Lessons on Living
Author: Woodrow Kroll
Source: Lessons on Living from Isaiah
Scripture Reference: Isaiah 40:8
Isaiah 40:8
The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever.
The Eternal Word
Very few things are permanent, no matter how solid they seem to be. Japanese scholar Chikaosa Tanimoto is now saying that the Sphinx, which has stood immovable on the Giza Plateau outside of Cairo, Egypt, for more than 4,500 years, is destined for destruction within the next 200 years. Because of erosion created by pollution and the forces of nature, the structure eventually will disintegrate into a heap of rubble. Other ancient monuments such as the great pyramids—Cheops, Chephren and Myceriuns—which were supposedly built to last forever, are also showing signs of crumbling. Given sufficient time, they also will return to the dust from which they came.
The same, however, cannot be said of God's Word. Even though portions such as the Book of Job and the five books of Moses (Genesis through Deuteronomy) are nearly 4,000 years old, they are as relevant today as the day they were written. Because the Bible deals with the nature of man and the love of God, it will always be applicable to man's need. Technology changes, cultures vary, fads come and go. But human nature stays the same, and the Bible always has the answer for man's deepest need.
Nor will Scripture ever lose its validity. The Bible is absolute truth, and truth doesn't change with time. Just as two plus two is four today, it was a thousand years ago and it will be a thousand years from now. The sins that offended the holiness of God when the Bible was written, such as adultery, homosexuality, lying and stealing, are just as sinful and offensive to a holy God today.
Other things may last a long time, even thousands of years, but only God's Word is forever. Every word of Scripture that you make a part of your life is an investment in eternity. Study it, memorize it, apply it—and your life will never be out of date.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Lessons on Living from Daniel: You Can Depend on It
Source: Lessons on Living from Daniel
Scripture Reference: Daniel 7:1-3 Daniel 7:1–3
"In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel had a dream and visions of his head while on his bed. Then he wrote down the dream, telling the main facts. Daniel spoke, saying, "I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the Great Sea. And four great beasts came up from the sea, each different from the other."
You Can Depend on It
The following statements are taken from official documents, newspapers and magazines widely read during their day. Listen to what the "authorities" had to say:
"Anyone traveling at the speed of thirty miles per hour would surely suffocate" (1840).
"Electric lights are unworthy of serious attention" (1878).
"No possible combination can be united into a practical machine by which men shall fly" (1901).
"This foolish idea of shooting at the moon is basically impossible" (1926).
"To harness the energy locked up in matter is impossible" (1930).
It's obvious that the accuracy of all these "prophecies" left something to be desired. They were all based on human wisdom, and every one of them turned out to be false. Yet the prophecies Daniel shared were quite different. As he foresaw the rise of these four great beasts, which represent four earthly kingdoms, he was not drawing from his own knowledge and wisdom. Instead, he was relating a vision that was given to him directly from God. While people may disagree as to which kingdoms these beasts represent, the rock-solid assurance we have is that God is still in control. After describing these frightening apparitions, Daniel proceeded to describe a scene in heaven in which "the court shall be seated, and they shall take away his [the fourth and last beast's] dominion" (v. 26). If you are frightened by the future, take confidence in this: God is still on His throne and He always will be. The courts of heaven are in session and they will rule in our favor (v. 27). That's something you can bank on.
Fear God and you don't need to fear the future.
Author: Woodrow Kroll
Source: Lessons on Living from Daniel
Scripture Reference: Daniel 7:1-3 Daniel 7:1–3
"In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel had a dream and visions of his head while on his bed. Then he wrote down the dream, telling the main facts. Daniel spoke, saying, "I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the Great Sea. And four great beasts came up from the sea, each different from the other."
*****
God bless you
Scripture Reference: Daniel 7:1-3 Daniel 7:1–3
"In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel had a dream and visions of his head while on his bed. Then he wrote down the dream, telling the main facts. Daniel spoke, saying, "I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the Great Sea. And four great beasts came up from the sea, each different from the other."
You Can Depend on It
The following statements are taken from official documents, newspapers and magazines widely read during their day. Listen to what the "authorities" had to say:
"Anyone traveling at the speed of thirty miles per hour would surely suffocate" (1840).
"Electric lights are unworthy of serious attention" (1878).
"No possible combination can be united into a practical machine by which men shall fly" (1901).
"This foolish idea of shooting at the moon is basically impossible" (1926).
"To harness the energy locked up in matter is impossible" (1930).
It's obvious that the accuracy of all these "prophecies" left something to be desired. They were all based on human wisdom, and every one of them turned out to be false. Yet the prophecies Daniel shared were quite different. As he foresaw the rise of these four great beasts, which represent four earthly kingdoms, he was not drawing from his own knowledge and wisdom. Instead, he was relating a vision that was given to him directly from God. While people may disagree as to which kingdoms these beasts represent, the rock-solid assurance we have is that God is still in control. After describing these frightening apparitions, Daniel proceeded to describe a scene in heaven in which "the court shall be seated, and they shall take away his [the fourth and last beast's] dominion" (v. 26). If you are frightened by the future, take confidence in this: God is still on His throne and He always will be. The courts of heaven are in session and they will rule in our favor (v. 27). That's something you can bank on.
Fear God and you don't need to fear the future.
Author: Woodrow Kroll
Source: Lessons on Living from Daniel
Scripture Reference: Daniel 7:1-3 Daniel 7:1–3
"In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel had a dream and visions of his head while on his bed. Then he wrote down the dream, telling the main facts. Daniel spoke, saying, "I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the Great Sea. And four great beasts came up from the sea, each different from the other."
*****
God bless you
Friday, May 7, 2010
Lessons on Living from Daniel: No Man on Earth
Daniel 2:8–10
The king answered and said, "I know for certain that you would gain time, because you see that my decision is firm: if you do not make known the dream to me, there is only one decree for you! For you have agreed to speak lying and corrupt words before me till the time has changed. Therefore tell me the dream, and I shall know that you can give me its interpretation." The Chaldeans answered the king, and said, "There is not a man on earth who can tell the king's matter; therefore no king, lord, or ruler has ever asked such things of any magician, astrologer, or Chaldean."
No Man on Earth
In the realm of fairy tales, straw is spun into gold, frogs turn into Prince Charmings, and pumpkins become royal coaches with mice for footmen. But these things are not possible in our world. Human beings in the real world have limitations.
Such limitations caused problems for the wise men of Babylon. King Nebuchadnezzar had dreamed a disturbing dream. Immediately he issued a call for his magicians, astrologers, sorcerers and Chaldeans. Not trusting these advisers to give him a true answer, however, he demanded they first tell him the dream and then interpret it. If they didn't, he said, they would be cut in pieces and their houses would be made an ash heap (2:5). Of course, their response was, "No ruler has ever asked such a thing!" This was an impossible request.
Often in our world we encounter things that are simply impossible. No man on earth can do them. Fortunately, as believers in Christ, our resources extend beyond earthly man; we have a Heavenly Father. God can do what no man can do. He said of Himself, "Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?" (Jer. 32:27).
Are you facing an impossible task today? Is there trouble in your life that is greater than any person on earth can resolve? Then look to God. He can do what others cannot. He'll do it for you.
God can do anything but fail.
Author: Woodrow Kroll
Source: Lessons on Living from Daniel
Scripture Reference: Daniel 2:8-10 Jeremiah 32:27 Daniel 2:5
The king answered and said, "I know for certain that you would gain time, because you see that my decision is firm: if you do not make known the dream to me, there is only one decree for you! For you have agreed to speak lying and corrupt words before me till the time has changed. Therefore tell me the dream, and I shall know that you can give me its interpretation." The Chaldeans answered the king, and said, "There is not a man on earth who can tell the king's matter; therefore no king, lord, or ruler has ever asked such things of any magician, astrologer, or Chaldean."
No Man on Earth
In the realm of fairy tales, straw is spun into gold, frogs turn into Prince Charmings, and pumpkins become royal coaches with mice for footmen. But these things are not possible in our world. Human beings in the real world have limitations.
Such limitations caused problems for the wise men of Babylon. King Nebuchadnezzar had dreamed a disturbing dream. Immediately he issued a call for his magicians, astrologers, sorcerers and Chaldeans. Not trusting these advisers to give him a true answer, however, he demanded they first tell him the dream and then interpret it. If they didn't, he said, they would be cut in pieces and their houses would be made an ash heap (2:5). Of course, their response was, "No ruler has ever asked such a thing!" This was an impossible request.
Often in our world we encounter things that are simply impossible. No man on earth can do them. Fortunately, as believers in Christ, our resources extend beyond earthly man; we have a Heavenly Father. God can do what no man can do. He said of Himself, "Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?" (Jer. 32:27).
Are you facing an impossible task today? Is there trouble in your life that is greater than any person on earth can resolve? Then look to God. He can do what others cannot. He'll do it for you.
God can do anything but fail.
Author: Woodrow Kroll
Source: Lessons on Living from Daniel
Scripture Reference: Daniel 2:8-10 Jeremiah 32:27 Daniel 2:5
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