30 March 2008
R.E.S.T.
Monday March 31, 2008 Filed in: Fathers'
Voice
R.E.S.T. is the name of a ladies retreat I was so
blessed in attending Friday - Sunday. It has been the
first time in 8 months that I have experienced
worship and teaching in English like I grew up with
in the states. I can't even begin to explain or
describe the impact that had on me.
I wanted to share just a very small word with you about what God taught me. Judges 6 - 7 talks about Gideon's incredible victory against all odds. It's worth reading! The victory that took place with only 300 men, was a sign of God's greatness! And the fact that he chose to call Gideon out for the task is a sign of God's greatness. In my life, I'm currently in a place where I need to know God's greatness! And I found it in Isaiah 9: 2 - 7. "The day of Midian" was in my life when I accepted Jesus as my saviour. He is my "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace." He is BIG and he is GREAT and more than anything else in the world I needed to know that!
I was asked 2 questions: What is the overwhelming challenge that faces me in my current assignment? Soon after Gideon accepted his assignment, the Lord "sifted" him. How is God "sifting" me?
And I realized that God was sifting me by taking away everything I've ever thought I needed in order to be able to grow as a Christian. Close girlfriends, other mom's, everyday comforts, language and the ability to communicate my needs to any one but God, worship in a church setting in a language that communicates to my heart, Bible studies in a language that helps me grow, etc. Not that these things in themselves are ever wrong or bad, but I can see how I used them in order to be spoon feed instead of relying only on God and His word. So, I came to a point of crisis in my life. I realized that I didn't know how to grow with just me and a Bible. I didn't trust God enough to work in my life without some type of Bible study or one of my girlfriends to talk things over with or community praise and worship to set the mood and get my heart prepared. So, I began to sink in unbelief.
So, I saw myself in the life of Gideon. As God slowly called away more and more of the men, Gideon began to question God's Sovereignty and Sanity : ) I find myself asking God "Are you sure you know what you're doing?" But even with all the questions, Gideon was obedient to follow God's plan.
I know my "Day of Midian" is coming when I will come through victorious and all though all is stripped away, I have made a commitment to obey Him and come to Him with praise and worship! Glory to His name. He is GREAT!
I wanted to share just a very small word with you about what God taught me. Judges 6 - 7 talks about Gideon's incredible victory against all odds. It's worth reading! The victory that took place with only 300 men, was a sign of God's greatness! And the fact that he chose to call Gideon out for the task is a sign of God's greatness. In my life, I'm currently in a place where I need to know God's greatness! And I found it in Isaiah 9: 2 - 7. "The day of Midian" was in my life when I accepted Jesus as my saviour. He is my "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace." He is BIG and he is GREAT and more than anything else in the world I needed to know that!
I was asked 2 questions: What is the overwhelming challenge that faces me in my current assignment? Soon after Gideon accepted his assignment, the Lord "sifted" him. How is God "sifting" me?
And I realized that God was sifting me by taking away everything I've ever thought I needed in order to be able to grow as a Christian. Close girlfriends, other mom's, everyday comforts, language and the ability to communicate my needs to any one but God, worship in a church setting in a language that communicates to my heart, Bible studies in a language that helps me grow, etc. Not that these things in themselves are ever wrong or bad, but I can see how I used them in order to be spoon feed instead of relying only on God and His word. So, I came to a point of crisis in my life. I realized that I didn't know how to grow with just me and a Bible. I didn't trust God enough to work in my life without some type of Bible study or one of my girlfriends to talk things over with or community praise and worship to set the mood and get my heart prepared. So, I began to sink in unbelief.
So, I saw myself in the life of Gideon. As God slowly called away more and more of the men, Gideon began to question God's Sovereignty and Sanity : ) I find myself asking God "Are you sure you know what you're doing?" But even with all the questions, Gideon was obedient to follow God's plan.
I know my "Day of Midian" is coming when I will come through victorious and all though all is stripped away, I have made a commitment to obey Him and come to Him with praise and worship! Glory to His name. He is GREAT!