Daniel

Just as He Had Done Before

/ pastorpete51 / 4 Comments

Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. Daniel 6:10 NIV

In this hour, when there has been handwringing, frustration and anger among some conservative Christians about the recent election results we need to remember the story of Daniel. He certainly faced an election defeat far greater than ours. I doubt that any of us, at least here in the United States are worried we will be thrown into a den filed with hungry lions: but Daniel did. He knew the decree had been signed, he understood the gravity of the punishment, and yet we do not hear him complaining, making a public scene or running away. Instead, Daniel did exactly what he had always done before: He prayed! Daniel didn’t run to God in a panic, He got on his knees and asked for help, just as he had always done, and he did it three times a day. Maybe our trouble is that, when our ideas have won elections, been popularly trumpeted on social media and gained us acclaim, we have gotten to like being patted on the back. But if our courage is based on the world’s acceptance, we are building our house on a bed of sand. Today the rains are falling, the storms are rising and just as promised, they will beat on our houses of faith. Whether we stand or fall does not depend on the severity of the storm but on the strength of our foundation. Knowing that the world’s decrees are signed against us must not make us fearful but should inspire us to pray. We can trust always Him, because He has promised to be with us not only in a lion’s den, but in every situation, both today and forever!

Daniel Still Prayed

/ pastorpete51 / 7 Comments

When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously. Daniel 6:10 ESV

Unless you have been living in a cave for the last two years, you know that there is an important election tomorrow. Whatever the outcome, there will be a lot of unhappy people on Wednesday morning. As I thought over the various outcomes for both the presidency as well as both houses of Congress I was drawn to this verse from Daniel and have been encouraged by his example. When Daniel woke up the morning after the election, he found out that his party was the loser. His prayer life had been declared illegal, and there were deadly consequences for him if he continued to pray. But none of these facts seemed to bother Daniel. When he learned the news, he didn’t kick the cat, throw the coffee pot or run over to his neighbors to complain. Instead, the Bible tells us that Daniel woke up, had his morning coffee, opened his window, just as he always did and got down on his knees to pray! No that’s an example worth following!

When I get so drawn into the political and social storms that are raging all around, I need to remind myself that not every day will be sunny, and the roses cannot always be in bloom. Being faithful to Christ will rarely be applauded by the world we live in, and that only when we follow Jesus, can we discover that his grace and strength can carry us through whatever lies ahead. So, this morning I pray that each one of us can keep Daniel’s perspective. Pray for our nation, we certainly need it! Trust that whatever the outcome, God remains the ruler of the universe: His term will never expire, and He loved us enough to send His one and only Son, to suffer and die for our sins. Now that is good news worth living for, and it is also good news worth dying for!

What Does the Bible say about voting?

/ pastorpete51 / 1 Comment

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I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—  for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.  This is good, and pleases God our Savior 1 Timothy 2:1-3

 

I am truly thankful for the freedom and peace we enjoy in the United States yet I often find myself in cojuly-2012-006nflict over the issues surrounding our current political process. I face struggles to reconcile my faith with the differing political ideas within my own family and church.

First, the Bible gives us no example of democracy anywhere within its 4,000 plus year history. Joseph would be scratching his head if you asked him which  party he thought would give  them the best nominee for Pharaoh. Daniel similarly would have had no advice as to who he was voting for, for the next king of Persia. In New Testament times we find that John the Baptist was more concerned about Herod’s choice of wife than about taxes. The Apostle Paul’s appearance before Caesar in a highly political and grossly unfair trial drew no complaints about the corruption of the government or its forays into wars of conquest. But in spite of the absence of direct advice on voting, we can find a common theme that each of these men gave us in dealing with the ruling authorities of their day. The principles which they each maintained were a personal faith,  an unwavering trust in God as the sovereign authority over every king, and a personal responsibility to pray. Today let’s examine the last – Our personal responsibility to pray

Daniel we are told not only prayed three times daily for his nation but he did it so consistently that it became general public knowledge. Paul tells us we ought to pray without ceasing and John the Baptist was known for having taught his disciples to pray.

Can we take a little test to see how we are doing?

Can we remember the last time you prayed for our president and his family?

Have we ever prayed for the leaders of nations we consider our enemies?

Can we point to prayer time we have devoted to one of the hot button issues of this election?

If Jesus came to live in my neighborhood what would be his most urgent prayer?

I would love to hear what your prayers have been or would be. Please feel welcome to react and tell us what you think!

We can do nothing until we have prayed but when we pray it will be impossible for us do nothing!

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