#KAYFUN QUOTES

THE SPIRITUAL TROUGH

CHAPTER 1

THE LIONS' DEN

WHEN God places you over your enemies, they begin to jealous, which will consequently make them to hate you, the more. I want to take you down to memory lane. Vividly, I know you remember the story of Daniel. King Darius put Daniel iver all the Princes of Babylon, which made the Princes to hate him. Daniel 6 verse 2 says Daniel was set first among the Princes, meaning that the other Princes are to give account unto him.

One thrilling aspect of Daniel's life is that the Spirit of God abides with him, '..... an excellent Spirit was in him" (verse 3b), which was why the King thought to set him over the whole realm. As I said earlier on, when you are placed over your enemies, hatred creeps in. The other Presidents and Princes began to find occasions against Daniel concerning the Kingdom of Babylon. But as an excellent Spirit was abiding in him, none was found against him. As long as you are faithful, brethren, no fault will be find against you.

"If Daniel would do some things wrong", the Princes thought, "then he would be trapped." But Daniel wasn't trapped, because he wouldn't do something wrong. He always ask God to show him what to do. He prayed prayed to God, three times a day. If only you'll ask God for guidance, then your enemies will find no fault against you. One day, the Princes had a plan. "King Darius," they said, "make a decree that everyone must worship only you for thirty days. Whoever fails to will be thrown into the lions' den." (Verse 8).

What a strict and foolish decree! A decree that can not be altered. Do you know King Darius liked Daniel? He knew Daniel always do the right. The King did not know that he was being tricked. The Princes were planning against Daniel. The King signed the decree. Beware! My friend, the enemies are planning and signing a decree against you. A date with God is your password.

In verse 10, the Bible indicates that Daniel knew about the decree and that it has already been signed. How he got to know, the Bible didn't say but I guess it's because the Spirit of God abides with him. Daniel went into his hot, opened the windows of his chambers towards Jerusalem. He knelt down, three times daily, praying and giving thanks before his God. He did these not because of the present condition but this is a thing he has adapted himself to.

CHAPTER 2

Daniel's enemies assembled (as your enemies too are assembling), and found Daniel praying. As your enemies wages war and Threats, what are you busy doing? And what have they caught you doing? Immediately, they got him reported to King Darius. They referred to Daniel as a child of captivity, verse 13, not knowing God had set free of him. Don't consider yourself a bondage. You are a free man. King Darius was displeased with himself. You know, he didn't know the strict decree was planned against Daniel. His heart was so set on Daniel, to deliver him. "....a d he laboured to the going down of the sun to deliver him." (Verse 14). But he will have to deliver his friend, Daniel into the lions' den.

The Princes reminded the King that the decree cannot be repelled. The law of the Medes nd Persians which any King of Babylon establish cannot be changed. What a tragedy! The King ordered that Daniel should be brought and cast into the lions' den. One crucial thing about this incident is that the King prayed for Daniel, Verse 16, confirming the power and supremacy of God. "...he will deliver thee." Surely this same God continually lives and I'm so sure he will deliver you too. Just put all (not part), but all your trust in him.

Funny enough, a stone was brought and laid upon the entrance of the den, and the King sealed it with his own signet. I pray that the joint plan of the enemies will come to nought upon you, in Jesus' name. All through the night, the King was worried . In his palace, he passed his night fasting, no merriment, no joy, even his sleep went from him. The next morning, he ran to the lions' den. When he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice (showing a sign of grieve) unto Daniel, "....O Daniel, servant of the living God. Is thy God , whom thou servest continually, able to deliver yiu from the lions?

What a testimony! Let me point out one or two things to you. Firstly, King Darius knew there is a living God. Secondly, he knew Daniel serves the Lird on a continual basis. He knew that the living God, whom Daniel serves continually is able to rescue Daniel. That is why he is asking him such a question. The question should have been a rhetorical one, because he knew quite much that the Living God is able to save Daniel. But surprisingly, Daniel responded to what to me seemed to be a rhetorical question. "....my God hath sent his angels, and hath shut the lions' mouth, that they have not hurt me..."

OH! What a mighty God we serve. His dominion is forever more. No fault was found in Daniel. If not, he would have been consumed and devoured by the lions. Just imagine this, "lions", not even a lion. He would have been destroyed by the lions in seconds. "..... for as much as innonence was found in me; and also before thee..."This was a good self defence. No harm will befall you as long as no fault is found in you. You will come out unhurt, unscratched from the tribulation you found yourself, in Jesus' name.

Another decree was made, the former repelled. Letters were written to all nations an languages dwelling in all the earth. This is a bold step taken by King Darius to spread the gospel. He decreed that in his Kingdom, men should fear and tremble before the God of Daniel; for he is the living God, steadfast forever...." I pray that another decree will be made in your favour, in Jesus' name.

The God that delivered Daniel from the paws of the lions still lives. He can do the same in your life, all you need do is to stay close to him. He will rescue you because he still worketh signs and wonders. I say God will rescue you from the paws of your enemies and pull you out of the lions' den, unscratched. A piece of advice for you: always ask God to guide your steps, stay innocent before him and it's your enemies that will be thrown into the lions' den.

CHAPTER 3

OLD AGE: THE ELEVENTH HOUR!

"I will be your God through all your lifetime, yes, even when your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and be your savior." Isaiah 46:4.

The crucial people in the ageing problem are not the old but the young age groups. We determine the status position of the old person in the social order. Here are some tit-bits on how to help.

**NO PITY: The old have lived. They know how much, including how to tell when someone is being condescending to them. They need dignity and worth. Those are the only gifts we can give them, treating them with respect and understanding.

**HONESTY: On neutral grounds, some old people resent the hostile world which has rejected them, thus resenting the threatening changes they can see in your lifestyle. But,big all people, you have the time to patiently win their trust.

**NEVER GIVE UP: Oftentimes, the young have an advantage in relating to the old. Your parents may still be battling your grandparents for control possibly rehearsing old wars. But grandparents particularly and old persons in general take delight in the young. The little time you spend with them could be the greatest gift from anytime.

**ACCEPT THEIR DEPENDENCE: We are all dependent at different stages in our lives. The Bible is filled with commands to depend on each other to give and share. Isn't this what love is all about? Go through 1 Corinthians 12 and then give a second thought about the elderly. It's no offence they have troubles with bus schedules and can't walk fast or carry heavy shopping bags. One way we've got to convince them of that.

**HELP THEM: Once they get over the independent hang-up,you can eagerly offer help. If you have a car, offer to get them down to wherever they may wish or run an errand for them. It's the student who fit to fill out such complicated forms. Offer to practice your Mathematics on some old persons' social security or welfare.

**BE ALL- EARS: No one can give you the perspective you'll get from old persons. They've survived wars, disasters, jubilations, economic violence and many more. They probably have a lot of ideas on subjects you've never even thought of. So listen. Ask them questions about life through different events in history. When you discover a societal value is declining, ask the elderly about their own view. Putting together these views will help you, a lot.

**CARE: Remember all those birthdays and celebrations your grandparents faithfully fused iver when you were a bratty kid? Why not return some of those attentions. More than anything, they want to feel important to you. Considering how much it means to old people, a little time and attention can be the cheapest sacrifice you've ever made. They need you. If you fail to help them, you will soon find yourself in the same show. REMEMBER!

CHAPTER 4

ATTENTION, PLEASE!

Imagine! Just two decades after the birth of Jesus Christ, Christianity was already founded in India, Mongolia, Tubes, Turkey, Mongolia and perhaps the dreadful Afghanistan. Still Asia, unlike Europe and the Americans,has never been dubbed a. Christian continent and many countries are even now being re-evangelised. The tale of Christianity in Asia is replete with aftermaths.

***STAY FIRM OR PERISH: Christianity was believed to take root in China as early as the second century. But the real evidence of a thriving Church in this part of the world can be linked to one Persian, A-Lo-Pen, who came to China in 635AD. The Syrian Christians were persecuted by the Roman Church and moved towards the East. The Eastern Church, as it was known then, was characterized by its zeal to share faith with others. Eventually, several of them entered into China. About one hundred and forty-six (146) years later, the Church celebrated God's blessings in its community and constructed a huge monument withits history engraved in stone. Sometimes, in 845, there was a great persecution upon the Church and this monument was buried. Two decades later, The Roman Catholic Mission, comprising of Dominicans and Franciscas arrived in China and found no trace of any Christian stay. It was only in 1625 during an archeological mission that this tablet was found.

***SEIZE THE CHANCE: Many Christians believed the Mongolian Church started only few years ago. But the actual being if the Church is wrapped around the history of the Church in China, in the 7th century, through the witness of the missionaries from the Church, in the east.A record says n invitation was given to the Roman Catholics to send one hundred (100) missionaries to teach the people Christian faith, but Europe could not comply because of internal problems. That opportunity slipped by when the Khan's were converted to Islam followed by a period of intense persecution upon the Church, eventually leading to its disappearance.

Afterwards, in 1972, a young man from England, John Gibbens, came to Mongolia to study the language and history of Mongolia. A Mongolian student, who later became his wife, assisted him in the Bible translation. This was completed in 1989. Five thousand (5000) Bibles were printed, ready for distribution. Gibbens and his wife started the first Bible study in their home in September 1990. By November, 1992, there were six hundred (600) converts attending the Sunday services. While in 1995, there were about four thousand (4000) to five thousand (5000) believers. Seventy percent (70%) of whom were below thirty (30) years of age. When will you play your own part of spreading The News?

REFERENCES:

1. SAPHIR ATHYAL (ed) , Church in Sia, Asia Lausanne, Committee foe World Evangelism.

2. MOFFET SAMUEL, A history of Christianity in Asia, 1998.