I apologize for not writing last week. We had to take my wife to the hospital when she could not see out of her right eye. She was diagnosed with a torn retina and the doctor is trying to repair it with laser surgery so she won't need major surgery. We are praying for his success!
This week I want to finish up our study of Deborah that we began two weeks ago. You can read the first installment here if you missed it. You may want to read Judges 5 also before we go on from here.
INACTIVITY
When I read Judges 5, I get the idea that Deborah's main role was encouragement and influence the people of God to act. She urged God's people to do something and they did it. Without Deborah's influence, they could have remained in bondage much longer. Here are some of the verses that give me the sense that Deborah stirred people to action:
"Village life in Israel ceased, ceased until I, Deborah, arose, arose a mother in Israel" (Judges 5:7).
"My heart is with Israel's princes, with the willing volunteers among the people. Praise the Lord!" (Judges 5:9).
"'Wake up, wake up, Deborah! Wake up, wake up, break out in song! Arise, O Barak! Take captive your captives, O son of Abinoam" (Judges 5:12).
"Why did you stay among the campfires to hear the whistling for the flocks? In the districts of Reuben there was much searching of heart" (Judges 5:16).
"Curse Meroz," said the angel of the Lord. "Curse its people bitterly, because they did not come to help the Lord, to help the Lord against the mighty'" (Judges 5:23).
Deborah basically encouraged the people to wake up and act. They were tolerating a bad situation and had even become accustomed to it. It was time to put a stop to it and Deborah saw that it happened. Those who did not help or act were "cursed of the Lord."
WAKE UP!
So maybe it's time for you to "wake up"? What situation have you accepted as normal that you have the power to change? Where has inactivity led to complacency? Where do you need the Spirit of Deborah to call you to action? Then again, it may be time for you to wake someone else up, to stimulate the people around you to action through your action. If you have ever said, "Someone needs to do something," have you considered that the someone may be you?
Deborah called the people to arms and then she accompanied them to see that the victory was secured. You can do the same and, when you do, you will follow in the footsteps of a "mother" in Israel who knew that the situation was unacceptable and needed changed. Why not impact your world this week the way Deborah did hers? As you do, I know you will have a great week!
********************
RECENT SERMON: You can watch or listen to my sermon from last weekend, entitled A Tale of Two Donkeys, on my church's website. In that message, I compare Balaam's ride on his donkey with Jesus' ride into Jerusalem on His. Let me know what you think when you are finished.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!: I want to wish all my American readers a Happy Thanksgiving this coming Thursday.
YOUR HELP IS URGENTLY NEEDED: Someone asked me last week whether or not I needed toys, books or money. I told them that all three are still needed, but that money is probably number one, followed by books and then toys.
Please
don't forget the children this Christmas as I prepare for my next trip
to Kenya in February. I need money and supplies to feed and educate
them in a difficult environment. I am
grateful for your prayerful and prompt response to the children's
needs. To read all about what's going on, go to my blog
to see my latest post or go to my Facebook page. I need books and
educational toys and I need you to help me get them. I will figure out
a way to get them to Kenya. You just figure out a way to get them to
me.
When you do your Christmas shopping and giving this year, please remember The Sophia Fund and The Deborah Foundation (named after my daughter, not after the Old Testament judge discussed above). I know you will be blessed when you do.
DAILY PROVERB: I am now posting a short daily devotional focusing on one verse every day on my blog site. If you would like to read it or subscribe to receive it, just go to my site and register there. I promise to have it updated every day.
FACEBOOK: My goal is to have 1,000 Facebook friends on FB by 12/31. Right now I have 762. I update my status on Facebook (you can find me by searching my email, [email protected]) every morning to include a daily verse from Proverbs and an inspirational quote. I do the same on Twitter @johnstanko as well as a daily feature entitled "What Would Jesus Ask?" Go there to sign up and follow along.
FREE PURPOSEQUEST ASSESSMENT: I updated and improved the feedback email you receive from your online assessment, so now is a great time to take or re-take the purpose assessment on my website. This is not a scientific survey, but something that is meant to stimulate your thought and direct your study concerning where you are in your PurposeQuest.
Comments