Samson received his strength from the Lord.  He did mighty deeds no other humans could do.  Although his life and character had many flaws, he ultimately accomplished God’s purposes in his life.

We have flaws, yet God wants to use us.  We have this treasure in these earthen, flawed vessels.

Our strength comes from the Lord.  We can do ALL THINGS through Christ Jesus who strengthens us.

DAILY PRAYER:  Lord, use me and my weaknesses. Forgive me of my sin, and allow Your precious Holy Spirit to flow through me today.  I trust You.

DAILY READING:  Judges 13-5;  Luke 23

Unhealthy ambition seeks to grab power or wealth God didn’t intend, and seeks to be served rather than serve.

Abimelek murdered his brothers, the sons of Gideon, to steal the power to rule Israel.  Judas Iscariot took money from the Jewish religious leaders and betrayed Jesus.  In both cases, human ambition led to tragic endings.  Abimelek died from an anvil hitting his head, and Judas hanged himself.

Jesus came to serve rather than be served.  Herein lies the proof of God-ordained leadership.

DAILY PRAYER:  Father in Heaven, position me in the role that best serves Your Kingdom purposes.  You know all things.

DAILY READING:  Judges 11,12;  Luke 22

Jesus told us about the challenges of the days to come … many already feel they’ve seen fulfillment of prophecies of disaster … Somalia etc.

^“Everyone will hate you because of me. But not a hair of your head will perish. Stand firm, and you will win life …  When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

God’s grace will give each Christian what they need to accomplish His will.

DAILY PRAYER:  Lord, even though tragic things happen because of Your Name, we will put our trust in You to keep us and protect us, and bring us to Yourself in Heaven.

DAILY READING:  Judges 9, 10 :  Luke 21

Jesus said, “Fall on the Rock, or the Rock will fall on  you.”  (Luke 20:180

Fall on the Rock, Christ Jesus, by bowing down to His way of life or there will be a day of judgment when He will have to come down on you in judgement.  Today is the day of salvation.

DAILY PRAYER:  Lord, Your ways are higher than mine.  I submit to You.

DAILY READING:  Judges 7,8;  Luke 20

[Sorry for the lateness.  Midnight Madness creates Morning Lateness]

“If the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us?”

So was the question Gideon posed to the Angel of the Lord.  His response was a challenge – “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?”

God is challenging you to make a difference in every life circumstance where you need to see His impact ie. unruly children, nagging illness, job tension.  As Gideon was God’s warrior to display His power, so we can accept the challenge to do likewise. Pray, Pray, Pray.

PRAYERS for Robbie Blanchard taken to Atlanta Medical Center during FB game with Heritage last night.

DAILY READING:  Judges 5,6;  Luke 19

Live in Luke 18:1-8 until it is branded into your spirit.  It reveals a vital prayer concept … that we must be persistent in our prayers.

Jesus instructs us to “Cry out day and night” to the Father for our request, and that God will not be slow to answer.

Persistence pays off.

DAILY PRAYER:  Father in Heaven, we desire to pray effectively to see Your Kingdom come here on earth.  Thank You for Your promise to hear us and move on our behalf.  Forgive us for our lack of faith.

DAILY READING:  Judges 1-4;  Luke 18

So spoke Jesus to His disciples as He explained how their earthly focus should be toward their future in His Kingdom rather than on their past and its securities.

What was Mrs. Lot looking back to see?  Her home, her friends, her investments, the future she thought she had in the city of Sodom?  The disobedience of her longing look back ended her life.

Jesus then immediately said, “If you grasp and cling to life on your terms, you’ll lose it, but if you let that life go, you’ll get life on God’s terms.”  [The Message]

DAILY PRAYER:  Lord, forgive us for finding our security in anything but You. Adjust our focus today on the future we have with You in Your Kingdom.

DAILY READING:  Josh. 22-4;  Like 17

A popular men’s ministry was called “Promise Keepers.”  Why?  Probably because men make a lot of promises they don’t or can’t keep.  It erodes and sometimes destroys families and relationships.

“God is not a man that He should lie.” (Num. 23:19) “Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to Israel failed; every one was fulfilled.”  (Josh. 21:45)

God wants men to keep their promises like He does.  David declared, “[A worshipper] keeps an oath even when it hurts, and does not change [his] mind.”  (Ps. 15:4)

DAILY PRAYER:  Lord,  forgive me for all the commitments I’ve made that I didn’t keep.  Grace me to be a true “Promise Keeper.”

DAILY READING:  Josh. 19-21;  Luke 16

Rich insight into God’s love for His children is gained by reading the story of the Prodigal in Luke 15.

That the lost was found and back in Daddy’s house gave the father great joy.  A personal note:  when my children are all in the same house together, I am at my happiest.

Whatever we can do to facilitate seeing prodigals return to their Heavenly Father brings joy in God’s House.

DAILY PRAYER:  Father in Heaven, thank You for Your consuming love that reaches out to wayward children and keeps drawing them home.  Use me to direct them back to You today.

DAILY READING:  Josh. 16-8;  Luke 15

The Levites were given no lands as their inheritance in the Promised Land.  Instead, they were assured food to eat and cities to dwell in.  Also, the Lord Himself said, “I am their inheritance.”

In the hereafter, what would you rather have … grass to mow, leaky roofs to fix, oil to change?  Or, how about sitting in the presence of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords?

I’m all for being a Levite!

DAILY PRAYER:  Lord, You are all I need.  You are all I want.  My desire is to be in Your presence forever.

DAILY READING:  Josh. 13-15;  Luke 14