S – John answered them all, “I baptize you with water, but one who is more powerful than I am is coming. I am not worthy to untie the strap of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire

Luke 3:16 ESV

O – Commentary:

baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire This likely signals the purifying function of Jesus’ efforts, reflecting prophetic imagery (compare Isa 6:5–7). It also could anticipate the events of Pentecost (Acts 2). Another possibility draws on the symbolic association of fire with divine wrath (e.g., Luke 3:9, 17; Matt 3:10, 12) and envisions a twofold baptism: The repentant will receive baptism with the Holy Spirit, but the non-repentant will receive the baptism associated with judgment

 John D. Barry et al., Faithlife Study Bible (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016), Lk 3:16.

A – John shares that he is not the messiah and what is different about who Jesus is.  If we accept Jesus as God’s son and our Savior, then we will be filled with the Holy Spirit.  He is always present and ready to walk with us.  What a powerful gift!

R – Heavenly Father, we worship and surrender to you today.  Thank you for the gifts of salvation and your presence.  We invite the Holy Spirit to lead us and give us wisdom, discernment and courage today.

S = And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. ⁷ And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn

Luke 2:6–7 CSB

O – Commentary;

By the early second century a.d. even pagans in the area were reportedly widely aware of the tradition that Jesus was born in a cave used as a livestock shelter behind someone’s home, and they reported the site of this cave to the emperor Hadrian. (The story could have been adapted to fit a few *Gentile stories about deities born in caves, but its earliness lends some weight to its reliability.) The manger was a feeding trough for animals; sometimes these may have been built into the floor. The word traditionally translated “inn” probably means something more like “home” or “guest room”; whether because other relatives may have also been returning home for the census or for other reasons, it is easier for Mary to bear (or care for the child after birth) in the vacant cave outside.

 Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament, Second Edition (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic: An Imprint of InterVarsity Press, 2014), 185.

A – Jesus being born in Bethlehem fulfilled the Micah’s prophecy. Even though that was “expected,” few things in Jesus’ birth met expectations.  One would expect a coming “King” to be born in a palace, surrounded by the best people and help.  Jesus’ birth goes against expectations from the beginning.  We need to make sure our expectations align with him and not others or circumstances.

R- Heavenly Father, you are the Messiah.  Thank you for Jesus coming to earth.  Help us to align our expectations with you and your character more than things we see or desire.  There are things that go against our understand and believe – help us with that today.

S – And you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, ⁷⁷ to give his people knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins.

Luke 1:76–77 CSB

O – Commentary:

thou child—not “my son”—this child’s relation to himself being lost in his relation to a Greater than either.

prophet of the Highest; for thou shalt go before him—that is, “the Highest.” As “the Most High” is an epithet in Scripture only. of the supreme God, it is inconceivable that inspiration should apply this term, as here undeniably, to Christ, unless He were “God over all blessed for ever” (Ro 9:5).

77. to give knowledge of salvation—To sound the note of a needed and provided “salvation” was the noble office of John, above all that preceded him; as it is that of all subsequent ministers of Christ; but infinitely loftier was it to be the “Salvation” itself (Lu 1:69 and Lu 2:30).

by the remission of … sins—This stamps at once the spiritual nature of the salvation here intended,

 Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset, and David Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, vol. 2 (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997), 98.

A – Zecharia’s song lays out the plan directly – John would be the forerunner for the Messiah bringing salvation to the world.  What a revelation of a baby well before any of it happened.  God knows our story as well.  He is leading us through it to accomplish his plans for us too.

R – Heavenly Father, you are our God and Jesus is our Savior.  Thank you for knowing us and having a plan for each of us.  We want to bring glory to your name by obeying your plans for us.  

S – But as for you, go on your way to the end; you will rest, and then you will stand to receive^am your allotted inheritance at the end of the days.” 

Daniel 12:13 CSB

O – Commentary:

Daniel did not live to see many of his prophecies fulfilled. He, the angel said, would rest, that is, in death (cf. v. 2). But he will be resurrected (you will rise at the end of the days), and he will receive his allotted inheritance in the Millennium. Because of Daniel’s faith in God he led a life of faithful service for Him, and for that faith and that obedience he will receive a glorious reward. All who like Daniel trust the Lord will share in the blessings of His millennial kingdom.

 J. Dwight Pentecost, “Daniel,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 1374.

A – This is what I want in my life – to finish strong.  Daniel obey and was used by God powerfully in his life. He finished strong in a life filled with some tremendously difficult challenges.  He was faithful to God daily and did what asked in adversity.  Let’s have the same conviction Daniel did.

R – Heavenly Father, you are generous and loving.  Empower us with strength and conviction to obey and be faithful to you.  We want our relationship with you to impact others with your love and glory.  Help us to finish strong and honor you.

S -“Don’t be afraid, Daniel,” he said to me, “for from the first day that you purposed to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your prayers were heard. I have come because of your prayers. ¹³ But the prince of the kingdom of Persia opposed me for twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me after I had been left there with the kings of Persia

Daniel 10:12–13 CSB

O – Commentary:

God has arranged the angelic realm in differing ranks referred to as “rule, authority, power, and dominion” (Eph. 1:21). Gabriel and Michael have been assigned authority over angels who administer God’s affairs for the nation Israel (cf. Michael in Dan. 10:21; 12:1; Jude 9). In imitation Satan has also apparently assigned high-ranking demons to positions of authority over each kingdom. The prince of the Persian kingdom was a satanic representative assigned to Persia. To seek to prevent Gabriel’s message from getting to Daniel, the demonic prince attacked Gabriel as he embarked on his mission. This gives insight into the nature of the warfare fought in the heavenlies between God’s angels and Satan’s demons to which Paul referred (Eph. 6:12): “Our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of the dark world, and against spiritual forces of evil in heavenly realms.”

The battle between Gabriel and the prince (demon) of Persia continued for three weeks until Michael, one of the chief princes of the angelic realm (cf. Dan. 10:21; 12:1), came to Gabriel’s assistance. Such angelic-demonic conflict indicates something of Satan’s power. While the king of Persia was fighting Michael, Gabriel was able to bring a message to Daniel concerning the future of Israel, Daniel’s people (cf. “your people,” 9:24). It was to be a revelation of the warfare (10:1) between Israel and her neighbors until Israel is given peace by the coming Prince of peace. This vision contains the most detailed prophetic revelation in the Book of Daniel.

 J. Dwight Pentecost, “Daniel,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 1366.

A – “We wrestle not against flesh and blood…”  The spiritual realm is real and it isn’t as depicted by movies or shows.  There is a war going on between God and Satan.  The good news is that we know that God already holds the victory.  We can defeat the attack of the enemy by the blood of Jesus, the word of God and our testimony of our relationship with God.  The key is to be on God’s side.

R – Heavenly Father, you are victorious.  Thank you for fighting for us in our daily walk.  We recognize there is a war going on in the spirit realm.  We will walk in a place of victory today.

S – I continued watching in the night visions, and suddenly one like a son of man was coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was escorted before him. ¹⁴ He was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, so that those of every people, nation, and language should serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one 

that will not be destroyed. 

Daniel  7:13–14 CSB

O – Commentary:

In the third major portion of this vision Daniel saw the Son of Man approaching the Ancient of Days. Jesus Christ, taking the title “Son of Man” from this prophecy, frequently used it to refer to Himself (as recorded in the Gospels; cf. comments on Mark 8:31; John 1:51). When the Son of Man was brought into the presence of the Ancient of Days, all the authority, glory, and sovereign power that had been exercised by rulers in the four kingdoms over all peoples, nations, and men of every language (cf. Dan. 3:4, 7; 4:1; 5:19; 6:25) was conferred on Him and those peoples worshiped Him. This is in keeping with the Father’s promise to the Son in Psalm 2:6–9, and will be fulfilled at Christ’s Second Advent (Matt. 24:30; 25:31; Rev. 11:15).

The Son of Man will establish an everlasting dominion or kingdom (cf. Dan. 4:34; 7:27). That kingdom will never be conquered by another (cf. 6:26). His reign will be established on earth (Rev. 20:1–6). At the expiration of the 1,000 years of the Lord’s millennial reign, He will surrender the kingdom to God the Father, after which Christ will be appointed as Ruler over God’s eternal kingdom forever 

 J. Dwight Pentecost, “Daniel,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 1351.

A – Fascinating to see the same events depicted in Revelation, Isaiah and now Daniel.  There is a time coming where there will be tribulation ending in Jesus coming to judge the world.  We need to make sure our hearts and relationship with him is strong and healthy.

R – Heavenly Father, you are righteous judge and God.  Thank you for the opportunity to know you through the blood of Jesus on the cross.  Empower us to accept and know you more in our relationship with you today.

S – Then Daniel said to the king, “O king, live forever! ²² My God sent his angel and shut the lions’ mouths, and they have not harmed me, because I was found blameless before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no harm.”… ²⁴ And the king commanded, and those men who had maliciously accused Daniel were brought and cast into the den of lions—they, their children, and their wives. And before they reached the bottom of the den, the lions overpowered them and broke all their bones in pieces

Daniel 6:21,22,24 ESV

O – God demonstrates his power and protection of Daniel in an impossible circumstance.  He also eliminates Daniel’s accusers.  All of this is done before a pagan King who proclaims the power and bigness of God.

A – God uses trials and circumstances to affect us, others and far beyond the circumstance.  Daniel’s faith in God delivered him from the lions.  It gave Darius the ability to eliminate the jealousy and backbiting satraps and their families.  It proclaimed to his people they should worship Daniel’s one, true God.  What can God do in the situations of faith we are facing today?

R – Heavenly Father, you are the one, true God.  We set our faith that you will fight our battles we cannot fight so you will be glorified.  We entrust those who challenge us to you.  Most importantly, let every situation bring glory to your name.

S – Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished and rose up in haste. He declared to his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?” They answered and said to the king, “True, O king.” ²⁵ He answered and said, “But I see four men unbound, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods.” 

Daniel  3:24–25 ESV

O – Commentary:

The men who had been tied up were walking around in the furnace, unbound. And instead of seeing three men in the furnace, he saw four, and he said the fourth was like a son of the gods. This One was probably the preincarnate Christ (cf. comments on Gen. 16:13). Though Nebuchadnezzar did not know of the Son of God, he did recognize that the Person appearing with the three looked supernatural.

 J. Dwight Pentecost, “Daniel,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 1340.

A – God shows up at the right time.  What an incredible miracle.  God honored their faithfulness and conviction to uphold his ways and honor.  God shows up for us when we trust him, his timing and surrender to him.

R – Heavenly Father, we worship and surrender to you.  In all that we face, we know you are present and able to do whatever you will.  We surrender to your sovereignty to work what is best for our lives.

S – Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face and paid homage to Daniel, and commanded that an offering and incense be offered up to him. ⁴⁷ The king answered and said to Daniel, “Truly, your God is God of gods and Lord of kings, and a revealer of mysteries, for you have been able to reveal this mystery.”

Daniel 2:46–47 ESV

O – Commentary:

The king was so moved at Daniel’s interpretation that he prostrated himself before Daniel and ordered that an offering be made to Daniel, an honor that would normally have been given only to the gods of Babylon. Such was Nebuchadnezzar’s recognition of Daniel’s divine authority. Through Daniel’s revelation and interpretation of the dream, Nebuchadnezzar was led to confess that Daniel’s God is superior to all the gods of Babylon and that He is Lord over the earth’s kings. Daniel’s God was exalted in the eyes of Nebuchadnezzar because He through Daniel revealed the course of forthcoming history. God is, the king said, a Revealer of mysteries, as Daniel had said (cf. v. 28). Nebuchadnezzar apparently accepted the fact of his own appointment to power by Daniel’s God (cf. vv. 37–38) and recognized His authority.

 J. Dwight Pentecost, “Daniel,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 1336–1337.

A – The commentary reflects a theme in the first two chapters – Daniel stays true to his God in a world who doesn’t honor God and God distinguishes him.  Daniel’s commitment to God and his ways makes him unique but he also delivers the best results. We have the opportunity to do the same thing in our world.  As we stay committed to God’s ways and his Word, he will distinguish us from others who do not.

R – Heavenly Father, you are the one, true God.  Empower us today in our commitment and observance of your word.  As we remain faithful, we ask that you allow us to stand out so your name will be glorified.  We want to honor you today.

S – Knowing their works and their thoughts, I have come to gather all nations and languages; they will come and see my glory

Isaiah 66:18 CSB

O – Commentary:

When God reveals his glory to all people, the nations join in God’s plan of redemption; they can even serve as priests and Levites before him. The godly from all nations last from generation to generation as they serve the living God.

 New Living Translation Study Bible (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 2008), Is 66:18–23.

A – It will be a different relationship with God when Jesus returns.  We will experience the weight of his splendor in a different way.  We now know God through his word and the presence of the Holy Spirit – both carry a weight of his glory.  When Jesus returns, we will see him “face to face” and in a more revealed form.   Everyone will see it  either through judgement or relationship.

R – Heavenly Father, you are glorious and worthy to be praised.  We only see you dimly today.  Empower us to build our relationship with you so we are prepared for when you return.