Slaying Giants in 6 Steps

I received this email today, from the Founder and CEO of C28/NOTW. I thought it would be good to share with you all as an encouragement for whenever life gets difficult.

Dear Friends, When was the last time you were at your very end? In the face of great dangers we can slay 1000 dragons by praying and praising God well before our victories are actually granted. In 2 Chronicles 20:1-26, three huge armies were about to attack and destroy King Jehoshaphat and his people of Judah. There was no human hope, but check out the 6 supernatural steps Jehoshaphat took to change his circumstances! #1, Jehoshaphat sought the Lord. "...Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the LORD,...The people of Judah came together to seek help from the LORD"..." #2, Jehoshaphat rehearsed their past experiences of how the Lord had helped them before, and how he was now trusting God to help them again. "...Then Jehoshaphat stood up... and said:...Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you. O our God, did you not drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend?...we will...cry out to you in our distress, and you will hear us and save us.' From our past experiences, we can look back to past trials where God has helped us, and then gain confidence in the Lord to face the future! #3, Jehoshaphat admitted that He was powerless on his own. He trusted and waited for God's deliverance in spite of the dire circumstances! "...For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you."Have you been real with God and confessed your need for Him? Are you trusting in God fully, waiting patiently upon God's help? #4, Jehoshaphat admitted that this battle was not his battle. "...This is what the LORD says to you: 'Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's...Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you,...Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.'" Our battles are God's battles. God wants to fight our battles for us, if we only allow Him to do so. #5, Jehoshaphat and his people began to praise the Lord before going to war, "...Have faith in the LORD your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful."...Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the LORD and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: "Give thanks to the LORD, for his love endures forever." Will you begin praising God right now in spite of how dark things may look. Even though your battles may appear bleak, will you in faith praise Him ahead of time? #6, Jehoshaphat and his people kept praising God, and the God of this universe defeated their enemies!!! ...As they began to sing and praise, the LORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated... they destroyed one another... So Jehoshaphat and his men went to carry off their plunder, and they found among them a great amount of equipment and clothing and also articles of value—more than they could take away... Not only did God save Jehoshaphat and his people from destruction, but God then also gave them all the spoils and plunder of war!!! Will you rehearse in your mind all the times God has already been faithful in helping you out of troubles? Will you admit the war you may be in is not yours to fight alone? Will you start praising God in advance, as you wait for Him to come through? Will you give Him your worries, fears, anger and or whatever extra burdens you may be carrying? God wants to carry our burdens for us, will you give them over to Him? God loves you no matter what!

In His Grace, Aurelio F. Barreto III, FOUNDER & CEO