Daniel-the man of Dedication

DANIEL 6: 1-28

No one lives for God without being persecuted. No one lives for God without being misunderstood and criticized. A simple formula for a successful Christian life is: (1) Dedication, (2) Devotion, (3) Discipline, (4) Determination. Daniel had all these.

Daniels disposition (verse 1-5)
a. Preference (verse 1-3). He was chosen above others because of his excellent spirit. He pleased God.
b. Perfection 9verse 4,5). Not sinless perfection-he pleased God in his living (Matthew 5:48)

His difficulty (verse 6-9)
a. The scheme. If anyone obeyed or served any other king, he would come to all who live for God (2 Timothy 3:12).
b. The signing. The king, not fully understanding the motive behind the plan, signed his name. The order could not be changed. Stop praying or face the lions? What a choice. I just want to water your apetite. Check out subsequent series on Daniel for more on this amazing man of God.

Blessings of Grace!

Romans 4:16 For this reason it is by faith, that it might be in accordance with grace, in order that the promise may be certain to all the descendants, not only to those of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the Father of all.
2 Timothy 2:9-you are called with a holy calling, according to His purpose and grace before the foundation of the world.
Faith does not move God, God is already moved. Faith puts you in a position to receive what God has given by grace...
Galatians 3:8-And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, "All the nations shall be blessed in you."
Acts 4:33-and with great power the apostles were giving witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all.

Titus 2:11-For grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men. Amazing Grace, how sweet!

The Goal Line!

If God's people will see nothing but the goal line, will accept nothing but victory, will pay any price, will suffer any hurt and hardship, will refuse to be discouraged or disheartened, we cannot help but win; because we are charged with the power of God's Holy Spirit. There are somethings money will do;  there are some things human effort will do; there are some things human ingenuity will do; but there are some things only God can do. I want to remind you that no one ever achieved greatness without human opposition. We need people today who will say, "We can, we must, we will!" Are you ready to be one of such people? The overcomer is one who is knocked down nine times, but gets up ten. It is not the boulders ahead of us that wear us down. It is often the grain of sand in our shoe. God never puts more on us than He puts in us to bear up every burden. There are far more valleys than mountain tops in the Christian life. God sends us two bad days every good day in order to keep us looking towards Him. God has a vision for you. Don't ever quit. Let your vision become an obsessive reality.