In the last two posts, we have considered two ways that our Lord uses faith as His means to develop our character. First, He requires us to soberly acknowledge that we are not in control by placing us in situations that only He can understand and master. Next, He leads…
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3 Ways to Have Radical Faith: Part Two
In our previous post, we considered the fact that radical faith begins by trusting ourselves to our Lord regardless of our circumstances. Making the choice to believe God is critical; however, this decision is only the beginning. Radical faith requires acting on that belief even at personal cost to ourselves.
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3 Ways to Have Radical Faith: Part One
Daniel and his friends display a power that is hard to fathom. Page after page shows them mastering hopeless situations through their radical faith in the Living God. These stories are full of such hope and victory that we can be tempted to say that they are too good to…
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Cost and Conflict: Part Three
“How can the god also be the water?” The question had eked its way out of my concentration as I strove to copy the next line of When on High. I sat cross-legged, just one student among seven straight rows of seven concentrating and copying in the afternoon light. With…
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Cost and Conflict, Part Two
“What was your take on that group?” I asked as I glanced at Azariah’s tablet. “1,320—you?” he shot back. “Yes! I think I am finally getting a handle on Babylonian computation.” We stood in the spring sunlight recording groups of livestock being led into the precinct of Nebo, the god…
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Cost and Conflict: Part One
Azariah gave a heavy sigh as he sat beside me, staring at his lentils and trying to start his meal with a thankful attitude. I could relate with his predicament. Undoubtedly, our God had worked mightily on our behalf when we made our request known ten months ago. The steward…
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Faith: The Power of Choice
“Don’t look at me! The people wanted to do it, you were gone, and I didn’t know what to do! So I took their gold, threw it into the fire, and out came this calf!” said Aaron the High Priest when confronted about his choice to lead Israel into idolatry…
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The Radical: Part Two
“My Lord?” His eyes betrayed a genuine surprise at something he neither anticipated nor understood. One of the banqueters charged indignantly, “Is all this beneath you?!” The two other men squirmed uncomfortably, pricked by their conscience but unsure of what to do. “Indeed, my Lord, the bounty of the entire…
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The Radical: Part One
“You are Belteshazzar: ‘Lady, protect the life of the king.’ May the lady of our great god, Marduk, use you to guard the king and further his interests.” The official’s eyes gazed determinedly into mine, searching out a response without giving any insight into his own thoughts. The scribe’s stylus…
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Cost and Conflict, Part Two
Faith: The Power of Choice
Cost and Conflict: Part One
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Exalted or Abominable?
“You are those who justify yourself before God,” Christ told religious men, “but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God” (Lk. 16:14–15). Six centuries before Christ, Daniel was also confronted with the conflict between man’s religion and God’s reality.…
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The End of a Beginning: Part Two
What was wrong? The noonday sun shone high in the sky as I awoke. Why had we been permitted to sleep much later than in the preceding days? Should we be grateful or alarmed? Men were breaking up camp and falling into formation. Two hands had lifted me to my…
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The End of a Beginning: Part One
“NOW!” I awoke with a start. My side burned as I struggled to regain my breath and my bearings all at once. A menacing silhouette towered over me barking harsh, impatient threats against a backdrop of cruel laughter. “Lift him!” came another voice, and I was suddenly on my feet.…
