11 May: The Insanity of Obedience

Some refuse to follow their Maker’s lead because they don’t know where He’ll lead them! Today’s chapter from ancient times, shows how it’s either insane, or utterly brilliant, to obey the Creator God…

READ JUDGES 7  Make notes, if you’d like, of what stands out for you. Feel free to use the “Leave a Comment” box below to also write some of your thoughts.

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:

I can’t read today’s chapter without remembering a friend’s rather strange phone call to me. It came one night when our son, Michael, was 12. Calling from Australia, she had a somewhat cryptic message for me after reading the story of Gideon. As apparently bizarre as that was (and as ridiculous as she no doubt felt at the time), that seemingly random message that connected the story of Gideon with our son, became important after Mikey passed away. It became one of a string of ‘supernatural Breadcrumbs’ and I wrote about her obedience to the Creator God’s leading that night, in my first book Breadcrumbs in the Storm.

In this same way, and now from a military perspective, Gideon’s story in today’s chapter is pure insanity! But Gideon is following the world’s greatest Superpower: the Creator God Himself, who has publicly declaredsuch things like:

“…once more I will astound these people with wonder upon wonder; the wisdom of the wise will perish, the intelligence of the intelligent will vanish.”[a] “…I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”[b]

The Creator God is specialized in taking ordinary people and doing extraordinary things through them.  But the extraordinary can be impractical, unreasonable and, at times, insane – if measured against human standards. The question for me today is, whether I’m willing to be like one of Gideon’s jars of clay[c] – broken, but in good hands…Read More? …CLICK on “11 May – Additional Notes”

But what about your thoughts – can you tell me what today’s “breadcrumb” is? Leave a note in the “Comments” box below to tell me what you think of today’s chapter.

Wanting to speak directly to the One who knows what’s over the hill? The rest of this webpage uses Jesus’ own prayer to help…[d]

THE LORD’S PRAYER:

   1.   Praise: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your Name. Your Kingdom come! Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven …”

Let me bow down in worship, Lord my Maker, and let me kneel before You. For You are my God and I’m part of the people in Your pasture, the flock under Your care. [Psalm 95:6-7]

   2.   Ask: “…Give us today our daily bread…”

  • The World: Pray for the people of Ecuador[e]
  • Your Country: The Great Commission[f]
  • Yourself: Opportunities to share God’s Good News
  • Your concerns for today
In time, Father God, You make everything beautiful. You’ve also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what You’ve done from beginning to end. [Ecclesiastes 3:11]

   3.   Admit: “…Forgive us our sin as we forgive those who sin against us…”

Give ear, my God, and hear. Open Your eyes and see the desolation I’ve caused to myself. I don’t make requests of You because I’m righteous, but because of Your great mercy. Lord, listen! Lord, forgive! Lord, hear and act! For Your own sake, do not delay. [Daniel 9:18-20]

   4.   Protect: “…Lead us not into temptation but delivers us from evil.”

You’re the resurrection and the life, O God. The one who believes in You will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in You will never die. I believe this! [John 11:25-26]

 “For Yours Lord is the Kingdom, the Power and the Glory now and forever. Amen!”

When Jesus was questioned, tested, tricked or in His hour of great need, He always spoke things that were previously written in the Creator God’s Word.[g] Following these “memory verses” from ten topics, will help you learn 52 verses from the bible in a year!  THIS WEEK’S MEMORY VERSE: An Assured Future

Jesus said: “Anyone who chooses to do the will of God will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own.” [John 7:17]

[a] Isaiah 29:14

[b] 1 Corinthians 1:19

[c] 2 Corinthians 4:7

[d] Matthew 6:5-15

[e] http://www.operationworld.org/node/167

[f] Mark 16:15

[g] Matthew 4:4,6,7,10; 11:10; 21:13; and 26:24,31

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