When You're in a Battle

 I just found some notes that I had written to myself for myself. I just read them and am encouraged. I think they are beneficial to share with you....

When You're in a Battle....

Know this: Battles are expected. 

We war against principalities and powers in high places.

DO NOT...

• Draw back in fear
• Do not give up
• Do not be discouraged
• Do not blame God
• Do not be angry at God
• Do not lean on your own understanding
• Do not back down
• Do not rely on your own strength
• Do not rely on your own understanding

DO...

• Put your faith in God in spite of the lions or the fiery furnaces
• His Word is your counsel
• Call on God - He will hear you - He will answer you
• Believe what God says about you
• Be bold as a lion
• Fight with God confidence
• Stand immovable
• Hold fast to what God says
• Keep solidly on course in God's direction
• Say, "This is what God says....!" Always be in agreement with what God says in thoughts and with your words
• Know where you come from - I come to you in the name of the Lord Most High
• Know who God says you are

I Am strong in the Lord in the power of His might

I Am More than A Conqueror

I have the overwhelming Victory through Christ who Loves me and gave His life up for me

I will live and not die

I will proclaim the excellencies of my God

• Know who your God is!

He nevers leaves me without Help.

He never leaves me without Hope

My God fight for me

My God will never fail to keep His promises to me. 

With a long life my God will satisfy me and show me His salvation (deliverance, help, rescue)

He IS Faithful

His Word is True

He cannot lie

If God is on my side, who can be against me

My God will see me through this valley of trouble to still waters

Stay on Course

 Psalm 119:1-8 Message Bible

You're blessed when you stay on course, walking steadily on the road revealed by God. 

You're blessed when you follow His directions, doing your best to find Him. 

That's right - you don't go off on your own; you walk straight along the road He set. 

You, God, prescribed the right way to live; now You expect us to live it. 

Oh, that my steps might be steady, keeping to the course You set; 

Then I'd never have any regrets in comparing my life with Your counsel. 

I thank You for speaking straight from Your heart; I learn the pattern of Your righteous ways. 

I'm going to do what You tell me to do; don't ever walk off and leave me.

Steady. Steady as she goes....

Yesterday, I was thinking "Steady. Steady as she goes".

I knew nothing about sailing or sails or what that really meant. Being the curious person that I am, I couldn't let it go, I wanted to know what that was all about.

The meaning for "steady", to my understanding is to "Hold still". The dictionary definition that is familiar to me is: "firmly fixed, supported, or balanced; not shaking or moving."

Nautical terms:

Steady” = reduce swing as rapidly as possible. “Steady as she goes” = Steer a steady course on the compass heading indicated at the time of the order.

The Nautical meaning of "Steady" or "Steady as she goes" does not mean to "Hold still". Apparently, it has to do with direction, not speed or my previous understanding of "Steady".

• So, which way am I going? Do my sails need a quick adjustment? 
• Am I swinging one way to another?
• Or..... 
• Do I need to stay on course? Which meant to me, "Watch out! There are things working against me to throw me off course! Keep on the right course!!!" "Steady as she goes!" It is an order from the helmsman, who in my case, is Jesus!!!

Let's look at some scriptures about this issue and ask ourselves the following questions as  we read...

1. Am I, according to the nautical explanation, "swinging"? 
2. Are my instructions to "Steady"? Do I need to get adjusted in the right direction and stop swinging (off course)?
3. Am I on course?
4. Am I aware and on guard for things that would get me off track?
5. How do I get on course?
6. How do I stay on course

Hebrews 10:23

Let us hold fast without wavering (swinging) to the hope that we profess, for He Who promised is faithful; 

Hebrews 3:12-15

Be careful then, dear brothers and sisters. Make sure that your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the living God. You must warn each other every day, while it is still “today,” so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God. For if we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as firmly as when we first believed, we will share in all that belongs to Christ. Remember what it says:

“Today when you hear his voice,

don’t harden your hearts

as Israel did when they rebelled.”

Ephesians 4:11-14

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.

Psalm 119:133

Keep steady my steps according to your promise, and let no iniquity get dominion over me.

Psalm 16:8

I have set the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.

2 Thessalonians 3:5

May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.

1 Corinthians 16:13-14

Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love.

James 1:12

God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. 

Hebrews 10:35-36

You need to persevere, so that after you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.

Hebrews 6:15

And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise

Psalm 130:5-6

I wait [patiently] for the Lord, my soul [expectantly] waits, and in His word do I hope. My soul waits for the Lord. More than the watchmen for the morning;
More than the watchmen for the morning.

Luke 6:46-49

“So why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say? I will show you what it’s like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it. It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built. But anyone who hears and doesn’t obey is like a person who builds a house right on the ground, without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it will collapse into a heap of ruins.”

Psalm 112:7-8

They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the LORD to care for them. They are confident and fearless and can face their foes triumphantly.

Isaiah 26:3-4

You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Trust in the LORD always, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock.

There is so much to ponder in the scriptures above regarding the idea of "Steady" and "Steady as she goes". I pray you will meditate on those verses and ask God what needs re-adjusting in your life. It is so necessary that we stay on the path as directed by our helmsman, Jesus,  in spite of what comes against us to get us off course. "Steady!!!! Steady as she goes!!!!

This quote spoke to my ponderings:

"One ship drives east and other drives west by the same winds that blow. It's the set of the sails and not the gales that determines the way they go."

Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Keep Hope Alive

 As I read this morning this is what I came away with....

When I feel worn out waiting for God to rescue me...what do I do?

Psalm 119:81

I am worn out waiting for your rescue, but I have put my hope in your word.

Psalm 119:11

You are my refuge and my shield; your word is my source of hope.

Psalm 119:74

May all who fear you find in me a cause for joy, for I have put my hope in your word.

Keep on hoping, expecting, standing steady and firmly in confident trust in what God says.

This will be the outcome:

Psalm 119:82-83

If Your instruction had not been my delight, I would have died in my affliction. I will never forget Your precepts, for by them You have revived me.

God WILL revive me. I will continue to delight in the promises of God and Remember what He says.

Psalm 119:41-43

May Your lovingkindness also come to me, O Lord, Your salvation (deliverance, help, safety, victory) according to Your promise (your word); So I will have an answer for the one who taunts me, for I trust [completely] in Your word [and its reliability] and do not take the word of truth utterly out of my mouth, For I wait for Your ordinances.

Psalm 119:49-50

Remember the word to Your servant, Upon which You have caused me to hope. Your promise revives me; it comforts me in all my troubles.

Psalm 119:65

You have dealt well with Your servant, O LORD, according to Your word.

Psalm 119:68

You are good and do only good; teach me your decrees.

Psalm 46:1

God is our refuge and strength, a help in distresses, very readily found.

Psalm 35:27

May those who delight in my vindication shout for joy and gladness; may they always say, "The LORD be exalted, who delights in the well-being of his servant."

Surely and most certainly God is for us and not against us. He is our very ready help in time of need. Keep holding tightly to what He says.

I have the answer for those who taunt me. I trust in the Word of my God. His Word strengthens me, comforts me, revives me and rescues me. Praise Him, Exalt Him. He delights in our well-being. He will never fail to fulfill His Word to us. Just keep hoping, waiting and expecting and find your delight in Him and His promises.

Psalm 112:1

Praise the LORD! Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in his commandments!

Psalm 147:10-12

He takes no pleasure in the strength of a horse or in human might. No, the LORD’s delight is in those who fear him, those who put their hope in his unfailing love. Glorify the LORD, O Jerusalem! Praise your God, O Zion!

Psalm 146:5

But joyful are those who have the God of Israel as their helper, whose hope is in the LORD their God.

Keep hoping, expecting, waiting for God. Never, Never, Never Give up on Him. He will never fail to fulfill His promises.

Luke 1:45

You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said.”

Remember.....

 Often, when we look at our situation, we see the troubles and the enemies that just don't give up. Questions and lies from the enemy begin to plague our minds and emotions, attempting to cause us to give up. We begin to feel discouraged and defeated - battle weary, like we just cannot go on any longer. David obviously felt that way, too.

Psalm 42:5-6

Why am I discouraged?

Why is my heart so sad?

How did David proceed when he was in that predicament?

Continue reading....

I will put my hope in God!

I will praise him again—my Savior and my God!

Now I am deeply discouraged, but I will remember you—

It seems like he is getting a grip on himself, saying, "Ok, now, you David.....did you forget??? YOU put your Hope in God!!!!

Get back out of your low place and Praise God now again. He is your Savior, your Rescuer, your Deliverer, your Help, and your God!!!! Yes, right now,  I am deeply discouraged, but I Choose to Remember my God!!!! I am going to Remember all that my God has done in the past.  I put my Hope in Him. I Praise Him. Yes, He IS my God!!!!!

Asaph apparently had similar issues. How did he handle it???

Psalm 77:7-15

Has the Lord rejected me forever?

Will he never again be kind to me?

Is his unfailing love gone forever?

Have his promises permanently failed?

Has God forgotten to be gracious?

Has he slammed the door on his compassion?

Interlude

And I said, “This is my fate; the Most High has turned his hand against me.” But then I recall all you have done, O LORD; I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago. They are constantly in my thoughts. I cannot stop thinking about your mighty works. O God, your ways are holy. Is there any god as mighty as you? You are the God of great wonders! You demonstrate your awesome power among the nations. By your strong arm, you redeemed your people, the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.

He continues on to remember to what God did at the Red Sea.....

In the midst of the enemy harassing God's people as they restored the walls, Nehemiah counseled and encouraged the people with these words:

Nehemiah 4:14

Then as I looked over the situation, I called together the nobles and the rest of the people and said to them, “Don’t be afraid of the enemy! Remember the Lord, who is great and glorious, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes!”

More.....

Deuteronomy 8:2; 18

Remember how the LORD your God led you through the wilderness for these forty years.......

Remember the LORD your God. He is the one who gives you power to be successful, in order to fulfill the covenant he confirmed to your ancestors with an oath.

Judges 8:33-34.  

As soon as Gideon died, the Israelites prostituted themselves by worshiping the images of Baal, making Baal-berith their god. They forgot the LORD their God, who had rescued them from all their enemies surrounding them. 

How quickly do God's people forget our God and turn our attention and dedication away from Him. We may not put a statue up and bow down to it, but how easily we direct our attention away from God to the things that are attacking us. How easy it is to be caught up in our discouragement. How quickly we can succumb to the lies of the enemy. We can quickly forget where our Hope is, who our God is and all He has done. We give our troubles our praise....  instead of Praising Him and Him alone! Remember what He has done in the past. He IS the same God yesterday, today and forever. Hebrews 13:8.  As He has done for others, He will do for me. He is no respecter of persons. Acts 10:34-35. Remember what God says and cast down all other reports. 2 Corinthians 10:5.

Hebrews 3:1

Therefore, holy brethren, sharers with others in a heavenly invitation, fix your thoughts (set your focus) on Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest whose followers we profess to be.

Flesh Thinking or Spirit Thinking?

 Romans 8:6-8

For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

According to these verses, there are two ways of thinking...Flesh thinking and Spirit thinking.

Flesh thinking is Death (all the miseries arising from sin)
Flesh thinking is hostile toward God
Flesh thinking does not submit to God's ways
Flesh thinking cannot submit to God's ways
Flesh thinking cannot please God.

Spirit thinking is life
Spirit thinking is peace

Flesh thinking and Spirit thinking are opposite of one another. So, one could say that Spirit thinking submits to God ways, it is it's nature to do so and thinking God ways pleases God. That makes sense.

Romans 8:8 Commentaries
So then . . .--Rather, and. Neither can it be expected that those who are absorbed in the things of sense should be able to please God.

Some would say that since they are born again they are automatically Spirit thinkers. Flesh thinkers are the non Christians who are separated still from God. The following verses mess up that idea....

Ephesians 4:17-24
Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, they are greedy and practice every kind of impurity. But that is not the way you learned Christ!— assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

Those verses tell me that it is possible to remain a "Flesh thinker" as a child of God. It is possible to remain darkened in our understanding and ignorant of God's ways as a Christian. Otherwise, why would verse 17 tell us that we MUST NO LONGER conduct our lives in the futility of our mind. There would be no reason to say this, as a born again child of God, if I have automatically become a "Spirit thinker" when I received Christ. Why would God say to "Put Off" that old man, be renewed in the spirit of our minds and "Put On" our new self? A non Christian would have no option but remain the old self. There would yet be no "new self" to put on!!!

It is a sad thing when we realize that as a Christian, it is still possible to live life as the ungodly do...futile thinking, darkened understanding, still alienated from the kind of life God has available for us (the life of Life and Peace) all because of remaining an ignorant  "Flesh Thinker. As a Christian, I certainly do not want to be calloused, operating according to the lusts of my flesh, greedy, yielding to perverted vices and without restraint ....no, No, NO!!!! This is NOT the way you know or learned Christ!

We are taught to put off, renounce, cast away or throw off our previous way of thinking and living (behavior) which is our OLD SELVES. Choose to think, say and respond to that old man: "This is not what I have been taught! That is my old self! That is not who I am any longer!!! That old man is corrupt. I renounce you, old man. I will no longer continue that thinking and behaving. 

Now, rather than remaining in futile Flesh thinking, which is: Thinking the way the old, ungodly man thinks. Remember.....thinking that is hostile toward God, thoughts that cause death/destruction and thoughts that do not please God and are ignorant of His thoughts. Instead, we are to be renewed in the spirit of our minds, which is: Spirit thinking....thinking the way God thinks, in accordance with the Word of God, which is Spirit and Life. and to put off the old man, put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

John 6:63

"It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.

Romans 12:2
And do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of the mind, for you to prove what is the good and well-pleasing and perfect will of God.

Colossians 3:1-10
Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights (minds) on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.

So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming.You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world. But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.  

1 Corinthians 3:3
for you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men?

Romans 8:1-5
So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the powera of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit. Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit.

It is obvious that we have a choice to make as Christians...our choices are....:

#1.  To remain Flesh Thinking in which we still think like a natural, carnal, un-regenerated person, We are still following our senses, our fleshly desires and our ignorant, un-renewed, un-renovated thinking. Therefore, we remain un-transformed and NOT pleasing to God. At the time of our new birth, our Spirit man became alive to God. We became a New Creation. However, neither our souls, which is our mind, will and our emotions, or our body have been changed. That is why our thinking Must change. So, the second necessary choice is to become....

#2.  Spirit Thinking, in which we are learning and submitting to God and His Word. Renewing our thinking to the Ways and Word of God. Learning to Live the life that brings pleasure to God and causes us to begin to live the spirit thinking way of Life and Peace that He has for us.

This is no small thing that we see here today...so,  evaluate your own thoughts.... Am I Flesh Thinking or Spirit Thinking? Many Christians do not realize that the troubles in their lives may have much to do with the thoughts they think. Is your life full of death (troubles, destruction) fultile and ignorant thoughts OR by putting off that old man, putting on your new man and renewing your mind with thoughts that agree with God's way of thinking and being...are you being transformed more and more into the likeness of God, enjoying Life and Peace more and more every day?

Finally, read these following verses...

Proverbs 23:7
For as he thinks within himself, so he is. He says to you, “Eat and drink!” But his heart is not with you.

Where your heart is ..... Is really where your thoughts go. Are you truly with God or are you against Him. Put off that fleshly man and his way off thinking and thus behaving.

The fact is your thoughts controls your decisions and actions, and your actions, to a large extent, controls your results. So, if you think “I am a sinner”, you'll act like “a sinner". ... if you agree with God, thinking "I am the Righteousness of God in Christ. I am a New man, a New Creation, old has passed away, behold New has come" you have begun the transformation process, simply by learning to think like God thinks!!!

Philippians 4:8-9
And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.

Be a "Spirit Thinker" Think the way that God thinks....be in agreement with His Word. 

"I Just Don't Know"

 "I Just Don't Know"

"I Just Don't Know!"

Have you ever said, "I just don't know?"

"There are so many things coming against me. I just don't know.....I don't know what to think, I don't know what to say, I don't know what to do. I Just Don't Know!!!"

This kind of thinking can promote self-pity. This  perspective can turn into depression. A feeling of hopelessness, despair and defeat. We can get angry, fearful, worried and anxious due to our focus on "I Just Don't Know!!!!"

Psalms tells us not to lean on our own understanding. That's not to helpful right now, since my own understanding simply does not understand! You see....I Just Don't understand!!! I Do Not Know! I feel like Dr. Seuss is launching again. It's time to move on.....

Contrary to common belief, "I Just Don't Know" is NOT a bad situation to be in.

What????? True, if you have the Most High God as your Saviour and your Lord AND you Believe what He tells us in His Word, it is actually not a terrible predicament to be in... To Not Know. 

Why!!! Because we know the Faithful and True God who DOES Know!!!

He holds us in the palm of His hand. His eyes are upon us. He cares for the sparrows, so certainly He will care for us. He never leaves us without help. He never leaves us without hope. He never leaves us alone. He never draws back from us. He never abandons us. He's for us and not against us. He knows all things. His plans for us are good and not for harm. He is a good, Good God. He is Faithful. He is True. He will not lie to us. He cannot lie. It is impossible for Him to lie. Every one of All of His Words are Yes and Amen!!!!

You see, God knows all things, from the beginning to the end. He instructs us in His Word, by His Spirit.

Jeremiah 33:3

Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.

James 1:5 says:

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and He will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.

So, although we currently do not know and not knowing IS an uncomfortable place to be in, it is not a bad place! We are, actually, in a wonderful position if we look at it all from a different viewpoint. 

We can react to our situation in all the negative, non productive ways (for any good thing, anyway), which are the carnal, fleshy and immature ways of approaching our "not knowing".

Or, we can respond in faith toward God, which is what pleases God. We call on God for help and ask Him for wisdom. We find our peace by trusting that what God says is true. Now, instead of saying, "I just don't know!" We can confidently say, "I do not know yet, but I have called on God and I have asked Him for wisdom. He will answer me. God knows and He will show me what I need to know.  Just call on God for help and put your confidence in Him. Remind yourself everytime the anxious thought,  "I Just Don't Know", begins to attack your mind. Say instead, "I know the God who does know. He is my faithful God and He will not leave me without help!" 

Recently, I received a letter from my foster daughter who, in her insecurity and anxiousness had convinced herself that since I hadn't sent her a letter in 2 months time, that I had written her off and didn't care about her or love her any longer. She has chosen to believe that my quietness meant that I no longer wanted to be a part of her life. The devil and her family history were the culprits in her choosing that particular decision. The truth was that I had been very ill and had trouble even thinking at times. Bad headaches and fatigue were causing me to be fairly non productive as a whole. She did not see what was really going on in my life. So, she actually believed a lie. Similarly, we often assume that since we don't see God at work, that He must not care, He is not listening or "until I get (this) fixed, He won't help me". We Must be convinced that His love is not based on our works. He loved us while we were yet sinners!!! Just because we cannot see what God is bringing to pass, doesn't mean that He is not up to something! He guarantees that He fulfills His Words with signs following. We will do our part....call on Him, ask for wisdom and then trust Him, His character and His Word to do what He says He will do. All the while, putting our faith in Him.

"I Just Don't Know!" Is not a bad place to be when you turn your attention on to the One who Does know and ask Him for help. Then trust Him that He heard you and that He is answering. Rest now in confidence because God is for you and not against you.  He Loves you with a Love that never fails. He is bringing the answer and the wisdom you need, in spite of how it all appears.

When you are in a battle.....

#1 Do Not Be Surprised!

It not unusual for a Christian to be under attack. In fact, we should anticipate that the enemy has us on his radar. His goal is to take us down by whatever of his deceitful methods works. We should not be fearful of him. But we must be wise to his ways and we must know what to do in the battles that come our way so we come out the victor.

1 Thessalonians 3:2-5

Finally when we could stand it no longer, we decided to stay alone in Athens, and we sent Timothy to visit you. He is our brother and God’s co-workera in proclaiming the Good News of Christ. We sent him to strengthen you, to encourage you in your faith, and to keep you from being shaken by the troubles you were going through. But you know that we are destined for such troubles. Even while we were with you, we warned you that troubles would soon come—and they did, as you well know. That is why, when I could bear it no longer, I sent Timothy to find out whether your faith was still strong. I was afraid that the tempter had gotten the best of you and that our work had been useless.

2 Corinthians 2:11
Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

2 Corinthians 11:3

But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.

John 10:10

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy

#2. What NOT To Do In The Battle

Read 1 Samuel Chapter 17.

The 1st Do NOT Do In The Battle .....

We see that the Israelites and the Philistines were faced off for battle. Goliath, the over 9 four giant, comes out dressed in all his gear and begins his speech.

In verse 8 we begin reading, “Why are you all coming out to fight?” he called. “I am the Philistine champion, but you are only the servants of Saul. Choose one man to come down here and fight me! If he kills me, then we will be your slaves. But if I kill him, you will be our slaves! I defy the armies of Israel today! Send me a man who will fight me!” 

Do NOT be intimidated by the appearance of the enemy or give credit to his threats.

The 2nd Do NOT Do In The Battle....

Verse 11 reads, "When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid."

Dismayed means: beat down, discouraged, to break down, (figuratively) by confusion and fear --  be (make) afraid, (cause to) dismay, go down, scare, terrify.

They weren't just dismayed. They were exceedingly terrified!

     Do NOT permit yourself to be dismayed,.  confused or fearful......certainly not terrified!

The 3rd Do NOT Do In The Battle....

Notice what Goliath did in verse 16. "For forty days, every morning and evening, the Philistine champion strutted in front of the Israelite army.

      Do NOT pay attention to the continuous                  flaunting of the enemy.

Ephesians 4:27 Don't give the devil any opportunity to work.

The 4th Do NOT Do In The Battle....

We read on in verses 20-24, just as David was entering the scene, "He arrived at the camp just as the Israelite army was leaving for the battlefield with shouts and battle cries. Soon the Israelite and Philistine forces stood facing each other, army against army. David left his things with the keeper of supplies and hurried out to the ranks to greet his brothers. As he was talking with them, Goliath, the Philistine champion from Gath, came out from the Philistine ranks. Then David heard him shout his usual taunt to the army of Israel. As soon as the Israelite army saw him, they began to run away in fright. “Have you seen the giant?” the men asked. “He comes out each day to defy Israel. 

     Do NOT be moved by the enemy's taunts.

     Do NOT run away from the enemy for Any             reason, especially NOT fear!

     Do NOT be impacted by the way the enemy           looks.

#3. What TO DO In The Battle

The 1st TO DO In The Battle....

We continue to read in verse 26, "David asked the soldiers standing nearby, “What will a man get for killing this Philistine and ending his defiance of Israel?"

     Realize that the enemy is in defiance of you.   You are the son (daughter) of the Most High God. When the enemy defies you, at the same time he defies (reproaches, disgraces, shames) Your God. You are made in His Likeness. You serve the Almighty God!

The 2nd TO DO In The Battle....

Continue reading in verse 27, "Who is this pagan Philistine anyway, that he is allowed to defy the armies of the living God?

      Take a Stand! Realize the enemy Is NOT on God's side. You ARE!!!!! You are the army of the LIVING GOD! STOP allowing the enemy to harass you!!!

The 3rd TO DO In The Battle....

Reading on again starting in verse 28, "”But when David’s oldest brother, Eliab, heard David talking to the men, he was angry. “What are you doing around here anyway?” he demanded. “What about those few sheep you’re supposed to be taking care of? I know about your pride and deceit. You just want to see the battle! “What have I done now?” David replied. “I was only asking a question!” He walked over to some others and asked them the same thing and received the same answer. Then David’s question was reported to King Saul, and the king sent for him.

     When someone attempts to cut you down, devalue you or falsely accuse you, persist until you get action, do not succumb to their efforts to shut you up.

The 4th TO DO In The Battle....

Don’t worry about this Philistine,” David told Saul. “I’ll go fight him!”

     Be bold and very courageous.

Joshua 1:6 “Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. Be strong and very courageous.

The 5th TO DO In The Battle....

But David persisted. “I have been taking care of my father’s sheep and goats,” he said. “When a lion or a bear comes to steal a lamb from the flock, I go after it with a club and rescue the lamb from its mouth. If the animal turns on me, I catch it by the jaw and club it to death. I have done this to both lions and bears, and I’ll do it to this pagan Philistine, too, for he has defied the armies of the living God! The LORD who rescued me from the claws of the lion and the bear will rescue me from this Philistine!”

     Be Persistent! Never, Ever Give up!!!!!

     Remember what you have done in the past.

      Always Give God the credit.

      Put your confidence in God again. He                      rescued me before, He Will rescue me now            again.

The 6th TO DO In The Battle....

After attempting to wear Saul's armor, we continue reading on starting in verse 39, "“I can’t go in these,” he protested to Saul. “I’m not used to them.” So David took them off again. He picked up five smooth stones from a stream and put them into his shepherd’s bag. Then, armed only with his shepherd’s staff and sling, he started across the valley to fight the Philistine.

     Be Who YOU Be! Don't try to put on someone else's ways. God has created you the way you are, to do things He has called you to do. Do what you are skilled in. David was a shepherd. He was used to using a slingshot. 

The 7th TO DO In The Battle....

After Goliath's attempts at intimidating David by cursing him and making fun of him, David responds to Goliath, starting at verse 45, “You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies—the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. Today the LORD will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your head. And then I will give the dead bodies of your men to the birds and wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel! And everyone assembled here will know that the LORD rescues his people, but not with sword and spear. This is the LORD’s battle, and he will give you to us

      Be confident in the Lord.

     Remember and proclaim in whose authority and power you come in.

     Declare the end at the beginning....THIS IS what will happen. Your head IS coming off!

    Maintain your confident stance in the Lord.

    Give credit to The Lord! This Is the Lord's Battle.

The Final TO DO In The Battle.... 

As Goliath moved closer to attack, David quickly ran out to meet him. Reaching into his shepherd’s bag and taking out a stone, he hurled it with his sling and hit the Philistine in the forehead. The stone sank in, and Goliath stumbled and fell face down on the ground. So David triumphed over the Philistine with only a sling and a stone, for he had no sword. Then David ran over and pulled Goliath’s sword from its sheath. David used it to kill him and cut off his head.

     Do what you are there to do. 

     Don't back away.       

     Do not be fearful. 

     Run toward the enemy.             

    Take that enemy out!!!

     Triumph over the enemy!!!!

Cautious reminders:

Ephesians 6:12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

So....don't go fighting against your neighbors, your relatives or people you meet on the street. They really are not your problems. Your problem is Satan and all his helpers in the unseen realm.

Remember:  

1 John 5:4  For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith. 

Remember:

Proverbs 21:31 The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the LORD.

Remember:

Jesus is victorious over the enemy. He took the enemy's authority away from him. He won the victory. He gave us the victory. He gave us power and authority over the tactics of the enemy. We only have to reinforce what Jesus has done. Maintain our victory. The Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, is our weapon in battle. We speak God's Word. We stand in authority over unseen powers in Jesus name. We do not bow our knee to the devil. We do not yield to the tauntings of the enemy. We give the enemy no room. We stand firmly against him as we proclaim the truth. We know that because of what Jesus did on the cross, He has made us more than Conquerors. We stand. We do not become dismayed or discouraged. We never flee. We are not responding from fear. Our confidence is in our God and His Faithful Word. We are the Army of the Living God. We fight. We Win. We declare the end result at the beginning. We exalt God and we oppose all that would attempt to defy us or our God. Through Christ we have the overwhelming Victory!!!! Amen!!!!

Deeper in Trust

Earlier we took a look at Proverbs 3:5-7 Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding  Seek His will in all you do and He will show you which path to take. Do not be impressed with your own wisdom.

Today, I want to take a deeper look into Trusting the Lord.

First, we must understand what "Trust" means.

1 Peter 2:6 from the Amplified Bible clearly explains trust...He who believes in Him (whoever adheres to, trusts in, and relies on him) will never be disappointed (in his expectations).

Often, it seems, we read the word "Believe(s)" in the Bible and we translate it in to past tense referring to our believing when we accepted Jesus as our Savior and Lord at which time we became a child of God and received His righteousness in replacement for our sinfulness. However, that was only the beginning of our relationship with God. It was the first step of the faith in God. We are instructed to proceed in a life of faith toward God in believing (Trusting, having confidence in, having faith in, adhering to, relying upon) God in every aspect of our lives. The just (those who have been made righteous in the eyes of God by accepting the sacrifice Jesus paid for our salvation), shall live by faith. Galatians 3;11; Romans 1:17. Additionally, we are told in Hebrews 11:6 that it is impossible to please God without faith.

So, faith (adhering to Him, relying upon and confident trust in God) is not a one time occurrence. Faith in God is a moment by moment, day by day way of choosing, thinking, being and doing. We LIVE by faith or by trusting Him, relying upon and adhering to Him. We must understand that He and His Word are one. John 1:1. 

So faith, (confident trust, adhering to and relying upon Him) means that we stick to Him and His Word stronger than the best glue. Our attitude, (our position or stance) must be, "This is what God says, I am sticking with what He says. I am Adhered to Him, His Word. I am living by confident trust in Him. I walk by faith. I live by faith".

Last week I found several scriptures pertaining to how the wicked people treat God's Word. These scriptures impacted me as I thought, "Do I ever have this attitude or behavior toward God's Word? If I do, I must realize that is also the approach I have toward God Himself. Take time to reflect upon the following scriptures:

Psalm 119:126     For these evil people have violated your instructions.

Psalm 119:136     Rivers of tears gush from my eyes because people disobey your instructions.

Psalm 119:139     I am overwhelmed with indignation for my enemies have disregarded your words.

Psalm 119:155     the wicked are far from rescue, for they do not bother with your decrees.

Psalm 119:158     Seeing these traitors make me sick at heart, because they care nothing for Your word.

Ouch!!!!!

Now take time to meditate on the following scriptures regarding trusting God:

1 Peter 2:6.    and he who believes in Him (whoever adheres to, trust in, and relies on him) will never be disappointed (in his expectation).

Proverbs 16:20.    He who pays attention to the Word of God will find good, and blessed (happy, prosperous, to be admired) is he who trusts (confidently) in the Lord.

Psalm 21:7     the king trust in the Lord, through the unfailing love of God, he will not be shaken (fall).

Jeremiah 17:5-8 This is what the Lord says: "Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans who rely on human strength and turn their hearts from the Lord. They are like stunted shrubs in the deserts, with no hope for the future. They will live in the barren wilderness, in an uninhabited salty land. But blessed are those who trust the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they will never stop producing fruit.

Psalm 84:12    Oh Lord of Heaven's Armies, what joy for those who trust in you.

Psalm 37:4-7     Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you your heart's desires. Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust Him, and He will help you. He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn, and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun. Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for Him to act. Don't worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes.

Psalm 20:7      Some trust in chariots and some in horses but we will trust in the name of the Lord our God.        

We will not be like the wicked who violate, disregard and disobey God's Word. They do not bother with the Word of God because they care nothing for His Word.

Let us be the people of God who hold God and His Word in the highest regard. We choose to exalt Him and His Word. We put our confident trust in Him and His Word for they are the truth. They are to us the wise counsel we need. We will surely be blessed in our life of faith toward God because we live the life of faith that pleases Him. We will never be disappointed as we hold tightly to Him and what He tells us in His Word.