Just a Thought:
I've been doing the Daniel Study by Beth Moore. I have learned much. One thing that continues to stick out in my mind is the temple. It's not just a church or sanctuary. It's us. Our bodies, our minds. Since the beginning, satan tempted Eve by having her question God's authority (attacking her mind). And when she fell for the lie, she & Adam defiled their bodies by partaking in something that seemed like no big deal. Needless to say, it was a big deal. God & Satan are pursuing us. Both in very different ways. As my biblical study continues, it is clear that satan uses the same tactics on us as he did Eve-by questioning &doubting God & His authority, corrupting our minds w/ lies & we then defile our bodies that leads us to be used by satan instead of God. So, after finishing the first session of my Daniel study this morning, Ch 1-6 paralleled w/ Revelation ch 17 & 18, it is clear that we are living in a "modern day Babylon". I then listened to my Psalms & Proverbs (specifically Psalms 2 & Prov 2) devotion from You Version, I don't understand why people say that a you can't mix politics w/ biblical truth. It all goes hand in hand. Starting in Gen 10:8-12 w/ Nimrod & Babel (Babylon) God gives us clear warnings & examples (through out the bible) how a nation, people, ruler, king, etc..will fall. Satan wants to entice you into a worldview instead of a biblical view. You may have all you want to satisfy your worldly desires for now, but God's Word is true, it will come to an end. The choice you have to make is which side are you going to be standing on when it does happen? Will you fall or will you stand?
Friday, February 22, 2013
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Who Are You???
I haven't blogged in a long time. Although there has been a lot for me to blog about, just not enough time to do it.
But today I had a little extra after I did my bible study, Daniel: Lives of Integrity, Words of Prophecy to sit and blog something. I am only up to chapter 5 so if you have a bible, I would take the time to read Daniel ch 1-5. If you don't have a bible but have a computer, you can go to www.biblegateway.com and look it up.
God is constantly teaching me through His Word and through my circumstances. One thing that is constant, is the sovereignty of God.
Has God ever done something in your life that made you say "that was a total God thing" or "that was all God" Or maybe said "God's hand was all over that". I find that it is said the most when something good or exciting has happened in our lives. But what about those times when something doesn't go as planned or what is considered to be "bad news/times"? Do we still say " that was all God"???
The thought came to me yesterday when I had learned that the position I applied for was given to another applicant. I was completely OK with that decision because I knew that isn't what God wanted for me at the time. But someone said to me, "I'm kinda disappointed." I asked "why?" the response was "because I thought it would have been something you would have been good at". My response was "but that's not where God wants me to be right now".
The word "disappointed" stuck with me throughout the day......
As I reflected on what God has been teaching me about His Sovereignty in my life and in all it's circumstances, I realized that God's hand wasn't just on me or my circumstances only during the "good times" but God's hand was in on all the "bad times" as well.
God is in control. Something I hear all the time. And Yes, He is. In the good and the bad times. Am I saying that God allowed not just the good but the bad to happen too?? Yes, yes He did. God has me right where He wants me so that I will draw closer to Him!
You may ask, "how can a loving God do that?" How could he not?? Has he not warned us of the consequences of living apart from Him? Has He not given us the choice to choose life or death? Has He not given us enough examples to learn from?
As a parent there are times that we have to punish our children. This occurs mainly when they get a little too full of themselves. :) Even though they KNOW, we still have to remind them that there are consequences when they don't follow the guidelines set for them. We do this because we love them. They need to know there are boundaries set for a reason.
So why would God, who created us, who loves, and who wants whats best for us not do the same??
As I am learning in my Daniel study, sometimes God has to teach us the hard way just like He had to teach King Nebuchadnezzar that we are really not the ones in control. And it's not through ourselves that we obtain all we have. He does this to remind us that He set boundaries for a reason, it for our own protection. So that we don't become so self centered that we forget the true meaning of life which is in Him and the purpose He has for us.
Watching our kids learn the hard way isn't always pretty. It can be hurtful and painful to watch but necessary because there is always a lesson to be learned IF they apply what they have learned from. If not, the teaching & lessons continue.....
God too has to teach us the hard way sometimes. But I think the greatest thing I have seen through out my life and even the life of King Nebuchadnezzar (and many others through out the bible who turned from God) is God's Grace.
How many times do we turn from God and live as if we are our own king?
How many times do we do things for our own gain or recognition and live content in our own palace? How many times do we take what it holy and make it unholy?
As a parent who loves my children, I will never stop loving them. No matter how much they may dislike me at the time or want to get away from me I will never give up on them.
God, as our Father, will never stop loving us or give up on us either. Sure He may seem distant by allowing us to go off on our own for a season, but that doesn't mean has given up or stop loving us. God is never the one to walk away, we are. But He is never to far to reach! God wants us to restore our relationship with Him!!!
There have been times God has given me all MY hearts desire only to have them crumble at my feet. Maybe your like King Nebuchadnezzar and God is giving you all you ever wanted to satisfy your flesh only to take it all away so that you will come to know that there is only one True King and He is the only One who can satisfy your every need.
Or maybe God is keeping you at the bottom so that the only way to look is up, up to Him??
Maybe your Daniel and God has you in your own modern day Babylon so He can use you.
What's it going to take to bring you to your knees? What's it going to take so that your desires are what God desires?
No matter where you are at in life, God has you right where He wants you!
God is in it ALL!!!
But today I had a little extra after I did my bible study, Daniel: Lives of Integrity, Words of Prophecy to sit and blog something. I am only up to chapter 5 so if you have a bible, I would take the time to read Daniel ch 1-5. If you don't have a bible but have a computer, you can go to www.biblegateway.com and look it up.
God is constantly teaching me through His Word and through my circumstances. One thing that is constant, is the sovereignty of God.
Has God ever done something in your life that made you say "that was a total God thing" or "that was all God" Or maybe said "God's hand was all over that". I find that it is said the most when something good or exciting has happened in our lives. But what about those times when something doesn't go as planned or what is considered to be "bad news/times"? Do we still say " that was all God"???
The thought came to me yesterday when I had learned that the position I applied for was given to another applicant. I was completely OK with that decision because I knew that isn't what God wanted for me at the time. But someone said to me, "I'm kinda disappointed." I asked "why?" the response was "because I thought it would have been something you would have been good at". My response was "but that's not where God wants me to be right now".
The word "disappointed" stuck with me throughout the day......
As I reflected on what God has been teaching me about His Sovereignty in my life and in all it's circumstances, I realized that God's hand wasn't just on me or my circumstances only during the "good times" but God's hand was in on all the "bad times" as well.
God is in control. Something I hear all the time. And Yes, He is. In the good and the bad times. Am I saying that God allowed not just the good but the bad to happen too?? Yes, yes He did. God has me right where He wants me so that I will draw closer to Him!
You may ask, "how can a loving God do that?" How could he not?? Has he not warned us of the consequences of living apart from Him? Has He not given us the choice to choose life or death? Has He not given us enough examples to learn from?
As a parent there are times that we have to punish our children. This occurs mainly when they get a little too full of themselves. :) Even though they KNOW, we still have to remind them that there are consequences when they don't follow the guidelines set for them. We do this because we love them. They need to know there are boundaries set for a reason.
So why would God, who created us, who loves, and who wants whats best for us not do the same??
As I am learning in my Daniel study, sometimes God has to teach us the hard way just like He had to teach King Nebuchadnezzar that we are really not the ones in control. And it's not through ourselves that we obtain all we have. He does this to remind us that He set boundaries for a reason, it for our own protection. So that we don't become so self centered that we forget the true meaning of life which is in Him and the purpose He has for us.
Watching our kids learn the hard way isn't always pretty. It can be hurtful and painful to watch but necessary because there is always a lesson to be learned IF they apply what they have learned from. If not, the teaching & lessons continue.....
God too has to teach us the hard way sometimes. But I think the greatest thing I have seen through out my life and even the life of King Nebuchadnezzar (and many others through out the bible who turned from God) is God's Grace.
How many times do we turn from God and live as if we are our own king?
How many times do we do things for our own gain or recognition and live content in our own palace? How many times do we take what it holy and make it unholy?
As a parent who loves my children, I will never stop loving them. No matter how much they may dislike me at the time or want to get away from me I will never give up on them.
God, as our Father, will never stop loving us or give up on us either. Sure He may seem distant by allowing us to go off on our own for a season, but that doesn't mean has given up or stop loving us. God is never the one to walk away, we are. But He is never to far to reach! God wants us to restore our relationship with Him!!!
There have been times God has given me all MY hearts desire only to have them crumble at my feet. Maybe your like King Nebuchadnezzar and God is giving you all you ever wanted to satisfy your flesh only to take it all away so that you will come to know that there is only one True King and He is the only One who can satisfy your every need.
Or maybe God is keeping you at the bottom so that the only way to look is up, up to Him??
Maybe your Daniel and God has you in your own modern day Babylon so He can use you.
What's it going to take to bring you to your knees? What's it going to take so that your desires are what God desires?
No matter where you are at in life, God has you right where He wants you!
God is in it ALL!!!
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