Romans 3:20-24 “Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin. But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”
What are ‘fools” according to the Bible? A fool is someone who refuses to listen to wisdom or learn from discipline.
The Bible has much to say about fools. The word fool today usually means “a senseless fellow, a dullard.” The biblical definition has the added dimension of “someone who disregards God’s Word.” The Bible lists many characteristics of such a person, often contrasting him with one who is wise. Ecclesiastes 10:2 says, “The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left.” A fool is one whose wayward heart turns continually toward foolishness. “Fools speak foolishness and make evil plans” (Isaiah 32:6). Proverbs 26:11 says, “As a dog returns to its vomit, so fools repeat their folly.” Fools do not learn their lessons from the mistakes they make. They continue doing the same foolish things over and over again, to their own destruction (Proverbs 18:7).
The ultimate description of a fool is one who “says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’ They are corrupt, and their ways are vile; there is no one who does good” (Psalm 14:1; 53:1). Although fools can choose to become wise by heeding wise counsel and applying it (Proverbs 8:5; 21:11), the Bible warns against associating with fools (Proverbs 14:7). Proverbs 13:20 says, “Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.”
There is an important distinction between the biblical definition of a fool and the word Jesus used (raca) in Matthew 5:22 when He forbade calling a Christian brother a “fool.” The term raca, spoken from a heart of contempt, implied utter worthlessness. Jesus was not saying that we cannot call the choices of another foolish. But to call someone “raca” was saying that this person was beyond the reach of God and therefore condemned forever. To say, “You fool!” to a brother or sister in that day was the equivalent of saying, “Damn you!” to someone today. We do not have the power or the right to condemn anyone to hell. That position of judgment belongs only to God. A born-again Christian cannot be “damned” because he or she has been purchased by the blood of Christ (Colossians 1:14). We can and should, however, do all we can to turn the hearts of those exhibiting foolishness toward wisdom and possibly save their lives and their eternal souls (James 5:20).
God’s Word is filled with promises from our Creator to provide and deliver. The Bible is the ultimate source for truth and God is faithful to fulfill all His promises. As you read these Bible verses about the promises of God, claim them over your life! Freedom from addictions, deliverance from sin and evil, financial provision, hope for lost and hurting family and friends, overcoming depression, recovering a marriage, good health, healing, being free from fear and anxiety, strength, and many more are the blessings and gifts that God promises to provide for those who believe in Him.
Memorize the below Scriptures that promise God’s help and aid in overcoming what you are facing today. Pray over them and speak them out loud and you will begin to see God move in your life for His glory and your good! His Word is faithful and truth!
God knows every season, valley, and mountain top moments of my life, so reading, meditating, and preaching His Word and promises back to myself and praying them to Him is my hope.
Acts 13:22 says, “After removing Saul, he made David their king. He testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.‘”
David – a Man after God’s heart. Hallelujah!!!
The following words describe the heart of David as seen in his own writings:
(All verses New International Version)
Humble – Lowborn men are but a breath, the highborn are but a lie; if weighed on a balance, they are nothing; together they are only a breath. Psalm 62:9
Reverent – I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies. Psalm 18:3
Respectful – Be merciful to me, O Lord, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and my body with grief. Psalm 31:9
Trusting – The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1
Devoted – You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound. Psalm 4:7
David wanted his words and the thoughts of his heart to be acceptable to The Lord. When a worshiper brought an animal to the sanctuary to be sacrificed to The Lord, a priest would examine it to see if it was free of blemishes. If a blemish was found, neither the animal nor the worshiper was accepted by The Lord (see Leviticus 1:3–10; 22:17–25).
Taking that concept of being “blemish-free” to heart, our words should comfort or edify those who hear them. Colossians 4:6 exhorts us to use speech that is “gracious, seasoned with salt, so that [we] may know how [we] ought to answer each person.” Hebrews 10:25 summons us to encourage one another. Ephesians 4:15 directs us to speak the truth in love, and Ephesians 5:19 tells us to “[address] one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs.”
Jesus taught that the heart is the source of our words. He declared, “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:34). It is important, therefore, to fill the heart with Scripture (Psalm 119:11).
In this Psalm, David addresses The Lord as his Rock and his Redeemer. He recognized that The Lord was The Provider of his security and his salvation. By shedding His blood on the cross, Jesus is our Redeemer (1 Peter 1:18–19), and as our living Lord He keeps us safe (1 Peter 1:3–5).
HUGErealization: ALL things CAN be to The glory of God!!!
Wow! Sharing time again (doesn’t this writer have anything better to do?) Uhh, reply! “Doesn’t this reader have anything better to do?!”
So, I watched the video above. Reverse order for me. By God’s AWESOME grace, I was living blessed beyond description – financially, physically, and I thought spiritually – not!!!
Yes, there was giving my life to Christ, attending service, in high school in Nigeria, I took bible studies (I thought I was “good to go!”) Events were unfolding! My family life was a challenge! I needed to move states to enable me consistently see my children! Sharing this, I am brought to understand and know why God, did what God did!
In my ‘dream,’ I experienced greater joy and satisfaction than I have ever experienced in my life…yet, I was Allowed to see my children inconsolable after being told I had been in a motor vehicle accident. I tried to speak to them to comfort them and let then know I was blessed. But, I was in a totally different realm…. Here, I need to once again share Saul’s experience of attempting to access the other realm through a woman with a familiar spirit:
This continues today; things in the spiritual change not. There is no ‘Time’ in the spiritual. Seasons Yes!
If you were to examine your current situation or season in life right now, what would you say? Think about that for a quick moment. Would you say that you’re in a grinding season, dry season, getting married season, waiting for your godly mate season, raising small kids or teens season, empty nesting season, spiritual warfare season, tests and trials at nearly every turn season, growing closer to God season, and the list could go on and on, right? Gotcha! So let’s talk (or read) about recognizinglife seasons in this week’s post.
In a natural sense, we know that seasons change. There’s winter, spring, summer, and fall. And although I’m not about to get poetic on you, I simply want you to truly recognize that just like the natural seasons change, the same happens as it relates to seasons in our lives. Yet, the key to success in getting through any of them well, is first recognizing where you are.
The Bible tells us in Ecclesiastes 3:1, “For everything there is a season.” It also tells us in that same verse, “Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time.” Ultimately God is in control of all of the seasons, whether natural or within life. So it’s important for us to recognize that from the start.
Whichever season you’re currently in, try to understand that He’s making everything beautiful for its time.
I am waiting on The LORD, I have asked in faith and The LORD has provided, in Jesus’ Name, Amen.
A PRAYER FOR WHEN YOU ARE WAITING ON THE LORD
Are you currently in a place of waiting? Perhaps you are waiting for a job, for healing, for restoration in a relationship, or for wisdom to know where you should go next. That place of waiting is a place we are all familiar with. It’s a place we find ourselves in often over the course of our lives. Though it’s a familiar place and one we know well, we can often grow wearing in our waiting. Sometimes our hearts grow heavy with worry and doubt. Sometimes we might wonder if God has forgotten about us or given up on us.
The Psalmist knew that place of waiting as well. His cry of “How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? (13:1) is one that resonates with our own heart. The Psalmist cried out to God in prayer and so should we. If you are in a place of waiting, this prayer is for you.
Father in Heaven,
I come before You with my heart filled with so many different thoughts and feelings. I am tense and uncertain about what I should be doing and where I should go. I feel weak and helpless. Powerless. I am worried about what happens next and whether I have the strength to handle it. Deep down I wonder, how long will I be here? Will I be stuck in this place of waiting forever? And why am I here to begin with? What’s happening, Lord? But most of all, I wonder, where are You? Why haven’t You responded to my cries for help?
But even as I pray that, I know You are right where You have always said You would be. You have never left me and You will never forsake me. You are not deaf to my cries. In fact, You know the thoughts in my heart before I even think them. You know exactly what is happening, why I am here, and what is going to happen next. All things are in Your Sovereign Care and Control. Nothing happens outside Your Knowledge and will. Not even a hair falls from my head without Your willing it to happen. Nothing surprises You or takes You off guard. Including this issue right here, right now. You know why I am here waiting and You have promised to use it for Your glory and my good.
Forgive me for all my doubts, worries, and fears. Forgive me for my impatience as I wait in this place. Forgive me for questioning the story You have written for me. Forgive me for not seeking Your face and allowing the struggles before me to seem greater and stronger than Your grace and mercy for me. Cleanse my heart of all that keeps me from You. Help me to see the ways I have tried to be my own god and my own savior. Help me to see the false idols I have erected to worship and serve instead of You. Help me to see the things I am clinging to right now that I think I must have to make me happy and help me to repent and turn from them.
Grant me the joy that comes from knowing You and being known by You. Fill my heart with gospel joy. Strengthen me by Your Word. May the words of the Psalmist be true of me, “I wait for The LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I hope” (Psalm 130:5).
I believe, help me in my unbelief! Help me to remember that it is good to wait for You. As the prophet wrote in Lamentations, “It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of The Lord” (3:26). As I wait, help me to remember and dwell on the salvation You have provided for me through Christ. Help me to remember that the same grace that saved me at the cross is the same grace that sustains me today. And that same grace is at work in me even now, shaping me into the Image of Your Son. And no matter what happens, no matter my current circumstances, I am safe in the shelter of Your wings. There is nothing that can separate me from Your Love. Nothing and no one can snatch me from Your hands.
Help me to remain faithful in this place of waiting. Help me to serve You and live for You even in this crossroad of my life. Help me to wait as long as it takes.
I pray all these things because of Jesus and in His Name,
Daniel of the lions den note, and companion to Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego was led to fast and pray – for awesome reason!
Daniel 10:10-14 meaning
The angel revives Daniel and tells him he has come to give Daniel a message from God in answer to Daniel’s prayers. A demon had prevented the angel for three weeks from reaching Daniel. The angel’s message is about Israel and the future.
After fainting and falling flat on his face, Daniel is revived. He writes, behold, a hand touched him and set him on his hands and knees, though he is still trembling from fear. The visitor apparently picked him up by the collar and set him on his hands and knees. He speaks to Daniel again, attempting to comfort and revive him, O Daniel, man of high esteem, understand the words that I am about to tell you and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you. The man identifies himself as a messenger who has been sent to Daniel, telling him that Daniel is held in highesteem. The angel appears not to want to address the man of high esteem while prostrated or kneeling. Rather he wants the honored man to stand upright, and see the angel eye to eye. This makes it clearthat Daniel is being honored by the angel’s presence. To this point Daniel only feels dread. The angel is trying to coax Daniel to progress from being on all fours to stand upright on his two feet and converse on equal footing.
With these words encouraging Daniel, he stands up, though still trembling. We can imagine him standing, but wobbling. The messenger continues, Do not be afraid, Daniel. He explains that from the first day that Danielset his heart on understanding and on humbling himself before God, his words were heard. This heavenly messenger, an angel, has come in response to Daniel’swords. Evidently, Daniel had been praying to gain understanding during his scheduled three week fasting and mourning period (v. 2 & 3). At the end of chapter 8 Daniel stated:
“And I, Daniel, was overcome and lay sick for some days. Then I rose and went about the king’s business, but I was appalled by the vision and did not understand it.” (Daniel 8:27)
It is probable that Daniel was praying to gain understanding of the visions he had seen previously, that no one understood.
Just as in Chapter 9, Daniel’swords were heard by God, and God immediately sent an answer (Daniel 9:23). In that instance, God’s messenger arrived with an answer before Daniel had even finished his prayer. Yet here in Chapter 10, Daniel notes that he has been in mourning and fasting for three weeks. We can presume Daniel also prayed, since the angel said he was heard.
The angel addresses the delay of God’s response. God had sent the angel right away to speak to Daniel, as soon as Daniel set his heart on understanding by entering a three-week period of fasting and prayer. But something blocked his arrival for a time. It is a curious, rare passage that gives us a glimpse of the spiritual wars waged beyond our sight. This angel tells Daniel that the prince of the kingdom of Persia was withstanding him for twenty-one days, the duration of Daniel’smourning. Daniel’s mourning couldbe connected with his repentance and sorrow over Israel’s unfaithfulness (Daniel 9:1-19).
The messenger was prevented from reaching Daniel for these three weeks because of the resistance from the prince of Persia. It is clear that this is a spiritual force, since it contended with the angel dispatched to give Danielunderstanding. Is is also clear this spiritual entity had great power, since he is called a prince. Intriguingly, he is called the prince of Persia. As we saw in 10:1, Cyrus is the human king of Persia at this time. Yet there is a spiritual prince that also appears to have authority over Persia. Persia wasthe most powerful earthly empire at the time. We know this prince had power and that it was opposed to God’s will because it deterred the angel from reaching Daniel for the full three weeks of Daniel’s time of mourning and fasting.
It seems likely, since this spiritual power opposed God’s will and God’s messenger that it was a demon. “Demons” are former angels who rebelled against God and continue to rebel. The Bible regularly speaks of demons, angels, and Satan. We are told by the Apostle Paul that the war that believers are engaged in is not actually against other people, but against evil spiritual powers, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12). Jesus Himself identifies Satan as “the ruler of the world” for the time being (John 14:30).
Elsewhere in the Bible, Paul explains that sinful living is Satan’s agenda; our natural sinful state prior to faith in Christ is “according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience” (Ephesians 2:1-2). Satan is part of the corruption of the world, going back to the Garden of Eden. He and his fellow fallen angels work in the world against the will of God. They have, presently, the power to influence leaders and nations, and to battle with God’s angels. It seems there is a spiritual dimension that mirrors human political subdivisions, and impacts events. In Revelation 2:13, Pergamum, the capital of the Roman province of Asia, is said to contain “Satan’s throne” (Revelation 2:13). Psalm 8 and Hebrews 2 indicate that God’s design is to have humans replace Satan and have dominion over the earth, and silence Satan, who is the accuser (Revelation 12:10).
We are not told exactly how the prince of Persia delayed the messenger angel, but clearly this angel needed help before he could reach Daniel with God’s response. The angel had been left there with the kings of Persia; he alone was in some sense trapped by the chief demons who worked to influence the Persian empire, when Michael, another angel, came to help the messenger. Michael is called one of the chief princes, an angel great in power who could outmatch the demonic forces holding the messenger back.
This same Michael is mentioned in the Book of Jude, where he rebukes Satan in the name of the Lord when disputing over the body of Moses (Jude 1:9) and in the book of Revelation, where he will lead other angels in a future battle to cast Satan (called ‘the dragon’) and his demons out of Heaven for good, “And there was war in heaven, Michael and his angels waging war with the dragon. The dragon and his angels waged war” (Revelation 12:7). In verse 21, the messenger angel calls Michael your prince, which indicates Michael is the prince or captain over the Jewish people. Michael is also one of the chief princes, so it appears God appointed one of His top angel captains to guard His people.
It seems the revealed vision was of great importance to the heavenly powers – to the powers of darkness to prevent it from being revealed, and to the forces supporting the people of God that it be revealed. This underscores the value of the revelation.
Michael came to help—he freed the messenger angel who had been left there with the kings of Persia. Perhaps the messenger angel was imprisoned on order of the spiritual kings of Persia. The word translated prince is often translated “captain.” The picture seems to be that a plurality of demonic kings over Persia sent their captain to capture the angelic messenger, and he was detained for three weeks in their presence, until Michael came and secured his release. Perhaps he rebuked them in the name of the Lord, as he did to Satan in disputing over the body of Moses.
The messenger then came directly to Daniel. He explains the purpose of his message: Now I have come to give you an understanding of what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision pertains to the days yet future. This is a direct answer to Daniel’s heart, to gain understanding, which transpires, as we are told in 10:2. The understanding Daniel sought was connected to his people, the Jewish nation.
We are not told whether Daniel’s continued prayers during the twenty one days played a direct role in Michael being sent to free the messenger. But it does seem that the messenger was freed just at the time Daniel had determined for his fasting and mourning to end.
Although the message pertains to Daniel and his people, Israel, it pertains to the days yetfuture, the latter days for Israel. We will see that all the events described in Chapter 11 were future to Daniel, but are now past history to us. Chapter 12 describes events that remain future, both to Daniel then, and to us now. Daniel had understanding, and certainty of Israel’s future wellbeing. We should have even more certainty, given that so many of these events have transpired just as predicted.
The vision of Chapter 9 ended with the “anointed one” (Messiah) being “cut off” after 69 “weeks” and a prince who destroys Jerusalem, who commits “abominations” and makes “desolate.” It seems reasonable that Daniel would be in mourning for hispeople, and their apparently dismal future. As we shall see in this vision that stretches from chapter 10 to the end of the book in chapter 12, this vision will predict an ending where justice prevails, and Daniel will rise again to play a meaningful part. It is perhaps the understanding Daniel was seeking, how these catastrophic events for his people could pave the way for a fulfillment of God’s great promises of blessing to Israel. It is doubtful Daniel would have understood all the political comings and goings that will be predicted. But it seems certain Daniel gained the understanding he was seeking that God would grant mercy to Israel (Daniel 9:19).
Very briefly, king Saul, led by The Spirit of God, had put the mediums and the spiritists out of the land. Yet, in his final battle he sought a spiritist to consult and communicate with Samuel, who had passed away – this is real! It is in The Word of God!
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
For a moment, contemplate “SUPERnatural.” We, at this time are in the ‘natural.’ Yet, here in the natural, there are some who can shuttle between the realms:
Everything Starts In The Spiritual Realm, Before We See It In The Physical Realm.
John 4:24 Says, “God Is Spirit, And Those Who Worship Him Must Worship In Spirit And Truth” And In Genesis 1:1 Says, “In The Beginning God Created The Heavens And The Earth.”
From This, We Understand That The Earth Is Natural/Physical BUT God Is Spirit; We Understand That Someone Spiritual Created Something Natural. The Physical World Came From The Spirit World.
The Greater Reality Is Spiritual; When We Look At Physical Things, We Should Be Reminded How Powerful The Spiritual Realm Is. Everything Physical Has Its Origin In The Spirit; Physical Things Are Dependent Upon Spiritual Things For Their Existence!
Ephesians 1:3 Says, “Blessed Be The God And Father Of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Who Has Blessed Us With Every Spiritual Blessing In The Heavenly Places In Christ.”
Because Everything Has Its Origin In The Spirit, We Have To Deal With Every Situation In The Spirit Before Dealing With It In The Physical. That Is Why God Has Blessed Us With Everything, First In The Heavenly Realm.
Child Of God, Activate And Release Your Faith To Access All Your Spiritual Blessings In The Heavenly Realm And They Will Manifest In The Physical Realm, For Faith Is Your Anchor In The Spiritual Realm.
Hallelujah! Jesus Is Lord!
Join This Prayer; My Loving And Faithful Heavenly Father, Thank You For Blessing Me With Every Spiritual Blessing In The Heavenly Realms. I Position Myself To Manifest Spiritual Realities Into The Physical Realm, I Command All My Spiritual Blessings To Manifest In The Physical Realm, In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
