1 Samuel 4: 2 The Philistines attacked and defeated the army of Israel, killing 4,000 men. 3 After the battle was over, the troops retreated to their camp, and the elders of Israel asked, “Why did the LORD allow us to be defeated by the Philistines?” Then they said, “Let’s bring the Ark of the Covenant of the LORD from Shiloh. If we carry it into battle with us, it will save us from our enemies.” 4 So they sent men to Shiloh to bring the Ark of the Covenant of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, who is enthroned between the cherubim. Hophni and Phinehas, the sons of Eli, were also there with the Ark of the Covenant of God. 5 When all the Israelites saw the Ark of the Covenant of the LORD coming into the camp, their shout of joy was so loud it made the ground shake! 6 “What’s going on?” the Philistines asked. “What’s all the shouting about in the Hebrew camp?” When they were told it was because the Ark of the LORD had arrived, 7 they panicked. “The gods have come into their camp!” they cried. “This is a disaster! We have never had to face anything like this before! 8 Help! Who can save us from these mighty gods of Israel? They are the same gods who destroyed the Egyptians with plagues when Israel was in the wilderness. 9 Fight as never before, Philistines! If you don’t, we will become the Hebrews’ slaves just as they have been ours! Stand up like men and fight!”

10 So the Philistines fought desperately, and Israel was defeated again. The slaughter was great; 30,000 Israelite soldiers died that day. The survivors turned and fled to their tents. 11 The Ark of God was captured, and Hophni and Phinehas, the two sons of Eli, were killed.

WE ARE NOT REALLY AS INTERESTED IN THE CAUSE OF DEFEAT, AS WE ARE JUST CHANGING THE RESULTS.

IDOLS ARE USED FOR SELF-ENHANCEMENT AND A CHANGE IN FORTUNE!

Matthew 22: 37 Jesus replied, “ ‘You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment.

THE 4 C'S THAT DEFINE RELATIONSHIP!

1. 1.COMPATIBILITY
2. 2.CONSIDERATION (
3. 3.COMMUNICATION
4. 4.COLLABORATION

LOVE IS NOT A ONE-WAY STREET!

GOD LOOKS ON THE HEART!

1 SAMUEL 13: 14 But now your kingdom must end, for the LORD has sought out a man after his own heart. The LORD has already appointed him to be the leader of his people, because you have not kept the LORD’s command.”

DAVID SLEW THE GIANT BECAUSE HE WAS THE RIGHT MAN WITH THE RIGHT HEART!

1 SAMUEL 16: 7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The LORD doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”

THE REAL TEST - COMPATIBILITY AND CONSIDERATION.

DOING WHAT PLEASES GOD IN SPITE OF HOW PERSONALLY ADVANTAGEOUS IT MAY BE FOR OURELVES.

1 SAMUEL 24: 3 At the place where the road passes some sheepfolds, Saul went into a cave to relieve himself. But as it happened, David and his men were hiding farther back in that very cave! 4 “Now’s your opportunity!” David’s men whispered to him. “Today the LORD is telling you, ‘I will certainly put your enemy into your power, to do with as you wish.’ ” So David crept forward and cut off a piece of the hem of Saul’s robe. 5 But then David’s conscience began bothering him because he had cut Saul’s robe. 6 He said to his men, “The LORD forbid that I should do this to my lord the king. I shouldn’t attack the LORD’s anointed one, for the LORD himself has chosen him.” 7 So David restrained his men and did not let them kill Saul. After Saul had left the cave and gone on his way, 8 David came out and shouted after him, “My lord the king!” And when Saul looked around, David bowed low before him. 9 Then he shouted to Saul, “Why do you listen to the people who say I am trying to harm you? 10 This very day you can see with your own eyes it isn’t true. For the LORD placed you at my mercy back there in the cave. Some of my men told me to kill you, but I spared you. For I said, ‘I will never harm the king—he is the LORD’s anointed one.’ 11 Look, my father, at what I have in my hand. It is a piece of the hem of your robe! I cut it off, but I didn’t kill you. This proves that I am not trying to harm you and that I have not sinned against you, even though you have been hunting for me to kill me. 12 “May the LORD judge between us. Perhaps the LORD will punish you for what you are trying to do to me, but I will never harm you.

WHAT IF YOU COULD CHANGE YOUR DESTINY TODAY?

A RIGHT HEART IS NOT BENDING GOD’S COMMANDMENTS FOR OUR BENEFIT!

1. B.THE RELATIONSHIP TEST?

1. 1.AM I COMPATIBLE?  DO I WANT A GOD OR A GOOD LUCK CHARM?
2. 2.AM I CONSIDERATE?  DO I DESIRE TO PLEASE GOD ABOVE PLEASING MYSELF?
3. 3.COMMUNICATION? DO I ASK GOD?  DO I LISTEN FOR AN ANSWER?
4. 4.COLLABORATION? DO I WANT TO DO GOD PROJECTS WITH GOD RESULTS?

PSALM 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God.

Renew a loyal spirit within me. 11 Do not banish me from your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation,

and make me willing to obey you.