Month: September 2013

34 “At the end of the seven years, I, Nebuchadnezzar, looked to heaven. I was given my mind back and I blessed the High God, thanking and glorifying God, who lives forever. “His sovereign rule lasts and lasts, his kingdom never declines and falls.
35 Life on this earth doesn’t add up to much, but God’s heavenly army keeps everything going. No one can interrupt his work, no one can call his rule into question.
36 “At the same time that I was given back my mind, I was also given back my majesty and splendor, making my kingdom shine. All the leaders and important people came looking for me. I was reestablished as king in my kingdom and became greater than ever.
37 And that’s why I’m singing – I, Nebuchadnezzar – singing and praising the King of Heaven: “Everything he does is right, and he does it the right way. He knows how to turn a proud person into a humble man or woman.”

Daniel 4:34-37 (The Message)
Bible Study Tools Bible Version MSG Daniel 4:34-37

Was the miracle of four beings seen in the fire in chapter 3 greater than the change of heart for Nebuchadnezzar in chapter 4?

I must expect a miracle when God intervenes. This is another proof of Proverbs 21:1, “The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD; He turns it wherever He wishes.” (Proverbs 21:1 NAS)

11 “Good Sense will scout ahead for danger, Insight will keep an eye out for you.”

Bible Study Tools Bible Versions MSG
Proverbs 2:11 (The Message)

Discretion or good sense and understanding or insight are mine as I learn and practice God’s Wisdom or Word.

Get Wisdom!

“16 The LORD is King for ever and ever; the nations will perish from his land.
17 You hear, O LORD, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry,
18 defending the fatherless and the oppressed, in order that man, who is of the earth, may terrify no more.”

Bible Study Tools Bible Versions NIV Psalm 10:16-18
Psalm 10:16-18 (New International Version)View In My Bible

I must always choose one of these statements: “God is now here”; or “God is nowhere.”
That will determine whether I trust God or not in any situation.
I choose “God is now here.”

I have been reading a book, Miraculous Movements, by Jerry Trousdale, about God’s work among Muslims in very high percentage Muslim areas.

He said they teach the participants to ask themselves a question during the Discovery Bible Studies which they use in discipleship, “If this is truly from God, then what must change in my life?” Therefore, for this month of September, 2013, I do not plan to comment on Scripture as I post it on
Facebook, apart from posting that question along with the Scripture. This month, I hope to regularly share the impact of the posted Scriptures in my life through my blog, Passage to Higher Ground. I want the reader to let God impact them with the Scripture before they read of God’s impact on me through the Scripture.
Today’s selections are Psalm 1:1-4; Proverbs 1:1-6, and Joel 2:28-34:

Bible Study Tools Bible Versions NAS Psalm 1:1-4
Psalm 1:1-4 (New American Standard)View In My Bible

The Righteous and the Wicked Contrasted.
“1 How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers !
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night.
3 He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither ; And in whatever he does, he prospers.
4 The wicked are not so, But they are like chaff which the wind drives away.”

Wow, what awesome blessings God bestows on those who follow Him, delight in His law, and meditate on his law and grace day and night! I have noticed these blessings when I think about God’s Word through the day and obey Him. I must continually do so.

Bible Study Tools Bible Versions MSG Joel 2:28
(The Message)View In My Bible

“28 “And that’s just the beginning: After that – “I will pour out my Spirit on every kind of people: Your sons will prophesy, also your daughters. Your old men will dream, your young men will see visions.”

I must continually trust the Holy Spirit to fill, control, and empower my life if I want to see God’s perfect will accomplished through me.

Bible Study Tools Bible Versions NAS Proverbs 1:7

7″The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Bible Study Tools Bible Versions MSG Proverbs 1:7

7 “Start with God – the first step in learning is bowing down to God; only fools thumb their noses at such wisdom and learning.”

If I am not being being stupid, then every day, all day, all the time, I will submit to God to learn and to do His will. (He loves me so much He will never mislead me or tell me to do the impossible without His power.)