Hi Everyone,

I was reading this scripture recently and I pulled a few gems out of it, God's Word is full of treasure, we just need to get into it and pull them out!

"But they took their stand in the middle of the field. They defended it and struck the Philistines down, and the Lord brought about a great victory!"
1 Chronicles 11:14

1) They took their stand.

They didn't just give up and surrender against their enemy.
1 Corinthians 15:58 tells us "... Be strong and immovable."

1 Corinthians 16:13 says "Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong."

I could go on.... here are a few more scriptures:
2 Corinthians 1:24,  Ephesians 6:1-14, Philippians 1:27, 1 Thessalonians 3:8, 2 Thessalonians 2:15.

All of them are telling us to 'Stand firm'. Why? Because we have an enemy constantly trying to steal our faith and he uses people or circumstances to do it!

2) They defended it.

There are times to keep quiet, but then there are times to stand up and speak up! The Holy Spirit will always tell us when, but we need to know what the Word says so that we are not deceived.
Nehemiah 4:14, 2 Timothy 4:7, 1 Timothy 6:12.

3) Struck down their enemy!

How? With the Word of God. The Word is your sword of the spirit according to Ephesians 6:17. It says... "Take the sword of the spirit, which is the Word of God."

God has given us armour to wear but I think we forget it sometimes. We forget that we have a sword and it's just hanging there while we are getting beaten up. Jesus used the Word against satan in Matthew 4:1-11, have a read. Then read 1 Samuel 17:48-49. Let's start using our swords.

4) Great Victory!

Not just victory but great Victory! It says that the "Lord brought about a great victory". When we do our part according to the Holy Spirit's leading, God will work with us and when God is in it, we can't lose! I read a little quote recently saying "Do what you can and God will do what you can't."  (Bob Gass)

It really spoke to me, there are times when God is just waiting for us to take the first step, as in Joshua 3:9-16. Then there are times when we just need to be obedient to His instructions, be still and listen!

Read - Joshua 6:1-21, 1 Samuel 17: 50-51, 2 Kings 5:1, 1 Corinthians 15:54, 57,  Deuteronomy 20:3-4,  1 John 5:4

Have a read of 1 Chronicles 11:14  again, meditate on it and see how it speaks to you. God will always speak and guide us, but sometimes we get so busy and think that we don't have time to listen, but the truth is that we can't afford not to listen. With the way the world is, our faith will be tested so we need to be strong and confident in what we believe in so that we can be ready to share our faith anytime the opportunity comes up. So strengthen up! And start sharing what Jesus did on the cross for us and how it's changed your life... In Mark 16:13 after Jesus tells the disciples what to do He was taken up into heaven then it says in vs. 13

"And the disciples went everywhere and preached, and the Lord worked through them, confirming what they said by many miraculous signs"

So let's let Him work through us...! Then watch God bring about great victories!

God bless you all and have a great week!

Love,
Giovanna