‘Be Considerate To Other Believers.’
Romans 15:1-7.
a) Romans 15:1. If our Faith is strong we should be sensitive towards those people whose Faith is weak.
b) Romans 15:1. We should not just please ourselves.
c) Romans 15:2. We should be trying to build our fellow Believers up.
d) Romans 15:3. Even Christ did not try to please Himself.
e) Romans 15:4. The Scriptures were written to teach and encourage us by giving us Hope.
f) Romans 15:5. God is the One Who makes us Patient and Cheerful.
g) Romans 15:5. As we follow Christ we need to be at Peace with each other.
h) Romans 15:6. We should be able to Praise God together in unity.
i) Romans 15:7. We should honour God by accepting each other just as Christ has accepted us.
(This QT exhorts me to Be Considerate To Other Believers)
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‘Winning Battles God’s Way.’
(The True Story of Gideon and his army defeating the Midianites)
Judges 7:1-25.
a) Judges 7:1. It was early in the morning that the battle preparations began. Whether in Church or at home, if we are to be victorious Believers it is good to have time with God in the early morning.
b) Judges 7:2. The battle could not be won with the mere might of human numbers. God told Gideon that his army had to be reduced in size.
c) Judges 7:3. God said that all the people who were fearful had to leave the army and go home. More than half the people left.
d) Judges 7:4-7. God made Gideon’s army drink water and only those who drank water in a certain way were to be included in Gideon’s army. It meant his army was reduced to 300 men.
e) Judges 7:7. God Promised Gideon that He was going to help this army to defeat the Midianites.
f) Judges 7:8. Gideon’s army had:-
1- An abundance of food.
2- An abundance of trumpets.
3- An advantageous position – they were on the top of a hill.
g) Judges 7:9. That night God gave instructions to Gideon to get up and attack. He was going to give the Midianites into Gideon’s hands.
h) Judges 7:10. God knew that Gideon was still somewhat afraid. God told Gideon to take his servant Purah down to the Midianite camp secretly.
i) Judges 7:11. Gideon and Purah were told by God to listen to what the Midianites were saying then they would have confidence about defeating them in battle. Sometimes we miss out on the Lord’s Plans simply because we do not listen carefully to what other people are saying.
j) Judges 7:12. It was a huge camp that not only contained the Midianite army but also the armies of many eastern Nations.
k) Judges 7:13-14. Gideon overheard the conversation between two soldiers in the camp one soldier had a dream and the second interpreted it. The interpretation was about Gideon and his army defeating the Midianite army and all the other armies that were in the camp. The world system and other religions also have spiritual manifestations that are similar to Biblical ones. We need to test these manifestations by their fruit, fulfilment, adherence to Scripture and the personal holiness and righteous lives of the purveyors of such manifestations. Especially from North America at this time there is an abundance of satanic mimicry using the Name of Jesus Christ.
l) Judges 7:15. As a result of the listening Gideon and Purah Praised God for they knew it was time to defeat the Midianites.
m) Judges 7:16. Gideon prepared his army for battle with:-
1- Trumpets.
2- Large clay jars.
3- Flame torches.
n) Judges 7:17. The army had to keep their eyes on Gideon and as they got close to the camp they were to do as Gideon did.
o) Judges 7:18. They were to blow their trumpets and shout: “Fight for the Lord and fight for Gideon.”
p) Judges 7:19-20. Gideon and his army came close to the Midianite camp just after dusk. They all:-
1- Blew their trumpets.
2- Smashed the clay jars holding the torches. (It was not a waste)
3- Shouted fight with your swords for the Lord and for Gideon. They added the word “sword”, our sword is the Word of God.
q) Judges 7:21. The Midianites were thrown into confusion and the army of Gideon simply stood and held their ground.
r) Judges 7:22. Gideon’s army blew their trumpets again and the Midianites with their associated armies were thrown into confusion.
s) Judges 7:23-25. Gideon called for some help then and the Midianites were totally defeated. Notice the names of two of the enemy leaders, Raven and Wolf, very significant.
(This Second one encourages me to be Winning Battles God’s Way)
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Chris.
There are times when God wants us to actively obey Him and to obey the people God has given to us as our spiritual leaders. The army of Gideon were to blow their trumpets and shout their message. They could not win by just agreeing with what Gideon said. They had to participate.
