Category: Christian Blog

How to Fight in A Spiritual War of Terror and Despair

And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling. Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words. Daniel 10:11-12

Our prayers are heard and God sends forth His angels to respond immediately. Sometimes  because of all the spiritual warfare around us, it may feel to us that the prayers are delayed. But we can be certain, they are being heard and answered immediately! It may take time for the preparation of everything else; but, the answer is already on the way. This was the case in Daniel 10. The messenger angel tells Daniel that he had been delayed while battling demoniac spirits which had been assigned to regions of the world. In the case described to prevent God’s message from arriving to Daniel. Prior to Jesus sending the Holy Spirit to indwell each and every person who accepts Christ as Savior, it was necessary for God to send messengers to His people. Now we have the Holy Spirit indwelling us. Yet, we are called to recognize that there remains a spiritual warfare of which we are a part every day.

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How Can I Know the Bible is Really True?

Consider how I love thy precepts: quicken me, O Lord, according to thy lovingkindness.  Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever. Psalm 119: 159-160

Throughout the book of Daniel, we have seen God miraculously protect and preserve the nation of Israel throughout the years of captivity. There was always a remnant of faithful believers such as Daniel who fervently worshiped God and prayed for the people. It had been throughout centuries that the people of Israel would waiver; often, rebellious and stiff necked toward God. With pride filled arrogance, they would seek after their own desires. There had been great leaders such as Hezekiah and Josiah who would lead the nation into revival; only, for the people to shortly thereafter, turn once more to idle worship under a new corrupt leader. Whom we choose to be a leader for our nation is also of grave importance. If we choose  corrupt leaders, we will become a corrupt nation.

Also, throughout the book of Daniel we have seen God reveal future events to His servant Daniel. Each revelation came with increasing detail concerning the events that would occur over the coming years. I am certain that this was an act of Grace by Almighty God, not to reveal more than Daniel was prepared to handle. So, it is that we have now come to Chapter 11 of Daniel. This revelation came in the third year of Cyrus, King of Persia. This would have been 537 B.C. Daniel wrote down these prophecies long before their occurrences; yet, with great detail as we can now look back at history and confirm.

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How to Know Hope When Facing Trials in the World

Also I in the first year of Darius the Mede, even I, stood to confirm and to strengthen him. And now will I shew thee the truth. Daniel 11:1-2

The messenger of God is standing before Daniel prepared to give Daniel a detailed account of events that are to come for the nation of Israel. The future includes years of tribulation and sorrow. There will be moments of severe distress for the nation before the time when God establishes His Kingdom on earth. The messenger begins with: 1. God is in control and 2. I will show you truth.

 

When heartbreak, trials, suffering, uncertainty all are before us; we need to know that very same message. We need to know that God is in Control and He will tell us truth. God has never said, “Everything is going to be easy here on earth. Follow me! I will give to you: health, wealth and success.” No, quite the contrary, He has said,

“In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. I Peter 4:12-13

Throughout my life, I have learned to hold tight to these two truths with all my heart and soul.

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Can Joy Really Win On the Battlefields of Life?

 

In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a message was revealed to Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar. The message was true, but the appointed time was long; and he understood the message, and had understanding of the vision. In those days I, Daniel, was mourning three full weeks. I ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled. Daniel 10:1-3 NKJV

 

In this life we face struggles, trials and devastating tragedies at times which tear at our hearts. When we look at all the tragedies surrounding us, we weep for those who are hurting. Devastating floods, angry mobs, corruption, terrorist attacks, poverty, cancer, and the unending list of battlefields surrounding our hearts and minds. What can we possibly do? Is joy something we should even hope for? Desire? Can we over shadow all the pain by clinging tight to joys of this world? Can we drown ourselves in success, money, things, friends, pleasures and trivialities to pretend that our heart does not ache? Or is there a different steadfast joy and hope on which we can cling to in the middle of this battlefield called life? An ember of joy that cannot and will not be destroyed. A tiny ember of joy living and abiding deep within the heart of each believer. That ember of joy, anchored tight to Jesus Christ, does not  allow our ship to crash when life’s storms crash around us.

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How to Have Joy and Hope By Understanding Truth

At the beginning of your supplications the command went out, and I have come to tell you, for you are greatly beloved; therefore, consider the matter, and understand the vision: “Seventy weeks are determined
For your people and for your holy city,
To finish the transgression,
To make an end of sins,
To make reconciliation for iniquity,
To bring in everlasting righteousness,
To seal up vision and prophecy,
And to anoint the Most Holy. Daniel 9: 23-24 NKJV

There are times when we are fervently in prayer that we long to know the answer. We want to know that our feeble cries have been heard. We want to know that God not only hears; but, acts on our behalf. How comforting to read these words, “at the beginning of your supplications the command went out.” There was no delay in God commanding his angel Gabriel to go and reveal to Daniel that his prayers had been heard. There is no delay in God hearing our cries either. What was the first words from his lips, “I have come to tell you, for you are greatly beloved”. Greatly beloved. Are those not the sweetest words to our ears when we are facing trials? To know that I am greatly beloved by God. I am His Beloved Child! Secondly, the angel said, “consider the matter and understand the vision.” Perhaps the second greatest words when in the middle of the storms of life. God comes to comfort, to guide, and to help us understand the trial. Note, Gabriel did not immediate remove Daniel from captivity nor the people; but, he did come to help Daniel see the bigger picture. The gospel story that would come. He also helped Daniel to see the final victorious end of the story.

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