Uplift Family and Friends, I am so looking forward to our service this Saturday at 5:30pm and want to invite you out! We are in the midst of a sermon series called A Christmas Carol, based on the Charles Dickens book. We are looking at lessons from Pauls life on how to deal with our PAST mistakes, how to have victory in our PRESENT situation, and how to prepare for our FUTURE. Expect to be motivated and encouraged! This 3 week sermon series is preparing us for the blessings and opportunities that God is sending to us in 2015. This week we will be looking at the Ghost of Christmas Present. This weeks update will focus on Facing our Giants. If you would like to watch the sermon Facing Your Giants please click on this link: youtu.be/sIvlJ3PvdmU . We all face giants in our lives. Giants are obstacles in your life that control you. Some examples of the giants we face are anger, depression, adversity, addictions, low self-esteem, lust, and many more. When we look at 1 Samuel 17, we see the nation of Israel is faced with a giant named Goliath. Looking at this giants actions in verses 3-11 we see how our giants in our lives try to defeat us. The giants in our life defeat us by intimidating us (you are not strong enough), by separating us (nobody can help you), and by defining the battle (you must go to a bar and not drink to prove you have quit). This scripture also shows how David defeated Goliath and how we can defeat the giants in our lives. Just as David defeated the giant by collecting 5 smooth stones, we must do the same. We need the: Stone of PRIORITY: We have to understand that defeating the giants in our family is a priority. Verse 26 says we receive a blessing for defeating the giant. Verses 45-47 say the battle with our giants is one we fight to bring God Glory. Stone of FAITH: In order to defeat the giants in our lives we will need faith. Verse 34 shows we get faith from remembering past victories. Verse 46 shows us that our faith is centered in trusting God. Stone of POSITIVITY: Throughout this scripture David is put down by his brother, doubted by Saul, and insulted by Goliath. Regardless of these negative influences David remains positive. If we are going to defeat our giants we must remain positive. We can only do this by focusing on God. Stone of CHANGE: In verses 38-40 Saul tries to get David to wear his armor. David however, refuses because he knows the only chance he has to win is to change his strategy. In order to defeat the giants in your life, especially those that have been around for many generations, we will have to change our approach. Stone of Inheritance: Finally, verse 55 shows us that at all times we must remember that we are children of God. There is no giant too big for our Father. Our Father will always take care of us. No matter what you are facing today, you have a Father that is ready, willing and able to get you through it. Thank you and God bless. Pray we see you today!!
Posted on: Sat, 20 Dec 2014 19:51:28 +0000