DANIEL & HOSEA

We just finished a Striving Together Conference with Dr. Paul Chappell, and Dr. R.B. Ouellette.  It was a blessing.  We had a great crowd and wonderful spirit.  The preaching and teaching were excellent.  We had a great crowd of Pastors in attendance and I believe they were helped and sent away blessed.  Thanks to our speakers and our great people who treated them so kindly.  In Daniel and Hosea, and here are some truths to share:   1) HUNGRY, BUT REFUSING FOOD- Daniel 1:1 Nebuchadnezzar went to Jerusalem and "besieged it".  This means that before the king gave up the people were starving.  Daniel was one of the boys in that starving city.  He was of the king's seed or one of the princes' children, but he was starving like everyone else.  Now, in verse 8, he is refusing to eat the king's meat.  He was starving but now he is refusing food!!  It makes it even more outstanding that Daniel took this stand for His God.   2) WHOM WE SERVE- Daniel 3:17 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, were in trouble.  They were about to be thrown into a heated up furnace.  Here is what they said:  "our God whom we serve is able to deliver us".  Notice it was not our God…; but, "our God whom we serve…"  Their confidence came as they served their God.  Perhaps we would have more faith if we served God more?  Sounds like something to me!  Notice it also worked for Daniel in 6:16 "Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee."  Darius knew that Daniel served his God, so he knew God would deliver someone who served Him so faithfully!!   3) HIS-MY-HIS- His to- My -to His Again!!  That's right, Nebuchadnezzar talked about God and "HIS" sings, and "His" wonders, and "His" kingdom, and "His" dominion (4:2) ; but then it deteriorated to "my" power and "my" majesty and he then lived like a wild animal for seven years in the wild (4:30); but then after he got right with God it came back to "His" kingdom and "His" will and "His" hand (4:34,35).  What's it all mean?  It means we had better keep giving God "His" glory and honor.  For only "HE" is worthy!!   4)WHAT GETS GOD'S ATTENTION?  Dan. 9:3 "I set my face unto the LORD God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:" Humility with prayer and fasting, get's God's attention.  These three things will get God's attention, but when you do all three, they are a powerful trio.  Try it, it works!!   5) DOOR OF HOPE- Hosea 2:5- "the valley of Achor for a door of hope".  I circled this in my Bible last time I read it through.  I didn't exactly know what it was talking about so this time, I looked it up in a commentary.  I knew that the valley of Achor was when Achan stole the wedge of gold, 200 shekels of silver and a goodly Babylonian garment; and was judged for it.  It cost him his life.  In the valley of Achor (Joshua 7:24-26) he was stoned and burned with fire, and it says:  "So the LORD turned from the fierceness of his anger."  They valley of Achor, became a "door of hope".  What it means is that when God's judgment comes and does it's work and we repent and are cleansed that now a "door of hope" stands before us.  God's judgment paves the way for God's blessings.  He will not chide forever!!  Look for that "door of hope" every time you feel you are experiencing God's judgment in your life.   Well, I have got to go for now.  Hope you have a wonderful day in the LORD.  Pastor Mike Mutchler