Stand for something or you will fall for anything.

4 STEPS TO ESTABLISHING CORE CONVICTIONS AND STANDING STRONG

CREATE YOUR LIST OF NON-NEGOTIABLES NOW. (1:1-10)
Daniel 1:7-10--But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. Now God had caused the official to show favor and sympathy to Daniel, but the official told Daniel, "I am afraid of my lord the king, who has assigned your food and drink. Why should he see you looking worse than the other young men your age? The king would then have my head because of you." 

Ages: Ch1=15; Ch2=17; Ch3=20; Ch4=49; Ch5=81; Ch6=83

· Be totally committed. 
· Determine your core convictions now. 

ORDER YOUR ENTIRE LIFE AROUND GODLY PRIORITIES.
Daniel 1:11-16--Daniel then said to the guard whom the chief official had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, "Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see." So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days. At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food. So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead.


Enemies of Conviction: Distraction & Attraction
1. The king’s order.
2. The fear of severe punishment. 
3. The appeal of temptation.
4. The desire to get a good job. 
5. Discouragement. 
6. Minimize compromise.


REQUEST GOD’S HELP DAILY. 
Daniel 1:17--To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds. 

A—doration
C--onfession
T--hanksgiving
S--upplication



EXPECT GOD’S BLESSING
Daniel 1:18-21--At the end of the time set by the king to bring them in, the chief official presented them to Nebuchadnezzar. The king talked with them, and he found none equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; so they entered the king's service. In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom. And Daniel remained there until the first year of King Cyrus.


Numbers 6:24-26—May the Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you, the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.

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