The prophet Daniel lived as a slave in Babylon serving as a counselor in King Nebuchadnezzar’s court. Although Daniel could have succumbed to despair or even given into the heathen cultural norms surrounding him, Daniel dared to be different. Pastor Ed admonishes us to emulate Daniel. While it is true that living a holy life can sometimes make us feel like isolated foreigners in a sinful world, God gives us the grace to overcome and endure. Jesus gives His obedient people favor just as Daniel experienced God’s favor in Babylon.

After years of warnings many prophetic siren calls, God finally punished Israel for her rebellion during the reign of Jehoiakim, king of Judah’s, rule. The Lord allowed Babylon to lay siege and capture Jerusalem. Pastor Ed teaches us in today’s message from Daniel chapter one that the Lord is very patient with us and slow to anger. He does not take pleasure in judging the people of the earth. However, there comes a day, as it did in Israel, when the Lord will send corrective judgment to a rebellious people.

As Christians, the suffering we experience in this lifetime may feel long and arduous, but it's all we'll ever face. We're being shaped for an eternity in Paradise! And through our suffering, God redeems all our pain. Pastor Ed assures us in today's message that though suffering is part of our journey here on Earth, it's only temporary. And when we suffer here, we should draw close to Jesus, and then, even our deepest pain is drawn out and redeemed for the service of His Kingdom!

In todays text Peter is trying to get us to think about the “what” question, instead of getting caught up on the “why” question when we go through trials. The why factor prohibits our ability to see God's purpose when we allow it to be the first responder. Why, rushes to the scene, sirens blaring, lights flashing, roping off the perimeter to evaluate the evidence, when all along it's what, that can help. We must remember, it's the what, that brings us peace, gives others hope and glorifies God, in the midst of the crisis.

Love... is a choice, but it's also commitment, one that's really put to the test in situations where we're faced with the the temptation to judge someone who's not very loveable. Today Pastor Ed shares practical, biblical advice, as he helps us better understand how godly love sees the best and covers over the worst. Humanly speaking, we can't do this on our own, it's exhausting and can make us weak and weary.. so we're reminded to lean on Jesus, keep our minds focused and live with the end in mind.

In studying todays text Pastor Ed teaches that in centuries past, present and future, believers have been commanded to live in anticipation of the Lord's return, with an expectancy that He'll come back at any time. We should live our lives in reverse, where what could happen tomorrow, influences what we do today. This takes intentionality on our part, but it's nothing we can do our on own. Listen in to hear tangible ways we can accomplish this personally and within the Church.

One of the reasons we go through trials as believers, is so God can perfect our character. He wants to take the rough edges off because He's preparing us for judgement before Him. God will judge us according to what our deeds deserve and He wants to help us live our lives to their fullest potential. For the unsaved, this messed up world is the best they'll ever get, but for Christians...there's a future. Learning how to live your life with a godly mindset, despite what's going on around you, guarantees a great..reward.

Today we learn that because we have a different paradigm through which we look at life, our suffering has a way of bringing hope to the lost around us when we draw closer to God through it. Jesus said, we'll suffer in this world as part of the evidence that we're following Him. Remember, when we do the right thing, in the wrong situation, we bring honor and glory to Christ. Listen in to hear more of Pastor Ed's Biblical insight on how the culmination of suffering like Christ, will always end in triumph.

When suffering comes into our lives and we don't deserve it, what should we do? Today Pastor Ed helps answer this question by saying that God will use these circumstances for our good and His glory if we allow Him to. We first must recognize the fact that we'll go through it, it's part of the journey. Scripture says, it makes us conscious of God. As you begin to think and focus on the Lord, your actions will be characterized by hope and what emanates from your life will be confidence, trust, assurance and peace.

Today Pastor Ed reminds us that Christians are to be very different in how they live out their lives. Scripture tells us to turn the other cheek, go the extra mile...sacrifice our best. These are all noble concepts, but put to the test when presented as realities. How do you react when someone back stabs you? Are you conveniently busy when a friend needs you for the whole day? Do you loan your new tools...or the ones that are unreliable? Let's learn to give our best and let God deal with the rest.