Each time I dig into God’s word, I become more overwhelmed with the ability it has to melt me.    My favorite verse is Hebrews 4:12:  “For the word of God is living and active…” Do you believe that?  I do!  I have such resolve that it’s true that I would willingly give my life to defend it.

I think resolve is becoming my favorite word…  And it’s thanks to Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.  I just love the book of Daniel.

When I became a Christian back in the seventies, I watched a movie at youth group that changed me.  I can’t recall the name of it, I think it was “A Thief in the Night,” but at one point in the movie people had to either renounce Christ or get their heads chopped off.

Something clicked in me at that moment, I know now that it was my resolve to believe that God’s word was true.  I made a conscious decision that if I were ever in that predicament I would choose Christ and have my head cut off.

In fact, I had such resolve that I engraved it on the hearts and minds of my children at very young ages.  Just ask them! I would tell them if anyone tells you to renounce Christ or get your head cut off, or be tortured, don’t ever, no matter what, renounce Christ. In fact: call out the name of Jesus, sing praises, or speak scriptures.  Jesus will give you the strength and He will be with you.

I think that’s why when I read passages like Daniel 3:16-28 it just makes me want to stand stronger and scream from the roof tops; God’s word is true, it’s alive, it will change your life and it will save you.

You’re never alone if you have asked Christ into your life.  Just like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.  They were thrown into the fiery furnace because they would not bow down to the golden image.  And Jesus was right there with them in the fire, and when the 3 walked out “…there was no smell of smoke on them.”  Don’t you want to serve a God like that?

In Beth Moore’s Bible study on Daniel, in chapter 3, she talks about 3 scenarios we go through when we face a trial, or we could say a fiery furnace.

Scenario A: We can be delivered from the fire.  Dividend?   Our faith is built.

Scenario B: We can be delivered through the fire.  Dividend?  Our faith is refined.

Scenario C: We can be delivered by the fire into His arms.  Dividend?  Our faith is perfected.

No matter what scenario we have to go through Christ is with us all the way.

He is the one constant thing in our lives.  Hebrews 13:8 says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”  With Him we can get through anything, and we’ll be the stronger for it.  Make today the day you resolve to surrender your life fully to Him!

Loving Jesus and all of you more each day,

Michelle

I feel like I have been in a Bible boot camp this week with researching and preparing for our “Bible for Dummies” class.  Here we are in Hawaii and we haven’t even swum in the ocean.  In fact we haven’t left the room much.

It’s been great though.  John is getting his head and heart wrapped around the new series in Psalms, and I get to do what I love, dig in God’s word.

I’m so excited about the new class I can’t stand it.  I have so much material I could probably teach it for a year.  To top it off, I’m not alone in this endeavor.  I’m working with a few of our pastors on this class, so the fun just continues.

John and I only have a few days left here on Maui, so we’re going to be intentional about getting out and having fun.  In fact we just bought 2 air mattresses to go float in the ocean with.  Floating is one of my favorite things, John is just being a good sport.

So, pray for us to unplug and enjoy our last few days together.

Serious Coffee ladies…   We’ve just finished week 2.  How exciting, and it just keeps getting better.

What grabs my heart the most in Daniel chapter 2 is Daniel’s humility.

In verse 14b it says “Daniel spoke with wisdom and tact.” From the first time I read that it jumped off the page and smacked me.  I just kept repeating the words wisdom and tact in my head over and over again.  I want that so bad.  I want God to be in control of my life in such a deep way that no matter what comes at me, and no matter the mood I am in, I’ll speak with wisdom and tact.  This is definitely an area I’ll need to keep in my prayers.

The second thing that jumped out at me was when King Nebuchadnezzar asks Daniel if he can tell him what his dream was and interpret it.  Daniel, in his God-given humility, answers that there is no such man that can.  In verse 2 Daniel says, “but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries.” I just love that.  It gives me goose bumps.

Daniel never takes the credit and he always directs everyone back to God.  Our God “big G”.  There’s nothing better in life than to be used by God and to direct others to Him!

I love what Beth Moore says about the sovereignty of God and the providence of God on day 4, pg. 40.  You might want to re-read it.  I like her closing thought on it.  “God’s providence is intentional and purposeful.  God’s sovereignty and providence mean that He does what He pleases to accomplish His goals; and, thankfully, He is pleased to involve us in His process.  After all, His entire point in creating us was to involve us in His life.”

Just as God used Daniel in a mighty way. He wants to use all of us too.  My prayer for all of us is that we will believe that, and begin to allow God to take control of our lives.

When God is in control of our lives anything is possible, and what a ride we’ll be on!

I would love to hear from each of you what God has shown you in Daniel chapter 2, and I would love to hear from those who just finished the Daniel fast.  Way to go girls, you did it!!!

If you don’t want to share on the blog, email me.  Michelleb@livinghopechurch.com.

Doing this whole blog thing is a little out of my comfort zone, but John thinks it’s a better way for me to stay in touch with all of you.

Love and miss you all…

See you next week,

Michelle



We’re in our second week of the Daniel study and the momentum is growing…

I just love how God is drawing so many ladies to His word.  We had an additional 35 ladies join us this week…that’s 191 ladies digging into God’s word together!!!

I hope you all are enjoying the study as much as I am.  For some the homework is a bit overwhelming, but in time you will get used to it.  In fact when the study is finished you will miss it.

A couple of my favorite points Beth Moore shares in week one:

1.   (Day one)  There’s nothing more dangerous than friendly captivity.

2.   (Day five)  The lifeblood of integrity is becoming the same person no matter where we are-no matter who’s around.

Integrity not only calls us to live inside-out, it keeps the outside from coming in.

I can’t stop saying this…  My heart is so overwhelmed with love and joy.  I keep crying at the thought of all of us digging into God’s word together, and allowing it to take over our lives.

When a women’s heart in captured for God, everyone she is around will also be infected.

Ladies we have the potential to be used by God to change the environments we live and work in.  How exciting is that!

I would love to hear from all of you.  What was your favorite point and how is God changing your heart?

If you want to share in confidence email me at: Michelleb@livinghopechurch.com.

Praying that God will reveal something new and exciting to each of you daily.

I miss and love you all…

Michelle

I am so glad you all decided to join Serious Coffee this fall.  I sure enjoyed meeting you and spending time together this week.  Your excitement to dig into Daniel has blessed my heart so much that I tear up just thinking about it.  One of my favorite things to do is dig into the Word of God and pray together.  I hope this is just the beginning of a long spiritual journey together.

Our first session together was packed full of information. Beth’s message was powerful and it gave us a lot to pray about and ponder.  I also talked a lot about the Daniel fast and all that it encompassed.  Although it was good and spiritual information, it was a lot.  I hope no one walked away overwhelmed and confused.

My prayer is that you went home and spent time praying to God.  Asking Him to show you what He wants you to do.  Remember God placed the Daniel fast on my heart.  Of course none of us are under any obligation, this is simply an extended opportunity to experience the story in a different way.

If you feel led to participate, remember this is a corporate fast so we’ll all be praying the same prayers.  Some personal, and some for the whole group.

1.   (Personal) Pray that God would show you the areas in your life that He wants you to eliminate and/or areas that you need to stay away from.  Maybe run from.  Don’t forget that God warned the Israelites numerous times to stop worshipping other gods (little g), or He would hand them over to King Nebuchadnezzar.  They didn’t listen. My prayer is that we will learn to listen to the voice of God.  Can I ask; How are you doing in that area?  Is God telling you to run from something or you’ll get burned?  If He is, I would run…

2.    (The whole Group) Pray that we would all stay committed to learn, committed to do our homework, and that we would stay committed to apply the truths we are learning to our lives.

3.    (Personal) Pray that you would give up control of your life.  That it would no longer be about what you want, and that it would be all about what God wants for your life.

Proverbs 19:21 says, “many are the plans in a mans (or woman’s) heart, but it is the LORD’S purpose that prevails.”

One of the most difficult and yet life changing things about following Jesus is learning to surrender our plans to His greater and eternal purpose.  He really has an incredible plan for each of our lives.   He wants to use you in away that you would have never dream could be possible.  Surrender is our choice.  God’s purposes will prevail with or without any of us.  It’s just that if we choose not to, He will use someone else.  Imagine if Daniel had chosen differently?   But he didn’t and God used him to change a nation.  Don’t miss out on the opportunity God has for you!

I am so excited for all of us to pray these things together.  Please be praying this no matter if you do the Daniel fast or not.  Just the thought of all of us in unity praying is so powerful.

God has begun something BIG, I can feel it.  I think it starts with all of us, and then it’s going to pour over the whole congregation.  We’re going to become a mighty force!  God is going to use us to change our community, our work place, our homes, our families.

I can’t wait.  There is nothing more exhilarating then being used by God!

Before you start the Daniel fast make sure you go to Susan Gregory’s website www.daniel-fast.com and learn as much as you can.  We want to go into this with an understanding of what we’re doing, and what to expect.

I so look forward to hearing from each of you about what God is doing in your life through the study, your prayer time, and your fast if you do that part.

I love you all more then you’ll ever know.

Digging in God’s Word together,

Michelle

PS.  Don’t forget to send me a picture of yourself.  :)

I won’t see you this week or next.  After we wrap things up here next week, John and I will be heading to Maui.  John will begin writing his second book and I’ll be working on the curriculum for the “Bible for Dummies” class. I’m also going to be sure to add a few days of some much needed romance!!!  :)

So email me michelleb@livinghopechurch.com and let me know how you’re doing with the study.  And I’ll see you on the 13th and14th.

I’ll be praying for all of you.  Pray that I will be able to stop eating sugar!!!!