**1Samuel 30:1-8** *And it came to pass, when David and his men were come to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the south, and Ziklag, and smitten Ziklag, and burned it with fire; 2 And had taken the women captives, that were therein: they slew not any, either great or small, but carried them away, and went on their way. 3 So David and his men came to the city, and, behold, it was burned with fire; and their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, were taken captives. 4 Then David and the people that were with him lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep. 5 And David’s two wives were taken captives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite. 6 And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God. 7 And David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech’s son, I pray thee, bring me hither the ephod. And Abiathar brought thither the ephod to David. 8 And David enquired at the LORD, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all.*
The reality of stressful days - EVERYONE goes through times of great stress. Stress is a REAL part of life. We can’t fight it; we must accept it! The normalities of stress and can and often is used by God to strengthen us (see James 1:3, 4). God will use them to develop spiritual maturity and endurance.
**How did David deal with intense stress?**
1. He FOUND strength in the LORD! He encouraged HIMSELF in the LORD. This required him to be close to the Lord already.
2. He SOUGHT direction from the LORD. 1Peter 5:7, cast all your cares on Him!
3. He FOLLOWED God’s directions
1. There are battles we will face alone, but we are NEVER alone. Jesus said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee (Hebrews 13:5).
2. Don’t give in; don’t give up, no matter how severe it gets! Fight until the end! His grace is sufficient (1Corinthians 3:9)
3. Nothing overwhelms God! Let God bring the victory in His time.
Overwhelmed!
Encourage Yourself in the Lord
April 5, 2020 • Dr. John Waterloo
The Inside Out
December 13, 2020 • Dr. John Waterloo
* The outside does matter, but it’s not priority one. * The outside can be deceiving. But it is revealing! How to know a person’s heart? 1—Look at their works and behavior; you can’t fake fruit! 2—Listen to their words; out the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
When Your World Comes Crashing Down
December 9, 2020 • Dr. John Waterloo
* Everything is not always as it seems - God sent an earthquake to convert a soul! * Not every tragedy is tragic - God doesn’t cause evil, but He can use it to bring good! * Sometimes it takes a tragedy to get our attention. * If often takes a sacrifice to turn things around - Paul and Silas sacrificed their freedom in order to be available for the jailer.
Truth or Tradition?
December 6, 2020 • Dr. John Waterloo
* Traditions have their place. God set up many traditions, to cause the people to REMEMBER! * Traditions are not a replacement for true heart-worship of God, i.e., Lip-religion vs. Heart-religion. The Pharisees were so careful to keep laws and traditions, but they had no relationship with God! Outwardly they were religious but inwardly they were wicked and lost. * When traditions supersede God’s commands, there is a big problem… and the problem is with our HEART! When we hear the Word, and do not embrace it and live it, we make it of none effect!