Will you Purpose in Your Heart?.... God tells us about people who lived before us… Rom. 15:4.

Will you Purpose Will you Purpose in inYour Heart?....Your Heart?....

God tells us about peoplewho lived before us… Rom. 15:4

DARE TO BEA DANIEL

Setting:

-vs 1 - At the time of the Babylonian captivity.             -King Nebuchadnezzar had overthrown Judah

and besieged Jerusalem. -vs 3 - King Nebuchadnezzar wanted certain men

selected from the Israelites. -vs 4 - skilful, wise men with good abilities -vs 5 - These men would be appointed a daily

provision from the king for a period of three years.

Daniel purposed in His heart… Daniel 1:8 Daniel purposed in His Heart that he would not defile himself With the king’s meat and drink….

-The men selected:  Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah (Shadrach, Meshach &

Abednego) -

Daniel 1:5 “And the kind appointed for them a daily ration from the king’s choice food and from the wine which he drank”

Why did Nebuchadnezzar do this?

1. To solicit good will and a sense of obligation

2. To insure that they were healthy

3. To get them accustomed to the good life

-However, Daniel didn't want to "defile" himself. -Perhaps the meat came from animals

considered unclean under God's law.             -Perhaps they were not killed and

prepared properly (strangled/blood)             -Perhaps they had been offered to the

Babylonians' false god(s).             -We see that Daniel (for whichever

reason) wanted to maintain a sense of separation.

“Daniel made up his mind (laid upon his heart) that he would not defile himself”

Daniel acted alone at first. His three friends joined him at some point.

Daniel sought permission not to eat the food.

The Resolve of Daniel

What was Daniel to do?

        He made a He made a RESOLUTION… RESOLUTION…   

As we start the New Year, we need To make some Resolutions…

Just like Daniel, it all begins in our Heart…

Resolutions:Resolutions:1. Purpose1. Purpose 2. Plan2. Plan3. Pay the consequences3. Pay the consequences4. 4. PrevailPrevail

#1 He #1 He Purposed Purposed in His Heartin His Heart

THAT’S WHAT I WANT US TO THAT’S WHAT I WANT US TO DO DO

TODAY…TODAY… New Year’s Resolutions made with A Purpose…in heart.

What did he resolve to do? -Purposed In His Heart -vs 8 - purposed:  Some translations say "made up his mind, determined". -purpose - (Am Her Dict) – the object toward which one strives or for which

something exists: aim       or goal

-"In his heart" - This wasn't just a decision In his heart" - This wasn't just a decision made in a moment.made in a moment.

            -It was sincere, thought out - determined, intended.

Question?Question?

               -What good does it do to say we -What good does it do to say we want to do something if we gave the want to do something if we gave the matter little thought, havematter little thought, have

                            no determination to try to no determination to try to accomplish it and don't really intend to accomplish it and don't really intend to anyway?anyway?

Resolutions:Resolutions:

Joshua wrote in Joshua 1:8,Joshua wrote in Joshua 1:8, "This book of the law shall not depart from

your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success."

Read the Bible; Study the BibleRead the Bible; Study the BibleListen to the BibleListen to the Bible Just like Joshua told Israel: day and night, Meditate on the things written in the book. You can’t do it, if you don’t read God’s word, study,

search it, John 5:39 Acts 17:11 Psalms 119:104-105 THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR THIS . Will you resolve to start today… And do it?

We should also have aim and set goals as a congregation.

-Proverbs 29:18  Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

-So, Daniel purposed in his heart and we should, too.

#2 Daniel had a -#2 Daniel had a -PlanPlan

Do you have a plan for the New YearDo you have a plan for the New Year Here at O’Neal?Here at O’Neal?

If the Lord allows you to live through 2013, Will you be where you are today?

Let’s go forward.

vs 12 - We can see that Daniel had a plan.  He didn't have empty intentions

-If they were not going to accept -If they were not going to accept the king's portion, then they the king's portion, then they needed to have a plan on what needed to have a plan on what they were going to dothey were going to do.

-"Prove thy servants" –-"Prove thy servants" – prove = to test          -Daniel wanted his

plan put in place - tested.

-Pulse and WaterPulse and Water                         -Pulse - (Strongs) - something -Pulse - (Strongs) - something

sown - i.e. a vegetable as foodsown - i.e. a vegetable as food             -(Am Her Dict) - the edible seeds of certain

pod-bearing plants - such as peas and beans

Many times people have good Many times people have good intentions, but nointentions, but no

    plans.plans.

James 2:17James 2:17 Faith without works is dead.Faith without works is dead.            

-Intentions without a plan Intentions without a plan become dead.become dead.

What are your plans for What are your plans for 2013 at2013 at

O’Neal?O’Neal?

if we have intentions combined with determination, we can then make a plan to try to accomplish

  those goals .             -This can help us to become This can help us to become

stronger individually and also as a stronger individually and also as a congregationcongregation

Resoltuion: Plan…To be present,attend, participate, be involvedTo be present, attend, To be present, attend,

participate, beparticipate, beInvolved, be happy, be joyful, Involved, be happy, be joyful,

1. Lord, you can count on me!! 1. Lord, you can count on me!! Psalms 122:1 I was gladPsalms 122:1 I was glad Psalms 121:1 I will lift up Psalms 121:1 I will lift up Joshua 24:14 As for me and my houseJoshua 24:14 As for me and my house

Action: Clean upAction: Clean up !!! Some things that you need to

RETAIN…. Some things you need to

REMEMBERREMEMBER Some things you need to

RELEASE….

Old Challenge for a New YearOld Challenge for a New Year

Col. 3:1 “If ye then be Col. 3:1 “If ye then be risen with Christ; seek risen with Christ; seek those things which are those things which are above, where Christ sitteth above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.on the right hand of God.

..Set your affection (your mind) on things above,not on the things on the earth.

..Focus our thoughts on heavenly things not earthly things.

..We need to pursue : 1. A deeper knowledge of Jesus. Col.3:10 2. A clean, holy life. Coil. 3:5-9 3. Godly virtues Col. 3:12-17 4. Holiness in our domestic life. Col. 3:18-

21

.Holiness in our social life. Col. 3:22-4:1 .An effective prayer life. Col. 4:2 .A fruitful light in the world. Col. 4:3-6

Things to be Remembered

Col. 3:3-4 Things that cause us to take A trip down memory lane. a)pictures of children when they were small. b)Recipts from air plane trips c)Cruise memories d)a piece of hair from Tabitha; Tim’s box…pencils, erasers, ..your report cards, your old love letters, Deed to your old house, Remember your Mom and Dad

Are there things in your life that need to be RETAINED. Does your focus need to be

adjusted. RELEASED. Do you need to lay down

some of the things mentioned in this lesson? REMEMBERED.Do you need to take a trip

down memory lane and nail down a few things today?

#3 Pay the Consequences

-Daniel purposedpurposed in his heart,

put a planplan together and was willing to

paypay the consequences

Here is what he had to do:Here is what he had to do:

-vs 16 - Their portion was taken away.-vs 16 - Their portion was taken away. -Now think about what he was willing to do -Now think about what he was willing to do

––

eat the same thing for up to three years (vs 5).

You have to pay the consequences there are certain types of food that I really like

a lot, but none that I would want to eat               constantly for three years.

                -But, he was willing to pay -But, he was willing to pay the consequences - make the the consequences - make the necessary sacrificesnecessary sacrifices

Stick To Your Plan!!Stick To Your Plan!! God is FIRST…is HE? Matt. 6:33God is FIRST…is HE? Matt. 6:33

Jesus wants you to remember Him each Jesus wants you to remember Him each First Day of Each Week!. Acts 20:7 will First Day of Each Week!. Acts 20:7 will you?you?

Give the Lord what is due HIM! Don’t robGive the Lord what is due HIM! Don’t rob God!. Mal. 3:8God!. Mal. 3:8

-We have it very, very good and don't have too many consequences to pay as a result of our

  obedience (in terms of persecution/suffering).

-The good consequences far outweigh the negative ones.

            -However, we need to be willing to make the necessary sacrifices in order to be obedient and

              grow stronger.

Don’t you agree…..Don’t you agree…..-All too often, it is the -All too often, it is the

things involving obedience things involving obedience to God and attendance to to God and attendance to the church services that the church services that gets sacrificed for things gets sacrificed for things of the world.of the world.

So, let's purpose in our hearts,So, let's purpose in our hearts, plan to maintain our aim and plan to maintain our aim and

accomplish our goals and be accomplish our goals and be willing to willing to

    pay the consequences (make pay the consequences (make the necessary sacrifices).the necessary sacrifices).

#4 -Prevailed -vs 20 - Daniel and the others prevailed - in

"all matters.” ““And in all matters of wisdom and And in all matters of wisdom and

understanding, that the king enquired of understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm. “were in all his realm. “

-Following God's instructions Following God's instructions works.works.

-God's way is the right -God's way is the right way,way,

the best way the best way and the only wayand the only way !

-            -1 Cor 15:58 - "your labour is not in vain in the Lord“

2 Tim. 4:7,8 Rev. 14:13

At the End of 2013, if At the End of 2013, if we live till thenwe live till then….

Will we be able to say:Will we be able to say: 1. I Purposed in my heart on 1. I Purposed in my heart on

Jan.6Jan.6 2. I had a Plan2. I had a Plan 3. I Paid the consequences3. I Paid the consequences 4. I have prevailed…4. I have prevailed…

Remember the 4 P’sRemember the 4 P’s1. Purpose..Resolve1. Purpose..Resolve2. Plan-Correct sins, live right2. Plan-Correct sins, live right3. Pay the consequences-3. Pay the consequences-

Stedfast,stick to it.Stedfast,stick to it.4. Prevail..God will be with 4. Prevail..God will be with

you..you willyou..you willPrevail.Prevail.

Daniel purposed in his heart, Daniel purposed in his heart, made the necessary plans, was made the necessary plans, was willing to pay the consequences willing to pay the consequences and and

    prevailed.prevailed. -What a wonderful example for -What a wonderful example for

us - Rom 15:4.us - Rom 15:4.

-Do you have some particular goals that you are aiming for?             -Are there some areas you would like to improve upon?             -Reading your bible more.  Studying more.             -Praying more.             -Attending services more often.             -Applying the scriptures to your life more to live more

according to God's word.             -Getting involved more with the congregation and the

activities.             -Working harder to spread the gospel.  Inviting more

folks to services

If you are not a Christian, how about becoming a christian? Hear Rom. 10:17

            -Believe (John 8:24), Confess (Matt 10:32), Repent (Luke 13:3), Be Baptized (Acts 2:38, Mark 16:16

            -Perhaps you need to return to your service and commitment to God.  (1 John 1:7-9, Acts 8:22-24)

-There’s no better way -There’s no better way to start a new year – with to start a new year – with the right spiritual the right spiritual relationship with God.relationship with God. 

What are your New Year’s Resolutions? A comic: My new year’s resolution is to stop telling

you what to do all the time…Here I wrote down your resolutions for you!

2013 Are there any bad habits that are haunting

you? Are you doing the very best that you can to

be the kind of person you want to be? Are there some things about you that you

don’t like and are sure others don’t as well? Do you anticipate improvement, staying the

same or digressing in this New Year?

New Year’s Resolutions 2013

Spend more time with family and friends Fit in fitness Quit Smoking Enjoy life more Quit Drinking Get out of debt Learn something new Help others Get organized

Goals…do they mention

1. Serving God..Acts 20:17-24 2. Mention God.Putting Him first. Rom. 12:9-134 3. Love for Christ I Cor. 16:22; Eph. 6:24 4.Concern for othersI Pet. 3:8-12 5. Sorrow for our sins 2 Cor. 7:8-12 6. Work in the church I Pet. 1:17-21 7. Loyalty to brethren. Lk. 16:13 8. Our future life after this one is over Lk. 6:20-23

1.  Visit the sick...call, send a card go by to see them, pray for them

  2.  Invite someone...a neighbor, a friend, an employee,   3.  Be cheerful...time to laugh, a time to cry...always a time

to 'rejoice in the Lord, always.. Phil. 4:4   4.  Be a helper in the work...help the elders, the deacons,

the preachers,  anything you can do...teach a class, help with a class, be busy doing

something

5.  Be a participant...sing when we sing, pray when we pray, be happy that you can be here

  6.  Help people who need your help...physical... give to those who are in need and when you have the opportunity...   7.  Speak to everyone you can...be friendly...Let folks know you

are glad to be part of the greatest work on earth.   8.  Study your lessons. .be serious about learning more of God's

word   9.  Use your emails, facebook, or social means to contacting

people for spiritual things.

10.  Get involved...be a member that helps other members...Ask not what the church can do for you, ask what you can do for the church.

  11.  Be here to participate...not to just show up.   To the best of

your ability, Sing...pray...and give attention to what is being done.   Put up your computers, your texting, give your attention to what is going on.

  12.  Don't complain..Just because someone doesn't call you when

you are sick, not everyone can call everyone..   Do you call?  Are you pampered and want to be pampered...Jesus wants you to be a worker..James 2:24  Ye see how that by works a man is justified and not by faith only.

  13.  Ladies class.  be involved...Each class at O'Neal...be involved.

Do Better This TimeDo Better This TimeMy ChildMy Child Sis. Deanie Britton handed this poem To me last week… About a new year….

I came to my teacher with quivering lips,I came to my teacher with quivering lips, My task undone;My task undone; ‘‘Teacher hast thou another sheet for me?Teacher hast thou another sheet for me? I have spoiled this one.I have spoiled this one. She took the old sheet, stained and She took the old sheet, stained and

blotted,blotted, And gave me a new one, clean, unspotted,And gave me a new one, clean, unspotted, And into my glad face smiled,And into my glad face smiled, ““Do better this time, my child.”Do better this time, my child.”

I came to the Father with a quivering heart,I came to the Father with a quivering heart, The old year done;The old year done; Father, hast thou another year for me?Father, hast thou another year for me? I have spoiled this one.I have spoiled this one. He took the old year, stained and blotted,He took the old year, stained and blotted, And gave me a new one, clean, unspotted,And gave me a new one, clean, unspotted, And into my glad heart smiled,And into my glad heart smiled, ““Do better this time, my child.”Do better this time, my child.”

DARE TO BEA DANIEL

Dare to be a Daniel,Dare to stand alone!

Dare to have a purpose firm!Dare to make it known.

Come To JesusCome To Jesus

Come to Jesus at the beginning of 2013Come to Jesus at the beginning of 2013

Stay with Jesus during 2013Stay with Jesus during 2013

End 2013 with Jesus…either on earth orEnd 2013 with Jesus…either on earth or In Heaven!In Heaven!