When was the last time you shouted? I'm not talking about shouting at the person who cut you off in traffic. I'm talking about shouting out of happiness, victory or love. When was the last time you shouted because you were so excited, so blessed, that you couldn't contain the overflow of joy?

Call me crazy, but I think we have been way too loud about all of the wrong things and way too quiet about the only thing that really matters: God's everlasting love. Some people shout when their favorite sports team wins a game, shout when they win the lottery or even shout when they find a great sale at a store. Now, I'm not saying those aren't reasons to shout. Those expressions of excitement are all well and good. But how many Christians do you know who shout about what God has done in their life?

God has given us a lot of victories, but we all know that it's easier to talk about other things. As we come closer to the election, I hear more and more Christians talk relentlessly about politics, and yet I very seldom hear them talk about God. And when they do, their enthusiasm level drastically changes from the way they light up when discussing all that is wrong in the world. Even as ministers of the Word and love of God, it is easy to find ourselves in the trap of elevating our problems higher that the power of God with our words. But as we learn to communicate out loud and loudly all that God has done, is doing and will do in our lives, we won't be the only ones who see God move; everyone around us will see it too and give glory to God.

The story of David and Goliath is a great illustration of what it means to shout the glory of God. In chapter 17 of 1 Samuel, we see the Philistines and Israelites preparing for war. Every day for 40 days, the Philistines sent out their best warrior, a literal giant named Goliath, to their front lines to shout and bring fear into the hearts of the Israelites. He came dressed in all of his armor and shouted, among other things, "Today I defy the ranks of Israel—give me a man, so we may fight together!" (Gen. 10:17). Can you imagine how terrifying that had to have been, to stand in front of a menacing giant shouting threats for over a month? I don't know about you, but I would not have wanted to be that man who had to face a giant with an attitude to back up his muscle.

For 40 days the Israelites kept silent in their fear until a boy named David came at his father's request to bring his brother's lunch. As little David heard Goliath's shouts and threats, he did something that not even the tallest man in the Israel camp, King Saul, would dream of: He shouted back. He said:

Then David said to the Philistine, "You are coming to me with a sword, a spear and a javelin, but I am coming to you in the Name of Adonai-Tzva'ot, God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This very day Adonai will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and take your head off you, and I will give the carcasses of the Philistines' camp today to the birds of the sky and the wild beasts of the earth. Then all the earth will know that there is a God in Israel, and so all this assembly will know that Adonai delivers not with sword and spear—for the battle belongs to Adonai—and He will give you into our hands" (1 Sam. 17:45-47).

Now in my opinion, that is how you shout! We aren't supposed to shout about our own abilities, fears, worries or opinions. We are supposed to shout about the promises, abilities, love and power of our almighty God! David shouted all of these things—and he put the enemy in his place.

Our enemy, the father of lies and the one who seeks to kill, steal and destroy, wants us to be quiet. But because of what Jesus Christ did for us on the cross, and by the power of God, we have the authority to put Satan in his place with the power of our words.

There will be times when Satan will tell you, "You aren't doing enough. You aren't good enough. Are you really saved? Remember the time that you messed up? Why would God love you? You aren't going far in life. You won't be healed. You will always stay in debt. Your church will never be full. That building project will never get completed..." When he does this, that is the time to shout out loud in response to those thoughts or feelings, "I am the child of the one true God. I am loved, set free, redeemed and forgiven, and I know my authority in Christ. Satan, you have been defeated and have no place in my life, in my church or in the lives of those around me!"

Better yet, make it a practice of shouting with that voice of triumph today, before the enemy's taunts can cause you to fear. When God blesses you and shows up in your life, instead of staying quiet, shout about what God has done. Let others celebrate and cheer with you as God meets each of your needs. Don't be afraid to let others know that God is alive and moving in your life and that He will move in their lives too.

If you have any testimonies you would love to shout about and share, e-mail me at [email protected].

Have an awesome week.

You are beautiful. I see Jesus in you!

Mikel French has challenged spiritual awakening all across America, where many celebrations extended into multiple weeks, and has conducted celebrations in France, Sweden, Russia, Romania, Poland, Ukraine, Moldova, Serbia, Germany, South Africa, Malawi, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Haiti, Japan, Singapore, India and Thailand. He conducted an outreach celebration in Manila, Philippines, reaching 200,000 teenagers with the Book of Hope. Through the generous support of partners, he has presented the message of Jesus Christ to millions of people in the nation of Russia through televised citywide soul-winning celebrations. Mikel considers it an honor to assist in conducting the annual pastor's conference, where thousands of pastors from Russia's 11 time zones come for training, teaching and equipping. Mikel and his wife, Marsha, reside in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

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