Effective Trust< ?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>

Daniel 3

When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego refused to serve or worship king NebuchadnezzarÕs gold image, they were sentenced to harsh penalty which was death by furnace fire. They were determined to stand their ground for God. King Nebuchadnezzar went further to question them about who would deliver them. They were so sure of their God with their response in Daniel < ?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>3:16, ÒShadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, ÔO Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter.ÕÓ Is there any matter that is demanding you to compromise your faith? Is the matter threatening to you? You can be rest assured that you have no need to answer the matterÕs question, just like those men of faith. Trust in the God that you serve. They trusted God and responded in Daniel 3:17, ÒIf that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king.Ó Having been delivered from the furnace fire, king Nebuchadnezzar spoke in Daniel 3:28, ÒBlessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, who sent His Angel and delivered His servants who trusted in Him, and they have frustrated the kingÕs word, yielded their bodies, that they should not serve nor worship any god except their own God!Ó Your trust in God will frustrate the hand and moves of the enemy in your life. Your trust in God will promote you in the presence of your enemy. Ask God to endue you with the grace that causes man to stand in trust regardless of confronting matter.

Be Purpose-Full< ?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>

Daniel 1

As you continue in the journey of life, ask God to give you a heart that is purpose-full for the business of His kingdom. DanielÕs heart was purpose-full when he purposed in his heart not to defile the < ?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>temple of God. Daniel 1:8, ÒBut Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the kingÕs delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.Ó A young man taken captive from his home land had every reason to be angry towards God and begin to live his life outside of God. Daniel chose rather to remain focus on God and did not generate excuse to live a life of sin. He maintained who he was by going extra for the Lord; he purposed to maintain the temple of God. What disappointment have you encountered that is enough to upset your heart for God? Absolutely nothing should come between you and God because He is a perfect God that will turn ugliness into beauty. He is a God that will convert obstacle into miracle. Ask Him to give you the grace for your heart to stay on Him constantly and consistently. The purpose-full heart that was in Daniel placed him for great exploit by God. Daniel 1:9, ÒNow God had brought Daniel into the favor and goodwill of the chief of the eunuchs.Ó The favor lasted for the rest of DanielÕs life. Trust God, it will not take forever for God to turn your captivity into creativity.

Zeal of God< ?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>

Numbers 25

When Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, saw that iniquity was a source to killing thousands of the children of God, he could not control himself. He went forward to tackle the source without any form of hesitation. Numbers 25:7-8, ÒNow when Phinehas the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he arose from among the congregation and took a javeline in his hand; and he went after the man of Israel into the tent and thrust both of them through, the man of Israel, and the woman through her body. So the plague was stopped among the children of < ?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>Israel.Ó The Word says Phineahas saw it and he rose from among the congregation. You do not have to be part of what is not right in your congregation or any of your fellowships. Wherever you are and you turn your head away from what is not right because of the majority, you will be a part of what happens to the majority that are wrong in the sight of God. It does not matter how many agreed to what you consider as an abomination, as long as you consider it wrong with great conviction from God that it is wrong, rise and act. When you rise and act, God will react to your move. Phinehas acted on behalf of God and God reacted with blessing. The plague stopped also God sent Moses to him. Numbers25:12-13, ÒTherefore say, ÔBehold, I give to him my covenant of peace; and it shall be to him and his descendants after him a covenant of an everlasting priesthood, because he was zealous for his God, and made atonement for the children of Israel.ÕÓ When you are eaten up by His zeal, you will stand where you need to stand for God and plague will never cross your way. Ask God today for His zeal to eat you up.  

Complain< ?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>

Exodus 16:1-7

The children of < ?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>Israel left Egypt but Egypt did not leave them. The Israelites continue to look back in complaint instead of looking back only in thanksgiving and praising God. Egypt let them go but they could not let Egypt go after they were delivered from the affliction of over four hundred years. In every step they took forward, they continued to look back. Complaint about their need was a major breakdown that denied so many generations from getting to the promise land. What about you? Is there any thing in the past that is holding you from going forward? Have you ever seen any vehicle that is going forward while at the same time going backward? Probably, the Red Sea was yet settled from its granting passage to huge numbers of the children before complaining started. The Israelites began to complain for lack of bread. Exodus 16:3, ÒAnd the children of Israel said to them, oh that we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the pots of meat and when we ate bread to the full! For you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.Ó It is unimaginable that a group that has just seen the Hand of God in action could turn around so fast and so soon. If you are alive to be able to read this, you can believe that complaining directly or indirectly will not transport you but will terminate you. Among the children of Israel, the ages that came out through the Red Sea failed and did not get into their promise land. Let yesterday be yesterday in your journey. Do not complain. Change from complaining to complementing Him with a heart of thanks giving. God will enable you in all areas of life.

Conduct< ?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>

Philippians 1:27-30

How do you act when you are around a fellow believer? What about when you are around non believers? Can you identify the differences in your action? Have you heard people say to you that you are the bible that they are reading? Christianity is not an acting it is a way of life. Whatever your conduct is behind the close door should not be an embarrassing issue when it is conducted in the open.  Year after years, month after months, day after days, you have only been playing religion. Your playing or acting religion will only last for a while before the truth prevail. God will not over look sin do not be overtaken by sin. It is about time for self examination and sincerity before God. God will always have mercy for those that call on Him. Paul said in Philippians 1:27, ÒOnly let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent , I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.Ó Your conduct is the testimony of how you stand in the Lord. If your conduct is worthy of Christ you will be steadfast in Him. Your conduct is your evangelism to the unbeliever around you that are yet to receive Him as their Lord and savior. As the year goes bye, let the word of God be echoing in your heart. Pray and ask God to work in you both to do his will and to do for His glory.