"Unmarried" in the Image of God
by Daryl O’Neil.
I will share with you throughout the year principles and patterns from which to practically walk out your faith (trust in God) with goals to shoot for.
Everything God does is purposeful. To be a successful follower of Christ, one must become goal oriented. Everyone who has been called by God, has been given a plan. There are no exceptions. God's key to success: Walk out His plan for our lives by trusting and relying, and allowing Him to lead us as He brings His plan to pass. Give up our plans for His.
This week’s exhortation is to unmarried. I am sharing this excerpt from a message I preached called "Unmarried" in the Image of God.
"There are many challenges you will face this year, if you use the principles I share with you from God’s word you will have great success, according to Joshua 1:8. I decree it!!
Let's look now to the Word of God. Let's examine the life of one of many powerful unmarried people in scripture. Throughout the portrayal of Daniels' life, we are able to see the plan of God and learn principles that are given to inspire us to have "like faith". By the statement "like faith" I mean to have similar confidence as Daniel producing similar results in your life. We here at Crusaders Church West have declared this to be ‘THE YEAR OF WALKING BY FAITH WITH A PLAN', God's plan. There is a clarion call for unmarried men and women in the earth who will walk as men and women of God with a plan.
For a moment, we will look at Daniel the "unmarried" man.
Let’s look at him as a prophetic picture, of what our Heavenly Father, wants us to look like, as "Kingdom unmarried saints." Daniel's life, in essence, demonstrated several principles the Kingdom of God. I have often taught that one aspect of the Kingdom of God is a lifestyle of principles that honor, respect, and reflect, the values of the King of Glory.
By examining the life of Daniel, we deduce principles, that can be used as tools, that will enable us to set practical and obtainable goals. And by the continuous pursuit and proven demonstration of them, we become effective examples. We are able to help others to reach a healthier place in Christ.
Daniel was a man of God. He walked like one, talked like one, lived daily like one, and refused to bow like one. We as saints of God must not bow under pressure. Because of this, God honored his faith, life and prayers. He will do this for us too!
Daniel 1:8 (NKJV)
But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.
Daniel 1:20 (NKJV)
And in all matters of wisdom and understanding about which the king examined them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers who were in all his realm.
We have the testimony of the Spirit of God that Daniel was a man of God. The first indicator of this determined or purposed lifestyle was him purposing not to be defiled.
One of the first goals for the year 2002, must be as an unmarried person, I will not be defiled. No matter how I am forced to live, no matter what situation I find myself in I will not let anything (people, food, drink, words or practices cause me to corrupt or defile myself.
He was a person with purpose.
As we enter the year 2002, it is appropriate to evaluate if we have become better than we were at this time last year. Are the same people aggravating me? Am I in the same financial rut as last year? Do I handle my relationships any better now? Am I serving others more?
Daniel and his friends challenged the system they were in. Because they did not do what everyone else was doing, they came out 10 times better.
Let’s now quickly look at Daniel chapter 5:11
Daniel 5:11 (NKJV)
11There is a man in your kingdom in whom is the Spirit of the Holy God. And in the days of your father, light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, were found in him; and King Nebuchadnezzar your father—your father the king—made him chief of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, and soothsayers.
The King began to call on all the astrologers and soothsayers and those who had the ability to interpret things but they could not interpret this writing on the wall.
There are many people just like that today who sincerely need interpretation for the things of their lives. They need a word from the Lord, yet they always turn to people who do not really know the Lord at all. That is where you will come in because you know Him.
When the time comes they will they be able to say about you what was said by the queen concerning this unmarried man Daniel? There is a man in the Kingdom who is a man/woman of God… Daniel 5:11
Attributes of a unmarried person in the image of God. You may read Daniel chapters 1-5 for scriptural references for the following attributes.
1.A person who has the Spirit of the living God within him/herself. Daniel was identified as a person who the Spirit of the Lord dwelled in.
2. A person who has the mind of Christ. Daniel’s mind was enlightened. He had understanding. He had wisdom. He knew what to do in any given situation. You can too!
3. A person who has an excellent spirit. Daniel was humble, yet bold. He’s teachable, yet can teach. He forgives, yet demands righteousness. He has an excellent spirit.
4. A person who has know how. Daniel knew the words of his God. He studied to show himself approved of God.
5. A person who has understanding. The type of understanding that has discretion, he had compassion for where the King was at and through his understanding he was able to reach him.
6. A person who has the ability to interprets dreams. You can define what is and is not of God. You can help people out of the things that bombard their lives.
7. A person who has the ability to answer hard sentences. Many people today are filled with questions. A man or a woman of God has the answers to those questions. They know the Word of the Lord; they know how to answer every man out of the hope that lies within them.
8. They are dissolvers of doubt. They are hope builders, faith builders and encouragers to those who are in doubt.
9. A person who cannot be bribed or bought or persuaded with gifts to perform on behalf of his God. You are anointed. Do not sell the anointing.
Although I stated it earlier, it bears repeating:
A person who has purposed in his heart not to be defiled. Your success as a single person will begin with you being purposed.
Go forth in this year of our Lord 2002 have success as a powerful unmarried person in the Lord. Begin to pray these principles into manifestation in your life. You and many around you will be blessed because you are a man/woman of God.
Friday, June 15, 2007
