Tag: God

Devotionals

Have You Thanked the Lord for Your Salvation Today?

Loring Schultz

“I will lift up the cup of salvation and praise the LORD’s name for saving me.” Psalm 116:13 NLT

Photo by Pok Rie on Pexels.com

Hurricane Helene recently brought death and destruction to most of the southeastern sections of the United States. From the western shores of Florida through Georgia, North and South Carolina, and Tennessee, Hurricane Helene has caused 175 deaths as of this writing. “According to CBS, almost half of the deaths caused by Helene have been in North Carolina alone, where six months’ worth of rain fell. After Helene hit late on Thursday, record flood crests were measured in at least seven locations in North Carolina and Tennessee. More than a million people in some of the affected states also remained without power on Wednesday morning (10/2/24), according to monitoring site Poweroutage.us.” (1)

Millions of people are thanking the Lord today for saving their lives during this deadly storm. Many have lost their homes and all their belongings, but they are praising God they were spared from death. Christians understand this as God’s Providence. Perhaps there is still work for them to do in the name of the Lord, or maybe God is trying to tell them something, or it’s simply God’s grace upon them. Whatever the case, He spared their life, and they are thankful.

People have close calls with death every day across the globe. They are thankful in being saved from death. Non-Christians may not thank God, but they are thankful. Christians thank the Lord knowing it was by His hand of protection they were saved. Perhaps you have had a brush with death in your life, a near death experience as we say. Do you remember how you felt and what was your reaction towards God at that moment? Has that feeling faded with time? How about the day of your salvation when you put your faith in Christ? How well do you remember that day? Has that feeling faded with time? When we think what we have been saved from, should we not be thanking the Lord every day for our salvation? Today would be a good day to start.

Read: Psalm 116:12-19 NLT – What can I offer the LORD for all he – Bible Gateway

(1) https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgmgz3elmjxo

Samaritan’s Purse Is Responding to Hurricane Helene (samaritanspurse.org)

Devotionals

Overthrow the Lofty Opinions Against God and His Word

Loring Schultz

“We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,” 2 Corinthians 10:5 ESV

Photo by Cassidy Rowell on Unsplash

Some people barricade themselves in ideological forts of their choosing to justify their resentment to God and His Word. Their ideology makes perfect sense to them, and they stick to it. Dr. John MacArthur unveils these forts as thoughts, ideas, speculations, reasonings, philosophies, and false religions that keep them at bay with the God of the Bible. The forts are used to codify what they perceive to be right, regardless of what the Bible says. Christians who live by a Biblical worldview also have their own ideology that makes perfect sense. God, the creator of the world and human life, sent His Son Jesus Christ to save those who trust in Him, and He has given us His Word on the proper way to live. It’s simple and that’s all there is to it.

You may feel torn in the spiritual battle you are in if you are a believer. You hesitate to speak the truth to not lose friends, but you are disturbed by all you see and hear from the ideologies of the world, even from your friends. You may be intimidated by the philosophies of the world system. They sound reasonable and hard to argue against. But you will never win an argument or lead someone to Christ by engaging in the ideologies of the world. And you certainly won’t do so by remaining silent. God does not want us to be silent, but to overthrow those lofty opinions and to do so by His Word and in love.

Paul said to the believers in Corinth, “We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments.” (2Cor.10:3-4 nlt) What Paul is saying is that we do not use the world’s wisdom or its ideologies to reveal truth and lead souls to Christ, but we use ‘God’s mighty weapons’ the sword of the Spirit, the Bible. Paul goes on to say in this way we overthrow every lofty opinion or ideology against God. Be bold for God, lost souls depend on it.

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:12 ESV

Devotionals

The Brevity of Life

Loring Schultz

“Seventy years are given to us! Some even live to eighty.…. Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.” Psalm 90:10a, 12 NLT

Photo Wikimedia Commons

Today marks the 100th birthday of former United States President Jimmy Carter. He is by far the oldest living president in American history. The second longest lifespan for a U.S. President was George H. W. Bush at age 94 followed by Gerald R. Ford at 93. Cater became president in 1977 following the 1976 election, the first presidential election I participated it while in college. A lot of years have passed between then and now, but they seem almost like yesterday. I guess that is why the psalmist was inspired to write, “Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.” (Ps.90:12 nlt)

Before making that statement, the psalmist says, “Seventy years are given to us! Some even live to eighty.” (Ps.90:10a nlt) If that doesn’t make you think. I’m very close to the age granted to me before the extension for good health, and that time has gone by very quickly. Indeed, I need to realize, as all of us do, that life is short compared to eternity. But as short as life is, we have given a responsibility to leave our mark for Christ in the world we leave behind.

The Lord has blessed Jimmy Carter with a long life. President Carter has made good use of the time God has given him. He served in the U.S. Navy, was a successful farmer in his home state of Georgia, elected to the state Senate in 1963 he then became the governor of Georgia before serving as U.S. President. Outside of politics, Carter is best known for his humanitarian work of building houses for the less fortunate in his ‘Habitat for Humanity Project.’ In fact, in honor of his 100th birthday volunteers are constructing 30 new homes this week in St. Paul, Minnesota. President Carter has also served as a deacon and Sunday School teacher in his church for many years until his health prevented him to do so.

Today Jimmy Carter is 100 years old, and even at 100 years old, he is aware life is short. What is 100 years compared to eternity. President Carter has used his short time well and is still influencing people around the world. May we realize the precious time God has given us to work His plan in the world. Our life may be brief here on earth, but it can and will be used by God for His glory if we don’t squander it away.

Happy Birthday President Carter!

https://www.cartercenter.org/about/experts/jimmy_carter.html

https://www.habitat.org/carter-work-project

Devotionals

What are you hiding from the children?

Loring Schultz

“We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the LORD, and his might, and the wonders that he has done.” Psalm 78:4 ESV

Photo by Trinity Kubassek on Pexels.com

There are certain things parents hide from their children for their safety and to avoid confusion in material that is not age appropriate. Society does the same thing in keeping harmful material away from children, but sadly we are experiencing the present-day culture eroding those standards. Culture is lowering the age-appropriate standard to all-time lows on a variety of subjects causing harm and confusion to children. Christian parents are fighting an uphill battle in rising their children in the admonition of the Lord. What they hide from the innocent child in the home for their safety is often revealed in the classroom. 

Psalm 78 begins with a determination by the older generation to tell their children what their fathers passed down to them. They would teach them the glories of the Lord, His great might, the wonders He has done, and that God was their source of hope in this world. They weren’t going to hide these biblical truths from their children but teach them as soon as they were able to understand. Parents are commanded by God to teach them the wonders of God, who He is, His love for them, the way to live in this world, and God’s gift of salvation to all who believe.

Yes, there are many things to remain hidden from young minds, but the Word of God is not one of them and it must never be hidden. Parents should be intentional in teaching the Bible to their children. Their only hope in this life is in the God of the Bible. Knowing the truth of God’s Word, His commandments, and His love for them will go a long way in helping counter the hidden things they will be exposed to by the culture. You can be sure the classroom will keep the Bible hidden, so make sure it is fully exposed and taught in the comfort of your own home.

Read: Psalm 78:1-8 ESV – Tell the Coming Generation – A Maskil – Bible Gateway

Bible Studies

“Godly Leaders are Prepared” Godly Leadership: the book of Nehemiah

Loring Schultz

“If it please the king, let me have letters addressed to the governors of the province west of the Euphrates River, instructing them to let me travel safely through their territories on my way to Judah. And please give me a letter addressed to Asaph, the manager of the king’s forest, instructing him to give me timber.” Nehemiah 2:7-8a NLT

Photo by Jopwell on Pexels.com

There are essential traits that every godly leader must possess. We will look at several of them during our course of study in the book of Nehemiah the next few weeks. Last week we noted the first and most important one, prayer and fasting. To be truly successful in any endeavor in life, especially leadership, a proper relationship with the Lord in prayer is a must. We closed last week with Nehemiah continuing to pray even though he had a plan. He knew having a plan was not enough. The Lord had to be a part of it. This week we will examine Nehemiah’s plan unpacking it and noting the value of his preparations for restoring Jerusalem starting with rebuilding the walls and gates.

As we begin chapter 2, four months have passed, and it is the month of Nisan in the spring 445 B.C… Nehemiah is in his usual position serving wine to King Artaxerxes. But there is a problem. The king notices Nehemiah’s countenance is not his usual self, but one of sadness. This frightens Nehemiah greatly for it was dangerous to display such a sad emotion before the king. The king’s officials were expected to always be happy in the presence of the king despite any personal situations they were dealing with. Nehemiah literally feared for his life. So, when the king asked him, “Why are you looking so sad? You don’t look sick to me. You must be deeply troubled.” (Neh.2:2 nlt) Nehemiah was terrified.

Nehemiah gave an immediate response. “Long live the king! How can I not be sad? For the city where my ancestors are buried is in ruins, and the gates have been destroyed by fire.” (Neh.2:3 nlt) Nehemiah appealed to the reverence of one’s ancestral burial ground by noting the ruins around them. The city’s gates in those days represented the very life of the city. They were a place for social gatherings. It was also the place where the elders of the city met to settle disputes brought to them from the residents. Nehemiah was both honest and direct in his answer to King Artaxerxes which the king understood as a deep matter of concern. And due to the relationship built up over the years the king was quick to offer help in any way he could. Building relationships through trust with those you work for and work with will pay dividends in the future. This is one example, but of course, we don’t do it to get something out of it, but to be obedient to God as representing Him in the workplace.

A quick silent prayer was offered by Nehemiah to the God of heaven before his reply to the king. “So I prayed to the God of heaven.” (Neh.2:4b esv) When prayer is needed in the moment, Nehemiah’s response is the way to go. There is no time for proper posture, getting your list out, or reading scripture first, you need to pray now. Just do it! God will hear and answer. Nehemiah had been praying for such an occasion over the last four months. He never knew when the opportunity would come, so he needed to be ready. Ready to ask the king for his help when the time arrived, and of course he prayed. This was the day he was waiting for and he was prepared.

Praying, fasting, planning, and preparing are essential traits for godly leadership as mentioned, but ‘patience’ is also an essential trait. This could be the hardest to achieve, but nothing is impossible with God as you take it to Him in prayer. Godly leaders must be patient to work on God’s timetable. Rushing into a project, even well planned out, based on our own assumptions that the right time is right will prove disastrous. Prayer is vital in determining when God gives us the green light. Godly leaders will not go on their assumptions but will wait for clarity from the Lord.

The patience of Nehemiah paid off as the time had come that he was preparing for to deliver his request to the king. His prayer life and his confidence in God gave him the boldness of a godly leader who trust is in the Lord. Nehemiah boldly asked for a leave of absence from his important role as the king’s cupbearer. “If it please the king, and if you are pleased with me, your servant, send me to Judah to rebuild the city where my ancestors are buried.” (Neh.2:5 nlt) The king granted his request, and the time of his absence was agreed to. Nehemiah then shown he had done his homework planning what he would need. He boldly asked King Artaxerxes for letters of authorization for clear passage through other jurisdictions. Nehemiah then asked for a letter of authorization to secure timber from the king’s forest to build the walls and gates of Jerusalem and even timber his own home when he gets there. He evidently researched and knew where to find the lumber he needed. Nehemiah prepared to take on the project of rebuilding Jerusalem. Beginning with prayer and fasting, working a plan, and preparing to present it to the king, and with great patience when the time had come, Nehemiah was ready.  “And the king granted these requests, because the gracious hand of God was on me.” (Neh.2:8b nlt)

Leadership today is need of a Nehemiah approach to be a godly leader. Whether involved in church ministry, working in the business world, or in government, godly leaders who pray, plan, and are prepare will confidently be able to accomplish much and make a difference where God has placed them. If you aspire to be a leader, be prepared. You never know when that door will finally open when the gracious hand of God is on you.

Photo by Tim Wildsmith on Unsplash

Read: Nehemiah 2:1-8 NLT – Nehemiah Goes to Jerusalem – Early the – Bible Gateway

A Christian Perspective

Standing in the Gap for America

Loring Schultz

“I looked for someone who might rebuild the wall of righteousness that guards the land. I searched for someone to stand in the gap in the wall so I wouldn’t have to destroy the land, but I found no one. So now I will pour out my fury on them, consuming them with the fire of my anger. I will heap on their heads the full penalty for all their sins. I, the Sovereign LORD, have spoken!” Ezekiel 22:30-31 NLT

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

The United States of America is still the greatest, most prosperous nation in the world today. Cemented on Judeo-Christian values from the pages of Holy Scripture by the founding Fathers, the United States has been blessed as no other nation for the undivided attention given to God’s commands and the truth given to us from our creator. But, I’m afraid those days are surely coming to an end. The United States as a country has abandon God and we are starting to see the beginning of the end of our freedom unless a radical change back to God is made very soon.

It is impossible for anyone to not be aware of the deterioration of the very fabric of our nation. Even the casual observer of the news is confronted with political turmoil, ever increasing crime, hatred towards others, racism, scandals within our government institutions, attempts to silence free speech, discrimination, churches turning away from the truths of God’s Word, and Federal government spending causing the rise in the debt ceiling. The fact is, although being aware of the crisis in our country, many people are either disinterested or simply don’t care. Others are too busy with their own concerns, some are part of the problem, and then there are others who do care but only complain. They never take the initiative by getting involved to help in any way they can, even praying for the country.

The Lord speaking through the prophet Ezekiel was looking for someone to intercede on behalf of the people of Jerusalem who were about to be taken captive, and the city destroyed. Their continued sinning by turning their back on God is about to unleash the consequences. Sadly, the Lord found no one to ‘stand in the gap’ rebuilding the wall of righteousness. There was no one to teach repentance and return to the Lord their God. Jerusalem was destroyed and the people taken to Babylon in captivity.

The United States must heed this warning from the Old Testament book of Ezekiel, if the Lord God did not spare His own people from destruction due to their sin, what makes us think He will spare the United States of America? “So now I will pour out my fury on them, consuming them with the fire of my anger. I will heap on their heads the full penalty for all their sins. I, the Sovereign LORD, have spoken!” (Ez.22:31 nlt) Who will help rebuild the wall of righteousness, the sacred Judeo-Christian values that established the United States, and stand in the ‘stand in the gap?’ Will it be you? Will it be me? May it be both of us!

The link below will help get us off to a good start. Today is Day 2 of ’40 Days of Prayer before the U. S. Presidential election.’ May we all be in prayer as we stand in the gap for the next 40 days for America and other countries around the world.

40 Days USA | A Call To Pray For Our Nation

Photo by René DeAnda on Unsplash
Devotionals

The Lord Directs Our Steps

Loring Schultz

“The LORD directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way?” Proverbs 20:24 NLT

Photo by Miguel A Amutio on Unsplash

I say to myself, ‘I shouldn’t have done that,’ after I already did it. Then I ask myself, ‘why did I do that?’ to which I have no answer, most of the time. Solomon’s proverb may or may not be comforting at this time when he writes, ‘The Lord directs our steps.’ If I did something stupid, how could that be the Lord directing me, but on the other hand if it turns out for the good it had to be the Lord directing me. As I look back over my life, I’ve had many of those occasions perhaps you have too, but do not waste your time trying to figure out how the Lord directs our steps, just accept it.

You may ask, ‘Is God directing my steps when I am involved in sin?’ Absolutely not! God is holy and cannot accept sin in His sight. That is why God the Father turned His back on Jesus at Calvary when the sins of the world were placed on Him at the cross. God gives us free will in making choices in this life, but when we put our trust in Him and accept His Son as our savior God will lead those who are His according to His will. Do Christians still sin. Absolutely! Although God is not directing our steps into sin, He will still work out His purposes as we confess and repent providing us with grace and mercy.

It’s hard to accept at times that we could be in a certain place due to the consequences of our sin and yet the Lord continues to bless us. He uses us in influencing others towards Him according to His will. God does not give up on His children who confess and come back to Him. He will even use our past to glorify Him as we repent and live a life of righteousness. “A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.” (Is.42:3 niv) God does direct the steps of those who are His, even the stupid things we do. He will make them right. But remember God never directs us into sin, but as we confessed and repent, He will forgive us applying His grace and mercy. Hard to accept, I know. Just accept it and praise Him for it!

Devotionals

A Refuge in Times of Trouble

Loring Schultz

“The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him.” Nahum 1:7 NIV

Photo by Roman Melnychuk on Unsplash

I don’t know of anyone I have ever met that has not had trouble in their life. Some people seem to have trouble following them wherever they go. One of favorite cartoon characters, ‘Ziggy’, had those experiences with a dark cloud always over his head. Ziggy is a good-natured fellow with a kind, warm heart, but that didn’t prevent him from troubled times. In fact, he didn’t let it bother him, he just went along his way being who he is, a kindhearted cartoon character. We can also go along in troubled times being who we are, Christians who know the Lord God.

It would be nice if all our troubles were little things happening to us that some would call bad luck, or the black cloud that hovers above us. But most of our times of trouble are more than a ‘Ziggy’ event, some of them even tragic. Becoming a Christian doesn’t guarantee all our troubles disappear, they don’t. We may find that a little odd. After all, why wouldn’t God keep us from trouble. He may not keep us from trouble, but God cares and is always with us as we go through it.

The Old Testament prophet Nahum writes, “The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him.” (Na.1:7 niv) The Lord is our refuge, our safety net, our escape route, our defender, and our strength who will not abandon us. Whatever you may be going through this week remember God is there with you. God cares for you, and He is good. You will continue to have trouble in this life, but as a Christian you can rest assured God is with you. He will not leave you to work it out on your own but will be a refuge for those He cares for as you trust in Him.

Bible Studies

“Prayer and Fasting” Godly Leadership: the book of Nehemiah

Loring Schultz

“The wall of Jerusalem has been torn down, and the gates have been destroyed by fire. When I heard this, I sat down and wept. In fact, for days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven.” Nehemiah 1:3b-4 NLT

Photo by Tim Wildsmith on Unsplash

Today we start our Biblical Insights Fall Series with a study into the book of Nehemiah. While there are many themes and insights we can glean from this book, our focus will be on Godly Leadership in a time of crisis. A selection of events of his leadership from his own memoirs provide the context for this Old Testament history book. Nehemiah demonstrates unmatched skills for his day in overall leadership and organization. The Wycliffe Bible Commentary notes, “No portion of the Old Testament provides us with a greater incentive to dedicated, discerning zeal for the work of God than the book of Nehemiah. The example of Nehemiah’s passion for the truth of God’s word, whatever the cost or consequences, is an example solely needed in the present hour.” (1) With that said, let us begin.

Nehemiah was a trusted Royal official in King Artaxerxes court. Artaxerxes was King Ahasuerus’ son from our study in the book of Esther. In fact, Esther was his stepmother. Nehemiah was one King Artaxerxes most trusted officials for he was the king’s cupbearer. He would choose and taste the king’s wine safeguarding it from being poisoned. He was highly trusted and would be used by God for His purposes as Joseph, Daniel, and Esther. Once again God’s people found themselves in an uncomfortable and dangerous situation.

Some quick background; The Jewish people had returned to Jerusalem from captivity in 538 B.C. and completed the rebuilt temple 515 B.C… There was a second mass return from the Persian Empire under the leadership of Ezra in 458 B.C… The book of Nehemiah begins in Nov/Dec 445 B.C. as Nehemiah receives word from his brother and others who had traveled to Jerusalem to report on the conditions of the city. Nehemiah was concerned for the people there and anxious to receive the report. Scripture does say how involved Nehemiah was in these men going to Jerusalem, but he was certainly concerned. Nehemiah possessed a caring attitude for his brothers and sisters in Jerusalem. When he heard of the bad report he was devastated by the news. “They said to me, ‘Things are not going well for those who returned to the province of Judah. They are in great trouble and disgrace.’” (Neh.1:3a nlt) When he heard the news, Nehemiah took the first step a Godly leader takes, he mourned for those in Jerusalem, fasted and prayed. Godly leaders know who to turn to when people are in trouble. A lesson appropriate for leaders today.

What was hard for Nehemiah to grasp was not that the walls and gates were torn down, but that the work had stopped in rebuilding them after their return to the land. There was much opposition and delays when building the temple, but the people were able to see it to completion. Apparently, those distractors still had a stronghold on Jerusalem’s residents that they did not continue the work. This was extremely dangerous for the safety of the people and the protection of the temple with no walls of defense. Nehemiah was not a religious leader but understood what the city of Jerusalem was to the Lord God. It was the city where God had put His name, and His name was not being glorified by the total completion of the city walls when His people returned to Jerusalem. Nehemiah had godly insight into the problem which a Godly leader needs to have to be successful.

Notice another trait of a Godly leader. Nehemiah identified with the people in his prayer. “Listen to my prayer! Look down and see me praying night and day for your people Israel. I confess that we have sinned against you. Yes, even my own family and I have sinned!” (Neh.1:6 nlt) Nehemiah recognizes perhaps the people have not been obedient to God and therefore the walls of protection are gone so he prays to that end and adds his own sin and confesses. Godly leaders confess their sins and the sins of those they represent.

Nehemiah reminds the Lord of His covenant with Israel in his prayer, not that he needs to be reminded but plead with God to activate His promise to them if the people repented. “But if you return to me and obey my commands and live by them, then even if you are exiled to the ends of the earth, I will bring you back to the place I have chosen for my name to be honored.” (Neh.1:9 nlt) The Lord had indeed brought them back and now Nehemiah is asking God for His name to honored again in Jerusalem through His chosen people. “The people you rescued by your great power and strong hand are your servants.” (Neh.1:10 nlt)

Nehemiah closes his prayer with a request that the king’s heart would be kind to him when he makes his approach to ask permission to go to Jerusalem to rebuild the walls. He already had a plan. A good leader does go about haphazardly but has a plan in place. We can all use this advice in our daily lives. God may change your plans but have a plan in place Nehemiah did.

Finally, a Godly leader understands the value of bringing everything before God in prayer. Nehemiah prayed recognizing the transcendent God, who is high and mighty far above His people and close enough to help them in their time of need. We have the same God today. May all those in leadership positions follow Nehemiah’s first step when faced with a crisis. Pray!

Read: Nehemiah 1 NLT – These are the memoirs of Nehemiah son – Bible Gateway

(1) Pfeiffer, Charles F, Harrison, Everett F. The Wycliffe Bible Commentary. Chicago: The Moody Bible Institute of Chicago, 1990.

A Christian Perspective

Pray for Christian Leaders in Government

Loring Schultz

“Then the other administrators and high officers began searching for some fault in the way Daniel was handling government affairs, but they couldn’t find anything to criticize or condemn. He was faithful, always responsible, and completely trustworthy. So they concluded, ‘Our only chance of finding grounds for accusing Daniel will be in connection with the rules of his religion.’” Daniel 6:4-5 NLT

Photo by Ian Hutchinson on Unsplash

Government officials who profess Christianity are looked upon as a threat to our way of life. Adhering to Biblical principles accuses them of intolerance, taking away rights, discrimination, limiting freedom, and dare I say a threat to democracy. Of course, none of this is true for the God of the Bible would never support those things listed above. In fact, the Bible speaks quite openly just the opposite when administered according to His standard of truth and His holiness. God has established government for an orderly way of life in our world to maintain peace by punishing criminals and providing safety and protection for all its citizens. The guidelines to follow are found in His book He has written to us, the Bible. It is when government seeks to establish their own reasoning of right and wrong contrary to God’s standards that we have an unorderly world.

Christians in government leadership positions need our daily prayers. They are in an uphill battle with mostly every piece of legislation being debated or with laws they need to follow which are against God’s Word. There are many who want to silence them and see them out of office. I believe the Lord has placed them there by His grace and will use them for His glory not only for a more stable government, but in advancing His kingdom by leading others to Christ. They have a great responsibility to maintain integrity among their colleagues with whom they are in opposition for the greater cause for doing the right thing for the people.

The prophet Daniel in the Old Testament could well represent a modern-day government official. He, indeed, was one. One of the top three in Darius’ administration. Daniel’s character and integrity were above reproach, and his work was of excellent quality. He was on his way to being promoted but his two companions wanted him out of office and tried to find some accusation against him but couldn’t find any. Daniel’s godly character and work ethic made it impossible to find anything negative in his service to the king. His opponents knew they could only get him to violate the law if it was something that went against his God, so they devised a plan and they passed such a law. This is being done in our government before our very eyes in 2024.

Be praying for all who hold office in our government, Christians and non-Christians alike. For those who do not know the living savior to come to know Him and for Christians to be able to stand for the truth and not be persuaded to compromise God’s Word in fear of losing their jobs. Pray they will maintain their integrity and conduct their work to highest standard as a follower of Jesus. And continue to pray for the United States in the upcoming election that men and women of God will be elected to office governing as God’s Word commands.