Come Alive (Audio)

It may be hard to understand why God allows us to face certain challenges and hardships. Why would He allow David, as a mere teenager, to be confronted with dangerous predators? Wouldn’t it have been better to shelter and preserve him for the purpose He had for his life? As Pastor Mark points out in today’s message, God used those challenges to prepare David for greater challenges to come. God does not just coddle us and shelter us. He allows those trials to come because He knows that they will force us into situations where we can learn to place our confidence in Him instead of our own strength.

It may be hard to understand why God allows us to face certain challenges and hardships. Why would He allow David, as a mere teenager, to be confronted with dangerous predators? Wouldn’t it have been better to shelter and preserve him for the purpose He had for his life? As Pastor Mark points out in today’s message, God used those challenges to prepare David for greater challenges to come. God does not just coddle us and shelter us. He allows those trials to come because He knows that they will force us into situations where we can learn to place our confidence in Him instead of our own strength.

We have a tendency to turn to just about every other resource for help before we turn to God. We read self-help books, listen to motivational speakers, or even more common in this day and age, we do a quick Google search and take the advice of a random blogger or journalist that we know nothing about. As Pastor Mark continues to lead us through 1st Samuel, we are reminded of our need for God’s guidance. He should be the first place we turn as we face the challenges and questions of life. The voices of this world can offer temporary relief, but God will lead us into everlasting joy and peace.

We have a tendency to turn to just about every other resource for help before we turn to God. We read self-help books, listen to motivational speakers, or even more common in this day and age, we do a quick Google search and take the advice of a random blogger or journalist that we know nothing about. As Pastor Mark continues to lead us through 1st Samuel, we are reminded of our need for God’s guidance. He should be the first place we turn as we face the challenges and questions of life. The voices of this world can offer temporary relief, but God will lead us into everlasting joy and peace.

Having abandoned God's commandments before battle, the victory of Saul's attack against the Philistines came at a heavy price for Saul. God publically rebuked him. Whenever we are rebuked by God, it's our opportunity and responsibility to humble ourselves before Him and submit again to His direction. If we become so self-willed that we no longer depend upon God for everything in our lives, we stand in danger of losing those very things we are fighting for. In today's message, Pastor Mark will exhort us to rely on God for everything, and always keep His commandments. God will always work mightily through our obedience.

Having abandoned God's commandments before battle, the victory of Saul's attack against the Philistines came at a heavy price for Saul. God publically rebuked him. Whenever we are rebuked by God, it's our opportunity and responsibility to humble ourselves before Him and submit again to His direction. If we become so self-willed that we no longer depend upon God for everything in our lives, we stand in danger of losing those very things we are fighting for. In today's message, Pastor Mark will exhort us to rely on God for everything, and always keep His commandments. God will always work mightily through our obedience.

Saul's first few tests as a king already began to demonstrate some disturbing tendencies to his leadership. Feeling the pressure of the enemies of Israel on one side and of God's own people fleeing from him in fear on the other, Saul gives in to the circumstances and abandons God's commandment to him. What do you do when following Jesus gets tough? Do you compromise and falter? Do you lower your standards? In today's message, Pastor Mark will warn us to never allow our decisions to be driven by self-will and insecurity. God's people must be committed to obedience and completely submitted to God's will.

Saul's first few tests as a king already began to demonstrate some disturbing tendencies to his leadership. Feeling the pressure of the enemies of Israel on one side and of God's own people fleeing from him in fear on the other, Saul gives in to the circumstances and abandons God's commandment to him. What do you do when following Jesus gets tough? Do you compromise and falter? Do you lower your standards? In today's message, Pastor Mark will warn us to never allow our decisions to be driven by self-will and insecurity. God's people must be committed to obedience and completely submitted to God's will.

As Saul settles into his role as the king of Israel, he is confronted with his first true test of character. He raises a meager army and sets up camp against Israel's perennial enemies, the Philistines, and waits. He was given explicit instructions not to engage the enemy until Samuel came to pray and offer a sacrifice to God before battle. As the people waited though, Saul's armies began to be overcome with fear, fleeing and hiding from the coming battle. In today's message, Pastor Mark will help prepare us to handle something we all have to decide on a regular basis - obedience or compromise. How will you respond?

As Saul settles into his role as the king of Israel, he is confronted with his first true test of character. He raises a meager army and sets up camp against Israel's perennial enemies, the Philistines, and waits. He was given explicit instructions not to engage the enemy until Samuel came to pray and offer a sacrifice to God before battle. As the people waited though, Saul's armies began to be overcome with fear, fleeing and hiding from the coming battle. In today's message, Pastor Mark will help prepare us to handle something we all have to decide on a regular basis - obedience or compromise. How will you respond?