A MAN WITH A PURPOSE 1

Daniel 1:8 But 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 made a decision to do what he felt God would have him do and decided to stick with it. While the King and his servants (the government) thought they knew what was best for Daniel and the others Daniel knew better and was not about to be forced to do something he felt was against God's teachings.
We are all under authority of some form of Government and certainly we should obey the laws of the land. It becomes a different situation completely when those laws are contrary to the teachings of God. When there is a conflict between man's law and God's law we are obligated to choose the higher authority, which is always God.
The next few devotionals will deal with Daniel knowing his purpose was to obey God. I hope you can gain something from this that will help you in your every day experiences.

Rambler 123

HOW TO HAVE SPIRITUAL PROSPERITY 6

TO HAVE SPIRITUAL PROSPERITY PRAY PROPERLY

James 4:2-3 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. (3) Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume upon your lusts.

We fail to prosper because we fail to pray. If we really examine our prayer life we will see how little time we really spend in "effectual fervent prayer". One of the things I have noticed when I have read biographies of men who have been greatly blessed and used of God is that they have a very strong and active prayer life.
Sometimes when we do pray we ask amiss. We ask for what we want and what we think we would like instead of seeking what would Glorify God. Even when we pray for someone to be saved or move closer to the Lord sometimes we pray selfishly because we love them or it would make life easier on us. We should pray for these things because God is glorified in these actions. If we seek things for God's Glory instead of our desires we will begin to spiritually prosper.
If we are to have power we must pray for God's direction, God's leadership, and seek God's will in all things.
May you prosper in your spiritual life. If you don't know Jesus as your Savior please invite Him into your heart. If you are saved and not growing ask God to give you a desire to become spiritually strong for His Glory.

HOW TO HAVE SPIRITUAL PROSPERITY 5

TO HAVE SPIRITUAL PROSPERITY BE ZEALOUS

Titus 2:13-14 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ; (14) Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

We should have a zeal to know God and a Zeal to serve Him. He created us and He created us for a purpose. When we are fulfilling that purpose He is fulfilling us. He is prospering us so that we may be better able to do His will.
We should have a zeal to encourage and help our brothers and sisters in Christ and not only in our own church but other Christians we know as well. I sometimes have sweet fellowship and become more zealous just from talking to strangers that love the same Jesus I do.
We should have a zeal to lead the lost to Christ. Our lives here on this Earth are temporary and as James says, "Our life is but a vapour that appeareth for a little while and then vanisheth away." We will be dead a whole lot longer than we will be alive. That is something to think about when you are sharing the plan of salvation with someone.
If you have a spiritual zeal to please God you will prosper spiritually.

HOW TO HAVE SPIRITUAL PROSPERITY 4

TO PROSPER WE MUST BE GROWING AND LEARNING

1 Peter 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

We should crave spiritual nourishment. Instead of worrying how long the preacher is going to preach you should have a sense of anticipation about what God is going to say especially to you in the message. You should always listen to sermons with a pen and paper to take notes. A hungry heart will always be fed. When you study your Bible jot things down. Write down questions to discuss in Bible Study and Sunday School. Be an active student who really wants to learn God's word.
If a baby never grows physically we rush them to the doctor to find out what is wrong. We certainly know that if they do not develop at all that something is wrong. Why then do we accept that people who are born again remain spiritual babes until the Lord calls them home.Instead of really getting into the meat of God's word and growing strong in the Lord too many people want to be spoon fed by the preacher and Sunday School teacher, and then they only want to eat the fruit and sweet stuff, not the vegetables and meat they need to mature.
Develop a hunger for the Word of God. Ask God to give you a hungry heart that you might desire to know Him better.

HOW TO HAVE SPIRITUAL PROSPERITY III

WE MUST FOCUS ON SPIRITUAL THINGS

Romans 8:6 For to be [carnally minded] death; but to be spiritually minded life and peace.

The apostle Paul said: Philippians 1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
In a sort of way these two verses say the same thing. If you whole focus in life is making money or having possessions then when you die it will be a loss. Have you ever seen a U-haul trailer behind a hearse? Of course not because no one takes it with Him when he goes.
Some people are completely focused on their families. Families are wonderful but without Christ every loss of a family member is a tragedy. When a family is Christ centered there is hope of a reunion even after death.
Everything in this life will pass away some day. Only Jesus is eternal. Invest your time, your thoughts, and your efforts in the right relationship with Him and everything else will take care of itself.

HOW TO PROSPER AS A CHRISTIAN II

BUILD ON THE RIGHT FOUNDATION

Mt 16:16-18 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. (17) And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. (18) And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Whatever else we might do in our Christian lives as individuals or as churches we must build on the right foundation. In these verses He is not saying He will build his church upon Peter but upon the fact that Peter just proclaimed, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God."

Psalms 118:21-22 I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation. {22} The stone the builders refused is become the head of the corner.

One can not possibly prosper spiritually without accepting Jesus as his Lord and Savior. A church can not prosper if it is trying to build upon any other foundation. Jesus did not say He would build His church upon programs, fellowships, special meetings or anything that man might put together. He said He would build it upon the gospel. The "Good News" that Jesus is the Christ. He is the way of Salvation and there is no other.

Focus your life on Jesus and build on that relationship with Him and you will experience spiritual prosperity.