The Influence of a Godly Life | When Culture's Against Faith

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Daniel understood that leaders and kings thought they were in control would come and go with all the little he knew the Lord was in control believers sometimes feel disrespected and even marginalized from the book of Daniel Pastor Greg Laurie believe the sovereign God, we need to believe that someone said school bugs, which wonders that God is the sole of your life is Mrs. world you that is reject the Bible and ridiculed. Believe even the government obligate secularism and excoriate the prophet Daniel would be familiar with some encouraging counsel, focus today on Greg Laurie brings a message from the book of all influence godly life the other day.

I like rent out for ice cream because that's what grandparents do. That's our job to indulge our grandchildren to enjoy our grandchildren and so we went and got some ice cream and my grandson Christopher who is now five had mentioned Lego set that he wanted probably saw it advertised in a commercial on television and so he came in and said pawpaw. That's what he called me. Are there any chores I could do so I could get a Lego set so you know I I was aware of it, which I thought that was a great way to approach it and so we went ice cream afterwards as I will look over the toy store so we walked over to the toy store and I found the Lego section then and I said you see that God said you wanted and he found it and there was this one little character in particular. He really wanted hold up the box and as you probably know, Legos are not cheap. Okay, these sets get kind of expensive. This was a fairly good size 1 and I will walk you look at the pricing to know about that and also and then I asked the guy in charge is this little character he really wants of the smaller said that he found in the very small little box. It was like the character in a couple of extra things and so I went to Christopher and I hope both boxes optimize and okay Christopher you can get the small box you can get the big box you choose.

You look about them. He says I'll get the small one.

I said why do you say that he says will I don't want you to have to spend too much money so he got the small box and we got out of the know you know you know what I did right. I got in the big box why because he made the right choice and in life were faced with thousands of choices every day. We can choose to do what God tells us to do in his word, we can disregard it.

But when we make the right choices and they're not always easy are the one we make those right choices and do what the Lord tells us to do.

He will bless us God says behold, I set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Choose life, that you may live. I love how he tells us what the choices are gives us the answer again is what you should choose by the way is your confused and what we don't choose the right things we face the consequences will before us here in the book of Daniel is a man that made the right choices again and again and again were first introduced to Daniel as a teenager along with his three buddies Shadrach me shack in the Bendigo and others. We come to the end of the book we find the same man in his 90s as passionate in his faith is strong in his standards. He was from the very beginning of his life and Daniel influence so many people he influence Shadrach me shack in the Bendigo. What an amazing story.

They have when King Nebuchadnezzar erected a giant image covered in gold and told all of the kingdom, to worship it. If everyone complied except these three young men. They refused about.

As it turns out they served in the king's court.

They were like counselors to the king along with Daniel and others so that kings were like these guys a thought to give him another chance is not Shadrach me shack in the Bendigo I'll give you another chance is going on about before my image and everything's cool. Okay they said no not okay and I love their statement to him and Daniel. They said King Nebuchadnezzar. We don't need to defend ourselves before you in this matter were thrown into the blazing furnace. The God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from your Majesty's hand. This part. But even if he does not, we want you to know, your Majesty, we will not serve your God were not going to do it or standing on principle. What this took off. The king's face turned red and he said he that furnace up seven-time solder throwing men and those three intermittent men were thrown into this giant furnace is giant bowl of fire and a little time passes and the king looked said when he sees them walking around like it's a Sunday stroll in the park and not only are the three of them walking around but there's 1/4 one with them the king is rubbing the smoke out of his eyes and he says I thought we through three in and there's 1/4 one and the fourth one. Looks like the son of God, one translation of the translation.

The sum of the gods. I don't know what Nebuchadnezzar thought. But he was actually probably seen Jesus himself walking with this people the fire, you know, sometimes God delivers us from fiery trials and life and other times he walks with us through fiery trials in life.

Either way, he's got your back, you're not alone and some of you might be going through a fiery trial right now very hard set of circumstances I can think of several people I know that are going through them right now the couple in particular who found out they have cancer. Man, that's a fiery trial, others are facing other challenges with their family with their finances. Whatever it might be. But here's what the Bible says. First Peter 412 dear friends, don't be surprised at the fiery trial is come on you to test you as though something strange were happening to you.

God will be with you in your fiery trial. Then this week continued to Daniel, there's the unexpected conversion of Nebuchadnezzar himself. The most powerful man on the face of the earth, and he came to faith what God had to humble them first and after he was humbled and actually lost his senses for a period of time in the sense his return he turned to the God that Daniel believed it because of the faithfulness of Daniel and the influence of Daniel Nebuchadnezzar became a believer and even sent out a letter to the whole kingdom and said I now believe in the true and living God. This reminds us that no one is beyond the reach of God. No one guy wrote a book. Of course we did a movie about the life of Steve McQueen who was a famous actor and a very successful and through the end of his life.

He came to faith in Christ and that we made that into a film. As I mentioned in the I received a text today from one of our pastors who said he had a coach from high school and he share the gospel of the coaches coach wanted nothing to do with God was coach grew very ill. He was on his deathbed. In this care provider pleaded with him to watch this film we made Steve McQueen the salvation of an American icon and this man only moments away from eternity, who never wanted to hear the gospel watch. Tell God change Steve's life and that man accepted Christ and now is in heaven. So we thank God for that. But I bring that up to point out that no one is beyond the reach of God. Okay, not even reach Nebuchadnezzar.

Then there was Daniel himself a fearless follower of God, who spoke to the Nebuchadnezzar, then to his grandson, Bell shots are later to Darius who conquered the kingdom of Babylon and there's a number of things that stand out in Daniel's life. But maybe the key to his successful life and ministry is founded Daniel 18 will re-Daniel purposed in his heart he would not defile himself, and this was in a relatively small area about the food from the king's table what it was that resolution. It was that commitments that determination that carried him through life. As I pointed out the end of your life is decided by the beginning of it. The evening by the morning he made a principled stand relatively small area and then he made a much more difficult stand in a much bigger area that followed.

And there's a number of reasons that Daniel live this way and the number one it's because Daniel believed in a sovereign God. He believed in a sovereign God.

Daniel 425 says the most high rules in the kingdom of men.

Daniel understood that dictators and kings who thought they were in control would come and go but ultimately he knew the Lord was in control and don't forget he was taken from his homeland of Israel and became a captive in Babylon so he had his whole life turned upside down and they even changed his name, but they could not change his core beliefs or convictions, so he was a man that believed the sovereign God and we need to believe that to with things in life are making sense. Go back to what you understand. God is in control of your life is your great glory will have the second half of this message just a moment, emails, letters and phone calls from listeners are so encouraging to us and they let us know the effectiveness of studies mastering.

Unlike some other preachers. I never get bored or disinterested. When I listened to one of your messages. I've been listening to you on the radio, TV and Internet for probably 30 years or more. What a gift you have to keep your listeners engage. Thank you for all you do for the mission of Christ. God bless you.

How have these studies in God's word touched your life. If you have a story to share, call us and tell us about: 866-871-1144 866-871-1144 today. Pastor Greg is identifying important characteristics in the life of Daniel characteristics that set them apart as a godly man and helped him live a life of righteousness and unrighteous culture. Not only did Daniel believe in the sovereign goblet number to get a deep prayer life. Get a deep prayer life.

You when the king asked for an interpretation to his dream. Daniel and his friends got together and they pray for direction of the Lord gave it to, and Daniel had that commitment to prayer, no matter what the cost.

Even when a law was passed by King Darius the no one to pray to any God except him for 40 days. Daniel knowing that this law was passed, went to his home in the "windows as he always did any pray, giving thanks to God. He was summarily arrested and taken off to a pit of liens or he would be torn to pieces and eaten, and the evening King Darius who really appreciate it. Daniel didn't want this thing up about once you find something that is a lot even he's the king could not change it, but that night we read the king was up. He couldn't sleep and Daniel slept like a baby.

He probably leaned on a lien for comfort. You know, pulled a big pall over like a pillow you know and enjoy the evening with those liens were hungry. Make no mistake about it because I forgot deliver Daniel in the lion's den came through in the man that came up with this horrible plan to do so against a known they were eaten very quickly. I guess those lines, it worked up quite an appetite. Another thing I point out is Daniel realize he had a work God called him to do. Daniel realize he had to work on and called them to do. I mean, he was stuck in Babylon just like Joseph was stuck in Egypt but we never read about Daniel complaining about his lot in life he lived such a godly life of this enemies could find nothing in it to criticize number four. Daniel was tactful and considerate get access to powerful people. Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, Darius, and he always spoke the truth to that, he was successful with Nebuchadnezzar, not so much with Belshazzar, but he did not agree with their lifestyles or beliefs, but he respected their office. You know, it's important that we understand that we cannot influence a person that we don't have some kind of engagement with them and some Christians just can't stand the idea of you talking to any person out there that may not share your beliefs but my feeling is I want to engage people in relationships and seek to bring them to faith in Jesus Christ. Daniel understood that in his influence resulted in the conversion of Nebuchadnezzar. And that's probably why Daniel was called to be a profitable Lord. Even Jesus called him Daniel the prophet to be a prophet means God gives you unique insight into the future and Daniel had that insight and predicted the future with uncanny accuracy because it was given to him by God as revealed in Daniel Wahoo. All the kingdoms of the world would be in history. There was Babylon that would be overthrown by the media persons who would be overthrown by the Greeks who would be conquered by the Romans in Daniel even saw beyond that into still our future to a coming world leader. The Bible calls the antichrist that would emerge on the scene.

You know it's interesting. One of the signs of the last days, and by the way, I believe were living in the last days. I believe that Jesus Christ could come back at any moment.

One of the signs of the last days is a renewed interest in Bible prophecy in Daniel chapter 12 that will read in a moment the prophet is disturbed by visions.

He is seen and we read in Daniel 12 for from an angel, who says you Daniel keep this prophecy a secret seal up the book until the time of the yen. Many will rush here and there, and knowledge will increase. So Danny was shown that these final visions were a glimpse into the future that would not be understood by him or anyone else until the end of the H with the angel also told him at the end of the age. Knowledge about Bible prophecy would increase, so I think were living in that time were our knowledge is increasing were seen these things fulfilled before our very eyes. So it's read a few passages together.

Daniel chapter 12 I like to read verses 1 to 4. At that time Michael the Archangel, who stands guard over your nation will arise in the will be a time of anguish, greater then any since nations first came into existence. But at that time. Every one of your people, whose name is written in the book will be rescued. Many of those whose bodies lie dead and buried, will rise up some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting disgrace.

Those who are wise will shine as bright as the sky and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever, but you Daniel keep this prophecy a secret seal up the book until the time of the yen when many will rush here and there, and knowledge will increase. There so verse one tells us the time of anguish is coming Michael the Archangel is mentioned as well. Know this, whatever you see conflict in the Bible. Michael always seems to be involved. Michael is the mega angel Michael is the Archangel Michael is the brawling angel. You don't want to get into a cage match with Michael you're going down buddy. Okay, that's just the way it is even looser for the devil himself cannot defeat Michael the Archangel, so here he is protecting Israel, but it speaks here of a time of anguish.

This time is spoken of by Daniel later in the book of Revelation and other passages of Scripture. We also notice the great tribulation. It will be appearing in human history of unprecedented core in the Holocaust that is coming on the year.

Revelation chapters 6 to 19. Describe this time we call the great tribulation. In history as we know today will effectively end where it began, not on the battlefields of the United States or in Asia or in Europe. The final battles that will ever be fought between the nations of the World Will Take Pl. in Israel in the final battle will be known as the battle of Armageddon. By the way, the word Armageddon comes from the root word my ghetto so speaking of a location at the folly of my ghetto which is there in Israel and so that's where it's all going to end.

In fact, the Bible even tells us not only will the final conflicts happened in the Middle East, but it will center around the city of Jerusalem.

Isn't it amazing that the Bible gave us this prediction so many years ago and we see it being played out for us before our very eyes every single day Jerusalem. Zechariah 12 says I'll make Jerusalem a cup of trembling undo all the people roundabout and they will be in siege against Judah and Jerusalem, and that they all make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people and all that burden themselves what that shall be cut in pieces, all the earth is gathered against interesting phrase all the years, gathered against it. Why this hostility toward Israel today why there's so many people oppose this Jewish day. Think of all that the Jewish people have gone through all the suffering they've had to endure.

Think of the Holocaust, when 6 million Jewish men, women and children were sent to a certain death in a concentration camp by Kittler and the Nazis and it was that horrific event that caused the determination and many of them to return to their homeland. Knowing that's the only place he would be saved in a modern-day miracle happen when a May 14, 1948 Israel became a nation. And guess what nation recognize Israel as a nation before any other. The good old United States of America, under Pres. Truman. I was a very good thing to do and were told over and the book of Genesis chapter 12 God spoke to Abraham and his descendents and he said I'll bless those that bless you and curse those that curse you, so I believe as we stand by the Jewish people and support them. We have God's blessing in it is my belief that the next event on the prophetic calendar will be the rapture of the church. I know something where you can find the word rupture in the Bible. Well that all depends if you have a Latin translation you'll find it because it's from the word wrap tourists, but it's a translation of the Greek word harp also to think you have a name for a child he might consider that this is harp also little harp also or harpy I don't really recommend this name, but you can if you like this thrown it out but the harp also needs to be caught up quickly in its use of many passages in Scripture, including first Thessalonians 4 when it says the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel. There is Michael with the trumpet of God and the dead in Christ will rise first and we which are alive and remaining shall be caught up so were not bothering caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. This could happen at any moment this could happen today. This could happen tonight. Not only would you be caught up in the God's presence but you would be reunited with loved ones who have died in faith, so moms and dads, brothers and sisters. For some, even sons and daughters you would see them because your reunited in faith because they died in faith in Jesus and will be caught up together with them with them where the comfort one another to regret Lori gaining a glimpse of the time of the rapture through her studies of the prophetic book of Daniel.

There's more to come in this message here on a new beginning a study called the influence of a godly life as you see in the new DVD called the Jesus music contemporary Christian music began. Then the Lord's timing in an unassuming way. Tommy Coombs of love song and Maren off the music.

There was no contemporary Christian music industry at all. That was just Chuck Smith saying he's kissing director so that when they go somewhere.

Nobody gives money to Kelly so the record and enough gas money to get a hold submariner started 1970, but it soon caught fire across the country.

Michael W Smith this thing called Jesus music which exploded in Southern California somehow found its way in my hometown and change my life.

A lot of people have their lives change is not right through that music. My was one of them, Dave.

I was there I had a front row seat to the explosion of this new music then called Jesus music later to be called contemporary Christian music and it was as simple as Tommy Coombs just said it wasn't some big master plan. Hey, let's start in industry. It was more of the hey let's reach our generation with the message of the gospel and let's do it through music. And that's how these bands started and these bands would tour around and I would travel with them as a young man and preach the gospel and we would see thousands of young people come to Christ around the nation, and ultimately, it is touch the world and had such a simple beginning, but of what a powerful tool that is been in the hand of God you music is it disarms us that it touches us emotionally. It's different than preaching. I love to preach and teach the Bible but you know there's something about music that touches us in a different way. God gave us music and God can use music. I remember the story of when King Saul was tormented by demons and young David would come in with this stringed instrument some kind of harp we might call it an electric current acoustic guitar today.

David would play a little bit sing a little bit in Saul would be calm that God can use Christian music to touch are sold, wants to give us perspective and I want to tell you the story of how it all got started. It's all found in this great documentary film produced by the Erwin brothers, who also produced. I can only imagine. I still believe in this soon to be released will not too soon, but next year of the feature film based on my life and on the last great spiritual awakening in America that will be called Jesus revolution.

This is a really insightful film that goes back to the beginning of this music that we all love and brings us to the present day and you're gonna want to watch that she probably seen it promoted you might see it out there, screaming somewhere, but I want to send you a DVD. Also a Blu-ray and a downloadable code where you can take this with you wherever you go.

The Jesus music are resource for you right now for your gift of any size to our ministry so we can continue to preach the gospel and teach the word of God. Order your copy you love this.

You really will. You'll hear from Steven Curtis Chapman, Cece Winans, Lauren Daigle second chapter of acts Chris Tomlin Lecrae Michael W Smith, Amy Grant, Kirk Franklin, Toby Mac and so many more. They give such a unique such an inspiring background on Jesus music so get in touch with your investment and will say thanks by sending you the new film called the Jesus music. You can call us at 1-800-821-3300. We are here to take your call 24 seven again., 1-800-821-3300 or go online to harvest.org everybody what are you doing this weekend. I like to hang out with you that harvest and home services own. It is a time of worship and Bible study exclusively designed for people that are viewing in from all over the place so you can be a part of our extended congregation that harvested home.

Join us this weekend Saturday and Sunday for harvest and home that harvest.org Mr. Greg has more to share about how Daniel's godliness is great inspiration for us to follow more from Pastor Greg message called the influence of a godly life. Join us here on a new beginning. Pastor and Bible teacher Greg Laurie and thanks for beginning Greg Laurie podcast made possible by harvest partners, helping people everywhere know God sign up for daily devotions and learn how to become a harvest partner harvest.org