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/ .

Revelation of God, 6of7

~ Applied Revelation, 1of2 ~

7-Step Progressive Revelation  ~  The word revelation essentially means revealing.  God has, is, and will, reveal Himself to man in seven distinctive stages.  This progression occurs during three distinct major categories: General (or Natural) Revelation, Special Revelation, and Applied Revelation.  This series will focus on this unfolding seven step progression. 

Applied Revelation  ~   First we had General Revelation and later Special Revelation.  Finally we have Applied (or Implemented) Revelation.  The knowledge gained from General and Special Revelation is applied in a practical and intended way.

6—God’s Law Written in Our Heart (partial fulfillment)  ~  “For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second.  Because finding fault with them, He says: ‘Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah — not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they did not continue in My covenant, and I disregarded them, says the Lord.  For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.  None of them shall teach his neighbor, and none his brother, saying, “Know the Lord,” for all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them.  For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.’  In that He says, ‘A new covenant,’ He has made the first obsolete.  Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away” (Hebrews 8:7-13). 

Comment  ~  Applied Revelation has been partially fulfilled since Christ’s First Coming.  The complete fulfillment will be realized following His Second Coming as we will see in the Part Seven—the last of this seven part blog 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/ .

Revelation of God, 5of7

~ Special Revelation, 3of3 ~

7-Step Progressive Revelation  ~  The word revelation essentially means revealing.  God has, is, and will, reveal Himself to man in seven distinctive stages.  This progression occurs during three distinct major categories: General (or Natural) Revelation, Special Revelation, and Applied Revelation.  This series will focus on this unfolding seven step progression. 

Special Revelation  ~   Special Revelation refers to God intervening in man’s life on earth in ways that provide more specific information about God than can be obtained from just General Revelation. 

5—The Entire Canon of Scripture (The Written Word)  ~  The Holy Bible was completed approximately in 90 a.d.  Jesus Christ said, “Search the Old Testament Scriptures… they testify of Me” (John 5:39).  “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.  Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 15:4-6).

~ 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/ .