Today I was sitting in church and my dad was talking about finding God's will. He talked about John 17:3. It says that eternal life is to know God. It really got me thinking do I really know God. Is my relationship with my heavenly Father really that real? Is is just a one way street. I often wonder how you hear from God. If our relationship with Him is like any other relationship then shouldn't we be able to hear Him speak to us. I've really been learning lately that I need to just stop and be silent and listen to the Lord as much as I can.
I had a neat QT Thursday night after Bible study. I was just praying and asking God to speak to me. I heard Him so clearly, He said I'm right were He wants me to be right now. He told me to continue doing what I'm doing and that this is His will for me right now. It was good. I remember thinking to myself, "this is what peace is, I have peace in my heart right now". It was good to know that this is where God wants me right now.
It seems that God is really speaking to me or perhaps just showing more of how He works to me through His word. It's like every time I read my Bible it's a new sermon. I'm just ready to go out and preach or something. I've had a couple dreams the last few weeks in which I was preaching to crowds of young people. It has been interesting. I'm not sure what God is doing cause I don't really have any opportunity to preach right now. But maybe someday He'll open a door for me. I think I preach to my friends a lot. I mean I'm always sharing stuff with them about the Word and what God is showing or teaching me. It is really good for me I think to do that. I want to be an encouragement to those around me!
I guess the last thing I'll share is something interesting I read yesterday about Moses. In Exodus God told Moses that He was going to start testing the Israelites. I was like wow, I always think that hard times come from Satan or that I must have done something wrong. That is not true though. God specifically tested the Israelites and I think God is testing me right now. I don't know if God tests us all the time or if it's just something that happens sometimes. I guess the only way we know we've passed is if the test ends. I'm not really sure. So Lord help me through this time of testing and show me what you want me to know. Thank you.
Sunday, February 4, 2007
Friday, February 2, 2007
Bible Study Update
So we had our weekly guys Bible study last night and it was amazing. God totally was speaking to me through it. We were talking about several things but the stuff that hit home for me was a guy sharing some C.S. Lewis writings from his book "Screwtape Letters" I think that was the name. He talked about how Satan gets us distracted from what we need to do today by making us think about the future. Really the only certain things in life is what we did in our past and what we are doing today. The key to living for Christ is living the life for today and not spending all this time worrying about what the future may bring. The fact is the future may never come and if that's the case we've wasted all that energy for nothing. That was good for me to hear. I don't want to waste the present by worrying about my future. I need to trust God that He'll take care of my future if I take care of today.
The other point that was good was about the fact that there is no formula for being a "good Christian". A lot of times people want to get free from sin and they think if they do a specific thing a certain way they'll be ok. The point that matters is when we fail it is because our focus is on us and not on Him. We need to keep our focus on Jesus and that will keep our focus off of us and our flesh. It was a good time and God really encouraged me. I was reading my Bible last night before bed and I just really got the sence of peace that I am in the right place in my life right now. This is what God wants me to do and I'm glad to do it.
The other point that was good was about the fact that there is no formula for being a "good Christian". A lot of times people want to get free from sin and they think if they do a specific thing a certain way they'll be ok. The point that matters is when we fail it is because our focus is on us and not on Him. We need to keep our focus on Jesus and that will keep our focus off of us and our flesh. It was a good time and God really encouraged me. I was reading my Bible last night before bed and I just really got the sence of peace that I am in the right place in my life right now. This is what God wants me to do and I'm glad to do it.
Monday, January 29, 2007
Daniel Part III
Chapter 3 The Fiery Furnace
Ch 3:1-7 The king makes an image of gold of himself and calls the whole kingdom to come and worship him.
We can see that power without grace corrupts. King Nebuchadnezzar was taking what God had given him and using it for his own glory. God had a purpose though and that was to bring ultimate glory to Himself.
Proverbs 16:4 The Lord has made everything for its own purpose, even the wicked for the day of evil. Also see 14:28, 11:20
3:8-15 The king finds out the three men will not bow down and he is furious. He orders them to worship or they will be thrown into the fire.
3:16-18 Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to give you an answer concerning this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”
They gave the king the respect his position required and they gave the Lord the honor that is due him.
3:19-27 The furnace experience
vs. 24 Nebuchadnezzar sees four men in the fire and the forth looks like son of God.
vs. 28-29 The king praises the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego and makes a decree that no one shall say anything against God or they will be destroyed.
vs. 30 Then the king caused Shadrach, Mechach and Abed-nego to prosper in the province of Babylon.
Again being faithful in little things leads to greater things. Interestingly there is no mention of Daniel in this chapter.
Ch 3:1-7 The king makes an image of gold of himself and calls the whole kingdom to come and worship him.
We can see that power without grace corrupts. King Nebuchadnezzar was taking what God had given him and using it for his own glory. God had a purpose though and that was to bring ultimate glory to Himself.
Proverbs 16:4 The Lord has made everything for its own purpose, even the wicked for the day of evil. Also see 14:28, 11:20
3:8-15 The king finds out the three men will not bow down and he is furious. He orders them to worship or they will be thrown into the fire.
3:16-18 Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to give you an answer concerning this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”
They gave the king the respect his position required and they gave the Lord the honor that is due him.
3:19-27 The furnace experience
vs. 24 Nebuchadnezzar sees four men in the fire and the forth looks like son of God.
vs. 28-29 The king praises the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego and makes a decree that no one shall say anything against God or they will be destroyed.
vs. 30 Then the king caused Shadrach, Mechach and Abed-nego to prosper in the province of Babylon.
Again being faithful in little things leads to greater things. Interestingly there is no mention of Daniel in this chapter.
Saturday, January 27, 2007
Daniel Part II
Chapter 2 The Kings Dream
Ch 2:3 And the king said to them, “I had a dream, and my spirit is anxious to understand the dream.”
2:4-12The course of what happens next. The king wants the wise men to not only tell him the interpretation of the dream but also to tell him the dream itself. He does not trust these men and he wants to know that they are telling the truth. If they will not tell him the dream and the interpretation all the wise men in the kingdom will be killed, including Daniel and his three friends.
2:14 Then Daniel replied with discretion and discernment to Arioch, the captain of the king’s bodyguard, who had gone forth to slay the wise men of Babylon;
2:16-18 Daniel goes to the king and asks for time to give him the interpretation. Daniel and Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah pray for God to reveal the dream and interpretation.
2:19-23 The dream is revealed in a vision.
Old men will dream dreams and young men will see visions. A leader hears from God, not only for himself but also for others. Moses on the mountain receives the Ten Commandments, David defeating Goliath.
2:27-30 Daniel clearly sets up for the king that no man can know these things but it is God that has revealed them to him for the sake of the king.
A leader does not take the praise himself but always gives it to the Lord. Jesus said I only do the work the Father tells me to do. Paul asked God for His words to speak and not his own human words.
2:31-45 The dream and interpretation. There were four parts to the dream.
2: 46-49 Daniel is promoted to ruler over the province of Babylon. He asks the king to also appointed Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego.
Good leaders surround themselves with wise people.
See Proverbs 27:17 Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.
28:5 The wicked do not understand justice but those who seek the Lord understand all things.
22:29 Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before obscure men.
20:18 Prepare plans by consultation, and make war by wise guidance. Also see 13:20
Daniel faithful again and now God is beginning to entrust him with more. He continues to work with the end in mind. That is to bring glory to Jesus Christ.
Ch 2:3 And the king said to them, “I had a dream, and my spirit is anxious to understand the dream.”
2:4-12The course of what happens next. The king wants the wise men to not only tell him the interpretation of the dream but also to tell him the dream itself. He does not trust these men and he wants to know that they are telling the truth. If they will not tell him the dream and the interpretation all the wise men in the kingdom will be killed, including Daniel and his three friends.
2:14 Then Daniel replied with discretion and discernment to Arioch, the captain of the king’s bodyguard, who had gone forth to slay the wise men of Babylon;
2:16-18 Daniel goes to the king and asks for time to give him the interpretation. Daniel and Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah pray for God to reveal the dream and interpretation.
2:19-23 The dream is revealed in a vision.
Old men will dream dreams and young men will see visions. A leader hears from God, not only for himself but also for others. Moses on the mountain receives the Ten Commandments, David defeating Goliath.
2:27-30 Daniel clearly sets up for the king that no man can know these things but it is God that has revealed them to him for the sake of the king.
A leader does not take the praise himself but always gives it to the Lord. Jesus said I only do the work the Father tells me to do. Paul asked God for His words to speak and not his own human words.
2:31-45 The dream and interpretation. There were four parts to the dream.
2: 46-49 Daniel is promoted to ruler over the province of Babylon. He asks the king to also appointed Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego.
Good leaders surround themselves with wise people.
See Proverbs 27:17 Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.
28:5 The wicked do not understand justice but those who seek the Lord understand all things.
22:29 Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before obscure men.
20:18 Prepare plans by consultation, and make war by wise guidance. Also see 13:20
Daniel faithful again and now God is beginning to entrust him with more. He continues to work with the end in mind. That is to bring glory to Jesus Christ.
Friday, January 26, 2007
Love, What is it?
Today as I was driving and I noticed a bumper sticker that said, "Make love not war". Isn't is sad how our world now views and see love. It is something that seems so cheap now and it's a word that is thrown around with such ease and carelessness sometimes. I was reading in my Bible today and I came across one of my favorite verses. "Perfect love cast out fear".
What does it mean to have "perfect love"? Is that a sexual love, is it a brotherly love, is it a committed love. I know in my own life I have times where I doubt the Lord and His plan for me. However I must ask myself if my love for Christ is perfect. If it was would I have such doubt and fear about my future? It is a question that must be asked and my immediate answer would be that no, my love is not perfect. Another translation says, "complete love cast out fear". If this is the case then is my love for the Lord incomplete...even as I am listening to my iPod right now the song that is playing is called, "Is it Love". Interesting is it not.
So my challenge for myself and for those reading would simply be thing; is your love for Christ complete, is it perfect? If not, if you have fear in your life then ask the Lord to make it complete. This is what I am doing. Ask the Lord to give you a sincere love for those around you.
What does it mean to have "perfect love"? Is that a sexual love, is it a brotherly love, is it a committed love. I know in my own life I have times where I doubt the Lord and His plan for me. However I must ask myself if my love for Christ is perfect. If it was would I have such doubt and fear about my future? It is a question that must be asked and my immediate answer would be that no, my love is not perfect. Another translation says, "complete love cast out fear". If this is the case then is my love for the Lord incomplete...even as I am listening to my iPod right now the song that is playing is called, "Is it Love". Interesting is it not.
So my challenge for myself and for those reading would simply be thing; is your love for Christ complete, is it perfect? If not, if you have fear in your life then ask the Lord to make it complete. This is what I am doing. Ask the Lord to give you a sincere love for those around you.
The life of Daniel, Part I
Leadership: to show the way by going in advance, by conduct, to direct or one in charge or command of others, having or showing an ability to lead others.
Who were some biblical leaders? Moses, David, Daniel, Paul, Jesus
He who is faithful in little things will be entrusted with much. Matt 25:21, Luke 16:10
How did Daniel demonstrate leadership and faithfulness in his life?
Chapter 1 Ten Times Better
1:8 Bud Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself with the king’s choice food or with the wine which he drank: so he sought permission from the commander of the officials that he might not defile himself.
The first thing we see is that he made up his mind. Daniel was determined not to sin against God. A leader must make up his mind from the beginning and not waiver in what he believes.
James 1:7 Let no man expect to receive anything from the Lord, if he is double minded he will be unstable in all he does.
Daniel was not double minded. This gave him the ability to be stable in whatever he did.
Good leaders see the end from the beginning. They learn to plan with the end in mind. Daniel could see the goal of the king. Healthy, strong, culturally equipped men. Daniel had a plan in mind from the beginning. Let the servants be tested.
1:20 And the king found Daniel and his friends ten times better than all the wise men in the land.
Recap of Ch.1 Daniel is taken from his home and sent to Babylon, he then goes into training in the kinds court and is found the best of the best. Why, because he was not afraid to lead and be faithful in the little things.
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