When They Say They Can't - The Fruit of Courage - 244

The world grows increasingly hostile to biblical values, leaving many Christians wondering how to remain faithful without facing severe consequences. Drawing from personal experience with grief after losing my father to cancer, worship became my anchor during life's darkest moments, bringing the "peace beyond understanding" promised in Philippians 4:7.

The frightening parallels between Daniel's Babylon and today's culture cannot be ignored. We face growing hostility toward faith, directives that challenge core beliefs, real consequences for non-compliance, and cultural backlash for standing firm in our convictions. Since prayer was removed from American schools in 1962, we've witnessed a cascading series of moral compromises that have fundamentally altered our nation's foundation – from skyrocketing teenage pregnancy rates to declining educational performance despite increased spending.

Daniel's response to the king's decree forbidding prayer offers a powerful example for believers today. He didn't panic, protest, or complain about injustice – he simply continued praying three times daily as he always had, accepting the potential consequences. This unwavering faith required remarkable courage, the same courage available to us when we spend consistent time in God's presence.

The early disciples demonstrated this courage after Pentecost, speaking boldly despite threats. People noticed they were ordinary men who had "been with Jesus." Their example reminds us that courage flows not from education or status but from connection with Christ. As pressures mount to remain silent about our faith, remember Jesus' sobering warning: "Everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven."

Will you continue worshiping when culture says stop? Will you build your life on the unchanging truth of God's Word rather than shifting opinions? In a world where many boldly express their views, we must find courage to stand firm and speak God's truth with grace – not to prove we're right, but to genuinely share His hope. The time for courageous faith is now.

Daniel Dilemma - CH

Chapters

• 0:00 Finding Peace Through Worship in Grief
• 10:10 The Decline of Biblical Values in America
• 14:15 Four Parallels Between Daniel and Today
• 22:22 Daniel's Response to the King's Decree
• 27:46 Cultivating Courage Through Time with Jesus
• 33:15 Boldly Speaking Truth in a Hostile World

Transcript

Daniel Moore: 0:05

Difficult times and personal crises aren't the only challenges that call for us to rely on prayer and praise. When we encounter pivotal moments in life or when society's turmoil leaves us shaken, it's essential that we stay true to our deepest beliefs and keep our focus on Jesus, even and especially when the world tries to pull us away. This week, on Connecting the Gap, we continue our series on Unshaken holding fast in a culture of compromise. It's our study on the book of Daniel. We'll be back with that right after this, outro Music. Welcome to Connecting the Gap. This is a podcast about marriage, bible and book studies, and we interview people that have a story. I'm Daniel Moore, your host. Thank you guys for joining us this week. If you're not familiar with our show, check out our website at wwwconnectingthegapnet for all of our platforms that we are on. Our YouTube and Rumble links are there as well. We're also on the Christian podcasting app, edify. You can also visit us on social, at Facebook, instagram and X at ctgaponline. If you're a fan of our show, please subscribe and feel free to leave a comment on our platforms. Give us a thumbs up or a five-star review on Apple Podcast, and we'd be grateful to you for doing that Well, this week, as I mentioned here in the intro, we're continuing with our study through the book of Daniel, as we're talking about culture and how we need to make sure that we stand up and not compromise when culture throws things at us to try to trip us up in our faith.

Daniel Moore: 2:06

And this week, I believe, we are in episode six of this extended series. This week it's entitled when they Say I Can't, the Fruit of Courage. Ronald Reagan, who was one of my favorite presidents of my time, once made a comment he said if we ever forget that we are one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under. And so many times have we gotten close to that. Ever since he made that comment, the doctor has found cancer.

Daniel Moore: 2:52

I looked at my dad and had him repeat it again. We were standing in the front drive of his house when he relayed the devastating news to me. He had been fighting some severe pain in his hip for some time and had finally had the proper test run to show the source of the pain. Well, is it fixable? I asked. They can take it out, right? He assured me the doctor was pretty confident about it. They had found it in his lower abdomen as a lump and they were pretty sure they could take it out. They performed the surgery and he started treatments and went back to work. He thought everything was going to be okay.

Daniel Moore: 3:30

Months went by and one day I was at his house when he broke me some more bad news the cancer had reappeared. He proceeded to tell me that it was a form of melanoma cancer and somehow it had gotten into his leg bone. The bone was so eaten away that the doctor said if he so much as fell, the bone would probably snap in half. He went on to inform me that the procedure to fix it was to go in and shave the bone to get the cancer out. As best they could insert a steel rod, infuse it to his leg bone and then lots of treatment after that for the cancer itself. He sounded pretty positive about it and seemed to think it would take care of the issue.

Daniel Moore: 4:13

My dad and I were having some issues at the time and we really weren't all that close. My mom and dad had divorced over a decade before and I really did love my dad despite the life circumstances that we had been thrown into, but until that moment I had not really thought about living out the rest of my life without my dad. He was only 53 when the cancer was found. My dad was always one of those guys that, no matter what issue you would run into, whether if it was car problems or construction or many different things, he was pretty good at a lot of it. I had leaned on him many times to help with predicaments I got myself into. They performed the surgery and sent him home. That particular surgery happened in August. By mid-October we were lowering him into the ground in a casket at the young age of 55. He never recuperated from that second surgery. In two years he was gone Many times.

Daniel Moore: 5:16

Since that day I have turned to praise and worship music. While it may seem unusual to worship while grieving, I have learned to worship God despite my circumstances. Philippians 4, verse 7 promises us a peace beyond understanding, but it is Philippians 4, verse 4 that really holds the key. It says Rejoice in the Lord always. I will again say it rejoice. Although worship did not erase my grief, it brought an overwhelming sense of peace that I could not find elsewhere. I have followed the goodness of God to calm me, his power to empower me and His comforting presence to console me.

Daniel Moore: 6:00

Although I knew I would continue to grieve over my dad's cancer, I found peace in knowing that I could endure this difficult news. My father's passing would not extinguish the best parts of me. His influence would endure through me forever. Instead of succumbing to grief, the essence of his final days would be celebrated as a manifestation of a fulfilled life. Throughout this trying period, as my father fought for his survival, I found peace in a verse from 2 Timothy 4.18. It says the Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. Contemplating the essence of this message, I many times pondered the conflicting possibilities Would God deliver my father from his ordeal, or would he peacefully transition into heaven? Eventually I realized the answer was yes, and both happened After his initial treatment and seemed to successfully eradicate the disease from his body. The cancer returned the following year and my dad passed away a few months later. I grieved then and I still miss him, but it brings me great joy knowing where dad is right now and that I'll get to see him again someday. With God, we're always in a win-win situation. No matter what's at risk or what we lose, even the most precious people in our lives, god's goodness will sustain us.

Daniel Moore: 7:51

The turning point in my father's battle with illness came one day when I chose to worship God and resist of the most significant choices we make amidst societal changes. Opting out of worship during that critical moment may have been deemed acceptable by the world. Indeed, it is widely recognized that death and illness can sideline individuals for a period of time. Opting to engage in worship during such circumstances may not have been the first or most common course of action suggested. However, taking a step of faith often goes against the conventional wisdom of the world, does it not? Receiving the news of my father's diagnosis on that day felt like my own personal lion's den moment. As I grappled with the belief that God had forsaken me, cancer seemed to overshadow God's power. Instead of succumbing to despair and the overwhelming circumstances, I made the choice to worship regardless and resist yielding to life's pressures. This is an option available to everyone. Worship has the power to transform our perspective, shifting from seeing our challenges as insurmountable and God is limited to recognizing the vastness and the greatness of our God.

Daniel Moore: 9:21

Difficult times and personal crises aren't the only challenges that call for us to rely on prayer and praise when we encounter pivotal moments in life or when society's turmoil leaves us shaken. It's essential that we stay true to our deepest beliefs and keep our focus on Jesus, even and especially when the world tries to pull us away. Especially when the world tries to pull us away, longstanding values once held in high regard are now being challenged from every direction. The definition of marriage has been radically altered. Our educational institutions increasingly reflect opposing special interests. Rather than uphold biblical truth, many of our leaders support and justify the taking of unborn lives. The moral foundation of our nation continues to fracture, breaking apart not only the biblical principles but also basic common sense values that were once deeply respected.

Daniel Moore: 10:22

For many, a critical turning point came in 1962, when the Supreme Court ruled to remove prayer from public schools. If you're under the age of 50, it's likely hard to picture a time when prayer was a normal part of the school day in America. Yet before a key court decision, most mornings in classrooms began with the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a simple prayer such as Almighty God, we acknowledge our dependence on Thee and we beg Thy blessings over us, our parents, our teachers and our nation. Over time, however, growing objections from some led the high courts in the nation to rule that such prayers could no longer be part of the public school routine. It might not seem like a significant issue, especially when compared to what we've become used to in today's world, but when we start giving in to public pressure and remove God and the clarity that comes from regularly connecting with Him, there are always unexpected consequences. It's not just a gradual decline. It's like a series of dominoes falling, each one knocking over the next, until the foundation of Christian values has been completely dismantled.

Daniel Moore: 11:40

Just think about everything that's taken place since the day prayer was taken out of our schools. Since 1962, teenage pregnancy rates have increased by 500%. The number of unmarried mothers has also seen a sharp rise. Today, the divorce rate is so high that many children grow up without a clear understanding of what a traditional family looks like. Violent crime has been on the steady climb since the early 1960s, and our prison system is now overwhelmed and overcrowded. Another way to view the shift is by looking at the decline in educational performance Following 1962, sat scores dropped year after year for nearly two decades before leveling off, only to begin falling again in recent years. At one time, our nation boasted the best education system in the world. Today, however, we rank around 15th among industrialized countries, even though we spend more on education than any other nation. It's a remarkable shift, to say the least.

Daniel Moore: 12:53

I'm not suggesting that prayer should be reinstated in public schools, especially since doing so today would require equal accommodations for all belief systems. Doing so today would require equal accommodations for all belief systems. My point is to highlight how quickly moral compromises can weaken the fabric of our society. We've gone from a ruling that removed prayer from classrooms to decisions like the one made in New Mexico in August 2013, where sexual freedom was placed above religious freedom. In that case, the state Supreme Court determined that a Christian photographer could not refuse to photograph a same-sex couple's commitment ceremony, even though doing so went against his deeply held faith. We've traveled a long road and, unfortunately, our decline continues. While the past was far from flawless, there was once a strong foundation of shared moral values that provided stability. There was also the cherished freedom to worship God, something our forefathers fought hard to secure. Today, sadly, that foundation and that freedom seem to have been torn apart and reshaped into a trap laid by the enemy.

Daniel Moore: 14:15

The parallels between Daniel's experiences in Babylon and the challenges Christians face today are striking. In fact, there are at least four clear similarities that closely reflect one another. Let's take a moment to briefly explore each of them. Number one we live in a world that is increasingly hostile toward faith in God, much like Daniel, who found himself in a pagan culture that had no interest in respect for or reverence toward a living God, we are surrounded by a society that often rejects biblical truth. The Babylonians sought to pressure Daniel and his fellow Jews into abandoning their beliefs and adopting the customs of their captors. While many Christians today face cultural pressures to conform, we must also be mindful of our brothers and sisters around the world who endure intense persecution and even risk their lives for their faith. As Scripture urges us in 1 Peter 5, 9, we must stand firm in our faith and pray for those who are suffering and being martyred, and pray for those who are suffering and being martyred.

Daniel Moore: 15:28

Number two we are often confronted with directives from authorities that challenge the core of our faith. In Daniel's time, babylonian rulers demanded that he and other Hebrew captives worship pagan idols under threat of death. Their goal was to erase Daniel's devotion to God and replace it with cultural conformity enforced through political pressure and the threat of violence. In a more recent context, consider the legal battle Hobby Lobby faced over the Health Care Reform Act, which required them to include coverage for the morning-after pill in their employee health care plan, something that went against their religious convictions. Although the Supreme Court ultimately ruled in Hobby Lobby's favor, similar challenges to religious freedom continue to arise.

Daniel Moore: 16:14

Number three we face real consequences for choosing not to comply. Daniel and his fellow Jews endured imprisonment and were put through multiple trials as the Babylonians worked relentlessly to assimilate them. These captives likely endured physical suffering, torture and life-threatening ordeals, such as the fiery furnace and the lion's den. While the consequences we face today might not appear as severe or immediate, they are still significant and punitive. One of the most heated moral debates of our time revolves around how churches should respond to same-sex marriages. If a church refuses to perform such ceremonies, could the government revoke its tax-exempt status? But who says churches must perform state-sanctioned marriages in the first place? Our ultimate authority is God, not the mayor, the governor or the president. The bigger question is whether our ministries, especially those that serve people in need, will suffer as a result of our commitment to biblical truths about marriage. And then, number four we often face cultural and social backlash for holding to our beliefs.

Daniel Moore: 17:32

When we look at Daniel's life, it's clear how remarkable he was, not just for surviving the trials and hardships placed on him by his Babylonian captors, but for standing firm in his faith and even impacting those around him. Daniel never allowed fear, anxiety or pressure to shake his commitment, to hinder his obedience to God. In today's world, we must draw strength and courage from his example, because choosing to stand firm in our worship and convictions often comes with real cost. Some people have lost jobs, political positions, businesses and personal reputation. Others have found themselves in courtrooms or behind bars, unwilling to compromise their foundational faith in God and His truth. These parallels reveal the growing influence of what I refer to as the Antichrist spirit, their foundational faith in God and His truth.

Daniel Moore: 18:23

These parallels reveal the growing influence of what I refer to as the Antichrist spirit in our time marked by increasing hostility towards Christianity, the Bible, the Church and Biblical values. This opposition shows itself through sortion, authoritative control and cultural backlash aimed at silencing or punishing those who remain faithful, and scripture clearly warns us about these times. In 2 Thessalonians 2, verses 9-12, it says the coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sort of displays of power, through signs and wonders that serve the lie, and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refuse to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason, god sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned, and who have not believed the truth but are delighted in wickedness. The four striking similarities between Daniel's experience in Babylon and our current world are not just coincidence. There's a deeper spiritual reality at play beneath the surface.

Daniel Moore: 19:38

The same spirit of the Antichrist that operated in Daniel's time is still active today, working to oppose God and target his people. This opposition typically comes through a two-pronged strategy First, by elevating human authority and desires above God, and secondly, by attempting to silence or eliminate the worship of God altogether. Both of these tactics are clearly visible in today's culture. One of the easiest ways the enemy gets us to place humanity above God is by making life revolve around ourselves. Satan pushes his agenda by constantly replacing God's truth with two major lies. The first lie if it feels good, do it. And the second lie live your own truth. Do what's right for you. Live your own truth. Do what's right for you.

Daniel Moore: 20:30

He uses countless cultural tools to reinforce this mindset that elevates personal desires above everything else. Business, sports, entertainment, money, power, fame, pleasure and sex all of these can become distractions that shift our focus from God to ourselves when we prioritize them above Him. The devil understands that if he can get us fully attached to something of this world, it will leave us empty and craving more, just to numb the pain. This cycle of addiction becomes a trap that leads many down a destructive path. Even more troubling is how this environment can lead to the marginalization of people of faith who choose not to go along with the culture. We already are seeing the early signs of religious freedoms increasingly being restricted by the shifting preferences of society. Issues like legalized abortion not only permitting it but also requiring taxpayers to fund it and the legalization of same-sex marriage have deeply damaged the moral foundation of our nation. We are now being compelled to comply with practices that conflict with our faith and, in response, we must be willing to trust God and accept whatever consequences come our way.

Daniel Moore: 21:50

Culture constantly tries to place a wedge between whatever consequences come our way. Culture constantly tries to place a wedge between our beliefs and our worship If the world can pressure us into abandoning God's truth. It will lead us toward honoring its idols instead of remaining faithful to our holy God. Worship is about honoring who God is and seeing the world through His perspective. It's recognizing that he is the Creator and we are His creation. Cultural voices today want to silence and dismantle this form of worship, finding it offensive and threatening. That's because consistent, faithful obedience to God and His Word challenges those who seek to deny His presence and authority. As a result, our culture continuously works to distort the truth about God and shift that authority into human hands.

Daniel Moore: 22:44

Our religious freedom is a cornerstone of our nation's origin. Stone of our nation's origin. It's the very reason the pilgrims left everything behind brave, dangerous seas and began anew in the harsh wilderness they encountered at Plymouth Rock. These early faith pioneers understood something essential that we must remember today. In the same spirit, when Peter and the apostles were confronted by Jewish religious leaders for preaching about Christ, they declared we must obey God rather than human beings. That's Acts, chapter 5 and verse 29. There's no denying it Biblical values are steadily fading and as they decline, our religious freedoms are also being restricted. As culture continues to shift, new boundaries are imposed, dictating what we can and cannot do in the practice of our faith. Society no longer wants us to worship God freely and according to our convictions. In many ways, we are facing the same kind of challenge that Daniel encountered in Babylon. After overcoming cultural pressures and passing through a fiery test of faith, daniel faced his toughest cultural conflict yet.

Daniel Moore: 24:03

Following the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, babylon came under the rule of a new king, darius. Though Daniel continued to hold a prominent role in the royal court, many officials were resentful that a Hebrew outsider had risen to such influence. Driven by jealousy, they conspired to eliminate Daniel once and for all. Finally, these men said we will never find any basis for charges against this man, daniel, unless it has something to do with the law of his God. So the administrators and the satraps went as a group to the king and said May King Darius live forever. The royal administrators, prefects, satraps, advisors and governors have all agreed that the king should issue an edict and enforce the decree and put it in writing so that it cannot be altered In accordance with the laws of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed. So King Darius put the decree in writing. That's Daniel, chapter 6, verse 5 through 9.

Daniel Moore: 25:21

After failing to compel Daniel to worship anything other than God. The Babylonians shifted tactics. They now aimed to stop him from worshiping his God altogether. They crafted a cunning scheme to force Daniel away from prayer and devotion to the one true God, pressuring him instead into total allegiance to their king. But once again, take note of how Daniel chose to respond. In Daniel 6, 10-12 it says Now, when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room, where the windows opened toward Jerusalem.

Daniel Moore: 25:57

Three times a day, he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. Then these men went as a group and found Daniel praying and asking God for help. 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 man except to you, your majesty, would be thrown into the lion's den? The king answered the decree stands in accordance with the laws of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.

Daniel Moore: 26:34

How did Daniel respond to the king's decree? He prayed. He continued to worship God and prayed three times a day, just as he had always done. Daniel didn't panic, stir up a conflict or complain about the injustice of the law. He simply stayed faithful to his routine of prayer and worship, honoring the Lord that he loved and the Lord that he served. Are we prepared to make the same unwavering commitment? Will we stand firm, no matter the pressure or the source, refusing to bow to any other God? Will we choose to worship God alone? Do we possess the same kind of courage that Daniel demonstrated? Daniel consistently stood his ground and refused to conform to the demands of his captors or their culture. He would not bow down to their idols or take part in their self-indulgent lifestyle. And when commanded to pray only to the king, he didn't hesitate. He simply went home and continued praying three times a day, just as he always had. His unwavering faith still serves as a powerful example today. The way that we respond to cultural pressure also speaks volumes. As mentioned in chapter 3, following Daniel's example requires courage, but even more than courage, it calls for demonstrating that courage through decisive action.

Daniel Moore: 28:11

Courage was clearly evident in the lives of Jesus' disciples, especially after he ascended to heaven and sent the Holy Spirit to empower them. It's highlighted in several moments, including this one In Acts 4.13,. It says when they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men. They were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus, despite being threatened with death for their beliefs or for preaching the gospel. The disciples stood firm and faced those threats without fear. This kind of courage caught the attention of the people, who quickly realized that the disciples weren't scholars or religious elites. They were simply ordinary fishermen. What set them apart was the time that they had spent with Jesus. That connection left a lasting impression on them, giving them a deep well of courage to draw from as they faced every challenge ahead. The results of the disciples' courage are seen later in Acts 4, during a powerful prayer gathering. In verse 31, it says After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

Daniel Moore: 29:27

This kind of boldness is what I desire for you and for all of us who follow Jesus and seek to stand firm in a culture that constantly pressures us to compromise. The boldness to stand with courage even as societal values shift around us. The boldness to speak truth even when it's unpopular. It might not always feel easy or comfortable, but the reward is eternal, we're reminded. Do not lose your courage, then, because it brings with it a great reward in Hebrews, chapter 10, verse 35. And, as we saw in the lives of the disciples, the source of that courage is clear it comes from spending time with Jesus. The more time we invest in His presence, the more courage that we'll find to live faithfully. This kind of courage isn't just for spiritual giants like Daniel, david, paul or the other disciples. It's available to both you and to me. When you observe people of strong faith, you'll often see that they possess a faith that has been refined through trials, a faith that can withstand both fire and lions. These individuals face challenges just like anyone else, but they hold tightly to something greater the promises of God and His Word, along with the courage to live them out.

Daniel Moore: 30:50

When I pray each day, I begin by reading God's Word. Then I ask the Lord to highlight a verse or truth from what I've just read. After that, I take time to listen. Some of the most meaningful insights and creative ideas have come during those quiet moments of listening. As God speaks to my heart through Scripture, a personal word from the Lord becomes a promise planted deep within us. Without it. We may easily panic or given under pressure when challenges arise, but even in the middle of life's storms, a word from God gives us the confidence to stand firm and speak with boldness. That's one of the key reasons I urge you to spend time each day reading scripture and bringing it before God in prayer.

Daniel Moore: 31:36

Whether or not you fully understand it, and even if it's challenging or uncomfortable, choose to accept its authority in your life. Even when it's hard to accept, god's word always tells me the truth. At times it makes me uncomfortable by exposing areas in my heart and life that need to be changed, but when I choose to submit to God's truth, it brings freedom. Yielding to his word strengthens our convictions and fuels our courage, giving us the confidence that we need to stand strong through any storm. Giving us the confidence that we need to stand strong through any storm.

Daniel Moore: 32:11

In Matthew 7, verse 24, the message version, it says these words I speak to you are not incidental additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundational words, words to build a life on. If you work these words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who built his house on solid rock. If we base our lives on popular opinion or fluctuating emotions. We will constantly feel unstable and insecure, always fearing that circumstances could shift in an instant. Without the unchanging truth of God's character and His Word, we lack a solid foundation. But when we place our trust in Him, we experience true peace of mind and a deep sense of fulfillment, knowing that God is in control. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. He loves us and nothing can ever change that.

Daniel Moore: 33:15

Daniel wasn't the first person to risk it all and place his trust in God for the outcome. Long before him, abraham was told to sacrifice his beloved son Isaac, the miracle child that he and Sarah had waited years to receive. In their old age it seemed unthinkable. Why would God grant them such a precious gift only to ask for it back? Only God understood the reason. But Abraham wasn't required to grasp God's reasoning or motives. He was simply called to obey. In Hebrews 11, the faith chapter, verse 17 to 19,. It says by faith, abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He, who had embraced the promises, was about to sacrifice his one and only son, even though God had said to him it is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned. Abraham reasoned that God offspring will be reckoned. Abraham reasoned that God could even raise the dead. No-transcript. He did receive Isaac back from death. Abraham believed that God could raise the dead. He trusted God to do what seemed impossible because he had already witnessed God's power before. Even when the sacrifice seemed unimaginable, abraham didn't hesitate.

Daniel Moore: 34:36

You see, courage doesn't demand to have all the answers before taking action. Courage flows from the heart. Like love, it's anchored in a deep, unwavering trust. True courage means moving forward despite fear and not letting it dictate your choices. In its simplest form, courage looks up to God, stands firm in faith and speaks out with boldness. Courage looks up to God, stands firm in faith and speaks out with boldness.

Daniel Moore: 35:07

As Christians, many of us find it challenging to speak openly about Jesus in public. This isn't a new struggle. The Apostle John noted that even during Jesus' time on earth, no one had the courage to speak favorably about Jesus in public. That's John, chapter 7, verse 13. Yet today, the importance of boldly speaking in Jesus' name is more crucial than ever. Many of us have likely wrestled with thoughts like these.

Daniel Moore: 35:32

I don't know what to say without offending someone. I'm not sure how to connect with them. My Christian beliefs might come across as harsh, people might not understand. If I stand up for the truth, what will others think of me? But even so, it's a risk that we must be willing to take. When we keep our hearts centered on God through constant prayer and worship and speak with words filled with grace, especially with His grace, we don't need to be anxious about how others will respond. God's truth carries the power to bring freedom, and that should inspire us to reach out and love, not as a way to prove we're right, but to genuinely connect and share His hope.

Daniel Moore: 36:17

We understand that some people won't be open to what we have to share. We understand that some people won't be open to what we have to share. Others might disagree with us, but they'll respect our willingness to speak out, especially when they realize our goal isn't to be right, but to just show love. This isn't always easy because, as mentioned in episode 3 of this series, it's tempting to fall into an us-versus-them mindset, where grace disappears. However, we can avoid this by constantly, consistently spending time in God's presence and aligning our perspective with His. Doing so builds both the love in our hearts as we engage with others and the boldness and courage to lean into the conversation rather than retreat from it.

Daniel Moore: 37:03

We all need to be encouraged in this. Even the great apostle Paul needed encouragement in this area. In Acts 18.9, it says One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision Do not be afraid, keep on speaking, do not be silent, and you might be saying Well, hold on a second here, daniel. You might be thinking what's the big deal? As long as my heart is right with God, I don't need to speak up.

Daniel Moore: 37:35

But here's the thing I'd encourage you to consider what Jesus said In Matthew 10, 32, the message version. He said Stand up for me against world opinion and I'll stand up for you before my Father in heaven. And what happens if we choose not to speak up? The very next verse gives us the answer Matthew 10.33,. But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven. Do you understand how crucial it is not to be timid about your faith? Jesus basically said if you deny me here on earth, I'm going to deny you before my Father in heaven. If you're ashamed of me, I'll be ashamed of you. And that may sound intense, but it's not when you're genuinely committed to what you believe.

Daniel Moore: 38:27

Think about how confidently people around the world express their beliefs. With social media giving nearly everyone a platform, many are bold and unapologetic about their opinions. Yet those who hold to God's truth often hesitate, fearing rejection or being misunderstood. Too often Christians stay quiet, worried about the consequences, like facing their own version of the lion's den. But in those moments, remember Daniel, who continued to pray faithfully even after it was outlawed. Let his courage inspire you. Stand firm and speak God's truth with boldness. Refuse to give up your ground and do what God wants, not what people want. Well, that's going to do it for this week's episode, and as we go, we just want to remind you that we believe that God's word never fails us. God's word has stood the test of time and, through Jesus' death on the cross, he has connected the gap. This is an extension of Connecting the Gap Ministries, and we pray that you have a blessed week.