Defying the Odds | Pick up Your Stones

And David spake to the men that stood by him saying what shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and take away the reproach from Israel for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that should defy the armies of the living God? 1 Sam 17:26

In the climate we live in today, we are facing giants on every side. We are unsure of our present situation and wonder about our future. If we perceive the environment with our natural eyes, the giants we face seem insurmountable and overwhelming to fight. We cannot fight these giants in our own strength, but we have all the tools and resources through the Spirit of the Most High. We are more than able to defeat and conquer the enemies, tactics, schemes, strategies, and plots that are destroying the fabric of our country, our region and our family.

David said, “Moreover, the Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, go and the Lord be with thee. 1 Sam 17:38

And Saul armed David with his armor, and he put a helmet of brass upon his head, also he armed him with a coat of mail, And David girded up His sword upon his armor, and tried to walk, for he had not tested them. And David said unto Saul, I cannot walk with these; for I have not tested them. And David put them off him. 1 Sam 17:39-40

And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherds’s bag, in a pouch which he had, and his sling was in his hand. And he drew near to the Philistine. 1 Sam 17:40

The equipment and weapons Saul provided was the standard protection made for war. Saul believed he was equipping David with the best gear for the job, but David felt otherwise. He had to use what he felt was comfortable for him. Something so simple as a handful of rocks seemed so unpredictable to slay a giant, but David had to fight according to the way he was accustomed to.

What is in your hand? How do you fight your spiritual battles? Is it the battle cry of praise and worship? Fasting? Prayer? Speaking the Word? Or a combination of all of the above? We must understand how to war in the Spirit in these difficult times ahead. We must be able to stand in opposition in unfamiliar territories and uncomfortable spaces. Our eyes must be fixed and focused canceling out all distractions and turbulence from the enemy’s camp.

We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. Rom 8:37

What are you facing today? Are you facing fear or anxiety? Do you need to shift your perspective or mindset? Are you confused or disoriented? Are you frustrated or angry? Do you need healing in your body? Pick up your stones.

The Lord will contend with our enemies that every attack is null and void. The fear that we carry is false evidence appearing real.

David said to the Philistine, thou comes to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield; but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defiled . 1 Sam 17:45

This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand, and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee, and I will give the carcasses of the host of the Philistines, this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. And, all this assembly shall know that the Lord save thee not with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s and he will give you into our hands. 1 Sam 17:46-47

And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead, and he fell upon his face to the earth. 1 Sam 17:49

So David prevailed over the Philistine, with a sling and a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him but there was no sword in the hand of David. 1 Sam 17:50


Flowing in the Spirit

As I laid in bed one morning, I was thinking of how the Lord operates. God is a God of overflow and abundance. God is currency and currency functions or operates in a continuous flow or movement. It is not stuck or stagnate. There is no time to resist but persist through opposition and the difficulties of life.

What are the patterns, beliefs, behaviors or mindsets that’s keeping you stuck or stagnate in your life? What resistance are you experiencing? Do you feel like the world is constantly moving but you’re standing still? What cycles keep you spinning your wheels while you exhaust your energy?

Take time to analyze your life. What do you need to change? Is there any fears attached to your thinking or actions? Bring those fears or insecurities to the Lord in prayer. Consult with the Father. Allow the Lord into the intimate areas where you feel or want to control everything. Be honest with yourself. Are there areas where you want to lead your life without the wisdom and direction of God? Are you rebellious or stubborn? The Lord cannot work in any areas of your life where you will not let Him in.

Call on the name of the Lord for help in those areas. Where you are weak, He is strong. 2 Corinthians 12:10 It’s not always about praying and petitioning your request before the Lord. Sometimes, you just have to be still and listen. Wait patiently for direction, a new idea, a plan, or a solution. While you wait, continue to move forward in action. Faith without works is dead. James 2:14-26

It’s within the stillness you can hear His voice, not only physical silence but mentally and emotionally too. Do you have racing thoughts? Are you dealing with confusion and chaos in your mind? Pay attention to what you listen or watch that will rob or steal your peace. Guard your heart and mind. Set boundaries with the people around you. You may not be able to control your whole environment but you can decrease the amount of unnecessary stress or tension by not entertaining or participating in the other people’s drama or issues; in other words, mind your business.

Remain consistent in prayer and begin to make the changes needed. It’s a gradual process so be patient and take the steps needed to change and shift your life. Stay focused and seek clarity.

Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer.

Romans 12:12

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2 Corth 10:5

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

Jer 29:11

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Isaiah 40:31

But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Psalm 37:23

The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.

Psalm 34:4


I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

Isaiah 55:8

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.

Rom 12:2

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Seek the Lord with All Your Heart

Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Isaiah 55:6

When I was a child, one game I loved to play was hide and seek. I believe every child enjoyed playing that game at one time or another.

There was such enthusiasm and excitement while your friends or classmates scattered to find a place to hide while you counted and waited in anticipation to search for each friend which brought so much joy and laughter when you found them.

The Lord is often hidden in our lives until we come to a place where we decide to seek him with our own heart. Although, the Lord is always working behind the scenes, we often do not know what He is doing or planning in our lives. The Lord makes it very clear to “Trust the Lord with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.” Proverbs 3:5-6

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Matthew 7:7-12

Many of us, wonder through life, randomly, without acknowledging or asking the Lord for direction. As believers, we may allow Him into some areas of our lives but not fully allow Him to control every aspect of our lives.

The Lord wants to be a part of every area of your life. The deeper relationship you nurture with Him; the more He reveals himself to you. You begin to see life in new ways. Your choices begin to change and how you deal with challenges and obstacles shift.

Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his face continually.

1 Chron 16:11

Life has its difficulties, but you will not allow life circumstances to grab a hold of you in fear, doubt and despair. Even when you feel discouraged, you can speak the word of God or listen to worship music and the weight of burdens and frustration will lift off of you.

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Heb 11:6

You will become sensitive to the spirit as you continue your walk with Christ. He will nudge you in certain directions. He will cover you with a blanket of protection. He will open your eyes to his truth and reveal to you the mysteries of the Kingdom. You will begin to experience things that you know only the Lord could do. You will have a deep desire to please the Lord fully and not jeopardize your relationship by displeasing Him. You will be obedient to His laws and commandments and do His will without resistance. It’s not by the flesh but by His spirit.

Zech 4:6

“Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord.”

Having a zeal for Christ is within reach for every believer.

For the Bible forewarns us….

Revelation 3:15-17

I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

You cannot have one foot in the world and one foot in the church. A double-minded man is unstable in all His ways. James 1:8

No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. Matt 6:24

We are moving into a shifting world where believers must have a solid foundation in Christ to be able to withstand the wiles of deception coming upon the earth. [Click link here]: 2 Chron 20:1-34

1 Peter 5:7-9

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

He can only devour those who do not know the Lord and live a righteous, holy lifestyle. Once you’ve accepted the Lord as your Savior by faith, you are a daughter and son of the Most High. His hand of protection is upon your life to guide you into all truth, wisdom and knowledge.

The Lord is a consuming fire. Let us run under the shelter of the Almighty King. Let us seek Jesus with all passion and dedication. Seek the Lord while He can be found. The Lord is available and waiting. He does not wish anyone should perish. [Click the link here for reference]: 2 Chron 20:1-34

2 Peter 3:8-10

But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

Isaiah 55:6-7

Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

The Lord is a just God and will meet you right where you are. So come with your wounds and brokenness. Come with your anxieties, doubts and fears. Come with your mistakes and confusion. Come with your pain and despair. Come with your anger and frustration. Just come!

Prayer

Lord, Father,

I pray for those who are entering into your presence at this very moment. May you comfort their heart and mind.  Please take away all their confusion, doubt, pain and toil in this life. Reveal to them your glory for the sacrifice you gave to each person as a gift of love. Help them to draw near to you and keep a hedge of protection over their families, loves ones, households, communities, finances, health and relationships. May a fresh wind of vitality, strength and peace be upon them as they seek you and rest in your presence for the revelation of Jesus Christ. Amen

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. 2 Corth 13:14

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RELATED SCRIPTURES

Psalm 119:32-33

I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart. 33 Teach me, O Lord, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end.

Psalm 119:133

Direct my steps by Your word, and let no iniquity have dominion over me.

Psalm 63:1

O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;

Matt 6:33

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Deut 4:29

But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.

Col 3:1

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

2 Theo 3:5

And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.

Lam 3:25

The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.

Psalm 105:4

Seek the Lord, and his strength: seek his face evermore.

Psalm 27:8

When You said, “Seek My face,” my heart said to You, “Your face, Lord, I will seek.

John 16:13-14

Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

Jer 33:3

Call unto me, and I will answer thee, I will show you great and mighty things that you do not know of.

Jer 29:13

And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

Psalm 121:1

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

1 Chron 16:10

Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord.