Dare To Pray Boldly

Deshawn Snow

Dare to prophesy every blessing and promise He has for you. Studying what God's word says is crucial to your vision. The Bible says in Psalm 1, "But His delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prosper."

You must meditate and constantly think on who God says you are. Make it a mantra that you repeat over and over and over in your mind. Tell yourself:

• "I can do all things through Christ."
• "I am more than a conqueror."
• "I am the head and not the tail."
• "I will receive power and the anointing."
• "I am fearfully and wonderfully made."

When you start speaking these things, meditating on them and listening to who God says you are, you will begin to see your life change and your vision become a reality. When you do, get ready!

One New Year's Day, God woke me up in the middle of the night with the incredible vision of a multi-product project. Now, just a few months later, I have a character developed, my first book done, and am in the process of getting my storyboards and voice over track so that I can pitch the concept to networks. You see, faith without works is dead.

If you want to do something, start getting the training that you need. Surround yourself with pictures and other visual images so that you are reminded of your dream every day. Get in the right environment. Declare, "Father, thank you for giving me the creativity to do this thing. Thank you for bringing the right people in my life and let this touch people for your glory." Thank God in advance for what you believe He will do.

It's been said that success is when preparation meets opportunity. When opportunity comes, you want to be prepared. Take Oprah Winfrey, for example. She had a vision that she pursued. She did not let the abuse she went through - or the environment she was raised in - keep her from her goal. I imagine she had a dream, deep within her heart, to make a better life for herself.

Through her determination, she went from working part time at a local radio station to having her own nationally syndicated talk show, to becoming the head of a multi-media conglomerate. At the same time, she has donated and raised millions of dollars for charity.

But what would have happened if Ms. Winfrey had gotten comfortable midway on her journey? What if she hadn't had a large vision and didn't see each opportunity as preparation for something greater?
When asked what gave her the ability to accomplish it all, she answered that because of her tough childhood, and the pain she endured, she was made a very strong woman. Nothing today can shake her foundation.

What is your foundation?

No matter what has happened to you in life, God is your foundation. You are not your experiences in and of themselves. You are the product of them. God took you from one place and brought you to another. Remember where you come from, so that you are sure of where you're going.

Oprah Winfrey says, "I don't think of myself as a poor deprived, ghetto girl who made good. I think of myself as someone who, from an early age, knew I was responsible for myself, and I had to make good." You can make good too. Just remember to:

• Meditate on his promises.
• Put some action behind your faith.
• Be prepared for your opportunity.
• Remember where you came from.

Daniel, Where Are You?

Daniel, Where Are You?

Milan Ford
Ever since I was a kid, I've always been a huge fan of crime and mystery stories. I can remember the first time I ever picked up a Hardy Boys novel, and after reading just a few pages, I was convinced I could point out who the culprit was without reading the rest of the story.

Sometimes I was right. But most of the time, I was way off.

I must admit that despite all of my futile attempts of becoming the next Sherlock Holmes, there remains one mystery that I have yet to solve. No matter how many times I try, I have yet to put all the pieces together. I hope together we can do so on today.

I'm sure you will agree that story and life of Daniel is a remarkable one. Many scholars believe it was at the young age of 14 or 15 that Daniel, along with his friends Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, were summoned by King Nebuchadnezzar (the ruler of Babylon) to serve in his palace.

(You may recognize Daniel's friends by some other names: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego)

According to the first chapter of Daniel, these four boys were wise and gifted beyond their years, and Daniel was the rarest of them all, because of his ability to interpret visions and dreams.

After impressing King Nebuchadnezzar with their knowledge and faith in the Lord, all four were promoted by the king to govern over the affairs of Bablyon. But Daniel, was given an even higher position as a ruler who sat at the very gate of the king (see Daniel 2:46-49).

And this is where it gets interesting.

In Daniel 3, King Nebuchadnezzar sent out a word to ALL of those who ruled under him to gather to dedicate a special golden image he had created. A decree when out to every governor, judge, and high ranking official serving within his kingdom, that at the sound of music, everyone would have to bow and worship the image he had created. EVERYONE.

The penalty for anyone who did not bow was death courtesy of a fiery furnace, not exactly the most pleasant of executions. So when the music was cued, every governor, judge, and high ranking official that was called to gather bowed before the image. Except for three.

Not four. But three.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego refused to bow, but to rather stand on FAITH against the king. The penalty of their actions caused them to be thrown into the fiery furnace. Yet to the surprise of the king and all who gathered around to see them executed, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego were not being consumed by the fire. In fact, they were joined by another person: the Son of God!

Now this is the part of the story where most people jump to their feet and cheer. But it is here where the mystery begins. Have you ever stopped to wonder... where was Daniel?

Why were there only three that defied the king's orders, and not four? There are many who would like to say that Daniel just wasn't there at the time, but the decree called for EVERYONE to be present. There are others who just believe the king gave him a pass for the day, but for those familiar with the tyranny of King Nebuchadnezzar, that probably isn't true either.

While the whereabouts of Daniel remain a mystery to many of us, it is very possible that our beloved young Daniel, surrounded by the pressures of life and his newly appointed position, took a bow for the first time in his life. As unpopular and uncomfortable as that may be to consider, there is a far greater lesson to pull out from this story. A far greater question must be asked.

To every Daniel reading this devotional today... where are you?

Where is the FAITH you once had in that job God told you to apply for earlier this year? Where is the FAITH you once had in your marriage, (you know) the one you now are looking for a way out of? Or what about the FAITH in God you once could not stop sharing with others, that now has been minimized to just an invitation for people to visit your church?

Daniel... where are you?
(I pray that question stays in front of you and I on today!)

Now is not a time to BOW out of what God has promised you. Daniel, no matter what the obstacles may look like, know that God will deliver you. If you don't believe me...

... maybe I should show you what He can do with some lions! (Daniel 6:10)