Blog

Daniel 3:

King Nebuchadnezzar made a decree to worship a gold idol —hmm sounds familiar, well anyhow he commanded the people that at the sound of the flute, lyre, harp, zither, and pipe, and the playing of different kinds of music to fall down and worship the gold image (time for reflection). Stop and think for a minute. Apostle Paul informs believers to flee from idolatry, that pagan worship violates union with Christ (1Corinthians 10:14-22, NKJV).

As the story continues King Nebuchadnezzar declared that there would be a burning hot deadly punishment (he didn’t use those words) for not following his commands as specified.

The punishment was that whoever did not follow his commands they would be thrown into a fiery furnace. That was not going to be a party where one sings” The roof is on fire we don’t care” kind of fire, it was a burning, hot coals, blazing fire that was meant to burn someone alive kinda fire. Furthermore, to make the situation worst, some instigating astrologers brought some fuel for the fire by snitching on Shadrach, Meshack, and Abednego for not following the decree of serving King Nebuchadnezzar’s god and worshiping the gold image.

When they were brought to the king, they abruptly informed the king, that they were not going to follow his commands, that they would only worship and serve God and God would save them and even if He did not, they were not going to comply to the kings’ commands, so the king ordered the fire starters to pump up the heat seven times hotter. They then were well tied and thrown into the fire. Well we know the end of the story. Their faith was unshakeable, and God delivered them out of the fiery furnace. They could have said “The furnace is on fire we don’t care, because God is going to get us out of here!”

Moral of the Story: No matter how hot the fire is or whatever the circumstance keep your faith and believe that God is going to deliver you.

King Solomon was a great man of fame and had large audiences who desired to hear his wisdom. The queen of Sheba also had heard how wise and rich he was that she just had to see him. She was curious and wanted to test this wise King with what she may have considered would be some questions that were hard. She arrived with her entourage and a great caravan of camels carrying spices, large quantities of gold, and precious stones, and met with Solomon, she expressed all she had on her mind. She most likely was amazed of how he answered and gave explanations for all of her questions. When the queen of Sheba saw the wisdom of Solomon, as well as the palace he had built, the food on his table, the seating of his officials, the attending servants in their robes, the cup-bearers in their robes and the burnt offerings he made at the temple of the Lord, she was overwhelmed. Furthermore, she was wise for she listened, and it increased her understanding (Proverbs 1:5,CSB).

 She said to the king, “The report I heard in my own country about your achievements and your wisdom is true. But I did not believe what they said until I came and saw with my own eyes. Indeed, not even half the greatness of your wisdom that was told me; you have far exceeded the report I heard. How happy your people must be! How happy your officials, who continually stand before you and hear your wisdom! Praise be to the Lord your God, who has delighted in you and placed you on his throne as king to rule for the Lord your God. Because of the love of your God for Israel and his desire to uphold them forever, he has made you king over them, to maintain justice and righteousness.” Those statements bears repeating, so I will, but first one must understand that it is important that those who work under one’s lead and care, must be flourishing and happy in his or her work environment or in every arena of life.

God’s expectations for His leaders are not only that they have His wisdom but to have hearts of love and compassion in caring for and meeting the needs and interest of those they lead, and not their own self-interest (Philippians 2:4,NIV). How happy your people must be! How happy your officials, who continually stand before you and hear your wisdom! Praise be to the Lord your God, who has delighted in you and placed you on his throne as king to rule for the Lord your God. Many leaders(male and female) are called by God to be leaders. However, we have a greater wise, famous, loving, caring, and compassionate King to emulate, sitting on the throne, whose name is above all names, Jesus Christ. We can ask Him anything and nothing is too hard for Him.

One moral of this story is: People want their questions answered and to be cared for. What would be your moral?

In 2 Kings19:14-19, Hezekiah had a difficult decision, he had to face the Assyrians’ threat of war, he sought God first through prayer. 2 Chronicles 32:3-8 informs the reader that he also consulted with his military staff and his officials regarding a strategic plan. He delegated some of his military to oversee the people and assembled them together, to prepare their hearts with an encouraging word, giving them confidence in being obedient and trusting in God. In 2 Kings 20:20, Hezekiah also made a human decision (without consulting God) in getting water into the city by making a pool and tunnel. Know that although there are other options for making decisions, first and foremost that option is prayer.

There is an open door to heaven that never closes.

Follow the petaled trail of the sweet euphoric smell of red roses.

Once at the door. The Holy Spirit will lead you.

Showing you all that you need to know to spiritually grow.

The voice you hear will be soft, clear, and sincere.

He will acknowledge your name—do not hesitate.

Keep in step with the Spirit’s lead, it is your time to celebrate.

There is an open door to heaven, He has invited you in.

Time to sit with the King of glory and tell Him your story.

He will say my “beloveds, there is nothing I do not know.

The door is open, your name is written in the book of life.

I do not have to look twice.

 The door of heaven is always open to you.”

Word of Encouragement:

Beloveds as you journey through this path of life, know that the door of heaven is open to you to sit with the King of glory and tell Him your story.

10 Steps to the King

9 steps closer to wearing His ring.

8 steps to sit at His feet.

7 steps to touch His robe.

6 steps to go.

5 steps in reaching the goal.

4 steps not quite there yet.

3 steps I am worshiping and praising His Holy name.

2 steps shouting glory to glory there is much to gain.

1 step humbled by His grace.

0 steps, standing still face to face in the radiance of His love.

Prayer:

May you let the Holy Spirit in your heart lead you to the radiance of His love.

It is apparent, there is no doubt, that Jesus will return.

Watching and waiting for this day the people of God yearns.

Yearning for that visual return of our Lord and savior.

Until then the people of God must live a life of faith and be in His favor.

For He knows His people’s hearts who are not attached to worldly things.

It is because of your presence our hearts sing Holy, holy, holy,

Is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.

Until that day children of God, we must continue our daily life.

Eating and drinking, buying, and selling, planting, and building.

As God’s faithful, obedient, and united children.

Readings: Luke 17: 24-30; Mark 13:32

“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

Where can I find spiritual rest.

But in the gentleness of God’s grace.

Wrapped in the comforting arms of Jesus.

Nestled as one in a quiet place, away from the human race.

Alone with Him, listening to His whispering, soothing words.

Words of love and encouragement moving me foreword.

Gently and compassionately healing my fears and wounds.

Bringing me out of that spiritual doom.

My spirit is awakened and refreshed by His spiritual rest.

Reading: Matthew11:28-29

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Under the waterfall I fell in love with you more and more.

To see you standing under the waterfall in all your glory.

Is the most amazing love story.

The vision of seeing you under the waterfall was so picturesque.

Setting my soul at peace and rest.

As the water falls and showers your bodily stance.

You captured my heart at first glance.

In seeing you standing under the waterfall so elegantly dressed.

Glory to glory, waterfalls, waterfalls, waterfalls, I am blessed.

 Love in its fullness. Drenched and soaked, under the waterfall.

Stretched out hand reaching out to me, I heard your call.

Water falling in a bubbling stream. The waterfall. The water falls.

What a perfect love scene. Me and You under the waterfall.

To know Him one must be ONE.

ONE with the Father and the Son,

ONE in body, in Spirit, and hope.

ONE in thought and mind.

ONE who do not walk in the steps of the wicked.

One in love, peace, and truth.

ONE in Christ.

ONE

Reading: Jesus prayer for His believers. John 17:21-23

“I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.  I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”