Adventurous Living - The Meadow Springs Community Church Podcast Meadow Springs Community Church Portland Oregon

Is the king on the right track now? He certainly heaps praise and honor upon God. But again, the king falls back into the ‘look at the cool stuff I’ve done in my kingdom’ mentality and through another dream, Daniel explains to him what will happen if he does not turn away from his sin. Maybe the king only learns the hard way.
 

Daniel has risen in the ranks, but things go sideways in a hurry.  King Nebuchadnezaar had become a little too enamored with himself and jumps the shark… “bow down to the statue, and serve my gods - everyone - or die in a blazing furnace.” That was definitely a ‘dark valley of death’, but unwaveringly, they declined to worship the idol. Their God, whom they knew intimately and trusted fully, would save them, whether in life or death.
 

Remember who you are… an important admonition for Daniel as he follows God in the midst of serious opposition. Daniel continues to pursue a life of faithfulness and trusts in God’s promises even though it got hard… really hard. How can we follow Daniel’s example and look forward - truly ‘wait for it’ - as we live life in a culture that is hostile to believers in Jesus?

The book of Daniel contains religious, cultural and political implications that are equally relevant now. How do God’s people remain faithful to Him while living in a culture that is hostile to their faith? Explore with us, from now through the end of July, what it means to be a Christian in the culture today as we determine “how then shall we live?” in the midst of our own cultural chaos.

Moms, how often have you said, “Oh, I’m fine. Things are fiiiiine” when asked how you are? Sometimes? Always? Where do you go when things are. not. fine? When the weight of the world is heavy, and when sin and struggle seem overwhelming, there is comfort in our closeness to Jesus.

Can you think of some things to be thankful for? It’s not November or Thanksgiving Day, but we can practice thankfulness everyday… for the redemption of our sin, for God’s dominion over all of creation and His daily provision in each of our lives. May we all shout and sing for joy because of these things!