As a pastor, the number one prayer request I get is people seeking direction. The Bible is given to us to help guide us by communicating what God's will is. As you get closer to the Word of God, you get closer to God. It is amazing to me how in prayer I am constantly brought back to a verse in the Bible to communicate an insight. My hope in this message is to communicate to you how you can ascertain God's will for you by maturing spiritually. 

It's a beautiful thing to find what you're good at. God has a special role for you and you will feel most satisfied when you discover it and adapt to it. Our culture shows us that people are most productive and happy when they have a sense of belonging and purpose. God will enable you to live out his purpose for your life with a special grace on you. He will not just call you to your role but also give you the spiritual tools and mindset to carry it out.

The concept of peace as described by the Hebrew word "shalom" is a very deep concept with much meaning carried by the one word. It describes a holistic peace that comes over someone operating in the Lord's favor. The kind of peace that applies to all parts of their life: familial, relational, bodily, communal, etc. Peace represents ultimate harmony with God's natural order and it is God's will that the Christian would live in it.

What are the main things we need to be focused on? What do we need to prioritize? The Bible has answers to these questions, and they are not obscure -- the Bible answers quite plainly. The primary call of the believer is to reach others and answer the Great Commission, to fulfill evangelism. Just as we were once sinners but have been raised to life in Christ, we are called to spread God's word to help bring about this second birth for others.

We all need to be reminded of the importance of walking in faith. As Christians, we don't always cover the basics. One of the basics is that we are to walk by faith and not by sight. We don't always want to hear this: human nature is to want immediate comfort and answers versus traversing the unknown sometimes. It is a difficult thing to go against your natural feelings. God calls us to walk in faith and doing so will grow our relationship with him.

The Christian has a tendency to do one of two things: they either over-spiritualize everything, or under-spiritualize. While you must be careful not to attribute normal parts of living in a physical world to demonic activity, you must also be aware of the events that are likely orchestrated by our adversary — Satan. The entity of Satan exists in both the Old and New Testament, always as someone who opposes God’s people. Being not just aware but prepared for his attacks is paramount for healthy Christian living.

It's important to understand what the term Christian means. We are not simplify talking about someone who follows a creed or code of conduct, but rather someone who loves God. Love of God and his love to his children is central to the Christian faith. God has done so much for us, whether saving us from eternal damnation or placing us into his kingdom. All he asks in return is that we love him and follow his commandments.

Judges 6 describes the calling of Gideon by God. Gideon was a seemingly ordinary man called to lead Israel against overwhelming odds. Despite Gideon's fears and feelings of inadequacy, God assures him that He will be with him, empowering him to accomplish what seems impossible. This message reminds us that God doesn’t expect us to have all the strength or resources; rather, He calls us to trust Him with what we do have. Through Gideon’s story, we learn that God can work mightily through our weaknesses when we step forward in faith.

I have wanted to speak on this topic for a long time to you all. The Old Testament is littered with several stories involving the nation of Israel's battling against giants who opposed God's people. These giants represent the great spiritual giants that still exist in this modern day, obstacles propped up by Satan that would hinder God's people. We must adopt the courage of David to conquer these giants and trust in God's empowerment of believers.

Tonight I'd like to share about healing and some testimonies of it. Over the past 44 years I have had a journey of faith in seeing God's constant provision for us and others we know. The Bible is full of scriptures that if spoken in faith are applicable to us and the health ailments we may be facing. God's desire is not that we would live our lives sick and unwhole but rather be strong and healthy in his power.