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Preparation And Prayer Will Bring Conviction

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One of the toughest things for Christians to be able to do successfully is to persevere in their continual seeking on behalf of those around them. What I am writing to you today are some awesome nuggets that you can read from the spirit of the text we will begin with below:

Daniel 6: 7-24

[7] All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellers, 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.
[8] 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.
[9] Wherefore king Darius signed the writing and the decree.
[10] 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.
[11] Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God.
[12] 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.
[13] 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.
[14] Then the king, when he heard these words, was sore displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him: and he laboured till the going down of the sun to deliver him.
[15] 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.
[16] Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee.
[17] And a stone was brought and laid upon the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel.
[18] Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting: neither were instruments of musick brought before him: and his sleep went from him.
[19] Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions.
[20] And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?
[21] Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever.
[22] My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.
[23] Then was the king exceeding glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God.
[24] And the king commanded, and they brought those men which had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and the lions had the mastery of them, and brake all their bones in pieces or ever they came at the bottom of the den.

In verse seven the enemy decided to take advantage of the Kings weakness and leverage him, using the only plot that would convict Daniel. Take notice here that Daniel’s enemies were not those who we would have expected here (someone acting in a sinful nature for their own gain). You see the enemy that Daniel was dealing with was worse than that; this kind of enemy was sitting in high places and had no control or favor with God. And as we should be very keen to, we cannot ever find ourselves comfortable in a crowd of those we are close to. It is nice to have those we can trust, but God must be above all others! Verse ten opens up the preparation for consequences and totally defiled the enemies intent and creed. If there is nothing else you read, read this part: The first thing we should do in any matter of major/minor significance is to seek the face of God! And yes, seeking God can be done even when knowing that the enemy is intentionally coming against you!

The king’s weakness to peer pressure (and losing his throne) is revealed in verse 15, and as we read it should become clear to us today that sin is revealed in our own lives when God deals with our hearts to commit to Christ. Through the passages of verses 17-23 you can begin to see the represented conviction and restlessness that the king began to face. Conviction will come when we come against God or resist the drawing of our heart for an encounter with Him. Even after the victory and protection that Daniel received God dealt with the enemy for the ill-willed intentions that tried to bring down one walking in God’s will. The enemy cannot run when God is proven, sin cannot stay where the spirit delivers!

It’s All About…What?

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Love! It’s all about love!

Everything that you ever read in the bible that was centered around Jesus Christ was centered around love! When I think about trying to put on the frame of thinking and have the “mind of Christ”, it makes me think about love. The list goes on and on: love for my church (and giving to my church), love for the people in church (and out of church), love for the gifts and callings that God has placed in our lives (and using them), and a love for the desire to do what God is calling! It’s short and sweet today. I love God because He first loved me. I love God because of the many outpourings and blessings that always come so undeserving. I love the mercy and grace that we walk in, for without it we would just be lost in life without hope.

Remember to love those around you and to do those things for them in love. Anything that we do otherwise that would be in wrath or not in Godly character cannot be the full and complete witness that God had intended for your life. Make the most of an impact by being in full demonstration of the love of God! It’s fullness within you will pour out and rub off on others and people will not be able to resist it! They will either join in with the fellowship of what you bring or will have to get away! The love bug will get them one way or another! In other words, the spirit of God through conviction by the demonstrated love of your witness is a very powerful thing today!

It’s all about…love!

Processing Conviction

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“Simon” comes from the greek interpretation meaning hearing. “Peter” comes from an Aramaic term for rock.

He was one of the first to confess that Jesus was the Messiah, and was also known to be read as one of the first ones to deny him also. It reminds us that even though we often idolize those we read in the scriptures, that they were indeed human and we are able to begin to obey God just as all did that we read about!

Luke 14:26-27

[26] If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.
[27] And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

There are many times that we think that conviction only bears the purpose of bringing others to Christ; however, it goes much further than that if you allow it to. It can begin to show you every single day things that need to begin to change in your life. The big things, the small things, all the things that are a hindrance in your walk with God!

Psalms 51:4

[4] Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.

When we allow it to happen, the spirit of God will begin to produce conviction through our willingness to listen. It allows us to draw closer by removing all the parts of our lives that seem so hard to deal with. It separates us from sin, delivers us from temptations, and doesn’t allow the enemy to win the mental battles that are so often won without as much as a fight!

Luke 22:31

[31] And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:

John 15:20

[20] Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.

We have to learn to follow the leadership of God when He begins to speak to us, to be careful to hear and follow what is instructed. After hearing what we do, we must BEGIN to follow through on that. We must not wait! We have to begin to move forward and remember that as we read that “If they have persecuted me” (being Jesus) that you will face sufferings, but through Christ you will come out victorious!

Psalms 51:10

[10] Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

Conviction should produce contrition. It should make me begin to cry out to God in a brand new way. I should learn to acknowledge my problems and shortcomings, for God knows far more about our lives; the present day and far ahead of what we can even begin to comprehend!

Luke 22:32

[32] But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

Conviction should produce confidence to help others! The body of Christ when in a stable established walk with God should get to a place where you are able for people to bear of the fruits of the Spirit of you (peace, joy and love). If we are bringing everything else of the world, they cannot be drawn by that, and people cannot be changed and walk in a new person, a new creature.

Galatians 1:16

[16] To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:

“Immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood” tells me not to lean on my own understanding, but to learn to trust the spirit of God. It will not fail you or forsake you. That’s the only thing that will prove to be consistent in your life AND in your churches of today. A spiritual church is an active church. A non-spiritual church is a church not performing in outreach, but simply performing. People need help and need us to follow conviction once more!

Acts 8:22

[22] Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.

Matthew 19:21

[21] Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.Come and follow me

We have to learn to heed to the voice and command to move to what the spirit would want us to do. People need to hear from our experiences and words that are given, for that is life to others. We often question that, but if we surrender and come willing God will prove Himself true and people will be changed! You can guarantee it!

Luke 22:54-62

[54] Then took they him, and led him, and brought him into the high priest’s house. And Peter followed afar off.
[55] And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down among them.
[56] But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him, and said, This man was also with him.
[57] And he denied him, saying, Woman, I know him not.
[58] And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not.
[59] And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilaean.
[60] And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew.
[61] And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.
[62] And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.

This was a result of conviction in Peter, but this was not the end of Peter. Remember to walk in the confidence that Jesus spoke about that “upon this rock I will build my church”. Jesus was talking about the part of the person that believes. Let that part of you be strong!

Picking, Poking, and Prodding

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THE WORD

Isaiah 54:17 – No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.

II Corinthians 10:4 – For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Life delivers many scenarios where your emotions will be tested often. Whether it is a direct verbal attack or some kind of vague comment you will find that it is easy to get caught off guard. Things can come at home, at the workplace, or even at church; we can never truly predict the where or when of other people’s outbursts. I remind you today to always be prepared and be centered on the love of God to have that preparation.

The love of God brings peace, which surpasses all understanding. This keeps me in a peace where my anger will not rise even when I am picked on. It will surpass even our defense system and protect us from harm. Christ recognized the naysayers that were in the crowd, yet he did not launch back at them. He definitely led by example rather than by retaliation! Keep focused on having love for friends and foes alike! If you present a Godly response to irrational actions it leads by example and not by emotions! This is the true love and witness of God!

PUT INTO PRACTICE

The next time that you are affected by someone taking action or speaking against you, I urge you to take a leap of faith and pray specifically for that person. Some of the first times I began to do this I found myself wanting to justify my reasons for being upset. The more, however, that I continued in prayer, realizing how much God’s love is for everyone, I found that there is a love that I can acquire from God to overcome all persecution! Try it!

Efforts Lost Are People Lost

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This is a short, but sweet reminder that when we do not begin to pose a strong consistent effort within our services for God, that there are people that are slipping through our fingers and falling through the cracks!

We have to begin to always be dependable in the sense that we are going to be obedient vessels in and out of season, or in other words, whether I feel like it or don’t.

This applies to all aspects of ministry and is the hardest to realize when we are down or discouraged about the fruitfulness of what we are doing.

We have to remember that which we put before God is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. Just because people don’t receive you in the carnal mind or body does not mean that by your willingness that God has not moved into their heart with conviction!

Help all that you can in the support of God’s church and all the parts that make it!