The day with dianne Louise

Four things on earth are small, yet they are extremely wise: the ants are not a strong people, yet they store up their food in the summer; Hyraxes are not a mighty people, yet they make their homes in the cliffs; Locusts have no king, yet all of them march in ranks; a lizard can be caught in the hand, yet it lives in kings palaces. Proverbs 30:24-28 We can judge ourselves incompetent, lacking, not clever, poor, ugly, yet all of the above are ignorant to such mindsets, they get on with it and be and do. Ants work hard and are constantly storing up food for the time of need, they are prepared; Hyraxes or rock badger live on high rocky mountains in cavities, they know how to live above the drama; Locusts know how to work together in a crowd, they don't fight for top dog status, they instinctly know how to march as one; a lizard manages to live in the homes of rulers, as even they have abundant food supply and places to live. Hard work, creative living, security of per...

I am more stupid than any other man, and I lack man's ability to understand. I have not gained wisdom, and I have no knowledge of the Holy One. Who has gone up to heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in his hands? Who has bound up waters in a cloak? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name, And what is the name of His Son- if you know? Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. Don't add to His words, or He will rebuke you, and you will be proved a liar. Proverbs 30:1-6 These proverbs show a man with a humble estimation of himself and his knowledge of God. He does not assume he knows God, but that there is too much about Him that is unknown to Him. Job thought He knew God but found he didn't, this man confesses his lack. I am fortunate to say I know the name of the Son of God, Jesus is His name. I am fortunate to be able to read the scripture and gain understanding of God through His interactions with mankind...

By justice a king brings stability to a land, But a man who demands "contributions" demolishes it. Proverbs 29:4 In Australia there has been much in the courts as politicians face corruption charges for taking "contributions." Whilst in some countries businesses are encouraged to donate to the political parties, in Australia it is seen as a form of bribery, with expected benefits. All Australians are grateful that corruption is being rooted out of politics, we want justice and stability in our land. There are many countries where bribery is a way of life, not here, not now. I pray that we are cleansed of all corruption, however, realistically I know that without Christ's Lordship, even churches fail.

Without revelation people run wild, but one who listens to instruction will be happy. Proverbs 29:18 Small children run wild when not harnessed. Their minds immature see differently, they laugh at foolish things. Yet as they are harnessed and taught they lose foolishness as they mature. If I rebell against all sound knowledge then I am choosing foolishness and destruction. If parents fail to bring the harness and discipline to their children they are providing a bed of destruction for their children. I am grateful that I was disciplined and am grateful I applied discipline to my children who now discipline their children. The very least we can do for our society in which we live is apply revelation to our lives and those of our children. The better we are as individuals the better we can constructively contribute, instead of tearing down. Wisdom is good!

Anyone who turns his ear away from hearing the law- even his prayer is detestable. Proverbs 28:9 We could say, anyone who turns his ear away from truth, for truth is in the scripture, which contains the law. Today I was overly harsh in handling a situation with two of my grandsons and was not 'told' until tonight, I then had to accept and confess the problem was mine. I, along with almost everyone else, do not enjoy the being 'told', but hey if we are left to our own devices we offend, abuse and misuse. The hearing of the law comes from others and from scripture. Hearing is first and foremost. Hearing starts with a willingness, inclining an ear and opening our hearts to hear. What causes problems? Failing to understand our own limitations and those of others, in other words boundaries. My grandchildren have made a practice of bursting into my room at 6:30am for stories and not being used to 4 little faces all taking at once at 6:30am has challenged me to the p...

When a land is in rebellion, it has many rulers, But with a discerning and knowledgeable person it endures. Those who reject the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law battle against them. Evil men do not understand justice, But those who seek The Lord understand everything. Proverbs 28:2,4,5 With the advent of social media we are seeing more people express opinions, and not all of them good. Where do their opinions come from? A lot are instigated by people with strong opinions with a bias to their own gospel. For example in Australia we have a party called The Greens. As you would assume, they stand for preservation of nature, but they also express opinions about asylum seekers and our current Liberal Government's stance on people arriving by boats. Up until the current terrorism scares in our respective countries, the Green's said our government was too harsh but now that we are having to deal with terrorism, they are quiet. A government that is in power is privey ...

Oil and incense bring joy to the heart, and the sweetness of a friend is better than self-counsel. Proverbs 27:9 In ancient times oil and insence were a real pleasure, now we could say a massage, a hot spa, a foot massage instead but best of all is counsel from a good friend. A good friend is hard to find. Too many are too self-consumed or busy with their own little wheel. A good friend is a rare find. Therefore their counsel would be sweet indeed. To find a good friend, I must first be one. Amen! Self-counsel is important but can be unreliable, we need outside perspective because so often we are consumed with our circumstances and if our foundation is wrong then the counsel we give ourselves will be wrong also.

A crucible for silver, and a smelter fro gold, and a man for the words of his praise. Proverbs 27:21 There are two sources of praise: one a man gives and another he receives. If I look deeply into a person I can see what I must praise, the work of Christ in a person. They may not know the Lord yet, but need to hear the prophetic voice calling them. If I use superficial praise I beat the air, I am acting without love and only speaking to say something, a useless pursuit. When I hear praise, I evaluate it. Is it superficial or is it speaking to my spirit. If speaking to my spirit them I am blessed for my spirit needs feeding. If, however, it is useless praise the speaker thinks I want to hear and don't then I disregard it. I hear way too much useless praise. I long for prophetic uplifting. Amen!

Smooth lips with an evil heart are like glaze on an earthen vessel. a hateful person disguises himself with his speech and harbours deceit within. When he speaks graciously, don't believe him, for there are seven abominations in his heart. though his hatred is concealed by deception, his evil will be revealed in the assembly. Proverbs 26:23-26 A glaze on a pot covers the pot but the pot could be poor quality and under pressure will give way. I see so many people reliant on their own strength and watch their body language when they feel they have accomplished something, I see self. If I live for self-gratification, self-praise, self-worship then I am digging a grave. Jesus said I must lose my life to find it. For if I struggle to keep my life I lose it, but if I give it up, I find true life. We all see many become heroes, unwittingly, when disaster strikes, yet in the normal course of life we fail to think of others. Tonight I went to see the movie, 'Into the Storm....

In those days, when there was no king in Israel, a certain Levite was living in the remote parts of the hill country of Ephraim, who took himself a concubine from Bethlehem in Judah. And his concubine was unfaithful to him, and she went away from him to her father's house at Bethlehem in Judah, and was there some four months. Then her husband arose and went after her, to speak kindly to her and bring her back. But the man would not spend another night and he rose up and departed and arrived opposite Jebus (that is, Jerusalem). When they were near Jebus the day was nearly over, and the servant said to hi master, "Come now, let us turn aside to this city of the Jebusites and spend the night there." And his master said to him, "We will not turn aside into the city of foreigners, who do not belong to the people of Israel, but will pass on to Gibeah." So they passed on and went their way. and the sun went down on them near Gibeah, which belongs to Benjamin, and...

After they were some distance from Micah's house, the men who were in the house near it mobilized and caught up with the Danites, who turned to face them, and said to Micah, "What is the matter with you that you mobilized these men?" He said, "You took the gods I had made and the priest, and went away. What do I have left? How can you say to me, " What is the mater with you?" Judges 18:22-24 Micah is so far removed from truth that he fails to realize the Danites have done him a favour. He is now free from idolatry, if he can but accept his freedom and seek The Lord instead. Micah's mother's curse has been fulfilled as Micah stole her silver, originally, and although he gave it back, because of the curse, it came back to bite him. The Daites were on their way to destroy a people group who had been living peacefully, because they wanted their land, they would set up the idol in their land and the priest, grandson of Moses, as their priest. How easy it...

In those days, there was no king in Israel, and the Danite tribe was looking for territory to occupy. Up to that time no territory had been captured by them among the tribes of Israel. So the Danites sent out five brave men from their clans, from Zorah and Eshtaol, to scout out the land and explore it. They told them, "Go and explore the land." They came to the hill country of Ephraim as far as the home of Micah and spent the night there. While they were near Micah's home, they recognized the speech of the young Levite. So they went over to him and asked, "Who brought you here? What is keeping you here? What are you doing in this place? What is keeping you here? He told them what Micah had done for him and that he had hired him as priest. Then they said to him, "Please inquire of God so se will know if we have a successful journey." The priest told them, "Go in peace. The Lord is watching over the journey you are going on." Judges 18:1-6 The tribe...

There was a man from the hill country of Ephraim named Micah.  This man Micah had a shrine, and he made an Ephod and household idols and installed one of his sons to be his priest. In those days there was no king in Israel; and everyone did whatever he wanted. The was a young man, a Levite from Bethlehem in Judah, who resided within the clan of Judah. The man left the town of Bethlehem in Judah to settle wherever he could find a place. On his way he came to Micah's home in the hill country of Ephraim. Judges 17:1:1;5-8 What purpose this story has I do not know, God only knows. Yet we see the scripture says: Israel did not have a king and every man did as he wanted. The need was more for a leader who would bring the people back to truth, a priest that would know the scripture and preach it. This young Levite was probably too young to start ministry, as this normally begun at 30. He was seeking any place he could find, not where The Lord led. It appears that although he was of the Le...

The Philistines seized him and gouged his eyes out. They brought him down to Gaza and bound him with bronze shackles, and he was forced to grind grain in the prison. But his hair began to grow back after it had been shaved. Now the Philistine leaders gathered together to offer a great sacrifice to their god Dagon. They rejoiced and said: "Our god has handed over our enemy Samson to us." When the people saw him, they praised their god and said: "Our god has handed over to us our enemy who destroyed our land and who multiplied our dead." When they were drunk, they said, "Bring Samson from prison, and he can entertain us." So they brought Damson from prison, and he entertained them. They had him stand between the pillars. Samson said to the young man who was leading him by the hand, "Lead me where I can lean against them." He called out to The Lord, "Lord God please remember me. Strengthen me, God, please remember me. Strengthen me once more. W...

Some time later he fell in love with a woman named Delilah, who lived in the Sorek valley. The Philistine leaders went to her and said, " persuade him to tell you where his great strength comes from, so we can overpower him, and tie him up, and make him helpless. Each of us will give you 1,000 pieces of silver." Judges 16:4-6 Samson's big mistake was assuming he could meddle with Philistine women and be safe but now he has given his heart to a woman who would sell him for silver. His wife was threatened with fire, this one was seduce with silver. How far Samson had fallen, but God had a plan. Samson would repent and his final act would be the greatest. Praise God! I have to trust my God, that He knows His creation and how it will respond. Amen!

Samson went to Gaza, where he saw a prostitute and went to bed with her. When the Gaites heard that Samson was there, they surrounded te place and waited in ambush for him all night at the city gates. While they were waiting quietly, they said, "Let us wait until dawn; then we will kill him." But Samson got up, took hold of the doors of the city gate along with the two gate posts, and he pulled them out, bar and all. He put them on his shoulders an took them to re top o the mountain overlooking Hebron. Judges 16:1-3 We do not see the Spirit of God involved in this. The first time Samson wanted a woman he was ready to marry but now we see him sleeping with a prostitute. He still had his strength but he did not have the Spirit of God. How sad! Samson was perhaps not aware that the Spirit of God had left him because he still had his strength. I am sad for Samson as he had no one who spoke into his life. He disregarded his parent's opinions when he wanted to marry a Philistin...

When Samson had finished speaking, he threw away the jawbone and named that place Ramathlehi. He became very thirsty and called out to The Lord: "You have accomplished this great victory through your servant. Must I now die of thirst am fall into the hands of the uncircumcised?" So God split a hollow in the ground at Lehi, and water came out of it. After Samson drank, his strength returned and he revived. That is why he named it Enhakkore, which is Lehi to this day. And he judged Israel 20 years in the days of the Philistines. Judges 15:17-20 What an unusual character! Brazen, self-possessed and not afraid to speak to God in the manner he did. What is interesting is God allowed it and Samson judged Israel 20 years. Now that would indeed be interesting. I would have enjoyed being a fly on the wall. God chose unimportant families and chose very different people from those families to rule for Him. We woul never choose those God chose and we would have missed something important...

When Samson came to Lehi, the Philistines came to meet him shouting. The Spirit of The Lord took control of him, and the ropes that were on his arms became like burst flax and his bonds fell off his wrists. He found a fresh jawbone of a donkey, reached out his hand and took it, and killed 1,000 men with it. Then Samson said: With the jawbone of a donkey I have piled them in a heap With a jawbone of a donkey I have killed 1000 men. Judges15:14-16 Here was a young man who was supposed to be a Nazarite: not drink wine, not touch unclean things, not sleep with prostitutes, not eat unclean things, yet he does. The Spirit of The Lord comes upon Samson for one purpose and that is to destroy the enemy. God is happy with the purpose and the relationship. He does not complain or rebuke Samson. Why? Perhaps He knows what He is doing in choosing such a young man? I am mindful that I would have not gone to him for counsel, advice, example. In fact I would have stayed away unless to minister, but at...

The Spirit of The Lord took control of him, and he went down to Askelon and killed 30 Philisitine men. He stripped them and gave their clothes to those who had explained the riddle. In a rage, Samson returned to his father's house, and his wife was given to one of the men who had accompanied him. Judges 14:19,20 Samson had put forth a riddle to the 30 men who had come to accompany him in preparation for his marriage to a young Philistine woman. The men could not solve the riddle and so to get the answer they threatened the bride with being burned to death. She then cried all week until Samson told her the answer, which she divulged to the men. Angry Samson said: "If you hadn't plowed with my young cow, You wouldn't know my riddle now." What I find interesting is, behaviour that would have been put down to a spoiled brat in a rage was said to have been inspired by the Holy Spirit. I am sure many have struggled with this story, in the frame of their own understandin...

Samson went down to Timnah with his father and mother and came to the vineyards of Timnah. Suddenly a young lion came roaring at him, the Spirit of the Lird took control of him, and he tore it apart with his bare hands as he might have torn a young goat. But he did not tell his father or mother what he had done. Judges 14:5,6 This is the first record of Samson's strength. The Lord was definitely displaying His hand differently this time. I have read a few commentaries and they speak of Samson's wilfulness and disregard for his Nazerite vow. Yet, I say, what if this is God? I am convinced my God is different and I like Him that way. Amen!

So the woman gave birth to a son and named him Samson. The boy grew and the Lord blessed him. Then the Spirit of the Lord began to direct him in the camp of Dan, between Zorah and Eshtaol. Judges 13;24,25 God had ordained Samson, He did not specify what his name should be but how he was to be raised. His name means sun. If we read the following chapter 14 we could be forgiven for saying: 'he was a spoilt brat.' However 14:4 states that his desire was from the Lord, when he chose to marry a Philistine, an enemy of Israel. What way was the Lord working in Samson with phenomenal strength, his behaviour was a little weird, all right, a lot weird, but if God was working through him who am I to complain?  Can I dictate how God will operate and how He should use people of unusual character? Why should I type-cast them and then reject them because they do not fit into my parameters? I am endeavouring to keep my heart open to the Lord and see what He is doing. I am wanting His...

Then Manoah said to him (the Angel of The Lord), "what is your name, so that we may honour You when Your words come true?" "Why do you ask My name," the Angel of The Lord asked him, "since it is wonderful." Manoah took a young goat and a grain offering and offered them on a rock to The Lord, and He did a wonderful thing while Manoah and his wife were watching. When the flame went up from the altar to the sky, the Angel of The Lord went up in its flame. Judges 13:17-20 I can only think of One who is wonderful. Isaiah 9:6 He will be named Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, the Prince of Peace. I imagine a heavenly Jesus who loved the creatures of this earth so much He was constantly saying, "Let Me take this mission." He knew His destiny and wanted to be with His people. I could be wrong, this may well have been an angel but hey! Let me imagine. I love the thought that my God so loves us, He wants to be with us. I am so blessed and ...

The Israelites again did what was evil in the Lord's sight, so the Lord handed them over to the Philistines for 40 years. There was a certain man from Zorah, from the family of Dan, whose name was Manoah; his wife was unable to conceive and had no children. The angel of the Lord appeared to the woman and said to her, "it is true that you are unable to conceive and have no children, but you will conceive and give birth to a son. Now please be careful not to drink wine or beer, or to eat anything unclean; for indeed, you will conceive and give birth to a son. You must never cut his hair, because the boy will be a Nazarite to God from birth, and he will begin to save Israel from the power of the Philistines. Judges 13:1-5 Manoah's name means rest. Rest was lacking in Israel but through this man's son they would gain some. An obsure little man from an obscure tribe and God picks him to provide deliverance. Manoah's son was Sampson. It would be some years before...

 Then the Ammonites were called to arms, and they encamped in Israel. And the people of Israel came together, and they encamped at Mizpah. And the people, the leaders of Israel, said to one another, "who is the man to begin to fight against the Ammonites? He shall be head over all the inhabitants of Gilead." Now Jepthah was a mighty warrior and a Gileadite but he was the son of a prostitute. Gilead was his father. And Gilead's wife also bore him sons and when the sons grew up, they drove Jepthah out and said to him, "you shall not have an inheritance in our father's house, for you are the son of another woman." Then Jepthah fled to the land of Tob and lived there, and worthless fellows collected around Jepthah and went out with him. Judges 11:1-3 Just because our birth is questionable does not mean there is no hope and future for us. Jepthah was a mighty warrior. The only people who wanted to be around him in his isolation were worthless scoundrels but God h...

Then the Israelites again did what was evil in the sight of The Lord. They worshipped the Baal's and Ashtoreths, and the gods of the Ammonites and the Philistines. They abandoned Yahweh and did not worship Him. So the Lord's anger burned against Israel, and He sold them to the Philistines and the Ammonites. They shattered and crushed the Israelites that year, and for 18 years they did the same to all the Israelites who were on the other side of the Jordan in the land of the Amorites in Gilead. The Ammonites also crossed the Jordan to fight against Judah, Benjamin, and the house of Ephraim. Israel was greatly oppressed, so they cried out to The Lord, saying, " We have sinned against you. We have abandoned our God and worshipped the Baals." Judges 10:6-10 Same old, same old. Yet this time The Lord said, "No!" They came back with, "we have sinned, deal with us as You see fit, but only deliver us." This time thy got rid of their idols. Imagine crying o...

After Abimelech, Tola son of Purah, son of Dodo became judge and began to deliver Israel. He was from Issachar and lived in Shamir in the hill country of Ephraim. Tola judged Israel 23 years and when he died, was buried in Shamir. After him came Jair the Gileadite, who judged Israel for 22 years. He had 30 sons who rode on 30 donkeys. They had 30 towns in Gilead, which are called Jair's villages to this day. When Jair died, he was buried in Kamon. Judges 10:1-5 These two judges were non-descript, yet they served the Lord's purpose, were chosen by him and did the task given to them. Do we need to have a Gideon experience, a Moses experience? Or will be satisfied with doing the task given to us and serving in that capacity? There are many people who serve. This past weekend my church conducted a women's conference in the North West of NSW, Australia. Hundreds of women came. The conference was spectacular but what stood out to me was the service of the church people. Faithful,...

When they told Jotham (Gideon's youngest son), he climbed to the top of Mount Gerizim, raised his voice, and called to them: Listen to me, lords of Sechem, and may God listen to you: The trees set out to anoint a king over themselves. They said to the olive tree, "Reign over us." But the olive tree said to them, "Should I stop giving my oil That honours bothe God and man, And rule over the trees?" Then the trees said to the fig tree, "Come reign over us." But the fig tree said to them, "Should I stop giving my sweetness and my good fruit, And rule over trees? Later, the trees said to the grapevine, "Come and reign over us." But the grapevine said to them, " Should I stop giving my wine That cheers both God and man, And rule over trees?" Finally, all the trees said to the bramble, "Come and reign over us." The brambles said to the trees, "If you really are anointing me As king over you, Come and find refuge in my ...

Then the Israelites said to Gideon, "Rule over us, you as well as your sons and your grandsons, for you delivered us from the power of Midian." But Gideon said to them, "I will not rule over you, and my son will not rule over you; The Lord will rule over you." Judges 8:22,23 The Israelites were offering Gideon a dynastic line, they did not say, 'king' but their offering was of that office. Gideon failed to deny the assertion that he delivered the Israelites and he went on the ask for a gold erring from everyone. He melted the gold and made an idol, a gold ephod. This became a snare to the Israelites. However, God gave them peace whilst Gideon lived. God was gracious. He chose Gideon, knowing full well his future. Why did he do that? Why did he chose Judas? Why did he chose King Saul? Some things defy our logic but He has a plan. Gideon's times of lowliness were his greatest, once he had won the  victory Gideon slid backwards. What lessons can we learn fr...

Gideon sent messengers throughout the hill country of Ephraim with this message: "Come down to intercept the Midianites and take control of the watercourses ahead of them as far as Beth-Abraham and the Jordan." So all the men of Ephraim were called out, and they took control of the watercourses as far as Beth-Abraham and the Jordan. They captured Oreb and Zeeb, the two princes of Midian; they killed Oreb and Zeeb, while they were pursuing the Midianites. They brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon across the Jordan. The men of Ephraim said to him, "Why have you done this to us, not calling us when you went to fight against the Midianites." And they argued with him violently. So he said to them, " what have I done now compared to you? Is not the gleaning of Ephraim better than the vintage of Abiezer? God handed over to you Oreb and Zeeb, two princes of Midian. What was I able to do compared to you?" When he said this, their anger against him subsided....

And so Gideon and the 100 men who were with him came to the outskirts of the Midianite camp at the beginning of the middle watch, they has just set the watch. And they blew ther trumpets and smashed the jars that were in their hands  . Then the three companies blew their trumpets  and smashed their jars. And they cried out, " A sword for The Lord and for Gideon." And every man stood in his place aroun the camp and the army ran. Judges 7: 19-21 God is up to His creative solutions again. This would not have been man's strategy but God pulls it off, because He is God. In the process the enemy gets a whooping and Gideon and his men learn a lesson in faith. We humans can so insist that solutions look a certain way but if we allow God to be who He is, He delights us with His solution. Every creative solution brings life. Every creative solution is enjoyable. I sense God's humour, He is definitely funny!  Insisting on being the commander causes us to miss the fun. Lighten up...

That night The Lord said to him (Gideon), "Get up and go into the camp, for I have given it into your hand. But if you are afraid to go to the camp, go with Purah your servant. Listen to what they say, and then you will be strengthened to go to the camp." So he went with Purah his servant to the outpost of the troops who were in the camp. Now the Midianite, Amalekites, and all the Qedemites had settled down in the valley like a swarm of locusts, and their camels were as innumerable as the sand on the seashore. When Gideon arrived there was a man telling his friend about a dream. He said, " Listen, I had a dream: a loaf of barley came tumbling into the Midianite camp, struck a tent, and it fell. The loaf turned the tent upside down so that it collapsed." His friend answered: " this is nothing less than the sword of Gideon son of Joash, the Israelite. God has handed the entire Midianite camp over to him." When Gideon heard the dream and it's interpretati...

Jerubbaal (that is, Gideon) and everyone who was with him, got up early and camped beside the spring of Harod. The camp of Midian was north of them, below the hill of Moreh, in the valley.  The Lord said to Gideon, "You have too many people for Me to hand the Midianites over to you, or else Israel might brag: 'I did it myself.' Now announce in the presence of the people: 'Whoever is fearful and trembling may turn back and leave Mount Gilead.'" So 22,000 of the people turned back, but 10,000 remained. Then the Lord said to Gideon, "There are still too many people. Take them down to the water, I will test them for you there. So he brought the people down to the water, and The Lord said to Gideon, "Separate everyone who laps water with his tongue like a dog. Do the same with everyone who kneels to drink." The number of those who lapped with their hands to their mouths was 300 men, and all the rest of the people knelt to drink water. The Lord said t...

Gideon then said to God, "Don't be angry with me, let me speak one more time. Please allow me to make one more test with the fleece. Let it remain dry, and the dew be all over the ground." That night God did as Gideon requested: only the fleece was dry, and dew was all over the ground. Judges 6:39,40 God was not angry with Gideon. This man had not led anything before and was having to grow into the 'mighty warrior' God had called him. God is patient and kind and works with the willing heart. God takes the least and makes them great under His hand. What has God told you He would do in you? He told me I was a woman of faith, long before I was and then set about crafting me into that very image. Today allow God to be Himself and you be just who you are, raw material. He is the master potter, not you. He uses the willing not the gifted or clever. I am still who I am and He is changing me on the inside. I still have the same nature and inclinations but yield them to Hi...

The Spirit of The Lord took control of Gideon, and he blew the rams horn and the Abezrites rallied behind him. He sent messengers throughout all Manasseh, who rallied behind him. He also sent messengers throughout Asher, Zebulun, and Napthali, who came to meet him. Then Gideon said to God, "If you will deliver Israel by my hand, as You said, I will put a fleece of wool here on the threshing floor. If the dew is only on the fleece, and all the ground isndry, I will know that You will deliver Israel by my strength, as You said. Judges 6:34-37 Isn't it amazing that when God takes a hold of you, you move quickly and with a boldness that rallies others. Then comes the  moment when you are right out there and you say, "ahhh what am I doing here, if this is not God I am in trouble." You then go to God for confirmation all the while doubting yourself. Really it is not about you and your strength but God and His strength. All you have to do is be as a little child and trust y...

Then the men of the city said to Joash, "Bring out your son. He must die, because he tore down Baal's altar and cut down the Asherah pole beside it." But Joash said to all who stood against him, "Would you plead Baal's case for him? Would you save him? Whoever pleads his case will be put to death by morning! If he is a god let him plead his own case because someone tore down his altar." That day, Gideon's father called him Jerubbaal, saying, "Let Baal plead his case with him." Because he tore down his altar. Judges 6:30-32 Gideon had torn down his father's idol yet it was not his father who was angry with him, it was the men of the village. Gideon won his father's respect. I wonder if he knew his father would defend him? He took the risk that his father's heart would be attached to his idol, instead of him. It is sad when the house idol is more important than those who dwell within. I experienced persecution years ago because I fail...

On that very night The Lord said to him, "Take your father's young bull and a second bull seven years old. Then tear down the altar of Baal that belongs to your father and cut down the Asherah pole beside it. Build a well constructed altar to The Lord your God on top of this rock. Take a second bull and offer it as a burnt offering with the wood of the Asherah pole you cut down." So Gideon took 10 of his male servants and did as The Lord had told him. But because he was too afraid of his father's household and the men of the city to do it in the daytime, he did it at night. Judges 6:25-27 Boldness is creeping up on Gideon. He is starting to believe and therefore obey. Even if he obeyed under cloak of darkness, he did it. What is God calling you to do? Is He asking you to clothe yourself in boldness? He is bold enough on the inside of us. We so not need to find our own, just walk in His. Amen!

"But I will be with you," The Lord said to Gideon. "You will strike Midian down as if it were one man." Then Gideon said to Him, "If I have found favour in Your sight, give me a sign that you are speaking with me. Please do not leave this place until I return to You. Let me bring my gift and set it before You." And He said, "I will stay until you return." So Gideon went and prepared a young goat and unleavened bread from half a bushel of flour. He placed the meat in a basket and broth in a pot. He brought them out and offered them to Him under the oak. The Angel of God said to him, "Take the meat with the unleavened bread, put it on this stone, and pour broth on it." And he did so. The Angel of The Lord extended the tip of the staff that was in His hand and touched the meat and unleavened bread. Then the Angel of The Lord vanished from his sight. Judges 6:16-21 Verse 16 carried all the power of promise Gideon needed. However, he did not...

The angel of The Lord came, and He sat  under the oak that was at Ophrah, which belongs to Joash, the Abiezrite. His son Gideon was threshing wheat in the wine vat in order to hide it from the Midianites. Then the angel of The Lord appeared to him and said: "The Lord is with you, mighty warrior." Gideon said to Him, "Please Sir, if The Lord is with us, why has all this happened? And where are all the wonders that our fathers told us about? They said, 'Hasn't The Lord brought us our if Egypt?' But now The Lord has abandoned us and handed us over to Midian." The Lord turned to him and said, "Go in the strength you have and deliver Israel from the power of Midian. Am I not sending you?" Judges 6:11-14 It is interesting that Gideon said what he said. Why would God bless a people who had turned to idolatry, Gideon's own father had established an idol. It is also interesting that Gideon's name meant 'he who tears down.' Gideon's f...

The Israelites did what was evil in the sight of the Lord. So the Lord handed them over to Midian for seven years, and they oppressed Israel. Because of Midian, the Israelites made hiding places for themselves in the mountains, caves, and strongholds. When the Israelites cried out to the Lord because of Midian, the Lord sent a prophet to them, He said to them, "This is what the lord, God of Israel says: I brought you out of Egypt from a place of slavery. I delivered you from the power of Egypt and the power of all who oppressed you. I drove them out before you and gave you their land. I said to you: I am Yahweh your God. Do not fear the gods of the Amorites whose land you live in. But you did not obey Me." Judges 6:1,2;7-10   God was allowing the Midianites to oppress His people to bring them back to Him. Then, when they cried out, as they usually did, after many years of oppression, He, this time, sent a prophet. The prophet reminded Israel how God had set them free f...

In the days of Shamgar son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the main ways were deserted because travellers kept to the side roads. Villages were deserted in Israel, until I , Deborah arose, a mother in Israel. Judges 5:6,7 The above two verses are a part of a song Deborah sang when God used Deborah and Barak to subdue Jabin, king of Canaan. It is good to believe God will use you and to rise up in His strength. When the victory comes sing a new song to the Lord. It is good to sing and celebrate and songs help us remember. I will sing unto the Lord for He has triumphed gloriously the horse and rider thrown into the sea. (Miriam's song). Israel remembered the past through song. Many cultures remember through song and poetry. Tonight I watched an episode of Doctor Who, where he meets Robin Hood. The doctor would not believe Robin was real, insisting that Robin was a fictitious character. We can come to believe God is fiction and miss the value of the truth about Him....

Meanwhile, Sisera has fled on foot to the tent of Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite, because there was peace between Jabin king of Hazie and the famy of Heber the Kenite. Jael went out to greet Sisera and said to him, "Come in, my Lord. Come in with me. Don't be afraid." So he went into her tent, and she covered him with a rug. He said to her, "Please give me a little water to drink for I am thirsty." She opened a. container of milk, gave him a drink, and covered him again. Then he said to her, "stand at the entrance to the tent. If a man comes and asks you, "Is there a man here? Say 'No.'" While he was sleeping from exhaustion, Heber's wife Jael took a tent peg, grabbed a hammer, and went silently to Sisera. She hammered the peg into his temple and drove it into the ground, and he died. Judges 4:17-21 Jael broke a covenant her husband had with Jabin, she entered a conflict that was not hers. Why did she do this? Perhaps Sisera had be...

The Lord threw Sisera, all his charioteers, and all his army into confusion with the sword before Barak. Sisera left his chariot and fled on foot. Barak pursued the chariots and the army as far as Harosheth of the Nations, and the whole army of Sisera fell by the sword; not a single man was left. Judges 4:15,16 When God is on your side, who will defeat you? I watch a show called The Eggheads. The Eggheads are a very good quiz  team in the UK. The compere often says to The Eggheads, especially after a victory, "who will defeat you?" Now I have seen teams come and defeat The Eggheads, but now if I take a look at what scripture says about me in Romans 8:31 if God be for us, then who can be against us? God was for Deborah and Barak and in fact an obedient Israel. As they followed God's lead they were not defeated. I can place too much expectation on physical things and be disappointed but when my hope is in the name of The Lord the victory that comes is His and always one tha...

The Israelites again did what was evil in the sight of The Lord after Ehud had died. So the Lord sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Caanan, who reigned in Hazor. The commander of his forces was Sisera who lived in Harosheth of the Nations. Then the Israelites cried out to The Lord, because Jabin had 900 iron chariots, and he harshly oppressed them 20 years. Deborah, a woman who was a prophetess and the wife of Lappidoth , was judging Israel at that time. It was her custom to sit under the palm tree of Deborah  between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the Israelites went up to her for judgement. She summoned Barak son of Abinoam from Kedesh in Naphtali and said to him, "Hasn't The Lord, God of Israel, commanded you: "Go, deploy the troops on Mount Tabor, and take with you 10,000 men from the Naphtalites and Zebulunites? Then I will lure Sisera commander of Jabin's forces, his chariots, and his army at the Wadi Kiahon to fight against you, and ...

The Israelites again did what was evil in the Lord's sight. He gave Eglon king of Moab power over Israel, because they had done what was evil in the Lord's sight. After Eglon convinced the Ammorites and the Amalekites to join forces with him, he attacked and defeated Israel and took possession of the City of Palms. The Israelites served Eglon king of Moab 18 years. Then the Israelites cried out to The Lord, and He raised up Ehud son of Gera, a left-handed Benjamite, as a deliverer for them. Judges 3:7-15 A pattern is developing. Israel's love for sin causes the Lord's protection to be lifted and an oppressor to come in. The sad thing was, this time they were happier with oppression and their sin for longer. We also see God is faithful. When they turn to Him and cry out He heard them and sent a deliverer. When we are there for our God, He is there for us, and His ways are always new and amazing. Amen!

The Israelites did what was evil in the Lord's sight; they forgot the Lird their God and worshipped the Baals and the Asherahs. The Lord's anger burned against Israel, and He sold them to Cushan-rishathaim king of Aram-nagar aim, and the Israelites served him eight years. The the Israelites cried out to The Lord. So The Lord raised up Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb's youngest brother, as a deliverer to save the Israelites. The spirit of the Lord came upon him, and he judged Israel. Othniel went out to battle, and The Lord handed over Cushan-rishathaim, king of Aram to him, so that Othniel overpowered him. Then the land was peaceful 40 years, and Othniel son of Kenaz died. Judges 2:7-11 The Judge was a fierce leader, wise and strong in warfare. They heard from the Lord  and brought the people together. They settled disputes. What is the calling of a Christian? To be salt and light. What does salt do? Purifies, flavours, cleanses, preserves. What does light do? It dispels the da...

The Lord raised up judges, who saved them from the power of their marauders, but they did not listen to their judges. Instead, they prostituted themselves with other gods, bowing down to them. They quickly turned away from the way of their fathers, who had walked in obedience to the Lord's commands. They did not do as their fathers did. Whenever the Lord raised up a judge for the Israelites, The Lord  was with him and saved the people from the power of their enemies while the judge was still alive. The Lord was moved to pity whenever they groaned because of those who were oppressing and afflicting them. Whenever the judge died, the Israelites would act even more corruptly than their fathers, going after other gods to worship and bow down to them. They did not turn away from their evil practices or their obstinate ways. Judges 2:16-19 We can see that the power of man's sinful nature is the governing force and without a redeemer, it wins. Paul the apostle wrote in Romans: 'wh...

The angel of The Lord  went up from Gilgal to Bochim and said, "I brought you out of Egypt and led you into the land I had promised your fathers. I also said: "I will never break My covenant with you. You are not to make a covenant with the people who are living in this land, and you are to tear down their altars. But you have not obeyed Me. What is this you have done? Therefore, I will now say: "I will not drive out these people before you. They will be thorns in your sides, and their gods will be a trap for you." When the angel of The Lord spoke these words to all the Israelites, the people wept loudly. So they named the place Bochim and offered sacrifices there to The Lord.  Daniel 2:1-5 Well, you could be forgiven for thinking, 'good they are back on track.' But not 6 verses later thy went back to what they were doing. This shows thy loved their sin more than they loved The Lord. In scripture I am teaching the children the importance of loving God and lo...

Caleb said, "Whoever strikes down and captures Kiriath-sepher, I will give my daughter Achsah to him as wife. So Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb's youngest brother, captured it, and Caleb gave his daughter Achsah to him as wife. When she arrived she persuaded Othniel to ask her father for a field. As she got off her donkey, Caleb asked her, "what do you want?" She answered him, "Give me a blessing. Since you have given me land in the Negev, g ive me springs of water also." So Caleb gave her both the upper and lower springs. Judges 1:12-15 Achsah had to trust her father and her God. She could have been given in marriage to anyone yet the man who won her later became a judge in the land.  It appeared that the land in the Negev was a dry and dusty place, not worth much so Achsah asked for a blessing. She didn't just receive one, she received two springs. This was a woman of faith and willing to ask for a blessing, instead of grumbling and complaining. Achsah r...

After the death of Joshua, the Israelites inquired of The Lord, "Who will be the first to fight for us against the Canaanites?" The Lord answered, "Judah is to go. I have handed the land over to him." Judah said to his brother Simeon, "Come with me to my territory, and let us fight against the Canaanities. I will also give you your territory." So Simeon went with him. Judges 1:1-3 Judah was wise to ask his brother for help. They had a common goal and purpose and they both benefited. Working together for the sake of the kingdom is imperative. Territorialism is futile and makes us look foolish. This comes out of the flesh and will not produce any good fruit. In my office I work with my team to take territory. Financial planners can be very self focused but to succeed do better as a team, so do ministers. Judah and Simeon succeeded in taking a king who had defeated 70 other kings. Isn't i amazing what two God inspired men can do together? Instead of 70 in...

I heard but did not understand. So I asked, My Lord, what will be the outcome of these things?" He said, "Go on your way, Daniel, for the words are secret and sealed until the time of the end. Many will be purified, cleansed, and refined, but the wicked will act wickedly: none of the wicked will understand, but the wise will understand. Daniel 12:8-10 Today I am grateful to those who prayed me into the kingdom, so grateful! This morning in worship I was listening to a Chris Tomlin song- Awake my Soul- at least he was singing it. For my God so loved the world that He gave His only Son. May I so love the world that I give. My prayer is that deaf ears are opened, Blind eyes will see and be saved. I must love the lost to salvation and beyond. I look out on the Peel Valley before me and see men and women scurrying along like ants, off to work or sport or who knows where. My prayer for them is that they will have ears to hear. Today I teach scripture and am mindful of the sea of so...

"How long until the end of these extraordinary thing?" Then I heard the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the River. He raised both his hands toward heaven and swore by Him who lives eternally that it would be for a time, times, and half a time. When the power of the holy people is shattered, all these things will be complete. I heard but did not understand. Daniel 12:6-8 This time period is taken to be 31/2 years, or half way through the great tribulation when Israel can no longer defend herself and must turn to The Lord Jesus as its Messiah. How true this is for all of us. Whilst we are determined to make things happen in  our own strength and not run to The Lord, He will allow our trial to endure, but when we have given up, He comes, swiftly.  God is very good at being God and He does not need our help, we need His. He is or redeemer, our help in time of need. He is our wisdom in our foolishness, He is our strength in our weakness. As to when things will ha...

At that time Michael the great prince who stands watch over your people will rise up. There will be a time of distress such as never has occurred since nations came into being until that time. But at that time all your people who are found written in the book will escape. Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to eternal life, and some to shame and eternal contempt. Those who are wise will shine like the bright expanse of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and forever. Daniel 12:1-3   Chapter 11 deals with the events to unfold from 539 BC-167BC and the rise and fall of rulers. verses 36-12:3 are also interpreted to refer to the end times, yet to come. However, what I like is verse 3 above: 'those who are wise will shine like the bright expanse of the heavens and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and forever.   Last night I began an other blog called: An Australian P...