This world is full of hurt and heartache. It's chalked to the brim with deceit and betrayal. And that's because we live in a fallen world...full of people who make mistakes. It's because we have an enemy who has a goal to steal, kill and destroy. Now while we can't always avoid hurt and heartache...while we can't always dodge betrayal...there IS a way to deter deceit. Understand that God is FOR us. He's given us His Spirit and His Word. And when we keep our eyes focused on HIM...we'll not easily fall for the traps of the enemy.

In today's lesson, we'll be reminded that there are two kingdoms. And you can only be a part of ONE. You can't say that you're a child of God...and then turn around and live in opposition to His Word. You're either FOR Him...or you're against Him. Now of COURSE there will be times when we fail...when we sin. But it's what we DO after we realize our sin...that matters. If we love God and want to do what is RIGHT...then we'll confess and repent. We'll turn AWAY from that sin...relying on God's grace to give us the power to do so.

As believers, we understand that this world is not our home. We're only here for a short time. We're here to do our Father's business. We can't allow the things of this world to take precedence over the things of God. We're to submit to Him and His Word. We're to be His hands and feet. We're to share the truth in LOVE with others. Remember that Abraham waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. And that should be our desire. To wait for that city that cannot be fashioned and built up by human hands.

Where do you go in times of trouble? Who do you turn to...when your world gets turned upside down? Do you rely on your own resources? Do you look to the solutions of this world? Do you lean on your own understanding? In today's message, we'll learn that when difficult times arise, we're to turn to God. As believers, we must understand that HE is for us. We don't have to face the battles of life ALONE. It is our GOD who will fight FOR us! All WE must do...is submit to Him and allow Him to work in and through us.

God hasn't left us alone. He didn't offer His salvation...just to turn around and leave us to fend for ourselves. He is there with us...every step of the way. So in any situation of life...He's there. He wants to lead us and guide us. He wants to strengthen us. He wants to direct our path. It's His desire that we would HEAR His voice and OBEY it. But even the act of obedience...comes as a result of His work in our lives. We can't do it on our own! We need the power of His grace in our lives. We need Him to enable us to walk in His ways.

The Scriptures teach us that when we walk according to the Spirit, then we will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. Do you believe that? It's true! When we submit to God and allow His Spirit to work in us...we'll be enabled to walk in the truth. We'll be given the grace to do what is right. We will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh when we're being lead by our Heavenly Father. We need to be committed to His Word...His Ways...and His Standard. We can't rely on our own understanding or the ways of this world. We have to be submitted to God.

God's ways are not OUR ways. God's ways are not the WORLD'S ways. They are HIGHER. And that's why it's so important to not follow after the ways of this world. That's why is CRUCIAL that we not lean on our OWN understanding. As believers, we need to realize that God truly knows what's best for us. His plan is PERFECT. He has our best interest at heart. And it's with that understanding that we TRUST Him. We need to believe that He will work ALL things together for GOOD...for those who love Him and are the called according to HIS purpose.

This life is short. It's fleeting. We're here one moment...and gone the next. And while we're here on this earth...we're to be about our Father's business. So as Christians, we need to be HEARING from Him. We need to have direction, discernment and godly understanding. We can't be affective in His ministry...if we're walking according to our own worldly wisdom. That's why we need God. That's why we need His grace. By HIS work in our lives...we can be made able to DO what is right. We can make our DAYS...COUNT.

Why did David show Saul mercy? That's the million dollar question! Just put yourself in his shoes. What would YOU do if you had a Saul in your life? How would YOU react? Would you extend the same kind of mercy DAVID did? In today's message, we'll learn who it is that fights our battles. For Christians, it's our Heavenly Father. There's no need to take matters into our own hands. It's not up to US to take revenge or get even. We're to submit to God and obey HIS voice...trusting that HE will do the work.

In our study today, we'll learn how DANGEROUS compromise can be. Especially for believers! When we, at any time, feel that compromise will HELP us...we're sadly mistaken. There is NO excuse for compromising God's Word. There's NEVER a reason for us to reject what our FATHER has said...in order to accomplish something in this life. Christian, we can't ignore or set aside His Word! And we shouldn't reject His voice. When we DO...that means that we're leaning on our OWN understanding.