Gideon- First step for when sin entangles

Gideon- First step for when sin entangles

Series: Gideon- Embracing faith leaving fear.

Read Judges 6:1-5

The story of Gideon begins after 40 years of peace followed by 7 years of hardship. One could make an argument that the people worked or walked themselves into this hardship. They took their eyes off of God. Perhaps it was a slow process. They began to look at the peace they had believing it was there by their hand. However, it was God who brought peace to the land. They took their eyes off of God and forgot who they were as a people and as individuals. They took their eyes off God and sin began to ensnare their life.

 

fox_thumb.jpgWe are just the same at times. When we forget God– forget who we are– sins entangles us.

 

The people become lost in a way and chase after everything except God. They look to the mountains to provide their safety and security and they lived in the caves. They were not meant to be hiding in caves and leaving in fear. In a way, so many of us live in our own caves, hiding and living in fear.

 

The people had good reason to live there. There was a security it brought.

 

However,God, in revealing himself to the people, also shared who they were to be. They were not to be a people living in fear. They had forgotten who brought them out of Egypt and provided for them. They had forgotten the one who revealed himself to them and showed them how they should live. God showed them the road to wholeness and it was with him. Yet they rejected him. Sin entangled its way into their life and they were not able to fully embrace the promise land that God promised them.

 

We read these activities and think that could not happen to me. Yet so many followers of Jesus are being choked by the weeds and distractions of life.

 

In the book of Judges we see the cycle of people fixing their eyes on God and following him, then walking away and putting their trust in other things. There were consequences in their life because of that. Now we are not under the Old Covenant. We are under Jesus and what the bible calls the New Covenant. The cycle seen in Judges can be experienced in our life as well. This is not meant to be. We fix our eyes on Jesus and know our need for him only to look to sin and move our eyes off Jesus and become entangled with sin.

 

When the letter of Hebrews was written, in the New Testament, I think the author saw this struggle in the church as well In chapter 10 we read, in light of all that Jesus has done; in light of who God is and all that he has done; we have a new way of living. Then in Chapter 12 the author calls us to throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so entangles us and run the race with perseverance. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus.

 

At the beginning of the story of Gideon (Judges 6:1-5), God is about to call Gideon in order to answer the prayers of God’s people and call his people back to him. It is when they are in a relationship with him wholeness is found. It is in relationships with Jesus that we have wholeness and freedom and security and peace.

 

Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. (Hebrews 10:22-23).

 

Perhaps you are caught in such a cycle or find yourself entangled with sin. The first step is to fix your eyes on Jesus; remember who God is. In a way we see this in Judges 6:6 as the people call out to God. They see they are impoverished without God and cry out to him.  They need him in order to live as they were created to be.

 

God is waiting for you.

Gideon – Moving from fear to embracing Jesus

Gideon – Moving from fear to embracing Jesus

Part 1

Following Jesus involves moving from fear and being lost to embracing Jesus and wholeness.

 

foxFor many followers of Jesus, we wonder if Jesus is really with us. Gideon was no exception. He too wondered, just where is God? I was reading through the book of Judges and came across the story of Gideon. Like Gideon we wonder “is God really leading us?” and “can we trust him?”

 

Yet the scripture shares in Hebrews 12 that Gideon’s faith is one for us to learn from. Gideon’s story is found in the book of Judges, starting in chapter 6. There is much in the story of Gideon that can help us understand ourself and God.

 

As I read and reread the story of Gideon I kept wondering, what is it about his life–his faith–that convinced the author of Hebrews that there is an example for us to follow?

 

When we look at the whole story of Gideon we watch as God moves and calls him from fear to embrace faith. Gideon is constantly asking God to reveal himself again so that Gideon can know that God is with him. In God’s grace, he continues to remind Gideon who he is.

 

God speaks to Gideon, not as Gideon sees himself, but in a fashion of who he was created to be. Gideon is not defined by current circumstances. Gideon looks at his situation and wonders where is God? Fear is a driving force and there is tension in the journey of walking away from fear and embracing faith.

 

There is much we can learn from Gideon, but one overarching storyline is the call to leave fear, to leave the idols and embrace faith in God. The mess the people of Israel find themselves in comes as a result of not listening to God.

 

They failed to listen, they failed to remember who God is and what he has done. Because of this, they are driven to other things outside of God to find security, power, and hope. Fear becomes strong in their life. Yet God watches and waits for them to call out. As they live in their fear and rejection of him, they finally call out and grace is seen.

 

Gideon is taken on a journey of re-discovering who God is and comes to the point of realizing God is sufficient, God is life and he has nowhere else to turn. At that point, the leaving fear and embracing God and his promises, Gideon embarks on entering, engaging and experience the life he was created for.  Yet Gideon is not perfect which is why we can relate to him so much. His story does not even end well. In face he moves back into fear. However, the message is the same for us. Jesus waits for us to call out, and grace is given. He calls us to leave fear and embrace him.

 

Where are you needing to let go of fear and embrace who you are in Jesus?

 

Take time this week to listen to who God says you were created to be.

Olive tree Bible App

Olive tree Bible App

What Bible App do you use?

In 2015 I started using the Bible app called “Olivetree” or “Bible+” consistently in my bible reading. Currently I run the app both on my phone and tablet that are both android based. Currently (March 2016), I have found the pc version of the program not as strong on my laptop, it often will crash.

You get a ESV version of the bible for free when you download the app. Somehow I got a NLT free but do not remember how. For other translations you will have to pay.

It took me a little time to pick up the interface, but I now am able to get around more quickly in the app. For example it took me a little bit of time to understand the different icons.

I would recommend Bible+ app to anyone looking for something more than just a bible reader.

 

Here are a few things I have come to like over the last months about the Olivetree Bible App

Split screen – This is a big one for many. At first it took me a little time to understand how to use it. At times I find I do not need it. However, other times it’s nice to be able to have two translations up together or even two different bible passages together. The latter is helpful when listening to someone give a bible teaching.

 

Interface is still a simple layout- It did take me a little bit of time to get it figured out. However any app will and I have come to appreciate the interface.

 

Sync across different devices – Today this is a must for any app. I have the app on my phone, tablet and laptop. This is useful for notes I make and bible reading plans. The PC version I have found a little shaky.

 

Does not have to be connected to the internet. I do not have a data plan and so I am not always online. What happens is you can download the bible, books (they also sell books), notes, etc. to each device. Once it is there you are good. If you add a note, the next time you get online, you just sync and it will update.

 

More then just a bible reading app. I see with this app great options for deeper bible study. By deeper I mean more bible information collected in one space. Of course you would need to buy some features. They also have a large number of other books that you could run and read within the app.

 

What about you?

 

What bible apps do you use?

 

What bible app you use comes down to personal style, and what others may be using in the community you are part of. Each one has pros and cons.

 

Looking for a review on other bible Apps? Check out this review by churchmag

 

For my purposes Olivetree seems to serve well.  What do you use?   Create your own user feedback survey

A Good Friday Reading

A Good Friday Reading

Good reading straight from scripture.

Matthew 26

English Standard Version (ESV)

The Plot to Kill Jesus

26 When Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said to his disciples,2 “You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified.”

3 Then the chief priests and the elders of the people gathered in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, 4 and plotted together in order to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him. 5 But they said, “Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar among the people.”

Jesus Anointed at Bethany

6 Now when Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper,[a] 7 a woman came up to him with an alabaster flask of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head as he reclined at table. 8 And when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste?9 For this could have been sold for a large sum and given to the poor.”10 But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me. 11 For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. 12 In pouring this ointment on my body, she has done it to prepare me for burial.13 Truly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.”

Judas to Betray Jesus

14 Then one of the twelve, whose name was Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 15 and said, “What will you give me if I deliver him over to you?” And they paid him thirty pieces of silver. 16 And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him.

The Passover with the Disciples

17 Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Where will you have us prepare for you to eat the Passover?”18 He said, “Go into the city to a certain man and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, My time is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.’” 19 And the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover.

20 When it was evening, he reclined at table with the twelve.[b] 21 And as they were eating, he said, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” 22 And they were very sorrowful and began to say to him one after another, “Is it I, Lord?” 23 He answered, “He who has dipped his hand in the dish with me will betray me. 24 The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.” 25 Judas, who would betray him, answered, “Is it I, Rabbi?” He said to him, “You have said so.”

Institution of the Lord’s Supper

26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.”27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the[c] covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”

 

Matthew 27

Jesus Before Pilate

11 Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You have said so.” 12 But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he gave no answer.13 Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many things they testify against you?” 14 But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed.

The Death of Jesus

45 Now from the sixth hour[f] there was darkness over all the land[g] until the ninth hour.[h] 46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” 47 And some of the bystanders, hearing it, said, “This man is calling Elijah.” 48 And one of them at once ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine, and put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink. 49 But the others said, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him.” 50 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit.

51 And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. 52 The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, 53 and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many. 54 When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, “Truly this was the Son[i] of God!”

 

All text taken from English Standard Version (ESV)

Being Intentional Easter Weekend

Being Intentional Easter Weekend

When Easter weekend comes do you just find yourself running from one activity to the next? For many followers of Jesus Easter weekend can sneak up on you.

 

Easter weekend and Holy week can serve as a pause in the rhythm of life to be still and know God.  For many it is just a weekend with extra activity and no intentionality

 

What if you intentionally choose to pause everything going on around you? What if you choose to be intentional with how you use your time this Easter weekend? What would change?

 

What if you choose to evaluate the activities over Holy week or Easter weekend in order to “seek first his kingdom?”

 

What would change?

 

In one of the stories in the gospel we find Martha running around doing lots of good things.  We also find Mary sitting at the feet of Jesus, also a good thing.  However in that moment Jesus says Mary is in the right. (Luke 10:38-42)

 

Easter weekend is one of those times to sit at Jesus’ feet and be in awe. Easter weekend is one of those times to invite others to come and watch. Yes that last part means some work is needed. Therefore you will need a simple plan.

 

If you want to get the most out of your experience this Easter weekend, you need to be intentional.

 

Who are you going to spend your time with?  What do you want to get out of the weekend?

 

What do you want to be the driving values for the weekend?

 

Create a plan for the weekend and put space in to just sit at the feet of Jesus.  If you want to get the most out of your Easter Weekend experience, be intentional with your time.

For some you will be serving this weekend.  Do not forget you will be a part of the link in the chain in helping others take steps closer to Jesus. Embrace that opportunity.

 

Our faith is lived out in community.  Are you hosting a meal? Involve those who will be part of it.  If you have children, having them help prepare the house or dinner can provide opportunity for great conversations around faith and life.  Are you hosting an Easter Dinner? Consider inviting single adults.  Consider inviting people you know are not traveling or able to see family.

 

How can you be intentional with your time this Easter weekend?

 

Easter Weekend – Some more ideas

 

Consider inviting non-believers into your activities to let them experience the body of Christ and build relationships.

 

Consider reading through one of the gospels in the bible as a whole in one or two sittings.

This can provide a fresh view of Jesus.  As you read, pray “Lord speak, your servant is listening.”  Make sure you are listening for the nudges of the Spirit as you read.  When you finish ask:  What is one theme that stands out? Why do I need to know that?

 

Consider Good Friday or Maundy Thursday attending a different church tradition.

The point here is to see a different perspective of Jesus.  Sometimes we become so accustomed to our traditions, it is good to shake it up.  As you go be respectful and full of grace and go to listen for Jesus.

 

When you gather with your community gather with the expectation of celebrating, serving, and open your heart to hear from Jesus.  The weekend is not about adding to our life, but pausing to celebrate.  Pausing to remember who God is and who we are.  How can you make it a celebration?

 

To get more out of your Easter weekend experience be intentional.