What's gone is gone

"But now that he is dead, why should I fast? Can I bring him back again?  I can go to him, but he will not return to me."

2 Samuel 12:23

What's gone is gone.  What's done is done.  What's in the past needs to stay in the past.  Therefore, focus ahead, focus above - focus on God.  The Lord has great things for you, but looking back and wishing what was will be again will only keep you from receiving them.

Be Strong! Stay Strong!

"Be strong... fight bravely..."

2 Samuel 10:12

Be strong! Fight bravely!  Don't give up and don't give in!

Give God all the glory.

"...The Lord gave David victory wherever he went."

2 Samuel 8:6, 14

Your victories come from God and God alone.  Therefore, remember to pay homage where homage is due, for if you take all the credit, then the victories you've gloated over will become thorns in your side that you desperately wish to be taken away.  

Friends, when we fall into our flesh and gloat over ourselves life becomes impossible and full of obstacles that keep us from victory.  However, when we follow Christ and give him all the glory for our victorious lives then victory after victory after victory seem to become ours for the taking no matter when and where we are at in life. 

Give God all the glory and keep yourself out of it. 

Whatever God places in your heart

"...Whatever you have in mind, go ahead and do it, for the Lord is with you."

2 Samuel 7:3

As a child of God, whatever is stirring in your heart, and you believe it is a stirring from God, go for it!!  For if it is a stirring from God, then your path will be cleared before you and the victory will be wide open for you to take hold of - God will make sure of it.

Dancing before the Lord

"David, wearing a linen ephod, danced before the Lord with all his might."

2 Samuel 6:14

Whatever you do, whether it be dancing, singing, laughing, loving, praying, giving, working, playing, etc., etc., do it all unto God, and do it with all your might!  

Friends, live like you mean it, live like you love it - live boldly for God.

When God gives you direction, follow it!

"...so David inquired of the Lord, and he answered..." 2 Samuel 5:23

"...David did as the Lord commanded him..." 2 Samuel 5:25

How did David become so mighty, powerful, and anointed?   Two ways: First, he inquired of God before he made any drastic decisions, and second, he did what the Lord told him to do - hence he had all trust and had faith in the Lord for his plans and endeavors.   So, my point, you ask?  Simple: seek God first, (first, and, did I mention, first), then do what God tells you to do without looking around for different answers - PERIOD.

Repaying the evildoer

"...May the Lord repay the evildoer according to his evil deeds!"

2 Samuel 3:39

Instead of wasting precious time and wasting precious moments of your life plotting revenge, holding on to resentment, and being filled with anger, (all of which only destroy your quality of life as well as your physical health), let God do the repaying of evilness done onto you while you spend your time enjoying life to the fullest.  

My friend, God will take care of the matter, no need for you to lose one more ounce of sleep over it.

The longer the battle...

"The war between the house of Saul and the house of David lasted a long time.  David grew stronger and stronger, while the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker."

2 Samuel 3:1

The longer you can stay and fight in the midst of life's fiery storms, the stronger you become.

Unshaking strength comes from perseverance.    Don't give up.

Did you ask God first?

"... David inquired of the Lord, "Shall I pursue this raiding party?  Will I overtake them?"

"Pursue them," he answered.  "You will certainly overtake them and succeed in the rescue."

1 Samuel 30:8

When you inquire of, as well as wait on his answer, before   (emphasis on 'before') you set out on a mission, you can be guaranteed what he tells you is the truth.  Therefore, until you hear from God, stay put! If you don't, you may fall before you even begin to walk.    

Sin is no longer in control

"Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires.  Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin.  Instead, give yourselves completely to God... Use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God.  Sin is no longer your master."

Romans 6:12-14 NLT

From the top of your head to the bottom of your feet - inside and out - you are made for God's glory.  Therefore, break the chains of sin that are holding you bondage to darkness and begin to treat yourself as God's glorious child; live in freedom and live a life that shines brightly before all men. 

Unanswered prayers

"He inquired of the Lord, but the Lord did not answer him by dreams or Urim or prophets.  Saul then said to his attendants, "Find me a woman who is a medium, so I may go and inquire of her..."

1 Samuel 28:6-7

When God doesn't answer our prayers right away most of us jump right into our flesh, and out of desperation and fear, we take it upon ourselves to find our answer, which usually ends us up in deeper trouble then when we started.  Therefore, we must remember that unanswered prayers are blessings in disguises.  For if we can wait it out, wait on the Lord, then we will find that our unanswered prayers will turn into blessed dreams come true... 

dreams that will sweep us off our feet.

Rewards come from God

"The Lord rewards every man for his righteousness and faithfulness..."

1 Samuel 26:23

When you walk in, follow, and pursue righteousness and faithfulness, the rewards from God will be many; full of Life and filled with Light. 

Surprise visits

David said to Abigail, "Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, who has sent you to me.  May you be blessed for your good judgment and for keeping me from bloodshed this day and from avenging myself with my own hands." 

1 Samuel 25:32-33

Pay attention to surprise visits - sometimes we need to heed the God-message that comes through whilst in the midst of the visit.

Victories in the making

Inquire of God - he will answer

"... he inquired of the Lord... The Lord answered..."

1 Samuel 23:2

This is simple: ask God - he will answer.  

Hence, make life easy on yourself  - Ask God!

Moving out of your comfort zone

"Do not stay in the stronghold.  Go into the land of Judah..."

1 Samuel 22:5

Sometimes you have to step out of your comfort zone in order to find out your God-given strengths, abilities, and blessings, all of which will move you to a whole new level of greatness.

The Lord witnesses it all

"... remember, the Lord is witness between you and me forever."

1 Samuel 20:23

When you give your word to another, with or without a written agreement, remember, God knows! He hears, he sees.  So, when you give your word make sure it is honest, real, and life-filled, for judgment day will come, and you can rest assure that you will be held accountable for every word you've ever spoken.

The Lord wins it all

"... The Lord won a great victory for all Israel..." 

1 Samuel 19:5

Never let go of God, for he leads you to victory after victory after victory - He wins it all for you.

Great success

"Saul was afraid of David because the Lord was with David...  In everything he did he had great success, because the Lord was with him."

1Samuel 18:12, 14

When you follow the Lord with all your heart, mind, body, and spirit, success is yours and the enemies that stand against you flee from you in fear.

Face the battle

"David left his things with the keeper of supplies, ran to the battle lines..."

"... David ran quickly toward the battle line..."

1 Samuel 17:22, 48

Although the battles before you seem enormous, overwhelming, and impossible, run to them!  Yes, like David run right up to the battles before you, taking Jesus with you - for the closer you get to them with Jesus by your side, the quicker they tremble in fear and crumble to pieces.  

Stop being pitiful

"The Lord said to Samuel, "How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way..."

1 Samuel 16:1

You've been feeling sorry for yourself long enough.  It's time to move on - get over it; it is time to be on your way to new and better things in life.

Turst - Delight - Commit

"Trust in the Lord and do good.  Then you will live safely in the land and prosper.  Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart's desires.  Commit everything you do to the Lord.  Trust him, and he will help you.  He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn, and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun."

Psalm 37:3-6

Trust in, delight in, and commit yourself to the Lord. For when you do, the desires of your heart and the prayers that you pray will come to pass.  God's word says so, and his words never-ever lie.

Inquiries

Now then...

"Now then, stand still and see this great thing the Lord is about to do before your eyes."

1 Samuel 12:16

This is your day! Every day is your day! However, you will never realize it until you stop trying to control your own life.  It is time to step back, take a deep breath - STAND STILL - and let God take over, step back and watch as great things begin to happen in your life.  Yes, when you give God the reigns over your life, your life overflows with his goodness, glory, and great things for you.  

Now then, my friend, STAND STILL.