One Year Bible - November 29

DANIEL 6:1-28                                                                                                                          
WHEN THE PRESSURE IS ON:  Daniel was made prime-minister of the realm, and one of three overseers of Babylon, of whom he was chief.  Then under them were 120 satraps.  Daniel was above all of them because he had "an excellent spirit" (6:3).  This means his "spirit" was "abundantly greater than anyone else."  He was faithful, solid, trustworthy, and totally honest.  He was in charge of the treasury, so trusted was he.  He was probably about 87 years old by now and still had what it takes.  In fact, v.4 says there was "no fault found in him".   The others envied him and hated him because he kept them honest!  This is because Daniel always obeyed God's known will.  So, they spied on him and looked for something to pin on him.  They talked the king into making a decree that anyone who prayed to any god but Darius for 30 days would be cast into the den of lions.  Daniel knew that the decree was aimed at him.  So what did Daniel do when the pressure was on him to compromise his faith?  He prayed three times a day JUST LIKE HE ALWAYS DID.  The world around us doesn't mind if we pray, as long as we FIRST bow to their system and give God the left-overs.  

 KING DARIUS:  Darius, a Mede, received the kingdom of Babylon (and the Chaldeans) from Cyrus the Persian King and thus is called "king".  He thought a lot of Daniel and worked to save Daniel from his own decree!  When Darius went to see if God had delivered Daniel from the lions, he cried out in pain!  The king had Daniel's accusers, along with their wives and children, thrown into the lion's den and they were chewed to pieces before they even got to the bottom of the den!  NEW DECREE:  Everyone must tremble before the God of Daniel, for "He endures forever; His kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end." (6:26). 

RESPONSE:  Darius learned the EASY WAY what Nebuchadnezzar learned the HARD WAY.   If Daniel had succumbed to the pressure to compromise even a little bit, he would have become ineffective and probably would have been killed.  The thing that made him so useful was that he was distinctly different in his faith.  He drew attention - some good and some negative.  When he was publicly pressured to "surrender to the system" - he just kept walking - kept his established routine - prayed like always.  I would imagine he thought just like the 3 who went into the furnace: "He can. He will.  Even if He doesn't."  He was confident because he had integrity, he stayed faithful, and he believed and trusted God with his outcomes.  And he maintained that attitude for at least 70 years in Babylon!

2 PETER 3:1-18                                                                                                                       

staying faithful in the face of false teachers:  (1) Keep your faith stirred up with what God has already said in His Word.  (2) Realize that people scoff the truth because they want to live in their own lusts.  They are willfully ignorant, and their problem is not an intellectual one, but a moral one.  (3) The real reason that God has held off in judging the world, is to give everyone time and opportunity to repent and return to God.  His promise can be counted on - He is coming back. (4) Temporal, man-made things are not worth living for; eternal ones are.  Thus, we want to be found "blameless" by living to please God, not trying to please ourselves.  (5) "Grow in grace" - get an ever-expanding understanding of what Christ has already done.  Keep your eye on the prize - knowing Jesus. 

"new heavens and new earth": The word "new" here is Gr: "kainos" which means "RE-newed" - "new in nature", like in 2 Co 5:17, where our nature is new, but our bodies stay the same (rats!).  Just as there was still an earth after Noah's flood, there will still be an earth after the fiery trial.  "The meek (Noah) inherit the earth."  The fire, like the water, is for cleansing.  A farmer burns over his fields every three years to cleanse them, not to destroy them. 

RESPONSE:   I used to be terribly gullible.  If everyone said that grass is red, I thought that somehow there was something wrong with me  that grass appeared to be green!  I was easily led because I was so insecure.  I didn't really know anything for sure!  Unfortunately I attended lots of "Christian conferences" back in my immaturity and followed a lot of "rabbit trails".  So, I went after wealth, position, etc.  NOW I HAVE FOUND THAT the God-Centered life is the ONLY WAY TO LIVE and to STAY AT REST (in faith).  Remind me, dear Lord, to think about Your goodness and greatness every hour, at least once! 

PSALM 119:129-152                                                                                                               

more secrets to living in God's rest and god's joy: The longest chapter in the Bible is Psalm 119. That is why it is divided up into 22 sections, an acrostic in the Hebrew language. For example, Psalm 119:129-136 all begin with the Hebrew letter "pey", which means "mouth, breath, speech, word, voice", and has the numeric value of 80.   This particular section of Psalm 119 is about the delivery of God's Word giving us illumination and revelation.  When we understand the intention of the Word, we receive light in a dark area of life.  God's Word guides us to our destiny to be like Jesus - in the center of His will. 

Psalm 119:137-144 all begin with "tzaddi".  The word "tzaddi" means "to be on the path".  The pictograph is a picture of a trail as leading to game when hunting.  "Tzaddiyq in Hebrew means "righteousness".  This section of Psalms is about righteousness and uses the word three times!  Romans teaches us that God has GIVEN us His own righteousness in Christ, and v. 142 & 144 say that God's righteousness is "everlasting". 

PROVERBS 28:21-22                                                                                                           

People who take bribes for favors, will eventually do it for pennies.  People who pursue money, never have enuf.  They hate people who have more than they do, and feel entitled to more.  Not only that, but, as my mother always said, "easy come, easy go." 

One Year Bible - November 28

DANIEL 5:1-31                                                                                                                         
LIKE GRANDPA, LIKE GRANDSON:  Nebuchadnezzar's grandson is named Belshazzar.  Belshazzar is the son of Evil-merodach , who reigned for only two years, then was murdered by his brother-in-law.  Thru a series of assassinations and intrigue, Belshazzar finally got the throne.  While Belshazzar and his friends were feasting in the palace, the city was actually surrounded by the Persian army.  The city was thought to be impregnable, but remember, God had a plan.

Belshazzar, in a deliberate act of sacrilege, commanded that the gold and silver vessels that Nebu had taken out of the Temple in Jerusalem, be brought to the banquet so they could eat and drink from them.  He was sitting as God, thinking he ruled the world, sipping wine from the holy vessels and "in the same hour" a hand appeared, writing in the plaster of the wall in the banquet hall.  5:6 says he probably soiled his pants and his knees were knocking.  When the "experts" couldn't tell him what it said, he sent for Daniel - but not before putting him in his place: "remember who you are." "Don't preach to me, just tell me what it says."  and offered Daniel a bribe. 

DANIEL PREACHED:  He said, Rulers rule by God's decree, not by their own "right or might".  Remember what God did to your grandpa.  You knew all this, but you defied God anyway.  You worship Mammon.  So that night, Belshazzar was killed and Darius came in to rule Babylon. 

RESPONSE:  We know it was God Who told Darius how to defeat Babylon.  Babylon fell without a fight, just like God said it would.  The Persians diverted the Euphrates and came into the city under the watergate.  God decreed the Medo-Persian empire in order to bring His remnant back to Jerusalem.  I am getting the drift, here:  God's will is the most important thing in the universe.  Ps 33:11says "The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations."

What is God's will?   God's will is what gives God pleasure.  God's will can be the same thing as God's purpose or His decrees, as we see in Daniel.  He directs what comes to pass.  God's purpose is ALWAYS accomplished; God's commands are not always.  God's purpose is not always known ahead of time, but God's commanded will is known and is our obligation to obey by faith.  God commanded will is general (the same for everyone) and specific (individual). 

SOME EXAMPLES OF GOD'S WILL: (wherein we cooperate with the Holy Spirit):  1 Pet 3:17; 4:19 says sometimes it includes suffering for the believer.  1 Pet 2:15 says it is God's will that our good behavior silence the naysayers.  Heb 10:36 tells us that it is God's will that we obey Him.  Heb 10:5-10 shows us that God's will is a life of self-sacrifice.  1 Thess 5:16-18 says that rejoicing, praying, and thanksgiving "in everything" is God's will for us.  Our sanctification is God's will (1 Thess 4:3).  Eph 6:6 and Col 4:12 tells us God's will is that we have the attitude and behavior of a servant, seeking to please God, not man.  Rom 1:10, Jam 4:15 and others shows us that God's will determines what will happen with us.  2 Peter 3:9 and John 6:40 says that it isn't God's will that ANY should perish.  Psa 147:11 the fear of God is God's will for us.  Rev 4:11 says that everything was created by and for His pleasure (His will).  So pleasing God is doing the will of God.  Phil 2:13 says that it is God's will to work on our inner man to bring us into agreement with God.  Eph 1:5-12 that we "praise His glory".  2 Co 8:1-7 (esp v.5) it is God's will that we be gracious and generous givers.  1 John 2:15-17 that we not be conformed to this age.   Eph 5:15-17 that we walk in wisdom. 

I believe that when we do the KNOWN WILL OF GOD, He reveals anything else we need to know.  We can "obey" our way into our calling, one step at a time.  Just do the next step.  That's usually how God leads - we are led by obeying the Voice we hear BEHIND US (Isa 30:21).

2 PETER 2: 1-22                                                                                                                    
False teachers are inevitable because what we have is so good!  They will be judged for misrepresenting Jesus, for presenting counterfeits and substitutes.   Notice: they don't fall under anyone's authority.  No church, no bishop or overseer.  Some Characteristics of false teachers:  Presumption: They are all talk, and no real power (clouds without water). Power is to be found in 2Pet 1:5-7, not in tricks or shows. Ignorance: v.12 says that they don't know what they are talking about! Their speech is rash and undisciplined - scary.   Shamelessness: They offer us things beyond what the Scriptures say!  That is their lure - appealing to our lust.  Their appeal is to "unstable souls" - those who are discontent and not steadfast in their faith in God.  Greed: The false teachers are in this for the money and will bind you to themselves if they can.  Pretentiousness: Claiming to be free, they "walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness". 

RESPONSE:  Why do we listen to false teachers?  I have done it, and when I looked back, I wondered what I was thinking?  Why didn't I see it at the time?  They must have said what I wanted to hear: that I could have what I wanted, when I wanted it.  That is actually a working definition of sin:  "I want to do, what I want to do, when I want to do it."  The essence of sin is rebellion against authority.   False teachers appeal to the lust of our flesh, offering something outside of God's purpose and plan for us.  Sometimes they take a Scripture out of context with what the Bible as a whole teaches.  The Church is a good idea - more accountability.  If a false teacher manages to slip in there, there are more opportunities to stop him. 

PSALM 119:113-128                                                                                                       

more secrets to living in God's rest and god's joy: The longest chapter in the Bible is Psalm 119. That is why it is divided up into 22 sections, an acrostic in the Hebrew language. For example, Psalm 119:113-120 all begin with the Hebrew letter "samech",  which is also the numeric value of 60 and symbolizes support and protection, and to uphold.   These verses reflect that the Word of God upholds us, protects us from being influenced by rebellious suggestions.  The Word of God has the ability to wash out impure thoughts as we meditate on what God has said. 

Psalm 119:121-128 all begin with the letter "ayin", which is a fountain or an eye, and has the numeric value of 70 (increase).  It's spelling "ayin" means "eye" and also means "understanding, watchfulness, desire, and compassion.  Here David declares himself to be God's servant, and therefore God's responsibility.  And so, David says he is oppressed, but never crushed; pressured, but will never give in.  Psalm 119:121-128  also contains the only verse in Psalm 119 that does not have a word in it that refers to God's Word (122). 

PROVERBS 28:19-20                                                                                                         

My mother used to tell me to wish in one hand, and spit in the other, and see which hand fills up first.  Wishing won't get you anywhere - but hard work will.  The opposite of poverty is not wealth, it is stewardship.  Work what you got!  As Christians, we see first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness - "things" are added to us (Matt 6:33).  Sometimes seeking the Kingdom includes getting wealth - but wealth is not our aim: God is. 

One Year Bible - November 27

DANIEL 4:1-37                                                                                                                      

DUMBSTRUCK FOR AN HOUR!  Nebuchadnezzar's nightmare should have been for those that hated him!  Nebu saw himself as a "shepherd-king" - the source of life to "his" people, who controlled everything.  He rivaled God in their affections.  He was the Center of their world!  God would cut him down to the size of a stump!  He would graze on grass like a beast with the heart of a beast - - - "until he knoew that the most High rules in the kingdom of men, and give it to whomsoever He will."(4:25) 

REPENT!  Daniel pleaded with Nebu to repent.  It is believed that for 12 months Nebu submitted to Daniel, trying to outrun that prophesy.  But God is Sovereign.  One day Nebu entered the palace and shouted, "I built Babylon, by MY power, for MY majesty."  While he was still talking, God interrupted saying, "The kingdom is departed from you."  Nebu actually grew eagle talons and hair all over his body that looked like feathers and he grazed on grass outdoors in the dew.  "At the end of days" is how the Bible puts it.  Outside history books state that Nebuchadnezzar had a four-year absence from the palace - whereabouts unknown.  When his understanding returned to him, he "blessed the Most High, praised and honored Him that lives forever, Whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom is from generation to generation."  He ends his speech with "And those that walk in pride He is able to abase."  His end was greater and more blessed than his beginning because his lesson was learned:  that God rules the rulers.  God is Sovereign and His will and purpose prevail and no one can stop Him. 

RESPONSE:   "At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Phil 2:10-11)  I think the real question for most of us is, "Who is in charge?."  And if the answer is, "God", then it stands to reason that things must be done on His terms.  And that's the rub.  That requires submission.  As Nebuchadnezzar found out, we really can't challenge God's right to rule without being brought low. 

2 PETER 1:1-21                                                                                                                   
true freedom comes when we are in god's rest (steadfast faith & patience), understanding that jesus is enough.  Keep in mind that Peter's calling is to strengthen the brethren's faith.  Faith is based on Truth, which is only found in Jesus and His Word.  When we go outside the Word and turn our back on Jesus to have what we think we want, we are now enslaved to wickedness.  What we see outside of faith, we have to sin to get it, even tho it is pictured as freedom.  We are free ONLY when we are at rest. 

Living by faith brings a changed life:  These changes happen over time, and keep us from being deceived by false teachers.  Without this character development, we are irrelevant.  We are only relevant to society when we go against it with the Truth.  And note: this changed life is "given" to us as our faith gets stronger.  They come with "life and godliness" - living to please God.  The God-centered life is the life of freedom and choices.  It is a satisfied life in God's sanctifying presence.  We have "escaped” the corruption that is in the world; why would we go back to it?  We belong to the "everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" - we are not to be a part of the kingdom of darkness.  So press in to what is our inheritance - God's own nature. 

Stick with the Scriptures:  The key to our freedom and contentment in Jesus is loving His Word.  The Bible is "a more sure word of prophecy" than what Peter heard called down from heaven!  So "voices", other preachers with their "private interpretation" are not to be trusted when they disagree with Scripture. 

RESPONSE:   Most of my Christian life, I believed Christianity was a life of restrictions.  There were lots of things I wanted to do, but I couldn't because I was a Christian.  I wanted to do them, but I couldn't.  That's not freedom!  So, I decided to go "outside the box" and do whatever I wanted to do.  As a result, I hurt everyone I loved, including myself.  I could have ruined my life and theirs.  I became a slave to sin.  I thought I was free! 

Now I really don't want to sin.  I have learned that to stay free, means to stay close to Jesus, to be thankful for all He is in my life, to look on His loveliness and beauty.   I only get into trouble when I become self-centered and think about me.  I am free to be happy.  I am free to be joyful.  I am free to be a witness for God's love and mercy.  I am free to speak up for God's glory.  I am free to do the disgusting jobs no one else wants, because I work for Jesus.  There is NOTHING that feels as good as pleasing God.  Read the character traits listed in 2 Pet 1:5-7 - this describes real power.

PSALM 119:97-112                                                                                                      

more secrets to living in God's rest and god's joy:  The longest chapter in the Bible is Psalm 119. That is why it is divided up into 22 sections, an acrostic in the Hebrew language.   For example, Psalm 119:97-104 all begin with the Hebrew letter "mem", which is also their number 40 (testing).  The letter "mem" in hieroglyphics is "flowing water" and thus describes the source of life.  This section of Psa 119 shows us that our source of life is "every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God": His law, commandments, testimonies, precepts" etc.  Remember, these are not external restrictions; they are internal instructions that bring us rest, freedom and joy. 

Psa 119:105-112 all begin with "nun", which has the numeric value of 50 (deliverance, freedom and fullness).  The pictograph is a fish, a symbol of life and activity.  This letter came to symbolize faithfulness and the reward for faithfulness.  The first time it is used as a word is Exo 33:11, "Joshua, the son of Nun".  The way to deliverance and freedom is thru Jesus Christ, Who is the Word made flesh.  The Word of God shows us the way, the path to freedom. 

PROVERBS  28:17-18                                                                                              

The person committing willful murder can never rest.    When he falls, he shall never rise again, according to these verses.  By the way, if you help him, you might be getting in God's way! 

One Year Bible - November 26

DANIEL 2:24 - 3:30                                                                                                                 
NEBUCHADNEZZAR'S NIGHTMARE:  Not a "heart of gold", but a "head of gold".  This is the nightmare of the world-spirit.  They have feet of clay, mixed with the iron of "Roman" rulership, and they will be utterly and radically destroyed by something they can't control.  This "dream" actually covers history from contemporary to Daniel all the way forward to Israel's demise in 70 AD. 

Keeping the proportions of a "body" in mind, let's just look at the Four Kingdoms of Daniel (repeated in Daniel 7).  Nebuchadnezzar and Babylon are obviously the head of gold.  Nebu was INSANE.  He thinks he was put in place, as head,  to put the world right and control it.  Mede-Persia is the arms and chest of silver (Cyrus).  The brass belly and thighs is Greece (Alexander).  The legs of iron are Rome.  Now, checking the proportions, we have Babylon-66 years, Mede-Persia-207 years, Greece-168 years, and Rome-119 years.  GOD gave "a kingdom, power, strength and glory" to each ruler (2:37) .  Add them up.  They come to 560 years - or 70 AD when Jerusalem was destroyed. 

FEET OF CLAY:  This is the point of the whole vision:  Don't get lost in the timeline.  Here is the absolute point of this dream:  THIS IS ABOUT JESUS!  The feet of clay mingled with iron are Roman iron (from the legs) and Jewish clay.  They were destroyed by the "Stone that became the Mountain".  In fact, Jerusalem was crushed like powder and everyone and everything totally burned up.  Jesus fell on His enemies and TRANSFERRED THE KINGDOM to the SAINTS!  (God's elect)  This terminal event is not the end of the world, but the end of Judaism and the old covenant.  Following 70 AD, world dominion belongs to the saints through Jesus, and Rome continued as a mere vassal state to Christ Jesus, Who rules the nations "with a rod of iron".  Judaism was removed as a force standing in the path of the Church. 

THE NEVER-ENDING KINGDOM:  The "mountain" "grows up" to fill all the earth.  This shows that someone other than Nebuchadnezzar, someone other than Rome, someone other than the Jews - is ruling now!  THIS IS NOT A CHRISTIAN UTOPIA!  The very idea is foreign to Bible teaching.  Seeking an earthly paradise is a heathen goal.   We seek Jesus, "the Kingdom and His righteousness" (Matt 6:33)  BUT, God's Kingdom (2:44) "shall never be destroyed."  Any concept of the Church as defeated or "other-worldly" is condemned right here in Daniel.  This world order does NOT culminate in an evil government by an antichrist!   Christians stand to your feet!  Our Kingdom is NEVER going to end!  2:44 says "IT SHALL STAND FOREVER." 

INSANITY PERSONIFIED:  Nebuchadnezzar wrongly conjectured that because he is the "head of gold", then he must be the source of life!  So, in pride and arrogance, he seized the reigns of history for himself.  This is just like the world-spirit: if you want anything from them, you have to bow when the music starts.  You must do things their way.  They are tolerant of our God as long as God doesn't stray out of His box.  Nebuchadnezzar wants to be sure that we know who is really in charge! Him!  "The Man".  When Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego refused to acknowledge Nebu as life-source, it says (3:13) that Nebu responded "in rage and fury".  He challenged God at that point, believing he could actually RIVAL GOD for our affections and deliverance.  But God does not have to answer to anyone, including those Hebrews.  (Remember, their names are three promises: "God has favored me."  "There is none like God", "God has helped me.")  Their reply to the challenged?  As far as God being our deliverer:  "HE CAN! HE WILL!  BUT EVEN IF HE DOESN'T! "  God is not obligated to me by anything other than covenant.  He will never leave me, and will do whatever answers to His eternal purpose.  (Eph 1:11; 3:11)  God, Who over-ruled the ruler, leaves us with no choice but to surrender to His terms.  I must insert Psalm 2 right here:

"Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?  The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.  He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.  Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure."

Those Hebrew Promises went into the fire all dressed up in their coats, turbans, hose and then tied up and thrown down.  The men who threw them in died from the heat.  FOUR men were seen walking around loosed after that!  They didn't even smell like smoke!  Not a hair on their heads was singed!  They had (3:28) "yielded their bodies", that they might not serve or worship any god, except their own God."  (Rom 12:1) 

RESPONSE:   The Hebrew men defied the kings command, but  they weren't DEFIANT.  They had a higher calling to present their bodies to God, not to the government.  They had a submissive attitude to authority, without obeying its antichristian commands.  Just like the disciples in Acts.  They defied the law and preached publicly, but submitted to their jail terms when they were arrested.  (even tho the jails couldn't hold them!)  God is not obligated to do what we want Him to!  We must make up our minds when we are being persecuted, whether by other people, or by our own FLESH that wants what it wants, that we won't bow, that is, we won't fear, we won't panic, we' won't compromise, we won't take the "easy way out"!  No matter what God does or does not do in our behalf!  God's purposes will stand.  We must adapt ourselves to fit.  We serve God and do not allow substitutes or counterfeits to take His place in our lives. 

1 PETER 4:7 - 5:14                                                                                                                
STRENGTHENING OUR FAITH IN GOD:  First, the flesh must die - all thoughts of self-preservation,  demanding our own way, and all complaining must be "crucified with Christ."  If that doesn't happen, we can't be truly happy and joyful because our defaults all point back to US!  Instead of at Jesus Christ. 

Second, physical suffering is a "type" or "shadow" or "example" of how our self-life dies, because the "crucified life" is a life full of love.  To walk in love and minister as a servant, the flesh must have been dealt with.  (4:7-11) 

Third, fire is a good thing: it destroys SELF.  This fire is not just to "melt" us, but to "smelt" us - to remove the impurities of the flesh.  As we glorify God in the fires (Isa 24:15), trust Him with the outcomes (the "rest" of faith) - our bad habits, unclean thoughts, undesired  wants, etc. actually drop off and are burned - without our conscious cooperation or "help".  We "rejoice" "with exceeding joy", and are "happy" and the "spirit of glory" rests on us and we usually don't even know it! 

Fourth, this love that is able to manifest itself because of the death of SELF, extends to the Church:  Elders are seasoned believers who lead the church.  It is not a position of privilege as much as it is one of responsibility.  No one goes into the ministry for the money, but rather being called by God to lovingly care for the "sheep".  If you read thru the entire chapter 5, you will see that Church life is one of submitting to one another - men, women, elder, younger - not demanding your rights, not self-preserving, and not complaining (Gold Rules for Christians). 

Fifth, stand "firm in the faith":  This is the same word as being "strengthened” in the faith - Peter's goal and message from the beginning.  The purpose of strong faith is to resist (stand strong against) "your enemy the devil" , and for going thru your fiery sufferings.  NOW we see that the end result is that GOD (not you) will "make you perfect".  This is a very special word in the original language, being translated in Mark 1:19 as "mending" - meaning "to untangle, repair and restore to usefulness"  AND, He makes us strong (resolute), stronger yet (vigorous, and set us on a strong foundation.  Strong, steadfast, unshakable, AND loving. 

RESPONSE:  I used to read 1 Peter as a book about suffering.  I didn't see the purpose in suffering, and I certainly didn't understand the necessity to crucify the flesh.  Suffering, to me, meant being bullied, being ignored, being insulted, being sick, poor, etc.  Negative! Negative! Negative! 

Since then, I have discovered that the kind of suffering this is talking about is not demanding my own rights, not giving in to self-preservation (or self-defensiveness), and not complaining - while being tried and tested by fire: relatives who think I'm nuts, people who demand things of me, doing jobs I hate, working while everyone else is playing.  You know what I am talking about.  It's "unfair"!   We must learn to serve while afraid, while tired, while threatened, when no one else is, when the job is unpleasant.....all without complaining.  Our default is JOY, "unspeakable joy" that is "full of glory".  THAT TAKES FAITH.  When our faith is strong at those times, we experience REST.  We are victorious, strong, and happy. 

PSALM 119: 81-94                                                                                                               

more secrets to living in God's rest: loving God's Word: Psalm 119 is so long that it was divided into 22 sections, each one being titled with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet - and actually an acrostic. So all the verses in Psalm 119:81-88 begin with the Hebrew letter "kaph", which is also their number 20.  It is a pictograph of an "open hand" and stands for the act of laying on of hands to bless or empower.  The verb, "kaf" actually means "to subdue".  In these verses, David is at the brink of ruin and asks God, "how long?"  Apparently this persecution had been going on for a very long time, but David never gave up because he loved God's Word and clung to it.

Psalm 119:89-96 - each verse begins with the Hebrew letter "lamed", which is also their number 30.  In hieroglyphics it is a picture of a shepherd's staff or an ox goad, and also means "teach".  Standing by itself, the word "lamed"  is the expression of our love and devotion to the teachings of the Word of God and our strong desire to understand its deep Truths.  V. 92 says, "Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction."  Without the Word of God, we would all despair.

PROVERBS 28:15-16                                                                                                       
Wicked rulers make their own rules, cruel as a lion, hungry as a bear - and do what they want to the weak.  He hopes to gain by this....but his days are numbered.

One Year Bible - November 25

DANIEL 1:1 - 2:23:                                                                                                                
WHO IS IN CHARGE?  This is the question that gets answered in Daniel.  If victory in heaven is our only victory, then the whole Bible, including each one of us, is irrelevant.  Daniel is an announcement to the captives that no captivity will end in anything other than God's glory and the destruction of the captors.  Daniel is an affront to independent man who believes himself to be his own god.  Man is not the center of things, God is.  Since the beginning, Man has wanted to usurp God's throne and BE God. 

WHO IS DANIEL?  Daniel was 17 years old when he was taken captive to Babylon (in Nebuchadnezzar's first deportation) to live in the king's palace.  YOUNG AND ALONE, he was of "royal seed", along with three other young men, who were being trained as courtiers.  Rather than defile themselves with idolatrous feasting, they abstained and lived as vegetarians and after a 10-day trial, they were in better shape than anyone.  Ezekiel refers to him as a model of "righteousness" and "wisdom" (Ezek 14:14,20; 28:3).  Daniel lived up to his call as part of a nation of "the royal priesthood"  (1 Pet 2:9), as SALT and LIGHT.  The Daniel's faith in God is an alien and disruptive force!  And Daniel's God is a too-jealous God!

WHAT IS BABYLON?  Babylon represents man-centered "religion".  Babylon believed man could live independent from God, and in fact, rivals God for our affections!  Babylon and its systems represent counterfeits and substitutes for relationship with God Almighty.  Babylon represents the "spirit that's in the world" (1 Co 2:12; 1 Jo 4:3) - and wants us to forget God as being not worth knowing.  That we can achieve "paradise" without God!  Babylon offered healing, wisdom, luxury, power, "the good life" - all without knowing their Source!  But, in the Book of Daniel, we learn that man is NOT the center of all things - GOD is.  The GOAL of history is not "paradise" - but to re-gain communion with God, Who IS our paradise. 

WHO IS GOD?  God ordains all things and it is His Will alone that has purpose.  He cannot be used, but ALL THINGS ARE HIS to use as He wills.  It is INSANE to think that a man can set himself up to rival God and not fall.  There is no existence outside of God.  God is sovereign and is a "too-exclusive" Husband to His Elect people.  When we submit to His rulership, God becomes our JOY and our SALVATION. 

WHO IS NEBUCHADNEZZAR?  Early Jews believed him to be A BEAST.  To show that he had preeminence over Jehovah God, he brought all the Temple implements to Babylon and put them into his god's temple!  To enforce his palace-workers' loyalty (including the Hebrews), he made them all eunuchs and gave them Babylonian names.  I can understand Nebu's reasoning: "Daniel" means "God is my judge" or "God's judge".  "Hananiah" (Shadrach) means "God has favored me".  "Mishael" (Meshach) means "There is none like God".  "Azariah" (Abednego) means "God has helped me".  And later, in throwing them into the fiery furnace, it was like throwing three promises into the fire, not just three men. 

WHOSE SLAVES WERE THEY?  Even slaves serve "as unto the Lord", for kings reign only by God's decree.  The devil cannot set kings up or take them down, without God's say-so.  Of these Hebrew slaves, 1:17 says that "God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom:"  And in 1:20 says, "And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm." 

NEBUCHADNEZZAR'S NIGHTMARE:  When you set yourself up to rival God PUBLICLY, God becomes "your worst nightmare".  Nebu's "dream" showed him that he was NOT the one in charge of history, that life did not revolve around himself.  Nebu challenged all human "wisdom" to interpret his dream without even telling them what the dream was.  After stalling for time, they told him that was impossible.  In his rage, Nebu decreed that all wise men were to be slain (including Daniel et.al.).  When God revealed the nightmare to Daniel, 2:20-23 contained Daniel's worship and it pretty much sums up the whole Book of Daniel and what it's really about.  READ IT.  "Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; ..... He sets up kings and deposes them....etc."  NOTE:  Everyone works for God. The course of history is under God's rule - He holds all history, all times, all seasons, in His own hands.  Future things are "dark", but God is light and "in Him is no darkness at all."  No wise man can know the secrets of the future - not even Daniel.  "But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets".  (2:28) 

RESPONSE:  Whatever we use to sustain us apart from faith is a COUNTERFEIT god to us!  All substitutes are deceptive, empty, unfulfilling, unsatisfying, disappointing - and eventually take us captive.  We become BOUND to them!  And they hinder us from "finding" God.  Here was Daniel, young, alone, without parental oversight, un-accountable for all intents and purposes.  Yet, he insisted on personal holiness and faithfulness to Jehovah.  If he hadn't, he would have become irrelevant in the Babylon court.  As it was, his distinction made him valuable to the king.  If he had become bitter or angry and looking for revenge, he probably would have been killed quickly.  Instead, Daniel was "graced" by God, equipped to rule and to serve.  Notice what kind of person God used:  a fanatic in a hostile environment.  A young man "going against the flow".  Nebuchadnezzar thinks he owns him - but he can't own Daniel, because Daniel is already God's servant!  Daniel is distinct, holy, a man of prayer, outspoken, courageous, faithful to God, a man with a mission. 

1 PETER 3:8 - 4:6                                                                                                                   

STRENGTHENING OUR FAITH IN GOD:  When we are afraid, we makes us live subject to circumstances and their consequences.  Faith is not the opposite of fear; rest is.  We learned that in Hebrews.  Rest is a place of settled faith in God, trusting Him with the outcomes.  Faith is the assurance of the invisible, spiritual realm.  We live as if God is present and visible.  1 & 2 Peter were written to show us how faith is strengthened - what makes it easier to live in God's rest (the Land, as it were)? 

How Faith Works in Relationships:  I think this gets a big section of 1 Peter because it's the hardest place to trust God.  People just seem to have a way of getting under our skin and then finding out what's really in there.  LET ME SAY THIS:  When we are "in rest" (see Hebrews), we can be vulnerable without being diminished in any way.  Col 3:3 says "For you are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God." KJV  Phil 2 says when we are like Jesus, we have no rights, no dignity, and no reputation to protect.  In other words, trials come to burn away self-preservation so that our faith is strengthened.   

Be a Blessing:  I believe there is extra grace on us when we serve others, especially others who can't  "pay you back".  It says in 3:9 that we are "called" to BE a blessing and to INHERIT a blessing.  To bless someone means "to empower" them in some way.  It might be just to retrieve something they dropped on the floor.  When we are insulted, we bless.  When we are slandered, we bless.  When we are accused, we bless.  God is watching.  Don't let fear control you; bring your mind into your trials with you.....knowing that God "has your back".  We do not need to fear what "outsiders" fear because we are connected to God - living God-centered lives.  We trust God with all our outcomes.  The only time we "answer back" is when someone asks "what's wrong with you that you don't want to join our fun?"  or to know why we don't defend ourselves, demand our rights, or complain.  (The Golden Rules for Christians)  Jesus SUFFERED for us when we didn't care about Him and were considered "unjust" and "unrighteous" in order to bring us to God; can we suffer just a little bit if it means someone might come to God? 

Preaching to the Dead:   ( Keep in mind that this is still a pattern for us to follow in strengthening our faith):  There is no Biblical proof that Jesus preached in hell after His death.  He went straight to "Paradise" (Luke 23:43).   And why would He preach only to Noah's generation?  Were they being held in a separate place from everyone else?  The teaching of "purgatory" rests on this Scripture alone, so it is important to interpret it correctly and in the context of the rest of the Bible.  We are STRICTLY FORBIDDEN to contact the dead in any way (Lev 19:31; Deut 18:10-14, et al). The truth is that once a person is dead from the earth, there is nothing we can do to release them from wherever they ended up.  There is no sacrifice or prayer that will release them. 

So, what does this mean?  It means that thru the agency of Noah, Jesus Christ delivered a message to Noah's rebellious, disobedient generation at that time when they were still alive - and who are NOW "in prison", because they had  HEARD THE TRUTH but rejected it.  The same flood that destroyed unbelievers, "saved" the eight in the ark.  Just like the fire that comes thru life experiences.  The same fire that destroys unbelievers, gives life and strength to the faith of believers.  So don't be shaken by those who harden themselves against us and against Jesus now.  Keep believing.  PREACH AND PRAY!!!! 

Just like Jesus:  (Here is our pattern and example again:)  4:1-2 refer to our abysmal need for approval.  That dies by being burned alive.  "To suffer in the flesh" is to DIE.  See Rom 6:6.  When you are dead, you won't sin any more.  (Gal 2:20) So when we consider ourselves "crucified with Christ", and (Col 3:3) "dead" - we don't need anyone's approval any more! 

Always remember: our default is unspeakable joy.  We live God-centered.  Anything that gets in the way of that must be destroyed or done away with.  The people who don't understand spiritual things, think we are strange!  I've been called "fanatic", "nuts", "crazy", "stupid", "living in denial", and told that I think I'm better than anyone else because I'm not participating in their debauchery.  Trust God with the outcomes.  He judges both the living and the dead.  He might not wait until they are dead to pass judgments.   

More Preaching to the Dead:   This refers to people who were already dead, having already heard the Gospel while still alive and been born again.  The people around them judged them and condemned to death death, yet they are still alive to God.  This is our encouragement: we cannot be killed!  We just pass thru the veil into God's presence.  Tho people around us do their worst, we cannot be separated from God.  Stay "in faith" without any fear. 

RESPONSE:   Someone told me once that today is preparation for tomorrow, so pay attention to details.  Don't excuse the little stuff, because it might make a difference tomorrow.  What is difficult to do the first time, becomes easier with practice.  I am developing a practice of thanksgiving out loud INTENTIONALLY.  We are commanded "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." 1 Thess 5:18  It keeps my focus on God instead of on myself.  It causes faith to arise in my heart.  Otherwise my "default" would be myself!  As soon as I start feeling sorry for myself, or feel angry over some insult, I am no longer in REST,  but in FEAR.  And remember how God defines fear:  "an evil heart of unbelief" (Heb 3:12).  So as the fire gets hotter, I praise louder.  I thank God for His excellence, for His mercy, for His wonderfulness, for His strength, and yes----that my washer and dryer are not in the basement, but on the main floor.  (no steps)  Since my Mom went to be with Jesus on 9/5/12, I praise God that I will see her again - that she is not "lost" or dead. 

PSALM 119:65-80                                                                                                                    

more secrets to living in God's rest: loving God's Word:  Psalm 119 is so long that it was divided into 22 sections, each one being titled with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet - and actually an acrostic.  So all the verses in Psalm 119: 65-72 begin with the 9th letter, "teth" which originally was a pictograph of a clay basket with a cross in the middle.  If you examine the letter now, you can see that it resembles a serpent and its potential power and is used in cults for that representation.  HOWEVER, the first time the letter is used, it says, "good" (Gen 1:4).  Here in Psa 119:65-72 the theme is that hard lessons "work together for good".  "Before I was afflicted, I went astray, but now I obey Your Word."  "It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees."  What happens when we get ourselves into trouble is that the contrast with the beauty of Jesus becomes apparent. 

Psalm 119:73-80 are titled "yod", the 10th Hebrew letter, and it pictures a closed hand - a small dot almost.  Because the yod is so small, it also represents humility.  When "Jacob" was changed to "Israel", the only letter he kept was the "yod".  "Yahweh", God's name begins with "yod".  This section so titled says that when we humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, He will exalt us to where we become examples for others to follow. 

PROVERBS 28:14                                                                                                                   

The "fear of the Lord" is  the trembling awareness that life has meaning, and my choices have consequences.   It is the same thing as living a God-centered life.  I am happy because the blessing and favor of God are on me.   If we harden our hearts toward God, NOTHING will ever be right, and in our heart-of-hearts we will know it.