(WISDOM)CAFE SOZO

COMMENT: Every time I read about this encounter I have to suppress a little chuckle. Here we see Gideon threshing wheat in the winepress because he was afraid of the Midianites, enemies of the Israelites. He is acting like a scared rabbit and here comes this heavenly body telling him how bold and brave he is. I imagine he looked behind him to see who the Angel was talking to. Seeing no one behind him, with wide eyes he might have exclaimed:”WHO ME?” Of course you know the rest of the story, with God’s help Gideon led the Jews to a great victory over the Midianites. Now God may not send you and me an Angel to change our poor assessment of ourselves; however, He has made that information assessable to all Christians through His Holy Word. We’re informed that we are more than conquerors through Christ (Romans 8:37), we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Phil. 4:13), greater is He that is in us that he that is in the world (1 John 4:4) and many, many more encouraging words. Now there is a difference in believing what God says about us and the determination to step out in faith based on that belief. Follow Gideon’s lead you mighty Christian of valor!

SCRIPTURE STUDY: Proverbs 3:26, Romans 8:37, and Ephesians 3:12

“To Him who loved us and washed us from our sin in His own blood and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father…” (Revelation 1:5,6)

COMMENT: Recently I heard about a company that could take an African American’s DNA and discover from which tribe an individual is derived. I also read about a young woman who researched her African heritage and made a startling discovery. ….she found out that she was an African princess! A lot of time and effort was invested in that project. To that I have this to say: SO WHAT!!! As a Christian, all we have to do is look into God’s Word to find out that we belong to the most powerful Royal Family that exists. How does that knowledge about her heritage benefit her? Maybe her self-esteem will get a boost, but it really won’t make a real difference. That African Princess will enjoy her royalty for as long as she lives on this earth. However, according to the Scriptures, we Christians are already reigning as kings and priests and that situation won’t stop with our physical death, but will go on throughout eternity. “For things that are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:18)

SCRIPTURE STUDY: Matthew 19:29, John 10:28, Romans 5:17 and 1 John 5:11