Posts Tagged ‘religion’

Spiritual Training 29 June 2012

Posted: June 29, 2012 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command
Gideon

Judges 8:15-17 The Gideon came and said to the men of Succoth, “Here are Zebah and Zalmunna, about whom you taunted me by saying, Do you already have the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna in your possession?  Why should we give bread to you’re your exhausted men?”  He took the elders of the town and taught the men of Succoth a lesson by punishing them with desert thorns and briers.  He also pulled down the tower of Peniel and killed the men of the town. 

 Gideon carried out the threat he had made in 8:7.  It is difficult to determine whether this act of revenge was justified or whether he should have left the punishment up to God.  Gideon was God’s appointed leader, but the officials of Succoth and Peniel refused to help him in any way because they feared the enemy.  They showed neither faith nor respect for God nor the man God had chosen to save them.

Lets bring it home: We should help others because it is right, regardless of whether we will benefit personally.

Proverbs 28:09 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: June 29, 2012 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command
 Proverbs 28:09 – If anyone turns a deaf ear to the law even his prayers are detestable.

God does not listen to our prayers if we intend to go back to our sin as soon as we get off our knees.  If we want to forsake our sin and follow him, however, he willingly listens-no matter how bad our sin has been.  What closes his ears is not the depth of our sin, but our secret intention to do it again.  God hears our intentions as clearly as he hears our words.

Spiritual Training 28 June 2012

Posted: June 29, 2012 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Judges, Personal Growth, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command
Gideon

Judges 8:4-9 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?  Whey 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.”

The leaders of Succoth and Peniel refused to help Gideon, probably fearing Midian’s revenge should he fail (Gideon’s army was 300 men chasing 15,000).  They should have realized that victory was certain because God was with Gideon.  But they were so worried about saving themselves that they never thought about God’s power to save.

Lets bring it home: Because of fear for ourselves, we may not recognize God’s presence in other people and therefore miss God’s victory.  Then we must face the often bitter consequences of failing to join forces with those God has chosen to do his work.  Because God will prevail with or without you, be quick to join others who are engaged in his work.  Lend support with your time, money, talents, and prayer.

Proverbs 27:21 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: June 29, 2012 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

Proverbs 27:21 – The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but man is tested by the praise he receives.     

Praise tests a person, just as high temperatures test metal.  How does praise affect you? Do you work to get it? Do you work harder after you’ve gotten it? Your attitude toward praise tells a lot about your character.  People of high integrity are not swayed by praise.  They are attuned to their inner convictions, and they do what they should whether or not they are praised for it.

Spiritual Training 27 June 2012

Posted: June 29, 2012 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Judges, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command
Gideon

Judges 8:1-3 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 Oereb and Zeeb, the Midianite leaders, into your hands.  What was I able to do compared to you?” At this, their resentment against him subsided. 

 Ephraim’s leaders felt left out because Gideon had not called them to join the battle, but had left them in place to “clean up” the escaping Midianites (“the gleanings”), and so they angrily confronted him.  Gideon assured the leaders of Ephraim that their accomplishment was even greater than his own clan’s (Abiezer).  His diplomatic explanation pointed out that this rear guard had managed to capture the enemy’s generals, thus cutting off the leaders from their army.  Not every necessary job is a highly visible leadership role.  Much of the necessary labor of any effective enterprise is considered by many to be dirty work.  But such work is vital to getting and big task done.

Lets bring it home: Engineers and millionaires may design and finance an elegant building, but it is the bricklayers who get the work done.  Pride causes us to want recognition.  Are you content to be God’s bricklayer, or do you resent the work God has given you?

Proverbs 26:18-19 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: June 26, 2012 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command 

Proverbs 26:18-19  Like a madman shooting firebrands or deadly arrows is a man who deceives his neighbor and says, “I was only joking!” 

Deceiving those who trust you is a horrible crime. Neighbors, employers, and others trust your integrity. You are close enough to take advantage of them, so they must trust you to not use that nearness against them. It is your duty as a Christian to live honestly with all men, but especially those nearest to you.

Jesting (Joking) is not convenient – appropriate, proper, or suitable. It causes confusion, pain, and trouble. It destroys confidence and security. This is especially true when you joke with those who trust you. Truth is a wonderful thing, and it should not be mocked. Your neighbor trusts you – be worthy of it. King Solomon had no use for profane individuals who play tricks on others for profit or pleasure and excuse their wickedness by calling it a game or a joke.

Deceiving those who trust you is a horrible crime. Neighbors, employers, and others trust your integrity. You are close enough to take advantage of them, so they must trust you to not use that nearness against them. It is your duty as a Christian to live honestly with all men, but especially those nearest to you.

Covering and excusing sin by lightly claiming it was just a joke reveals a very profane character. Such persons have no conscience; they laugh at sin; they do not comprehend the pain their deception causes others. We oppose this folly by keeping and requiring a sober and serious approach to all relationships.

Spiritual Training 26 June 2012

Posted: June 26, 2012 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Judges, Personal Growth, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command
Gideon defeats the Midianites

Judges 7:21 When each man held his position around the camp, all the Midianites ran, crying out as they fled. 

Gideon’s warriors simply watched as the army of Midian fell into panic, confusion, and disordered retreat.  Not one man had to draw a sword to defeat the enemy.  Gideon’s small army could never have brought about such a victory in its own strength.  God wanted to demonstrate to Israel that victory depends not on strength or numbers, but on obedience and commitment to him.

Remember in Chapter 6:12 When right from the start God called Gideon a mighty warrior.  God told Gideon to go save Israel out of the Midian’s hand, and its He who is sending you.   Gideon said, how can he save Israel, his clan was the weakest in Manasseh, and he was the least of his family.  But the LORD assured him that He would be with him.  Gideon failed to see how God could work through him.  Notice how God uses the least to shame the great.

Lets bring it home: God is with us today, and we got to move and go forth as a mighty warrior for Christ.  We can’t sit back and keep questioning God, when he tells us in his word that

I will never leave you or forsake you, I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me, No weapon form against you will prosper and what can man do to me.  We got to stay in his word and be obedient to his commands, not just on the outside, but the inside.   

Proverbs 25:21-22 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: June 25, 2012 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

Proverbs 25:21-22 – If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.  In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you. 

 God’s form of retaliation is most effective and yet difficult to do.  Paul quotes this proverb in Romans 12:19-21. In Mathew 5:44, Jesus encourages us to pray for those who hurt us.  By returning good for evil, we are acknowledging God as the balancer of all accounts and trusting him to be the judge.

Spiritual Training 25 June 2012

Posted: June 25, 2012 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Judges, Personal Growth, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command
Gideon defeats the Midianites

Judges 7:09-11 During the night the LORD said to Gideon, “Get up, go down against the camp, because I am going to give it into your hands.  “If you are afraid to attack, go down to the camp with your servant Purah and listen to what they are saying. Afterward, you will be encouraged to attack the camp”. So he and Purah his servant went down to the outpost of the camp. 

Facing overwhelming odds, Gideon was afraid.  God understood his fear, but he didn’t excuse Gideon from his task.  Instead he allowed Gideon to slip into the enemy camp and over-hear a conversation that would give him courage.

Lets Bring it home: Are you facing a battle with internal or external foes that have defeated you in the past or appear invincible today?  God can give you the strength you need for any situation.  And don’t be startled by the way he helps you.  Like Gideon, you must listen to God and be ready to take the first step.  Only after you begin to obey God will you find the courage to move ahead.


Proverbs 21:23 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: June 21, 2012 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command
Proverbs 21:23 He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity. 

Here is truth and wisdom! If you rule your speech, you will save yourself from trouble. Your mouth and tongue are two of your greatest enemies. If you will keep them under control and only speak the right words at the right time, your life will be blessed. It is ungoverned speech that gets men into all sorts of trouble.

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