MAN WITH A PURPOSE 5

GREAT THINGS ARE DONE BY MEN WITH GOD'S PURPOSE IN THEIR HEART

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 did not just do right out of habit, though it is good to form the habit of doing right. He made a decision to do the right thing and followed it through.
Daniel did not just decide to do right because it was convenient. He did it many times in spite of dire circumstances.
When you study your Bible you find that great things were done for God by men who had a purpose given to them by God. Surely the apostle Paul was a man of purpose as were the Old Testament Saints.
History and even current events show us how men with a purpose further the cause of God. The pilgrims had a purpose to establish a place where they could worship freely. The founding fathers of our nation had a purpose to guarantee that freedom to generations to come. Missionaries and Pastors that are preaching the truth from pulpits around the world are men with a purpose.
Purpose in your heart to serve God with all your strength and abilities.

MAN WITH A PURPOSE 4

THEY TOOK PLEASURE IN PLEASING GOD

Daniel 1:5 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 1:8 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.

I hope you will go to your bibles and read this entire account and you would do well to read the other accounts of Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah being faithful to God.
These four outstanding examples to us all took great pleasure in pleasing God. Wouldn't our lives be more fulfilled if we took as much pleasure in pleasing God as we do in pleasing others and ourselves?
We should take pleasure in worship. Some do, while others seem to get little pleasure from it. We should take pleasure in laboring for the Lord by witnessing. When we can reach a spiritual level where we take pleasure in pleasing Him, we can then enjoy the abundant life that Jesus came to give us.

MAN WITH A PURPOSE 3

HIS PURPOSE WAS NOT PLEASURE

Daniel 1:5 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 1:8 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 didn't decide to eat pulse and water instead of the Kings best table fare for pleasure. I'm not really sure what pulse is but it doesn't sound all that tasty to me. I am sure the food that was fit for a King was well... just that, fit for a King.
Sometimes we look at what will bring us instant gratification instead of what is best for us in the long run. Looking back over my life I can see where I made some terrible decisions that I am paying for today.
Don't let anyone tell you that there is no pleasure in sin. If it were not pleasurable it would not be a problem to avoid sinning. The point is that sin has built in penalties of it's own. A famous preacher once said, "Sin will take you farther than you want stray, it will keep you longer than you want to stay, and it will cost you more than you want to pay."
Don't look for the instant pleasures in life. Do the right thing and you will be better for it in the long run.

MAN WITH A PURPOSE 2

MAKING UP YOUR MIND

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 did that which was best for him because he purposed in his heart to do the right thing. In more modern terms he made up his mind to do the right thing. Sometimes the first step to a closer walk with God is just making up your mind to do it.

He didn't do it because it was expedient. It wasn't the easiest thing he could have done but sometimes the easiest thing is not the best. Most of the time the greatest rewards come from putting in more effort.
My wife and I are very seldom if ever late getting to church, or to anywhere else that we are supposed to be at a certain time. It takes some effort but we make up our minds to start on time and you would be surprised at the amount of stress that can be reduced from your life if you just decide to be on time. (The world will not wait on you.) It might be easier to be late for church or stay home altogether but you miss many blessings if you do.
Sometimes it is easier not to witness than to witness to someone but when we pass up an opportunity it may never come again. The blessing of telling someone about Jesus is one of the biggest blessings of being a Christian.
Sometimes it might seem easier to just sit still and stagnate instead of being an alive and vibrant member of the Lord's church. It might be easier but if you make up your mind to serve the Lord with all your effort you will not regret it.

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.