Daniel Part III God is Our Protector

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego their names were changed they were hebrews in captivity and they changed their names in hopes of changing their identity.

Don’t ever let the devil try to put a label on you. Don’t let him put an identity on you. You are not your mistake, you are not identified by failure. Don’t let the enemy call you something other than what God calls you.

God calls you righteous, God calls you loved, God calls you forgiven. God calls you blessed and highly favored.

1.) Pride craves to be worshipped, humility bows low before the Lord.

Nebuchadnezzar is a narcissistic me monster who is craving the praise of man, he is desiring to be worshipped.

Man was not created to be worshipped, we were created to give worship.

Pride lusts for attention. Pride is the only disease that makes everyone else sick around them, just not the person that has it.

Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it’s thinking more of others.

Pride destroys but humility raises up.

2.) Beware of the “bowing spirit” of this world.

Spirits will try and seduce their way into your life and bow your knee to money, bow your knee to success, bow your knee to this relationship.

3.) We need to grow strong in Faith.

He’s already given us the cross, He’s already given us salvation, He’s already given us His spirit,

He’s already given us His joy

He’s already given us forgiveness! He is worthy of all of our worship and all of our praise!

4.) God is our protector.

God can do his best work when you’re in your worst place! ”So it is impossible for God to lie for we know that his promise and his vow will never change! And now we have run into his heart to hide ourselves in his faithfulness. This is where we find his strength and comfort, for he empowers us to seize what has already been established ahead of time—an unshakable hope! We have this certain hope like a strong, unbreakable anchor holding our souls to God himself. Our anchor of hope is fastened to the mercy seat in the heavenly realm beyond the sacred threshold, and where Jesus, our forerunner, has gone in before us. He is now and forever our royal Priest like Melchizedek.“

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭6‬:‭18‬-‭20‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Daniel (Part 2) - What man cannot do, our God can!

Daniel’s name translates God is my Judge

Daniel does not live for the opinions of man, he has made up his mind to only live a life pleasing to God.

If you live for the praise of man, you’ll die by their criticism.

If their praise doesn’t raise you up, their criticism can’t tear you down.

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭29‬:‭25‬ ‭NLT‬‬

‭‭Daniel‬ ‭2‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

‭‭Daniel‬ ‭2‬:‭11‬-‭12‬ ‭NLT‬‬

1.) What’s impossible for man is Possible for God.

What man cannot do, our God can!

‭‭Mark‬ ‭10‬:‭27‬ ‭TPT‬‬

When God gets involved, there is nothing that is too difficult.

‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭32‬:‭17‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

When God shows up, miracles break out.

2.) Turn to God in times of adversity.

‭‭Daniel‬ ‭2‬:‭16‬-‭18‬ ‭NLT‬

Turn to God rather than what is distracting.

In times of adversity the question is: what will you turn to?

Daniel was looking for more time, our God is always on time!

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭17‬:‭17‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

3.) The Greater the Miracle, the Greater the Praise.

‭‭Daniel‬ ‭2‬:‭19‬-‭23‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Your prayer life results in a praise life.

From possibility to prayer to praise.

The same passion you have when you are desperate and in need better be the same passion you have to worship and praise God.

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭126‬:‭1‬-‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

4.) Our Heart’s Desire is for God’s renown.

‭‭Daniel‬ ‭2‬:‭46‬-‭48‬ ‭ESV‬‬

‭‭Daniel‬ ‭2‬:‭44‬-‭45‬ ‭ESV‬‬

The word of the lord causes the king to realize his days are numbered and he must worship the one true God.

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭26‬:‭8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

1.) Purpose in your heart to live your life set apart.

2.) Natural ability can never produce God sized miracles.

3.) Wisdom is found in a relationship with the Holy Spirit.

4.) Grow Old in Faithfulness.

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.“

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

The End Game: What is Your Life?

1.) a life marked by significance is a life marked by Obedience

2.) a life marked by significance is a life marked by Service

3.) a life marked by significance is a life marked by perseverance

A mist is water particles, although you might feel dry tonight there’s enough mist in your life, when your not willing to quit it or give up it is just a matter of time!

There are seeds in your life that aren’t dead they are just dormant, the best days are ahead of us if we don’t quit or back down but stay in the fight!

“Don’t ever quit and you’ll always win” - Dr. Jerry Savelle

The End Gane: For the Sake of Eternity

God’s divinity in our lives is shown through our creativity together.

1.) Life is a product of personal adventure and what you do today determines where you end up tomorrow.

2.) Greatness requires temporary discomfort.

3.) Reflection turns experience into insight.

4.) What you tolerate you authorize to exist.

5.) You contain an uncommon treasure.

You are looking at your beginning but God begins with the end in mind.

You focus on your flaws while God sees your future.

We don’t live for the applause of many. We live for the applause of one to hear someday say, “WELL DONE.”

The End Game: The Focus of Eternity

“Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ is what will last.” - C.T. Studd

We need to focus on what matters and forget what doesn’t matter.

1.) Your focus determines your direction, and your direction determines your destination.

2.) Focus will require you to forget.

3.) Focus of eternity will cause you to fight for the faith of others.

4.) The focus of eternity calls us to forgive, forget, and focus on the future.

Eternity Part 2

The End Game: Following the Vision

1.) A “good opportunity” is the biggest distraction to a move of God.

2.) A Vision of Heaven will make us more intentional on Earth.

3.) If it feels slow in coming, climb the tower!

4.) Write the Vision.

5.) Wait for it

"Keep The End in Mind" emphasizes the eternal perspective we should maintain in our daily lives, as inspired by 2 Corinthians 4:16-18. Thrive Church is driven by the understanding that our present actions carry eternal significance.

Understanding eschatology shapes our beliefs and actions. What we believe about the end influences our current choices. God calls us into His eternal story, with heaven as the ultimate destination for those who love Jesus.

Isaiah 66:1 reveals God's sovereignty over heaven and earth, inviting us to align our prayers with His eternal purpose. God's plan has always been to unite heaven and earth, impacting how we live in the present.

God is building toward a new reality, as seen in Isaiah 65:17, 66:22, 2 Peter 3:13, and Revelation 21:1. This new creation replaces the old, emphasizing God's desire to restore and redeem.

The Garden of Eden symbolizes paradise lost and regained through Jesus. Adam's failure contrasts with Jesus' victory in the garden of Gethsemane. John 20:14-15 highlights Jesus as the Gardener of Eden, ushering in restoration.

The church plays a crucial role in God's plan, serving as His embassy on earth. Romans 12:2 encourages us to transform our surroundings with heavenly principles, embodying God's kingdom on earth.

Understanding eternity gives purpose to our present actions. Science and our innate desire for eternity point to its reality. Love, immortal and divine, reflects God's eternal nature.

As humanity, we associate with victory, which finds its ultimate expression in Jesus' triumph over death. Victory is inherent in our identity as followers of Christ, as depicted in 1 Corinthians 15:54-55.

In summary, embracing an eternal perspective empowers us to live with purpose and victory, knowing that our present actions shape our eternal destiny.

• Evidence of Jesus’ Resurrection:

• Luke 24:5-8

• Focus on His Goodness:

• 1 Peter 1:3-5

• Jesus is who He claimed to be:

• John 11:25

• Revelation 1:8

• John 6:35

• He has the power He claimed:

• John 10:17-18

• Matthew 28:18

• Romans 8:11

• He fulfilled His promises:

• Luke 24:6-7

• John 16:33

• II Corinthians 1:20

• Forgiveness through His resurrection:

• Ephesians 1:7

• 1 John 1:9

• God is with you always:

• Deuteronomy 31:8

• Isaiah 41:10

• Secure future in Christ:

• John 10:27-29

• Hebrews 12:2

This Good Friday, we reflect on Jesus' journey from suffering to triumph, a path we too may follow. Amidst life's trials, remember Jesus' endurance, finding strength in the promise of joy ahead.

In Hebrews 12:2, Jesus is portrayed as the author and perfecter of our faith, enduring the cross for the joy set before Him. This verse encapsulates the essence of Good Friday, reminding us that even in our darkest moments, there is hope for a brighter tomorrow.

Jesus' sacrifice on the cross exemplifies the divine exchange: burdens transformed into blessings, mourning into dancing. Psalm 126:5 and 30:11-12 testify to God's ability to turn sorrow into joy, despair into praise.

In Luke 22:7-13, Jesus instructs His disciples to prepare the Passover, symbolizing the ultimate sacrifice He would soon make. Despite the weight of His impending burden, Jesus faced it with unwavering passion, secure in His purpose and identity.

At the Passover table, Jesus reveals God's provision: a table prepared in the presence of enemies (Psalm 23:5-6). This imagery reminds us that amidst adversity, God offers abundant blessings and a place of honor at His table.

David's invitation to Mephibosheth echoes this theme of undeserved grace. Like Mephibosheth, we are invited to the King's table not by merit but by the blood of Jesus.

God's provision extends beyond the table; He has prepared the ultimate sacrifice in Jesus Christ. Just as the Passover lamb was consumed entirely, we are called to fully embrace Christ's sacrifice and share it abundantly with others.

In the darkness of Good Friday, we find unexpected victory. Despite mockery and despair, God's plan of resurrection prevails. Revelation 12:11 affirms that victory is secured by the blood of the Lamb and the power of testimony.

As we partake in communion, we proclaim Christ's death until His return, celebrating the victory He has already won. In every trial, may we remember that the blessings of God are reserved for His children, and victory is assured through faith in Him.