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 […]
A People of Praise
Read: Nehemiah 8:1-12 Do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength. (v. 10) What is God rebuilding in your life? What is he restoring? While the last few years have been marked by setbacks and losses for many, God is still the same: faithful, powerful, and near to his people. Even […]
A Persistent Leader
Read: Nehemiah 6:1-15 And I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down.” (v. 3) Near the end of his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul encourages the believers to “be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong” (16:13). Nehemiah is one of the […]
A Persistent Enemy
Read: Nehemiah 4:1-16 Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome. (v. 14) Finally, some progress! The Jews in Jerusalem now had an effective leader in Nehemiah and a workforce of volunteers. They had a plan, and the walls were beginning to go up. But, almost as if on cue, […]
A Purpose Shared
Read: Nehemiah 3:1-12 Next to him Hananiah, one of the perfumers, repaired, and they restored Jerusalem as far as the Broad Wall. (v. 8) So many names! In this section of Nehemiah 3, there are at least 18 specifically named individuals who are recognized for their work repairing the walls of Jerusalem. Add to that the […]