Session 11: Selfishness verses Sacrifice

Our group watched Beth Moore's 11th session yesterday. As always, I am amazed how God uses Beth!

Although there was just sooo much information presented on Daniel 11: 31-35, what stuck out to me was selfishness verses sacrifice. Antiochus demanded all of Israel's sacrifices to stop. The Israelites equated sacrifice with relationship with God. Therefore, for most, they grew cold to God.

Beth related that Satan would love for us to lose touch with God. We do not have daily sacrifices, but, how often do we take the easy way out? How often do we disobey by not obeying completely? Are we living sacrifices?

She stated that we could miss our entire life purpose if we take the easy road. What will it cost me? My mind immediately thinks about missions to remote and unsanitary places. My heart aches for those people, but my flesh cringes at the filth of it all. Sad. I would rather write my small check to my sponsor children than directly love on them...

I wonder what God is trying to teach me.... our homegroup does a small study, and this week's study was on King Saul and his partial obedience to God's instructions regarding the Amalekites.

There are similar applications to both studies. It is selfish and prideful to refuse to follow God completely. In essence, we make ourselves a god, thinking that we "know better" than to completely obey the one and only true God. It takes sacrifice to grow completely with God. We need the growing pains.

I think today I was able to directly apply the "sacrifice " part. I had just returned from seeing a physical therapy client at the gym (the kiddos go with me and play in the kids club for an hour). Sarah was sleepy...it was lunch time. Hubby calls and says that he left his lights on in his car and needs a jump and lunch... Argg... Usually, when Sarah naps, I hop on our stairmaster...my major stress-reliever... Instead, I quickly pack a lunch, feed the kids, and head out the door.
This may not seem too major to some, but it did cut into "my plans". I feel that I did the right thing, though. What a shallow example...

Anyway, Beth finishes up the session by hammering the point, "Know the Truth! Know your God!" That way we can resist the flattery that the enemy schemes for us. We won't have to question if we are compromising the Truth. We will stand firm. We will be wise. We will need God's strength daily.

Week 1 - Daniel Study-Beth Moore

Wow! What a week! I had all the intentions in the world to post my daily "ahas" from the study...maybe this week...

Some treasures from the Word and Beth Moore this week:

Isa. 39:5-6/Dan. 1:1-2 "God is faithful to keep His Word even when it's a warning."

1 Tim. 4:7-8 Am I training myself to be godly, or am I letting my culture train me?

Dan. 1:17 "They retained a God-centered worldview so that ultimately the world could view their God"

This week has just re-affirmed the importance of knowing God through His Word. I need to train myself. This is not about a pity party because I am too tired.

Anyone...can we get an AMEN!?

Help!

I cannot wait until our home group starts our summer bible study( Beth Moore -- Daniel)! I am embarrassed to say that my time in the Word has been quite slim these past few days...

And, oh does my character reflect it! My patience with the kiddos has been short...etc.

Tomorrow is a new day!

Mark 1:21-39

I have struggled with this topic since I have had children. Jesus kept a busier schedule than I do. Still, He managed to get up "Very early in the morning, while it was still dark..." (v35) and pray.

I guess that means I need to discipline myself to go to bed early!

Goodnight!

The Year in Review

Another BSF year comes to a close. Tomorrow is sharing day.

My "Aha" moments in studying the book of Romans:

• Be more diligent about prayer, especially before reading Bible
• The more dedicated I am to my own agenda, the harder I will fall when God uses me for His glory.
• What is separating me from God in everyday life? How often have I rationalized it?
• Am I purposefully setting time aside for studying God's Word?
• Giving in to temptation in one area makes it easier for us to give in in another area.
• Romans 8:28 -- the "good" is to be conformed to the likeness of Jesus, not rich, healthy, or successful
• Am I actually enriching the lives around me?

A big theme this year for me was immediate gratification, especially in the areas of finances and food. Praise God for the awareness of these problems, and praise God that steps have been made to correct those problems! ( And praise God that I have even lost about 5 pounds in the process!)