In Daniel Chapter 5, Daniel has sort of retired but is called upon by King Beshazzar because a hand mysteriously popped up out of nowhere and wrote a message on a wall that no one else could interpret. Daniel's reputation of character and integrity in God is still relied upon, even when he's "kind of" retired. You are never too old to do God's work - it's never too late.
In Daniel Chapter 4, King Nebs learns a valuable lesson about pride, arrogance, repentance, and humility. He also ends up eating grass in fields with the cows for 7 years!
In Daniel Chapter 6 we find a lion's den! As well as the importance of staying consistent in our integrity and character with God in an ever changing society and culture.
Daniel Chapter 3 brings us to the fiery furnace! A well known story of King Nebs making some emotionally charged decisions. God rescues Shadrach, Meshack, and Abednego and changes King Nebs' heart for the better. I also share the Prayer of Azariah which was included in the early Greek Manuscripts but is not found in our Bibles today.
Daniel Chapter 7 mirrors Chapter 2. We see 4 beasts again representing 4 kingdoms. Kingdoms will ultimately come and go, yet we know Jesus is coming to dismantle all previous human kingdoms. Our eternal citizenship is safe with Jesus.
Daniel Chapter 2 brings us to King Neb's dream. Daniel was able to tell him what his dream was as well as the interpretation - something all the others deemed "impossible." Nothing is impossible for God.
In Chapter 1 of Daniel, Daniel and his 3 friends' remain faithful to God by keeping God first and foremost. Their names may have been changed, but their identity was secure in God. They refused to internally consume anything that was opposed to God and God blessed them even while their hometown was under threat and they were in exile in a foreign land.
The book of Susanna is not found in the Bible. It's a historical writing and shows us how Daniel started to gain a great reputation and was looked on favorably in his community. It's a story of false accusations and how God looks out for His children when we stay honorable to Him.
In John Chapters 20 & 21, Jesus is alive! He has risen and commissions everyone to go and tell the good news. He brings cleansing and purification to Peter as He also commissions Peter to go serve others and clears up a wild rumor among the disciples.
The Savior of the world is executed by and for the world. Jesus is sealed in a tomb and it seems like the end of the story. Wait for it, He's just getting started!
In John Chapter 17, we see Jesus' last recorded prayer before He died on the cross for us. In Chapter 18, we see Jesus arrested under Jewish leadership while they broke all their Jewish laws of the Court to do so.
In John Chapters 15 & 16, Jesus is warning that there will be hard times. He is also reassuring that the Paraclete - Holy Spirit - counselor would come alongside us and be with us through it all. We will not be alone. We can cling to Jesus and He will be with us. Even better, we will be filled with an unexplainable joy in our spirits and lives that nothing and no one will be able to take from us.
Here we find some foot washing, betrayal, Diety explanations, and the very foundation of God's inspired Word which is still my lifeline now - this very day today. God is the God of NOW.
In Chapters 11 & 12 of John we see the Glory of Jesus amplified. Lazarus is raised from the dead and the Chief Priest prophesies without even realizing it. Jesus is gloriously honored by Mary as well as the crowds and reminds us the time is NOW to give glory to God and not care what other people think.
Walking further along through Chapters 9 & 10 of John, we see Jesus as the Good Shepherd that He is. He heals a blind man and teaches us all about what it means to follow the Good Shepherd. We visit a Hanukkah celebration and Jesus promises us soul safety. To be safe in Jesus' hands is to be safe in God's hands because They are One.
In Chapters 7 & 8 we see Jesus = I AM - as well as actions needed on our part associated with I AM. We see Jesus teach at the Festival of Shelters / Feast of Tabernacles - one of the most important feasts of the year. More division and rejection stirs up, Jesus shows compassion and sin is forgiven and yet, by the end of Chapter 8, many of the Jewish people are ready to kill Jesus - but it's not yet time...
In John Chapter 6, Jesus begins the revelation of Himself as "I AM" as God called Himself in Exodus 3:12-14. There are more miraculous signs as well as some discord and rejection bubbling up throughout the chapter.
In John Chapter 5, we see the divinity of Jesus. We see His love for people and His graceful mercy shines throughout the chapter as well.
We Jesus' humanity in John Chapter 4, as well as His love for people, compassion, and empathy as He talks with the woman at the well and heals an official's son.
Our hike continues thorough John Chapter 2 which brings purification and changes old things into newly refined and the highest quality of purity. Chapter 3 brings regeneration due to faith in Jesus - salvation is found in Jesus who has ALL power.
God put it on my heart to start a daily trail walk through each book of the Bible with y'all. This is the very beginning of our deep dive hike together through God's Word.
Together, we can join forces in unity and honestly take down the enemy and his lies - one by one....
We are living between two perfect gardens. Thankfully God is our rescuer, redeemer, healer and forgiver to help get us through the in-between.
2 Timothy 1:6-8 says we are supposed to fan into the flames the spiritual gifts God gave you. We need to be intentional and spend intentional time with God and not let the world around us suffocate our flames.
A little ditty about billboards, flat tires, jump starts and getting real. Oh - and of course my favorite Bible boyfriend - Peter. :)
Using wisdom and discernment when choosing your closest community is vital to your soul.
God said "record a podcast" - I said "Ok God, what's a podcast?" So here we are! My first podcast is about something God has placed heavy on my heart recently and brings me to tears - as you'll hear throughout the podcast. We are called to love God and love people - that's it.
