The David Alliance

Garth Heckman

The David Alliance

TDAgiantSlayer@Gmail.com 

 

Kill them, kill them all

 

John Wick: Winston... tell them... Tell them all... Whoever comes, whoever it is... I'll kill them. I'll kill them all.

Winston then smiles and says “of course you will”

 

In todays world we have to be willing to do something incredibly hard and that is kill… kill them with kindness. 

 

The saying "kill them with kindness" means to respond to negativity, hostility, or criticism with overwhelming kindness, compassion, or generosity. The idea is to disarm or surprise someone who is being unkind or adversarial by treating them with unexpected warmth and understanding, potentially defusing conflict or changing their perspective. It’s a figurative way to suggest that kindness can be a powerful tool to overcome negativity, not that it literally "kills" anyone… but what it does kill -hopefully - is kill their response to continue to attack. Now it’s not easy to do, its not easy to put on replay a response of love, listening and caring. No matter how much they vomit hate, lies and vulgarity you still love them. 

 

1. **Practice Active Listening**: Give the person your full attention without interrupting. Reflect back what they've said to show understanding, which can reduce defensiveness and open dialogue.

 

True Jesus would interrupt an idea, but never interrupt someone is mid conversation. You should’t either. We all know how frustrating it is when someone interrupts us- don’t be that guy. 

 

2. **Stay Calm and Composed**: Maintain a neutral tone and body language. Your calmness can be contagious, helping to lower the emotional temperature of the situation.

 

This might be the most overlooked quality of Jesus. Now he did get mad, but only at the Religious leaders, not against the sinners. 

 

3. **Use Empathy Statements**: Acknowledge their feelings with phrases like "I can see why that would upset you." This validates emotions without agreeing with the content, fostering connection.

 

This one thing alone is huge. The greatest negotiators the ones who close deals and talk people off the ledge - literally - first know how to listen. Jesus listened… quit forming a response during someone speaking, yelling or debating. Listen first then connect to how they feel not just what they say. 

Jesus says in Matthew 25 “you have heard it said” seven times… what is he trying to do? He is connecting with what his listeners have heard and how they feel. 

 

4. **Ask Open-Ended Questions**: Encourage them to elaborate with questions like "Can you tell me more about that?" This shifts focus from confrontation to exploration, potentially revealing underlying issues.

 

Make your questions direct that show you care. Not questions that try to stump that person. Questions that ask about their feelings and their past experiences. 

Garth Heckman

The David Alliance

TDAgiantSlayer@Gmail.com 

 

Ever get into a good fight. A good old fashion butt kicking, arse whooping fisticuffs. It isn’t necessarily an enemy just someone you are at odds with you both throw down. At the end of the fight even if you lost you can shake their hand and say well done my friend, I underestimated you. My last one was with my wife… just kidding, but thats where we are going today. 

I love watching the UFC, I truly appreciate it when two men start banging and they both stop once and awhile tap gloves as if to say… heck of a fight, nice kick, nice hit… it shows respect. Why in todays world do we as Christians shy away from a good fight? 

1 Tim. 6:12 Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have declared so well before many witnesses.

Fight in the Greek
1. to struggle
2. (literally) to compete for a prize
3. (figuratively) to contend with an adversary
4. (genitive case) to endeavor to accomplish something

Fight in the Greek
1. (properly) beautiful
2. (chiefly, figuratively) good
3. (literally) valuable
4. (morally) virtuous worthy
{for appearance or use, and thus distinguished from G18, which is properly intrinsic}

The one thing this verse reminds us of is we are in a fight, so if we choose not to fight, we choose to lose. Its not a choice as a follower of Christ. You love Jesus, you fight the fight of faith. 

We have confused peace with being a pacifist. It is true, Jesus is the prince of peace, but he is also King and as King he leads us into spiritual battle…and that spiritual battle is against other people. We can love them, but still fight them. 

1 Timothy says we are fighting for eternal life… I don’t believe that is our eternal life but rather the eternal life of those who do not know Christ. 

Having a "good fight" might seem like a contradiction, but it's a great way to think about how to handle conflict constructively. The goal isn't to win or dominate the other person, but rather to understand each other better and find a resolution that works for both of you.

Here's a breakdown of how to approach a conflict in a healthy and productive way:

Before the Fight

1. Pick the right time and place. Avoid bringing up a serious issue when one or both of you are tired, hungry, or stressed. Don't try to have a serious conversation in a public place or when you're in a hurry. Choose a private, quiet setting where you can talk without interruption.

2. State your intent. Start the conversation by explaining why you want to talk. This sets a collaborative tone. Try saying something like, "Hey, I've been feeling a little disconnected from you lately, and I'd like to talk about it. Is now a good time?"

During the Fight

1. Stay calm and focused. It's easy for emotions to take over, but try to keep your voice calm and your mind clear. Stick to the topic at hand. If the conversation starts to veer off into old arguments or other issues, gently guide it back. Avoid using aggressive or accusatory language, like "You always..." or "You never..."

2. Listen to understand, not just to respond. The most crucial part of a good fight is active listening. Put down your defenses and genuinely try to see the situation from the other person's perspective. Ask questions to clarify what they're saying and show that you're hearing them. You can use phrases like, "What I hear you saying is..." or "Can you tell me more about how that made you feel?"

3. Use "I" statements. Instead of pointing fingers, focus on your own feelings. For example, instead of saying, "You make me so angry when you leave your dirty dishes everywhere," try saying, "I feel frustrated when I see dirty dishes on the counter because it makes the kitchen feel messy." This shifts the focus from an accusation to an expression of your personal experience.

4. Take a break if needed. If the conversation gets too heated, it's perfectly okay to pause. Acknowledge the tension and suggest a break. Say something like, "I'm feeling really overwhelmed right now. Can we take a 15-minute break and come back to this?" This prevents things from escalating and gives both of you time to cool down.

After the Fight

1. Find common ground. Once you've both had a chance to speak and be heard, look for a solution together. This isn't about one person winning and the other losing. It's about finding a compromise that you can both agree on. It might be a small step, like agreeing to a trial run of a new behavior, or a bigger one, like seeking out couples counseling.

2. End with an apology and a hug. Even if you've done everything right, a fight can still be draining. A sincere apology for any hurt caused—even if it was unintentional—and a physical act of connection like a hug can help reconnect you and reinforce your bond.

3. Reflect and learn. After the conflict is over, take some time to think about what happened. What went well? What could you have done better? Learning from each fight will make the next one easier and more productive.

Think of a good fight as a team effort to solve a problem. It's an opportunity to strengthen your relationship, not weaken it.

Garth Heckman

The David Alliance

TDAgiantSlayer@Gmail.com 

 

"When the glory falls" versus "falling short of the glory"

It is important not to confuse the phrase with "falling short of the glory," which is a separate biblical concept from Romans 3:23. In that context, "falling short of the glory of God" refers to sin and the human failure to reflect God's perfect character. The saying "when the glory falls" is not about a personal failure but about a collective, supernatural experience of God's overwhelming presence

 

In Christian terminology, "when the glory falls" means the moment when the manifest presence of God becomes so powerful in a place or among a group of people that it is physically or spiritually tangible. It is often associated with intense worship, supernatural manifestations, and a profound sense of God's power and holiness. 

 

Biblical roots

This phrase is inspired by multiple events in the Bible where God's presence was revealed in a powerful, undeniable way:

• The Tabernacle and Temple: In Exodus, after the Tabernacle was completed, the glory of the Lord appeared as a cloud and filled the tent, preventing Moses from entering. A similar event happened during the dedication of Solomon's Temple in 2 Chronicles, where God's glory was so overwhelming that the priests could not stand to minister.
• Pentecost: In the New Testament, the Holy Spirit "fell" on the disciples in the form of wind and fire, an event that empowered them and marked the birth of the Church.
• Isaiah's vision: The prophet Isaiah had a vision where the train of the Lord's robe filled the temple, and the sound of the seraphim praising God shook the building. 

 

Meaning in modern Christianity

The phrase is used today, particularly within Charismatic and Pentecostal denominations, to describe a highly anticipated moment during a church service or revival.

• Deep spiritual encounter: It signifies a moment of intense spiritual experience where people feel a profound sense of awe and reverence for God.
• Tangible power: Believers describe the experience as the "weight" or "heaviness" of God's presence, an overwhelming spiritual force.
• Manifestations: During these moments, physical and emotional reactions can occur. Some people may fall to the ground in worship, a phenomenon referred to as being "slain in the Spirit." Others may cry out, shake, or feel waves of heat or energy.
• Supernatural occurrences: For many, the "glory falling" is associated with miracles and healings, where people are healed in their seats without physical touch, as the presence of God moves through the room.
• Divine heist or kidnapping - its a takeover: It represents a shift from a human-led service to one in which God is taking control. In these moments, planned sermons or prayers may actually stop the flow as worship takes over and the Holy Spirit moves in unexpected ways. 

But here is the kicker, it almost always happens in context of believers meeting together in worship or in church (doesn’t have to be a church building, but it is the church that gets together) 

My point… what if you went to church not hoping worship is good, the preacher is good, the sermon keeps your attention, you see sally and Bill… what if you go to church to be the church - to pray, worship and expect the glory to fall. 

Garth Heckman

The David Alliance

TDAgiantSlayer@Gmail.com 

 

Paul pulled the trigger. 

Stephen and the apostle Paul are up in heaven and are rejoicing before God the Father together as fellow family members in Christ. But Paul pulled the trigger. Stephen was one of the first on fire converts to Christianity. He was a miracle worker, a preacher and an amazing man who knew God personally. He was making an impact. But Paul pulled the trigger. The Jewish nation needed a man like Stephen who boldly preached weaving the Old Testament into the life of Christ with great revelation and conviction… and Jews were converting daily… and yet Paul pulled the trigger. The Church scattered because of the great persecution at the hands of those who killed Stephen. His martyrdom sent shockwaves through the new believers, many were hurt, had questions, many did not understand and the church ran into all corners of the earth… all because Paul pulled the trigger. I cannot quote a verse but my guess is much like today many hated those who killed Stephen and much like those who have reveled in the death of Charlie Kirk… as cold and as heartless as it truly is and was… Many reveled in the death of Stephen… even Paul the man who pulled the trigger. Yes I know there was no real trigger, Stephen was stoned, but more true than fiction Saul who later became Paul was the one who led the campaign. He was the power behind the trigger and in a real sense he did in fact pull the trigger. Not only on Stephen but on many of the converts he persecuted, tortured and killed - and again I would assume many had to deal with hate towards those who were the tormenters and abusers and afflicters.  

And what happened after the death, after the children scatter, after the pain… An unbelievable uprising happened, not in a nation- not at first any way, but an uprising in the heart of the man named Paul. In the heart of the man who pulled the trigger. God showed up… no he literally showed up and completely radicalized Paul. In one swift and sweeping and blinding light Paul came in contact with The God almighty. This man who was out to destroy a movement did not realize you could not destroy the son of Man- Jesus behind the movement. Paul became not just a force of supernatural power he became a wrecking ball the kingdom of darkness. He planted churches, he wrote letters, he traveled thousands of miles, he debated the best and the brightest minds and he fought for everyone to know Jesus. All this even after he pulled the trigger. I know we scream for justice in this world, and yes God is a God of justice… but his first concern for all mankind…even the shooters, is that they might know the power and forgiveness of who Christ is. That is might wreck them the same way it wrecked Paul. I pray for everyone involved from Charlies wife to his parents to friends and family and all the followers - but I also understand the power of redemption and so in that I also pray for the shooter. I pray God reaches into that dark black hole in his heart and In one swift and sweeping and blinding light reveals himself, The God almighty. I honestly think that is what Charlie would also want. That in all things it leads to glorifying God and helps reach those who do not know the love of Jesus Christ.

Lets pray

Lets pray for everyone involved

Lets love our enemies and pray

Lets believe God gets glorified and we pray

Yep… Paul pulled the trigger… but look what happened when people pray! 

Garth Heckman

The David Alliance

TDAgiantSlayer@Gmail.com 

 

Yesterdays podcast… wow, I am so rusty that I forgot to give the application at the end… If you were listening you were probably like… great story… but what about it? 

 

God IS at the true center, but man is the Subject - the central focus of God’s dealings, 

covenants, 

redemption, 

Salvation

And all of creation

 

 

1. Man as the Crown of Creation

• In Genesis 1, God creates everything else (light, land, plants, animals) in preparation for mankind.
• Man alone is made “in the image of God” (Genesis 1:26–27), setting humanity apart with dignity, responsibility, and eternal purpose.

 

C.S. Lewis: “There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal.”

From The Weight of Glory. Lewis emphasizes the eternal significance and divine dignity of every human being.

 

 

 

2. The Fall of Man Brings the Central Problem

• The story of sin (Genesis 3) revolves around mankind’s choice.
• All of Scripture unfolds as God’s response to man’s fall — judgment, mercy, covenants, law, prophecy, and redemption.

 

3. God’s Covenants Are Made With Man

• Noah, Abraham, Moses, David — all receive covenants that are not just about them but about mankind’s destiny.
• Each covenant progressively points to how God will restore man to Himself.

 

4. The Law and Prophets Were Given for Man’s Guidance

• The Law was given to teach man holiness, reveal sin, and point toward the need for a Savior (Galatians 3:24).
• The prophets consistently address man’s rebellion, calling him back to God.

 

5. Christ Took on Humanity for Man’s Salvation

• The Incarnation is God becoming man (John 1:14), placing mankind at the heart of redemption’s story.
• Jesus is called the “Son of Man” over 80 times, highlighting His role as the perfect representative of humanity.

 

When I was in 8th grade I remember understanding how important a play was when my coach who had no pads on went through the drills to show us. 

 

6. The Cross Was for Man’s Redemption

• The central event of Scripture is the death and resurrection of Christ — entirely for the salvation of mankind (Romans 5:8).
• The cross demonstrates God’s love for man while satisfying His justice.

 

7. The Church Is Composed of Redeemed Men and Women

• The Church is the body and bride of Christ (Ephesians 5:25–27).
• God’s plan is centered on transforming human lives into Christ’s image and using them for His mission.

 

8. The Holy Spirit Indwells Man

• God’s Spirit lives in believers, making man the temple of God (1 Corinthians 6:19).
• This shows that the Bible’s story is not just about man being saved but about man becoming the very dwelling place of God.

 

9. Man Will Reign With Christ

• Revelation 5:10 says believers will “reign on the earth.”
• God’s original intent in Eden (dominion over creation) will be fully restored — man will rule with Christ in righteousness.

 

10. The Eternal State Is Focused on Man’s Fellowship With God

• The climax of the Bible’s story is Revelation 21–22, where redeemed humanity dwells with God forever:
  “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man.”
• Heaven and earth are renewed specifically for man to live in perfect fellowship with his Creator.

 

It can be said ITS ALL ABOUT JESUS, BUT JESUS IS ALL ABOUT US/MANKIND! 

 

 

Gen. 1:26 Then God said, “Let Us make mankind in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the livestock and over all the earth, and over every crawling thing that crawls on the earth.” 27 So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

 

A.W. Tozer: “The yearning to know what cannot be known, to comprehend the incomprehensible, to touch and taste the unapproachable, arises from the image of God in the nature of man.”

From The Pursuit of God.

Garth Heckman

The David Alliance

TDAgiantSlayer@Gmail.com 

 

 

 

Did I fall off the wagon? Where have I been? Oh man, church and life has been just crazy. We are getting ready to do a major kick off for church and we are launching a new Discipleship program for the whole church and it is 80 weeks long and will repeat itself until I die or leave the church… 

But I am back.

 

NFL news… Justin Herbert owns the chiefs, Aaron 

Rodgers seems to still know how to throw the ball and so many other teams are just down to the wire… but my question is… the bengals… they are looking a little tired… I hope they can show up this season.

 

Anywhooo

Don’t forget my friends about The first step towards revival isn’t action, it's conviction. 

Are you convicted, that God desires to have a worldwide great awakening? 

If not could you please ask Him to give you His conviction. 

Are you willing to Ask others to pray for a Worldwide Great Awakening. Your Church, friends, families, and even your enemies. Could you please share with them the website collectiveprayernetwork.org

Remember faith with out works is dead… the first work is that of prayer… make it happen, we need revival. Again please visit the website collectiveprayernetwork.org

 

 

In 1902 President Teddy Roosevelt went on a Bear Hunt and was not successful.  One of his friends went out and found a wounded bear, tied it up to a tree and took the president out to shoot it. Teddy was completely offended by this and refused to shoot a wounded and tied up bear. When a cartoon came out about this story -

Inspiration:

Brooklyn candy maker Morris Michtom saw the cartoon and was inspired to create a stuffed fabric bear and called it Teddys Bear. He sold the bears in his candy shop. It became so popular that he started a toy company selling 

AI suggests that as of today several billion dollars have been made from the Teddy Bear. 

 

ITs all about Jesus - and he is the center of scripture… but make no mistake WE ARE THE MAIN SUBJECT! 

Garth Heckman

The David Alliance

TDAgiantSlayer@Gmail.com 

 

Absolutely — let’s build a complete definition of jealousy by pulling together the different angles from Scripture, psychology, and language:

 

Definition of Jealousy

 

1. General / Dictionary Sense

 

Jealousy is a feeling of resentment, bitterness, or insecurity that arises when we perceive a threat to something we value—such as a relationship, possession, status, or recognition.

 It often involves fear of loss and resentment toward others who have what we desire.

 

2. Biblical Sense

 

The Bible uses jealousy in two distinct ways:

 

Sinful Human Jealousy (envy, rivalry):

 

  * Wanting what someone else has.

  * Resenting their success, blessings, or relationships.

  * Leads to anger, strife, and destructive actions (James 3:16; Galatians 5:20).

 

Righteous Divine Jealousy (protective love):**

 

   God’s passionate commitment to His people and His own glory.

   Not born out of insecurity, but out of covenant love and holiness (Exodus 34:14; 2 Corinthians 11:2).

   Like a husband’s rightful desire for his wife’s faithfulness.

 

3. Psychological Understanding - or breaking it down in the brain

 

Jealousy is often a complex emotion made up of:

 

  Fear (of being replaced, overlooked, or abandoned).

  Anger/resentment (toward the one we feel threatened by).

  Insecurity (about our own worth or position).

Unlike envy (wanting what someone else has), jealousy often involves a triangular relationship: Me, the other person, and the rival/threat or appearance of what I lack. 

 

4. Key Distinctions

 

Envy = “I want what you have.”

Jealousy = “I’m afraid you’ll take what I have” or “I resent you for threatening my place (i.e. I don’t measure up to you).”

God’s Jealousy = “I will not allow you to give your love to idols because I love you and know what’s best for you.”

 

Romans 12:15 Rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn.

Jealousy keeps us from doing both.

Rejoice? But I don’t have that!

Mourn? No they deserve to suffer, because I have had to suffer.

 

But here is what is weird… when we rejoice over those who are succeeding, being blessed, hitting goals, achieving greatness… when we rejoice with them in that we are planting seeds of their success into our lives. 

If we truly reap what we sow… then when we rejoice with others we in turn have just planted seeds-IN FAITH- for the day people will rejoice over our success. 

So here is the power thought for the day. We don’t just sow money, time talents… we sow emotions. If the emotions we choose to sow are positive we will reap the benefits of that… but if they are negative towards people… well, I bet you can figure it out. 

 

---

 

✅ **Complete Definition (Combined):**

**Jealousy** is an intense emotional response that can be either sinful or righteous. In its sinful form, it is a self-centered resentment or hostility toward others because of their advantages, relationships, or blessings, often leading to strife and destruction. In its righteous form—used of God—it is His holy, protective zeal for the exclusive devotion of His people and the honor of His name, rooted not in insecurity but in perfect love and covenant faithfulness.

 

That’s a really thoughtful question. The Bible treats **jealousy** as dangerous and destructive, but the reason why depends on how the word is used in Scripture. Let’s break it down:

 

---

 

1. Jealousy as a Sin (Human Jealousy)**

 

Most often, the Bible speaks of jealousy in the sense of **envy, rivalry, or coveting what others have**. This is why it’s seen as evil:

 

It leads to division and strife.**

  *“For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.”* (James 3:16)

  Jealousy doesn’t just stay internal—it spills out into conflict and chaos.

 

It comes from pride and insecurity.**

  Jealousy says, “What God gave me is not enough; I deserve what you have.” That challenges God’s wisdom and provision.

 

It destroys relationships.**

  Cain killed Abel out of jealousy (Genesis 4:3–8). Saul tried to kill David because “Saul was very angry … ‘They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed thousands’” (1 Samuel 18:7–9).

 

It is linked with the “works of the flesh.”**

  Galatians 5:20–21 lists jealousy along with fits of anger, rivalries, and envy as things that keep people from inheriting the kingdom of God.

 

2. God’s “Jealousy” (a Different Kind)**

 

At the same time, Scripture also describes God as *jealous* (Exodus 34:14; Deuteronomy 4:24). But this isn’t the same as sinful human jealousy.

 

* God’s jealousy is about **protective love**. He won’t share His people with idols because He knows only He can satisfy them.

* It’s like a loving husband’s jealousy for his wife’s faithfulness—not rooted in insecurity, but in covenant love.

 

3. **Why Human Jealousy Is So Evil**

 

So the Bible condemns human jealousy because:

 

* It **springs from self-centeredness** rather than love.

* It **questions God’s goodness** and fairness.

* It **tears communities apart** instead of building them up.

* It is the **opposite of love**, which “does not envy” (1 Corinthians 13:4).

 

In short: **God’s jealousy protects love, but our jealousy destroys it.**

 

 

 

Perfect — here are some of the clearest **biblical stories where jealousy led to disaster**:

 

---

 

### **1. Cain and Abel (Genesis 4:3–8)**

 

* **What happened:** God accepted Abel’s offering but not Cain’s. Cain became jealous and murdered his brother.

* **Lesson:** Jealousy escalated into anger, bitterness, and ultimately the first murder in human history.

 

---

 

### **2. Joseph and His Brothers (Genesis 37:3–28)**

 

* **What happened:** Jacob favored Joseph, giving him the “coat of many colors.” His brothers became jealous of his dreams and sold him into slavery.

* **Lesson:** Jealousy within a family destroyed trust and nearly killed Joseph.

 

---

 

### **3. Korah’s Rebellion (Numbers 16:1–35)**

 

* **What happened:** Korah and his followers were jealous of Moses and Aaron’s leadership. They challenged God’s choice and were swallowed up by the earth.

* **Lesson:** Jealousy against God’s appointed leaders is ultimately rebellion against God Himself.

 

---

 

### **4. Saul and David (1 Samuel 18:6–16; 19:8–10)**

 

* **What happened:** After David killed Goliath, people praised him more than King Saul. Saul grew jealous and tried multiple times to kill David.

* **Lesson:** Jealousy blinded Saul to David’s loyalty and destroyed his kingship.

 

---

 

### **5. The Religious Leaders and Jesus (Mark 15:10; Matthew 27:18)**

 

* **What happened:** Pilate recognized that the religious leaders handed Jesus over to be crucified **out of envy/jealousy.**

* **Lesson:** Jealousy of Jesus’ influence and authority led to the ultimate injustice—His crucifixion.

 

---

 

### **6. The Pharisees and the Apostles (Acts 5:17; 13:45)**

 

* **What happened:** The high priest and Sadducees were jealous of the apostles’ popularity and miracles, so they persecuted them. Later, the Jews in Antioch opposed Paul out of jealousy when Gentiles responded to the gospel.

* **Lesson:** Jealousy can oppose the very work of God.

 

---

 

📖 **Summary:**

In every case, jealousy:

 

* Drove people to **violence or betrayal**.

* **Blinded them** to God’s goodness.

* **Destroyed relationships** and communities.

 

---

 

Would you like me to also create a **contrast list of times where God’s “jealousy” was good and protective**, so you can see the difference more clearly?

Garth Heckman

The David Alliance

TDAgiantSlayer@Gmail.com 

 

 

Walk

Just walk away

Walk this way

These boots are made for walking

Walk like an Egyptian 

Walkin on the sun

I walk the line

I would walk 500 miles

But would you walk on by? 

Thats where were going today. 

 

Walk on the wild side

Don’t walk away Renee

Im walking on Sunshine

Walk on by - Dieon Warwick… 

 

 

Luke 10

25 And behold, a lawyer stood up and put Him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 And He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How does it read to you?” 27 And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God [c]with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” 28 And He said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this and you will live.” 29 But wanting to justify himself, he said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

The Good Samaritan

30 Jesus replied and said, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he encountered robbers, and they stripped him and [d]beat him, and went away leaving him half dead. 31 And by coincidence a priest was going down on that road, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 Likewise a Levite also, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan who was on a journey came upon him; and when he saw him, he felt compassion, 34 and came to him and bandaged up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them; and he put him on his own animal, and brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 On the next day he took out two [e]denarii and gave them to the innkeeper and said, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I return, I will repay you.’ 36 Which of these three do you think [f]proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the robbers’ hands?” 37 And he said, “The one who showed compassion to him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do [g]the same.”

Garth Heckman

The David Alliance

TDAgiantSlayer@Gmail.com 

 

 

Have you heard the story about the man who

  -  Was a wrestler. 300 matches only lost one

  -  He fired guns at the white house

  - He stood in front of live fire during a war

  -  He was a licensed bartender 

  -  He was arrested for dueling

  -  He held seances where he worked

  -  He was accused of being to ugly for his job

  -  And he was our 16th President! 

Abraham Lincoln. 

Outwardly: Rough, awkward, poorly dressed frontier lawyer. Many thought he was too simple for leadership.

Inwardly: Brilliant thinker, deeply compassionate, and one of the greatest U.S. presidents who carried the weight of ending slavery.

 

He did so many great things in his life as president we often forget much about his life and his foibles! 

 

 

• • Psalm 51:17: "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise." 
• God's Power in Weakness:
  God's strength is often made perfect in our weakness. 
  • 2 Corinthians 12:9: "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." 
• Examples in Scripture:
  The Bible is filled with examples of flawed individuals used by God: 
  • Moses, with a speech impediment and a past of murder. 
  • David, an adulterer and murderer. 
  • The Apostle Paul, a persecutor of Christians. 
  • The disciples, who frequently misunderstood Jesus and abandoned him during his crucifixion. 
• God's Purpose Through Brokenness:
  God can use our past experiences, even those of pain and brokenness, to bring comfort and healing to others. 
  • 2 Corinthians 1:3-4: "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God

Garth Heckman

The David Alliance

TDAgiantSlayer@Gmail.com 

 

Wishy Washy… what a great way to describe people who do not live on a straight line… I can’t stand wishy washy people, they drive me crazy… Now I need to be careful when I talk about wishy washy people because well… Im one of them. And thats where were going today! 

 

 

Why Does God use wishy washy people?

  -  Demonstrate his grace

 

His Grace is amazing saving us as sinners…

But its super amazing in forgiving us in our failures after salvation.

 

Stephen Glenn - Adopted kids. He adopted a 15 year old boy. He ran the car through the garage. Stephen came home the boy had packed his suitcase, sitting on the bed waiting to be dropped back off at the social workers office…

Stephen said to him: did you not think I knew days like this would happen. The boy doubted him… Stephen went to his study, got a letter out of his desk and had the boy read it. It said “I know you will blow it, But I adopted you because I love you, not because you will be perfect”. 

 

His grace proves his redemption even in our failure and our foolishness. 

 

Jesus restored Peter. - He may discipline but he never abandons us. 

 

 

 

  -  He uses the foolish things to confound the wise.

It was said years ago NASA spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to create a pen that would write in space (no gravity made it almost impossible)

To show off to Russia they sent them a few… Russia returned them and said thanks but no thanks we use pencils.

 

Later The US sent a drill bit so small it could drill it could drill through the center of a stick pin… they sent it to the Chinese to see if they wanted to order any (and brag) China said, great job, but it tends to overheat so we added a feature to help with that… upon closer inspection they found a hole drilled straight through the center of it. 

 

*You would never Pick Peter to change the world.

You would never pick David to defeat a Giant

You would never pick a stutter’er to be the greatest leader in the Bible

You would never choose a mass murderer to be the greatest evangelist 

You would never pick a teenager to lead the NEW Church Plants

 

**WHAT WOULD YOU “NEVER” BE CALLED TO BE?

The best husband?

The best employee?

The most fulfilled and at peace?

The best marriage?

The best health?  

The best soul winner?

The best healer?

The best author?

The best Teacher?