A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

                                                 FAR FROM HOME PART VII

"I, Daniel, and my three friends have had to make a decision as to what we can eat and drink... That has not been easy to do.... The reason it has been challenging to do so is because we do not live in Jerusalem.... We live in Babylon.... However, we do not live here by choice.... We were taken here by the army of the king of Babylon.... We are now his prisoners.... Nevertheless, we are being taken care of well..... While here we have been put on a three-year program to learn the language and literature of the Babylonians... We have been given Babylonian names.... We have accepted all these challenges for we know that they will not turn us into Babylonians... We will remain Hebrews.... We were offered as well the best food and wine from the king's table.... However, we knew we could not take up that offer....Doing so would cause us to be disobedient to our God, the God of Israel.... So we have been eaten vegetables instead..... We are thriving on our diet.... Having said all that, we know too that we must not only watch what we eat... We must watch what we think and say and do.... No doubt that is not just for us... That is for anyone who wants to be pleasing to God.... Not just now, but any future believer ought to know how important it is to read, meditate and study God's Word.".... Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn the importance of focusing of God's Word just as Daniel knew and did....


                  ATTACHMENT A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

                                            FAR FROM HOME PART VII

You receive a renewed mind when you spend time reading, meditation and studying God's Word in order for you to learn think in a way that is pleasing to God. Having a renewed mind will cause you to speak in a way that is pleasing to God and will cause you to act in ways that show your love for God and for others as you can read in Luke 6:27-38 where Jesus says

"But I tell you who hear Me; Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you, If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. Give to everyone who asks, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even "sinners" love those who love them. And if you are good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even "sinners" do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even "sinners" lend to "sinners" expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful just as your Father is merciful. Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."