Scratch: When No One Goes With Me

Going Alone

Jon Fredricks

Today's Scripture: 1 Samuel 14:1-14 (NIV)

1. PIN THE PURPOSE

1 Samuel 14:6 (NIV)

6 Jonathan said to his young armor-bearer, “Come, let’s go over to the outpost of those uncircumcised men. Perhaps the Lord will act in our behalf. Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few.”

Galatians 2:20 (ESV)

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Romans 14:8 (ESV)

For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's.

Philippians 1:20 (NIV)20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.

Proverbs 3:3 (ESV)

Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart.

Habakkuk 2:2 (ESV)

And the Lord answered me: “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it.

2. SURRENDER VALIDATION

John 6:63 (ESV)

It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.

Matthew 16:23 (NIV)

Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”

Mark 3:21 (NIV)

21 When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.”

Proverbs 29:25 (The Message)

25 The fear of human opinion disables;trusting in God protects you from that.

1 Samuel 14:1, 3b (NIV)

1 One day Jonathan son of Saul said to his young armor-bearer, “Come, let’s go over to the Philistine outpost on the other side.” But he did not tell his father.

3b…No one was aware that Jonathan had left.

1 Samuel 14:17 (NIV)

17 Then Saul said to the men who were with him, “Muster the forces and see who has left us.” When they did, it was Jonathan and his armor-bearer who were not there.

3. LEAN INTO THE GOOD HELP YOU DO HAVE

1 Samuel 14:7 (NIV)

“Do all that you have in mind,” his armor-bearer said. “Go ahead; I am with you heart and soul.”

Psalm 68:6 (NIV)

God sets the lonely in families, he leads out the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.

4. TRUST

1 Samuel 14:11-12 (NIV)

11 So both of them showed themselves to the Philistine outpost. “Look!” said the Philistines. “The Hebrews are crawling out of the holes they were hiding in.” 12 The men of the outpost shouted to Jonathan and his armor-bearer, “Come up to us and we’ll teach you a lesson.”

So Jonathan said to his armor-bearer, “Climb up after me; the Lord has given them into the hand of Israel.”

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

Scratch: When We Need to Start Over

No More Games with God

Jon Fredricks

Today's Scripture: 1 Samuel 13:1-14

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭86‬:‭11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Teach me your way, LORD, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.”

The Parable of the Lost Son

Luke 15:11-32

Matthew 22:37-39

37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’[a] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment.

An Undivided Heart:

1 ) Slows Down

Luke 10:41-42

41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Psalm 46:10

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

2) Takes steps back

Philippians 3:8

What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ

Luke 19:8

But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.”

3) Knows Order is important

Exodus 20:3

“You shall have no other gods before me.

Matthew 6:33

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

4) Waits for God

Psalm 27:14

Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.

Isaiah 40:31

but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

Acts 3:19

Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,

Calling: Keeping, Finding, Growing

Digging Out the Old

Jon Fredricks

Today's Scripture: 1 Samuel 7:1-4 NIV

1 Samuel 7:1-4 NIV

So the men of Kiriath Jearim came and took up the ark of the Lord. They brought it to Abinadab’s house on the hill and consecrated Eleazar his son to guard the ark of the Lord. 2 The ark remained at Kiriath Jearim a long time—twenty years in all. Then all the people of Israel turned back to the Lord. 3 So Samuel said to all the Israelites, “If you are returning to the Lord with all your hearts, then rid yourselves of the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths and commit yourselves to the Lord and serve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.” 4 So the Israelites put away their Baals and Ashtoreths, and served the Lord only.

1) SETTLE YOUR SERVE

1 Samuel 2:26 NIV

26 And the boy Samuel continued to grow in stature and in favor with the Lord and with people.

Matthew 4:10 NIV

10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”

Ephesians 6:7 NIV

Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people

2) FAITHFUL BEFORE FRUITFUL

1 Samuel 3:19-21 NIV

19 The Lord was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of Samuel’s words fall to the ground. 20 And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba recognized that Samuel was attested as a prophet of the Lord. 21 The Lord continued to appear at Shiloh, and there he revealed himself to Samuel through his word.

Colossians 3:23-24 NIV

23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

Matthew 25:23 NIV

23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’

3) CHANGE THE METHODS - NOT THE MESSAGE

1 Samuel 3:19-21 NIV

19 The Lord was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of Samuel’s words fall to the ground. 20 And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba recognized that Samuel was attested as a prophet of the Lord. 21 The Lord continued to appear at Shiloh, and there he revealed himself to Samuel through his word.

4) BUILD EBENEZER

1 Samuel 7:12 NIV

12 Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.”

1 Samuel 7:15 NIV

15 Samuel continued as Israel’s leader all the days of his life.

Calling: Keeping, Finding, Growing

Failure, My Greatest Friend

Bobby Humes

Today's Scripture: 1 Samuel 4:2-3 NIV

Romans 7:18-20 NIV

For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.

Romans 8:20-21 NIV

For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.

1 Samuel 4:2-3 NIV

The Philistines deployed their forces to meet Israel, and as the battle spread, Israel was defeated by the Philistines, who killed about four thousand of them on the battlefield. When the soldiers returned to camp, the elders of Israel asked, “Why did the Lord bring defeat on us today before the Philistines? Let us bring the ark of the Lord’s covenant from Shiloh, so that he may go with us and save us from the hand of our enemies.”

Isaiah 30:9-10 NIV

For these are rebellious people, deceitful children, children unwilling to listen to the Lord’s instruction. They say to the seers, “See no more visions!” and to the prophets, “Give us no more visions of what is right! Tell us pleasant things, prophesy illusions.

1) WHY DO WE RUN FROM FAILURE?

Genesis 3:8-10 NIV

Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.”

Proverbs 15:32 NIV

Those who disregard discipline despise themselves, but the one who heeds correction gains understanding.

Proverbs 12:1 NIV

Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid.

Jonah 1:1-3 NIV

The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai: “Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.” But Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the Lord.

2) WHAT IF FAILURE WAS AN INCREDIBLE GIFT?

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 NIV

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 about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Isaiah 40:29-31 NIV

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Romans 8:28 NIV

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

3) HOW CAN I LEVERAGE MY MOST RECENT FAILURE?

Psalm 37:5-6 NIV

Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.

Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV

1 Peter 5:6-7 NIV

4) HOW FAILURE BECOMES A FRIEND

2 Peter 3:9 NIV

Romans 1:1-2 NIV

1 Samuel 6:15-16 NIV

1 Samuel 7:6 NIV

1 Samuel 7:13-16 NIV

Calling: Keeping, Finding, Growing

Communication In Relationship

Bobby Humes

Today's Scripture: 1 Samuel 3:4-10 NIV

1 Samuel 3:4-10 NIV

Then the Lord called Samuel. Samuel answered, “Here I am.” And he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” But Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” So he went and lay down. Again the Lord called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” “My son,” Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord: The word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. A third time the Lord called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” Then Eli realized that the Lord was calling the boy. So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’ ” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”

1 Samuel 3:1 NIV

In those days the word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions.

1 Samuel 3:7 NIV

John 1:1-3 NIV

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.

Isaiah 55:11 NIV

so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

2 Timothy 3:16 NIV

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

John 1:7 NIV

He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe.

Revelations 3:20 NIV

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

James 4:8-10 NIV

Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

Jeremiah 33:3 NIV

Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.

John 10:27 NIV

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.

Isaiah 30:21 NIV

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”

1) HOW DO WE PRAY?

1 John 5:14-15 NIV

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.

John 14:13-14 NIV

And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

Philippians 4:6-7 NIV

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

2) WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO LISTEN?

3) HOW CAN WE HEAR AND LISTEN?

James 1:5-8 NIV

1 Samuel 3:4 NIV

James 5:16 NIV

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

Psalms 51:10 NIV

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Matthew 28:19-20 NIV

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”