Podcast Summary: Fresh Life Church
Episode: The Prayer That Overcomes Curses
Host: Pastor Levi Lusko
Date: November 3, 2025
Episode Overview
This episode, led by Pastor Levi Lusko, is the finale of the “Best of Both Worlds” series, focusing on the prayer of Jabez from 1 Chronicles 4:9-10. Pastor Levi explores how Jabez’s prayer provides a model for overcoming negative labels, generational curses, and hurtful words spoken over us—by choosing life, blessing, and the presence of God. The message encourages listeners to claim God’s love as the central banner over their lives and to make daily choices that lead to freedom and flourishing in Christ.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Jabez’s Story: From Cursed to Blessed ([00:00]–[07:30])
- Pastor Levi recounts how Jabez’s mother, in her pain, named him “Jabez,” meaning “he causes pain,” which became a curse spoken over his life.
- “We've been learning that from the day that Jabez was born, he had been cursed. His mother had a choice to bless him or to curse him, and she chose cursing.” ([01:26])
- Jabez refused to let this label define him and instead prayed for blessing, expanded territory, God’s presence, and deliverance from causing pain.
- Reference to Deuteronomy 30:19: the call to “choose life… blessing and not cursing,” as a continual option available to every believer.
2. Breaking the Power of Hurtful Words & Curses ([07:30]–[14:30])
- The imagery of washing away corrosion on a car battery is used to describe God’s power to cleanse bitterness and curses when we turn to Him.
- “We see any bitterness, any pain… melt away as he called on the God of Israel.” ([08:35])
- Choosing God and His blessing actively “washes away” the potential for bitterness, pain, and ongoing generational harm.
3. Blessings, Idolatry, and Maintaining Focus on God ([14:30]–[20:15])
- Jabez’s prayer emphasizes not letting God’s blessings replace God Himself in our hearts:
- “Oh Lord, don't let the blessings that you give me take the place of you in my life. And what is that? That is idolatry.” ([14:45])
- When blessings become idols, pain and shame follow.
- Daily, seemingly small choices accumulate to form our character and direction—choosing God in each moment, not only in grand resolutions.
4. “No” November and Everyday Choices ([20:16]–[26:30])
- The idea of “No” in November is introduced—setting boundaries against destructive patterns for a month (e.g., “No temper November”).
- “In this moment, God, I want to listen to your voice. I want to go where you lead me. And it seems tiny, but tiny decisions, step by step in the right direction are going to take you where you want to be.” ([24:48])
- Focus on step-by-step faithfulness, rather than overwhelming, unrealistic promises.
5. The Danger of Idolatry and the Power of Confession ([26:31]–[34:00])
- Drawing from 1 John, the teaching reminds listeners to guard against idols and keep God central.
- “Lord, keep me from making the blessings you give me, idols, in my heart and life.” ([27:33])
- King David is provided as a cautionary example: blessed by God, but fallen due to misused authority and idolatry.
- God’s forgiveness is always accessible, and returning to Him brings restoration.
6. Five Confessions of the Overcomer ([34:01]–[39:00])
- Pastor Levi presents five affirmations to speak over one’s life:
- My words have power.
- I will choose life.
- Labels don’t define me.
- God wants to give me good things.
- His banner over me is love.
- “No matter what banner has been put over us, we can confess and say, his banner over me is love.” ([38:27])
7. Whose Banner is Over Your Life? ([39:01]–[46:00])
- Reflection questions encourage listeners to evaluate the “banner” (label, word, or defining idea) currently ruling their life.
- Personal anecdote: recalling an encounter night where a giant “Joy” flag was flown over the church, symbolizing God’s joyful banner over His people.
8. Choosing Life Impacts Generations ([46:01]–[49:00])
- Choosing blessing is a legacy issue—it impacts not just you, but your descendants:
- “Choose life so that you and your descendants, your children’s children’s children, may live.” ([47:41])
9. Invitation to Trust God’s Banner of Love ([49:01]–End)
- Listeners are invited to replace old, hurtful labels with God’s love by consciously choosing God’s word over any curses or negative pronouncements:
- “God’s banner over me is love. No matter what was spoken over you… the banner over you is God’s love.” ([49:17])
- Listeners are provided with a fill-in-the-blank exercise to name the old banner and claim God’s banner.
- The message culminates in a prayer for freedom from old labels and an invitation to trust in Christ’s finished work for new, abundant life (John 3:16, John 10:10).
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “He chose life, he chose blessing, he chose more, he chose God’s presence.” ([07:00])
- “Worshiping God always brings a blessing. Worshiping anything but Him is idolatry, and it always brings a curse.” ([16:05])
- “In each moment, choosing life.” ([19:45])
- “What has been a label over me, I don’t have to let define me.” ([35:27])
- “His banner over me is love.” ([38:27])
- “What is the flag that is over your life? Our second encounter night… he was flying the flag of joy over himself over us. And you could just feel in that moment, okay, the banner over us is joy.” ([41:35])
- “You are a new creation in Christ Jesus… Choose life that you might live.” ([54:10])
- “I have come that they may have life and have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10, [56:05])
Important Segment Timestamps
- [00:00–07:30] – The prayer of Jabez and the story behind his name
- [08:30–14:30] – Visual illustration with corroded battery; symbolic of cleansing bitterness
- [14:45–20:15] – Blessings vs. idolatry; don’t let blessings replace the Giver
- [20:16–26:30] – “No” November and daily choices
- [26:31–34:00] – Dangers of idolatry; confessions and their power
- [34:01–39:00] – Five confessions of an overcomer
- [39:01–46:00] – Living under God’s banner; Joy flag example
- [46:01–49:00] – Generational impact of choosing life
- [49:01–End] – Prayer, self-examination, and invitation to receive God’s love
Conclusion
In this heartfelt, scripture-rich message, Pastor Levi Lusko encourages listeners to reject negative labels, break inherited or spoken curses, and overcome evil by daily choosing the abundant life God wants for each child. The centerpiece is the declaration that “His banner over me is love”—an identity that supersedes all others when lived out in Christ. The prayer of Jabez becomes not just a model for asking God’s blessing, but an invitation to live in freedom and leave a legacy of life and love.