The book of Daniel is full of excellent reading material. It is rich with prophecy. It chronicles a period of Israel’s captivity into Babylon and of the Medes and Persians. The book of Daniel is full of such great truths such as the three Hebrew boys not bowing before the idol and being thrown into the fiery furnace, and Daniel continuing to pray to the One True God and being thrown into the Lion’s Den.

But at the very beginning is where I want to start in Daniel with this blog. Too often we jump to the most preached from stories and linger there. Today I want you to linger with me in the first chapter of Daniel.

Four “children” are taken into the king’s court to serve him. These children are noted for their skillful wisdom, cunning knowledge, understanding of science, and were well favored. Scholars place the age of these children somewhere around twelve years old. Among all the children, four stood out from the rest, and are the foundation of this blog: 

1) Daniel - meaning, “God is my Judge.”

2) Hananiah - meaning, “God has favored, or God is gracious.”

3) Mishael - meaning, “Who is what God is?”

4) Azariah - meaning, “God has helped, or Whom God helps.”

These four, along with all the other children, were taken into the king’s palace and served wine and meat that had been sacrificed to idols. But the leader of these four children, Daniel, purposed in his heart not to defile himself in this manner. Imagine having children that know enough about God that they understand what NOT to do, even when mom and dad aren’t around to make sure!

WOW! Talk about standing out!

There was no pastor, youth leader, or Sunday school teacher to make sure that these children walked in obedience to God’s Word. Daniel and his companions knew that to disobey would invite God’s displeasure.

This is also a testimony to parents that had done what God instructed them to do…

Deuteronomy 6:4-9 (KJV Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord: [5] And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. [6] And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: [7] And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. [8] And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. [9] And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.

Parents, don’t be afraid to “indoctrinate” your kids, Hollywood isn’t! Hollywood doesn’t mind being their babysitter and telling them stories. DON’T LET THIS HAPPEN! Stand up in your home! Stand up in your car! Stand up in your community! Stand up in church! Your children are watching you and want to be just like you when they grow up! Show them a good example to follow! 

God forbid that you would die while your children are still young like these Hebrew boys, but if you do, I pray that you’ve invested time and truth into them that will live on long after your body is buried in the grave! I’ve said it countless times, “It’s better to leave something IN your children, than TO them!” Money will fade away. Cars will break down. Even heirlooms that you pass on will become lost or broken, or lose their sentimental value. But passing down a passion and love for truth will transcend generation after generation!

Back to Daniel 1…

These four Hebrew boys determine not to defile themselves, and even though Melzar, the prince of the eunuchs is unsure, he amazingly allows Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah to only eat vegetables during their “purification” before they are to appear before king Nebuchadnezzar. Milzar fears for his life, because if these four boys do not look presentable when it comes time to meet the king, his life will be in danger.

Day after day goes by. You can imagine Melzar’s fears begin to mount at the end of the ninth day. But to his shock, at the end of the tenth day, he sees Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah and notices that their appearance is BETTER than those that ate the meat sacrificed to idols. 

The clincher, though, comes in verse twenty as the king notices these four Hebrews willing to stand up and stand out for their God, and the Bible records that the king found them “ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in his kingdom in ALL matters of wisdom and understanding.”

WOW! Talk about God putting the icing on the cake!

That’s what happens when you stand up and stand out for God! He causes you to be ten times better than those who don’t stand up and out for Him!

From the unchurhed people I’ve met recently, there is one common theme among them - they are looking for someone who genuinely stands up and stands out! Church, it’s time for us to stand up! It’s time for us to stand out! You might be made fun of initially. You may even suffer, like the three Hebrew boys did later in Daniel when they were thrown into the fiery furnace, BUT IF YOU STAND UP AND STAND OUT, GOD WILL STAND WITH YOU!

Who will join me? God is ready to stand with you!

Recently, Jack Cunningham tweeted, “If u r n a great church.. Appreciate it.. Pray for it.. Support it.. Attend it.. Love it.. Build it.. Enjoy it.” I liked it so much that I re-tweeted it. And then I got to thinking, that’s the making of a good blog…

Appreciate it

I love the Church of the living God. And I also love the local assembly I’m privileged to pastor - The Church of Omaha. I appreciate each and every member that makes up this diverse assembly. Each one brings a fresh perspective to what it means to “be the church” and serving God with these members of like precious faith is something I appreciate more than words.

The Church of Omaha is a many-membered body and I appreciate each and every one of these precious saints of the Most High God!

Pray for it

Daily I pray for The Church of Omaha. I hurt with those who hurt. I rejoice with those who rejoice. I willingly bear others burdens with them. Praying for the church I love is easy because I love it. When my fellow laborers bring me a prayer request, I take it personally and pray for them like I would want them to pray for me.

Support it

Giving tithes and offerings may not make sense, but it sure makes saints. I willingly support The Church of Omaha, and not only with my money (treasure), but also with my time and talent.

I don’t give out of necessity or grudgingly. I give willingly, faithfully, and cheerfully. I love my church and it is a great church!

Attend it

I choose to be at my church every time the doors are opened. I will not forsake the assembling together with fellow believers, especially as the day of the Lord approaches. I will show up for prayer meetings, special services, to help clean, and every other time there is a service.

I will also show up early and be on time. I will come prepared to worship and be a blessing. I am true worshipper and I love my church!

Love it

If you’ve read this far, you’ve figured out that I love my church! What more can I say on this point? I love God. I love His Word. I love His commandments. I love His Church! I love the Church of Omaha!

Build it

I plant and water and let God give the increase. I will do everything I can as much as I can to see that my church is built on the Solid Rock, Jesus Christ! Ultimately and sovereignly, God builds the church, but I will let Him use my hands to help. I willingly make myself available to be a vessel of honor that He can use to build His Church! 

Enjoy it

Whether we are singing fast songs, slow songs, or no songs… Whether I am preaching, or someone else is… Whether its a prayer meeting, fellowship, youth service, special service, or a regular service… I ENJOY MY CHURCH…do you?

God’s Way is not a matter of mere talk; it’s an empowered life. 1 Cor. 4:20 (MsgB) 

“To give official authority or legal power to: enable” is how Merriam Webster defines the word empower.

Understanding your empowerment means realizing that you’ve been granted authority over the enemy’s ability. In Luke 10:19, Jesus explains that He has given us power (authority) to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power (ability) of the enemy.

Notice where your enemy should be - under your feet! If he’s talking to you on your shoulder, he’s out of place and the Bible instructs to not give place to the devil! Instead, submit yourself unto God, resist the devil and he will flee!

You are empowered not only to conquer the devil, but to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ! In Acts 1:8, you are empowered to become witnesses for Jesus Christ throughout the whole world! Be a planter or water the seed, but do something and let God give the increase! God desires laborers to go into the fields.

What will you do with your empowerment?

Who will you influence?

Where will you begin?

When will you begin?

If you haven’t already, why not?

How will you accomplish the task? That’s easy - you are empowered by God to be obedient. You see, God only wants us to plant and water. The increase is up to Him. We sometimes think too highly of ourselves. It’s not about us. It’s about God. In other words, you do what you can do and let God do what you cannot do.

The man was asked to strike the boulder that covered the road. Time and again the man swung with all his might, but to no avail, the huge rock wouldn’t break or budge. In desparation, he laid down his pick axe and started to walk away discouraged at not accomplishing the task. An elderly wise man had watched the scene unfold and asked, “What are you doing?” The man replied, “I’ve failed. The boulder hasn’t budged or broken.” The wise man asked, “But was that your assignment?”

You see, the assignment given to the man in the story was to strike the rock. Breaking it was God’s job. Sometimes when you plant and water, it doesn’t “look” like anything is happening. This is why it one should NOT base their relationship with God or others on feelings. Besides, the Christian doesn’t walk by sight, they walk by faith. So, get back into the fields and keep planting and watering, and in due season you will reap if you do not faint! God will show up on time and give the increase…IN HIS DIVINE TIMING!

You are empowered - there is no question about that. What you do with it is up to you. Will you be like the servant with five talents who worked hard and gained five more, or will you be like the servant with one talent and bury it because you’re lazy? Choose you this day, but as for me and my house, we will plant and water, and trust God to give the increase!