THREE PART CHALLENGE: 1.

Stand Up And Be Counted/Stand Up For What Is Right Shadrach, Meshach & Abed-Nego Daniel chapters 1 3 o Verses 3 4: Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king's palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans. o Did not bow to the image (chapter 3) o Answered the King respectfully but stood their ground o Become leaders in Babylon under Daniel Esther read the whole book o Orphan raised by Uncle Mordecai o She was a virgin o She listened to advice given her from Mordecai and the Eunuch o She was patient o She was prayerful They were young They were intelligent and learned They showed courage in the face of a whole nation and its king They trusted God for the outcome

2. Make It Personal David Shepherd boy anointed King (1 Samuel 16:1-13) o Not the best family situation o The spirit of the Lord came upon him from that day forward (1 Samuel 16:13) o Killed a lion a bear and a giant o Loved God and His Word o Called a man after Gods own heart Acts 13:22 22 And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave their testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will. Samuel (Judge and Prophet) 1 Samuel 1 - 3 o But Samuel ministered before the LORD, being a child, girded with a linen ephod. o Called around the age of 13 - Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, neither was the word of the LORD yet revealed unto him. o Speak for thy servant heareth o And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground.

o And all Israel from Dan even to Beer-sheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the LORD. Josiah, 8 years old when he began to reign as King of Judah o He did what was right in the sight of the LORD (V. 1-2) II Kings 22 23; II Chronicles 35. o Read the Word o Rent his clothes o His heart was tender towards God o Renovated the temple o Outlawed other forms of worship o Had the best Passover ever since the prophet Samuel Have a heart for God Cultivate your relationship with God Obey the voice of the Lord Read Gods Word Be courageous God is with you Remain humble

3. Finish Strong! Daniel renamed Belteshazzar, Dream Interpreter o Deported to Babylon around age 16 o Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king's palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans. o But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs. o Ended up being 3rd ruler over Babylon 1st - Nabonidus was away fighting the invading Persians. 2nd - Belshazzar was reigning in Babylon in the absence of his father. 3rd - Daniel thus became the third ruler behind o (1) Nabonidus and (2) Belshazzar. Characterized by Faith prayer, courage, consistency, lack of compromise Joseph Daddys favorite son of favorite wife Rachel, Dreamer and Interpreter of Dreams and a Tattler (Genesis 37) o Hated of his brothers o Sold into slavery at age 17 to Ishmaelites and taken to Egypt

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30 when he was made a ruler in Egypt 13 years as a slave and prisoner in Egypt (Genesis 39:1-20) He worked in the prison and at Potiphars house while he was a slave Wrongfully accused forgotten Diligent in his work Understood Gods providence - And God sent me before you to preserve a posterity for you in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. Acceptance didnt spend his time being bitter Hard work made good use of his time and talents Patience Though he was forgotten, he held onto his dream Integrity true to moral code even when no one else is around Humility did not take credit for interpretation of the dreams Forgiveness did not hold a grudge (Genesis 45: 4 7)

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