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PURPOSELY SERVING GOD

Scripture Reading
Daniel Chapter 1


To endure to the end we must purpose in our heart no matter what the enemy does we will not surrender.

If the enemy can get us to lose sight of the future and hope God has prepared for us, he will destroy us body and soul.  That is why in 1 Peter 1:13 the apostle encourages us to gird up the loins of our mind. In Romans 12:2, Paul tells us to be transformed by the renewing the mind. A part of the armor of God is the helmet of Salvation (Ephesians 6:17).

Why is it so important for us to protect our minds from the enemy? The mind is the battlefield for all thoughts. Whatever we conceive in our mind, we believe in our hearts and what we believe in our hearts is what we speak and give life to. The Bible declares that out of the abundance of the heat the mouth speaks.

It is not an easy task for us to stay focus that is why we must purpose in our hearts no matter what circumstances arise “I must” serve God.  Let us take a look at the story of Daniel. In Daniel chapter one it tells us that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. He gave a command to take certain of the Children of Israel; 4Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king's palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans. 5 And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king's meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king.” Daniel 1:4-5). 

The king of Babylon took the best of the children and wanted to change their destiny.
 He wanted them to take on Babylonian identity.  He wanted them to learn their language and eat what they ate.  Daniel, however, was determined not to conform to the ways of the king. He purposed in his heart that he would not forget who he was though he was held captive by the enemy. “Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.” Daniel 1:8). 

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