God isn’t your spiritual vending machine. You don’t get to put in a prayer and then get out exactly what you want. Instead, you go to Him continually. Be committed to His ways. Seek His favor and His guidance and then your prayers will be within His will. As Pastor Mike encourages us today, God can bless His children however He sees fit. He knows the plans He has for you, He has your best in mind, and He has the whole universe in the palm of His hand. His ways are bigger and better! Rest in that truth.

When you become a believer in Jesus Christ, you commit your life to Him. But sometimes, we need to re-evaluate our commitment. You may have strayed, wandered, or become confused on your journey. It happens to everyone. You’re certainly not alone. But as Pastor Mike reminds you today, God never leaves you or forsakes you. If you feel far from God, it’s because you turned your back, not the other way around. So, recommit your life to God, be renewed, and set straight again.

Can you imagine arriving in a new country and the very next day the president is overthrown? What would you do? Who do you trust? Well, this is Ittai the Gittite’s story. He had just arrived in Bethlehem when David had to flee the city because of Absalom. But Ittai chose to follow David. Today, Pastor Mike shares that Ittai, though he had never met David, knew the kind of man he was. He knew that David served God and led his people with a shepherd’s heart. And that was the kind of king that Ittai wanted to follow.

Many people have been betrayed at some point in their life. Well, in today’s message, you’ll see that King David was no exception to this. And, sadly, his betrayer was his very own son. Pastor Mike explains that Absalom wanted to be king. Handsome and charismatic, he used smooth words to cast doubt on David’s ability to lead his people. Absalom slowly stole the hearts of the people away from David until he had enough support to make his move. Keep listening to learn more about how this all played out.

Pastor Mike is recounting the story of David's massive failures, including adultery and murder. And yet he tells us that God immediately forgave David and reconciled with him, the moment that David acknowledged his sin and repented. Do you feel far from God today? Is the Spirit nudging you to confess a sin you know is in the way? No matter how it feels, he is always right there ready to receive you with open arms. Instead of living with the weight of separation, turn around and fall into his arms!

David's relationship with his son, Absalom, has been severed. David's heart has been yearning again for his son, but he's not certain what to do about it, if anything. Pastor Mike today will bring us into David's throne room where there is a wise woman there to advise him to reconcile. She's been sent, undercover, by his friend and general, Joab, who knew what David had been feeling. Is your heart pulling you toward reconciliation today? Listen to the wise woman's words and reach out before it's too late!

We all make choices every single day of our lives, and we rarely think about how today's choices affect tomorrow. Today we'll watch David's sons make horrible choices that will end up killing one and leaving the other on the run. Our choices may not end up with such drastic consequences, but Pastor Mike will remind us today that choices are like dominoes, one leading to the next. We can't always see where our choices will lead, but as long as we submit them to the king we will be headed the right way!

The stories found in 2 Samuel provide us with all sorts of wisdom, and today Pastor Mike is sharing from the lives of David's children. David's son Amnon had a friend who was no friend at all, and Pastor Mike warns us against a friend like this! Not all friends are true friends! Watch the fruit of your friend's advice and their lives. If it's producing things that give you what you want but at the cost of your soul, it's time to seek new friendships. Come along with us for more nuggets of wisdom!

As Pastor Mike continues teaching through the book of 2 Samuel, you’ll hear about a time when King David sinned and tried to cover it up. But David eventually repented and God forgave him. That forgiveness was immediate. It didn’t come later like David’s repentance. It was instant. And just like David, God is willing and ready to forgive you of your sin. Today. Right now. So why keep living in the shame of your mistakes. You were never meant to live in the mess and pain of that.

David, though known as a man after God’s own heart, made mistakes. In today’s message Pastor Mike will tell the story of when David royally messed up. And rather than admit he had done wrong, he lied and tried to cover up his sin. But as you continue to listen you’ll learn that God reached him. God found David in the midst of his mess and David repented and God forgave. Instantly. Maybe you’re in a place like David. Seek God and repent. He’ll be faithful to meet you in your mess too!