If you have been following Our Journey Through LIFE you already know the journey and how faith held a big part in it.
I believe I'm ready to share with you the Bible Studies I have done along the way. Ok, I’m a bit scared but am taking a leap of faith. Bear with this novice blogger, (though I have been doing this for 6 years) it still takes me some time to put it all together with all the tabs and such. Hey, like me, it's God's work in progress!
Over the last 4, almost 5 years I have participated in a number of small group studies when the topic spoke to me, or I just happen to fall into one by the grace of God.
Which is what happened with my present study!
You see, last year I did Nehemiah by Kelly Minter. Then Malachi by Lisa Harper. Or maybe it was the other way around. Either way they both jump started my desire to know the bible more. So when it was time for winter group to start I never saw my usual update. I finally registered when I saw a friend had without even asking or inquiring about what the study was.
2 days before group I found out it was Beth Moore. Beth Moore intimidated me! You see, others would comment about how intense her studies are and I thought I would never be ready for one of hers.
Ok, did God direct me here for a reason? Did he hide the knowledge from me knowing how I would retreat? I prayed on it and decide, I CAN do this. My fear wasn't going to be my worst enemy this time.
However, I wish God would have presented this idea of blogging about it back when it began. Maybe he did and I just wasn't listening. Don’t we all fail to hear him sometimes? I know I am guilty of it.
“Daniel, Lives of Integrity, Words of Prophecy"
Playing catch up with blogging about it while studying it at the same time is going to be a challenge but I will give it my best shot.
Talk about an impact. Just in the first week alone, the representation of Babylon in Daniel, shook my socks. Doesn’t it resemble what the world is today! Could we be living in Babylon people?
Session 1 (Daniel 1)
It begins with commitment. Commit to wisdom and understanding. To LEARN! We all have choices to make. In her study guide she writes, "We have an enemy who wants to return us to places God called us to leave."
“In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it.”
I could never claim that I know it all, since I hold no training or degree in any professional field, other then life. I have never crammed for a final, nor have I wrote a thesis of any kind. I consider myself self-educated. No student loans. My tuition went to raising a family of 5 on a one paycheck income. I would not be one King Nebuchadnezzar would pick. Shoot, I was the one no one wanted to pick for their team! Though youth would have been on my side, I did not have the appearance, knowledge, nor social status. I would be considered a pauper, a peasant, a servant.
“Now then, listen, you lover of pleasure, lounging in your security and saying to yourself, ‘I am, and there is none besides me. I will never be a widow or suffer the loss of children.’
You have trusted in your wickedness and have said, ‘No one sees me.’ Your wisdom and knowledge mislead you when you say to yourself ‘I am, and there is none besides me.”
Isaiah 47:8 & 10
Babylon. Western culture. The parallels are amazing. Some days I feel like we are living back in Babylon. It's a "Me" world. Got this for "Me". Look at "Me". It's sad. The greedy, shameless and loathsome acts upon each other, for what? Surely not for God! Surely it is for their own gain. Where is God in their lives and the decisions they make.
God was always faithful to keep his word, even when it’s a warning! He continues to warn us, who is listening? When will the decaying morals and standards of the world not be the norm.
Recently, and before I even began this study, I revisited something from the past.
"He remains sovereign in our captivity"
She writes, "Nothing is more dangerous than friendly captivity. Captivity never remains friendly!
Captive by the past. Captive by bills. Captive by health issues. Captive by worldly ways. I think a lot of us are being held captive by so many things, where does one start in resolving them? He is and He always will be the one the saves us from the fire. If we ask Him, serve Him, He will restore us in His glory.
First, God already knows what's going on here. After all, he’s been dealing with the human race for over 2000 years. He is a patient God, but at the same time he WARNS us, continually!
“Both prophet and priest are godless; even in my temple I find their wickedness.’ declares the Lord.” Jeremiah 23:11
We begin by example. We have a responsibility here. Our children need us to show them the way, His way! The smallest of seeds can grow the biggest of produce. Plant your seeds in God and watch how your garden grows. Be sure to nurture your garden, protect it from the pesky bugs that try to destroy it. Be careful what you plant. Some things we think are good for us really are not. When ever you question, ask God, He knows the answer.
God, I ask you, were you thinking of me when you helped Beth write such a strong study? From the first session I have felt you whispering to me, " Do You Get It! I brought you here to hear this, for I have a plan for you". I get chills, along with excitement over this study. Does it effect other’s the same way? Does it make me a Bible Thumper? Seriously, some people just don’t get it.
So there was week one.
“In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom.” Daniel 1:20
