Daniel, Daniel’s life, Days of Noah, David, Disintegration, The Door

SECRETS OF DANIEL’S VICTORIOUS LIFE - The Book of DANIEL

1. Purposed to be pure:- not to defile himself: what are defiling you?
2. Proved his faith:- 10 days test--how do you prove your faith?
3. Preferred by God overall:- gave himself etc.—why you’re chosen?
4. Prospered in all aspects:- ten times better than—how are you better than others?
5. Promoted by king:-because of Daniel’s testimony in life-how is your testimony?
6. Prayed to God for everything: how is your prayer life? It is the Secret of Daniel!

DAYS OF NOAH (Gen 6) (Mat 24).

The salvation through the Ark:-

1. The corruption in the world because of sin
2. The destruction of the world by judgement
3. The direction/instructions to build the ark- call & commitment
4. The construction of the ark- faith & obedience/ acceptance
5. The preservation of the righteous Noah- the blessing
6. The invitation to enter the ark- God’s call
7. The expression of gratitude- (worship) – altar erected

• Noah’s new life began with Altar- worship/ Praise

Ark – salvation, separation, regeneration

Altar- worship/ praise/ fellowship with God.

DAVID’S MIGHTY MEN:- Spiritual balance: I Chronicles 12

1. Benjamites:- The balanced – (build & battle)
2. The Gadites:- the separated- (strong & swift)
3. The Manasseh:- the keepers of truth (Numbers 36)
4. The Issachar:- intelligent services- (understanding & knowing)
5. The Zebalon :- the dependability- (steady, continuity, consistency)

• Their one Aim: to make David the King.

SIGNS OF DOMESTIC DISINTEGRATION :_I Sa 1-4

• Meet the family – Eli, his sons & Samuel
• Eli’s life :- professional, personal, physical
• Observe the activity:-

- Sins of the sons – 2:22

- Warnings of others – 2:23,27,30-34

- Warnings from God – 3:11-12;15-18

- Response of the father – 2:23-24,29

Evaluation- 4 corrosive agents that helped erode Eli’s family.

1.Preoccupation with his profession to the exclusion of his family’s needs:-

- they were never in the focus in the first place. How, being born & brought up at Sliloh & not knowing

- the Lord? Father was never at home.

2.Refusal to face the seriousness of his son’s lifestyle :- sons became examples to be avoided rather than emulated.

He refused to realize the facts of the report. E.g. Prov. 19:18

3. Failure to respond correctly to the warnings of others :- (Prov. 11:14). How receptive are you?

4. Condoning the wrong, thereby becoming a part of the problem:- (I Sa 2:29) (Lam 5:7) – Recycled reality of sin.

Insights:

“ Good family “ – as by the society’s standard.

- but inside is important.

- Professional reputation vs parental reputation

- Success at work, doesn’t necessary guarantee success at home.

- Taking as many pains in your parental responsibilities as you do in your professional responsibilities (duties).

Some questions for reflection:

Hophin & Phinehas lived separate lives with his father under the same roof!

1. When was the last time you recall ,talked about love, uninterrupted – with one of your children?
2. In what ways have you shared yourself with a family member rather than just sharing an activity?
3. In what ways have you developed closeness with your children? Have you spent as much time & energy with them as with your friends?
4. What would you share about your faith if you had your child’s company for 6 hours?

- Qualification & ability to lead in I Tim 3:4-5- served 40 years- look at the quality- & end result of his service (Eli’s)

- At home true leadership begins. (Eph 6:1-4)

LESSONS FROM DANIEL’S LIFE

How to live for God in a sinful world.-

1. The first test (Ch 1:8-) to be holy & separate.

- determine – to choose – to take a stand

- He purposed in his heart – not to defile himself

- We are all given freedom to choose.

- What are the things that defile us?

- Food, drink, habits, actions, attitudes, associations

2. The second test (Ch 2:16-) - in their relationship to God –(Prayer life)

- whether able to have revelations from God?

- Depended on God, sought His help.

- What are the needs we depend upon God for?

3. The third test (Ch 3:13-) is about worship (to Daniel’s friends)

- the idols demanding our worship

4. The fourth test (Ch 6:10-) on Daniel’s prayer life

- What are the enemies to our prayer life?

- How to overcome them?

- Why we need to have a good habit of prayer?

The two major test in Daniel’s life were on

1. His holy living – relationship with people

2. Prayer life- relationship with God

- our life to be pure & holy

- our life to be close to god – prayerful

- This is the lifestyle we will have in heaven.

THE DOOR : JOHN 10:1-10

1. Entering by Him for salvation

2. Going in for fellowship

3. Going out for service

4. Find pasture

5. Life abundantly-overflowing, more than sufficient, full, spiritual things

Door – privileges- because of Him all blessings

- Opportunities- to experience His life

- Authority – to inherit all God has promised

Thief (Satan) comes to steal, kill & destroy

Our reward – the joy- faith- peace- love- ministry- holiness- fellowship- service.