Have you been crushed or hurt lately..stomped on by a big old foot? Do have a broken heart or dream, believer?
Perhaps God allowing that to happen is really a blessing in disguise? It's just his way of letting you realize he saved you from the wrong one.. or from the wrong option. Don't get bitter, get better in the Lord.
How can we say that God has been silent when our Bibles have long-remained closed? Too dusty! God is not asking you to figure it all out. He's asking you to trust his Word, to claim his promises -- to trust that Jesus already has it figured out. He has a plan!
“Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7
“Do not let your heart be troubled (afraid, cowardly). Believe confidently in God and trust in Him, have faith, hold on to it, rely on it, keep going and believe also in Me.” ~ Jesus, John 14:1 amp
“You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4
Victory is O SO SWEET -- it's yours, you can taste it if you want. Enemy-giants ain't. Never are -- why go easy on em? Are you now engaged in spiritual warfare? Why not?
This corrupt world system, your old fleshly nature tellin' ya what to do, fallen angels, tests, trails, temptations -- conquer em all. No drawing back, no pulling punches. David cut off the head of Goliath!
Many times in life, you and I will face giants that seem more than impossible to conquer, but God promises in His Word that we already have the victory in Jesus Christ. To those of the world, “walking with Jesus by faith” doesn't seem to be a good option, but truth be told this is the best one and the only option that will really bring true victory.
We all know what it's like to face a big challenge that seems impossible to conquer. Many times in the Bible we see that happen. Remember David who proactively went against Goliath? Remember Gideon who went up against the Midianites? Remember Moses who went up against Pharaoh -- and in each of these situations, the one God of the Bible.. conquered the enemies for those people who put their faith in Him.
God does allow giants to show up from time to time. He can bring storms and challenges to us.. not because he doesn’t love us. Not because he wants us Christians to suffer for our sins, but so that we will grow mature. So we will grow in our knowledge, in our wisdom, in our obedience with blessings.. in our character and in our faith in Him.
“The days of just the occasional sipping on the fountain of faith no longer suffice. We must stand beneath the waterfall of God's goodness and become baptized with everything God has to give us—through his Scripture; through his saints; through worship; through tools.” ~ Max Lucado
“To be alive is to be broken. And to be broken is to stand in need of grace.” ~ Brennan Stanning
Are you angry with God? Tell him. Disgusted with God? Let him know. Weary of telling people you feel fine when you don’t? Tell the truth--He can handle it.
What kind of giant are you facing today?
Seems like we're all facing our own share of giants these days, and yet we can gain wisdom and courage in the Bible. Go reread the story of David. Don't Give Up -- it’s really too early for that. I don't know how God is going to respond to your prayers, but I do know he is the God of new beginnings. The God of the second chance...even if it’s like your forth, fifth or sixth.. second chance.
Sometimes we have to just keep trying and at the right time there will be a breakthrough. Your giant will go down, they'll bite the dust and a new chapter of your life will begin.
First thought of the morning, last worry of the night—if you allow him to, your Goliath so to speak can dominate your day and infiltrates your joy.
May we never forget ..on our best day, that we still need God’s Word as desperately as we did on our very worst day!
Let’s win early and later on. The Bible says...
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Matthew 6:33-34Mr. Lew-Cifer [creepy satan, he’s real but not at all our focus..] vies for the bedside position, hopping to be the first voice you hear. He covets your waking thoughts, those early, pillow-born impressions or emotions. He might awaken you with words of worry, of accusation, of fear, of temptation, of a timing-wasting plan perhaps, or of shame. He likes to stir you with thoughts of stress. If you dread the day before you begin your day, mark it down; your giant has been tryin’ to get in your head.
What does the Bible say that can help you overcome giants? What can we prayerfully memorize?
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9"The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10
"If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you." Romans 8:11
"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." Romans 8:18
"We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed." 2 Corinthians 4:8-9
"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." 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
“Fear not, for I am with you. Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
Are you needing provision? Ask. “Give us this day our daily bread.” Matthew 6:11
Never lose your living hope! It’s too early to despair. Just when you think it's all over God can easily send you a miracle. Easy. No problem at all.
“And now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in You.” Psalm 39:7
God understands all the cries of our hearts, even when way too deep for words. Not a problem! “Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” Romans 8:26
"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:12-13 (Go look up some more)
I wonder.. did Goliath have four giant brothers who also like to fight? Why were five stones picked up? God knows why.
When others run from the battle, will you run towards it? You indeed have a part to play, but primarily let the Lord fight your battles..let Him help you take down those giants. Let Him guide those stones. Doin' my best, I commit the rest!
God is bigger, stronger, wiser ...and hasn't lost a battle yet. Not one. Not ever.
The struggle is real, the pain is real, the enemy is real, but so is Jesus and His plan.
How can God can show us that He's in control if he doesn’t put us in situations that we can't control?
So many roads. So many detours. So many opposing the real Church. So many choices, but only one way. JESUS. You can turn from sin, can trust, can know Him today.
Respond to Him, don’t put it off!
When you feel like you're permanently goin’ down.. drowning in life, no worries, brothers and sisters. Your Lifeguard still walks on water. And he’s reaching out a hand to rescue.
When it looks like it’s way too late and too much wrong-doin’ has been done. God says Come to me, let us reason together, I still have a plan.
When the giants, when the suffering, when the darkness keeps screaming out that God has ditched, has bailed, has abandoned you.. just listen to the calm, clear yet powerful voice of Jesus saying "I will never leave you!"
Never, no never, no not for one second.
