11/22 Reading - Thoughts & Comments DX3

22-Nov Daniel 1-2, Acts 21-22, Psalms 126-130, Proverbs 22

YOUR DIET DETERMINES YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING:

Dan. 1:17, 20 (NIV) To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds. 20 In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom.

Daniel and the three Hebrews were chosen for service in the Babylonian king's courts.  They had the physical attributes that they needed.  However, their knowledge and spiritual gifts would be highly regarded in the future.  These four young men found favor in the eyes of the temple guard, and they convinced him to change their diet.  There were many young men who had entered training for the king's service, and they were all eating from the king's kitchen.  But the Hebrews wanted to keep themselves pure and remain faithful to God.  So they asked if they could only eat vegetables and water instead of all of the kings delicacies, meats, and the fine banquet spread that the others were eating.  The guard was very hesitant because it could cost him his life and job if these Hebrews came to the king looking skinny and malnourished.  So a 10 day test was put upon these Hebrews and at the end, they looked much better than the others who were eating from the king's table.  I believe that they were experiencing the qualities and benefits of fasting before God.  The Lord was blessing them physically because of their restraint from Babylon.

I believe that it was because of this restraint that God poured specific gifts into them such as knowledge, understanding, wisdom, and the ability to speak directly into the future.  These young men helped mold the king's decisions and they gave advice 10 times more powerful than any enchanter, magician or "dark arts" people.  They were literally a bright light in a dark place, and their abilities were well noted!  No doubt, the king had to be saying, "Man, those Hebrews have got the gift!"  And it was true, they had favor from God, and He poured His giftings on them because of their restraint from Babylonian foods.

We have entered a time when mankind is walking in great darkness.  Evil is attempting to raise up and dictate the affairs of men. Slavery is on the tongue of many political leaders, and their decisions are taking freedoms and liberties daily.  We are living in an identical period of when the king of Babylon besieged Jerusalem and took away the people to serve "as slaves" in his courts.

We as believers must show restraint.  Just because it feels good doesn't mean that we should do it.  Just because lawlessness has raised it's head from the top downward, doesn't mean that we should live lawless lives and be like the children of the night.  We MUST continue in sacrifice, commitment, and loyalty to the King of kings, showing restraint, and making sure that our daily intake of the world is like eating vegetables.  This includes our intake of the news, the world system, and the evil that is so easy to touch and grasp in today's living.

With our "restraint" from the world during dark times, God will pour special giftings upon us so we can see, hear, and know what the future holds.  While the world thinks they know what is in their future, we can know for certain what our future holds.  God will give us special insights and understanding so we can be on the right side of the future, rather than on the wrong side.

1 Chron 12:32 (NIV) men of Issachar, who understood the times and knew what Israel should do--200 chiefs, with all their relatives under their command;

There was a group of men who came to support King David in his kingdom.  They were the men of Isaachar. These men understood the times and knew what Israel should do.  I love these guys!

In the times that we live in, many people believe that they know the future, but they don't know what they should do.  It's a real gift when you both know the future, AND what people should do.   The gift of the SONS OF ISAACHAR is one that God will give to His beloved, to those who are His, and to those who uphold their loyalty to His kingdom when Babylon would try to get you to eat if it's delicacies.

I want to encourage you on this THANKSGIVING DAY. I hope that you eat the turkey dinner and enjoy family, fiends, and the festivities of the day.   But consider what you could do over the next 12 months to actively "RESTRAIN YOURSELF" from Babylon and it's deceptive delicacies.  Is there a worldly attachment that you have which you need to sever? Do it.  Can you separate yourself from the mainstream media propaganda stream which is corrupting and polluting your mind with inaccuracies and half truths? Do it.  Find something that is clearly corrupting you and your family, and detach yourself from it.

Grab your Holy Bible and commit the first part of your day to drinking the living water of His Word, and fellowshipping with His Holy Spirit.  Just as the Hebrew children did, take a 10 day trial run with God and see if you don't look and feel healthier, more alert, more vibrant, and more spiritually alive than anyone around you who is eating from Babylon's table.  Grab your COMPASS GUIDE program and keep journaling with what God speaks to you each morning.  Set your goals and run them through the fire of God's Word.  Get your 25 word CORE VISION STATEMENT and read it multiple times per day.  Commit yourself to what is important, and not what is urgent!

When you do this, I can absolutely guarantee you that you will begin to experience the special giftings from God upon your life.  Special wisdom, knowledge and understanding will come upon you.  You will enjoy the benefits of the SONS OF ISAACHAR, and you will excel 10 times past any Babylonian night time creature who thinks that they know what's really going on in the world.  God will bless you and you will be highly regarded in the kingdom and the world!      

This was really encouraging I will be praying on what more to give up this coming year. Thanks, God bless!