Ladies, as we see our freedom of religion challenged in the courts and the schools, it is imperative that we take a stand and support Christian movies. I started researching a movie and found the makers of the movie to be a type of “David” versus the Goliath of the film industry.
Since the early 1980's, the Kendrick brothers have been making movies. The three brothers, Shannon, Alex, and Stephen, took their bulky VHS camcorder around their neighborhood in Smyrna, Georgia and filmed videos with their friends. As their storytelling ability developed, they expanded their experience with productions for church groups, businesses, and schools.
In 1999, Alex was called to Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Georgia to oversee their media ministry. At the time, he expressed a desire to produce Christian movies. Stephen joined the church in 2001 as a pastor assistant. A survey in 2002 said movies and television were now more influential than church and religion; the time was right for developing a movie ministry.
Alex prayed for the right story, and God answered by giving him FLYWHEEL. A small budget of $20,000 was raised, and church members came on board as the cast and crew. After three months of filming, which took place on lunch hours and weekends, the team edited the movie and obtained permission to premiere it in their local theater. To everyone's surprise, it lasted six weeks and received an incredible response. http://kendrickbrothers.com/
In 2006 Facing the Giants, written by the Kendrick brothers, was released not with the purpose of making money, but to evangelize non-believers and encourage Christians to believe in a mighty God and the power of prayer. You may remember their latest films, recently released to DVD, Fireproof and Courageous, addressing families in crisis.
Facing the Giants chronicles the football team from a small high school in Georgia plagued by six consecutive losing seasons. This created open hostility from many parents seeking scholarships for their sons. They plotted to get rid of Coach Taylor.
Facing problems at home as well, the coach turns to God in desperation. Taylor spends all night reading scripture and praying to God. His new game plan asks players to glorify God on the field and off, to do their best and praise God for the outcome win or lose. The entire high school experiences revival, and soon the whole town is talking about trusting God for the impossible! Coach Taylor and his Shiloh Christian Eagles soon discover how faith in God and fervent and continuous prayer affects their football games and their lives!
What makes something appear to be a giant is thinking that we can’t overcome the situation; the situation seems impossible or at least it feels that way.
In Matthew 19:26 Jesus reminds us, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.
PRAY
When we focus on God instead of our giants, we will be blessed.
GIANTS IN OUR LIVES
GIANTS that threaten to destroy us- 1 Samuel 17
GIANTS that come beside us and encourage us- 1Samuel 18:1-4
GIANTS that oppose us at every turn- Chapter 18:5
This week young David, playing his harp and faithfully tending his father’s sheep, will soon encounter a giant. All the king’s men were cowering in fear. Along come Jesse’s youngest son, probably about seventeen, dutifully bringing roasted grain and bread for his brothers. Verse 18 Take along these ten cheeses to the commander of their unit. See how your brothers are and bring back some assurance from them. 19 They are with Saul and all the men of Israel in the Valley of Elah, fighting against the Philistines.”
GIANTS that threaten to destroy us- 1 Samuel 17
In Numbers 13-14 most of Israel denied the power of God to possess the land of milk and honey because it was filled with giants. Ladies, if we don’t deal with our giants today we will have to face them later.
4 A champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out of the Philistine camp. His height was six cubits and a span, about 9 feet 9 inches5 (Notice the picture how the scales of the armor overlap like the scales of a fish.) He had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of scale armor of bronze weighing five thousand shekels 125 lbs.; 6 on his legs he wore bronze greaves, and a bronze javelin was slung on his back. 7 His spear shaft was like a weaver’s rod, and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels, 15 lbs. His shield bearer went ahead of him.
Now that is a big man, ladies, and haughty braggart.
10 …, “This day I defy the armies of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other.” …Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified.
16 For forty days the Philistine came forward every morning and evening and took his stand.
NASV 22 Then David left his baggage in the care of the baggage keeper, and ran to the battle line and entered in order to greet his brothers.
Don’t you love it! David left his baggage and ran to face the giant!
(When Saul was called to be King, remember, he was hiding among the baggage.)
David boldly says to Saul in v.32 “your servant will go and fight him.”
Your servant! Oh that we would all approach God like that.
36 Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. 37 The LORD who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.”
David was just running an errand for his father, not seeking notice of anyone, not trying to gain favor with Saul as his brother claimed. He was not looking for trouble, but trouble reared its ugly head and David would not run away. In fact v49 said, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. 49 Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. End of the Giant!
One commentary said David made two remarks in chapter 18 about Goliath, but referred to the LORD eight times. David’s focus was on God not the giant. (Scripture tells us he had five stones. The other four may have been for Goliath’s four sons.)
When we focus on God, instead of our giants we will be blessed.
Ladies what Giant is threatening you today. What’s your Goliath?
Bud Martenn
· A Giant is anything that STANDS between you and God’s plan for you
· A Giant is that which is STRONGER than us and cannot be faced alone
The trouble with Giants is they steal the peace of God’s people and cause us to forget the promises of God.Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified.
Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Sisters, the battle is the LORD’s. Surrender your pride and let the LORD fight the giant.
Whatever threatens your life, your health, your family, your ministry; go to God in prayer. Saul’s armor did not fit David, but rather encumbered him. Don’t try to be something you’re not.
When we focus on God, instead of our giants we will survive.
Samuel 18:1-4 Giants that come along beside us and offer us encouragement
The battle with the giant Goliath fills Chapter 17 and Saul will plot ways to get rid of David in most of chapter 18 but sandwiched in between these conflicts are 4 precious verses about Jonathan and David. Though secular authors may try to misconstrue their love for each other, but the bible tells us in Chapter 18:1-4
1 Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. 2 From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return home to his family. 3 And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. 4 Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt.
David would need a giant friend in his life to survive Saul’s attacks; someone to watch his back; feed him information to provide safety from his enemies.
I know men that hunt and fish and watch football together. They sometimes spend more time with their friends than their wives.
Proverbs 18:24 But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Ladies do you have someone who is giant friend to you. Having been to conferences, retreats, and trips with different friends, you really find out a lot about your friends when you travel with them. There are many sisters in Christ and prayer partners that come along side and supported you when needed. But most of us only have one “Jonathan.” Someone you can share all your mean and ugly thoughts, and she won’t betray you; someone that knows all your faults and will love you anyway. Someone you can depend on to be there in the middle of the night or by your side at the hospital bed. How do I know she is my Jonathan, because she puts my needs above her own?
Salt Covenant- During ancient times, agreements and promises were sealed by a salt covenant. Each person would take a pinch of salt from their pouch and place it in the pouch of the other. This agreement could not be broken unless an individual could retrieve their own grains of salt. But this, of course, is impossible. That is how I feel about my best friend.
If you do have a friend like that: Thank the LORD for her friendship and let her know how blessed you are to have her in your life.
If you don’t: Pray to your Father and ask Him to send an encourager into your life.
God blesses us with gentle giants that encourage us and help us survive lifes’ trials.
Let’s talk about spirits for a minute. Notice in verse 1 Jonathan immediately became one in the spirit with David. But down in verse 10 an evil spirit from God came upon Saul. In the Old Testament , spirit came and went as God commanded. But Sisters we do not have to worry about that. We can grieve the Holy Spirit and we can quench the Holy Spirit. But once we invite Jesus into our hearts, the Holy Spirit comes to stay. We are sons of God and he is our Abba, Father.
Romans 8:14-15…those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”
GIANTS that oppose us at every turn- Chapter 18:5
5 Whatever mission Saul sent him on, David was so successful that Saul gave him a high rank in the army. This pleased all the troops, and Saul’s officers as well.
David seemed to be well loved by everyone.
However soon v.8 Saul became very angry and the song the women were singing displeased him greatly. “They have credited David with tens of thousands,” he thought, “but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom?” 9 And from that time on Saul kept a close eye on David.
10 The next day an evil spirit from God came forcefully on Saul. He was (prophesying) ESV and NASV says raving in his house, while David was playing the lyre, as he usually did. Saul had a spear in his hand 11 and he hurled it, saying to himself, “I’ll pin David to the wall.” But David eluded him twice.
Saul even try tried use his daughters to confound David. From that time on David had to hide from Saul.
GIANTS that oppose us at every turn- Chapter 18:5
Each one of us face giants during our lives. Even though we all face giants, they come in different shapes and sizes. Sometimes these giants can be petty issues at work or constant drama with family members, unwarranted criticism from peers, or unresolved bitterness from a friend that refuses to forgive.
But that kind of Giant can be person or activity that affords us an opportunity to grow in the Spirit and mature in our walk. I hope I learn that lesson soon!
Isaiah 43:2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.
When we focus on God, instead of our giants we will not only survive but be blessed for our faithfulness. Choose Jesus for your Savior and live free!
Ladies will you choose to wait on God to handle your giants?
FOR TECHIES ONLY
My computer-died on Monday. It took all day for techs to transfer files from the hard drive. Tuesday installed Security, iTunes, Office Suite, Docs to Go to communicate with the iPad for PPT. Wed. night saved the show, but couldn’t find it. After church I prayed, LORD, if it is my pride, don’t let me find it. Maybe God was instructing me to add some info about the Holy Spirit in the pastors’ weekly study. Long story short-found the file hidden deep in the unsearchable pit in this folder. users\sanger\AppsData\local\temp. Ladies, that had to be the devil. PRAY
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