Learn From Gideon, 52of52

~ Cause And Effect ~

The Biblical account of the life of Gideon provides for one of the most interesting character studies in all of Scripture.  In this series we have discovered practical lessons for living the Christian life today.  

Summary  ~  God rewards our behavior—good and bad.  From an eternal perspective we are all headed to judgement and hell.  But the Beloved Son of God gave His life as payment for our sins—but forgiveness of an individual’s sins only comes when they accept by faith the reality of Scripture.

“God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.  For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.  For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:4-10). 

Learn From Gideon  ~  Nations and individuals eventually reap what they sow.

1. There is a general principle which stands out in the life of Gideon: God wants obedience and God is faithful to those who are obedient.
2. We trust God by faith—and in so doing receive salvation by God’s grace.
3. Having trusted God He works in and through us.
4. As God works in us we do good works (not to earn salvation but as a result of salvation). 
5. We reap what we sow.  “But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully” (2 Corinthians 9:6).  “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.  For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life” (Galatians 6:7-8). 
6. Gideon started out as a spiritual coward but God used him as a mighty warrior.
7. Dietrich Bonhoeffer once wrote, “He who believes is obedient, and only he who is obedient believes.” 

Challenge For Us  ~  What are you sowing for eternity?  There are no U-Hauls in heaven.  What eternal treasure are you laying up in heaven?

concluding comment  ~  We learn about Gideon primarily from Judges 6-8, but also Isaiah 9:1-7, and Hebrews 11:1-3, 32-34.

NOTE:  We now resume our “Fear God” series after skipping 2018 with a “Learn from Gideon” 52-week series.

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .

Learn From Gideon, 51

~ Gideon Entered The Hall of Faith ~

The Biblical account of the life of Gideon provides for one of the most interesting character studies in all of Scripture.  In this series we are discovering practical lessons for living the Christian life today.  

Scripture  ~  “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.  For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.  …  “And what more shall I say?  For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens” (Hebrews 11:1-2, 32-34)

Learn From Gideon  ~  God calls and God rewards.

1. Gideon was faithful to what God called him to do.  It was not always easy.
1. Gideon was a very human hero.
2. He was a very reluctant warrior.
3. Gideon was a doubter who was strengthened by His God.  God can raise up a doubter for great kingdom work.
4. Gideon had to learn that his strength came from God—not the size of his army.  God reduced his massive army to “a few good men” (300).  In the process he had to trust God to downsize his army multiple times.
2. God looks beyond the way we are and sees what we can become. 
3. Even after being called by God Gideon continued to make excuses and question God.
4. Because of a growing faith and trust Gideon became courageous. 
5. Even though Gideon failed at times Gideon is listed in God’s “Hall of Fame” or more accurately God’s “Hall of Faith.” In fact, he is listed before King David.
6. Life on earth is preparation time for reigning time. 

Challenge For Us  ~  Are you fulfilling your calling? 

concluding comment  ~  We learn about Gideon primarily from Judges 6-8, but also Isaiah 9:1-7, and Hebrews 11:1-3, 32-34.

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .

Learn From Gideon, 50

~ Gideon Left a Legacy ~

The Biblical account of the life of Gideon provides for one of the most interesting character studies in all of Scripture.  In this series we are discovering practical lessons for living the Christian life today.

Scripture  ~  “But there’ll be no darkness for those who were in trouble.  Earlier he did bring the lands of Zebulun and Naphtali into disrepute, but the time is coming when he’ll make that whole area glorious—the road along the Sea, the country past the Jordan, international Galilee.  The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.  For those who lived in a land of deep shadows—light!  Sunbursts of light!  You repopulated the nation, you expanded its joy.  Oh, they’re so glad in your presence!  Festival joy!  The joy of a great celebration, sharing rich gifts and warm greetings.  The abuse of oppressors and cruelty of tyrants—all their whips and cudgels and curses—is gone, done away with, a deliverance as surprising and sudden as Gideon’s old victory over Midian.  The boots of all those invading troops, along with their shirts soaked with innocent blood, will be piled in a heap and burned, a fire that will burn for days!  For a child has been born—for us!  The gift of a son—for us!  He’ll take over the running of the world.  His names will be: Amazing Counselor, Strong God, Eternal Father, Prince of Wholeness.  His ruling authority will grow, and there’ll be no limits to the wholeness he brings.  He’ll rule from the historic David throne over that promised kingdom.  He’ll put that kingdom on a firm footing and keep it going with fair dealing and right living, beginning now and lasting always.  The zeal of God-of-the-Angel-Armies will do all this (Isaiah 9:1-7, The Message).

Learn From Gideon  ~   Long after Gideon was gone from this life he was remembered, in fact he is remembered today such as in this series of 52 posts. 

1. As a teenager I heard a saying which I have never forgotten: “Don’t sacrifice the permanent on the altar of the immediate.” 
2. Many are familiar with the concept of not letting the urgent drive out the important.
3. The Christian martyr Jim Elliot is known for his many pearls of wisdom recorded in his personal journal.  The best known is: “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep in order to gain what he cannot lose.”  
4. Jesus spoke to this: “Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.  For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.  For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?  Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?  For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works’” (Matthew 16:24-27).

Challenge For Us  ~  If you would die today, what lasting legacy would you leave behind?

concluding comment  ~  We learn about Gideon primarily from Judges 6-8, but also Isaiah 9:1-7, and Hebrews 11:1-3, 32-34.

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .