Daniel 2
v17-18:
Daniel and his friends immediately prayed, pleaded for mercy from God. Do we go straight to God in prayer for things that are happening in our lives? Whether its positive, negative, happy, sad, stressful, etc. God will provide us with wisdom. These passages (v. 17 to 23) show the importance of praying and praising the our Creator, our Savior, and our Provider. He is not just praying by himself, he asks others to pray with him.
v.23 "He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him."
Daniel immediately thanked God for answering his prayers. How often do we thank God for answering our prayers? Do we do it as soon as it happens? Or maybe even not at all?
Daniel gives God credit for interpreting Nebuchadnezzar's dream. Do we sometimes take the glory away from God? Do we steal all the credit?
Daniel also does not forget those friends that prayed with him. When Daniel got promoted, he also asked to appoint the three friends he prayed with. He knows he can not do this alone.
What can we learn from Daniel in this chapter?
Are we building up our own kingdom? Are we being selfish and using God to bring ourselves all (or most) of the glory? Do we pray and use God's provisions for our own good? Are we forgetting those that God put in our lives?
People, Prayer, Praise.
Let's make these three things more important in our lives.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Friday, September 23, 2011
09.23.11 - Undeserved
"You need not be a Christian to build houses, feed the hungry, or heal the sick. There is only one thing the world cannot do. It cannot offer grace." - Gordon MacDonald
Why do we look at the world to find grace? Do we know what grace is? We tend to know what the worldly definition of grace is; being gracious by helping those who need help, giving gratuity, we congratulate people, being gracious hosts, etc. This does not separate Christians from non-Christians. We need to know what it truly means to be gracious. Or at least how God has been gracious to others and to us.
Why do we look at the world to find grace? Do we know what grace is? We tend to know what the worldly definition of grace is; being gracious by helping those who need help, giving gratuity, we congratulate people, being gracious hosts, etc. This does not separate Christians from non-Christians. We need to know what it truly means to be gracious. Or at least how God has been gracious to others and to us.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
09.21.11 - Daniel 1
Song of the Day: Hillsong - Narrow Road
Daniel 1
His name means "God is my Judge". Daniel shows that God is sovereign. God can take rulers off their thrones; God can defeat the strongest nations and turn them over to their enemies.
Daniel and his friends were given a difficult trial/training. This is similar to when us Christians have to go into a new environment where we do not know anyone or are not familiar with anything. They were given a new home, a new knowledge, a new diet, and new names. New knowledge = Abandoning the knowledge of God for the wisdom of men (Babylonians). Daniel refused to defile himself with the royal food and wine.
v15: At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food.... To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds. Daniel and his friends were elevated to higher positions.
Kings of Judah and Israel caused the kingdoms to fall into captivity by their evil. Daniel could have sinned and done whatever he wanted. He was away from home, away from parents, and away from the church. This reveals Daniel's true heart. He risked his life to be holy.
Do we live our lives this way? Like Daniel?
Notes taken from NeverThirsty
His name means "God is my Judge". Daniel shows that God is sovereign. God can take rulers off their thrones; God can defeat the strongest nations and turn them over to their enemies.
Daniel and his friends were given a difficult trial/training. This is similar to when us Christians have to go into a new environment where we do not know anyone or are not familiar with anything. They were given a new home, a new knowledge, a new diet, and new names. New knowledge = Abandoning the knowledge of God for the wisdom of men (Babylonians). Daniel refused to defile himself with the royal food and wine.
v15: At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food.... To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds. Daniel and his friends were elevated to higher positions.
Kings of Judah and Israel caused the kingdoms to fall into captivity by their evil. Daniel could have sinned and done whatever he wanted. He was away from home, away from parents, and away from the church. This reveals Daniel's true heart. He risked his life to be holy.
Do we live our lives this way? Like Daniel?
Notes taken from NeverThirsty
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