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Sunday, March 30, 2014

March 31 "God Is Changing My Motives" Judges 3-5

She drives a peg through the temple of the enemy king sleeping in her shelter. Drove that peg all the way through his brain all the way into the ground.  There are a few who believe God in the Book of Judges.  Judges 3:21.  But, generation after generation "they forget about God" when things are going good.  And we all do the same in this generation.  That's why we need the Book of Judges.

This Book isn't about returning to God, finding God, only for a good life and good blessings.  This book is all about finding God!  Relationship with Him is our greatest good, our best blessing ever. The generations here in this book feared what we fear today:  "the loss of the blessings that were providing them with comfort and a sense of personal well-being."  66LL.  Too small!  There's more.

God is more about changing our motives than just our behavior.  I feel we look too shallow as we evaluate what we can do better, what circumstances need to change, what behavior needs to improve.  No more!  God heals us from within and transforms us.  If we are not changing, we must ask why?  Why do we do what we do?  God heals us to change our impact on those in our paths---does the Beauty of God pour out of us and draw others into dependence on God. Psalm 50:2. Or do we play it safe in relationships not rocking the boat.  

Deborah and Barak knew.  "The leaders took the lead in Israel, the people offered themselves willingly, bless the Lord!"  And the tremblings go on and on through the earth through those who trust.  And when we forget ... will we repent when we remember?

COME BOLDLY:  Timeless Prayers
Father, may my friends here with whom we walk be like the sun as they rise up in might.  Judges 5:31.  Make us mighty men and women who trust you when things go well and when things go wrong.  

PHOTO:  The ocean roars.  Santa Rosa Island.  Sunrise.  Thinking about how God is changing my motives and my impact, not just my behavior and I couldn't be more thrilled.  

5 comments:

  1. Here are a few random thoughts from a portion of our readings today:

    The Spirit of the Lord was upon Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother. He went out to war, and the Lord gave Cushan-rishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand. And his hand prevailed over Cushan-rishathaim. . .So the land had rest forty years.

    1. The first judge of Israel was Caleb's nephew--Caleb left a faith legacy.

    2. The Lord tested Israel and showed them how to war to know peace.

    3. And thus begins a pattern that continues to this day.The people sin and become distraught. They return to God in this distress. God mercifully returns to them for deliverance. Again and again. God is faithful despite our lack of faith. And He still stands today wooing us back: Return to Me, and I will return to you.

    Thankfully, thankfully, He still mercifully answers our earnest cries. And we know a rest like no other.

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    1. Oh Annette, you mean so much to me in the ways you long for the Truth of the Word. I just love reading your heart! Always!

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  2. Change our motives, Lord. Change our hearts. Not just our behaviors, our actions. Transform us from the deepest places from glory to increasing glory as we near the Day we meet You face to Face.

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  3. Thank You Father God that we no longer need to wait for a deliverer to come, You sent Your Son to deliver us. I pray we press into You and abide in You not wandering from our promised land into the wilderness.

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