The David Alliance

By Garth HeckmanReligion & Spirituality

The David Alliance episodes

February 05You are Gods consigliere
Garth Heckman
The David Alliance
[email protected]

Im gonna make you an offer you can’t refuse…
What exactly does that mean… It is such a great offer I just can’t refuse it OR because of whom is offering you better not refuse it or it could be the last offer you ever get before you eat a bullet.

1. Tom Hagen in The Godfather (1972)
One of the best examples of "delegated authority" is Tom Hagen acting as the consigliere. When he visits the film producer Jack Woltz in Los Angeles, he is physically unassuming and polite. However, he makes it crystal clear that he isn't speaking for himself; he is the voice of Vito Corleone.
The Power Move: Hagen calmly explains that Mr. Corleone is a man who "insists on hearing bad news immediately." He wields the Don’s entire criminal empire through a quiet dinner conversation.

Special Instructions on "How"
Beyond the "what" and "where," the Bible gives specific tactical advice:
In Secret: Jesus warned against performing for an audience. He suggested going into a "closet" or inner room (Matthew 6:6) to keep the motive pure.
With Persistence: The parable of the persistent widow (Luke 18:1-8) teaches us not to give up if an answer doesn't come immediately.
In the Spirit: Paul mentions praying "in the Spirit" (Ephesians 6:18), which implies a deep, divinely-guided connection beyond just reciting words.
Briefly and Simply: Jesus cautioned against "vain repetitions" (Matthew 6:7). God isn't impressed by a high word count; He’s looking for sincerity.
In Jesus' Name: This isn't a magic phrase at the end of a prayer; it means praying in alignment with His character and authority (John 14:13).
8 min
February 04How I used to pray
Garth Heckman
The David Alliance
[email protected]

What if our prayers were simply admissions rather than confessions…
What do I mean?
Most people pray begging God… telling him what he already knows, asking for things he already said he would provide. We are confessing our doubts to him rather than praying simple confessions… that is what the word of God already says about a situation… we confess what Gods word says.

1. The Core "Postures" of Prayer
These are the different intents or "heart-settings" mentioned throughout scripture:
Petition (Supplication): Simply asking for what you need. From the "daily bread" in the Lord's Prayer to Paul’s instruction in Philippians 4:6 to "let your requests be made known to God."
Intercession: Praying on behalf of others. Abraham interceding for Sodom or Paul praying for the early churches are classic examples.
Thanksgiving: Shifting the focus from what you want to what you have. The Bible often pairs this with petition—gratitude is the "atmosphere" in which prayer should happen.
Lament: A raw, honest cry to God in pain or frustration. About a third of the Psalms are laments, showing that God welcomes our "unfiltered" emotions.
Adoration & Praise: Prayer focused entirely on God’s character rather than your own needs.
8 min
February 02Paid Retirement
Garth Heckman
The David Alliance
[email protected]

One of my good friends who is also my racquet ball partner, my tattoo artist and also a non Christian… has a great theory about life and retirement…

German Nobel laureate Heinrich Böll titled Anekdote zur Senkung der Arbeitsmoral ("Anecdote concerning the Lowering of Productivity").
The Story in a Nutshell
The Meeting: An American investment banker (or businessman) is at a pier in a small coastal village. A fisherman pulls up with a few large tuna. The banker compliments the fish and asks how long it took to catch them.
The Simple Life: The fisherman says it only took a short while. When asked why he doesn't stay out longer, he says he has enough for his family's needs. He spends the rest of his day sleeping late, playing with his kids, taking naps with his wife, and strolling into the village to play guitar with his friends.
The "Advice": The banker scoffs, "I have an MBA! I can help you." He outlines a 20-year plan: catch more fish, buy more boats, open a cannery, move to the city, and eventually take the company public to make millions.

Good GK agathos - you did what God intended for you (in a personal sense) No more no less. You fulfilled your duty of service.

It’s often the "invisible" roles—the ones we walk past every day—that keep the world from fraying at the edges. These acts are small in the moment but have a massive cumulative effect on human dignity, safety, and well-being.
Here are a few examples of people whose "small" jobs carry immense weight:

1. The Crossing Guard
On the surface, they just hold a sign and blow a whistle. But in reality, they are the guardians of community safety.
The Impact: They provide the literal "safe passage" for the next generation. Beyond traffic, they are often the first friendly face a child sees outside their home, offering a sense of security and neighborhood belonging.
2. The Night Shift Janitor (in a Hospital)
While surgeons get the credit for saving lives, the person mopping the floors is the one preventing the next outbreak.
The Impact: Their meticulousness is the front line against Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs). A missed spot isn't just "dirty"—it’s a biological hazard. They provide the sterile foundation that makes modern medicine possible.
High Stakes, Low Visibility: You only notice them when they don't do their job.
Repetitive Nature: The impact comes from the discipline of doing the small thing correctly every single time.
The "Butterfly Effect": A clean floor prevents a fever; a tagged photo saves a legacy; a whistle prevents a tragedy.
8 min
February 01 What is the weight you are carrying?
The David Alliance
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Garth Heckman

Matthew 25
14 “For it is just like a man who was about to take a journey, and he called his servants together and entrusted them with his possessions. 15 To one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and then he went on his journey. 16 The one who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he [made a profit and] gained five more. 17 Likewise the one who had two [made a profit and] gained two more. 18 But the one who had received the one went and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.
19 “Now after a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 And the one who had received the five talents came and brought him five more, saying, ‘Master, you entrusted to me five talents. See, I have [made a profit and] gained five more talents.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful and trustworthy over a little, I will put you in charge of many things; share in the joy of your master.’
22 “Also the one who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you entrusted two talents to me. See, I have [made a profit and] gained two more talents.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful and trustworthy over a little, I will put you in charge of many things; share in the joy of your master.’
24 “The one who had received one talent also came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a harsh and demanding man, reaping [the harvest] where you did not sow and gathering where you did not scatter seed. 25 So I was afraid [to lose the talent], and I went and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is your own.’
26 “But his master answered him, ‘You wicked, lazy servant, you knew that I reap [the harvest] where I did not sow and gather where I did not scatter seed. 27 Then you ought to have put my money with the bankers, and at my return I would have received my money back with interest. 28 So take the talent away from him, and give it to the one who has the ten talents.’
29 “For to everyone who has [and values his blessings and gifts from God, and has used them wisely], more will be given, and [he will be richly supplied so that] he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have [because he has ignored or disregarded his blessings and gifts from God], even what he does have will be taken away. 30 And throw out the worthless servant into the outer darkness; in that place [of grief and torment] there will be weeping [over sorrow and pain] and grinding of teeth [over distress and anger].

INTRO:
Matthew 24 the Olivet discourse it deals with the signs of the end times.

Matthew 25 is the waiting “how to” while the end times ares growing closer and closer.
This sermon is during Holy Week
Jesus is about to be arrested
His time is extremely short
In Chapter 24 the disciples when will this happen
Chapter 25 Jesus is just talking to the Disciples and says - “Don’t worry about when, but worry about how you live”.

Matt. 25
The virgins Be alert and on guard
The talents - work while you wait, time is short
The sheep and the goats - serving the least of these

Lets focus on v. 23
V.23 ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful and trustworthy over a little, I will put you in charge of many things; share in the joy of your master.’

What does the world value today?
Big, Better, Best…
Hate to be an NFL coach - you are judged by wether or not you win the Super Bowl.

What are you called to carry?
The young man who gave up his 6 figure income and corner office in the NY high-rise to become a monk. **He calls his father after a year of silence to tell him that he thinks given enough time he can become the number one monk in the monastery.

**—**Well done thy good and faithful servant.

What does God judge us on?
Well done thy successful and rich servant
Well done thy thin and beautiful
Well done thy self made millionaire
Well done thy cure’er of cancer
Well done thy strong and influential
Well done thy business mogul who has created 1000’s of jobs
Well done thy parents who raised perfect kids
Well done thy pastor who has a church of 5000
Well done thy healer, miracle worker, word of knowledge speaker
Well done thy wise and intelligent

Compared to faithfulness and doing what is right.

Well Done. GK YOO You acted right within your calling and responsibility
an approving verdict, an ethical summons, and a covenant promise of welfare. Each occurrence reinforces the biblical conviction that true “well-being” is inseparable from faithfulness to the will of God.
8 min
January 29Jesus can make friends with anybody
Garth Heckman
The David Alliance
[email protected]

A. Twelve disciples chosen and commissioned.
1. (Matthew 10:1-4) The twelve disciples are listed.
And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease. Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him.
a. When He had called His twelve disciples to Him: The main feature of this list is its diversity. Jesus chose His disciples from a variety of backgrounds and life experiences. About all they had in common was it seems that none of them were privileged or from backgrounds of high status. This is very much in the spirit of 1 Corinthians 1:26-29.
b. He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease: Jesus did not only call the twelve; He also gave them power to do what He had called them to do. The same principle holds true today: whom God calls, God equips. The equipping may not be completely evident before the ministry begins, but it will be evident along the way.
c. Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: These twelve (excepting Judas, of course), have an important place in God’s plan of redemption, including some particular role in the future judgment (Matthew 19:28), and in the founding of the church (Ephesians 2:20). The Bible promises that their position and work will be remembered through eternity (Revelation 21:14).
i. This is the first and only time in Matthew that the twelve are called apostles. “The word apostle literally means one who is sent out; it is the word for an envoy or an ambassador.” (Barclay) “Called here for the first and last time apostoloi, with reference at once to the immediate minor mission and to the later great one.” (Bruce)
The word apostle can mean a mere messenger, as in John 13:16, referring to he who is sent.
Jesus is called an apostle in Hebrews 3:1: consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession.
Paul sometimes used the word in the sense of messengers or representatives, as in 2 Corinthians 8:23: they are messengers [apostles] of the churches; possibly also in Romans 16:7.
Yet Paul also used the term in a more narrow sense, referring to the Twelve and himself by special dispensation (1 Corinthians 9:1-5 and 15:7-10; Galatians 1:17 and 1:19 following).
8 min
January 28 Yes, No or Both?
Garth Heckman
The David Alliance
[email protected]

Isaiah and Jessica thanks for tuning in.
Taiwan, Ireland, Bahamas,

Matthew 7The Tree and Its Fruit
15 “Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves. 16 You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. 18 A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. 19 So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. 20 Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions.
True Disciples
21 “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. 22 On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ 23 But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’
Building on a Solid Foundation
24 “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. 25 Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. 26 But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. 27 When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”

So what is it? Actions? Or not actions? What makes the difference?
Well what about the house built on sand….
The key is obedience to teaching… to the acts of the teaching.
Its not if you can produce the acts of Jesus but rather if you are doing it for Jesus. In todays world there are so many pastors, teachers, evangelists, Spiritual Christian influencers that have lots of “fruit” / actions… but that is not the key the key is your motive. Are you simply out to build your brand, your influence, your ministry, your face, your public persona…. Obedience is greater than sacrifice right? But obedience is also greater than works…
Matthew 7:22 you did the acts… but you never knew me. I do not know you!
These guys built the same thing… a house. Its not like one built a house and the other a liquor store and God said… Liquor store has got to go. They built the same thing… but one built his house on what he wanted… the other built a house on what God wanted.
People always want to ask… what are you building. God asks why are you building!
8 min
January 28 Only He Can!
Garth Heckman
The David Alliance
[email protected]

My dog is huge!!

Vacation… not a cruise guy.
My wife had not packed enough medication, then lost other medication, I got food poisoning for 2 days, our Flight canceled 9 times… just the flight to get to Chicago… but wait there’s more… it was only to fly us to Philadelphia… which was canceled another 5 times, only to take us to Baltimore… and then to Minnesapolis….
Anyway after sitting in the airport for 18 hours with my wife… we decided if we do get to Chicago we will just drive home… and that is what we did. So I sit here tonight doing tomorrows podcast \ which you are hearing today… because I have not been up for 32 hours and I am about to drop over…
How do I stay up after being sick, and having to drive at night with no sleep for almost a day…
Simple: 2 coffees, 2 Red Bulls, one huge bottle of water and a tin of Chew… and some great music… my choice for this ride home was random music from the 80’s hair metal collection from obscure bands….
BTW I am starting to post more music on my social media sites… and My publisher and my graphic designer just topped off my book, so this week I have to get the audio portion recorded and then we set the world on fire for Jesus -
Ok, one thing I want to quickly cover today that is sooo apparent after being on a ship for 7 days and in an airport for almost 24 hours straight… is this… YOU ARE WHO YOU ARE BECAUSE OF:
- A. Your family, B. Your friends and C. Your choices.Yes God changes us and he can do radical things but wether on this side of the cross or the other side… we still have to choose.
You know you want a really nice table made out of dark Cherry wood. Well guess what God will grow the tree, but you will have to work, learn and sacrifice time for it to happen.
To many people are in the world today complaining about God not giving them a table… when they do not realize “you get no table without a tree… and you get no tree without God”. You can’t make a tree… oh you say I can plant it, water it, fertilize it… But that still doesn’t make it grow and sure as heck does not protect it or assure it will grow. That is all up to God. But once that tree is grown… well well well you are just a few steps away from a table.

What do you want in life? Now before you start listing goals… and how to’s and a year template of how to achieve these things… first it would be wise to ask God to show you what only he can do in these situations before you try to do everything yourself.
Example: I want a better relationship with my spouse… now it would be easy to track all the things you could do… spend time with her, take her to shows, movies, dinner, tell her you love her, write her letters and notes, spend time with her family, do special things for her and buy things for her…
But wait thats not the tree… what is the only thing that God can do that you can’t? Open up your wife’s heart to you. Soften her heart and countenance, help her forgive and trust again.
See what happens is many times in our best plans we leave God out of the picture. But when we start the other way around we realize just how much we need him… how very much he must guide us, give us grace and patience, forever love while waiting on our wives to awaken… why is this so important? Simple because it invites God into our daily lives and our daily dealings. It creates in us a mindset of thankfulness and utter trust in him… for what only he can do! If you are like me I start to focus more on what only he can do rather than all I think I can do. What I can do is important and needed - the choices are a must… but what only God can do is vital… mandatory and completely out of our hands.
9 min
January 16Serve God and Don't smoke crack.... whuh???
Garth Heckman
The David Alliance
[email protected]

Awaken the Spirit

Eph. 5:
15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, (the god of Dionasis) for that is debauchery (a complete and utter loss, you wasted it), but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Debauchery - you wasted a $20 bill. If I burn it, can I have another one? NOPE! At some point the HS says… no more!
**The God of Dionasis - hedonism (sex partying) materialism and power.

Acts 5:32
32 And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”

The verse you are looking for is Acts 5:32.
Given GK - Pour into - The act of and effect of obedience.

Obedience GK - (Aorist participle) submit to advice/ To hearken to one, …Did you hear that? You think you heard it… you hearken to it?

Here it is in the King James Version (KJV), which uses the specific phrasing you mentioned:
"And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him."
Context of the Verse
To understand the full meaning, it helps to know what was happening at that moment:
The Scene: The apostles (including Peter) had been arrested and brought before the Sanhedrin (the Jewish high court).
The Conflict: The high priest demanded to know why they were still teaching in Jesus' name after being strictly forbidden to do so.
The Response: Peter famously replied in Acts 5:29, "We ought to obey God rather than men." He then explained the gospel and concluded with verse 32, affirming that the Holy Spirit is a witness to these truths—and that this Spirit is given to those who obey God (specifically in the context of believing the Gospel and obeying the command to witness).

The pharisees were keeping the law, they had large portions of the OT memorized. They were the “Christians” of their day - but they lacked the power and witness of the Holy Spirit because they would not “hearken” to the Holy Spirits voice!
8 min
January 14 Words are cheap... but it's all we got!
Garth Heckman
The David Alliance
[email protected]

Awaken the Spirit

The Spirit of Michael Jordan…
The Spirit of Jesus “the Holy Spirit”
Why don’t we live more like Jesus?
We lack following the leading of the Holy Spirit

One of the Holy Spirits main job is to redeem… MAKE NEW, BRING LIFE
and he works through us. Extreme home makeover, Overhauling,

The Holy Spirit moves primarily through our words of faith in obedience to his inward prompting.

1 Thess. 5:19 do not quench the Holy Spirit

Eph. 4:30, 31 do not grieve the Holy Spirit

1 Cor. 2:14 the Natural man cannot understand the Holy Spirit.

WE QUENCH THE SPIRIT BY BLOWING HIM OFF…NOT JUST BLATANT SIN!
**In the presence of God, at church, you don’t tithe!
8 min
January 12 Let's try this again - Go Bears!
Garth Heckman
The David Alliance
[email protected]

Awaken the Spirit

Christina walking past my door

The river of God…
The Mississippi River
John 7:38 He who believes in, out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water.
The very next verse (John 7:39) explicitly identifies this river: "But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive..."

John 4:14 a fountain of living water - the Holy Spirit

Why does the spirit dry up - how do we awaken the spirit?

1 Cor. 2:14 But people who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means. 15 Those who are spiritual can evaluate all things, but they themselves cannot be evaluated by others. 16 For,
“Who can know the Lord’s thoughts?
Who knows enough to teach him?”[h]
But we understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ.
**Here Paul talks about how the sinful man/unspiritual can’t understand the spiritual realm.
BUT HE GOES ON IN CHAPTER 3…
Stating that there are some Christians that cannot understand the spiritual realm due to living in their flesh.
Chapter 3 3 Dear brothers and sisters, when I was with you I couldn’t talk to you as I would to spiritual people. I had to talk as though you belonged to this world or as though you were infants in Christ. 2 I had to feed you with milk, not with solid food, because you weren’t ready for anything stronger. And you still aren’t ready, 3 for you are still controlled by your sinful nature.

CONTROLLED BY THE FLESH….
VS. CONTROLLED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT

8 min