Holy Week has an impact that causes us to focus on the love of God, which is given to humanity through the crucifixion of Jesus. From this event, the gospel is put in motion to be spoken about and spread. The gospel should permeate our mind so that our speech reflects our efforts and love to meditate on the Lord as our personal redeemer (Psalm 19:14). When Christians speak of the gospel of Jesus, the knowledge of Scripture will explain how the crucifixion of Christ translates as the sacrifice for our salvation and righteousness.
Understanding the gospel produces a pathway to speaking of it. There are many concepts to be grasped concerning living a life for the gospel, but the foundation of the gospel is belief in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and the sacrifice required for God’s grace to be given.

Acts 10:34-43

God teaches and uses Peter consecutively in this moment, which leads up to the ministry that was soon to be aimed toward the Gentiles. The ministry to the Gentiles is important because it expands belief as the way to receive God’s grace, which leads to the Holy Spirit producing righteousness in us. Peter focuses on the acts that Jesus had done for people. When you speak of the gospel, remember and share the moments of your life when the power of Jesus was experienced and not only gave you strength to endure life, but also joy with the strength.

Knowing the moments that God has interceded in your life reveals a powerful story that proclaims not only the ability of God but the focus of God’s love. The proclimation of Psalm 136 is the consistent statement that “His steadfast love endures forever,” which closes all 25 verses. The reliance of Christians on God needs to be based on the acceptance and experience of God loving them.

Psalm 136

It is not enough to be merely familiar with the stories of the Bible, but we must identify our direct connection to the actions of God. The psalmist opens with God as the creator, who made a place for us to discover Him. Romans 1:19-20 expresses that humanity is without excuse to come to the conclusion of God’s power and discern that His love directs His power for us.
The psalmist continues to the redemptive action that God took to release His children from bondage and give them a “land as their heritage” (Psalm 136:21). There is a concept that needs to be understood for God’s endure love to expereinced, which is the God “remembering us in our low estate” (Psalm 136:23). When we see there is no room for humanity to act from a position of entitlement, humble acceptance toward what God gives is the proper response.
The acceptance and acknowledgment of what God gave to the psalmist express a deep relationship that has been relied upon and proven to be true. God is not distant, but we must take steps to seek Him with our whole heart (Jeremiah 29:13, Deuteronomy 4:29), and when we do, our praise toward Him will be just as direct and just as important to us as God’s actions were to the psalmist and Israel.

Acts 8
There will always be setbacks in life. Sometimes the results of our effort do not produce the success we desire, or our efforts fail altogether. The response to experiencing a setback is determined by our mindset. It is important to understand that setbacks are different than sitting back. If we’re not mindful and focused on holding onto the gospel as the motivation and power of our lives, our response to a setback can be sitting back.
In Acts 8, the early Christians experienced an intense season of persecution, causing many believers to scatter.  The apostles, however, stayed in Jerusalem, with the exception of Philip. It doesn’t appear that Philip was fleeing persecution, but more so, going with the people to help remind them of the gospel and to teach the gospel to those who hadn’t heard. Their response to setback was not sitting back; they merely took their life and the message of the gospel somewhere else.
Philip ministered in Samaria and persuaded a well-known magician (Acts 8:4-13) as well as a particular eunuch of the court of the Ethiopian queen (Acts 8:26-39). The only detail given about Philip and those who scattered was that they preached the gospel where they went (Acts 8:4). The challenge for some people who experience setbacks is not just changing where they are living life, but they want to change how they’re living. For a Christian, there should never be a change in how we live life, for whatever we do and wherever we do it, we do it for the glory of the Lord (Col. 3:7; Col. 3:23-24; 1 Cor. 10:31). Our response to setbacks because of the gospel can produce new opportunities to share the gospel.

Be mindful and motivated by the gospel to take a step to B.L.E.S.S. others.

Acts 6:1-7
 
This issue that came about in the church was a struggle that was result of growth. More people were becoming a part of the church, which inevitably results in more needs to be assessed and taken care of. We live in a society where there has established government assistance, but that was not the case during the first century. The church stepped in and started helping the widows, but a group of Greek widows was being overlooked.
The apostles understood the problem, but they also understood their calling in life, to teach the gospel for the strengthening of the church and spreading of the gospel to those who have not heard. Their decision to empower the deacons to choose men who were filled with the Holy Spirit strengthened the ability of the church because it encouraged others to engage the needs of the community.
 
The effort of a church is not limited to the work of pastors and their staff, but rather the needs are expressed by its people, and the effort of the people are willing and able to do. For Christians to step into these opportunities, we need to be mindful of the example of Jesus that is displayed in the Scriptures and mindful of the Holy Spirit that dwells within us, empowering us to live in the power of Christ.
 
Take your steps with the Holy Spirit so you may be the witness that Jesus calls us to be (Acts 1:8).

Boldness has a way of drawing attention and leading people to discern the meaning of the action or statement that was produced because of the boldness. As believers, we need to pay attention to the reality that God can either do something bold to us or through us. For God to do something through us, we need to properly place the target of the benefit. Being a Christian produces a benefit to us, but there is also a command to B.L.E.S.S. others around us if we are followers of Jesus. This allows God the opportunity to be bold through us, for the benefit of others to receive the salvation that Jesus offers.

Acts 4:32-37

These four verses truly reveal the unity and care that the early church had for one another. But holding onto this standard takes the focus and willingness of every individual.

Acts 5:1-6

Luke leads into the actions of Ananias and Sapphira with the genuine and care-filled actions of Barnabas, which drew attention from the apostles. This attention was positive and thoughtful attention, which Ananias and Sapphira wanted. So, they lied about the amount the land was sold for to receive not only the same benefit of the purchase of the land, but also to achieve the favorable appearance of being generous.
If we desire to B.L.E.S.S. people, we need to be sacrificial for the benefit of someone else. This is how God blessed the early church and made them representatives of the gospel of Jesus. Live and sacrifice to represent God so we may draw others to the gospel of Jesus.

Acts 4:7-12
Each day that God gives us life is an opportunity to remember and be molded by the blessing of salvation through Jesus, or to speak about the action and effort Jesus put out for humanity. The magnitude of the moment that Peter and John are in can be lost on us. Peter and John are up against the religious authorities of the temple.  They are just a little over 40 days past the trial and crucifixion of Jesus.
Peter spoke with boldness, maybe thinking that this might be the start of the end for him. Jesus had already told Peter he would be led to death in John 21:18-19; Peter just didn’t know when. Peter seized the opportunity to speak about Jesus, because it was the power of Jesus in which he lived. This is the third time Peter has placed the guilt of Jesus’ death on the Jews (Acts 2:23-24; 3:15; 4:10),  He was focused on what the power of God has given to humanity.
Acts 4:23-31
The result was that the first believers of the gospel of Christ were inspired to pray for the Holy Spirit to physically impact their presence once again. Their unity of spirit and desire to be bold for the gospel drew the presence of the Holy Spirit.  Our step as a church is to boldly bless those around us, beginning with prayer to prepare ourselves to be ready to bless someone God has connected us to in order to get them to hear the gospel.

The power of faith leads to some amazing moments in life. The lack of experience with the power of God leads to the discerning question of whether your faith is being lived out of your own power or the power of God. There is a difference between living in the power of faith and living in faith and the power of separate sources. It is crucial for Christians to understand that our faith is the power that we live through.
Acts3:1-10
The result of the power of faith through Peter and John intersected with their consistent effort and desire to worship God. Luke recorded their commitment to attend the temple consistently “at the hour of prayer” (Acts 3:1). We may desire for God to do an amazing work in our lives, but fail to put forth the consistent effort that it takes to live by faith. Faith may lead to an unlikely action, but never apart from a consistent effort to express and live by faith.
The resulting miracle was not a result of mere words. The words are important because they express the power squarely coming from Jesus. But don’t miss that Peter reached out and “took him by the hand and raised him up” (Acts 3:7). The power of faith was experienced with Peter’s actions being directed by faith to intercede for someone else. The man received the command and expressed faith by accepting Peter’s hand. This presents the faith of both men, neglecting to express any particular amount of faith being greater than the other, rather it just acknowledges the power faith should have to direct our actions.
Our actions of faith are not to prove to ourselves that we believe, but they are to magnify the Lord and to make us ready to be used by the Lord to show His power. Peter’s life, which was consistently led by his faith, presented an opportunity for the power of faith to be experienced in someone else’s life.  As we reach out to support and help others, allow your actions to be used to express the power of faith in Jesus.

The Spirit of God is sent to all of God’s people who believe and confess Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Jesus promises the Holy Spirit to be sent to believers from God (John 14:16, 26; John 15:26; 16:7). There is a unity that is among God, Jesus, and the Spirit. The promise of the Spirit expresses that He will teach us concerning all truth and remind us of the teachings of Jesus.

The outcome of the unity among the apostles led them to pray together (Acts 1:12-14) and were reminded of the Scriptures, leading them to fill the position of Judas (Acts 1:20). They continued to pray and take proper action to fill the twelfth position (Acts 1:24).

As the disciples continued to stay together in one place, the presence of the Holy Spirit came upon them as a gift and a purpose for the gift to share the gospel as Jesus commanded. The presence of the Holy Spirit coming upon the apostles brought people to them. Peter steps into an opportunity to explain the moment they are in through what he knew of the Scriptures in Joel 2:28-32 (Acts 2:17-21) and then continued to explain the gospel of Jesus and invited them to repent (Acts 2:22-41). This grand moment was initiated through the obedience of the apostles and followers of Jesus.

Make the effort to be obedient and faithful to God by being present in the gatherings of His people. God is worthy of all of our effort to be obedient to Him.

2 Peter 3:1-10
The search for something new to you in the Scriptures can overtake your ability to maintain focus on what’s important. When this happens, the opportunity to be misled can become a reality. Peter warns the first-century believers about being persuaded away from the truth of the gospel through the efforts of false teachers.

The false teachers were “denying the Master” (2 Peter 2:1 ESV), therefore perverting the way of truth. The second element of opposition Peter acknowledges is the effort of scoffers, trying to portray the promise of the return of Jesus as never to happen.  They failed to remember that the power of God’s word  that spoke the earth and the heavens into existence, giving humanity a stable environment to live and prosper, is the same word that promises judgment.¹

Along with Peter’s warning against misunderstanding the patience of Jesus’ return as neglect, he identifies the perspective of false teachers as a “deliberate overlook” (2 Peter 3:5) of the facts identified in the Scriptures. In 2 Peter 2:4-9, he highlights the judgment imposed on angels, the generation of Noah, and of Sodom and Gomorrah. God has clearly expressed His ability to judge, but to experience His ability to save, one must understand that “the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials” (2 Peter 2:9).

The steps we take in life need to reflect the belief in God’s patience. From there we can see the flaw of humanity and particularly ourselves being slow to love and follow God, “who desires all people to be saved” through the truth of Jesus (2 Tim. 2:4). The path of this life is seen through remembering the consistency of the perfect character of God exercising His ability to be Eternal, Judge, and Savior from a perfect moral position.²

1.  Lucas, R. C., and Christopher Green. 1995. The Message of 2 Peter & Jude: The Promise of His Coming. The Bible Speaks Today. Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press. 135.
2. Lucas, The Message of 2 Peter & Jude. 137.

The start of a new year brings opportunity to discern and dream about what work there is to accomplish during the coming year.  Our motivation could be rooted more in our desires than in the truth and calling God has on our lives. The call that God has on our lives is always directly tied to what we do. The challenge is discerning if we are ready to do what we’re called to do. We can only be ready to do what God calls us to do if the effort has been made to build up the possession of Christian qualities to combat and replace the sinful desires of life.

2 Peter 1:4-9

The qualities that Peter mentioned are useless without the faith in the promises that Jesus provides. Having faith in Jesus gives us access to the divine nature that we need to gain the other qualities, but without faith, there is no promise, only tainted human effort. Peter describes this effort as false teaching from teachers who are “denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction” (2 Peter 2:1 ESV).

Peter’s list of qualities motivates us to remember that we have been cleansed by Jesus’s sacrifice. A false and faithless perspective will find similar qualities that are motivated by sinful desire

1. Faith is replaced with our own effort.
2. Virtue is replaced with vices.
3. Knowledge is replaced with preference.
4. Self-control is replaced with self-indulgence.
5. Steadfastness is replaced with weakness.
6. Godliness is replaced with the ultimate freedom of our own desire.
7. Brotherly affection is limited to mere friendship.
8. Love is redefined and demanded.

Peter’s instruction to complement each quality with a progressive connection to another is the only way we can achieve the call God has given to His church. As we focus our efforts to take steps to spread the gospel to people through love and experience growth in ourselves as well as other generations, we must possess the qualities. We can never give to others that which we do not possess.

The Lonestar series highlights the importance of our sole dependency on the belief of Jesus as the coming Messiah: the star promised to come out of Jacob (Num. 24:17). Our willingness to follow Jesus will show us the truth of God’s love for us, despite our inability to live up to His righteousness. In fact, that is God’s motivation to send Jesus. Yet our experience of God’s love depends on our choice to answer and follow Jesus's call on our lives.
Joshua charges Israel to choose whom they will serve with their lives: the gods their fathers served beyond the river, the gods among the people who currently lived around them, or the Lord who brought them out of slavery. Joshua build up to a call of their faithfulness by reflecting on the history of God’s faithfulness¹. Joshua expresses that it was God who first came to Abraham, despite his worship of other gods (Josh. 24:2-3), and gave him a promise of descendants and land. Joshua even reminds Israel of a time when their enemy, Balak, was actively working against them, but God intervened without Israel even knowing.² 
Without the knowledge and understanding of Jesus, humanity is left to walk in the darkness (Psalm 82:5). But with our acceptance of Jesus as the Son of God and the promised star, we become children of light, and a source of truth and love of God as we choose to follow the Lonestar of Christmas. When we choose to follow Jesus, there is a willingness to speak of the belief we have. Take steps to know, understand, and share your belief.

1. David G. Firth, The Message of Joshua. Edited by Alec Motyer and Derek Tidball. The Bible Speaks Today. (Nottingham, England: Inter-Varsity Press, 2015), 217.
2. Firth, The Message of Joshua, 219.

The prophet Zephaniah was born during the reign of King Manasseh, who did evil in the sight of the Lord (2 Chron. 33:1-2). His father, King Hezekiah, restored the leadership and standard of Worship to Judah. Zephaniah, being the fourth generation after King Hezekiah, brought attention to the failure of Israel to please God through faith and righteousness. The foundation of Manasseh’s leadership led royal and priestly leadership to the worship of other gods (Zeph. 1:4-5, 7-9, 3:3-5).

Zephaniah spoke because God spoke to him (Zeph. 1:1), but Zephaniah was unaware how his message from God would impact his hearers. The prophecy of Zephaniah falls in the early days of King Josiah’s reign. Josiah implemented reform across the kingdom of Judah, leading to the reestablishment of the Passover Celebration (2 Kings 22-23).
There is a subtle glimmer of hope that builds into total restoration of salvation given by the Lord. That glimmer is seen in the Lord’s call for other nations to seek the Lord (Zeph. 2:3) and for Israel to wait on the Lord (Zeph. 3:8). Both of which could not be done if we are not submissive to the message of God from the Bible. Proverbs tells us that: “Where there is no prophetic vision, people will cast off restraint, but the blessed in whose keep the law” (Prov. 29:18).
Take steps to share what the Lord is teaching you through the Scripture. Only God knows what you will inspire.

Zephaniah 3:1-8
The attributes that Zephaniah uses to describe the people of Jerusalem reveal the standard that the people adhere to. The characteristic of rebellion is not that one will not follow any instructions,  but particularly, they would not follow the instructions of the Lord.¹ The challenge for believers today is to refuse to be conformed to this world while being transformed through the renewing of our mind (Rom. 12:2). This attribute of rebellion is mitigated by listening to God. When we listen to God, we can experience the glory of living a life that is glorifying to Him.
Jesus invites “all who labor and are heavy laden” to come to Him. It’s not that people merely come to Him by hearing about Him, but we must listen and trust the teaching that comes from Him.  There are instructions for us to follow with His yoke and burden, but He also said they would be easy and light (Matt. 11:29). Zephaniah’s warning to Jerusalem includes their lack of trust in the Lord keeps them from coming near to the Lord. The most practical way to come near to the Lord is for there to be perpetual practice of private prayer and worship of the Lord.²
Take a step right now to seek the Lord with your heart to listen and trust His ways.


1 Gordon Bridger. 2010. The Message of Obadiah, Nahum, and Zephaniah: The Kindness and Severity of God. Edited by Alec Motyer and Derek Tidball. The Bible Speaks Today. (Nottingham, England: Inter-Varsity Press), 260.
2 Bridger, The Message of Obadiah, Nahum and Zephaniah, 264.

The presence and acceptance of guilt is the motivation for the reaction of Israel in Zechariah 12:11-14. The particular sorrow expressed by the generation Zechariah wrote to is possibly compared to the response that was given when King Josiah died.1 In mourning for King Josiah, a proclamation was made to remember King Josiah (2 Chronicles 35:24-25). Rightfully so, as he took action to take away all the abominable idols of Israel and place priests in positions for service of the house of the Lord ( 2 Chron. 34:33; 35:3 ESV). This effort from Josiah is parallel to the proclamation made by John the Baptist: “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29)

The repetitive statements of mourning in Zechariah 12:12-14 are to highlight the deep sorrow that Israel expressed. The repetitive listing of tribes and households is to show that all of Israel would mourn of the One “they have pierced” (Zech 12:10). But on that day God will provide a fountain of cleansing for the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem (Zech 13:1). A parallel story appears in the New Testament when Jesus approaches a woman at the well of Jacob and tells her the water He offers will become a “spring of water welling up to eternal life” (John 4:14). In the concourse with Jesus and the Samaritans that the woman brought to Him, there was no action  required to receive eternal life. But a statement from the people expressing that “it is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world” (John 4:42).

What step have you taken to hear what Jesus has to say about this life and how we are to live? Or who else have you encouraged to seek out Jesus so that they may believe? Our faithful steps with Jesus can spark action for someone else's first step. Share what Jesus is teaching you.

Following Christ means focusing on living with joy by worshiping God through Jesus. Jesus promises more to experience than just heaven. Isaiah 11:6-9 expresses a new environment on earth, “The wolf shall dwell with the lamb,” and a “nursing child shall play over the hole of the cobra,” and “the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord.” This expectation will be initiated on the day of Christ's return.  From chapter twelve to chapter fourteen, the phrase “on that day” is mentioned seventeen times. One distinction that is evident is that you will either worship God or be found warring against God when this day comes.
Zechariah 12:3-10 presents the beginning of what will happen. Jerusalem will be made into a heavy stone with which other nations will injure themselves as they come against the city and experience directly what it is like to war with God. Because of that, the clans of Judah will acknowledge the strength of the Lord working through Jerusalem (Zech. 12:5). The desire of other nations to come against Jerusalem will be because the Lord will make them a cup of staggering. The imagery of the cup of wine in the Old Testament is commonly known for God’s judgment (Isa. 51:17; Jer. 25:15; Hab. 2:16).

Pay attention to the steps you take in life and focus them on worshiping God rather than warring with Him.

The salvation that we have through Christ gives us the proper perspective to view and respond to God. This proper perspective of God allows us to live a life by faith through certain proclamations that can be seen as a foundation and motivation to use every day of our lives. Zechariah 12:1 expresses an oracle that came from the Lord while also identifying the Lord as the creator of the heavens and earth, and particularly the creator of “the spirit of man.” If God is our Creator, then we need to live as though we need to be impressed by Him.  

This position of being impressed by God has two elements. The first is one of being informed and therefore enthusiastically impressed with who God is and what He has done not only for one person but for all of humanity - “to take away the sin of the world” (John 1:29) and “through Christ reconciled us to Himself” (2 Cor. 5:18). The second element is then being pressed by Him allowing His impression to be transferred to us, making us into a “new creation” (2 Cor. 5:17). In Zechariah 12:2-3 the Lord says He will make Jerusalem into a cup of staggering and all who lift it will surely hurt themselves. If we are allowing God to impress Himself on us, then we fight our battles by standing in agreement with His word. Hold to the truth that God is our Creator and therefore qualified to be our Savior.

If you are being impressed by God, what praise and proclamation do you give Him? The pressure we experience creates an opportunity to release ourselves from our desires and work towards His desire to share the news of the gospel.  

Our desire and curiosity to experience something will produce questions for us. Jesus speaks of the future destruction of the temple and the disciples discreetly ask Jesus, “When will these things be?” (Mark 13:4; Matthew 24:3). It appears that angels are no different. In Daniel 12:5, two other angels, who are present during the explanation of understanding to Daniel, were on either side of the river, and one asked the angel that was giving the explanation, “How long will it be until the end of these wonders?” (Daniel 12:6). The answer given by the angel floating above the river caused Daniel to ask “what shall be the outcomes of these things?” (Daniel 12:8).
One alarming statement from the angel is that there will be a shattering of power for the holy people (Daniel 12:7). Assuredly, Daniel’s interest is to seek to understand what that means. Instead, Daniel is given the simplest statement: “Go your way… until the end” (Daniel 12:9). A challenge for believers today is not to get stuck at being awe-struck and stuck on what you read in Scripture, but work to express an awesome proclamation, because of what is promised in Scripture. For instance, in John 6:39, Jesus said, “And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day.” But as we go our way, as Daniel was instructed, remember Jesus also said, “You will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.”  (Matthew 10:22). Endurance is sure to be expected from believers by Jesus. Endurance is something that strengthens when used. We strengthen our endurance by knowing what Jesus requires of His disciples as well as living by faith as His disciples.
Take steps to know your faith and live by your faith to experience a life lived because of the gospel.

Daniel 11 is a chapter full of the chase of power, greed, and proclamation. As Christ-followers, we would be wise to pay attention to the volatile swing of treaties and treason found in Scripture. The constant battles of control highlight the need for discernment to properly place our trust. The placement of our trust concerning the actions inside our own community and nation will express our understanding or our need for correction. Through the gospel of Jesus, both our understanding and moments of correction give glory to God and purify our life of faith for His service. Living a life of understanding and correction is the help we always need.
Daniel 11: 33-35
The presence of wisdom should always be welcomed. When we welcome wisdom, we also must acknowledge where wisdom comes from. Daniel engaged with King Nebuchadnezzar at a young age, proclaiming that all “wisdom and might” belongs and comes from God (Daniel 2:20). If we hold this to be true of our lives, then we should be doing everything to know God and trust God, which will produce evidence for our belief in God.
Those who “stumbled” and were in anguish from experiencing persecution in Daniel 11:35 received help from a priest named  Mattathias and his five sons. Together, they started the Maccabean revolt and refused to submit to a false religion.¹ When we seek God for understanding and give Him our trust, we hold to passages similar to Psalm 56:2-4, which says: “my enemies trample on me all day long, for many attack me proudly. When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?” Our focus is not on the life of our flesh, but on the God who gives us life and promises everlasting life to those who believe in Him through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
Take steps from the foundation of understanding God and trusting in only Him.


 
1 J. Dwight Pentecost, “Daniel.” In The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, edited by J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck. (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books,1985), 1370.

The days of our lives are “full of trouble” (Job 14:1 ESV). The late Pastor Jerry Falwell explained that we were either soon headed into trouble, currently in trouble, or just coming out of trouble. Our effort to understand plays a heavy role in our ability to endure the trouble. It is necessary to stay in a perpetual mindset of seeking understanding to strengthen our endurance, particularly with our faith. Jesus said, “the one who endures to the end will be saved” (Matt. 24:13 ESV).
Daniel 10 starts off with Daniel explaining an encounter he had with an angel. The angel expressed that he was there “because of your words…and to make you understand what will happen to your people in the latter days” (Dan. 10:12, 14). In Daniel 10:1, it says Daniel was given a word and that he understood it, but it was his response to the word that brought the angel. Daniel knew it would be a hard thing to endure, so he was mourning and fasting for three weeks (Dan. 10:2-3).
Two things we need to know from this response that Daniel had to the vision and from the encounter with the angel. God’s response to us is immediate. The angel said he had been fighting the king of Persia. The decision-making and work of a government may seem illogical or ineffective at times, but we often neglect the spiritual warfare among governmental leaders. That is exactly where this angel came from, but notice the timeline. The angel had been fighting the king for 21 days, and Daniel had been fasting and praying for three weeks (3X7=21). Although we don’t see God working, trust His sovereign plan.
The trust we have in God leads us to the second item, humility. Our inability to stay humble will destroy or deny God’s involvement. The words of Daniel were his prayers, and his prayers came from an effort to seek God out of humility to understand (Dan. 10:12). Humility is the pathway of enduring when we seek to understand. It’s worth noting that Daniel’s actions were motivated by what was going to happen to his own people.
Take steps to endure a challenge someone else is experiencing.
   

In Daniel chapter 7, the anxiety of what is to come is brought to the mind of the author's hearers and readers. The placement of this vision is interesting because in chapter 6, Israel is taken captive by a new regime. After all, the Babylonians were defeated despite their strength. This vision dates back to the first year of captivity in Babylon.
Daniel 7:1-8
The vision of the four beasts is terrifying to imagine. We can imagine three of the beasts because of the shared features that we can understand from other beasts.  The fourth is “terrifying and dreadful,” but all we know about it is that it is “different” (Dan. 7:7).
The scene changes rather suddenly to a more familiar authority. Daniel envisions the “Ancient of Days”. Our language sometimes defines “ancient” as merely old and fragile. But in the Israeli culture, it “is grand, not that he is frail; it imports ideas of dignity, not of senility.”¹ We need to remember that the vision does not change location, but the court of God came upon where the beast or kings of the earth were.
Notice one word describing the Ancient of Days: He is seated. He’s not surprised or worried or rushing to position as He was caught out of position. He has come in His power like He promised. With all the trouble and trials that can be imagined with the rest of the chapter, take notice of two verses. “Verses 17–18 then are a basic explanation of the vision. So, we have no excuse for claiming we don’t know what the vision means. If one is fuzzy about details, we at least know this much.”²
Daniel 7:17-18

Take steps in your life with faith in what Scripture expresses about what will ultimately happen. We need to have an enduring faith that leads us throughout our lives.



1. Davis, Dale Ralph. 2013. The Message of Daniel: His Kingdom Cannot Fail. Edited by Alec Motyer and Derek Tidball. The Bible Speaks Today. Nottingham, England: Inter-Varsity Press, pg. 99.
2. Davis, Dale Ralph. 2013. The Message of Daniel: His Kingdom Cannot Fail, pg. 102.

 Paying attention to the accountability that Jesus gave to His disciples is crucial to identifying and continuing down the pathway of being a disciple of Jesus. We find Jesus expressing and challenging the disciples to meet a standard in different situations throughout Scripture.
Luke 9:37-43
A man brings his son to Jesus’s disciples to have them cast out a demon, but “they could not” (Luke 9:40 ESV). Jesus responds with a pretty sharp rebuke, “O faithless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here.” (Luke 9:41). Don’t move on from Jesus’s rebuke without recognizing who Jesus is talking to. There are only three possibilities. Was it all who were around to hear, because Jesus came to reconcile the sins of the world (John 1:29)? Was He just speaking to the father, because God “visits the iniquities of a father to the third and fourth generation” (Deut. 5:9)? Or was He talking to the disciples whom He had just commissioned to have power over demons (Luke 9:1)?
Jesus is holding the disciples accountable. A parallel recording of this passage is in Mark chapter 9. In verse twenty-eight the disciples ask why they could not cast out the demon Mark 9:28), and Jesus’s answer revealed their lack of discipline to pray and fast (Mark 9:29). God gives gifts to His children through the display of the fruit of the Spirit, but the ineffectiveness of those gifts can come through our lacking to maintain faithfulness to God through prayer and fasting.[1]

Take steps in prayer and fasting to keep your gifts effective for God’s glory.


 
[1] Jon Courson. Jon Courson’s Application Commentary. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2003, 349.

 The book of James talks about the power of the tongue through our words. From it come blessings and curses. It will also show what or whom we place on the throne of our hearts. Jesus said, “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matt. 12:34 ESV). On top of that depth in which we choose to believe, it can reveal the subtle rejection or the growth of our belief. Our public confessions reveal the source of our strength.

Daniel 4:1-8 Nebuchadnezzar’s Confession

Nebuchadnezzar assembles all the people of Babylon to confess the vision God gave him and what happened to him. His praise of God in verse 3 reveals a humble king, considering he was the king of a modern-day superpower, compared to his statement in verse 8 concerning Daniel. He renamed Daniel after “my god”, and that “the spirit of the holy gods” was in him. The God of the Holy Scriptures is the only true God, not one of many gods.

Daniel 4:9-18 The Dream  
Daniel 4:19-27 The Interpretation

Daniel’s warning to the king in verse 27 was not asked for, but Daniel shows the mercy of God by encouraging him to live righteously. Instead, the king boasts in his own stands on his roof overlooking his accomplishments that were rightfully his, the grandeur of Babylon. Dale Davis highlights how impressive the Babylonian city was. They had a mote around the entire city, they were the first to build a double wall, the outer wall was 25 feet thick and the inner wall was 21 feet thick with defense towers, there was a 400 foot bridge stretching over the Euphrates River connecting the east and west sides of the city, he enjoy at least three palaces and build a famous hanging garden.¹ But still nothing compared to God.

Daniel 4:28-33 God’s Rebuke

King Nebuchadnezzar’s rebuke sounds outlandish and absurd.  He lost his reasoning and ate grass like an ox. This condition, the king was actually in, has a name. R.K. Harrison, an Old Testament scholar, observed an actual case of boanthropy in a British mental institution in 1946.²
We need to use our words to praise the God we serve, and remember it is “Him who rules the kingdom of men and He gives it to whom He will” (Daniel 4:17, 25, 32, 26).




1 Davis, Dale Ralph. 2013. The Message of Daniel: His Kingdom Cannot Fail. Edited by Alec Motyer and Derek Tidball. The Bible Speaks Today. Nottingham, England: Inter-Varsity Press. pg 64.
2 Dale, The Message of Daniel: His Kingdom Cannot Fail. 59

Do you ever take time to acknowledge how meaningful the relationships are that you have? We can quickly identify the relationships that we enjoy and consistently make time for. But what about the ones that we long for and deep down could not live without? Those are the types of relationships we should be willing to sacrifice and suffer for.
Daniel 3
In the third chapter of Daniel, we see the extent to which Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were willing to go for God. King Nebuchadnezzar had set up a statue for the nation and all their captives to worship whenever they heard music playing. Even through the celebratory inauguration that they would have attended, they were decisive and determined to worship God alone.
Daniel 3:15-18 expresses the strength of their commitment to worship God. The argument could be made that their minds were made up before the announcement of Nebuchadnezzar’s statue was inaugurated. Ultimately, their commitment was tested with their lives. Having like-minded friends is valuable, but it wasn’t because they were with each other; it was their determination to worship God that gave them comfort.
The meaningful relationship we have with God through Jesus Christ needs to be at the level of being willing to suffer for Him. The only way this level of commitment is developed is through having a determination to worship God and God alone.
Take steps of determination to worship God with your life, whether you’re alone or in community, regardless of the outcome.

Beware of relationships that have trust but no truth.
When we are struck with worry due to a lack of understanding or inability to overcome a situation, we start talking and listening to those we trust, and because we trust someone, we expect to receive the truth from them. However, just because you trust someone doesn’t mean they are being truthful. When we turn to our trusted relationships, we should experience truth along with an action reflecting love.
Daniel 2:1-12
After the first year of Israel experiencing Babylonian captivity, God gave King Nebuchadnezzar a dream that struck the king so strongly that it kept him from sleeping. As the king summoned his enchanters and magicians to help him understand the dream, he wanted to ensure that he was being told the truth. So, instead of simply trusting their information, he tested them in such a way that he would know that the information he was receiving would absolutely be true.
The test was literally the expectation of them to know his thoughts. We may become so familiar with a close friend that we can predict their response to a situation and know what would make them joy-filled. But, no one ever simply knows the thoughts of another individual.
Paul states the impossibility of someone knowing the thoughts of another equal to the impossibility of humanity being able to comprehend the thoughts of God (1 Cor. 2:11). But when thoughts are revealed, trust is given, and truth is received. The trust that Daniel had in God was built on truth, so much so that Daniel spoke in faith because he trusted the relationship he had with the Lord. When Daniel heard he was about to be killed because of the failure of the king’s enchanters and magicians, Daniel requested an opportunity to go before the king and tell him his dream and its interpretation (Dan. 2:16). To take that faith a step further, he recruited his friends to pray with him for God to show them the dream and interpretation (Dan 2:17).
We’re not told the timeframe it took for God to reveal the dream, but I gather it was not long at all. Daniel’s immediate response was to praise God for giving him the information he needed. As Daniel came before the king, the king asked if he was the one who would tell him his dream and its interpretation. Daniel took that moment as an opportunity to turn the glory and acknowledgement to “the God of heaven” and explain that he, Daniel, was only there to serve (Dan 2:26-29). Daniel expressed the source of truth but also expressed his love for God by giving glory to God.
To take a step of faith like Daniel did, we must have our own trusted relationship with the Lord that we rely on to receive truth that leads our lives. What truth do you know about God, and do you live in such a way that your life depends on it?

Daniel’s shrewd Steps
Daniel 1
Life tends to have many cycles of seasons. Some seasons are annual, but there are some that come unexpectedly and are unwanted. The book of Daniel starts off with the latter. The tribe of Judah is besieged, and many are taken captive by the Chaldeans, and the young, prized and talented youths are taken to be indoctrinated with new customs and knowledge. While being ruled by a new authority, Daniel resolves not to defile his body with King Nebuchadnezzar (Dan. 1:8). Through small, shrewd steps, Daniel negotiated a way for himself and his friends to honor God with their lifestyle.
Daniel was given favor and compassion by God in the sight of Ashpenaz, the chief of the eunuchs; then, Daniel's initial request to refuse the food portioned by the king was denied by the chief of the eunuchs. Daniel adds some shrewdness to his boldness to honor God with his lifestyle. After he was denied by Ashpenaz, Daniel tempers his request for total refusal of the king's food by seeking the steward of Ashpenaz. Daniel asked that they be tested for ten days and then compare their physiques to those who were eating the king's portion.
After ten days, the steward saw that their physiques were better than their peers’, so the steward took away their portion of the king's food. The food standards for Israel can be found in Leviticus 11:1-23. The standard that you will not see mentioned is a restriction of alcohol, yet Daniel still refrained from drinking it. There is no clear reason given for Daniel’s decision, but what we can gather is that Daniel did not want anything to hinder his honoring the Lord. Because of Daniel’s boldness and shrewdness to honor God, he adapted to the new circumstances and authority given to him.
At the end of the three years, Daniel and his friends were held in the highest esteem by the king and were given positions of influence with the king. As we live each day, we take steps to be seen as faithful in God’s eyes, regardless of who else can see us.