facing the giants ...

yesterday was my church’s last day in the building where they’ve held their services for the past 6 1/2 years. what a strange mixture of emotions that involved. i know that church is not about a building, but about the people that occupy it. still, i’m such a sentimental fool. my first sunday in nashville was their grand opening in the main auditorium, so it’s all i’ve ever known here. my time in nashville has been the most transformational 6 years of my life, and most of that would not be possible without my new river family. i started attending without knowing a soul, which was a really big deal for me, but it felt like home and i’ve just made so many memories in the building over the years that it was hard to leave.

but leaving the building doesn’t mean leaving the memories. i get to carry those with me. and i get to make new ones, in a new place. this past year has been about healing, so it seems fitting to start this next season with a clean slate. i remember with deep gratitude all that God has done, while looking forward with great expectation to all that He will do!

but, for old times’ sake, i dug up my notes from MAX LUCADO speaking on grand opening sunday.

*Facing Giants*
(1 samuel 17)

- david didn’t come looking for giants to fight; he was just being obedient to his father
- what do giants look like?
~ dominate the landscape
~ intimidate the people
~ contaminate their hopes
- how are you handling your giant?
~ if you keep doing what you’ve always done, you’ll keep getting what you’ve always gotten
~ david had to use a different strategy to defeat goliath

5 stones ... just look at your hand

THUMB - PAST
- draw strength from looking at the past
- david’s past victories brought him peace
- (stress hampers memory)

POINTER - PRAYER
pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. (ephesians 6:18)
- don’t face the giant without facing God first
- takes us from the cell of this earth and gives us a glimpse of God’s goodness
- choose to turn your focus from worry to God

RING - PRIORITY
- realize that the only thing on the line is God’s reputation; He will not allow His name to be defamed
- we are not promised a life without giants; only that God will fight them with you
this day the LORD will deliver you up into my hands ... for the battle is the LORD’S and He will give you into our hands. (1 samuel 17:46a & 47b)

RING - PASSION
then it happened when the philistine rose and came and drew near to meet david, that david ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the philistine. (1 samuel 17:48)
- when was the last time you ran toward your giant and said ‘enough! you don’t get me today because God already has me!’
- don’t be afraid of that which God has already claimed, promised & defeated

PINKIE - PERSISTENCE
- being prepared if your first stone doesn’t quite work

this is a good reminder for our body as we move forward. we must draw strength from the past, using it to propel us toward whatever the future may hold for us, confident that God is fighting with us, and will maintain the reputation of His name. and above all, we must never give up!