How Big Is Your God?  Matthew 14:22-33 Is your God big enough to prioritize? (v. 22-23) Is your God big enough to search for in times of trouble? (v. 24-27) Is your God big enough for you to step out of the boat? (v. 28-29) Is your God big enough to save you? (v. 30-33)  

“Responding to Leadership Challenges” - 1 Samuel 30

• Godly leaders are not overcome by adversity.
• Godly leaders seek and obey the Lord’s guidance.
• Godly leaders recognize the strengths and limitations of their people.
• Godly leaders treat everyone with fairness and kindness.
• Godly leaders invest in relationships!

The Prophet Nathan Confronted King David (2 Samuel 12 & Psalm 51)  We can find there the  Four “R’s” of Godly Correction:

1.  REALIZATION of our sin, our personal responsibility, and our dependence on God as our only hope of forgiveness
2.  REMOVAL of our guilt and the sin in our lives
3.  RENEWAL of our relationship with God and the joy it brings
4.  REINVESTMENT of our lives in things that are right and God-honoring

  PRAYER FOR FORGIVENESS:  “Lord, I realize the seriousness of the sin in my life.  I acknowledge that I have broken my covenant with You and messed up Your perfect plan for me.  I am sorry.  I have no hope but Your mercy and Your pardon.  I pray that You would remove the guilt of my sin with Your forgiveness, which is offered through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ.  Then, Lord, renew a right heart within me, that I can find happiness in being pure and whole again.  Finally, Lord, take my life.  Help me re-invest my time and my energy in serving You from this day forward.  Amen.

RESPONDING TO TEMPTATION - 2 Samuel 11  The Nature of Temptation:

•  Temptation comes when your defenses are down.
•  Temptation finds your area of weakness.
•  Temptation rarely entices a good person with a “gross” sin. Instead, it entices you onto a slippery slope.
•  Temptation never presents the full consequences of sin.
  • • Sin undermines the person we want to be.
    • Sin derails the good we want to do.
    • Sin affects others besides ourselves.
    • Sin never escapes the eyes of God.

 How to Respond to Temptation:

•  Avoid temptation when possible.
•  Resist temptation with the resources God has given you.
  • • Prayer
    • The Word of God
    • Christian Friends
    • Constructive Activities
    • The Indwelling Holy Spirit

 THOUGHT FOR THE DAY  “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man.  And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.  But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”  — 1 Corinthians 10:13  From the time Adam blamed Eve and Eve blamed the serpent for their disobedience, we humans have become adept at trying to deflect the guilt of our sin.  Mimicking the words of an old comedian, we say, “The devil made me do it!”  But the Word of God makes clear that we are never helpless against temptation.  God always provides us a way to do what is right.  How about we stop the excuses and take ownership of our actions?  With Christ’s help, we can be victorious over any temptation!