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Brag on God Friday

12/9/2011

14 Comments

 

What God Can Do with the Willing & Available

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"The Israelites did evil in the eyes of the LORD; they forgot the LORD their God and served the Baals and the Asherahs. The anger of the LORD burned against Israel so that he sold them into the hands of Cushan-Rishathaim king of Aram Naharaim, to whom the Israelites were subject for eight years. But when they cried out to the LORD, he raised up for them a deliverer, Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother, who saved them. The Spirit of the LORD came upon him,so that he became Israel's judge and went to war. The LORD gave Cushan-Rishathaim king of Aram into the hands of Othniel, who overpowered him.  So the land had peace for forty years,until Othniel son of Kenaz died." Judges 3:7-11

Othniel, Caleb's younger brother (or some scholars say his nephew). What do you think he felt about being the deliverer? Here's my guesses:

1. Unworthy and inadequate. Perhaps he looked up to Caleb who he saw as larger than life. Perhaps he thought, "God could never use me."

2. Jealous & Prideful. Perhaps he looked at Caleb and thought, "He's not so great, why does God use him so much?"

3. Uninterested. Perhaps he was like the son whose father wants to give him the family business but he would rather do something else. Maybe he didn't like fighting and would rather cook (like Jacob).

But no matter the attitude it is obvious that he was willing and available to the Lord. And as a result not only was Israel rescued and sustained for 40 years but we get a glimpse of the beauty God is able to bring with a life laid down. 

Did you know there are 3 definitions for life in the New Testament?
1. Bios, which is your physical life.
2. Zoe, which is eternal life
3. Psuche, which is your mind, will and emotions. Your heart, your seat of affections.

And did you know when Jesus says, "The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep" (John 10:11), "The Son of man did not come to be served but to give His life for a ransom for many" (Mk 10:45) and "Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it." (Matt. 10:39) are all Psuche. Wow huh!
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Unless a seed falls to the ground, beauty can not emerge. When we lay down our expectations, dreams, hopes-our plan for our life, we wont be disappointed because God brings forth life and life to the full!
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But if we cling to our own _(fill in the blank with the thing hard to trust God with)_, our life remains a seed never bloomed. I think it's worth heeding Jim Elliot's advice, "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." 

Yesterday I talked about God testing us. What is He testing you with? What is He asking you to plant in the ground/lay down and die with and trust Him to bloom?

"The Holy Spirit longs to reveal to you the deeper things of God. He longs to love through you. He longs to work through you. Through the blessed Holy Spirit you may have: strength for every duty, wisdom for every problem, comfort in every sorrow, joy in His overflowing service." T.J. Bach
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I hope the Glimpse of Glory in Judges Series; A Bible study devotional through the book of Judges, has been a blessing to you so far. And I hope you will come by each weekday to get a glimpse of God's heart and character from the book of Judges. 

Chapter One
{Day One} Delighting in God as the Know-er of All Things
{Day Two} Reliance 
{Day Three} Bigger Picture 
{Day Four} Prepare for Battle
{Day Five} No More 

Chapter 2
{Day Six} Revealer 
{Day Seven} The Lord's Anger
{Day Eight} Love Conquers All
{Day Nine} The Great Rescue
{Day Ten} The Big Test

Will you take 20 seconds to share the url in your facebook status or share with your peeps on twitter so they can be encouraged too? 

And don't forget to subscribe below so you don't miss any of the Glimpses of Glory in Judges.

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Will you join us in bragging on God?

Each Friday, I love to give others and opportunity to ban together and tell about how incredible God is. If you'd like to "proclaim the excellencies of Him who called us out of darkness" click the link below and follow the prompts to link up your post. 

Please let your readers know by including a link in your post or put my button code (found on the side bar) so they can find these other great people bragging about the greatness of God.


And will you leave some comments on these sweet peoples posts linked up. It sure can get discouraging sometimes and a kind word goes a long way.
Linking up here: Spiritual Sundays
14 Comments
Esther Joy link
12/8/2011 10:53:37 pm

Laura,

I was unaware of the third definition for life, and enjoyed learning from those "psuche" verses!

Looking forward to another "Brag on God" Friday!

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Bryan link
12/8/2011 11:44:28 pm

God continues to ask my wife and I to trust Him with my son's outcome. He's nine years old and has T-Cell Lymphoma. As a parent, I want to fix it. But we must trust God to handle His care and our son's future. God Bless and thanks for sharing!

Reply
Renee link
12/9/2011 02:48:24 am

Thank you for a very challenging post...speaking to my heart today. God bless.

Reply
Laurie Collett link
12/9/2011 04:19:06 am

Dear Laura,

This post is exactly what I need today! I also love the gorgeous photos and Jim Elliott quote.

Dying to self is difficult, but it is the only way the Holy Spirit can live through us. Whenever I prepare for a dance performance, I pray to be emptied out so that He can have free reign. Then I get alarmed that I feel so drained and exhausted, until He reminds me that He is answering my prayer and that I must turn it all over to Him. Without Him we can do nothing, but with Him all things are possible!
Love in Him,
Laurie

Reply
Tricia link
12/9/2011 09:45:47 am

Well I learned something new today. Haven't ever heard about the three "life" definitions. How interesting, thanks!

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Robert Moon link
12/9/2011 10:16:55 am

As we get older our body at times rebells and tells us we cannot do as we once did. Some take to a life of prayer in their home for prayer reaches where we cannot go. Other take up blogging and it also travels far and near. (like me) :-)

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Sylvia R link
12/9/2011 08:00:27 pm

Wow is right, Laura! I never knew that the life Christ laid down was His psuche! What a lot to ponder in that one fact alone! Material for a month's worth of meditation! And to line my own psuche up with!

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Sheila Lagrand link
12/9/2011 10:30:58 pm

Thanks for this study! It's refreshing to find insightful teaching in a blog :)

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Nikki (Sarah) link
12/10/2011 12:13:00 am

thanks for your inspiration always Laura....

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Charlotte link
12/10/2011 04:22:03 am

Very interesting - and educational. Thank you for sharing.
Blessings,
Charlotte

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Pamela link
12/10/2011 05:52:27 am

I love it when I learn something new from God's Word. It just never gets old, does it? Thank you for sharing the insight God gives you.

Blessings,
Pamela

Reply
Rhoda link
12/10/2011 07:14:50 am

Thank you for the encouragement to surrender and lay down our lives - I can never get enough of that reminder :)

Reply
Laura link
12/10/2011 07:30:12 am

Oh thank you so much friends for the much needed encouragement. I'm working on mondsys devotional and Judges is just so in your face, calling it like it is. Sometimes I just wish it would be fun and light, but guess that's just not Judges right now. Then I sit and hope I'm not depressing people... so really, your encouragement means a lot guys.

But... God did give me a great idea for my next series that will be more awe-inspiring. :)

Reply
Lisa notes... link
12/10/2011 09:54:50 am

The willing and the able...God is always ready to use those, isn't he? So thankful that we don't have to do it in our own power or come up with our own mission.

Reply



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  • Home
    • Ministry Resources for Women >
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  • Blog
    • Ministry >
      • Evangelism {Win}
      • Discipleship {Build}
      • Living Missionally {Send}
    • God's Word >
      • Bible Study
      • Prayer
      • Devotionals
      • Bible Studies
      • Apologetics
    • Relationships >
      • Marriage
      • Singleness
      • Dating
      • Family
      • Friendship
    • World >
      • Social Justice Issues
      • Internet & Social Media
      • Politics
      • International
      • Science Revealing God
    • Life >
      • Image & Idenity
      • Health
      • Fashion
      • Food
      • Organization
  • Bible Study Resources
  • Prints
  • Stickers
  • Quiet Time Journals
  • Courses
    • Discover God's Calling
    • Women's Ministry Training Promo
    • How to Study the Bible
    • Women's Ministry Training Course
    • Growing in Your Faith Mini Course
  • Retreat
  • Video Bible Studies
    • Matthew
    • John
    • Galatians
    • Philippians
    • Know your Purpose
    • Creation Reveals
    • Ministry
    • Heart Growth
  • You Are Unshaken Book
    • Unshaken Groups
    • You Are Unshaken Launch Team
    • You Are Unshaken Paint Party
    • Unshaken Freebies
  • Shop