Trial or Opportunity
Read: James 1:2-4 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. (vv. 2-3) In life, difficult times are unavoidable regardless of our circumstances. But is it really possible to meet the trials and tribulations of life with joy as James […]
Gideon’s Charge!
Read: Judges 7:15-25 Arise, for the Lord has given the host of Midian into your hand. (v. 15) All week, we’ve focused on the call of God. Alongside Gideon, we’ve seen that God’s call begins when he tells us who we are and where he’s sending us. We’ve learned that we can only respond to God’s […]
Gideon Gets Courage from God
Read: Judges 7:9-14 That same night the Lord said to him, . . . “Your hands shall be strengthened.” (vv. 9, 11) No matter what God calls us to, when we get up close to it, the sheer size of the task can threaten to overwhelm us. Sometimes, the job just seems too big. Whether we are called […]
Gideon’s Army: Culled by God
Read: Judges 7:1-8 The Lord said to Gideon, “The people with you are too many.” (v. 2) At this point in my life, I know what I’m good at (and what I’m not so good at). Some tasks come more easily for me now. Some accomplishments require less practice and preparation than they used to. Some […]
Gideon’s Confirmation from God
Read: Judges 6:33-40 Then Gideon said to God, . . . “Let me speak just once more.” (v. 39) The call has been sounded. I know who I am, and whose I am. I’ve been set free from sin to do the work of God. But sometimes, even after all that, I’m still feeling wobbly. Still not quite […]
Gideon Cleans Up for God
Read: Judges 6:25-32 Pull down the altar of Baal that your father has. (v. 25) When I get excited about a new direction, I’m ready to leap into action. Frequently, I’ve hardly settled down into prayer before I think of some new thing God probably wants me to do. Then I’m jumping up off my knees […]
Gideon’s Clear View of God
Read: Judges 6:17-24 Now I have seen the angel of the Lord face to face. (v. 22) What does God look like? If we met him, would we even know it? If God called us to action, would we recognize his voice? It’s so easy to get confused, and to doubt God’s call. At some moments, […]
Gideon: Called by God
Read: Judges 6:1-16 Go in this might of yours . . . ; do not I send you? (v. 14) Sometimes I feel overwhelmed by everything that’s going on in the world. I can relate to the Israelites’ desire to hide out in caves, taking shelter from the oppressive powers that raged around them. Sometimes, after taking one look […]
June 2023 Prayer Guide
UGANDA — Pray that God would be at work to restore hope in the hearts of young people in Uganda. Our producers report that many young people are falling into addictions. Parents, too, are anxious and depressed as they watch their children suffer. The Words of Hope team is now providing teaching about the dangers […]