DAY 1 – October 19, 2009
TITLE: “ALL THAT I NEED”
WEEKLY SCRIPTURE
DAILY SCRIPTURE
KEY VERSE: “The Lord
said to Gideon, ‘You have too many men for me to deliver Midian into their
hands. In order that
When one might have thought they needed more, God told Gideon he needed less. From God’s perspective, Gideon had too many men for God to deliver Midian into their hands. God wanted it to be clear that He was the deliverer and not the army of the Israelites. God’s desire was for the Israelites to put their confidence in God and not in their own strength. God wanted it clear that He was the one they really needed to be delivered.
Through the years, many songs have been written about the Lord being all that we need. Take a few moments to prayerfully reflect on the words of the following two songs that center on the theme of the Lord being all that we need.
“Jesus You're all I
need, You're all I need,
Now I give my life to
You alone, You are all I need
Jesus You're all I need, You're all I need, Lord You gave Yourself,
So I could live, You are all I need.
Oh you purchased my salvation, And wiped away my tears
Now I drink Your living water, And I'll never thirst again
For You alone are Holy, I'll worship at Your throne
And You will reign forever,
Holy is the Lord.”
Darlene Zschech, contemporary song writer
James Rowe who lived from 1865 -1933 gave us these words.
“When I am burdened,
or wary and sad, Jesus is all I need.
Never He fails to uplift and make glad. Jesus is all I need.
When I am tempted and
fear I may fall, Jesus is all I need.
He never fails to
respond to my call. Jesus is all I need.
When I am swept by the
tempests of life, Jesus is all I need
Peace He imparts,
whatsoever the strife. Jesus is all I need
When throu’ the valley
He calls me to go, Jesus is all I’ll need.
He will be with me to
cheer me, I know. Jesus is all I’ll need.
All that I need He
will always be, All that I need till His face I see,
All that I need thro’ eternity. Jesus is all I need.” James Rowe
DAY 2 – October 20, 2009
TITLE: “LET THE REST GO”
WEEKLY SCRIPTURE
DAILY SCRIPTURE
KEY VERSE: “The Lord said to Gideon, ‘With the three hundred men that lapped I will save you and give the Midianites into your hands. Let all the other men go, each to his own place.’” Judges 7:7
Have you ever had something in your life that you had to let go of. I have discovered in my life that to hold on to one thing I sometimes have to let go of another. As a young person, I had to let go of watching T.V. and hanging out with friends so I could practice the piano and study. Each day in my life I rediscover that many things in my life required intentional neglect. In order to accomplish one thing, I must neglect others.
When I was a Youth Pastor, I had been occasionally dating a
young lady by the name of Karen. I had backed off from dating her for a while
and during that time I met a young lady by the name of
In the gospel of Matthew, Jesus tells the story of the pearl of great price. Jesus tells about a merchant who went looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he sold everything he had and bought the one pearl of great price and value. Jesus is the pearl of great value.
To experience God’s salvation and deliverance, Gideon had to let go of all, but the three hundred men that God had chosen. To experience what God wants to do in our lives, we must let go of the things that get in the way. Often this means letting go. It is in the letting go of other activities, that we are able to gather together and worship the Lord. It is in the letting go of other loves that we are able to love the Lord with all of our heart, soul, body, and mind. It is the letting go of our own plans and resources that we our able to discover and experience God’s plans and resources. Is there something in your life that you need to let go of today?
DAY 3 – October 21, 2009
TITLE: “IF YOU ARE AFRAID?”
WEEKLY SCRIPTURE
DAILY SCRIPTURE
KEY VERSE: “If you are afraid to attack, go down to the camp with your servant Purah.” Judges 7:10
One summer night during a severe thunderstorm, a mother was tucking her small son into bed. She was about to turn the light off when he asked in a trembling voice, "Mommy, will you stay with me all night?" Smiling, the mother gave him a warm, reassuring hug and said tenderly, "I can't dear. I have to sleep in daddy's room, with daddy,” A long silence followed. At last it was broken by a shaky voice saying, "The big scaredy cat!"
Can you think of a time recently when you have been afraid? According to Fraiser Kent, there are all kinds of fears. Here are a few. There is Peladophobia: fear of baldness and bald people. Aerophobia: fear of drafts. Porphyrophobia: fear of the color purple. Chaetophobia: fear of hairy people. Levophobia: fear of objects on the left side of the body. Dextrophobia: fear of objects on the right side of the body. Auroraphobia: fear of the northern lights. Calyprophobia: fear of obscure meanings. Thalassophobia: fear of being seated. Stabisbasiphobia: fear of standing and walking. Odontophobia: fear of teeth. Graphophobia: fear of writing in public. Phobophobia: fear of being afraid.
History records that Louis Pasteur is reported to have had such an
irrational fear of dirt and infection he refused to shake hands. President and
Mrs. Benjamin Harrison were so intimidated by the newfangled electricity
installed in the White House, they didn't dare touch
the switches. If there were no attendants around to turn off the lights when
the
Gideon was faced with the fear of a battle that was much bigger than he was. God, in His grace, provided a way to help Gideon with his fear. Through the enemy, God encouraged Gideon and gave him victory over his fear. In His word, God gives us words of encouragement that give us hope and courage in times of fear.
Take a few moments to reflect on this promise of encouragement. You might want to memorize it and think of it often during the day if you are dealing with some fears today. “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
DAY 4 – October 22, 2009
TITLE: “HE WORSHIPED GOD”
WEEKLY SCRIPTURE
DAILY SCRIPTURE
KEY VERSE: “When Gideon heard the dream and its
interpretation, he worshiped God. He returned to the camp of
During this season, I have the privilege of teaching a class
on worship for the
The Hebrew word for worship used here is from the root that means, “to fall face down to the ground.” Among all the things that worship is, remains the reality that worship is the acknowledgement and declaration of who God is. True worship takes our mind off of us and acknowledges our dependence upon Him. In response to what God had done, Gideon responded with worship. On the heels of worship, Gideon responds with obedience to God’s call and goes to fulfill what God had commanded him to do. Worship is never a substitute for service and service is never a substitute for worship. True worship will inevitably find expression in loving and sacrificial service. At the same time, service and action will never be a substitute for true worship.
James Michener, writing in his book, The Source, tells the story of a man named Urbaal, who was a farmer living about 2200 B.C. He worshiped two gods, one a god of death, the other a goddess of fertility. One day, the temple priests told Urbaal to bring his young son to the temple for sacrifice--if he wants good crops. Urbaal obeys, and on the appointed day, drags his wife and boy to the scene of the boy's "religious execution" by fire to the god of death. After the sacrifice of Urbaal's boy, the priests announce that one of the fathers would spend next week in the temple, with a new temple prostitute. Urbaal's wife is stunned as she notices a desire written more intensely across his face than she had seen before, and she is overwhelmed to see him eagerly lunge forward when his name is called. With the ceremony over, she walks out of the temple with her head swimming, concluding that, "If he had different gods, he would have been a different man."
True worship of the living God will always impact and guide our lives. This is why it is so crucial that we take time to worship God in spirit and truth. Take time to worship today. May it be said of you and me every day, “He/She worshipped God.”
DAY 5 – October 23, 2009
TITLE: “WATCH ME AND FOLLOW MY LEAD”
WEEKLY SCRIPTURE
DAILY SCRIPTURE
KEY VERSE: “’Watch me,’ he told them. ‘Follow my lead. When I get to the edge of the camp, do exactly as I do’.” Judges 7:17
It seems that some people are more prone to step into the leadership role than others. I have observed the same with horses. Some of the horses I ride will easily take the lead crossing over streams and moving forward without concern or hesitation. Other horses I have ridden will follow other horses through streams and muddy areas, but are not prone to take the lead through them. If placed in a leadership role they will pull back, turn around, or hesitate unless encouraged with spurs.
In his book, Summoned to Lead, Leonard Sweet, used the word summoned to describe what a person does when called into leadership. He said, “Leaders are neither born nor made. Leaders are summoned. They are called into existence by circumstances. Those who rise to the occasion are leaders.”
Gideon was one that was summoned into leadership. God had summoned him to lead and Gideon responded with obedience. Gideon stepped out into the leadership role with the words, “Watch me.” He set an example for the rest of the men to follow. Leaders are those who set an example for others to follow. Paul wrote to Timothy, “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.” II Timothy 4:12. Every Christian is called to set the example of how a Christian should live.
Are you setting the type of example that you can say to those around you, “Follow my lead?” The Apostle Paul said it this way, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” I Corinthians 11:1. The key to setting a Christian example is following Christ.
As parents, we are summed by God to set an example for our children. As Christians, we are called to set an example of what a Christian should look like to those around us. As we follow the example of Christ, we are able to say, “Follow my example as I follow His.” I pray that each of us will live so that we can say to others today, “Watch me,” and “Follow my lead.”