Have you ever made a commitment to do something by a certain deadline and had no idea how to do it? How did it turn out? If you're like most, it probably turned out better than you expected. You created the need for the information in faith and then set out to achieve your objective.
We have been looking at Daniel the last few weeks and will do so for a few weeks more. Daniel made a similar commitment to do something he didn't know how he would do, and it saved lives and changed the course of history. Let's look at what he did and see what you and I can learn from what I am calling Purpose Faith.
WHO CARES?
When Israel was conquered by Babylon, the conquerors relocated Daniel and his friends to Babylon to assimilate them into their culture. They changed Daniel's name, forced him learn a new language and culture and made him a eunuch! You can say that Daniel went through a major life transition.
Then the king had his famous dream that troubled him so. He wanted his wise men to interpret the dream, with one catch. The king refused to tell them the dream. He wanted them to tell him the dream and its meaning. That seems pretty unreasonable to me. When they could not, the king threatened to kill them all.
So then Daniel heard about the predicament the king had created. He could have said, "Who cares? I didn't want to be in this heathen place anyway. Let them all die!" Yet that was not his heart and spirit. Rather here is what Daniel did:
Daniel had faith that God would show him the dream and the interpretation! What happened next always boggles my mind when I read it. I am sure it will boggle yours, too.
GOD CARES
Obviously God cared about the lives of the king's advisers, for He showed Daniel the dream and its meaning. What faith Daniel had to commit to do the impossible! He put high expectations on the Lord and God came through. He was not afraid to draw on God's infinite wisdom.
Which brings us back to you and me. How high are your expectations in the Lord? What are you asking God to do that seems impossible to others? What have you committed yourself to that, if the Lord does not come through, you will look foolish? What need have you created for new information you don't have today so you can do new things tomorrow?
Daniel was a remarkable man with great faith, but he applied that faith to everyday life. It is no wonder that God exalted him to a high place, for Daniel learned how to partner with God to make the impossible ordinary. You and I would do well to imitate his example and then set our expectations high so that God will empower us to do great things for Him in the power of our purpose. Have a great week!
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1. REVELATION PROJECT UPDATE! As I wrote last week, I had a major breakthrough in my attempt to publish my Revelation Studies. A donor made a matching grant challenge for the month of August, promising to match every dollar donated with another dollar of his own. Last week $135 came in, so that means we have $270 of the $3,600 needed to publish. I am confident the rest will arrive by August 31.
Every dollar you give will be doubled this month, so when you give, you are exercising good stewardship. What's more, you will be part of publishing and distributing this work that will help reclaim Revelation as a rich devotional book of victory and worship! You can make a contribution this month by going directly to my website to contribute there through PayPal, or by sending a tax-deductible check to PurposeQuest, PO Box 91099, Pittsburgh, PA 15221. Please make sure you mark you donation for Revelation and don't forget that every dollar you give is actually two until August 31.
2. THE SOPHIA FUND UPDATE: Only about $10 came in last week for The Sophia Fund. I am heading to Africa in late September and will check on the status of our donations then to make sure all is going well. As you know by now, I am using the money to feed AIDS orphans and widows in Kenya and Zimbabwe. I posted a report from Kenya on the last payment I sent there that you can read on my blog. You can also read about my rationale for The Fund here (named after my late mother). Even though I am raising money for my Revelation Project, I will not neglect The Sophia Fund. The orphans and widows need our help now more than ever.
Please consider a contribution of at least $5 toward the fund and hopefully more. You can use the "Chipin" widget on the Monday Memo site to contribute, or go directly to my website to contribute there through PayPal, or send a tax-deductible check to PurposeQuest, PO Box 91099, Pittsburgh, PA 15221. Make sure you let me know it is for The Sophia Fund. Don't delay; give today and make a difference in the world.
3. DAILY PROVERB: I am now posting a short daily devotional focusing on one verse every day on my blog site. If you would like to read it or subscribe to receive it, just go to my site and register there. I promise to have it updated every day.
4. FACEBOOK: My goal is to have 1,000 Facebook friends on FB by 12/31. Right now I have 527. I update my status on Facebook (you can find me by searching my email, johnstanko@att.net) every morning to include a daily verse from Proverbs and an inspirational quote. I do the same on Twitter @johnstanko. Go there to sign up and follow along.
5. FREE PURPOSEQUEST ASSESSMENT: I updated and improved the feeback email you receive from your online assessment, so now is a great time to take or re-take the purpose assessment on my website. This is not a scientific survey, but something that is meant to stimulate your thought and direct your study concerning where you are in your PurposeQuest.
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