Good morning everyone. As I woke this morning, a question popped into my spirit; what do I have before me today? There are a number of people that I minister to that are going through tough times, myself included. As always I went to the bible for solace. I was lead to scripture about King David and I will share my revelation with you.

Today’s Prayer

Father, I come to you this morning standing in the gap for my brothers and sisters in Christ to confess that so much of our suffering is brought about by our being out of harmony with Your will, but there is a quantity of suffering which is necessary for our spiritual growth. Oh Lord, remind us that even then, You are in the midst of it, sufficient for our strength, and that the beauty of the morning can be appreciated because of the darkness of the night. Sorrow is ever making channels for joy! Let us learn to praise You always. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Let’s eat.

Preparation for Greatness

He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze.– 2 Samuel 22:35

The bible tells us that David was a mighty warrior, and God described him as a man after His own heart. God took David through a training ground that could be considered cruel and unusual punishment by people of our day and time. God chose him at a young age to be the next king, yet King Saul rejected him and hunted him down. David was a fugitive for many years. He had uprisings in his own family, and he had relationship problems. He had a life of extreme ups and downs. He certainly didn’t have a life free of problems; he made mistakes. He was human like all of us, yet he learned from his mistakes and repented when he failed. This was David’s training ground; it made him the man he was. Without these hardships, it is doubtful David would have accomplished what he did.
Toward the end of David’s life, he recounted his relationship with God. It is a sermon on God’s ways of dealing with a servant leader.It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; He enables me to stand on the heights. He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You give me Your shield of victory; You stoop down to make me great. You broaden the path beneath me, so that my ankles do not turn(2 Samuel 22:33-37).

God was David’s source for everything. God gave him the ability to achieve the many extraordinary things in his life. It was a lifelong training ground that moved him from one plateau to another, often dropping into a canyon of despair and hopelessness from time to time. These are God’s ways. They drive us deeper and deeper into the heart of Him who has prepared a way for us.

This leads me back to the question of the day and the answer. Every day of our lives, God is molding us for His purpose. Let God take you to the heights or depths He desires for you. He never promised smooth sailing during the trip, but He did promise to be the captain and companion along the way.

Quote of the Day

We must remember that our experience of union with God, our feeling of His presence, is altogether accidental and secondary. It is only a side effect of His actual presence in our souls, and gives no sure indication of that presence in any case. For God Himself is above all apprehensions and ideas and sensations, however spiritual, that can ever be experienced by the spirit of man in this life. Thomas Merton.

WITH HOPE AND FAITH

REV. ELDER G E STERRETT

FOUNDER

GCKRS HELPING HAND FOUNDATION – THE RELATIONSHIP FACTORY