08 October 2023
Two-Minute Features | 15 October 2023 | 01 October 2023

Using The Daniel 3:16 Method, Part 2 (TMF:2200)

Friday, October 13, 2023
Peace to Live By: Using The Daniel 3:16 Method, Part 2 (TMF:2200) - Daniel Litton
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       What we can learn from the response of these men is what I call the Daniel 3:16 Method. It is in there response that started in verse 16 of Daniel chapter 3. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were surrendered to whatever the outcome might be. They were okay if God rescues them from the fiery furnace, and they were okay with the result if that didn’t happen. They just wanted the king to be sure that they were not going to bow down and do what was wrong, what was against their hearts, what would offend the God of the Universe. Therefore, in any situation, we can apply the Daniel 3:16 Method. When there is something we want God to do for us or that we just want to happen in our lives, we need to be surrendered to the outcome. We need to be able to step back and say, “It’s okay if God does what I want (whatever that want is), and it’s okay if he doesn’t.” If it is something we are just hoping happens inside our minds, we need to be able to say, “It’s good if it happens, but I’m okay if it doesn’t. It’s not going to bother me.”

Using The Daniel 3:16 Method, Part 1 (TMF:2199)

Thursday, October 12, 2023
Peace to Live By: Using The Daniel 3:16 Method, Part 1 (TMF:2199) - Daniel Litton
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       In the Book of Daniel, there is the story of three guys who find themselves in a bind when they refuse to worship an idol that the king of their time had setup for all to worship. When this reaches the ears of the king, he calls and questions the guys. Their names are Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. The guys refuse to give in and the king orders them executed in a hot, fiery furnace. It is at this point that what they say to the king is particularly interesting. Rather than becoming angry or trying to reason with him, they say to him that their God has the power to deliver them. But, even if he doesn’t, they say, they still won’t worship the king’s false idol. What we can learn from the response of these men is what I call the Daniel 3:16 Method. It is in there response that started in verse 16 of Daniel chapter 3. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were surrendered to whatever the outcome might be. They were okay if God rescues them from the fiery furnace, and they were okay with the result if that didn’t happen.

Making Decisions Out of Fear, Part 2 (TMF:2198)

Wednesday, October 11, 2023
Peace to Live By: Making Decisions Out of Fear, Part 2 (TMF:2198) - Daniel Litton
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       Perfect love expels and repels fear. And it’s not coming from self-control because a surrendered state of mind is one where fear isn’t calling the shots. This is where we make use of patience. When we are surrendered, that means we are okay with whatever the outcome. When we are okay with whatever the outcome, there is no urgency to act—to try to arrange circumstances so that we get what we want. Rather, in a surrendered state, it is God’s power that demonstrates itself on our belief, and we simply sit back and watch. We go along for the ride, instead of trying to drive the car. So, whenever you realize you are contemplating a decision out of fear, take a step back and observe the situation as if you were outside of yourself. Ask yourself the real reason you are about to make this decision. What is it that you are afraid will happen if you don’t? Then, cast that care to the One who is greater than you, and decide at that moment not to make the decision out of fear. You will find that soon enough the good choice will present itself to you.

Making Decisions Out of Fear, Part 1 (TMF:2197)

Tuesday, October 10, 2023
Peace to Live By: Making Decisions Out of Fear, Part 1 (TMF:2197) - Daniel Litton
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       Sometimes in our lives, we feel we need to make a decision about something ‘for fear that’ if we don’t, we will somehow lose it. But what I have found to be true over the years is that decisions made out of fear simply don’t work. In other words, if we are approaching making a choice while standing on the ground of fear, that decision will be one we come to regret later. We can take a certain job because we are afraid something better won’t come along; we can sell our prized possession because we are afraid we won’t have the money we need and would rather see it in the bank. Fear makes us do stupid things. It causes us to make dumb choices. Inside of ourselves, we are instructed not to be living by fear. Rather, when fear has been passed by, that empowers us. That is when we can see love for what it is and even start to exercise our self-control. Making choices out of fear is not coming from either of these areas. It’s not coming from love because love doesn’t come out of fear. Perfect love expels and repels fear.

Leading a Person Back to the Solid Path (TMF:2196)

Monday, October 09, 2023
Peace to Live By: Leading a Person Back to the Solid Path (TMF:2196) - Daniel Litton
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       I don’t like to have to say this, but I am sure that many of you out there have known people who have left the truth. I’m not talking about switching denominations here, or going to a different church. We’re not talking about self-righteousness here. What we are talking about is a person who leaves the good, sound, universal principles of God, those which he presents in his Word. And this is usually most obviously manifested in a loss of morality. Sometimes God gives us opportunity to bring the person back, or perhaps lead a believer who is just kind of lukewarm onto a more solid path. In these cases, this a great and gracious thing from God. It shows the wonder and forgivingness of his character, how he is compassionate and merciful, how he wants everyone to be on his side. And when the person makes the choice to come back or be more serious about their salvation, this only works to be an example to others around the person to consider the same thing. This good begets more and more good. And it’s good also for the person, or series of persons, who helped the person to come back.