TEN TIMES BETTER

“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 1:20 (NIV)

• Daniel and his friends were ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers in Babylon.
IT all started with a decision not to defile themselves with king’s food and wine—delicacies.

“BUT DANIEL RESOLVED NOT TO DEFILE HIMSELF WITH THE ROYAL FOOD AND WINE 🍷, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way.”
Daniel 1:8 (NIV)

• The truth is:If you can take your stand for God, He will honour you in return.

• Daniel and his friends did honour God by refusing to take the king’s food.
  FOOD in question may not agree with Jewish dietary laws, and not only that, parts of the food had been sacrificed to idols.
  IF you cannot take your stand for God, He will likewise not acknowledge you.

1. Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him;
2. IF WE ENDURE, WE WILL ALSO REIGN WITH HIM. IF WE DISOWN HIM, HE WILL ALSO DISOWN US;
3. if we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot disown himself.”
   2 Timothy 2:11-13 (NIV)

• Many believers think whatever they do does not matter.
THAT they can choose to do whatever they like, live the way they want.
THEY say, “Does God really care about how I live my life?”
THE truth is, God pays attention to every minutest detail of your life, if you are a genuine Christian who professed to have accepted Christ as your Saviour and Lord, and much more, if you are a minister of His.
GOD watches your disposition to money, material things, and the things of life in general.
YOU cannot bamboozle God, you cannot cajole or deceive Him!
EVERY thought and intent of your heart is known to Him.
EVERYTHING is bare before Him!

“For the LORD is the God of knowledge; And by Him actions are weighed.”
1 Samuel 2:3 (NKJV)

• The outcome of Daniel’s resolve

• Whoever wants to walk with God must be resolute, determined.
  IF your commitment to the things of God is strong and it seems some are mocking you, thinking you are too rigid, OR taking the commitment too far; you should not mind them.
  EVERY sacrifice made by anyone for God and His Kingdom would not be forgotten or go unrewarded.
  YOUR labour of love to expand His kingdom would be rewarded.

"FOR GOD IS NOT UNJUST TO FORGET YOUR WORK AND LABOUR OF LOVE WHICH YOU HAVE SHOWN TOWARDS HIS NAME, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister."
Hebrews 6:10 (NKJV)

THE commitment of Daniel and his friends to live a separated and consecrated life was rewarded in a number of ways:

• Daniel and his friends looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food (Daniel 1:14,15).
  THE King's food ate by others were balanced diet, but the food ate by Daniel and his friends were perfect diet, because it was impressed on their heart by God that such is what they should eat, and THAT they ate the food because they wanted to honour God (Daniel 1:11,12,16).
  THE food was nutritive because it was ordained by God.
  WHATEVER you do to honour God, His name, or Kingdom would always be the Best—the outcome is always excellent.
• Academic excellence was given to them, they were brilliant and intelligent, and ten times better than all their mates and contemporaries—better than all the magicians and astrologers in Babylon (Daniel 1:20).
  GOD gave them knowledge and understanding, skill, in all literature and wisdom (Daniel 1:17).
  DANIEL could understand visions and dreams of all kinds (Daniel 1:17).

• Your resolve to live a separated and consecrated life would eventually pay off, because there is a reward for all sacrificial living.
SOME people may jeer and make mockery of you because you are hard on yourself, that you do not join them in the wrong things they are doing. YOU should not bother about it, God sees what you are doing, He will ultimately reward you for your commitment and consecration.

1. "Of course, your former friends are surprised when you no longer plunge into the flood of wild and destructive things they do. SO THEY SLANDER YOU.
2. But remember they will have to face God, WHO WILL JUDGE EVERYONE, BOTH THE LIVING AND THE DEAD."
   1 Peter 4:4,5 (NLT)

• For God to prove Himself in your life and ministry, you must take a stand for Him.

“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; FOR WHATEVER A MAN SOWS, THAT HE WILL ALSO REAP.”
Galatians 6:7 (NKJV)

• If you are faithful in your walk with God, you will reap it.
  AND also, if you are unfaithful, living in secret sin, you will equally reap it.

Jesus said:
"And behold, I AM COMING QUICKLY, AND MY REWARD IS WITH ME, TO GIVE TO EVERY ONE ACCORDING TO HIS WORK.”
Revelation 22:12 (NKJV)

• Prayer:
YOU will not be a disappointment to God and His Kingdom in Jesus’ name.
AND you will not regret at the end of your journey on earth in Jesus’ name.
Peace!