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You must develop a direct relationship with Jesus Christ that is not dependent on anyone else. Far too many people have their faith shipwrecked when they get spiritually hurt by someone in the church, especially if it comes from the church leadership they look up to.

We have seen members hurt by pastors and pastors hurt by members. Such are the realities of modern church life, and it happens so easily. The Lord may have plans for you to _______, while the church leadership may envision you _______, and they will usually not understand or agree with your choices. Also, it is much easier to step up into a position than it is to step down from it.

Even those you look up to spiritually may let you down, and when they do, you need to be able to continue walking with the Lord without them. If you are a pastor, then you have probably already learned how quickly your biggest fan can become a bitter adversary. Regardless of which side of the pulpit you are on, you allow nothing and no one to come between you and the Lord, ever. You keep your relationship with the Lord alive at all costs.

Usually, the Lord starts something great, and then people mess it up. In Acts 13, the Holy Spirit called Barnabas and Saul out for a mission trip.

(Acts 13:1-3 NKJV) Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, "Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.

Barnabas and Paul made an incredible ministry team. Then, after many years of working side by side, they found themselves at a crossroads when it came time to plan their next mission trip. The issue was whether to bring John Mark along. John Mark, who was Barnabas' cousin, had previously left the ministry under less-than-ideal circumstances, and Paul wasn't comfortable relying on him again.

Meanwhile, Barnabas—whose name means "Son of Encouragement"—was full of grace and compassion. He was a redeemer of lost causes and the one who brought the outcast Saul (also known as Paul) into the church after his history of persecuting it. Barnabas wanted to give John Mark another chance and hoped to restore him to the team, but at the time, Paul did not.

They had a sharp disagreement, and it led to a split in their partnership. Paul and Barnabas both continued to walk with the Lord, but now they did so separately, and the Lord accompanied each of them. Additionally, John Mark became a close companion of the Apostle Peter and later wrote the Gospel of Mark.

That is what we need to be able to do when something awful like this happens. If Paul had been Barnabas' only connection to the Lord, then Barnabas' faith, as well as Mark's, would have become shipwrecked.

References: (Acts 13:13) (Acts 15:37–40) (Colossians 4:10) (Acts 4:36) (Acts 9:26-27)

Too many people experience "church hurt" and subsequently drift away from God because they see their church as their only connection to Him. However, He is also with each of us at home or while we're at work. While the church undeniably connects us to others in the body of Christ, I have been used by the Holy Spirit to lead people to the Lord while playing music in bars. In fact, the Lord has used me more outside the church than in. You certainly don't have to be in a church to connect with the Lord.

In 1 Samuel, David and his men returned to their town of Ziklag and found it burned to the ground, with their families kidnapped and their belongings stolen. The men who were with David blamed him for it and contemplated killing him.

(1 Samuel 30:6-8 NKJV) 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. Then David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech's son, "Please bring the ephod here to me." And Abiathar brought the ephod to David. 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."

When everyone turned their backs on him, David strengthened himself in the Lord, talked with Him, and the Lord answered him back. Although Abiathar, the priest, was standing right there, David chose to inquire of God directly, and he received the answer to his question. This is how all the great leaders in scripture approached God. We come before His throne. The author of Hebrews wrote:

(Hebrews 4:16 NKJV) Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

When everyone on Earth lets you down, you need to be able to strengthen yourself in the Lord. Find a place alone, pour your heart out to God, and there you will discover new strength. You will also find grace to help in your time of need. James wrote:

"Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray" (James 5:13 NKJV), and "the effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much." (James 5:16 NKJV).

Each of us needs to have a direct connection to God. To be able to pray and hear what the Holy Spirit is speaking. We should not depend on others to tell us what the Lord wants for us. It is wonderful to have people you can trust for advice, but that should only confirm what the Holy Spirit has told you. Others cannot be your spiritual connection; when they die, so will your connection. The disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray, and this is what He told them:

(Luke 11:1-4 NKJV) Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, "Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples." So He said to them, "When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, For we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one."

Jesus taught the disciples to pray directly to "Our Father in heaven" rather than bringing their prayer requests to Him, a priest, or anyone else. It is wonderful for us to pray for one another, and we should, but that does not replace praying on our own. Our peace, hope, joy, insight, and inspiration come when we pray.

I am happy to pray with you and for you, and I will as long as the Lord allows me to. However, I also desire for you to be able to pray for me. I want you to have a direct connection to the Holy Spirit so you can lift me up when I'm down. What David went through is real. What Paul and Barnabas went through is real. It has happened to us several times, and it can happen to you. When it does, you need to find strength in the Lord and receive your answers directly from Him.

You can pray this with me if you like:

Prayer: Heavenly Father, please speak to me in a way that I understand and teach me to recognize Your voice. I want to know You in a deeper way. Help me heal from the spiritual injuries that I have received, and put my trust in You. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!