Proverbs 11- generosity is well received by the lord, cheerful giving, not out of compulsion or pressure is favorable and the lord multiplies your offerings. Lord I pray for the kind of faith to be generous, even when it hurts and still know and believe you’re working in the background to take care of my family. Amen John - what good is reading the word of God if it’s not applied? If it’s looked at as metaphors and suggestions instead of living, breathing testimony and a command of obedience and action. Jesus was hunted by men who knew scripture intimately but were so stubborn and prideful they refused to see what was in front of them. I do it to, there’s areas of my life that are left un- surrendered and the root issue is lack of faith. Lord, remove any doubt or unbelief from me, that I may surrender fully to you. Judges - the Lord gave Gideon assurance that his attacks against the much larger Mideanite army would be victorious, despite having numbers “as thick as locusts” - every battle I face is already won, I fight from victory because of the victory Jesus sealed for me when he resurrected. Regardless of the worldly outcome, I have assurance that the Lord has secured my victory. Gideon worshipped immediately, bowed down, when he heard his enemies were trembling. Lord, may my first reaction to anything you give me be worship. As soon as Gideon died, the Israelites started worshipping false gods again, immediately building alters and forgetting what the lord had brought them out of. Lord, remind me daily of all the good you’ve done, and all the times you’ve saved me from destruction. Thank you for redeeming and restoring me lord.

He wants me to be willing, bold, available and obedient. He wants me to consult him, not just daily, or with the big things but with everything. He is joyful to provide guidance and wisdom, he is loving to correct, he is merciful to forgive our missteps. It’s not a purpose problem, it’s an obedience problem most men face. Judges 8 - the lord calls Gideon, calls him a mighty warrior. He leads the weakest clan, he’s the least in his family, yet the lord says “ am I not sending you?” The lord doesn’t care about your earthly status, your seniority, or your physical strength, Gideon was obedient and willing. The lord elevates that. The lord allows Gideon to take only 300 men, the ones who drink water a certain way, those who lap the water like a dog (I’m guessing the ones who are the least bright based on this). 300 men to take on an army. The lord has sent them.

Psalm 57 - I’m so grateful for the mercy the lord has given me. My deepest pit is nothing that he can’t and won’t be merciful with. The lord is one to vindicate, and he is full of love and faithfulness when I’m not. Lord keep those who want to harm me away, and keep my path free of destruction. John 4- the man took Jesus at his word, he traveled to find him because his son was sick and Jesus sends him away with a verbal, “your son will live”. I pray for that kind of faith and trust, that the word will be done. Jesus didn’t do this for a public audience, this was a healing done privately and also shows that Jesus knows exactly who the son is, even without seeing him or receiving any other info from the man besides, my son is sick. Jesus is deeply involved and intimate in our lives, even when we don’t accept him, he’s still there working. John 5 Jesus asks the man at the pools if he wants to get well. I saw a Theo Von clip recently with that question and it was really thought provoking - if I get well, then I have to change my path. I can’t fall back in this “thing” anymore. My excuse is gone, and I have to show up different now… do you TRUELY want to be well? Video posted for reference Jesus found him later and told him something that gets overlooked in this story. He says “stop sinning, or something worse may happen to you” his healing is free, it’s non conditional, it won’t be taken back, but sin will lead to worse outcomes. What has Jesus healed you from? Have you been able to fully repent?

Proverbs - The mouth has the ability to destroy, keep your mouth clean, speak life into others and use your words in a manner to glorify God. Font gossip, keep things people tell you in confidence and honor it as a secret. Be upright in your dealings, seek guidance and wisdom in decisions, avoid putting up money or “security” for anyone else as it’ll end in suffering. Lots of wisdom packed into today’s proverbs snapshot. John 4 - Jesus had his disciples performing baptisms, a display of delegation leadership and also Jesus allowing the disciples to operate and take some ownership and responsibility for a process is also a display of great leadership. Jesus appears to the woman at the well and proclaims that worship will not just take place in Jerusalem but everywhere in the spirt. The first real peek into a kingdom where salvation comes from the Jews, but isnt reserved for the Jews only. thank you Lord Jesus for given me your living water. Judges 1 - Joshua is dead now and the Israelites find themselves in a battle with cannanites, the tribe of Judah is told to fight and they routed the enemy. Judah attacks and overtakes Jerusalem in the process and sets fire to it all. This is the moment that Jerusalem, a location where so many things to come will happen is given to the Jewish people. God fulfilling promises. Israel continues to take land, but are unable to drive out all of the people, so they lived amongst the Israelites. An angel of the lord came to them and said that these people will serve as a stumbling block for Israel, they will distract with their gods and eat of life… what a direct look at life today, we have a culture with many religions and many secular influences too, all having the opportunity to distract us from Jesus and take our attention. We must do whatever we can to cleanse our environments, including our community, our relationships, and our intake of media and music

Psalm 56 - when I am afraid I put my trust in you, Lord. What can mortals do to me? What can the world’s troubles cause on me? I feel like I’m being attacked by my temptations sometimes, my urges, my flesh is screaming at me. But when I let the Lord in on that, he comforts me and gives me a way out. Thank you lord for continuing to show up, even though I’ve failed to bring you in so may times. John 4 - the woman at the well immediately became an evangelist after having a life defining encounter with Jesus. Lord, may I be as bold as she is to spread your good name. Many of the samaritans believed in Jesus “because of her testimony” the power of testimony! She’s a known sinner in town and she’s bringing people to Christ! The power of a testimony can’t be matched! Judges - the lord raised up judges to lead Israel during the time after Joshua’s death, they turned to other gods, the Bible says they prostituted themselves to other gods and they became routed by their enemies. The Israelites would straighten up when the judges lived, but would immediately turn when the judges died. It’s the same pattern of today. Faithfulness and obedience comes in waves and we normally need something humbling to happen to turn back and realize how far we’ve wandered.