I heard several sermons the past few weeks on Matthew 16:24-27. It has made me do some thinking on these verses I want to pass along to you. Here is the first verse:
Matthew 16:24
24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.
In the verses proceeding this verse Jesus for the first time tells them that he was going to beaten, killed and raised on the third day. This was a shock to the disciples and the Lord had to rebuke Peter for wanting to stop this from happening to Jesus. The Jesus shares the words of Matthew 16:24 to the disciples. Jesus tells them first if we want to follow Him we must deny self. This is a very deep statement if you stop and think about it. What are you denying self to follow Jesus? Anything or are we following just when we can work Him in our schedule? Look at what the disciples did to deny self.....completely surrendered their lives. Jesus expects the same from us. Not just when we can work Him in. Second, Jesus says take up your cross. The cross was a death instrument. What Jesus was trying to say is do whatever it takes to follow me even to the point of death. Can we say this morning we will follow Jesus even if it costs our lives? If we can't deny self we will never make it to taking up our cross. Think about the disciples again. All of them except one, history tells us died for their faith. Killed for following Jesus. Do we have that kind of faith? Third, Jesus says follow me. When we give our lives to Christ, He expects us to follow Him. It isn't easy. The disciples dropped everything...careers, family, hobbies, everything and followed. I must say it makes me drop my head in shame when I really consider how I am doing in following Christ. I must do better....deny self, take up my cross, and follow no matter what and no excuses.
Tom
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Found innocent!
Continuing on from yesterday....Daniel was thrown into the lion's den and a stone was put across the mouth of the den and sealed by the king with his signet ring. This sealed the deal. No turning back now. The king who was Daniel's friend could not sleep and fasted all night for Daniel. The king did not sleep. When morning came the king ran to the lion's den and cried out to Daniel. This is where we pick up the story today.
Daniel 6:22
22 My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you.”
Daniel was found innocent. God protected him! Wow! I have two thoughts on this. First, if we remain faithful to God, He remains faithful to us. As we clearly see here Daniel was a man who served God continually and was found faithful. Second, if Daniel had been eaten by the lions does that mean he wasn't a faithful man of God? Not necessarily. Through the span of time many godly men and women have been killed because of their faith. When you think about it ultimate victory comes in death for that is when we will see Jesus face to face. Think of Stephen here. He was stoned to death but it sure wasn't because of lack of faith or obedience. Most of the disciples lost their lives because of their faith while spreading the gospel. For the believer death isn't a bad thing, just means we receive our eternal reward...praise God!
So this morning, if thrown into the lion's den will you be found faithful before God???
Tom
Daniel 6:22
22 My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you.”
Daniel was found innocent. God protected him! Wow! I have two thoughts on this. First, if we remain faithful to God, He remains faithful to us. As we clearly see here Daniel was a man who served God continually and was found faithful. Second, if Daniel had been eaten by the lions does that mean he wasn't a faithful man of God? Not necessarily. Through the span of time many godly men and women have been killed because of their faith. When you think about it ultimate victory comes in death for that is when we will see Jesus face to face. Think of Stephen here. He was stoned to death but it sure wasn't because of lack of faith or obedience. Most of the disciples lost their lives because of their faith while spreading the gospel. For the believer death isn't a bad thing, just means we receive our eternal reward...praise God!
So this morning, if thrown into the lion's den will you be found faithful before God???
Tom
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Would God deliver me?
As we continue on from yesterday remember Daniel was found doing as he had always done, praying before God.
Daniel 6:12-16
12 And they went before the king, and spoke concerning the king’s decree: “Have you not signed a decree that every man who petitions any god or man within thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions?”
The king answered and said, “The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which does not alter.”
13 So they answered and said before the king, “That Daniel, who is one of the captives from Judah, does not show due regard for you, O king, or for the decree that you have signed, but makes his petition three times a day.”
14 And the king, when he heard these words, was greatly displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him; and he labored till the going down of the sun to deliver him. 15 Then these men approached the king, and said to the king, “Know, O king, that it is the law of the Medes and Persians that no decree or statute which the king establishes may be changed.”
16 So the king gave the command, and they brought Daniel and cast him into the den of lions. But the king spoke, saying to Daniel, “Your God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you.”
So the leaders under King Darius bought their accusation against Daniel to the King. I can here them now...King one of those Jews from Judah are not following your decree! The King replies...how dare they! My law does not later! He shall be cast into the Lion's den!!! Who is this Jew??? Why King it is Daniel. Oh no not Daniel!!! You see the King liked Daniel and after He found out it was Daniel he wanted to do all he could to deliver him. Guess what there was only one way for that to happen. God. The law could not be changed but God can change the unchangeable! So the leaders brought Daniel in and I can picture the King looking into the lions den and saying to Daniel...."Your God whom you serve continually, He will deliver you." The pagan King had confidence in Daniels God! Why? Because he had seen HIM work before!
The king knew Daniel served God continually...that is a key to his deliverance! Are we serving God continually no matter what???
Tom
Daniel 6:12-16
12 And they went before the king, and spoke concerning the king’s decree: “Have you not signed a decree that every man who petitions any god or man within thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions?”
The king answered and said, “The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which does not alter.”
13 So they answered and said before the king, “That Daniel, who is one of the captives from Judah, does not show due regard for you, O king, or for the decree that you have signed, but makes his petition three times a day.”
14 And the king, when he heard these words, was greatly displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him; and he labored till the going down of the sun to deliver him. 15 Then these men approached the king, and said to the king, “Know, O king, that it is the law of the Medes and Persians that no decree or statute which the king establishes may be changed.”
16 So the king gave the command, and they brought Daniel and cast him into the den of lions. But the king spoke, saying to Daniel, “Your God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you.”
So the leaders under King Darius bought their accusation against Daniel to the King. I can here them now...King one of those Jews from Judah are not following your decree! The King replies...how dare they! My law does not later! He shall be cast into the Lion's den!!! Who is this Jew??? Why King it is Daniel. Oh no not Daniel!!! You see the King liked Daniel and after He found out it was Daniel he wanted to do all he could to deliver him. Guess what there was only one way for that to happen. God. The law could not be changed but God can change the unchangeable! So the leaders brought Daniel in and I can picture the King looking into the lions den and saying to Daniel...."Your God whom you serve continually, He will deliver you." The pagan King had confidence in Daniels God! Why? Because he had seen HIM work before!
The king knew Daniel served God continually...that is a key to his deliverance! Are we serving God continually no matter what???
Tom
Monday, March 28, 2011
Found praying!
Daniel 6:11
11 Then these men assembled and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God.
Remember we had just left off last week where a decree had bee made by King Darius that nothing can be worshiped but him. His leaders asked him to do this trying to set Daniel up. It worked! As this verse says these men then found Daniel praying before his God. This is such an awesome verse. Nothing can stop us from praying except ourselves! Daniel was fully aware of the decree. He knew what the consequences may be. But He was faithful to God. I think of our prayer lives. How many of us won't pray in public because of what others might think? We have taken prayer out of school because of what others have said. The list can go on and on. I pray this morning we will be men and women of God and be found praying often! Even when others may have a problem with it. Again as we see in Daniel the only one who can stop us is ourselves!
Have a great Monday and pray!
Tom
11 Then these men assembled and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God.
Remember we had just left off last week where a decree had bee made by King Darius that nothing can be worshiped but him. His leaders asked him to do this trying to set Daniel up. It worked! As this verse says these men then found Daniel praying before his God. This is such an awesome verse. Nothing can stop us from praying except ourselves! Daniel was fully aware of the decree. He knew what the consequences may be. But He was faithful to God. I think of our prayer lives. How many of us won't pray in public because of what others might think? We have taken prayer out of school because of what others have said. The list can go on and on. I pray this morning we will be men and women of God and be found praying often! Even when others may have a problem with it. Again as we see in Daniel the only one who can stop us is ourselves!
Have a great Monday and pray!
Tom
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Is it your custom?
As we continue you on in Chapter 6 of Daniel...the leaders under King Darius have found out the only way to set Daniel up is by his faith in God. So these fellas devise a plan and take it to King Darius and this is where we pick it up:
Daniel 6:6-10
6 So these governors and satraps thronged before the king, and said thus to him: “King Darius, live forever! 7 All the governors of the kingdom, the administrators and satraps, the counselors and advisors, have consulted together to establish a royal statute and to make a firm decree, that whoever petitions any god or man for thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions. 8 Now, O king, establish the decree and sign the writing, so that it cannot be changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which does not alter.” 9 Therefore King Darius signed the written decree.10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days.
The leaders under Darius played on his pride. Who wouldn't want people to worship them? It is a fleshly desire to be in the spot light. They had the King sign a petition saying just that. For thirty days, no one could petition any god or man but the King! Once the king signed it nothing could alter the decree! Now look at verse 10. Daniel knew the decree had been signed but guess what? It did not stop him from being faithful to God. He prayed and gave thanks just as he always had! So this brings us to a question we need to answer. Will we be faithful no matter what man puts into place to try and stop us? It is easy to say yes without persecution standing outside our door. Daniel knew what the penalty might be but continued to worship God! Would we if our necks are on the line?
The close of verse 10 has always stuck out to me...."as was his custom since early days." Do you have a custom of prayer and worship to God. If not you need to start one and if you do....keep the faith for God is faithful!
Tom
Daniel 6:6-10
6 So these governors and satraps thronged before the king, and said thus to him: “King Darius, live forever! 7 All the governors of the kingdom, the administrators and satraps, the counselors and advisors, have consulted together to establish a royal statute and to make a firm decree, that whoever petitions any god or man for thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions. 8 Now, O king, establish the decree and sign the writing, so that it cannot be changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which does not alter.” 9 Therefore King Darius signed the written decree.10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days.
The leaders under Darius played on his pride. Who wouldn't want people to worship them? It is a fleshly desire to be in the spot light. They had the King sign a petition saying just that. For thirty days, no one could petition any god or man but the King! Once the king signed it nothing could alter the decree! Now look at verse 10. Daniel knew the decree had been signed but guess what? It did not stop him from being faithful to God. He prayed and gave thanks just as he always had! So this brings us to a question we need to answer. Will we be faithful no matter what man puts into place to try and stop us? It is easy to say yes without persecution standing outside our door. Daniel knew what the penalty might be but continued to worship God! Would we if our necks are on the line?
The close of verse 10 has always stuck out to me...."as was his custom since early days." Do you have a custom of prayer and worship to God. If not you need to start one and if you do....keep the faith for God is faithful!
Tom
Friday, March 18, 2011
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Be as faithful as Daniel!
Wow, theses verses are awesome:
4 So the governors and satraps sought to find some charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find no charge or fault, because he was faithful; nor was there any error or fault found in him. 5 Then these men said, “We shall not find any charge against this Daniel unless we find it against him concerning the law of his God.”
Daniel had been placed in a high leadership role under King Darius. Because He was a Jew (an outsider) the other leaders did not like him at all. They wanted to come up with a scheme to get him removed from his position. They got together for a brainstorming session to see what they could come up with. Verse 4 tells us they could find no fault or charge against him! Now think about that. Could your enemies come up with any faults against you? Don't think these guys didn't dig deep to come up with something against Daniel! But they could find nothing. Then look what happens in verse 5, they said the only way we can find anything against him is if it concerns the Word of God. Praise God! Can that be said of us? The only way a person could get something against us is because we are so faithful to the Word of God we may violate a man made law! I am praying that all of us are as faithful as Daniel in this area of our lives!
My friends let us be faithful to the truth of God's Word! Never straying so that the only way someone can find fault with us is by our faithfulness to God....what a blessing that would be!
Tom
4 So the governors and satraps sought to find some charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find no charge or fault, because he was faithful; nor was there any error or fault found in him. 5 Then these men said, “We shall not find any charge against this Daniel unless we find it against him concerning the law of his God.”
Daniel had been placed in a high leadership role under King Darius. Because He was a Jew (an outsider) the other leaders did not like him at all. They wanted to come up with a scheme to get him removed from his position. They got together for a brainstorming session to see what they could come up with. Verse 4 tells us they could find no fault or charge against him! Now think about that. Could your enemies come up with any faults against you? Don't think these guys didn't dig deep to come up with something against Daniel! But they could find nothing. Then look what happens in verse 5, they said the only way we can find anything against him is if it concerns the Word of God. Praise God! Can that be said of us? The only way a person could get something against us is because we are so faithful to the Word of God we may violate a man made law! I am praying that all of us are as faithful as Daniel in this area of our lives!
My friends let us be faithful to the truth of God's Word! Never straying so that the only way someone can find fault with us is by our faithfulness to God....what a blessing that would be!
Tom
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