Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

Daily Encouragement for the Family of God by Kenton Cheek

14 September 2024

Reading From Daniel 4-6

“King Nebuchadnezzar to all peoples, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied to you! It has seemed good to me to show the signs and wonders that the Most High God has done for me.

How great are his signs,
    how mighty his wonders!
His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
    and his dominion endures from generation to generation.”

–Daniel 4:1-3

      Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were faithful witnesses of Yahweh.  The light that they shared by living in obedience to God was so bright that the pagan king of an idolatrous empire recognized that Yahweh is the Most High God.  This is the way that God wanted it from the beginning.  He revealed Himself to the Israelites that they would share His love and message with the ancient world. 

     The Great Commandment to love God, love others, and love ourselves coupled with the Great Commission to go into all the world and make disciples form the purpose of the sons and daughters of God the Father.  From the Commandment and the Commission we discover the five purposes of worship, evangelism, discipleship, ministry and fellowship.  Keeping ourselves focused on who and what the Lord has called us to be and do will ensure that we continue to see miracles like when Nebuchadnezzar praised the One True and Living God.

“Lord, I pray that You would bring focus and balance to Your people.  Empower us to shift our energy from worthless things to what is really important which is actively doing Your will in our everyday lives.  In the Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.”

And foreigners who bind themselves to the Lord
    to minister to him,
to love the name of the Lord,
    and to be his servants,
all who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it
    and who hold fast to my covenant—
these I will bring to my holy mountain
    and give them joy in my house of prayer.
Their burnt offerings and sacrifices
    will be accepted on my altar;
for my house will be called
    a house of prayer for all nations.”
The Sovereign Lord declares—
    he who gathers the exiles of Israel:
“I will gather still others to them
    besides those already gathered.”

–Isaiah 56:6-8