When a Giant Stands Against You

How often does Satan want to steal what God has for us? He wants to keep us from every good thing that Jesus provided for us at the cross. In 1 Samuel 17 we see that Israel was obsessed with this giant that came into their lives. Goliath was an imposing figure. He stood at over nine feet tall and the size of his weapons instilled fear in Israel. If we have power in the Holy Ghost operating in our life we can remove any obstacle that is put in front of us. God has more power than our enemies. Though Goliath was a formidable soldier with powerful weapons, he could not challenge the power of God. It doesn’t matter the size of the obstacle or the show of force by our enemy.
The Bible tells us that “When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.” What that means is that God goes before us and lets our enemies know who we serve. Everyone in Israel allowed Goliath to be an obstacle. That is, everyone but David. David got riled up when Goliath defied Israel. Everyone but David saw a giant. David saw victory through God. Like David, we need to get riled up when Satan comes against us to take what God has promised each on of us through Jesus Christ our Lord. Goliath came against Israel with a sword and spear. They were inferior weapons compared to what God can do with a shepherd’s sling! Goliath made the mistake of thinking he was going to fight a man. He told Israel “choose you a man” to come and fight me. Little did Goliath know that God was with David and would soon deliver Goliath into his hand. The Bible tells us in Isaiah 54:17 that
”No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper….” We have nothing to fear from our enemies. Nothing that they bring can stand before the child of God. We may look puny standing against the hordes of Satan but hell cowers because it sees God standing with us. When we stand on Jesus’ name there is power in our testimony. We trust that God fights our battles. 1 Samuel 17:45 says “Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest 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 defied.”
David called on the name of the Lord because his trust was in God. When a “Goliath” comes into your life defying God let him know that there is a price to pay and begin to call on Jesus. Let’s slay any Goliath that stands before us whether it be discouragement, doubt, or unbelief. Jesus died so we could have salvation. Don’t let a Goliath stand in your way anymore of all that God has for your life.

Enough is Enough

I have been updating you on my New Year's resolution to lose weight. I am happy to report that I have hit the 25 lb milestone! It's a great start but I still have some to go. It seems that we don't do anything about the negative things in our life until enough is enough. That's why I started dieting. I had enough! Why don't we make positive changes sooner? Why do we wait, so often, for disaster to strike before we are moved? Many times we find ourself in the same situation in our spiritual lives. Some don't address their spiritual life until they have a major trauma in life. Many want to "cover the bases" so they are religious without true commitment. Even the committed can testify of down times spiritually. Whatever the reason, Susan and I have decided not only to address the physical need, by dieting, but to commit to Bible reading, prayer, and fasting and are seeing the blessing that comes with that commitment. We want to see our church become a beacon of light and hope for our community and believe that have taken important steps over the last year in that direction. I guess we came to a point spiritually where "enough is enough". How about You?

Ready for the Game

Today is Super bowl Sunday. I love football. Last year was especially exciting because my Chicago bears were in the Super bowl. When Devin Hester ran the opening kick off back for a TD I thought we were on our way. Unfortunately it was one of only a few higlights for the Bears. This year was tough, but we will be back next year! I have been on a diet, I mean a healthy lifestyle change, since January 2nd. I am happy to report that I have lost 20 lbs and am still going strong. Today though, we take a break and are having pizza, beautiful, wonderful pizza, for the Super bowl. Then right back at it. I will turn 50 in March and want to be in the best shape I have been in in a while. I will succeed with determination and my wife's help. She has helped me to stay on track with great, healthy meals and snacks. We can eat healthier and still enjoy food. I feel better, look better, and want to make this a permanent lifestyle. Change is hard but we can change with God's help and our loved ones support. What needs to change in your life? You can make a positive change today.