Life Hacks, Part 2

Intro

Hack Definition - makes you say, “this simple action makes life better, I wish had been doing that a long time ago”

Starting 2022 with life hacks to make your year go better, be more fruitful

Last week, we discussed fasting, if you missed it, I suggest you go to YouTube and watch it

Today’s life hack also has something to do with prayer

not breaking any new ground, but maybe this time, this year, at this moment, it will stick

2 Samuel 2:1 KJV 1900

1 And it came to pass after this, that David inquired of the Lord, saying, Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah? And the Lord said unto him, Go up. And David said, Whither shall I go up? And he said, Unto Hebron.

And it came to pass after this

There are several things in this “And it came to pass after this” moment. Allow me to set the scene for you because David is in a moment, that many of us find ourselves in

one thing is David learning that King Saul is dead

the one who has tried to kill him for years is dead

the one that forced him into ducking, dodging, and hiding in caves

being treated like a criminal, even though he was loyal to the king

and I am sure that his death brings some relief and satisfaction - I didn’t have to lay a finger on my enemy, the Lord took care of it

so let me ask a question to those who have experienced some relief and satisfaction

your enemy did fall, or you finally got the job, the raise, the promotion, the accomplishment, have that new relationship

in your relief and satisfaction, what are you praying about? How are you praying

or are you even praying anymore, now that relief and a measure of satisfaction has come

but also in this moment, David has learned that Jonathan is dead

his best friend is dead

and though Saul mistreated him, David loved him too, so David is grieving

some “after this” moments, are filled with loss

loss of a loved one - whether expected or unexpected

loss of health

loss of income

loss of a relationship - bitter disagreements, betrayal, separation

these losses often wake us up to the harsh realities of life . . . they hurt, weigh on your mind, they disturb your peace, loose sleep

these are real problems, and you should go to God for healing and restoration

but let me ask a difficult question, when the losses of life hits you in the face, “What are you praying about? How are you praying?

This moment also represents a reminder of how close he was to destruction himself. He was this close to being in the same battle where Saul and Jonathan were killed. And the only thing that saved him was not common sense on his part, but his enemies kept him out of the battle. In other words, “God kept him”

I am sure he is reflecting on , “It could have been me”

he is probably thankful in this moment

some of you are at moments, that if you look back with any amount of perception, you will say, that it could have been me

and I hope that you are thankful that God kept you

but in your thankfulness, let me ask you a question, “What are you praying about?”

This moment also represents the reality to David that his schedule and plans were very different from God’s discover:

after killing the giant Goliath, David was on the fast track to stardom

probably though: Saul will mentor me, Jonathan will help me, a couple years and then I’ll be king

But instead of mentoring, Saul tried to kill him instead, he lost contact with Jonathan, and now both Saul and Jonathan are dead, around 15 years have passed, and he is king of nothing,

let me ask you a question, When things don’t happen like you thought it would, when your expectations were all wrong, “What are you praying about ”

in this moment, I am sure David is reflecting on his bad decisions. Twice, he ran to the enemy for help, and barely escaped with his own life. Made a bad decison, and said let me try that same bad decision again. Maybe 15 years would have been 10 years if he had just trusted in the Lord, fully

David is probably filled with regret in this moment . . . If only I had . . . things could have been so much better, different

Some of you are in a “if only I had” moment. Regrets about certain decisions. Regrets about certain choices

let me ask you a question . . as you think on what you missed out on, what could have been, “What are you praying about>”

in this moment, so much has changed for David:

his circle of friends and associates has changed

some people left him, circumstances forced some people out of your life

started out as a disregarded family member

rose to be a champion of the people, and a highly respected captain in the army

and now he is a leader of a rag-tag group of stragglers

this circle of friends was most unexpected

some of you are in a new circle because some people left you, circumstances forced some other out of your life.

With your new circle, let me ask you a question. And the question is, “What are you praying about

but “after this” also presents opportunity - finally the road is open to David becoming king

though you didn’t ask for the losses, didn’t ask for the heartaches, an opportunity is there

despite your foolish choices and decisions, an opportunity is there

even though your expected schedule has to be trashed, a new road has opened

though you almost didn’t make it, God kept you, and you did

though the chapter has closed on some old relationships, a new chapter has begun with new relationships

and though some positive things have happened that bring you relief and satisfaction, a new opportunity is here

and if any of this apply to you, you are in an “after this” moment. And the question is, “What are you praying about?”

And I ask this question because I don’t want you to waste everything you have been through!

The trials, hardships, the lessons learned, the spiritual growth, the almost disasters

that David inquired of the Lord saying, Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah? And the Lord said unto him, Go up.

David asks if he should stop running. Seems that he should, seems that he can. But David ask anyway

This is the sign of a man who’s schedule and expectations have been trashed before

There is an old saying that if you want to make God laugh, show him your plans

David learned his lesson back in 1st Samuel. (after encouraging himself in the Lord, he asked if he should pursue the enemy)

So David asks for THE VERY NEXT STEP . . . A NEXT STEP PRAYER

NEXT STEP PRAYER

not an overall plan, but the next step

not the overall agenda, but the next item on the agenda

not the complete strategy, but the next move

some of our prayers are too far ahead

praying about 2022, when we need to be praying about January

praying about January, when we need to be praying about this week

praying about this week . . . day

praying about the day . . . help that I don’t lose it in the next 5 minutes

life hack: pray more about the next step

Jesus said when you pray

Give us this day, our daily bread . . . provision for this day

Jesus also said,

Matthew 6:34 NASB95

34 “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

you can pray about what’s way down the road, plan for what’s way down the road

but you have some turns coming up, that you need to be praying about

Right before Jesus ascended back into heaven, his disciples wanted to know all about the future plans . . . his main message . . . . just wait in Jerusalem for the Holy Spirit . . . Let’s focus on the next step

so David asked for the next step . . . got an answer . . . and then David asked for . . . wait for it . . . . the next step

And David said, Whither shall I go up? And he said, Unto Hebron.

asking for the next step is a good prayer

and good prayers lead answers, and answers lead to the next prayer

and the next prayer leads to the next step

David is building this, one step at a time

when you study David’s, he basically does this for the rest of his life

he carries an attitude of I don’t know what God has next

I won’t assume anything, I’ll ask

after he became king, he was attacked by Philistines

some of us are not getting answers from God, because we are asking the wrong questions

every prayer is long term, in other words, we are praying for end results

Lord I need this to happen, and I need this result to occur

Lord I want this situation to change

Lord please fix this problem

nothing wrong with that

but we should more so be praying for/asking about the next step in the process

David is to be king, but he has learn to inquire about the next step . . . and willing to accept the answer . . . . shall I stop running now?

finances . . .what’s the next step

relationships . . . what’s the next step

enemies . . . what’s the next step

health . . . what’s the next step

what should I do in this moment . . . direct my steps

And God tells him to go to Hebron.

so David stops running, takes himself and his men, and their families to Hebron

he is responsible for their lives, so to come out of hiding is a big step of faith

and watch what happens, to a person who is focused on the next step that God has for them

2 Samuel 2:4 NASB95

4 Then the men of Judah came and there anointed David king over the house of Judah. And they told David, saying, “It was the men of Jabesh-gilead who buried Saul.”

David asked for the next step, and then the next step

and then God made a step . . . he had the people come and make David king.

when you take a step at a time, you will find yourself in the right position

you will find long range goals being met

There at Hebron he was crowned king of Judah, still a long way to go before being king of all Israel, but he has taken the next step . .

Summary

Next steps lead to next steps

some things in your life are on hold, because you haven’t taken the next step, you keep trying to get ahead of the Lord

love quoting Jeremiah 29:11 for I know the plans I have for you declares the lord

how about let the Lord deal with the plans, and you focus on the steps

disciples were worried about who would be the greatest when Jesus would reign. Mother of James and John asked if her boys could be his number 1 and number 2 people

they should have focused on not running away when they came to arrest Jesus . . . that was the next step

a personal example - became a pastor in steps

people said I was going to be a preacher

working with Father at WMBC, not to become a pastor, but as a good member, dutiful son

jr. deacon

Pastor Pope and Gospel Choir, learn to work with Christians

College Gospel Choir, another religous group

playing for churches while in college - picking up things

coming back here - deacon

teacher - learn to pastor a group of people with their own mindset, where I am supposed to be the most mature one,

assistant pastor - then I waited, understand that the next step could be “to wait”. . . . served and remain faithful until God said it was time

Jesus came in steps

even started as a baby in a manger

Bethlehem - Egypt - Nazaret

child traveling with his parents

time to be baptized by John

40 days of fasting in wilderness

started preaching in Gallilee - and spread out into Judea

story of him taking out time to pay taxes,

ministered for 3 years

betrayal - trial - torture - crucifixion - death - resurrection - instructions - ascension . . . . coming back

people don’t regcognize God because they are looking for big picture, when they should be looking for the steps.

some won’t accept Christ, cause they are looking to far down the road

do this, do that

change this , change that

start with a Yes, Lord

save my soul from hell right now

Pastoral Remarks

Gospel bags – slow-perishable/easy open items: individually wrapped snacks (cookies, chips, peanuts, candy, fruit snacks, protein bars)

Birthday list, please double check!