How Big Is Your God?  Matthew 14:22-33 Is your God big enough to prioritize? (v. 22-23) Is your God big enough to search for in times of trouble? (v. 24-27) Is your God big enough for you to step out of the boat? (v. 28-29) Is your God big enough to save you? (v. 30-33)  

The Prophet Nathan Confronted King David (2 Samuel 12 & Psalm 51)  We can find there the  Four “R’s” of Godly Correction:

1.  REALIZATION of our sin, our personal responsibility, and our dependence on God as our only hope of forgiveness
2.  REMOVAL of our guilt and the sin in our lives
3.  RENEWAL of our relationship with God and the joy it brings
4.  REINVESTMENT of our lives in things that are right and God-honoring

  PRAYER FOR FORGIVENESS:  “Lord, I realize the seriousness of the sin in my life.  I acknowledge that I have broken my covenant with You and messed up Your perfect plan for me.  I am sorry.  I have no hope but Your mercy and Your pardon.  I pray that You would remove the guilt of my sin with Your forgiveness, which is offered through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ.  Then, Lord, renew a right heart within me, that I can find happiness in being pure and whole again.  Finally, Lord, take my life.  Help me re-invest my time and my energy in serving You from this day forward.  Amen.

Critical Responses:  Lessons from the Life of David RESPONDING TO THE GIFT OF FRIENDSHIP - THE TEN COMMANDMENTS OF FRIENDSHIP (1) Thou shalt not limit your friendships to others just like yourself.  Rather, thou shalt seek relationships that overcome differences. (2) Thou shalt not consider a friendship to be a disposable commodity.  Rather, thou shalt treasure it as a gift from God. (3) Thou shalt not value thine own exaltation above all else.  Rather, thou shalt count it all joy to contribute to a friend’s success. (4) Thou shalt not abandon a friend in time of need.  Rather, thou shalt find strength by facing trials together. (5) Thou shalt not allow others to berate your friend in your presence.  Rather, thou shalt exalt their reputation as much as honesty allows. (6) Thou shalt not hide thy affection.  Rather, thou shalt celebrate true friendship with fervor. (7) Thou shalt not speak only the words thy friend wants to hear.  Rather, thou shalt value the honest over the easy. (8) Thou shalt not treasure the company of a friend over their well-being.  Rather, thou shalt be sensitive to allow a new stage of friendship to evolve. (9) Thou shalt not break a promise, spoken or unspoken.  Rather, thou shalt be loyal and true to the end. (10) Thou shalt not expect a friendship to be without pain.  Rather, thou shalt appreciate that it was worth it. BONUS:  Thou shalt grow in understanding the friendship of God toward His children, and thou shalt model thy earthly friendships after the loving-kindness displayed by Jesus Christ. “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”  John 15:13  

David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty!”  — 1 Samuel 17:45      In everyone’s eyes but his own, David the shepherd-boy seemed like the underdog as he approached the giant Goliath.  But David understood something that the others didn’t; God was on his side because he was living for God!     Too often in life we face challenges with a defeatist attitude.  But God has promised to never leave us nor forsake us.  As we live for Christ, He is our strength—always more powerful than the challenges of this world!  So when you face temptation, sickness, opposition or addiction—call upon the Lord!  He can lead you to victory through His wisdom, courage and strength.