Strategy For Victory

 

Strategy For Victory

By: Hanny Lynn Stearns

Fish N Loaves Ministries, Inc.

“Multiplying God’s Word Around The Globe”

Check Me Out On You Tube for July 13, 2026

Fishnloaves.org

Chapter Reading for Today: Please read in your Bible before proceeding. Note that most translations are considered paraphrases. The Young’s Literal Translation provides a more accurate translation since he is the one who authored a concordance. Others are helpful for seeing a different perspective, but we cannot always depend on their wording. I hope this is helpful to you. If you are studying in another version, that is fine. I am studying from the KJV, but for the purpose of this study, I will keep it with the New King James Version.

One final note: I will put the scripture in italics to differentiate from my own writing. I am adding red to the letters when it is Jesus talking – just like the Bible. Thank you.

Matthew 24:35

Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.

Psalm 100:4

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,

and into His courts with praise.

Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.

Song: More Than Conquerors   By: Mary Alessi 

Psalm 6

From Weary to Victorious

Another Psalm of David and he is calling out to the Lord for help. It looks like the battle that has been waged against him has worn him out, both in body and soul. So he turned to the Lord after much weeping to find the help he needed. Let’s pray…

Heavenly Father;

Thank You for listening to Your children when they cry out in distress. Lord, You are so merciful and kind to us. Thank You for coming to our aid when we call on You in faith. Father, I ask You to think through my mind, speak through my heart and hands. Bring forth You precious word unhindered and unchecked by any outside force or my flesh. Father, cause the readers of this message to grasp the full measure of what You want each one to glean from it. Let not any of it fall to the ground or be wasted. Thank You for always watching over Your word to perform it. We will purpose to be doers of Your word and not forgetful hearers in Jesus name. Amen.  

If we take a quick run down the list in this Psalm, we see some real concerns from David’s heart, don’t we? He is feeling weak and asking for healing. He is troubled in his mind, body and soul, and he is asking for deliverance. He is wondering how long it will take to be over. It kind of sounds like Job, doesn’t it saints? David sounds like he is at his wits end with the battles that have been waged against him, doesn’t it? He was weary, and he spent his nights crying on his bed. He knows if he died, he could not thank God among the living.

Have you ever become so weary from the battles of this life that you cried out from the depth of your soul for healing and deliverance? Has the enemy been hounding you for so long that you just don’t think you could take another minute? If so, you are not alone my friends. Many a Christian, if not all, have been through these trials. This life will have its trouble. Jesus said it Himself. Let’s examine the full chapter in John 16…

John 16

 “These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble. ² They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service. ³ And these things they will do to you because they have not known the Father nor Me. ⁴ But these things I have told you, that when the time comes, you may remember that I told you of them.

And these things I did not say to you at the beginning, because I was with you.

The Work of the Holy Spirit

⁵ “But now I go away to Him who sent Me, and none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’ ⁶ But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. ⁷ Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. ⁸ And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: ⁹ of sin, because they do not believe in Me; ¹⁰ of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; ¹¹ of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.

¹² “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. ¹³ However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. ¹⁴ He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. ¹⁵ All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.

Sorrow Will Turn to Joy

¹⁶ “A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me, because I go to the Father.”

¹⁷ Then some of His disciples said among themselves, “What is this that He says to us, ‘A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me’; and, ‘because I go to the Father’?” ¹⁸ They said therefore, “What is this that He says, ‘A little while’? We do not know what He is saying.”

¹⁹ Now Jesus knew that they desired to ask Him, and He said to them, “Are you inquiring among yourselves about what I said, ‘A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me’? ²⁰ Most assuredly, I say to you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; and you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy. ²¹ A woman, when she is in labor, has sorrow because her hour has come; but as soon as she has given birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. ²² Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you.

²³ “And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. ²⁴ Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.

Jesus Christ Has Overcome the World

²⁵ “These things I have spoken to you in figurative language; but the time is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figurative language, but I will tell you plainly about the Father. ²⁶ In that day you will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I shall pray the Father for you; ²⁷ for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me, and have believed that I came forth from God. ²⁸ I came forth from the Father and have come into the world. Again, I leave the world and go to the Father.”

²⁹ His disciples said to Him, “See, now You are speaking plainly, and using no figure of speech! ³⁰ Now we are sure that You know all things, and have no need that anyone should question You. By this we believe that You came forth from God.”

³¹ Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? ³² Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. ³³ These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

My friends, this is a wonderful promise from our Savior. He is so kind and merciful. He didn’t come down to earth to teach the disciples and then take off and leave them helpless. He knew they were going to face many battles in this life on earth. He knew that better than anybody. Why? Because He Himself had to fight the fiercest of battles – the same kind we all face today, and He never gave in to any of the devil’s schemes along the way. Do you suppose Jesus knew what hard times were? Of course He did! He was just a human; He was not acting as God at that time. He was anointed with the Holy Spirit and walked around doing good as the Father would lead Him and instruct Him. It is no different for us today saints.

Jesus was taking His time to tell His followers that they would face trouble, and that the battles would become intense. Who wants to hear that, right? But our faithful Master was preparing them, and us, to get ready to fight – the God way. He wanted them to know exactly what was going to happen so they wouldn’t be taken by surprise, amen? The enemy thinks he can take us by surprise, but notice what Jesus said in verse 13 of Jon 16. Jesus would give us help to guide us into the truth – ahead of time, and show us the truth we would need to see. How many know that God is always way out in front of the devil! Hallelujah!

Jesus, as our Bridegroom was going back to heaven. His work on earth was just about finished. As our Bridegroom, He would go prepare our new homes for us, just like any good Jewish man would do for His betrothed. In Jewish custom, when a couple became engaged, the Bridegroom would present a gift to his fiancé, and then He would leave to go and build the family home. Then, about a year later, he would come back for His bride to take her to the wedding feast – and their new home (aka Mansion!) once everything was all set.

It was the same thing here with Jesus. He was following Jewish custom. He had come to get betrothed to us, His new bride to be. Next, He was going to go back to heaven after everything here was done. Lastly, He was going to send us a very special gift as a seal of the promise that He would come back…

Ephesians 1:13-14

In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, ¹⁴ who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory

Once we would receive Jesus as our Savior (and future Bridegroom), we would be given this precious gift of His Holy Spirit to live in us and help us while we remain here on the earth to do the work of the church until our Bridegroom comes back to pick us up. Hallelujah! When Jesus told the first disciples about this gift, He let them know that the Holy Spirit would reveal things to come to them and guide them in spirit and in truth.

They, and we, would not be left helpless. Oh He is so good saints, amen! There was much Jesus had to tell us, but in our frail humanity, He knew that we couldn’t take it all at one time. How many know He only reveals what we are ready to handle at any given time.

Have you ever heard the term, “When the student is ready, the teacher appears?” There is great truth in that. Let me give you an example from my own life. I told you all before in my testimony that I did not grow up in church. I had visited a church at Christmas and Easter a couple of times with my mom and dad. I also went to a Catholic church with a girlfriend of mine at the age of 11 or so. It wasn’t until I met my husband in my mid-twenties that I started attending a church semi regularly. It was a few years after that before I became a regular attending, committed and contributing member of that church. In the end I had been there for about 24 years over all.

While there, I started getting into Jesus as I watched my daughters go to school there and learn Bible verses. I learned a few things, but did not get into anything very rich or deep in the Bible. There were many things I did not understand. I didn’t know what I didn’t know. Later I discovered that I had learned a whole lot of ‘religion’ and very little about the real relationship and leading of Holy Spirit. Now if someone had tried to tell me about the things I know today, back then, I would have flipped! It would have been too much for me because I was not mature enough or in a place in my life where I was ready to receive it. Still, it was a starting point. How many understand that God is growing us up as a good Daddy. He doesn’t try to teach a three-year-old how to drive a car!!!!!!

It would take many years and a few churches, combined with a lot of real life experiences, to get me to the place I am today. And I am still a work in progress. When I am not being used to minister to others, I have to be fed and ministered to so that I am prepared with something to give others. Can you imagine Jesus telling me back then about the kinds of tribulations I would face in the days to come? I wouldn’t have wanted to carry on. It would have completely overwhelmed me. Life is going to have trouble. The devil – satan, and all his demon helpers are as real as God is real. Anyone who refuses to believe it is really living in a dream world. When Jesus spoke to the disciples that day in John chapter 16, He was earnestly trying to prepare them for things to come – things they were not ready to hear about.

I mean think about it. Stop and consider what you have dealt with in the past several months. Now add to that a bunch of information about the battles that are yet to come. How would that make you feel? A lot like David was feeling, right? We would be weary, troubled and just plain overwhelmed. We can only handle so much at once. When Jesus talked to them (and us), He was gentle with them. He didn’t try to overload them. He told of the things that were coming up in the immediate future so they would be prepared for those battles. Any good army sergeant would tell his troops about what was going to happen on the front lines as he laid out the enemy attack and the plan to defeat him, right? 

Jesus is the Master, and He knew exactly what to tell His precious flock about the impending events that were about to unfold. The heat would rise on all of them and they would scatter. Jesus knew that when He would leave earth to return to the Father, His disciples were going to be sad. So He gave them this blessed hope for the future. He was, in essence, telling them, “Hey guys, I know things are going to be really crazy around here. I know you will be sorry and wonder what really just happened. But I want you to know right now that even though things may look bleak for a brief moment, your sorrow will be quickly turned into joy. So hang in there guys. Believe and seriously remember what I am telling you. It will keep you going in the worst of moments. It will keep you up even when every bone in your body aches and your soul is crying out for relief. I have you covered – with My Spirit, that is.”

That was my Hanny paraphrase, but I think it helps us to see the tender mercy of our Savior – just like David noted in today’s Psalm. David was weary from the battles he had been facing. He was crying out to God for relief. He wondered how long his distress was to last. And isn’t it the same with us today saints? Many Christians are called to battle to fight the good fight of faith against a very real enemy. They are called to duty on the frontlines of this life until Jesus comes back. At times those battles can weary us and make us feel like we can’t take another step. But Jesus said this…

Matthew 11:28-30

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ 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. ³⁰ For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

The good news is this saints – God tells us how the whole thing ends, and we are the victorious ones – hallelujah! If we look back in the Bible to the book of Daniel, we see a vision that was given to Daniel about the future, let’s read…

Daniel 10

In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a message was revealed to Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar. The message was true, but the appointed time was long; and he understood the message, and had understanding of the vision. ² In those days I, Daniel, was mourning three full weeks. ³ I ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.

⁴ Now on the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, that is, the Tigris, ⁵ I lifted my eyes and looked, and behold, a certain man clothed in linen, whose waist was girded with gold of Uphaz! ⁶ His body was like beryl, his face like the appearance of lightning, his eyes like torches of fire, his arms and feet like burnished bronze in color, and the sound of his words like the voice of a multitude.

⁷ And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, for the men who were with me did not see the vision; but a great terror fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves. ⁸ Therefore I was left alone when I saw this great vision, and no strength remained in me; for my vigor was turned to frailty in me, and I retained no strength. ⁹ Yet I heard the sound of his words; and while I heard the sound of his words I was in a deep sleep on my face, with my face to the ground.

¹⁰ Suddenly, a hand touched me, which made me tremble on my knees and on the palms of my hands. ¹¹ And he said to me, “O Daniel, man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you.” While he was speaking this word to me, I stood trembling.

¹² Then he said to me, “Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words. ¹³ But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia. ¹⁴ Now I have come to make you understand what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision refers to many days yet to come.”

¹⁵ When he had spoken such words to me, I turned my face toward the ground and became speechless. ¹⁶ And suddenly, one having the likeness of the sons of men touched my lips; then I opened my mouth and spoke, saying to him who stood before me, “My lord, because of the vision my sorrows have overwhelmed me, and I have retained no strength. ¹⁷ For how can this servant of my lord talk with you, my lord? As for me, no strength remains in me now, nor is any breath left in me.”

¹⁸ Then again, the one having the likeness of a man touched me and strengthened me. ¹⁹ And he said, “O man greatly beloved, fear not! Peace be to you; be strong, yes, be strong!”

So when he spoke to me I was strengthened, and said, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.”

²⁰ Then he said, “Do you know why I have come to you? And now I must return to fight with the prince of Persia; and when I have gone forth, indeed the prince of Greece will come. ²¹ But I will tell you what is noted in the Scripture of Truth. (No one upholds me against these, except Michael your prince.

This angel of God was going to tell Daniel about the things that would happen to the people before the end of the age. You are certainly encouraged to read further in Daniel if you like. You see, the Lord does not leave us without help or without information. The entire book of revelation makes His plan in wrapping up all these tribulations quite plain, amen!! Jesus gave us what we needed to hear to be strong and bear up under the pressures of the tribulations we would face as the enemy would bear down on God’s people trying to bring death and destruction every way he can. But thanks be to God who gives us the victory…

1 Corinthians 15:57

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Today’s Psalm shows David crying out to the Lord to deliver him. Well there’s good news – Jesus is our Deliverer, and He takes delight in delivering His people from all their fears and destruction… 

2 Corinthians 1:3-11

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, ⁴ who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. ⁵ For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. ⁶ Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. ⁷ And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation.

⁸ For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life. ⁹ Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead, ¹⁰ who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us, ¹¹ you also helping together in prayer for us, that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the gift granted to us through many.

Paul was a great example of a man who trusted in God to deliver him from tribulation. And if anyone wants to talk about tribulation with Paul, he can certainly relate to the most intense suffering for the sake of Jesus. David had been an anointed king from God. As a result, he suffered many tribulations. But he always looked to God for his deliverance. Paul suffered countless tribulations for the sake of the gospel, but he too looked to his Maker to set him free each and every time. Daniel had been the same way. He was thrown into a lion’s den and he looked to the Lord to deliver him. How many of you have been thrown into a lion’s den lately?

We can take it a step further in Paul’s case and see that even when he had been thrown into prison for the sake of the gospel, he wasn’t in there whining and begging God to get him out. No, he was in their praising God. He was thankful for the opportunity to be used to suffer for the name of Jesus. But the amazing thing is that while he praised God in the midst of what we can assume to be tremendous suffering, God used him and Silas to cause a deliverance to happen on a grand scale. When the doors of the prison flew off, many were saved from their destructions, bondages were broken and yokes were destroyed. Instead of heading for hell, they were now delivered into the hands of the Savior – glory to God!

We have looked at four men today. Jesus, David, Daniel and Paul. All of them, beginning with the Master, were willing to suffer tribulation for the sake of the gospel. Every one of them experienced weariness and tears. Jesus having experienced the greatest suffering of all, always looked to His heavenly Father to lead and direct Him. He never complained about being weary. He lived to see people get set free. He knew what it meant to be “vexed” as the King James Version put it. He knew hunger and thirst like no one who ever lived. He knew all sorts of trials we don’t even know about. Jesus never magnified His problems or His suffering – He only lived to magnify the Father. Hallelujah!

David knew that God had heard his prayers. We can see David speaking out as though talking to the devil himself and telling him to “Get behind me satan,” like Jesus did in the desert. And that’s what we have to do today saints. We have been given authority over the enemy, and it is high time that God’s people started to understand this authority and use it. We are sitting in heavenly places in the spirit with Jesus right now. All that authority has been given to us so we can overcome our enemies every single time. But if we don’t believe it – if we leave the tools we have been given laying on the ground, we will be defeated every time. But that’s not us today saints, is it?

Like good soldiers in the Lord’s army, we are going to forge ahead and fight the good fight of faith. We have been given the whole armor of God so that we can take our stand against the enemy every day we live. And the wonderful thing is that the more we grasp this and the more we use it, the less weary we will become. Some things require prayer. Others require action. God will not do for us what He left for us to handle. Sometimes we pray - sometimes we say!!!!

Jesus Himself paid one of several visits to the late brother Kenneth E. Hagin. In one of the few visitations Kenneth had from the Head of the church, the Lord told Kenneth the following, “I have done everything I am going to do with the devil for now.” He was trying to impress on brother Hagin that the work of defeating the foe in his life and ministry was up to him. The devil is already a defeated foe. Now we as Christians have to take our stand and kick the devil out of our lives, our finances, our marriages and families, our business and ministries. He can’t stay when we fight him the right way.

Ephesians 6:10-18

 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. ¹¹ Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. ¹² For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. ¹³ Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

¹⁴ Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ¹⁵ and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; ¹⁶ above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. ¹⁷ And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;¹⁸ praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— 

Saints, we are not focusing on the “weary” today – we are focusing on the solutions – praise the Lord!!!!! When we magnify weary, we get wearier. But when we magnify the Lord, we get victory! We are made to be more than conquerors in this life filled with tribulations. Gods people are… 

Romans 8:31-39

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? ³² He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? ³³ Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. ³⁴ Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. ³⁵ Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? ³⁶ As it is written:

“For Your sake we are killed all day long;
We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”

³⁷ Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. ³⁸ For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, ³⁹ nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Saints, if we believe God, really, and take Him at His unfailing Word, then we will rise up and live joy filled victorious and prosperous lives. We will have more than enough in our hearts and our bank accounts to be blessed and become a major blessing to others. We don’t have to sit around and be weary because we are hard pressed on every side by an already defeated foe. We can rise up as strong men and women of God and take back what the devil has been stealing from us – hallelujah!

Questions:

What was David’s condition as described in today’s chapter?

What was Jesus’ main purpose in John 16 as He talked with His disciples?

What role does Holy Spirit play in our lives according to today’s study?

Why was it important for Jesus to tell His disciples what was going to happen?

List some of the tribulations that Jesus, David, Daniel and Paul faced.

Why is it important to be willing to suffer for the sake of the gospel?

Why is it so important to magnify God rather than the problem?

What did the Lord give us to successfully fight our battles?

What is the main focus for today’s study?

In what ways are you fighting the enemy so you can come out on top? In what ways can you improve your battle plan strategy?

Luke 9:22-27

saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.”

²³ Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. ²⁴ For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. ²⁵ For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost? ²⁶ For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels. ²⁷ But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the kingdom of God.”

There are three main points to consider from today’s study…

Jesus sent us Holy Spirit to lead us into all truth and tell us of the things to come

It is crucial for Christians to be willing to suffer for the sake of the gospel

The Lord has provided for us all the armor we will ever need to defeat the devil in our lives

                        Let’s pray…

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for letting me know what to expect in advance in this life. Lord, thank You for sending me Your Holy Spirit to lead and guide me every step of the way. Father Your word going out to people trapped in bondage's, wrapped in the terrible yokes of the enemy makes our job as Christians soldiers well worth fighting. Lord, thank You for giving me all the battle tools I will ever need to defeat the enemy in my life. Thank You for not ever leaving me to fight in this worlds alone. Father, I ask You to show me any ways that I may need to improve my battle plan so that I can be more effective and realize more of Your desired victory in my life in Jesus name. Amen.

What’s your battle plan looking like these days?

And God Said… You fill in the blanks.

  2 Corinthians 12:9

And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” 

Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

The Lord My Strength In Weakness

 

The Lord My Strength in Weakness

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth Does not become tired or grow weary; There is no searching of His understanding.   He gives strength to the weary, And to him who has no might He increases power.   Even youths grow weary and tired, And vigorous young men stumble badly,   But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] Will gain new strength and renew their power; They will lift up their wings [and rise up close to God] like eagles [rising toward the sun]; They will run and not become weary, They will walk and not grow tired. (Isaiah 40:28-31 AMP)  Check out the You Tube Video for July 6, 2026 Hanny Stearns  This is all about admitting our human weakness. When we humbly say, Heavenly Father, I'm needing some of Your super on my natural right now in these things that are challenging, me, He will come to our aid with His strength. He is a promise keeper!  Here is another encouraging verse that unites well with this verse....  ...but He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you [My lovingkindness and My mercy are more than enough—always available—regardless of the situation]; for [My] power is being perfected [and is completed and shows itself most effectively] in [your] weakness." Therefore, I will all the more gladly boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ [may completely enfold me and] may dwell in me. (2 Corinthians 12:9 AMP)  Here is some more from the word to speak over oneself in faith in challenges and in times of feeling powerless over a situation...  I love You oh Lord my strength!. (Psalm 18:1)  Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. (Eph.6:10) Let's face it saints. There are going to be challenges in this life that seem too strong for us to handle, and that's when our loving and strong Heavenly Father steps in to say, "Here  I am, I will strengthen you." So whatever you are dealing with right now, no matter where on this earth you live, our God is able to help you and me in our weaknesses. He understands it and He loves us and cares for us enough to reach in and make us strong. It's a supernatural thing and we will never fully grasp how He does what He does, but we stand in awe of Him every time.   As one who has known many struggles and weaknesses, I glory in that when I am weak, then I am strong in Him. He has promised to never leave us or forsake us, and that He will hear when we call. Remember how much He loves us and how He longs to help us succeed in every area of our lives. God is not against us - He is for us and loves to give us good gifts. Be encouraged and reach out to us if you would like us to pray for you. God bless you!   Let us know how we can pray for you this week.  This blog is reaching people all over the world! God is sending His Word out to the nations! Be blessed and filled dear friend and pass this message along to others.  STAY TUNED - Our latest book is due out soon, titled,  "Love & Healing Are Synonymous"  We love you so much!  Love and blessings! Denny & Hanny Stearns   Denny & Hanny Stearns Fish N Loaves Ministries, Inc. Multiplying God's Word around the globe! Email: Denny.Stearns@gmail.com Email: Hannylynn05@gmail.com   Website: www.Fishnloaves.org Blog:Fishnloavesministries.blogspot.com

I Buffet My Body * Victory In Jesus TIME TO GET BACK TO THE ANCIENT PATH!

 

By: Hanny Lynn Stearns

Fish N Loaves Ministries, Inc.

“Multiplying God’s Word Around the Globe”

Repeat Message Due In Season

Thanks Be to God Who Always Causes Us to Triumph

2 Corinthians 2:14 (KJV)

Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.

I opened to the following at church today –

2 Samuel 22:40-51

⁴⁰ For thou hast girded me with strength to battle: them that rose up against me hast thou subdued under me.

⁴¹ Thou hast also given me the necks of mine enemies, that I might destroy them that hate me.

⁴² They looked, but there was none to save; even unto the Lord, but he answered them not.

⁴³ Then did I beat them as small as the dust of the earth, I did stamp them as the mire of the street, and did spread them abroad.

⁴⁴ Thou also hast delivered me from the strivings of my people, thou hast kept me to be head of the heathen: a people which I knew not shall serve me.

⁴⁵ Strangers shall submit themselves unto me: as soon as they hear, they shall be obedient unto me.

⁴⁶ Strangers shall fade away, and they shall be afraid out of their close places.

⁴⁷ The Lord liveth; and blessed be my rock; and exalted be the God of the rock of my salvation.

⁴⁸ It is God that avengeth me, and that bringeth down the people under me.

⁴⁹ And that bringeth me forth from mine enemies: thou also hast lifted me up on high above them that rose up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man.

⁵⁰ Therefore I will give thanks unto thee, O Lord, among the heathen, and I will sing praises unto thy name.

⁵¹ He is the tower of salvation for his king: and sheweth mercy to his anointed, unto David, and to his seed for evermore.

Today I weighed myself and it was at an all time (since my teen years) low – 129.4! Glory to God!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I never could have reached this without His help. Thank You Lord! He restores my youth like the eagle. Blessed be the Lord my Rock!

At church we are on the series titled, “According to Your Faith.” It is excellent. We cannot hear it too much.

Sister (Pastor) Phyllis came out first as always and she talked about getting ready for a big day – like a prize fighter or a star athlete. They would not wait until the day of the big match or game to get ready. No, they have to train and get ready long before any big deal like that. And so it is with us. The only reason I am getting the victory I am seeing in my life which is greater than I have ever seen before is because I have been placing my faith on the word of God and am saying it out loud over my life every day. This is something that the Lord was trying to show me all the way back to my Joyce Meyer days. I read the word and sometimes I believed it – but I was not saying it. The words of my mouth are now coming to pass.

I have been seeing mighty signs and wonders right here in my home of late - more than ever. Why? Because obedience releases the blessings. I opened to this in my little scripture book…

Acts 26:16

But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;

Matthew 19:26

But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, “With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.”

The miracle of reaching this weight goal is far beyond my human capability. I tried in the flesh for years and all I was doing back then was fighting a losing battle. The devil had gotten into my soul realm with a spirit of gluttony. I never had this growing up. It came after getting into my former husband’s family. Then over time I picked up a spirit of addiction, and later, a spirit of infirmity. The only thing that could set me free is Jesus. He sent forth His word and healed me…

Psalm 107:20

He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.

I had to place my faith in His word. I had to focus on His word. I had to renew my mind with His word. It was my responsibility to respond to His word. The book I am now reading by Kenneth E. Hagin, titled, “The Triumphant Church” is excellent and should be mandatory reading for every believer. I have only read two chapters so far and already the Lord has opened my eyes to things I had not seen or understood before. To start to really understand who we are in Jesus Christ, and the power that we have been given in His name and with His word, is to come to a place of total victory in our lives.

Disobedience, living in sin, etc. will open wide the door for the enemy to invade the Christian soul and dominate their lives. This is what was happening to me. The devil cannot get into my regenerated spirit. That is the real me – the spirit. That is what got born again. But it is the soul, (mind, will and emotions) and the flesh (our body) that does not get regenerated at the new birth. This is what we must buffet and put under every day for the rest of our lives. Look at this…

1 Corinthians 9:27

But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

Jesus, Paul and the rest of us all have a responsibility as long as we are alive on this earth to crucify our flesh each and every day that we live. Jesus did it perfectly, and as a man, just like you and me! To let our flesh have its way is to tell the devil in essence, “Here I am satan! Come and have your way with me.” And to that, he will respond like “Johnny on the spot!” Many Christians are running from meeting to meeting and asking others to pray for them. But they go home and keep living a carnal (flesh led life) and what they get as a result is more trouble. We need to grow up and do our own praying. We need to do our own crucifixion of the flesh every day. Nobody can do it for us.

We have to stop dwelling on the past – another open door to the enemy, and we need to start focusing on God’s word day and night. We need to make it our goal to do what the word of God says, not just read it and go our way. Look at this…

Joshua 1:1-8

1 Now after the death of Moses the servant of the Lord it came to pass, that the Lord spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' minister, saying,

² Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel.

³ Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses.

⁴ From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast.

⁵ There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

⁶ Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them.

⁷ Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper withersoever thou goest.

⁸ This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

Friends, our promised land is here! The cross is behind us. We must always appreciate what Jesus’ journey to the cross meant, but that is not where He is at now! He is sitting down at the right hand (favor) of God right now, in heaven, on the throne of victory! He finished His work on earth and His blood has paid for our sins – once and for all time. 

Hanging around the cross is to dwell on a place of death. We are alive unto God; right here, right now. Living in a place of defeat is to forgo every blessing that we have been given by our Father in heaven through our Lord Jesus Christ. Living in our past is to crash going into our future.

We need to take His words seriously and meditate on them. If we want to fill our minds and spirits with television, newspapers or watching the news and other non-essential things that will not enable us to grow spiritually, then we are basically saying, “I am really not interested in putting forth any effort. Ya’ll just pray for me, will ya?” 

It is foolishness to think anything good will come from the efforts of the flesh. The Bible makes that clear. It is time for the church to rise up and be the triumphant church that we are saved to be and stop allowing the devil to fill our minds with lies and negative, defeated thinking.

The minute that trash enters our minds we have to slap it down and replace it with what the word of God says. We will get back what we put our effort into. If we sow to the flesh, we will reap from the flesh. If we sow to the spirit, we will reap from the spirit. This is a large devotional today, but after all the unnecessary struggle that I went through with an addiction to food that never should have happened in the first place, my heart cries out to the people of God to wake up and receive the blessings that God has for you! Friends, I have seen such an outpouring of miracles this year that I could shout from the highest mountain top! Glory to God.

He showed me that in the beginning of this year I began to say out loud that this was going to be the great year of wisdom, self-control and progress in my life and for me and my husband collectively. And because I have been saying it over and over, all of that statement is coming to pass in my life (and ours) – glory to God! Then I finally understood about picking out the verses that would help me with the issues in my life that I was dealing with. I made up a list and I say these declarations out loud every single day. I have found the treasure in the word of God for the first time in my life and I am almost 61 years old! Hey, better late than never.

Now what is my calling? It is to stand up on my feet and tell you about the things I have seen God do in my life. And there will be more revealed as we go along. He showed me these verses yesterday…

Matthew 13:11-23

¹¹ He answered and said unto them, “Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.

¹² For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.

¹³ Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.

¹⁴ And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, by hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:

¹⁵ For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

¹⁶ But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.

¹⁷ For verily I say unto you, that many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.

¹⁸ Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.

¹⁹ When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.

²⁰ But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;

²¹ Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.

²² He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.

²³ But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”

Friends, the bottom line to all of the above is a willing heart. Why? Because a willing heart makes a hearing ear. If we are not willing to listen, if we are not willing to “eat the word of God in our spirit man, the real us, if we are not willing to crucify the flesh and honor God with every part of our lives, then we will not hear what we need to hear, no matter how many church meetings we go to!

When we get a good word from the Lord, the devil is right there wanting to steal it away before it gets a chance to get down deep in our hearts. If we allow that, then we miss the blessing. We miss the lesson, and whatever the Lord wanted to do in us at that moment. Many go to church for social reasons and it makes them feel good – but they are not willing to do the work that is required in order to be a disciple of Jesus. It is hard work friends; the flesh hates it! But the spirit is willing. That’s why Jesus commanded us to watch and pray.

In the above passage, He assured us that to those of us who have, more will be given. What I have now is great – but I want more! I am willing to take more. I am making it my goal to be a doer of the word, how about you? Are you willing to work the word? Will you put faith in it and do what it says? If so, you can have the full hundred-fold fruit bearing blessing. 

The thirty, sixty, hundred-fold blessing means to the level that we understand the word, that is the level at which we will bear fruit. Some understand little and bear little fruit. Others understand a bit more and bear fruit of the sixty-fold measure. Still others have even greater understanding because they are really applying themselves and they are bearing maximum fruit. The choice is yours and mine friends. What do we really want?

I want to share with you what happened yesterday so that maybe it can help you. A couple of things really. It started in church. While I was sitting there I began to get very sleepy. Then thoughts started to come to my mind about lunch and what we were going to have at the restaurant. I rejected the distraction and silently asked the Lord for help. He told me to keep looking up at the screens rather than looking down too much at my Bible – this would keep my eyes alert. In my mind, I also rejected the distracting thoughts of the food.

I was not even hungry and I was busy getting fed the word of God. Oh but friends, our flesh and the devil will follow us to church, make no mistake. The doors of the building will not keep the imps assigned to us away. They are spirit beings and closed building doors will not keep them out of our mind – only the word of God will.

The Lord gave me the victory and my faith was strengthened by listening to the message about faith – in God, what He can do; and His word. Hallelujah! The next thing that has been on my heart is that Thanksgiving is coming up. Since I have reached a new goal on my weight, I am not at all interested in back sliding on Thanksgiving just because it is a day when most folks think is an excuse to binge on the food like a drunk in a saloon! Really there is no difference – overeating or over drinking. It is all the same in the Lord’s eyes. So, I began to be watchful and pray, ahead of time.

What I heard from the Lord is this in John…

John 2:5

His mother saith unto the servants, “Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.”

When I flipped my Bible open that lays beside my bed, and there are many Bibles in this house because we want to hear from God as much as possible, this is what I opened to. There was my answer. When that day comes, I will be praying that He shows me what to have and what to avoid. I always like to have turkey and dressing for that day. I enjoy a roll and some veggies with lots of gravy. But this year is different. I Have come to realize that this is how it is really supposed to be:

Gas for the car

Food (fuel – the right kind!) for the body

God’s word for the soul and spirit man

If I place the importance on pleasing my Master, and then on loving and enjoying the people I am with, my focus will not be on how much food can I stuff down into my stomach that can only hold so much anyway. Rather than trying to comfort myself with food (Idolatry!) I can feed on His word that morning and spend the day giving Him thanks for all He has done for me. At the end of the day, I do not have to spend the night with heartburn, gastro intestinal problems and a broken heart because I let the Lord down yet once again. I will be able to lie down and sleep in perfect peace with my mind stayed on Him. My stomach will feel good right along with my heart.

So why am I telling you all this now? Because we have to be aware of what is out in front of us. Like the prize fighter or the star quarterback going to the superbowl, or the Olympic champion, training does not begin the day of the event. How absurd! No, as God’s children we have to train our minds and our bodies well in advance of the battle. To do it any other way is asking for defeat. 

And friends, we have to pray for ourselves. We have to have our own faith in God. We have to do the work ourselves. No one can do it for us. It is up to us. Working the word is like lifting spiritual “heavy weights” It will build us up so strong in the Lord that we cannot fail. Will you get ready for the fight that is heading your way by working the word right now – day and night? It will work for you if you do! Glory to God!

2 Corinthians 2:14

Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.