Judges 9 [The Message]

Taking leadership or ministry authority out of personal ambition is a dangerous ploy. Such was the story of Abimelech, one of Gideon’s sons who was obviously very ambitious. He murdered all of his brothers save one to have the leadership all to himself. His plan succeeded until one fateful day when God finally put an end to his self-centered ways. He was attacking a group of rival leaders held up in a tower. As he faced the gate, a woman on the tower dropped a grain-criushing stone on his head and mortally wounded him. He was so humiliated that he asked his young servant to finish him off. So was the end of Abimelech, the ambitious usurper of power and authority that came from his own covetousness rather than from God’s anointing.

It’s generally only a matter of time before the ambitious meet their demise. They may flourish for a season, but God will not be mocked. There’s a difference between authority and Authority.

Mortal men cannot demote God’s chosen.

Judges 8 [The Message

Gideon, with God’s help, had just defeated the Midianites and the feared kings Zebah and Zalmunna. The plunder included gold ear rings that the Ishmaelites wore besides other valuable items. When Gideon returned to his people, he melted the gold down and made a sacred ephod which was NOT dedicated to God. The people all began worshipping it instead of God.

Sadly, it is so easy to wander away from God’s blessings and His precepts. Worldly success is one of the culprits that entice us away from a total trust in God. We think we can make it on our own and neglect our daily devotion to the LORD. Bad habit. This is why it critical to develop a DAILY reliance upon reading God’s Word and praying about everything.

Lord, we believe. Please help our unbelief.

Judges 7 [The Message]

Gideon needed constant reassurance to carry on his attack upon the Midianites. First, he needed the fleece miracle. Then, he needed to hear the enemy speak of their fear of Gideon. Propped up, he proceeded to obey the Lord and become victorious.

God will give you the confidence necessary to complete your mission. Just ask Him. King David asked for a token for good. Faith is the key. Read God’s Word to acquire more faith.

A young college basketball player recently had his best game. he scored 29 points to lead his team to victory. I asked him, “What was the key?” He said, “Confidence.” When his first 3-point shot went in the hoop, his confidence grew and he kept shooting. Bingo.

Judges 6 [The Message]

Gideon was another man whom God used, although He had to prop him up and repeat His message multiple times. In a sense, Gideon’s humility was good, but a heart of faith readily accepts God’s instructions and acts upon them quickly. The process of getting Gideon ready for obedience and conquest is detailed in this chapter.

I look back upon God’s dealings in my life and see similarities. A series of life happenings began giving me the self-confidence I would need in the future to step out in faith upon what I felt God wanted me to do. God knows how to have us ready at just the right time. He sees the beginning to the end of the process. Because of the way God worked in my life, I can give encouragement and support to young Christians who are beginning their faith journey

Judges 5 [The Message]

God raised up Deborah to be a judge in Israel. She is first mentioned as singing a duet with Barak to encourage God’s people. We see that Israel’s warriors were fat and sloppy with no fight in them. The young leaders saw the authority of Deborah and Barak and followed them. I personally have known strong women preachers who very capably pastored large churches.

Another strong woman was Jael who hammered a tent spike through the temple of an enemy king, Sisera.

God uses whom He will to accomplish His purposes.

Judges 1-4 [The Message]

After Moses, Caleb, and Joshua had passed, God raised up men and women to lead Israel until the kings took prominence. These were gifted leaders who were no doubt born with latent leadership, strong personalities, and gifts that separated them from everyone else. It’s my conviction that theses qualities were resident inside them from birth, just like oil in the ground. You can’t just wish there’s oil under the surface. It must already be there. Just drill for it.

These gifts can be used for God or used for self. Elvis had a big gift but used it for his selfish purposes. He lived to regret it and probably spent his later years trying to right his wrongs. One story relates that he told Gospel music legend Dottie Rambo of his regrets and encouraged her to keep on track with God, using her music gift to serve Him. Billy Graham was a country farm boy that God raised up to touch the world.

Parents who raise a gifted child have a special responsibility to cultivate them for God’s purposes.

Joshua 21-24 [The Message]

Joshua showed us all what being a REAL MAN is. He said, “As for me an my house, we WILL SERVE THE LORD.”

The measure of a man is what he worships. He makes time in his life for what he worships. He makes life decisions based upon what he worships. He spends his money based upon what he worships. He plans his future upon what he worships.

The Bible gives us great examples of Godly men. Noah, Abraham, Moses and Joshua and Caleb, Nehemiah, Job, David, and the prophets. Christ Jesus is the ultimate example of a man.

Women and children will naturally follow a man who puts God in His rightful place.

Joshua 20, 21 [The Message]

At the conclusion of the distribution of territories and cities in the new land, Joshua declared that God had been faithful to keep His promises … all the enemies were subdued and all the tribes of Israel had their own turf to live in. Yes, there was a process of conquest, but in the end, God’s Word and promises proved true.

Regardless of the struggles you may currently be experiencing, hold fast to God’s promises to you. “No weapon formed against you shall prosper.” [Is. 54:17] It may take time, but His promises have no expiration date. In fact, in the waiting, He is teaching you and building you up. “Wait on the Lord, be of good courage and He shall strengthen thine heart. Wait, I say, on the LORD.” [Ps. 27:14]

Joshua 15-19 [The Message]

Care was taken to give every tribe an inheritance with land and cities accrding to the boundaries Joshua and the elders specified. Interestingly, the casting of lots was an integral part of the process.Nevertheless, each tribe received an area to inhabit and prosper in.

BOUNDARIES – Christians are advised to live within the parameters identified in God’s Word ie. abiding with your lawful mate, keeping your hands and eyes off another’s possessions, and being content with what God has given you. It’s also pointless to envy or covet the ministry God gives to someone else. Abide in YOUR calling.

INHERITANCE – God had a provision for each tribe. None were left out. It’s as if their destiny was there for the taking but had already been designated ahead of time. Personal note: I can see how my earthly father, David Demos, lived with his distribution foremost in his mind in his latter years. I remember saying, “Dad, go ahead and get that … you have the money.” He would say, “it’s YOUR money.” Parents generally “live to give.”

P.S. Patty and I were invited to attend a full weekend wedding celebration for a Trinity grad. We were at a beautiful lodge on the top of a mountain near Helen, Ga., and I couldn’t log in to my blog. Sorry I missed a couple of days.

Joshua 11-14 [The Message]

31 kings and their kingdoms were eliminated from the Promised Land when Joshua and the Hebrews marched into the Land. The conquest was TOTAL … there were no survivors left. Cities were burned and the plunder taken. It was a gruesome scene, confusing to many contemporary critics of the Bible and Christianity.

Consider this: it was conquer or be conquered. The Christian must realize that God does not want to share us with the gods of this world. This is why we must agree to fight the good fight of faith which is to eliminate all doubt and unbelief. God wants ALL of us. We can’t let sin and disobedience get a foothold in our lives.

The blessing of a life of conquest leads to the deliverance of others. Our families can enter a life of rightstanding with God because of our conquests.