 |
| Gideon...google image |
Benjamin and I have been reading through the Old Testament in his Children's Bible. We approached the battle stories...which any little boy enjoys. David and Goliath, Joshua, Gideon and Deborah... all winning victory over their enemies. After reading through the top Biblical battles, I could see the titles on the Christian Top-Sellers list if these events happened today:
- Walls Will Fall with a Shout - How to Conquer for Your Inheritance, by Joshua
- Fool-Proof Business Associates - How to Pick Those You Want at Your Side, by Gideon
- Women Can Lead The Way - How Women Can Overthrow the Competition - by Deborah and Jael
- Only One Stone, No Need for More - Don't Overload Yourself, Lighten Up - by King David
What struck me while reading with Benjamin was the fact that each battle was won in a different way. God didn't repeat. He didn't pass down the conquering handbook of past successes to each new commander. He usually took the most unlikely person and put them in charge. He did insane things...how could a shout cause walls to fall, lights in pots cause the defeat of a mighty army or a prophet laying on his side for the sins of a nation?
The Victory was going to be the Lord's Victory and not men's.
How many times have I run to the latest "Best Seller" to find what armor I am to wear. How am I to enter into the battle of life? How am I to win the Victory? to Parent? to be a Wife? to be a Christian? to eat right? to reach my neighbors for Christ?
What worked for David with one stone wasn't going to work for Gideon or Joshua. Why do I feel that someone else's victory, which had come only from the Lord... would work for me? Just because God gave the victory on how to lose weight, how to succeed in marriage, how to have children that never rebel................ (the list goes on and on) for others, does that mean it is for me? Other than God's own set of written laws, there are alot of variations He has placed in each of us that requires His own personal plan for our life. As our pastor said one day, "You know those parenting books were written from someone who it worked for, but they didn't have the same combination of personalities, sins, etc. that your family does... that is why it didn't work for you."
If the Lord wants the Glory to go to only Him......................then isn't it He that gives out the commands and orders to the win the battle He has given me?
This doesn't mean I will never read another book. It just means I need to make sure WHOSE commands I am following. The disappointment that comes when "Top-Seller" methods don't work only proves that their method wasn't what the Lord intended to win MY battle....it won the author's battle.
May I give back Saul's armor and be courageous enough to ask, "how do you want me to enter this battle?" "Lord, may the victory be yours and not mine. May your methods seem foolish to those around me so that no one can doubt it is YOU that has won the battle."
29 Joining in with more words:
Bookmarking this one! What a good word and one I've truly not heard of or thought of before. Loved the headlines for those Bible stories. Now that would make a great assignment for an English class!
Good morning! REALLY good thoughts here. And soo very true as well. Sometimes I have found it is a definite combination of things that has worked for some on some issues that "might" work for me on my similar ones....only thing that seems to ALWAYS work is a complete dependency on Him. Sooo you'd think I would go there first wouldn't you, and yet I don't....haha....WHY is that do you suppose? Have a wonderful day my friend....HUGS
You are so creative and funny Janette. I love that you and Benjamin are reading together. I believe that helps give a child a love for reading. And that will help him in his life, not to mention that you are able to teach Him about the Lord and His ways too.
Hmm ... another title?
Learn to Trust God Even if the World Thinks You're Crazy by Debbie
Blessings and love,
Debbie
PS. I mentioned your name on my latest post for Heart Choices. Thank you for being such an encouragement to me.
Wow Janette. I KNOW this, but I never thought of it this way! I'ts so perceptive...
Look what MAMA learns home schooling. And Benjamin has a brilliant teacher!
Eccentric takes to sea - How to save your family with a boat.
Blessings, Debbie
YES YES YES!!! Such a great thought Janette... christians are as guilty of elevating other books or people to hero status as anyone! It still has to be GOD'S way. Sometimes I get there quickly, other times I take the winding route, but it always ends up at HIS feet.
Love this... you said it in such a fun and meaningful way.
Yep... the cooler winds are blowing in, did you send them south?? And... since all of our other teams have gone south for the moment, we are yelling and shouting for the Rangers!! :)
xo
I love your titles!! I have been going through the Old Testament with my son and he still has the same excitement learning the things. This is the best part of life.
God's way or no way. He will always
show us what to do in every area of
our lives.
I loved reading with Shaun and Seth
when they were little. Actually I
listened to Seth read throughout
high school as we home schooled.
Thanks for so many good points to
meditate on today, Janette. You
always bring a smile to my face
with your creative writing.
Blessings on your day~
My SIL and I were discussing that we should let God be our own personal GPS! He knows the perfect route for you and how to avoid every pot hole! LOL! Great post, Janette.:)
Great post! I've done it myself, pouring over a book that list the 4 ways to beat the blahs, or 10 steps to working a miracle, or 5 ways to make a dollar worth one hundred dollars. There's definitely some good recipes out there, but none so good as the custom recipe God applies. His mercies are, afterall, new every morning.
Lovin' His new work in this amazing new day!
Kathleen
Bravo!!!! This is an absolutely wonderful post! I wouldn't have thought of that universal lesson. You are so right, and I am SO GUILTY of trying the formula that worked before or worked for someone else rather than believe that God might have a whole new way of approaching my victory.
I love HIS ways, too. I mean.... who but God would dream up the march around Jericho? Who but God the stones in the sling?
He is such an awesome God. I would not dare to put Him in a box. I should not be will to "big box" his battle stratgies either.
Again, great and thought provoking.
Your last two sentences really sum it up! Bestsellers they would never be because they are God- rather than man-centered!! You've got a good grasp on this truth and Benjamin will benefit from that greatly. Blessings to you and Benjamin. :-)
This is such a good message, Janette! God works in each person's life differently, and therefore, the methods for accomplishing a task or duty will be different for each individual.
I also have to be careful when I read books. I try to take the information that will work for me, and as for the rest, I appreciate the advice, but realize that it probably won't work for me in my life. It's not always an easy thing to do though.
As always, you have good thoughts and good writing! :)
P.S. Oh, I think it's wonderful that you take the time to read bible stories to your young son. You are building precious memories that will last a life time! :)
VERY insightful! And very needed for me right now.
Love,
Angie
Very encouraging words, Janette. Just the words I needed to hear as I enter into another battle myself. I must lean on God's providence.
Janette, this was a very good word today. I love how you tell us to claim our own story with the Lord. He works in each of us individually - He's writing His own script in each of our lives. Victory will be uniquely tailored just to us - just at the right time.
Have you read this best-seller?
From a Fully-Booked Inn to an Empty Tomb - My Secret to Life by Jesus Christ.
It's a great read!!
GOD BLESS!
Oh, Janette!! YOU SAID IT!! Amen and amen and amen. His way was never the same. It was specific to that particular person, place, instance. Asking for His guidance and His will to be done is our best prayer and our best way. Love this post. blessings ~ tanna
This is wonderful with so much truth. I have been guilty of going to the newest how to book instead of going to the source of my help. You are right God didn't do it the same way with each person, why would I think there was some type of fomula to follow.
Preach it, sister! Very wise insight!
I like the way you mentioned that the Lord orchestrated the battle victories in a different way, every.single.time.
Similarly, we're responsible to trust Him TODAY, and not on past successes and methods. Reminds me that there is no "resting on our laurels," and that God is infinitely creative himself as a problem solver.
Excellent post!
Dear Janette, Thank you for these encouraging words. I know it was purposeful that I came to your blog this day. Blessings, Catherine xo
Hi Janette! Getting through my blog list today and so thankful to see what you've written here! The formula driven Christian life is no kind of Christian life. Jesus never did the same miracle - the same way - twice! Blind eyes were opened - differently every time. So, too, with us. The requirement? Seek the Lord! A tough truth we often forfeit for somebody else's walk.
Sage advice - once again!
Joy!
Kathy
Janette
What smart advise. One might say 'sage'! I'm taking this one to the bank and I am going to try to listen more to how the Lord want to help 'me' woth my battles.
Thanks, Janette.
Now that's some food for thought, Janette! It spoke to me a many levels. What a creative look at those O.T. battles & heroes (and our great God).
Isn't it wonderful to read Bible stories with our kids and grandchildren and watch those faces light up with excitement....
This is a great post; thanks for sharing it......
Love this post! The titles are so funny. I remember reading every child rearing book out there and being dumbfounded about why none of them worked for me. I read the Bible too, but figured some practical applications of the verses couldn't hurt. And they didn't, but there was no foolproof plan. Several methods from several authors worked, but not just one thing. And I know God taught me a lot about what He wanted me to do apart from those books. He wanted me to learn from Him, not just about Him. Great insight!
Here is some food for thought, that I've never considered. Thanks for sharing.
We are headed for Austin tomorrow!! To say I'm excited is an understatement.
Praise God for this reminder.
God wants a fresh, new-every-morning victory for us in every day we face. I was so blessed by what He shared with you today--thanks for allowing us in on what His Heart revealed to your heart today.
Shirley in Virginia
love this post thanks for sharing loves from holland...soraya
Great! So often we hear of a "formula" for spiritual success.
Post a Comment