TODAY'S WORD 28 FEB 2014: DARE TO BE A DANIEL V

A close look at the book of Daniel this week reveals his secret, and shows how we too can be successful without selling our souls.
From Monday this week we have learnt about purpose, principle and purity for anyone who is dare to be a Daniel.
Today we will talk about prayer life of Daniel.

DANIEL WAS A MAN OF PRAYER

1. He knelt in prayer, a demonstration of his humility

2. He prayed three times daily, a demonstration of his continual dependence upon God

3. He gave thanks in the midst of persecution, a demonstration of his gratitude and the fact 

    that he had not lost sight of God's blessings

4. His prayers were a "custom since early days", demonstrating his persistence and 

    faithfulness in his service to God -- Is it not likely that his "custom" to pray so diligently

    helped him to remain a man of purpose, principle and purity, despite his rise to power

    and preeminence over the empire?

CHRISTIANS WOULD DO WELL TO FOLLOW DANIEL'S EXAMPLE...

1. "Let us learn the lesson that the finest of God's servants must maintain regular and fixed 

     prayer habits in order to continue steadfast in devotion to the Lord." 

2. As Christians, we too are to pray often - 1Th 5:17-18; Col 4:2

3. If our efforts to live purposeful, principled, and pure lives are not what they should be, 

    could an undisciplined "prayer life" be the reason?

  Are we willing to "Dare To Be A Daniel" in regards to prayer?

There is a false assumption that to "get ahead" in this world one must conform to the sinful

 practices of the world. But even today there are many Christians who demonstrate that when

 one "dares to be a  Daniel" they can succeed in the affairs of men without selling their souls

 to the world. How about you?  Will you "Dare To Be A Daniel" by becoming a person

 or a man of purpose, principle, purity and prayer.

Peace be unto you 

TODAY'S WORD 27 FEB 2014: DARE TO BE A DANIEL IV

The study book of Daniel continues.

DANIEL WAS A MAN OF PURITY

His opponents could not find any fault on him. He was faultless when it came to management of his business affairs. This would help his rise to position of great responsibility and power. Of course,
 his purity in business affairs was related to;

1. His overall purpose to please God first

2. The fact that a man of principle he could be trusted. 

The Christian is also to maintain purity of conduct. Whether young or old, don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity- 1 Tim4:12. Whether slave or free as in Titus 2:9-10- Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.  

People who maintain purity in their dealings with others are often given positions of great responsibility and privilege, because they can be trusted to use them wisely. Yes, Daniel was a man of purpose, principle, and purity (and how the world needs more like him!). But the element that likely tied all these together in such a way to receive blessings from God and favor from man.

Peace be unto you

TODAY'S WORD 26 FEB 2014: DARE TO BE A DANIEL III

Daniel 1:1 – 2:end: DANIEL WAS A MAN OF PRINCIPLE

HE REFUSED TO COMPROMISE HIS CONVICTIONS.As a young man,

 by refusing to eat the king's meat or drink his wine. As an old man, by refusing the 

 gifts of Belshazzar. Under the threat of persecution, by refusing to obey the decree

 of Darius.

PEOPLE ADMIRE PERSONS OF PRINCIPLE...

 Outwardly they may ridicule them, but inwardly they wish they had the same intestinal

 fortitude. And when they need someone that can be trusted, and depended upon to 

 carry through with an assigned task, who do you think they will turn to? God also admires

 individuals who will stand by their  principles, and by their words. [Our society is in great 

 need of people with principle. 

 Those who"Dare To Be A Daniel", and demonstrate by example the value of being

 led by "principle" rather than by "price", are not only highly valued by God but also by 

 their fellow man.

But having purpose and principle is not all; another element for true success is needed.  

Peace be unto you 

TODAY'S WORD 25 FEB 2014: DARE TO BE A DANIEL II

DANIEL: THE MAN OF PURPOSE

"DANIEL PURPOSED IN HIS HEART..." - Daniel 1:8,9 A young boy in a strange land,
Daniel was immediately face with a challenge to violate God's law by eating the king's food.
Despite his youth and the obvious pressures to conform, Daniel "purposed in his heart" to uphold
the law of God, no matter the cost. Because of his willingness to put God first, God granted Daniel
favor in the sight of others. How God did this is not explained, but it happened in the case of Joseph
also - cf. Gen39:1-4, 21-23. By putting God first, God blessed Joseph in such a way that favorably
impressed others

EVERY CHILD OF GOD NEEDS TO BE A PERSON OF PURPOSE...
1. No one respects a "wishy-washy" person, someone with no direction in their lives
2. Whereas a strong sense of purpose often breeds respect and admiration in others
3. What should be the "purpose" of the Christian?
   a. Jesus makes it clear in Matthew 9:33
   b. I.e., to seek the will of God and fulfill it in our lives,
   no matter the circumstances
4. As Jesus promised, this will guarantee God's favor toward us and in turn likely gain us favor in the
   eyes of  those around us

Will you "Dare To Be A Daniel" and be a person with a purpose like he had?  No matter how young
 one may be, it is never too early to "seekfirst the kingdom of God and His righteousness"!