As we enter into the week of Christmas celebration. As believers, as the body of Christ, it is a joyous time of celebrating the Birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God. Many gifts will be bought, and many gifts will be given this week. But we celebrate the Greatest Gift anyone can receive, The Lord Jesus Christ being born of a virgin. As the angel appeared to Mary and began to explain how the Holy Ghost would come upon her, she would have a Son, and His name would be Jesus. We are thankful this morning for the angel Gabriel delivering that message to Mary. That was his task given by God, and he fulfilled that task. However, I want to bring your attention to Mary’s response to the announcement of Gabriel. “And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to they word. And the angel departed from her” (Luke 1:38). Mary acknowledges herself as a servant of God, the handmaiden of the Lord. Thank you, Mary, for your willingness to listen to the instructions of God. Thank you, Mary, for being a willing vessel; God could use to bring the gift of Salvation to the whole world. I ask you this morning are you saved, and if you so, do you present yourself to God as a willing vessel. Mary was special because of her response; Mary was special when the Holy Ghost came upon her. My friend, God, is still looking for the Mary spirit to present the Son of God to the whole world. How willing are you to submit your will to God’s will and be used through this week to bless someone? Father, I pray that we will have the Mary Spirit throughout this week and allow the Holy Ghost to use us to demonstrate the Gift of God to the Whole World. Be Blessed in Jesus Name!

I would like to share some final thoughts concerning Daniel and his faithfulness to God for this week. God rewards our faithfulness to Him, but most importantly, our faithfulness brings glory to God, our faithfulness as the Children of God points those who don’t know God toward His grace and mercy. “I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before The God of Daniel: for He is the living God, and steadfast forever, and His kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and His dominion shall be even unto the end” (Daniel 6:26). Daniel continued to pray to God during a time he knew the decree said he could not. I want to encourage you to continue to do what is right. It may seem that everyone is standing against you; it may seem you are the only one standing on God’s Word, but you remain faithful, stay true to where God has you in life, and God in His due time will reward you. Daniel prayed as all other times before, and God received the glory from it, “He delivereth and rescueth, and He worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions” (v.27). My friend, whatever trial you are facing, if it is the lion’s den or the fiery furnace, God has chosen you to face that trial. You may think it is too difficult, the time is too hard, or you may feel like giving up, but God has seen something in you to trust you with the trial that would bring glory to Him. Whatever we are facing, whatever life brings our way as a Christian, means God trusted you and seen the strength in you to face that battle in life, and the end result will be to your benefit and for His glory. God knows the end, in the beginning, thank God He knows the outcome and what I can handle. Gracious Lord and merciful God, I pray for my brother and sister this morning that feels like they are in the fiery furnace or facing a lion’s den. I pray they would feel your presence and have the confidence in you to press forward. Father, thank you for trusting us with the events of life that will bring glory to your name, and Lord, help us handle the situation with honor, knowing you are right here with us. I pray this in the name that is above every name, the precious name of Jesus Amen. Be Blessed in Jesus’ Name!

We live in perilous times, times where we have to wear a mask, use hand sanitizer, and stay at least six feet away from folks. We are not hugging and shaking hands at church; my friends, right now, it is all about protection and keeping you and your family safe. But all of that is still temporary protection; the only true protection we can have is to know Jesus as our Lord. There is no protection, like God’s protection. Daniel told that old king, “My God hath sent HIS angel, and hath shut the lion’s mouth” (Daniel 6:22). God is still in control of all things. If God sent His angel to make a pillow of hungry lions for Daniel, our God, my God will place His hedge around us as well. Let me remind us, don’t tempt God; just trust in Him for your protection. The scripture said that “no manner of hurt was found upon him(Daniel) because he believed in his God” (v.23). This morning, my friend, has the Blood of Jesus been applied to your heart, the only true vaccine for sin and death. The Blood of Jesus promises guarantees protection from death, hell, and the grave. When the three Hebrew boys were cast into the fiery furnace, the king rose up and said, “I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire and they HAVE NO HURT; and the form, of the fourth is like the SON OF GOD” (3:25). Take a moment and shout if you know Jesus, go ahead, raise your hand, and say thank you, Jesus. Just knowing He is walking through the fire with you. My friend, the protection was not from the lion’s den. The protection was not from the fiery furnace, but protection while you are in the lion’s den, protection while you are in the fiery furnace. Father, I pray this morning for those who feel like they are in the lion’s den, for those who feel like they are in the fiery furnace, that they would place their trust and faith in your protection and feel your presence walking with them. Amen