InPerspective

Some Final Thoughts on the Fiery Furnace, Part 1

Daniel 3
While Moses was receiving the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai, the Israelites were already engaging in idolatry with a golden calf. In stark contrast, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow down to the golden statue set up by King Nebuchadnezzar – even if it meant facing the king's wrath and a terrifying appointment with a fiery furnace.

A Festival to Remember...But If Not, Part 2B

Daniel 3
Daniel's three courageous friends faced a death sentence for refusing King Nebuchadnezzar's order to bow down to a golden image. But they boldly declared, “Be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up." When the world pressures us to compromise our faith, we must respond with courageous commitment and boldness for the Lord.

A Festival to Remember...But If Not, Part 1

Daniel 3
When Daniel's three courageous friends refused to bow down to King Nebuchadnezzar's golden image, their malicious enemies sought to accuse them of evil and disobedience before the king. But to the Lord's ears, these accusations were actually a testimony of their faithfulness and steadfast commitment to Him – even in the face of the persecution and hostility from an ungodly culture and society.

A Disturbing Dream and a Determined Daniel, Part 2B

Daniel 2:31-49
The famous psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud wrote, "The Interpretation of Dreams" – and we can only imagine what methods he would have used to interpret King Nebuchadnezzar's disturbing dream. But Daniel interpreted the king's dream by fervently seeking the Lord, and entrusting the situation and his very life to the ultimate Author of Truth, wisdom, and understanding.

A Disturbing Dream and a Determined Daniel, Part 2A

Daniel 2:31-49
When some misguided people have a vivid, disturbing dream, they visit a fortune teller, consult a horoscope, or call the psychic hotline. But these are no different from the magicians, enchanters, and diviners of ancient Babylon, and their so-called insights are rubbish. Genuine wisdom and spiritual insight can only come from the author of Truth – the Lord God Almighty.

Stir Up One Another

Hebrews 10:19-25
You can't just pour some powdered drink mix into a pitcher of water and serve it. You have to stir it up for it to be any good to anyone. Join us again as Dr. Reeder helps us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.

A Disturbing Dream and a Determined Daniel, Part 1B

Daniel 2:1-30
Martin Luther King's "I have a dream" speech inspired and uplifted many people. King Nebuchadnezzar also had a dream that caused a very different reaction. His enchanters and magicians feared for their lives when the king challenged them to reveal his dream to him. What happened when a determined Daniel came face-to-face with the King's disturbing dream?

A Disturbing Dream and a Determined Daniel, Part 1A

Daniel 2:1-30
There are about 350 biographical sketches of God's people in the Bible, but only about 67 actually finished strong in their relationship with God. Well, Daniel started strong AND finished strong, consistently impacting the godless society around him, from the time of his youth in the court of the King Nebuchadnezzar throughout his lifetime.

The Profile of a Change Agent, Part 2B

Daniel 1
A change in your diet can help you lose weight, improve your physical condition, and eliminate certain health problems. It can literally save your life. Well, Daniel insisted upon a change in his diet that actually endangered his life, by going against the king's edict. How did God blessed Daniel's courageous act of dangerous devotion to the Lord in the face of adversity?

The Profile of a Change Agent, Part 2A

Daniel 1
Tennis star Andre Agassi appeared in commercials for Canon Cameras and declared, "Image is everything." Indeed, image was everything to King Nebuchadnezzar when he wanted some choice Israelites to take back to Babylon. But for the Lord and his faithful followers like Daniel, image ISN'T everything – character counts, and a willingness to follow Him no matter what the cost.