When you get to the end of yourself, it’s good to realize that you don’t have it all figured out. Sometimes you forget the way you handled things in the past, with more faith, or more trust than you do now. So go back to the basics, and get to a place with God where you can start growing again. Pastor Mike relates this idea today to what happened in David’s life. He sort of lost his way at times, but he always came back to a keen realization of who God was in his life and would turn and praise Him.

Sometimes, you’re on a trail, and you’re following that path to where you’re going. But then you get really hungry, and so you go off the path and into the weeds, to try to find something that’ll help. You might find what you’re looking for, but you also get derailed from the original purpose or destination that you were headed toward. This is kind of what happened to David, and in today’s passage, Pastor Mike explains the difference between relying on earthly comfort and things and relying on God’s direction.

It’s not an excuse…but the way you act when you’re out-of-sorts doesn’t give someone the whole picture of who you are. When you’re physically sick, most people aren’t going to see the best of you because you’re not feeling well. So when you’re hungry, or sleep-deprived, that’s not the time to go into an interview and try to prove that you’re the guy for the job. In today’s teaching, Pastor Mike wants you to see that even David had moments of weakness when he was tested during his time as a fugitive.

For the average person, life is nothing but a long string of planning, reacting, and setting goals. Unfortunately, so many people get so caught up pursuing said goals and plans that they give no mind whatsoever to the things of eternity. In today's message, Pastor Mike will teach you that while there's nothing inherently wrong with making plans, the believer should always be set on eternity. In his study, you'll learn the importance of living your life for the Kingdom, and to always have your priorities straight.

Many of us would be quick to agree that it isn't until old age sets in that we truly begin to think about our mortality. The younger we are, the more we're convinced that we'll live forever and that sudden tragedy is nothing we need to concern ourselves with. In today's message, Pastor Mike reflects on the finite nature of our lives and how we should live accordingly to that reality. In his study, you'll learn that while it's certainly unhealthy to dwell on death, we should be no less mindful of the certain fate of our temporary bodies.

When you sit down to read the Bible, or when you go to attend church service, do you do so out of routine or obligation? One of the unfortunate mindsets that we as believers can get into is that we read the Bible or attend church because it's what we're supposed to do. However, as Pastor Mike will teach you in his message today, you should do these things with anticipation! In his study, you'll learn how reading and hearing God's Word is the perfect opportunity for God to speak into your life.

Do you ever feel like some of your friendships are rather shallow-rooted and they couldn't possibly whether a storm? While we don't necessarily need to cut ties with such people, it's important that we do establish some strong bonds with others. In today's message, Pastor Mike reflects on the importance of such friendships, which Scripture gives us a perfect example. In his study, you'll learn about the strong bond between David and Saul's son Jonathan. Do you have a Jonathan or David so to speak in your life?

David was just a man from a humble background. He came into a situation that would seem pretty hopeless to most of us. It certainly did to his fellow Israelites. A technologically advanced military was laying siege with a giant warrior on their side. Not only that, but Saul, their king wasn’t even rooting for David when he realized the threat he posed to his power. Despite all these circumstances, as Pastor Mike will point out today, David trusted in God, and he experienced success because of his faith.

Why does God seem to show favor to certain people over others? In our self-focused reasoning, our hearts can start to grow jealous and we may question God’s fairness. But God has reasons and His wisdom is far above our own. This is where faith comes into play. You have to trust that God’s reasons are just. Today, Pastor Mike will point out that David’s heart was full of that kind of faith. He wasn’t pursuing his own promotion and success, he was pursuing God’s heart and will for Israel.

God wants you to be successful. There are many who interpret this truth to mean God wants you to have a lot of money, a secure job, a big house, and a happy family. Those things aren’t bad things, but you can lack every single one, and still be successful in God’s eyes. In today’s message, Pastor Mike will explore what it means to find success as a follower of God, laying out some principles that can guide you to a purposeful life that glorifies God and brings joy and peace to your heart.