(Daniel 4)

King Nebuchadnezzar’s story in Daniel 4 teaches us that God humbles the proud to draw them closer to Him, showing that even the most powerful are completely dependent on His grace. Nebuchadnezzar’s downfall was not a punishment but a gift—through his suffering, he learned to recognize God’s sovereignty and was restored with a new heart of humility and worship. This week, ask God to show you areas in your life where your pride is keeping you from being able to rely on God and love others well.

(Daniel 3)

The story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Daniel 3 reminds us that obedience to God is non-negotiable, even when faced with opposition or danger. Their faith led them into the fiery furnace, but God was with them, showing that while He can save, our obedience should never depend on whether He will. In daily life, standing firm in faith may come at a cost, but knowing that Christ has already sacrificed everything for us gives us the courage to trust Him in every challenge.

(Daniel 2)

Daniel 2 shows us that no one, not even rulers of great nations can control the future. Fear is a common response to this reality. When we realize that God is sovereign and his kingdom will last forever we can live lives free from fear and full of hope.

This week, practice claiming this truth by writing down fears as they come up in your daily life. Then write this underneath: "God is sovereign over this and His kingdom will prevail."

(Daniel 1)

Living faithfully as a Christian in a world that often opposes God can feel isolating, but Daniel 1 reminds us that God is sovereign, even in exile. Rather than assimilating into the culture or separating from it entirely, Daniel and his friends model a third way—remaining a faithful presence by walking in wisdom and obedience. This passage challenges us to trust God’s plan, seek His guidance in daily decisions, and engage the world with kindness while staying firm in our faith.

(Mark 16:1-8)

Jesus’ resurrection changes everything—He has authority even over death, offering hope beyond this life. Mark 16:1-8 presents a surprising ending where fear initially silences witnesses, but ultimately, the truth of the empty tomb is undeniable. Because Jesus conquered death, we are invited to live under His authority, trusting Him in every aspect of our lives, from our daily choices to our eternal future.

(Mark 9:14-29)

Jesus’ power is available today, but we must access it the right way—through faith expressed in prayer. Mark 9:14-29 reminds us that when we rely on our own strength, we fail, but when we bring our weakness to Jesus in faith, He works powerfully in our lives. This passage challenges us to grow in prayer, trusting God to move in ways we cannot, and learning to depend on Him in every situation. This week, let’s be intentional about deepening our prayer life, turning to God in moments of stress, doubt, and weakness, so that His power can work through us.

(Mark 4:35-41)

In this well known story, Jesus and the disciples are caught out at sea in a frightening storm. Mark shows us that Jesus has immeasurable power. The disciples are scared of Jesus after he calms the storm. But we learn that Jesus uses his power for our benefit and that a good response to our own fears is to bring them to Jesus.

(Mark 2:1-12)

All Authority #2 - In the story of Jesus healing the paralytic man, Mark shows us that Jesus has the authority to forgive us our sins. The power that Jesus has is relevant, true and helpful today.