In blogs 6 & 7 we stood with David in the ashes of Ziklag. His city was burned, his family was gone, and the men closest to him wanted to stone him. Then we saw how David found strength in the Lord when no one else was standing with him. But the story doesn't end there. Strengthening yourself in the Lord isn't the last step. It's the first step in moving from ashes to recovery. Once David had found his footing in God, he was ready for what came next. Strength Comes Before Dir

But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God. 1 Samuel 30:6 (NKJV) When David came home to a burned city, with his family taken and his own men talking about stoning him, he had no one to encourage him. So he found his strength in God. The question for us is this: How do we do the same? Why You Need to Learn This Sermons, podcasts, worship songs, and encouraging friends are all gifts from God. But there will be times when none of those are around. In those moments, it

Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God." 1 Samuel 30:6 (NKJV) Some seasons hit you from every direction at once. The pressure doesn't only come from outside. It also comes from the people you expected to stand beside you. If you're in a season like that, 1 Samuel 30 is for you. The Day Everything Fell Apar

The Other Side: When Stillness Becomes Testimony "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" — Psalm 46:10 (NKJV) We walked through the first half of this verse in Parts 1-4. In Part 3, we sat down on the grass and learned that stillness is the surrender of control. In Part 4, we climbed into the boat and learned that stillness is not knowing where you are, but knowing who He is. But there is a another part of thi

The Boat: When Stillness Means Knowing "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" — Psalm 46:10 (NKJV) In Part 3, we sat down on the grass. We learned that the word "be still" is raphah, to let go, to release your grip. We watched Jesus take five loaves and two fish and feed a multitude, and we learned that stillness is not the absence of activity. It is the surrender of control. But here is the problem. It is ea