What in the World Is Going On? | Being Faithful in the Small Things

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Those forgiving drugs with very little custard written Laurie is a pattern we see repeatedly. We can trace to bring things back to the little why is your fiery furnace.

What would start a little little things later start now. It was in starting concentration. Before long you were driving a tractor merging parallel parking or something close to what you had to start with a small beginning pastor Greg Laurie says the same dynamic applies and I will the small things your Bible chapter 1 Daniel chapter 1 and the title of my messages.

What in the world is going on. We look at a couple of books recently Nehemiah as well as Esther and Nehemiah. We read about the return of the Jewish people were living in captivity in Babylon back to their homeland and they rebuilt the walls of the city. In the book of Esther that during their captivity. When Xerxes was raining in the game and wanted to destroy the Jewish people.

Okay so this is not going back to the beginning where there taken into captivity in the Babylon why Israel end up in Babylon.

Simple answer because they Were sipping false God.

The Lord warned him over and over. Stop worshiping false gods turn from these false gods and they weren't paying attention. So now the Lord says you want idols, they give you idols welcome to idols, central Babylon, where they worship thousands and thousands of false gods. Careful what you wish for. If I get, you know, the Israelites got tired of manna the Lord provided for them. After they left Egypt now today that every day, breakfast, lunch, dinner, manna, manna, manna and manna. What's for breakfast but manna pancakes lunch manicotti dinner manna so they got tired of it and they said, Lord, were tired of been a we want fresh meat.

We don't want to you this minute any longer. They kept crying out to God, so the Lord said Moses then back. The Bible says it ring quail, quail, doodle, Burgess fell out of the sky in the were so ravenous they took the birds where they were still alive and began to eat the and they bit into it and turn better in their mouth. Careful what you wish for my Is a God. I want this. I want this person in my life. I want this career. I want this ministry and you keep asking and asking know better prayer to pray is what I think this is what I should have.

It seems to me this is a good idea, but then at this, not my will but yours be done because God knows better. Years ago we would go visit Billy Graham and his home in Montreat, North Carolina. Billy had a few dogs German shepherds and there was this one dog I don't know what happened to this dog. It's like he eat local weed or something.

And every time I saw this donkey was literally going in circles.

The whole time just circle circles, never, never stop going in circles. I asked what is wrong with this dog. They said he's chasing his tail. I said I've heard that is an expression like a dog chasing that sale, but I've never actually seen a dog good. Even the cat has more sense.

And that's okay dog chasing its tail to old-time he literally never stop chasing his tail saw a few months thinking back to visit again. First thing I asked was where the dog that chases this deal. They said he got a crazy dog. We can be that way chasing our tail chasing after what God doesn't want us to have so now we have Israel captives of Babylon, and now the Nebuchadnezzar's in control.

He wants the finest young men of Israel brought to him.

He wants to school and he wants them to abandon their Hebrew faith. He wants them to embrace Babylonian culture and religion. Let's read about it wherein Daniel chapter 1 verse one we read these words during the third year of Jehoiada. Kim's rain and Judah, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it with his armies. The Lord gave him victory find it interesting that the Bibles of the Lord. Given victory over Jehoiada Kim of Judah. When Nebuchadnezzar returned to Babylon. He took some of the sacred objects from the temple of God and place them in the treasure house of his God, the lender, Babylonia, then the king ordered. As fun as it was in charge of the palace officials to bring to the palace. Some of the young men of Judah's royal family and other noble families would been brought to Babylon as captives select only strong, healthy, and good-looking young men make sure they're well versed in every branch of learning and are gifted with knowledge and good sense that the boys needed to serve in the royal palace teach these young men the language and literature of the Babylonians, the king assigned them a daily portion of the best food and wine from his own kitchen. There were to be trained for three year.

And some of them would be made his advisors in the royal court.

Daniel and Anaya Michelle Oz Araya were for the young men chosen, all from the tribe of Judah, the chief officer rename them with these Babylonian names Daniel he called Delta shows are, and Anaya was called Shadrach. Michelle was called Misha another. I was called a Bendigo look at first but Daniel purposed in his mind not to the file himself by eating the food and wine given to him by the king. Yes, the chief official for permission to eat other things.

Instead, people stop there) Doria for young men, among others, taken captive to Babylon. Many scholars believe there were around 14 to 19 years old to very young guy.

All of their names had a form of the Lord's name in their name of form of the name Jehovah Daniel med Jehovah is my judge or God is my judge's name was built to shahs are named after a pagan God, the God don't favor one of their deities go and Anaya.

His name was a great name, beloved of the Lord was changed to Shadrach, which means illuminated by the sun God. And that's a name downgrade for sure Michelle his name med who is like God and his name is changed to Misha which means who the moon God is as Araya is name of the Lord is my helper's name was changed to a Bendigo which means the servant of me go another false God. Their world is a new and changed overnight young men torn away from their mother and father in place. In this alien culture of paganism and unparalleled luxury and the man in charge was the greatly feared Nebuchadnezzar.

Now I don't know what's happened in your life lately, but maybe you've had a change of location you been moved from one place to another. You move to a new neighborhood you transferred to a new school or started college or maybe you're in the military you and your transferred over to some other foreign country. I know this because people listen to these messages on podcasting that are in the military and though tell us how important it is. They have sort of a lifeline. Back home because you might feel isolated. I don't have any friends or my business move me to this new place would listen. They were not alone. God was with them and wherever you are.

God is with you to just remember that the Lord is good to be with them every step of the way she Nebuchadnezzar thought that Shadrach me shack a Bendigo and Daniel would been seduced by all of this luxury more than one hit is been turned by such things for sure, but he didn't bargain on one thing he didn't prepare himself of the fact that these boys had character then and raising godly homes by godly parents, as evidenced by their beautiful names given to them by their parents and these boys had something he did not have or anybody else. They had purpose and conviction. And that's my first point. These young men had purpose and conviction. My question is do you a purpose and conviction. Look ever saved anyone. Daniel purposed in his heart, not to the file himself by eating the food and wine given him by the king. Yes, the chief official for permission to eat other things instead. No, we don't know why he didn't want to eat this food. I don't even know what he was being offered.

Maybe it was the dietetic laws of Israel.

It was forbidden under Mosaic law.

Things that were not coaster so might've been.

They were being offered on kosher food and again and maybe because the food was offered to false gods and they didn't want to eat that you don't really know why but let me say this, it's a seemingly small thing, but it's in the small matters and big victories are one. There might be small things you choose not to do as a Christian because it drags you down personally. You feel uneasy about it, a sense that it's not right before God. Despite the fact that others may be doing it you choose to not do it because you don't feel right about it and that is a good thing because the Bible says in Romans 1423 whatsoever is not of faith is sin for another translation of that verse says.

Anyone who believes that something he wants to do is wrong, shouldn't do it. He sends if he does rip he thinks it's wrong for him. It's wrong. Let me illustrate, let's say that you have the liberty so-called to drink alcohol so you got to rest on your order. Order a glass of wine order cocktail since this no problem for me. I can handle this okay let's just concede that point and say do you ever stop and think about the influence you have another people because there might be some of the just accepted Christ and they came out of a full blown alcoholic lifestyle and God gloriously delivered them, and they see you drinking, and they say well there drinking that I can drink to and they take a drink and they follow the wagon go back and do horrible things and using will that's their problem. Excuse me. We have responsibilities worn.

An example to other people and so maybe you would say I have the liberty to do this but could sure liberty as the Scripture reminds us be a stumbling block to somebody else. So just because someone else does. It doesn't mean you necessarily should do it because the Lord may give you a conviction you shouldn't do that thing and that's what was happening was Shadrach me shack a Bendigo, and Daniel is over I can eat your food were not going to drink your wine Mr. Greg Laurie will have the second half of this message just a moment, you know, there's nothing lying here in the word of God and worshiping the Lord together.

I will encourage you to join us for something we call Harvest at Home every Saturday and Sunday harvest.org you joint Christians, literally from around the world as we worship and we study the word of God together.

So join us for Harvest at Home and harvest over learning some important lessons from the life of Daniel today as Pastor Greg presents his message called what in the world is going on what continue number two little compromises turned into big problems. Little compromises turn into big problems. Remember little things turn into big things. Kittens turn into cats bunnies turn into rabbit checks turn into chicken. Small things become big things and we don't think about this. Sometimes because will say well it's all right this is just a minor infraction. But here's the thing.

If you're willing to cheat on your test in school. Will you now lie on your resume when you're trying to get a job and if you're willing to achieve in school and lie on your resume. Where else are you willing to cheat about on your spouse. No study was done by some business group. This is not from a Christian perspective, but they found that when there is affairs in the workplace. There was a breakdown in other areas of the people's lives. In other words, if two people are having affairs, being unfaithful to their spouses and would lie in that area. They found they would pad business expenses. They found that they would cheat here cut corners. There they found a pattern of it and does not make sense because of I'm willing to take this wall down when I kick this wall down to a kick out wall down as well. Why have any walls. In fact, because you're having fun. You're in the euphoria of sin, get out, thinking about the repercussions yet so little things turn into big things others.

Some small areas that you're making compromises and now isn't it time to go. Sure those walls up and stop doing those things is the Holy Spirit convicting you right now of a certain thing just right. I noted this noted that you deal with that because the Lord showing you that for your own good accuracy because little compromises turn into big problems.

And Jesus says whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with.

Listen to this in a single moment in time we can make a decision that affects our entire life. The Bible is filled with the stories of life long repercussions that came as a result of single decisions made of the forbidden fruit and it caused them paradise.

Sarah compromise God's word and sent Abraham to her servant Hagar Abraham willingly when I might add Hagar bore Ishmael.

We lost peace in the Middle East you saw compromise for a single meal unless his birthright. Sampson Central compromises cost him his strained his eyes and ultimately his life, Judas Iscariot compromises the bows of love for Christ and he lost his soul.

What are you compromising in one decision can affect you for a lifetime. So yeah, this is a small thing, we won't eat at the Kings table. Later on, they're going to face a big test ever heard of Daniel in the lion's den never heard a Shadrach me shack in a Bendigo in the fiery furnace and we read that we say well what courage word of the get that the bravery hate it started in little things.

If your faithful and little things God would give me the strength you need later for bigger things to start now. The biggest thing of all is what you do with. I never understood the site when I was a kid of 17 and I went to a little Bible study there.

By the way, I wasn't even invited to that was being held on the front lawn of my high school campus. I was curious to know why these Christians believe these crazy things they believed in.

Read the Bible and talked about God.

It all seems so not even me, but I sent him close enough to sort of eavesdrop on their conversation and without some closer look like. I join them, but as I watched them as they observe them. There was something about them. I really admire.

I didn't see them.

The friends I hung around with Andrew on a bunch of lowlifes doing stupid things including drugs. To be honest, but I saw these Christians and I thought Mende of something that seems real and then a guy got up to speak. I don't remember most of what he said but it was one statement that got my attention. He said Jesus said your for me or against me. I look at those questions and I thought what their forum and I'm not one of them is that mean I'm against Jesus and that was the day I prayed and asked Jesus Christ to come in my life that I have never regretted that decision, not even once. It was the best decision I ever made. I you remember when you made that decision to don't you, but there are some of you here that I haven't made that decision yet. You see Jesus as an option. One of many gods, multiple choice, whatever you know Jesus makes radical claims he claims to be the only way to the father. He said I am the way the truth and the life and no man comes of the father but through me. Are you for Christ or are you against them. Listen a lot at stake. I really believe what I'm saying to you today. I really believe Jesus is coming back he could come back today tonight tomorrow. Would you be ready. Most people what the people who clap first are ready, not the rest of you. You just just copy know I'm kidding I'm joking. Nobody could come back at any time, and I think when your life is right with God. Your grade without it's like yes Lord Tom, what if your life is a right with God's will staring we become like what yeah it became for us in the rapture that I've talked about. You didn't believe in Jesus guess what you'd be left to be left to face some horrible times get right with God just right or get left. Jesus stands at the door of your life, and he knocks and if you hear his voice and open the door become it because he died for you on the cross.

2000 years ago and he rose again from the dead and now we can be your savior. Morgan a closing prayer, to give you an opportunity to ask Jesus Christ to come of your life. So let's talk our heads or prayer. If you would please everybody, praying heavenly father we thank you for your word that it's true. Lord Jesus, thank you for coming and laying your life down for us in dying for our sins, rising from the dead and offering total and complete forgiveness right here right now.

Now I pray for every person here and every person watching and listening wherever they might be if they don't know you yet. Lord, help them to come to you and believe in you in Jesus name I pray for Greg Laurie important word of prayer today your on a new beginning. If you like to make a change in your relationship with God. Pastor Greg wants to help you do that in just a moment and then we want to mention Pastor Greg brand-new book called Lennon Dylan, Alice, and Jesus is a look at the life stories of so many famous music artists whose lives self-destructed and Patrick so my look at all the trouble that those people get into and say yeah that's why I don't even listen to the crowd anymore, but often their struggles are common struggles. That's right and there's some things we can learn from them is not right. Oh sure, these are just people. When the day is done, and they go behind the closed doors of where they live there just regular people like you and I are, they have the same struggles they have the same insecurities they have that they have the same questions and just because they have all these things doesn't mean that they're happy. In fact, that's why so many of them turned to drugs or other things because they're not finding the fulfillment in the things they may have thought they would find fulfillment in a lady wrote a book talking about hitting the high note and she referenced different people who had great success in their careers, like Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston. And she said the reason they turned to drugs is because they couldn't hit the high note anymore by that she was not speaking of literally kidding. I note, but they could maintain that level of excitement and euphoria that they may have experienced when it first started for them. You sort of adjuster that you become acclimated to that. So then you say what is the next find out what's the next accomplishment.

What is the next mountain to conquer. Then you conquer that, then you say what's the next thing to do. What's the next car I should driver what's the next house I should live in her house as I should buy or yacht. I should have then you accomplish that you think what's in and on and on it goes and it just empty empty empty. The Bible says there is nothing new under the sun was welcome Muggeridge once said, all news is old news happening to new people and you would think that rock stars would look at the lives of other rock stars who have crashed and burned in say I'm not going to do that. We get so many of them do so. It's a story of people were searching, but many of them have found the Lord.

Tragically, many of them have not found the Lord so this book looks at both sides of that and what happens with the decisions you make in life. I think though ultimately you will be a very encouraging book for you to not give up praying for people you know that are not yet believers and listen.

This would be an excellent book to give to anyone you know who is not a believer but the rev fan of rock music because I think this book will really speak to them. Yeah, that's right. And again. It's called Lennon Dylan, Alice, and Jesus is subtitled the spiritual biography of rock 'n' roll health that loved one. Learn from the mistakes of these high profile music icons and avoid heartache and tragedy. It's a book with some strong warnings, but it's also a book of strong hope as well and would like to send you Lennon Dylan Allison Jesus to thank you for your donation right now, it's your investments in this outreach that allow us to keep bringing Pastor Greg's insights each day. So call us today at 1-800-821-3300. That's a 24 seven phone number 1-800-821-3300 or write a new beginning. Box 4000, Riverside, CA 92514 or go online to harvest.org pressure Greg you mentioned our need to come to Christ for forgiveness of sin and today's broadcast. Yes, maybe there's somebody listening right now would like to do that like to take that step. Yeah, maybe you could help them with that right now, I'd be delighted to listen if you would like to accept Jesus Christ into your life right now. By that I mean if you would like your sins are forgiven and have the assurance that you will go to heaven when you die. Would you pray this prayer with me, Lord Jesus, I know that I'm a sinner but I think you for dying on the cross for my sin and rising again from the dead.

I'm sorry for my sin, Lord, and I turn from it now and I put my faith in you to be my Savior, my Lord, my God, my friend. Thank you for loving me and calling me and accepting me in Jesus name I pray, amen. Listen if you just pray that prayer in minutes. I want you to know on the authority of God's word that Jesus Christ has just come to take residence in your heart. The Bible says these things we write to the believe in the name of the son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.

Listen we want to send you some resources that will help you grow spiritually. So here's David some details and let me say God bless you and welcome to the family of God. Yeah those resources Pastor Greg mentioned are all included in something we call our new believers growth packet will help you get started in living your life for the Lord can resend it to you just ask for the new believers growth packet.

You can call us at 1-800-821-3300 were here 24 seven to take your call. That's 1-800-821-3300 or our mailing address is a new beginning. Box 4000, Riverside, CA 92514 or go online to harvest.org and click on the next I Pastor Greg takes us further in our study of fascinating life of Daniel join us here on the new beginning – revival figure Greg Laurie and I harvest partners, helping people everywhere know God learn how to do, harvest partner, sign up for daily devotions and find resources to help you grow in your faith harvest.org