An Excellent Spirit

Introduction -

Can you identify future greatness? I can.

Elon Musk when he dropped out of college.

Businessman starting out

Daniel, a slave that would one day lead his leaders.

I look at their habits, vision,and fruitfulness.

An Excellent Spirit

It starts with Holy Habits

Right Relationships

Having A Made Up Mind -

Made Relationship With God Was His Highest Priority

Daniel was defined by his relationship with God.

Daniel 6:1–5 (ESV)

It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom 120 satraps, to be throughout the whole kingdom; 2 and over them three high officials, of whom Daniel was one, to whom these satraps should give account, so that the king might suffer no loss. 3 Then this Daniel became distinguished above all the other high officials and satraps, because an EXCELLENT SPIRIT was in him. And the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom. 4 Then the high officials and the satraps sought to find a ground for complaint against Daniel with regard to the kingdom, but they could find no ground for complaint or any fault, because he was faithful, and no error or fault was found in him. 5 Then these men said, “We shall not find any ground for complaint against this Daniel unless we find it in connection with the law of his God.”

An Excellent Spirit

Three habits that made Daniel not just different but excellent

Right Relationships

Having A Made Up Mind -

Made Relationship With God Was His Highest Priority

1. Right Relationships

Daniel 1:6 ESV

Among these were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah of the tribe of Judah.

Gathered regularly with his people. People who keep God first.

Daniel 3:17 ESV

If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king.

Accountabilty - more likely to do it when you do it with someone

God speaks a lot about our relationships,

wise will be with the wise,

evil company corrupts good habits,

wherever two or three are gathered in His name,

don’t be unequally yoked.

A friend lives at all times but a brother is born for adversity

2. Daniel Had A Made Up Mind

We decide today what tomorrow will be like. What will your life’ be like in 5 years.

Think only on these things.

Daniel 1:8–9 (ESV)

But Daniel resolved (NLT - MADE UP HIS MIND) that he would not defile himself with the king’s food, or with the wine that he drank. Therefore he asked the chief of the eunuchs to allow him not to defile himself. And God gave Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the chief of the eunuchs,

MARVIN PIPKIN - When Pipkin went to work for General Electric he was assigned the supposedly impossible task of finding a way to frost electric light bulbs on the inside without weakening the glass. He was not aware that this assignment was considered a fool's errand, so he went about the task as if it were something that could be done. He did it because he had made up his mind to do it.

Don’t try. Train to reign -

100 calories a day is 10 lbs at the end of the year - Thats a twenty pound curve.

Suggestions:

Make it fun

Make it simple

Do your due diligence until it becomes second nature.

Keep doing it.

Prov. 22:29 “Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men.”

3. Relationship With God Was His Highest Priority

Daniel 6:10 ESV

When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously.

Daniel made a habit of making time for God.

Willpower is nothing compared to God’s power.

Daniel made an impact by getting daily downloads from the Almighty.

*Grace and peace will be multiplied into you by the knowledge of God.

**Daniel knew God and was strong and did great exploits.

Altar Call - Will you, like Daniel, be distinguished by an excellent spirit? Will you develop habits of worship that will allow Him to develop the supernatural in you.

Significance that will be felt while you are alive but long after you've gone to your reward.

People will note the excellence you operate in.

Gods guidance around the tricks and traps of the enemy.

God’s protection and favor upon your life.

Your gift making room for you - Promotion.