If you are a Christian that seeks out God's will for your life, you have probably experienced were a person says something or does an action that coincides with the plan God is trying to get you to run after. Last week, I posted a blog about the calling to do something in foreign missions, and that I don't want to just live a safe life. To continue on with that thought, I wanted to mention a few things that a neglected to discuss in that post.
The first things was to describe what Francis was talking about further in his video. He was a balance beam (of life), he mounted, and then he wanted to stay safe to he wrapped his arms and legs around the beam. He then very carefully "dismounted" by carefully stepping down with each leg, and then he did his "gymnastic" pose at the end. It looked silly, and rightfully so. He mentions how if you saw an Olympian do that how would he or she be judged? Not too good, right. Well, if we live our Christian walk with Christ like that then what? What will He say on judgment day? Do we seriously think that He will be pleased and call us good and faithful servants?
So... as I was creating Luk's lessons for the next couple of weeks, I decided that my Discipleship class at church would do a lapbook. The thought came on... which book. They had mentioned Daniel and Lions Den, so Daniel. I printed out the activities for it, assigned the kids each a different chapter, and then on Monday I sat and read it. Now, I have read it before, however like any book the connotation changes when you read a book again or your life is different and means more.
The first person to take action in my thought process was unknowingly me. Daniel was more than a guy that put his faith in God when he was stuck in a lion's den. He was much more than that. It was through him that God changed the hearts of Kings, it was through his that God interpreted dreams and revelations for the kingdom. There are four main praises to God that struck me when I read the book, and I want to share them:
Daniel 2: Daniel's Praise to God
"Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever;
wisdom and power are his.
21 He changes times and seasons;
he sets up kings and deposes them.
He gives wisdom to the wise
and knowledge to the discerning.
22 He reveals deep and hidden things;
he knows what lies in darkness,
and light dwells with him.
23 I thank and praise you, O God of my fathers:
You have given me wisdom and power,
you have made known to me what we asked of you,
you have made known to us the dream of the king."
Daniel 4: King Nebuchadnezzar Praises God:
34 At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever.
His dominion is an eternal dominion;
his kingdom endures from generation to generation.
35 All the peoples of the earth
are regarded as nothing.
He does as he pleases
with the powers of heaven
and the peoples of the earth.
No one can hold back his hand
or say to him: "What have you done?"
36 At the same time that my sanity was restored, my honor and splendor were returned to me for the glory of my kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored to my throne and became even greater than before. 37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.
Daniel 6: King Darius tells his people of God
25 Then King Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations and men of every language throughout the land:
"May you prosper greatly!
26 "I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel.
"For he is the living God
and he endures forever;
his kingdom will not be destroyed,
his dominion will never end.
27 He rescues and he saves;
he performs signs and wonders
in the heavens and on the earth.
He has rescued Daniel
from the power of the lions."
The next would be Daniel 9 (all of it), Daniel prays for his people, here is a small piece.
4 I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed:
"O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with all who love him and obey his commands, 5 we have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and laws. 6 We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes and our fathers, and to all the people of the land.
8 O LORD, we and our kings, our princes and our fathers are covered with shame because we have sinned against you. 9 The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him; 10 we have not obeyed the LORD our God or kept the laws he gave us through his servants the prophets. 11 All Israel has transgressed your law and turned away, refusing to obey you.
15 "Now, O Lord our God, who brought your people out of Egypt with a mighty hand and who made for yourself a name that endures to this day, we have sinned, we have done wrong. 16 O Lord, in keeping with all your righteous acts, turn away your anger and your wrath from Jerusalem, your city, your holy hill. Our sins and the iniquities of our fathers have made Jerusalem and your people an object of scorn to all those around us.
That's some powerful praising. Do we do this when we pray? Do we seek what we can do to glorify God, or do we just seek what God can do to make our lives better, more comfortable?
Now, if you read the prior blog you may see where I am going with this, if not stay with me a bit more.
The second people God used for my current thought process would be none other than our dear friends the Landress'. They are relentless. =) Really, they aren't, but God uses them in great ways. We were talking with them about the Student Life camp that our youth group will be attending. We were excited about having Chris Tomlin for a week as the worship leader! Need I say more... Well, this led to Jennifer talking about a book that he had written about his walk through music and his calling. Mitch, of course, reached over and handed me the book... that's when my studying of Daniel really hit me. I opened the book last night, and bam it hit me, I had been trying to pick my own personal theme for the book of Daniel (that would be my English degree brain setting in).
Chris' book is "The Way I was Made," do you see where this is going now. The men in the book of Daniel went through trials, serving/ignoring God, and He finally got them to realize what they were made for! Chris was hitting me on the head a gazillion times saying so are you going to do what God has asked of you? You want your sons to seek God's will for their life, but what about you?
So... I guess I am just waiting for God to open the doors. I don't know when or how long it will take, but I am patiently waiting and willing. I know that he is working in mine and Reson's heart, but I know that my thoughts are thinking in a grander scheme.
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