Our Game Plan

"I don't go to church," was the response to my invitation to a special church service.  Here I stood talking to a professing believer who began to justify his reasoning for skipping out on church.  I discovered he was saved as I began to witness to him.  We enjoyed some fellowship, conversation about the Bible, and various blessings from the Lord.  Then I extended an invitation to which I received, "I don't go to church."  It was the first time I had heard such a reply from a believer.  I stood there trying to process his response as he pursued justifying his decision.  "Church is too
formal, too organized, and it's full of hypocrites."  Wow..."full of hypocrites" is why he doesn't go to church?  That's like saying, "I don't go to the gym because it is full of people who are out of shape!"

We often believe we see the biggest problems in others…and yet we fail to see our own needs!  This goes beyond attending church (which is another whole post for a different time).  This really requires us to dig a little deeper.  Perhaps it is time to take a spiritual inventory and evaluate the real relationship we have with Jesus Christ --- and not just the relationship we want others to think we have. Ask yourself questions like these:

1. What steps of victory have I taken this year?

2. What spiritual setbacks have I suffered this year? 

3. Am I stalled over those setbacks?

4. How faithful was my gospel witness last year?

5. How faithful was my time with the Lord last year?
    (Honestly...was it daily?...weekly?...a couple of days a week?...occasionally?)

6. How have I invested in the lives of others for the cause of   
    Christ?

7. What conflicts has my family or marriage seen this year...and 
    how did I resolve them?

8. Are my family and friend relationships reflecting the fruit of the
    Spirit?

All these “inventory” questions seem insignificant at the time they take place, however, they quickly stack up to major directional changes in our lives!  We must plan to choose God in the small decisions of life.  Consider the life of Daniel...what or whom did He choose?

The Game Plan: Daniel chose God first (Daniel 1:8)
This was his game plan.  Before Daniel was ever confronted with King Nebuchadnezzar wanting to cut him into pieces (Daniel 2), or throw him into a lion's den (Daniel 6), he determined in his heart to stand with God.  Daniel did not wait for something hard or tempting staring him in the eyes...he made the choice that would become his default setting with continued surrender to God. 

Daniel's game plan required continual surrender to God.  It was more than a one time decision!

 

What’s your game plan when:

•               You wake up late--what about your personal devotions?
•               You are told to be dishonest at work?
•               You’re approached by a friend with a dirty joke?
•               You know someone who always wants to pick a fight?

We must make the decision to choose God as our default setting (our game plan)...and continue to develop a relationship with Him that will re-enforce this decision in our moment to moment choices.  Choosing God goes beyond a one time decision.  We must choose God and His way over and over again day after day...and month after month!

The Default Setting: Daniel chose God under pressure (Daniel 2:13)
We all know what pressure feels like; however, Daniel experienced more pressure than today's average USA believer.  When Daniel heard about King Nebuchadnezzar's temper tantrum that resulted in a threat to cut the wise men into pieces (2:14-15) -- and remember Daniel is the newest member of the wise men -- he faced the problem and went straight to the King (2:16).  Instead of running for a place to hide in this new heathen land, or sitting there staring into space as he contemplated the thought of being "cut into pieces," or getting angry with God for allowing His faithful servant to be viciously murdered shortly after being taken captive -- Daniel asked the King for the opportunity to find the answers the king so greatly craved.  What's the worse thing that could have happened in Daniel approaching the world empire leader, King Nebuchadnezzar?  Daniel would have been killed on the spot -- but that is what he was already facing.  Death, a violent looming death, is a powerful pressure!

What keeps us from directly facing the problems we experience?  Fear, worry, ignorance, and self-preservation all play a part in that answer.  However, Daniel's default setting drove him to approach the king, not because of self-confidence, but because he had confidence in God...trusted God!  The king gave Daniel time to pursue the answer and Daniel immediately sought out those who knew how to pray (2:17-18). 

Daniel's first action to find a solution was to start a prayer meeting!  We will often say something like, "all I can do now is pray," as if that wasn't a powerful thing to do.  What is the first thing we do when facing crazy pressure?

Daniel was in a major pressure cooker with the timer about to ring...and then he begins praying.  The answer to this life or death situation comes as a result of this prayer meeting and Daniel is swift to give God all the glory (2:20, 27-28).  Not once does Daniel even allude to his idea, or his boldness, or his leadership.  Daniel is careful to give God all the glory at the conclusion of the prayer meeting AND give God the glory face to face before the king.  How careful are we to direct all attention to the One who alone is truly deserving of praise and adoration? 

Daniel's default setting of choosing God first (Daniel 1:8) was so clearly hardwired in his heart that he went straight to God.  Our choices reveal our own default settings.  To what or to whom do you go straight to when under pressure?

Begin pursuing a relationship with almighty God that goes well beyond average or normal for "today's Christian."  Pursue the Lord God with all your heart and know Him like He describes Himself to be in His Word, the Bible.  So today, embark on a journey that leads to greater transparency (because we aren't fooling God anyway and He deserves our honesty), continual surrender (to the fullest extent...nothing held back - because He deserves our will to be His will ), and hardwire your heart to the default setting of choosing God first!