Daniel 6 - Distinguish Yourself From The Rest

This devotional is based on a sermon James Preston preached on Sunday 16 September - You can download it here:  "NO FEAR OF HUNGRY LIONS"

Daniel 6:3
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. 

Daniel had exceptional qualities.  For a number of reasons which I won't get into right now.  Did you know that, like Daniel, you have exceptional qualities?  In case you didn't know that, you do now!

As a Christian you have exceptional qualities that make you different to everyone else.  You are a New Creation who has passed from the kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of Light.  You radiate Christ!  You are different in every way.

But I want you to notice something...  the verse opens up with Daniel "distinguishing himself".  You see, Daniel had the exceptional qualities, but he still had to use them in order to distinguish himself.

As Christians, we all have exceptional qualities, but the responsibility lies with us in order to use those qualities to distinguish ourselves.  We don't become worldchangers by osmosis!  Noah built an Ark.  Abraham went.  David met Goliath's challenge.  You get the picture.

Friends, this is what Jesus was talking about in Matthew 25:21 when he encouraged us to be faithful with the few things.  When we start being faithful with what we have been given as children of God (more than just a few things!) then we will start to activate the favour of God over our lives and see abundant blessings poured into our lives.  The abundant blessings will not pour out of nowhere if we are passively sitting waiting for things to happen!

We have the ability to distinguish ourselves from all others around us; other leaders, co-workers, business-people, politicians, etc. and when we do make conscious decisions to walk in the fullness of our identity, we will naturally distinguish ourselves from the rest.

How can you be faithful with the little?  How can you distinguish yourself from the rest of the crowd?  Here are a few practical areas where you could start right now:

• Be submitted
• Always positive attitude
• Offer solutions
• Do the work you have been given to the best of your ability
• (Paul said 'do everything as though unto the Lord' – Col 3:23)
• Be honest – no matter what
• Look to help others, not yourself – Considering others always

These are just a few "handles" with which Holy Spirit can help you grab onto as you pursue the inheritance God has planned for you as a child of God!

You are favoured!  You are exceptional!  Now distinguish yourself by using that favour!

Being a Christian in the Workplace - Daniel Series Part 1

Daniel 1:8 - 9
Daniel resolved to not defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. Now God had caused the official to show favour and sympathy to Daniel...

For those that may not know the story; Daniel, along with a few of his royal Jewish friends, had been drafted into Babylonian royal service after Nebuchadnezzar had defeated and captured Israel.  These Jewish royals were destined to become great advisers and leaders in Babylon.  Nebuchadnezzar had great plans for them.  As those of elite Israeli nobility, they were seen as assets to Babylon, and thus trained as such.

These jewish nobles didn't have a problem with that.  They did as they were told and submitted to the requirements placed on them by the Babylonian rulers.  As long as these requirements didn't compromise their faith in the one True God.  He was their number one priority, always.

When the Babylonian requirements conflicted with their Godly standards, they stood their ground.

Friends, I want to encourage you today, and with this series study through Daniel, that it is possible to work in and for a secular environment and yet still honour God.  And when you do, Grace will flow beyond what you thought was possible.

Christians face this challenge daily.  Trying one's best to remain faithful to the call of God all the while living in a secular world filled with dishonouring decisions and selfish choices.  It's not an easy challenge to overcome, but necessary if we are to fulfill our commission...  to make disciples of all nations.

In order to make disciples of all nations, we must impact all areas of society.  In order to impact all areas of society, we must immerse ourselves in those areas, get to know the leaders within them, and hopefully ourselves become the leaders within them in order to pioneer the way of God's design; a culture of honour and love.  Establishing the Kingdom of God on Earth.

The key to successfully overcoming this challenge is to keep God as first priority in our lives.
(It may sound a bit legalistic to you, but trust me, when you realise how good God is, and let His Love into your life, it is easier than you think!  Not to mention His Power that will flow through you!)

If, like Daniel, God is first priority in your life, you will find yourself standing your ground where others around you are succumbing to dishonouring choices.  And when you make those "quality decisions", the favour of God, already there because of Jesus, will be activated in your life.

For example, just by making the decision that you want to honour God with your finances will activate the favour of God!  You will attract God's favour to take you further than you ever imagined!  You will find yourself with better business deals than before, you will find yourself promoted to better positions, you will get meetings you wouldn't normally get.  All while your colleagues and competitors look on in bewilderment.  All because your choices and actions reflected that of what you believe.

Friends, when you act on your faith, that God is the one who looks after you, provides for you and promotes you, you will be raised up into positions of influence you never before imagined!

Rise up!  Take your place as princes and princesses of the Most High God!  And invade Babylon like Kingdom covert agents.