This is the message this week from Pastor John Wright.

 

Key Verse: 1 Samuel 22:1-2; 23:13

There are three D’s that can be a real problem in our lives and in the world today. These are: distress, debt and discontent. These problems have been affecting people for a long time. If you suffer from the 3D’s you need to change your focus away from distress, debt and discontent and look to Jesus.

Let’s see what God says about the three D’s: distress, debt and discontent:

1. Distress

Being in distress is like being boxed in and you feel that there is no where to go. When we are in distress we don’t have peace, we don’t think clearly and we don’t function as we should. When we are in this state the first thing that we should do is talk to God about it. Psalm 4:1-8 says call upon the name of the Lord. God doesn’t want us to suffer from distress. When we are in the Lord, the Lord’s shield is a circle. The circle protects us from all sides so no one can get to us from the back or the side. If you are in distress, you have to call upon the name of the Lord and the Lord will show us the way out and will give us the peace and comfort to set us free. Don’t be too slow in taking it to the Lord.

2. Debt (Proverbs 22:7)

Those in debt usually carry a feeling of failure. Yet King David allowed these people to join him and be close to him. These people in debt being around David were about to get their focus off their debt and went on to have great victories. It is God’s desire that we may have life and have it to the full.

Deuteronomy 8:18 “Remember the Lord your God, for it is He that gives you the ability to produce wealth.” There is nothing wrong with money, it is the love of money that is sin. God will provide for you what you need. Matthew 6:33 says seek ye first the Kingdom of God and all things that you need will be given to you. I have found that in the Kingdom of God giving precedes receiving. 2 Corinthians 9:7 says that God loves a cheerful giver.

3. Discontentment (Psalm 142)

When things do not go well for us we become hardened in our attitude and we can even get angry with life in general. In 1 Samuel David was anointed to become the future king of Israel and Saul was hunting David. David cried out to God in Psalm 142 and is in discontentment. The answer again to discontentment is to come back to the Lord. Have you prayed about your expectations because they may not be in the Lord. To avoid discontentment, be in the will of God. If we are doing what God planned us to do we cannot be discontented.

For we are God’s workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works (Ephesians 2:10).
We are all called. 1 Corinthians 12:7 God has given every one of us a gift so that we can do something for the Kingdom of God.

 

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If you would like to accept Jesus into your heart please pray the following prayer.
“Dear God, I am a sinner and need forgiveness. I believe that Jesus Christ shed His precious blood and died for my sin. I am willing to turn from sin. I now invite Christ to come into my heart and life as my personal Saviour.”

If you have just prayed this prayer and accepted Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, congratulations! We invite you to contact us as we would love to pray a blessing over your life and help guide you on your journey.

The next step. As a way to grow closer to Him, the Bible tells us to follow up on our commitment.

• Get baptised as commanded by Christ.
• Tell someone else about your new faith in Christ.
• Spend time with God each day. It does not have to be a long period of time. Just develop the daily habit of praying to Him and reading His Word. Ask God to increase your faith and your understanding of the Bible.
• Seek fellowship with other followers of Jesus. Develop a group of believing friends to answer your questions and support you.
• Find a local church where you can worship God.

God bless you.