Provacative

A Kingdom Leader can become angry, frustrated and annoyed through many circumstances at home or work. It can create an incendiary climate among co-workers, family and friends. Even the reading of God's Word can cause extreme annoyance when we recognize our omissions, failures and mistakes. It can provoke a change of focus.

Do you struggle to find time to read the Bible? Do you only read books and passages that are soothing and calming? Do you avoid difficult passages? What would your life be like if you were forbidden to read God's Word?

Daniel served ungodly kings for many decades of his life. He was not allowed to read scriptures until Cyrus brought all the items belonging to the Temple of God. (see Ezra 1:7) Then we see Daniel's response when he read the book of Jeremiah. It caused him to change his focus!

Daniel 9:1–3 (ESV)
1 bIn the first year of cDarius the son of Ahasuerus, by descent a dMede, who was made king over the realm of the eChaldeans— 2 in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, perceived in the books the number of years that, according to fthe word of the Lord to Jeremiah the prophet, must pass before the end of the desolations of Jerusalem, namely, seventy years.
3 Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking him by gprayer and pleas for mercy with fasting and sackcloth and ashes.

Daniel changes his focus, dress, posture and schedule. He turned his face to the Lord and sought answers.

Does your reading of the scripture cause these changes for you? Let the Word be provocative in your thinking, feeling and how you behave. The Holy Spirit will make changes in you.

Cathy and Danny Sartin
www.deeperstillmissions.com
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b  ch. 11:1
c  See ch. 5:31
d  [ch. 8:20]
e  ch. 5:30
f  [Ezra 1:1; Jer. 25:12]
g  ver. 17, 18, 23; [Neh. 1:4]
  The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Da 9:1–3). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
 Copyright © Danny Sartin. All Rights Reserved. Photos taken by Cathy and Danny Sartin in Africa.
Kingdom Leadership is written for missionaries and ministers serving our Lord in various parts of the world.
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