Mark Flattery

Newsletter 1Q 2022

2022-04-07T12:35:00.002-05:00

Newsletter 4Q 2021

2022-04-07T11:32:00.005-05:00

Newsletter 3Q 2021

2022-04-07T11:30:00.004-05:00

Newsletter 2Q 2021

2022-04-07T11:21:00.012-05:00

Newsletter 1Q 2021

2021-04-15T14:00:00.009-05:00

Newsletter 4Q 2020

2021-04-15T13:52:00.003-05:00

Newsletter 3Q 2020

2021-04-15T13:47:00.003-05:00

Newsletter 2Q 2020

2020-07-28T16:07:00.000-05:00

Using the Internet as a Tool of the Gospel Part 4

2020-07-28T16:01:00.000-05:00

Using the Internet as a Tool of the Gospel

Part Four:

“Global Individuality” Empowers Individuals in the Global Marketplace.

“Global Individuality” Empowers Individuals

I now submit you to that members of the people group that I am calling, “Internet Users” have developed a new mindset, a new manner of looking at themselves and how they fit into society. I call this new identity, “Global Individuality.” While individuals participating in the mission field of the Internet will not recognize this label, once they learn of it they will have to admit that it applies to them on some level. Individuals worldwide, like you and me, engage the Internet to meet their need, become global citizens, and are empowered as individuals.

Global Individuality is the mindset that empowers the individual in the global marketplace. Individuals worldwide can now declare, “I am in control of my life. I can do anything, with anyone, and be anyone I want to be in a virtual on-demand world. I am not limited by geography, nationality, religion, economic status, culture, gender, or language. I am looking for communities to join so that I can grow in my areas of interest, interact with like-minded people, and have a sense of belonging.”

Individuals around the world are using the Internet daily for many of the same reasons and that is to fulfill a need. They go online for business, news, entertainment, and social networking. Also, they search the Internet to discover answers to life’s issues that trouble them. The issues range from the practical, like how to I change a light bulb, to the profound, such as how to discover true meaning in life. Some use the Internet for personal improvement such as how to learn to play a musical instrument or to learn another language while others will feed the desires of their flesh which will lead to their spiritual demise.

When “Internet Users” participate in the virtual world, they are actually active as global citizens of the Internet mission field. As mentioned earlier, one can buy and sell goods online from those who are on the other side of the world and have those items delivered to their front door in days. Online, you can read current events from news agencies from the nations of the world as well as uploading your video, podcast, or article and create news for other global citizens to consume.

Social media, such as Facebook, provides access to people not only from other nations, at the click of a mouse, but also provides a bridge to unite friends from decades past. In that sense, we are no longer limited by geography or accessibility.

I use the word “Individuality” because it emphasized the individual, the person. To me, “individualism” implies that I can stand out among others; be unique in the context of my group. “Individuality” means that I can be whomever I want regardless of my context. In fact, I choose the contexts where I want to be. No longer am I limited the realities of my actual life such as nationality, language, social status, or economic status. If I choose, I can present my identity online in one community vastly different than my identity in a different community.

Here are two examples of how “Global Individuality” empowers individual:

“Global Individuality” empowers individuals to express their views in the global marketplace. Blogs, chat rooms, and comment sections on websites are examples of how the Internet provides anyone opportunity to voice their opinions. Previously, only those with appropriate credentials, name recognition, or status of some nature had their comments made public. Today, everyone has a voice and to the extent that those who consume the opinion no longer care about the qualifications of the one presenting the views but take the comments at face value.

A benign example of empowering the individual is seen when someone has a negative experience at a hotel, restaurant, or place of business. Previously, a disgruntled customer would proclaim, “I will sue!” or “I am contacting the Better Business Bureau!” The contemporary response is “I’m writing a terrible review on your website!” or “I’m facbooking my friends and warning them about you!”

Grave and tragic examples are like the man in Egypt whose photos after being beaten to death and the man in Tunisia whose self-immolation sparked uprisings that went viral and led to the Arab Spring earlier in the decade. The Internet empowers individuals to deliver their message to their nation and to challenge the people of the world to respond.

“Global Individuality” empowers the individual to seeks answers and address their quest for learning. People who might be afraid to investigate issues of life that interest them or cause them to question, such as religions views, health issues, or relationship matters, with their friends in the real world for fear of shame, rejection, or reprisal. However, online there is a sense of anonymity and security that empowers individuals to delve into issues that matter to them and connects them to those who are in the same situation.

It should be noted that not everyone who is active online as an “Internet User” will create a new persona or be someone in the virtual world that they are not in the real world. It seems that most people will be the same person online that they are in reality. However, their participation as an Internet User opens the door to their hearts as they activate the Global Individuality mindset. But, they are empowered with opportunity to open go their hearts and minds online and find answers. While a Muslim woman in Algeria, an atheist man in France, and a Kenyan teenage in Nairobi contemplating suicide may not seek answers from a religious person, go to a church, or seek spiritual answers, they will go online looking for help, hope, and even a reason to live. The Global Individuality mindset empowers them to look beyond their physical world and limitations of their personal reality and engage in conversation people they could encounter in no other manner. We must be online to tell them about Jesus.

Here are two outcomes of “Global Individuality”:

An outcome of “Global Individuality” is that individuals are so active online, and it captures so much of their time, that their presence in the virtual world has become their reality. A significant number of adults in first world nations are constantly online for all the reasons listed previously. The stereotype for younger people is that they spend multiple hours daily playing video games. Others are very active on social media such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

While some may not consider the virtual world to be their reality, they use the Internet regularly so the point that they would not want to live life without it. Imagine if you went through today without Internet access, without using your computer or handheld device, and without your cell phone. How would you feel and how productive would you be? What if businesses were forced to operate without technology? Your experiences in the grocery store, at your bank, and at the airport would be vastly different; frustratingly and painstakingly different. Without Internet access, your involvement as a global citizen and empowerment to control aspects of your life in an on-demand world would be altered severely.

Another outcome of “Global Individuality” is that many are now empowered to be self-focused in both the real and virtual worlds. For example, it is becoming increasingly frequent to hear the terms, “diversity” and “inclusion” to empower individuals to be whomever he or she desires to be without regard to others or the rules of society. Thus, the focus shifts from the community to the individual. “Individualism” meant that I could be all that I can be within the context of group and ultimately, it will benefit the community. “Global Individuality” means that I can be whomever I want regardless of my external communities and thus mandates that either my community changes to accommodate me or I will find like-minded people and we will form our own community.

“Global Individuality” presents an opportunity for the Church to proclaim Jesus Christ to “all the world” on a one-to-one basis. Individuals are empowered online to go beyond the physical world that defines them to seek answers to issues that concern them and heart-felt needs that matter most to them. They are encouraged online to interact with others, to listen to alternative views, and to state their personal opinions. While the Internet is a tool and neutral, in and of itself, when evaluated in the light of morality, the users of the Internet are empowered to utilize it as a community in which they can interact with others as a global marketplace.

The Internet is a mission field, “Internet Users” is a people group, “Globalism” is a world system, and “Global Individuality” is the mindset that empowers individuals in the global marketplace. Over four billion people are online. We must join them to help them go from where they are to where they need to be in relationship with Jesus Christ. If we seek to have a global footprint, to reach everyone, everywhere and “so all may hear,” we must embrace the Internet as another tool of the Gospel and for the glory of God.

Dr. Mark Flattery

President, Network211

Using the Internet as a Tool of the Gospel Part 3

2020-07-28T16:00:00.002-05:00

Using the Internet as a Tool of the Gospel

Part Three:

“Globalism” is a World System

“Globalism” Is A World System

“Globalism” is now a world system that influences everyone. Our world is becoming increasing smaller as people move from one nation to another and has economics has brought nations together in working relationships.

Milton Friedman’s, “Lesson of the Pencil,” shows how people from the nations of the world can indeed work together, without direction or involvement of governments, to provide what they can so that together they can create a product; in this case, a pencil. Friedman speculates that the wood was made in Washington state, compressed graphite from South America, the eraser from rubber from Malaya, and the brass, the paint, and glue from unknown locations. He states that the people who provided each item for the pencil do not know each other, may not speak the same language or believe the same religion, and might even dislike each other if indeed they met in person. But, someone brings all these elements together in the global marketplace, produces pencils, and sells them around the world.

Many people in the USA want to buy vehicles that are “made in America.” The fact is that the majority of cars have parts that were created in other nations and shipped to the USA to be assembled. There is a significant number of vehicles assembled in the USA with none of the parts being manufactured in the States. It has been said that to buy a new care made entirely in the USA is impossible. The world comes together to manufacture, assemble, and ship vehicles in the global marketplace.

I noticed that on one of my domestic flights that the nations of the world were well represented. The person seated next to me spoke only Spanish. The flight attendant was Asian. The pilot opens the door, falls out of a cramped cockpit, and stumbles in front of me. In a heavy French accent he said, “je suis un acrobate! Cirque du soleil!” The nations of the world were well represented on a flight from Dallas to Springfield, MO!

“Globalism” as a world system is intensified by the Internet as “Internet Users” are not limited by geography, religion, politics, gender, or even language. Online, you are in the cyber world and can communicate with anyone on the globe. You can play video games with someone in Russia. You can “facetime” family in Argentina. You can watch a video placed on Facebook by the missionary you support who is in a “sensitive nation.” You can receive emails from friends in Japan just as easily as you can from your friends in Florida. You can order online from China, South Africa, or Los Angeles and have it delivered to your front door within days. You can watch videos of church services from the International English Church in Jakarta, Indonesia or from James River in Ozark, MO. You can follow your favorite sports team be they a professional football team in the USA or a professional futbol team in the English Premier League.

The world is just a click away. Access to everyone, everywhere as easy as using your handheld device. In the real world, we are limited by time, space, and finances. In the virtual world, we are global citizens interacting with others in our “Internet Users” people group.

“Globalism” as a world system presents the Church with an opportunity to present the Gospel. God anointing in on individuals around the world and thus, ministry is not limited to, or focused upon, only one people group, denomination, or nation. As people are migrated from nation to nation, it will take input from thus in the country of origin to help them to be understood and reaches with the Gospel.

“Globalism” should cause the Church to be limited no longer by geographically boundaries alone but instead should seek to impact individuals no matter their location, economic status, or religion.

With the common use of the Internet, ministers of the Gospel have opportunity to proclaim Truth to the people in the global marketplace. A worship leader in Australia, a Pastor in Kenya, an evangelist from Brazil, or a teacher from France can all have a powerfully effective ministry to the nations, via the Internet. People are limited no longer to receiving Truth from only what is available in their local town or media market. Globalism is uniting the world and bringing people together.

Using the Internet as a Tool of the Gospel Part 2

2020-07-28T15:58:00.002-05:00

Using the Internet as a Tool of the Gospel

Part Two:

“Internet Users” is a People Group

“Internet Users” Is A People Group

Since the Internet is a mission field then it follows that “Internet Users” is a people group. The 1982 Lausanne Committee Chicago meeting statement defines a “people group” as:

“A significantly large sociological grouping of individuals who perceive themselves to have a common affinity with one another. For evangelization purposes, a people group is the largest group within which the gospel can spread as a church-planting movement without encountering barriers of understanding or acceptance.” Of course, when this statement was written, we were unaware in the general public of the concept of the Internet and of its ability to empower individuals. But, by using the first sentence in the definition, “Internet Users” is a people group as individuals have a “common affinity with one another.” The common affinities include using the Internet for many reasons such as business, news, entertainment, and social networking. On the Internet, you can find like-minded people, do business, find and build relationships, download and upload news and opinions, find entertainment, and learn from others about life, love, and languages. These reasons are “needs based” as individuals find online what they are seeking.

Another common factor for “Internet Users” is that they go online as individuals who have a choice as to what content they will consume. They may, or may not, allow that which defines them in real life to impact their online activity. For example, a Muslim seeking an understanding of who Jesus is, may not feel safe in asking people in his reality but will do so online with the anonymity and security that it affords. A devout Christian man would never visit a brothel and yet is tempted to delve into the depths of pornography online. Regardless of what they do, they have a choice and that is a “common affinity.”

While people make their individual choices to go online and to visit specific websites and online communities, they join others to form groups online. In fact, there was one group that formed because of their common desire to see their denomination return to its “glory days” that united the group on a Facebook page and then resulted in their annual conference meeting in the real world.

In one sense, the concept of “people group” has directed missions agencies and missionaries to focus reaching people as groups and losing the fact that we can minister to individuals. Ministry opportunities online offers believers ministry on an individual basis rather than projecting their evangelistic message to crowds or to train others to minister. Obviously, we need ministry in all forms and to all people.

In the real world, a key fact in the consideration of people groups in language, geography, and tribal affiliation. The end result is that missionaries will have an idea how best to approach a people group with the intent of creating a “redemptive bridge” between the audience and themselves so that the Gospel can be shared, churches can be planted, and local people can be trained. This must continue.

At the same time, the mission field of the Internet has empowered individuals to reach out of the realities of their physical world, go online, and search for answers to their needs, the issues of life that challenge them, trouble them, or addresses their quest for more information. So, “Internet Users” are individuals who join the Internet community for the same reasons and interact with the same desired outcomes. The difference between the virtual and real worlds is that online they reach out willingly, share personal details of their lives, actively seek answers to their needs, and desire someone to engage them on a variety of levels. They are in the Internet marketplace reaching out. We must use their reaching out as an opportunity to tell them about Jesus.

As people migrate to other nations, some by necessity and others willingly, and are forced to adapt, the concept of defining them by their languages, tribal affiliation, and geography becomes increasingly difficult. Also, when they become believers in Christ, their identity in the family of God trumps all other designations. This task is best left to the missiologists. However, an increasing number of these same people go online to join the Internet culture and are empowered to express their voice, engage others, and find solutions to their life issues. Thus, we must add to the conversation about “people groups” the mission field of the Internet and “Internet Users” as a people group.

“Internet Users” is a people group that is growing to the point that its members would not enjoy life without it. As people around the world join together online, “globalism” as a world system has developed and forces us not to be limited by geography or language but to consider how people can interact on a global scale.

Using the Internet as a Tool of the Gospel Part 1

2020-07-28T15:57:00.000-05:00

Using the Internet as a Tool of the Gospel

Part One:

The Internet is a Mission Field

As technology advances, people around the world are given increasingly more access to the Internet. This has led to the Internet being so woven into the fabric of society that are lives are enhance by it and, conversely, life would be altered dramatically without it. The Internet goes beyond being a one-way communications medium. Television is a medium. Radio is a medium. The Internet goes to the next level because it created a community in which people live, interact, and have a choice as to what content they will consume. The Internet leverages and connects the various mediums to form communities where people can find their identity, persona, and brand so much so that they can be a completely different person than they are in reality. This presents the Church, and ministries like Network211, with an amazing opportunity to present the Good News of Jesus Christ to individuals around the world; to everyone, everywhere.

The vision of Network211 is to proclaim Christ to all people, build a global community of believers, and work with our partners in ministry. Our mission is to use 21^st century technology to communicate the 1^st century Gospel by helping people discover and grow in their journey with God. Our strategy is to join individuals in their journey as together we search, present, connect, grow, and belong. We can leverage the Internet to journey with individuals as our motto states, “ from searches to churches.”

As we seek to use the Internet as a tool of the Gospel, we must understand four foundational concepts. First, the Internet is a mission field. Second, “Internet Users” is a people group. Third, “Globalism” is a world system. Fourth, “Global Individuality” is a mindset that empowers the individual in the global marketplace.

According to Internet World Stats (www.internetworldstats.com) there are an estimated 3.8 billion Internet Users as of 30 June 2017. That is over one-half of the estimated world population. The Internet has reached over 31% of the total population of Africa, 46% of Asia, 79% of Europe, 61% of Latin America, 59% of Middle East, 88% of North America, and 70% of Oceania and Australia.[1]

Individuals from every continent, nation, economic status, religious belief, gender, political viewpoint, language group, marital status, parental status, and ethnicity go online for the same reasons: business, news, entertainment, social networking. But, they are searching also for answers to the dilemmas of life that trouble them. Like the marketplace of old, the “agora” in antiquity, the Internet is a place of commerce, interaction, and exchanging of ideas.

The Internet is becoming so woven into the fabric of society that a new phrase has been created and that is, “the Internet of things.” This is when almost anything electronic can be operated in an existing Internet structure. Televisions, refrigerators, vehicles, and lights can all intersect via the Internet. People around the world are embracing the Internet and discovering ways to embed it into their lifestyle.

Soon, the Internet will be available for everyone on the planet. Some companies are working diligently to get power wirelessly to every location on the globe. Others are lowering the cost so that hand-held devices will be affordable even to the poor. Competitors are attempting to be the first to bring artificial intelligence to everyone, everywhere and will take Internet usage to a whole new level. The Internet is not a passing fad but it becoming a necessity of life. In fact, in July 2016 the United Nations condemned Internet access disruption as a human rights violation.

Individuals are going online for their personal reasons. Most are ready and willing to voice their opinions and interact with others. So many people are willing to answer them such as people of different religions, political views, and with various motives. We, as the Church, must be online to tell them about Jesus.

Previous outreaches meant that the Church would proclaim the message of the Gospel and pray that the intended audience would listen and respond. The Internet reverses this communication from “pushing” the message to others to “pulling” as the audience is in the online marketplace seeking someone to engage them in conversation. As individuals reach out, seeking solutions to their needs, we can present the Gospel as the Answer. We can place our presentations in front of their faces on their computer monitors and on their hand-held devices.

Using the Internet as a tool of the Gospel allows for Indigenous Principles to be active in full force. A ministry such as Network211 responds to people seeking solutions to life issues with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Network211 response teams are comprised of believers located in the nations of the world who answer with truth and with an invitation to a local church. Thus, Network211’s motto of the Journey from “searches to churches” involves believers and builds local churches around the world.

The elements needed to proclaim the Gospel in the nations of the world are active in the virtual world just as it is in the real world. Someone is needed to proclaim the Good News, to respond with immediate follow up, and to provide discipleship. The Internet allows for this to be accomplished online and without restrictions of geography, nationalities, and borders. Plus, individuals are in the Internet marketplace seeking someone to interact with them and so, again, we are not “pushing” the message onto people but responding to them at their point of need.

The Church has an unprecedented opportunity to present the Gospel, interact with individuals at their point of need, proclaim the Good News, offer discipleship, and direct people to local churches around the world. Thus, the Internet is a mission field.

[1] Taken from www.internetworldstats.com/stats.htm on 25 August 2017 at 1:58 pm (CST).

#7 You Must Move Forward with God-Given Confidence

2020-06-17T14:29:00.007-05:00

Seven Actions to Defeat Your Giant

#7 Move Forward with God-Given Confidence

(I Samuel 17:55-58)

I hope that you are enjoying our study! Here are "Seven Actions to Defeat Your Giant" from the battle of David versus Goliath as recorded in I Samuel 17:

1. To prepare for the battle, you must look at your giant from God's perspective (v. 26).

2. To prepare for the battle, you must remember the victories from your past (v. 33-37).

3. To prepare for the battle, you must put on the armor of God (v. 38-40).

4. As you fight your battle, you must declare, "The battle is the Lord's" (v. 41-37).

5. As you fight your battle, you must do what you know to do (v. 48-50).

6. As you fight your battle, you must complete the task (v. 51-54).

7. Move forward in God-given confidence (v. 55-58).

Today, we will consider the seventh action and that is you are to move forward in God-given confidence (I Samuel 17:55-58). I listed all the actions because you can see a progression. The seventh action, by itself, cannot bring victory for it lacks context. But, when the seven actions are considered together, they reveal God's game plan for your encounter. So, let's consider why you can move forward in God-given confidence.

The Historical Account

Immediately after David kills Goliath, he is taken by Abner, the commander of the army of Israel, directly to King Saul. Picture this with me. David, the lowly shepherd youth stands before his King while holding the head of the giant in his hand!

Saul asked David, "Whose son are you, young man?" (v. 58a). If it were me, I might have responded, "I am the warrior who just killed the baddest man on the planet. That's who I am!"

Instead, David's humility and willingness to give God the glory was very evident and remains a lesson for us. He answered, "I am the son of your servant Jesse the Bethlehemite" (v. 58b). David knew his humble beginnings, he knew it was God who won the victory, and he knew his place as he was in the presence of his King. This was the prime reason why centuries later David would be remembered as a man after God's heart who was obedient to the Lord, as seen in Acts 13:22.

The victory at the Valley of Elah radically altered David's life and propelled him onto the national scene. His victory over Goliath gave him a God-given confidence that victory was assured if God was on his side (for example, see Psalm 108). David could remember this victory, follow these same seven actions, and be ready to engage in future battles.

#7 Move Forward with God-Given Confidence (I Samuel 17:55-58).

Like David, you can move forward with God-given confidence! You can see God was with you and gave you the victory over your giant. Now, you have a confidence in Him that we call "faith." There are many reasons that you can move forward with God-given confidence but, I will list only five.

First, your story gives you confidence. Before your battle, you believed by faith in God and His promises. Probably, this was due more to accepting what you were taught or told to belief. Maybe your faith was based on the stories from your parents' faith journey or the victories by others. But, after your battle, your faith increases because it was intimately personal. Now, you have your story; your victory. You can recount the details of your feelings and emotions before and during the heat of battle. You can relate to others your battle plan and strategies. Your tale is one of God meeting you at your greatest point of need and snatching victory from the jaws of defeat. You have first-hand experiences! God was faithful to YOU! This does not invalidate the victory stories of others but rather strengthens them in your heart because you know that God was faithful and is faithful. When you encounter the giants of tomorrow, you know that God will be faithful and bring victory.

Second, your faith in God gives you confidence. You are now equipped with the proper mindset to move forward with God-given confidence. Your faith in God has history; it has context! Now, you apply that faith to your current battle. You can be like the three Hebrew young men who were challenged to either worship an earthly king or face imminent death. Their response was to declare that God would deliver them but if He did not, they would still not serve him nor bow to his golden image (see Daniel 3). In other words, "you can kill me but I am going to worship God!" They knew that their staunch stand for righteousness would result in God bringing the victory.

You can be like the apostles who were used by God to do miracles in the Temple. They were called before the Sanhedrin, scolded, and flogged. I would have been tempted to reevaluate my God-given ministry! But, look at how the apostles responded: "Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus" (Acts 5:41-42). They rejoiced that they were found worthy to suffer for the Name! Though they suffered physical torture and public humiliation, they knew, without a doubt, that God will bring the victory.

You now have an understanding of Hebrews 11:1, "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." Before your battle, you were focused on your immediate conflict before you. Now, your focus in on God; He will journey with you, He will never leave you nor forsake you, He will bring victory, and He will get the glory. Like the three Hebrews and the apostles, you move forward knowing that you are on God's side and that you are on the winning team.

Third, your God-focused priorities give you confidence. When you focus on God instead of your battle, you become heavenly-minded rather than earthly-minded. You know that when you follow God and His Word, the Bible, that you may seemingly lose temporarily but that ultimate victory is assured. This changes your outlook on life and your priorities. The apostle Paul wrote, "For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain" (Philippians 1:21). He believed that while he was alive he could honor Christ with his life. But, he knew that when he died that he would be united with Christ in heaven and for eternity. So, death lost its sting! In the same way, your priorities are now to serve God in every endeavor and you know that whether in the immediate victory or defeat that God is with you. Therefore, you are the ultimate winner. So, move forward in your God-given confidence!

Fourth, your obedience to God's Word gives you confidence. The Bible is the most timeless and priceless document written. Ever. As you read stories like we did of David and Goliath, and apply these principles to your life, you are equipped for battle. You can move forward with confidence that being obedient to God's Word places you in proper alignment with Him. So, read God's Word. Meditate on God's Word. Apply God's Word to your daily life. It is the bread of life!

Fifth, being in God's presence gives you confidence. The best way to take your eyes off your giant and onto God is to get into His presence by reading the Bible, praying, fasting, and waiting on the Lord to speak to you.

There are many episodes in the Old Testament when the Holy Spirit came upon a man or a woman and they were empowered to do something extraordinary; prophesy, miracles, and even fighting battles. We know from Acts 2 that God will fill you with His presence. We know from the rest of the book of Acts that when you are filled with the Holy Spirit you are empowered to live for Christ and be His witness.

The greatest reward, bar none, is to be in God's presence. The "Great Commission" found in Matthew 28:18-20 ends with, "And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." Being filled with God's presence gives you God-given confidence.

Your Action Response

1. Which of the five reasons for your God-given confidence resonates the most with you, and why?

2. List three reasons that you have for your God-given confidence.

3. State what priorities you must change to live with God-given confidence.

4. What changes must you make, if any, so that you are obedient to God's Word?

5. How do you get into the presence of God and what impact do that have on your life?

CONCLUSION OF "SEVEN ACTIONS TO DEFEAT YOUR GIANT"

Thank you for allowing me to spend some time with you on your spiritual journey. I pray that this study enlightened you to the fact that God is on your side! I pray that these seven actions to defeat your giant will empower you to find victory and bask in the glory that God gives. Move forward in your God-given confidence. Believe your beliefs and doubt your doubts!

I leave you with the words of the apostle Paul in Romans 8:31-39:

"What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written,

“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."

#6 You Must Complete the Task

2020-06-17T14:28:00.001-05:00

Seven Actions to Defeat Your Giant

#6 As You Fight Your Battle, You Must Complete the Task

(I Samuel 17:51-54)

In our first three actions, we saw how God prepared David before the battle of the ages against Goliath. In the same way, He has prepared you for your fight. In the next three actions, we applied first two ways that David battled and that was to declare that the battle was the Lord's and that you should do what you know to do.

The outcome was one that stunned the audience from that day forward. David used a sling shot to defeat a giant! Unbelievable! But, even though the giant was dead, there was still work to accomplish in effort to bring complete and undeniable victory. This is our third battle action; you must complete the task!

The Historical Account

We must remember the context of our story. The Israelites and the Philistines gathered at the Elah Valley. I picture that each army occupied a hill and there was the valley between them. As the combatants stood in the valley below, both armies could see what transpired. And then, the impossible happened! The giant fell to the ground and appeared dead! The warriors must have thought that their eyes played tricks on them! Maybe they thought, "is Goliath playing games?" or "Did he fall on purpose?"

After Goliath dropped, David took the champions pose by standing triumphantly over his enemy. Then, in an act to completely humiliate his opponent, David took the giant's own sword and cut off his head. The text does not say this but I wonder if David held up the head for both armies to see that indeed the giant was dead. Whatever David did, it caused the Philistine army to turn and run for their lives!

The Israelite army chased the Philistines, killed them, and left their dead bodies on the roads. Then, they plundered their enemy's camp. What was meant to be impending defeat was turned by a servant of the Lord into a moment of victory.

David's work was still not finished. He took Goliath's head to Jerusalem, the capital city, and proved to his nation that God gave them the victory. Israel's national identity was restored. Their religious belief system was threatened but God met the challenge and remained undefeated. David kept Goliath's weapons in his tent as a trophy and as a reminder of what the Lord had done.

We can speculate how the story might have been different if David did not complete the task. What if he had not run over to Goliath after killing him with his sling shot? Would the armies have been convinced that the giant was dead? If David did not cut off his head, would history have doubted that a shepherd boy felled a giant? This might have created conspiracy theories as to Goliath's death. What if Israel had not chased the Philistine army, killed them, and plundered their camp? The Philistines might have regrouped quickly and challenged Israel much sooner. What if David did not take his opponent's head into Jerusalem and keep his weapons? Possibly, this event might be perceived as a children's fable and one that is void of historical accuracy.

David did complete his task! He responded in victory in ways that were culturally appropriate. His behavior proved to the world that he was a servant of the Lord and that he was a hero to the nation of Israel.

#6 As You Fight Your Battle, You Must Complete the Task (I Samuel 17:51-54).

As you battle your giant, please know that you must complete the task to ensure victory. Your encounter is not completed once the opponent is seemingly nullified in some fashion. You must take the appropriate steps to ensure the victory by completing post-battle steps, by regaining your sense of balance, and by establishing a new sense of normalcy in your life.

It is typical to hear testimonies of people who battled giants like addiction, relationship issues, or negative self-talk and find victory at the altar after prayer time. However, once they return home they neglect to complete the task. They believe that there is nothing more to do and neglect making necessary changes in their lives. This begins a cycle of battle, victory, and battle again. The cycle can be overcome by completing the task.

Jesus addressed this very issue in Matthew 12:43-45, "'When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, but finds none. Then it says, "I will return to my house from which I came." And when it comes, it finds the house empty, swept, and put in order. Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So also will it be with this evil generation.'”

To complete the task and gain the victory over your giant, you must do whatever it takes to overcome previous negative behaviors and mindsets and replace them with that which is positive and edifying. Ephesians 4:25-32 is a prime example. Stop stealing and instead, work and do something useful with your hands. Stop the unwholesome talk and instead, speak only that which is wholesome and will benefit those who listen to you. Rid yourself of expressions of your character like bitterness, rage, and anger and replace it by being kind and compassionate and forgiving.

Let's apply this principle to some true to life situations. First, if you are battling the giant of addictions you can complete the task by continuing to get help and reordering your life so that you fill it with proper responses and behaviors. If your addiction is pornography then take the practical steps of adding the appropriate content blockers on your computer, limit the amount of time you are online, place your computer in an open area where your family can watch you, and fill your mind with that which is wholesome and good. Obviously, there is so much more that can be written about this. But, the point is that you should not think that the giant in your life is defeated simply because you have a victory today. Go the extra mile and complete the task to rebuild and renew. This will equip and empower you when the giant tries to return.

A second example is how you respond to the giant of relationship issues. Often, you may take joy in winning a victory over your adversary. However, it really is not a victory until you admit your wrongs in the encounter, request forgiveness, give forgiveness, and seek to have that relationship restored, if possible. While this may not be possible due to the gravity of the situation, you must seek to honor God with our responses and thoughts.

A third example is how you respond to the giant of financial issues such as debt. You must seek to repay the debt, change your spending habits, and exercise financial discipline. When the debt is paid, you must ensure that you do not fall back into bad financial habits. Instead, you can thrive with positive actions that will ensure your victory.

A fourth example of completing the task is how you act once you have been forgiven of a wrong that you created or perpetuated. You know that seeking forgiveness and making changes in your behaviors and thoughts are very positive actions. What many people neglect though is the idea of making restitution. You may be surprised to learn that the Old Testament teaches us about restitution. For example, we read in Exodus 22:1, "If a man steals an ox or a sheep, and kills it or sells it, he shall repay five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep" (ESV).

In Luke 19:1-10, Jesus encountered a man named Zacchaeus. Zacchaeus was a tax collector which meant that he demanded more taxes from his countrymen that he was told to collect, gave what was required to the authorities, and kept the difference. As a result, the Bible described him as "a chief tax collector and was rich" (v. 2). When Zacchaeus met Jesus, his heart was changed forever. It seems that without prompting, he told Jesus that he would give one-half of his earnings to the poor and repay fourfold to those whom he defrauded. Jesus took his announcement of restitution as a genuine response and said, "Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham" (v. 9). Apparently, Zacchaeus understood the Old Testament teaching on restitution and voluntarily applied the principle as an expression of love to the Lord.

I cannot tell you what restitution should be as you battle your giant. But, with a pure heart, you can ask the Lord and He will speak to you. The point is that you must complete the task to gain total victory over your giant.

As you fight your battle and have victory for today, ask the Lord to help you see clearly what subsequent actions you should take to complete the task. When you follow His instructions, you will discover that this will bring complete victory. It will be one that you will remember, as encouragement, when you battle your next giant in your life journey.

Story

Here is a biblical account of a story of a man who did not complete the task. May this not be your story!

After the death of Joshua, the nation of Israel experienced a debilitating cycle of rejecting God and serving pagan gods, God allowing Israel to experience life without Him, Israel crying out for help, God bringing rescue, and the cycle then repeating. You would think that they would understand that following God brings blessing and rejecting God brings death. Gideon entered the national scene during one of these cycles.

The Midianites tormented Israel by invading their land and stealing their crops at harvest time. God called Gideon as he worked at a winepress to become a prophet to lead Israel in their battle against the Midianites. This fascinating story is found in Judges 6-8. God used Gideon in amazing ways to bring victory and Israel rejoiced. Though Gideon did not feel qualified to lead in this fight, he obeyed God. The height of his service came when Israel wanted him to be their king but he declined as he knew the nation needed to follow God.

While we remember Gideon fondly, the fact is that he did not complete his task of ending the debilitating cycle. The Midianites were defeated. Israel repented returned to proper relationship with God. They had peace in the land for forty years and Gideon lived a long life. But, Gideon's mistake was that he neglected to follow God.

When he received his share of the plunder of the Midianites, he turned the gold into an idol. He placed the idol in his home town for all to see. "All Israel prostituted themselves by worshiping it there, and it because a snare to Gideon and his family" (Judges 8:27). As soon as Gideon died, Israel rejected God and returned to idol worship. It was so bad that they even rejected Gideon's family and all that he had done for them (see Judges 8:33-35).

Though Gideon was used by God to bring victory, he did not complete the task and the debilitating cycle continued. Instead of being someone we champion as a leader who followed God, Gideon was reduced to being another one who did not fulfill his potential. He did good but, at the end of his life, he did not complete his mission. May this not be our story!

Your Action Response

1. Consider your battle you have now with your giant. What does the Bible teach that will help you in your battle? Also, consider what you will do after the battle is won. What actions and thoughts should you be planning in effort to complete the task?

2. Ask the Lord if you should make restitution so that you can complete the task. In some cases, this is exact action that is necessary.

Next Action:

#7 Move forward with God-given confidence (I Samuel 17:55-58).

#5 You Must Do What You Know To Do

2020-06-17T14:27:00.001-05:00

Seven Actions to Defeat Your Giant

#5 As You Fight Your Battle, You Must Do What You Know to Do

(I Samuel 17:48-50)

In previous articles, we discussed how David was prepared by God mentally, physically, and spiritually to enter the battlefield. Then, he stood before the giant and, in the first battle action, he declared that the battle was the Lord's and victory was ensured. Now, comes the moment of truth! David must fight! The anticipated battle would indeed be short and decisive. But, the outcome was not what the spectator armies predicted. Let's look at what happened and apply our second battle action.

The Historical Account

"As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell face down on the ground. So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him" (I Samuel 17:48-50).

Let’s highlight what David did in this intense and personal battle. First, David followed the battle plan. He "ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him." Since the battle was inevitable, David took the offensive and charged the giant in confidence. David did not allow doubt and fear to enter his thoughts. He had a battle to fit and a victory to win. He approached Goliath with confidence. Please note that David did not allow Goliath to land the first blow. If David had hesitated or cowered ever so slightly, Goliath would have attacked and crushed him straight away for the giant was that powerful.

Second, David relied on his training. No doubt, he had slung a stone countless times in practice and also in battle against a lion and a bear. He knew that the sling in his hand was a lethal weapon. David's mind was battle ready and his body was battle tested. He relied on muscle memory and his training; all in preparation for this exact moment!

When the battle started, David did what he knew to do; attack and kill. The season of preparing personally and strategizing the battle plan was over. This was not the time to hesitate nor to second guess. This was the time to enact the plan and to do so in confidence. David was called by God for this mission and he did what he knew to do to complete the mission.

#5 As You Fight Your Battle, You Must Do What You Know to Do (I Samuel 17:48-50).

Like David, you followed our first three actions to prepare you for the battle. As the battle began, you declared that the battle belonged to the Lord. Now, in the second battle action, you do what you know to do; you must follow the battle plan and you must rely on your training. Let's apply these truths to our lives.

So, let's say that you have followed our action plan so far. Now, you must do what you know to do and follow the battle plan. The starting point then is to determine whose battle plan are you going to follow? Will you follow God's plan that is revealed in His Word, the Bible? Will you follow the mindset of the world that we read online and in tabloids? Or, will you combine these two options and just follow your heart?

In the last hours of Jesus' life on earth, as recorded in the Gospel of John, Jesus is being interrogated by Pilate, the Roman Governor. Pilate is attempting to learn why Jesus was brought before him and if he should get involved in the impending trial. Their verbal interaction leads Jesus to say, "You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me" (John 18:37). Then, Pilate asked question that reverberates through the centuries, "What is truth?" (John 18:38).

This is fascinating to me! Pilate has the very definition of Truth standing before him and he is blinded spiritually and cannot recognize who Jesus is. The truth is that Jesus is "the way and the truth and the life" (John 14:6).

As you formulate your battle plan and then do what you know to do, I encourage you in the strongest way possible to build your plan upon the Truth. Truth is found in God's Word. Read it, memorize it, and live it. You will then build your house upon the rock and not upon the sand (Matthew 7:24-27). This house will withstand the rains, floods, and winds of life that see to destroy you. And, the truth that Jesus taught is that "everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand." When the storms came, his house was destroyed.

As you face the giant in your life, you must build your battle strategy upon the truth of God's Word and act accordingly. Here are some ways this is applied in your life.

First, pray, fast, and call on the Lord and ask Him what you should do. Jeremiah 29:13 teaches us, "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." God is on your life journey with you. He knows what you are to do and how He will bring you victory. As you stand toe-to-toe with your giant, you must know that you have heard from God and that you are following His commands wholeheartedly.

Second, ensure that your response is motivated by love. If your motivation for fighting your giant is revenge or done from unrighteous anger then you are not aligned with your God-given assignment. Your motivation is to obey God's will and allow Him to balance the scales of justice. God will bring the victory. Now, as we mentioned before, we are to fight our giant by Jesus' rules and not by the world's terms of engagement. I remind you of the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7 and specifically what we call, "the Beatitudes" in Matthew 5:3-10. I will not take the time to unpack them now, but please read this sermon for it is how you are to engage your giant.

Third, seek to have your behavior bring honor to God. Since your identity comes from God and you are a member in the family of God you therefore represent God to other people. So, your actions and reactions, as you engage the giant, must honor God.

Fourth, fight in a manner that your will not regret later. Do not be driven by anger or revenge. Do not allow the heat of the battle to mute the filters on your tongue and your mind. Practice self-control. If you are not careful then regret will overshadow your victory and make your feel shallow.

Five, be led by the Holy Spirit. Jesus taught His disciples, "But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you" (John 14:6). The Holy Spirit lives in you! He is the Comforter and the giver of hope (Romans 15:13). Please know that if you are led by the Spirit that He will guide you in these moments.

So, we are to do what we know to do as we fight the giant in our lives. If we are to pray, then pray! If we are to sacrifice, then make that sacrifice! If we are to examine our hearts and repent (James 4:8), then we are to repent! We do know that we are to act righteously at all times so we must do so even while we battle. At the same time, we must remember that God is still in control. Proverbs 16:9 teaches us, "We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps" (NLT). Take comfort to know that we are accountable only to do that which we know to do. When we follow wholeheartedly after God, He will direct our steps.

The second aspect of David doing what he knew to do was that he relied on his training! One had better be well-versed and battle-tested when attempting to fight a giant with a sling shot! Certainly, David was a master at this type of warfare and his sling shot was a lethal weapon. In the same way, you must reply on your training as you encounter your giant.

The question is, are you in training now? What are you doing on a daily basis to strength your relationship with God? What spiritual disciplines are you practicing (prayer, fasting, loving your neighbor, loving God)? Are you expressing your love to God by the way to treat other people in your daily life and in your monthly giving? When chaos strikes and the surrounding noise of life is deafening, can you hear the still, small voice of God (I Kings 19:12)?

If your life is in tune with God then you can do what you know to do and do so with righteous confidence. God is with you. His relationship with you is built to withstand attacks from your spiritual enemies. Your trust, your faith, and your obedience to Him will bring ultimate victory. So, as Paul wrote, do not give up! "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up" (Galatians 6:9).

Story

The sudden and unexpected news crushed the man's world. Due to the hardships of the economy, he was released from his job. Yet, his bills remained; mortgage, car loans, student loans, credit card debt. His heart sank. A rush of fear and panic overcame him. How would he provide for his family? What are they going to do?

Rather than allowing his emotions and circumstances to dictate his response, the man determined that he was going to fight his financial giant in a spiritual manner. He will pray and believe, by faith, that God will provide. He will continue to tithe and give to world missions. He would reduce his spending and delete unnecessary expenditures until further notice. He will eliminate future spending by closing all credit card accounts except for one. He will spend only if the money is in the bank. He will do all that he knows to do and do so in confidence that God will direct his steps. Sure, the coming days would be difficult but, God was still in control and He is always faithful.

Your Action Response

1. How have you trained spiritually to battle your giant?

2. What actions must you take spiritually, emotionally, and physically in your battle?

3. What is God telling you to do now and are you being obedient to His direction?

4. What must you do to resist the temptation to battle in a way that is not from God?

Next Action:

#6 As You Fight You Battle, You Must Complete the Task.

#4 You Must Declare "The Battle is the Lord's"

2020-06-17T14:26:00.001-05:00

Seven Actions to Defeat Your Giant

#4 As You Fight Your Battle, You Must Declare, "The Battle is the Lord's"

(I Samuel 17:41-47).

We can see clearly now that God prepared David mentally, physically, and spiritually to fight the giant. David looked at the giant from God's perspective (mentally). David remembered the victories of the past (physically). David put on the armor of God (spiritually).

Now, the moment of reckoning arrived. David stood before the giant and gave account of his God, his nation, his family and himself. Let's go to the text and see what happened.

The Historical Account

David approached the Philistine. Goliath looked at his opponent and saw a mere youth and "he distained him." Goliath felt disrespected that a true warrior was not his adversary and cursed David by his gods. Please note that Goliath viewed this battle as more than just a physical encounter. When he cursed by his god, it became a spiritual war.

The Philistines did not want just to defeat the Israelites, they wanted to drive them into submission and dominate them. Thus, they attempted to crush the Israelites by stripping them of their religious beliefs and their national identity. Goliath gave the ultimate "trash talk" to David by promising to giving his opponent's flesh to the bird and the wild animals.

The enemies of Israel knew well of their victories in the past and how powerful their God was. Israel defeated the Egypt; the major super power of their day. Israel then conquered their enemies time and again. Their reputation for victory preceded them and the power of their God struck fear into the hearts of their opponents. Yet, the Philistines and Goliath were mocking them as being weak and timid. If they defeated Israel then they would be perceived as undefeatable in the part of their known world and be unstoppable.

But, the servant of God would have none of this and changed the playing field. David knew that God was on the throne and that His grace was still upon Israel, His chosen people. He declared, "'You come to me with a sword and 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 down and cut off your head. And I will give the dead bodies of the host of the Philistines this day to the birds of the air and to the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that all this assembly may know that the Lord saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the Lord's, and he will give you into our hand.”

In so many words, David declared that "my God is greater than your god" and that the true God would bring victory. David then returned the "trash talk" and promised to feed Goliath to the birds and the wild animals. He announced that his upcoming victory comes not by physical dominance but because victory was granted by God. He ended with a summation, "For the battle is the Lord's, and he will give you into our hand." In our English version of his short speech, David referred to his God six times. Truly, the battle was the Lord's!

Later, the Psalmist will write, "The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? The Lord is with me; He is my helper. I will look in triumph on my enemies (Psalm 118:6, 7, NIV). David did not fight alone. He was on God's side and it would be God who will triumph.

Let's apply this as our first of three actions to fight your battle. I remind you that action #1-#3 prepared you for the battle. Now, actions #4-#7 are your directive as you fight in the battle.

#4 As You Fight Your Battle, You Must Declare, "The Battle is the Lord's" (v. 41-47).

As David stood before the giant and the enemy army and declared, "The battle is the Lord's" so you must also make the same declaration. For you, this will be an act of drawing the proverbial line in the sand. This reminds me of Joshua doing the very same action before the children of Israel when he challenged them, "But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord" (Joshua 24:15, NIV).

This public declaration was necessary for the following reasons:

First, just as David reminded Israel of their identity as children of God, you must declare your identity as a follower of Jesus Christ. Israel neglected their spiritual identity. They chose to remember that God was their Father and watching over them. They accepted the lies from the enemy and became cowardly and timid.

When you make this declaration though, you are doing the opposite! You remember who you are in Christ. You remember to whom you belong. You remember the promises of God and that He will never leave you or forsake you. "The battle is the Lord's" announces powerfully to your giant that God is your source of strength and you are fighting by His rules.

Second, just as David rejected being dismayed and fearful, you can respond in the middle of your battle with "power, love, and self-control" (2 Timothy 1:7). We discussed this earlier but, God gave you a sound mind, especially in moments when your giant wanted you to cower without hope. You must reject your circumstances and the script that the giant is giving you. You choose the One whom you will serve. You choose how you will act and react for you have a sound mind as you follow Christ. You can act with intentionality and purpose. You can then live without regret.

Third, just as David gave God glory in advance, your declaration gives God the glory that He deserves. As we quoted earlier, our battle is not against flesh and blood but we are engaged in spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6:12). The One who is undefeated in spiritual battles is the Lord as seen in Zechariah 4:6, "'Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the Lord of hosts."

Fourth, just as David was not alone as he stood before the giant, you are not alone in your battle. No doubt, as David stood by himself, it looked very lonely but the truth was that God was with him. As you stand before your giant please remember that God is with you, as well. Countless believers have battled before you and found victory. As you stand on their shoulders and in their shadows, you can be assured that God in on your side.

This reminds me of when Elisha and his servant found themselves surrounded by horses and chariots from Syria. The situation looked bleak and hopeless. The servants asked, what shall we do?" Elisha's response was classic, "'O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.' So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha" (II Kings 6:17). The Lord struck the enemy army with blindness and they were defeated. As you face your giant, may the Lord open your eyes to see that He is with you and that He will bring victory.

Fifth, just as David was an Israelite, you belong to the family of God. This means that as you respond rightly, you are an example to others. Your actions will be an encouragement, a testimony, to those who need to see God's servant living in self-control and trusting in the Lord. Also, your declaration will enlist like-minded believers who will journey with you in prayer and support you in tangible ways. God will send people your way, at just the right moment, to supply exactly what you need that day.

Story

She is an amazing Mom. In fact, some would say that she is "Super Mom!" Somehow, she finds the time to run a small business, be CEO of a family with three children, be a loving and supportive wife to her husband, and even volunteer at church. Outwardly, she was a woman who was strong and made life happen. Inwardly, if you could get her to sit for a moment and open her heart to you, you will discover that she feels uncertain, vulnerable, and that she does not "measure up" to her internal standard.

Thankfully, the Lord directed an older woman in her church to reach out to her. They began meeting for coffee very early on Thursday mornings. The older woman listened to her as she detailed her battle with low self-esteem. With wisdom, the older woman helped her see that her focus needed to be on God and not on the issue. God is on her side and He will fight for her!

The older woman shared that the amazing Mom is loved by God, that Jesus is there to journey with her, and that she is not alone. She shared that God is pleased with her. She gave her an action plan that when moments of self-doubt come over her, she is to remember that these feelings are not from God. Instead, utilizing self-control she should respond with intentionally and with purpose; reject the negative self-talk and declare the Truth that God loves her as His precious daughter.

The battle against low self-esteem is real. When "Super Mom" starting fighting by declaring, "the battle is the Lord's!" then the momentum shifted from rejection to victory.

Your Action Responses

1. What do the following phrases mean to you, "my identity comes from Christ" and "I belong to the family of God"? Are you living in light of these truths?

2. What must you do, believe, and feel to live in "power, love, and self-control" (2 Timothy 1:7)?

3. As you encounter your giant, what must you do to ensure that God will receive the glory?

4. What are you doing to enlist help from your brothers and sisters in Christ so that they can stand with you?

5. What are you doing to stand in tangible ways with others who need you to journey with them?

Next Action:

#5 As You Fight Your Battle, You Must Do What You Know to Do.

#3 You Must Put On The Armor of God

2020-06-17T14:24:00.002-05:00

Seven Actions to Defeat Your Giant

#3 To Prepare for the Battle You Must Put on the Armor of God

(I Samuel 17:38-40)

The army of Israel was mocked and shamed by Goliath, the giant, for forty days. A young man named David arrived at the battle front and brought life into the Israelite camp by reminding them that God was on their side. We considered the first two actions that David took to prepare for his encounter with the Goliath: he looked at the giant from God's perspective and he remembered the victories of his past.

David was empowered to move to the battle line in confidence! This was not self-confidence but confidence in the Lord Almighty. Today, we will consider the final action that prepared David for the battle and that was he was equipped by God to fight Goliath. Let's see how this unfolded and learn from his behavior.

The Historical Account

King Saul agreed to allow David to represent Israel and fight the giant. In fact, what other option did he have? David was the only Israelite willing to represent his nation. So, Saul gave him his own tunic, coat of armor, and bronze helmet.

We know that Saul was a head taller than anyone else (I Samuel 9:2) and so there was a good chance that his attire was too large for David. So, why would the King make this offer? There are three speculations that we can make in effort to find an answer. First, Saul offered his battle gear because he wanted David to have the best equipment possible. Second, some believe that David was near Saul's size because otherwise this would not have even been a consideration. Third, some scholars believe that if a warrior won a battle wearing the King's armor then it would be the King who deserved the credit and no one else. The thought is that of course the warrior won because he was wearing the King's armor! But, please note that in this case, the King was not brave enough to wear his armor and fight on behalf of his people!

We do not know if David tried on Saul's armor or if he just looked at it and knew that it would not fit. David did decline the King's offer as he was not used to wearing it. Possibly, this was a polite way to inform the King that there was no way that he was going into battle wearing his armor! Instead, David was equipped in a manner with which he was familiar. He would fight the giant in the way that God had trained him. Though David was an Israelite, he belonged to God and he found to bring glory to God.

So, David took his staff and went to the stream in the Valley of Elah and choose five smooth stones. He placed the stones in his shepherd's bag and went to meet Goliath. At face value, it was ludicrous to think that David was prepared. But, God delivered him from the lion and the bear and He would deliver him from the giant. I feel that David took five stones, not due thinking that he would miss but, I believe he was ready to take on more people, should the need arise.

The armor that God used on this day was not man-made. The equipment was an obedient shepherd who wanted to fight to honor God and to bring Him glory. This was the man whom God used!

This provides us with our third action.

#3 To prepare for your battle you must put on the armor of God (v. 38-40).

It will behoove you to prepare for your battle with your giant by wearing the armor of God. This starts with a mindset of victory and not of doubt or fear. A mindset of victory knows that you are on God’s side and therefore victory will come. Here are some verses to consider:

· Deuteronomy 31:6, "Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you."

· Joshua 1:9, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

· Isaiah 41:10, "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

· Matthew 28:20, "Teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

A mindset of victory knows that God will fight for you and you do not enter the arena of battle alone! Here are some verses to consider:

· Deuteronomy 20:4, “for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.”

· Psalm 27:1, “The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the defense of my life; Whom shall I dread?”

· Isaiah 41:10, “Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.'

A mindset of victory knows that every aspect of your life up to this encounter has prepared you in some way for this battle. We noted how David was prepared for the battle. He served his father by tending the sheep. He killed the lion and the bear. He served King Saul as a musician and as an armor bearer. He was described in I Samuel 16 as, “glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features” (v. 12) and as one who “knows how to play the lyre. He is a brave man and a warrior. He speaks well and is a fine-looking man. And the Lord is with him.” David’s heart was in alignment with God as His servant. I believe that everything up to this point in his life prepared him to fight, and defeat, Goliath.

Consider what the Lord has done in your life. In our last action point we considered the victories of the past that God gave you. Now, consider every aspect of your life, the good and the bad, and consider prayerfully how God has prepared you for this moment. I believe that you are prepared and more than you realize!

The key passage we must apply as we put on the armor of God is found in Ephesians 6:10-20. We will not exegete this amazing passage now however, please note the highlights. First, our battle is actually not against flesh and blood but the spiritual forces of evil. Thus, we need a spiritual solution to our direct our physical battle. Second, we are to stand firm in our relationship with the Lord. Third, throw off the doubt and fear and put on truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, the Word of God, “pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests,” and pray “for all the Lord’s people.” These actions are game-changers!

While there is so much more that we could discuss about how to be equipped to fight your giant, I will mention one more. To put on the armor of God you must fight by Jesus’ rules. Jesus said, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light,” (Matthew 11:28-30).

When you take the yoke of Jesus upon you, you obey what He taught and you fight with the intention of bringing Him glory. Matthew 5-7 records what we call the Sermon on the Mount. I encourage you to read this and apply Jesus’ teachings to your life. It will equip you to fight your giant! Here are a few of the topics that Jesus covered: anger, retaliation, love your enemies, do not be anxious, judging others, and the Golden Rule. When you fight your giant by following Jesus’ rules you will do so with a pure heart and avoid post-battle regrets. The key is that you consider your actions and reactions before your encounter begins with your giant. You will be equipped to press forward in righteousness and fight for the best possible outcome.

Story

A man stood next to his wife's hospital bed. She was facing extensive surgery and a post-care that potentially could be grueling. He cried out to God to heal her. Suddenly, a still small voice whispered into his heart, "I am with you." The room was filled with the presence of the Lord! The husband felt God's soothing peace comforting him in his desperation. Within seconds, vivid memories overcame him and reinforced the message.

A memory came quickly. He was a little boy and sitting in his Grandparents' living room. He was playing with his GI Joe and deep in his creative world. Yet, he could remember clearly his Grandmother sharing how God healed her when she was battling a life-threatening fever. God was with her!

A second memory played immediately! He was at another hospital but this time is was at his mother's bedside. His father was praying aloud for her healing and protection. He remembered asking her how she felt at that moment. She replied, "I am not well but, I feel God's presence."

The man determined in his heart that as he and his wife faced her surgery, they would not be dismayed, fearful, or doubt the Lord. Instead, they will be filled with confidence from the Lord that "I am with you." Now equipped with hope, the man prayed with renewed faith and fasted with confidence. They faced their giant knowing that God was fighting for them and it will be God who will receive the glory.

Your Action Responses

1. What is your heart and mind telling you to do as you prepare to face your giant?

2. What does the Bible about how you prepare; how you should feel, think, and trust?

3. What mindsets, thoughts, and actions should you throw off and what should you put on in response?

4. How has God prepared you for your upcoming encounter with your giant?

Next Action:

#4 As You Fight Your Battle, You Must Declare, "The Battle Is the Lord's!"

#2 You Must Remember the Victories from Your Past

2020-06-17T14:15:00.008-05:00

Seven Actions to Defeat Your Giant

#2 To Prepare for the Battle You Must Remember the Victories From Your Past

(I Samuel 17:33-37)

Welcome back to our study of, "Seven Actions to Defeat Your Giant." As we study the historical account of David battling the giant named Goliath, we see that there are seven actions he took in effort to gain victory. The first three actions deal with preparing for the battle. The second three actions deal with how you act in the battle. The final action is how you respond as you bask in victory. Today, we will consider the second of three actions to prepare for the battle: you must remember the victories from your past.

The Historical Account

David's verbal declaration was overheard and then reported to King Saul. How defeated the army must have been that when a youth brings hope, his words are reported immediately to the king! Normally, the boasts of a youth would be ignored. This is an indicator of how desperate the army of Israel was to fight someone … anyone … to defend its honor.

David finds himself standing before the king. Now, this is actually not without precedent for David was used to being in King Saul's presence. We know from I Samuel 16 that after David was anointed by the prophet Samuel he was brought before the king to play his lyre. The Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul and he was being tormented by an evil spirit. Saul discovered that listening to music soothed his spirit and so he needed a musician to play for him.

Interestingly, David was described to Saul as, "a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the lyre. He is a brave man and a warrior. He speaks well and is a fine-looking man. And the Lord is with him." What wonderful words! Apparently, though David was not very old, already his reputation proceeded him.

Maybe the servant who introduced David knew about David's encounters with a lion and a bear. Obviously, he knew that David was a skilled musician and well-spoken. As a result, David was enlisted into service for the king. Apparently, he went home on occasion to help tend his father's sheep because after killing Goliath, we read that Saul prohibited David from returning to his family (I Samuel 18:2).

We can only speculate as to how well Saul and David were acquainted. It is very possible that David was seen by Saul as just another servant. It would seem very unlikely that they would talk or have a friendship on any level for David was in Saul's presence just to play music and serve. Yet, what is possible is that when David stood before Saul in I Samuel 17that the king recognized him as his musician and servant.

David began by telling the king that he would kill the giant. Saul replied by stating the obvious. David was a youth, the giant was a warrior, and implied that David would die. But, this provides us with the second action.

#2 To prepare for your battle you must remember the victories of the past (v. 34-37).

David remember the victories in the past that God has given him. He told the King that he has rescued his sheep from a lion and from a bear. He stated again his perspective of the giant being an uncircumcised Philistine who defied the armies of the living God. Then, he informed King Saul that it was the Lord who brought him his victories and that the Lord would rescue him from Goliath.

Apparently, David's speech impressed the King enough so that Saul replied, "Go, and the Lord be with you" (v. 37). David's life and words had enough credibility with the King that he was granted the assignment to kill the giant.

Let's consider this conversation from David's view point. David was anointed by Samuel to be the next king (I Samuel 16:1-13). The Lord was with David (I Samuel 16:18). The Lord had given David victories as he battled alone a lion and a bear (I Samuel 17:34-37). David understood completely that his role was a servant and that he served the living God. So, he moved forward in complete and unashamed confidence that the Lord would bring victory. So, just as Lord empowered David as he encountered a lion and a bear, the giant who stood before him was actually just another obstacle that the Lord would overcome.

As you consider the giant before you, do not accept the temptation that you are alone or that your situation is hopeless. Remember the victories that God has brought you in your past! Thank God for those victories and use this as a force to press forward in your encounter. God was faithful in your past, God will be faithful in your present, and God will be faithful in your future!

Tell me about the time with you were experience doubt or fear. Remember how the Lord spoke to you through his Word, the Bible. Remember how He brought people into your life to journey with you in that season so that you would not be alone or isolated. Remember how He changed your circumstances around you so that you could emerge in victory. Just as the Israelites in the Old Testament built monuments to remind their children of their past, God wants you to remember what He has done for you! Cherish these moments and use them to strengthen your heart and spirit that God is on your side and that He will stand with you!

Now, you may think that the victories of the past will not help you face your present giant because you have never encountered such an undefeatable foe! But, the constant in your life story is that the Lord is on your side! "If God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31). I remind you God has enabled you with His Word, empowered you by His Holy Spirit, and given you friends and family who will join you in your journey.

So, rather than being intimidated by the taunts of your giant, remember the victories of the past and allow them to give you the confidence that God will again get you through this encounter and bring you victory.

Story

The older man was forced to deal with the new reality in society and that was COVID-19, the coronavirus. It has struck fear into the hearts of countless people in his nation as the virus was infected many to the point of death. Rather than allow fear and doubt to direct his thoughts, he remembered the victories in his past that God gave him.

The man had served as a missionary with his family in East Africa years ago when the AIDS virus infected people around the world. They arrived on the continent at the point when doctors were researching how one could get AIDS. Adding to this was the fact that malaria was rampant in the country that he now called home. People wore long sleeve shirts at night and did not stay out late into the evening for fear of contracting malaria.

The fear of contracting AIDS and malaria was so strong at that time that the missionary was almost paralyzed in fear. He called on the Lord to replace the fear with peace and stability. The Lord answered and the family had a fruitful four years of service.

As the missionary encounters today's new virus, he remembers the victories of the past that God gave him. He uses the common sense that God gave him. He follows the directives of doctors and city leaders. While he respects the gravity of the current situation, he does all he can to protect his family. But, now he has a peace and a confidence encounter today's challenge because God was faithful in the past and God is faithful today.

David had confidence in the Lord because the Lord had been faithful in his life to bring him the victory. David had defeated a lion and a bear by God's help. This gave him a confidence that God was with him and that God would bring him the victory.

We, too, must remember the victories that God has brought. Jesus Christ defeated sin and death at Calvary and by His resurrection. Remember those personal victories that He has given you in previous encounters. This will give you the confidence in Him to face your current giant.

Your Action Responses

1. List three victories that the Lord gave you in the past and share each story with a friend.

2. As you consider today's giant in your life, remember the victories that God gave you that were similar.

3. Consider how the lessons you learned from your past victories can be applied to today's battle.

4. Thank the Lord for what He has done. Praise the Lord for what He is doing today. Thank the Lord for what He will do for you in the future.

Next Action:

#3 To Prepare for the Battle You Must Put on the Armor of Go

#1 You Must Look at the Giant From God's Perspective

2020-06-17T14:14:00.007-05:00

Seven Actions to Defeat Your Giant

#1 To Prepare for the Battle, You Must Look at Your Giant from God's Perspective

(I Samuel 17:26)

Life would be much easier if it were problem free. Like it or not, the truth is that problems do come our way. Financial pressures, relationship difficulties, and even spiritual battles are issues that we all face. Issues may not have started as a spiritual issue but when difficulties are evident in our lives they can become spiritual battle.

David is our Old Testament example of a man who was led of the Lord to take the challenge of defeating a giant personally. His course of action provides us with a strategic plan to battle the giants in our lives and to emerge victoriously. In I Samuel 17 we see seven actions that David took to defeat Goliath. If you follow these actions points, you will discover the help and comfort you need as you battle the giant in your life.

The Historical Account

You know well the story of David and Goliath. This is portrayed to be the greatest victory for the underdog in the history of human warfare. Our story begins with the Israelite army situated on one hill of Valley of Elah to fight the Philistine army that occupied the other hill. The battle plan between the two armies was that each would choose a warrior to represent the army as a whole. The two combatants would battle to the death with the winner bringing victory for his entire army. Apparently, this encounter was common in those days.

The plan was acceptable until the Philistines revealed their champion. He was a giant! He was said to be over nine feet and nine inches tall. His armor weighed 125 pounds and the iron point of his spear weighed 15 pounds! No doubt, he was trained as a youth to be a killing machine! Humanly speaking, he was the most undefeatable foe ever!

For forty days, Goliath would enter the valley and stand before Israel. He would mock their army and challenge their manhood. "On hearing the Philistine's words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified" (I Samuel 17:11). Later in the passage we read, "Whenever the Israelites saw the man, they all fled from him in great fear."

Meanwhile, there was a boy named David who was sent to the battle lines to bring food to three of his older brothers. Possibly, David was very young at this time. In Number 1:3, we read that you had to be at least twenty years old to be enlisted in the Israelite army. David had three brothers who were serving at this time. As David was the youngest of eight boys, this meant that four of his brothers were under the age of twenty. This meant that David was possibly around fifteen years old, or younger. This is conjecture on our part but it is reasonable to see David as being too young to be on the battlefield; he did not belong there.

King Saul tries to bribe his warriors to kill the giant by offering great wealth, his daughter in marriage, and tax exempt status for the warrior's family. There was no greater reward! The problem is that the Israelite warrior might die and, while his family would benefit, his life was over. A conundrum indeed!

Your Battle

What giant stands before you today? Who is mocking and challenging you? Your giant stands before you seeking to intimidate you; to make you timid. Like the Israelite army, you may be "dismayed and terrified" and in "great fear." Like David, you realize that you do not belong in this encounter and maybe even feel that you do not deserve this battle. But, the giant stands before you. Sure, you can run but he will still stand strong against you. You must create a game plan and fight. Whether your giant is a financial burden, a relationship betrayal, a physically incapacitating illness, or a battle with depression, please know that you are not alone. God will fight for you. He is your defender, your healer, and your friend.

The episode of David defeating Goliath provides you with seven actions that you can take to defeat your giant. These actions are time-tested and will bring results. The first three actions deal with your preparation before you fight giant. The second three actions deal with your encounter with your giant. The final action is what you do as you bask in victory.

So, let's begin with the first action.

#1 To prepare for the battle, you must look at your giant from God's perspective (v. 26).

The warriors in Israel's army looked at Goliath as a physical specimen who was a killing machine. They were already defeated, even before the battle, because their view of the giant paralyzed them with fear and caused them to lose all hope. But, David looked at Goliath from a different perspective. He saw human frailty intimidating God's children; "Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?" (v. 26).

We must note the juxtaposition of the inter voices that directed the key players in this classic battle. The Israelite warriors were paralyzed by the image and the glitz of Goliath and portrayed him as an undefeatable foe. But David saw the giant as a mere heathen mortal who belonged in a pagan army. The Israelite warriors battled their personal fears and bought into the idea that the giant would annihilate them. But David operated with a sound mind that focused on God and viewed the situation through the reality of who God is.

God's perspective is that His will is always done! He is the great "I am!" God's will is for His children to be in relationship with Him at all times. God's will is that we live in lock step in obedience so that we can overcome the challenges of this world.

As we encounter the giants of our lives we must look at them from God's perspective. God always brings hope. God always brings the victory.

II Timothy 1:7 sheds light on how what our mindset and life perspective should be in the moments when we encounter our giant face-to-face. "for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control" (ESV). Our giant will do all he can to intimidate us, to cause us to be timid, to shake with fear, and to be defeated even before the battle begins! We can reject these feelings immediately for they are not of God. God is not the author of fear, anxiety, or depression. Yes, we can respect our foe and take him seriously but our response is to draw even closer to God and allow Him to bring the victory.

When we align our heart's attention and our mind's affection with God then we are equipped to stand firm in the face of our giant. God's Spirit enables us to be enables by power. The presence of God's Spirit motivates us to act in love. God's Spirit brings stability to our emotions and thoughts as He give us self-control. Some verses translate self-control as "self-discipline" or a "sound mind." In our story, David was enabled with the power to fight Goliath. He was motivated by love to stand firm for God. He was in control of himself as he had a level-head, clear-eyes, and a pure heart.

This is your story, too! Check your inner voice to ensure that it is aligned with the truth of God's Word and who God is. You know if God is on your side, no one can stand against you. You know that you love Jesus and that God does not condemn you. You know that nothing can separate you from the love of God. You know that you are more than a conqueror. All of this was provided to us in Romans 8:31-39 for such a time as this! So, stand firm on these promises and believe them.

The cliché in the battle of David and Goliath actually rings true: "While some saw Goliath as too big to hit, David saw the giant as being too big to miss!" So, take heart with a sound mind! God is on your side. God was not caught unaware of your giant. He will battle with you and on your behalf. "and we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose" (KJV).

Story

Let's end this action with a story. There was a married couple who were expecting their third child. The results of the ultrasound shattered their hearts as they learned that there was a strong possibility that the child would have Down's Syndrome. Later, the doctor told the couple that, based on these results, they could abort the baby. The feelings of helplessness flooded their souls and shattered their dreams for a healthy child. Terminating the child's life was never an option but they questioned the quality of their lives as a family because they were to return overseas in missionary service.

But, a moment of enlightenment arrived and altered their family history. The husband stood steadfast on the conviction that this perspective was not from God. He cried out for wisdom and the Lord comforted his heart. God was not surprised by the ultrasound result. Plenty of people can thrive with children dealing with major issues, be it mental or physical. God was still in control. So, the husband drew the proverbial line in the sand and declared, "we are having this child, no matter what! He is our son and our gift from God!"

Later, the husband would tell you that it was that exact moment that victory arrived! God was alive and well! He would journey with the family. He would get glory. If you could talk with the husband today, he would tell you that the child was born perfectly healthy and he gives God the glory. But, he would also remind you that their victory came the moment that he looked at the giant from God's perspective.

Your Action Responses

What is the giant that you are facing today? Here are two action steps:

1. Consider your situation from God's perspective. State how you think God looks at your giant. Then, state how you should respond to your giant knowing that God is on your side.

2. State in your heart and mind how you will respond with a spirit of power, love, and of self-control.

Next Action:

#2 To Prepare for the Battle, You Must Remember the Victories of the Past.

Stand Firm Endorsement #7 Don Bonner

2020-06-16T08:42:00.005-05:00

Stand Firm Endorsement #6 Dr. Younghoon Lee

2020-06-15T08:48:00.003-05:00

“I am happy to endorse Dr. Mark Flattery's excellent new book, Stand Firm: What to Do When Life Knocks You Down. On every page of this marvelous work, Dr. Flattery shows that the Word of God is our best weapon when we walk through the valley of the shadow of death. Dr. Flattery so convincingly inspires and encourages his readers to take this weapon to their everyday fights in the worst season of life. He also provides direct answer to the question of how to find peace in our life when life feels like a boat floating on the sea where waves of suffering are rolling in endlessly. I very highly recommend this wonderfully inspiring as well as practical spiritual book to all Christians.”

Younghoon Lee, Ph.D.

Senior Pastor

Yoido Full Gospel Church

Seoul, Korea

Stand Firm Endorsement #5 Dr. Jack Rozell

2020-06-14T08:49:00.003-05:00

“I believe this work portrays the heart-life of the author. It lays out personal and practical guidance in how to STAND regardless of the challenges we face. The meaningful presentation of many Biblical texts is enhanced by the vignettes at the beginning of the chapters and the application questions at the end. The author’s passion for the broken and hurting is felt by the repeated use of ‘you.’ This is a great read that calls us to prayer and reminds us of our absolute VICTORY IN CHRIST.”

Jack V. Rozell

President

Ministry Resources International

Stand Firm Endorsement #4 Pastor Rob Ketterling

2020-06-13T08:50:00.003-05:00

"I've known Mark Flattery for many years, and I am thrilled to recommend his first book, Stand Firm : What to Do When Life Knocks You Down. How many know life is going to knock us down at some point? You've felt that. I've felt that. But in the midst of those trials, God's Word shouts, the best is yet to come! It's the struggle that can actually make us stronger, and Mark delivers on these promises from God. That's why I'm so excited for you to read this practical and uplifting book. Through it, Mark shares specific Victory Actions that will draw you closer to God, especially in the seasons of life that bring anxiety, fear, and doubt. I’m hopeful you will find the victory you've been looking for and learn how to fight your battles by God's rules."

Rob Ketterling

Lead Pastor River Valley Church

Stand Firm Endorsement #3 Chaplain (Col) Scott McChrystal

2020-06-12T08:55:00.001-05:00

"Many people today, Christians included, have suffered knockout blows and can’t seem to get back on their feet. Some have quit even trying. Dr. Mark Flattery has a powerful message: Stand Firm. In his new book, Mark draws from the well of his own personal experiences and offers a biblical path to healing, hope, and a renewed sense of purpose. As a personal friend knowledgeable about Mark’s own 'knockout' blow, I’ve been an eyewitness to a man who faithfully followed Jesus through the valley of his pain, suffering and heartache and continues to model a life that shines for the Lord. Mark’s passion is to help others Stand Firm. This book will show you 'how.'"

Scott McChrystal

Chaplain (Col) USA (Ret.

Stand Firm Endorsement #2 Rev Donna Barrett

2020-06-11T08:56:00.001-05:00

"When life takes you in a very different direction than you could have ever imagined, Stand Firm: What to Do When Life Knocks You Down lets you look over the shoulder of Dr. Mark Flattery for a no-nonsense, biblically based, practical view of what to do and how to respond in the midst of painful difficulties. This book presents a 'roadmap,' to help the reader to become aware of their end goal, and the step by step process to stay Biblically grounded amidst the whirling surprises, pain and incremental victories. I want to thank Dr. Flattery for his transparency to share his story and practical help for the rest of us on the journey."

Donna Barrett

General Secretary, Assemblies of God