Luke 2:52 “Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and men.”
Definition of Favour is, “An act of kindness beyond what is due or usual.” It’s when you get more than you deserve: I have worked hard, but not this hard. I have been good, but not that good. I have given, but not that much! Favour!
Favour is different than “Favours”. Favours are often actions designed to influence, control, and manipulate others. This is a very different thing than Divine favour! In this last USA election, we saw media giants, business people, and judges doing “favours” for politicians with an anticipated return in mind. When this happens in government or law it is a criminal abuse of authority and it is very wrong!
Favour is when others, out of good will, seek to benefit you. “He who earnestly seeks good finds favour” (Prov 11:25) Divine favour is when God pours out His benefits on you simply because your ways have pleased Him. (Ps 103:2) When a man’s ways please the Lord He causes even your enemies to favour you! (Prov 16:7)
Six Ways To Grow In Favour With Both God And Man:
Recognize favour when it comes, and give the praise and glory to God.

Yours for increased favour and extraordinary success
Dr. George Hill
Apostolic Founder and President of Victory Churches International
Habakkuk 2:14 - “For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.”
Acts17:6 - “These who have turned the world upside down have come here too.”
“Whosoever will introduce into public affairs the principles of primitive Christianity will change the face of the world.” (Benjamin Franklin)
Principles of Primitive Christianity that will Change the World
1. The principle of a solid foundation to build a great world upon. (Matthew 7:24-27)
President Abraham Lincoln, “I believe the Bible is the best gift God has given to man. All the good Savior gave to the world was communicated through this book. But for this book we could not know right from wrong. All things most desirable for man’s welfare, here and hereafter, are to be found portrayed in it”.
2. The principle of transformation is: whatever He tells you to do, do it! (John 2:5)
Obedience is the pathway to blessing. He will not bless you just anywhere, doing anything, or living any way you like. God will bless you when you are where you are supposed to be, doing what you are supposed to be doing, with what He has given you.
3. The principle of radical commitment to Christ. (Luke 5:27-28)
“He (Jesus) said to him (Matthew), “Follow Me.” So he left all, rose up and followed Him.” These are the results of experiencing the resurrected Christ. Oswald Chambers said, ‘Having been gripped by God, I am ruined for anything else.’
4. The principle of the Holy Spirit, using His Power and Authority, in the Name of Jesus.
Acts 1:8 “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you."
It’s what turned a bunch of cowards into courageous, world changing, history makers!
Acts19:2 “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?”
Mark 16:17 “These signs will follow those who believe, In My name they will cast out devils.”
5. The principle of personal and corporate prayer to bring healing to a nation.
2 Chronicles 7:14 “If My people, who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray...” Never under estimate the impact of the righteous upon a community. (Genesis 18:17, 23-24)
6. The principle of the Church, which is His body, designed to be a full expression of Christ to the world.
Matthew 16:18-19 “I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.”
If you understand His church, you will love it and if you love it, you will invest your life in it.
Psalm 122:1 “I was glad when they said unto me; let us go up to the house of the Lord.”
When the cripple at the gate beautiful was healed, he jumped right into the center of the church. (Acts 3:8)
U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt said “After a week on perplexing problems it does so rest my soul to come into the house of the Lord and to sing and mean it; “Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God Almighty” It is my joy and great glory that, in occupying an exalted position in the nation, I am enabled, to preach the practical moralities of the Bible to my fellow-countrymen and to hold up Christ as the Hope and Savior of the world”.
When Christians put their gifts, talents and passions into the mix for a commitment to gospel teamwork, then God will restore His church back to Full Power to take the gospel around the world. (Ephesians 4:16)
Matthew 24:14 “This gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all nations, and then the end will come.” Gospel Globalization - not secular globalization - will usher in the return of Christ and the end of this age!!
Yours for the fulfilling of the Great Commandment and the Great Commission
Dr George Hill
Apostolic Founder and President of Victory Churches International
“Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. So I run straight to the goal with purpose in every step. I discipline my body and bring it into subjection.” (1 Cor.9:25-26)
The Five Qualities of a Winner
Whether you’re in the world of sports or in the Kingdom of God, every winner has these five qualities:
1. Self-analysis
A winner is honest about his strengths and weaknesses “The Lord searches every heart...If you seek Him, He will be found by you." (I Chr.28:9) In God’s presence, you’ll see yourself both as you are now, and how you could be. “You are Simon (a reed) the son of Jonah, you shall be called Cephas (a stone).” (John 1:42)
2. Focus
Champions live in the present. They refuse to let their body be one place while their mind is another. People always ‘waiting for their ship to come in’ live disappointed or die on the pier. Live where you are today. That’s where God is. Paul said, “I have made it my aim (target)…” (Rom 15:20) Paul’s focused, high-definition mentality, gave him the gold (an imperishable crown) in the Holy Spirit Olympics!
3. Confidence
Winners conquer anxiety by keeping their eyes on the goal. As they achieve each goal, their confidence increases. David said, “What shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? I killed the lion and the bear; and this Philistine will be like one of them.” (1Sam 17:25, 36) This is something you must do daily through prayer and the Word of God. “But you, beloved building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit.” (Jude 20)
4. Toughness
Champions give up the present, for the future. They say ‘No’ to indulgence and ‘Yes’ to discipline, because the prize is worth the sacrifice. It’s what we call delayed gratification. Paul says, “Like an athlete, I punish my body treating it roughly, training it to do what it should, not what it wants to.” (1 Cor.9:27) Quitting too soon breeds weakness, and weakness always comes before surrender.
5. They Have a Team and a Game Plan
Champions know that talent is never enough. You have to have a team and know your part in it. Have you found your place in a team yet? (Eph 4:16) You have to have a plan and live by it.
We all need:
Have you found Gods plan for your life yet? Are you living by it? Talk to Him about it, for it’s the most important conversation you’ll have today.
It’s your time. It’s my time. It’s our time - to be winners on a winning team!
We are called to be the Victory Family – ‘Home of Champions’
Yours for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus! (Phil 3:14)
Dr George Hill
Apostolic Founder and President of Victory Churches International
Every believer is called to preach the Gospel. (Mark 16:15) We need preaching that is scriptural, relevant, practical and prophetic. Preaching is truth on fire. We must know the truth, love the truth, and preach the truth with passion and conviction. Truth in today's world can be very confrontational and controversial, because many do not know or love the truth. Truth sounds like hate to those who hate the truth. The truth of God’s Word is absolute - it brings law and order into a chaotic and confused world. There is nothing wrong with this country that good, anointed preaching couldn’t cure! (Luke 4:18)
The challenge of every preacher is to arrest the attention of people and help them see the truth. Their greatest hope is to be able to lodge one great truth in the hearts of the people. How can we do it?
1. Prepare yourself for the sermon you will deliver:
2. Avoid complicated outlines, make it simple and memorable.
The outline gives you a map to follow to impart that great truth. It gives a sense of order and direction.
Four elements of an outline:
Steven Scott, the author of, "The Richest Man That Ever Lived", said he learned three skills that helped him to become an effective and persuasive communicator:
1. A Hook: A strong captivating statement, personal reference, or specific question that instantly grabs a listener’s undivided attention.
2. Salt: Once you get a person’s attention, you need to keep their attention, this can be done by salting. Salt makes one thirstier. Salt is a statement, question, or story that increases curiosity about what you are going to say before you say it.
3. An emotional word picture: A word, statement, or story that creates an instant picture in listeners’ minds that clarifies what you are trying to say and implants a feeling into their emotions.
Jesus, Peter, Paul and John all used these skills to communicate truth! Note how Paul wove them into his address to king Agrippa: “For the king, before whom I speak freely, knows these things; for I am convinced that none of these things escapes his attention, since this thing was not done in a corner. “ King Agrippa do you believe the prophets? I know that you do believe. Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian." And Paul said, “I would to God that not only you, but all who hear me today, might become both almost and altogether such as I am except for these chains.” (Acts 26:26-29)
FOUR FINAL THINGS TO DO BEFORE YOU SPRING INTO ACTION:
Study yourself full! | Think yourself clear! | Pray yourself hot! | Let yourself go!
Yours for an army of great anointed preachers, that love the truth!
Dr George Hill
Apostolic Founder and President of Victory Churches International
THE KEY THAT OPENS ANY DOOR.
“The heart of the wise teaches his mouth, and adds persuasiveness to his lips.” (Prov. 16:23)
“You almost persuade me to become a Christian.” (Acts 26:28)
Ineffective Communication is the #1 Problem in Marriage, Business & Life!
The fact that most women are right-brain dominant (the feeling side of the brain) and most men are left-brain dominant (the factual, analytical side of the brain) in itself creates a communication barrier that can be challenging.
YOUR COMMUNICATION:
BIBLICAL KEYS TO BETTER COMMUNICATION:
THREE ADDITIONAL BENEFITS OF BECOMING AN EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATOR:
Thank you Lord for giving us the tongue of the learned, that we might know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary. The right word at the right time to the right person. (Isa 50:4)
Dr. George Hill
Apostolic Founder and President of Victory Churches International
If you are a Christian, you are called to be a breakthrough person and your church is called to be a breakthrough church. We are not designed to be contained within the four walls of a building; if the devil can contain us he can control us. In Acts 2 the disciples were all with one accord in one place and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. As a result, the upper room couldn’t contain them, Jerusalem couldn’t contain them, Judea or Samaria couldn’t contain them, and they took the gospel to all the known world.
Seven Characteristics of Breakthrough People & Churches
1. Breakthrough people dream of a better life—based on the Word of God.
Hebrews 11:10,16 - My best dreams come from deep imaginative thinking based on the Word of God and prayer - dreams that will resolve problems, help humanity and expand God’s kingdom. Big breakthroughs and accomplishments begin with a big dream. We dream, then live the dream, and in living the dream, we dream again!
2. Breakthrough people are willing to go where they have never been and do what they have never done in order to obey God:
“Abraham obeyed…and he went out not knowing where he was going” - Hebrews 11:8. Today’s breakthroughs are the result of yesterday’s obedience and tomorrows breakthroughs are the result of today’s obedience. - Hebrews 10:36
3. Breakthrough people are willing to put up with what is less than ideal, because of what they see happening in the future.
(Hebrews 11:9) They are willing to live in tents - setting up and tearing down. They are not afraid of hard work and sacrifice because they know sacrifice is always rewarded. (Mark 10:29-30)
4. Breakthrough people always want to go further.
(Hebrews 11:13) In 1947 Chuck Jaeger was the first man to break the sound barrier at 769 miles per hour. The pilot and the plane went from the Comfort zone to the Crisis zone into the Blessing zone! Many give up and quit just short of their breakthrough. (Galatians 6:9)
5. Breakthrough people are a tough breed of people—they don’t quit.
They are resilient, resourceful, and tenacious. They would rather die than go back to their old dull boring way of life. (Hebrews 11:15, 33-34)
6. Breakthrough people are willing to fight for what they believe.
(Hebrews 11:33) Pioneers don’t just roll over and play dead when adversity comes their way. They see obstacles and opposition as a challenge that must be conquered.
7. Breakthrough people break the way open; they blaze a trail for others to follow.
(Hebrews 11:20-22) We don’t have to reinvent the wheel; we can take off where other pioneers left off. Roger Banister broke the 4-minute mile barrier in 1953, and in the following twelve months over 300 other runners did the same. (Micah 2:13) Be a trail-blazer!
Your future is worth fighting for because your future is not just about you!
Yours for an Army of Breakthrough People and Churches
Dr George Hill
Apostolic Founder and President, Victory Churches International
Excellence in Leadership requires:
Firstly a desire for achievement. This is fundamental if a person is to be a self-starter.
In Joshua 14:12 Caleb said, “Now thereore, give me this mountain of which the LORD spoke in that day.” The Christian leader’s highest ambition must be to bring honor and glory to Christ.
Secondly an understanding and acceptance of authority, plus sensitivity to using authority at just the right time. Too much authority at the top will cause frustration and rebellion at the bottom.
To get subordinates to act upon your desire, you need to demonstrate all four of the following qualities:
Three of the above can be and should be cultivated continually. Excellence in leadership is found only where a person will make those sacrifices necessary to improve and strengthen themselves.
Seven areas where all effective leaders must seek to improve.
Yours for an army of highly effective leaders who will build big people and great churches.
Dr George Hill
Apostolic Founder and President of Victory Churches International
“Walk worthy of the calling with which you were called.” (Ephesians 4:1)
Two questions arise from this scripture:
1. What is your vocation?
2. How is it going?
Success in life is determined by God’s calling and purpose for you. If you are doing what God has called you to do and you are seeking to excel in it, then you are a success.
1. Discovering the call.
Eph.1:16-19 Pray Paul’s prayer for yourself, “That we may know the hope of His calling.”
Acts 16:1 “A certain disciple…named Timothy.” This is where it all begins. The purposes of God and the call of God should increase in your life. If you have a call, others will eventually recognize it and confirm it.
2. Preparation for the call
a. Character development. Without this, you will not endure the tests, trials and temptations that are going to come, and you will quit too soon.
b. Personality development. Without this, people will not like you and if they don’t like you they won’t listen to you or want to work with you.
c. Gifting development. Without this, you will be limited in your scope and possibly rejected.
We are always in a time of preparation for something greater. What we do today will either qualify or disqualify us for greater use tomorrow. God will not give you more than you have made preparation for.
Preparation demands patience and diligence. It means you have to be willing to wait. It takes time-tests and good choices. There is always a proving time before a promotion time. “And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.” (Colossians 4:17)
3. Separation to the call
“Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God.” (Rom.1:1)
Sometimes there are years of preparation for overnight success. For example: Joseph, David and Moses.
There are many preparations and separations that we go through as we follow the Lord. Very few people ever go through every phase of ministry God has for them. Every time you fulfill one assignment it prepares you for the next. David killed the bear, then the lion and then Goliath - every time you overcome you increase. Great accomplishments often come through a series of short gains. It took Jesus three years to develop the 12 then the 70 then the 120, for the task at hand.
4. Courage to fulfill the call
God will never ask you to do what you cannot do, but he will ask you to do what terrifies you! He will never ask you to give what you cannot give, but he will ask you to give what you would prefer to keep. An eagle knows instinctively when the little ones are ready to fly and if they don’t jump, she gives them a push. There comes a time when you need to fly or die. The thrill of soaring needs to exceed the fear of falling. Courage is not the absence of fear it is the conquest of it.
Napoleon said General Nee was the bravest man he had ever met. But when he was about to go into battle his knees would shake so bad he could hardly get onto his horse. He would speak to his knees and say, “shake away you vile things, you would shake much more if you knew where I was taking you. Charge!!” “Be strong and of good courage: do not be afraid, nor dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (Josh.1: 9)
Yours for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus
Dr George Hill
Apostolic Founder and President of Victory Churches International

Eph 6:10-12 “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”
We are in a spiritual battle! We live in a spiritual world that influences every aspect of our lives. Because we can’t see spirits all the time does not mean they are not there. We are, and will continue to be, in an intense spiritual warfare until the time Christ returns. There is no such thing as a peaceful co-existence between the kingdom of darkness and the kingdom of light! There are only two spiritual kingdoms and you are either in one or the other. (Col 1:13)
Psalm 2:1-5 “Why do the nations rage, and the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and rulers counsel together, against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying, “Let us break Their bonds in pieces and cast away Their cords from us.” He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The Lord shall hold them in derision. Then He shall speak to them in His wrath, and distress them in His deep displeasure.”
When the righteous live according to Godly standards, they bring conviction to, and put restraints upon, the unrighteous. When Gods servants speak out against adultery, abortion, same-sex marriage, homosexuality, divorce, pornography, drugs, and corruption - the unrighteous rage against these restraints. This has become very blatant over the last fifteen years. At the same time the church has forfeited much moral ground through apathy, complacency, and lack of willingness to stand up and fight for what is right.
Militant, Merciful and Miraculous
The church is called a mystery in the book of Ephesians. (3:9-10) Paul reveals this mystery by portraying the church in a number of different ways: a Temple (2:21-22); a Family (3:14-15); a Body (4:15-16); a Bride (5:25-27, 32); and an Army (6:10-17)! These are all different portraits of the Church.
The Church has two main purposes to fulfill:
The Great Commandment-Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind. (Matt 22:37)
The Great Commission-To win souls and make disciples of all nations (Matt 28:19-20)
Ezekiel 37:4, 10 “O dry bones hear the word of the Lord! So I prophesied as He commanded me, and breath came into them and they lived and stood upon their feet, an exceeding great army.”
The Revived church is Militant and Miraculous as well as Compassionate and Gentle.
Militant means engaged in warfare, aggressive in a cause. (Matt 11:12) Some people say they have faith, but they have no fight! Without fight, Caleb would never have lived and enjoyed his inheritances. Paul would never have finished his course with joy. We have to learn how to put on the whole amour of God and fight the good fight of faith, so we can all finish our course with joy!
A Revived Church is designed:
We desperately need a Massive Spiritual Awakening, and preferably before the USA elections on Nov 8th. We don’t want backslidden, lukewarm, biblically illiterate Christians voting on our future. We need a revived church that has repented, come back into its right mind, and is willing to fight for our land, our families, our freedom, and our future. We need an exceeding great spiritual army to emerge out of this heap of very dry bones.
Yours for a Great Spiritual Awakening that will Make America Great Again!
Dr George Hill
Apostolic Founder and President of Victory Churches International
“Be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind (having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude).” Eph 4:22-24 Amp
Keeping the right heart attitude, will keep you moving in the right direction.
1. Attitude is an inward feeling expressed by behavior. A feeling or emotion towards a state or fact.
2. Attitudes are habits of thought. The process for developing good or bad habits is the same. We all enjoy the blessings of change, but what we don’t like is the process.
“If you abide (continue) in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:31-32)
The process:
3. Attitudes become character traits and character traits will determine your future.
“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” (Rom 8:5-6)
When making a decision consult your spirit and not your flesh! That’s the difference between long term winners and long term losers!
4. If you have a bad attitude deal with it before it deals with you.
“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows that will he also reap” (Gal 6:7)
I cannot control everybody’s actions, but I can control my attitude.
The process:
Say this out loud right now: “I have a great vision with great partners. My attitudes are getting better and more like Christ’s every day. It’s time for the fullness of God’s vision for me to come to pass!”
“Arise, Shine for your light has come and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.” (Isaiah 60:1)
Let’s do it Big, Let’s do it Good, Let’s do it Together!
Dr George Hill
President/Founder
“The race is not to the swift, Nor the battle to the strong, Nor bread to the wise, Nor riches to men of understanding. Nor favor to men of skill; But time and chance (opportunity) happen to them all. For man does not know his time.”
Ecclesiastes 9:11-12
It’s not the wisest, fastest or the richest that succeed, but those who recognize their time and opportunity!
Webster Dictionary defines “Opportunity” as a favorable combination of circumstances, time and place. A chance for advancement or progress.
Every so often an opportunity comes along that has the potential to change everything in a positive or negative way.
“And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country.”
Heb11:15-16
1. The Keys to recognizing the right opportunities are:
Knowing where you are going (Prov 29:18)
Keeping your mind full of the right things (Rom 8:5-6)
Becoming opportunity conscious not problem conscious (Heb 11:15-16)
2. The Keys to Timing:
Preparation! “I will prepare and someday my chance will come.” Abraham Lincoln
Confirmation through the wise counsel of a trusted spiritual advisor
“If you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this? So I will go to the king, which is against the law; and If I perish, I perish!”
Esther 4: 14,16
Queen Esther was prepared, purified and positioned. And when her opportunity came, she seized it!
The Courage of Esther and the wise counsel of Mordecai brought great deliverance
3. The Key to capitalizing on a God given opportunity is:
When your time comes, “Be strong, and of good courage, and do it!” (1Chron 28:20)
Many people have faith, but they have no fight! God gives you the sight-the right-the might, but you have to have the fight!
Our Victory Vision creates all kinds of ministry opportunities for people to use their God given gifts and abilities locally, nationally and internationally. We have more opportunities than we have people who are qualified to take advantage of them. Many people miss Gods opportunities because they come disguised as hard work and sacrifice. But, on the other end of our obedience God has blessing and increase in mind.
“By faith Abraham obeyed God when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out not knowing where he was going.”
(Hebrews 11:8)
You don’t have to know where you’re going as long as you know you’re following God!
We have a mission to fulfill, the time is short and the laborers are few. We, like Esther must seize every opportunity to bring deliverance and healing to a lost and hurting world through the gospel of Jesus Christ.
We cannot go back. We cannot sit still. We must go forward in 2016!
Dr George Hill
Apostolic Founder and President of Victory Churches International
We are at the beginning of a New Year, so we have an opportunity to do it right this time. We don’t want to carry the defeating patterns of last year into this New Year.
In Daniel Chapter 1, Daniel’s character was tested, plus his prophetic and interpretive skills were developed. This took place over a 3 year training period, and then he went on and became great.
Here are five things we can learn from Daniel as we prepare for a Victorious New Year:
1. Daniel dealt with his past and refused a spirit of bitterness.
Daniel had to overcome a bad past. But he never let his bad past separate him from his belief in a living, all-powerful God, nor from his love and concern for God’s people and God’s work.
You think you had a bad past? Daniel and his three friends were children of the King of Israel. They saw Israel and Jerusalem destroyed, their families and friends brutally killed, and then they were taken away and made into eunuchs. You talk about cause for bitterness, hopelessness and despair! There was no hope of living a normal life, having children or a family. This was a fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy to King Hezekiah found in Isaiah 39:7. We all have a past, the question is, ‘does the past have you?’ What you won’t let go of won’t let go of you!
Daniel refused to be a prisoner of his past or let bitterness rule his present and ruin his future. Daniel found a purpose bigger than himself and poured his life into it. When you find a God given purpose and pour your life into it, you will also find healing from the past and grace to forgive and go on. Nothing brings healing to a bad past quicker than a Holy Spirit filled future.
2. Daniel was sold out–completely devoted to God.
“The people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits” (Daniel 11: 32). The prerequisite for being strong and doing exploits is knowing God in an intimate and personal way; it’s not enough just to know about God, you must truly know Him. Revelation comes from relationship!
3. Daniel had a disciplined lifestyle and developed good habit patterns.
a. Daniel was a student of the Word. He found Gods prophetic plan in the Word and this is what enabled Daniel to start praying, and keep praying and fasting, for three weeks until his answer came (Daniel 9:2-3) Read the Word daily until something comes alive in your spirit.
b. Daniel had a regular disciplined prayer life: “He knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days” (Daniel 6:10).Pray daily no matter how busy you are! If you do, God promises to “direct you” (Proverbs 3:6).
c. Daniel had healthy eating habits. How much do you want to win? Daniel’s flesh was under the control of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God (Daniel 1:8, 12-16). He lived a fasted life and when necessary had no problem with an extended fast: Daniel fasted 21 days in Daniel chapter 10.
4. Daniel was decisive and daring.
Daniel knew what he believed—what his standards and his values were—and refused to compromise on his beliefs (Daniel 1:8-10). Daniel’s friends took the same stand. When your objectives and values are clear it makes decision making easier. Daniel was thrown into the lion’s den because he refused to stop praying to His God (Daniel 6:22). This year instead of making an excuse, make a commitment.
5. The reward of obedience is an excellent spirit, favor and promotion.
“Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him” (Daniel 6:3). Today’s obedience helps develop an excellent spirit within us and positions us for breakthrough, blessing and promotion tomorrow. Without obedience you will stay in the realm of potential.
“God had brought Daniel into…favor” (Daniel 1:9).
“God gave [Daniel and his friends] knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom
(Daniel 1:17). Daniel was a God-made man not a self-made man. If you are self-made, then you must be self-sustained and if self-sustained it isn’t too long before you self-destruct. God specializes in taking nobodies and making somebodies out of them. God likes to start with nothing, then there is no doubt about who gets the glory in the end (1 Corinthians 1:26-30).
This month (January2016) we are going to put our flesh under and get our hearts and minds still, so we can hear what the Spirit of God is saying to us. Daniel set a great example, and we have “a better covenant, which was established on better promises” (Hebrews 8:6).
This New Year, January 2016, I challenge you to, Dare to be a Daniel!
Yours for a Great End-Time harvest of souls to usher in the return of our Lord Jesus Christ!
Dr George Hill
Apostolic Founder and President of Victory Churches International