Daniel Chapter 4-6 Review

I didn't quite complete my goal of reading Daniel 4-6 everyday this week, missed a couple days. There were many nuggets of gold in these chapters to give me a glimpse of myself . I can see more of myself in Nebuchadnezzar than Daniel as well, my goal for the future - to have more of a Daniel testimony in my life. Why do I think of myself as doing so great, when I am actually being disobedient to what God says? Proverbs 30:12 "There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness". I'm glad God doesn't give up on me.

I am thankful that the Lord is merciful and forgiving. Even when Nebuchadnezzar was lifted up with pride and boasted how he built his empire with his own might, giving God no glory, God forgave him when he repented.
Unlike Belshazzar who had seen all the things that his father had done and the consequenses of his actions, he allowed his pride and idol worship to be exalted in his life. I can see the things in this man's life, but what about the sin that I repeat? Why do I not learn from the past mistakes?

Daniel's is the life I long to mirror. He did not know the outcome of disobeying the King's decree, but he did know how important it was to obey God. God was pleased with Daniel and rewarded him for his faithfulness. I know that the same God that was pleased with Daniel's obedience is the same God that I want to please and I also know that God will not allow me to continually disobey without consequenses. As Galatians 6:7,8 says: "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting".

There is much more to be said from the chapters we have been reading, I hope that I will take heed to the things that God has revealed to me about myself . I want to be a doer of the Word and not just a hearer only. James 1:23 "For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:...".

Until next time! I am looking forward to reading 1 Thessalonians this week. Count me in. There is nothing like being accountable to others to keep me pressing on.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Daniel 1-3 Review

This has been a challenging week for me, so much going on it's hard to keep everything in order what with Christmas programs at our church to shopping to baking and of course sleeping (I really need that) I'm with you Shannon I like my sleep:_)

OK here we go, on with the "Book (Chapters) Report".

There is so much to learn from the life of Daniel and the three Hebrew Boys. Some of the things I learned (I hope) was how important it is to determine or purpose in my heart what I will do or not do before a situation arises. Daniel did this when he purposed not to defile his body with the king's meat. If I have not determined ahead of time what is right or wrong to do, I will probably regret my decision when faced with a situation. Daniel was humble in his request to the prince of the eunuchs and was willing to take the consequences for his decision. I must be ready and willing also to accept the consequences for my decisions, even when it is an unpopular decision as far as the world's view.

It is so hard to understand how I can praise God and trust Him with my salvation when things are going my way and just as quickly question Him when things become difficult or hard to be understood. Verses I try to keep in my heart and mind in times of trouble are Proverbs 3:5 & 6 "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths" and Isaiah 55:8 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD" The king was pleased when Daniel could tell him what he wanted to hear and in the next breath (I don't know how long) could throw the three Hebrew Boys into the fiery furnace in his anger. This goes to show that I am no different, my pride can cause me to show ungodly actions when I least expect it or don't get my way.

It is so encouraging to read how the three Hebrew Boys were so brave to state their position and trust the Lord for whatever the outcome when faced with the fiery furnace. I pray that if a situation like this should occur in my life that I could completely trust my Lord for the outcome, but I trust that I will not be tested that far. When the king saw how God protected these boys he again turned from his pride and anger and praised the Lord.

These are some things that blessed me in this weeks reading. I am looking forward to this next week and what I can learn in Chapters 4-6. Count me in Shannon and I would be pleased to be added to your link:-)

Merry Christmas and blessings in 2007 to all who are reading this blog. Enjoy time with family and friends. Until next time. God bless!

Book Review Friday

This book is one one of my favourite and is an encouragement as well as conviction in areas that I need to work on.
First in Chater 1:6 "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ". God promises that He will not give up on me. I am so thankful for this promise, I would be in deep trouble if He stopped working in my life right now. There is still so much for Him to change in my life.
Second in Chapter 2:14 "Do all things without murmurings and disputings". This is an area of my life that I need to continually work on. Even when I think I am doing so well, I am reminded that I have not fulfilled this command.
Next in Chapter 3: 13-14 "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Too often I dwell on things of the past, which I can do nothing about, my desire is to change the things that I can today.
Lastly in Chapter 4:4 "Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice". This is what I want to be true in my life. and 4:8 "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things". As I read this I am reminded how much I have to work on with God's help John 15:5 "... for without me ye can do nothing". 4:11 "Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content".
I have come to the conclusion that if I want to accomplish this task, I will need to be thinking about others and not dwell on myself and what I want.
This is only a brief account of all the things my Lord has shown me in this precious book.
Until next time.

Finally

Finally! I am so happy that I have a blog. Thanks Anne for your comment:) I am looking forward to keeping in contact with everyone. Just to let everyone know that I am enjoying reading the books of the Bible that Shannon has choosen each time also I am a Proverbs lady, reading a chapter each day. Thank you ladies for this great encouragement.