Week 6: God doesn’t lie, you won’t die.
Scripture Reading: Judges 6:1-32
Synopsis: Here we read how God gives Gideon all that he needs to complete what God called him to accomplish.
The people demanded his life because he dethroned their god, but God defended him. Remember, God told him that he would not die and God does not lie. What a wicked world! His own people wanted to kill him because he destroyed their god. If God demands our lives each time we build an altar for an idol, even our pastors would not be alive today. It can be likened to what Jesus went through. He was tearing down the altars of Satan and religion but building altars for God and the Pharisees decided to crucify Him. Wilderness experiences often surface after we have had an encounter with God. The Trinity was present during Jesus’ baptism; the next step should have been partying or kick starting his ministry but the Spirit led Him into the wilderness to be tempted. Moses encountered God and he found himself going back to Egypt. Gideon obeyed God and he found himself tearing down the altar of Baal.
Wilderness experiences often surface after we have had an encounter with God. The Trinity was present during Jesus’ baptism; the next step should have been partying or kick starting his ministry but the Spirit led Him into the wilderness to be tempted. Moses encountered God and he found himself going back to Egypt. Gideon obeyed God and he found himself tearing down the altar of Baal.
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When the Spirit of the Lord is upon a man,
His life begins to attract others.
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Joash; Gideon’s father stood by him and he put Baal to the test. Gideon was named “Jerub-Baal” which means “Let Baal contend with him”. God decided to instruct Gideon on his next move because he obeyed. We often wonder why we do not hear from God; sometimes it is because we have not done the last thing He instructed us to do. The weakest man in the land led an attack against an idol; he stepped into a leadership position. By the virtue of God’s Spirit, He summoned his clan. It would have been impossible for the person they wanted to kill to summon them and show up; it was by God’s grace. When the Spirit of the Lord is upon a man, His life begins to attract others. When problems arise, leaders step up to face the challenges.
Memory Verse: “…God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” Hebrews 13:5-6 NIV
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for you have promised to never leave me nor forsake me. God help my heart not give way to what I see and to take courage in the call you have on my life.
Action Plan: Here are some activities that you can try to help implement this week’s message. Stay encouraged!
1. Write out some labels that have been attached to you? List at least three attributes that you would like to adopt and cultivate?
2. With your list of attributes, speak them out loud to yourself in front of a mirror every day this week.