Freedom in Christ – David and Goliath

To conclude our study on defeating the Goliath of debt, we still have
one stone to take a closer look at. We’ve looked at “Purpose”,
“Knowledge”, “Faith” and “Action”. The one we really haven’t spent
much time on, is one of the most important stones of all…the stone of
“Prayer”.

“The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” (James 5:16)

“The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the
contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.” (2 Cor. 10:4)

There’s nothing anywhere…ANYWHERE…that says we can’t pray over
our finances! In fact, when you consider the financial shape that a good
many of us are currently in (as far as appearances go!), then praying over
them seems like a pretty darn good idea! Remember, Goliath is your enemy.
He’s not going to just go away because we don’t like his presence. Use your
stones, guys, use your stones! And one of the most powerful stones you have
in your pouch is “Prayer”!

“What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your
desires that battle within you? You want something but don’t get it. You kill
and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You
do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive,
because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on
your pleasures.” (James 4:1-3).

Among the thorns of condemning truths in this verse, one that stands out is
this: “You do not have, because you do not ask God.” And you can’t ask
God, unless you talk to Him…which is all prayer is…talking to God. Wow,
we could do another entire study just on prayer! Ask God for help, for
goodness sakes! Pray against your debt…demolish Goliath’s strongholds!
Ask for wisdom, and strength and encouragment… or don’t ask for anything…
just talk to Him once in awhile, just to be talking to Him…and listen, just to
be listening…

We take so much for granted. Where did we ever get the idea that God was
here to serve US? What is it that’s in our nature that makes us think that prayer
is demanding stuff from God? And that, for whatever reason, He OWES us
the answers we seek? And, yet, He still allows us the privilege of prayer…

Do you realize what a weapon you have at your disposal? Do you realize the
destruction and havoc your prayers could cause in the enemy’s camp? If you
don’t mind, may I help you with that for just a moment?

“Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was
given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all the saints, on the golden altar
before the throne. The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of the saints,
went up before God from the angel’s hand. Then the angel took the censer, filled
it with fire from the altar, and hurled it on the earth; and there came peals of thunder,
rumblings, flashes of lightning and an earthquake.” (Rev. 8:3-5).

Read that again…read it again, and see it in your mind, will ya? The angel at the
altar…the smoke of the incense, and the prayers of the saints going up before God…
the angel swings the censer in a slow wide arc, filling it with fire from the altar…
and what makes up this fire from the altar? The prayers of the saints…..

The angel fills the censer to the very brim…smoke billowing from the mouth of
the golden vessel…filled with fire from the altar…the prayers of the saints…and the
angel looks to God…God nods His head…and the angel heaves this massive golden
censer over his head, swinging it around a time or two to build up a little momentum…
takes careful aim….and he HURLS it on the earth…

And there came peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightening and an earthquake.

Spiritual nuclear weapons raining down on Goliath’s kingdom….demolishing walls,
barriers, strongholds, bunkers…whatever fortifications the enemy has erected…

They crumble as dust…

Whatever you do, friends…don’t ignore the stone of “Prayer”. It’s never too late
to talk to your Father. And it’s far too powerful a tool to leave sitting on the table.

I think that about covers all I want to share with you on finances for the moment.
I would encourage you to use your stones. All your stones. Review some of the
principles on financing that we’ve covered. Spend time with God revamping your
budget. Talk to Him about the problems, and listen to His solutions. Know that
you WILL defeat your Goliath. Don’t be afraid of him or his intimidation tactics.
Be thankful for the abundance of TODAY. Don’t carry tomorrow’s stones until
tomorrow gets here…

So much to remember. So easy to forget…

I hope this study has been a blessing for you and that it has offered you some
insight on defeating your debt…I know I’ve learned a lot, and I thank you for the
opportunity to share it with  you…

Although the study on debt is ending, there is still a little more to look at concerning
Goliath!