Well, it's not HOT in my neck of the woods in temperature (not today anyway) but it's sure been a HOT minute since I last posted. For that I am so sorry but it seems my life has been consumed with doctor appointments, tests, and MORE tests, biopsies, surgery and so much more. One day at a time sweet Jesus is all that any of us can ask for. Wanted to pop in on this beautiful Sunday afternoon to share a little about what I've been up too. Marty and I enjoyed a weekend at the beach before I had breast cancer surgery and took advantage of the time I had in between so many doctor appointments and testing. It was sure a good little getaway. We celebrated our 47th wedding anniversary in September. WOW! Just babies! LOL! We were high school sweethearts. Started dating at age 16. Married at age 18 and started a family at age 20. We celebrated Marty's birthday in October. He says that he's feeling his age these days. LOL! He still works 4 days a week and has a long commu...
I am teaching Gideon with our ladies on Wednesday nights right now and we are finishing up week 2. I cannot wait to see what unfolds with this Bible Study for me. If you haven't done this study then I urge you too.
http://www.lifeway.com/Product/GIDEON-YOUR-WEAKNESS-GODS-STRENGTH-MEMBER-BOOK-P005538485
Last week our conversation revolved around the word "threshing". Threshing actually means to separate. Gideon was threshing (separating) the grain of the wheat from the stalk. Separating the good from the bad in essence.
Not only was this Gideon's livelihood so his family could eat but in order to keep the Midianites from steeling the harvest he had to sneak around to do it. All the while God had a plan for Gideon to do way more than threshing wheat. God's plan was for Gideon to (thresh-separate) one nation from another, one kingdom from another, God's people from God's enemies but some threshing-separating had to begin with him!
Gideon's father had built alters to false gods though he also had an alter built to the one true God. Reminds me of the scripture that says we cannot serve God and man!
Gideon is told that his first threshing-separating would be this:
Judges 6:25-26
25 That same night the Lord said to him, “Take the second bull from your father’s herd, the one seven years old. Tear down your father’s altar to Baal and cut down the Asherah pole beside it. 26 Then build a proper kind of altar to the Lord your God on the top of this height. Using the wood of the Asherah pole that you cut down, offer the second bull as a burnt offering.”
God is basically saying, "Gideon, you must clean up around your house first before you can clean up the rest of the things that I have in store for you"!
See Gideon's father, which led right on into generational sin was worshipping other God's and even had shrines in his yard of things he worshipped.
Basically the Lord was leading Gideon to do some hard work FIRST that would begin with his own family.
You see I believe that God cannot use us effectively in public if we do not submit to Him in private!
Threshing? What do we need to separate from?
To show you how the Lord works I was browsing around on Facebook and my eyes went straight to a friend's caption on her post that day! I could not believe what I read...it simply said......
There is a great deal of destruction that must be done before construction can begin!
Her post accompanied pictures. Her husband was actually having to do some clearing on their land in order to make room for a house to be built for her mom. However, the words rang loud and clear................ There is a great deal of destruction that must be done before construction can begin!
Sometimes we must simply DESTRUCT....
For some it may be friendships that are not good for you to have. It may be habits. It could be lifestyle changes totally! It could be your very way of thinking! It is like I shared with the ladies last week in class. It would be real hard for us to tell someone else how to discipline their children if we can't control our own. A friend told me once about a man that God had called to preach. She said the problem is that God will never use him in an effective way as long as his wife has the mindset, attitude, bitterness, lack of forgiveness and etc. that she has. And no...the man shouldn't get rid of his wife by no means but some cleaning up at their house does need to take place. (Cleaning of the heart.) Our list could go on and on with the things in our life that needs destruction. Only you know what needs destruction in your life.
What is it in your life that needs to be torn down so God can raise up?
Last week our conversation revolved around the word "threshing". Threshing actually means to separate. Gideon was threshing (separating) the grain of the wheat from the stalk. Separating the good from the bad in essence.
Not only was this Gideon's livelihood so his family could eat but in order to keep the Midianites from steeling the harvest he had to sneak around to do it. All the while God had a plan for Gideon to do way more than threshing wheat. God's plan was for Gideon to (thresh-separate) one nation from another, one kingdom from another, God's people from God's enemies but some threshing-separating had to begin with him!
Gideon's father had built alters to false gods though he also had an alter built to the one true God. Reminds me of the scripture that says we cannot serve God and man!
Gideon is told that his first threshing-separating would be this:
Judges 6:25-26
25 That same night the Lord said to him, “Take the second bull from your father’s herd, the one seven years old. Tear down your father’s altar to Baal and cut down the Asherah pole beside it. 26 Then build a proper kind of altar to the Lord your God on the top of this height. Using the wood of the Asherah pole that you cut down, offer the second bull as a burnt offering.”
God is basically saying, "Gideon, you must clean up around your house first before you can clean up the rest of the things that I have in store for you"!
See Gideon's father, which led right on into generational sin was worshipping other God's and even had shrines in his yard of things he worshipped.
Basically the Lord was leading Gideon to do some hard work FIRST that would begin with his own family.
You see I believe that God cannot use us effectively in public if we do not submit to Him in private!
Threshing? What do we need to separate from?
To show you how the Lord works I was browsing around on Facebook and my eyes went straight to a friend's caption on her post that day! I could not believe what I read...it simply said......
There is a great deal of destruction that must be done before construction can begin!
Her post accompanied pictures. Her husband was actually having to do some clearing on their land in order to make room for a house to be built for her mom. However, the words rang loud and clear................ There is a great deal of destruction that must be done before construction can begin!
Sometimes we must simply DESTRUCT....
For some it may be friendships that are not good for you to have. It may be habits. It could be lifestyle changes totally! It could be your very way of thinking! It is like I shared with the ladies last week in class. It would be real hard for us to tell someone else how to discipline their children if we can't control our own. A friend told me once about a man that God had called to preach. She said the problem is that God will never use him in an effective way as long as his wife has the mindset, attitude, bitterness, lack of forgiveness and etc. that she has. And no...the man shouldn't get rid of his wife by no means but some cleaning up at their house does need to take place. (Cleaning of the heart.) Our list could go on and on with the things in our life that needs destruction. Only you know what needs destruction in your life.
What is it in your life that needs to be torn down so God can raise up?
Hugs and blessings, Cindy
Some bad habits!! Working on it....
ReplyDeleteSo timely is this post Cindy. More timely that you know. Thanks
ReplyDeleteConnie Royals
Wow! This really does give me a lot to think about myself.... things in my own life.... especially in my thought life. Really do wish I could sit in on your class. Hope you have a great day!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Cindy, for this wonderful study you are sharing with us as you go along. This is a very thought provoking post...and I appreciate it. I'll be pondering it today as I go about my work, asking the Lord that the Holy Spirit would convict me of the destruction that needs to take place in my own heart. xo
ReplyDeleteHi Dear Cindy! Oh, this was a great post today! I'm sure you are a wonderful Bible study leader and would love to sit in on one of your classes. This study sounds like it hits close to home! :) I have a few things I need to tear down myself and was convicted about them in church Sunday! God is always working on us. It was so nice to hear from you and hope all is well.
ReplyDeleteBe a sweetie,
Shelia ;)
Yes, I agree! Very timely! I always enjoy Wednesday in the Word! Thank you for listening to God's prompting. :) Have a blessed day!
ReplyDeleteOnce again, a great message. Hope your day is full of Blessings!
ReplyDeleteI have heard so many wonderful things about that study! One of these days, I'll dive into it. I loved your thoughts and life application points. Blessings as you study!
ReplyDeleteCindy,
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for dropping by!! Your visit brought a smile to my face!!
Hugs,
Deb
I like to think of myself as a work in progress. Just ask my family lol! I am improving upon some of these things slowly but surely! All that matters is that you get there..some day. XO
ReplyDelete