As believers, we're called to be active members of the body of Messiah. We're called to be those who minister to the lost and dying of this world. But sometimes in the ministry, we can become distracted. We allow ourselves to get carried away with details that aren't important. We follow after our OWN ideas and understanding... rather than continuing to lean on God for HIS guidance. But as we'll learn today, the ministry of God should BE about God. We need to keep HIM and His WORD... the focus.

As believers, as recipients of God's free gift of salvation, we have been given a wonderful opportunity. We've been given the PRIVILEGE of serving the Creator. We get to be a part of HIS ministry. But as we'll be reminded today, when we DO take part in His plan...we need to keep the focus on the TRUTH. There's no need to add to or take away from what God has already established. It's perfect the way that it is! We need to be faithful in sticking to HIS plan...allowing HIM to work in and through us.

As believers, we're called to serve in God's ministry. But we're not to serve in our own strength. We need the power of our Heavenly Father to do so. You see our adversary, Satan, is cunning. It's His goal to steal, kill and destroy. And in the flesh, we are no match. But that's why we need to allow God to work in and THROUGH us. We need to allow HIS plan and HIS purpose to prevail. Understand that it's not by our might or wisdom that ANYTHING gets accomplished! It's only through God. HE is in control.

In our study today, we'll be discussing the end of David's life. But what can be said of King David? Just look at his time on this earth. In his younger years, he killed a giant. He trusted in God to give him the victory. He was on the run...trying to keep himself from the wrath of King Saul. He committed adultery with Bathsheba. And then he went a step further and tried to cover it up by KILLING her husband! But that's not ALL there is to say about David. The Scriptures teach us that He was a man after God's own heart.

We often talk about David's short-comings. He committed adultery with Bathsheba. He had her husband, Uriah the Hittite, murdered. But as the Scriptures teach us, David was a man after God's own heart. Now that doesn't mean that He's perfect. It just means that He is committed to walking according to the ways of God. And when He fails, He's quick to repent and turn away from that sin. It also means that he's a WORSHIPPER of God. And we can tell that from His writings in the book of Psalms. David poured his heart out, in song.

In our message today, we'll be encouraged to keep pressing on...to keep our head in the game...to focus on the prize...to keep on fighting. But what we must realize...is that the battle is not ours to fight. We have to submit to God and allow HIM to work through us. Understand that there's NOTHING we can do without Him. We need His Word, we need His wisdom, we need His powerful GRACE. Without Him...we would be lost. We wouldn't have hope. But because of Him...we can complete the race...successfully.

Sin is serious. Sadly, it's been made a joking matter in the world today. And that's because Satan has deceived a lot of people into believing it's not a real place. But it is. And that's why we need to be diligent in TELLING people about it. People need to know that if they die in their sin...they will be lost forever. But don't leave it at THAT. Tell them that there's HOPE! Hope in JESUS! Share with them that if they put their faith and trust in HIM...they will be forever CHANGED! They will have the promise of Heaven!

In the world today, it's easy to get caught up in the 'little things.' We often get distracted by what's NOT important. And when that happens, we take our eyes off of God and what He wants us to accomplish. So how can we keep from being distracted by the things of this world? Well, we need to keep our gaze on God and His Word. We need to focus on His plan and purpose for our lives. We need to be seeking Him...on a daily basis. We need to be in constant COMMUNION with our Heavenly Father.

Jesus said, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father EXCEPT through me. No matter how good you are; no matter how religious you are; and no matter what you do for GOD, you can NEVER be good enough to earn your salvation. Salvation is something we CANNOT earn by doing good works nor by being part of any religious group, because salvation is ONLY available through faith in Jesus Christ - whose finished work on the cross cleanses us from ALL our sins and makes us righteous in the eyes of GOD.

In today's message, we'll learn how merciful and forgiving our Heavenly Father is. You see, we are all sinners in need of forgiveness. And as we'll learn from today's text, David was too. Yes it's true. David was a man after God's own heart. But that didn't mean that he was PERFECT. David was a sinner. He was a murderer and an adulterer. But it doesn't matter WHAT you've done...as long as you have a humble heart of repentance, one that desires to walk according to God's ways, then there's forgiveness and cleansing for YOU.