General

I would like to share with you today what I learned during today's sermon, since today is a Sunday. Today's sermon revolves around battles. Our pastor talked about the story of Joshua. God was training him about battles. What battles are you facing today? I am sure you have your own battles in life, like a battle for relationship, for health, for financial problems or what have you. Today, God wants you to remember that, first, the battle is the Lord's. I am still a teenager, and my family had always been living in a middle-class life that most of my problems come from my school (I do not have work yet nor family to provide for). Given this, I do not think I am the right person to talk about financial problems or such bigger problems that you are probably facing today. But no matter how big or small your problem is, please do remember that God is there with you, battling "with" you. Do not lose hope. Do not give up. God is always there for you. He will defeat the enemy.

In the Bible, the Israelites, together with Joshua, fought against Amalekites, who were probably more experienced than Israelites when it comes to war. Israelites were slaves for 400 years, and what they do for living is to shepherd. They probably have not yet experienced holding a sword nor fight. In the end, the Israelites have won the war because God was with them. Moses then built a Church and put "God is my banner". This was as if to say that, do not mess with us because God is here with us, the King is here.
In the Olympics, for example, flags are being held so that others will know that they are from a certain country. That if you are lost, just look for your country's flag and you will stay behind it. The same must be true for us. We must identify ourselves as God's. Let us stand behind him in our battle as He leads us towards victory.

Think of all the battles you have won and think of how powerful, how helpful and how great our God is. He is there for you. Ask for help. Pray.