Week 13: Day 4

Intro: What’s up everyone, welcome to Orbit, a short reflection to help you put God at the centre of your life from the team behind Satellites – my name is Josh Green from 24-7 Prayer. Every weekday, the guys from Satellites have got some amazing people in to share a little bit of the Bible with you, give you a chance to pray and think about it, and provide you with one practical way to put it into practice today.

I’m back again today to finish the book of Daniel and look at Daniel 12.

Bible: Daniel 12:1 says, “At that time Michael, the archangel[a] who stands guard over your nation, will arise. Then there will be a time of anguish greater than any since nations first came into existence. But at that time every one of your people whose name is written in the book will be rescued.”

Daniel 12:3 says, “Those who are wise will shine as bright as the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever.”

Thoughts: What does it mean to be rescued? I’m going to share a bit of my story of how Jesus rescued me and then help us to be people who, like Daniel 12:3 says, “lead many to righteousness.”

I use a simple model, B. C., J. C., & A. D. It’s my life Before Christ (B. C.), how I met J. C. (Jesus Christ), and what my life was life after Christ (A. D.)

B. C.

When I was 14 years old, I really struggled in High School. I was badly bullied to the point where I wanted to end my own life. Everything I tried to do wasn’t working to fill the void I found was in my soul. I tried drugs, sex, getting drunk and partying but none of it seemed to make me feel like my life had a purpose or that there was a reason for my existence.

One day I was arrested by the police and kept in a police station over the weekend. I was in one of their holding cells which wasn’t a pretty experience. No phone, no books, no T. V. Just me, a wooden bench and a heavily used metal toilet. It was awful to say the least. At this time, I started to contemplate my life and think about my choices. Then something amazing happened.

J. C.

I started to pray and ask Jesus to help me. I knew I had made mistakes and I wanted to change my life. As I was praying, I started to have a vision of Jesus and I realized I couldn’t change my life, only Jesus could.

The problem was I didn’t really want to become a Christian. I thought Christians were boring but at the same time I knew this encounter I was having was real.

When I got home, I found out that, at the exact time I was praying, my Mum and sister were also praying for me to experience Jesus. It blew me away. Many other things happened which just said to me that what I had experienced was a complete miracle. I had an undeniable and unshakeable experience of Jesus.

I knew that If I didn’t become a Christian, I would spend the rest of my life lying to myself.

A.D.

After I gave my life to Jesus, I never had one suicidal thought again. I started to go on a journey of knowing how loved and cherished I am by God. I started to find purpose and meaning for my life.

I started to realize that my life wasn’t just to please myself but to help others. I started finding myself crying about young people not knowing their God-given value and not knowing Jesus. So, over the last decade and for the next one I’ve worked and will work to tell as many young people about Jesus as possible and see young people have an undeniable and unshakeable encounter with Jesus.

Prayer: Maybe for the first time, or as a recommitment you could say to God, like I did, Jesus I want to know you and, in knowing you, would you help me discover what I am supposed to do in the world for your glory?

Jesus, thank you for whoever is reading this. Reveal yourself to them and show them how loved they are. Help them to turn away from sin and their old life and live a new life with you. Help them to see the purpose you have for their life. In Jesus’ name Amen.

Action: Today’s action is super simple but perhaps a little terrifying for some of us. Make sure to pray but also, I hope this little B. C., J. C., & A. D. model will help you.

Find a friend or maybe use Tik Tok or Instagram to share your B. C., J. C., & A. D. with others.

Outro: That's it for today's Orbit. Thanks so much for joining us. I'll be back again tomorrow for my final session. We’ll be looking at Psalm 13.