My Thoughts on Daniel (pt 7)

“Here is the end of the matter. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts greatly alarmed me, and my color changed, but I kept the matter in my heart.” (v 28)

This chapter is of Daniel describing his dream/vision that was given to him by God. It talks of end time events, the lords coming, beasts, destruction..etc..(go read it) If I were Daniel, I too, would say the above quote. Yet, he kept it all to himself.

Daniel just amazes me. He is given the gift of visions, dreams, and interpretation of dreams, and instead of telling people, he is moved by it, and keeps it in his heart. He has the wisdom, to know, “I shouldn’t share this…not yet”

The reason why I love Daniel, is because the Lord has given me a similar gift. I don’t share that to boast, but to humbly say, I am no where near that kind of maturity that Daniel was. Sure, he is much older when this takes place. At least we assume he is. Which is probably why I have not been given interpretations to my dreams. And I sometimes share them, probably not the best wisdom to do. But, I am learning. So I read his book for wisdom on such matters.

Friends this is why we must read scripture. It gives insight into all areas of our lives. It is not “just stories” or “a history book”…it is that..but so much more. It is wisdom. God allowed these books to come together to be a guide for our daily walk.

You ever feel sad and depressed? There are a ton of scripture that can lift you up. Let alone tell you stories of those who got down too and how God helped them up.

There is so much in scripture. Don’t just read it, but study it. Dig DEEP! Research the backgrounds of each story, the people, the cities etc. It deepens your ideas of God. It creates a firm foundation. It helps you in all areas of your daily walk with God and his creation.

I know there is so much to this chapter and the next few chapters. However, like I said before, I am giving a different take on each chapter. My own thoughts and feelings and questions. Some may be off the wall and random..goofy even. And some may be serious and challenging. SO, bear with me as we continue in our walk through this book and My Thoughts on Daniel.

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January 24, 2017 by Fanning the flame Tags: bible, Daniel, study, wisdom 3 Comments

Division

1 Corinthians 3:2-4 (I changed the names to make a point)

And even now you are not yet ready, ³ for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way? ⁴ For when one says, “I follow CALVIN,” and another, “I follow LUTHER,” are you not being merely human?

Is my point made here? I am not trying to be disrespectful to Gods word. I am merely pointing out what I have seen displayed on social media lately. People of different denominations saying “their way” is “THE RIGHT WAY.”In their arrogance and pride they raise their founder up. But is this a fleshly thing?Obviously this is not a new concept.They follow one and feelthat their teaching is sound doctrine and only way. And all others are not true Christians. How arrogant is that? How blasphemous even.

1 Corinthians 1:11-13

¹¹ For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. ¹² What I mean is that each one of you says, “I follow LUTHER,” or “I follow WESLEY,” or “I follow CALVIN,” or “I follow Christ.” ¹³ Is Christ divided? Was LUTHER crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of CALVIN?

YET,  there are quarreling all the time. It is NEVER over Jesus being the only way. It is NEVER over the gospel..of which we all agree. BUT it is over things like predestination, election, gifts of the spirit, the Eucharist, Baptism, eschatology…etc.

These issues that are discussed over social media would be confusing to a new covert. I understand we want to “get our point across”. Is it “our point” or Gods point? Are we teaching ________way  or Gods way? Is it the gospel of _____________ or the Gospel of Jesus?  When one is trying to instruct another on biblical teaching it should not be done with such anger and/or name calling, or saying they are less of a Christian. This will never win someone over either into right thinking or the faith!

We are to life another up. I have a charismatic/Pentecostal upbringing, so when I see someone in disagreement with me I don’t lash out at them..or make fun of their thinking. I try to see their point, and then dig into scripture to see if it is sound. As all true Christ followers should do.

Why? Because in the last days their will be those who will deceive even the believer(OR ELECT). Many will be teaching as if they are of sound doctrine. Even Paul warns of this. Evidently some people are troubling you and trying to distort the gospel of Christ. 8But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be under a divine curse! 9As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you embraced, let him be under a divine curse!…Galatians 1:8

I believe this is why we see the bereaners studying the scriptures. If we do not study Gods word to see the accuracy of the teaching then we will be led astray. “Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.” Acts 17:11

According to multiple sources there are between 30,000 -40,000 different denominations. all varying from independent sects to your traditional structured churches. All varying, depending on where they are in the world. Divisions on tenants, to how often communion should be taken, to trivial quarrels and disagreements on minor issues just to name a few.

In conclusion, it is our flesh that causes the divisions. It is our own selfish pride, arrogance, UN-willingness, to submit entirely to the Lord and the Spirits leading. Meanwhile, putting our own ideas into the mix and our won fleshly desires to justify, compromise, or just inaccurately translate what scripture says.

The questions that many ask, “which one is accurate?” “who has the correct and sound doctrine?”

Answer: The only way to truly find out is to Seek the Lord and study scripture. Then and only then will you know. “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman who needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 When you feel He has revealed His truths to you, then you can see which church or denomination better lines up with what you know is true.

Though it is Good to still seek those who have better knowledge on godly things as well.“Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.
“Proverbs 19:20

The point is don’t just take one persons interpretation as the truth or sound doctrine. Especially in these last days. For many will come to deceive. “For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.” Matthew 24:24. Be on guard. Study and Seek the Lord for truth and wisdom.

for further reading:

Why are there so many denominations. Turning Point Ministries

November 7, 2016 by Fanning the flame Tags: bereaners, denominations, divisions, doctrine, false prophets, study 3 Comments