Podcasts about 3then

3Then the word of the LORD came through Haggai the prophet, saying: 4“Is it a time for you yourselves to live in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins?” 5Now this is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Consider carefully your ways.…-Haggai 1:4   …32For the Gentiles strive after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Today has enough trouble of its own.…

IX. The Correction of FearYou believe that being afraid is involuntary. 2But I have told you many times that only constructive acts should be involuntary.105 3I said that Christ-control can take over everything that doesn’t matter, and Christ-guidance can direct everything that does, if you so will.1062 Fear cannot be Christ-controlled, but it can be self-controlled. 2Fear is always associated with what does not matter, and prevents me from controlling it. 3The correction is therefore a matter of your will, because its presence shows that you have raised the unimportant to a higher level than it warrants. 4You have thus brought it under your will, where it does not belong. 5This means you feel responsible for it. 6The level confusion here is perfectly obvious. 7The reason that I cannot control fear for you is that you are attempting to raise to the mind level the proper content of lower-order “reality.”107 8I do not foster level confusion, but you can will to correct it.3 You would not tolerate insane behavior on your part, and would hardly advance the excuse that you could not help it. 2Why should you tolerate insane thinking? 3There is a fallacy here you would do well to look at clearly. 4You believe that you are responsible for what you do but not for what you think. 5The truth is that you are responsible for what you think, because it is only at this level that you can exercise choice. 6What you do comes from what you think. 7You cannot separate the two by giving autonomy to your behavior. 8Behavior is controlled by me automatically as soon as you place what you think under my guidance.4 Whenever you are afraid, it is a sure sign that you have allowed your mind to miscreate; that is, you have not allowed me to guide it. 2It is pointless to believe that controlling the outcome of misthought can result in real healing. 3When you are fearful, you have willed wrongly. 4This is why you feel you are responsible for it. 5You must change your mind, not your behavior, and this is a matter of will. 6You do not need guidance except at the mind level. 7Correction belongs only at the level where causation is possible. 8The term does not really mean anything at the symptom level, where it cannot work.5 The correction of fear is your responsibility. 2When you ask for release from fear, you are implying that it isn’t. 3You should ask, instead, for help in the conditions which have brought the fear about. 4This always entails a willingness on the part of your separated mind. 5At this level, you can help it. 6You are much too tolerant of mind wandering, thus tacitly condoning your mind’s miscreations. 7The particular result never matters, but this fundamental error does. 8The fundamental correction is always the same. 9Before you will to do anything, ask me if your will is in accord with mine. 10If you are sure that it is, there will be no fear.6 Fear is always a sign of strain, which arises whenever the will to do conflicts with what you do. 2This situation arises in two major ways:1. 3You can will to do conflicting things, either simultaneously or successively.108 4This produces conflicting behavior, which would be tolerable to the self (though not necessarily to others) except for the fact that the part of the will that wants something else is outraged.2. 5You can behave as you think you should, without entirely willing to do so. 6This produces consistent behavior, but entails great strain within the self.7 If you think about it, you will realize that in both cases the will and the behavior are out of accord, resulting in a situation in which you are doing what you do not will. 2This arouses a sense of coercion, which usually produces rage. 3The anger then invades the mind, and projection in the wrong sense becomes likely.109 4Depression or anxiety is virtually certain.8 Remember that whenever there is fear, it is because you have not made up your mind. 2Your will is split, and your behavior inevitably becomes erratic. 3Correcting at the behavioral level can shift the error from the first type to the second, but will not obliterate the fear. 4It is possible to reach a state in which you bring your will under my guidance without much conscious effort, but this implies the kind of habit pattern which you have not developed dependably as yet.9 Although people say that God will never ask you to do more than you can, they do not understand it themselves. 2God cannot ask more than you will. 3The strength to do comes from your own undivided will to do.110 4There is no strain in doing God’s will as soon as it is also your own.10 The lesson here is quite simple, but particularly apt to be overlooked. 2I will therefore repeat it, urging you to listen. 3Only your mind can produce fear. 4It does so whenever it is conflicted in what it wills, thus producing inevitable strain because willing and doing become discordant.111 5This cannot be corrected by better doing. 6But it can be corrected by higher willing.11 The first corrective step is knowing it is fear. 2After taking this step, you might benefit temporarily by adding another step before going on with the corrective process: Try saying to yourself that you must have willed not to love somehow or somewhere, or the fear which arises from behavior-will conflict could not have happened. 3Then follow the previous instructions.11212 If you consider what the process really means, it is nothing more than a series of pragmatic steps in the larger process of accepting the Atonement as the remedy. 2From this viewpoint, the steps can be reworded as follows:1. 3Know first this is fear.2. 4Fear arises from lack of love.3. 5The only remedy for lack of love is perfect love.4. 6Perfect love is the Atonement.7The final procedural step is inherent in the last statement.113 8We have emphasized that the miracle, or the expression of Atonement, is always a sign of real respect from the worthy to the worthy.114 9This worth is reestablished by the Atonement.13 It is obvious, then, that when you are afraid, you have placed yourself in a position where you need Atonement because you have done something loveless, having willed without love. 2This is precisely the situation for which the Atonement was offered. 3The need for the remedy inspired its establishment. 4As long as you recognize only the need for the remedy, you will remain fearful. 5However, as soon as you use the remedy, you have also abolished the fear. 6This is how true healing occurs.14 It may help if you say this prayer to me:2I would like to pray that my will be united with thine, recognizing that thy perfect love will suffice (or correct) for my imperfect love.3I pray that I may accept the Atonement with conviction, recognizing its inestimable worth, and my own divine worth as part of this identification with thine.4I pray that my fear be replaced by an active sense of thy love, and thy continual willingness to help me overcome the split or divided will which is responsible for my difficulty with this.5I accept the divinity of the messages I have received,115 and affirm my will in both accepting and acting upon the Atonement principle.6Here I am.15 The major problem that you have is the continuing split will, which naturally interferes with your true identification. 2To the extent that you hold onto this split, it will take longer to get through and will markedly interfere with your own integration efforts. 3Reliance has to be placed on me, which is sufficient once you do this without distantiation or division in loyalties. 4This will be strengthened through a continual affirmation of the goal you want to achieve and an awareness of its inevitability. 5In this way, you will perceive and know your true worth, and the importance of maintaining a complete identification.

Gaining Momentum For The New Year2 Kings 41Now a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared the LORD; and the creditor has come to take my two children to be his slaves.” 2Elisha said to her, “What shall I do for you? Tell me, what do you have in the house?” And she said, “Your maidservant has nothing in the house except a jar of oil.” People who are stuck in life tend to focus on two things: What They Have LostNegative Things They Think Are ComingShe Spoke Out Of Her Unresolved Disappointment And Fear. Elisha Didn’t... Give Her Money, Get A Financial Planner, Take A Class, Rebuke The Devil, Get A New Husband, Even Pray.He Brought Her A Long-Term Solution Through Revelation. One More Thing Keeps People Stuck: They Also Are Likely To Devalue What They Already Have.When We Encounter A Prophetic Culture: Who We Are... What We Have... Our Potential… God’s Promises… “Taking our eyes off what we think we don't have causes us to see what we already do have.”“You already have something which is the key to breakthrough and momentum in your life.”Gifting idea skill relationship. ~ Say, “ I already have it.” ~ Widow: “What do you have?”3Then he said, “Go, borrow vessels at large for yourself from all your neighbors, even empty vessels; do not get a few. 4“And you shall go in and shut the door behind you and your sons, and pour out into all these vessels, and you shall set aside what is full.” 5So she went from him and shut the door behind her and her sons; they were bringing the vessels to her and she poured. 6When the vessels were full, she said to her son, “Bring me another vessel.” And he said to her, “There is not one vessel more.” And the oil stopped. 7Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debt, and you and your sons can live on the rest.”Word From God:Her Eyes were taken off what she thought didn’t have, disadvantage, inferior about. ….. Eyes to the oil.Vs. 3 - borrow, shut door behind you, pour into all vessels. Breakthrough happens when we start putting our faith in what we have... and what we can do. Do not despise the day of small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin. Zechariah 4:10Become the Elisha in People’s lives.Elisha Sees The Gold In People ~ Already are ~ Already have ~ Open Heaven. Until We See For Ourselves. Some people say:“I want to do something great” Instead, Do what you are doing now with great faith and it will become great. Faithfulness is not just showing up, it’s how you think when you show up. Declarations put faith in what you already have. Exodus 14 “My forward movement causes red seas to part” “The red sea is opening up under my feet.” John 4:35 “I see the fields white unto harvest.” What do I have to believe in order to have hope in 2021?In 2021 I will experience the greatest joys, greatest victories, and greatest accomplishments of my life.

Acts 13:1-5 (NKJV) 1 Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them. 3Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sentthemaway. 4So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. 5And when they arrived in Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. They also had John astheirassistant.

3Then the wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever and ever.-Daniel 12:3 The post 947: Covenant Hour of Prayer (5th Nov.,2020) appeared first on DownloadSermon.com - Home of Unlimited Christian Sermons and Messages (Audio & Video).

3Then the wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever and ever.-Daniel 12:3 The post 947: Covenant Hour of Prayer (5th Nov.,2020) appeared first on DownloadSermon.com - Home of Unlimited Christian Sermons and Messages (Audio & Video).

We can’t stay here anymore week 8 "Paul and Barnabas scatter." Preparing for the Mission Field 1Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen, a close friend of Herod the tetrarch,Mt 14:1; Ac 4:36; 11:19,22,27; 1Co 12:28 and Saul. 2As they were worshiping13:2 Or were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”Ac 8:29; 9:15; Rm 1:1; Gl 1:15 3Then after they had fasted, prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them off.Ac 6:6; 14:26 The Mission to Cyprus 4So being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. 5Arriving in Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. They also had John as their assistant.Ac 9:20; 12:12 6When they had traveled the whole island as far as Paphos, they came across a sorcerer, a Jewish false prophet named Bar-Jesus.Mt 7:15; Ac 8:9 7He was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man. This man summoned Barnabas and Saul and wanted to hear the word of God.Ac 18:12; 19:38 8But Elymas the sorcerer (that is the meaning of his name) opposedEx 7:11; 2Tm 3:8 them and tried to turn the proconsul away from the faith.Ac 6:7; 8:9 9But Saul — also called Paul — filled with the Holy Spirit, stared straight at Elymas 10and said, “You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery, you son of the devilMt 13:38; Jn 8:44 and enemy of all that is right. Won’t you ever stop perverting the straight pathsHs 14:9; 2Pt 2:15 of the Lord? 11Now, look, the Lord’s hand is against you.Ex 9:3; 1Sm 5:6–7; Ps 32:4; Heb 10:31 You are going to be blind, and will not see the sun for a time.” Immediately a mist and darkness fell on him, and he went around seeking someone to lead him by the hand. 12Then, when he saw what happened, the proconsul believed, because he was astonished at the teaching of the Lord.Ac 13:49; 15:35–36 Paul’s Sermon in Antioch of Pisidia 13Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia, but John left them and went back to Jerusalem.Ac 12:12; 13:6; 15:38 14They continued their journey from Perga and reached Pisidian Antioch. On the Sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat down.Ac 9:20; 14:19,21; 16:3; 17:2; 18:4 15After the reading of the Law and the Prophets, the leaders of the synagogue sent word to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have any word of encouragement for the people, you can speak.”Mk 5:22; Ac 15:21 16Paul stood up and motioned with his hand and said, “Fellow Israelites, and you who fear God, listen!Ac 10:2; 12:17 17The God of this people Israel chose our ancestors, made the people prosper during their stay in the land of Egypt, and led them out of it with a mighty13:17 Lit with an uplifted arm.Ex 1:6; 6:6; Dt 7:6–8; Ac 7:17 18And for about forty years he put up with them13:18 Other mss read he cared for them in the wilderness;Dt 1:31; Ac 7:36 19and after destroying seven nations in the land of Canaan,Dt 7:1; Jos 14:1; 19:51; Ps 78:55; Ac 7:45 he gave them their land as an inheritance. 20This all took about 450 years. After this, he gave them judges until Samuel the prophet.Jdg 2:16; 1Sm 3:20; Ac 3:24 21Then they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years.1Sm 8:5; 9:1; 10:1 22After removing him,1Sm 15:23,26; 16:13 he raised up David as their king and testified about him, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse to be a man after my own heart,13:221Sm 13:14; Ps 89:201Sm 13:14; Ps 89:20 who will carry out all my will.’ 23“From this man’s descendants, as he promised, God brought to IsraelPs 132:1; Mt 1:1; Lk 2:11; Ac 13:32 the Savior, Jesus.13:23 Other mss read brought salvation 24Before his coming to public attention, John had previously proclaimed a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.Mt 3:1; Mk 1:4; Lk 3:3; Ac 1:22; 19:4 25Now as John was completing his mission, he said, ‘Who do you think I am? I am not the one. But one is coming after me, and I am not worthy to untie the sandals on his feet.’Mt 3:11; Mk 1:7; Lk 3:16; Jn 1:20,27; Ac 20:24 26“Brothers and sisters, children of Abraham’s race, and those among you who fear God, it is to us that the word of this salvation has been sent.Ac 4:12; 5:20 27Since the residents of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize him or the sayings of the prophets that are read every Sabbath, they have fulfilled their words by condemning him.Lk 24:27; Ac 3:17 28Though they found no grounds for the death sentence, they asked Pilate to have him killed.Mt 27:22–23; Ac 3:14 29When they had carried out all that had been written about him, they took him down from the tree and put him in a tomb.Mt 27:59; Lk 23:53; Ac 5:30 30But God raised him from the dead,Mt 28:6; Ac 2:24 31and he appeared for many days to those who came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are now his witnesses to the people.Mt 28:16; Lk 24:48; Ac 1:3 32And we ourselves proclaim to you the good news of the promise that was made to our ancestors.Ac 5:42; 26:6; Rm 4:13; 9:4 33God has fulfilled this for us, their children, by raising up Jesus, as it is written in the second Psalm: You are my Son; today I have become your Father. 13:33 Or I have begotten you 13:33 Ps 2:7 Ps 2:7; Heb 1:5; 5:5 34As to his raising him from the dead, never to return to decay, he has spoken in this way, I will give you the holy and sure promises of David.13:34Is 55:3Is 55:3; Ac 13:30,37 35Therefore he also says in another passage, You will not let your Holy One see decay.13:35Ps 16:10Ps 16:10; Ac 2:27 36For David, after serving God’s purpose in his own generation, fell asleep,Ac 7:60; 1Co 11:30; 15:6,18,20,51; 1Th 4:13–15 was buried with his fathers, and decayed,1Kg 2:10; Ac 2:29; 13:22; 20:27 37but the one God raised up did not decay. 38Therefore, let it be known to you, brothers and sisters, that through this man forgiveness of sins is being proclaimed to you.Lk 24:47; Ac 2:38 39Everyone who believes is justified13:39 Or freed, also later in this versethrough him from everything that you could not be justified from through the law of Moses.Rm 3:28; 10:4 40So beware that what is said in the prophets does not happen to you: 41 Look, you scoffers, marvel and vanish away, because I am doing a work in your days, a work that you will never believe, even if someone were to explain it to you.”13:41 Hab 1:5Is 29:14; Hab 1:5 Paul and Barnabas in Antioch 42As they were leaving, the people13:42 Other mss read they were leaving the synagogue of the Jews, the Gentiles urged them to speak about these matters the following Sabbath. 43After the synagogue had been dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who were speaking with them and urging them to continue in the grace of God.Ac 11:23; 14:22 44The following Sabbath almost the whole town assembled to hear the word of the Lord.13:44 Other mss read of God 45But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began to contradict what Paul was saying, insulting him.Ac 18:6; 1Th 2:16; 1Pt 4:4; Jd 10 46Paul and Barnabas boldly replied, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first. Since you reject it and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, we are turning to the Gentiles.Mt 21:43; Ac 3:26; 18:6; 22:21; 28:28 47For this is what the Lord has commanded us: I have made you a light for the Gentiles to bring salvation to the ends of the earth.”13:47Is 49:6Is 42:6; 49:6; Lk 2:32 48When the Gentiles heard this, they rejoiced and honored the word of the Lord, and all who had been appointed to eternal life believed. 49The word of the Lord spread through the whole region. 50But the Jews incited the prominent God-fearing women and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas and expelled them from their district.Ac 14:2,19; 2Tm 3:11 51But Paul and Barnabas shook the dust off their feetMt 10:14; Mk 6:11; Lk 9:5; Ac 18:6 against themAc 14:1,19,21; 16:2; 2Tm 3:11 and went to Iconium. 52And the disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.Mt 5:12; Jn 16:22; Ac 2:4     “The Gospel washes away our old identity”    "The Antioch church was diverse yet Unified.... hungry and passionately pursuing the spirit.... Generous and wholly Unselfish."

3Then the wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. -Daniel 12:3  The post 856: Covenant Hour of Prayer (1st Sept., 2020) appeared first on DownloadSermon.com - Home of Unlimited Christian Sermons and Messages (Audio & Video).

When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all [a]with one accord in one place. 2And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3Then there appeared to them [b]divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts 2:17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:

When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all [a]with one accord in one place. 2And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3Then there appeared to them [b]divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts 2:17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:

When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all [a]with one accord in one place. 2And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3Then there appeared to them [b]divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts 2:17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:

When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all [a]with one accord in one place. 2And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3Then there appeared to them [b]divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts 2:17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:

“The Knowledge of the Heart” Series: “Plans for God’s Good Future”February 23, 2020 As a preacher who faces the daunting task of communicating with people multiple times a week, either by means of speaking or writing, I am very much aware of the power of words, and in particular, finding the right word for the right occasion to drive home the right point. Fortunately, the English language is dynamic, fluid, and always evolving. For example, did you know that according to the latest findings a new word is added to our English language every 98 minutes, which comes out to around 800 to 1,000 words added over the course of each year? Like you, I can’t possibly keep up with all of them. But occasionally, I come across one that for whatever reason intrigues me and provokes me and stays with me because it more times than not reveals a blind spot in my soul that I might otherwise have never seen. I’m thinking in particular about the word “woke,” which as I understand was introduced into the dictionary just a year or so ago, back in 2017. You might be saying to yourself, “That’s not a new word. That word has been around for a while. ‘I woke up this morning’ is a familiar line in a host of songs from B.B. King to Nickelback to “the Sopranos” theme song. But in recent months the term has taken on a new twist. With its roots in “the hood,” the term “woke” now refers to one’s awareness of issues concerning social justice in general and racial justice in particular. Especially popular among the socially media savvy crowd, when someone posts or tweets that “I am woke,” that person is assuring us that he or she is not oblivious at all to all the matters and topics that the powers that be doesn’t want us to know or tries to keep us from knowing. I hear that phrase and am taken back to an inscription etched in stone along the façade of the College of Education building at my alma mater, the University of Montevallo, as a reminder to us students who might during the course of our studies be tempted to slough off, “Knowledge Is Power,” which is just an ancient way of saying, “It’s much better to stay woke.” In reality, the idea of “being woke” and thus having immense power at your disposal goes back thousands of years to the time of the prophet Jeremiah. As you know, our church has been in a worship series on Jeremiah and will continue to be so through the season of Lent. Jeremiah, “the weeping prophet,” as we call him, was broken over the ignorance of his people over the good plans that God had in store for them and answered the call of God to wake them up to either the pitfalls or the possibilities that were before them, depending on how they chose to respond to God’s leading. This section of Jeremiah’s prophecy comes at the beginning of the Babylonian exile for God’s people, a displacement from their homes and businesses and place of worship that took place in stages, and not in one fell swoop. At first, the Babylonians who captured Jerusalem took only the best and the brightest back with them to Babylon so that no one might be left behind to start an insurrection. They took the skilled workers and the artisans and the court officials, and even the king! You can imagine the distress that descended upon the nation as they saw their leaders and their loved ones taken away as if they were the Monday morning trash. People were left wondering what in the world would their future hold. Into that disillusionment and despair stepped Jeremiah with a word from the Lord. God had sent Jeremiah down to the temple to pray over the matter and what God might have to show him. When he arrived, the first thing Jeremiah noticed were two baskets of figs, placed there as a special offering to God. One basket contained ripe figs, figs that were picked at the beginning of the season, choice figs you might even say. The other basket contained spoiled ones, figs that were so bad they stunk to high heaven and could never be eaten. Suddenly, God spoke to Jeremiah: “What do you see?” And Jeremiah, who likely thought that he was “woke,” had no idea what God was about to do to show His steadfast love to His Chosen People. “This is what the LORD said: ‘These good figs are the exiles, whom I have sent away to the land of the Babylonians. But my eyes will watch over them for their good, and I will bring them back to this land. I will build them up and not tear them down…. I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the LORD. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart. And the second basket of figs, you ask? They represent “Zedekiah, king of Judah, (and successor to the throne), his officials, and the survivors from Jerusalem, whether they remain in this land or live in Egypt. I will make them…an offense to all the kingdoms of the earth, a reproach and a byword, a curse and an object of ridicule, wherever I banish them.” God’s word through Jeremiah is for the people of Jerusalem not to view their circumstances, whether privileged or marginalized, whether displaced or spared, as an indication of their value to God or of the future He had for them to know. How easy it would have been for the exiles to have assumed that they had nothing to live for and nothing to look forward to, and how even easier it would have been for those left behind to have assumed that God had spared them in order to bless them. The point of the parable of the two baskets of figs is that while there are many reasons for us to make assumptions about how we are on the right side of God’s favor, the receiving side of God’s favor, we cannot ever allow ourselves to take His grace for granted. We may assume that we are blessed when things are going well and cursed when they are not. But trouble can be a blessing when it wakes us up to our need for God and inspires us to lean more strongly upon him. And likewise, prosperity can be a curse any time it puts us to sleep and causes us to be unaware of our dependence upon God so that we unwittingly and arrogantly turn our lives away from Him. This morning, I invite you to hear this story in a way that causes you to “be woke” and to “stay woke.” If things are going not so well for you, I invite you to consider using this time to ask God to help you grow stronger in Him. And if things are actually going very well, I invite you to ask God to help you not to presume upon His grace but instead to use it even more faithfully to advance His Kingdom purposes. When we look in the Bible for the most “woke” person there ever was, our attention of course gets turned quickly to Jesus. In spite of the fact that no one around him seemed to appreciate who he was or what God had sent him to do, Jesus was ever mindful of how God’s hand was upon him and how the Spirit of the Lord had anointed him to usher in the time of God’s salvation. There were many things that Jesus said and did to advance the good news of the Kingdom – many signs, many wonders, many sayings, many teachings. But the most important work that Jesus did was the work we are getting ready to remember – his work upon the cross and the manner in which though despised and rejected by men with no beauty that we should desire him, on the cross he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows so that by his wounds we may be healed (Isa. 53:4). When I read the crucifixion story, there are many parts that fascinate me, many parts that stagger me, and many parts I find hard to understand. The one part that touches me the most is in Luke’s account when while hanging from the cross, Jesus looks down at the soldiers who had already begun divvying up his garments and prays to the Father, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Lk. 23:34). “Father, forgive them and wake them up.” I pray that this morning God’s Spirit has used something in this service –some song, some prayer, perhaps even this sermon – to prepare you for an experience that you might take to heart, one that might awaken you to the good future God has for you to know. While Jeremiah’s experience of the two baskets reminds us that appearances can be deceiving and no one should take God’s grace for granted, the story of the cross reveals who among us is truly on the Lord’s side. For while the cross is folly to all who are perishing, to us who are being saved and “staying woke,” our knowledge of who Jesus is and what God sent him to do is nothing less than the power of God. Knowledge really is power, and today God wants you to know Him with all of your heart.1After Jehoiachin son of Jehoiakim king of Judah and the officials, the skilled workers and the artisans of Judah were carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, the LORD showed me two baskets of figs placed in front of the temple of the LORD. 2One basket had very good figs, like those that ripen early; the other basket had very bad figs, so bad they could not be eaten. 3Then the LORD asked me, “What do you see, Jeremiah?” “Figs,” I answered. “The good ones are very good, but the bad ones are so bad they cannot be eaten.” 4Then the word of the LORD came to me: 5“This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Like these good figs, I regard as good the exiles from Judah, whom I sent away from this place to the land of the Babylonians. 6My eyes will watch over them for their good, and I will bring them back to this land. I will build them up and not tear them down; I will plant them and not uproot them. 7I will give them a heart to know Me, that I am the LORD. They will be My people, and I will be their God, for they will return to Me with all their heart. 8‘But like the bad figs, which are so bad they cannot be eaten,’ says the LORD, ‘so will I deal with Zedekiah king of Judah, his officials and the survivors from Jerusalem, whether they remain in this land or live in Egypt. 9I will make them abhorrent and an offense to all the kingdoms of the earth, a reproach and a byword, a curse and an object of ridicule, wherever I banish them. 10I will send the sword, famine and plague against them until they are destroyed from the land I gave to them and their ancestors.’”Jeremiah 24:1-10 (NIV) Jeremiah 24:1-10 (NIV)

What does it mean to follow Jesus? Don’t forget to subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss a single episode. Sometimes we trust people better than we do Jesus. Jesus says “Follow Me.” This command isn’t just for people in the Bible. It’s for us too. 1 Peter 2:21 NLT For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps. How can I follow Jesus if I can’t see Him? Matt 16:24 NLT Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. There are numerous things we see in Jesus example… Suffering is the one He listed here . But His example also includes His Love Knowledge of Scripture Prayer Life Miracles John 14:12 NLT “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. I want to give you a reminder to put in a 5X7 frame in your house. See the link below. And why was going to the Father so significant?   Following God had been the real question Israel faced 40 years prior to the event in Joshua 3. Joshua 3:2 NIV After three days the officers went throughout the camp, 3giving orders to the people: “When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, and the Levitical priests carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it. 4Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before. But keep a distance of about two thousand cubits (about ½ mile) between you and the ark; do not go near it.” God was saying “Follow the ark.” Why was that so important? They had never been that way before. Follow the ark is a picture of following Jesus. Obey Him at a new level. Go deeper. Grow your faith. Who do you need to witness to? Who do you need to have over for dinner to encourage them? What is your step of obedience! What was so special about the Ark? I am so glad you asked that question…you did ask, didn’t you? It’s a picture of Jesus. It helps us know Jesus better! Hebrews 9:1NLT That first covenant between God and Israel had regulations for worship and a place of worship here on earth. 2There were two rooms in that Tabernacle. In the first room were a lampstand, a table, and sacred loaves of bread on the table. This room was called the Holy Place. 3Then there was a curtain, and behind the curtain was the second room called the Most Holy Place. 4In that room were a gold incense altar and a wooden chest called the Ark of the Covenant, which was covered with gold on all sides. Inside the Ark were a gold jar containing manna, Aaron’s staff that sprouted leaves, and the stone tablets of the covenant. 5Above the Ark were the cherubim of divine glory, whose wings stretched out over the Ark’s cover, the place of atonement. But we cannot explain these things in detail now.   How is the Ark of the Covenant a picture of Jesus? The Ark was made of wood Overlaid with gold- Jesus- fully God and fully man Lid of the Ark of the Covenant Pure gold. The gold represented God. Only God can redeem us. We call it the Mercy Seat. That name comes from the word comes "khapporet" which simply means to make atonement, restitution or amends. Blood on the lid once a year. The atonement- Day of Atonement (Lev. 16:14-15) Covering- the blood of animals could not cleanse sin, it could only cover it. Jesus, the lamb of God gave His life to cleanse us from sin completely. Meeting place Moses met with God and God talked to him from the Ark. (Exodus 25:22) God wants to meet with you. Talk to you.   Inside the Ark Laws of God- His covenant with believers that was fulfilled in Christ Pot of Manna- Provision Aaron’s rod that budded- Spiritual Authority Follow the ark When the Israelites were instructed to follow the ark they were following more than ideology, they were following God. They were following the picture of a promise that would be fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Follow Jesus. He is both the atonement and the High Priest of the atonement. He is the final authority. He satisfied the covenant so you can enjoy the benefits of that covenant. Obedience is not like a buffet where you can pick and choose. Even when His ways seem hard, follow Jesus. You not following Jesus if you are doing things YOUR way. You can’t follow Jesus running ahead of Him. I want to give you a free reminder. I like to have reminders in my home and on my phone that help me remember truths that are important to me. I made two simple reminders for you that simply say “Follow Jesus” that will fit in a 5X7 frame that you can put beside your bed or wherever you will see it to remind you during your day. When you see the reminder, ask yourself, "Did I follow Jesus today?"  In my choices? attitudes?  with my time? with my talents?    I encourage you to change your reminder when you need a different one. Free Reminder- Follow Jesus Tree Background- http://traffic.libsyn.com/preview/patriciaholland/follow-Jesus-trees-5-7.jpg White Background- http://traffic.libsyn.com/preview/patriciaholland/remember-follow-jesus.jpg      

This is our second lesson on goal-setting. The first was "What is Your Why", where we saw the importance of finding what makes you tick and use that to keep you inspired. In this lesson, I want to prove to you why you need to set goals if you want to succeed. In fact, I'll let the well-known Harvard Business Review study tell you why!83% of people do not set goals.14% of people do set goals and succeed 10 times more than the 83% that do not set goals at all.3% of people have goals and write them down. This group succeeds 3 times more than than the goal-setters that do not write them down and 30 times more than the non-goal-setters.In a separate study of people that set goals and write them down, 40% do not go back and look at their goals! This is a remarkable finding. Out of 100 people, only 3 write down their goals and less than 2 (on average) write them down and review them on a regular basis. Furthermore, it is my guess that 1 out of 100 write down their goals, review them on a regular basis, and are held accountable to someone they respect to complete them.Which of these 100 people would you like to be? If the goal-setters succeed 10 times more than non-goal-setters and the goal writers succeed 30 times more, how much more successful are the 1% that go all-in?!I want to be a 1%'er. How about you?Reference: The verse I quoted from the bible is Habakkuk 2:2-3Then the Lord answered me and said:“Write the visionAnd make it plain on tablets,That he may run who reads it.For the vision is yet for an appointed time;But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie.Though it tarries, wait for it;Because it will surely come,It will not tarry.

By Pastor Eben Eddy Scriptures (All NKJV) - John 8:1-12 - But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2 Now early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people came to Him; and He sat down and taught them. 3Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, 4 they said to Him, “Teacher, [a]this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. 5 Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?” 6 This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear. 7 So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” 8 And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. 9 Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. 10 When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?” 11 She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.” 12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”   - Romans 3:23 - for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,   - John 4:23 - But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. Message Points (4 People Jesus Perceives Differently) The Saint The Sinner The Spectator The Savior To listen to parts 3 & 5 of "I AM", click on these links below and check out our video podcast at our YouTube channel "Lakeshore Youth Community" "I AM Part 3 - I Am With Him" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bagvl3R_Kk&t=3s "I AM Part 5 - A Case For Confidence" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O28VIrByLI8

Worship audio from January 21, 2018 – Epiphany 3B.Bulletin here, or below:Welcome to Shepherd of the Lakes! We’re here to shepherd Christ’s flock and seek the lost sheep by sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with all. Come, let us worship!For your convenience, in the back corner of the sanctuary there is a room for any parents with children in need of a quiet place. The restrooms are located on the lower level. Please ask if you have any further questions or concerns. Lord Jesus, thank you for calling me through your Gospel, and for keeping me in this true faith. Grant that I serve you without hesitation; AMENRepent and Believe:Christ says, “Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). Here there are two parts. The “labor” and the burden signify the contrition, anxiety, and terrors of sin and death. To “come to” Christ is to believe that sins are forgiven for Christ’s sake. When we believe, our hearts are brought to life by the Holy Spirit through Christ’s Word. 45 Here, therefore, are these two chief parts: contrition and faith. In Mark 1:15, Christ says, “Repent and believe in the gospel.” In the first clause He convicts of sins, and in the second He comforts us and shows the forgiveness of sins. Believing the Gospel is not the general faith that devils also have, but in the proper sense it is believing that the forgiveness of sins has been granted for Christ’s sake. This is revealed in the Gospel. You see also here that the two parts are joined: contrition when sins are rebuked; and faith when it is said, “Believe in the gospel.”Apology to the Augsburg Confession, Article 12 (Concordia p. 163)Joining Jesus:Jesus shows his glory in the kind of people that he calls to serve him and in using the gospel to make them willing to follow him, no matter the cost. How can I join Jesus today - without hesitation?OPENING HYMN: 85 – O God from God, O Light from LightOPENING RESPONSESPlease rise.M: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.C: Amen.Dear friends: Let us approach God with a true heart and confess our sins, asking him in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to forgive us.Lord of life, I confess that I am by nature dead in sin. For faithless worrying and selfish pride,For thoughtless sin and sin I have willfully chosen,For the evil I have done and the good I have failed to do,You should cast me away from your presence forever. O Lord, I am sorry for my sin; forgive me, for Jesus’ sake.Christ has died. Christ has risen. Christ will come again. In his great mercy, God made us alive in Christ even when we were dead in our sins. Hear the word of Christ through his called servant: I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.Amen.In peace, let us pray to the Lord. For the well-being of all people everywhere, that they may receive from you all they need to sustain body and life, hear our prayer, O Lord:Lord, have mercy.For the spread of your life-giving gospel throughout the world, that all who are lost in sin may be brought to faith in you, hear our prayer, O Christ:Christ, have mercy.For patience and perseverance in this life, that we may not lose the hope of heaven as we await your return, hear our prayer, O Lord.Lord, have mercy.Lord of life, live in us that we may live for you.Amen.Let us respond to God’s grace in the song of the angels: Glory to God in the Highest, as printed on the next page. All glory be to God on high! Your name, O Lord, we glorify; We praise you for your peace and grace, Your favor toward our fallen race.Our grateful thanks to you we bring. For your great glory, heav’nly King, For all, O Father, you have done Through Jesus Christ, your only Son.O Lamb of God, to you we pray. You take all human sin away. Have mercy, Lord; receive our prayer; From God’s right hand, your mercy share. You, Christ, are holy – Lord alone; The Father’s glory you made known. We by your Spirit sing again: “All glory be to God!” Amen.M: The Lord be with you. C: And also with you.Let us pray: Almighty God, you sent your Son to proclaim your kingdom and to teach with authority. Anoint us with the power of your Spirit that we, too, may bring good news to the afflicted, bind up the brokenhearted, and proclaim liberty to the captive; through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.The WordFIRST READING: 1 Kings 19:19-21Through his gospel, God provides a joyful prophet:19So Elijah went from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat. Elisha was doing the plowing with twelve teams of oxen in front of him, and he himself was driving the twelfth team. Elijah crossed over to him and threw his cloak over him. 20Then Elisha left the oxen and ran after Elijah. He said, “Let me kiss my father and my mother good-bye! Then I will follow you.” Then Elijah said, “Go back! For what have I done to you?” 21So Elisha turned back from following him. Then he took the team of oxen and slaughtered them. Using the equipment from the oxen as fuel, he cooked the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he got up, followed Elijah, and served him. PSALM OF THE DAY: CWS 37 (next page) SECOND READING: Acts 13:1-5Through his gospel, Christ provides committed Christians for service:Now in the church at Antioch there were some prophets and teachers: Barnabas; Simeon, who was called Niger; Lucius of Cyrene; Manaen, who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch; and Saul. 2While they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3Then, after they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them off. 4So they were sent out by the Holy Spirit and went down to Seleucia. From there they sailed to Cyprus. 5When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. They also had John as their assistant. THEME VERSE: Matthew 4:23Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching, preaching, and healing every disease. GOSPEL READING: Mark 1:14-20The message of forgiveness through Jesus means that joining Jesus is a joy:14After John was put in prison, Jesus went to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God. 15“The time is fulfilled,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near! Repent, and believe in the gospel.” 16As Jesus was going along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea, since they were fishermen. 17Jesus said to them, “Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 18Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 19Going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat mending the nets. 20Immediately Jesus called them. They left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him. This is the Gospel of our Lord Jesus. Thanks be to God!CONFESSION OF FAITH: Nicene Creed, p. 18HYMN OF THE DAY: 91 – The Star Proclaims the King is HereSERMON based on Mark 1: Joining Jesus - Counting the CostOFFERINGPRAYER OF THE CHURCH & LORD’S PRAYERThe SacramentFor our Holy Communion practice, please see the purple sheet in the pew racks.Our communion liturgy today will be sung as one continuous, responsive hymn, without pauses or breaks. The tune is from Hymn 78 (or 279). The organist will play a verse of introduction. PrefaceM: May God the Lord be with you.C: God also be with you.M: Lift up your hearts rejoicing!C: We lift them up anew!M: Give unto God all glory, all honor and all praise.C: To God is due thanksgiving and worship all our days. SanctusM: It's right and salutary to give you thanks, O God,At all times, in all places, through Jesus Christ our Lord.The saints and angel chorus rejoice in boundless mirth;We join, to sing your praises, the Church in heav'n and earth:C: O holy, holy, holy Lord God of pow'r and might,Your glory fills the heavens, and earth shines in your light.Hosanna in the highest! Blest ever is the OneWho comes the Lord's name bearing. Hosanna, Risen Son! InstitutionC: The night he was abandoned, the night he was betrayed,Our Lord took bread and blessed it, then broke it, gave it, said:M: Take, eat, this is my body, given in death for you.Remember, as you taste it, my grace and mercy true. C: Again, the supper ended, before we all had fled,He lifted in thanksgiving the cup, then passed it, said:M: Drink, in my blood shed for you, forgiveness of your sin.Poured out for you, rememb'ring, your love I then might win.C: Amen! Then come, Lord Jesus; be present at your feast.Amen! O Holy Spirit, unite us in your peace.Amen! Almighty Father, give strength to do your will.O Trinity most holy, feed us and love us still. Agnus DeiC: O Lamb of God, Christ Jesus, our sin you take away;O Lamb of God, Redeemer, have mercy now, we pray.O Lamb of God, our Savior, your grace in us increase;Behold us with your favor, and grant to us your peace.HYMN: 532 – God is Here! As We His PeopleSONG OF SIMEONO Lord, now let your servant Depart in peace, assured:For I have seen your promised, incarnate, saving Word –A Light that will enlighten All gloom where Gentiles dwellThe brilliant, crowning glory Of those in Israel!All glory to the Father, All glory to the Son,All glory to the Spirit, Forever three in one;For as in the beginning, Is now, shall ever be,God’s triune name resounding Through all eternity.We give you thanks, O Lord, for the foretaste of the heavenly banquet that you have given us to eat and to drink in this sacrament. Through this gift you have fed our faith, nourished our hope, and strengthened our love. By your Spirit help us to live as your holy people until that day when you will receive us as your guests at the wedding supper of the Lamb - who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.Amen.The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord look on you with favor and give you peace.Amen.CLOSING HYMN: 406 – This Is the Threefold TruthNOTESToday, Congregational Update. Open discussion at the start of Bible class.January 28, Mission Fest: Jesus Cares Ministry with Rev. Joel Gaertner. It’ll be a special “Worship at the Cross” service as designed for Jesus Cares ministry, using a simplified liturgy & song selection. Potluck at 11:50 AM!Annual Voters’ Mtg, February 4. Looking Ahead to Next Sunday:Theme Epiphany 4: Joining Jesus (Jesus Cares Ministry)Color GreenLiturgy Worship at the CrossHymns Jesus Loves Me; God Loves Me Dearly; Father, I Love You; This Little Light THIS WEEKToday Judges 16 9:30 AM - Epiphany 3 Worship with Holy Communion 11 AM - Open Forum; Conclusion of Genesis 3Monday Judges 17Tuesday Judges 18 7 PM - CAP ClassWednesday Judges 19 5-6:45 PM – Small Catechism Class 6, 8 PM - www.wels.net/interactivefaithThursday Judges 20 6 PM - Choir 7 PM - Book Club at the Deep FreezeFriday Judges 21Saturday Ruth 1Sunday Ruth 2 9:30 AM - Worship at the Cross (Jesus Cares Ministry) 11 AM - Jesus Cares Presentation, Potluck afterwardGreen Pastures with Jesus is the daily podcast from Shepherd of the Lakes Lutheran Church of Fairmont, MN. Here you’ll find a variety of segments to lead you to the green pastures of the Word of God, where our Good Shepherd feeds our faith.  Find us online: www.shepherdofthelakes.net or http://facebook.com/shepherdofthelakes Worship is Sunday mornings at 9:30 AM.Bible class & Sunday School follow at 10:40 AM.323 E. 1st St – Fairmont, MNpastorhagen@icloud.com or (507) 236-9572 iTunes & iPhone: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/green-pastures-jesus-shepherd/id1183522558?mt=2 Stitcher link: http://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=127180&refid=stprOr simply search for “Green Pastures with Jesus” in your podcast app. Intro & Outro courtesy of Koine - The Church Band. Check them out at www.koinemusic.com, or find them on iTunes & Amazon: Search for Koine. Bible text from Biblegateway.com - EHV.                                

Pastor Zenzile Legend March 16, 2014 Daniel 1 1In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. 2And the Lord delivered Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, along with some of the articles from the temple of God. These he carried off to the temple of his god in Babylonia and put in the treasure house of his god. 3Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, chief of his court officials, to bring into the king’s service some of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility— 4young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king’s palace. He was to teach them the language and literature of the Babylonians. 5The king assigned them a daily amount of food and wine from the king’s table. They were to be trained for three years, and after that they were to enter the king’s service. 6Among those who were chosen were some from Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. 7The chief official gave them new names: to Daniel, the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego. 8But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. 9Now God had caused the official to show favor and compassion to Daniel, 10but the official told Daniel, “I am afraid of my lord the king, who has assigned your food and drink. Why should he see you looking worse than the other young men your age? The king would then have my head because of you.” 11Daniel then said to the guard whom the chief official had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, 12“Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see.” 14So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days. 15At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food. 16So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead. 17To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds. 18At the end of the time set by the king to bring them into his service, the chief official presented them to Nebuchadnezzar. 19The king talked with them, and he found none equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; so they entered the king’s service. 20In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom. 21And Daniel remained there until the first year of King Cyrus.