1. We need to be a shelter for people in this life. n The local church will never function as it should until we really get to know each other and love each other in spite of that knowledge!

2. We need to be a shelter for people in this life. n The local church will never function as it should until we really get to know each other and love each other in spite of that knowledge! n When we have the love of Christ we will manifest that patient love that sees both the weakness and the good in another.

3. We need to be a shelter for people in this life. n The local church will never function as it should until we really get to know each other and love each other in spite of that knowledge! n When we have the love of Christ we will manifest that patient love that sees both the weakness and the good in another. n We need each other to help us overcome sin! (Jas 5:16)

4. We need to be a shelter for people in this life. n (James 5:16 NKJV) “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”

5. We need to be a shelter for people in this life. n Without a close relationship it is rare to see this practiced.

6. We need to be a shelter for people in this life. n Each of us needs someone spiritual to confide in, lean upon, and to trust when you are simply being yourself.

7. We need to be a shelter for people in this life. n Each of us needs someone spiritual to confide in, lean upon, and to trust when you are simply being yourself. n It is these people who we will turn to during times of stress and anxiety.

8. We need to be a shelter for people in this life. n Each of us needs someone spiritual to confide in, lean upon, and to trust when you are simply being yourself. n It is these people who we will turn to during times of stress and anxiety. n Do you have those who will lift you up? (Heb 12:12-13)

9. We need to be a shelter for people in this life. n (Hebrews 12:12-13 NKJV) “Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, {13} and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed.”

10. We need to be a shelter for people in this life. n Are you such a person another can turn to?

11. We need to be a shelter for people in this life. n Are you such a person another can turn to? n Ultimately we will point to God, the only certain refuge for our lives.

12. Will a child of God have need of refuge? n What is a refuge? King David knew this need well! (Psalms 31:1 NASB)

13. Will a child of God have need of refuge? n What is a refuge? King David knew this need well! (Psalms 31:1 NASB) n "In Thee, O LORD, I have taken refuge; Let me never be ashamed; In Thy righteousness deliver me.”

14. Will a child of God have need of refuge? n What is a refuge? King David knew this need well! (Psalms 31:1 NASB) n "In Thee, O LORD, I have taken refuge; Let me never be ashamed; In Thy righteousness deliver me.” n Here David needed a high place of shelter, a place for a fugitive needing somewhere to hide and gain strength.

15. Will a child of God have need of refuge? n Even though alone, David knew the Lord who would always provide for him.

16. Will a child of God have need of refuge? n Even though alone, David knew the Lord who would always provide for him. n Why do we need a refuge? (Psa 31:9-13)

17. Will a child of God have need of refuge? n (Psalms 31:9-13 NKJV) “Have mercy on me, O LORD, for I am in trouble; My eye wastes away with grief, Yes, my soul and my body! {10} For my life is spent with grief, And my years with sighing; My strength fails because of my iniquity, And my bones waste away.

18. Will a child of God have need of refuge? n {11} I am a reproach among all my enemies, But especially among my neighbors, And am repulsive to my acquaintances; Those who see me outside flee from me. {12} I am forgotten like a dead man, out of mind; I am like a broken vessel. {13} For I hear the slander of many; Fear is on every side; While they take counsel together against me, They scheme to take away my life.”

19. Will a child of God have need of refuge? n Because trouble will in time come upon all of us.

20. Will a child of God have need of refuge? n Because trouble will in time come upon all of us. n We may look good on the outside, but there are likely those here today dealing with terrible stresses and trouble.

21. Will a child of God have need of refuge? n Because trouble will in time come upon all of us. n We may look good on the outside, but there are likely those here today dealing with terrible stresses and trouble. n There are times we have adversaries, like David did. How many have trusted someone only to have them turn on you and do much harm?

22. Will a child of God have need of refuge? n David experienced the shunning of those who saw him in need! It is sad fact but true, that when we are hurt and in need is the time people are most likely to turn away from us.

23. Will a child of God have need of refuge? n David experienced the shunning of those who saw him in need! It is sad fact but true, that when we are hurt and in need is the time people are most likely to turn away from us. n Have you ever felt like a broken vessel that has no use? This one needs refuge!

24. Will a child of God have need of refuge? n "Take away my capacity for pain and you rob me of the possibility for joy. Take away my ability to fail and I would not know the meaning of success. Let me be immune to rejection and heartbreak and I could not know the glory of living.“

25. Will a child of God have need of refuge? n Consider how God provided for David. (Psa 31:19-24)

26. Will a child of God have need of refuge? n (Psalms 31:19-24 NKJV) “Oh, how great is Your goodness, Which You have laid up for those who fear You, Which You have prepared for those who trust in You In the presence of the sons of men! {20} You shall hide them in the secret place of Your presence From the plots of man; You shall keep them secretly in a pavilion From the strife of tongues.

27. Will a child of God have need of refuge? n {21} Blessed be the LORD, For He has shown me His marvelous kindness in a strong city! {22} For I said in my haste, “I am cut off from before Your eyes”; Nevertheless You heard the voice of my supplications When I cried out to You. {23} Oh, love the LORD, all you His saints! For the LORD preserves the faithful, And fully repays the proud person.

28. Will a child of God have need of refuge? n {24} Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart, All you who hope in the LORD.”

29. Will a child of God have need of refuge? n God keeps secrets and also keeps us away from the slanderous tongues.

30. Will a child of God have need of refuge? n In a time of trouble we do not necessarily want agreement as much as we need an arm around us in comfort and support. Our God will always tell us the truth but also provide a rest in repentance and righteousness!

31. Will a child of God have need of refuge? n In a time of trouble we do not necessarily want agreement as much as we need an arm around us in comfort and support. Our God will always tell us the truth but also provide a rest in repentance and righteousness! n Even when David doubted God, He was faithful and delivered him.

32. Will a child of God have need of refuge? n “Thank you, Father, for these tears that have carried me to the depth of your love. How could I have known your fullness without the emptiness, your acceptance without the rejection, your forgiveness without my failure, our togetherness without that dreadful loneliness. You have brought me to Gethsemane, and oh, the joy of finding you already there! Amen.”

33. God expected His people to provide a refuge in the Old Testament n God made provision for cities of refuge for those who killed another unintentionally.

34. God expected His people to provide a refuge in the Old Testament n God made provision for cities of refuge for those who killed another unintentionally. n This was the action of a merciful God. (Josh 20:1-2)

35. God expected His people to provide a refuge in the Old Testament n (Joshua 20:1-2 NKJV) “The LORD also spoke to Joshua, saying, {2} “Speak to the children of Israel, saying: ‘Appoint for yourselves cities of refuge, of which I spoke to you through Moses,”

36. God expected His people to provide a refuge in the Old Testament n There were three cities in the east and three cities in the west. (Num 35:6-7, 9-14)

37. God expected His people to provide a refuge in the Old Testament n (Numbers 35:6-7 NKJV) “”Now among the cities which you will give to the Levites you shall appoint six cities of refuge, to which a manslayer may flee. And to these you shall add forty-two cities. {7} “So all the cities you will give to the Levites shall be forty-eight; these you shall give with their common-land.”

38. God expected His people to provide a refuge in the Old Testament n (Numbers 35:9-14 NKJV) “Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, {10} “Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘When you cross the Jordan into the land of Canaan, {11} ‘then you shall appoint cities to be cities of refuge for you, that the manslayer who kills any person accidentally may flee there.

39. God expected His people to provide a refuge in the Old Testament n {12} ‘They shall be cities of refuge for you from the avenger, that the manslayer may not die until he stands before the congregation in judgment. {13} ‘And of the cities which you give, you shall have six cities of refuge. {14} ‘You shall appoint three cities on this side of the Jordan, and three cities you shall appoint in the land of Canaan, which will be cities of refuge.”

40. God expected His people to provide a refuge in the Old Testament n These cities were for people in real trouble! (Josh 20:3)

41. God expected His people to provide a refuge in the Old Testament n (Joshua 20:3 NKJV) “’that the slayer who kills a person accidentally or unintentionally may flee there; and they shall be your refuge from the avenger of blood.”

42. God expected His people to provide a refuge in the Old Testament n Could you imagine having an "avenger of blood" coming after you?

43. God expected His people to provide a refuge in the Old Testament n These cities were not obscure, hard to get to. No they were well marked.

44. God expected His people to provide a refuge in the Old Testament n These cities were not obscure, hard to get to. No they were well marked. n There was a righteous procedure for entering these cities. (Josh 20:4)

45. God expected His people to provide a refuge in the Old Testament n (Joshua 20:4 NKJV) “’And when he flees to one of those cities, and stands at the entrance of the gate of the city, and declares his case in the hearing of the elders of that city, they shall take him into the city as one of them, and give him a place, that he may dwell among them.”

46. God expected His people to provide a refuge in the Old Testament n They declared their case to the elders of that city. Refuge was only to be provided for certain people!

47. God expected His people to provide a refuge in the Old Testament n Could you imagine the relief of finally having mature men listen to your story?

48. God expected His people to provide a refuge in the Old Testament n Could you imagine the relief of finally having mature men listen to your story? n How many have been falsely accused only to face emotional people who will not listen? We must display this basic sense of fairness! (Acts 25:16)

49. God expected His people to provide a refuge in the Old Testament n (Acts 25:16 NKJV) “”To them I answered, ‘It is not the custom of the Romans to deliver any man to destruction before the accused meets the accusers face to face, and has opportunity to answer for himself concerning the charge against him.’”

50. God expected His people to provide a refuge in the Old Testament n This one now has the protection from the avenger. (Josh 20:5-6)

51. God expected His people to provide a refuge in the Old Testament n (Joshua 20:5-6 NKJV) “’Then if the avenger of blood pursues him, they shall not deliver the slayer into his hand, because he struck his neighbor unintentionally, but did not hate him beforehand.

52. God expected His people to provide a refuge in the Old Testament n {6} ‘And he shall dwell in that city until he stands before the congregation for judgment, and until the death of the one who is high priest in those days. Then the slayer may return and come to his own city and his own house, to the city from which he fled.’””

53. God expected His people to provide a refuge in the Old Testament n The protection only applies to those within this walled city.

54. God expected His people to provide a refuge in the Old Testament n The protection only applies to those within this walled city. n The entire "congregation" would be involved in this process.

55. God expected His people to provide a refuge in the Old Testament n The protection only applies to those within this walled city. n The entire "congregation" would be involved in this process. n Now his cause is clearly known. God's mercy has provided justice and protection.

56. God expected His people to provide a refuge in the Old Testament n “It is good for us that we sometimes have sorrows and adversities, for they often make a man lay to heart that he is only a stranger and sojourner; and may not put his trust in any worldly thing. It is good that we sometimes endure contradictions and are hardly and unfairly judged when we do and mean what is good. For these things help us to be humble and shield us from vainglory.”

57. How we can provide refuge today n We need spiritual men who can act wisely. (Gal 6:1-2)

58. How we can provide refuge today n (Galatians 6:1-2 NKJV) “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. {2} Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”

59. How we can provide refuge today n There are many who need gentleness yet firmness.

60. How we can provide refuge today n There are many who need gentleness yet firmness. n There are others who need sharp rebuke! True love and wisdom can discern. (Tit 1:12-14)

61. How we can provide refuge today n (Titus 1:12-14 NKJV) “One of them, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” {13} This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, {14} not giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn from the truth.”

62. How we can provide refuge today n “When I make people comfortable in their irresponsibility, I'm heading away from the cross.”

63. How we can provide refuge today n The lust for comfort, that stealthy thing that enters the house a guest, and then becomes a host, and then a master.

64. How we can provide refuge today n We must be willing. (Jas 2:15-16)

65. How we can provide refuge today n (James 2:15-16 NKJV) “If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, {16} and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?”

66. How we can provide refuge today n Often this may involve standing up to another who is acting unrighteously.

67. How we can provide refuge today n Too often it is easier to whisper in the background but in the end have done nothing.

68. How we can provide refuge today n “In 430 B.C. the historian Thucydides wrote, "It was in those who had recovered from the plague that the sick and the dying found most compassion." A preacher who has never needed comfort is not likely to be as concerned about giving comfort.”

69. How we can provide refuge today n We must act with loving compassion. (1 Jn 3:16-18)

70. How we can provide refuge today n (1 John 3:16-18 NKJV) “By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. {17} But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? {18} My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.”

71. How we can provide refuge today n This required time and energy. Most of all it involves an opening of our hearts.

72. How we can provide refuge today n This required time and energy. Most of all it involves an opening of our hearts. n In our busy times with all the stress surrounding us, we may flee from opening our hearts to additional "burdens.”

73. How we can provide refuge today n "I am sorry for the man who can't feel the whip when it is laid on the other man's back." -- Abraham Lincoln

74. How we can provide refuge today n Let me come in where you are weeping, friend, And let me take your hand. I, who have known a sorrow such as yours, Can understand. Let me come in-I would be very still Beside you in your grief; I would not bid you cease your weeping, friend, Tears bring relief. Let me come in-I would only breathe a prayer, And hold your hand, For I have known a sorrow such as yours, And understand. - Grace Noll Crowell

75. How we can provide refuge today n It is important that we act in love and not in bitterness. We need to help the other one put away their bitterness and not irrigate it. (Heb 12:15)

76. How we can provide refuge today n (Hebrews 12:15 NKJV) “looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;”

77. How we can provide refuge today n "Fifty years ago industrialists thought they could just bury toxic waste and it would go away. We have since learned it doesn't just go away. It makes trouble. It leaks into the water table, contaminates crops, and kills animals. Buried grief does the same thing. Raw time doesn't heal a thing.

78. How we can provide refuge today n Buried pain leaks into our emotional system and wreaks havoc there. It distorts our perceptions of life, and it taints our relationships. That contamination happens subconsciously.”

79. How we can provide refuge today n Please do not make the mistake of just saying: "If you need me, call me." The truth is that most people will think: "I need you, but I am not going to call!" We need to be more open to the needs of others!

80. How we can provide refuge today n We must be more involved with others before they reach their time of crisis. (1 Cor 12:23-27)

81. How we can provide refuge today n (1 Corinthians 12:23-27 NKJV) “And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty, {24} but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it,

82. How we can provide refuge today n {25} that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. {26} And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. {27} Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.”

83. How we can provide refuge today n What are you doing to know those in this church better?

84. How we can provide refuge today n What are you doing to know those in this church better? n Some are satisfied with family and a few friends and thus hardly talk to others.

85. How we can provide refuge today n What are you doing to know those in this church better? n Some are satisfied with family and a few friends and thus hardly talk to others. n It is difficult to see others do little things such as coming to social gatherings in open homes, make calls when sick and many such things.

86. How we can provide refuge today n Do we put a "no-trespassing" sign around our necks or an "open house" sign?

87. How we can provide refuge today n “Oh, the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person; having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but to pour them all out, just as they are, chaff and grain together, knowing that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and then, with the breath of kindness, blow the rest away.”

88. What Will You Do? n There will come a time where you will be in need of refuge.

89. What Will You Do? n There will come a time where you will be in need of refuge. n Let us learn to provide refuge for others now! In time this will provide refuge for us.

90. What Will You Do? n There will come a time where you will be in need of refuge. n Let us learn to provide refuge for others now! In time this will provide refuge for us. n Are you in need of refuge from the world? Are you pursued by enemies and most of all you own sin? God has a place of rest for you. (Mt 11:29-30)

91. What Will You Do? n (Matthew 11:29-30 NKJV) “”Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. {30} “For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.””

92. What Will You Do? n “It is not true to say that God wants to teach us something in our trials. In every cloud he brings, God wants us to unlearn something. God's purpose in the cloud is to simplify our belief until our relationship to him is exactly that of a child.

93. What Will You Do? n God uses every cloud which comes in our physical life, in our moral or spiritual life, or in our circumstances, to bring us nearer to him, until we come to the place where our Lord Jesus Christ lived, and we do not allow our hearts to be troubled.”