I must confess to you there are occasions when I wonder why I’m teaching what I’m teaching when I first start. . .reading, studying, praying and writing.

Preparing seven favorite weapons of the enemy was one of those occasions.

But as I got deeper into this teaching. . .I marveled at the things God revealed to me to share.

I know this teaching will help heal and comfort many who’ve been under a major assault from the enemy.

Here are the seven favorite weapons of the enemy.

1.      Deception

Who deceives you?

Genesis 3:13 says:

“Then the LORD God said to the woman, "What is this you have done?" The woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate."

2 Corinthians 4:4 in the Amplified Bible says:

One of the primary keys to success in life is. . .(drum roll sound). . .persistence.  We must learn to keep on keeping on until we cross the finish line.

Perseverance is in the New Testament 32 times and its most frequently translated as:

“patience; endurance; patient waiting”

The term literally means “remaining under” or standing firm despite opposition.

In life, we will face many challenges. . .and adversities.

Human nature will want you to rationalize that other people seem to have it easier than we do. . .and in some cases, that may be right but the truth is … a tree grows stronger when it has to resist the wind and that is true with us also.

But the Bible says that joy is based not on an absence of difficulty but learning to overcome adversity through our faith in the only One who can assure our success.

Booker T. Washington said:

Are you going through a transition?

Perhaps you're going from one job to another or from having a job to being unemployed?

Does it seem that you're facing difficult problems without an answer seemingly in sight?

If so, this teaching is for you.

David was in a time of transition. . .He had been anointed by the Prophet Samuel to be King of Israel.

However, David was far from the throne.  He was living as an outcast on the run from King Saul and dwelling among his enemies, the Philistines.

Topping it all off, David’s mentor, the Prophet Samuel, died.

1 Samuel 25:1 says:

“Then Samuel died; and the Israelites gathered together and lamented for him, and buried him at his home in Ramah. And David arose and went down to the Wilderness of Paran.”

There was no closure for David.  He would never see the Prophet Samuel again in this lifetime either alive or ready for burial. He had only the Lord Himself for consolation.

This may sound familiar to you.  If you are not in a time of transition, you have surely experienced transition in the past.  It is never easy.

Have you ever had a cell phone, iPad, computer or other electronic toy wear down or out?

When this occurs you can send the electronic gizmo back to the manufacturer where it will be refurbished according to the manufacturer’s specifications. . .making it as good as new. . .at least, according to them.

Sometimes we need to be mentally and spiritually refurbished. . .sending us back to our manufacturer. . .Creator. . .for a makeover. . .do over or get over. . .whichever is more appropriate and needed.

If you have renovated an older house…you know. . .it’s a process of changing those things that need changing.

Focus intently on the rest of this teaching.

You replace the old flooring with a new. . .more updated look and style.

You replace the old electrical wiring with new. . .to eliminate static interference from your electronics and to prevent the cabling from overheating and creating a fire hazard.

You replace the outdated exterior and interior wall colors with new vibrant colors and textures.

You replace the old appliances and furniture with new. . .to reflect in changes in time and your taste.

The same parallel is true when we renew our minds

We've got to take out the old, the old way of thinking and put in the new.  This is how we  become successful and victorious in Christ.  We take out the old and bring in the new.

You see the process of change has as much to do with taking off first as it does putting on afterwards. 

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.

Hold your hands up. . .what do you see?

Something to cover your mouth when you yawn. . .something to eat with. . .something to comb your hair with. . .something to help you work . . .something to help you play.

When God looks at your hands, He sees unlimited potential for blessings, miracles, and prosperity.  We already have that authority as believers!

John 3:35 says:

“The Father loved the son and placed everything in his hands.”

When the soldiers came to take Jesus captive in the Garden of Gethsemane, the first thing they did was to bind his hands.  Why?

. . .those hands had made mud, placed it on the eyes of a blind man that allowed him to see instantly.

. . .those hands took the five loaves and two fishes from a young man and fed thousands of people.

. . .those hands had been laid upon a great host of people who found His healing touch brought instant relief to their sick and suffering bodies.

. . .those hands  stopped a funeral procession. . .touched the body of a young boy and gave his mother great joy and him a new life.

. . .those hands had resurrection power -- but so do yours.

John 14:12 says:

“He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.” 

In 2 Timothy 1:6 in the Amplified Bible we are encouraged to “. . .fan the flame of God through the laying on of hands.”

“That is why I would remind you to stir up (rekindle the embers of, fan the flame of, and keep burning) the [gracious] gift of God, [the inner fire] that is in you by means of the laying on of my hands [with those of the elders at your ordination].”

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:

Do you want to be an effective witness for the Lord?  Of course, you do.

So what’s the key?

Handing out tracts in the workplace or leaving them wedged in the mirrors of public restrooms.  Maybe.

How about telling people how Jesus has changed your life?  Okay, we’re on the right track.

What about when you laugh and sing praises to our Lord?

Can that be an effective witness for the Lord?

Yes, according to Psalm 126:2 in the Classic Amplified Bible which says:

“Then were our mouths filled with laughter, and our tongues with singing. Then they said among the nations, The Lord has done great things for them.”

Some people say. . .Brother Harold, things are so stressful that I can’t be filled with laughter.  There’s nothing to laugh about.

That’s simply not true.

If you're drawing breath on planet earth...there will come moments...times of adversity when you wonder what to do next.

In these moments...your solace will not be found at the local watering hole commiserating with someone as lost as a goose in a blizzard.

Your answer will not be found in extended conversations with friends about why it's unfair you have to deal with these situations.

Here are seven things to do when trouble strikes.

1.      When you’re disappointed

Here’s the great news. . .regardless of the intensity of the enemy’s attack. . .you never need to be put to shame or disappointed.

I realize that’s a bold statement. . . but there are eight verses in the Classic Amplified Bible translation which say exactly that.  Here are three of them to claim and put your confidence in.

Psalm 25:3 in the Classic Amplified Bible says:

“Yes, let none who trust and wait hopefully and look for You be put to shame or be disappointed; let them be ashamed who forsake the right or deal treacherously without cause.”

Psalm 25:20 in the Classic Amplified Bible says:

“O keep me, Lord, and deliver me; let me not be ashamed or disappointed, for my trust and my refuge are in You.”

Jeremiah 29:11 has always been one of my favorite scriptures and today the Lord showed me 9 powerful thoughts He has toward YOU. 

1. God is thinking about you

You’re very blessed if you have a Mom and Dad who think about you. . . you’re blessed when your spouse and children are thinking about you. . .it’s nice when your boss is thinking about you. . .it’s a joy knowing that you have friends who are thinking about you.

But the best thing of all is when you have the scriptural assurance that the Master of the Universe. . .the Creator of Heaven and earth. . .your Jehovah Jireh, your Provider. . .you Jehovah Shalom. . .your God of peace. . . is thinking about you . . . that is so awesome it defies description!

Jeremiah 29:11 says:

^“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.”

I want you to get this . . . God is thinking about YOU.

You may have felt that nobody knew you were alive.  Maybe that includes your family.  . .but that’s just not true . . . because God, your Heavenly Father, is thinking about you.

Psalm 40:17 in The Living Bible says:

“I am poor and weak, yet the Lord is thinking about me right now!”