Are you facing any giants today?

How do your giant(s) compare with Goliath?

1 Samuel 17:4 says:

“And there went out a champion out of the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span.”

Based on the King James Version of the Bible six cubits and a span would make Goliath over nine feet tall. However, if you believe the Jewish historian Josephus was four cubits and a span or roughly six feet six inches tall.

When you consider the average height of a man in Biblical times was five feet three inches. . Goliath was a tall dude, regardless of who you believe.

By the way, I find it interesting to read Josephus. . .but I’ll take the Bible as my absolute source. . .every time.

1 Samuel 17:5 says:

It was an early morning when the Lord began this rapid-fire succession of the seven worst things a person can do. 

I try to be a positive person, but the truth of the matter is this… there are some things we just don’t need to do!

I knew in due season He would help me put meat on these bones to pass along to His people and here it is.

# 1       Not believing

There is an old saying. . .if you don’t believe in something you’ll fall for anything.

More properly said, if you don’t believe in the Word of God then you’ll more likely fall for the tricks, traps, lies, deceptions and wiles the enemy throws your way.

The word believe is found in 131 verses in the King James Bible.  However, I feel led to share with you seven things you must believe.

First, You must believe He is a miracle working savior.

Matthew 9:28 says:

“And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord.”

Second, He wants you and your family saved.

Acts 16:31 says:

For sports fans this is an exciting time of year.

The World Series has me praying a lot more than usual and you who know me can guess why.   The National Football season, college and the National Basketball games are  underway. . .and each time hoping for a championship trophy.

It is not easy to become a champion. . .it takes determination. . .practice. . .exercise. . .disciple and, yes. . .commitment to never give up, give in, back up, back down, sit down, quit or walk away until victory is achieved.

God has given each of us the heart of a champion far beyond the field of athletic endeavor.

Much like an earthly father who wants his children to be champions in whatever they undertake. . .our Heavenly Father desires for you and I. . .His children to win in the game of life.

We always refer to Jesus as a conqueror. . .one who conquered death, hell and the grave. . .yet we never call him a champion.

Throughout history, conquerors are those who went to war where there was the spilling of blood.

That’s why Jesus was and is a conqueror. . .He spilled blood. . .overcame demonic opposition to become a champion for our salvation.

In order for us to be conquerors. . .we must first champions in the areas of our lives where we’ve been given a vision, a goal, a dream or a calling.

We must prevail. . .as champions over the areas where we’ve been given stewardship.

There are seven characteristics of a champion.

Have you ever said. . .I just wasn’t in the right place at the right time?

Perhaps you said. . .my timing always seems to be wrong. . .I can’t catch a break.

Well, things didn’t work out the way we wanted. . .we were hoping for a different result.

John Wooden, the legendary basketball coach at UCLA, once said:

“Things turn out best for people who make the best out of the way things turn out.”

How can you make the best out of the way things turn out?

It’s simple really. . .by positioning yourself for the desired result.  Here are seven keys to help you do just that.

1) Look at Every Day As A Potential Day for Miracles.

We serve a right now God. . .wanting to manifesting His power TODAY.

Yes, we should stir our faith and the faith of others by the recounting of our Lord's miracles.  But, we must be expecting miracles "in the moment"...this moment. . .our defining moment.

Acts 5:12 in the New King James Version says:

“And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. . .”

I encourage you to write down the areas of your life where you need miracle manifestation.

Have you ever wondered how to get a fresh start?

Over the years. . .we’ve heard that expression so many times.

“Brother Harold and Sister Bev, I just want a fresh start.  How can I make that happen?”

Truthfully, you can have a fresh start. . .with God’s help. . .and guess what. . .He’s ready to help you. . .get going.

1 Corinthians 1:26 MSG

“. . .Everything that we have—right thinking and right living, a clean slate and a fresh start—comes from God by way of Jesus Christ. . .”

Romans 8:11 MSG

“When God lives and breathes in you (and he does, as surely as he did in Jesus), you are delivered from that dead life. With his Spirit living in you, your body will be as alive as Christ's!”

Why does God want you to have a fresh start?

Exodus 9:16 in the New Living Translation says:

Has it been just an okay year. . .and you’re so ready for something new?

Are you ready to leave the pains and hurts of 2024 in the rearview mirror?

Are you ready to move to a spiritual place you’ve never been before?

Do you remember ever driving to a place you’ve never been before . . .found yourself not knowing if you were heading in the right direction but you still continued on?

I think this is particularly true. . .of most men. . .there is a hesitancy to stop and ask for directions. . .until it’s clearly obvious that you’re headed in the wrong direction.

There is an amazing parallel in life where some people know they’re headed in the wrong direction but they keep hesitating to make the decision to turn things around.

Jeremiah 8:4 in the Contemporary English Version says:

“[The People Took the Wrong Road ] The LORD said: People of Jerusalem, when you stumble and fall, you get back up, and if you take a wrong road, you turn around and go back.”

The lifestyle turnaround begins with asking for forgiveness for our sins and returning to God.

Acts 3:19 in the Amplified Bible says:

Have you ever wondered how to get a fresh start?

Over the years. . .we’ve heard that expression so many times.

“Brother Harold and Sister Bev, I just want a fresh start.  How can I make that happen?”

Truthfully, you can have a fresh start. . .with God’s help. . .and guess what. . .He’s ready to help you. . .get going.

1 Corinthians 1:26 MSG

“. . .Everything that we have—right thinking and right living, a clean slate and a fresh start—comes from God by way of Jesus Christ. . .”

Romans 8:11 MSG

“When God lives and breathes in you (and he does, as surely as he did in Jesus), you are delivered from that dead life. With his Spirit living in you, your body will be as alive as Christ's!”

Why does God want you to have a fresh start?

Exodus 9:16 in the New Living Translation says:

“But I have spared you for a purpose—to show you my power and to spread my fame throughout the earth.”

Have you ever wondered how to get noticed?

Have you ever desired to be noticed at work. . .as an employee of value. . .with good ideas?

Have you ever wanted to be noticed in a social setting?

Have you ever just wanted to be noticed by anybody for anything?

One more thing. . .before we go any further.

The One you should want most to notice you. . .is Jesus.

As you read this teaching, think about what you have to do to be noticed by Him.

Here are the seven ways to get noticed... in the right ways.

1.         Obeying His Word

Do you love God?  Of course you do or you wouldn’t be right here right now.

But how do you know if you really love God?

John 14:15 in the Amplified Bible, Classic Edition says:

Have you ever been in a serious thunderstorm. . .or maybe even a hurricane or tornado?

I’ve never been in a tornado but I have been through a couple of hurricanes and many serious thunderstorms.

During our time in Texas. . .it was not unusual to have thunderstorms with 60-70 mile an hour winds and frequent lightning strikes.  I remember one storm where there were over 1,000 lighting strikes in an hour.

When serious storms come up. . .we’re looking for a safe place. 

How would you react if you were in the middle of the sea when a violent storm arose?

Mark 4:37 in the Classic Amplified Bible says:

“And a furious storm of wind [of hurricane proportions] arose, and the waves kept beating into the boat, so that it was already becoming filled.”

The disciples and Jesus were crossing the Sea of Galilee when a violent storm began to rage.  The disciples were frightened, fearful and faithless in the midst of what they perceived to be a potentially, deadly situation.

Here are seven things we should do when facing the storms of our lives.

1.       When trouble is headed your way. . .always do what Jesus did.

Would you like to have spiritual boldness?

You don’t need an expensive seminar or weekend conference to gain spiritual boldness.

There have been some good books written on developing boldness and confidence but the best book on the subject. . .was written thousands of years ago.

Developing spiritual boldness is not an outside job. . .but rather. . .an inside work.

Ephesians 3:12 in the Classic Amplified Bible says:

“In Whom, because of our faith in Him, we dare to have the boldness (courage and confidence) of free access (an unreserved approach to God with freedom and without fear).”

Our 24/7 access to our Heavenly Father. . .was made possible by the blood of Jesus on Calvary’s cross.

2 Corinthians 3:12 in the Classic Amplified Bible says:

“Since we have such [glorious] hope (such joyful and confident expectation), we speak very freely and openly and fearlessly.”

Confidence in God and His Word. . .gives us a boldness to be about Kingdom business.

Acts 28:31 in the Classic Amplified Bible says:

“Preaching to them the kingdom of God and teaching them about the Lord Jesus Christ with boldness and quite openly, and without being molested or hindered.”

One of the things that should give you spiritual boldness is knowing that God has chosen you for a divine assignment.