Six Principles for Living in the New World

You are only a man not a God, though you boast that you are like a God. You regard yourself as wiser than Daniel and think no secret is hidden from you. Ezekiel 28:3

We Need:

1. Opportunities that we can use...

Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, who was in charge of the palace officials, to bring to the palace some of the young men of Judah's royal family and other noble families, who had been brought to Babylon as captives. Daniel 1:3

Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything. James 1:2-4

2. Special Gifts to exercise...

God gave Daniel special ability in understanding the meanings of visions and dreams. Daniel 1:17

God has given eash of us the ability to do certain things well. Romans 12:6

3. A firm foundation to stand on...

"If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will resue us from your power, Your Majesty. But even if he doesn't, Your Majesty can be sure that we will never serve your gods ro worship the gold statue you have set up." Daniel 3:17-18

For no one can lay any other foundation than the one we already have-Jesus Christ. Now anyone who builds on that foundation may use gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. But there is going to come a time of testing at the judgment day to see what kinds of work each builder has done. 1Corinthians 3:11-13

4. The power to be truthful...

...you have not honored the God who gives you the breath of life and controls your destiny! Daniel 5:23

And you must stand trial before governors and kings because you are my followers. This will be your opportunity to tell them about me- yes, to witness to the world. When you are arrested, don't worry about waht to say in your defense, because you will be given the right words at the right time. For it won't be you doing the talking-it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Matthew 10:18-20

5. Courage to pay the price...

So at last the king gave orders for Daniel to be arrested and thrown into the den of lions. Daniel 6:16

The wicked run away when no one is chasing them, but the godly are bold as lions. Proverbs 28:1

Dear friends, don't be afraid of those who want to kill you. They can only kill the body; they cannot do anymore to you. But I'll tell you whom to fear. Fear God, who has the power to kill people and then throw them into hell. Luke 12:4-5

6. Certainty of the future...

The moment you began praying, a command was given. I am here to tell you what it was, for God loves you very much. Daniel 9:23

Can anything ever separate us from Christ's love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or are hungry or cold or in danger or threatened with death? (Even the scr i ptures say, "For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.") No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. Romans 8:35-37