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)  

“Responding to Leadership Challenges” - 1 Samuel 30

• Godly leaders are not overcome by adversity.
• Godly leaders seek and obey the Lord’s guidance.
• Godly leaders recognize the strengths and limitations of their people.
• Godly leaders treat everyone with fairness and kindness.
• Godly leaders invest in relationships!

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.

RESPONDING TO TEMPTATION - 2 Samuel 11  The Nature of Temptation:

•  Temptation comes when your defenses are down.
•  Temptation finds your area of weakness.
•  Temptation rarely entices a good person with a “gross” sin. Instead, it entices you onto a slippery slope.
•  Temptation never presents the full consequences of sin.
  • • Sin undermines the person we want to be.
    • Sin derails the good we want to do.
    • Sin affects others besides ourselves.
    • Sin never escapes the eyes of God.

 How to Respond to Temptation:

•  Avoid temptation when possible.
•  Resist temptation with the resources God has given you.
  • • Prayer
    • The Word of God
    • Christian Friends
    • Constructive Activities
    • The Indwelling Holy Spirit

 THOUGHT FOR THE DAY  “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man.  And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.  But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”  — 1 Corinthians 10:13  From the time Adam blamed Eve and Eve blamed the serpent for their disobedience, we humans have become adept at trying to deflect the guilt of our sin.  Mimicking the words of an old comedian, we say, “The devil made me do it!”  But the Word of God makes clear that we are never helpless against temptation.  God always provides us a way to do what is right.  How about we stop the excuses and take ownership of our actions?  With Christ’s help, we can be victorious over any temptation!

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