Romans 15:4, For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.
- The Bible isn’t just historical information, but it’s help and hope for us now.
John 17:16, They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.
- We don’t have to conform; we can be transformed.
Romans 12:2
- God answers prayer.
Daniel 2:18, He urged them to plead for mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that he and his friends might not be executed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.
- It pays to have praying friends.
Daniel 2:1-2; Matthew 18:19-20; Philippians 4:6; Acts 17:28
Proverbs 15:8 (NLT), The Lord detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but he delights in the prayers of the upright.
- Prayer should be our first response, not our last resort.
Daniel 2:19, During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven
2. God is in control.
Daniel 2:26-27, 26The king asked Daniel, (also called Belteshazzar), “Are. You able to tell me what I saw in my dream and interpret it?” 27 Daniel replied, “No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries . . .
- God knows everything and can do anything.
Isaiah 46:9-10, 9. . . I am God and there’s none like me. 10 I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand and I will do all that I please.
2 Chronicles 16:9; Acts 17:22-28
- Idols are anything that takes God’s place in our lives.
1 John 5:21 (ESV), Little children keep yourself from idols.
3. God calls us to live heavenly minded.
Daniel 2:34-35, 34 While you were watching, a rock was cut out, but not by human hands. It struck the statue on its feet of iron and clay and smashed them. 35 The iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver and gold were all broken to pieces and become like chaff on a threshing floor in the summer. But the rock that struck the statue became a huge mountain and filled the whole earth.
- Jesus is the rock that will reign over every other king and kingdom.
Revelation 11:15, . . . “The kingdoms of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah and he will reign for ever and ever.”
Colossians 3:1-3, 1 Since then you’ve been raised with Christ set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on thing above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God . . .
- Am I using my time, talent, and treasure to make heaven happy?
Psalm 90:12, Teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
1 Peter 4:10, Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.
Matthew 6:19-21(NKJV), 19 Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but lay up for yourselves treasure in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
- We will be eternally grateful that we gave God our best.
Matthew 25:21