Have you ever noticed how life has a way of squeezing you when you least expect it? You’re minding your own business, and suddenly—bam—you bump your car or get hit with a stressful situation. What comes out of you in that moment says a lot about what’s been going in.
I’ve been in those moments where the first thing out of my mouth wasn’t exactly scripture. But here’s the truth: our first reaction should be the Word of God. Not fear. Not panic. Not defeat. But the promises of God.
That’s what today’s message is all about—making the Word of God such a natural part of who we are that when life squeezes us, it’s the Word that flows out.
Let’s start with a familiar reminder:
“Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” - 1 Peter 5:8 (NLT)
You become easy prey when you don’t know the Word—when you don’t understand your covenant rights or fail to speak the truth Jesus spoke. So what do we do? We fill our hearts with the Word so that when pressure comes, Scripture flows out.
“So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” - James 4:7 (NLT)
You resist by speaking truth. When the enemy says you’re worthless, or that God can’t use you, or you’ve messed up too many times—you answer back with Scripture. That’s how we fight.
One of the foundational scriptures is:
“Then Jesus said to the disciples, ‘Have faith in God. I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, “May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,” and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart.’” - Mark 11:22–23 (NLT)
Jesus is saying, “Speak my word, and I guarantee it.” And it’s not about repeating what Tim says—it’s about aligning your words with what Jesus says.
When Scripture is stored in your heart, it oozes out even when you’re not being squeezed. You can be in Walmart and bless someone without even trying. That’s what it looks like when the Word is alive in you.
Believing isn’t just mental agreement.
“You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror.” - James 2:19 (NLT)
So yes, belief is essential—but we’ve also got to act on it.
“For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world... Put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.” - Ephesians 6:12–15 (NLT)
That preparation is what we’re doing right now—filling up so we’re ready for battle.
When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, His only response was Scripture.
“Jesus said, ‘It is written...’” - Matthew 4 (NLT):
He never said anything else. Just what the Father had said. That’s how we win. Revelation 1:16 shows us a powerful image of Jesus with a sword coming out of His mouth. That sword? The Word of God.
We speak it boldly. We speak it with authority. And it cuts through the lies of the enemy.
Men especially—we tend to endure things in silence. But that’s not the way of Jesus. He spoke to storms. He spoke to sickness. And He told us to do the same.
I remember hearing a story about a well-known evangelist who was just getting started in ministry. He used to drive around Texas and Oklahoma in an old, beat-up car. By all appearances, it had seen better days. But he didn’t complain about it. Instead, every time he got in that car, he spoke life over it.
He’d say things like, “This is a good car. You’re such a good car. You’re reliable. You’re fantastic.” And you know what? That old car never broke down on him.
One day, he arrived at a church where a mechanic happened to be in the congregation. The mechanic offered to check the car out, change the oil, and get it ready for the next trip.
After looking it over, the mechanic came back and asked, “Did you really drive this car here?”
The evangelist nodded, a little confused.
The mechanic told him, “This car doesn’t even have ignition points. You can’t run a car without those.”
He explained that the car shouldn’t have been running at all. Mechanically, it was impossible. But somehow, it had gotten him there without a single problem.
Turns out, the words this evangelist had been speaking over that car—backed by faith—had kept it running when it shouldn’t have been able to. The Holy Spirit honored his words, because he chose to speak life instead of cursing it with negativity.
You can speak to storms. Darla doesn’t like snow, so she speaks to it. One year, it kept skipping over us and dumping on Kansas and Arkansas. Coincidence? Maybe. But maybe not.
Dan from men’s group shared something powerful. He started doing daily declarations while driving to work—speaking out expectations for his day and commanding his flesh to line up with God’s Word.
He says things like: “I’m a righteous man. I choose purity for my eyes and mind. I choose to speak life and life only.”
He also declares what he won’t be: “I choose not to be angry, bitter, prideful, or fearful.” And then he commands his flesh to obey.
This kind of discipline makes a difference. On the days he skips it, he notices. He slips. The wrong things come out when squeezed. But when he declares truth, he’s full of life.
You can speak to your finances. If you’re tithing and sowing, you have promises in the Word to stand on. When your checkbook says you’re broke, say, “No—I’m wealthy in Christ.”
Speak to your body. “I’m healed from the top of my head to the soles of my feet. Thank you, Jesus, that my body is whole.”
This isn’t wishful thinking—it’s the Word in action.
Faith without works is dead.
“So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless... I will show you my faith by my good deeds.” - James 2:17–18 (NLT)
Darla and I are believing for a new roof, floors, paint, and HVAC. We’ve made a covenant with God, wrote it out, added scriptures, took communion, and thanked Him for it like it’s already done. We even went out and picked the colors.
We’re walking it out—not in our own strength, but by trusting God completely.
To close, Darla shared a story about a Navy zeppelin. A wind gust pulled it up, and men holding the ropes began falling—except one. He stayed in the air for over an hour until they brought it down. When they asked how, he said, “I just tied myself to the rope and let it carry me.”
That’s what we’re doing—tying ourselves to Jesus and letting Him carry us through the storm.
