Do you want to grow and increase your sphere of influence? These two keys will make all the difference: faithfulness and divine intelligence.
Biblically, I don’t know of any greater example of this than Daniel and his friends.
No matter what circumstances or negative situations were thrown at Daniel, he was faithful. He didn’t waver, change his values or compromise his integrity. He always looked out for the best interests of the ones he served.
God responded to Daniel’s faithfulness by adding to his efforts a multiplier: He blessed Daniel and his friends with divine intelligence. Scripture says God gave them knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. (See Daniel 1:4.) And on top of this, Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds. That’s what I call divine intelligence.
So, if you want increase, you must grow in faithfulness and divine intelligence. But how?
Faithfulness Brings Increase
Faithfulness brings increase. This involves consistently doing as well as you can in the natural setting you have in front of you, each and every day.
Study well! Do well! Do the best you can in whatever sphere in which you find yourself.
That’s what Daniel and his friends did. They were faithful. Do you want to grow? Faithfulness brings increase.
If you are faithful in little things, God will grow your capacity for more. If you’re faithful with another’s, He will give you your own. This is what Jesus said. If you’re faithful in the natural, He will make you a ruler over true spiritual riches.
Faithfulness brings increase.
Growing in Divine Intelligence
Do you want to grow in divine intelligence like Daniel did? He became a ruler in the area of true spiritual riches and divine intelligence, including the sphere of dreams and visions. He studied to show himself approved in his sphere.
In Daniel 1:4 (NKJV) we read that Daniel and his friends were “young men in whom there was no blemish.” It says they were “good-looking” and also “gifted in all wisdom, possessing knowledge.” They were “quick to understand” and had the ability to serve in the king’s palace. Then it goes on to say they learned “the language and literature of the Chaldeans.” It doesn’t say they went to Hebrew university—because they didn’t. Obviously, they were in captivity, and they studied to show themselves approved right where they were.
But watch … that wasn’t the end of the story. They received an increase. I believe increase is available for anyone who will walk in faithfulness. Daniel and his friends did. Then, here’s where the increase comes. It’s in the same chapter.
Daniel 1:17 (AMP) says, “As for these four young men, God gave them …” God did what? They study in one verse and also a few verses later, then God gives them knowledge and Daniel supernatural capacity.
In the New American Standard Bible this full verse reads: “And as for these four youths, God gave them knowledge and intelligence in every kind of literature and expertise; Daniel even understood all kinds of visions and dreams.”
In the New International Version it says, “To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds.”
Here it is in the New Living Translation: “God gave these four young men an unusual aptitude for understanding every aspect of literature and wisdom. And God gave Daniel the special ability to interpret the meanings of visions and dreams.”
The capacity grew! “God gave them …” Would you like to have an increase? Walk in faithfulness, and then ask God for divine intelligence!
My Personal Journey of Increase
I’ve had some pretty amazing experiences recently—but I didn’t start there.
Not long ago I detected some interceptors about the Aleutian Islands and the Bering Strait. I received some pretty profound words on Russia and Ukraine and other things of that nature. But you know what? I didn’t start there, and I don’t always live there, either. But I am faithful. Do you know what I do consistently? I pray. I read. I fast. And sometimes I fall. But I ask God for increase.
You can read some of my books and listen to my podcast and hear some crazy, amazing stories, but here’s the reality: I believe for divine intelligence. I step into it at times. I do, and so can you!
Do you want to know what my key is? Faithfulness. It isn’t just who I’ve hung out with. It isn’t just all the great conferences. I just do the same thing today that I did 30 years ago. That’s the truth. I worship, and I try really hard to forgive. I said, “I try.” And it is not easy. Sometimes I feel overlooked. I feel forgotten. And I forgive.
Do you know what the key to increase is? Faithfulness. Be faithful in little, and God will give you more. Be faithful in another’s, and God will give you your own. Be faithful in the natural, and God will make you a ruler of true spiritual riches.
Do you want an increase in divine intelligence? Study and show yourself approved as a workman unto God. (See 2 Timothy 2:15.) Do you want to increase in revelation? Be faithful, and ask God for increase.
I bless you to increase in whatever sphere of influence God has given you through the keys of faithfulness and divine intelligence—for such a time as this. {eoa}
For the original article, visit godencounters.com.
Dr. James W. Goll is the founder of God Encounters Ministries. He is an international bestselling author, a certified Life Language Coach, an adviser to leaders and ministries, and a recording artist. James has traveled around the world ministering in more than 50 nations, sharing the love of Jesus and imparting the power of intercession, prophetic ministry and life in the Spirit. He has recorded numerous classes with corresponding curriculum kits and is the author of more than 50 books, including The Seer, The Prophet, The Discerner, The Lost Art of Intercession and Praying with God’s Heart. James is also the founder of GOLL Ideation LLC, where creativity, consulting and leadership training come together.
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