December 5, 2006 - Daniel 1-2 and I John 4
The focus verses in Experiencing God Day by Day for today are I Thessalonians 5:21-22. The Lord tells us to test all things, to hold fast to what is good, and to abstain from every form of evil. It is amazing to me how this passage contains the truths we read in our Bible reading for today. I should not be amazed, because I know the power of God, but He is able to do things so perfectly. It should teach us all to trust Him more completely.
Daniel 1 and 2 shows us how Daniel held on to the good things and abstained from evil. When he refused to indulge in the king's foods and lifestyle, so he could be faithful to the Lord and abstain from any kind of evil, God blessed him abundantly. His physical appearance was even better. He was able to hear from God and tell the king his dream. This dream was an outline for the future from that time. Daniel was able to for-see the Babylonian, Persian, Greek, and Roman empires, as well as the breakup of the Roman empire and the establishment of God's kingdom on earth, the Millennium. I believe God blessed him in this way, because of his desire to hold fast to the good and abstain from evil. In addition to these blessings he was promoted to one of the main rulers in Babylon. Truly, God blesses those who listen to Him.
I John 4 continues this theme by emphasizing that we are to test the spirits, so that we know the ones from the Lord. The good spirits confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh. All cults deny that Jesus is God in human flesh. Then, John goes on to tell us that we must love God completely and love our brothers. In other words, we abstain from hating people. We hate sin, but we love the sinner. We must hold fast to love, and not allow Satan to cause us to act in an unloving manner toward others. Why? God is love, and we are to act like Jesus. How are you doing in this area? Love is the key to living as God would have us to live. Love is the character of God.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Daniel 3-4 and I John 5.
Daniel 1 and 2 shows us how Daniel held on to the good things and abstained from evil. When he refused to indulge in the king's foods and lifestyle, so he could be faithful to the Lord and abstain from any kind of evil, God blessed him abundantly. His physical appearance was even better. He was able to hear from God and tell the king his dream. This dream was an outline for the future from that time. Daniel was able to for-see the Babylonian, Persian, Greek, and Roman empires, as well as the breakup of the Roman empire and the establishment of God's kingdom on earth, the Millennium. I believe God blessed him in this way, because of his desire to hold fast to the good and abstain from evil. In addition to these blessings he was promoted to one of the main rulers in Babylon. Truly, God blesses those who listen to Him.
I John 4 continues this theme by emphasizing that we are to test the spirits, so that we know the ones from the Lord. The good spirits confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh. All cults deny that Jesus is God in human flesh. Then, John goes on to tell us that we must love God completely and love our brothers. In other words, we abstain from hating people. We hate sin, but we love the sinner. We must hold fast to love, and not allow Satan to cause us to act in an unloving manner toward others. Why? God is love, and we are to act like Jesus. How are you doing in this area? Love is the key to living as God would have us to live. Love is the character of God.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Daniel 3-4 and I John 5.