Free Will?

Today’s Bible reading* raises an interesting question: “How free is our free will?” Many people hold very strongly to the view that everyone has free will. There are even Free Will Baptists. Second Chronicles 36:22 and Ezra 1:1 are obviously parallel passages; they say the same thing about Cyrus of Persia. In the first year…

Engaging in Spiritual Warfare

Today’s Bible reading* gives us a peek into the issue of Spiritual Warfare. Daniel prayed and waited for an answer, trusting that God was hearing his prayers and would answer. He said to me, “Daniel, you are a man treasured by God. Understand the words that I’m saying to you. Stand on your feet, for…

Spectacular and Terrifying Visions Lead to Confession

In today’s Bible reading* Daniel has some spectacular visions that terrify him. Chapters Seven through Nine coincide with the stories in Daniel Chapters Five and Six. In other words, Chapters Seven through Nine are flashbacks. Daniel investigates Jeremiah’s prophecy and timetable and learns that God’s punishment on His people would last for seventy years. This…

A Tale of Three Kings: Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, and Darius.

Today’s Bible reading* includes three somewhat familiar stories for those of us who have been around church for a while. It’s a tale of three kings: Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, and Darius. In Daniel Chapter Four, King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream and asked Daniel to interpret it as he had done previously. Daniel tells the king that…

How to Respond to Demands Against Your Faith Convictions

How should you respond when someone demands something that goes against your faith convictions? What if those making those demands are your government leaders who have been established by God? We begin reading Daniel with today’s Bible reading*. As I read it, I saw a powerful application for today and will use this in today’s…