Monthly Archives: November 2017

The Gideon Challenge: Reflection on God’s Intentionality in Your Life

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Gideon was an unlikely leader.  He was in the middle of “threshing wheat in a winepress” to hide it from some folks (Judges 6:11) when an angel of the Lord called him a “mighty warrior” (NIV)/ “mighty man of valour” (KJV) in Judges 6:12.  That same angel also told Gideon that the Lord was with him.  Gideon’s response to all of this?  Questions.  The Lord responded with some “big picture” action items, but also reminded Gideon that He (the Lord) was with him.  Gideon’s response?  More questions and doubt.  Gideon even threw in some excuses.  Here God was calling him to be a leader in a battle, and Gideon’s excuse was that the people in his group were weak and he was the “least” in the family.  The Lord responded again stating that He was with Gideon and also gave Gideon a glimpse of what was going to happen…and it was major.  Gideon’s response? He asked the Lord to give him a sign to make sure it was really the Lord talking to him.  The Lord gave Gideon a sign and even gave him more information about what was to come – that Gideon wouldn’t die in all of this.  God told Gideon to do some more things in Judges 6:25-26.  Gideon’s response?  He did what God told him to do, but did it at night because he was afraid of his family and townspeople.  (Spoiler alert: The people found out it was Gideon who did it anyway.)  Gideon went on to ask the Lord for a few more signs.  The Lord gave him the signs.

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This Smile (A Poem)

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This smile tells of a joy, a journey, and a destiny
This smile is evidence of growth, hope, and gratitude
This smile continues because even the greatest of pain can’t minimize God’s limitless ability
This smile tells of an investment God made in me and will see through to completion
This smile embraces the battle scars that remind me of what God brought me through
This smile is a release, a realization, and a choice
This smile is recognizing that it’s not my strength I walk in, but His (God’s)
This smile is a product of God’s grace and mercy
God is in control, so this smile shall remain

By PurposeOverFear

*Picture in this post is from pixabay.com.

Walking (Running) in Impatience

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How are you letting your impatience redirect your path?  Perhaps you can relate to this.  God led you to do something.  You are walking along in what God called you to do and then you get to a point where you’re so frustrated, exhausted, and/or confused that you want to quit.  You were on board for following God when the calling was fresh, new, and exciting.  You were on board for walking in your purpose until all that stress, anxiety, and strain continued knocking at your door.  You were on board with walking by faith until what you saw was seemingly so far removed from what God promised you that you couldn’t see the connection.  (Side note: Remember God really does keep all of His promises regardless if you think it will take a miracle or not.  God has ALL power.)  You were on board until things seemed to be taking longer to accomplish, move, create, build, grow than you wanted to wait.

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