. Jonah had a change of heart after God kept him alive after his attempt to take his own life by having his crew mates throw him overboard. Jonah refused to follow where God told him to go and what he was to do. In fact, he went in the opposite direction.
You may find yourself in a similar situation today. You’re not where God was leading you and told you go. You’ve been running in the opposite direction doing your own thing, and it’s not working out for you. You may not be far away from danger, or perhaps you are already there needing to send out that distress call. Jonah said the Lord listened to his cry; He will listen to yours. It’s never too late to turn around and go where God is calling you and do what He has planned for you. Don’t hesitate, send out that distress call!
“Every word of God proves true…. Do not add to his words, or he may rebuke you and expose you as a liar.” Proverbs 30:5-6 NLT
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Those who enjoy the art of cooking experiment by creating new recipes for whatever dish they are preparing. Always striving to make each dish better than the one before until one day they create the perfect dish, then the recipe becomes complete to be used and enjoyed by everyone. There is no need to add any other ingredients or take any out, it is finished.
The Bible is a lot like that perfect dish you have just created. The Holy Spirit was not experimenting when writing through the various authors over the years, but each one was adding to the overall message of the Bible. Each ingredient added enhanced the flavor causing the psalmist to say, “How sweet your words taste to me; they are sweeter than honey.” (Ps.119:103 nlt) And “Taste and see that the LORD is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!” (Ps.34:8 nlt)
The Bible is the perfect dish for all to enjoy. It provides nourishment for our souls and gives us strength needed in times of adversity. It is the dish that includes the perfect ingredients leading us to salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ. Note the words written in the book of Proverbs, “Every word of God proves true……Do not add to his words, or he may rebuke you and expose you as a liar.” (30:5-6 nlt) Nothing needs to be added to the Bible, although many have tried over the years and are still trying, and nothing needs to be removed as some have recently advocated.
Just as you would not want anyone to add or subtract from your perfect dish, God does not want any words added or removed from His finished product. Those who do will lead others and themselves down a path of destruction. “And I solemnly declare to everyone who hears the words of prophecy written in this book: If anyone adds anything to what is written here, God will add to that person the plagues described in this book. And if anyone removes any of the words from this book of prophecy, God will remove that person’s share in the tree of life and in the holy city that are described in this book.” (Rev.22:18-19 nlt)
God has created the perfect dish for us. Let’s enjoy it.
“But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.” 1 Chronicles 29:14 NIV
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The month of April is a dreaded month for some here in the United States. It’s tax month. Pay what you owe. There are Christians who frown on giving any money to a government that does not abide by Biblical standards. However, that will be a topic for another day. Today, let us inquire about the source of our income. The fact we have any money to give to the government comes from God.
King David was aware of this when he said, “Everything we have has come from you, and we give you only what you first gave us!” (1Chr.29:14 niv) David and all Israel were donating gold, silver, bronze, iron, and precious stones for the construction of the Temple. In his prayer, David acknowledges, “But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this?” (1Chr.29:14 niv) David knew all he had, and all that the people had come from God’s hand. They were giving it back to Him in building the Temple. David also wrote in the book of Psalms, “The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” (24:1 niv)
A proper perspective of the source of our income can be gleaned from David. It comes from God. Yes, you worked for it, but God opened the door of opportunity for your job, and He gives you the knowledge and strength to perform in it. When we consider everything that we have is from God, it should make it easier to let go of some of our resources, especially since it is not ours to begin with. Allow God to speak to you where He would like you to share and invest your income. It is from God’s hand.
“But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.” James 1:25 NLT
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The other evening, I was watching the final seconds of a NCAA men’s college basketball tournament game. Game tied, the inbounder put the ball in play then immediately set himself up to retrieve the ball under the basket for an easy dunk. Game over! The commentator cried out, ‘Don’t forget the inbounder.’ He wasn’t covered. Both squads had their final instructions for that final play from their coaches. The offense played it perfectly. The defense failed to execute, forgetting what they heard in the bench huddle, leaving the inbounder wide open.
Reading a verse from the book of James this morning, I realized how easy it is to forget something we just heard or read. James writes, “But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.” (Ja.1:25 nlt) When things go wrong in my life most of the time it can be traced back to forgetting what I heard from Scripture. Obviously, there are no blessings when struggling with the results of disobedience. But after reading and hearing the Word preached, if we do what is heard and not forget, God promises blessings.
God’s Word is our lifeline in this world leading us to eternal life in the next. It is His game plan drawn up for us to follow in this game called life. Executing it will lead to a life full of blessings, and assurance of salvation. Forgetting what we hear will result in more than losing a game but losing our very souls.
“And he said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace. Your suffering is over’……But Jesus overheard them and said to Jairus, ‘Don’t be afraid. Just have faith.’” Mark 5:34, 36 NLT
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Is just having faith good enough? The phrase ‘have faith’ gets tossed around as if it’s a cure-all for what ails you. Seriously, if you are in the habit of using that phrase, what is your basis for using it? Is it hope, a feeling, something mysterious, or is it an assurance you have and if so, what is the basis for that assurance? The world defines faith as complete trust or confidence in something or somebody. I cannot disagree with that for that is what faith is. Now back to the first question. Is just having faith good enough? Well, yes, it depends on where your faith is placed. This week we have two stories were knowing where to place your faith is a matter of life or death.
After Jesus’ short stay in the Gerasenes region where He healed a demon-possessed man He headed back across the lake to Capernaum. As usual a crowd had formed rather quickly on the shore after His arrival with the help of old-fashion social media, word of mouth on foot. A synagogue official, a layman similar to deacons and elders today, was one of first people to greet him dropping to his knees and crying out, “My little daughter is dying, Please come and lay your hands on her; heal her so she can live.” (Mk.5:23 nlt) The official, Jarius by name, knew his daughter was near death and Jesus was her only hope. Jarius most likely heard Jesus speak in the synagogue when Jesus visited, and he knew of His miracles. Jarius placed his faith in the only one capable of healing His daughter.
Jesus agreed to go with Jarius and so did the crowds as they forced their way to get closer to Him as they traveled to Jarius’ home. In among the crowd was a woman who was severely sick with constant bleeding from an incurable disease. “She had suffered a great deal from many doctors, and over the years she had spent everything she had to pay them, but she had gotten no better. In fact, she had gotten worse.” (Mk.5:26 nlt) She too, like Jarius’ daughter was in a desperate situation although her death was not imminent it was certain without help from above. This woman, whose name we don’t know, was one of the many to had seen and heard about Jesus. She knew He could stop the bleeding. Her faith was so strong in Him knowing if she could only reach out to touch the hem of His garment she would be healed. And that is what she did, “Immediately the bleeding stopped, and she could feel in her body that she had been healed of her terrible condition.” (Mk.5:29 nlt) With so many people crowding around Jesus bumping into Him and touching Him, He specifically felt the power of healing faith go from Him to someone. It was an immediate healing for the woman.
Jesus then asked who touched Him. The disciples must have had a puzzled look on their faces when they answered, “Look at this crowd pressing around you. How can you ask, ‘Who touched me?’” (Mk.5:31 nlt) But Jesus knew someone did and kept looking around until she came forward. Jesus didn’t pursue this to call out the woman, but to afford her the chance to praise God and tell others what God has for her. Jesus was not going to let this opportunity go by without recognizing her publicly. She had been a social outcast for so many years, and it’s time to turn the tables. Those who evade her will now see she is no longer considered to be ‘unclean’ but whole and fully healed. Jesus confirmed this by saying, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace. Your suffering is over.” (Mk.5:34 nlt)
I guess you can say in a way, it was a hope, but a hope in Jesus. It was a feeling in that she felt it instantly. It certainly felt mysterious, but it was the power of God touching her and stopping the bleeding. We can say for sure; she based her faith on Jesus, that is where she had the assurance of being healed by putting her trust and confidence in Him.
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We now go back to Jarius who has just witnessed miraculous healing before his eyes. But as they proceed to Jarius’ home, he received news that his daughter had died. In hearing this Jesus encourages Jarius by saying, “Don’t be afraid. Just have faith.” (Mk.5:36 nlt) Jesus is reminding Jarius of the faith he had when he first approached Jesus about his daughter’s condition. There is nothing impossible for Jesus to do, even raising the dead.
Jesus suddenly stops the crowd from following Him and took with Him only Peter, James, and John the rest of the way to Jarius’ home. They were greeted by weeping and wailing as professional mourners were already called in, as was the custom, when a death occurred. Burial would soon take place in the Jewish culture as it is still practiced today. But Jesus would have no part of it. “He went inside and asked, ‘Why all this commotion and weeping? The child isn’t dead; she’s only asleep.’” (Mk.5:39 nlt) He knew what He was going to do as the people laughed and ridiculed Him. So, Jesus sent these people out of the house for their unbelief, and took the girl’s mother, father, and the disciples to the girl’s room.
They entered the room and, “Holding her hand, he said to her, ‘Talitha koum’ which means ‘Little girl, get up!’” (Mk.5:41 nlt) The twelve-year-old got up immediately and Jesus told them to give her something to eat. Jesus not only raised her from the dead but made sure she had something to eat. Jesus’ reference to ‘she’s only sleeping’ is used to describe her death was only temporary. He was going to raise her, and the people who laughed will know it is a true miracle because they knew she was pronounced dead and funeral arrangements were being made.
Jesus performed two miracles concerning life and death in which faith was a factor. Not in our faith itself but in having faith in the one who can perform miracles. We may not need to exercise our faith in a life-or-death manner, but if we do, or when we do, it is good to know where to place our faith. Yes, it is OK to just have faith as long as it is in Jesus Christ, God the Son.
“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” 2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT
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A subtle change is taking place across America in case you have missed it, especially among Christian athletes. I call it, ‘A Grass Roots Jesus Movement.’ Never have there been such bold commitments from athletes sharing their faith publicly as there have been in the last few years. The most recent example is TCU’s Hailey Van Lith after helping send TCU women’s basketball team to the sweet 16 for the first the first time in the school’s history. Van Lith stated during the press conference, “I’m really standing on God’s shoulders right now, you guys, He’s delivered me from so much, man, and so much pain and suffering and confusion. I just — it’s all glory to God, truly. I would be nothing without Him. In the darkest moments of my life, He never turned His face from me, and I just couldn’t be more grateful to experience His love in this moment.” (1) The realization of what God has for her, that it’s all Him and not her, needed to be shared with the world. He is always there no matter what we are going through.
It’s hard to pinpoint when this movement started to pick up steam, but it had to start somewhere. Some mark the Covid 19 pandemic as the beginning of planting these seeds of spiritual growth. Others see the cultural shift in the politics of the nation starting to take root where athletes are no longer intimidated of sharing their faith. Another possibility could be the spiritual revivals that sprung up on college campuses in 2023 filtering down from the weeks long revival started on the campus of Asbury University in Kentucky. Whatever the case, there is a movement today that wasn’t there before, and it is growing.
It is good to see young athletes taking a stand for Christ amid all the chaos and secularization in our major universities. It is more refreshing to see professional athletes serving as role models doing the same, not only inspiring college students but young people of all ages. These Christian athletes are serving the Lord in every professional sport. In the NFL there are quarterbacks Russell Wilson, Patrick MaHomes, C, J. Stroud, and Kirk Cousins, along with running back Christian McCaffrey,and place kicker Harrison Butker, among many others. The NBA has Stephen Curry, Chris Paul, Kevin Durant, while Major League Baseball has Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, Orioles rookie Jackson Holliday and his father former MLB star Matt Holliday, and pitchers Aaron Nola and Zack Eflin and many more. My point is that the list is growing, and we certainly don’t want to leave out single competition athletes such as Olympian Allyson Felix, track and field, young tennis star Coco Gauff, and professional golfer Scottie Scheffler.
Sports have a way of connecting with people and bringing people together. For a few hours personal problems and the problems of the world are masked. But the mask comes off after the game or competition has ended. Perhaps God is using some of these athletes to heal their wounds, give them courage, and show them their need for Jesus Christ. So, I say, let the movement continue to grow. There are a lot of people who are hurting in this world.
There are many things we take for granted today. I’m sure previous generations have done the same, but I sense it’s a lot easier for us in our advanced technology savvy culture. Just about anything and everything is available at our fingertips. We have grown accustomed to quick service, abundant supplies, easy access, instant communication, the world has gotten smaller, and we more or less come and go as we please. We take for granted all the material things we have accumulated in life, the friendships we’ve developed, the work we do, the families we have, and even our own lives without giving much thought to know who is responsible for it all.
It’s easy to get caught up in our daily lives just going along and forget to honor the one who makes our life possible, the Lord God. The Lord brought all things into being, in which we take for granted not realizing it. He is in control and brings everything into our lives whether we like it or not. For that alone, we should honor Him. We couldn’t be in better hands. Yet, we fail at times even to notice the sunrise or sunset placed there by God for our enjoyment. We pass it by saying to ourselves, it will be there again tomorrow.
King Belshazzar learned a horrible lesson by not honoring the sovereign God who is over all things. He not only did not honor God but blasphemed Him by using the sacred vessels from the Temple in Jerusalem in worshiping idol gods. We may not ever go that far in not honoring God but let everyday be a reminder of all that God does for us, from supplying our needs and providing us with His creation to enjoy. May we not hear, “But you have not honored the God who gives you the breath of life and controls your destiny!” (Dan.5:23 nlt)
“So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him….and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished.” Acts 12:5, 16 NIV
Have you ever experienced the resolution of a problem that occurred unexpectedly. It may have been a major concern you thought was not possible to resolve, or something minor that was just an annoyance. Then you come to realize and say to yourself, ‘Hey, I prayed about that!’ We pray about many things, and it seems that none of our prayers are being answered. Then out of the blue comes an answer to a prayer and we don’t realize it until later. It may have been a prayer we put on the burner, but God did not forget. He heard and answered. If we put our minds to it, there will be many answers to the prayers we made revealed to us. Yes, God did answer those prayers, and it could have been not in the way we desired. Perhaps that is why we forget, but He did answer.
The early church in the book of Acts had been praying for Peter who was in prison and about to be executed. King Herod was beginning to arrest Christians and had put the apostle James to death. When he saw his actions pleased the Jewish rulers, he preceded to arrest Peter also, planning to kill him after the Passover. When the people in the church heard of it, they immediately started praying earnestly for Peter’s release. Their prayers were answered. An angel of the Lord appeared before Peter waking him up, his chains fell off, and the angel led him out of the prison.
However, when Peter went to the home where the church people were praying and knocked on the door, they didn’t believe it was him, except for a servant girl named Rhoda. Finally, they were convinced after they were astonished that God answered their prayer. The Lord does what seems impossible. He answers quickly, as in Peter’s case. Sometimes He answers slowly as in our case, but He always answers. When we eventually do remember, let us rejoice, thanking Him for answering prayer and not forgetting.
“The LORD says, ‘I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.’” Psalm 32:8 NLT
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This past week my wife and I took a short trip for a scheduled appointment. Not knowing the best route to take that time of day with congested traffic we used the handy GPS system to guide us. I was quite confused when instructed to exit not where I had thought. Knowing the place was west of the city, I followed its lead. But after a few miles on a two-lane road with traffic signals I was prompted back on to the highway. The GPS was leading me along the shortest route and not the fastest or least congested. It was not the best path forward. I must admit, I’m somewhat to blame for not checking which route I had chosen. It’s not the first time I haven’t chosen the best path, and it probably won’t be the last.
In this life we all need someone to lead us who is more capable in areas where we struggle. Getting to know people who have skills we lack and can help when needed is beneficial. It is also a good way to get to know a lot of people, not for selfish reasons, but to be able to share and help others with our skills which they lack.
There is one we all need to lead us in our lives, the Lord God. It doesn’t matter how accomplished we are, or think we are, all of us lack certain abilities and need help with them. Yes, God is concerned about our souls not wanting any to perish believing in His Son for salvation (2Pt.3:9), but God also cares about the little things we struggle with in life. David writes in Psalm 32:8, “The LORD says, ‘I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.’” (nlt) The Lord will indeed guide us along the best path forward. We never need to worry about a wrong turn and going the wrong way once we ask Him for guidance.
Word for the Soul 