PLEASE NOTE:

THE CITY OF CHESAPEAKE WILL NOT BE OPENING ANY OF ITS BUILDINGS FOR USE ON SATURDAY AND SUNDAY DUE TO THE APPROACHING WINTER STORM. 

SERVICES FOR SGOMI WILL BE CANCELLED FOR SUNDAY, JANUARY 31, 2010.  THE BUILDING WILL BE CLOSED.  HOWEVER WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU ON TUESDAY AT THE BIBLE INSTITUTE AT 6:30 PM.

© 2010, SGOMI's Faith Food. All rights reserved. A part of Shekinah Glory Outreach Ministries International

In the previous chapter, the king, after receiving the dream and the understanding of it, he acknowledged that the God of Israel is a God of gods and a Lord of kings. The good impression he had was quickly lost. Yet now, in defiance of the express law of that God, he sets ua an image to be worshipped.

Now, does the king see himself in competition with God?

• The king had a great statue of gold made and placed in Dura, a plain in Babylon. It is not clear whether the statue was an image of Nebuchadnezzar, the leading ruler at that time or Bel, the chief idol or demon god. It was an image gigantic in size (height, sixty cubits and width six cubits – about 90 feet tall). Babylon was full of idols and this was another one to be worshipped.

• A dedication service was held and all of the officials and people summoned to attend the dedication. People came from long distances for the dedication of the image. They were given the proclamation that all people present were to fall down and worship the image when the musical instruments (horn, flute, harp, lyre, psaltery) sounded in symphony with other music. Those who did not fall down and worship were to be thrown in to a burning fiery furnace.

• Daniel’s friends, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego were present at the assembly. They defy the King’s order to worship the image. They were accused and brought before the king. Their accusers could have been certain Chaldeans, some of the magicians or astrologers or those that envied them.

Accusers appeal to the King. Reminding him of the new law he had just put in place. That all persons, without exceptions of nations or language, should fall down and worship. Telling him of the 3 Hebrews – to provoke the king and reminding him of their position these criminals held in the kingdom – it was an insufferable piece of insolence for them to disobey the command of the king – their high position would make the disobedience even more scandalous – suggesting that the act was done in contempt of him and his authority

NOTE: Be careful of envy! It can cause you to manipulate people and situations. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. (James 3:16)

When brought before the King, examined, and offered the opportunity to prove their accusers wrong and fall down and worship the image before the King, they chose not to worship.
Were they asked to command their God. Were they asked to renounce his worship?
What affect do you think this had upon the King?
How many of you have been in a place of authority and had a similar experience?
What feelings and emotions did you experience?
How did you overcome the situation?
Were they given a chance to redeem themselves?

• They responded to the King’s inquiry that there was no need to sound the music because they would not worship the image, they believed the God they serve would deliver them from the furnace and the hand of the king. Not only did they refuse to worship the image but they would not serve the King’s gods. They trusted and depended on the living God.

Were they slow to answer the King. Did they have to come together and deliberate on their decision?

• The favor once extended to them was turned into extreme anger to the point that the king ordered the furnace to be turned up until it was seven times hotter. Soldiers tied them up in their cloths and threw them into the furnace, losing their lives in the process because of the flame.

NOTE: The Chaldeans worshipped the fire as a sort of image of the sun. Their fire god could not save them from the fire.

• The furnace was probably a kiln used for melting and refining metal. One ancient furnace was found in Nippur which is about 50 miles south of Babylon. It was shaped like a railroad tunnel with a wall sealing one end. Ancient kilns could top 1800 degrees. Today a typical cremation chamber heats to 1400 – 1800 degrees.

• Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego fell down bound in the furnace but they rose up loosed and walking in the fire unhurt. The king saw a fourth man in the furnace that looked like the Son of God.

NOTE: God’s restraining of the fire brought contempt upon the King and their God.

• Nebuchadnezzar praises God. He calls the Hebrews out of the furnace and examines them. He acknowledges them as servants of the Most High God. The fire freed the Hebrews from the cords that bound them; however, they had no damage from the fire. Their hair was not singed, no discoloration in their clothing, no smell of smoke, no scorched places or blisters. The satraps, administrators, governors, and king’s counselors gathered and witnessed the condition of the Hebrews.

• Nebuchadnezzar recognizes that the God of Israel is able and ready to protect his worshippers and that no other god and deliver like this. Bel could not deliver his worshippers from being burnt at the mouth of the furnace but God could deliver his out of the furnace.

Nebuchadnezzar gives glory to God as a protector.
He gives him glory for his power.
He recognizes the stability and firmness in their commitment.

• Because of their deliverance and commitment to their god, the king made another decree. If anyone spoke anything negative about the God of Shadrach, Meshack and Abed-Nego they would to cut in pieces and their possessions burned.

NOTE: God knows how to shut the mouths and tie the tongues of our enemies.

• The king promoted the three Hebrews. (The blessing of God brings favor of man.)

Lessons Learned
1. Refuse to run and do evil with the multitude.
2. Chose suffering over sin and don’t do evil looking for good to come.
3. Don’t permit the images created by satan to intimidate and seduce you into surrendering to the spirit of the world. Do not compromise.
4. Godly living requires faith during adversity. You must stand fast, believe and trust God.
5. When you are in the will of God and walking in the purpose of God and not compromising, there is victory and promotion in the land of your captivity.

© 2010, SGOMI's Faith Food. All rights reserved. A part of Shekinah Glory Outreach Ministries International

Current Mood: Filled with Praise!!!

Praise God Everyone! Oh what wonderful time we had on yesterday at Shekinah Glory Outreach Ministry, International. God is an awesome God who is worthy to be praised.

It is my privilege and honor to present to you the Shekinah Glory Highlights for Sunday, January 24, 2010. The day after our Overseer was consecrated Bishop. The joy of the Lord pored over from Saturday into Sunday morning as the Spirit took over the service. If you were not there you missed a treat and I pray that next time you will be there to enjoy the Lord with us, and receive what God has for you. As you can tell, I am still overflowing. Minister Barbara Brown stood before the congregation with fire and victory as she sung an old song that took us back to Pentecost. It was reminding us “If You Call Jesus He Will Answer Prayer”. I was so tempted to grab the mike and ad lib “He’ll answer prayer, He’ll answer Prayer” I’m not sure if the young people know that part (smile). Minister Brown took us to another level with her message, The Power of Prayer –her scripture reference was Luke 22: 39-46. In her message she began to explain to us that there is power in prayer. Power means control or authority. In the natural it is our power source that gives us electricity and heat. In the spiritual it is our power source with God.

Prayer is a very vital thing to a Christian. We must always pray in order to make it in this world today. We must talk to God. Many Saints think that there is a certain way we have to pray; or there are certain words that you have to prepare in order to get to God. I believe you just need to be honest with him and open up your heart.

What is Prayer?
Prayer is simply talking to God, telling him all about it. Whatever you are in need of; simply ask him. Luke 22:39 says Jesus came out and went to the Mount of Olives, like he usually does (paraphrasing) This is something that he did regularly he set aside time to be in prayer regularly. This is something that we must do. We must set aside time daily to get away and shut the world out. Find quiet time to pray and seek the face of God.

The Benefits of Prayer:
Prayer gives strength- The prince of this world wants you to be pre-occupied with life’s situations and circumstances, especially the ones we cannot control. In Matthew 26 Jesus went 3 times into the Garden asking God to remove the cup from him. Jesus prayed until drops of blood came down. Jesus needed strength to go to the cross. He asked was there any other way this could be done? Do I have to go to the cross? We must learn to pray with power and submission. Pray and get the power we need. Prayer will give you strength to over come things you never thought you could.

Prayer gives direction-When Moses was at the Red sea he did not know which way to go. The Red was in front of him and Pharaoh was behind him, he was trapped. He began to pray and God told him what to do. When we are trapped in the midst of situations and we feel like there is no where to go. We can pray and get direction from God.

Prayer will bring change-When we sincerely pray to God for a change, it will come. We must pray for the Holy Ghost to come upon us and give us power from on high. We need the Holy Ghost in our lives to give us power. When we to pray for the Holy Ghost to come into our heart, it will lead and guide us unto all truth. We must learn to pray with sincerity and truth and not just a form of godliness. When we pray, things should happen.
I Timothy 3:4-6 tells us that there will be some who will have a form of Godliness but who will deny the power there of. When there is power in your prayer you will not continue to go back to the same things you use to do. Prayer will bring a change in your life.

Prayer is a sacrifice- The disciples could not stay up for one hour to pray with Jesus, they fell asleep. And like the disciples we sleep too much. The saints are always sleeping and eating. We find ourselves waking up in the middle of the night to make a snack.  If we get up in the middle of the night for a snack that could be the perfect time to go into prayer. We have to sacrifice our life to be with God. It is just that important. When we make a sacrifice of prayer power will come.

It’s time for us to get some power in our prayer. The power of Prayer will give you strength. The power of prayer will give direction. The power of prayer will bring a change into your life. When you sacrifice your time to talk to God things will happen.  If God is with you, he is more than the whole world against you.  Stand on his word, pray and you will not be moved!

© 2010, Elder Alvia Cabbler. All rights reserved. A part of Shekinah Glory Outreach Ministries International

Current Mood: Still-Standing & Humbled

This afternoon I was updating a few of the sites that I manage, and while doing so, I was listening to the songs I have on my ITunes playlist.  Just then one my favorite songs came on – a slow ballad-type song sung by Anthony Evans, a Christian-pop recording artist.  

The song has such a soft and beautiful melody; however, the words are powerful and they actually tell the story of my life, up until recent and over the last 17 months.  If you’ve never heard of the artist or the song, I urge you to go online and download some of his music.  However, whether you do or you don’t, I’ve copied below the lyrics to the song I was listening to, which is titled “The Way that You Love Me”.  I am sure that I am not the only person who can relate to the lyrics of this song.  

I pray that your strength in the Lord and that you are blessed!

“The Way That You Love Me” on Album titled, “The Bridge”

Sung by Anthony Evans

This heart breaks slowly, tell me what are You doing to me.

When I prayed do what it takes I didn’t know I’d lose everything.

Everything that meant anything to me is gone.

Something right has to come from this wrong.

It is the hurt that breaks me.

It is the pain that pulls me to my knees.

And the tears, they’ve changed me to what I couldn’t see, become so clear to me.

This is the way, the way that You love me.

My way destroyed me, I couldn’t see I was my worst enemy.

So You took away till my soul ached and I knew that it was no mistake.

That everything that meant anything to me was gone.

Something right has to come from this wrong.

It is the hurt that breaks me.

It is the pain that pulls me to my knees.

And the tears, they’ve changed me to what I couldn’t see, become so clear to me.

This is the way, the way that You love me.

You love me so much that You let me, You let me fall knowing that I would lose it all and hear Your call.

You love me so much that You chase me. When I ran away You captured me by letting me run

To the end of myself. To the end of myself.

And this is the way You love me. The way You love me.

It is the hurt that breaks me. It is the pain that pulls me to my knees.

And the tears, they’ve changed me

To what I couldn’t see, become so clear to me.

This is the way, the way that You love me. The way that You love me.

God bless!!! 

Related Articles:

Elevation Through Humiliation

This is Real Talk

The Power of Prayer

The Battle is Over

Leaving It Behind in 2009

© 2010, Ms. Lady Nai. All rights reserved. A part of Shekinah Glory Outreach Ministries International

• In the second year of Nebuchadnezzar’s reign, he had a night mare that caused insomnia. The King had forgotten the dream that left such an impression on him that it had to hold significance. He was so bothered by the dream that he commanded the magicians, astrologers, sorcerers and the Chaldeans be brought to him to tell him the dream and interpret it. The King refused to tell them the dream and threaten to kill them and destroy their property if they did not tell him and interpret it.

NOTE: All the riches, possessions and delightful things one has can not provide peace. Peace comes from God.

• The Chaldeans admitted that no man on earth could honor his request and that no authority, king, lord or ruler had ever asked magicians, astrologer or Chaldeans anything on this order. He acknowledged that it would take a god to honor this request. The King became angry and furious and commanded that all the wise men of Babylon be killed. The degree went out the wise men were being killed. Daniel and his companions were also to be killed.

• The King’s Captain of the guards, Arioch was sent to kill the wise men. It was through wisdom and the appreciate words Daniel spoke with Arioch to gain understanding of what was happening. Daniel went to the King asking for time to seek the Lord for the dream and interpretation.

NOTE: Daniel, this man of prayer, had power with God and man, was calm and spoke with the appropriate tone and attitude.

• Daniel went home and told Hananiah, Michael and Azariah so they could pray that God would show mercy concerning the secret and their lives spared.

• The dream was revealed to Daniel and he blessed and worshiped the Lord. He went to Arioch before going to the King asking him not to kill the wise but to take him before the King with the interpretation.

NOTE: We must demonstrate value in the people of God and their prayers and be specific when we pray. In times of trouble and fear we must seek God’s mercy. Pray in faith, with assurance, giving thanks knowing God will answer. We God answers, share with those who stood with you so they can celebrate with you.

The Dream – Daniel 2:29 – 45

Note: Daniel first acknowledges that the God in heaven reveals dreams that wise men, astrologers, magicians and soothsayers cannot declare. God has answered to show mercy.

• Nebuchadnezzar was a worshiper of images and it was a great image he saw in his dream. It stood before him erect as a living man. The image was considered terrible, the features of the face, the posture of the body and he different metals. He admired kingdoms and their value.

• The King’s dream was about the future (prophetic significance). (verse 28 – latter days refers to the future from Nebuchadnezzar through the remainder of human history) The image represented kingdoms that would successively rule and influence the affairs of the Jewish people.

• Dream & Symbols: Daniel 2:31-35
1. Head: fine gold (richest/wealth & most durable metal)
2. Chest & Arms: silver (next to goal in worth)
3. Belly and thighs: bronze (lesser value)
4. Legs: iron
5. Feet: iron & clay
6. Stone cut out without hands
7. Stone stroke feet and broke them in pieces
8. Iron, clay, bronze, silver, and gold crushed together and blow away in the wind without a trace left
9. The stone became a great mountain and filled the earth

• Interpretation: Daniel 36-45
1. Head: King (kingdom, power, strength, glory, ruler of people and things) – Chaldean monarchy
2. Next kingdom will be inferior (Medes and Persians – not as rich, powerful or victorious)
3. Third kingdom of bronze rule over all the earth (Grecian monarchy – inferior in wealth)
4. Fourth kingdom strong as iron but will break in pieces and crush all the others (Roman monarchy)
5. Feet & toes of iron and clay represent a divided kingdom (other kingdoms some strong others weak/fragile)
6. Stone (Jesus Christ) cut out without hands: God’s sovereign power (kingdom of Jesus Christ – God among men – no successor He reigns forever)
7. The kingdoms will not be able to stick together
8. God will establish a kingdom that will never be destroyed, left to others, it will destroy and consume all kingdoms and stand forever.

Daniel & Friends Promoted

• King Nebuchadnezzar worshipped and acknowledged the God of Daniel as the God of gods, Lord of kings and a revealer of secrets.
• Daniel’s Promotion:
1. Came with many great gifts
2. Ruler: Over province of Babylon
3. Chief Administrator: Over all the wise men of Babylon
• From Daniel’s petition to the King, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego were given the responsibility of the affairs of the province of Babylon

© 2010, SGOMI's Faith Food. All rights reserved. A part of Shekinah Glory Outreach Ministries International