The Word for Today with Ray: December 2025

Saturday, December 27, 2025

Tell Your Servants the Dream - Daniel 2:4

In the book of Daniel, Daniel said, “in the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams, wherewith his spirit was troubled, and his sleep brake from him. Then the king commanded to call the magicians, and the astrologers, and the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans, for to show the king his dreams. So they came and stood before the king. And the king said unto them, I have dreamed a dream, and my spirit was troubled to know the dream”, and in chapter two and verse four Daniel shared how the Chaldeans say, “tell your servants the dream”where we read,

Then spoke the Chaldeans to the king in Syriack, O king, live for ever:

tell your servants the dream, and we will show the interpretation.

The verse reads, “Then spoke the Chaldeans to the king in Syriack, O king, live for ever:” Daniel began with the words, “then spoke the Chaldeans” which means “at that time uttered, declared and proclaimed the inhabitants of Chaldea” “to the king” or “toward the royal ruler and leader, Nebuchadnezzar” “in Syriack” which means “within the Aramaic language”, “O king” or “O royal ruler and leader”, “live for ever” which means “remain alive everlastingly, perpetually and in perpetuity for the future”. Daniel shared how the inhabitants of “Chaldea” began to speak to King Nebuchadnezzar in the Aramaic language, and wished upon him that he would remain alive perpetually.

The verse continues, “tell your servants the dream, and we will show the interpretation.” Daniel added the words, “tell your servants” which means “declare and proclaim to your, Nebuchadnezzar's, bondmen and men of servile condition” “the dream” or “the mental imagery”, “and we will show” which means “and we, the men of Chaldea, shall interpret, explain, inform and declare” “the interpretation” or “the rendition, the mental representation and rendering”. Daniel shared how the men of “Chaldea” requested that King Nebuchadnezzar share his “dream” with them, and they promised to reveal what it meant.

When we think through Daniel's words in this verse, we discover how the men of “Chaldea” talked to King Nebuchadnezzar in “Aramaic” and requested that he reveal his “dream” to them. Afterward they would give the rendering to him. We shall see how King Nebuchadnezzar responds in our next verse, but for now, let us consider that these men were attempting to give an answer to the king. Although their intent may have been noble, they were unable to respond to the King in a way that God only could supply. This was because God's plan to save every person from the penalty of sins which is death was being revealed. Everyone has sinned against Him, (See Romans 3:10, 23; 6:23) and this is why He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind. When He raised Him from the dead after three days, He made the way to forgive the sins and grant everlasting life to every person who yields to Him as their “Savior and Lord”. Let all who read these words submit to Jesus, and allow God to direct the minds and “dreams” of those who are yet to know Him.

Next time Daniel shares how Nebuchadnezzar tells the Chaldeans, “the thing is gone from me”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

I Have Dreamed a Dream - Daniel 2:3

In the book of Daniel, Daniel said, “in the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams, wherewith his spirit was troubled, and his sleep brake from him. Then the king commanded to call the magicians, and the astrologers, and the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans, for to show the king his dreams. So they came and stood before the king”, and in chapter two and verse three Daniel shared how Nebuchadnezzar said, “I have dreamed a dream, and my spirit was troubled to know the dream” where we read,

And the king said unto them, I have dreamed a dream, and my spirit was troubled to know the dream.

The verse reads, “And the king said unto them, I have dreamed a dream, ...” Daniel began with the words, “and the king”which means “and the royal ruler and leader, King Nebuchadnezzar” “said unto them” or “uttered, declared and proclaimed to them, “the magicians, and the astrologers, and the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans”, “I have dreamed”which means “I, King Nebuchadnezzar, had mental imageries concerning” “a dream” or “a mental imagination”. Daniel shared how “King Nebuchadnezzar” told those before him that he had mental imageries concerning a mental imagination.

The verse goes on to say, “... and my spirit was troubled to know the dream.” Daniel continued with the words, “and my spirit” which means “and my, King Nebuchadnezzar's, mind, vivacity, vigor and courage” “was troubled” or “existed as impelled, beaten, anxious and disturbed” “to know the dream” which means “to learn, perceive, find out and discern the mental imagery”. Daniel said King Nebuchadnezzar told the men before him that his mind and courage were disturbed to find out and discern the mental imagery.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn through Daniel what King Nebuchadnezzar told “the magicians, and the astrologers, and the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans” who were gathered before him that he had a “dream”, and he was “trouble” in his mind to know and understand it. God established King Nebuchadnezzar in his position because He sets up leaders and takes them down, (See Daniel 2:21). God used the “dreams” of Nebuchadnezzar in His plan of salvation which is available to everyone through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was resurrected from the dead after three days. When we put our faith and trust in Him as our personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and comfort our spirits to know He is in control even when the people who rule over us seem like they are beyond His reach.

Next time Daniel shares how the Chaldeans say, “tell your servants the dream”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Show the King His Dreams - Daniel 2:2

In the book of Daniel, Daniel said, “in the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams, wherewith his spirit was troubled, and his sleep brake from him”, and in Daniel chapter two and verse two Daniel shared how Nebuchadnezzar called upon people, “to show the king his dreams” where we read,

Then the king commanded to call the magicians, and the astrologers, and the sorcerers,

and the Chaldeans, for to show the king his dreams. So they came and stood before the king.

The verse reads, “Then the king commanded to call the magicians, and the astrologers, and the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans, ...” Daniel began with the words, “then the king” which means “at that time the royal ruler and leader” “commanded to call the magicians” or “ordered to summon the diviners, astrologers and writers and engravers of the occult”, “and the astrologers” which means “necromancers, conjurers and enchanters”, “and the sorcerers” or “and the ones who practice magic and witchcraft”, “and the Chaldeans” which means “and the inhabitants of Chaldea who were living on the lower Euphrates and Tigris rivers”. Daniel said at that time “King Nebuchadnezzar” ordered the diviners, necromancers, ones who practice witchcraft and the inhabitants of Chaldea to be summoned.

The verse continues, “... for to show the king his dreams. So they came and stood before the king.” Daniel added the words, “for to show the king” which means “to be conspicuous, known and reveal to the royal ruler and leader” “his dreams” or “his, King Nebuchadnezzar's, mental imageries”. “So they came” which means “therefore, wherefore and on this account they, the diviners, necromancers, ones who practiced witchcraft and the inhabitants of Chaldea, entered, were enumerated and brought in” “and stood before the king” or “and were fixed, set and established in front and in the presence of the royal ruler and leader”. Daniel said “the diviners, necromancers, ones who practiced witchcraft and the inhabitants of Chaldea” obeyed the king's order and entered and were established before the presence of King Nebuchadnezzar for the purpose of making the mental imageries known unto him.

When we consider Daniel's words in this verse, we discover how King Nebuchadnezzar ordered “the diviners, necromancers, ones who practiced witchcraft and the inhabitants of Chaldea” to be summoned so they could reveal his “dreams” to him. They obeyed the King and entered the place where he was located and were set in front of him. King Nebuchadnezzar was so “troubled” by his “dreams” that he wanted everyone within his realm who was supposedly wise to come before him. We shall see what he says to these men in our next verses, but for now let us be aware that Jehovah God provided these “dreams” and was orchestrating the events behind the scenes. God is able to work in the lives of people whether they believe in Him or not, and because He loves everyone, He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and resurrected Him from the dead after three days. When we believe and trust in Jesus as our personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us His Holy Spirit to know when He is at work even though He is unseen.

Next time Daniel shares how Nebuchadnezzar says, “I have dreamed a dream, and my spirit was troubled to know the dream”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Nebuchadnezzar Dreams - Daniel 2:1

In the book of Daniel, Daniel said about the chosen children of Judah, “at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king. And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm. And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus”, and in Daniel chapter two and verse one Daniel said, “Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams” where we read,

And in the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams,

wherewith his spirit was troubled, and his sleep brake from him.

The verse reads, “And in the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams, ...” Daniel began with the words, “and in the second year of the reign” which means “and in year number two of the reign and rule” “of Nebuchadnezzar” or “belonging to Nebuchadnezzar whose name means may Nebo protect the crown” “Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams” which means “Nebuchadnezzar the king had mental imageries of imaginations”. Daniel shared how Nebuchadnezzar had mental imageries of imaginations during the “second year” of his rule in Babylon.

The verse goes on to say, “... wherewith his spirit was troubled, and his sleep brake from him.” Daniel continued with the words, “wherewith his spirit” which means “in which his, King's Nebuchadnezzar's, mind, vigor, vivacity and courage” “was troubled” or “existed as impelled, beaten and disturbed”, “and his sleep” which means “and his, King Nebuchadnezzar's, slumber and rest” “brake from him” or “was separated apart and gone from him, King Nebuchadnezzar”. Daniel shared how “Nebuchadnezzar's” “dreams” disturbed him so greatly that he was unable to rest or sleep.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn through Daniel how “King Nebuchadnezzar” had “dreams”during the “second year” of his rule over Babylon. These “dreams” were spiritually prophetic as we shall see, but for now let us consider that God is able to do whatever He desires when He plans to use someone in His Kingdom. God loves the people of Israel, and He loves us. He proved His love to us when He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind, and when He raised Him from the grave three days later, He made the way for us to be forgiven of our sins, granted everlasting life and given His Holy Spirit who will guide us when the circumstances are supernatural in nature.

Next time Daniel shares how Nebuchadnezzar called upon people, “to show the king his dreams”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Daniel Continues - Daniel 1:21

In the book of Daniel, Daniel said of the chosen children of Judah, “at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king. And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm”, and in Daniel chapter one and verse twenty-one Daniel said, “Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus.” where we read,

And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus.

The verse reads, “And Daniel continued ...” Daniel began with the words, “and Daniel” whose name means “God is my judge” “continued” or “happened, occurred existed” according to the following. Daniel shared how he remained before Nebuchadnezzar until the following.

The verse continues, “... even unto the first year of king Cyrus.” Daniel added the words, “even unto the first year” which means “until the first annual measure of time” “of king Cyrus” or “belonging to the royal ruler named Cyrus whose name means possess you the furnace and was the king of Persia and conqueror of Babylon; first ruler of Persia to make a decree allowing the Israelite exiles to return to Jerusalem”. Daniel said he remained before Nebuchadnezzar until the first annual set of days of the reign belonging to “Cyrus” who was the royal ruler of Persia.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn through Daniel how he remained serving in the presence of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon until King “Cyrus” of Persia came into power. The year was around 559 B.C., and the Persian empire was to be the ruling empire of the world. In the meantime, Daniel was to serve Jehovah God beneath the rule of King Nebuchadnezzar. God used Daniel in wonderful ways, and we shall discover them in our next verses. For now let us be aware that God desires to have a personal relationship with us as well, and He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and raised Him from the dead three days later so when we put our faith and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit within us so we can serve Him wherever He desires for all our lives.

Next time we begin a new chapter and see Daniel say, “Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Thursday, December 25, 2025

Inquiring in Matters of Wisdom and Understanding - Daniel 1:20

In the book of Daniel, Daniel said, “at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king”, and in Daniel chapter one and verse twenty Daniel shared about, “all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king inquired of them” where we read,

And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king inquired of them,

he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.

The verse reads, “And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king inquired of them, ...” Daniel began with the words, “and in all matters” which means “and within each, every, the whole and everyone of the speeches, business, occupation and words” “of wisdom” or “pertaining to shrewdness, prudence and whit” “and understanding” which means “discernment, meaning and faculty”, “that the king” or “that the royal ruler and leader, Nebuchadnezzar” “inquired of them” which means “asked and questioned Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah” the following happened. Daniel shared how he, “Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah” excelled in every area pertaining to shrewdness, prudence and discernment that the royal ruler Nebuchadnezzar asked of them, and the following occurred.

The verse goes on to say, “... he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.” Daniel continued with the words, “he found them” which means “he, King Nebuchadnezzar, discovered and discerned them, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah” “ten times better” or “ten parts or portions greater and above” “than all the magicians” which means “compared to each, every, the whole and everyone of the diviners, ones possessed of the occult and followers of horoscopes” “and astrologers” or “necromancers, conjurers and enchanters” “that were in all his realm” which means “who existed within each, every, the whole and every part of his, Nebuchadnezzar's, royal and sovereign rule and reign”. Daniel said that Nebuchadnezzar discovered that he, “Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah”excelled over the diviners, astrologers, necromancers and enchanters” by a multiple of ten.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Daniel just how much God blessed him and “Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah”. Their abilities were gifts from God, and their placement within Nebuchadnezzar's kingdom were orchestrated by God as well. God was implementing the salvation plan for all mankind, and this would eventually lead to the revelation of His plan to bring His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and to be raised from the dead after three days. When we put our faith and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us gifts through His Holy Spirit to be employed within His Kingdom. (Ephesians 4:7-13)

Next time Daniel says, “Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…