This week Bro. Leo leads us deeper into a study of the Leadership of God.

The scariest words we can utter to ourselves are “”I” think this is the best thing to do”.  When we say that we are relying solely on our own understanding, experience and wisdom instead of relying on God’s all knowing wisdom and guidance (James 1:8, Jer.29:11).

In 1 Sam. 30:6 the words ” encouraged himself” is translated from the Hebrew word “châzaq” which means to attach yourself to, to be bound to which will result in strengthening, to firm in or to be supported by, to cling to.
What David is saying is he is not going to devise a plan on his own, he is going to rely solely on what God tells him to do by using the ephod to get a direct answer from God.  Listen to the recorded study for the definition of the ephod and how it worked, it was an active and living source of God’s direct guidance, wisdom and instruction during the old covenant.

In the new covenant we have the Holy Spirit indwelling us that will give us God’s direct guidance, wisdom and instruction.  Psalms 119:4-8, 11-16, 23-24, 33-35, 40 tells us how we activate the Holy Spirit in our life.  The Word of God working with the Holy Spirit will give us a direct answer and guidance from God.

When we make a decision we should be able to utter these words “the Spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting” (Acts 11:12).

Scriptures used in today’s study:

1Sa 30:1 And it came to pass, when David and his men were come to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the south, and Ziklag, and smitten Ziklag, and burned it with fire;
1Sa 30:2 And had taken the women captives, that were therein: they slew not any, either great or small, but carried them away, and went on their way.
1Sa 30:3 So David and his men came to the city, and, behold, it was burned with fire; and their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, were taken captives.
1Sa 30:4 Then David and the people that were with him lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep.
1Sa 30:5 And David’s two wives were taken captives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite.
1Sa 30:6 And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.
1Sa 30:7 And David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech’s son, I pray thee, bring me hither the ephod. And Abiathar brought thither the ephod to David.
1Sa 30:8 And David enquired at the LORD, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all.

Act 11:11 And, behold, immediately there were three men already come unto the house where I was, sent from Caesarea unto me.
Act 11:12 And the Spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man’s house:

Jas 1:8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

Jer 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Psa 119:4 Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.
Psa 119:5 O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!
Psa 119:6 Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.
Psa 119:7 I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.
Psa 119:8 I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly.
Psa 119:12 Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.
Psa 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
Psa 119:13 With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.
Psa 119:14 I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.
Psa 119:15 I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.
Psa 119:16 I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.
Psa 119:23 Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.
Psa 119:24 Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors.
Psa 119:33 HE. Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end.
Psa 119:34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.
Psa 119:35 Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.
Psa 119:40 Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness.

Act 16:5 And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.
Act 16:6 Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,
Act 16:7 After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.

Act 11:11 And, behold, immediately there were three men already come unto the house where I was, sent from Caesarea unto me.
Act 11:12 And the Spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man’s house:

Isa 30:19 For the people shall dwell in Zion at Jerusalem: thou shalt weep no more: he will be very gracious unto thee at the voice of thy cry; when he shall hear it, he will answer thee.
Isa 30:20 And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction, yet shall not thy teachers be removed into a corner any more, but thine eyes shall see thy teachers:
Isa 30:21 And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.

Joh 10:9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
Joh 10:2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
Joh 10:14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
Joh 10:17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
Joh 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
Joh 10:4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.