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When YOUR BELIEFS ARE BELITTLED
UNSHAKABLE! Thriving No Matter What They Throw At You — Part 3
Rick Warren
August 6-7, 2016

"Do yourself a favor and learn all you can; then remember what you learn
and you will prosper." Proverbs 19:8 (TEV)

"Always remember what you have learned. Your education is your life,
so guard it well." Proverbs 4:13 (TEV)

"Wisdom brings strength, and knowledge gives power." Proverbs 24:5 (CEV)

DANIEL'S THIRD TEST: CHALLENGES TO HIS FAITH

"King Nebuchadnezzar commanded: Select young men . . . and make sure they are well versed in every branch of learning . . . Teach these young menall the language and literature of the Babylonians . . . They are to be trained for three years, then some will serve the king after they graduate." Daniel 1:4-5

"God gave these four young men an unusual aptitude for learning the literature and science of that time." Daniel 1:17a

"When the three-year training was completed, the chief official brought all the young men to King Nebuchadnezzar. The king talked with each of them, and none impressed him as much as Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. So they were appointed to his regular staff as advisers! In all matters requiring wisdom and balanced judgment, the king found the advice of these young men to be ten times better than that of all the magicians and enchanters
in his entire kingdom!" Daniel 1:18-20

HOW TO EXCEL IN YOUR EDUCATION
and not lose your faith.

1. Decide in advance to stand for God
   
   "Daniel made up his mind not to defile himself . . ." Daniel 1:8a 
   
   "Start with God — the first step in learning is bowing down to God; only fools thumb their noses at such wisdom and learning."  Proverbs 1:7 (Mes)
   
   "Reverence for the Lord is an education in itself."   Proverbs 15:33a (TEV)
   
   "All wisdom comes from the Lord, and so do common sense and understanding. God gives helpful advice to everyone who obeys him and protects all of those who live as they should." Proverbs 2:6-7 (CEV)
   
   Action Plan: Have a glass of water by your bedside so when you first wake up you can take a drink first thing.  While drinking the water, pray a prayer of commitment that you will take a stand for God today.  Do this every morning this week. 


2. Never stop learning
   
   "Wise men and women are always learning, always listening for fresh insights." Proverbs 18:15 (Mes)
   
   "Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that isn't ashamed." 2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV)
   
   "Those who get wisdom do themselves a favor, and those who love learning will succeed."  Proverbs 19:8 (NCV)
   
   KNOWLEDGE: information gained from education or experience
   
   WISDOM: seeing and responding from God's viewpoint
   
   Action Plan: Find a way to learn something new. Choose a continuing education course at a local community center, take an online course, find some do-it-yourself videos, just something new that could be used to expand your current ministry.  Be praying for the people who also take the class as they will be your mini-mission field that you are uniquely shaped to build closer relationships with, as they share your interests.


3. Steep myself in God's word 
   
   "Study God's Word continually. Meditate on it day and night so you may be sure to obey all that's written in it. If you do you will be prosperous and successful." Joshua 1:8
   
   I must learn the truth in order to discern the lies.
   
   "Your commandments give me great understanding. It's no wonder I can see and hate every false way of life." Psalm 119:104 (NLT)
   
   "A wise person is hungry for truth, while the fool feeds on trash." Proverbs 15:14 (NLT)
   
   Action Plan: Email Pastor Rick at PastorRick@saddleback.com and request the "Unshakable Resource List".  Once you receive the list of scriptures, pick 1-2 to memorize this week so that you can begin steeping them over and over in your mind.


4. Choose believers as my best friends
   
   "Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character.'" 1 Corinthians 15:33 (NIV)
   
   "Stay away from fools, or you won't learn a thing."  Proverbs 14:7 (CEV)
   
   "Fools show their stupidity by the way they live; it's easy to see they have no sense."         Ecclesiastes 10:3 (CEV)
   
   "The happiest people — the ones God blesses — don't WALK with those who suggest doing wrong, don't STAND with those who like to sin, and don't SIT AROUND with cynics who deny God."                                   Psalm 1:1-2
   
   Action Plan: Make lunch plans to eat with a fellow Christian at work up to 3 days this week.  Begin telling them about how this message series is challenging you to be more like Daniel in your daily walk.  Thank them for their personal witness to you and be sure and listen to what's going on in their life and be an encouragement to them.


5. Stay connected to church, a small group, and ministry
   
   All 3 are essential for input, output & support 
   "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing,
   but let us encourage one another . . ." Hebrews 10:25a (NIV)
   
   "It is God's will that you live such a good life that it silences those who foolishly condemn the Gospel without knowing what it can do for them." 1 Peter 2:15
   
   Action Plan: If you haven't taken CLASSes 101-401 yet, look into doing so at the next offering at your campus. These classes will teach you the value and importance of membership, maturity, ministry, and mission.


6. Remember that God will reward me
   
   Jesus: "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."      Matthew 5:11-12 (NIV)
   
   Action Plan: In your quiet time, begin praying for a close friend who doesn't yet know the Lord.  Imagine them joyfully kneeling and confessing that Jesus is Lord on that day.  Do something special for them this week to show you care and are listening to them.