mrtonyfrench

But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.  Daniel 1:8

Believers can trust in God’s presence.

An abiding belief in the unwavering presence of God was inherent in Daniel’s courage and obedience. While this facet of Daniel’s faith is not mentioned implicitly in this verse, Daniel’s trust that God was with him allowed him to follow God and obey God’s law. He knew that Yahweh was with him and that made all the difference.

As New Covenant believers, we have the same promise from God. Jesus declared He would be with us until the very end (Matthew 28:20). The letter of Hebrews reminds that God “will never leave us or forsake us.” (Hebrews 13:5)  We can live by this promise just as Daniel did so long ago.

I would add one caution today.  While we know that God is with us, it will not always FEEL like God is with us. We will not always have the ability to sense His presence. But, even when don’t feel it, we know that God’s Word is true and that His promises never fail. We can press forward in obedience knowing God’s eternal presence is with us each step of the way.

Be encouraged, dear Christian. You are never alone. Christ is with us and will be forevermore. Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Tony French

Then at the end of the days which the king had specified for presenting them, the commander of the officials presented them before Nebuchadnezzar. The king talked with them, and out of them all not one was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; so they entered the king’s personal service. As for every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king consulted them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and conjurers who were in all his realm. And Daniel continued until the first year of Cyrus the king.

Daniel 1:18-21

Believers must trust God for the future.

After Daniel and his friends refused to compromise their convictions, they were ultimately rewarded. They entered into the service of the King as trusted advisors and leaders. Scripture tells us that Daniel would serve at the highest levels of government for the entirety of his adult life. God was good to them.

However, before the accolades arrived, there were many long and difficult days. They were forced to learn a new culture and they were pushed into a new society. It was not an easy transition. They had to trust the Word of God day by day. These faithful Jews held fast to the belief that God was in control of their future—even when it didn’t appear to be the case.

Most assuredly, believers today must have the same faith and trust in God. We are having to learn a whole new culture and our society is changing rapidly. Many of these changes are not for the better. Therefore, supreme trust in God’s Word will be imperative as we seek to navigate the challenges that await us as we serve the Lord and follow Him each day.

Be encouraged, dear believer. God is faithful to all of His promises. God’s Word does not change. Jesus paved the way for us. And the Spirit of God is with us each step of the way.

Trust God for the future. This trust will enable us to finish our course.  We will never be ashamed of trusting God!

Tony French

“He has risen!” (Luke 24:6)  That simple, powerful phrase changed the course of history and eternity at once. Jesus death, burial, and resurrection had been predicted throughout His ministry. And now it was fulfilled just as He had said. He was no longer dead, but alive forevermore.

The resurrection is the heart of the Christian faith. Without it, Paul tells us our “faith is vain and we are yet (still) in our sins.” (1^st Corinthians 15:17)  The resurrection, though an audacious claim, proved the veracity and truthfulness of the Messiah. It serves as verifiable evidence that everything He said was truth and that He was indeed the very Son of God.

What a difference the resurrection of Christ makes in our lives. Without it, we are lost and hopeless. Through the finished work of Christ, we are brought near to God through the wonder of reconciliation. (2^nd Corinthians 5:18-19) The resurrection gives us “the hope that our sins are paid for (Romans 4:25), death has been defeated (Hebrews 2:14), and the hope of eternal life when we repent and turn to Christ, accepting what He has done for us.”[1]

How should we as believers respond to this hope? I would imagine that there would be many responses, but praise and sharing are two that come to mind. Our worship and praise should be centered on all that Christ has accomplished for us and in us through His completed work of sacrifice and resurrection.

Given that we have received so much, how can we not share it? Those early disciples centered their witness on Christ’s death and resurrection. We should do no less today.

He has risen indeed!

Tony French

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[1] http://billygraham.org/decision-magazine/april-2011/the-resurrection-myth-or-history/

Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. Therefore because of the Jewish day of preparation, since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.

John 19:41-42

Hope is real.

Hope never fails.

It may seem that all hope is lost. But, it is not. Hope remains under the surface.

Perhaps your going through a season of hopelessness. Maybe you are in the Saturday between crucifixion and resurrection. Never fear, hope is on the way!

Tony French

As  the Easter Season draws near, don’t forget the cross. Let us not forget that Christ took upon Himself our sin and shame while he dwelt upon the cross. He didn’t deserve to be there, yet, He willingly gave His life for the redemption of our sin.

This Easter Season, look deeply at the cross. Jesus endured the shame and disgrace that was rightly ours. Let us never forget the remarkable love that Christ revealed to sinners as He died for the sins of all.

When I survey the wondrous cross, on which the Prince of glory died;

My richest gain I count but loss, and pour contempt on all my pride.

See from His head, His hands, His feet, Sorrow and love flow mingled down;

Did e’er such love and sorrow meet, or thorns compose so rich a crown?

Were the whole realm of nature mine, That were a present far too small;

Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.

Issac Watts

Tony French

But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.  Daniel 1:8

…We should trust in God’s Word.

Daniel resolved in his heart to live a holy and Godly life. Daniel made this decision in the midst of a pagan, decadent society. While he was not perfect, he was able to keep himself pure over the course of many years. 

What allowed Daniel to keep his witness while serving in the highest levels of government? While many things come to mind, I’m sure one of them was this—Daniel trusted in God’s Word.  His faith in God’s revelation kept him grounded and steady as he sought to live for Yahweh.

Daniel knew the Word of God. He knew the Law of Moses and he understood what was required of God’s people. If we are to persevere and keep our witness in tact we must spend time in the Bible as well. We have to read it and study it often to know what God expects of saved, born-again Christians.

Daniel trusted in God’s Word. He made a decision to follow its teachings even when it was difficult. He resolved to live by the Torah even though it did cost him and his friends. We ought to trust in Scripture for our daily lives. God knows what is best for us and He reveals that in His Word. We can trust Him through the difficulties, trials, and puzzling times of life. 

Finally, Daniel obeyed God’s Word. He choose the path of obedience and God blessed him. Let us resolve to obey the Word of God as well. Our obedience may not lead to the prominence that Daniel received. But, our obedience is necessary for God to work mightily in us.

Trust in God’s Word, Believer. It won’t be easy. But, obedience will always be worth the cost.  

Tony French

But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.  Daniel 1:8

Believers can trust in God’s presence.

An abiding belief in the unwavering presence of God was inherent in Daniel’s courage and obedience. While this facet of Daniel’s faith is not mentioned implicitly in this verse, Daniel’s trust that God was with him allowed him to follow God and obey God’s law. He knew that Yahweh was with him and that made all the difference.

As New Covenant believers, we have the same promise from God. Jesus declared He would be with us until the very end (Matthew 28:20). The letter of Hebrews reminds that God “will never leave us or forsake us.” (Hebrews 13:5)  We can live by this promise just as Daniel did so long ago.

I would add one caution today.  While we know that God is with us, it will not always FEEL like God is with us. We will not always have the ability to sense His presence. But, even when don’t feel it, we know that God’s Word is true and that His promises never fail. We can press forward in obedience knowing God’s eternal presence is with us each step of the way. 

Be encouraged, dear Christian. You are never alone. Christ is with us and will be forevermore. Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Tony French

¹⁷ Do not let your heart envy sinners, But be zealous for the fear of the Lord all the day;
¹⁸ For surely there is a hereafter, And your hope will not be cut off.¹⁹ Hear, my son, and be wise; And guide your heart in the way. ²⁰ Do not mix with winebibbers, Or with gluttonous eaters of meat; ²¹ For the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, And drowsiness will clothe a man with rags.

Proverbs 23:17-21

Proverbs 23:17-18 command us to zealously fear and reverence God. Believers should not live their lives envying the lost and undone. Instead, followers of Christ should behave in light of eternity and remember that we will stand before Christ’s judgement seat (2 Corinthians 5:10). Christians should use their time wisely and not waste their lives with drunkenness and gluttony. 

Verses 19-21 gives us specific warnings. God’s people are to avoid drunkenness and be sensible in our diets. Both drunkenness and gluttony lead to a poverty of spirit and monetary ruin. These sins cause people to lose their dignity and their ability to reason properly. We should flee these sins realizing the pain and destruction they cause.

Alcohol is powerful and deceptive. While the Bible does not give blanket restrictions on the consumption of alcohol, the Scriptures do give numerous warnings about getting drunk (1 Corinthians 5:11, Galatians 5:21, Ephesians 5:18). Many terrible decisions are made when someone is under the influence of strong drink. Because of the deceptive nature of wine and spirits, Christians would do well to avoid alcoholic beverages as they often lead to heartache.

Believers are commanded to act with self-control. Paul teaches us that self-control is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:23). Let us be content with what God has provided and live by the Spirit. Such a course of action is far better than drunkenness.

Tony French

Daniel said, “Let the name of God be blessed forever and ever, For wisdom and power belong to Him. “It is He who changes the times and the epochs; He removes kings and establishes kings; He gives wisdom to wise men And knowledge to men of understanding. “It is He who reveals the profound and hidden things; He knows what is in the darkness, And the light dwells with Him. “To You, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, For You have given me wisdom and power; Even now You have made known to me what we requested of You, For You have made known to us the king’s matter.” 

 Daniel 2:20-23

When God gives the answer, be thankful!

Sometime after Daniel entered the service of the King, a crisis arose. Nebuchadnezzar had experienced a dream and knew it meant something. However, after summoning all the wise men in the kingdom, no one could interpret the dream. This fact threw Nebuchadnezzar into a rage and he threatened to kill all the wisdom class in his kingdom.

Daniel heard of the Kings murderous decree. He and his friends cried out to God for mercy and understanding. God was gracious to Daniel and revealed the meaning of the dream. This dream foretold the succession of kingdoms that would arise after Nebuchadnezzar had faded off the scene. Daniel and all the wise men of Babylon had been spared.

Daniel’s prayer of praise and thanksgiving serves as a model for us. God gave the answer and he responded with thankfulness. In the same manner, when God reveals His answers to us, we should be thankful.

Perhaps you are waiting on God’s answer to a particular issue of life. Waiting is difficult but often required in God’s economy. Have patience, trust in the Lord, and listen for His answer. And when His answer arrives, don’t forget to thank Him!

Tony French

¹⁶ So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or Sabbaths, ¹⁷ which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ. ¹⁸ Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind.

Colossians 2:16-18

We come to an interesting passage in the study of Colossians this week. Paul gives instruction about how Christians are to live in light of their freedom in Christ. I pray God’s blessing and strengthening upon you as you study the Word of God.

The Apostle’s basic point is this—the Colossian Christians had been saved by grace through the sufficiency of Christ and they were not to allow others to dictate there life in the Savior. Apparently, some within this church were teaching adherence to rules and regulations related to the Jewish law. Paul, himself a Jew, implores the Colossian Believers to not let anyone steal their reward through pride in their works and religious observances.

Christians are justified by faith and faith alone. No amount of works and rule-keeping can save anyone. Therefore, people are to trust in Jesus and Jesus alone for their salvation. Works can never be enough. Jesus is always sufficient and mighty to save.

God’s people are commanded to live holy lives and to represent Christ to the nations. Under the New Covenant, Believers know that works are not the cause of their salvation. Rather, works are the result of the new birth given to every Christian. Good deeds do not save anyone, but, God’s people will pursue a sanctified life to provide evidence of their justification.

What about you? Are you trusting in your goodness and obedience to religious regulations to save you? According to the Bible, those things will never be enough and will leave you lost forever. Believe in Jesus death, burial, and resurrection. Trust in Christ to save you, forgive you, and justify you. He has the power to save you fully, completely, permanently.

Tony French