Daniel 1:8b (KJV): "Therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself."
We're continuing to look at Daniel concerning the spirit of excellence for 2016 and this month we are focusing on at what followed after he made the decision to be set apart. The Spirit of excellence is not based solely on how a leader separates themselves but more importantly how they live separated. How they interact with others who share their values and interact with those who have utter disregard of them. The moment one chooses to disrespect others around them, then immediately the spirit of excellence ceases to exist within that individual. Let's look to Daniel for clarity!
As mentioned in the previous article, Daniel used strong language, "WOULD NOT DEFILE HIMSELF," to emphasize his unwavering stance for holiness (set apart) and righteousness (right standing) in the land of Babylon. Where he refuses within himself to eat of the King's meat and wine that was prepared in unGodly ways such as soaking and cooking the meat in the blood of their enemies, and wine dedicated in immoral sexual rituals to their God's, etc. Yet Daniel REQUESTS from the prince of Eunuchs set over him and his friends permission to carry out his convictions and eat vegetables and water only.
Side Note: Daniel was not asking for permission to have the conviction (we never ask anyone for permission to be who God has called us to be) but asking for permission to carry it out legally and publicly. In like manner I may be called to pastor a church and want a building for us; the conviction is no one's permission since God has willed it but I must seek the proper authorities and apply the laws of the land in order to build and attain land.
To live in the spirit of excellence church let us be the kind of people who have respect for those in leadership over us. Whether it be our bosses, pastors, mayors, parents, or president, we need to get back to the place where we are respecting them because ALL authority is God-given. Our effectiveness as Christ's bride in the earth will not come forth if we pick which parts of the gospel we want to follow. We must submit our will to the ENTIRE gospel of Jesus Christ. AND as a prophet I hear the heart of God aching at the dwindling levels of respect his people have for leadership. There's gossip, bad-mouthing, zero to very little prayer and lack of integrity shown towards our leaders. This should not be so my brothers and sisters. We are here as ambassadors of the Kingdom of God that we show respect for those in leadership; and NOW more than ever we need to be praying for them. I'm seeing a western world that has little regard for those in leadership and ill-use of freedom of speech has positioned many including believers, to speak down on their leaders. Not so beloved, for we as believers must PRAY for them so that we may live in peace. The Spirit of excellence doesn't mock or rebuke it's leaders; it honors, respects and prays for them. It is our civil duty to vote and place certain ones in power but once they are in power it becomes our KINGDOM duty to pray for them.
Daniel already had favor with the Eunuch, given to him by God; showing respect, being polite and courteous kept that favor in place. We can lose our God-given favor with people when we mistreat and abuse people. Being anointed is great (because gifts come without repentance) but we miss the mark even with that anointing if we are rude, jesters, sarcastic, ill-mannered and full of bad attitudes. God wants us to prepare our oil for the greatness coming in 2016 but we also have to clean your oil lamps of old gunk and goo (our bad attitudes, tempers, quick irritation, etc), so we put fresh oil and let our LIGHT SOOOOO BRIGHTLY SHINE!!!!!
Holiness (Set Apart) and Righteousness (Right Ways/Standing) go beautifully together and that is the spirit of excellence. It's important for us to understand that our testimony is most powerful when our convictions mirror our demeanor. Jesus came to save the total package and in turn for the total package to give him glory. How we treat other people (not just leadership) must bring him glory [especially if he don't want our prayers hindered - 1 Peter 3:7-9]. We can pray all we want till we are blue in the face, if we don't treat people well God WILL NOT hear our prayers. That's BIBLE, that's the BOOK!!!! Let us be the people that have great attitudes in the marketplace, tipping well, kind to children and one another, esteeming others higher than ourselves, bringing conviction and not condemnation, etc.
Let it be known of us that we lived LOVING GOD and LOVING PEOPLE. The two always go together when it's to the Kingdom of God. Remember ANOINTING is a yoke breaker and LOVE is the wall breaker.
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