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Blog
Spending Time with God Transforms Us
Written by Johana Batres, Iron Rose Sister Ministries Volunteer in Colorado Springs, CO
“...Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?" (Daniel 6:20)
I invite you to read Daniel 6:10-22:
“10 Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. 11 Then these men went as a group and found Daniel praying and asking God for help. 12 So they went to the king and spoke to him about his royal decree: ‘Did you not publish a decree that during the next thirty days anyone who prays to any god or human being except to you, Your Majesty, would be thrown into the lions’ den?’
The king answered, ‘The decree stands—in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.’
13 Then they said to the king, ‘Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, Your Majesty, or to the decree you put in writing. He still prays three times a day.’ 14 When the king heard this, he was greatly distressed; he was determined to rescue Daniel and made every effort until sundown to save him.
15 Then the men went as a group to King Darius and said to him, ‘Remember, Your Majesty, that according to the law of the Medes and Persians no decree or edict that the king issues can be changed.’
16 So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’ den. The king said to Daniel, ‘May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!’
17 A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the rings of his nobles, so that Daniel’s situation might not be changed. 18 Then the king returned to his palace and spent the night without eating and without any entertainment being brought to him. And he could not sleep.
19 At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions’ den. 20 When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, ‘Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?’
21 Daniel answered, ‘May the king live forever! 22 My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty.’”
This is one of my favorite stories.
Often times we believe that it’s just a story for kids, but it offers a great teaching for us as well. Especially in this part: discipline is required in order to grow in any area of our lives. Likewise, in our walk with God, cultivating the spiritual discipline of spending time regularly with Him is one of the ways to develop our confidence.
Daniel is a good example of discipline in his walk with God. As a young man, he began to make wise and careful decisions (Daniel 1:8). He also prayed regularly, "giving thanks to his God" (6:10). His frequent seeking of the Lord made those around him easily recognize his faith. Even King Darius described him as "servant of the living God,” whom Daniel served continually (v.16, 20).
Like Daniel, we also desperately need God. How good it is to know that the Lord works in us so that we may desire to spend time with Him (Phil. 2:13)!
For this reason, let us present ourselves before God every day and grow in the knowledge of our Savior (2 Peter 3:18). Spending time with God transforms us.
Let us ask God to help us to regularly spend time with Him, and in this way we will stay focused on Him and on His word to be transformed.
Christ: Everything, in all things, completely
Over the past few years, the book of Colossians has become my favorite of Paul’s epistles. Things I needed to hear, be reminded of, or had the opportunity to share with others, have come from that book of the New Testament.
For a semester, I facilitated a study of Colossians with some of the Spanish-language students on Wednesday afternoons in the on-campus Starbucks. The young ladies who participated in the study continued to grow in their abilities to facilitate our discussion and expressed growing joy in the discovery of biblical truths through the letter to the church in Colossae.
A memorable quote that came out of our study was, “El Todo, en todo, en todo.” Any time someone said, “Christ,” we would pause until someone responded, “El Todo, en todo, en todo.” It means that Christ is our “Everything, in all things, completely.”
By stirring our memory from past studies, the quote summarized the teachings in Colossians, especially its emphasis on the fullness in Christ, who is our “all.” Nothing can exist without Him. And our lives will never be complete apart from Him.
For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. (Col. 1:16-17)
While reading through the four short chapters of Colossians, the various phrases of fullness and totality jump out. In addition to these expressions of completeness, I invite you to focus on the phrases that demonstrate our dependence on Christ. Phrases that include, “in Him, through Him, by Him, with Him,” and others help us rediscover all that God makes possible through His Son. He truly is the center of it all.
For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. (Col. 2:9-10)
We are filled with His fullness. It is a promise on which we can stand when we are surrounded by the storms of this life…an apt description of the year 2020 for many.
In January, we introduced our theme for the year, “A Part of the Whole.” And as we close out this calendar year filled with many unexpected circumstances, we return to a reminder of true Fullness, the Whole, “El Todo, en todo, en todo.” He is over all and in all and through all (Eph. 4:6) and He invites us into His fullness when we keep our eyes and our faith fixed on Him.
May Christ be our Everything, in all things, completely, for all nations. “El Todo, en todo, en todo,” para toda nación.
How can you be an example of making Christ your Everything in all things, completely? How can you encourage an Iron Rose Sister in that same endeavor?
