This past Sunday, our lead Pastor, Ben Johnson shared a message entitled "Forgive and Live." Drawing from Matthew 18:21–35, he reminded us that forgiveness is not easy, but essential. Jesus teaches that forgiveness isn’t about keeping score, it’s about losing count. We forgive because God forgave us first, and He calls us to extend that same grace to others. Unforgiveness traps us in a prison, but true freedom is found when we let go. Pastor Ben encouraged us to begin by praying for those who have wronged us (Start Upward), examine our own hearts (Move Inward), and take steps to reconcile (Reach Outward).

✍️ Notes
Title: Forgive and Live - Ben Johnson

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. “Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold was brought to him. Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. “At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go. “But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins.  He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded. “His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.’ “But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened. “Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.“This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.” Matthew 18:21–35 NIV

⭑ Forgiveness is not easy
⭑ Forgiveness isn’t about keeping score; it’s about losing count
⭑ God forgave us first; He expects us to forgive others
⭑ Unforgiveness is a prison

Forgiving Others:
1) Start Upward – Pray for the person
2) Move Inward – Check your own heart
3) Reach Outward – Go to them

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This past Sunday, Pastor Mark Hazzard preached a message entitled “The Parables of Jesus.” Through the parables of the workers in the vineyard and the rich young ruler, we were reminded that the Kingdom of God is not built on comparison or human effort, but on the generosity and grace of its King. God’s Kingdom is ever-growing, and His invitation is open to all — whether early or late in the journey. Unlike the system of law, where we earn what we deserve, God’s system of grace gives us what we could never earn: His kindness, His presence, and eternal life.

✍️ Notes

⭑ If you could ask God one question, what would it be?

For the Kingdom of Heaven is like the landowner who went out early one morning to hire workers for his vineyard. He agreed to pay the normal daily wage and sent them out to work. "At nine o'clock in the morning he was passing through the marketplace and saw some people standing around doing nothing. So he hired them, telling them he would pay them whatever was right at the end of the day. At noon and again at three o'clock he did the same thing. "At five o'clock that afternoon he was in town again and saw some more people standing around. He asked them, 'Why haven't you been working today?' "They replied, 'Because no one hired us.' "The landowner told them, 'Then go out and join the others in my vineyard.' "That evening he told the foreman to call the workers in and pay them, beginning with the last workers first. When those hired at five o'clock were paid, each received a full day's wage. When those hired first came to get their pay, they assumed they would receive more. But they, too, were paid a day's wage. "He answered one of them, 'Friend, I haven't been unfair! Didn't you agree to work all day for the usual wage? Take your money and go. I wanted to pay this last worker the same as you. Is it against the law for me to do what I want with my money? Should you be jealous because I am kind to others?' "So those who are last now will be first then, and those who are first will be last."
Matthew 20:1–16 (NLT)

Someone came to Jesus with this question: “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” “Why ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. But to answer your question—if you want to receive eternal life, keep the commandments.” “Which ones?” the man asked. And Jesus replied: “‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. Honor your father and mother. Love your neighbor as yourself. “I’ve obeyed all these commandments,” the young man replied. “What else must I do?” Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” But when the young man heard this, he went away sad, for he had many possessions. Then Jesus said to his disciples, “I tell you the truth, it is very hard for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. I’ll say it again—it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!” The disciples were astounded. “Then who in the world can be saved?” they asked. Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.” Then Peter said to him, “We’ve given up everything to follow you. What will we get?” Jesus replied, “I assure you that when the world is made new and the Son of Man sits upon his glorious throne, you who have been my followers will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or property, for my sake, will receive a hundred times as much in return and will inherit eternal life. But many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then. Matthew 19: 16-30

1) The Kingdom has a King
2) His Kingdom is large and growing
3) Comparing yourself to others in the Kingdom is very dangerous…and can be deadly
4) He is a gracious and generous King

"The system of law is easy to figure out: you get what you deserve. The system of grace is foreign to us: God deals with us according to who He is, not according to who we are or what we've done." David Guzik

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This past Sunday, Pastor Merrie Eizenga shared a message titled "You Choose" from Luke 18:9–14, comparing the self-righteous prayer of a Pharisee with the heartfelt plea for mercy from a tax collector. Drawing from scripture and commentary, she highlighted how the Pharisee magnified his own goodness while the tax collector magnified his brokenness. We were reminded that God measures righteousness by humility and repentance, not moral performance, and that “those who humble themselves will be exalted.” The challenge was clear—choose humility, choose relationship, and choose gratitude as we walk with Christ.

✍️ Notes

“Then Jesus told this story to some who had great confidence in their own righteousness and scorned everyone else.” Luke 18:9 NLT . “He told his next story to some who were complacently pleased with themselves over their moral performance and looked down their noses at the common people.” MSG
 
“Two men went to the temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer. “I thank you God, that I’m not a sinner like everyone else, for I don’t cheat, I don’t sin, and I don’t commit adultery. I’m certainly not like that tax collector. I fast twice a week and I give you a tenth of my income. But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, “O God be merciful to me, for I am a sinner." Luke 18:10-13 NLT 

“I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Verse 14 NLT

"Pharisees genuinely try to uphold the Torah in a world where Roman power and Samaritan neighbors tempt people to compromise. Pharisees genuinely try to please God. Tax collectors, on the other hand, collaborate with Romans and steal from Jews. Jesus’ listeners must be shocked at the Great Reversal as this parable unfolds." Richard Neill Donovan   

The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer. “I thank you God, that I’m not a sinner like everyone else, for I don’t cheat, I don’t sin, and I don’t commit adultery. I’m certainly not like that tax collector. I fast twice a week and I give you a tenth of my income. Verse 11-12 NLT

But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, “O God be merciful to me, for I am a sinner. Verse 13 NLT

"The tax collector, like the Pharisee, stands by himself, but his reason is different. The Pharisee feels too good to associate with common people, but the tax collector feels too bad." Richard Donovan

“The tax collector did not boast of his own righteousness but pled with God for mercy acknowledging his sin. He used God as the standard of righteousness and confessed that he fell short. The Pharisee magnifies his goodness while the tax collector magnifies his brokenness.” Tom Constable

"First pride, then the crash - the bigger the ego, the harder the fall." Proverbs 16:18 MSG

"Arrogance and pride—distinguishing marks in the wicked, are just plain sin." Proverbs 21:4 MSG

“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble." James 4:6 NLT

“For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Luke 14:11 NLT

⭑ Choose Humble
⭑ Choose Relationship
⭑ Choose Gratitude

"The Holy Spirit will always cooperate to the full limit with anyone who comes to hate his pride and love the humility of Christ." Oswald Sanders

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This past Sunday,  Pastor Hunter Gillis continued our Parables: Stories Jesus Told series with a message titled “What It’s All About,” unpacking the story of the prodigal son from Luke 15:11–32. Pastor Hunter reminded us that this parable reveals the heart of God — a Father who runs toward the broken, welcomes the repentant, and celebrates what was once lost being found. We were challenged to remember our own lostness, reframe what faithfulness looks like, and realign our hearts to celebrate what heaven celebrates. Whether we relate more to the wandering younger son or the resentful older brother, the invitation is the same: return to the Father’s love and join the joyful mission of welcoming others home.

✍️ Notes

'Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate. “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’ “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’ “ ‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ ”' Luke 15:11-32

⭑ Remember your lostness
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” – Romans 5:8

⭑ Reframe your faithfulness
⭑ Realign your celebration

“’But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’” – Luke 15:32

Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” Matthew 9:35–38 NIV

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This past Sunday at First Assembly, we welcomed guest speaker Pastor Rob Snow, who continued our Parables: Stories Jesus Told series with a message on The Parable of the Good Samaritan from Luke 10. In response to a lawyer's question, “Who is my neighbour?”, Jesus tells the story of a man beaten and left for dead—ignored by a priest and a Levite, but rescued by a compassionate Samaritan. Pastor Rob unpacked how this parable shifts the focus from identifying who our neighbour is to how we live as one. The Samaritan is interrupted, indiscriminate, and willing to intervene—showing us that true love for God is expressed through mercy and action.

✍️ Notes

Hear the Parable of the Good Samaritan - Luke 10:25-37
"An expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he said, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the law? What do you read there?” He answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind and your neighbor as yourself.” And he said to him, “You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.” But wanting to vindicate himself, he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and took off, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, while traveling, came upon him, and when he saw him, he was moved with compassion. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, treating them with oil and wine. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, ‘Take care of him, and when I come back I will repay you whatever more you spend.’ Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”

⭑ Why does Jesus tell this parable?
• “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see! For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it” (vv. 23-24, NRSV).
• Words and actions of Jesus reveal God’s presence and reign!

⭑ A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho...
• A priest “when he saw him, he passed by on the other side” (v. 31b, NRSV)
• A Levite “when he saw him, he passed by on the other side” (v. 32, NRSV).
• A Samaritan, “when he saw him, he was moved with pity” (v. 33, NRSV).

⭑ “Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” (v. 36, NRSV).
• Jesus shifts the focus from not doing to doing.
• Religious ritual should always serve God and enable us to act like him.

The good Samaritan is interrupted.
• We don’t get to pick when a crisis hits.

The good Samaritan is indiscriminate.
• The NT is clear: God in Jesus Christ overcomes division and separation.

The good Samaritan intervenes:
God loves all, Jesus reveals it, and the good Samaritan lives it.

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This past Sunday at First Assembly, Pastor Ben Johnson continued our Parables: Stories Jesus Told series with a message titled “Worth Everything.” Teaching from the parables in Matthew 13, Pastor Ben spoke on the hidden treasure and the pearl of great value. Those who discover the kingdom respond with total surrender, giving up everything to obtain it. We were reminded that the kingdom of God is priceless, deeply personal, brings joy, and has already been paid for by Jesus, who came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10). When we truly grasp its value, the kingdom is worth everything.

✍️ Notes

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.​ “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls.46 When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it. (NIV)​ Matthew 13:44-46​

Matthew 13 Parables:​
⭑ The Sower: The word of the kingdom is shared; hearts receive it differently.​
⭑ Wheat and Weeds: Good and evil grow until God’s judgment.​
⭑ Mustard Seed & Leaven: The kingdom starts small and spreads.​
⭑ Treasure & Pearl: The kingdom is worth everything.

The Kingdom:
⭑ It's priceless.
⭑ It's personal.
⭑ It's joyful.
⭑ It's paid for.

“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”Luke 19:10 (NIV)

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This past Sunday, Pastor Ben Johnson launched our new teaching series, “Parables: Stories Jesus Told,” with a message titled “How’s Your Heart?” Teaching from Matthew 13, Pastor Ben unpacked the Parable of the Sower, where Jesus describes four types of soil that represent the condition of our hearts in receiving God’s Word. Some hearts are hardened, others are shallow or distracted, and some are ready to receive and bear fruit. We were invited to examine our own hearts and to partner with the Holy Spirit to soften and prepare the soil of our lives. Through worship, humility, and faith—even faith as small as a mustard seed—we can respond to God’s Word in a way that produces lasting transformation and spiritual fruit.

✍️ Notes

That same day, Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake.​ Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed.​ As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up.​ Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly because the soil was shallow.  But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no roots. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants.​ Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop - a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. Whoever has ears, let them hear.”​ The disciples came to him and asked, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?”​ He replied, “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them.​Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them​. This is why I speak to them in parables:​ “Though seeing, they do not see;​ though hearing, they do not hear or understand.”​ “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means:​ When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”​ Matthew 13:1-23​

1. Invite the Holy Spirit​
“I will give you a new heart...”  (Ezekiel 36:26)​
“Humbly accept the word planted in you...”  (James 1:21)​

2. Worship​
“Bow down… do not harden your hearts.” (Psalm 95:6-8)​

3. Have Faith​
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This past Sunday, Pastor Hunter Gillis concluded our Unshakeable series with a message titled “The Tension of Excellence,” drawing from Daniel 6 and Jeremiah 29. He reminded us that Daniel’s faithfulness in exile wasn’t flashy—it was marked by consistency, integrity, and excellence that distinguished him, even in a hostile culture. Pastor Hunter emphasized the tension we feel as believers called to live with conviction and character in environments that may resist our faith. He outlined a vision for living well in that tension: cultivating an incorruptible mind transformed by God’s Word, hardworking hands committed to serving as unto the Lord, and a faithful heart that remains connected to Jesus in prayer. Just as God called the exiles in Babylon to flourish and seek the good of their city, we too are invited to thrive where we’ve been placed—not by conforming, but by faithfully standing out.

✍️ Notes
It pleased Darius to appoint 120 satraps to rule throughout the kingdom, with three administrators over them, one of whom was Daniel. The satraps were made accountable to them so that the king might not suffer loss. Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and the satraps by his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom. At this, the administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent. Finally these men said, “We will never find any basis for charges against this man Daniel unless it has something to do with the law of his God.” Daniel 6:1-5 (NIV)

⭑ Fighters & Followers
⭑ Flourishers

This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: “Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” Yes, this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: “Do not let the prophets and diviners among you deceive you. Do not listen to the dreams you encourage them to have. They are prophesying lies to you in my name. I have not sent them,” declares the Lord. Jeremiah 29:4-9 (NIV)

⭑ An Incorruptible Mind

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2 (NIV)

⭑ Hardworking Hands

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters” Colossians 3:23 (NIV)

⭑ A Faithful Heart

Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. John 15:4 (NIV)

But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. Luke 5:16 (NIV)

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This past Sunday, Pastor Jeremiah Niengor shared a powerful message titled “A Lion’s Den Faith and a Window Sill Devotion.” Preaching from Daniel 6, he challenged us with the truth that while many long for bold, headline-worthy faith like Daniel’s in the lion’s den, few cultivate the quiet, consistent prayer life that made that moment possible. Daniel’s unwavering devotion—praying three times daily even when it became illegal—wasn't performance but resistance, and it prepared him for the test of faith in the den. Pastor Jeremiah reminded us that we cannot expect lion’s den outcomes if we live in Babylonian compromise. True strength comes from secret habits of devotion. Whether your rhythm has been off, you’re feeling stuck in a lion’s den season, or you’ve been bowing to culture’s pressure, this message called us to return to the window—to prayer, to faith, to trust in the God who rescues.

✍️ Notes
 
EVERYBODY WANTS THE LIONS DEN FAITH BUT FEW PRACTICE WINDOW SILL DEVOTION.
 
WE LOVE THE HIGHLIGHT REELS & THE HEADLINE FAITH MOMENTS BUT STRUGGLE WITH THE HIDDEN HABIT.
 
You can’t have lion’s den outcomes with Babylonian Compromise.
 
It pleased Darius to appoint 120 satraps to rule throughout the kingdom, with three administrators over them, one of whom was Daniel. The satraps were made accountable to them so that the king might not suffer loss. Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and the satraps by his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom. At this, the administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent. Finally these men said, “We will never find any basis for charges against this man Daniel unless it has something to do with the law of his God.” So these administrators and satraps went as a group to the king and said: “May King Darius live forever! The royal administrators, prefects, satraps, advisers and governors have all agreed that the king should issue an edict and enforce the decree that anyone who prays to any god or human being during the next thirty days, except to you, Your Majesty, shall be thrown into the lions’ den. Now, Your Majesty, issue the decree and put it in writing so that it cannot be altered—in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.” So King Darius put the decree in writing. Daniel 6:1-9
 
PRAYER IS NOT PERFORMANCE IT’S RESISTANCE.
 
Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. Then these men went as a group and found Daniel praying and asking God for help. So they went to the king and spoke to him about his royal decree: “Did you not publish a decree that during the next thirty days anyone who prays to any god or human being except to you, Your Majesty, would be thrown into the lions’ den?” The king replied, “The decree stands—according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.” Then they said, “Daniel, one of the exiles from Judah, ignores you and your decree. He still prays three times a day.” When the king heard this, he was deeply troubled and tried until sunset to save Daniel. But the men returned and reminded him, “Remember, Your Majesty, that no decree or law issued by the king can be changed.”
—Daniel 6:12–15

“Direction, not intention, determines destination.” Andy Stanley

Even If He Doesn’t… I’m Still His.

So the king gave the order, and Daniel was thrown into the lions’ den. The king said, “May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!” A stone was placed over the den and sealed by the king and his nobles. That night, the king fasted and couldn’t sleep. At dawn, he rushed to the den and called out, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God saved you?” Daniel replied, “My God sent His angel to shut the lions’ mouths. They did not harm me, for I was found innocent before Him and before you, O king.” Overjoyed, the king ordered Daniel lifted out. No injury was found on him because he had trusted in his God.
—Daniel 6:16–23

“God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him—in suffering, not just blessing.” John Piper

Ways To Respond
1. Your rhythm’s been off open the window again.
2. You’ve been in the lion’s den God is with you.
3. You’ve bent your knee to Babylon it’s time to return.

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This past Sunday, Pastor Ben Johnson continued with our series Unshakeable with a message titled “The Writing is on the Wall” from Daniel 5. We looked at the story of King Belshazzar, who dishonoured God by using sacred temple items in a prideful feast, worshipping idols instead of the living God. In the midst of his arrogance, a mysterious hand appeared and wrote a divine warning on the palace wall: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, PARSIN — meaning your days are numbered, you’ve been weighed and found wanting, and your kingdom will be divided. Pastor Ben reminded us that like Belshazzar, we are each accountable to God, who holds our lives in His hands. The message was a clear call to humility, reverence, and repentance — urging us to respond to God's voice today and not harden our hearts (Hebrews 3:15).

✍️ Notes

"King Belshazzar gave a great banquet for a thousand of his nobles and drank wine with them. While Belshazzar was drinking his wine, he gave orders to bring in the gold and silver goblets that Nebuchadnezzar his father had taken from the temple in Jerusalem, so that the king and his nobles, his wives and his concubines might drink from them. So they brought in the gold goblets that had been taken from the temple of God in Jerusalem, and the king and his nobles, his wives and his concubines drank from them. As they drank the wine, they praised the gods of gold and silver, of bronze, iron, wood and stone. Suddenly the fingers of a human hand appeared and wrote on the plaster of the wall, near the lampstand in the royal palace. The king watched the hand as it wrote. His face turned pale and he was so frightened that his legs became weak and his knees were knocking." Daniel 5:1-6

“Your Majesty, the Most High God gave your father Nebuchadnezzar sovereignty and greatness and glory and splendor... But when his heart became arrogant and hardened with pride, he was deposed from his royal throne and stripped of his glory. He was driven away from people and given the mind of an animal; he lived with the wild donkeys and ate grass like the ox; and his body was drenched with the dew of heaven, until he acknowledged that the Most High God is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and sets over them anyone he wishes.

“But you, Belshazzar, his son, have not humbled yourself…But you did not honor the God who holds in his hand your life and all your ways. Therefore he sent the hand that wrote the inscription. This is the inscription that was written: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, PARSIN.” Daniel 5:18-28

⭑ MENE — Your Days are numbered

⭑ TEKEL — Weighed and found wanting

⭑ PARSIN (PERES) — Kingdom broken & given away

“Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.” Hebrews 3:15

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/U5stCiXNyN0?si=o5XrH2AKXAlayZq4

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