[Widget_Twitter id=”1″]

This last weekend, my husband got a text message from one of the ladies at a retreat saying that I went all ‘geek’ on them.

Hahaha – If you know me, I am anything but geek, but I knew exactly why someone might say that.  I started the last session of the retreat, with a video clip of the original opening scene from TV show Star Trek.

I wasn’t going ‘geek’ on them, I had a point, I promise.  God has called us to BOLDLY GO!

The opening dialogue for the TV show Star Trek with its amazing musical score is:

“Space the final frontier. These are the voyages of the Starship Enterprise. It’s 5 year mission, To explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations. To boldly go where no man has gone before.

For 178 episodes spread over seven seasons, the crew of the Enterprise carried out the objectives of their mission on Star Trek. – Later, they had to change the wording of the opening after they hit the 5 year mark to… “It’s continuing mission.”  The crew of the Enterprise was on a quest to “explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations, and to boldly go where no man has gone before.”

What if we, as believers, are called to a continuing mission as well?

Imagine how our walk with Jesus would change if we viewed our calling like this.

Earth – the final frontier.  These are the stories of the BOLD followers of Jesus.  Their ongoing mission – to Explore New Truths – to Seek our God’s Revelation and Release Kingdom Life to the citizens of Earth – To Boldly GO where no follower of Jesus has gone before!

Last week, in Part 1 of No More Excuses, I was struck by how I can be like Gideon.  Gideon reminded God of his shortcomings and made excuses for why he was the wrong person for the task at hand.  When God shows up on the scene and calls out my destiny, I don’t want to see my limitations and weaknesses. I don’t want to make excuses.  I instead want to hold on to the promises and believe.  I want to Boldly Go forward and walk where God is calling me to go!

no moreexcuses

Many of us want to know what Gods plan/purpose for our life is, but we are not even sure we know how to find.  It’s a common thought that God’s guidance and purpose for our life will come to us out of the blue, and that it has nothing to do with what we’re doing now.

A good friend of mine said that when she was searching for God’s purpose for her life, He asked her a simple question:  “What’s your passion?”

What are you passionate about?

When I look at Scripture, I notice that God often called people when they were completely immersed in the challenges of the moment.  Gideon wasn’t the first nor was he the last person to tell God He had chosen the wrong person.

Here are 4 life lessons from Gideon that we can identify and learn from as we begin to boldly go.

  1. God’s Promises should not be followed by our excuses

We are each called to serve God in specific ways.  Even though God promises the tools and strengths we need, we often make excuses. God will often give us a promise or speak to our hearts about a task that He has for us.  However, have you noticed that eventually, we begin to make excuses as to why God chose the wrong person, or we complain it’s too big for us to do?

When we get focused on our situation and circumstances, we often miss the very encouragement and heart of God for us.

In the beginning Gideon failed to see and therefore he failed to believe that God could work through him to save the people.  God had a purpose for Gideon, and he does for us too.

Gideon only saw his limitations and weaknesses – he failed to see recognize God could work through him. Yet, God gives Gideon a promise – You are a Mighty Warrior! Some versions say: “Mighty Man of Valor.”   God has just spoken a promise over Gideon.  God will be with him and give him the strength he needs to overcome the opposition.  God will do the same for you and I as well.

Let’s purpose to not spend time making excuses – instead let’s spend it doing what God has for us.

godspromises

  1. Awaken to your Destiny

Gideon had to be awakened to his destiny and often the same is true of us.  God expands and uses the abilities He has already given us.

In spite of what we see as our limitations and failures – God see’s our potential and gives us a name in line with our destiny. (I will talk more about our names in next week’s post.)

When the angel shows up, he speaks Gideon’s destiny!

  •              Mighty Warrior – Mighty Man of Valor

He calls out the answer to all of Gideon’s and the Israelites feelings and presenting problems.  Gideon couldn’t see anything other than his own limitations and weaknesses.

jodilionpainting

  1. Take great risk when following God – Be BOLD

Gideon experienced fear at many places in his journey of obeying God.  However, he overcame fear to be bold and do the things God asked him to do.  Gideon even made it into the Hall of fame in Hebrews 11.  This gives me great hope when fear comes in my direction too.

In Judges 6:25-30 – God tells Gideon to tear down the other idols, but it was a considerable risk to Gideon to follow God’s command.  As soon as the people (Israelite’s) saw what had happened they wanted to kill Gideon for what he had done.

  •           Sometimes following God Boldly means the people who should be supporting you will criticize you
  •           Sometimes when you begin to accomplish the very thing God has purposed for you to do (Destiny)  opposition will come

cascading fountain

  1. Rely on God not yourself.

As you continue to read the story of Gideon in Judges 7:1-14, you will notice he had to rely on God not himself as he went into battle.  We need to do the same. If we have an attitude of self-sufficiency it can cause us to believe we can do what needs to be done in our own strength.

To prevent this attitude God takes Gideon’s army from 32,000 to 300 so the men could not take credit for the soon to come victory.

Put your confidence in God and you can be confident of victory.

All Creation is waiting

The thing I appreciate the most about how God walked with Gideon though to the end, was that He allowed Gideon his feelings, but He didn’t allow Gideon to use them as an excuse.

God understood and knew that Gideon was afraid (Judges 7:10-11 ) but he didn’t let Gideon off the hook. He didn’t let fear be an excuse for Gideon and he didn’t excuse Gideon from his duties either.

Instead, he allowed Gideon to gain courage and boldness by hearing a conversation in the enemy’s camp and He does the same for us.

God knows when we are afraid, alone, and discouraged and will often send us encouragement sometimes in the most unlikely of places.

God makes beautiful things out of us, and our shortcomings.  He provides the tools we need for each task He has called us to.

lets boldly go

When He calls out my destiny, I want to grab a hold of it. I want to obediently move forward, in His power and His strength.

No More Excuses!

Let’s Boldly go Together!

Are you with me?

[Widget_Twitter id=”1″]

My Post: “Will You Sit with Me?” was featured here:

My Post: “The Journey through Change” was featured here:

featured-image2 I have been know to link to the following Inspirational Parties:

Sunday’s

Social Butterfly Sunday

Give Me Grace

Monday’s

Sharing His Beauty

What Joy is Mine/Monday Musings

Me, Coffee, & Jesus

Reflect His Love & Glory

Soul Surival

Life Giving Linkup

Literacy Monday Musing

Tuesday’s

Titus 2 Tuesday

RaRa Link-UP

Testimony Tuesday

Tell it to me Tuesday

Unite

Way Wow

Tea and Word

Wednesday’s

Coffee for your Heart

Whole Hearted Wednesday

Women of Intention

A Little R&R

Thursday’s

Imparting Grace

Thought Provoking Thursday

I Choose Joy

Friday’s:

Blessing Counters Link Party

Dance with Jesus

5 Minute Friday’s

Faith Filled Friday

Grace & Truth

Spiritual Sunday’s

Fun & Free Friday

Coffee Shop Conversations

Fresh Market Friday

Saturday’s:

Weekend Whispers

TGI Saturday’s Blog Hop

Word of God Speak

 

 

Exclusively Free Resources for Subscribers

Exclusively Free Resources for Subscribers

Enter your email below to subscribe and receive immediate access to my entire library of free resources! Including video teaching, printables, e-books, downloads and much more.

You’ll also be added to my mailing list and will receive occasional updates, and your personal information will never be shared.

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Pin It on Pinterest