GraceWay D.C.

Last week we left Daniel standing at the magnificent blue gate of Babylon, torn from his home and cultural support.

Yet, deep inside, he knew he was still royalty, specifically chosen and exceptionally gifted. Babylon could try to change him, but his purpose was greater than any society or government.

The next scene opens with him seated in a grand banquet hall. Others around him have heaped their plates with strange new food. Their goblets were being filled and refilled with intoxicating wine, the effects of which were immediate and shameful to his honorable heritage.

This was not what God wanted, Daniel was sure of it. But what could he do? He swallowed hard and humbly approached the official in charge . . .

His head shaved, wearing strange attire, Daniel stands at the magnificent blue gate on the north entrance to the most powerful nation on earth. Torn from his family and homeland, never to return, every sight and sound was a reminder of a brand new existence.

He caught a glimpse of his reflection in the highly polished brass before him. He didn't look Jewish. And as of today, he wasn't even supposed to be Daniel anymore.

He knew he was living the prophecy of Isaiah. He knew God had allowed it all to happen. Yet, Babylon's control seemed nearly complete at times.

But there was one thing he would never give to Babylon . . .

Daniel, an exiled prince in the capital of his world, purposed in his heart to not defile himself. What a guy! Purposed. Pure. Prayerful. He even became a Prophet. We've all heard the stories. He's our hero, no doubt about it.

But how did he do it? As he walked out of Jerusalem in chains, emaciated, broken-hearted, emotionally ravished by the brutality he had witnessed, how did manage to honor the God who had allowed all of it to happen?

The answer is in the opening words of his book. I am excited to show it to you as we begin our series: BOLD IN BABYLON.

Memory fog is on the rise. Whether we blame it on divided attention, increased stress, or insufficient sleep, it seems we can't remember all that is required of us in this fast-paced lifestyle of ours.

Frustrating as it is to forget names and details, it is more alarming to watch our nation forget its heroes. It will have devastating effects on our future.

Oh, but ever so much more terrifying is when a nation forgets its God. Its fate is eternal damnation.

Today, I want to not only bring clarity to our minds, but also healing to our hearts as we choose to remember.

Two hundred and fifty years ago, the Continental Congress declared May 17, 1776, a day of fasting and prayer. The delegates were strongly convinced that without the aid of Almighty God the imminent war with Britain would end in disaster. They urged the colonies to humbly repent of their sins and seek God's assistance in their struggle for independence.

Today, May 17, 2026, Congress is gathering on the National Mall to rededicate our nation. Thousands across our land are praying and seeking healing for our land.The oft-quoted passage, "If My people which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways..." was God's answer to Solomon's prayer of dedication of the Temple. Some 400 years later, one devout man invoked this promise and poured out his heart in prayer for his people.

I know of no better example of how to pray for a nation.

Happy Mother's Day from GraceWay! In a day that celebrates vanity — the superficial, the fake, the things that are here today and gone tomorrow — Proverbs 31 calls us to honor something deeper: virtue. Today we'll look at five glimpses of the virtuous woman's hands — hands that build a home, not pluck it down.

As we welcome our college students home for summer, we wish them great success in their summer internships. With this in mind, I went searching for the word "success" in the Bible. Did you know it is only found once? One thing is very evident: if we will follow God's recipe for success, we can be absolutely confident we will never fail. Let me spell it out for you.

When Jesus said, "Lazarus, come forth!" he came out of the cave bound hand and foot. Only Jesus could give him new life, but then Jesus turned to the disciples and said, "Loose him and let him go." We finished up last week with Lazarus witnessing, fellowshipping, and suffering with the Lord. He had been set free to live in victory.

Maybe you are feeling the bondage of some grave-clothes in your life. I'm a disciple of Jesus. Would you allow me to help you get free? It begins with knowing you are meant to live in victory.

As new life springs up all around us, we are reminded of the power and faithfulness of our Creator. It seems as if God is showing off His creativity, as well as His joy in delighting us with it!

We will linger a little longer on the resurrection this week. On Easter Sunday, we heard the Message of the Stone - its witness, its weight, and its wonder. Last week, we saw the power of the resurrection to "Arise." Today, we take a step further and leave the tomb and all it represents.

Did you know celebrating the Resurrection once a year is not a biblical command?

In fact, since the resurrection of Jesus is the core belief of every born again believer, it would do us well to not only celebrate it every Sunday, but also to realize its power every day of the week.

In this power we may boldly proclaim, "We are risen! We are risen indeed!"