These things happened to them as examples for us.
1 Corinthians 10:11
1 Corinthians 10:11
When man has a problem, God has the solution!
As we have been going through this great series called "Walking With The Greats" and sharing about these great men and women of God, it might be easy to think that they were superheros or people with greater faith and strength than you could ever have. In fact, the opposite is true. For example, here were some of the character traits of these 'greats' that we esteem so highly:
- Noah got drunk
- Abraham was too old
- Isaac was a daydreamer
- Jacob was a liar
- Leah was just plain ugly
- Joseph was abused
- Moses couldn’t speak the language well
- Samson was a womanizer
- Rahab was a prostitute
- Jeremiah and Timothy were too young
- David had an affair and was a murderer
- Isaiah preached naked
- Jonah ran from God
- Naomi was a widow
- Job went bankrupt
- John the Baptist ate bugs
- Peter denied Christ
- The disciples fell asleep while praying
- Martha worried about everything
- The Samaritan woman was divorced more than once
- Zaccheus was too small
- Paul was too religious
- Timothy had an ulcer
- Lazarus was dead – what could be worse than that!
What we need to realize is that God doesn't work through people's perfections. The great men and women of faith in the bible had just as many obstacles to overcome as we do. But God empowered them regardless.
LIFE LESSON #1: Man looks at our abilities, God looks at our possibilities.
You are more than a conqueror, but when God calls us, we can't leave things as they are. There are things we have to do to get the victory.
You are more than a conqueror, but when God calls us, we can't leave things as they are. There are things we have to do to get the victory.
LIFE LESSON #2: Tear Down the Idols in Our Lives - Judges 6:25-26
We need to identify any altars in our life that are set up to false gods and tear them down. Gideon did it at night for fear of the people. The altar he destroyed was his father's altar. What generational altars do you need to tear down? We have relationship altars, habit altars, unforgiveness altars... put your faith in God and tear them down! We must put first things first - God must be first in your life. Tear down the altar and put God first and fear will be replaced with faith. Fear holds us back but faith moves us forward. We all have fear and doubt. What will you do with those thoughts when they come to your mind? What will your response be? To get the victory, we must walk in faith, not fear.
LIFE LESSON #3: Don’t be Afraid of Impossible Odds - Judges 6:34-35
Gideon told God there are too many, when they were outnumbered 135,000 to one. Take small faith steps first, then you will be able to take the bigger faith steps. God will make your situation so that only He can get the glory! Gideon was left with only 300 men in his army. those odds are 450 to 1! But God was on Gideon's side and He is on your side too. Regardless of your situation, with God - a miracle is a miracle! His power works best in your weakness! 2 Corinthians 12:9
LIFE LESSON #4: You've Still Got To Fight - Don’t Give Up Until the Job is Done!
You have a job to do, a part to play. God requires you; you are part of His victory plan for your life. Not just praying, but doing. He will give you a plan of attack but you must trust God and follow the plan. Most of the 135,000 who were against Gideon killed themselves without the 300 ever getting dirty. But Gideon's men still had to draw their swords against the final 15,000! We can't get excited over partial victory. We can't give up until we have complete victory! We need to pray, to hear from God - but we also have to fight!
“Keep Praying, Keep Fighting 'til the Victory is Won!”
Jeremiah 29:11 God's plan is for you to win, to overcome!
You need to know that you are a mighty person of valour!
CHALLENGE: Take the time to examine your life to see if there are any altars that need to be torn down. Trust God as you honour Him and tear them down completely. Don't be satisfied with partial victory. Keep fighting until you have the entire victory. Then, go forward and be encouraged by that small step to, take on the next challenge, the bigger challenge. As you commit yourself to doing WHATEVER IT TAKES, God will get the glory by doing what only He can do! He is waiting to get with you right now. Go into your closet every day this week and watch God share His plans for you, with you; then go out and do what He told you to do and experience victory every day this week! Then, blog your testimony of victory below!
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It's so good to know that God views us way better than we view ourselves. God believes we are "great", so let's walk like we are!
ReplyDeleteWe know from the "Walking with the Greats" series, that God uses imperfect people to get the job done. We just need to be willing. God sees our potential, even when we don't. Don't let fear of your past hold you back. Keep moving forward until you accomplish all that you need to do.
ReplyDeleteWe know from the "Walking with the Greats" series, that God uses imperfect people to get the job done. We just need to be willing. God sees our potential, even when we don't. Don't let fear of your past hold you back. Keep moving forward until you accomplish all that you need to do.
ReplyDelete