What an amazing week of online Bible study at the Womens Bible Cafe™ We’ve just finished reading week five of the Gideon Bible study written by Priscilla Shirer. We saw a major turn of events as our Biblical hero goes from a God-centered life back into a self-centered life. Yes…BACK into his self interests.
(image: Unsplash)
Equipped by God to overcome his own insecurity, Gideon the hero becomes Gideon the disrespected in a very short time. His demise was listening to the flesh rather than listening to the Lord. Has this ever happened to you?
It’s easy to be deceived by the enemy of lies. When we stop seeking wisdom from God through prayer, Bible study and fellowship…we open the door to spiritual warfare. Today in my local Bible study our leader suggested memorizing Galatians 5:19-21 NIV so we recognize the works of the flesh inside us.
The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:19-21 NIV )
I wonder if Gideon would have experienced a different outcome if he knew and prayed these things! What about you? Do you recognize that when you are acting in anger, discord, or jealousy…you are acting against the Fruit of the Spirit. Perhaps each of us is a bit like Gideon in someway or at sometime in our lives.
When God uses our weakness for His strength….we need to stay in relationship with Him so that strength is not misused by the flesh. For Gideon, insecurity became courage and then courage became sin. Make sure you don’t cross the line with the gifts the Lord give to you. A wise woman knows when to yield to the Spirit and capture all thoughts through a Christ-centered heart.
I hope you’ll be joining the small groups this week to discuss week five. Did you know that next week is our last week of the Gideon online Bible study? This study has really gone by fast!
Assignment For the Next Week
- Read Week Six in the workbook
- Listen to Audio Session six and seven or Video Session six and seven at Lifeway.com (optional due to cost)
For about a month I have been drained, I know physically, mentally, spiritually, but as I keep plugging ahead only with Him He renews me empowers me, when I wander off the path in my own strength He draws me back—I couldn’t figure out why housework seemed like so overwhelming—recently—trying to do it in own strength–got back on course and He empowered me to do what seemed like 2 days work in flesh to 2 hrs.-Praise Him!I’m planning on flying to my sister Linda’s in Maryland in early August to re-coop and renew with His living water!That was answer to number 5—Number 6/I am nothing without Him, Hes my source of all–I’m getting slowly more disciplined to run back to Him when I flounder–I know better I’ve known Jesus 53 yrs. but like Ruth Graham said “we’re under CONSTRUCTION” down here but to me thats comforting despite SELF, or satan, He is always at work in us–always active going ahead, loving, leading, and guiding, always Faithful, as we sit and meditate on scripture or Him, He comes and transforms my time and day and we are always strong in Him, and He rejuvenates our weakness into His strength in us–as we lean on Him, Praise Him, Warmly, Carolyn
I have felt the same as Carolyn – mine was a little different – I have battled an acute case of shingles where the pain was so bad I could not sit or lie down, only pace the floors. I was unable to focus on anything but the pain – I tried praying, but couldn’t even formulate my thoughts. I had an inkling of what Job must have felt ;-( I am “back” now with minimal pain and have resumed my studies (I am working on my Masters of Ministry in Biblical Studies) and enjoying time back in the Word. Now I need to catch up on my Gideon study. I have enjoyed it very much and am bringing it to my Bible study group in a few weeks. It will be good to study it again (without pain 😉 and with my usual small group. Blessings and love to all who are dealing with everyday life challenges.. . . Judi