4
December
2014

December's Memory Verse
Isaiah 40:31
“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings as eagles;
they shall run, and not be weary;
and they shall walk, and not faint.


- Dissolving Doubts! -
(Daniel 5:1-12,16) 
"...Forasmuch as an excellent spirit, and knowledge, and understanding, interpreting of dreams, and shewing of hard sentences, and dissolving of doubts, were found in the same Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar:.."

In my mind, Daniel is one of the most amazing and godly men in all the Bible. There are many phrases we could use to discribe Daniel, but one that caught my attention is, "a dissolver of doubts." Daniel was such a man that caused people's doubts and uncertainties to dissolve (disappear, come to an end.) He influenced people to move from unbelief, uncertainty, and distress, to faith, confidence and assurance.

I ask myself this question, "am I a dissolver of people's doubts?" Does the way I talk reinforce or dissolve people's doubts about God? Do my actions reinforce people's faith in God's Word or do they cause them to doubt God's Word?

Some actions that will "solidify" people's doubts:
  • A Christian life that bears no fruit (John 15:16). A Christian that makes no effort to win others to Christ will solidify the unbelievers doubts about eternity and the reality of Heaven and Hell. 
  • A Christian life that has no power (2 Timothy 3:5). Unbelievers hear us talk about a supernatural God and Bible, but see nothing supernatural about our lives.
  • A Christian with a negative attitude (Philippians 4:4). A constant focus on faults and a constant rehearsal of failure will cause people to doubt God's goodness, power, and love.
  • A Christian life that loves and is conformed to the world (1 John 2:15; James 4:4). Loving the world and the things of the world, living by the world's values and priorities cause people to doubt that God has anything better to offer in life than what this old sinful world has to offer.
The following are a few ways that Daniel was a dissolver of doubts:
  • He had a firm grasp upon the character of God (Daniel 11:32b).
    The character of God is the foundation of my faith (Hebrews 11:6). I can be certain that every event that God allows into my life can turn out for good if I will but love God, trust Him completely, and obey Him thoroughly. A wrong understanding of God's character produces a weak or mutant faith. The woman at the well had her doubts dissolved when Jesus helped her understand the holiness, goodness, compassion, and love of God.
  • He had a full reliance upon the promises of God.
    Daniel had no doubts that God could and would do exactly what God had promised to do. He simply took God at His word without doubting or questioning and others around him took notice and began to share his confidence in the Lord. See Daniel 1:8-16 where Melzar's doubts about Daniel's convictions were dissolved.
  • He had a fearless confidence that he was in the perfect will of God. 
    (See Daniel 6:10-26) Daniel's confidence in God's will kept him from entertaining doubts, even in the midst of the most intense persecution and mistreatment. When I determine God's will for my life, "plant my feet" in His will, so to speak, and refuse to move from His will, other's will be impacted to trust God and do the same.
Unwavering faith in God and His Word will have a profound impact on those around us. Let's refuse to entertain any doubts in our Lord, let's focus on Jesus Christ and His great power, holiness, and love, and let's determine to be bright and shining lights of faith and purity in this old unbelieving world of doubt and sin.

We have some exciting events in the next few weeks: 
  • Sunday, December 7 is our annual Missions Emphasis Sunday. Veteran missionaries, Jeff Williams (New Zealand) and Joe Passaro (military in Germany) will be speaking throughout this big day. We'll refocus on our Faith Promise commitments to the Great Commission.
  • Thursday, December 18 is our Super Seniors' Christmas Banquet. We have a wonderful evening planned and will enjoy a "Christmas Tree Ornament Exchange."
  • Friday, December 19 our teens have their "Ugly Sweater" Christmas party. Contact Pastor Grant for more information about this fun evening.
  • Sunday, December 21 is our annual Childrens' Christmas Program. The theme this year is "While Shepherds Watched." This program has been a great blessing to our church over the years with many visitors joining us. Please plan to be at MLIBC on this special Sunday.
  • Wednesday, December 24 is our annual Christmas Eve service. Starting at 6:00 we'll be singing Christmas hymns, reciting the Christmas story, and sharing the Lord's Supper. Join us for this special time of celebrating our Lord's birth.
Please be much in prayer for Missions Emphasis Sunday this Sunday. Pray about your faith promise commitment and pray for the Lord to "send forth laborers" into the harvest field of this world.

Follow us on Facebook or Twitter to keep up with what is happening around here and, please check out our website at www.mlibc.org.
 
Bring your Bible and a friend and I'll be looking for you Sunday!
 
Sincerely, your friend,
                                                          

                     

 

 

 Dr. Dennis Leatherman - Pastor


Mountain Lake Independent Baptist Church
1005 Broadford Road, Oakland, MD, 21550