October 2014
We serve an awesome and almighty God. Everyone is going through some kind of issue or trouble and need to see that there is hope. We have an everlasting hope in Jesus Christ. Just as the disciples in the boat during the great storm, we panic, become full of fear and act as if we have no faith when issues arise and problems begin to pile up. We try to handle them on our own for too long before taking the issue before Jesus. Struggles and problems come suddenly and without warning, causing a spirit of distress. The only good thing that comes out of fear - is that is drives us to Christ - but we should already be praying and in the Word everyday. Four things we should do; change our focus from the circumstance to the solution - Jesus, put your trust totally in the Lord, stand firm on the promises of God and remain steadfast in our faith.
We are clearly living in a very dark time, but according to Jesus; His followers would be a source of light. However, we can not bring forth this light of ourselves - it comes from our union with Jesus. He is the branch and we are the vines, without Him we can do nothing! What are you pouring into your lamp?
Throughout scripture and church history we see some of the greatest moves of God take place when society is at its worse. When the testimony of God is being threatened, the Lord will rise in defense! Are we living in such a time? Negative news is all around us, darkness is approaching and the testimony of Christ is being marginalized. So, why not now and why not us? God, bring a divine moment!
God uses Gideon to lead His army and defeat the Midianites. First, Gideon learns to believe and trust God in order to receive the blessing. We learn to overcome obstacles in our life through the life of Gideon as we see how Gideon bestowed his life to God, opened his life so God could bless him, allowed God to break down old habits, then saw how God broadened Gideon's life. If we follow these things, God will broaden our lives, changing our families and the community around us.
