Elevate Your Day with Andi and Brian Hale

Inquiring Of The Lord Before Acting

David’s Victory Plan by Joon Tavarez on YouVersion
2 Samuel 5:19 ESVAnd David inquired of the Lord, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you give them into my hand?” And the Lord said to David, “Go up, for I will certainly give the Philistines into your hand.”
Have you ever been so sure about something that you didn’t even think to pray first? Maybe it was a job you felt confident in, a decision that seemed obvious, or a situation where you thought, “I’ve handled this before.” But later, you realized you never asked God what He thought.
David was a skilled and experienced warrior. He had fought and won many battles, and now he was king. But even with all his wisdom and power, he still stopped and asked God, “Should I go?” He didn’t treat this battle like a routine task—he knew every situation needs God’s guidance.
Scholars have pointed out that David’s inquiry here shows how he deeply trusted in God rather than depending on man. He knew that past success wasn’t a guarantee of future victory. He recognized his need for fresh direction, not recycled confidence.
Matthew 26:41 ESVWatch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
This challenges me personally. There have been many times—especially in ministry, parenting, and decision-making—where I’ve leaned on what worked before. I’ve let pride convince me that I had it figured out. Sometimes I’ve been distracted by the pressure to act quickly, or frustrated because I didn’t want to wait. I’ve skipped the prayer and jumped straight to the plan. And usually, those are the moments when things don’t turn out like I hoped.
David reminds us that no matter how strong or experienced we are, we’re never too seasoned to seek God. Real wisdom is found in the humility to ask—even when we think we already know the answer.
Mark 11:24 ESVTherefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
Jesus tells us in Mark 11:24 to pray believing that God hears and responds. Matthew 26:41 reminds us to “watch and pray” so we won’t fall into temptation. Prayer isn’t just protection from defeat—it’s preparation for victory.
Reflection Questions:
Do I regularly ask God for direction, or only when I’m desperate?What would change if I invited God into my decisions—both big and small?
Respond to God’s Word:
Take time today before making any decision—big or small—to pause and ask: “Lord, what would You have me do?” Invite God into your process, and write down any sense of leading He gives.
Prayer:
Father, I don’t want to rely on my own understanding. Forgive me for the times I’ve acted out of pride, fear, or frustration. Help me to slow down, to listen, and to trust You enough to ask. Give me a heart like David’s—one that depends on You more than anything else. Amen.

David's Victory Plan

David’s Victory Plan by Joon Tavarez on YouVersion
2 Samuel 5:17-19 ESVWhen the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to search for David. But David heard of it and went down to the stronghold. Now the Philistines had come and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. And David inquired of the Lord, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you give them into my hand?” And the Lord said to David, “Go up, for I will certainly give the Philistines into your hand.”
Have you ever stepped into something good—only to be hit with a problem you didn’t expect? Maybe you finally made progress in your marriage, your career, or your faith, and right after that, life hit back harder. It’s confusing and frustrating. You wonder, “Why now?”
David knew that feeling. Right after he was anointed king of Israel—a huge spiritual and personal victory—the Philistines rose up to attack him. His breakthrough didn’t bring peace; it brought pressure. But instead of panicking or rushing into action, David went to God first.
That’s wisdom. David had the experience, the army, and the authority to act. But instead of relying on those things, he humbled himself and asked God what to do. He didn’t assume—he inquired.
Scholars have pointed out that David didn’t rush into battle – but instead patiently reached out to God. It wasn’t that he was slow to respond to the enemy—it was that he was quick to connect to God. David’s life shows us that when God promotes and elevates, the enemy often provokes and intimidates. How you respond determines whether you walk in victory or in stress. David chose prayer over panic.
Romans 8:26 ESVLikewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.
In my own life, I haven’t always responded like David. There have been times I’ve let distractions pull my attention away from God when I needed Him most. I’ve let pride tell me, “You’ve got this,” instead of asking God for help. Fear and frustration have driven me to react instead of wait. But I’ve learned—sometimes the hard way—that rushing ahead without God’s guidance leads to avoidable mistakes and unnecessary stress.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESVRejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
David’s example reminds me that the first and best thing I can do is stop and ask, “Lord, what should I do?” That single question changes everything.
Reflection Questions:
When I face resistance or challenges, do I turn to God first—or try to fix things on my own?What would it look like to make prayer my first response instead of my last resort?
Respond to God’s Word:
Take 5 minutes today to sit quietly and ask God: “What would You have me do in this situation?” Don’t rush it. Just listen. Write down anything that comes to your heart.
Prayer:
Lord, help me to seek You first in every battle I face. I confess the times I’ve rushed ahead in fear, pride, or frustration. Teach me to pause before I plan, to pray before I act, and to lean on Your wisdom above my own. Like David, help me build a lifestyle of faith and trust in You. Amen.

More Than Conquerors

There are moments and seasons in our life when we can feel utterly helpless, unable to reach out and grab the thing we desire most. Sometimes life has a way of intruding its will upon us without our permission causing conflict, unrest, and pain. The loss of loved ones. The doctors report of sickness. A marriage left in shambles. Not being accepted into this school or job. 
“Do you now believe?”Jesus replied. “A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me. I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” ~ John 16:31-33
In our gospel passage, Jesus is informing His disciples that He is about to leave. He knew that life is going to get rocky for His followers. It will get so difficult that they will feel scattered like sheep without a shepherd. This all became a reality for them. They faced their leader being crucified, they were chased down by the Roman government, and suffered persecution because of their faith. 
In the midst of all of this, I am sure there were times when they remembered what Jesus said, “Take heart, because I have overcome the world.” What does this mean? How does this apply to us? 
The Apostle Paul teaches us that because Jesus has overcome the world, we too as believers can be more than conquerors. If God be for us, who can be against us? Victory is ours through Jesus. 
What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. ~ Romans 8:31-39
As Jesus said 2000 years ago, we are going to face many trials. But through His power we can survive it. We can be more than conquerors. The loss we have experienced doesn’t have the final word. The doctors report is not the final word. Life does not always unfold the way we desire it to, but Jesus has made a way for us to be more than conquerors.
The Apostle Paul was convinced that nothing could separate us from the love and victory of God found in Christ Jesus. No death, no sickness, or mistake is strong enough to withstand the victory that is offered in Jesus. 
Take Heart! Jesus has overcome the world. 

The Power of Prayer

“To pray is to change. Prayer is the central avenue God uses to transform us. If we are unwilling to change, we will abandon prayer as a noticeable characteristic of our lives. The closer we come to the heartbeat of God the more we see our need and the more we desire to be conformed to Christ.” —Richard Foster (Celebration of Discipline)
“If your heart hungers for souls to be saved and your nation to be turned to God…then the life of prayer is a must.” —Paul Y. Cho (Prayer: Key to Revival)
We all want to live a life that carries meaning and purpose. We want to see our family thrive in every season regardless of what may come. We want to hear God’s voice and be lead in the right direction for our life. We all desire this. However, intentions are not actions. 
It can also be true that we all want these things right now, instantaneously. We want to snap our fingers, say a word, press the button, and it happen exactly as we desire it. This is often a false reality. This is often how we view and see prayer. If I say the magic words then it should happen, right? 
Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. ~ James 5:13-16
Prayer, as Richard Foster notes, is the central avenue God uses to transform us and to be changed for the better. This does not occur in an instant moment, but in a gradual, habitual lifestyle of prayer. To pray is to seek God’s heart. To pray is to confess your sins, and share your heart with God. To pray is also to listen and focus on God’s voice through His word. 
Where do we find a life that carries meaning and purpose? It’s found in moments of prayer. How do we see our families thrive, persevere, and overcome in every season? It is done through moments of prayer. How do we hear God’s voice and find direction for our life? We hear him in moments of prayer.
The Apostle James understood that, “The earnest prayers of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results” (5:16b) Prayer is the fuel to a greater spiritual life. It is the difference between life and death in your spirit. Prayer is the power and the key that unlocks victory in your life.
if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. ~ 2 Chronicles 7:14
Reflection Question:
What do I need to give to God today in prayer?

Finding Rhythm and Endurance

All throughout the Bible we are encouraged to run this race called life. But not to just run, to run well. The healthiest of runners are those who find their rhythm with a steady pace. Pace is the determining factor for finishing well or giving up. 
Most people don’t wake up each day with a desire to give up, but there are times where we all wrestle with HOW to keep moving forward. Today may have been one of those days for you. How can I get through this day without giving up and losing myself? We have to find our rhythm. 
The Apostle Paul teaches us that we are in a race, but not a race against one another. We are in a race running to the finish line of life, and we all want to finish well.
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. ~ 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
How Do I Find Rhythm and Maintain Endurance So That I Can Finish Well?
Stop Doing so Much Stuff
It is so easy for us to fall into the trap of doing, leading, and participating in so many things that we lose ourselves. We lose sight of our purpose and goals in attempting to do everything, and the truth is we aren’t good to anyone as a counterfeit version of ourselves. We get caught up in the instant gratification of every new thing, and then realize we did not enjoy any of it because we were focused on the next best thing. Spend time doing things that matter most.
Establish a Rhythm of Rest
An old-time preacher once said, “Sometimes, one of the most spiritual things you can do is take a nap.” Whatever your pace in life may be, it will require rest. Rest will either be forced upon you because you have burnt out and have nothing left to give OR you have set aside time to relax, to be with family, and to enjoy life. You get to decide. There is a reason why God established the Sabbath Day as a Day of Rest. It is God’s desire that we take time to rest. 
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, ~ Hebrews 12:1
Remember, the goal of this life is not to just finish life quickly and in a hurry, but to finish life well. The Apostle Paul urges us to run with endurance that we may obtain the prize. 
Reflection Question:
What do I need to stop in my next season?