Devotion back log

April 2, 2011
You’ll never find Easy Street
Being a leader and doing what God calls you to do is not without challenges, temptations and tragedies. After Gideon’s victory over the Midianites, Ephraim complained to Gideon that he recruited them too late (Judg 8:1). Gideon’s victory soon turned into temptation. With the plunder he made a golden ephod which became an idol (Judg 8:27). Finally, one of his sons, Abimelech, killed seventy of his other sons in order to gain power. So Gideon’s legacy was dragged through the mud (Judg 8:35, 9:16-17). If you’re waiting for life to get easy, you might as well give up. Faith is required all the way. It’s a race to the end and a fight to the finish (2Ti 4:7).

April 3, 2011
Leader’s lead
Leaders attract followers. Jephthah was rejected by his family and exiled from his land. His wisdom is questionable and he made a rash vow (Judg 11:35). He attracted “worthless rebels” (Judg 11:3), but people followed him and asked him to lead (Judg 11:6). Good or bad, people follow a leader. Are you a leader? Is anyone following you? Do your best to lead in obedience to Christ, with integrity and justice. Use the gift of leadership for God’s people, not your own agenda.

April 4, 2011
Unwilling participants
Samson’s parents were distressed when he chose a wife from among the Philistines. They didn’t realize that God was at work creating an opportunity to instigate conflict between Israel and the Philistines (Judg 14:4). God was using Samson in spite of himself. Does the fact that God can use our transgression to accomplish his plan exonerate us? Not at all. Samson still paid the consequences of his errors. I’m certain that God would prefer to use our obedience, but nothing, not even our sin, will stand in the way of his plan. They key is to join him in what he is doing. Abide in him and bear much fruit (John 15:5).