Adventurous Living - The Meadow Springs Community Church Podcast

“O God, I praise your word. I put my trust in you. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me? “ v. 3-4 “For you have rescued me from death; you have kept my feet from slipping. So now I can walk in your presence, O God, in your life-giving light.” v. 13 What can man do to me? Turns out, man can do quite a lot. Even so, what a comforting set of book ends for us as we live during this time and place in history. 

It seems the key characters in the book of Daniel are having groundhog’s day experiences. Over and over, bad stuff leads to faith and surrender that leads to blessing, leading then to a king’s inflated ego and then different bad stuff happens because of pride and sin. This time, it gets a little more personal. “What have I done,” wonders the king. Well, he’s about to find out.

What transpired during the years King Nebuchadnezzar was ‘absent’ had transformed him, but what about the new king? Would this guy be a student of history or would he take the familiar road to idolatry, power seeking and personal glory? Any guesses?

Is the king on the right track now? He certainly heaps praise and honor upon God. But again, the king falls back into the ‘look at the cool stuff I’ve done in my kingdom’ mentality and through another dream, Daniel explains to him what will happen if he does not turn away from his sin. Maybe the king only learns the hard way.  

Daniel has risen in the ranks, but things go sideways in a hurry.  King Nebuchadnezaar had become a little too enamored with himself and jumps the shark… “bow down to the statue, and serve my gods - everyone - or die in a blazing furnace.” That was definitely a ‘dark valley of death’, but unwaveringly, they declined to worship the idol. Their God, whom they knew intimately and trusted fully, would save them, whether in life or death.  

Remember who you are… an important admonition for Daniel as he follows God in the midst of serious opposition. Daniel continues to pursue a life of faithfulness and trusts in God’s promises even though it got hard… really hard. How can we follow Daniel’s example and look forward - truly ‘wait for it’ - as we live life in a culture that is hostile to believers in Jesus?

The book of Daniel contains religious, cultural and political implications that are equally relevant now. How do God’s people remain faithful to Him while living in a culture that is hostile to their faith? Explore with us, from now through the end of July, what it means to be a Christian in the culture today as we determine “how then shall we live?” in the midst of our own cultural chaos.

Moms, how often have you said, “Oh, I’m fine. Things are fiiiiine” when asked how you are? Sometimes? Always? Where do you go when things are. not. fine? When the weight of the world is heavy, and when sin and struggle seem overwhelming, there is comfort in our closeness to Jesus.

Can you think of some things to be thankful for? It’s not November or Thanksgiving Day, but we can practice thankfulness everyday… for the redemption of our sin, for God’s dominion over all of creation and His daily provision in each of our lives. May we all shout and sing for joy because of these things!

To really serve someone is an invitation from Jesus to meet that person in their present & particular need. It could look like a lot of different things - be open to all kinds of opportunities. Additionally, as we build a relationship with someone, there will be a chance to share about yourself. Telling any story well is an art! Jesus has done something amazing in all of our faith stories - can tell yours in an interesting and meaningful way?

There are some really important things that will pave the way for us as believers to truly ‘bless’ someone. Pray for interactions with them; Listen to them and learn; Eat together. The significance of doing these things cannot be underestimated - they can become sacred times together that bring you closer to one another but also to the Lord.

How amazing are the deeds of the LORD!" "Who can forget the wonders he performs?" "He has shown his great power to his people... all he does is just and good and all His commandments are trustworthy."  In other words, when we know and have experienced so much blessing from God, what do we do? How do we respond? "Yes, happy are those who fear the LORD and happy are those who delight in doing what he commands." "They are confident and fearless and can face their foes triumphantly."

The Beatitudes are a list of ‘when, then’ statements. They are not ‘if, then’ statements and there is a big difference. But the hope we have in the resurrection of Jesus - our Living Hope - makes us lights that cannot be extinguished and recipients of blessings that cannot be taken away. May your light shine brightly in your own home and also before others.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you…” 1 Peter 1:3-4

The Bible narrative is often referred to as ‘the story of the bible’ or ‘the greatest story ever told’. Beginning in Genesis 1, we are indeed witness to a marvelous series of events. But as the story continues on and things go very awry, in what part of that story do we fit? What part do we play? During this Holy Week, let’s look at the storyline from creation to the cross - the what and the why of Jesus’ sacrifice.

The challenge last week was to determine a 'starting point' for the journey to become who God wants you to be. How’d it go? Having faith in Jesus does not in any way make us sinless, but rather the recipient of God’s promises, his special favor and of grace, knowledge, self-control, patience and endurance - all the things that lead us closer to Him and to a more genuine love for others. That’s a good starting point for everyone.

Psalm 51 recounts the desperate condition of David's heart after his sin with Bathsheba. "Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins."  vs. 1   David is crying out to God, confessing all his shame and regret. Because he knows God intimately, he also knows God hears him and forgives him. Do you know God like this? Trust Him like this? The world's perspective is that we are essentially 'good', but if you have looked in the mirror or sat alone with your own thoughts for even a minute, you know that to be untrue. So what is your 'starting point' for your journey to become who God wants you to be?

God had a good plan (an amazing plan, actually). He spoke into being the heavens, the sea & the sky, the land and all the animals. It was filled with beautiful and wondrous things. Of all this beauty, you and I are his pièce de résistance. Even though the world he created has changed, He hasn't. How are you pursuing and cultivating your relationship with God? Are you intentionally seeking growth in your understanding and worship of Him?

‘Dear friends’, ‘those who are worthy of high honor’ and ‘brothers and sisters in Christ.’ Paul greets these men and women in a way that is unmistakable. Their commitment to him, his ministry and to spreading the good news of Jesus is evident and he expresses his love and admiration for them. Can you relate to Paul? Are there people who faithfully walk beside you in life and in faith?

The term 'family' can evoke all sort of feelings. The good news is that the family of God can (and should) function differently. Better, even - meeting together, encouraging one another, sharing joys & burdens with one another. A true and present sense of family leads to a true feeling of belonging.