Monday, July 7, 2025

A Time to Stand a Time to Bow, Daniel 3:13-30

 

COURAGE

Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego had a solid knowledge of God’s Word. (As looked at last week.)

They knew they should not bow before king Nebuchadnezzar’s golden image, even though it was the law of the land, even though the rest of the world was bowing, even though not to bow meant a swift, horrific, painful death, by being burned alive.

In addition, and just as important, they had the courage to stand on God’s Word, no matter the circumstances.

Ephesians 6:13, Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.


13 Then Nebuchadnezzar, in rage and fury, gave the command to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. So they brought these men before the king.  14 Nebuchadnezzar spoke, saying to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the gold image which I have set up? 15 Now if you are ready at the time you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, and you fall down and worship the image which I have made, good! But if you do not worship, you shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you from my hands?”

Obviously these three were well known to the king, since he called them by name.

The king must’ve respected them or he’d have killed them without ever giving them a second chance.

Perhaps that’s why he was so enraged because he didn’t want to do what he might have to do; kill a few of his best men.

But his pride wouldn’t let him back out on his command. Notice how his ego flares when he says, “Who is the god who will deliver you from my hands?”

16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter.

 17 If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king.

Oh, dear Nebby, we don’t even have to think about how to answer–it’s a no-brainer.

We’ll reply but not comply. No matter what.

WHEN IT COMES TO OBEYING GOD’S WORD, CONSIDERING CONSEQUENCES ONLY CAUSES CONFUSION. 

Our God is able to deliver from the fiery furnace.

And He will deliver from your hand.

God is able to deliver from whatever fiery trial the world sends our way.

He will deliver from evil... if we let Him.

They chose rather to suffer than to sin.

If we stick with Him, no matter what happens we’ll receive a far more exceeding eternal weight of glory, that can’t even be compared to this light momentary fight of affliction. 2 Cor. 4:16-18.

However...

Hebrews 10:26-27; For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more sacrifice for sins, 27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

So, actually, it’s sin, that leads to suffering. Eternal suffering, if we willfully remain in it.

They resolved, as we must, rather to die in integrity than live in iniquity. 

They not only had the knowledge of what to do, they courageously did it.

James 4:17, Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.

Joshua 1:8-9, This Book of the Law must not depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in all you do. 9 Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.

I’ve taken this walk with my kids and grandkids, when they were small.

I’d ask, “Do you know where we’re at?”

They’d say, “Nope.”

A little later I’d say, “Do you know the way home?”

Without a care in the world, they’d say, “Nope.”

At just the right time I’d ask, “It’s getting dark, are you scared?”

“Nope” would come the reply.

“What?” I’d ask. “You don’t know where we’re at, or the way home and it’s getting dark, how come you’re not scared?”

They’d just smile and say, “Cuz, you’re with me, Papa!”  

So, if you’re walking with Papa, and sickness, or sorrow, or lack, or famine, or torment or tribulation, or death by fiery furnace, comes along do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.

1 John 4:8. God is Love.

1 John 4:18, There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love

Hebrews 13:6; So, we may boldly say: “The LORD is my helper; I will not fear what man can do to me”

Isaiah 43;2; When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you.

Psalm 27:1; The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

The Bible is clear. Do not fear.

Guess who tops the passenger list on the train bound for, the lake of fire:

Revelation 21:8, But to the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and sexually immoral and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their place will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This is the second death.”

Do not fear.

Lord Jesus, help us to know Your Presence so near, that no matter what or where, we will not fear, because You are with us.

18 But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.”

COVENANT

They knew what to do. They had the courage to stand and not bow.

Then, the greatest testimony shines through in their unshakable conviction, their  unwavering commitment to their non-negotiable covenant with their God... even unto death.

But if not...

Even if it doesn’t go our way, we’re still not bowing, still not turning back. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord our God who gives and takes away. Either way, we praise Him.

This is the covenant He’s looking for.  

Like the two couple's marriage vows taken just this week right here in our little community, for better or worse, richer or poorer, in sickness and in health.

It’s what Jesus meant when He took the cup and said, “This is the new covenant in My blood shed for you.” Luke 22:20.

What Jesus showed in Gethsemane, broken, sweating blood, saying, “Not My will, but Thine.” Luke 22:42.

It’s what we say, here and now.

Lord, even if my prayers don’t get answered the way I want. I’ll still love You.

Even if I don’t get healed, I will still love You.

Through the heart attack, the heart break, the stroke, the brain bleed, the chemo, the pain, the fatigue, the brain fog, I will still love You.

Though the finances fail, I’ll still trust You.

Through marriage trouble, I will love You.

Though our loved one dies, I’ll hold fast to You.

Even if our child doesn’t turn around, we’ll still hope in You.

Even if the baby we long for, never comes, still Lord, we will cling to You.

If we never see the peace we pray for, even still, we will seek You.

No matter what, Lord, we will keep on serving You, loving You.

Like Dave Roever, eight months into his tour of duty in Vietnam.

A phosphorous grenade exploded in his hand. He was burned beyond recognition on over 90% of his body.  

During recovery he cried out to God, “Heal me or else!”

“Or, else what?” came God’s still small voice.  

“Or else... I'll just keep on serving You, I'll just keep on loving You.”

COVENANT.

God turned Dave’s tragedy into triumph for countless lives as he’s traveled the world sharing the Hope of Jesus to a wounded world.

With God all things are possible.

Daniel 3:19-30

The king wasn't thrilled that the trio’s covenant with God superseded their obedience to him. 

He was so furious that he ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter, so hot in fact that the men throwing them in were burned alive.

But the three who wouldn’t bow, wouldn't burn.

Then, the three became four.

Right there standing with them, in the midst of the fire, was what theologians call a Christophany. A pre incarnate appearance of Christ.

Nebs couldn't believe his eyes, he called them out to find not only were they alive, but unharmed, unburned, without even the smell of smoke on their clothes.

Before the day was done, Nebuchadnezzar promoted the fireproof boys and made a decree that anyone who spoke against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego would be cut to pieces and their houses turned to an ash heap.

Those three Hebrew Children weren’t supposed to be alive.  

But nothing is impossible with God.

They should've been burned, but the flames didn't kindle upon them.

Nothing is impossible with God.

They should've screamed in pain instead they had a chat with the Son of God

Nothing is impossible with God.

They should've been ashes, but they didn't even smell like smoke.

Nothing is impossible with God.

They faced their giants.

They stood with God.

God stood with them.

Maybe you can say the same.

For nothing is impossible with God

Let’s pray.

Lord Jesus, come what may, it’s in You we trust. Whether You deliver us from the fire or through the fire, we know and take courage in Your covenant with us. So no matter what happens we’ll be with You, and that alone is enough for us to stand for You, and bow to no other.

We love You, forever.

Amen.

Prayer Requests:

Call or text: 612-554-2522

Email: pray4measap@aol.com

Facebook: Church at WPV

Books: amazon.com/author/dougspurling

Watch online:

Facebook: A Time to Stand a Time to Bow, Daniel 3:8-30

(NOTE: Facebook livestream signal isn’t great. However, You Tube, upload is great.)

You Tube: A Time to Stand a Time to Bow, Daniel 3:8-30


FYI:

WHEN THIS MESSAGE WAS GIVEN IN OUR SUNDAY MORNING SERVICE WE WATCHED THE FOLLOWING RELATED VIDEOS:

BEFORE SERVICE:

PRAISE YOU IN THIS STORM

https://youtu.be/0YUGwUgBvTU?si=1f9DfNilPBFjv4Ok

AFTER SERVICE (7+ min. total)

I WILL STILL LOVE YOU

https://youtu.be/ARy_6iGIRNE?si=OJuL_VNDNSu2Y6tI

NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD

https://youtu.be/_tzw-Tv47N0?si=PVsmRgIQsPjLrCkj


This was feed for you to read. Now it’s Seed for you to sow.

Thank you for sharing.

Wednesday, July 2, 2025

But We See Jesus, Hebrews 2:5-18

 

Hebrews opened not like a letter, but a sermon full steam ahead saying that God spoke through prophets and angels and His very own Son. Confirmed by those who heard Him, and He Himself endorsed the Word with signs, wonders, miracles and gifts of His Holy Spirit.  

And what did He say? That the Son is Heir of all things, Creator of all things, He holds the Power of the Almighty in His Word, He is unchangeable, immutable, worshipped by angels, He Himself purged our sins, and is in all ways like the Father.  

Therefore, we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard lest we drift away. (Heb. 2:1). For how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?(Heb. 2:3).

It’s not, “lest they drift away” it’s, “lest we drift away.”

The Word of God is solid, stable, unchanging, not drifting.

However, if we neglect to give the more earnest heed, (ship securely moored), we will drift away from so great a salvation.

The current of the world is drifting toward the eternal lake of fire and so are we, unless we can Truthfully say, “on Christ the Solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand...”

For He has not put the world to come, of which we speak, in subjection to angels

Take earnest heed, be not deceived, His Word, points to His Son, not angels.

Back then, there was a group that believed the Messiah had no more authority than the archangel Michael.

Since the devil is a fallen angel, it appears he specializes in deception about angels.  

About 610 AD Muhammad showed up and said the angel Gabriel appeared in a cave near Mecca and gave him the religion of Islam.

Reportedly, today they’re about two billion strong. One fourth of the world’s population has fallen for this demonic deception. Islam population is second only to Christianity.

Around 1823, Joseph Smith showed up with a similar story, saying the angel Moroni showed him some golden plates that birthed, Mormonism, with a population today of over seventeen million.  

Jehovah’s Witnesses claim Jesus is the Archangel Michael. They have a population of about 8.8 million.

Don’t be deceived, it’s not angels, but Jesus that’ll be running the show in the world to come.

What is meant by: the world to come?

World means: the inhabited earth.

Matthew 24:14: This gospel shall be preached in all the inhabited earth.

 Romans 10:18: Their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the inhabited earth.

The world to come is not heaven, but the closest this earth has seen to it since the Garden of Eden.

The world to come is speaking of the Millennial Reign of Christ.

The world to come will not be under subjection to angels. Angels were created as messengers and ministers, to serve, not be served (Heb. 1:14). Angels who tried to leave their calling were cast out of heaven and are on their way to the lake of fire. 

One day, at least seven years from today (if the rapture takes place today and if the tribulation countdown starts simultaneously) Jesus will set up His earthly kingdom in Jerusalem and from there He will rule and reign. Christians, not angels, will have the honor, and responsibility, of helping Jesus govern the world.

But one testified in a certain place, saying:

"But one testified in a certain place", is like saying: somebody somewhere said.

So, don’t feel bad if you don’t know the address, the chapter and verse aren’t nearly as important as the Words.

Here he is referring to: Psalm 8:4-6.

“What is man that You are mindful of him,
Or the son of man that You take care of him?
You have made him a little lower than the angels;

Lower than angels in power & might, not authority.

You have crowned him with glory and honor,
And set him over the works of Your hands.

You have put all things in subjection under his feet.”

For in that He put all in subjection under him, He left nothing that is not put under him...

This takes us back to the beginning: Genesis 1:27-28, So, God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 28 Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

Man  was created with the glorious honor of being made in the image of God. No other created being has this honor.

That competitive nature, to overcome, to subdue and have dominion, is God given.

In all seven Revelation letters it’s the overcomer who receives the heavenly prize. That theme is true to the end. Revelation 21:7, He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.

So, God made man and handed him a crown on day one. Man didn’t work for it, do anything to earn it or deserve it, he was just born (made, created) into the world as the heir to the whole world. 

Imagine that. A perfect world, the way God intended. No thorns, thistles, storms, no sickness, death, dying, crying. Kids behaving, no whining, complaining. No crime, no wars, no sin, no gossip, no politicians.

Everything in subjection, under your feet.

Can you see it?

Better take a picture because it won’t last long...

8 ...But now we do not yet see all things put under him.

Wow. That was fast. Crowned him, everything under him, there was nothing not under him...

BAM. Just like that, not all things under him.

How’d that happen? In the same verse, the same breath, we went from awesome to awful. Light to dark.

Sound familiar? It should. It’s the first thing God told us. Genesis 1:1-3.

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” 

We know from that one verse a lot about what was created.

It was good.

For God is good. Psalm 100:5, 106:1, 107:1, 118:1, 136:1, 1 Chronicles 16:34.

For every creation of God is good. 1 Tim. 4:4.

Every day of creation God said it was good, very good.

It was light with no darkness at all.

God is Light and in Him is no darkness at all. 1 John 1:5.

By knowing God, we know what He made was good.

But then something happened...

2 “The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep...” 

The earth became a chaotic mess covered in darkness.

God would not make a chaotic mess filled with darkness. 1 Corinthians 14:33, God is not the author of confusion, disorder.

What happened?

The same thing that happened to man.

The fallen angel and his hoard is what happened. They did what they always do, kill, steal and destroy. Everything they touch goes dark and turns into a chaotic mess.

But never fear because God did what God does.

He stepped in to bring light and life.

2 ...And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.

Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light.

Which brings us back to our text in Hebrews where the Light of the world shows up and shines.

 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels...

That sounds familiar. Oh yea, verse 7, You have made him a little lower than the angels...

Because man blew it, we see Jesus, volunteer to be made a little lower than the angels, to take off Divinity and put on humanity.

...for the suffering of death 

Wait, that’s not how it goes. Verse seven says, You have made him a little lower than the angels, You have crowned him with glory and honor.

But we see Jesus inserts “for the suffering of death” before being crowned with glory and honor.

He became like us, to pay the penalty for us.

He knew the rules He set with man way back in the Garden. Don’t touch that tree or you die. Gen. 2:17.

They did. They died. Game over for mankind. Our eternal destiny set for the lake of fire with the god we chose.

But God, is good. God is an overcomer.

So, abiding by the exact same rules, in the fullness of time, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. Gal. 4:4-5.

Because God is love. Love never fails.

He just wanted His family back.

9 ...crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone.

Another echo from Eden.

Genesis 3:6-7, the first Adam gave death to everyone by tasting from that cursed tree.

The second Adam (Jesus) offered Life to everyone by tasting death on that cursed tree. 

Some erroneously believe Jesus was half God and half man. It was called Docetism, which stated that Jesus only seemed to be human. That His suffering was only an illusion.

The Truth is that Jesus was fully God and fully man.

He fully tasted death.

You are a spirit. You have a soul. You live in a body. 

You are fully human and fully spirit.

Jesus showed us how it’s supposed to be done, to live and walk by the Spirit.  We too often live and walk by the flesh.

10 For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings

I made them, I’ll make a Way for them. They’re family.

Jesus wasn’t made perfect, He already was perfect, but He perfected the Perfect Plan of God, through His Perfect Sacrifice on the Cross, thus providing so great a Salvation.

Now, by Christ, there is a Man in glory, and there is glory in man (for those filled with His Holy Spirit).

11 For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren,

Jesus is perfect, we’re... not so much. Yet, He’s not ashamed to call us family.

Imagine you’re the awkward ugly kid that everybody makes fun of. Until the hot jock walks in and says, “Hey, that’s My brother, and He picks you up and brings you to the cool kids table to sit by Him.”

Jesus is the hot jock, and He’s not ashamed to call you friend, brother, family.

 12 saying:

“I will declare Your name to My brethren;
In the midst of the assembly I will sing praise to You.”
(Psalm 22:22).

13 And again:

“I will put My trust in Him.” (2 Samuel 22:3, Isaiah 8:17).

And again:

“Here am I and the children whom God has given Me.” (Isaiah 8:18).

Each quotation from the Old Testament Scriptures builds a bridge straight to Jesus.

Notice God’s heart in the familial language, sons, brethren, children.

14 Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 

He became like us, so He could die for us, and in dying sinlessly, He destroyed the devil’s claim of death over us.

15 and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

Release those who walked by faith under the law, under bondage, looking forward to the glorious appearing of Christ, His resurrection and their redemption.  

When He saved Abraham and the Old Testament saints, He paid on credit, in the fullness of time, He paid in full, on an old rugged cross; on the same hill Abraham offered his son, God offered His only begotten Son, so He could adopt many into His family.

 16 For indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham. 

Aid: Take hold of to move out of harm’s way.

The original text basically says, He does not take on the nature of angels, but takes on the nature of the seed of Abraham.

In other words: He didn’t become an angel He became a man.

17 Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 

18 For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to AID those who are tempted.

This time the word for aid is a different word that actually means, aid

The high priest represented man to God and God to man.

Jesus our Great High Priest, stood in the gap to bridge the gap, to make propitiation, reconciliation, atonement, at-one-ment, with God and man.

Hebrews 4:15, For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.

 

Let’s pray.

Lord Jesus, thank You for not leaving. We left You, rejected You, ignored You, yet, You stayed. Thank You. Help us walk in Your Love, so You flow through us, touching lives around us, so of all those You’ve given us, none are lost.

We love You, forever.

Amen.

Prayer Requests:

Call or text: 612-554-2522

Email: pray4measap@aol.com

Facebook: Church at WPV

Books: amazon.com/author/dougspurling

Watch online:

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This was feed for you to read. Now it’s Seed for you to sow.

Thank you for sharing.

Monday, June 30, 2025

A Time to Stand a Time to Bow, Daniel 3:8-12

 

Knowledge. Courage. Covenant.

Daniel 3:1-7.

You ever had one of those dreams where you’re standing in front of a crowd of people, naked?

That must’ve been what it felt like for Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; you may know them better from their Babylonian names, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego.  

There they were standing amid the masses gathered all around the golden image that rose nine stories.

These masses weren’t your ordinary ol’ huddled masses. They were high ranking officials from all over the vast kingdom of Babylonia, which spanned from the Persian Gulf to the Mediterranean Sea, including parts of modern-day Iraq, Syria, Jordan, Israel, Lebanon, Turkey and more.

By command of king Nebuchadnezzar, they gathered to dedicate the huge gold image set up by Nebuchadnezzar.

Whenever the symphony started to play, that was their que, by decree of the king, not to stand up and dance, but to stop and drop in worship of the golden image.

And everybody did, just as they were commanded... everybody except Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah.

One moment they were blending in with the crowd, the next, they were standing above the crowd, feeling naked; defying one king, honoring Another.

Daniel 3:8-12.
Therefore at that time certain Chaldeans came forward and accused the Jews. 9 They spoke and said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “O king, live forever! 10 You, O king, have made a decree that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, shall fall down and worship the gold image; 11 and whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. 12 There are certain Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego; these men, O king, have not paid due regard to you. They do not serve your gods or worship the gold image which you have set up.”

KNOWLEDGE.

Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, stood when everyone else bowed.

They broke the law.

They defied the king.

They honored God.

But how did they know?

How were they so sure that they should break the law of man, defy the king, and face an immediate horrifically painful death?

Knowledge. They knew the Word of God.

Exodus 20:3-5, Dt. 5:8-9, You shall have no other gods before Me. “You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God...

They knew the reason they were in this mess, the reason they were taken captive, was because their nation had turned from God and bowed to idols.

They were warned repeatedly that this would happen.

About a century earlier, the Lord, through Isaiah prophesied: Behold, the days are coming when all that is in your house, and what your fathers have accumulated until this day, shall be carried to Babylon; nothing shall be left,’ says the Lord. 7‘And they shall take away some of your sons who will descend from you, whom you will beget; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.’ Isaiah 39:6-7.

 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego were some of the eunuchs Isaiah prophesied about.

Later, the Lord through Jeremiah warned: This whole land will become a desolate wasteland, and these nations will serve the king of Babylon for seventy years. But when the seventy years are complete, I will punish the king of Babylon and that nation, the land of the Chaldeans, for their guilt, declares the LORD, and I will make it a perpetual desolation." Jeremiah 25:11-12.

It happened exactly as the Lord predicted. The land of Israel became a barren wasteland, while Babylon was beautiful and bountiful, with the hanging gardens of Babylon being one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. However, just as the Lord predicted, now the reverse is true. Israel is beautiful and bountiful and Babylon is a wasteland in ruins.  

THEY WERE WARNED, BUT THEY REJECTED KNOWLEDGE.

Hosea 4:6, My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me; Because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.

Jeremiah 4:22, For My people are foolish, they have not known Me. They are silly children, and they have no understanding. They are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.

Isaiah 5:13, Therefore my people have gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge...

INSTEAD, THEY (AND WE) SHOULD DO THIS:

Psalm 119:11, Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

Psalm 119:105, Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path

Psalm 119:165, Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.

John 6:63, The Spirit gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.

Matthew 4:4, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.

Matthew 22:29, Jesus answered, “You are mistaken because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God.

Hebrews 4:12, For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Joshua 1:8, This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success

Psalm 1:1-3, Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or set foot on the path of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers. 2 But his delight is in the Law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night. 3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, yielding its fruit in season, whose leaf does not wither, and who prospers in all he does.

James 1:22-25, But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.

HEARING MUST BE FOLLOWED BY DOING OR IT WILL DIE

Romans 10:17, faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.

James 2:17, 20, 24, 26, Faith without works is dead.

The Word works if you work the Word.

Well, yeah, but Doug, it was way different back then, it was clearly spelled out for them: Thou shalt not bow. But nowadays, it’s not so clear, the Bible doesn’t address the complex issues we deal with today.

Oh really? Or maybe it does and we’re just ignorant of His Word, or as guilty of ignoring His warnings as they were back then.

2 Timothy 3:16-17, All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.

 ***NO TIMESTAMP***

THE WORD OF GOD IS TIMELESS THEREFORE EVER TIMELY

ALWAYS IN ALL WAYS

ANYTIME AND EVERYWHERE

Whatever your situation God’s Word has a solution.

2 Peter 1:2-4, Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, (Zoe Life) having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

Okay Doug, fine, if the Bible has all the answers, prove it. What does the Bible say about hot topics we face today? Like, LBGTQ... Gender, abortion, Israel, Climate change, borders, wars...???

NOTE: Are you wondering what this has to do with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, not bowing before Nebuchadnezzar’s golden image?

They had enough knowledge of the Word of God to apply it to their current events and recognize, a time to stand and a time to bow.

Do we?

Let’s see.     

Always remember: hard Truth must come softly, saturated in His Love.

LBGTQ+

Genesis 1:27-28, So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created himmale and female (two genders) He created them. 28 Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

Man was created in image of God to have authority over every other living thing (not other people) on earth. No earth worship. No animal worship.

Genesis 2:18-25, God created woman from the womb of man, so to speak, from his rib.

God brought the female, to the male, and performed the first marriage.

THE PRECEDENT SETTING PROTOTYPE.

Just to be clear God says:  For this reason, a man (male) will leave his father and mother and cleave to his wife (female),and they (those two) will become one flesh. Genesis 2:24; and then He repeats it in, Matthew 19:3-5, Mark 10:6-9, Eph. 5:31, 1 Cor. 6:16.

Matthew 19:3-4, Then some Pharisees came and tested Him by asking, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason?” 4 Jesus answered, “ Have you not read that from the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ 5 and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’?

Then Jesus expands it and says: 

Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.”

ONE MAN, ONE WOMAN, FOR LIFE.

In Malachi 2:15-16, He explained that He did this because He desires Godly offspring and hates divorce.

Yeah, but Doug, that’s the perfect example, but we don’t live in a perfect world. Lot’s of Christians are divorced and remarried. So, what’s wrong with two same sex folks that “love” each other? 

God knew you’d ask, and addressed this in no uncertain terms in his Word.

Always remember: hard Truth must come softly, saturated in His Love.

Romans 1:18-32. Day after day, from the beginning creation reveals evidence of the Creator, so all are without excuse. (Psalm 19:1-6).

Yet, there are those who willingly choose to reject the Truth and believe the lie.

Romans 1:26, For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.

28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them. Romans 1:18-32.

1 Corinthians 6:9, Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.

 Jude 1:7, In like manner, Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities around them, who indulged in sexual immorality and pursued strange flesh, are on display as an example of those who sustain the punishment of eternal fire.


Always remember: hard Truth must come softly, saturated in His Love. 

ABORTION

Exodus 21:22-25, “If men fight, and hurt a woman with child, (not fetus) so that she gives birth prematurely, yet no harm follows, he shall surely be punished accordingly as the woman’s husband imposes on him; and he shall pay as the judges determine. 23 But if any harm follows, then you shall give life for life, 24 eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, 25 burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.

Harming the child in the womb was considered harming a life. Life for life, eye for eye...

Psalm 139:13-16, For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. 14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well. 15 My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. (NLT: in the dark of the womb). 16 Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them.

Life begins at conception.

Proverbs 6:16-19, These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: 17 A proud look, A lying tongue, hands that shed INNOCENT blood, (what is more innocent than a baby?)  18 A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, 19 A false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren.

Matthew 18:10, 14, Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven... 14 So, it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.

Matthew 19:14, But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”

Psalm 127:3-5, Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, The fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one’s youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them...

Deuteronomy 30:19, I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore, choose life, that you and your offspring may live.

 

ISRAEL

God offers a blessing to all who bless Israel, and a curse to all who curse her.

Genesis 12:3, “I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; And you shall be a blessing. 2 I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”  Thank you Israel for giving us our Savior.

The recent war between Israel and Iran was named, Operation Rising Lion. It came from, Numbers 24:9 ‘He bows down, he lies down as a lion; and as a lion, who shall rouse him?’ “Blessed is he who blesses you, and cursed is he who curses you.”

God brought Israel into the land and promises to keep her there. To stand against that, is to stand against God:

Ezekiel 37:21, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Surely I will take the children of Israel from among the nations, wherever they have gone, and will gather them from every side and bring them into their own land;

Zechariah 2:8, For thus says the Lord of hosts: “He sent Me after glory, to the nations which plunder you; for he who touches you touches the apple of His eye.

Isaiah 11:12, He will set up a banner for the nations, and will assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.

Jeremiah 24:6-7, For I will set My eyes on them for good, and I will bring them back to this land; I will build them and not pull them down, and I will plant them and not pluck them up. Then I will give them a heart to know Me, that I am the Lord; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God, for they shall return to Me with their whole heart.

Amos 9:14-15, I will bring back the captives of My people Israel;
They shall build the waste cities and inhabit them;
They shall plant vineyards and drink wine from them;
They shall also make gardens and eat fruit from them.
15 I will plant them in their land,
And no longer shall they be pulled up
From the land I have given them,”

Says the Lord your God.

Zechariah 10:9-10, “I will sow them among the peoples, and they shall remember Me in far countries; they shall live, together with their children, and they shall return. 10 I will also bring them back from the land of Egypt, and gather them from Assyria. I will bring them into the land of Gilead and Lebanon, until no more room is found for them

Zechariah 12:10, “And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn. John 19:37, Revelation 1:7,

Romans 11:26, And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: “The Deliverer will come out of Zion, And He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob;

Isaiah 66:8, Who has heard such a thing? Who has seen such things? Shall the earth be made to give birth in one day? Or shall a nation be born at once?
For as soon as Zion was in labor, She gave birth to her children.

On May 14th, 1948, the nation of Israel was reborn, just as God had said.

 

CLIMATE

Genesis 8:22, While the earth remains, Seedtime and harvest, Cold and heat, Winter and summer, and day and night Shall not cease.

2 Peter 3:4 .. In the last days, scoffers will say... all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation. ...10-13 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. 11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? 13Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

Global warming on steroids will happen after the rapture of the Church, the seven year tribulation and the Millennial reign of Christ, then it’ll all be burned up, renovated with fire, to make way for the new heaven and the new earth.

So, that will happen at the minimum of 1,007 years from now, if the rapture occurs today.

Until then, while the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, winter and summer, and day and night shall not cease, all things will continue as they were from the beginning of creation.

God set the times and the seasons and man is not big enough or powerful enough to altar that, no matter how many gas guzzling cars he drives or grass eating cows he feeds.

 

BORDERS,

Deuteronomy 32:8, When the Most High divided their inheritance to the nations, When He separated the sons of Adam, He set the boundaries of the peoples according to the number of the children of Israel.

Acts 17:26, From one man He made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their lands.

The Lord judges those who divide up borders of His land, Israel. Joel 3:2. 

Borders are God's idea.

Commonsense personally and nationally:

We lock our doors at night, not because we hate our neighbors, but because we love our family.

 

WARS

Matthew 24:6-8, You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. These things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of birth pains.

As birth pains, these signs will increase in intensity and frequency.

The looming Ezekiel 38 War is on the horizon. That war happens near the rapture of the Church. So, dear Church, lift up your head for your redemption is near.


If you don’t know Jesus, today is the day to remedy that. Hebrews 3:7-8, Isaiah 55:6.

Knowing God’s Word is so important that He used His Son as the ultimate object lesson.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. John 1:1,14.

Then Jesus (the Word) said, I AM, the Way, the Truth, the Life, no one comes to the Father, but by Me. John 14:6.

Do you know, the Word? (That Word, know, means to know personally, passionately, deeply as a covenantal marriage).

If not, now it’s time to bow.

Let’s pray.

Jesus, our Lord, Master, Savior, we bow before You now.

Search our hearts, some of us know You and love You.

Some of us only think we do, but we only know about You, a little.

Please convict our hearts to burn with passion to know You now.

So, we don’t burn eternally, later.

Then, if You will, please use us to help others to know when to stand, and when to bow, so we all may stand before You and hear You say, “Well done” and not those dreadful words, “Depart from Me, I never knew You.”

Thank You Lord.

We love You, forever.

Amen.

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This was feed for you to read. Now it’s Seed for you to sow.

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