This Day With God – A Spiritual Journey | Share The Word

Living Boldly and Courageously

Posted on February 10, 2014 by Mark Shields

Reading in Daniel 3, king Nebuchadnezzar set up an image of gold and made a national decree that everyone had to fall down and worship the image of gold or be thrown into a blazing furnace (v. 6). The three friends of Daniel made it clear that they would not worship the king’s gods or the golden image. Nebuchadnezzar was furious with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie them up and throw them into the blazing furnace (v. 20).

The young men did not worship the image of gold and remained faithful to God. The king then ordered that the furnace be heated seven times hotter. It was so hot that the soldiers who tossed them in were overcome with the flames and died. As king Nebuchadnezzar looked into the furnace, he saw a fourth person which had to have been Christ walking with them (vv. 24-25); delivering Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from death.

Like the three young men, we can stand firm for God so that even those against us will gain our respect. This day with God, we can have the courage to stand up to others who put pressure to worship idols in this world rather than be committed to the ONE and only God. We can live boldly and courageously for God; believing that Jesus Christ is continually with us.

Image from Google Images

Posted in Courage, Daniel | Tagged and Abednego, Courage, Daniel, God, gold, Idols, Jesus Christ, king nebuchadnezzar, Meshach, Meshach and Abednego, Nebuchadnezzar, Shadrach | 2 Comments

Poems Inspired by Daniel 1-2

Posted on February 7, 2014 by Mark Shields

After starting a study of the book of Daniel this week, there are two poems this study has inspired so far. Below are the links.

Preparing For the Call

Dream Big Dreams

Next week, the journey will continue through Daniel 3-4. Have a great weekend!

Image Credit – Google Images

Posted in Daniel, Poems | Tagged Daniel, Discipline, Dreams, Faith, Poems | 1 Comment

Thinking What To Do

Posted on February 6, 2014 by Mark Shields

Daniel received a vision from God after asking for help. We too can receive direction from God if we have a daily prayer time and ask for guidance. This day with God, let us take that initiative. Starting today, let’s dream big dreams, pray about it, and give God the glory for what He has done and will do in the future. Here’s a song to get us started: What Can I Do – Paul Baloche.

Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction. – Proverbs 29:18

Posted in Daniel | Tagged Daniel, Direction, Dreams, God, Prayer, Vision, Wisdom | 3 Comments

Daniel Applies His Faith and Gets a Promotion

Posted on February 5, 2014 by Mark Shields

We enter now into Daniel 2. King Nebuchadnezzar could not sleep because his mind was troubled from dreams. He wanted to know what the dreams meant so he asked his wise men to interpret the dreams. They were hesitant and explained that it was too difficult so the king regarded them as worthless; ordering the execution of all the wise men of Babylon (v. 12).

When Daniel heard this, he went to the king and asked for time to visit with him so he could interpret the dream for him. Then Daniel returned to his house and explained the situation to his friends. He prayerfully took the initiative to ask God to reveal the meaning of the king’s dream. That night, the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision.

He asked the person in charge of executing the wise men for the chance to interpret the dream in front of the king. At once, Daniel was taken to the king and he interpreted the dream.

Daniel told Nebuchadnezzar that the image of the dream represented four world empires. We know today in studying history that there have been four great empires of the world. They are the Babylonian, the Media-Persian, the Grecian, and the Roman. We are now in a time period between Christ’s first and second coming. The rock in verse 35 is the second coming of Christ to set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed.

The king was impressed and appreciative. So much so that he placed Daniel in a high position as ruler in charge of all the wise men throughout the entire province of Babylon. His friends were also promoted.

There are many lessons in how we should apply our faith in this chapter. First, we should trust but verify when getting advice. Second, we should prayerfully take the initiative to go to God for direction and verification. Third, we should humbly give credit to God when He gives direction. Fourth, we can be sure that what God promises will happen because He determines the future. Fifth, when we follow God’s will, we are at that instant promoted to our highest position in life.

Image from Google Images

Posted in Daniel | Tagged Advice, Applied Faith, Babylon, Daniel, Dreams, king nebuchadnezzar, Prayer, Vision | 4 Comments

Keeping the Body and Mind Healthy

Posted on February 4, 2014 by Mark Shields

Yesterday, I wrote about how Daniel was true to God and practiced a disciplined life. He worked hard and did what God wanted him to do; keeping his body and mind healthy. We then saw that this resulted in God blessing Daniel with great success.

How can we surrender our whole body, mind, and soul to the Lord? One thing we did for working on health habits at the place I work is called a sixty day challenge. There were a few challenges the company set out for the employees. Challenges like drinking eight glasses of water per day, walking 15 minutes longer per day than what we normally did, using the stairs and not the elevator, and parking at a spot away from the building.

This day with God, let us look at our habits and set out now to surrender all to Him. Here is a good song to inspire us today: I Surrender All – Oslo Gospel Choir.