Handling Lifes Problems

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Handling Lifes Problems

• Daniel 61-24 Selected
• Cross Creek Community Church
• Pastor Dave Martin
• May 5, 2002

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When problems come

• 1. Make an honest EVALUATION of my life.
• Daniel 63-5 Now Daniel so distinguished himself
  among the administrators and the satraps by his
  exceptional qualities that the king planned to
  set him over the whole kingdom. 4At this, the
  administrators and the satraps tried to find
  grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct
  of government affairs, but they were unable to do
  so. They could find no corruption in him, because
  he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor
  negligent. 5Finally these men said, "We will
  never find any basis for charges against this man
  Daniel unless it has something to do with the law
  of his God."

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• SIN
• Hebrews 125-6 My son, do not make light of the
  Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he
  rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those
  he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as
  a son."
• SPIRITUAL GROWTH and GODS GLORY
• 1 Peter 16-7 In this you greatly rejoice, though
  now for a little while you may have had to suffer
  grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so
  that your faith--of greater worth than gold,
  which perishes even though refined by fire--may
  be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory
  and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

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Daniel distinguished himself

• He exhibited exceptional qualities
• He was placed in a position of authority
• He had no corruption (faults)
• He was trustworthy, dependable
• He was not negligent or lazy
• He lived a righteous life

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2. Be assured PROBLEMS will come.

• Daniel 66-9 So the administrators and the
  satraps went as a group to the king and said "O
  King Darius, live forever! 7The royal
  administrators, prefects, satraps, advisers and
  governors have all agreed that the king should
  issue an edict and enforce the decree that anyone
  who prays to any god or man during the next
  thirty days, except to you, O king, shall be
  thrown into the lions' den. 8Now, O king, issue
  the decree and put it in writing so that it
  cannot be altered--in accordance with the laws of
  the Medes and Persians, which cannot be
  repealed." 9So King Darius put the decree in
  writing.

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• John 1633 "I have told you these things, so
  that in me you may have peace. In this world you
  will have trouble. But take heart! I have
  overcome the world."
• 2 Timothy 312 Yes, and all who desire to live
  godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

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3. Realize God is the SOURCE of your strength.

• Daniel 610-11 Now when Daniel learned that the
  decree had been published, he went home to his
  upstairs room where the windows opened toward
  Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his
  knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just
  as he had done before. 11Then these men went as a
  group and found Daniel praying and asking God for
  help.

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• James 513a Is any one of you in trouble? He
  should pray
• 2 Corinthians 129 And he said unto me, My grace
  is sufficient for thee for my strength is made
  perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I
  rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of
  Christ may rest upon me.

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4. Continue to OBEY no matter what comes your
way.

• Daniel 616-17 So the king gave the order, and
  they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions'
  den. The king said to Daniel, "May your God, whom
  you serve continually, rescue you!" 17A stone was
  brought and placed over the mouth of the den, and
  the king sealed it with his own signet ring and
  with the rings of his nobles, so that Daniel's
  situation might not be changed.

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• 1 Peter 419 So then, those who suffer according
  to Gods will should commit themselves to their
  faithful Creator and continue to do good.

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Rejoice! The Lord rewards FAITHFULNESS and He
JUDGES the guilty!

• Daniel 621-24 Daniel answered, "O king, live
  forever! 22My God sent his angel, and he shut the
  mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me,
  because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor
  have I ever done any wrong before you, O king."

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• 23The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift
  Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted
  from the den, no wound was found on him, because
  he had trusted in his God. At the king's
  command, the men who had falsely accused Daniel
  were brought in and thrown into the lions' den,
  along with their wives and children. And before
  they reached the floor of the den, the lions
  overpowered them and crushed all their bones.

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• FAITHFULNESS
• Matthew 2521 "His master replied, Well done,
  good and faithful servant! You have been faithful
  with a few things I will put you in charge of
  many things. Come and share your masters
  happiness!
• JUSTICE
• 2 Thessalonians 16 God is just He will pay
  back trouble to those who trouble you

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Life is short, make it count for Christ!

• Handle your problems wisely
• Handle them like a Daniel.