This is part of a continuing study. For previous lessons, just scroll down.
Dear Partner in Prayer,
May strength and grace, (God’s ability to accomplish), be yours every day of your life. May the peace and joy of the Holy Spirit keep you and empower you.
You were made to do great things for God! Whatever you think you are there’s more…much more of you to come.
We began our study on Matthew 16:13-20 which has led us to focus on vs. 19:
“And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."
The Keys of Heaven previously discussed:
The subject of “our weapons” that we have studied the past six weeks is of vital importance to every born again child of God.
We are the chosen generation that is operating under a divine end-time assignment to prepare the way for the coming of the Lord and for the Great Awakening. Our weapons are important because we have an enemy whose only desire is to oppose, hinder, steal, kill, and destroy.
No country sends their soldiers into combat without extensive training. When they are commissioned, headquarters sends them out with a purpose, a plan, and all the provision necessary to defeat the enemy.
Use Your Weapons
Putting on God’s armor and using it has never been so important. Every time you have been in a struggle with the enemy, you have always had greater ability than your opponent. I always told my grandchildren, “Remember who you are.” Our strength originates in the acknowledgement of who we are in Christ, Who is with us, and in heaven’s provisions.
We have learned our authority has been delegated to us by our Champion, Jesus Christ. The foundation of our ability to rule in life is because of the cross and because, when we were born from above, we were made one with Him.
Let us be continually established in these truths:
“All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore…”
Matthew 28:18
Jesus is seated, “…far above all principality, and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named…” Ephesians 1:21
“For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers.” Colossians 1:16
“Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.” Colossians 2:15
“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” Revelation 1:8
And, we The Church are:
“…raised up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus…” Ephesians 2:6
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10
“He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love…” Colossians 1:13
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.” Ephesians 6:10
God said, “Let there be light,” and light was. God also said, “Be strong in the Lord,” which has the same power and ability to produce His strength within you if you walk by faith and receive it. His strength begins in your heart.
Fellowship—The Fountain of Victory
Everything we do for the Lord comes forth from the secret place of fellowship with the Lord. Everything!
Those believers who are steadfast and secure know that diligence to a morning routine of putting God first place, before we go forth into the world, is the understructure where we are re-established in our reason for living. This is the place where we get our batteries re-charged and our purpose re-fired! It is our contact with Home Base. And really, the rest of the day’s actions should flow from here…faith, hope, and love! This is how Jesus lived and also someone else we are familiar with.
DAVID: From a Shepherd to a King
Read —1 Samuel Chapters 16 & 17
Where did David develop the boldness and tenacity of strength to defy the giant Goliath? From his youth, David had developed a lifestyle of fellowship with the Lord. When Samuel was sent to choose a man to be anointed as king and thought surely Eliab would be chosen, God spoke this to him:
"Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."
Years of intimate fellowship with the Lord, unnoticed by the world, brought forth a relationship of trust between David and the Lord that worked both ways. We can imagine David living in the beautiful countryside of Israel playing his harp and making melody to the Lord. This prophet composer learned about his God while in “the green pastures, next to the still waters” of his homeland. That companionship remained with David throughout His life.
We are blessed today to read the intimate expressions of his heart and a life that continually sought and praised the Master. Just think, millions of Christians take his written words with them to church every Sunday! One of my favorite scriptures that I pray from is Psalm 91:
“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.”
You cannot trust your life to someone you do not know.
This is the source of David’s strength! And this is the source of our strength. We are to be strong in the Lord because we know who He is and trust Him. Who else has died for you, Beloved? The Father gave His innocent, tenderhearted Son for you. No one throughout eternity will ever love you more.
David and Goliath
The Philistine army sent their champion, the giant, completely arrayed with impressive armor, to assault and persecute God’s people in preparation to exterminate them.
"I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man that we may fight together."
When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid.
Don’t we love David’s response to this crisis and to his brother’s attitude toward him? “Is there not a cause?”
The King and all his armies were fearful and confused. But God had the answer. God sent them a man after his own heart, courageous and strong. God knew and trusted in David because David had the spirit of faith. David had the spirit of faith because he knew his God.
“And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, ‘I believed and therefore I spoke,’ we also believe and therefore speak.”
See 2 Corinthians 4:13
“Then David said to Saul, "Let no man's heart fail because of him; your servant will go and fight with this Philistine." And Saul said to David, "You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are a youth, and he a man of war from his youth."
“But David said to Saul, ‘Your servant used to keep his father's sheep, and when a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock, I went out after it and struck it, and delivered the lamb from its mouth; and when it arose against me, I caught it by its beard, and struck and killed it.
"Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God." Moreover David said, "The LORD, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine." And Saul said to David, "Go, and the LORD be with you!"
David had a history that experienced the mighty power of God.
“So the Philistine said to David, ‘Am I a dog that you come to me with sticks?’ And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.
“And the Philistine said to David, ‘Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field!’
“Then David said to the Philistine, ‘You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.
"This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.
"Then all this assembly shall know that the LORD does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord's, and He will give you into our hands."
Then David then ran toward his enemy, not with the King’s armor but with the unseen armor of God. Really, David’s powerful statements of faith, “calling things that be not as though they are,” went out ahead of him.
He put his hand in the bag and took out a stone, slung it and struck the giant so that the stone sank into his forehead and down he went! David took the giant’s own sword, stood over him and cut off his head with it. It doesn’t appear to me that David even broke a sweat until perhaps as he had to carry the giant’s head. Not exactly a cute little Sunday School story but a real account of a spectacular military conquest over evil.
What happened to all those threats of annihilation that Goliath said he would do? What about his gigantic size and all of his great and awesome armor? Where were Goliath’s gods? What about the enormous army of the Philistines?
God is with us! Immediate Shift…
One man’s victorious triumph of courage swept like a wave of power over the entire army of Israel which resulted in a great victory as the Philistine army fled in fear. The battle is the Lord’s!
“Let God arise, let His enemies be scattered;
Let those who hate Him flee before Him.
As smoke is driven away, so drive them away;
As wax melts before the fire,
So let the wicked perish at the presence of God.
Let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God;
Yes, let them rejoice exceedingly.” Psalm 68:1-3
Pray For— The Church—The Lost—Elected Leaders
Our God is with us! Take that boldness and courage into prayer today. Let our Champion lead you into the prayer that changes cities. As The Church we operate in a higher realm of authority knowing that our adversaries are not flesh and blood.
And let’s pray for the peace of Jerusalem today.
Dear Partner in Prayer,
May strength and grace, (God’s ability to accomplish), be yours every day of your life. May the peace and joy of the Holy Spirit keep you and empower you.
You were made to do great things for God! Whatever you think you are there’s more…much more of you to come.
We began our study on Matthew 16:13-20 which has led us to focus on vs. 19:
“And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."
The Keys of Heaven previously discussed:
- The Word of God
- The Name of Jesus
- The Holy Spirit
- Weapons
The subject of “our weapons” that we have studied the past six weeks is of vital importance to every born again child of God.
We are the chosen generation that is operating under a divine end-time assignment to prepare the way for the coming of the Lord and for the Great Awakening. Our weapons are important because we have an enemy whose only desire is to oppose, hinder, steal, kill, and destroy.
No country sends their soldiers into combat without extensive training. When they are commissioned, headquarters sends them out with a purpose, a plan, and all the provision necessary to defeat the enemy.
Use Your Weapons
Putting on God’s armor and using it has never been so important. Every time you have been in a struggle with the enemy, you have always had greater ability than your opponent. I always told my grandchildren, “Remember who you are.” Our strength originates in the acknowledgement of who we are in Christ, Who is with us, and in heaven’s provisions.
We have learned our authority has been delegated to us by our Champion, Jesus Christ. The foundation of our ability to rule in life is because of the cross and because, when we were born from above, we were made one with Him.
Let us be continually established in these truths:
“All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore…”
Matthew 28:18
Jesus is seated, “…far above all principality, and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named…” Ephesians 1:21
“For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers.” Colossians 1:16
“Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.” Colossians 2:15
“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” Revelation 1:8
And, we The Church are:
“…raised up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus…” Ephesians 2:6
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10
“He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love…” Colossians 1:13
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.” Ephesians 6:10
God said, “Let there be light,” and light was. God also said, “Be strong in the Lord,” which has the same power and ability to produce His strength within you if you walk by faith and receive it. His strength begins in your heart.
Fellowship—The Fountain of Victory
Everything we do for the Lord comes forth from the secret place of fellowship with the Lord. Everything!
Those believers who are steadfast and secure know that diligence to a morning routine of putting God first place, before we go forth into the world, is the understructure where we are re-established in our reason for living. This is the place where we get our batteries re-charged and our purpose re-fired! It is our contact with Home Base. And really, the rest of the day’s actions should flow from here…faith, hope, and love! This is how Jesus lived and also someone else we are familiar with.
DAVID: From a Shepherd to a King
Read —1 Samuel Chapters 16 & 17
Where did David develop the boldness and tenacity of strength to defy the giant Goliath? From his youth, David had developed a lifestyle of fellowship with the Lord. When Samuel was sent to choose a man to be anointed as king and thought surely Eliab would be chosen, God spoke this to him:
"Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."
Years of intimate fellowship with the Lord, unnoticed by the world, brought forth a relationship of trust between David and the Lord that worked both ways. We can imagine David living in the beautiful countryside of Israel playing his harp and making melody to the Lord. This prophet composer learned about his God while in “the green pastures, next to the still waters” of his homeland. That companionship remained with David throughout His life.
We are blessed today to read the intimate expressions of his heart and a life that continually sought and praised the Master. Just think, millions of Christians take his written words with them to church every Sunday! One of my favorite scriptures that I pray from is Psalm 91:
“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.”
You cannot trust your life to someone you do not know.
This is the source of David’s strength! And this is the source of our strength. We are to be strong in the Lord because we know who He is and trust Him. Who else has died for you, Beloved? The Father gave His innocent, tenderhearted Son for you. No one throughout eternity will ever love you more.
David and Goliath
The Philistine army sent their champion, the giant, completely arrayed with impressive armor, to assault and persecute God’s people in preparation to exterminate them.
"I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man that we may fight together."
When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid.
Don’t we love David’s response to this crisis and to his brother’s attitude toward him? “Is there not a cause?”
The King and all his armies were fearful and confused. But God had the answer. God sent them a man after his own heart, courageous and strong. God knew and trusted in David because David had the spirit of faith. David had the spirit of faith because he knew his God.
“And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, ‘I believed and therefore I spoke,’ we also believe and therefore speak.”
See 2 Corinthians 4:13
“Then David said to Saul, "Let no man's heart fail because of him; your servant will go and fight with this Philistine." And Saul said to David, "You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are a youth, and he a man of war from his youth."
“But David said to Saul, ‘Your servant used to keep his father's sheep, and when a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock, I went out after it and struck it, and delivered the lamb from its mouth; and when it arose against me, I caught it by its beard, and struck and killed it.
"Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God." Moreover David said, "The LORD, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine." And Saul said to David, "Go, and the LORD be with you!"
David had a history that experienced the mighty power of God.
“So the Philistine said to David, ‘Am I a dog that you come to me with sticks?’ And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.
“And the Philistine said to David, ‘Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field!’
“Then David said to the Philistine, ‘You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.
"This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.
"Then all this assembly shall know that the LORD does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord's, and He will give you into our hands."
Then David then ran toward his enemy, not with the King’s armor but with the unseen armor of God. Really, David’s powerful statements of faith, “calling things that be not as though they are,” went out ahead of him.
He put his hand in the bag and took out a stone, slung it and struck the giant so that the stone sank into his forehead and down he went! David took the giant’s own sword, stood over him and cut off his head with it. It doesn’t appear to me that David even broke a sweat until perhaps as he had to carry the giant’s head. Not exactly a cute little Sunday School story but a real account of a spectacular military conquest over evil.
What happened to all those threats of annihilation that Goliath said he would do? What about his gigantic size and all of his great and awesome armor? Where were Goliath’s gods? What about the enormous army of the Philistines?
God is with us! Immediate Shift…
One man’s victorious triumph of courage swept like a wave of power over the entire army of Israel which resulted in a great victory as the Philistine army fled in fear. The battle is the Lord’s!
“Let God arise, let His enemies be scattered;
Let those who hate Him flee before Him.
As smoke is driven away, so drive them away;
As wax melts before the fire,
So let the wicked perish at the presence of God.
Let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God;
Yes, let them rejoice exceedingly.” Psalm 68:1-3
Pray For— The Church—The Lost—Elected Leaders
Our God is with us! Take that boldness and courage into prayer today. Let our Champion lead you into the prayer that changes cities. As The Church we operate in a higher realm of authority knowing that our adversaries are not flesh and blood.
And let’s pray for the peace of Jerusalem today.