Mark 4:35-41

In this story, the disciples have plenty to be afraid of - they are traveling in a boat at night; a storm comes and water is coming into the boat to the point it is nearly swamped; and Jesus is asleep in the back of the boat. There are lots of things we are understandably afraid of. However, Jesus expects us to not despair because He will address that which causes us to fear.

Daniel 6:10-13,16-17,19-23

Faithful living often gets us in trouble in our world. It can get us fired, create tensions in friendships, and even confront us with our mortality. When we live faithfully to God we will experience persecution, whether great or small, but how does God call us to live in the face of it? We are still called to put our trust in the Lord even in the chaos of the lion’s dens of life. But, doing so will require steadfastness, patience and fortitude, even when God’s faithfulness doesn't end up looking the way we hope or expect.

Daniel 5:22-31

Knowing the story of his father humbling himself before God, King Belshazzar still chooses to pridefully set himself up against God. He chose not to honor God with his living and paid the price with death. We have to choose to die to our pride, or we will die from it. Last week we talked about the hope of restoration when we submit to God, this week we see the consequences of continuing to live in prideful rebellion against God even when you know the truth. We must quit being the rulers of our own lives and allow God to reign over us. What are we pridefully putting ahead of God’s rule over our lives?

Daniel 4:28-37

Daniel 4 revolves around King Nebechudnezzar; a character study that highlights what happens to our humanity when we embrace the sin in our lives and the restoration that is possible when we live the way God designed us to live. We live in a world that can easily bring us to act like animals, giving into our carnal desires, but we can experience restoration when we choose to submit to God’s design for living. Will we choose to live into our carnal desires or God’s design?

Daniel 3:16-27

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to betray their God by worshipping the gods set up by Nebuchadnezzar. Even under immense pressure, they refused to yield. Their faithfulness does not come with an expectation of God’s deliverance, but they will not betray their God regardless of what happens to them. That is the kind of loyalty that God values and displays.

Daniel 2:19-29

While we are in the world but not of the world, we sometimes forget how temporary life is. God is the God of history as He changes times and seasons, raises up and deposes kings, and knows what lies in the darkness. It is easy to get caught up in the latest trend the world has to offer, but everything the world offers is simply a mist: here today and gone tomorrow. We remain faithful to The Kingdom, because it is the only one that lasts.

Daniel 1:8-16

Daniel exemplifies what it looks like for us to courageously stand up for our faith and convictions in foreign land, or a land that goes against Christian values. Daniel blends conviction with wisdom and tact; he doesn’t compromise truth, but he communicates it humbly, respectfully, and creatively. Courageous standing up for our faith doesn’t need to be combative. Godly conviction should be accompanied by grace and discernment in approach.

2 Kings 20:1-11

God doesn’t always answer our prayers like we want. However, there are many times He does. In Hezekiah’s life, God comes through for him in big ways. When God comes through for us, we experience a deep sense of gratefulness, feel like we matter to God, and feel closer to God. When we don’t feel this way, it is likely we are taking God’s goodness for granted.

John 13:34-35

Exploring the teachings of Jesus on relationships that transcend cultural expectations of servanthood, forgiveness, and peacemaking.

Luke 2:13-16

Christmas is a season of anticipation, but in our excitement, we often move too fast to try and get there. We move at a fast pace trying to get all the shopping done, attend all the parties, watch as many Christmas movies as possible, and prepare the house for all the family coming over. In our anticipation we can easily miss the christmas message of the heavenly hosts - “Peace on earth to those on whom his favor rests.” Even in our anticipation, Christmas is a season where we should be slowing down to experience and live into the peace of God.