Sunday, May 31, 2020

INSIDE HIS PERSONAL PANDEMIC; DANIEL PRAYED AND GAVE THANKS

INSIDE THE STORMS: DANIEL PRAYED AND GAVE THANKS
“… It pleased Darius to appoint 120 satraps to rule throughout the kingdom, with three administrators over them, one of whom was Daniel. The satraps were made accountable to them so that the king might not suffer loss.  Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and the satraps by his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom. At this, the administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent. Finally these men said, “We will never find any basis for charges against this man Daniel unless it has something to do with the law of his God.”  So these administrators and satraps went as a group to the king and said: “May King Darius live forever! The royal administrators, prefects, satraps, advisers and governors have all agreed that the king should issue an edict and enforce the decree that anyone who prays to any god or human being during the next thirty days, except to you, Your Majesty, shall be thrown into the lions’ den. Now, Your Majesty, issue the decree and put it in writing so that it cannot be altered—in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.”  So King Darius put the decree in writing. Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. THREE TIMES A DAY HE GOT DOWN ON HIS KNEES AND PRAYED, GIVING THANKS TO HIS GOD, JUST AS HE HAD DONE BEFORE. Then these men went as a group and found Daniel praying and asking God for help...” (Acts 6:1-11 NIV).

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Daniel had a top position in King Darius’ kingdom. He was chief of presidents. “...It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom an hundred and twenty princes, which should be over the whole kingdom; And over these three presidents; of whom Daniel was first: that the princes might give accounts unto them, and the king should have no damage...” (Daniel 6:1-2 KJV).
Not only did Daniel have the top position, but he was preferred over all others, because of his excellent character and spirit. “...Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm...” (Daniel 6:3 KJV).
Because of his righteous character and spirit, the other presidents and princes decided to conspire against him. “...Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him...” (Daniel 6:4 KJV).
God gives HIS PEOPLE “his” excellent Holy Spirit. “…God … sent forth the Spirit of His Son “INTO” OUR HEARTS…” (Galatians 4:6 NASB). “…It is God (the Holy Spirit) who works in you to will (to want to do righteous) and to act (to actually become righteous) in order to fulfill his good purpose...” (Philippians 2:13 NIV). “…Now may the God of peace, … that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good (an indwelling and excellent spirit) for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ...” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV).
God’s excellent Holy Spirit DWELLS within HIS PEOPLE. “…God has given [you] HIS ...[excellent indwelling Holy]... Spirit as PROOF that … he [dwells]…in [YOU]…” (1 John 4:13 NLT). “…The Spirit of God dwell[s]… in you…” (Romans 8:9 KJV). (Hebrews 1:9 NASB). “…Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable GIFT (Jesus, the excellent indwelling Holy Spirit)” (2 Corinthians  9:16 KJV). We have this treasure (the excellent indwelling Holy Spirit) “in” earthen vessels…” (2 Corinthians 4:6-7 KJV).  “…[People will]… know (WITNESS) that everything [YOU have]… (the excellent indwelling Holy Spirit) IS A GIFT “FROM” [God]” (John 17:6-9 NLT). You will receive the gift of the (excellent indwelling) Holy Spirit….” (Acts 2:38 NASB). “by the GRACE of God I am what I am” (1 Corinthians 15:10 NIV).
“... Daniel was preferred above the presidents and prince...because an excellent spirit was in him...” (Daniel 6:3 KJV).
“...the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom...” (Daniel 6:4 KJV).
The bible TELLS all of God’s PEOPLE to LET their excellent Spirit SHINE brightly through their conduct. “…Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works (empowered by the Holy Spirit) and glorify your Father which is in heaven…” (Matthew 5:16 KJV).
Daniel’s conduct, in his government position, reflected the EXCELLENT Spirit God had given to him. It made Daniel PREFERABLE above ALL others, because he wasn’t corrupt or negligent in his duties, but was found trustworthy! “... Daniel was preferred above the presidents and prince...because an excellent spirit was in him...” (Daniel 6:3 KJV).
The others SAW Daniel’s GOOD works through his conduct. “…Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works ” (Matthew 5:16 KJV).
Daniel was faithful in his duties to the King and his was faithful in his covenant relationship with God. “...[And[... they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him...” (Daniel 6:4 KJV).
Daniel’s faithfulness was a virtue and a fruit of God’s Holy Spirit. “…GOD IS SPIRIT…” (John 4:24 KJV).  “…The Spirit of God dwell[s]… in [HIS PEOPLE]…” (Romans 8:9 KJV)
“…Ye shall know [God’s people]… by their fruits…” (Matthew 7:16 KJV).
 “…The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness ... [faithfulness]...Meekness, temperance…” (Galatians 5:22-23 KJV). "....The [excellent] ...Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in [his people’s]... lives …” (Galatians 5 NLT).

“…He (she) who ABIDES in Me and I in him (her), he (she) bears much fruit(John 15:1-11 NASB). "… [if you] ...bear much fruit, [you] ... PROVE to be My disciples” (John 15:8 NIV). "…[When]...“YOU” bear much fruit, [you]... PROVE to be [God’s] ...disciples” (John 15:8 NIV).
“...They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent...” (Daniel 6:4 NIV). Daniel wasn’t perfect, but he had an EXCELLENT Spirit. “…GOD IS SPIRIT…” (John 4:24 KJV).  “…The Spirit of God dwell[s]… in [HIS PEOPLE]…” (Romans 8:9 KJV)
“…Ye shall know [God’s people]… by their fruits…” (Matthew 7:16 KJV).
 “…The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness ... [faithfulness]...Meekness, temperance…” (Galatians 5:22-23 KJV). "....The [excellent] ...Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in [his people’s]... lives …” (Galatians 5 NLT).
“...They could find no corruption in him...” (Daniel 6:4 NIV). The other presidents and princes looked and searched until they could find another way to discredit Daniel.
The other presidents and princes were looking and searching for a particular way to discredit Daniel that would be plausible and strongly supported in pretext that would get rid of their rival. “...the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom...” (Daniel 6:4 KJV).
Why did the other presidents and princes want to do Daniel this way? Their HEARTS were NOT right, which made them jealous and envious. the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these …” (Galatians 5:20-22  NASB).
… from within, out of the heart of man, proceed evil thoughts (thoughts that command behavior)…these … come from within, and defile a person (make their behavior unclean)...” (Mark 7:21-23 KJV). The heart, however, “…is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked…who can know it…” (Jeremiah 17:9 KJV).  "…Offspring of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The good man, out of his good treasure, brings forth good things, and the evil man, out of his evil treasure, brings forth evil things." (Matthew 12:34-35).
The other presidents and princes literally plotted together to find a way to “FIND FAULT” in Daniel’s duties as a government official. They could find NONE in his conduct, which is a POWERFUL testimony of WHO he choose to be as God’s child. So they went after Daniel, by creating a conflict between his faith and his government duties.
Even though there was no fault found or detected in Daniel’s conduct or in his duties as chief, they attempted to created one of their OWN. “... Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God. Then these presidents and princes assembled together to the king, and said thus unto him, King Darius, live for ever. All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellors, and the captains, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions. Now, O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it be not changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not. Wherefore king Darius signed the writing and the decree...” (Daniel 6:5-10 KJV).
It is NATURAL for the sinful flesh to HATE or be HOSTILE toward God and his people, who carry his Holy Spirit. “…The sinful nature is always hostile to God…” (Romans 8:1-14 NLT).
Daniel served his government faithfully, but he was first and foremost devoted to serving the LIVING God amidst a gaggle of Babylonian deities, gods, and idols.
Daniel did NOT excite this HATRED from the other presidents or princes. Their behavior is a GLOWING witness of how the SINFUL NATURE is EVIDENT in the lives of those who DO NOT have the excellent, indwelling Holy Spirit within them. “… the deeds of the flesh are evident, ... enmities, strife, jealousy ....envying ... and things like these …” (Galatians 5:20-22  NASB).
They were jealous and envious of his HOLY life EVIDENT through his righteous conduct. “...All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellors, and the captains, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions...” (Daniel 6:5-10 KJV).
This NEW LAW would put Daniel in conflict with his duties as chief and his devotion to God, the Holy Spirit. This put Daniel INSIDE a STORM of LIFE. This STORM disturbed his atmosphere and disrupted his normal routines.
If Daniel choose, his devotion to God over the NEW LAW, he would FACE the LION’S DEN. “...whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions...” (Daniel 6:5-10 KJV).
The other government officials had went to GREAT lengths to discredit Daniel. They did it out of jealousy and envy which is evident of a nature heavily influenced by a carnal mind. They manipulated and deceived the king into signing a NEW LAW, in which he was unaware, would impact Daniel, his preferred chief.
In the 21st century many people assemble together to plot against righteousness and righteous conduct, just like in Daniel’s days. “...All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellors, and the captains, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree ... king Darius signed the writing and the decree...” (Daniel 6:5-10 KJV).
“…What shall it profit a man (woman), if he (she) shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” (Mark 8:36 KJV)..“…thou hast gone a whoring after the heathen, and …art polluted with their idols…” (Ezekiel 23:30).
The other government officials were influential people and managed to cleverly impress the king to sign the NEW LAW into effect. “...All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellors, and the captains, have consulted together to establish a royal statute ... [and]... king Darius signed the writing and the decree...” (Daniel 6:5-10 KJV).
ALL the GOVERNMENT RULERS plotted against ONE righteous MAN.“...All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellors, and the captains, have consulted together to establish a royal statute ...” (Daniel 6:5-10 KJV).
ALL the GOVERNMENT RULERS were able to consult and establish this NEW LAW, except DANIEL. If ONE sinner can destroyed MUCH GOOD, what can a GROUP of sinners do? They can RUIN religious freedom for ONE righteous man. “… ONE sinner destroy[ed]… MUCH GOOD” (Ecclesiastes 9:18 NASB). “...whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions...” (Daniel 6:5-10 KJV).
“…The sinful nature wants to do evil…” (Galatians 5 NLT).“…The sinful nature wants to do ... the opposite of what the Spirit wants  …” (Galatians 5 NLT).
… from within, out of the heart of man, proceed evil thoughts (thoughts that command unclean behavior and)…these … come from within, and defile a person (make a person unclean)...” (Mark 7:21-23 KJV). "... out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The good man, out of his good treasure, brings forth good things, and the evil man, out of his evil treasure, brings forth evil things." (Matthew 12:34-35).
King Darius’ government officials carried weight and influence with him, and because he wanted the honor as a “god” they promised him, he SIGNED the NEW LAW into effect. “...whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions...” (Daniel 6:5-10 KJV).
It is unconscious-able that NONE of the other government officials found Daniel’s righteous conduct applaud-able. “…The sinful nature wants to do evil…” (Galatians 5 NLT).“…The sinful nature wants to do ... the opposite of what the Spirit wants  …” (Galatians 5 NLT).
Without Daniel’s devotion and connection with God, the Holy Spirit, he would not have been a man of an excellent spirit.“...The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin...[because of the sinful nature] ...I want to do what is good, but I don’t...” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). “…you are not free to carry out your good intentions. …” (Galatians 5 NLT).  …There is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not…” (Ecclesiastes 7:20 KJV). “...there is “NONE” good but one, that is, God...” (Nahum 1:7 & Mark 10:18 KJV).  “… [ALL (every human being) have become]…..unclean and [their so-called] righteousnesses (efforts to do good is) as filthy rags.” (Isaiah 64:6 KJV).  “... APART FROM [the Holy Spirit]... [mankind]... can do nothing [good]  …” (John 15:1-11 NASB). “… [they]... are not free to carry out...[their]... good intentions. ” (Galatians 5 NLT).  by the GRACE of God (and his excellent indwelling Holy Spirit) I am what I am” (1 Corinthians 15:10 NIV).
It was Daniel’s devotion and connection with God, the Holy Spirit, that made him an PREFERRABLE Chief of Presidents.  “... Daniel was preferred above the presidents and prince...because an excellent spirit was in him...” (Daniel 6:3 KJV).
Daniel worked in a world and environment where it would have been EASIER to blend in with the MAJORITY, than to stand, ALONE, for righteousness. “…Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works ” (Matthew 5:16 KJV).
Every child of God FACES the STORMS of LIFE where choices have to be made between what is RIGHTEOUS and what is UNRIGHTEOUS. God’s people don’t merely demonstrate ethical behavior, but they empowered to display righteous behavior through the indwelling Holy Spirit.
Standing in righteousness, like Daniel, was not simply about what HE DID, but who he had become BECAUSE of God’s Holy Spirit.  “…Therefore if any man (woman) be in Christ, he (she) is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV). “...For in him we live, and move, and have our being (identity) ... we are also his offspring...” (Acts 17:28 KJV). “…GOD IS SPIRIT…” (John 4:24 KJV).  “…The Spirit of God dwell[s]… in [HIS PEOPLE]…” (Romans 8:9 KJV)
“…Ye shall know [God’s people]… by their fruits…” (Matthew 7:16 KJV).
 “…The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness ... [faithfulness]...Meekness, temperance…” (Galatians 5:22-23 KJV). "....The [excellent] ...Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in [his people’s]... lives …” (Galatians 5 NLT)."… [if you] ...bear much fruit, [you] ... PROVE to be My disciples” (John 15:8 NIV).
“...They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent...” (Daniel 6:4 NIV). Daniel wasn’t perfect, but he had an EXCELLENT Spirit. “…GOD IS SPIRIT…” (John 4:24 KJV).  “…The Spirit of God dwell[s]… in [HIS PEOPLE]…” (Romans 8:9 KJV)
“…Ye shall know [God’s people]… by their fruits…” (Matthew 7:16 KJV).
 “…The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness ... [faithfulness]...Meekness, temperance…” (Galatians 5:22-23 KJV). "....The [excellent] ...Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in [his people’s]... lives …” (Galatians 5 NLT).
When God’s people are truly dedicated and devoted to him they know, personally, how the covenant relationship with God, the Holy Spirit, has transformed their lives.
Thus, righteous behavior is also a result of who and what you keep company with.  “... He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed...” (Proverbs 13:20 KJV).  “... Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character...” (1 Corinthians 15:33 NIV). “…he that is joined unto the Lord (Jesus) is ONE spirit… [with God again]” (1 Corinthians 6:17 KJV). “…. old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV). “... and man (woman) ...[becomes]... a living soul (AGAIN)…” (GENESIS 2:7 KJV).
.  “... He that walketh with wise men shall be wise...” (Proverbs 13:20 KJV).
Daniel’s conduct demonstrated what his dedicated and devoted, covenant relationship with God, the Holy Spirit, DID for his life. “…abide in me, and I in you…” (John 15:4 KJV).    “…if any man (woman) be in Christ, he (she) is a NEW creature ” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV). “..in him we live, and move, and have our being (identity) ...we are also his offspring...” (Acts 17:28 KJV).
“…It is God who works in you” (Philippians 2:13 NIV). “…The God of peace … that great Shepherd of the sheep work[s] in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV). “…The God of peace … that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip[s] you with everything good for doing his will” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV). “… [God] grant[s]… [his people]… to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man…” (Ephesians 3:16 KJV). “...The same God who does the work IN and THROUGH all of us who are his. The HOLY SPIRIT DISPLAYS God’s power THROUGH each of us …” (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT).
by the GRACE of God I am what I am” (1 Corinthians 15:10 NIV).  “…Apart from [the excellent Holy Spirit]… [mankind cannot]... do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV).
“... Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime. Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God. Then they came near, and spake before the king concerning the king's decree; Hast thou not signed a decree, that every man that shall ask a petition of any God or man within thirty days, save of thee, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions? The king answered and said, The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not. Then answered they and said before the king, That Daniel, which is of the children of the captivity of Judah, regardeth not thee, O king, nor the decree that thou hast signed, but maketh his petition three times a day. Then the king, when he heard these words, was sore displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him ...Then these men assembled unto the king, and said unto the king, Know, O king, that the law of the Medes and Persians is, That no decree nor statute which the king establisheth may be changed.  Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions...” (Daniel 6:10-16 KJV).

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