Encourage Yourself: The Importance of Self Inspiration

Speak It – Part 9

Review: The Pattern of Speaking

We Must Speak What We Believe - 2 Corinthians 4:13 (AMP)

Yet we have the same spirit of faith as he had, who wrote in Scripture, "I believed, therefore I spoke." We also believe, therefore we also speak.

The World Was Created By A Spoken Word - Hebrews 11:3 (AMP)

By faith [that is, with an inherent trust and enduring confidence in the power, wisdom and goodness of God] we understand that the worlds (universe, ages) were framed and created [formed, put in order, and equipped for their intended purpose] by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible.

We Are Created In God's Image and Likeness - Genesis 1:26-30 (AMP)

Then God said, "Let Us (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) make man in Our image, according to Our likeness [not physical, but a spiritual personality and moral likeness]; and let them have complete authority over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, the cattle, and over the entire earth, and over everything that creeps and crawls on the earth."

Jesus Said We Can Do Greater - John 14:12 (AMP)

I assure you and most solemnly say to you, anyone who believes in Me [as Savior] will also do the things that I do; and he will do even greater things than these [in extent and outreach], because I am going to the Father.

Jesus Said to Speak to the Mountain - Matthew 21:21 (AMP)

Jesus replied to them, "I assure you and most solemnly say to you, if you have faith [personal trust and confidence in Me] and do not doubt or allow yourself to be drawn in two directions, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, 'Be taken up and thrown into the sea,' it will happen [if God wills it]."

Elijah Spoke to Clouds - 1 Kings 17:1 (AMP)

Now Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the settlers of Gilead, said to Ahab, "As the Lord, the God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word."

Ezekiel Spoke to the Dry Bones and Wind - Ezekiel 37:4, 9 (AMP)

Again He said to me, "Prophesy to these bones and say to them, 'O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord.'" Then He said to me, "Prophesy to the breath, son of man, and say to the breath, 'Thus says the Lord God, "Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live."'"

Job 22:28 (AMP)

"You will also decide and decree a thing, and it will be established for you; And the light [of God's favor] will shine upon your ways."

Proverbs 18:21 (AMP)

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it and indulge it will eat its fruit and bear the consequences of their words.

Sometimes You Might Be the Only Encourager You Have

Today I'm sharing a message about David, who had many victories in his life, but he did have some down days. Today we're going to discuss how you handle going through the valley.

We all have three seasons in life: Season 1 - going into a storm, Season 2 - in a storm, and Season 3 - coming out of a storm. Storms are normal; you just have to learn how to go through them.

Main Text: 1 Samuel 30:1-8 - David's Victory

1 Samuel 30:1-8 (AMP)

Now it happened when David and his men came [home] to Ziklag on the third day, [they found] that the Amalekites had made a raid on the Negev (the South country) and on Ziklag, and had overthrown Ziklag and burned it with fire; and they had taken captive the women [and all] who were there, both small and great. They killed no one, but carried them off [to be used as slaves] and went on their way. When David and his men came to the town, it was burned, and their wives and their sons and their daughters had been taken captive. Then David and the people who were with him raised their voices and wept until they were too exhausted to weep [any longer]. Now David's two wives had been captured, Ahinoam the Jezreelites and Abigail the widow of Nabal the Carmelite. Further, David was greatly distressed because the people spoke of stoning him, for all of them were embittered, each man for his sons and daughters. But David felt strengthened and encouraged in the Lord his God. David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech's son, "Please bring me the ephod." So Abiathar brought him the ephod. David inquired of the Lord, saying, "Shall I pursue this band [of raiders]? Will I overtake them?" And He answered him, "Pursue, for you will certainly overtake them, and you will certainly rescue [the captives]."

Remember Past Victories

1 Samuel 17:34-36 (AMP)

But David said to Saul, "Your servant was tending his father's sheep. When a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock, I went out after it and attacked it and rescued the lamb from its mouth; and when it rose up against me, I seized it by its whiskers and struck and killed it. Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, since he has taunted and defied the armies of the living God."

Remember Whose Hands You're In

You're under divine protection—angels are all around you, God has preserved you and your family.

John 10:28-29 (AMP)

And I give them eternal life, and they will never, ever [by any means] perish; and no one will ever snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater and mightier than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand.

Isaiah 54:17 (AMP)

"No weapon that is formed against you will succeed; And every tongue that rises against you in judgment you will condemn. This [peace, righteousness, security, and triumph over opposition] is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, And this is their vindication from Me," says the Lord.

Romans 8:28 (AMP)

And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose.

Recite the Word Over Your Life

Why Is The Bible Critical When You Are Discouraged?

It was written for our encouragement.

Romans 15:4 (NLT)

Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God's promises to be fulfilled.

Action Steps for Encouragement

Lift Your Hands in Prayer

Psalm 141:1-2 (MSG)

God, come close. Come quickly! Open your ears—it's my voice you're hearing! Treat my prayer as sweet incense rising; my raised hands are my evening prayers.

Exodus 17:11 (AMP)

Now when Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, and when he lowered his hand [due to fatigue], Amalek prevailed.

Keep Your Head Up

Psalm 121:1-2 (AMP)

I will lift up my eyes to the hills [of Jerusalem]—From where shall my help come? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.

Set Your Mind

Isaiah 26:3 (AMP)

"You will keep in perfect and constant peace the one whose mind is steadfast [that is, committed and focused on You—in both inclination and character], Because he trusts and takes refuge in You [with hope and confident expectation]."

Colossians 3:2 (AMP)

Set your mind and keep focused habitually on the things above [the heavenly things], not on things that are on the earth [which have only temporal value].

Guard Your Heart

Proverbs 4:23 (NLT)

Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.

Psalm 42:5 (NLT)

Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again—my Savior and my God!

John 14:27 (AMP)

Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. [Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.]

Don't allow a heart attack.

Keep Your Soul Whole

Psalm 116:7-8 (MSG)

I said to myself, "Relax and rest. God has showered you with blessings. Soul, you've been rescued from death; Eye, you've been rescued from tears; And you, Foot, were kept from stumbling."

Praise Your Way Through

Psalm 34:1-4 (NLT)

I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak his praises. I will boast only in the Lord; let all who are helpless take heart. Come, let us tell of the Lord's greatness; let us exalt his name together. I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears.

Discussion Questions

1. Encouraging yourself: David encouraged himself in the Lord when everyone else wanted to stone him. When was the last time you had to be your own encourager? What did you say to yourself, and how did you draw strength from God when no one else was there to lift you up?
2. Remembering past victories: David recalled defeating the lion and the bear when facing Goliath. What past victories has God given you that you need to remember right now? How can reflecting on those testimonies strengthen your faith for your current battle?
3. The three seasons: The message talks about three seasons—going into a storm, in a storm, and coming out of a storm. Which season are you in right now? How does knowing that storms are normal and temporary change your perspective on what you're facing?
4. Your action plan: Of the action steps listed (lift your hands, keep your head up, set your mind, guard your heart, keep your soul whole, praise your way through), which one do you most need to implement this week? What practical steps will you take to do this daily?
5. Speaking encouragement: When you're discouraged, what specific scriptures or declarations do you need to speak over yourself? How can you make reciting God's Word a regular practice, especially during difficult seasons, so it becomes your automatic response when discouragement hits?