Where It Comes From

And the LORD said to Gideon, “The people who are with you are too many for Me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel claim glory for itself against Me, saying, ‘My own hand has saved me.’ Judges 7:2 (New King James Version)

The reduction of Gideon’s army was for one purpose and one purpose only, to display Who was truly responsible for the forthcoming victory. God’s glory and the credit due Him can often be robbed when anyone but Him is seen as one’s helper, defender, deliverer, and sustainer. While He did use a small army for the battle against Midian, He made sure there was no way they would be able to give themselves the praise, thanks, or accolades for the victorious outcome. It may not have made sense to anyone but God but it was the only way for the people to see where their victory came from and Who gave them the victory. The impossibility of it was the backdrop for God’s work.

I can relate with God’s choice of methods when it comes to deliverance in my own life. This past week I have watched as God did in me what no one or nothing else could do. The domination of my emotions could not be experienced through reading books, talking to people, or following formulas. I could not muster up what it would take to walk in any semblance of freedom for an extended period of time. When I came to the end of myself and realized that all the avenues I “thought” would lead me to victory had failed to produce victory He brought the victory. It was so radical and so profound that I had no doubt it was His work of liberation.

He used some truths I had taken in from a number of sources and circumstances and I was aware of those things. But the result of actually experiencing freedom was all His doing and I am having no trouble giving Him the glory for it! He did not take negative emotions out of me nor did He remove the tendency I have toward wrong perceptions. What He did is show me that it is possible to not allow them to dominate and control me. They seem to have lost their effectiveness and power with me. Several scenarios played out this past weekend that would have normally evoked huge set backs for me without a single trigger taking place. I was able to take in the truth of each matter without the normal emotional feelings and responses getting in the way. Any who battle emotions will see why this is so huge for me! Any who have watched me struggle will rejoice along with me at what my God has done. I know that tests will come and failures will be experienced, but I now walk with confidence in the what God can and will do!

Father, You are incredible! Even in the midst of my own failures, fears, and doubts You brought about what seemed impossible for me. Praise You!!! Amen.

Mighty to Save - Laura Story
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYqogpLpC5Q

Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.

From Questioning to Confident

And so it was, when Gideon heard the telling of the dream and its interpretation, that he worshiped. He returned to the camp of Israel, and said, “Arise, for the LORD has delivered the camp of Midian into your hand.” Judges 7:15 (New King James Version)

Gideon’s battle cry to the camp of Israel stunned me when I read it this morning! The word “has” caught my attention immediately. The battle against the camp of Midian had not yet taken place but Gideon was so confident of the outcome that he used a past tense verb phrase. THIS from a man who needed further proof after a visit from an angel. THIS from a man who put out not one, but two fleeces, because he struggled so much with self-doubt, fear and unbelief. THIS from a man who had just witnessed God shrink his army from 32,000 strong to 300 not so strong. THIS from a man who felt like less than the least in his nation and family. What happened?!

Gideon finally got it! God allowed him to overhear a conversation between two men from Midian as they talked about a dream and its interpretation (Judges 7:13,14). It was the “proof” he needed to bring about the courage and confidence he lacked. Once this took place he moved forward without a shred of doubt or apprehension. Can you hear the conviction in his voice as he calls his army to attention and lays out the battle plan? I not only hear it but I want it!

I want the confidence Gideon demonstrated but often feel more like pre-confident Gideon. Circumstances can make me wonder if I will make it. Personal weaknesses can cause me to doubt I will see victory in this life time. Past failures can continue to define my present walk. Perceptions can convince me others have given up on me. These are all links to a chain that encircles my life with much weight and noise! So where do I begin to dissemble the chain and walk in confidence?

For me, confidence will come as I lay hold of God’s promises in His Word. Promises of victory. Promises of Him never leaving me. Promises of His continual presence. Promises of His power. It will also come as I observe what He has done and continues to do in the lives of others (past and present). It will come through moments of prayer where I pour out my thanksgiving and thoughts to God. It will come as I depend more and more upon Him to do what I cannot do. It will come with remembering that Gideon’s confidence had very little to do with him and everything to do with the One who called him.

Father, strengthen me from the inside out. Change this questioning doubtful woman into a woman of dignity and confidence in You. Amen.

My Life Is In You, Lord
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0M0NALW7EM&feature=related

Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.

Asking For and Receiving Help

So Judah said to Simeon his brother, “Come up with me to my allotted territory, that we may fight against the Canaanites; and I will likewise go with you to your allotted territory.” And Simeon went with him. Judges 1:3 (New King James Version)

After the death of Joshua the children of Israel still had land to conquer. Each tribe knew which area was portioned to them and it was up to them to drive out the inhabitants and occupy their territory. The tribe of Judah was wise to ask for help from the tribe of Simeon. Each would help the other in their particular battles. How like them we as believers need to be!

The Christian life is not meant to be lived with a lone ranger mentality. Let’s face it, there are times when situations, circumstances, trials, and problems necessitate the need for help from others. In the course of my Christian life, God has faithfully brought individuals into my life to help in significant ways. Many were the times I had no trouble acknowledging my need or accepting help. Looking to people for wisdom, counsel, and direction was like second nature to me.

Yet, there was a day when I found myself attempting to survive a difficult time “on my own!” When a substantial relationship fell apart and waves of emotions seemed intent on doing me in, I spent six months floundering in the darkest world I had ever experienced. Due to shame and fear I struggled to do what use to come so easily…ask for help. I wasn’t sure anyone could or would help. I thought I could somehow manage on my own. I was wrong! My journey out of darkness began the day a friend offered to come along side and help. That help came in the form of prayer, listening, counseling, and a two year long accountability partnership. She was every bit a “Simeon” to this “Judah.” Although there are times an ache will jab me about my former relationship, the darkness has passed and I am daily moving forward into the life God intends for me to live.

So is help still necessary? Absolutely! As I am confronted with new issues and obstacles I am more aware than ever of the need for help. I continue to ask questions, request prayer, and sit under wise counsel. As I have been helped, it is now my desire to help others as well. I can think of no better way to show that the help given to me in my time of need was not given in vain.

Father, when I needed it most help came. Use me in someone’s life as one was used in mine. Amen.

Count On Me - Whitney Houston & CeCe Winans
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zMbhfQwfyY&feature=related

Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.

Fount of the Caller

Then God opened up the hollow place in Lehi, and water came out of it. When Samson drank, his strength returned and he revived. So the spring was called En Hakkore, and it is still there in Lehi. Judges 15:19 NIV

We often have no trouble knowing when we are physically thirsty. Our throat gets dry, our voice may sound hoarse, and our energy begins to wane. Samson knew the exhaustion that followed a battle whereby he killed a thousand Philistines with the jawbone of a donkey. His thirst was so great he felt he was going to die. One cry to God and a spring of refreshing water was miraculously provided. Oh the change that came about when he took a drink of that water! He drank deeply and the results were astounding. Not only was his thirst quenched but his strength returned and he was revived.

Throughout each day I develop a spiritual thirst. I am familiar with the symptoms. Things start to bother me, my attitude begins to plunge, I react negatively to people and circumstances, I battle emotions and feelings, and internally I just don’t feel well. I use to not know what to do at that point. I simply waded through and waited for something to come along that would perk me up. I did not know the solution lay in crying out to God for a drink! I was in need of my own spring…my own En Hakkore (the fount of the caller).

In Jeremiah 2:13 God told Israel they had forsaken Him, the spring of living water, and dug broken cisterns that could not hold water. I, too, have dug my fair share of broken cisterns. So desperate to have my internal thirst quenched I looked to people, activities, and distractions. What little satisfaction I could derive was usually temporary at best. In doing that I was avoiding the only One who could give me a life changing drink. No longer!

I now turn to Him at the first sign of thirst. With each drink from His spring I too regain my strength and experience a life-giving revival. The drink may be as simple as saying, “God, I am lonely but You are my companion, Meet me here.” Or “God, I am frustrated make me aware of the peace You have already given to me.” Whenever I look to God to quench my thirst and meet my needs I am never disappointed. Thirst is inevitable but it does not have to turn into dehydration. I now know who to run to for every thirst quenching drop of water.

Father, You are my Spring of living water. Throughout today may I drink my fill of You and experience renewed strength and satisfying hydration! Amen.

Believing What You Are Told

And the Angel of the LORD appeared to him, and said to him, “The LORD is with you, you mighty man of valor!” Judges 6:12 (NKJV)

Often times we struggle to believe what God says about us because of the things we see, feel, hear, and experience. Gideon could not begin to digest the truth of what was being told to him (i.e., being a mighty man of valor) because everything in his life seemed to being saying just the opposite. Troubles had befallen his nation, God’s miracles were no longer apparent, he felt forsaken, his people were at the mercy of the Midianites, his family was poor and he was the least important within that family, and he could see nothing in himself that God could use that would allow him to be the leader God was calling him to be. In his opinion, he did not LOOK like a mighty man of valor, FEEL like a mighty man of valor, or BELIEVE he was a mighty man of valor. In essence, he was telling God, “You are wrong about me. You are mistaken. Your words cannot be true.”

While I may not come right out and say such a thing to God, He knows when the thoughts are there. God knows the list of arguments I have formulated in my mind that hinder me from reveling in the truth. He knows how I have excluded myself from being the intended recipient of His words to me. He knows the reason for the thoughts, the root of the thoughts, the wounds that feed the thoughts, and the firm grip the thoughts have on me. Yet, all of His knowledge does not stop Him from continuing to “woo me out of the jaws of distress into a spacious place without restriction!” He knows my only defense against such mindsets is to proclaim the truth and allow it to formulate my thought life.

The first chapter of Ephesians is a good place to start. It tells me I am blessed, chosen, called, blameless, adopted, loved, redeemed, forgiven, sealed, and empowered. His Word assures me that He has a plan and purpose for my life and that He will finish what He has started in me. My identity, security, and future all rest in Him. As I take in these truths, believe them, and live according to them, I will see the list of my own making begin to lose its credibility with me. Truth always dispels lies like light always dispels darkness!

Father, these are not just nice thoughts that are intended to comfort me on an off day. They are meant to revolutionize my life! I want to take Your Word over my own feelings, thoughts, and ideas. Amen.