Daniel 1:6-7 “Among these were some from Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. The chief official gave them new names: to Daniel, the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego.”

Daniel’s Hebrew name meant – God is judge, while Hananiah’s meant – the Lord is gracious.  For Azariah his name meant – the Lord is my help, and Mishael’s was – who is like God?  Their new names  incorporated Babylonian foreign gods and thus contradicted and maligned who they really were.  We all get labeled by the world…we’re fat, or old, ugly, or dumb.   But that’s not who we are inside, and any negative label doesn’t have to define us. For the Lord has given you a special name…precious child of God.  So anytime the world hits you with a cruel label…remember your name.

Jeremiah 9:8 ” Their tongue is a deadly arrow; it speaks with deceit. With his mouth each speaks cordially to his neighbor, but in his heart he sets a trap for him.”

A person who speaks out of both sides of their mouth can’t be trusted.  You may think the two of you have a good relationship, when suddenly you hear false accusations coming from your so called friend.  The deceitful tongue can shoot out lies just as well as compliments.

Luke 21:34 ” Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap.”

Dissipation…such an interesting word to be used here.  It’s disgust and self-loathing, not to mention the hang-over from too much alcohol consumption.  When our lives revolve around partying …it starts to take a toll on us physically and emotionally.  We think we’re having fun…but are we?  None us know the day we will die, and thinking that we’ll get right with God when we’re older and have sown our wild oats may never happen.

I Corinthians 1:10 ” I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.”

There is nothing sadder than a Church that is divided and then splits…it’s a no win situation for everyone.  Family and friends are forced to take sides they don’t want to…words are taken out of context…feelings get hurt.  The very first thing we must do when Church gossip and problems are getting out of hand is to recognize it as a ploy of the enemy. A divided Church is a weakened Church, is a dying Church.  We need to agree in a Spirit of unity to work through conflicts and attitudes in an open, respectful fashion.  The Church Body can become healthy again when it is united in mind and sentiment.

I Corinthians 1:5 ” For in Him you have been enriched in every way – in all your speaking and in all your knowledge.”

Take a moment to remember yourself as a brand new Christian…now look at yourself today.  From the beginning, the Lord has been pouring into you  divine revelation and understanding.  He’s been improving, refining, and endowing you in all aspects in order that you might  fight the good fight.  And today you stand, having been  built up in Christ…strong, and full of Godly wisdom.

Romans 15:1 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves.”

As we grow in our Christian faith, things that tempted us early on no longer entice us… for we have grown in wisdom and godliness.  So when you see a new Christian struggling,  remember where you were as a baby Christian, and as  I Thess. 5:14 says, “Help the weak, be patient with everyone.”  God  brought them to you to encourage not to condemn.

Galatians 4:9 ” But now that you know God – or rather are known by God…”

To know God is a journey that takes a lifetime…each day drawing nearer and receiving more.  But the true miracle is being known by Him.  For there will come a day when we all must stand before the Lord… either to be recognized and acknowledged or rejected.

Proverbs 25:24 ” Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.”

When I was growing up, husbands had their garages to escape to…now they have their fancy  “Man Caves.”  Either way,  what are they getting away from?  Has the family unit disintegrated into constant dissension and strife… with no one winning just everyone losing?

 

Psalm 46:10 ” Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

Though the Lord is too great to be fully understood, knowing Him to the very best of our ability is key in our relationship with Him.  For like any loving, intimate relationship…we should do less talking, and more listening.

II Corinthians 6:16 ” For we are the Temple of the living God. As God has said: ‘ I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.”

Life from whom all living things derive their viability and existence only comes from the Lord above.  And as the Body of Believers, we not only receive life and breath from the Father, but  we also are given the Holy Spirit to reside within us.