Three times in the book of Daniel, he is referred to as “Greatly Beloved”. Those words caught my attention as I pondered what it meant to be “Greatly Beloved”. We all seek to be loved, we know that God loves us because He sent His Son to die for our sins; but what does it mean to be “Greatly Beloved”. Why was Daniel referred to in this way?

Daniel 1:8 “ But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.”

Daniel 6:4 “Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault on him.”

Daniel 6:10 “Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.”

1. Daniel purposed not to define himself with the things of the world; 2. He was found faithful; and, 3. He spent time praying and giving thanks to God three times a day.

Daniel 10:19 “And said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yes, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me.”

Daniel was greatly beloved because he remained pure, he remained faithful and he remained constant in prayer and thankfulness before his God.

Because of his faithfulness and close relationship with God, he was given wisdom and insight into the things of God. He was given the opportunity to see and understand things that no one else could comprehend, but it took time spent talking to God on a personal level by which this close relationship was established. If we treat God as a casual acquaintance with whom we rarely speak, we can not expect Him to reveal Himself to us on a personal level. When we can’t hear God speaking and we feel a cold distance between us, it’s not because of a lack of God’s love for us. It’s because of a lack of our love for Him.

If we want to become “Greatly Beloved”, we need to purpose in our hearts to not become defiled by this world, to be found faithful following His commandments and to continue in prayer and thankfulness before God. Then we can experience the type of relationship that Daniel has with God. There is plenty of God’s love to go around, we are the only limiting factor. We too can be “Greatly Beloved”.

II Corinthians 7:1 “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”

Philippians 4:7-8 “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

Philippians 4:1 “Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.”

“Behold, it is come and it is done, saith the Lord God; this is the day whereof I have spoken.” Ezekiel 39:8

Why is it so hard for us to believe the reality of what God has spoken, when all through history His Word held true?

He Speaks . . . It Comes . . . It is Done !!!It seems so simple and yet is so hard !!

“And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching.” Mark 6:6

“And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.” Matthew 17:20

“And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.” Matthew 8:26

Jesus spoke and it was done, He accomplished what the disciples failed to do because of their unbelief. We do the same. What seems like a big issue, an overhanging problem that just won’t go away; yet not once do we stop and turn it over to God with a sincere belief that He will take care of all things. We make the pretense of praying, but we turn right around and attempt to fix it ourselves. Simple, yet so hard . . .

“But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.” Matthew 9:22

“And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” Matthew 21:22

“Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.” Romans 15:13

Simple, yet so hard unless we come before Him believing that He can do what He has promised !!!

“And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.” Revelations 21:6-7

Have you ever been working outside, hot and dusty; when you feel a raindrop upon your face? Lifting your face upward you begin to feel the cool comfort of a soft gentle misting of rain, an Earthly shower of blessing.

What about a time when life has been tremendously busy, chaotic and exhausting; when you catch a whisper from above? Lifting your face upward you feel the soft gentle covering of God’s arms around you and you experience His Showers of Blessing.

“And I will make them and the places round about my hill a blessing; and I will cause the shower to come down in his season; there shall be showers of blessing.” Ezekiel 34:26

There are moments when I am amazed, in fact I stop and experience that overwhelming feeling of being unable to comprehend the extent of God’s love for me. I am so undeserving and yet not only did He send His Son to die for my sins, but He takes the time to listen to the desires of my heart even when I do not utter the words in prayer. He knows me, He loves me and He sends me Showers of Blessing; sometimes in a simple moment of time that carries with it a sweet eternal message of His Love. Those are moments when I fall to my knees in humbleness of mind knowing I have no need to worry or fear, for my Lord is watching over me. He is able to protect me and keep me safe.

“And they shall no more be a prey to the heathen, neither shall the beast of the land devour them; but they shall dwell safely, and none shall make them afraid.” Ezekiel 34:28

“And ye my flock, the flock of my pasture, are men, and I am your God, saith the Lord God.” Ezekiel 34:31

There are things in life that are uncertain, things that we have to wonder as to whether they are real or not; but when God speaks we never have to wonder or question the reality of His Word. In Ezekiel I saw something that stood out to me in this regard.

“In the tenth year, in the tenth month, in the twelfth day of the month, the word of the Lord came unto me, saying.” Ezekiel 29:1

“And it came to pass in the eleventh year, in the third month, in the first day of the month, that the word of the Lord came unto me saying.” Ezekiel 31:1

Ezekiel knew the exact time when God spoke to him, he didn’t say around the time or about this time; he knew the exact time, the exact day. Today God does not speak to us in an audible way, but we know it when He speaks to our heart through His word (the Bible). Through the moving of the Holy Spirit He calls us, He changes us and He calms us ! And when He does, we know it !!

He Calls Us: Mark 7:14, Romans 9:24, I Corinthians 7:20 – 24, Colossians 3:15, I Peter 1:15, Revelations 17:14

He Changes Us: II Corinthians 5:17, Ezekiel 11:19, Ezekiel 18:31, Ezekiel 36:26

He Calms Us: Matthew 8:26, Mark 4:39, Psalm 107:29, Psalm 4:8, Isaiah 26:3, John 14:27, Philippians 4:7

And when He speaks, we know it !!! Listen, seek Him, and you will hear Him speak !!! “And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13

I have been reading from the book of Ezekiel recently and all through the book God references everything He does with the words, “that they shall know I am the Lord”. (Over 25 times) This stuck out to me as everything that God does or allows is for this one purpose, that we will know Him as Lord. He is Lord of every situation, every circumstance, every aspect of our lives. Nothing takes God by surprise, He is in complete control of all things. We are to simply recognize Him as Lord, trust Him as Lord, and follow Him as Lord.

1.) Recognize Him as Lord: Isaiah 45:18, Joel 2:27, Psalms 96:4, Psalms 99:5, John 8:28

2.) Trust Him as Lord: Deuteronomy 31: 6-8, Isaiah 12:2, Psalms 33:20, II Samuel 22:3, Psalms 28:7

3.) Follow Him as Lord: I Samuel 12:14, Matthew 4:20, Matthew 8:19, Matthew 16:24

It seems as time continues to move in fast forward, what really matters becomes hidden within a massive overgrowth of obligations and to-do lists full of expectations placed upon us by others. Our thoughts become so entangled in matters of this world that we lose site of what really matters, the whole matter. Our lives become so full of matters of this present world that we no longer have time for matters of the world to come.

“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.” Ecclesiastes 12:13

If our schedules could be uncluttered long enough to consider the only two things that really matter, our lives would take on a sense of reality that mirrors God’s intended fullness of life for those who know Him. We would regain our balance of life while focusing on Him and fulfilling the commandments He set before.

The whole matter, the only two things that matter: Fear God and Keep His Commandments.

“Behold I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43:19

Each of us begin the new year with grand ideas of all of the new things we plan to incorporate within the daily aspects of our lives; a new adventure that we plan to pursue, healthier choices we intend to make, priorities we wish to adjust, or bad habits we determine to eliminate. The days turn quickly across the pages of our calendar and before we know it the days have turned into months of time during which we lost track of the new things. God however, never loses track of time and when He purposes to do a new thing it becomes a reality. He seeks to do a new thing in each of our lives, a new thing that will accomplish that which He has determined for the course of our lives. He possesses the power to create a new thing within each of us if we are willing to simply open our hearts unto Him.

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is become a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new.” II Corinthians 5:17

There are days when I struggle with the feeling of insufficiency in the area of ministry unto God. I feel as though I’m failing in my efforts to make a difference in the lives of the multitudes that need Christ, feelings of inadequacy leave me saddened in heart. Yet, God reminded me that my first and foremost ministry occurs within the walls of my home. My husband and my children are the essence of my initial and primary ministry. I am to minister to their needs as directed by God. My life matters for Him when I stand fast in my work of faith, labor of love and patience of hope as Paul referenced in I Thessalonians 1:3. For I know that my legacy of faith will remain in and through the lives of my children and grandchildren. “For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.” I Thessalonians 3:8

I am to be the strength my husband needs, the love and patience by which he faces the challenges of each day. Our home is to be a place of rest and renewal. This is a ministry to which I am called.

My life will continue on, in and through my husband and my children as they remain in Christ. So the work I do today, to establish my home as a Godly haven set apart from the world is a ministry to which God has called me. How that extends beyond the walls of my home is up to His direction and His plan, I simply follow Him knowing that I am fulfilling the ministry to which He called me. Sometimes our greatest work is done within what seems to be the small insignificant elements of life, the ones no one notices or acknowledges; but God sees our heart as we offer it unto Him and He uses our smallness to do great things.

Some days I struggle with thoughts of the unknown in a world that is filled with turmoil. Every time I hear the news I am appalled by the depth to which people stoop and the evident depravity that is rampant across even the most affluent of society. The even stranger element rests in the fact that as I look about so many seem oblivious to the magnitude of darkness that is engulfing the world in which we live. My heart within me falters . . . where is the light ?

“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.” Ecclesiastes 6:12

“Then this is the message that we have heard of Him, and declare unto you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness.” I John 1:5

“Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son.” Colossians 1:13

“That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world.” Philippians2:15

“For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord, walk as children of light.” Ephesians 5:8

“Let your light so shine among men, that they might see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

We are to be the light; the light that brings hope into the darkness, love amidst the hate and truth to reveal that which is false. In Him is no darkness, if we abide in Him, His light will be revealed in us until the day we step from the darkness of this present world into the light of our eternal home.

Be ye the light . . .

With the changing of the clock, with the changing of the seasons, we are all reminded that things move forward and never remain as they were before. Each moment becomes a photo captured in the realm of memory, some are cherished while others are hoped to be forgotten; but each become the framework that makes up the essence of our lives. As time changes, so do we.

Reflecting on the retirement of our pastor this month, I am reminded of how things transition from one phase of our lives to the next; each one fulfilling the purpose and plan for which God created us. Although there are moments of sadness entertained with the happiness of what has been, we are reminded that as time changes our God remains forever.

“Thou, O Lord, remainest forever, Thy throne from generation to generation.” Lamentations 5:19

As time changes, we can hold to the knowledge that the Lord remains forever, from generation to generation. He is the one constant in our lives; never changing, remaining throughout all generations.

“How great are His signs! and how mighty are His wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and His dominion is from generation to generation.” Daniel 4:3

When things move from one phase to the next, our God is there to hold us steady and sure.

“He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense, I shall not be greatly moved.” Psalms 62:2

So, as time changes, we do not have to be shaken or feel as if our world has somehow become unsettled. God is working in and through each of us according to His purpose to bring us all together as one in Christ.

“Having made known unto us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He hath purposed in Himself: that in the dispensation of the fullness of time He might gather together in one all things in Christ both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in Him.” Ephesians 1:9-10

“Being confident of this one thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6

As time changes, let’s be reminded of the work which He is doing in and through each of us allowing our focus to remain on Him.