Mustard Seeds

So today in my new study I read from Daniel 2:1-49. Even though I had read it before, God revealed different things to me. The verses that spoke to me the most were verses 19-22: 19  Then the secret was revealed to Daniel in a night vision. So Daniel blessed the God of heaven. 20  Daniel answered and said: “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, For wisdom and might are His. 21  And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise And knowledge to those who have understanding. 22  He reveals deep and secret things; He knows what  is  in the darkness, And light dwells with Him. (Daniel 2:19-22, NKJV, via Bible Gateway) These verses speak of how Daniel took the time to praise God for His answer to Daniel's prayer. That Daniel blessed God for this shows his devotion. Daniel's ability to remain calm when he heard his death sentence shows his faith in God. If each of us held this kind of faith in God, wh

As per yesterday's post, I went to Lifeway today (a Christian bookstore) and purchased a bible study. Actually I purchased two. But I started one today. I bought the John MacArthur bible study on Daniel and the Beth Moore bible study book for her Daniel study as well. A friend from church has the dvd series that I am going to borrow for that one. For awhile now I have felt that God wants me to dig deeper into the book of Daniel. So I'm going for it. I started the MacArthur study today when I got home. I think I am going to love it. I read the introduction today and did the first section of study over Daniel 1:1-21. If you don't recall, this section of scripture talks about how Daniel and his friends asked to be fed vegetables instead of the rich foods of Nebuchadnezzar. God showed his faithfulness in that He made Daniel and his friends look healthier after the 10 days of eating vegetables than the other men that were eating the king's delicacies. Because Danie

So I am going to be honest. I have been struggling to be faithful in studying my bible. For awhile. I have been reading it. But in the loosest sense of that word as well. I skim the words to mark of that I read it for that day. (Google Images) In the coming year, I do not want to focus on reading so much as I want to learn how to study the bible. For real. I want to dig into God's word, grow closer to Him, and learn how to listen not just talk at Him. So as I work on being selfless in my prayer life (see my previous post), I am also going to work on studying. There is no way that I am going to continue to grow closer to God if I do not learn how to study His Word. I want to ask you to share any ways that you have that help you to study God's Word. Please leave comments below. Thanks for reading. In God, Emily

As I write this post, I am mourning with some of my closest friends over the lost of a dear loved one. I cannot being to fathom what they are going through as they deal with this loss. As they have been dealing with the sickness that cancer brings, our nation has been reeling from the tragedy that happened last week. I look around and I see the need for prayer everywhere I turn. I think about all of the facebook and twitter posts I saw last week about how people are praying for people in Connecticut. I think it is wonderful that people are praying for those that are hurting. But it makes me sad that tragedy is what has to happen for people to pray for each other. As I continue to pray for those affected by the shooting and for my dear friends, I just want to challenge you. Don't let tragedy be the only thing brings you to God in prayer for others. Pray for others on a daily basis. Don't let your selfishness hold you back from lifting others up. And don't thin

‎"There is one body and one Spirit- just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call- one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God, and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all." (Ephesians 4:4-6) As I read this scripture this  morning, I sat here thinking... When the scriptures clearly tell us that we all have one hope, one Spirit, and one God, why do the denominations argue over every little detail? We all have one hope. We are called to eternal life and to enjoy God forever in resurrected glory. We are called to bring praise to God forever. So why can't we seem to follow God's command this side of heaven? Just a little something to get you thinking this morning. Take some time today to think about this scripture. Thanks for reading. In God, Emily