Mighty Man of Valor

Daniel was a man of character. He wanted what God wanted. His life was a life of devotion to God. He fasted, he prayed and God heard his words. Daniel was man of character and a mighty man of valor.

The Bible talks much about mighty men of valor and men who had character and integrity. The Bible says that Daniel had an excellent spirit within him and because of this, he rose to a position of great leadership.

This is what God wants for men today. He wants Christian men to take their rightful place in their homes, in their community and in the church. He wants them to live by the same code of conduct that Daniel lived by.

With this in mind, let me ask you this question: Are mighty men of valor, are men of character, are men of integrity born or are they just regular men who've decided to live by the Word of God?

Even though there are those born with great talents, being a man of God is a choice. You can be a mighty man of valor. You can be a man of character and integrity like Daniel. The choice is yours.

When King David was running for his life, and was hiding in a cave, the Bible tells us that there were other men in the cave with him. They were misfits and malcontents and they were greatly in debt. It looked like David was surrounded with a group of losers.

However, these same men believed David as he followed God and became his mighty men of valor. The Bible tells us that there were none like them and they were mighty in battle.

So I challenge you today, let go of the things of the world and grab hold of the things of God. Walk in character and integrity and be all that you can be, a mighty man of valor.

"Then this Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king gave thought to setting him over the whole realm" (Dan. 6:3).

Battle Armor

Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God.... Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of Peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit, which is the Word of God: praying always. (Eph. 6:13-18)

Please allow me to paint a picture in your mind: Many Bible scholars agree that Paul wrote the epistle to the Ephesian church from a prison cell.

Picture that...day after day, night after night, he sees the same picture...every time he raises his head to look around...every time he stirs from his sleep...every time he has a request...he sees a Roman soldier.

What an imposing picture. Standing tall and strong, he is a picture of victory and power and authority. But what made this Roman soldier so imposing and invincible? It was his armor.

With that picture imprinted on his memory, Paul wrote to the church and informed them that while there was a battle going on, their victory was dependent upon them putting on the whole armor of God.

Just as the Roman soldiers were always ready and prepared to face the enemy through the strength of their armor, the Christian must understand that we can always be ready and prepared to face our enemy, if we put on the armor that God has provided for us.

The next time you face the attack of the enemy, follow these instructions: Put on the whole armor of God.

Put on the "Helmet of Salvation," so you can THINK like you are saved.

Put on the "Breastplate of Righteousness," so you can ACT like you are saved.

Put on the "Belt of Truth," so you can TALK like you are saved.

Put on the "Good News Shoes," so you can WALK like you are saved.

Pick up the "Shield of Faith," so you can TRUST like you are saved.

Pick up the "Sword of the Spirit," so you can FIGHT like you are saved.

Finally, Pray, Pray, Pray.

God has provided armor for your protection and for your victory, so use it. Wear it. But always remember one thing...God did not provide any armor for your backside...that's because He never intended for you to run or retreat.

Be strong in the Lord and the power of His might. Put on the "Warrior Spirit."

You Have to Use it or Lose it

"Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents" (Matt. 27:28).

Did you know that the Lord is an investor and He sows by putting talents, which is money, in your hands? Therefore, He expects you to produce with what He gives you. It's not where you start off that matters - it's where you end up.

Now, you may not be a five-talent guy; you may only be a two or one-talent guy. But just keep multiplying the one or two talents God has given you and eventually you will have what the five-talent guy has.

Let's examine the last servant of this parable in Matthew. Evidently, he didn't see this as an investment because he said to his Lord, "Here is your original investment." You see, his attitude was, "You ought to be happy with that."

But in verse twenty-seven, the Lord calls him a wicked and lazy servant; he tells this servant that he should have at least put it in the bank if he wasn't going to do anything with it. At least I would have received interest on my own money!

Now pay attention to what the Lord does, He takes the one talent and gives it to the guy who has ten talents. Well why didn't he give it to the five-talent guy? Because God is a smart investor, that's why. He gave it to the man with the most ability. For unto everyone that has shall be given and he shall have abundance.

So whatever God gives you, minister unto the Lord with it and you'll have an abundance. But from him that hath not shall be taken away that which he has. Simply put, you have to use it or lose it.

Now, you need to understand, a parable usually explains what the kingdom of heaven is like; therefore, God must consider this a serious subject. So wherever you are in your life - large, small, or in between, God expects you to minister unto Him.

Don't waste your time getting upset because somebody starts out in a better position than you. Remember, God is also holding them accountable for what they have.

When you minister unto God with that which was His in the first place, He will bless you. He will open the windows of heaven and pour you out a blessing so big that you will not have room enough to receive it all.