mrtonyfrench

Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego replied to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to give you an answer concerning this matter. “If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. “But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”

Daniel 3:16-18

*Be willing to obey no matter the cost.

Daniel 3 contains one of the most famous stories in all of Scripture. Daniels friends refused to bow down and worship the King’s idol. After this, the three Hebrew children were cast into a furnace so hot that it cost the lives of those who executed the sentence. We know how the story turns out and we know that God saved them and they were miraculously delivered.

We need to keep something in mind as we read this account. We know the end of the story. But, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had no idea how things would end. They knew that God was able to save them. However, they also knew that obedience to God might cost them their lives. They didn’t have the hindsight we have today. Yet, they obeyed the Word of God.

They were willing to obey God’s prohibition against idolatry no matter what it cost them. We, as Christians, need to have the same resolve to follow the Holy Scriptures in our lives. When cast into the moment of decision, let us choose to obey the Lord. Charles Stanley always says “obey God and leave all the consequences to Him.” Our resolve should be that strong!

No one can promise us the same deliverance that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego received for their obedience. We know that God is more than able to rescue us. Are we willing to say “even if God doesn’t perform a miracle on my behalf, I will still obey Him?” Are we willing to obey no matter the cost?

Tony French

But these three men, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, fell into the midst of the furnace of blazing fire still tied up. Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astounded and stood up in haste; he said to his high officials, “Was it not three men we cast bound into the midst of the fire?” They replied to the king, “Certainly, O king.” He said, “Look! I see four men loosed and walking about in the midst of the fire without harm, and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods!” Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the door of the furnace of blazing fire; he responded and said, “Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, come out, you servants of the Most High God, and come here!” Then Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego came out of the midst of the fire.

Daniel 3:23-26

**We can always count on God’s Presence and Power.

As we seek to thrive in a strange land, we can always rely on God. Our lives will not be perfect. Yet, His promises are constant in the midst of life’s struggles.

Daniel’s friends were cast into the fire for refusing to commit idolatry. However, they were not alone. The fourth man was with them in presence and in power.  Most Bible scholars believe the fourth man was the Lord Jesus in His pre-incarnate form. God was indeed with them even in the worst hours of their lives.

We can count on the Lord as well. He will be with us each step of the way. The Holy Spirit lives in us and will be with us forever. We don’t know what we might face in the days ahead. We do know we will not face them alone. Jesus said He will be with us to the end. (Matthew 28:20) And we can trust Him to keep His promises.

Let us give thanks today for God’s promises. On this day He has given us, may we be joyful in God’s presence. And may we rely upon God’s power to face the future.

Tony French

⁹ For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily;¹⁰ and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.

Colossians 2:9-10

The above verses speak of the power and greatness of Christ. The “Him” in verse 9 obviously refers to Jesus. Three aspects of these 2 verses shall make up the content of the Bible Study this week. We pray that you are blessed as you study the Bible each week.

Verse 9 is a powerful declaration of the deity of Christ. He is the second person of the trinity and all of the fullness of God dwells in Him. Jesus came to this earth to reveal the Father to lost humanity and to save them by the power of the Holy Spirit. He is King of kings and Lord of lords. (Revelation 17:14) Christ is one with the Father and the Spirit. Jesus is God!

We also learn that Christians are complete in Christ. Jesus has saved us, transformed us, and justified us. Because of these things, Christ will lead us, guide us, and glorify us in Heaven one day. The Savior meets our ultimate need of forgiveness and restoration to God. Being complete in Christ does not mean that life will be perfect or that we will always get what we desire. Being in Christ does mean that we have everything we need to live for Jesus and that He will bring us safely home.

Finally, God’s people understand from verse 10 that Jesus is the head of everything. He creates, sustains, and controls this universe. (Colossians 1:10-20) And the Savior who rules in our hearts will one day visibly rule the entirety of everything. (Revelation 2:27)

This passage of Scripture is a source of great comfort and joy to the Christian. Let us rest in the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ. He is above all and every eye will see that one day. (Revelation 1:7) Child of God, you can trust in the Lord Jesus Christ!

Tony French

Nebuchadnezzar responded and said, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, who has sent His angel and delivered His servants who put their trust in Him, violating the king’s command, and yielded up their bodies so as not to serve or worship any god except their own God. “Therefore I make a decree that any people, nation or tongue that speaks anything offensive against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego shall be torn limb from limb and their houses reduced to a rubbish heap, inasmuch as there is no other god who is able to deliver in this way.” Then the king caused Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego to prosper in the province of Babylon.    Daniel 3:28-30

*God uses trials to prepare us for greater service.

After Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego were saved from the fire, God used them in a greater way. They prospered after their trials and were moved to greater places of service and usability. God used the trials to prepare them for greater service and ministry.

God does the same with us. Our trials are preparation time for greater service in the Kingdom of God. Trials are difficult and painful. Yet, they seem to be one of God’s main methods of preparing us for future service.

How do our difficulties prepare us for greater service?

**We learn to rely upon God and not ourselves. When He’s all we can rely on, we find that Jesus is sufficient. His peace and presence carry us through the trials of life.

**We learn that trials are always temporary. That truth may not shine through when we are walking through our darkest valleys. We do see that truth more clearly once the crisis is over. Then, we are more prepared to help and comfort others as they walk through their trials and tribulations.

**We grow in our faith and trust in Jesus. Each problematic circumstance we face can cause us to trust Christ all the more. We must make the choice to grow in faith. We can either become better or bitter as we go through hard times. When we choose to trust in Christ, He challenges and expands our faith. You will never go wrong when you trust Christ day by day.

Tony French

“Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, exalt and honor the King of heaven, for all His works are true and His ways just, and He is able to humble those who walk in pride.”

Daniel 4:37

**God knows the future.

The book of Daniel is a prophetic writing. As such, the writer (inspired by the Spirit of God), predicts and prophesies future events. Daniel’s message contains many prophecies.
Some were fulfilled in his lifetime and others came to pass long after Daniel faded from the scene.

Daniel could write and speak with confidence about the future. The reason? Daniel knew that God could see the future. God knew of events that were going to take place long before they ever appeared to human beings. The God that we serve knows the future. Daniel could write with absolute assurance because the message he received was from the God who knows all and sees all.

This principle ought to give us a great comfort. God sees everything we face before we see it. He knows, He cares, and He gives us strength for our time of need.

We can have assurance that God knows our future and He loves us no matter what you and I endure in our time on this planet. God sees and knows our future. And He has a plan to bring us through and to lead us safely home. What a mighty God we serve!

Tony French

The love that God has for His people is amazing. The love of our Lord is beyond any love that people can hope for or imagine. Let us examine three modifiers that describe the love of God today.

Character Love

God loves because it is in His character and person to love. John teaches Christians that God is love in 1 John 4:4. The Lord’s love is based on His unchanging, unfailing character. The Love He has is great and marvelous.

Calvary Love

The greatest expression of God’s love is found when Jesus suffers and dies upon the cross.

In Romans 5:8, Paul tells us But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.The Savior gave His life for us out of His great love for lost men and women. And no greater love can be known than the sacrificial love of Christ upon the cross. (John 15:13)

Covenant Love

Christians can trust in God’s unyielding love for a very important reason—God has promised His love through the New Covenant of faith. Believers are adopted into the family of God forever through the saving power of Jesus blood. (Galatians 4:5) Ultimately, nothing can separate the Christian from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:37-39) Our God is a covenant keeping God of love. Praise to His glorious name.

Be blessed my friends. God loves you!

Tony French

“Immediately the word concerning Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled; and he was driven away from mankind and began eating grass like cattle, and his body was drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair had grown like eagles’ feathers and his nails like birds’ claws.

Daniel 4:33

**God gives people time to repent.

God’s future judgment on Nebuchadnezzar is prophesied at the beginning of Chapter 4 in Daniel’s prophesy. He would be live as an animal for a season because of his pride and arrogance. You can read the entire chapter for further details. God reveals His planned discipline of the potentate well in advance.

Yet, God was still gracious to the King. While the judgement was announced early on, it would not take hold until a year after it was given. Verse 29 reveals this fact. God was gracious to Nebuchadnezzar and allowed him time to repent. The King refused and God’s judgment fell as promised.

This episode reveals an important principle of how God works in our lives. He gives people time and space to repent. The Lord warns us of our need to correct and then gives us time to hear the message and turn from our sins. Peter tells us The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9) God is longsuffering toward us that we would believe.

To be sure, judgement will be administered on the prideful, the arrogant, and obstinate. Those who refuse to believe shall never have everlasting life (John 3:17). But God is so loving, so kind, and so gracious. He desires that all would hear the message and receive His Son as their Savior and Lord.

God is not arbitrary or capricious. He is patient and kind.  Trust Him as your Savior today! He is giving you time to believe so don’t waste this opportunity. Turn from your sin, ask Christ to forgive you, and trust Jesus for your salvation. 

Tony French

Then Daniel was brought in before the king. The king spoke and said to Daniel, “Are you that Daniel who is one of the exiles from Judah, whom my father the king brought from Judah?

Daniel 5:13

**Believers will feel like outsiders in this world.

Daniel’s principles for Godly living are important to us today. No matter where he went or what he did Daniel could never escape Babylon. He was away from his homeland and all that was familiar. Yet, despite all of that, Daniel never lost his faith in God and he continued to serve the Lord all throughout his life. Daniel gives us a timely example of how we are to live in this day and age.

His life in some ways mirrors our own. We live in a land that is becoming more and more hostile to Biblical truth and morality. Our country feels more foreign to us each day. We are called to live holy lives in this age nonetheless. How can we live in this manner?

1. Learn the truths of Scripture. Continue in Bible study and learning each and every day. Daniel knew the truths of Yahweh. Daniel’s heart was guided and guarded because he knew God’s ways and God’s will. The same should be true of Christians in this present age.

2. Seek to obey God. Obeying God is counter to our current culture. It’s not easy and obedience is not always safe. But, following God is always worth the cost. We never regret obeying God’s Word!

3. Trust God daily.  Living as an outsider with different beliefs, thoughts, and actions can be lonely and exhausting. Quitting and giving up is a constant temptation. Choose to trust Christ each and every day. Remember the words of Proverbs 3:5-6;

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.

Tony French

How should we live as followers of Christ? Perhaps this little acrostic, which spells out live, will help. It’s not exhaustive, but this list is a marker in how we should conduct ourselves in our daily lives.

L—Listen To Jesus

While he was still speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold, a voice out of the cloud said, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!

Matthew 17:5

I—Invest In Others

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor.

Romans 12:10

V—Value Others

Bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.

Colossians 3:13-14

E—Evaluate Your Life Often

Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves,  that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test?

2 Corinthians 13:5

God bless you and thank for reading!

Tony French

¹ For I want you to know what a great conflict I have for you and those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh,² that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, ³ in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Colossians 2:1-3

The reader sees a glimpse of Paul’s pastoral heart in Colossians 2. Though it is believed that the Apostle had never visited the church of Laodicea, He we deeply concerned for their well-being and for the spiritual maturity of all the churches in this area. Paul offers three of blessing for these churches. Oh that churches in the present day would receive these benefits from the Lord.

First, Paul desired to see these churches encouraged in Christ. The word “encouraged” (V. 2) was used in military contexts in the ancient world. Military officers would strengthen their troops for battle and would “encourage” them to stay in the fight. The Apostle’s wish for these churches and for all churches is that they would persevere, remain steadfast in the faith, and continue until they see Jesus. Stay in the battle, child of God.

Also, Paul aspired to help these churches be entwined in love. He writes so this letter to implore them to have hearts that are knit together in love. The difficulties of the first century threatened to pull these churches apart into factions. Such is the case in the present day as well. Christians need one another to remain faithful and steadfast in the truth in evil that surrounds. May the bond of love and peace be firmly fixed in the church of the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Ultimately, the Apostle longed to aid these congregations as they were being established in God. He desired that they would grow in understanding and knowledge as the people of God learned more and more through the process of sanctification. Paul pointed them to Jesus, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Let us pray that Christians will learn more and more about Jesus.

We are thankful for Paul’s concern for the churches of his day. And we pray that encouragement, Christian love, and spiritual growth would be key components of our churches in the twenty-first century. The time is short and the need is great.

Tony French