I Samuel 30:8; So David inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I pursue this troop? Shall I overtake them?” And He answered him, “Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all.”

If you’ve been a Christian for any length of time at all, you’ll know that battles are inevitable! The bible is very clear in stating that the righteous will have many battles but the Lord will deliver us from them all. We’re not to focus on the battle as much as the Victor. This morning when I did a search using the words, ‘David inquired of the Lord’, it brought up 8 times. I’m sure there are others, but my point is that before battle, David always sought strategy from the Lord. He knew that going into battle without the Lord was a sure way of losing, but when he had God’s word on it, he knew he would win.

Must be nice to know God so well. Must be nice to have the confident assurance of victory every time, just as David did. Well guess what? We can! David won because he placed his confidence in God who is mighty in battle. It’s not enough to just ask, “Should I go?” He asked, “Shall I overtake them?” And God answered him. God will answer when you call on Him, you just have to tune in to His voice. Just like tuning into a radio station, you hit the tuning knob until you get a better signal. Listen closely, He’s speaking clearly, you just have to get rid of all the static.

But not only did God answer what David asked, He went on to say, “Recover ALL!” So God doesn’t just want us to win over our enemies, He wants us to recover everything that’s been taken along the way. He doesn’t want us to just win the war, He wants us to be prosperous, not for our benefit, but for His. God doesn’t do anything without a strategy. He has a different plan for every battle you face, He just wants you to come to Him and receive the strategy for THIS battle. It’s obedience boot camp. Don’t do more, don’t do less, just do what He says.

Father, you have a plan for this battle that I’m not seeing, so I’ll stay in the planning room until I get clear instructions on not just WHAT to do, but HOW to do it. Your plans are to prosper me in every area of life, so I submit to you as Commander and Chief. Show me the plans you have for me so that I may be affective in my warfare, overtake my enemy and recover all he’s taken from me. I take back my children! I take back my marriage! I take back my health! I take back my money! I take back houses and lands! I take back relationships stolen! I take back vehicles! I take back assets stolen! I will recover all! It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen

Psalm 19:14, Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.

I love this prayer that David prayed. He seemed to know that it wasn’t just the words of his mouth that God hears, but also what he meditated on. Jesus said it like this in Luke 6:45, “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.”

I wonder if David would have won all those battles if he constantly thought he would be defeated? I wonder if every time he became discouraged, waiting for the promised throne, if he remembered being brought up from the fields that one day that Samuel the prophet came to his house to anoint him as the next king of Israel. Even as I read the Psalms, I hear David crying out because of his troubles, then remembering that God is God, He is mighty to save and deliver. Regardless of what he endured, His focus changed from his problems to His God who is able.

It became such a pattern in his life that in three separate passages, Psalm 42:5, 11 and Psalm 43:5, we hear him say the same words, “Why am I so sad? Why am I so upset? I tell myself, “Wait for God’s help! You will again be able to praise him, your God, the one who will save you.” (ERV) He knew there would be times we would think wrong and be tempted to doubt, but he told himself to do the right thing, trust in the Lord.

Perhaps you’re facing a challenge or a downright, knock down, drag out battle. You’ve been in it for awhile, perhaps years have gone by and you still haven’t seen a change in your situation. You’re weary and you don’t know how much longer you can hold out. You’ve faced things before, but this seems different, like somethings out to pull you under. You’re tempted to end it all, then you remember the Word that is near you, even in your mouth.

You begin to fortify your mind, “Greater is He who is in me than he who is in the world.” “No weapon formed against me will prosper and every tongue that rises against me will be condemned. It’s my heritage as a servant of the Lord!” “When the enemy comes in, like a flood the Spirit of the Lord raises a standard against him.” “A thousand will fall on my right side and ten thousand at my left but it will NOT come near me. Only with my eyes will I see it for I am safely tucked under the shadow of the Almighty’s wings. Do you hear that, devil? You can’t find me cause I’m hidden by God!”

Suddenly you feel you stronger, like you could run to the finish line. He sustains you, child of God. He will never leave you, my dear friend. Stop focusing on your weaknesses and focus on the mighty God that is in you. Yes, this same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead, lives in you to make you strong, regardless of your age or physical demeanor. You can do this! Don’t quit now, just change your thinking and your words.

Father, thank you for being the rock I stand on that cannot be moved. Thank you for strengthening me for the assignment you’ve given me. Thank you that I can do all things because you give me the mindset and words to accomplish anything. I will never have to do it alone for You are always with me. Your rod of correction and Your staff of direction always comfort me, knowing that I can never go far from Your presence. Thanks for reminding me that I am Your daughter, therefore I win. It’s in Jesus’ name I ask for Your strength this day. Amen

Romans 8:28 AMP; And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose.

Paul was one positive, uplifting, encouraging person. What intrigues me is that he wrote most of his letters in prison, or a pit of some sort. He’d been beaten so many times for taking the gospel to unreached people and communities, but he never let the persecution stop him. Rather he encouraged all who came after him that God is deeply concerned about us and causes all things to work toward the plans and purposes of a loving God.

Sometimes in listening to people, I can tell where they’ve spent most of their time. If they’re fearful, they’ve been watching too much news. If they’re discouraged, they’ve been looking at their circumstances more than focusing on God. I love surrounding myself with positive people! I’d rather be with someone who quotes the Word to me through tears, then someone who quotes all the doctors reports, news or political climate. Where your focus is, changes your perspective which changes your outcome.

Have you ever cloud watched? You know, you stare at the clouds and see what it reminds you of. You can take a positive person and a negative person, have them stare at the same cloud, one will see rain coming, the other will see an angel. Same cloud, it’s just the way you see it is different. Look for the good, you’ll see good. Look for the bad, you’ll see bad. When you look at the storm, it will last longer and you’ll be afraid, but when you look beyond the storm, you’ll know there’s blue skies up ahead, it won’t last forever.

There are always choices we make everyday that determines whether we see things Gods way or the way of the world. This verse is a great one to memorize and keep as a reference. All things work together for good. God has a good plan for you and if you’ll trust Him, you’ll see the good come to pass. Until you learn this, you’ll keep going through what you’re going through, jogging around the same mountain until you collapse in a heap and call out to God to help you see things differently. Your way is not always the best way, in fact your way is NEVER the best way.

Father, I see so many times I thought I could fix it or make it better when all I did was make a huge mess out of it. What was I thinking! Remind me that it’s not about me or my plans, it’s about You and Your plan. I’m a small piece of a bigger game plan and my part is important to Your Kingdom plan. I submit to You today. I ask that You will lead and guide me into all truth. That my attention would be on You and not what I’m going through. When I see lack, help me to remember that I have access to all You have and You have it all. I love You, Lord. I just need to love You more than I love me. In Jesus’ name, Amen

Jeremiah 17:5-8 ERV; This is what the Lord says:
“Bad things will happen to those who put their trust in people.  Bad things will happen to those who depend on human strength. That is because they have stopped trusting the Lord.  They are like a bush in a desert where no one lives.  It is in a hot and dry land.  It is in bad soil. That bush does not know about the good things that God can give.

Isaiah 45:9-10 ERV; “Look at these people! They are arguing with the one who made them. Look at them argue with me. They are like pieces of clay from a broken pot. Clay does not say to the one molding it, ‘Man, what are you doing?’ Things that are made don’t have the power to question the one who makes them.  A father gives life to his children, and they cannot ask, ‘Why are you giving me life?’ They cannot question their mother and ask, ‘Why are you giving birth to me?’”

Why God? Why? Why was I born? Why am I going through this? When will I get what I need? When will my healing be manifested? Why don’t I have my house yet? What are you up to, God? I wouldn’t do it that way, I’d do it this way! Sounds silly, right? But how many times a day do we question God? I know I have! Questioning is not just mere curiosity, it’s a sign of mistrust. We love to be in control of everything and when we’re not, it makes us question.

I was reminded recently that God is sovereign. That word means; a person who has supreme power or authority. That means, there is no one higher than Him, no one greater, He is it. The very one who created everything, even us, has a plan and purpose for everything we go through. He is sovereign. When we trust Him, we don’t stress over it because we know He has our very best in store for us. We know that all things work together for good to them who love God and are called according to His purpose. We know that when we trust in the Lord and do good, we will dwell in the land and feed on His faithfulness.

Father, forgive my questioning and our doubting, it only shows how little I trust You. I will say of You Lord, You are my refuge and fortress, my God in who I will trust. There is nothing to fear for I know my steps are ordered by you and everything will work out according to Your plans for me. When I’m hungry, I will turn it into a fast to you. When I’m tired, I will lay my head on Your lap and take a nap, resting in You. Nothing is too hard for you! You created the world, the sky and all that is in it. The things I go through are so small. You have planned out my life from beginning to end and I will trust in You. You are sovereign and everything I need has already been provided for me. I will thank You and praise You for there is no one who has more power than You. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray, Amen

Revelation 1:5b-6; To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood,  and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

I Peter 2:9; But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

Did you know that no one can change who you are? You will always be you! You have two donors, your father and your mother, their combined contributions created you. Doesn’t matter if you’re adopted, if your parents have passed away, you are you and that cannot be changed. What you go through and are taught, that shapes you into who you think you are, but the real you is determined by the blood that runs through your veins.

By believing in Jesus Christ and what he did for us on the cross, we become Gods very own people. His Spirit is joined with our spirit making us a force to be reckoned with. Nothing that happens in life changes the fact that we are kings and priests in the Kingdom of God. The only thing that keeps us from operating in our full authority is that we listen to the wrong voice who deceives us into thinking we are nothing and no one. It never changes WHO we are, but it makes us ineffective and powerless to operate as we were created to.

What would happen if we took our crowns back? What would happen if we spent time with the King having our minds renewed to the truth of who we are and the authority we have? If we allowed our King to show us the treasures of His Kingdom, the riches of His glory, the creative power in our tongues? The resurrection power we possess? Would we live differently? Would we speak differently? Would we love differently? Would we do as He commanded us, to lay hands on the sick, raise the dead and cast out demons? Would we?

Father, we have believed the lie of our enemy and it has damned us to be powerless and ineffective. We renounce the lie and we take back the authority you gave us. We take back our rights and privileges.  We have been placed in right standing with you because of Jesus and the blood He shed, so we take what is rightfully ours. According to Ephesians 6:10 we are strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. So we clothe ourselves for battle, knowing that THIS fight has been won. We take up the whole armor of God, that we may be able to withstand in the evil day we live in, and having done all, to stand. We take back our authority and the power of Your word to wield our sword, the sword of the spirit. We take up our shield of faith to quench every fiery dart satan may throw our way. It’s in Jesus Name and the Blood that is ours to claim, Amen.

We are all familiar with the story of the prodigal son. This morning I would like to start in the middle of the story to make a point, so bear with me.

Luke 15:13-20; “A few days later the younger son gathered up all that he had and left. He traveled far away to another country, and there he wasted his money living like a fool.  After he spent everything he had, there was a terrible famine throughout the country. He was hungry and needed money.  So he went and got a job with one of the people who lived there. The man sent him into the fields to feed pigs. He was so hungry that he wanted to eat the food the pigs were eating. But no one gave him anything.

“The son realized that he had been very foolish. He thought, ‘All my father’s hired workers have plenty of food. But here I am, almost dead because I have nothing to eat.  I will leave and go to my father. I will say to him: Father, I have sinned against God and have done wrong to you.  I am no longer worthy to be called your son. But let me be like one of your hired workers.’  So he left and went to his father.”

Sometimes we ask for the blessing of God because we have our own agenda. It’s not that Gods not willing to bless us, He is. But He also knows our deep, hidden plans and what we really want to do with what He gives us. We think we’re pulling the wool over His eyes. We think that if we give large offerings, God will somehow know what we intend on doing with what He gives us, but when He blesses us, the first thing we do is satisfy the deep cravings of our flesh.

It’s not until the money’s gone and we lose everything, that we come to our senses and realize that our Fathers servants have it better than we. ‘If I can just go home and be a servant in the family business, at least I’ll have a decent job, a place to sleep and not be hungry anymore’. But there is one thing we are not nor will we ever be, a servant. We are sons and daughters, and though we may not think we deserve it after all we’ve done, it doesn’t change who we are.

Having my own agenda places me in a position I was never meant for; it renders me powerless. It shifts responsibility from God to me. Trading my agenda for my Fathers and surrendering to Him, I’m positioned for His power to work through me. It shifts responsibility from me to Him. Just as little children don’t work for a living but allow their father to provide for them, so we like little children allow our Father to provide for us. We are always His sons and daughters. That is what the devil is after and what he will never have, your DNA.

Father, I’m so excited to lay down my plans and purposes for Your Kingdom which is in me. Regardless of the mistakes I’ve made and the plans I’ve had, I will always be Your daughter, destined for greatness, backed by Your authority. I have dominion over everything because Jesus gave it to me. Give me wisdom and discernment so that I may know what to do, where to go and never be without Your grace and love. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen

In Genesis 26, I’m reading about a famine in the land and a promise that supersedes it. Just as God spoke to his father Abraham, now He’s talking to Isaac. He tells him to stay where he is, obey His voice and He would bless him. He didn’t say, ‘Wait till after the famine is over, because My word doesn’t work in the dry times!’ No, God was showing Isaac that his blessing wasn’t based on his surrounding circumstances, but on His word.

In spite of the lie he told to King Abimelech about Rebecca being his sister instead of his wife, look what happened during the famine;  Then Isaac sowed in that land, and reaped in the same year a hundredfold; and the Lord blessed him.  The man began to prosper, and continued prospering until he became very prosperous;  for he had possessions of flocks and possessions of herds and a great number of servants.

God’s not concerned with our economy, the stock market or your current bank balance. When He promised to bless you, He wasn’t talking about just spiritual blessings, He wants to bless you financially, physically, socially and economically. He wants to bless you not for your own plans and purposes, but for His own. He wants people to look at you and know that your blessing could have only come from Him, not the lottery, an inheritance, from Him.

Look what happened next; So the Philistines envied him.  Now the Philistines had stopped up all the wells which his father’s servants had dug in the days of Abraham his father, and they had filled them with earth.  And (King) Abimelech said to Isaac, “Go away from us, for you are much mightier than we.” Do you see that? He had more might, power and wealth than the king himself. They became envious and tried to stop up the flow of money to him in the only way they could. But guess what? You can’t stop Gods blessing! No one can! It’s wealth that only comes from Him and when you give him access to all you have, He will give back far more than you can even imagine.

Father, again my heart is overwhelmed with the greatness of Your plans for me. According to Deuteronomy 28:8, You command the blessing on me and on everything I set my hand to, it prospers. Forgive me for limiting Your work by not giving you full access to what I have. I know now that though you are all powerful, You are not authorized until I give it to you because when Jesus died, He gave me all authority in the earth. Forgive me for not taking my authority and ruling on the earth as You commanded. I don’t know how to do that until you teach me and You can’t teach me until I submit myself to You my teacher. Speak to me, Lord. Teach me Your ways that I may walk in them all the days of my life. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen

“God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and truth.” John 4:24

We were created in the image and likeness of God. If you doubt this, read Genesis 1:27. We forget that we were made to rule and reign in the earth. Short version of the story goes like this; God gave Adam authority to rule and reign over all the earth. He gave his authority to Satan who ruled until Jesus came, died on the cross, took all authority back from the devil, gave it back to us and told us to rule as kings and priests, He himself being the King of kings and the Lord of lords.

So, why aren’t we reigning? Why aren’t we ruling? Why aren’t we taking the authority given to us and raising the dead, healing the sick, casting out demons? Our problem is that we simply don’t believe. Think about that. The children of Israel were told that the Promised Land was theirs, but when Joshua and Caleb came back with the report of abundance, they wanted to stone them. Too afraid to possess what was theirs. Even though God had led them out of captivity and protected and watched over them day and night, they just didn’t believe He could fulfill His promise to them.

After all they saw, they just couldn’t trust God. Lots of blaming went on, but not so much trust. They had been slaves for so long that they couldn’t wrap their minds around the fact they were free, favored and that the God who did all of that, was well able to deliver to them the land. All they had to do was possess it but they just couldn’t believe.

I see many of us living our lives the same way. We’ve been slaves for so long, we can’t believe we are truly free and with that freedom, comes authority to rule and reign. We’re still working for what’s been given to us. We own the land but we’re still trying to work for it. We own the house but we’re still trying to buy it. We have healing, but we’re still trying to earn it. Our problem is a belief problem; even though God said it, we just don’t believe it.

Father, I thank You for the power and authority You have given to me, Your daughter. Today, I will act like a princess, walk like a princess and talk like a princess. As my King, You’ve already given me everything I will ever need for life and godliness, I just have to believe it, receive it and walk in it. How can I fail when You lead and guide me. How can I fear when You are my shield. Your rod and staff comfort me. That means that when I stray from You, Your staff will bring me back. My heart trusts in You and Your plans for me. Your promises are true and they are for all who will believe. Open my heart and mind to receive what You’ve purposed me to possess. It’s in Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen