What is confidence? Wikipedia defines it as "a state of being certain either that a hypothesis or prediction is correct or that a chosen course of action is the best or most effective."
This Sunday, we will learn the key to having confidence. Daniel demonstrated no confidence in man (Paul would later warn the Philippian church about placing confidence in the "flesh" - Phil. 3), but instead fully trusted God. After having stood by his convictions in Daniel 1, he then demonstrates confidence in the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe.
As God lays out the scope of human history and the changing of power by world empires, Daniel helps King Nebuchadnezzar to see that only God knows the future:
"27 Daniel replied, "No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about, 28 but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries. He has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in days to come."
Notice the definition of confidence is "certainty that a prediction is correct." Daniel 2 is one of the most amazing predictions in Scripture, as it accurately predicts the future kingdoms in order throughout world history.
How should we respond to this amazing teaching in Scripture? By applying another Scripture verse to our daily living:
"But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him." (Jer. 17:7)
And another..."Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding..." (Prov. 3:5)
Dish Out
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Monday, April 5, 2010
Now What?
After all the celebration and full houses of worship on the annual Easter Sunday in the modern era, there seems to be a letdown, a return to the norm, a receding of the wave of attendance on the high watermark day of the Christian faith.
The weeks leading up to Easter are like a huge wave rolling onto shore, with great power and force. And when Easter Sunday hits, it's like the wave waters bursting onto the beach and climbing ever higher on the sand, creating a new high water line.
However, each successive week after that big wave of Easter, the waves of weekly worship stop short of that new high water mark. The sand not reached by the waters in the successive weeks soon dries out and is not moved and churned and moistened again for a long while. The grains of sand closest to the water's edge are the grains that are tossed and carried and salted and refined by the force and power of every wave that hits the shore.
It causes one to wonder...what kind of sand am I?
After Jesus Christ's resurrection...after the first ever Easter celebration, what do you suppose happened next? Three events are recorded for us in Scripture:
1. Jesus commissioned His followers (Matt. 28:16-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:44-49; John 20:21; Acts 1:8)
2. Jesus challenged His followers (John 20:24 - 21:25)
3. Jesus counseled His followers (Acts 1:3-5)
So, this Sunday (the Sunday after Easter), my prayer is that the wave rolls further up the beach than last week. My prayer is that the Word of God will commission you, challenge you and counsel you to a deeper faith in the One who came, who died, who was buried, and who was raised!
See you Sunday!
Pastor Randy
The weeks leading up to Easter are like a huge wave rolling onto shore, with great power and force. And when Easter Sunday hits, it's like the wave waters bursting onto the beach and climbing ever higher on the sand, creating a new high water line.
However, each successive week after that big wave of Easter, the waves of weekly worship stop short of that new high water mark. The sand not reached by the waters in the successive weeks soon dries out and is not moved and churned and moistened again for a long while. The grains of sand closest to the water's edge are the grains that are tossed and carried and salted and refined by the force and power of every wave that hits the shore.
It causes one to wonder...what kind of sand am I?
After Jesus Christ's resurrection...after the first ever Easter celebration, what do you suppose happened next? Three events are recorded for us in Scripture:
1. Jesus commissioned His followers (Matt. 28:16-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:44-49; John 20:21; Acts 1:8)
2. Jesus challenged His followers (John 20:24 - 21:25)
3. Jesus counseled His followers (Acts 1:3-5)
So, this Sunday (the Sunday after Easter), my prayer is that the wave rolls further up the beach than last week. My prayer is that the Word of God will commission you, challenge you and counsel you to a deeper faith in the One who came, who died, who was buried, and who was raised!
See you Sunday!
Pastor Randy
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