As we all consider the approaching New Year and possible personal adjustments, may I add these thoughts to your deliberations.

Daniel provides a marvelous template for both life and ministry, a vital progression. Dan 11:32b declares, "...but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits."  Note the crucial sequence. The people who intimately know their God (the meaning of the Hebrew term used) ... will become strong ... and then will do exploits. In truth, the exploits are a result! it is impossible to achieve this result without the benefit of the required "worship progression," without first intimately knowing, and then becoming...! Knowing produces being which in turn inspires and empowers miraculous doing. Know! Be! Do.

The psalmist David offers a similar progression that we can directly apply to our own daily interaction and ministry -- in what I call the "Ps.39 Principle." "My heart grew hot within me, and as I meditated, the fire burned; then I spoke..." Ps.39:3 NIV

Note again the vital sequence. A) My heart grew hot within me [...know God] B) ...and as I meditated the fire grew [...become strong] C) ...Then I spoke! [Exploits] 

Oh, that each of us would approach the coming year with a resolve to apply this life-maxim at every opportunity. Know! Be! Do. Selah. \o/