Do you remember back when you were a child, and you “got caught” doing something you shouldn't have been doing? It could have been taking a snack when you weren’t supposed to, or playing games when you should have been in bed. You might have apologized to your parents, but the sorrow you expressed was probably just an empty gesture. In today’s message, Pastor Ron reveals the difference between worldly sorrow and godly sorrow. One leads to death, while the other leads to life!  

When was the last time you got angry? Did you handle it well and show great restraint, or did you let it take control of your actions or response? At times, your displeasure may come out toward the wrong person. Sometimes that person is a close friend, your spouse, your kid, or an innocent bystander. When you allow your temper to control you, it can cause you to act out of character. Today, Pastor Ron shares how David reacted with anger that led him to respond out of character toward someone who was undeserving. 

Timing is important. From getting that perfect picture at sunset to planning and pulling off a surprise birthday party. These are fun examples, but more importantly, have you ever questioned God’s timing? When you have prayed for so long and feel like nothing is going to happen, then God answers. Whew, what a relief, but part of you wishes that it had happened sooner. Before He came through, it would be easy to feel disheartened.  Today, Pastor Ron encourages you to trust God’s perfect timing in every moment 

In today’s world, having awareness of your surroundings is important. There is a lot going on, trying to take your focus elsewhere and distance you from the Lord. From the ads on TV to the movies being shown, subtle things are put in your face to distract you from the Lord, and this opens the door to all kinds of deception. In today’s message, Pastor Ron gives you a look into the mind of Saul. He shares how Saul was so focused on himself that he lost his awareness of who was on his side. 

Trusting people is hard to do. Depending on your past, this can be something that you are working hard on, because you’ve been hurt. That is justified, but what if the person you want to trust hasn’t done you harm or done anything to lose your trust? In today’s message, Pastor Ron expands on David’s escape from Saul. He shares how David begins to lie, to save himself, and is put in enemy territory. Because of his distrust of God, David is in a terrible place. Pastor Ron points you back to the truth that God is worthy of trust. 

When things in your life get hard, who do you run to? Do you run to the internet, your best friend, your parents, or your spouse? Who is it that you go to for advice on how to tackle hardships in your life? It’s a good thing to go to someone to gain wisdom in hard situations and not sit in the hard places alone, but the people you turn to matter. Today, Pastor Ron shares the importance of going to God first in hard situations, then turning to trusted, wise people to guide you out of that valley you are in. 

Every military has a defensive and offensive strategy.  When you’re on offense, you’re taking ground, moving forward, and looking to win the battle.  But there are equal amounts of time that you’re going to have to be on the defense too, protecting yourself from attacks and casualties from the other side.  Today, Pastor Ron is talking about a spiritual battle of offense and defense.  He uses David as an example of someone who was ready to take on the challenge proactively, ready for whatever was coming.  

You battled that addiction, and it was a grueling process to be healed and come out of it on the other side, but God got you through.  But now Satan is feeding you insidious lies that cause you to question, doubt, and self-condemn.  “Will I ever be able to truly overcome this, or will it haunt and plague me all of my life?”  Today, Pastor Ron speaks some solid truth about your future, and it’s not dependent on the past.  You are redeemed, forgiven, and your past has no hold on you now.  Don’t ever forget that!    

Do you find yourself attempting to elevate yourself?  There’s that promotion at work, and so you’re putting in a good word to the boss about the extra work you’ve done, to prop yourself up in good standing.  What about around others in the church, pointing out all the ways that you have served, as if it’s something to keep track of for some kind of trophy?  But today, Pastor Ron mentions that your posture should be a willingness to let God do the work, and He will bless what He sees fit!

You may not think that what you’re doing is stubborn or rebellious.  “It’s just part of the culture, and there’s no getting away from it.”  Maybe it’s that show on Netflix you’re justifying and have become desensitized to.  What about those curse words you’re using, so you can be accepted by the in-crowd?  Or here’s one… how’s your speech of others?  Pastor Ron wants to bring your attention today to the fact that when you rebel against the instructions that God gives, it leads you down a path of wickedness and sin.