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Nehemiah's Intercessory Prayer

Nehemiah did not merely pray for the forgiveness of “their” sins. He, himself, “owned” the sins of the Israelites. In the
last episode I quoted Ezekiel 22:30, and I repeat it here. The Lord, “looked for someone among them who would …
stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found no one.” Once again, I
would suggest that leaders are called to “stand in the gap” in intercessory prayer.

Daniel's Intercessory Prayer

Daniel models for leaders, and for all of us, the appropriate posture before the Lord and how we are to acknowledge His
holy and perfect character.
Something else very apparent to me is that throughout the first 19 verses Daniel uses pronouns such as “we”, “us”, and
“our”.

Daniel Consistent in Prayer

I have several observations about this situation.

• Those who were jealous of Daniel must have known about his practice of prayer. That is why they conspired to persuade Darius to make the decree.
• The king’s edict had no effect upon Daniel’s prayer life. He continued to pray three times per day … with the windows open!
• The prayer habit that got Daniel into difficulty is also what rescued him from his difficulty.

Daniel Received Favor

One definition of favor is “an act of kindness beyond what is due or usual.”

I’ve learned in my life that there have been seasons when I, or a ministry in which I served, have experienced God’s favor, that is, His goodness beyond what might be considered usual. I believe that Village Church Planting is currently enjoying such a season. 

Daniel's Wisdom and Tact

As leaders, we need to speak with both wisdom and tact. And we need to do so not only when the situation is going
well but also when it is not. In this instance, Daniel’s very life and the lives of many others were at stake.

Assist with Daughter Church Planting

One of the best ways you can assist a disciple as he or she begins to plant a
church is to go with them and do ministry together. Of course, you have many
more ministry experiences than your disciples do. So they will often defer to
you and try to make you do the hard parts.

Serve the Lord's Supper to New Believers in New Churches

First of all, Jesus portrayal of the new covenant with bread and wine shows his love for others. He was not focused on his own problems, his own pain, his own struggle. Jesus, although he was about be killed, turned his focus to his disciples and invited them to celebrate with him his covenant of grace.  What amazing love.

Daniel'sResolve

This word “resolved” captured my attention. What is its meaning?  What are the implications? 

However, “resolve” in our text has a much stronger meaning.  To resolve means to decide firmly on a course of action, to determine, and to come to a definite or earnest decision.  

Baptize Without Delay in Daughter Churches

Sometimes when we plant daughter churches we delay baptisms and the serving of the Lord’s Supper, even when there are people in the new church who have repented and believed the Good News.

There are many reasons why baptism and the serving of the Lord’s Supper to born again believers is delayed in newly planted churches.  But none of those reasons is a good one. In his Great Commission, Jesus commanded his disciples to baptize.  Why do we delay? On the night he was betrayed, Jesus broke bread and served wine saying, “Do this in remembrance of me.” Why do we delay?

Watch Your Daughter Church Planters

Talking, teaching and explaining are good ways to help people gain knowledge. And we all need more knowledge. So, we go to schools of all types to gain that knowledge. But, the best way to train others to master a skill is to Model, Assist, Watch, and Leave. Church planting is as set of skills based on knowledge of the word of God and the will of God. Church planter, if you will Model, Assist, Watch, and Leave, you can equip and release many effective church planters!