Peter's Bold Preaching

Now comes the important gospel message.

Acts 2:22 Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:

A powerful sermon begins with, listen to my words as he spoke with authority.

Jesus of Nazareth, even the devils knew that name;

Mark 1:23 And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out,
Mark 1:24 Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.
Mark 1:25 And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him.
Mark 1:26 And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him.

a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs;

Yes even his enemies knew he was from God;

Jhn 11:47 Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles.
Jhn 11:48 If we let him thus alone, all [men] will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation.

They were concerned for their own positions, seeking job security, so from envy they killed Jesus. When Jesus becomes king on earth all nations will bow to him. God worked mighty works through him.

Phil 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
Phil 2:11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:

Jesus speaks

Luk 11:20 But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.

The testimony of the healed blind man

John 9:31 Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshiper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.
John 9:32 Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind.
John 9:33 If this man were not of God, he could do nothing.

Acts 2:23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:

Peter doesn't hold back, he speaks the truth with new Holy Ghost boldness.

Even though God sent him knowing that he was to die for sins, and Jesus also knowing this was his cup given him by his father, yet he obeyed;

Mat 26:39 And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.

Still, those who murdered Jesus must bear the responsibility for their actions.

"ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain (Jesus):"

Mat 27:25 Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.
Mat 27:26 Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.

Mat 12:36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
Mat 12:37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

Peter was not out to tickle the ears of the people, or to make them laugh, he speaks the truth to them

Acts 2:24 Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.

Quoting from Psalms 16, In the term "pains of death", the word pains is actually the word for "birth pains"; in this sense, the tomb was a womb for Jesus! The grave can no more hold the Redeemer than a pregnant woman can hold the child in her body.

John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

Born of water, a natural birth from woman. Born of the Spirit, the resurrected Christ coming out of the cave tomb a new Spiritual creation.

Col 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

For as he was raised by the Spirit of life, so shall we likewise be made alive.

Rom 8:10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
Rom 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

The resurrection is the proof of our new life in Christ

1 Cor 15:17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.
1 Cor 15:18 Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.
1 Cor 15:19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.
1 Cor 15:20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.
1 Cor 15:21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
1 Cor 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

Peter continues to speak of the resurrection. Killing Jesus was not a victory for Satan, but his defeat!

Through believing in Jesus, His blood removes our sins and we shall be with Jesus forever.

Breath of God

 Jesus had risen from the cave tomb having shed his blood for the sins of the world. Whosoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life (John 3:16)  He appears in a closed room where his disciples were gathered in fear.

John 20:21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath 

sent me, even so send I you.

John 20:22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, 

Receive ye the Holy Ghost:

John 20:23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose 

soever sins ye retain, they are retained.

This is what Jesus had meant by being born again of God’s Spirit.

Joh 3:3  Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a 

man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

We remember that at creation God breathed life into his creations giving life.

Gen 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed 

into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

When Adam and Eve sinned, their spirit was dead, no longer in fellowship with 

God, their creator. God our heavenly father sent his son, who had no sins to die in 

our place and to rise from death restored back into eternal life.

Jesus had earlier sent forth seventy witnesses two by two, with his authority. 

10:17 And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are 

subject unto us through thy name.

Luk 10:18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.

Luk 10:19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and 

over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

Luk 10:20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; 

but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

What did they say to the Jewish people? They had the prophets who told of future 

events. Jesus was the promised Messiah, the Son of God.

Isa 42:5 Thus saith God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched 

them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that 

giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein:

Isa 42:6 I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and 

will hold thine hand, 

and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the 

people, for a light of the Gentiles;

Isa 42:7 To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and 

them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.

Isa 42:8 I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, 

neither my praise to graven images.

Isa 42:9 Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: 

before they spring forth I tell you of them.

Job 33:4 The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath 

given me life.

Psa 33:6 By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of 

them by the breath of his mouth.

Psa 150:6 Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.

1Co 15:45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last 

Adam was made a quickening spirit.

1Co 15:46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; 

and afterward that which is spiritual.

1Co 15:47 The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from 

heaven.

1Co 15:48 As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the 

heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.

1Co 15:49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the 

image of the heavenly.

Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God 

unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Rom 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it 

is written, The just shall live by faith.

2Co 5:17  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are 

passed away; behold, all things are become new. 

2Co 5:18  And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus 

Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 

2Co 5:19  To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not 

imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of 

reconciliation. 

2Co 5:20  Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech 

you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. 

2Co 5:21  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might 

be made the righteousness of God in him. 

At Pentecost the Holy Spirit was poured out to the believers in Jesus.  This was

the beginning of the Church age.

Act 2:1  And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one 

accord in one place. 

Act 2:2  And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty 

wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 

Act 2:3  And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat 

upon each of them. 

Act 2:4  And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other 

tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. 

HANDRAILS AND SAFETY NETS

 I climbed the two steps from the garage to enter the house and  neglected to grab the handrail, then suddenly I was falling backwards. A slow motion fall, a helpless feeling as my hips and back hit hard objects on the ground. I called for my daughter and she called a neighbor to help get me up. I have a lot of pain with purple black bruising from side to side, and it was my doing or undoing. I had neglected to grab the handrail.

Some  people depend on the government as a handrail to be responsible for them.  There are laws that act as safety nets, but we also need to be personally responsible for our safety and needs. In the news, our government is at war with the drug cartels.  Our military are gathered on the ocean  near Venezuela.  Boats with drugs are shot down and exploded.  Tons of drugs are found hidden in warehouses and in underground tunnels.  Hundreds of millions of  dollars are stacked in bundles.  There are many of these drug places in our land yet to be uncovered.  Why so many?  Because too many of our citizens are using drugs. Why are they not being responsible? A drug addict will steal to get money to buy their drugs. Actual demons come into them to destroy their family relationships and their ability to be faithful at work. By making drugs an idol they disobey the laws of man and God. By turning away from God they invite in evil powers.  God is our help.  We cannot fight the darkness in our own abilities, we need the grace of God. 

Eph 6:12  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Only God can overcome the spiritual darkness.  He sent his son Jesus, to be our way to overcome sin and death.  The laws are good, but we cannot keep them. They accuse us and the end is our death.  Choose Jesus who was without sin and was sent to be our savior from our sins and evil.  He is our way to forgiveness and restoration, both now and in life eternal with God. 

The government uses tax dollars to help people. These are referred to as handrails and safety nets. We hear in the news that billions of dollars used to support the needy were stolen. The devil is a thief. He comes to kill, steal and destroy. Jesus is come to give us life, more abundant life. (John 10:10)  

If you are a drug user, or if you know some who are users, I pray to God for your recovery. Almighty God, you created us to be in fellowship with you.  You are holy, so much greater than your creation. You spoke the universe into existence. You are a life giver and a loving God. LORD God through your son Jesus, touch hearts and bring people out of the darkness. You are the eternal light, giving mercy and justice. Help us to trust you, in Jesus name, Amen.

Inspiration

 Sixty five years ago I was twenty years old and was fighting cancer. God opened my eyes and I was aware of him personally.  I was witnessing to everyone in the hospital that God is real and  that he was here for them.  Later on, I was to be baptized as an outward witness  of my Christian faith, My entire family; father, mother and two brothers were baptized along with me. An elderly woman in the church said that she had never seen an entire family baptized together. It was a time of inspiration and hope for our entire family.

The dictionary defines inspiration as the process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something, especially to do something creative. I believe that to do something new and worthwhile that you need the help of God, the creator.

A Biblical definition of inspiration is  "God breathed".  

Gen 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

God makes living creatures and he gave a soul to human-beings. The Bible say that we were created in the image of God, with a soul and spirit.

The Bible is inspired by God and is truth.

2Ti 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

2Ti 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

God is the author of his word and he spoke his word into men who were given inspiration to write the Bible.

2Pe 1:20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture comes from one's own interpretation.

2Pe 1:21 For no such prophecy was ever brought forth by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

It is a great comfort to me to trust in the truth of God, the Holy Bible. Jesus spoke to us to learn of him and  that the truth shall set you free.

John 8:31 So He said to the Jews who had believed Him, "If you continue in My word, you are truly My disciples.

John 8:32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

Heb 4:12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Heb 4:13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight; everything is uncovered and exposed before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

 I pray for you that you will come to God through Jesus Christ. Through him he will give you inspiration and direction to chose what is good and right. He loves you and he will receive you and give to you more love than you have ever known. He wants you to come to him. Lord God I ask that you give me opportunities to serve you by bringing others to you. Amen

Integrity

Zec 13:9  And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God. 


Pro 20:7  The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him. 

Integrity; tom, completeness, simplicity, fulness, innocence

Integrity should be found in the true people of God, but it is found less and less in the world. Leaders without integrity, lying to deceive and to gain more power; business people lying to you, their word meaning nothing. They think the end justifies the means. Rebellious teachers, covenant breakers, schools teaching junk. 

In Christian America a handshake was usually all that was needed, because people kept their word. Having God in our country and in our lives kept us honest. I do not like what I see now, even some ministries are moving away from sound doctrine, manipulating people. For what purpose? Is there no fear of God? Hell is enlarging itself. Hell is a place for liars; integrity is truth.

3Jn 1:3  For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth. 
3Jn 1:4  I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. 

Eaglewings Ministries

If birds could think

That was some rain we had. All that rain made me hungry; I wonder if that person has

any bread for us? (no)

Joh 6:33  For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world. 

Joh 6:34  Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread. 

Joh 6:35  And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. 

Randy the goose sits at the edge of the pond, pondering the meaning of life. Sometimes it is just better to live life then to think too much, especially for a goose. Life is a gift.

Rom 6:23  For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

As Randy looks into the pond the bare trees are reflected; the ripples give the image a look of anxiety. Well it is no time for a pity party. This day is so beautiful, with a warm sun, no kids or dogs to chase me, I praise the creator for life and so many blessings. He has kept me going and life is worth the living knowing he is there.

Php 4:6  Be anxious for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 

Php 4:7  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 

I returned home and looked out the kitchen window through the blinds to see two ring necked Turtle Doves swooping down into the bird feeder. They are so graceful, a symbol of the Holy Spirit. There is one Holy Spirit, but he is God and can be everywhere at once. The presence of God brings peace. The Spirit needs to be fed too. We need to feed on God's word. The doves are cautious. They do not mind the smaller sparrows who like to feed  there too.

Luke 12:6  Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? 

Come my little friends and feast on what has been provided for you and give thanks to your creator and to the food giver.

John 21:11  Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken. 

John 21:12  Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord. 

John 21:13  Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise. 

John 21:14  This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead. 

Eaglewings Ministries 

A Living Sacrifice

In this life we are to be made into the image of Christ. This prepares us for the eternal life with him in glory. Several of my friends from our MPJ Bible and Prayer Fellowship have gone ahead to Jesus.

Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

Romans 12:1 and 2  are very important verses and should be put to memory. Our Christian walk is one of service, first we must be willing to put to death the old nature. It is only possible by his mercies and by his Holy Spirit. We are to present our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and separated unto God. We cannot sacrifice an unclean sacrifice, we must live a clean and pure life to be a sacrifice. We offer ourselves and ask the LORD to remove anything that offends. Changing our behavior is necessary to live a holy life, an acceptable life and if we are His people we will not desire to sin.

Mat 10:38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.

We are to die to our sin nature and walk in the Spirit of God.

Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Be not conformed to this world and it's ungodly ways. How can you openly live in sin, the standard of the world, and be living for God? Jesus must be our Lord and master; we serve him doing what is the good, acceptable and perfect will of God. We cannot do this if we seek our own lusts and desires. We are to serve the master and he gives to us all spiritual blessings.

James 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.

Transformed is the same word used to describe Jesus in His transfiguration (Mark 9:2-3); it is a glorious transformation that happens to us! Reading God's word, meditating on it and seeking the face of God is how we renew our minds. (See Phil 4:8)

That ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

His will works in us for his good pleasure.

Phil 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
Phil 2:14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings:

2 Th 1:11 Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:
2 Th 1:12 That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Is Christ Jesus glorified in your life, or do we seek for personal honor and glory? We serve God and he rewards us if we serve him well. The greatest shall be servant of all.

Mat 23:11  But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.
Mat 23:12  And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

We are no longer our own, we are adopted son's serving the master with devotion, thanksgiving and gratitude.

 Eaglewings Ministries

Testimony of Albert Melrose

Meeting God in darkness

When I read Exodus 20:21 where it said that Moses " drew near unto the thick darkness where God was." I thought to myself, does God dwell in darkness? God is light and truth, no darkness in him. I had to go back to Exodus 19 and read more. God appeared in a cloud, the glory cloud of God. I have seen dark clouds, full of rain; then there was fire on the mountain and smoke. In the natural I thought of a volcano with dense smoke, but this was more than a natural occurrence. God was there, in the darkness. All the people feared at his presence and would not come near because they were unclean and lacking in faith. Moses went into the cloud and the darkness of smoke on the mountain to speak with the angel of God. 

Exo 19:9  And the LORD said unto Moses, Lo, I come unto thee in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with thee, and believe thee for ever. And Moses told the words of the people unto the LORD. 
Exo 19:10  And the LORD said unto Moses, Go unto the people, and sanctify them to day and to morrow, and let them wash their clothes, 
Exo 19:11  And be ready against the third day: for the third day the LORD will come down in the sight of all the people upon mount Sinai. 
Exo 19:12  And thou shalt set bounds unto the people round about, saying, Take heed to yourselves, that ye go not up into the mount, or touch the border of it: whosoever toucheth the mount shall be surely put to death: 
Exo 19:13  There shall not an hand touch it, but he shall surely be stoned, or shot through; whether it be beast or man, it shall not live: when the trumpet soundeth long, they shall come up to the mount. 
Exo 19:14  And Moses went down from the mount unto the people, and sanctified the people; and they washed their clothes. 
Exo 19:15  And he said unto the people, Be ready against the third day: come not at your wives. 
Exo 19:16  And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that was in the camp trembled. 
Exo 19:17  And Moses brought forth the people out of the camp to meet with God; and they stood at the nether part of the mount. 
Exo 19:18  And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly. 
Exo 19:19  And when the voice of the trumpet sounded long, and waxed louder and louder, Moses spake, and God answered him by a voice. 
Exo 19:20  And the LORD came down upon mount Sinai, on the top of the mount: and the LORD called Moses up to the top of the mount; and Moses went up. 
Exo 19:21  And the LORD said unto Moses, Go down, charge the people, lest they break through unto the LORD to gaze, and many of them perish. 

Exo 20:18  And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off. 
Exo 20:19  And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die. 
Exo 20:20  And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not. 
Exo 20:21  And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was. 

The people were not able to touch the holy mountain when God's presence was there. Moses had gone up and he had received the law. Moses spoke to the people that God was proving or testing them, for they had little faith. Because they were lacking in faith God gave Moses laws to guide them until faith was formed in their hearts. As believers by faith in Jesus Christ we will be tested. Darkness will come to us, but God is in the darkness to show us something. He is there with us to bring us through. Sanctify yourselves, cleanse yourself by confessing your sins and stay close to the presence of God. It is a good thing to fear God, but by being in Jesus we may come boldly into his presence.

Heb 4:14  Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 
Heb 4:15  For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 
Heb 4:16  Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. 

Cayuga

Randy the goose has relatives visiting. He is asleep on the far right. One stays alert to any danger.

2Pe 3:10  But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 

2Pe 3:11  Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 

I wanted to see the black duck in daylight. It was mid day and most of the birds were napping.

After quite a search the black duck is probably a domestic breed called a Cayuga. They were bred from Mallards, but are larger in size. 

Cayuga tucks his beak under a wing for a nap. The gentle breeze ruffles his wing feathers showing their pretty green color. Things look better in the light.

Dan 2:19  Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven. 

Dan 2:20  Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: 

Dan 2:21  And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: 

Dan 2:22  He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him. 

Dan 2:23  I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee: for thou hast now made known unto us the king's matter. 

Randy alone

I took a nice walk in the park at sunset time and I saw Randy, the Canadian goose with a broken wing. He was alone at the foot of the pond. The pond was a lovely shade of pink. Other fowl were swimming in the far side of the pond, but I saw no other geese. God has kept him going. I felt like I was Randy as I looked over the quiet pond soaking up the sunset sky; alone with God, thankful, scarred from life in the flesh, but so blessed and fortunate to discover the LORD and the beauty of his creation. Yes, I made pictures, but the computer could not load them up, saying the card needed formatting. Well if I format the card full of memories, all are lost. In the same way we are to format our own minds and hearts to be usable to God, losing the old thinking. God speaks through circumstances, so look for the message in your setbacks. If I have a problem, a concern or a need to hear from God about something, I usually sleep on it, in the morning I see things in the spirit better than in the night when the mind and body are tired.

How to format your thinking

Rom 12:1  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 
Rom 12:2  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 

Rom 12:3  For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. 

Faith requires faithfulness, faith in action.

Mat 24:45  Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? 
Mat 24:46  Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. 
Mat 24:47  Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.

Faith comes by hearing the word of God and faithfulness is doing what God requires us to do. As we are faithful he gives to us more responsibility and more blessings, both here and hereafter. It starts with submission. Are we willing to submit all to God in this new year and forever? We are not all the same and that is why we need each other. Each are gifted by God to bless the body of Christ. We together are his body, placed together in love, to be like Jesus. Our fellowship with God will result in a spiritual relationship; we shall be the bride of Christ. We are complete in Him.