June 5 | The Challenge

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June 5 | The Challenge

June 5 | The Challenge

God is in _______________

God is in _______________

In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. And the Lord delivered Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, along with some of the articles from the temple of God. These he carried off to the temple of his god in Babylonia and put in the treasure house of his god. Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, chief of his court officials, to bring into the king’s service some of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility – young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king’s palace. Daniel 1:1-4

In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. And the Lord delivered Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, along with some of the articles from the temple of God. These he carried off to the temple of his god in Babylonia and put in the treasure house of his god. Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, chief of his court officials, to bring into the king’s service some of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility – young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king’s palace. Daniel 1:1-4

• Daniel was about ____ years old when he was taken to Babylon.

• Daniel was about ____ years old when he was taken to Babylon.

• We don’t know much about Daniel’s______________, but they taught him to trust God.

• We don’t know much about Daniel’s______________, but they taught him to trust God.

• Daniel’s name means, “The Lord is my Judge.”

• Daniel’s name means, “The Lord is my Judge.”

• Regardless of where you find yourself in life, just know that God is in control.

• Regardless of where you find yourself in life, just know that God is in control.

______________________ matters

______________________ matters

But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. Daniel 1:8

But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. Daniel 1:8

• Daniel found ____________ with his boss and supervisor • Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters… Colossians 3:23

• Daniel found ____________ with his boss and supervisor • Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters… Colossians 3:23

• Daniel relied on godly ______________ • “You are known by the company you keep.” Is based on Proverbs 13:20.

• Daniel relied on godly ______________ • “You are known by the company you keep.” Is based on Proverbs 13:20.

• Daniel stayed strong in the Lord despite his __________________________

• Daniel stayed strong in the Lord despite his __________________________

• Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Ephesians 5:15-17

• Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Ephesians 5:15-17

We live in a world that says character doesn’t matter. But, it matters to God! • God is more interested in your character than your comfort.

We live in a world that says character doesn’t matter. But, it matters to God! • God is more interested in your character than your comfort.

• Many times character is built in suffering.

• Many times character is built in suffering.

• Character is who you are when no one is watching.

• Character is who you are when no one is watching.

God honors ________________________ to Him 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. Daniel 1:17 • Live your life with a commitment to Christ.

God honors ________________________ to Him 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. Daniel 1:17 • Live your life with a commitment to Christ.

• Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote, “Being a Christian is less about cautiously avoiding sin than courageously and actively doing God’s will.”

• Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote, “Being a Christian is less about cautiously avoiding sin than courageously and actively doing God’s will.”

• And Daniel remained there until the first year of King Cyrus. Daniel 1:21

• And Daniel remained there until the first year of King Cyrus. Daniel 1:21

• Daniel lived ___ years in Babylon. He was able to see God bring the exiles home.

• Daniel lived ___ years in Babylon. He was able to see God bring the exiles home.

Who do you want to become?

Who do you want to become?

Taking It Home Daniel is an incredible example of living an uncompromised life. Like Daniel, we find ourselves living in a pagan culture. This world is not our home. Our home is in heaven, but for now, we are living in this world. Daniel made a commitment to himself and to God not to defile himself. What commitments have you made in the area of character and integrity? Think about the man or woman you want to become, and then make the hard decisions that it takes to be all God desires.

Taking It Home Daniel is an incredible example of living an uncompromised life. Like Daniel, we find ourselves living in a pagan culture. This world is not our home. Our home is in heaven, but for now, we are living in this world. Daniel made a commitment to himself and to God not to defile himself. What commitments have you made in the area of character and integrity? Think about the man or woman you want to become, and then make the hard decisions that it takes to be all God desires.