DANIEL & HOSEA

I started in Daniel and read through Hosea this morning.  It took forever to read Daniel.  Not because it is long, but because it is filled with so many truths and so rich.  I could have spent all day in it just reading, re reading, writing, and coming up with a dozen sermons to preach someday.  But, I had to go on so I did and finished Hosea as well.  There is too much to even mention the thoughts, but I want to share just these few: 1) CHANGED THE KING'S WORD-  In Daniel 3:28 it tells of the three Hebrew children "that they trusted in him, and have changed the king's word, and yielded their bodies."  Imagine three young men, changing the king's word!  They did it by their faith, and their willingness to die for their faith.  It is not enough to believe.... we must be willing to give up all for what we believe.  This is the power of these three men.  This is the faith that God responded to.  Faith that stands in the furnace!  This faith caused God to change the king's word by their faith and actions.  Let us be a people of faith, but realize as well that many times.... faith takes you through the furnace to purify itself. 2) HE HOLDS OUR BREATH- In Daniel 5:23, Daniel is talking to Belshazzar.  He tells him that his pride has kept him from humbling himself as his father Nebuchadnezzar learned to do.  He lifted himself up and took of the vessels of the House of God and used them to toast to the gods of silver, gold, brass, iron, wood, and stone.  But, the true God, he has not glorified.  The verse says:  ".... and the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified:"   I love this phrase... it reminds us of the reality that God is in charge of our lives, and our very breath is in His hands.  Oh dear LORD, let my life reflect your glory today and every day.  Let my heart prosper in Your hand, only let it forever be in Your hand.  Thank you for reminding me once again, that You are the ONE who is in control of my life.... Guide me O thou great Jehovah! 3) THE WAY OF A LEADER- Daniel 7:28 says:  "..... As for me Daniel, my cogitations much troubled me, and my countenance changed in me:  but I kept the matter in my heart."  Leadership is loneliness!  Oh yes, it is full of people everyday and all throughout the day, but it is a day of shouldering the burdens of others.  It is keeping your own burdens in your heart.  We cast our burdens on the LORD alone.  He alone hears our cries, our fears, our hopes, our dreams, our pleas for His help, and mercy, and strength, and guidance.  So few are cut out to be leaders, because of this very fact.  They have the talent, the resources, but not the ability to "keep the matter in" their heart.  Pray for your leaders, and dear leaders..... bare your heart open before the LORD. 4) THE PATH DOES THE PROVING- Hosea 6:3 says:  "Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD:"  If we stay on the path (if we follow), then the path will prove to us that it is the right way (then shall we know).  We don't see the proof at the beginning of the path, but only as we have journeyed down the path of obedience does it dawn on us that this is indeed the right path to follow.  We see it by faith before we begin our journey, but we see it by sight as we follow down the path of righteousness and obedience.  The path does the proving! LORD, how I've enjoyed these past two hours.  It has gone by so quickly.  The reading took longer LORD, but you spoke so much to my soul.  I love you LORD, and my desire is to be Yours.  Just that.  Just to be yours!  No great accomplishments are needed.  Not records need be set.  Now accolades by men are desired..... just You LORD.  Just to be able to say "I love you LORD", and to hear in my spirit, Your Spirit say:  "I know it my child".  That is all I desire, all I need.  Just You!  Amen. Have a most blessed day today as you walk with God on your journey of faith.   Dr. Mike Mutchler, Pastor & Friend