Summary of this week's sermon
Every week we want to have a 5 day devotional recapping our previous sermon so we can grow deeper together.
This Sunday Pastor Scott continued our series, "Old School." Join us as we look to Old Testament stories for modern day life.
Day 1: Walking, Not Running
Devotional
In a world that celebrates speed and instant results, God invites us into something different: a consistent walk of faith. Daniel's life exemplifies this beautifully. After decades of government service, his character remained unimpeachable. When crisis came through a decree forbidding prayer, Daniel didn't suddenly change his habits. He simply continued doing what he had always done—praying three times daily toward Jerusalem. This consistency wasn't developed overnight. Daniel had cultivated a lifetime of faithful habits that prepared him for this moment of testing. He didn't need to frantically search for God when trouble arrived because he already knew where to find Him. Many of us approach our relationship with God like sprinters rather than walkers. We run to Him in emergencies, then drift away when life feels manageable. We open our Bibles when we need answers, then close them when the crisis passes. But Daniel shows us a better way—the way of daily, steady communion with God regardless of circumstances. Today, consider your own walk with God. Are you running chaotically or walking consistently? The strength to face tomorrow's lions' den is built in today's quiet moments of faithfulness.
Bible Verse
"I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." - John 15:5
Reflection Question
What daily spiritual habits could you establish or strengthen to help you walk consistently with God rather than running to Him only in emergencies?
Quote
"When it comes to my relationship with God, walking consistently is better than running chaotically."
Prayer
Lord, forgive me for the times I've treated you like a genie in a bottle, approaching you only when I need something. Help me develop the consistency of Daniel, walking steadily with you day by day. May I remain connected to you as a branch to the vine, drawing strength not just for crises but for everyday life. Amen.
Day 2: Consistency in Chaos
Devotional
Crisis reveals character. When King Darius signed the decree forbidding prayer to anyone but himself, Daniel faced a defining moment. What did he do? The text tells us he went home and prayed—just as he had always done before. Notice what Daniel didn't do: he didn't add extra prayer sessions out of panic, nor did he abandon prayer out of fear. The crisis didn't alter his spiritual habits at all. This steadiness in the face of danger speaks volumes about the depth of Daniel's relationship with God. When our world is shaken, we often find ourselves either frantically increasing religious activities or abandoning them altogether. But Daniel teaches us that a consistent life doesn't get rattled by moments of crisis. The habits we form in ordinary days sustain us when extraordinary challenges come. This doesn't mean Daniel was casual about his predicament. Surely he understood the consequences he faced. But his response wasn't determined by the crisis—it was determined by the character he had developed through years of faithful walking with God. Today, consider how you respond to life's challenges. Do they send you into spiritual chaos, or have you developed the kind of consistent walk that remains steady even when the ground beneath you trembles?
Bible Verse
"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." - Daniel 6:3
Reflection Question
Think about a recent crisis in your life. How did it affect your spiritual habits? What would it look like to maintain consistency in your walk with God even during difficult times?
Quote
"Daniel did not add prayer time to his schedule, but he also didn't take prayer off his schedule. This moment of crisis didn't change the way Daniel walked with God at all."
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for the example of Daniel's consistency in crisis. When my world feels unstable, help me to remain grounded in the spiritual disciplines that connect me to you. May my response to challenges be shaped not by fear but by the faithful habits I've developed in walking with you. Give me strength to be consistent when it would be easier to panic or withdraw. Amen.
Day 3: Integrity When No One's Looking
Devotional
Daniel didn't know he was being watched when he knelt to pray that day. He wasn't performing for an audience or making a political statement. He was simply being who he had always been—a man of unwavering devotion to God. This is the essence of integrity: being the same person in private that you are in public. Daniel's accusers found no corruption or negligence in his work because his character was consistent in every sphere of his life. When they finally caught him praying, they weren't discovering something new about Daniel—they were merely confirming what everyone already knew about his faith. In our digital age, we're constantly tempted to curate different versions of ourselves for different audiences. We present one face at church, another at work, and yet another online. But true integrity means living as though God's eyes are always upon us—because they are. Daniel's integrity didn't make his life easier in the short term. It actually led to the lions' den. But it earned him something more valuable than comfort: respect. Even King Darius, who had been manipulated into condemning Daniel, spent the night fasting and hoping for his deliverance. Such is the power of consistent character—it commands respect even from those who oppose us.
Bible Verse
"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." - Daniel 6:10
Reflection Question
In what areas of your life might there be inconsistencies between who you are in public and who you are in private? How might developing greater integrity in those areas affect your witness for Christ?
Quote
"Who you are when no one is looking is actually who you are. Daniel didn't know these guys were watching him. He just did what he'd always done."
Prayer
God of truth, search my heart and reveal any areas where I lack integrity. Help me to be the same person when no one is watching as I am when all eyes are on me. Like Daniel, may my private devotion to you be so consistent that it becomes known to others not because I flaunt it, but because it shapes everything I do. May my life be a seamless testimony to your transforming grace. Amen.
Day 4: God In the Den
Devotional
The lions' den represents our worst fears—the place where we face destruction with no apparent escape. For Daniel, it was a literal pit filled with hungry predators. For us, it might be a devastating diagnosis, financial ruin, or relationship breakdown. What's remarkable about Daniel's story isn't that he avoided the den—he didn't. The decree was enforced, and Daniel faced the consequences of his faithfulness. What's remarkable is what happened inside the den: God showed up. "My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions," Daniel testified afterward. God didn't prevent the trial, but He provided protection within it. This is often how God works in our lives too. He doesn't always remove our challenges, but He joins us in them. The power of God is most clearly displayed not in the absence of trials but in their midst. When the stone was rolled away from the lions' den and Daniel emerged unharmed, even King Darius recognized the supernatural intervention. Similarly, when Jesus conquered death by walking out of the tomb, God's power was undeniably revealed. Whatever den you're facing today, remember that God's presence goes with you into that place. The king of the jungle is indeed no match for the King of Kings.
Bible Verse
"My 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, Your Majesty." - Daniel 6:22
Reflection Question
What "lions' den" are you facing in your life right now? How might God be present with you in that situation, even if He hasn't removed you from it?
Quote
"The power of God shows out in the most challenging times. God didn't make it so Daniel could avoid the lion's den. He doesn't always allow us to skip the results, even when our actions are good and the results are bad. But what God did was he sent one angel to shut the mouth of all the lions."
Prayer
Lord of all power and might, when I face situations that threaten to devour me, help me remember that You are with me even in the den. Thank You that Your presence is my protection and Your power is made perfect in my weakness. Like Daniel, may I emerge from my trials with a testimony that points others to Your saving grace. Give me eyes to see Your angels at work, shutting the mouths of the lions in my life. Amen.
Day 5: Kingdom Impact
Devotional
Daniel's faithfulness led to something remarkable: a pagan king proclaiming the greatness of Daniel's God throughout the Persian Empire. "I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel," Darius declared. One man's consistent walk with God influenced an entire kingdom. This is the ultimate purpose of our faithfulness—not personal comfort or success, but kingdom impact. Jesus reminded us that the goal of our lives is to make Him known. When we remain faithful even in difficult circumstances, our witness shines brighter than in times of ease. Daniel never set out to change imperial policy or convert the king. He simply determined to be faithful to God regardless of the consequences. Yet his personal integrity in a corrupt system, his consistent prayer life amid danger, and his miraculous deliverance all combined to create a powerful testimony that reached far beyond his personal circle. Our faithfulness may not make life easier—in fact, Jesus warned that following Him would often make life more difficult. But the impact of a consistent Christian life extends far beyond what we can see. Like Daniel, we may never fully know in this lifetime how our faithful witness influences others toward the kingdom of God. Today, remember that your consistent walk with Jesus isn't just about personal holiness—it's about kingdom impact.
Bible Verse
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile." - Romans 1:16
Reflection Question
How might your faithful witness in difficult circumstances be creating kingdom impact that you cannot yet see? Who might be watching your response to challenges and forming impressions about your God?
Quote
"The consistency of my faith may not make my life easier, but it will shine Jesus better."
Prayer
King of Kings, thank you for the privilege of representing You in this world. Help me to see that my faithfulness, even when it's difficult, can have kingdom impact far beyond what I imagine. Like Daniel, may my consistent walk with You influence others to recognize Your greatness. When I'm tempted to compromise for comfort's sake, remind me that You've called me to shine Your light, not seek an easy path. Use my life to draw others to You. Amen.