Divine Direction Series

DECISIONS IN THE DIRECTION OF LIFE

WHO WILL DETERMINE THE DIRECTION OF MY LIFE?!

I. DECIDE NOT TO ALLOW THE WORLD TO COERCE YOU INTO WHAT IT WANTS YOU TO BE….

‘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 gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand…’ Daniel 1:1-2a
‘It’s God Who Governs In The Affairs Of Men’… Franklin Addias
‘And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with some of the articles of the house of God, which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his God; and he brought the articles into the treasure house of his god.’ Daniel 1:2

A. The World Wants To Manipulating The Things You’ve Dedicated To God For It’s Own Use…

B. The World Wants To Use You

1. They Want To Use Your Intellect…
‘Then the king instructed Ashpenaz, the master of his eunuchs, to bring some of the children of Israel and some of the kings’s descendents, and some of the nobles, young men in whom there was no blemish, but good-looking, gifted in all wisdom, possessing knowledge and quick to understand, who had ability to serve in the kings palace, and whom they might teach the language and literature of the Chaldeans.’ Daniel 1:3-4
2. They Want You Personally….
‘…young men in whom there was no blemish, but good-looking, gifted in all wisdom, possessing knowledge and quick to understand, who had ability to serve in the kings palace, and whom they might teach the language and literature of the Chaldeans.’ Daniel 1:3-4

a) He Wanted Their Youth…
b) He Wanted Their Looks….
‘…in whom there was no blemish, but good-looking’
c) He Also Wants You To Compromise…
‘And the king appointed for them a daily provision of the king’s delicacies and of the wine which he drank, and three years of training for them, so that at the end of that time they might serve before the king…’ Daniel 1:5
d) He Also Wanted Their Identity
‘To them the chief of the eunuchs gave names: he gave Daniel the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadracch; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abed-Nego.’ Daniel 1:7

II. MAKE A DECISION TO TAKE A GODLY STAND…

‘But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself…’ Daniel 1:8
‘Daniel Purposed In His Heart’…
‘Yea, and all who will live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.’ 2 Timothy 3:12
‘Now God had brought Daniel into the favor and goodwill of the chief of the eunuchs.’ Daniel 1:9
*GOD INTERVENED IN 3 WAYS….

1. He Intervened Relationally
‘And the chief of the eunuchs said to Daniel, “I fear my lord the king, who has appointed your food and drink. For why should he see your faces looking worse than the young men who are your age? Then you would endanger my head before the king.’ Daniel 1:10
‘So he consented with them in this matter, and tested them ten days. Daniel 1:14
2. He Intervened Personally
‘And at the end of ten days their features appeared better and fatter in flesh than all the young men who ate the portion of the king’s delicacies.’ Daniel 1:15
3. He Intervened Educationally….
‘As for these four young men, God gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.’ Daniel 1:17
‘And in all matters of wisdom and understanding about which the king examined them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers who were in his realm.’ Daniel 1:20

*THAT DIPLOMA SAYS… ‘THIS IS WHERE YOU’VE BEEN…
BUT IT’S NOT WHERE YOU’RE GOING!’