Is Once Enough

Judges 6:36-37  “ Gideon said unto God, If thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as Thou hast said, Behold, I will put a fleece of wool in the floor; and if the dew be on the fleece only, and it be dry upon all the earth beside, then shall I know that Thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as Thou hast said.”

Today we find Gideon still pondering God’s plan for Himself and for Israel.  God has plans for all of His children.  We probably want to give a big sigh that God has not asked us to do what He asked Gideon to do – however we are in a battle, a battle against the enemy of our soul.  Christianity is truly in a Battle today in our country. There continues to be a battle raging against Israel even unto this day. It has been said, “just ask God once and then wait for His answer, because it is lack of Faith to keep asking.”  Once might be enough – perhaps when we come to Christ, that is, when we sincerely take Him into our heart!  Yet we find that we need to continue to come to Him for cleansing, that He might sanctify us daily. Consider Eph. 6:18 – We are encouraged to Pray in the Spirit with all Perseverance and Supplication — as we explore the word “Supplication” we learn a depth of meaning: “strong and incessant pleading until the Prayer is answered!”  It is good to pursue God with a whole heart.  Gideon heard what God said, yet there remained a bit of being unsure for God was asking a great thing of him, and the Midianites were a fierce enemy.  As this Account of Gideon unveils he places a fleece before the Lord.  God answers and again Gideon asks God to not be angry with him, but could he place one more fleece. God responded to Gideon’s request.  While some may mock Gideon – God revealed Himself once again to him.  Let us persevere in our Prayer life, for God is always available to us!  He gave the life of His Son, that we might boldly approach Him! Let us persevere together for our Nation, Loving you, Pastor

Shew Me a Sign Pt. 2

And Gideon said unto Him, “If now I have found Grace in Thy sight, then shew me a sign that thou talkest with me.”   ~ Judges 6:17

We are living in a glorious time!  The knowledge of the Lord is filling the earth.  God has and is revealing Himself to His people.  It is appropriate to take a good long look at some of the ‘Accounts’ in the Old Testament.  These are Accounts where God dwelt with His people.  We are still His people, and He continues to deal with us.  The difference is: We have Jesus to intervene for us, to cover us with His Redeeming Blood and to ward off the accusations/thievery of the enemy if we will obey the Word of the Lord!  The Word of God reveals some 63 times the term “Fear Not!” in this Account of Gideon, God reminds him that He has said “Fear Not” – yet Gideon is hid behind the wine press threshing wheat.  He is hid because of fear of the Midianites who comes upon the Israelites at harvest time and robs/takes their grain.  In the midst of this struggle, the angel of the Lord comes to Gideon and calls him a “Man of Valor.”  The Lord tells him to “go in thy might” and he would save Israel from the Midianites.  The Lord promises to go with him ... Gideon’s response: “If now I have found Grace in Thy sight, then shew me a sign that thou talkest with me.”  Perhaps sometimes we are Gideon, and desire God to show us a sign. In this Message today, we will see the signs that God reveals to Gideon.  Be assured if you ask of the Lord, He will reveal Himself to you.  Sometimes we miss Him because His ‘Revealing’ does not fit with our desires.  In this moment and time, let us not fear, but ask of the Lord to shew us His way, that we might fulfill His desire in our life. The signs are there, He is revealing Himself, can we discern them? Loving you, Pastor

Show Me Thy Way

“Now therefore, I Pray thee, if I have found Grace in Thy sight, shew me now Thy way, that I may Know Thee, that I may find Grace in Thy sight: and consider that this nation is Thy people.”   ~ Ex. 33:13

The very first thing that we see in the above Scripture deals with Moses pursuing God’s Grace.  I had second thoughts as I read this Scripture.  Today we take Grace for granted.  It seems like we think that Grace pursues us because it is part of our Salvation. In this Passage of Scripture Moses passionately pursues Grace.  He had been in the Mt. Receiving the 10 Commandments written with the finger of God. There was a delay and God’s people became restless, for Moses had not returned as they expected – impatient!  When Moses returned he found great sin in the camp and the Covenant with God was broken.  “The Lord said unto Moses, Go, get thee down; for thy people, which thou brought out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves:” And so, Moses returned and found God’s people worshiping idols and the camp filled with corruption.  Moses pleads their case before God and God does not destroy them.  Moses pleads for the Grace of God: He has several requests for God to ‘Grace’ him  — Shew me Thy Way;  — That I may find Grace in Thy sight; — Remember this people is Your nation; — I need Your Presence to go with me; And Moses requests with great sincerity and passion: “I  beseech Thee, shew me Thy Glory!” This Account in the Old Testament reminds me of something today: God’s people are waiting for His return. And God’s nation has fell into corruption! It is a moment in our time for Repentance, Prayer and Intercession.  Let us pursue His Grace, His Way, and let pursue His Glory!  “Where sin abounded, Grace did much more abound:  That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might Grace reign through righteousness unto Eternal Life by Jesus Christ our Lord.”  Loving you, Pastor