Notes

It’s NEVER easy to live a godly life, but life with God who is ALWAYS faithful to those who follow Him is ALWAYS worth it!

Why does God allow 'hard things' in the lives of those who follow Him?

1. God wanted the most powerful nation to see the most powerful God!
2. God often uses hard times to reveal to us something about us.

Rather than ask 'WHY', begin to ask 'WILL?'  Will God be God?

• God will ALWAYS be God – no situation or circumstance will change that! And God will change us through them so that others might see Him in us!

If you'd stand for God, you'll need to remember that...

1. God will grant His GRACE to those who need it so you and others can see God being God.
2. God will give you the grace you need in order to help you stand with the One who stood for you.

Verses

{“Babylon is fallen—that great city is fallen! She has become a home for demons. She is a hideout for every foul spirit…” Revelation 18:2 NLT}{“Train these young men in the language and literature of Babylon.” Daniel 1:4 NLT}{“The king assigned them a daily ration of food and wine from his own kitchens.” Daniel 1:5 NLT}{“They were to be trained for three years, and then they would enter the royal service.” Daniel 1:5 NLT}{“Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were four of the young men chosen, all from the tribe of Judah. The chief of staff renamed them with these Babylonian names: Daniel was called Belteshazzar. Hananiah was called Shadrach. Mishael was called Meshach. Azariah was called Abednego.” Daniel 1:6-7 NLT}{“He asked the chief of staff for permission not to eat these unacceptable foods. Now God had given the chief of staff both respect and affection for Daniel.” Daniel 1:9 NLT}{“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.” Daniel 1:17 NLT}{“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 king talked with them, and no one impressed him as much as Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah… he found them ten times more capable than any of the magicians and enchanters in his entire kingdom.” Daniel 1:17-20 NLT}{“Since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” Hebrews 4:14-16 NLT}

Quotes

Larry Osborne : “It’s hard to tell if something is counterfeit or the real deal without first putting it to the test. And that’s why our faith has to be tested. There’s no other way to know the difference between the genuine and the bogus.” (Thriving In Babylon);