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Daniel's Convictions

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 Daniel was faithful not to defile his body with the food that had been devoted to idols, God gave him a way to keep himself pure.

God is already starting to show me different things. One of the things that MacArthur mentions in the questions that the reader goes through is the difference between conviction and belief. As I had never really thought about the difference before, I took some time to think about it.

One of the questions had a quote that came with it. Here it is: "A conviction is, in the words of one unknown writer, 'nothing more than a belief with its boots on ... ready to march, ready to fight, ready to die.'"

My thoughts on the subject are this: A conviction is something you are willing to stand for whereas a belief does not take as much commitment.

All of this thinking has led me to these conclusions. I need to know what my convictions are and not just believe based on what others tell me. By doing this, I can grow closer to God and be more adept at sharing His word. Like Daniel, I can come to know God on a deeper level. I can learn to stand against false beliefs and protect myself from allowing anything to defile me.

These are just some of my thoughts about my first day of study. I cannot wait to see what else God is going to show me! I hope to share much more often than I have in the past months.

As always, thanks for reading.

In God, Emily

Comments

  1. UnknownDecember 29, 2012 at 6:41 AM

    Wow Emily, you are very wise from your study already. Learning to listen to what God is saying to you is a huge 1st step. Just wait til you have finished and think of what God will have shown you. I am so very proud of you. Continue on lady...
    Always Experiencing Him,
    Jody

    ReplyDelete

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