Learn From Gideon, 46

~ God Uses the Imperfect To Accomplish His Purposes ~

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 will discover practical lessons for living the Christian life today.  

Scripture  ~  “Then Jerubbaal the son of Joash went and dwelt in his own house.  Gideon had 70 sons who were his own offspring, for he had many wives.  And his concubine who was in Shechem also bore him a son, whose name he called Abimelech” (Judges 8:29-31)  

Learn From Gideon  ~  God looks on the heart. 

1. Gideon was not a perfect/sinless man. 
2. God works through sinners—that’s the only kind of human on earth!
3. Gideon had many wives, a concubine, and 71 sons—but God used him in spite of this. 
4. While God did not approve of some areas of Gideon’s life he knew his heart and his overall desire to honor and serve God.
5. Gideon’s weak areas resulted in the nation of Israel seeing tragedy (as will be seen in subsequent passages).
6. Gideon’s actions split the kingdom and resulted in real tragedy for the nation of Israel. 
7. God doesn’t hide the failures of even his valiant warriors! 

Challenge For Us  ~  Are you listening to Satan telling you why God can’t or won’t use you?  It’s a trap!  Keep your heart focused on God, confess sins quickly, and work for His kingdom in the direction He is leading you.

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/ .

Water In John’s Gospel, 6of11

~ John 6 – Jesus Walks On Water ~

Introduction  ~  The Gospel of John contains numerous references to water.  In fact over half (11 of 21) the chapters reference water.  We are looking at these passages in this series.

Scripture  ~  “Therefore when Jesus perceived that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, He departed again to the mountain by Himself alone.  Now when evening came, His disciples went down to the sea, got into the boat, and went over the sea toward Capernaum.  And it was already dark, and Jesus had not come to them.  Then the sea arose because a great wind was blowing. 

So when they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near the boat; and they were afraid.  But He said to them, ‘It is I; do not be afraid.’  Then they willingly received Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land where they were going” (John 6:15-21).         

Notes  ~  1. This event is also recorded in Matthew 14:22-33 and Mark 6:45-52.

2. Jesus is not bound by time, space, or matter as we humans are.  Jesus walks on water!

3. Even the forces of nature are under His control.  “He is before all things, and in Him all things consist” (Colossians 1:17).

4. It is clear that even though the disciples were in great distress they were surprised when it was Jesus.  They were not looking for, or expecting, Him!

5. In this situation Jesus was able to calm the spirits of His disciples and bring their boat to their intended port. 

6. Jesus is always available to us during the storms of life which we experience.  “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.  When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you” (Isaiah 43:2).

The Key Question  ~  Do you possess the abundance of “living water” which is only available through Jesus Christ. 

~ 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/ .

Water In John’s Gospel, 5of11

~ John 5 – Healing at the Pool of Bethesda ~

Introduction  ~  The Gospel of John contains numerous references to water.  In fact over half (11 of 21) the chapters reference water.  We are looking at these passages in this series.

Scripture  ~  “After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.  Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew, Bethesda, having five porches.  In these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water.  For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had.

Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years.  When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, ‘Do you want to be made well?’  

The sick man answered Him, ‘Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me.’

Jesus said to him, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk.’  And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked” (John 5:1-9).            

Notes  ~  1. This is a different situation with regard to the water.  The water was a source of healing to some. 

2. This particular man was in what seemed a hopeless situation.  A person needs to realize their inability to save themselves before they will accept help from Him who is the source of “living water.”

3. In this specific case the man realized his need of help.  Jesus, Himself, becomes the healing water for him. 

Comment  ~  A previous “Abundant Life Now” post  compared “3 Kinds of Sinners” found in John chapters 3, 4, and 5. 

The Key Question  ~  Do you possess the abundance of “living water” which is only available through Jesus Christ. 

~ 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/ .