Episode Overview

Title: Victory Starts Inside | Paul Daugherty
Date: January 11, 2026
Host/Speaker: Pastor Paul Daugherty (Victory Church, Tulsa, OK)

Main Theme:
This message explores how true victory in life originates internally—within one's heart, mind, and spirit—before it manifests outwardly. Drawing from the story of Joshua leading the Israelites into the Promised Land (Joshua 1, 6), Paul Daugherty encourages listeners to leave the past behind, embrace God’s promises, develop a victorious mindset, and consistently walk forward in obedience and faith. The episode is rich in practical steps, biblical principles, personal stories, and direct encouragement for a transformative new year.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Victory Begins Internally (00:00–04:50)

• Foundational Point: “Victory starts inside. Before you can have victory on the outside, you have to have victory on the inside. If you don’t win in here, you won’t win out there.” (Paul, 00:16)
• Identity precedes activity; knowing who you are (your God-given identity) matters more than what you do.
• Paul contextualizes the episode with Joshua’s story, emphasizing preparation, character, and God’s personal affirmations as the prerequisites for breakthrough.

2. Letting Go of the Past (04:50–10:00)

• God’s words to Joshua after Moses’ death serve as a metaphor: “At some point, you have to detach from the past. You can’t take hold of your destiny if you’re still holding onto your history.” (Paul, 05:44)
  • Quoting: “Your past is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. But today is a gift. Kung Fu Panda.” (Paul, 06:38)
• Personal anecdote: Paul shares about visiting an old movie theater and how neglect keeps people stuck in past victories instead of pursuing new ones.
• Key Quote: “Just because you had a victory in 1991 doesn’t guarantee you’re gonna have a victory in 2026.” (Paul, 09:13)

3. Obedience Unlocks God’s Promises (10:00–12:20)

• “Outcome is God’s job. Obedience is our job.” (Paul, 11:36)
• God calls Joshua (and listeners) to show up with faith, reminding them the victory is already won, but it requires participation and obedience.

4. Receiving God’s Presence and Strength (12:21–18:00)

• “As I was with Moses, so I will be with you.” (Paul, 13:54 & 14:33)
• Paul’s emotional story about his father’s passing and stepping into new leadership. “The same God that was with Moses was with Joshua... and he’s with you.” (Paul, 15:34)
• “If you got God on your side, you got the victory.” (Paul, 12:23)

5. Power of Words and Repetition (18:01–22:35)

• Importance of repeating God’s truth: “You can’t walk in victory if you talk in defeat. You can’t expect a positive life with a negative mouth.” (Paul, 19:44)
• Parents are encouraged to consistently speak life, blessing, and identity over their children.

6. Facing Your Jericho: Identifying Goals and Obstacles (22:36–32:36)

• Analogies and prompts: “What is your Jericho in 2026?” and “What stands in the way that you need to overcome?” (Paul, 26:00)
• Modern illustration: Underdog sports stories demonstrate that internal belief precedes external victory.
• “You can’t win out here until you believe it in here.” (Paul, 27:36)

7. Three Reasons We Forfeit Victory (32:37–36:00)

1. Critical Spirit – “A critical spirit causes you to forfeit the victory.” (Paul, 28:43)
2. Defeated Attitude – “Attitude determines altitude.” (Paul, 29:50)
3. Bitter Heart – “If you don’t get bitter, you’ll make it. It’s hard to take ground when you’re always taking offense.” (Paul, 31:09)

8. How to Get the Victory (36:01–40:47)

Paul presents 7 steps:

1. See It

• “God says to Joshua: ‘See, I have given Jericho into your hands.’” (Paul, 36:13)
• Must envision victory even when circumstances appear impossible.

2. Say It

• “Life and death is in the power of the tongue.” (Paul, 38:46)
• “Stop cursing your future. Change the narrative. Speak life.” (Paul, 39:19)
• Example: Paul recites and encourages the confession: “I am here on purpose because I have a purpose... My best days are right in front of me and I have victory because Jesus lives in me.”

3. Stop It

• “You need to stop making excuses... stop listening to the lies of the enemy... stop doing bad habits you keep going back to.” (Paul, 40:04)

4. Start It

• “Start marching. Start doing the thing God’s called you to do.” (Paul, 41:14)
• Celebrates every beginning of a new habit, change, or step toward God.

5. Stick with It (Consistency)

• “Consistency brings the breakthrough.” (Paul, 42:39)
• “Sometimes you gotta march in the dark... wake up and pray when nobody’s watching... do it again.” (Paul, 43:08)
• Reference to Joshua’s daily, patient obedience marching around Jericho.

6. Don’t Stop on Six

• “So often people stop and they stop short of their miracle.” (Paul, 42:59)
• “Six is the number of man, but seven is God’s number. Consistency brings the breakthrough.” (Paul, 43:41)

7. Stay Surrendered

• “The most important point... Stay surrendered to God for continual victory.” (Paul, 45:44)

9. Memorable Illustrations and Stories

• Donkey in the Well Story (16:29):
  “It starts to get buried by the dirt... But the donkey decides: I still got breath in my lungs, I still got a purpose. And every time he feels the dirt, he shakes it off and steps on top of it. Everything the enemy sent to bury you can become a stepping stone for you to get your victory this year.” (Paul, 17:36)
• Sports Story—Indiana Football: The transformation from the most losing program to champions, illustrating belief and identity as central to victory.
• Personal Moments: Paul's own battles with loss, leadership, and affirming his children speak to the message’s authenticity.

10. Closing: Surrender and Call to Action (48:25–57:08)

• Reflective prayer and altar call: “Some of you are so close to Jericho’s walls falling... you’re one lap away from your breakthrough. Don’t stop short.” (Paul, 50:41)
• Encouragement for those struggling: “There is someone at our church right now, it was a step of faith to even come today... the battle is worth fighting.” (Paul, 54:07)
• Congregational affirmation of personal surrender, forgiveness, and embracing God’s vision for the year.
• Closing Confession:
  “Jesus, I surrender. I’m all Yours. My heart, my mind, my life, I give to You... My best days are right in front of me and I have victory in my life because You live in me.” (Paul, 56:15)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Victory starts inside. Before you can have victory on the outside, you got to have victory on the inside. If you don’t win in here, you won’t win out there.” (00:16)
• “You can’t take hold of your destiny if you’re still holding onto your history.” (05:44)
• “Outcome is God’s job. Obedience is our job. Your obedience unlocks God’s outcome.” (11:36)
• “As I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (13:54)
• “You can’t walk in victory if you talk in defeat. You can’t expect a positive life with a negative mouth.” (19:44)
• “You can’t win out here until you believe it in here.” (27:36)
• “If you don’t get bitter, you’ll make it. It’s hard to take ground when you’re always taking offense.” (31:09)
• “Stop cursing your future. Change the narrative. Speak life.” (39:19)
• “Consistency brings the breakthrough. Don’t stop on six.” (43:41)
• “Stay surrendered to God for continual victory.” (45:44)
• “This is your year for victory. It starts right here. It starts right now.” (51:20)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:00–04:50: Introduction, theme, “Victory starts inside”
• 04:51–10:00: Joshua’s story, importance of leaving the past
• 10:01–12:20: God’s promises, obedience, encouragement to church
• 12:21–18:00: God’s presence in transitions; personal story of loss
• 18:01–22:35: Power of words, affirmations for family and self
• 22:36–32:36: Facing “your Jericho”—clarity of purpose, modern illustrations
• 32:37–36:00: Reasons for forfeiting victory: critical, defeated, or bitter spirits
• 36:01–40:47: Seven steps to victory (see it, say it, stop it, start it, stick with it, don’t stop on six, stay surrendered)
• 40:48–45:44: Consistency, faith, “Don’t stop on six”, celebration and action
• 45:45–48:24: Staying surrendered, ongoing victory, not resting on past wins
• 48:25–57:08: Prayer, personal surrender, call to action, blessing for the year

Flow & Tone

Pastor Paul’s tone is energetic, heartfelt, vulnerable, and filled with practical encouragement. He uses vivid metaphors (e.g., donkeys, sports, movie theaters), accessible language, and frequent audience engagement ("Everybody say..."). Stories of personal loss and triumph blend seamlessly with biblical teaching, making the spiritual principles real and accessible for listeners.

Summary for Listeners Who Haven’t Heard the Episode

This episode is a passionate call to move beyond past victories and defeats, anchoring your identity and victory in God as you start a new year. Drawing on Joshua’s story, Pastor Paul unpacks how internal transformation—through surrender, belief, obedience, consistent positive confession, and releasing bitterness—precedes and empowers external breakthrough. Packed with scriptural backing, real-life stories, and actionable steps, the message is both a spiritual charge and a practical blueprint for anyone wanting to experience genuine victory in every area of life this year.

For in-depth biblical teaching, actionable spiritual steps, and inspiration to claim lasting victory this year, this episode is a must-listen.