"The LORD turned to him, and said, "Go with the strength you have..."
Judges 6:14
Judges 6:14
My Take Aways
Something Old:
God does not ignore the cries of His children but expects His children to obey Him.
I am mighty warrior, infused with power of God.
Something New:
Judges 6:24
Moses gave God a new name Yahwah Shalom-God of Peace
Something to Do:
Go in the strength I have because my weakness is made perfect through Christ.
2 Corinthians 12:8-10
Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
28 Comments:
Good Morning Ladies! I haven't had time to listen to the vlog yet, but here are my thoughts on today's reading:
Something Old - Not much as I have never read this before. It may sound strange, but I am somewhat comforted by the Israelites consistent pattern of: believe, wander from the Lord, get oppressed, cry for help from God, repeat. Time and time again. I take comfort in it b/c I am so often the same way, just not on quite the same scale. I'll go from having great zeal for God to feeling rather mediocre - like I'm just going through the motions, and back and forth like that all the time. I'm feeling dry right now - which seems a crime especially this week... Not sure why...
Something new: The whole story of Deborah. Wow! And Jael w/ the stake driven through the king's temple - yikes! That was fascinating!
To Do: Something that really struck me was how much Gideon wanted God to prove Himself to him. All of these signs he wanted... It is hard to press on in faith, I think. I can relate to Gideon, wishing I could have a concrete sign from God now and then. My to do today has to do with regaining a new sense of prayer - I don't know how to word it, I would just like some renewal... On a final note, the Joshua Challenge is actually going well for me (I am AMAZED) - I haven't had any desserts since we started, and you would not believe the number of birthday celebrations I've been around in the past week alone - including my own daughter's tomorrow! Now that, I know, has only been done through the Lord's strength!!
Have a great day!
Kate in VA
Good morning,GIG's
I have a loooong post in my head, but time does not allow. I promise to be back this afternoon with some thoughts and specific comments for some of you :) For now, let me just say THANK YOU LORD for putting a powerful message in Wendy for us today. Wendy girl, your words were awesome this morning!! Thank you.
One closing thought -- I read recently that a definition of maturity is "the ability to handle joy and sorrow simultaneously." The author was anonymous, but it wouldn't surprise me if it was taken from the writings of Paul. Sounds like him, doesn't it?
Praying for all requests.
Peace and gratitude,
Michelle in New England
Oh thank you for those encouraging words Wendy. It's what I needed to hear. Today I should hear about my coworker (Jim's) plan of "battle" on his sickness. We only have 8 of us where I work, so it is definitely like having a family member who is lying in that hospital. My heart feels burdened and weak; but in that place I am strong because of my Jesus!
Today I liked reading about a couple of brave, strong women; Deborah and Jael. Yay ladies! God has specific purposes for us and I like the fact that we can be soft and tough!
Gideon shows us that sometimes it is okay to ask God to verify for us what He wants us to do. God is so patient and faithful. What love I feel for him.
Kate - I know exactly what you mean when you talk about hot and cold for the Lord. I often have times where my prayer life seems flat, or I feel more on fire for Him. It's the natural ebb and flow of our faith and in those flat times, just continue to obey God and open your Bible and pray the best you can. God honors that.
Happy Thursday all! And tell those you love that you love them!
Morgen
Wendy, Thanks!
This was a good day of reading 1st Deborah and then Gideon. "Go in the Strength you have." I noted that too. Awesome reminder that we are not alone.
Still holding P31 and all up in Prayer.
Haven't had a lot of time to blog lately - but God will help we with my scheduling.
Blessings everyone!
Lynn - OR
Kate and Morgen--I too am in a place where my prayer life is stale-I am so ready to get past that! Praying for God's prodding and growth in that area!
The story of Jael and Sisera was another one that could be made into a thriller movie--mercy! Can y'all imagine having to hide out though in caves to keep your life? That is mind boggling.
I love the story of Gideon! And, that he had a new name for God in Yahweh-Shalom. Something new was that Gideon's OWN father, Joash, had an alter for Baal and an Asherah pole! Yet, Joash shouted to the mob that Baal might not truly be a god. More research to be done there.
Wendy, praises for baby Gabriel and prayers for Melissa's family...bless their hearts. Y'all enjoy this gorgeous day!
Hugs!
Susan
Hi Everyone & Wendy~ I listen in everyday and have been reading, I don't always comment but I am here. LOL. Gosh I so look forward to it every day! The 2 Corinthians 12:8-10 was highlighted and I am elated that it is there for us to remember in this time of great trials.
Another point about how God handled Gideon's lack of blief and reassureance is that God was so amazingly patient with him with his requests! Can you imagine telling God to prove that it is Him who is speaking and stay there until I get back? Or do this one day to prove all that you say, God does it and yet Gideon still asks for more proof the next day? As a parent I would be exhausted, impatient and just spent with all these requests! Not God, he was patient, kind, assuring and so loving toward his servant. Amazing~
Praise God for answered prayer for baby Gabriel. My heart and prayers go out for the Taylor family.
Angie
Wendy, that was so powerful, I want to just rest in those words. I heard my Lord speak to me this morning through you.
Have a blessed Holy Thursday!
From yesterday:
Lori & Runner Mom, thanks for praying for my DH. To tell you the truth I had forgotten about that situation when I read your posts because my heart was heavy for the family who lost their Benjamin yesterday. (Thank you Debra and others who prayed on their behalf.)It is true that when we focus on someone else's needs, we forget about our own. But thank you so much for your prayers. Proof that they worked: DH told me last night "The Lord is really watching over us." Which made me do a double take. And he told me that earlier after he had dropped off DS2 to school, he realized he forgot his wallet which never happens. He ended up going back home when he discovered he left our garage door wide open. We live in So Cal. You don't leave your garage door wide open anytime. He said he rushed inside to see if anything was missing or if anyone was in the house. Everything was fine. He knew that God led him back home. I just thought I'd share that with you.
Kim in IL, re your comment "I have been stuck because I do not know who to ask to pray with me faithfully about these issues, or to go about starting another group who's intent is to pray specifically for these things, or to mention my concerns about the issues God has laid on my heart to pray about to our established prayer group." You know I was going to post something I read from Jon Courson's commentary yesterday but it was too long so I didn't. Well, here it is now:Courson's comment on Judgest 1:13 about Othniel's initiative. "God blesses and honors the individual who is an inititator. Too often, people hold back and wait, thinking, "I really can't start a home Bible study," or "I can't disciple some junior high kids. Nobody asked me." That's not the point. Perhaps no one will ask you to do anything, but the Holy Spirit will lay upon your heart certain things He desires you to do and God will bless you as you initiate, instigate and move out in those specific areas and visions. This week ask the Lord what "Debir" he wants you to conquer. If God is calling you to assemble an intercession group, don't call the church office and ask permission - just do it. If He is calling you to China, God bless you! I encourage and exhort you in the name of Jesus to respond to the varied, creative, needful avenues of ministry He will open before you via the promptings of the Holy Ghost." There you have it. Straight from page 719.
This is getting long so I will post later for today's reading.
Dear Friends!
I will post longer later but I was inspired by Wendy's hot pocket tale.
My nugget from this was - sometimes we take for granted we know how to do something but when memory momentarily fails we need to go back and read the instructions again...And that is just what we all are doing in reading the Bible daily. Thank you Wendy!!!!
Re "flat" prayer time. As I was trying to post this my computer automatically reconfigured and then shut down and rebooted. If we feel flat in our prayers sometimes (who doesn't?) maybe it is time to reconfigure and reboot.
Stretching for the outer limits during this very Holy week. I am
Dixie in Florida
Today's reading:
Wendy, thank you for the update on baby Gabriel. Praise God! Also praying that God will continue to hold Melissa's family close to Him. They have been through a lot.
I love your nugget for the day. "Go in the strength you have." That is all He requires of us on any given day, right? Go in the strength we have. And God will fill in the rest.
Also highlighted a lot in my trusted Jon Courson commentary. Particularly Judges 3:31 re Shamgar. "The 3rd judge Shamgar used an ordinary instrument to do an extraordinary work for God. It's true. God will use whatever is in your hand for His glory if you allow Him - even something as unlikely as an ox goad (a stick used to prod cattle easily accessible by someone who works w/ livestock) . What is in your hand? Don't just make a living - make a life by using what God has put in your hand for His glory.
"In the 3 judges of Chapter 3, I see the power of the Spirit in Othniel, the power of the sword in Ehud, and the power of service in Shamgar. These 3 elements - the Spirit of God upon you, the Word of the Lord within you, and the service for the Lord through you - will lead you into much fruitfulness as you do battle in the land to which God has brought you." And "Great things will take place through you. The kingdom of darkness, the kingdom of selfishness, the kingdom of greed will be beaten back as you take whatever ox goad is in your life and say "Lord, use it for Your glory."
He also spoke of Jael (Go, Jael!) and likened it to us nailing down the old man, our old self (what a visual, though). "In the Bedouin society of which Jael was a part, it was the women who pitched the tents and set up camps. Thus, as a shepherd boy named David would do after her, she used what was in her hand to slay the giant that held the people of God in the grip of fear." (p. 738)
He also talked about Judges 5:15 where he said, "Reuben did not get involved. He stayed...where it was safe. Why? Because he gave it a lot of thought. The "paralysis of analysis" is dangerous yet common today. "Should I witness to him? or not?" ..And we find ourselves being introspective...and missing the battle entirely." (p. 743)
Lastly, on Gideon: "Gideon had worshiped God intensely and stood up to his entire society unashamedly (by dismantling the altar of Baal). Now as he is about to lead his countrymen in a battle, in which the odds are heavily against them, he pauses to make sure he is hearing God right. All too often believers only look at Gideon setting a fleece and ignore the worship and the tearing down of the altars that preceded it. Isolated in such a way, this passage loses all perspectie and this practice becomes nothing more than an opportunity for any who are too lazy to really seek God."
Oops, too long...to be continued
Jon Courson cited 3 criterias for the "laying of the fleece":
1. A fleece before the Lord is valid only if the Word of Gad has not already spoken. (You can't rob a bank and say "Lord if I hand this note to the teller and she puts money in the bag, I'll know You want me to rob the bank.")
2. When you "lay a fleee" before the Lord, make sure you are not limiting Him. ("Lord if you want me to buy this car, have $5k come to my mail by noon on Monday" when in fact, He might have a package due to arrive on our doorstep at 8:00 on Tuesday)
3. God will only honor the practice of laying out a fleece if I am serious and not merely curious. Gideon was dead serious about what he was doing.
"Finally in addition to the practical aspect of setting a fleece before God, there is a spiritual understanding as well. Throught the OT, dew was likened to the power of the Spirit of God coming upon His people. Thus, I see Gideon praying "Before I lead any attempt at conquering the Midianites, I must be filled with Your Spirit, Lord. I lay out my life as a fleece before You. Saturate me, drench me. Flood me with Your spirit or I cannot go."
"And it was.
"Then Gideon took it further. "Lord I want a 2nd understanding of this situation. Even if my own life should become dry, I want the ground around me, the lives next to me, the work connected to me to go on in the anointing and power of Your Spirit. Even if I should dry out, dry up or fail, Lord I want Your name to be glorified and Your work be done.
"And I believe God honored Gideon's request by saying, "Yes, Gideon, even if you fail, My work shall go on."
That's it, folks. Have a blessed day.
Dixie - amen to your words of wisdom. How did Tuesday night go?
Hi Everybody....
It's -10 Degrees out...where do you all live... why are you saying enjoying the great Weather??
***APRIL FOOLS!!! :) :) :)
Actually... Wow!! I cannot believe our beautiful spring we are having.
Today we are suspose to get into mid 70's....I been out enjoying my flower-beds to see what is coming to New-Life....even planted a few bulbs...unbelievable??
Love you all!!
Todays reading for me I didn't know about these 2 women. (Jael and Deborah) It was something uncomphrendible for me. Could I drive a tent peg into his head? Very Brave...Wonder about her thoughts just before. (What if he wakes up and grabs me...What if I fail when I hit it...Was she trembling at all?
Sara in IN...Yesterday I found this interesting after going to the web-site you mentioned yesterday....Grace & Peace beautiful comment on "Praises". Thought of you when I read this: William Newell writes "Praise failing, universal unbelief sets in, and total failure follows. 'The trives of Israel's failure began when Judah, (praise) failed. remember this...in fact I'll say it again. 'Praise failing, unbelief sets in and total failure follows.' Next time it gets hard, don't let your praise fail. Don't let unbelief set in!
Praises:
Psalm 50:23, Those who offer praise as a sacrifice honor me: to the obedient I will show the salvation of God."
2 Chorn 20:1-30 ...Tells us about the power of praise...especially note verses 20-22.
Psalms 100:4, Enter the temple gates with praise, its courts with thanksgiving . Give thanks to God, bless his name;
Hebrew 13:15, Through him [then] let uscontinually offer God a sacrifice of praise, that is to come.
Jacque and Lori...THANK YOU so very much for the prayers for everyone in need. As I read them I was praying right along with you sisters.
Jennifer Renee...Love hearing from you everyday...You truly are a blessing to our group. Raising children in today society is a tough one. So much to say on this subject...Today I too...It seems like the children are telling the parents what to do...not the parents telling the children.
Next week is Spring break for us. I'll see how much time is allotted. I definately will keep up with my readings.
The "Sacred Three Days" (Triduum) begin this evening. It's a good time to think about my priorities.
The washing of feet...tonight.
See you all in church....Praying so much for all of you that your husbands will join you.
Let all Keep Praising!!!
Rhonda
Hi ladies,
I don't post very often - I have committed to watching Wendy's V-log for the season of lent (I intend to continue for the rest of the year) ...but today's message totally described where I am at, so I went back to the readings.
Without too much detail - I come from a broken home and my family relationships are VERY complicated. My husband and I are in the process of creating a will and our decision for guardian of my little son Elliot in the case of double death is causing major waves.
I have been asking God for direction, and we did our best to choose someone...but because of the family dynamics it has left someone who is very close to my son, feeling betrayed and rejected and angry.
I am so heavy-hearted and weary...I feel hurt, lost and now keep doubting myself. Lord I am crying out to you for a sign - was I wrong?
Lord I turn the circumstances over to you as I try to carry on with the strength I have (which is not much these days). I ask that in my weakness, that You shine forth in this situation.
Jodie
Wow!! Grace & Peace...Your information...Love it!!
Thank You
Rhonda
Hi all,
So many nuggets today.
Matthew Henry says many times Israel was reckoned by "forties."
Judges who served 40 yrs.-Othniel, Ehud, Baark, Gideon; wandered in wilderness; Eli, Samuel, Saul, David, Solomon ruled. Forty years is about an age.
God does have time in His hands. All things are planned out. He is sovereign and in control. It is peaceful to be able to trust Him with our time.
Thank you G & P for your research. Just as Jael nailed down the old
man, we have to nail down our old self. It reminds me of Jesus being nailed to the cross. First, He had to nail the flesh(through prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane)down.
My fesh doesn't nail down easily. Prayer is our strength.
In Mark 14:54 Jesus told Peter, James,and John to watch and pray, lest they enter into temptation.
Friday's near, but Sunday's comin'.
Linda from Ark.
DO YA'LL WANT TO HEAR ABOUT HIS WONDERS? I HAVE A GREAT WONDER TO SHARE: I REQUESTED PRAYERS FOR MY COWORKER JIM...HE IS BACK AT WORK TODAY! WE ALL ABOUT FELL OVER WHEN HE WALKED IN!
ALL THE SCANS WERE LEANING TOWARD PROSTATE CANCER THAT HAD SPREAD TO LUNGS/BACK.
HE ONLY HAS BONE SPURS ON HIS BACK!
THIS IS A MIGHTY WONDER THAT THE LORD HAS SHOWN ME! THANK YOU LORD!
JIM THANKS YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS TOO.
MORGEN
PURIFIED IN HIM AND SEEING HIS WONDERS!!!!!!
My nugget came from 6:11-17.
Gideon didn't think he could save Israel from the hand of the Midianites. He tried to make an excuse for why he could not do this. His excuse was, " behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house."
God can use anyone.
Lord, help me not to use my blindness as an excuse for why I can't do something for you. If you give me something to do also help me find a way to do it.
I'm happy to hear that Gabriel's surgery went well. I'm continuing to pray for him.
I'm continuing to pray for Melissa.
Great vlog today. Wendy hit the nail right on the head. Pardon the pun. It is nice to know that I am not alone in my burdens and my forgetfulness. The Lord has really been speaking to me about my lack of faith through this study and today was no different. One of the verses I underlined today was about go in the strength you have. I am sending you. What other word do we need. I Love My God. He always speaks when we need to hear him most.
Greetings to all.
Several of you have asked about Tuesday - my service at the nursing home. I will try to tell you as quickly as I can but not leave out the important details.
For a week I tried to print out your emails to take to the facility. The computer printed the top of the messages but when it came to individual names with prayers - they were blank. Finally on Tuesday morning, I tried for the last time. No luck! So I went to "our" site and read and prayed for all and then tried one more time. Success.... Do you think the deceiver has a hand in the computer too when he wants to thwart us?
The service went well (at least everyone was quiet!) They loved the personalized prayers and listened anxiously so see if their name was included. Again so many thanks to each one of you who took your valuable time to help me with my Joshua challenge. Hugs to all who prayed!
Delores, who only knows her name and taught piano - when I played a Qchord with church music only - no lyrics - burst forth with all the words to every song! Bertie had tears in her eyes as I read the scripture. Verne kept nodding his head yes to all the scriptures. And Blanche is having Easter dinner with her son and says she will" drag" him and his wife to church if necessary. Marciel came into the room and heard his name mentioned and said" I didn't hear my employees names mentioned - I couldn't do it without them."(a very humble man). I left copies with him since Jaqueline was not on duty then. I will do Easter service next Tuesday.......
But I must tell you now how the Holy Spirit touched me this week. Monday I made a date with an elderly woman to go see Daschund races at the Shell Factory. We went in individual cars, and I arrived first to find it jam packed and no parking spaces. So I called her on my cell phone, found out where she was at a Target store and met her there. We went into the Target to the plant dept. and as we were checking out got into a conversation with the cashier. Seems she felt called to move from New York to Fl. four years ago but He hasn't told her His purpose for her yet. We were able to offer love and support and blessings to her. Then I took Mary Jane to lunch at The Olive Garden where I used a gift certificate from Christmas given to me by the nursing home. Cute little waitress who admired my sunglasses and started to talk about her sunglasses. Seems they are very large and she calls them her weeping glasses. She said she is divorced, her ex is out of work and one of her twin boys had died at the age of six months and she did a lot of crying hence the sunglasses to cover. I asked her if she knew what a random act of kindness was and gave her some extra money in addition to her tip. She said she would pass on the random act to someone else she meets. So it was a truly blessed day for me and my friend - better far than dog races! This has happened to me before with perfect strangers telling me their stories and troubles in unusual settings.And I hadn't done a random act of kindness since Christmas season. What a glowing day it was as God used little ole me as only He can do.
Today is Maundy Thursday. Used to be a time in England when foot washings and coins were given to the poor. OK God I can take another hint! So I venture out and see who God puts in my path today............
Blessed Maundy Thursday!
Dixie in Fl. P.S. It wasn't so short - sorry!
Awesome news, Morgen that was certainly all-caps worthy. :D PRAISE GOD FOR JIM'S MIRACULOUS HEALING!!!!
Dixie! Thanks for sharing what happened at the nursing home and what God continues to do through you - His very willing vessel. Wow!
Wendy, that was exactly what I needed to hear today. Thanks! Praying for the P31 family and Gabriel.
Grace and Peace, I love the information you shared. I'm going to share it with my friends who are reading along, too!
I wondered about Jael, too. It sounds at first as if she didn't know who Sisera was, and yet she apparently did. How scary to harbor a fugitive and then kill him yourself! Yet she used the tools she had ... what tools do I have that I'm not using? What more can I do with what I have??
Need to find some ways to stretch ...
Amy
Morgen....
Praising...and Praising some more!!
That is awesome. Prayer..gotta have it.
Dixie...Your such a Great Blessing. Continue on with your Spirit.
Jodie...Prayers will go up tonight for your heavy heart in church tonight...Tuff decision....Have faith in Him....Believe.
Rhonda
Hey everyone, I am behind on the reading, vlog and comments from yesterday and today but I wanted to let you all know that your loved ones have been prayed over by name today. I am asking God to do the miraculous this weekend and I can not wait to see how He shows up in our group. Thank you all for praying for me for safe travels down to AL. We made it fine and the service was nice. It was good to see family.
Hope to get caught up soon...love you all GIGs!
Brandee, TN
Hey everyone, Today's reading was so awesome! I have to say I did the fleece thing about 32 years ago with a guy I had been seeing for 7 years. God did with me just like Gideon and worked things out just like I asked so I would know he was not the one for me. It was amazing! Wendy thanks so much for the verses in 2 Corin. Think I will make me a post card with that one on it. Praying for everyone! Love you,Jane from SC
Where to start... With PRAISE of course :) Morgen such great news!! Praise our LORD. Grace and Peace I learn so much from your comments. Jennifer Renee, I agree God can and does use anyone.
I felt the same way when I heard God telling me to speak at funerals. Oh how I trembled, but great was the reward, to share His awesome message of love and the miracle of the cross. The last two funerals I spoke at, my Godmothers in the fall and my mom's best friend about 2 months ago, the presence of God was very evident. As I was speaking and looking at everyone I saw "something" in the faces of two people. One at each funeral, it made me catch my breath, I felt my spirit say, this is Holy ground, take off your sandals. I can only guess that the LORD was moving in those individuals and allowed me to see. It is forever burned into my very being. Especially since I did not want to speak at either and tried to arm wrestle with God. Hard to speak to family and the other was the neighbors I grew up with, past friends from high school. But God had a plan and He used me. I treasure what He allowed me to witness. It was beyond words.
I like that Deborah would sit under the Palm of Deborah and then the Angel of the LORD came and sat beneath the great tree at Ophrah. When I sit and am quiet I can hear from Him. I need to do this more often.
When Gideon kept asking God to prove himself, it reminded me of the time God taught me about prayer and faith. When God proves Himself it builds up our faith. My mom was in the hospital and needed a port put in for blood transfusions. But all her veins were collasping and the Drs gave us little hope of being able to find a vein / artery to use. Even main arteries were collasped. While in the waiting room my sister and I were silently praying "pleading" prayers to God. He told me to stop and read Hebrews 11, which I did, for the very first time. Wow, the faith chapter! Then He told me to tell my sister we are to praise Him. So we held hands and praised Him out loud, with everyone in the waiting room looking at us. Back and forth we praised Him for everything. Before we knew it they called us and mom was back in her room wondering where we were. Ah, the wonderful power of faith and praise. Taught to me by the Master himself. I love that I am now reading what He has taught me and studying His Word with you all. Thanks for your wonderful sharing and love.
Continued prayer and praise even in the storm,
Linda in Pa
Well, today we had internet problems...then, I finally, purchased a new cell phone. My old one, finally quit (sad day) and needless to say, it was time to say, 'good-bye.' And, this new phone, well, what can I say, gadgets are just not my thing!
Looking back in history, regardless of how far the Israelites backslid and sinned, God was so merciful. He always heard their prayers.
Today as I spent time in prayer, a Proverb that I read reminded me of our group:
"...but the family of the Godly stands firm" (12:7). Dear GIG, as we each have are own different trials, we are so blessed to have this 'family of God,' that daily lifts up prayers to our Father.
Ok dear sweetie-pies-off to practice texting. ha-ha
Hugs, Lori
PS I have not had a chance yet to hear Wendy, or read any posts...
Post a Comment
Home