On the Battle Line

As the ground shudders, his footprints thunder with each step he takes.  His very presence causes immediate fear and intimidation, he is enormous.  No ordinary man can face this man eye to eye, it’s impossible.  Yet, the words he utters brings a paralyzing fear to prevent the children of Israel to attack.  On a daily basis this giant comes to bring fear to the lives of these people, even the king refuses to protect his people.  The army is hiding in fear, the king is absent, and this giant keeps coming and it’s been forty days! (I Samuel 17:16) 

If you want to overcome the giant-you will have to smell his breath.  In other words, only a face to face combat will work.  Faith only needs an opportunity to work, size isn’t a requirement to conquer giants.  There is an old saying “The bigger they are, the harder they fall.”  Either we will join the crowd in fear or we will step out to see the impossible done.  Faith invites us to see the impossible; impossible is God's specialty.  Israel was willing to get ready for battle but they weren’t willing to fight. (I Samuel 17:21)  When the giant appeared, the army hid in fear instead of working together to defeat him. 

The enemy of your soul is going to taunt you with words of fear, may come to intimate you with his presence, and will refuse to leave until he is rebuke.  As David said, “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine?  David recognized the voice of the enemy in the midst, he brought this to the attention of the people.  Also, he revealed the enemy’s purpose was to “defy” the armies of the living God.  In other words, David recognized the giant for who he was-the ugly enemy who was attacking the children of God! All of God’s promises are true and hold a reward for the children of God.  Whoever defeated the enemy of the Philistines would get great wealth, marriage of the king’s daughter, and be exempt from taxes! (I Samuel 17:25)

     What’s very interesting David’s three oldest brothers were trained in Saul’s army, they choose to serve.  Yet, the moment David talks with the military men, Eliab gets angry with him.  He attacks David fourfold:

1.       His purpose

2.       Being irresponsible or un-capable to be among the men

3.       Pride/wicked heart

4.       Observe the war or not willing to lead

Keep in mind, the body will not always follow the leader God selects.  Yet, the language usually to attack a leader comes through the spirit of Eliab.  Eliab dressed like a warrior, sat in the camp, and refused to move to assist the people he was to protect or work with.  (That is another sermon) 
Sadly the army followed the heart of Saul, they hid in fear.  Why wasn’t the king dressed in battle?  Saul tried to prepare David with his artillery but IT DIDN’T FIT!  We can’t expect to fight the giant with other people’s weapons, we can only defeat giants with confidence in God.  Goliath fought to bring fame unto himself.  David’s battles were only seen by God in the desert, he learned to rely on God.  Keep in mind, David wasn’t comfortable or familiar with Saul’s weapons.  Instead he used what he was familiar with!  David approached the battle line with a staff, five smooth stones, and sling to come to the battle line.  It’s the weapons of a shepherd! 

Sometimes we get so intimated with the giant, we forget our own weapons or how to use them.  David was familiar with his weapons and so are you!  God’s Word never fails!  Giants still fall in the name of God! (I Samuel 17:45-47)  David ran quickly towards the battle line to meet him!  It’s time to fight your giant!  God’s name is still powerful, enemies fall face down in His presence.  Worship, the Word, the Holy Spirit, and the armor of God is all that available to all believers.  It's provided through God alone, His name guarantees it! 

Press In To Press Onward

Excuses, intimidation, and fear are holding my feet firmly planted on the ground.  As the mountain stands in front of me, I can’t help but stare at it.  Regardless of where I turn, my mind can’t escape its presence.   How do I overcome this mountain? When I received this vision from God, I was very careful who I shared it with.  Nevertheless, we sometimes need godly counsel to direct us, so I spoke with my pastor.  What he shared with me wasn’t a profound mystery but it’s keep me on the path.   “Tina, it sounds like God gave you an elephant.”  At first, I was very startled by his comment.  Yet, he said, “Do you know how you defeat an elephant?”  I replied, “No, sir.”  “An elephant can only be defeated, one bite at a time.” 

Well, I admit this elephant wasn’t very tasty; he is causing me to stretch myself with each bite.  God’s call is a wonderful gift upon our lives’, so it should be cherished.  Nevertheless, the call will bring lessons from God.  All of the lessons are for our benefit to develop our character, our relationship with God, and to develop our leadership. When it seems as if the “elephant’s biting back” it’s time to listen to what the Spirit is saying.   If we don’t have a listening ear to God’s voice, we can’t be guided.  If we refuse to listen, God will use whatever is necessary to get our attention.   God desires for our lives to be fruitful, so He has to prune the dead ends for the vine to have a chance to grow.

Upon entering a conference for church planters, I was so excited to begin.  Excited to brainstorm, met new people, and develop plans to fulfill God’s call.  What an opportunity to grow and develop!  Oh, I recognized an area of personal development-my insecurity.  So, as the ugly monster stares me in the eyes I have a choice to either surrender or fight.  We can’t overcome a weakness; if we don’t recognize it.  Recognize what is your weakness but don’t allow it be your complete focus.  If you only focus on your weakness, you will never exercise your strengths.  Although my weakness may not match yours; it doesn’t mean we don’t face them.  Giants will come into your life to speak defeat, fear, and taunt your faith. The only way to defeat the giant is RESTING in who God is, meditate on God's past victories in your life, and attack the giant. Once the giant is hit with God's power, he will fall. Yet, we have to cut off his voice; it's time to remember to WHOM we belong.

What is your weakness?  What are your strengths?  Realize Satan wants to minimize your worth, God wants to maximize it.  As the conference continued I realized how intimated I was to share my ideas, overwhelmed with the responsibilities, and wondering if I could complete this vision.  During those difficult moments the Holy Spirit keep saying, “Press Into Me”.  Also, this passage of scripture keep coming into my mind, “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:14

If we are to finish the race, we have to persevere to inherit the promise.  “For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.” Hebrews 10:38 All of this pain doesn't come without a price; it will stretch us.  God will reward us for our faithfulness, He sees our hard work and dedication.  A harvest is promised if we don't give up.

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9 

We will never know the power of victory if we never face adversity, weakness, or trials.  Adversity builds our faith, weakness builds our trust, and trials build our character, so they are completing the work of Christ.  Whatever we face, we don’t face it alone.  Run to the Rock!  “The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” Psalm 18:2

If we are to complete God’s call upon our lives, we have to press in to Christ to press onward.  Weakness is no excuse, inadequacies have no place, and fear can’t prevent a heart fixed on Christ.  Fix your eyes on Christ, so the weakness can’t trip you.  Even if it does trip us, Christ will carry us.  Yet, whatever is causing us to trip, we need to leave it behind.  We can't reach forward if we are tangled up with sin or anything causing us to lose focus.  “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” Hebrews 12:1

Rescuing Dreams

As I boarded the plane to leave Alaska; I was so renewed in my heart and spirit.  Besides being with my best friends from college, I would never forget my encounter with God.  Without my family being present on this trip, I was on a mission to hear from God.  Through the encouragement of my husband, I had a complete week without having to chase three toddlers, my job, and household responsibilities.  I admit, I was concerned if my husband could handle all of this without me.  Yet, he knew I desperately need to hear from God. 
 

Before my best friends called, I was deeply hurt from a pastor who offered me a position.  Without confronting me or advising of his decision to look for another youth pastor, he announced to the church, “We are taking resumes.” It hurt very deep.  Questions, anger, and doubt overwhelmed me about the whole situation.  Did God call me into ministry?  Why did I move to Florida?  Did I hear God at all?  Or did I fail God?  It was a pivotal moment; I was questioning God’s call.  Besides questioning the call, I was wrestling with a broken heart.  Nothing would quench my soul except the presence of God; I need to be with Him.  As I wept in His presence, I couldn’t speak.  If I spoke, the words were few, far, and between.  Although my heart was at peace; my questions were not answered. 

Shortly after praying the phone rang, it was my best friend who was used to bring God’s truth to my life.  Besides being delighted to hear from my best friend, our conversation was about life, ministry, and my calling.  As he spoke into my life, God was confirming the truth of what I asked.  Yet as the hurt emerged within, I wouldn’t accept it.  After the phone call I wasn’t sure how to feel, so I talked to my husband.  My husband wasn’t only thrilled with idea; he was ready to pack his bags.  Still I wasn’t convinced about this opportunity.  A few weeks later, our best friends called to advise me I was flying to Alaska to discuss it.  So, I went to discuss future plans but I was very desperate to hear from God.  When we are desperate, willing to listen, and available to God, He will speak.  Not only did God speak to my broken heart, He healed my soul. 

 As I walked unto the plane, my countenance was completely changed.  I couldn’t wait to fly home to share what God did.  Nevertheless, God wasn’t done with me.  As I started to journal about my trip, God interrupted me with a vision.  Overjoyed with all of the plans, I wrote with eagerness and excitement.  If it wasn’t for the captain’s announcement, “We are now arriving in Tampa,” I wouldn’t believe I spent thirteen hours writing.  When I arrived home I was renewed, empowered, and focused for our future.

 After sharing this vision with my husband, we accepted God’s direction for our future.  However, I was starting to feel overwhelmed with this vision.  How could I do this?  Where do I begin?  Who was I?  After accepting the call; we instantly got thrown into the fire.  Satan decided to test our hearts severely with physical and financial issues.  It was the darkest period of my life but the vision kept my heart alive. 

As the embers of the vision burned, I was waiting for God’s timing.  Upon a Wednesday night service, the vision would capture my life again.  A wonderful missionary couple came to share their vision with us.  Besides sharing their vision, it awakened mine.  While the couple shared their heart for Alaska, I was taken back to the plane ride.  As he preached his message “Rescuing Dreams,” with us I couldn’t stop crying.  If God wanted to paint a bull’s eye upon my forehead, He did.  As the missionary shared his message, God brought unquestionable confirmation upon my heart. 

 

Proverbs 25:11 says, “A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.”

So, if you are wondering if God’s vision is real?  His message brought some wonderful truth; I want to share with you.

1.        Every dream of God is bigger than you.

2.       You can let it go but it will not let go of you.

3.       Willing to sacrifice for it.

4.       Last forever (It involves people)

5.       It meets a need that nobody else is doing

When we receive God’s call; it’s not only a wonderful blessing it’s a daily sacrifice of our wills.  For God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable. (Romans 11:29)  If we feel uncertain about it; God will confirm it.  Like Samuel, God may have to repeat our name or the call until we recognize His voice.  Or we could feel as Moses, completely incapable of the task.  God’s call is a precious gift, it’s our personal assignment.  So, cherish it deeply but don’t be afraid to walk towards it.  Although we may feel unsure, God will direct our steps.  We just have to be ready, willing, and able to follow His voice. 

 

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.” Psalm 32:8