DANIEL

(Daniel 1:3-5 NIV) Then the king ordered the chief to bring into the king’s service some of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility— 4 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. He was to teach them the language and literature of the Babylonians. 5 The king assigned them a daily amount of food and wine from the king’s table. They were to be trained for three years, and after that they were to enter the king’s service.

Your greatest ministry may happen in a place you never wanted to be.

There’s a difference between having a resolve to follow God and merely dabbling in faith.

(Daniel 1:8 NIV) 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 6:10 NIV) Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.

He prayed “before” the crisis. That’s why he knew what to do during the crisis.

When prayer is your habit, panic loses its power.

(Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV) Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

(Daniel 1:7 NIV) The chief official gave them new names: to Daniel, the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego.

Hananiah – Yahweh has been gracious. Mishael – Who is what God is. Azariah – Yahweh has helped. Shadrach – Inspired of Aku. Meshach – Belonging to Aku. Abendnego – Servant of Nego.

(Matthew 16:18 HCSB) And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the forces of Hades will not overpower it.

(2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV) Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

(2 Corinthians 4:8-9 NIV) We are hard-pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.

(Isaiah 43:1 ESV) Fear not, for I have redeemed you, I have called you by name, you are mine.