by Cheryl Harewood

WHEN YOU GET INTO TROUBLEand are devastated, go to the houseof the Lord to worship. You arenot ready to overcome unlessyou learn to worship.

Bishop T. Barrow made this declaration to the scores of people gathered at the former Olympic Theatre on Palmetto Square,The City, two Thursdays ago.

It was Victorious Living Ministries' 11 a.m. service, which sometimes attracts over 200 worshippers weekly. It is the time when the leaders of the church leave their pitched tent at Briar Hall, Christ Church, to accommodate those who may not be able to visit Briar Hall, along with those in The City who are spiritually hungry. This sanctuary is also home to Deliverance Temple Ministries of Barbaos.

When Altar Call visited, there was standing room only - as is often the case. Those who took a break from their work, mothers with babies in arms, the elderly, the young and not-so-young - along with those who just wanted to hear the Word or were in need of healing for various situations in their lives - were among the gathered.

Barrow took his congregation to2 Samuel 12:30 - the story of David and Bathsheba.

As he spoke of how David placed Bathsheba's husband Uriah at the battlefront to have him killed so he could take Bathsheba as his wife, Barrow noted that even after God allowed David and Bathsheba's sonto die as a result of their sin, David worshipped God.

"David was desperate becausehe loved his child and he loved Bathsheba. David got over his sin and what I am telling you todayis to get over it. Get over whatever situation you've found yourself in.

"David fell into sin and found himself devastated. Some of you have gotten bad news and you are devastated, but I declare to youthat Jesus was wounded for your transgressions, bruised for your iniquities and by His stripes youare healed," the former UnitedStates-based preacher said.

He continued: "When you get to the place where you do not know what to do, look to the King of Glory - the Lord strong in battle.He will bring you through. He willlift you up. He will make sureyou get through it victoriously," Barrow reiterated.

He told worshippers: "Don't give up no matter what kind of pain is in your body. God says I come that you may have life and have it more abundantly. I don't care what weight is weighing you down or what the devil has put on you. Your God is able to do abundantly above what you think or imagine," he added.

He reminded them that all things work together for good to them that love the Lord, and urged them not to cry over dead situations.

Barrow stressed that David took oil, anointed himself, and worshipped. He told his listeners that likewise, they need not wait for anyone to anoint them.

He said that as David worshipped God, he found peace and got overhis past sins.

"I don't care what you did yesterday or five minutes ago. Your God is faithful. God places your sins in the sea of forgetfulness. How dare you bring them back in His face?"he asked his congregation.

Throughout what was an inspired service - one filled with an abundance of praise, worship and testimonies, Barrow stressed that we must allow God to fight our battles for us.

As people busied themselves in The City, shopping and working, this service, presided over by evangelist James Price, proved to be spiritual "food" for many.

Some were ministered to through the laying on of hands in prayer, and three individuals accepted the invitation to give their lives to God during the altar call.

It was an afternoon well spent.