Verses Cited: 1 Samuel 16:7; Genesis 6:5; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 8:28; Philippians 1:3, 2:2; Genesis 1:26-27, 31; Jeremiah 32:38; John 15:5; Romans 8:11; Luke 1:38; Isaiah 6:8; 2 Corinthians 8:12; Acts 9:15; Jeremiah 29:11; 1 John 4:19; 1 Peter 1:3; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 John 1:9; Hebrews 10:14; John 15:2; Psalms 51:10; Luke 15:7; John 15:19; Romans 12:2

What does the life of a faithful believer look like? A faithful life begins with obedience to the Word of God. This includes sharing the message of Jesus with the world. Second, a faithful life involves submitting to the word and will of God. Finally, we see an attitude of willingness towards God in a faithful life.

To the Glory of God Alone. Each day we have the opportunity to bring glory to God through our lives; we are Christ’s representative on earth. We represent Christ through our words and actions. We do this through our prayer life, our praise life, and in our personal life.
(Verses Cited: John 3:16; Romans 5:8; Philippians 2:8; Romans 14:7; Mark 16:15; Matthew 6:9-11; John 14:13; 1 John 5:14; Matthew 26:39; Psalm 100:1; Hebrews 10:25; Matthew 12:34; Philippians 1:6, 2:12; Matthew 5:29-30; 2 Corinthians 5:20)

Christ Alone. We live in a culture where our option to choose is celebrated; we like the ability to pick and choose how our life is going to go. When it comes to our relationship with God, Christ is the only option to the Father.
(Verses Cited: Gen. 2:16-17, 3:4-6; Matt. 10:34; Phil. 3:4-8; Ex. 3:13-14; 1 Pt. 2:22; Lk. 23:4; Mk. 1:22; Jn. 8:6-7, 9; Gen. 1:1; Jn. 8:58; Heb. 13:8; Jn. 1:1-3, 14; Lk. 9:23; Matt. 26:39; Jm. 4:13, 15; Is. 35:8; Matt. 5:11; Gen. 1:24-25; Rm. 1:21-25; Matt. 6:25; Jer. 17:9; Rm. 1:17; Jn. 1:14b)

Faith Alone. How does Grace and Faith work together in the Christian Life? Faith is the conduit through which grace travels to the believer.
Verses Cited: Hebrews 11:1; Ephesians 2:8; Matthew 7:22-23; James 2;19; Mark 1:23-24; 1 Timothy 3:9; Ephesians 2:9; Matthew 16:15-17, 23; Philippians 4:13; James 1:13-14; Galatians 2:20; Romans 7:15; Mark 6:52; Luke 18:34; John 13:7, 22; Romans 4:5; Galatians 2:16; James 4:4; Matthew 6:24; Matthew 3:12; Philippians 4:2; Amos 3:3; Luke 23:43; John 4:13-14; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Romans 8:38-39; John 6:39-40; John 18:19

By Grace Alone. Grace is unilateral; God does all the work and He receives all the glory. Grace is given in conjunction with the gift of faith to accept it. Grace-based salvation is also definitive: it’s already complete, there is nothing more we can do except to stop resisting God and allow Him to work in our lives. Grace-based salvation is given with a purpose for our lives. Finally, grace is given to everyone on a personal level.

Sola Scriptura, or "by scripture alone" is the principle that scripture is the final authority in the Christian believer's life. The Bible is the written Word of God.
(Verses Cited: Romans 12:2; 2 Peter 1:21; John 1:1, 14; Hebrews 1:1-2; 1 Peter 2:13-15; Romans 13:1-3; Hebrews 13:17a; Matthew 17:20; Romans 14:7-8; Galatians 2:19-20; Hebrews 13:17b; 1 Corinthians 3:7; Revelation 2:10; Joshua 1:8; 1 Peter 2:2; Luke 4:32; Matthew 7:28-29; 1 Peter 1; 2 Peter 1:3)

The Holy Spirit indwells every believer, but it is the responsibility of every believer to respond to the Spirit’s urging in our lives. This response begins by trusting in the Lord and being willing to accept the Holy Spirit’s teachings. We must also be thankful to God for His work in our lives and, as a result, the Lord is able to make our path straight. 
(Verses Cited: John 14:15-17; John 16:8-11; 1 Corinthians 12; Proverbs 3:5-7; Romans 1:17; Pro 28:1; James 1:7-8; 1 Corinthians 2; Luke 9:23; Genesis 50:20; Romans 8:28; Romans 8:14; 2 Peter 3:18)

The Bible mentions a variety of different spiritual gifts. Each gift is given according to the sovereign will of God. God will also provide an opportunity of service along with a spiritual gift. God gives these variety of gifts to members of the body of Christ with the intent of promoting unity within the Church.

In the passage from this week, Jesus teaches us how the Holy Spirit works in the world and in the lives of believers. First, the Holy Spirit works in the world to convict the world of the sin of unbelief. The second way the Holy Spirit works is in the life of a believer, moving us toward a life of righteousness. Finally, the Holy Spirit works in the final judgement of each person.

The Holy Spirit is often the forgotten person of the Trinity. There are several things we can learn about Him from the Bible. The Holy Spirit is a person and we can have daily fellowship with Him. The Holy Spirit is promise of God. The Holy Spirit is personal. And finally, the Holy Spirit is permanent.
(Verses cited: Jn. 4:20-21, 23-24; 2 Tim. 2:15; Rom. 8:27; 1 Cor. 2:11; Eph. 4:30; Matt. 12:31; Acts 5:3; Jn. 15:26, 16:8; Matt. 18:20, 28:20; Rom. 8:11; Heb. 11:1; Jn. 3:16; 1 Jn. 1:9; Acts 2:4; 2 Cor. 5:17; Jn. 5:6; Acts 16:6-7; Phil. 4:7; Jn. 17:12)

The United States was built upon principles of freedom. However, many have taken this to mean we are free from moral responsibility and consequences of our actions. As believers we are free from the bondage of sin and death. We have a responsibility to exercise self-control in the decisions we make and remain focused on God in our freedom.
(Verses Cited: Jn. 8:32, 36; Ps. 118:5; 1 Pt. 2:16; Rom. 8:2; Phil. 3:12, 3:8; 1 Cor. 11:1; Phil. 2:12; Acts 9:15; 1 Cor. 2:2; Gal. 5:1; Lk. 20:46-47, 21:1-4, 21:6; 1 Sam. 8:11-17, 19; Lk. 14:28; 2 Pt, 3:18)

Verses Cited: Heb. 12:1, 3; 2 Tim. 4:7; Acts 7:58; 2 Cor. 11:24-27; Rev. 14:12; Matt. 7:14; Heb. 12:4; Gen. 3:1; John 16:33; Ex. 2:25; John 5:6; Ps. 23:4; Heb. 12:6; 1 Peter 5:8; 1 Cor. 15:55; Matt. 5:16

Faithfulness is often hard to come by today. As believers we are called to live faithfully in every area of our lives. As we study the life of Daniel we can see how he lived for God faithfully in every area of his life. We must do the same and live for God personally, glorifying God in our private life. We must also live for God publicly and not be afraid to let the world see us live out our faith. Finally, we must live for God persistently even in the face of trial and persecution.

With all the busyness of life, it’s easy to miss the subtle messages of God. So, sometimes God gets more direct; more bold; more obvious in order to get our attention. That’s what happened to King Belshazzar. He missed the subtle message of God, so God wrote it on the wall, which, as you might imagine, got his full and undivided attention.