Happy Sunday everyone! I'm doing my first, yes my first, Beth Moore study ever. I've read some of Beth's books and I'd hoped to do the study of Esther last year but I ended up with pneumonia and couldn't do it. So now I'm learning about living like Daniel did along with many other women that have come together for this Bible study. You remember Daniel don't you? Daniel and his buddies, Hanniah, Mishael, and Azariah? Or maybe you remember them better as Belteshazzar, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. The guys who walked around in Neb's fiery furnace. Do you remember who the fourth person was in the furnace with them?When you look around at all the wealth we have compared to other countries it's no surprise we have such a hard time focusing on God and what he wants of us. Self-absorption (thinking that you're all that or what I call big head syndrome) and stepping on others while you are trying to get to where you want to be is like Nebuchadnezzar's Babylon. It's a me, me, me mentality. Beth says, "Pride is not a circumstance. It's a state of mind. It's an equal opportunity agent of Satan — his absolute specialty."
Synonyms from Dictionary.com Bible Dictionary Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary as cited on dictionary.com
1. Pride, conceit, self-esteem, egotism, vanity, vainglory imply an unduly favorable idea of one's own appearance, advantages, achievements, etc., and often apply to offensive characteristics.
The antonym for pride is humility.
Humility definition http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/humility
a prominent Christian grace (Rom. 12:3; 15:17, 18; 1 Cor. 3:5-7; 2 Cor. 3:5; Phil. 4:11-13). It is a state of mind well pleasing to God (1 Pet. 3:4); it preserves the soul in tranquillity (Ps. 69:32, 33), and makes us patient under trials (Job 1:22). Christ has set us an example of humility (Phil. 2:6-8). . . .
Daniel 4:27 NIV Therefore, O king, be pleased to accept my advice: Renounce your sins by doing what is right, and your wickedness by being kind to the oppressed. It may be that then your prosperity will continue."
This is a 12 week study so I have a lot to learn and miles to go yet. The study is driven by videos we watch each week. I love it. You might want to try it sometime. Let's all watch out for the Nebuchadnezzar that may be at work in us this week and instead focus on humility.
What's your take on pride? Can we be proud of our work and our families and not be the big-headed prideful Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon?
LOVE this study.
ReplyDeleteSigh. I fluctuate from being totally broken b/f God and being prideful and judgmental.
The Holy Spirit convicts like a stab from a white hot sword.
Blessings, dear one.
Patti
Hi Patti,
ReplyDeleteThere was and is so much I didn't understand about Daniel. It's fascinating! My Bible study leader said if you don't understand Daniel you won't understand the book of Revelation. No wonder I never got it. :)