Throwback Thursday | July 2011 | Like and subscribe and turn on notifications!

Main message: Be a person of integrity—the same on the inside as the outside—because trials are inevitable in a fallen world, and how you respond (with faithful spiritual disciplines) is what will sustain you and allow God to vindicate you.

Key points:

• Integrity means being the same inside and out; Daniel is presented as a model whose spotless character provoked jealousy but also preserved him.
• Trials and suffering happen because of sin in the world; God is righteous even when circumstances feel unfair.
• You can’t always control what happens to you, but you can control your response—choose faithfulness, not bitterness.
• Establish "bulletproof" spiritual disciplines (regular prayer, Scripture, fasting, worship, faithful giving) so you have a foundation when persecution or pressure comes.
• Trust God to vindicate or deal with enemies; leave ultimate justice to Him while you maintain your integrity.

Scriptures mentioned: Daniel 6, Daniel 3 (Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego), Job, Joseph (Genesis narrative), account of Paul’s conversion (Acts)