Rise Up Like Gideon – Amy Cox, Alliance Women

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Rise Up Like Gideon

Posted on December 20, 2023 by Amy Cox

Self-sufficiency is one of my greatest foes. I have struggled repeatedly with it, only to reach a point of turning to God as a last resort. My human nature grates against the very idea of needing anything or anyone outside of myself. I cry, “Save me! Save me!” at the same time my inner conscience rebels saying, “Leave me alone! I have this!” As Christ followers, we can only rise up to glorify our Father when we recognize and rely on Him.

Israel had also been in a cycle of self-sufficiency and sin during the time of Judges. Needing to put their faith in humanness, they fell to their enemies repeatedly, only to be rescued by God. As humans, we cannot “get it right” without Him. After being delivered, the Israelites quickly forgot God’s power and fell into sin and self-sufficiency once again.

“And the Lord looked at him and said, ‘Go in this strength of yours and save Israel from the hand of Midian. Have I not sent you.’” –Judges 6:14

The Midianite army was knocking at the doors ready to defeat Israel once again when God answered the pleas of Gideon. “Go in the strength you have, and I will be with you,” as a loving Father, He reassures Israel once again by defeating their enemies.

Like Israel then, we run on our own strength and understanding far too often when it is by His design that we depend on Him, for His Glory. Of course, we cannot defeat those armies and obstacles against us today, yet we continually jump back into the cycle of self-sufficiency and then seek God’s intervention.

In my own life, I am overly proud of my “large” plate capacity and abilities, frequently forgetting God in my ventures of parenting, hobbies, and ministry. Like Israel, when I become desperate and tired with the thrill of accomplishments and the adrenalin of busyness, I find myself back at the altar. I can find no words when seeking my Savior—my soul calls to Him with a need that only He understands.

We were created to not be “enough” or to fail, not out of disdain or disregard but out of love. God’s desire is for us to be so completely reliant on Him, to be open vessels for Him to work through, like the tiny army of Gideon’s.

“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”–Romans 8:37

So today, let us go in our own power, for God is with us. In the workplace, neighborhood, and the family, where we long to see God’s presence, let go of self-sufficiency and rise up.

Pray this reminder today: “I am the branch, and You are the vine. I will remain in You and You in me. I will bear much fruit, for apart from You I can do nothing.”

Amy Cox

Amy is the Alliance women’s director for the Great Lakes District of the C&MA. She lives on-site where she serves in inner-city ministry as the connections director at That Neighborhood Church in Toledo, Ohio. She is a mother to two wonderful sons and three rambunctious dogs who go by Dixie, Timmy, and Coco. In her spare time, she enjoys Argentinian tango classes.

Give Thanks!

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Studies show that people who express gratitude experience improved sleep, higher stress tolerance, and more meaningful relationships.
But gratitude not only benefits us physically, it also draws us closer to God.
When our perspectives shift off of us and onto the God who gave up everything for us, that’s when we start to find fresh hope, joy, beauty, and purpose around us.

Whose Voice Are You Listening To?

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Whose Voice are you Listening To?

by Kristi F | Bible Verses, Faith, Growing Closer to God, Soul Nourishment, Spiritual Growth

As I was preparing for a Bible study, I took notice of something I had NEVER noticed before!  It’s something I had thought of but not blatantly seen and taken notice of in this Scripture.  Loud and clear, as I read through Romans 3-4, Paul was shouting, “Whose voice are you listening to?”

Who are we listening to?

This is such an important question to honestly answer for several reasons:

  • Who you listen to is who you follow.
  • Who you follow determines major decisions in your life.
  • Is the loudest voice in your ear, the Word of God or is it someone interpreting God’s Word?

whose-voice-are-you-listening-to-why-does-it-matter-pin

Romans 4

So what does Romans 4 have to do with whose voice we are listening to?  Isn’t chapter four all about how Abraham was justified by faith and we are too?  Yes, that is one of the main points. Another point is revealed when we dig a little deeper and I love to dig!  For twelve years I wanted to be a paleontologist.  I would practice digging all over our yard, the school yard and the Arbuckle mountains.  Little did I know God would use my passion for digging to dig into his Word!  Oh, I love how He works in our lives, don’t you!?!

Anyway, so here we are in Romans 4, which is written to a group of believers in Rome and Paul is trying to help them understand the Scriptures better.  Well, the Scriptures are what we call the Old Testament. So Paul is constantly quoting the Old Testament and trying to explain it in further detail.

A Technique to Parallel & Dig Deeper

One of the techniques often used in teaching was to quote a part of the Old Testament assuming the crowd new the rest of the passage or would look it up.  In Romans 4:7-8, Paul directly quotes Psalm 32:1-2:

Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him.

What an amazing proclamation!  But what does the rest of the Psalm say?  Let’s read it and see what else Paul may be referring to:

Psalm 32:3-11

When I kept silent,
my bones wasted away
through my groaning all day long.

For day and night
your hand was heavy upon me;
my strength was sapped
as in the heat of summer.

Then I acknowledged my sin to you
and did not cover up my iniquity.

I said, “I will confess my transgressions
to the Lord” —
and you forgave the guilt of my sin.

Therefore let everyone who is godly pray to you
while you may be found;
surely when the mighty waters rise,
they will not reach him.

You are my hiding place;
you will protect me from trouble
and surround me with songs of deliverance.

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go:
I will counsel you and watch over you.

Do not be like the horse or the mule,
which have no understanding
but must be controlled by bit and bridle
or they will not come to you.

Many are the woes of the wicked,
but the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in him.

Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous;
sing, all you who are upright in heart!

By Whom are We Controlled?

Isn’t it interesting that here we see a contrast between those who readily come to the Lord, confess their sins to Him, receive forgiveness and protection, and listen to Him versus those who lack understanding and will not come readily to the Lord?

The Lord will instruct us and teach us in the ways we should go and those who trust in him will be surrounded by His unfailing love!  

Were the Romans controlled with understanding or were they being controlled by the words of others?

psalm-32-8

Are we allowing the words of others to control us?

If we are trusting that someone else will read and interpret the Bible for us instead of digging into God’s word ourselves, we are literally handing over our freedom and protection in Christ to someone other than God. I just got chills! I want my Savior, Jesus Christ, to be holding my freedom and no one else!

If we truly want God to guide us and we want to follow Him, then we need to read His words instead of only relying on someone else’s interpretations of His words. We should investigate the Scriptures ourselves. Be like the Bereans in Acts 17 and make sure what others are preaching or teaching lines us with Scripture. Reading the Bible and praying for understanding is so important. We can be led astray so easily when we don’t. The Lord promises in James 1 to give wisdom to anyone wisdom who lacks and asks for it. The Lord would be happy to answer this prayer.

But what about our preachers, highly respected teachers, or even our parents…can we not rely on them for guidance? I am not saying that we should not be challenged by others who have studied, but we have to have our own faith built on the word of God. No one else can do that for us but ourselves. If we become lazy and allow others to study for us, then we are essentially putting our trust in them and we are more vulnerable to attack.

Satan knows the Scriptures and he loves to twist them to pull us away from our Lord and Savior.

Satan tried to trick Jesus, when Jesus was in the desert after he was baptized. Satan twisted Scripture and presented it to Jesus as the truth. Jesus spoke the actual truth from Scripture right back to Satan.  This is a powerful lesson for us. It shows us that if Satan was willing to twist the word to the one who spoke it, then he will surely twist and try to confuse the word in order to tempt us away from Christ too. We must also be able to fight the lies with the truth. 

Let Jesus be the loudest voice in your ear.

God made is crystal clear who we should listen to, so there is no doubt about who we should be listening to. If we are putting anyone else’s words above Jesus’, them we can know we are not truly following Christ.

While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”
Matthew 17:5

Rise Up Like Ruth – Alliance Women

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Rise Up Like Ruth

Posted on August 1, 2023 by Zahydee Guzman

“And Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, ‘Let me go to the fields and pick up the leftover grain behind anyone in whose eyes I find favor.’ Naomi said to her, ‘Go ahead, my daughter.’” –Ruth 2:2

The book of Ruth is one of the most beautiful in the Bible because it resembles childhood stories that end with happy endings. As a child, I read this book very often. Ruth’s story begins with the death of a husband. The Bible tells us that Naomi, her husband, and her sons and daughters-in-law lived in Moab. Naomi becomes a widow, and as the years go by, her two children also die. One of her daughters-in-law, Orpha, returned to her own relatives while Ruth stayed by Naomi’s side, determined to be with her.

Facing the loss of her husband and children and falling into poverty made Naomi become a frustrated and bitter woman. However, Ruth, living through the same sad and difficult circumstances as her mother-in-law, did not show a poor character. During her precarious circumstances, Ruth’s beautiful qualities were exposed. Through this book, we can appreciate Ruth for how hardworking, loving, kind, faithful, and courageous she was—like the virtuous woman of Proverbs 31.

Naomi and Ruth left for Bethlehem. Both were widows, poor, without family, and with nothing to favor them. They settled near land belonging to a distant relative, and it is on this land that Ruth goes out to gather grain, according to the Mosaic law. This was God’s method of supplying the needs of the poor and needy. That was the welfare system at that time. Farmers were not to harvest their fields completely so that the poor and needy could pick up the leftover spikes. Thus, their needs were supplied.

They had to go out to the fields to work, and Ruth did it out of love and fidelity to Naomi. Poverty made Ruth act. God’s providence led her to a very fertile and valuable field. When Ruth went to the fields, God supplied her needs. If you are waiting for God to be your Provider, consider that He is probably waiting for you to take the first step to show you how great your need is and how much you need to depend on Him. God uses the bad moments in our lives to guide us to places of blessing.

So, if you find yourself stuck spiritually, emotionally, physically, or financially, do like Ruth—rise up and do your part. Be brave, take the first step, take the initiative. God will do the rest. You will be surprised what God will do. This story has a happy ending. But you know what? Since you were born, God already has your story written, and it also has a happy ending. Give yourself the opportunity to live the life that our Lord has for you! RISE UP!

“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” –Isaiah 43: 19

A Storm is Brewing

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A Storm is Brewing…

Posted on September 5, 2019 by America’s Keswick in Freedom Fighters

I sat here in my chair by the window last night watching the dark clouds of a storm form over the trees; it reminded me of the many storms that have blown through our lives these past several years. What I realized in the midst of this was how distracting the brewing storm was from what I was doing… studying the Word of God.

Storms can be many things in our lives, illnesses, criticisms, deaths, rejection, failures, deceptions, losses, fears, anxiety, hatred, bitterness, or really any kind of opposition to what’s most important. This made me think of Nehemiah working to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem and how Sanballat and his cronies tried to undermine the whole process. First, they mocked and criticized the Jews, then they created a conspiracy and used extortion, and finally, they offered a compromise and created a betrayal. In each situation, Nehemiah responded with prayer. Like Jesus in the desert being challenged by Satan, Nehemiah relied on God’s Word and sought after His strength to stand firm in what was most important. “When Nehemiah saw the fear in the faces of the people, he rose and spoke to them: ‘Do not be afraid of those against us; remember the Lord who is great and awesome and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses. At whatever place you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us’” (Nehemiah 4:14, 20).

Yes, many storms are brewing on the horizon, but they need not distract us from what is most important, that is to know God. His promise to “fight for us” is as true for us today as it was for Nehemiah in building the walls of Jerusalem. It was real for Israel that day they stood pressed in by the sea before them and the Egyptians at their rear. God’s promise to fight for us was true for Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the furnace, Daniel in the lion’s den, Jeremiah in the well, Joshua and Caleb before the nation, Joseph in captivity, and ultimately… on the Cross as Jesus bore the wrath of God’s perfect Justice towards all sin. It was here that He was fighting for you and me. Amid the violent storm brewing around the cross, Christ cried out, “It is Finished!” God’s Justice was satisfied, and our debt was atoned for. Sin and death were conquered and lay impotent under His resurrected feet.

Thank God for Victory in Jesus! Thank God He is forever fighting for us. One day all those who trust in His Name will stand together and sing, “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” (Rev 5:11). What a glorious day that will be!

Choose Wisely…

Praying 4 U

Written By David Brown: David Brown is a husband, father, and grandfather with a Masters of Religious Studies and a Professor of Philosophy and Comparative Religions. Dave is a member of Pemberton’s First Baptist Church.

Live Expectantly

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Well, it isn’t Monday, but I am back for this.  Some of you may get this but for those who don’t, it was just too good not to post!

First, it brings back so many fond memories!  I never had the privilege of knowing either of my grandmothers.  I am blessed to have known both of my grandfathers, even though I was only five when my maternal grandfather passed away.  I remember only a few things about him but I do remember sitting on the ground next to him as he whittled and told me stories.

My other grandpa was a different story!  He lived until I was an adult and the precious memories I have during those years will always remain with me.  He lived right next to us for many years and I couldn’t wait to see him each day!  Expectancy, what a glorious thing!

I often sit at the feet of my Lord.  I can’t see Him but I feel His presence.  Others can’t see Him but I can introduce them.  I feel His unconditional love, just as I did my grandpa’s.

Above all, I anxiously await the time that I will come into His glorious presence!  My voice will return and I will sing Holy, Holy, Holy!  I know I will stand under His judgement, but I thank Him daily for His forgiveness.  My greatest desire is to be just a little more worthy of His love, grace and mercy.

Are you waiting expectantly for His coming?

Pray Unceasingly!!

Lois

 

Live Expectantly

by Amy Rodgers (Alliance Women- Alliance women’s director for the Great Lakes District of the C&MA)

As a child, I would wait expectantly at the window for my grandmother to arrive. Helping to prepare the home and a seat for her was the most important job that could be bestowed upon me. Barely containing my excitement, I longed to see her long white car coming down the road.  Though her skin was aged, leathery, and tan from winters in Florida, I found it soft and cuddly. There was comfort in her kisses and safety in her hugs, which were my rewards. To my child’s mind, she loved unconditionally and could not be disappointed by me. I could not wait to return the love she gave me.

Do we live expectantly at the window for Jesus? Shifting our feet and bouncing up and down impatiently, is there an uncontainable urge to share with Him our gratitude and a longing to fling ourselves into His embrace? We can prepare for His arrival with eagerness, excitement, and expectation as well.

“Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give it to each person according to what they have done” (Rev. 22:12). God desires that we live with an amazing expectation for the return of Jesus—not to work feverishly with fearful desperation but with a joyful posture of preparing for the Guest of Honor.

Like a child who looks to show their unfettered gratefulness and love, we will be honored to lay our crowns of reward before the King and hear the words, “Well done my good and faithful servant.” Crowns of righteousness, glory, rejoicing, the imperishable crown, and the crown of life will be given before the judgement seat of Christ. Paul writes in 2 Corinthians, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad” (2 Cor. 5:10).

Let us rekindle the unabandoned desire to return our rewards to Him, living eagerly and expectantly for His return. Having been given the most important job of preparing for His arrival, we can live as if “waiting at the window.”

Ask, pray, and praise. Father, show me today where I can be the hands and feet of Jesus. Lord, fill me with Your presence, I desire to seek You in all that I do today. Lord Jesus, I long for Your return. I await Your glory. Amen,

Always Remember

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Happy memorial day concept made from american flag with the text on dark stone background. Happy memorial day concept made from american flag with the text on dark stone background. memorial day stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images

 Memorial Day is a of reflection and remembrance of those who died while serving in the U.S. military,

It’s a day when the nation honors the brave, selfless men and women who gave their lives while in this country’s service. It also is the day each year when Americans put special emphasis on remembering family members and friends who have passed away.

Sometimes, trips to the lake, the beach or a barbeque over shadow the reason that it exists in the first place.  If you have never visited a National Cemetery, take the opportunity to go see one.  It will take your breath away.  In central Florida, the second largest one in the United States is located in Bushnell.  It is well worth the drive. Go home and have your BBQ then but remember and honor those who gave everything for our freedom.  Teach your children, grandchildren and great grandchildren why this holiday exists and why our fallen heroes deserve all honor and respect.

The Least is the Greatest

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A “trend” that is becoming more and more disturbing to me is that so much on social media, and in life in general, is all about “me”.  I concede that self confidence and self esteem are not bad things, what disturbs me is where the credit goes too.  That’s where “me” comes into play far too often.

If someone has worked hard to accomplish something, that is wonderful!  Where did the inclination, intelligence and talent come from though?  I believe God has given us all specific gifts to work with.  I believe God wants us to be good stewards of all He has given us and to use those gifts to further His kingdom and glorify Him, not “me”.  Too often we see pride and ego controlling our lives.  Recognition is very gratifying for the hard work but recognition for the Creator is so much better!

‘Whoever welcomes this little child in My name welcomes Me; and whoever welcomes Me welcomes the One who sent Me. For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest’” (Luke 9:48).

Pray Unceasingly!!

Lois

The Least is the Greatest

 Ruth Smith – Christian Missionary Alliance

In the first few verses of Luke 9, Jesus commissions the twelve apostles to go out and preach the Kingdom of God. He gives them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases. Luke 9:6 tells us that they went from village to village preaching the gospel and healing people everywhere. When they returned from their journey, they reported back to Jesus all that they had done.

As we go on in the chapter, we continue to read of the amazing things the apostles witnessed and were involved in—this time, as they traveled with Jesus. Don’t let the wonderment of the situations that the disciples found themselves in with Jesus slip past you. Let these facts permeate your heart and mind:

  • Jesus takes them into His confidence, and He tells them what He will face in the coming days, including His death and Resurrection.
  • The disciples are allowed to witness and even to participate in the miraculous feeding of the five thousand with just five loaves of bread and two fish. They themselves gathered 12 baskets of leftovers!
  • Peter, James, and John witnessed the Transfiguration of Jesus and got to hear the very voice of God the Father as He testifies that Jesus is His chosen Son and that they should listen to Him.

After all of this, Luke 9:46 finds the disciples in an argument over what? Which of them was the greatest?!? There they were with Jesus. He had given them power and authority to cast out demons, preach the gospel, and heal the sick. They had participated in the miraculous and now they were arguing over which of them was the greatest? Unbelievable!

But we can sort of understand. Maybe the wonderful and miraculous things of Jesus that we have been involved with have “gone to our head.” Maybe we, like the disciples, begin to feel that we do a lot for Jesus, that He uses us mightily, and that we deserve some recognition. It is easy to get caught up in the wonder and thrill of it all. Being chosen and sent out! The disciples had seen and been involved in miraculous things! They were on a high. And Jesus, their wise, loving Teacher and Savior used a child to guide them (and us) to reality, to humility.

So, Jesus had a little child stand beside Him. Mark tells us that Jesus took the child in His arms, “Then He said to them, ‘Whoever welcomes this little child in My name welcomes Me; and whoever welcomes Me welcomes the One who sent Me. For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest’” (Luke 9:48).

What a lesson in humility! Not the one who has accomplished the most or the one who has given the most or even the one who has served the most—these are not the greatest. But rather, those whose hearts are humble, who recognize, like Jesus, that even a small child is more important than their accomplishments. A complete, and need be, permanent 180-degree turn from thinking of themselves to welcoming, receiving this small child in Jesus’ name.

The world ranks people in importance because of who they are and what they do . . . actors, athletes, elected officials, etc. Important people do important things. But Jesus says that welcoming this child in His name, while it may seem insignificant to you, is the most important to Him. It takes a change in our hearts and in our thinking. The one who is humble, who the world may see as the least, in the eyes of God, that one is the greatest.

How to Pray

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How to Pray

Ephesians 3:14- For this reason I kneel before the Father. Philippians 2:10, That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth. Exodus 34:8, Moses bowed to the ground at once and worshiped.

Who do you pray to?  How do you pray?  Why do you pray?

I pray to God, to Jesus, Heavenly Father, Abba Father, I pray to who my heart calls out to at that time.  The trinity is God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit.

According to Got Questions.org, “Praying in Jesus’ name means praying with His authority and asking God the Father to act upon our prayers because we come in the name of His Son, Jesus. Praying in Jesus’ name means the same thing as praying according to the will of God, “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him” (1 John 5:14-15). Praying in Jesus’ name is praying for things that will honor and glorify Jesus.

“Saying in Jesus’ name” at the end of a prayer is not a magic formula. If what we ask for or say in prayer is not for God’s glory and according to His will, saying “in Jesus’ name” is meaningless. Genuinely praying in Jesus’ name and for His glory is what is important, not attaching certain words to the end of a prayer. It is not the words in the prayer that matter, but the purpose behind the prayer. Praying for things that are in agreement with God’s will is the essence of praying in Jesus’ name.”

Prayer is having a conversation with God.  It is a simple conversation.  While I feel we should always be in reverence of God, He wants us to talk to him!  He wants your gratitude, your pain, your anger, and your joys.  He wants your love, your praise and worship.  He wants you to have all of Him and that wholeness begins with giving yourself to Him.  I find myself asking for forgiveness often and need it often.  Prayer is really about building a relationship with God and that involves connecting and communicating.

God gave us a powerful weapon in prayer.  That weapon becomes even more important as we look around us with everything that is going on.  It’s time to get on our knees. Satan is hard at work.  The Bible tells us that the Devil comes to steal, kill, and destroy. Throughout the Bible, Satan tries to take good things created by God and either steal them, kill them, or destroy them. False spiritual teaching is dangerous because it tries to do the same.

Jesus gave us a beautiful example of how to pray, The Lord’s Prayer.  I don’t believe Jesus intended it to become a ritual.

This, then, is how you should pray:
“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.” Matthew 6:9–13, NIV

 Philippians 4:6 – Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”

Time For A Change

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Happy Monday!

I have always said that God gave me direction with this weekly email.  I cannot even say what it has meant to me and I only hope it has added a glimmer of hope, joy, or inspiration to each of you at some point in time.  Like so many things though, there comes a time when you just don’t feel like this is the direction that God has in mind for you.  That time has come.  I have prayed about it and I feel like it’s time.  If you follow the church website, www.churchatnewsong.com I will still post on Lois’ Tidbits.

Please know that I love you all and appreciate your patience with me all these years.  I am always here if you need a shoulder or an ear.  You hold such a special place in my heart.  You will remain in my prayers, as you have been for all this time.  I also appreciate your prayers more than you will ever know.

Remember that throughout it all, no matter what is going on in your lives, God loves you and He is still in control.  There is a lot to be said for “Let go and let God!”

God bless you all and Pray Unceasingly!!

In His light,

Lois