Fit For Battle

Colossians 3:2-4
2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

We believe that we would be ready for the battle if confronted with crisis – but the crisis does Not build anything into us – it only reveals what’s inside of us already. Some have said, ‘When the time comes – I’ll be ready for battle, but you’re frustrated because, we’re in battle and we’ve been there since Post – Conference and it’s realized that you are NOT ready.

Let me ask you a question – can you handle life’s struggles as a child of God, or do you handle life’s struggles as a child? One of the examples I use as crisis reactions is that of Mary and Martha…

John 11: 17 - So when Jesus came, He found that he had already been in the tomb four days.
John 11: 20 - Now Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met Him, but Mary was sitting in the house.

We see these 2 women respond differently in the loss of their brother. We see the anger and confrontation in Martha…and we see the despair and isolation in Mary. Eventually, they surrender to faith and God does a miracle – but the real question is, WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE DONE?

There’s nothing like a good ol’ fashioned trial to get you going…you really know what’s on the inside whenever things go against you.

I’ve seen people isolate themselves / Backslide / Become Angry and Cynical…I’ve also seen people pray harder…read more…attend services more faithfully…IT’S HOW YOU PROCESS WHAT YOU’RE GOING THROUGH…that’s the key…

2 Corinthians 4:8-10
8 We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed—10 always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.

Can this scripture be your testimony? Of course it can, when Personal Devotion is in full effect in your life!
Getting closer to Jesus through worship - reminding yourself of who He is, and who you are...is the key...

Daddy Tell me a Story

Gen. 4: 1-5, Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, and said, I have acquired a man from the Lord. Then she bore again, this time his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the Lord. Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the Lord respected Abel and his offering, but He did not respect Cain and his offering. and Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell.

George Santayana famously said, 'Those who do not learn from history, are doomed to repeat it.'

He never spoke a truer word! Whenever we refuse to larn from our history, we fail to avoid its pitfalls and painful consequences...this extends beyond our mistakes, this can be seen in members of our family, even our spouse's family.

In Gen. 12: 10-13, we read about Abraham's deception concerning his own life and the Abimelech...20 years later, we read that Isaac committed the exact same sin, under the exact same consequences...

What we can take from these 2 accounts is this:
- Your children do not have to see you commit the act of sin in order to be affected by it. We are all affected, one way or the other.

- The devil will set the same trap for you, as he did your father! Most of the time, it will work!!

Point being is, as Adam and Eve explain their creation, and excommunication.

Adam and Eve were redeemed by blood!  ..

Gen. 3: 21 - Also and his wife, the Lord God made tunics of skin, and clothed them.

What's interesting to note is: we see at the very beginning the covering of mankind on his own way isn't sufficient, that's religion. Now, having understood this, Abel put into practiced what his father.

These 1st 2 people were reconciled by the blood of an innocent animal...Abel picked up on this, but Cain didn't pay any attention.

Being a tiller of the ground and producer of crops was not easy, but God didn't authorize this as a burnt offering.

The offering should've been made by the innocent blood of an animal, Cain rather did things his way, like many of you do! Abel offered a sacrifice to God without getting, or taking from the earth. Had Cain learned from the history his mom and dad had for him, he wouldn't fall into the same snares.

As God's chosen, we need to be on the lookout for opportunities to learn from history and then conquer what ever is coming our way.

The Wilderness Test

Psalm 78:40-42

40 How often they provoked Him in the wilderness, And grieved Him in the desert! 41 Yes, again and again they tempted God, And limited the Holy One of Israel. 42 They did not remember His power: The day when He redeemed them from the enemy,

Some of the hardest times for the people of God was in the wilderness, the same is true for you and I. You see, the wilderness is a place of great testing and faith training. The bible says they wandered around in the desert for over 40 years…it’s due to their lack of faith. Had they believed God after the spies returned, they would’ve inherited the Promised Land a lot sooner. This is so true when it comes to our circumstances.

There are quite a few of you who should be further along than you actually are, but you’re stuck in the wilderness, too afraid or concerned about entering the Promised Land. You’re not alone in the wilderness. There were several people in the bible that went through the same things: usually to teach us a spiritual lesson and encourage us to keep on going.

- Abraham was tested in the Wilderness
- Jacob wrestled with an Angel of the Lord all night in the wilderness
- Jesus was tempted in the Wilderness

God will often test the strength or the weakness of our faith in the wilderness. If you’re going to live for God, you must be stronger than your enemies…

The World / Flesh / Devil

LUKE 22:31-34

'And the Lord said, 'Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has askedfor you that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed foryou that your FAITH should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brothers. But Peter replied, Lord I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death.' Jesus said, I tell you the truth Peter, the rooster shall not crow this day before you deny Me 3 times that you know me.'

Jesus told Peter that the devil would attack his life, but He is praying for him to remain ‘faithful’ He goes on to tell him that after he’s recovered, he should strengthen his brothers…Peter replies stating he’s ready to endure the up and coming trial, Jesus answered, ‘No you’re not!’

Why did Jesus say this? One of the obvious truths is, Peter had more faith in his abilities rather than trusting God…he was confident that he was better than his brothers and he could handle anything…Jesus clearly says, no you cannot. However, even when you fall, you should have enough faith to get back up!

You can afford to Fail, but you cannot afford to be untrue or unfaithful!

Peter was sent through a wilderness experience, filled with failure, but he recovered...how about you?

JOSHUA 1:1-2

After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, it came to pass that the Lord spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' assistant saying; 'Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise,go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them - the Children of Israel'

The children of Israel were able to come out of the wilderness after this significant event in their lives…the death of Moses. This speaks of 2 dynamics:

1. Moses represented an era of Unbelief > It was Moses who couldn’t go into the Promised Land because he struck the rock, remember? It was Moses who tried to do everything himself and Jethro had to set him straight

2. Moses represented an era of ‘Almost’ > They almost entered into the land but were halted by the 10 spies, Korah, the Golden Calf, the Bronze serpent, etc. Moses led the people out of bondage, but he couldn’t direct bondage out of the people! They had to learn the basics of freedom, they had to establish faith, establish the law, etc…by the time Moses died, all of that generation had died with him…Joshua and Caleb were the only ones left…they were able to convince the new converts (if you will), to fight for freedom and the Promised Land

This is so true when it comes to you and I coming out of the wilderness. SOMETHING HAS TO DIE, or we’ll never change and come out. God will make sure that we keep going around and around, until we kill off what is hindering. NOW YOU KNOW WHY YOU REPEAT THE SAME STUFF YEAR AFTER YEAR – YOU HAVEN’T DIED.

The Brook of Besor

1 SAMUEL 30:1-10

DAVID’S CONFLICT WITH THE AMALEKITES

30 NOW IT HAPPENED, WHEN DAVID AND HIS MEN CAME TO ZIKLAG, ON THE THIRD DAY, THAT THE AMALEKITES HAD INVADED THE SOUTH AND ZIKLAG, ATTACKED ZIKLAG AND BURNED IT WITH FIRE, 2 AND HAD TAKEN CAPTIVE THE WOMEN AND THOSE WHO WERE THERE, FROM SMALL TO GREAT; THEY DID NOT KILL ANYONE, BUT CARRIED THEM AWAY AND WENT THEIR WAY. 3 SO DAVID AND HIS MEN CAME TO THE CITY, AND THERE IT WAS, BURNED WITH FIRE; AND THEIR WIVES, THEIR SONS, AND THEIR DAUGHTERS HAD BEEN TAKEN CAPTIVE. 4 THEN DAVID AND THE PEOPLE WHO WERE WITH HIM LIFTED UP THEIR VOICES AND WEPT, UNTIL THEY HAD NO MORE POWER TO WEEP. 5 AND DAVID’S TWO WIVES, AHINOAM THE JEZREELITESS, AND ABIGAIL THE WIDOW OF NABAL THE CARMELITE, HAD BEEN TAKEN CAPTIVE. 6 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.
7 THEN DAVID SAID TO ABIATHAR THE PRIEST, AHIMELECH’S SON, “PLEASE BRING THE EPHOD HERE TO ME.” AND ABIATHAR BROUGHT THE EPHOD TO DAVID. 8 SO DAVID INQUIRED OF THE LORD, SAYING, “SHALL I PURSUE THIS TROOP? SHALL I OVERTAKE THEM?”
AND HE ANSWERED HIM, “PURSUE, FOR YOU SHALL SURELY OVERTAKE THEM AND WITHOUT FAIL RECOVER ALL.”
9 SO DAVID WENT, HE AND THE SIX HUNDRED MEN WHO WERE WITH HIM, AND CAME TO THE BROOK BESOR, WHERE THOSE STAYED WHO WERE LEFT BEHIND. 10 BUT DAVID PURSUED, HE AND FOUR HUNDRED MEN; FOR TWO HUNDRED STAYED BEHIND, WHO WERE SO WEARY THAT THEY COULD NOT CROSS THE BROOK BESOR.

1 SAMUEL 30:18-19

18 SO DAVID RECOVERED ALL THAT THE AMALEKITES HAD CARRIED AWAY, AND DAVID RESCUED HIS TWO WIVES. 19 AND NOTHING OF THEIRS WAS LACKING, EITHER SMALL OR GREAT, SONS OR DAUGHTERS, SPOIL OR ANYTHING WHICH THEY HAD TAKEN FROM THEM; DAVID RECOVERED ALL.

Have you ever been in a place in your life where it seems like you’ve lost everything? Have you ever been at the bottom of the barrel? This can be a very lonely, depressing, and despairing place in life > many of us have been here, some are here right now…I want you to know that there is a God in heaven who loves you, and has a way to pull you out!
God brings you to a place where you have to make these decisions on your own. I firmly believe that there are those who need deliverance, and then there are others who simply need to make a decision.

Self – Inflicted Wounds

If you must be reminded, understand, the devil cannot do anything to God’s people without an invitation…if you read the earlier chapter, you see David encamped with the Philistines…really?
In his desperation to get away from King Saul, he defected to the enemy…ever been there?
He’s finally driven away from the enemy but it wasn’t his decision, he was forced out…I know folks like that…you really don’t wanna leave the world, you’ve been forced out by circumstances, and your past devotion to Christ has upset sinners you run with now!!

1 SAMUEL 29:1-5

THE PHILISTINES REJECT DAVID

29 THEN THE PHILISTINES GATHERED TOGETHER ALL THEIR ARMIES AT APHEK, AND THE ISRAELITES ENCAMPED BY A FOUNTAIN WHICH IS IN JEZREEL. 2 AND THE LORDS OF THE PHILISTINES PASSED IN REVIEW BY HUNDREDS AND BY THOUSANDS, BUT DAVID AND HIS MEN PASSED IN REVIEW AT THE REAR WITH ACHISH. 3 THEN THE PRINCES OF THE PHILISTINES SAID, “WHAT ARE THESE HEBREWS DOING HERE?”
AND ACHISH SAID TO THE PRINCES OF THE PHILISTINES, “IS THIS NOT DAVID, THE SERVANT OF SAUL KING OF ISRAEL, WHO HAS BEEN WITH ME THESE DAYS, OR THESE YEARS? AND TO THIS DAY I HAVE FOUND NO FAULT IN HIM SINCE HE DEFECTED TO ME.”
4 BUT THE PRINCES OF THE PHILISTINES WERE ANGRY WITH HIM; SO THE PRINCES OF THE PHILISTINES SAID TO HIM, “MAKE THIS FELLOW RETURN THAT HE MAY GO BACK TO THE PLACE WHICH YOU HAVE APPOINTED FOR HIM, AND DO NOT LET HIM GO DOWN WITH US TO BATTLE, LEST IN THE BATTLE HE BECOME OUR ADVERSARY. FOR WITH WHAT COULD HE RECONCILE HIMSELF TO HIS MASTER, IF NOT WITH THE HEADS OF THESE MEN? 5 IS THIS NOT DAVID, OF WHOM THEY SANG TO ONE ANOTHER IN DANCES, SAYING:
‘SAUL HAS SLAIN HIS THOUSANDS, AND DAVID HIS TEN THOUSANDS’?

Listen, the enemy knows your resume! Now that David is back where he belongs, it’s not without consequence – we still reap what we sow people. The enemy came in and took all that he had a right to. The same is true for you and me.

Steps To Recovery

Our text speaks of some steps that David took in order to recover what the enemy took from him…it would serve you and me well to know and do these things.

VERSE 6 – 8 > . 6 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.
7 THEN DAVID SAID TO ABIATHAR THE PRIEST, AHIMELECH’S SON, “PLEASE BRING THE EPHOD HERE TO ME.” AND ABIATHAR BROUGHT THE EPHOD TO DAVID. 8 SO DAVID INQUIRED OF THE LORD, SAYING, “SHALL I PURSUE THIS TROOP? SHALL I OVERTAKE THEM?”
AND HE ANSWERED HIM, “PURSUE, FOR YOU SHALL SURELY OVERTAKE THEM AND WITHOUT FAIL RECOVER ALL.”

The first thing David did was encourage himself. While there is certainly nothing wrong with being encouraged by others, you can encourage yourself as well! This does wonders for your integrity and personal worship.
The second thing David did, was have the high priest give him an ephod. The linen ephod used to be worn by the high priest, then an ordinary priest, but presently, it was worn for oracular purposes (Petition/Prayerful) purposes. Specifically when you were seeking God’s will and direction, it was traditional to wear an ephod.

This was understood by all that you were humbly seeking God’s direction and favor. Jesus translates this in Matt. 22 when speaking of a wedding garment…only those who wore this garment was worthy in the King’s court…also, an ephod resembled the ‘Breastplate’ of Ephesians 6, because they both covered the same part of the body…the heart.

As you can see, David encouraged himself, then he submitted himself to spiritual authority and humility in prayer. Do you want to recover what the devil has taken from you? This is a good place to start!

What about Them?

Look at our text,

9 SO DAVID WENT, HE AND THE SIX HUNDRED MEN WHO WERE WITH HIM, AND CAME TO THE BROOK BESOR, WHERE THOSE STAYED WHO WERE LEFT BEHIND. 10 BUT DAVID PURSUED, HE AND FOUR HUNDRED MEN; FOR TWO HUNDRED STAYED BEHIND, WHO WERE SO WEARY THAT THEY COULD NOT CROSS THE BROOK BESOR.

We know that David took 400 men over to recover all that was taken, but what about the 200 left behind? What became of them?
Now, I can spend the n
ext 15 minutes speaking of how weak and terrible these 200 were and how they should’ve shaken themselves out of the funk they were in…I’m probably right in many instances, but not 100%
Why? Well, there are some that are simply too weary to go forward at times! I know we may not want to hear this, but it’s a reality nonetheless.
So what do you do with these people?

- Ridicule them
- Rebuke them
- Ostracize them

Why don’t we try something different…WHY DON’T WE HELP THEM OUT!!
When David asked God if he could pursue the enemy, God said yes…David and 400 men went to recover ALL, not just their stuff, but the weary ones’ things also! I know there are weary people in here…you’ve been battling, you’ve been going nonstop and have hit a wall – LISTEN, YOUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS WHO ARE STILL ABLE TO FIGHT, WILL FIGHT FOR YOU – THAT MAKES US FAMILY!!

We don’t recover things for those we like, or those who are like us – IT’S FOR EVERYONE!! Note: God didn’t battle with David, or help him at all, he had to recover these things on his own…so must we.

He Softens the Blows

Isaiah 53:5
New King James Version (NKJV)
5 But He was wounded for our transgressions,
He was bruised for our iniquities;
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,
And by His stripes we are healed.

Isaiah 54:17
New King James Version (NKJV)
17 No weapon formed against you shall prosper,
And every tongue which rises against you in judgment
You shall condemn.
This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord,
And their righteousness is from Me,”
Says the Lord.

Jesus softens our blows. The Word says because of our transgressions and iniquities, He was punished, not us. Although we suffer the consequences of our sins, we have yet to pay the full price for them! Keep in mind,
this scripture is written to Believers...so this is referring to God's people who sin After salvation.

If we're not careful, we look at this scripture and Only apply it to His crucifixion...JESUS IS STILL BEING WOUNDED AND BRUISED ON OUR BEHALF...

The chastisement for our peace was upon Him...so let me ask you, do you still have peace? He's chastised for that...

In chapter 54, we see the thought/point expanded. He shows us because of His protection, that weapons the enemy will form, will not be able to prosper against us. If we're not careful we overlook things in this passage also. Think with me, He said, no weapon formed...this implies that the weapons are still BEING FORMED...it goes on to say that these weapons will not prosper...let me ask you - how can anything be prosperous or a complete failure without being APPLIED AND/OR TESTED?

Jesus said the weapons won't prosper, not that the enemy won't try!  So don't be discouraged when hell comes against you - peace isn't the absence of conflict, it's the presence of a Holy and Just God! Jesus softens our blows, what a relief!

The True Church of Christ

Matt. 16: 13-19, When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples saying, 'Who do men say that I am? They answered, 'some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets. He said to them, 'But who do you say I am? Simon answered, 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.' Jesus answered saying, 'Flesh and blood have not revealed this to you, but My Father in heaven. I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.'

If you look at this scripture, you'd be amazed at what prompted Jesus' speech following what Peter said. Peter simply confessed that Jesus was the
Son of the Most High God! Jesus then exclaimed that He will build His church, upon that revelation! Ergo, in order to be a true church of Christ, you first must recognize who He truly is!


You serve according to what you confess. In other words, if you believe that Jesus was only a good teacher, then that is the level of your commitment!

Look at the rich young ruler's life, (Matt. 19: 16-17, 21-22); he called Jesus a good teacher, but when Jesus challenged him beyond that, he couldn't handle it! Who is Jesus to you? If He is no better than a philosopher, Ghandi, or some other historical person who simply died for a cause - that's not enough to change your life, nor is it enough to be called a living church!

What's important to understand is, without a true revelation of who Jesus Christ is...THE GATES OF HELL WILL ALWAYS PREVAIL...but they cannot prevail when you, as a Christian are armed with that revelation!

Jesus makes this personal - He's asking us today, 'Who do you say I am?' Is He the Lord and Savior, or just another piece of theological ideology? Who is He to you? The answer to that question determines whether or not you're in a Church, or a simple Gathering.

If I Only Knew

1st Sam. 3: 1, 7 - 'Now the boy Samuel ministered to the Lord before Eli...(Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, nor was the word of the Lord yet revealed to him.)

Here is a young man who ministered for God, but he wasn't saved! He learned of God, but he did not know God! However, in this text, Samuel got a revelation of who God is. See, you can't learn God, He must be revealed...this takes place in conversation and covenant. We serve a God of covenant and we serve a speaking God! God will speak to you, He does this all the time, but will you respond.

The Word was rare in those days, so much so that when God spoke to Samuel, he mistook the voice of God for Eli's! When he finally responds to God, everything from that moment on changed! Let me ask you, how long have you served in the house of God, and yet do not know Him? I know you know the bible, or even the church, but what about the God of the bible/church? Do you know Him?

He knows you all too well! God knows your thoughts, intentions, motives, temperaments, disposition, etc. He is God - He has never been anything/anyone else! He doesn't respond to life like you and I do...He's God.  Isa. 11: 3 - 'His delight is in the fear of the Lord, and He shall not judge by the sight of His eyes, nor decide by the hearing of His ears;'

Not only does God know our faults, but He knows how to help us conquer them! He knows what you do and who you are! He's God all by Himself; the Word tells us, besides Him, there is no other.  Do you know Him? Can He speak to you? Are you willing to cut covenant with the Living God?  This is the key because, if you change your conversation - He will change your life!

Practice and Obedience apart from Relationship is RELIGION...this was the difference between Samuel and Eli's sons Hophni and Phineas...they did thing

s in the church, but did little to change who they were on the inside...Samuel heard from the Lord, responded to the voice of God, and became a great Prophet to the children of Israel.  Can God speak to you? Find out who your God is...the God of the Bible...lose yourself in Him!

What Happens to You?

Matt. 24: 36-44

36 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven,[e] but My Father only. 37 But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 38 For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, 39 and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 40 Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. 42 Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour[f] your Lord is coming. 43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. 44 Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

I'm sure we're all familiar with the signs of the end times. We can all agree that we are truly living in the Last Days...however, the often neglected but necessary question to ask is...what happens to you? Think with me, if Jesus were to come back today, what would happen to you?

We don't think about this often, this is taken for granted, or we're so caught up in the signs, we fail to see the condition of our own hearts.  Listen, Jesus is coming back, and He's coming for those in anticipation.  The bible says that God closed the ark door and then the floods came.  I always wondered, how long was Noah and his family finished with the ark before God closed the door? Was God trying to be merciful to those who didn't help.

See, judgment didn't come until Noah was finished. Could it be that God is waiting on us to 'finish'. You know, what if God is simply waiting for us to finish.  What were the last words Jesus said on the cross...'It is finished...'

What are you going to do about the future of your soul? Don't let time be an enemy.

Stand Still

Ephesians 6:13-17

13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;

There is a line between faith in action, and believing faith is action. In other words, we can believe that if we’ve done everything we can in order to gain God’s attention, but not get it, we’ve failed God somehow, or our faith isn’t real. There are times when you simply need to step back and let God do the rest. I understand that faith takes action, but there are some things you simply cannot do – you must allow God to move…this means, you have to wait.  

Exodus 14:13-14

13 And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. 14 The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.”

Even after all of this obedience…the enemy is bearing down on them; what’s worse is they’re backs are against the Red Sea! What Moses tells them to do at this point is remarkable…stand still.

Listen to me Christian, you’ve done the exact same things…you’ve fled Egypt, you’ve gone in God’s direction and worshiped Him, only to become under attack!!

The question on your mind is no different than anyone else’s ‘If I’m doing what’s right, why all this trouble?’

You must understand, the will of God is not about what you can do, but what God can do through you and for you!