I'm so glad you are here! I hope during your visit you get a glimpse of God's heart for we become what we are gazing at. I pray that God refreshes you and gives you readiness to persevere in what He has for you today.  My desire is to be a blessing to you in helping you know God more and make Him known so I've made these Resources available to you and have the Missional Living blog tab for practical ideas of how to live on mission right where you are.  

"Abimelech ruled Israel for three years. Then God sent an evil spirit to cause problems between Abimelech and citizens of Shechem. So citizens of Shechem turned against Abimelech." Judges 9:22-23 

What an incredible Rescuer the Lord is. We so often put our hope in other things yet He steps in showing it's not worthy. Like a boy in love showing he is the strongest. Like a shameless romantic clamoring for attention. Just like Gomer returning to prostitution after marrying Hosea. He pursues and woos her and doesn't give up because she is his, because of his love for her. 

God's pursuing heart is so evident when He stirs up trouble between Abimelech and the people. He shows them that Abimelech is not worthy of their total hope and reliance. They finally realize he is not all they dreamed he would be and are in a prime spot to look to the Lord. But later in the chapter we see that they don't, they look to another.

But God's unending pursuing grace is not exhausted. He pursues still. I find so much hope in the reality that when my flesh looks to other things to find what only the Lord can give, when I rely on other things instead of the Lord, He will frustrate my plans and help me see they are not worthy. What love. He will never stop showing off and showing how much greater and stronger and more worthy He is than whatever else we are trusting in. 

I long for the day when I will always look to Him, always rely on Him. That perfect day in heaven when all is well and as it should be. But till then Lord, please help us rely on You and put our full confidence and hope in You. And Lord when we are looking to something other than You, will You help us see because it is so easy to decieve ourselves. Thank You for not ever abandoning us, for loving us and pursuing us though we arnt the perfect image-bearers You deserve. But even in that Your grace is seen. Lord, You are just pretty amazing!

Here's a video I did not too long ago that is totally applicable to today. Basically I just share where I tend to find my source of hope.

If you haven't already,  Subscribe to receive a FREE copy of the Life Purpose Plan; discovering how your uniqueness, current reality and the mission fit together for the glory of God. 

And will you please like Beholding Glory on facebook. And share via the links at the bottom of this post. (I'm in the process of writing my 2nd 12 week Bible study on 2nd Samuel and publishers love those stats. Thank you!)     

Last week I asked for your feedback and thoughts about Brag on God Friday. You guys were so helpful in helping me think it through. Thank you. As suggested by Hazel  I am going to open the link for Brag on God Friday's on Thursday nights so people who want to link up on Thursdays can. And suggested by Rhoda, I am going to have this link up be for anything that gives God glory. I appreciate you guys sharing your wisdom.  Thanks!

'Tell the nations about his glory. Tell all people about the wonderful things he has done." 1 Chron. 16:24

Each Friday, I love to give others and opportunity to ban together to show and tell how incredible God is. If you've written something that glorifies God (gives us a glimpse of His character-which could be a whole lot of things since everything good thing and every gift and ability is from Him) I would love to have you link it up below. (Just click the link and follow the prompts)  

Please let your readers know by including a link in your post or put my button code (found on the side bar) so they can find these other great people glorifying God. 

You are chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, people who belong to God. You were chosen to tell about the excellent qualities of God, who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." 2 Peter 2:9

I'm so glad you are here! I hope during your visit you get a glimpse of God's heart for we become what we are gazing at. I pray that God refreshes you and gives you readiness to persevere in what He has for you today.  My desire is to be a blessing to you in helping you know God more and make Him known so I've made these Resources available to you and have the Missional Living blog tab for practical ideas of how to live on mission right where you are.  

"Now therefore, if you have dealt in truth and integrity in making Abimelech king, and if you have dealt well with Jerubbaal and his house, and have dealt with him as he deserved - for my father fought for you and risked his life and delivered you from the hand of Midian; but you have risen against my father's house today and have killed his sons, seventy men, on onestone, and have made Abimelech, the son of his maidservant, king over the men of Shechem,because he is your relative - if then you have dealt in truth and integrity with Jerubbaal and his house this day, rejoice in Abimelech, and let him also rejoice in you. "But if not, let fire comeout from Abimelech and consume the men of Shechem and Beth-millo ; and let fire come out from the men of Shechem and from Beth-millo, and consume Abimelech."  
Judges 9:16-20

I got towed the other day and I totally deserved it. There were signs everywhere but I just didn't bother noticing them. And it caused me to see that our culture of putting up signs is actually a reflection of God's heart. When there is something dangerous ahead or something that has a negative consequence, He lets us know about it. Things like nagging drives people to want to live on the corner of a rooftop. Or if you twist someone's nose it bleeds. But also super serious stuff like if you don't turn to Jesus and trust Him with your life, you will go to hell. 

God uses Jotham to give a serious warning about what is to come if they really move forward with making Abimelek king. There will be a civil war between Abimelek and the people. But just as I choose to ignore the signs about not leaving the premises or my car would be towed, so the people ignored God's warning through Jotham.

It is like this video where Joshua Bell, one of the most incredible musicians in the world played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin worth $3.5 million dollars. And two days before, sold-out a theater where the seats averaged $100 each to listen to him play this same piece. Yet most of those passing by did not notice the gift in front of them. Hopefully they did notice the don't slip signs though ;) 

If you haven't already,  Subscribe to receive a FREE copy of the Life Purpose Plan; discovering how your uniqueness, current reality and the mission fit together for the glory of God. 

And will you please like Beholding Glory on facebook. And share via the links at the bottom of this post. (I'm in the process of writing my 2nd 12 week Bible study on 2nd Samuel and publishers love those stats. Thank you!)     

I'm linked with: Some Girls Website and Canvas Child     

I'm so glad you are here! I hope during your visit you get a glimpse of God's heart for we become what we are gazing at. I pray that God refreshes you and gives you readiness to persevere in what He has for you today.  My desire is to be a blessing to you in helping you know God more and make Him known so I've made these Resources available to you and have the Missional Living blog tab for practical ideas of how to live on mission right where you are.  

"When Jotham was told about this, he climbed on top of Mount Gerizim and shouted to them, 'Listen to me, citizens of Shechem, so that God may listen to you." Judges 9:7

Enter Jotham. Fearful Jotham who hid from Ambimelek during the slaughter of his brothers yet here he is shouting out what's true to the people who stood guilty before God. Fearful yet couragous. He was moved to action so that God would listen to them people. He was moved to action because of his love for the Lord. He was a true example of "those who know the Lord will display strength and take action." (Dan. 11:32)

Just as soon as Jotham enters the picture and shares his little correction speech he disappears from the pages of scripture. But I just wonder about his life. He basically grew up living the life of a prince probably having whatever he wanted. And since he was the youngest, probably got away with a lot. I can imagine him running around having fun with his brothers. I imagine some of them were his best friends. I imagine them wrestling and getting into trouble together. Then his dad dies and all his brothers are killed and he runs away out of fear for his life. He looses everything and heads off to a new land where he knows no one, has no one. He had it all and lost it.

But what is cool is that his name means Yahweh is perfect. What a good reminder. People aren't perfect and never will be. And life may not turn out the way we always hoped and dreamed. And although people and circumstances will never be perfect Jesus is. So though life got turned upside down for Jotham, the Lord was still with Him. The perfect One was still with him and probably did some cool things in and through him that we will get to hear about in heaven.

If you haven't already,  Subscribe to receive a FREE copy of the Life Purpose Plan; discovering how your uniqueness, current reality and the mission fit together for the glory of God. 

And will you please like Beholding Glory on facebook. And share via the links at the bottom of this post. (I'm in the process of writing my 2nd 12 week Bible study on 2nd Samuel and publishers love those stats. Thank you!)     

I'm linking up with:
A Holy Experience, Good Morning Girls, Women Living Well, My Daily Walk in His Grace,Internet Cafe Devotions, Reflections of His Grace, We Are That Family      

I'm so glad you are here! I hope during your visit you get a glimpse of God's heart for we become what we are gazing at. I pray that God refreshes you and gives you readiness to persevere in what He has for you today.  My desire is to be a blessing to you in helping you know God more and make Him known so I've made these Resources available to you and have the Missional Living blog tab for practical ideas of how to live on mission right where you are.  

This is just crazy to me. If someone just killed their 70 brothers would you ever then just vote him in as your President? Of course not! But that is because I said it like that. All it takes is a little re-packaging to make ideas easier to justify. 

Abimelek said there were two options. To have 69 Kings over them or to have him, their own flesh and blood. He totally left out the best option, which was the only option his dad, Gideon made available to the people. The option of letting God be their King. Ok, seriously, since when does a kingdom have 69 Kings? Well, he deceived them into thinking he was their only hope, so much so they gave him money. People really have to believe in something or want it bad enough to put their money there. For instance, have you ever given to an election, someone running for President? If so, why? Because you really believed in them and what they could bring to the table.

But then he goes and kills his own brothers and the people still, right after that, crown him King. How crazy! But when someone you deeply believe in does something wrong, how easy it is to justify for them that what they did was what had to happen or not really that bad. (For instance a good parallel would be a President that condones the murder of babies. It's like they 'ok' the murder of the least of these, but still have many stand behind them praising how wonderful they are.)

Good thing the Lord can not be deceived and is the One who see's. There is so much hope and freedom found in that truth. He See's and wont be deceived. And He is our Hope, the One worthy of our full trust and reliance.

Oh Lord, when we look to others when we should be looking to us, convict us. Help us keep our hearts fixed on You the author and perfecter of our faith. And Lord help us not condone what You call sin. Help us not justify for people we look up to. But also help us not call them all bad either. And Lord help us not package things in ways they shouldn't be packaged. Help us speak honestly, giving all the facts. Give us eyes to see like You do. Give us wisdom and discernment and use us for Your glory on earth. You are the King, help us live that way. 

If you haven't already,  Subscribe to receive a FREE copy of the Life Purpose Plan; discovering how your uniqueness, current reality and the mission fit together for the glory of God. 

And will you please like Beholding Glory on facebook. And share via the links at the bottom of this post. (I'm in the process of writing my 2nd 12 week Bible study on 2nd Samuel and publishers love those stats. Thank you!)     

I'm linked up with Pause on the Path, Finding Heaven and We Are That Family     

I'm so glad you are here! I hope during your visit you get a glimpse of God's heart for we become what we are gazing at. I pray that God refreshes you and gives you readiness to persevere in what He has for you today.  My desire is to be a blessing to you in helping you know God more and make Him known so I've made these Resources available to you and have the Missional Living blog tab for practical ideas of how to live on mission right where you are.  

"Thus Midian was subdued before the Israelites and did not raise its head again. During Gideon's lifetime, the land enjoyed peace forty years. Jerub-Baal son of Joash went back home to live. He had seventy sons of his own, for he had many wives. His concubine, who lived in Shechem, also bore him a son, whom he named Abimelech. Gideon son of Joash died at a good old age and was buried in the tomb of his father Joash in Ophrah of the Abiezrites. No sooner had Gideon died than the Israelites again prostituted themselves to the Baals. They set up Baal-Berith as their god and did not remember the LORD their God, who had rescued them from the hands of all their enemies on every side. They also failed to show kindness to the family of Jerub-Baal (that is, Gideon) for all the good things he had done for them." 
Judges 8:28-35  


The other day walking up to the backdoor of my house I thought of the previous owners. Our house is 80 years old and has had 5 owners one of which was the mafia. Crazy! Wouldn't that be cool if we found money hidden in the walls or something. :)  The couple who owned it before us was a sweet couple who had a prayer meeting every week for 21 years. When it came time to sell it, they prayed for someone to use it for ministry since they had dedicated it to the Lord. And how incredible is God that He lead us to move for the very purpose of being able to be closer to campus and use our house more for ministry. 

So anyway, I thought of all the owners before us and then wondered who the owners would be after us. It sure put things in perspective for me. Our time here on earth is just a speck of  dust. In fact God says that the nations, all the people who have ever lived "are like a drop in a bucket and are considered to be like dust on a scale." (Isa. 40:15) All 7 billion of us and all the generations of the entire world before us are like a drop in a bucket. 

But to think that during Gideon's life there was peace for 40 years. Pretty awesome. If that was said of my lifetime, that would be pretty cool. But honestly I think it's sad that it ended there. I don't want the blessing of God to die with me, I want to leave a legacy that multiplies for God's glory and the expansion of His kingdom. And to do that takes intentionality, something it doesn't seem Gideon did.

Scholars say that although Gideon told the people he wouldn't be their king, he acted like one. Taking many wives even a concubine from the Canaanites and having 70 sons and even naming one of them Abimelek which means, "My father is king". (No wonder Mr. Entitled flips out in the next chapter) What would have become of the people if Gideon would have been more concerned with helping the people walk with God than acquiring things fit for a king? What would have happened if he would have discipled his kids to love and serve the Lord?

When we get our attention off the Lord and fixed on other things we end up giving ourselves to it. No wonder God tell us to guard our hearts for it directs the course of our life. After Gideon died, the people forgot the Lord and prostituted themselves. Oh so sad. It begs us to reflect: 

     * Are you depending on a person to keep you walking with the Lord, or are you depending on
       Him?

     * How would you know if you were living as though you had forgotten the Lord?

     * Are you living as though your time on earth is limited and investing in the lives of others
        for God's glory? If not, what's keeping your from doing so?

If you haven't already,  Subscribe to receive a FREE copy of the Life Purpose Plan; discovering how your uniqueness, current reality and the mission fit together for the glory of God. 

And will you please like Beholding Glory on facebook. And share via the links at the bottom of this post. (I'm in the process of writing my 2nd 12 week Bible study on 2nd Samuel and publishers love those stats. Thank you!)     

I'm linked up with the beautiful ladies at  A Holy Experience, The Beauty in His Grip, Nebraska Graceful, The Wellspring   

#331 That we don't live 920 years anymore
#332 Going to the children's museum with a friend
#333 Lunch with Gloria and anticipation of leading Bible study with her
#334 Kay & Dorlan, a wonderfully generous and wise couple from church
#335 God leading us to change the dates for the women's conference.

If you haven't already,  Subscribe to receive a FREE copy of the Life Purpose Plan; discovering how your uniqueness, current reality and the mission fit together for the glory of God. 

And will you please like Beholding Glory on facebook. And share via the links at the bottom of this post. (I'm in the process of writing my 2nd 12 week Bible study on 2nd Samuel and publishers love those stats. Thank you!)    

Each Friday, I love to give others and opportunity to ban together and tell about how incredible God is. If you'd like to "proclaim the excellencies of Him who called us out of darkness" click the link below and follow the prompts to link up your post. 

Please let your readers know by including a link in your post or put my button code (found on the side bar) so they can find these other great people bragging about the greatness of God.

And there is something I've been thinking about and would love your feedback on...
I am thinking about moving Brag on God Friday's to Brag on God Thursdays. I think that would make it possible for more people to join us (since many like to participlate in  5 minute friday). But if I had it up on Thursday, it would just be up for one day (and I like to have your links up for the weekend so you get the most chance of others finding you as possible.) But I blog every weekday. So what do you think? Should I move it to Thursday's or not?

I'm so glad you are here! I hope during your visit you get a glimpse of God's heart for we become what we are gazing at. I pray that God refreshes you and gives you readiness to persevere in what He has for you today.  My desire is to be a blessing to you in helping you know God more and make Him known so I've made these Resources available to you and have the Missional Living blog tab for practical ideas of how to live on mission right where you are. If you are blogger come link up on Friday's for Brag on God Friday.  

"Gideon and his three hundred men, exhausted yet keeping up the pursuit, came to the Jordan and crossed it. He said to the men of Succoth, "Give my troops some bread; they are worn out, and I am still pursuing Zebah and Zalmunna, the kings of Midian." But the officials of Succoth said, "Do you already have the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna in your possession? Why should we give bread to your troops? Then Gideon replied, "Just for that, when the LORD has given Zebah and Zalmunna into my hand, I will tear your flesh with desert thorns and briers." From there he went up to Peniel and made the same request of them, but they answered as the men of Succoth had. So he said to the men of Peniel, "When I return in triumph, I will tear down this tower." Now Zebah and Zalmunna were in Karkor with a force of about fifteen thousand men, all that were left of the armies of the eastern peoples; a hundred and twenty thousand swordsmen had fallen. Gideon went up by the route of the nomads east of Nobah and Jogbehah and fell upon the unsuspecting army. Zebah and Zalmunna, the two kings of Midian, fled, but he pursued them and captured them, routing their entire army.  Judges 8:4-12

Someone I highly respect said to my husband one time as he was requesting something incredibly courageous, "No. I don't like to be part of loosing battles." I was dumb-struck. I just couldn't believe someone in a leadership position could choose not to do what was right because there was a high chance of failure. It made me so incredibly grateful to be married to a man who will do what is right no matter the cost or outcome. Someone who will do what is right, even if it hurts.

These 300 were like that. Exhausted yet they keep going. It seems like these guys are unstopable. Even when the task at hand seems ridiculous. Even when all others are mocking them. Even when no one will come to their aid because they don't want to be part of a loosing battle.

What does it take to stop you?

What about you? Do you do what is right even when failure is staring you in the face? Or would you be like the officials of Succoth?

Though these officials failed them and they were left to fight again without food. God sustained them. His grace was sufficient. 300 won this second battle fighting 15,000 exhausted with no food. The Lord's grace truly is sufficient. When God calls us to do something, He always makes a way for it to happen, even down to the tiniest details like physical energy. Nothing is impossible for God.

What has He called you to today? Remember His grace will be sufficient for you.

If you haven't already,  Subscribe to receive a FREE copy of the Life Purpose Plan; discovering how your uniqueness, current reality and the mission fit together for the glory of God. 

And will you please like Beholding Glory on facebook. And share via the links at the bottom of this post. (I'm in the process of writing my 2nd 12 week Bible study and publishers love those stats. Thank you!)    

I'm linked with: Some Girls Website and Canvas Child    

I'm so glad you are here! I hope during your visit you get a glimpse of God's heart for we become what we are gazing at. I pray that God refreshes you and gives you readiness to persevere in what He has for you today.  My desire is to be a blessing to you in helping you know God more and make Him known so I've made these Resources available to you and have the Missional Living blog tab for practical ideas of how to live on mission right where you are. If you are blogger come link up on Friday's for Brag on God Friday.  

"Now the Ephraimites asked Gideon, 'Why have you treated us like this? Why didn't you call us when you went to  fight Midian?' And they criticized him sharply. But he answered them, 'What have I accomplished compared to you? Aren't the gleanings of Ephraim's grapes better than the full grape harvest of Abiezer? God gave Oreb and Zeeb, the Midianite leaders, into your hands. What was I able to do compared to you?' At this, their resentment against him subsided." Judges 8:1-3  

Sometimes other people get the opportunities you desire, even when your motives are good and you really desire to please the Lord, someone else just may get what you hope for. Have you been there? I have, just last night. And that makes these few verses a sweet little blessing.

The Lord didn't ask the Ephraimites to fight the Midianites, He asked Gideon and 300 others. Why? I mean really, why in the world would God not want  (fill in the blank) ? The reason He didn't ask the Ephraimites was for His glory. Sometimes the most glory means sitting the bench. Yuck! Oh how I hated sitting the bench. I am a please give me a thousand things to do and I will thrive kind of person. Make me sit on the bench and my attitude goes down the tubes.

And ya know the crazy thing is that these guys got to play the last inning. They got to be part of the big come back, the big win but they forgot and just pointed the disappointed finger at Gideon as though it was his fault when really it was God who limited them. Sometimes victory can inflate our view of ourselves, something like, "Look how we won, why didn't you have us and all our incredibleness to begin with?"

So if the Lord chose someone else over you for a task, can you be content with that and keep pursuing Him and stewarding your gifts the best you know how in other ways? 

And what a cool picture of how a gentle answer turns away wrath. The Ephraimites were unjustly criticizing Gideon and he responds with respect. Wow. Yet another fruit of being filled with the Holy Spirit, seeing fruit like patience, gentleness, love, peace, kindness... 

Oh Lord, thank You for this glimpse that sometimes You just wont choose us for a task. Help us being willing to let go.  Empower us to submit to You and all you have even when it just doesn't make sense. And Lord, give us Your ability to give gentle answers.

If you haven't already,  Subscribe to receive a FREE copy of the Life Purpose Plan; discovering how your uniqueness, current reality and the mission fit together for the glory of God. 

And will you please like Beholding Glory on facebook. And share via the links at the bottom of this post. (I'm in the process of writing my 2nd 12 week Bible study and publishers love those stats. Thank you!)    

I'm linking up with:
A Holy Experience, Good Morning Girls, Women Living Well, My Daily Walk in His Grace,Internet Cafe Devotions, Reflections of His Grace, We Are That Family     

I'm so glad you are here! I hope during your visit you get a glimpse of God's heart for we become what we are gazing at. I pray that God refreshes you and gives you readiness to persevere in what He has for you today.  My desire is to be a blessing to you in helping you know God more and make Him known so I've made these Resources available to you and have the Missional Living blog tab for practical ideas of how to live on mission right where you are. If you are blogger come link up on Friday's for Brag on God Friday.  

"The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as men rejoice when dividing the plunder. For as in the day of Midian's defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. Every warrior's boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this." Isaiah 9:2-7 


The little battle of Gideon and the 300 taking on the 135,000 and winning having the yoke of slavery destroyed was just a picture of the Lord's grand story. A picture of how the Lord would come to defeat the thing that holds us captive and give us freedom. The 135,000 soldiers in the dark valley saw the light as the jars were broken the same way those who lived on this broken earth, the valley of the shadow of death saw the  Light of the world when He was born as a baby. 

And just as those in the valley of the shadow of death saw the Light of the world, we too await Him to return to establish the light of His perfect kingdom here on earth. Awaiting the time of peace with no end and where justice and righteousness will be upheld perfectly forever.

Lord, thank You for glimpses of what's to come all over the pages of Scripture. Thank You that You haven't left us to complete confusion but have given us concrete things we can expect from You. As You say we will, we see You as, the Wonder-full (Wonderful in v.6 is a noun, speaking of His person and work). The  Wisdom Giver (Counselor), the Omnipotent God with supreme rule (Mighty God). The Father and Source of Eternity (Everlasting) and the loving, tender, compassionate, instructor, trainer and provider (Father). And the One who will at last bring peace to this world (Prince of Peace).

If you haven't already,  Subscribe to receive a FREE copy of the Life Purpose Plan; discovering how your uniqueness, current reality and the mission fit together for the glory of God. 

And will you please like Beholding Glory on facebook. And share via the links at the bottom of this post. (I'm in the process of writing my 2nd 12 week Bible study and publishers love those stats. Thank you!)    

I'm linked up with Pause on the Path, Finding Heaven and We Are That Family    

I'm so glad you are here! I hope during your visit you get a glimpse of God's heart for we become what we are gazing at. I pray that God refreshes you and gives you readiness to persevere in what He has for you today.  My desire is to be a blessing to you in helping you know God more and make Him known so I've made these Resources available to you and have the Missional Living blog tab for practical ideas of how to live on mission right where you are. If you are blogger come link up on Friday's for Brag on God Friday. 

"Dividing the three hundred men into three companies, he placed trumpets and empty jars in the hands of all of them, with torches inside. "Watch me," he told them. "Follow my lead. When I get to the edge of the camp, do exactly as I do. When I and all who are with me blow our trumpets, then from all around the camp blow yours and shout, 'For the LORD and for Gideon.' " Gideon and the hundred men with him reached the edge of the camp at the beginning of the middle watch, just after they had changed the guard. They blew their trumpets and broke the jars that were in their hands. The three companies blew the trumpets and smashed the jars. Grasping the torches in their left hands and holding in their right hands the trumpets they were to blow, they shouted, "A sword for the LORD and for Gideon!" While each man held his position around the camp, all the Midianites ran, crying out as they fled. When the three hundred trumpets sounded, the LORD caused the men throughout the camp to turn on each other with their swords. The army fled to Beth Shittah toward Zererah as far as the border of Abel Meholah near Tabbath. Israelites from Naphtali, Asher and all Manasseh were called out, and they pursued the Midianites. Gideon sent messengers throughout the hill country of Ephraim, saying, "Come down against the Midianites and seize the waters of the Jordan ahead of them as far as Beth Barah." So all the men of Ephraim were called out and they took the waters of the Jordan as far as Beth Barah. They also captured two of the Midianite leaders, Oreb and Zeeb. They killed Oreb at the rock of Oreb, and Zeeb at the winepress of Zeeb. They pursued the Midianites and brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon, who was by the Jordan." Judges 7:16-25 


Just one story in His-story yet so much of God's character to be seen through it. 

Gideon, fearful, doubtful Gideon who once filled and empowered by the Holy Spirit is now standing up in the face of the 450 times the size of his army saying, "Follow my lead." Wow! God is capable of turning the weakest most fearful and discouraged heart into the bravest and most courageous!

And these clay pots filled with light. What a beautiful picture also seen in the New Testament. We are but clay pots. "For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body." 2 Cor. 4:6-11   Once the pots were broken, the light could be seen. The same with us. When we lay our life down, when we surrender, just as a seed dies, Christ's life can be seen through us. How incredible that our Infinite God is able to reveal Himself through His finite creation.

And can you just imagine, "While each man held his position... all the Midianites ran, crying out as they fled." We don't even have to do anything spectacular, just step out in faith, being available to the Lord and He does what He has planned. These guys are just standing there, holding their position while they watch the 135,000 flip out, then run off screaming. My mouth would definitely be dropped. Guess it just takes the tiniest bit of faith, perhaps like the size of a mustard seed, tiniest of all seeds. It's not the amount of faith, it's just that we put it in the right place. The Lord, not ourselves. Our God is able to do the impossible with the tiniest reliance from us. And I might add that the 300 men's faith didn't make God do this. It just allowed them to see Him do it. (Which stands in opposition to the thought, "if you just had enough faith ________ would have happened.") 

Many other people were "called out" as a result of these guys trusting the Lord. So not only do the more we trust God, the more we trust God. The more we trust God, the more others are moved to trust God. We have a God who created faith to grow, I guess much like a mustard tree.

Which of these truths about God stands out to you today? Why?
Is there one you need to keep thinking about today in relation to your circumstances?

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I'm linked up with the beautiful ladies at  A Holy Experience, The Beauty in His Grip, Nebraska Graceful, The Wellspring  

#322 Well, to thank the Lord in everything. I've been pretty discouraged today. So Lord, please show me what about this discouragement is worthy of thanking You. I guess that You don't let us stay discouraged. In the end, You will wipe every tear. Thank you Lord that this is only temporary.
#323 The John 3:16 commercial by focus on the family during the Broncos game
#324 That I'm not pregnant (thought I was for a bit there and that was frightening.)
#325 Eden finally cuddling little stuffed animals and not playing with cars all the time.
#326 School starting and the anticipation mounting.
#327 An amazing group of student leaders this semester
#328 An amazing small group at church who signed up to make the students dinners twice a week this semester.
#329 Samaritan Ministries health insurance type thing. So amazing and such a blessing.
#330 Austin taking the boys on a bike ride and time to blog.