Sunday Morning Series - Having Faith in Your Prayers - The Way of Favor

Text:  Daniel 1:1-21 & 2:1-30

If we spent more time being pleasant, we'd get more favor. Favor in  the Kingdom of God is not something automatic. It's something we walk in.

Daniel excelled in wisdom and knew how to operate in a king's palace. He got along with others. His ability to look at the situation through multiple views opened the door for the steward to listen to Daniel's proposal.

Before the problem arose, Daniel  purposed in his heart that he wouldn't eat or drink anything sacrificed to idols. He looks at the steward's dilemma and acknowledges it. A 10-day test period is set up to see if Daniel's plan will work. If we are going to be trusted by others, we have to see things from their point of view not just ours. Others will not favor whom they don't trust.

They end result? Daniel and his friends looked better and were stronger than those who ate the king's delicacies.

We desire favor from others, but have we added things that repel them? We use tomato puree for making sauce at home. There are numerous things we can add to flavor it: basil, oregano, garlic, etc. If we were to put in cumin, nutmeg, or pumpkin spice, the sauce would be ruined.

Daniel stayed pleasant - not nasty or objectionable. He knows what's important. Being nasty would add a flavor to his life that would cause others to withhold favor.

What are some bad ingredients we can add to our lives?

Anger
Strife
Bitterness
Self-seeking
Foolishness
Unsubmissiveness
Harshness/Rudeness
Resentment
Unforgiveness
Demanding
Pride
Laziness
Cynical
Critical

Who wants to be around people who exhibit these traits much less show favor to them? If you want favor, get the flesh aspect out of your life.

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If you're visiting in the area or looking for a church home, Zoe Christian Fellowship is located at 1111 Easton Rd. (Route 611), in Warrington, PA. Our Sunday Morning Service and Children's Church both begin at 10:00 AM. We look forward to meeting you!