What Does Faith Look Like January 19, 2014

1 Samuel 23:1-14 When David was told, "Look, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah and are looting the threshing floors," 2 he inquired of the LORD, saying, "Shall I go and attack these Philistines?" The LORD answered him, "Go, attack the Philistines and save Keilah." 3 But David's men said to him, "Here in Judah we are afraid. How much more, then, if we go to Keilah against the Philistine forces!" 4 Once again David inquired of the LORD, and the LORD

1 Samuel 23:1-14 answered him, "Go down to Keilah, for I am going to give the Philistines into your hand." 5 So David and his men went to Keilah, fought the Philistines and carried off their livestock. He inflicted heavy losses on the Philistines and saved the people of Keilah. 6(Now Abiathar son of Ahimelech had brought the ephod down with him when he fled to David at Keilah.) 7 Saul was told that David had gone to Keilah, and he said, "God has handed him over to

1 Samuel 23:1-14 me, for David has imprisoned himself by entering a town with gates and bars." 8 And Saul called up all his forces for battle, to go down to Keilah to besiege David and his men. 9 When David learned that Saul was plotting against him, he said to Abiathar the priest, "Bring the ephod." 10 David said, "O LORD, God of Israel, your servant has heard definitely that Saul plans to come to Keilah and destroy the town on account of me. 11 Will the citizens of Keilah

1 Samuel 23:1-14 surrender me to him? Will Saul come down, as your servant has heard? O LORD, God of Israel, tell your servant." And the LORD said, "He will.“ 12 Again David asked, "Will the citizens of Keilah surrender me and my men to Saul?" And the LORD said, "They will." 13 So David and his men, about six hundred in number, left Keilah and kept moving from place to place. When Saul was told that David had escaped from Keilah, he did not go there. 14 David

1 Samuel 23:1-14 stayed in the desert strongholds and in the hills of the Desert of Ziph. Day after day Saul searched for him, but God did not give David into his hands.

Introduction What does faith look like?What does faith look like? “How is your faith?”“How is your faith?” Expression of passionate spirituality, releases divine power, strengthened through trialsExpression of passionate spirituality, releases divine power, strengthened through trials What are some ways we demonstrate faith?What are some ways we demonstrate faith?

We ask God for His will. Inquiring of God to do His will is a sign of faithInquiring of God to do His will is a sign of faith Doesn’t always look the same as beforeDoesn’t always look the same as before Specific request related to current situationSpecific request related to current situation Not every opportunity that comes to you means you should take itNot every opportunity that comes to you means you should take it

We trust in His provision. Where God Guides, God Provides.Where God Guides, God Provides. Doesn’t mean there won’t be difficultiesDoesn’t mean there won’t be difficulties Umbrella only goes where God leads usUmbrella only goes where God leads us World & its desires pass away but man who does the will of God lives forever 1 John 2:17World & its desires pass away but man who does the will of God lives forever 1 John 2:17

We humble ourselves throughout the process. Have you ever made a decision that nobody in your family, at work liked?Have you ever made a decision that nobody in your family, at work liked? We can be wrong when we think we hear somethingWe can be wrong when we think we hear something Gather a prayer partner, to help you confirmGather a prayer partner, to help you confirm People who are not reliant on God’s direction can believe all kinds of false thingsPeople who are not reliant on God’s direction can believe all kinds of false things God can show us who can be trusted and who cannot be trustedGod can show us who can be trusted and who cannot be trusted

We are led by the Spirit. Being led by the Spirit brought safety & protectionBeing led by the Spirit brought safety & protection “Fewer than 10% of churchgoing Christians make important life decisions based on God’s word and seeking His will.”“Fewer than 10% of churchgoing Christians make important life decisions based on God’s word and seeking His will.” God wants to lead you, but you have to believe He will speak to youGod wants to lead you, but you have to believe He will speak to you When we don’t inquire of God, we miss what He wants to doWhen we don’t inquire of God, we miss what He wants to do

Conclusion What are some of the ways we express faith in God?What are some of the ways we express faith in God? We ask for His willWe ask for His will We trust in His provisionWe trust in His provision We humble ourselves throughout the processWe humble ourselves throughout the process We are led by the SpiritWe are led by the Spirit