What's for breakfast??????

Good morning friends! I hope everyone had a great weekend. I had to work this weekend. Mommy needs a new pair of shoes. I have a question for ya. What does compromise mean to you? Do you compromise when opportunities arise? We have choices every day. We either choose to compromise or not. Many of us have had a tough life. Some probably a lot worse than others. Do you know the people that have been used in a BIG way by Christ are the one's who stood for what is right during the worst of times. This brings me to today's Bible verse. Let's dig into the good stuff.

Bible Verse: Daniel 1:8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.

Let's set the backdrop of this verse. Daniel was a teenager and the Babylonian's invaded his hometown of Jerusalem and took him and others prisoner/hostage. They brought them all the way to Babylon. See, the Babylonian's didn't believe in God. So, they take these young people to Babylon a new and different culture. Well, Daniel and three of his friends are selected for a specialized training to serve in the king's palace. They were to be given a portion of the king's meat and wine. The best in the kingdom. They were to train for three years in the language, literature, and customs of Babylon. But, check this out, Daniel knew that God had a different purpose for his life. So, Daniel purposed in his heart to not defile (pollute) himself. He was determined to remain pure regardless of what he faced. Know this, Daniel could not change his circumstances, but he decided he would not let his circumstances shape his character.

Ok now here comes a Tonyism. I think Daniel and his three boys were just settling into their new accommodations and were getting ready for bed. Well, they thought they would look over the menu for breakfast. There it was plain as day! Breakfast was the king's finest ham, eggs, toast, and a big glass of OJ. Sounds yummy doesn't it? But, it created a problem for the young men. They were Jewish and were not supposed to eat pork. Well, they took a stand and decided not to compromise. They talked to the chief servant Ashpenaz and told him of not eating the king;s meat nor drinking of the wine. Ashpenaz was very scared that they would start looking poorly and he would get whacked. So, Daniel asked him to test them for ten days against the other young men. At the end of the ten days Daniel and his friends were healthier. Now, here comes the good part. For their choice to not compromise God blessed them with awesome knowledge and skill in literature and wisdom. They were found to be ten times better than all others in the kingdom. Well, Daniel went on the be one of the king's closest advisors and help mold better men.

I know this was long today. But, do you see how not compromising on something that you may think is small can have huge effects on you and others. There is an old saying "what is popular is not always right and what is right is not always popular." You will have tough choices in your life. Many of us will chose to compromise. We really just need to say "NO" to temptation and "YES" to God! We have to establish the "Authority" in our lives. What is yours? We have to be "Purposed of heart". We have to make a decision. After we decide, we need to take the next step. Apply it to our lives. Take a stand and follow through with what you say! Galatians 2:20 says "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." The key to this is NOT I BUT CHRIST! Let's choose not to compromise. Let's start today. It all started with Daniel saying "What's for breakfast?" Have a great day, I love you, and God bless.