Part 1 "Who Am I And What Am Doing In God's Kingdom?"

Welcome to the Trail: "Becoming A 'Gideon': Enlisting In The Army of God's Kingdom".

Webster's defines 'Army' as: "A large organized body of armed personnel trained for war..."

'The Lord of Heaven's Armies' appears in the Bible over 270 times.

For each of the next five days you will receive a new Trail as you join Gideon in his transformation from being a literal 'nobody', to a champion in the Army of God's Kingdom

Are you ready to take your first steps to enlisting In The Army of God's Kingdom?

As a new soldier, your first step is to go to 'Documents', or your Bible, and read the story of Gideon in Judges 6-8.

Select the 'Successful' when you are finished.

In Judges 6:1-2 we read:

"The Israelites did evil in the Lord’s sight. So the Lord handed them over to the Midianites for seven years. The Midianites were so cruel that the Israelites made hiding places for themselves in the mountains, caves, and strongholds."

When we are introduced to Gideon, we find him experiencing a great deal of oppression at the hand of the Midianites. This oppression is so severe, Gideon and his fellow Israelites are in hiding.

In all honesty, regarding your doubts, fears and insecurities what thoughts and emotions are you hiding from others? Be specific.

Gideon has been living under a cloud of oppression for the past seven years.

What are the circumstances in your life that have been bringing you worry, fear, anxiety or ongoing frustration?

Read Judges 6:6-10:

"So Israel was reduced to starvation by the Midianites. Then the Israelites cried out to the Lord for help.
When they cried out to the Lord because of Midian, the Lord sent a prophet to the Israelites. He said, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: I brought you up out of slavery in Egypt. I rescued you from the Egyptians and from all who oppressed you. I drove out your enemies and gave you their land. I told you, ‘I am the Lord your God. You must not worship the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you now live.’ But you have not listened to me.”

Select 'Successful' when you are finished.

Have you been worshiping the false idols of your day?

For example, again in all honesty, are you placing any of the priorities from the list below above seeking the Lord your God with all you heart, soul, mind and strength and loving your neighbor as yourself:

a) Financial security
b) Children
c) Career
d) Family
e) Comfort
f) Hobbies, Sports, Interests
g) Goals
h) Spouse or the desire to find one
i) What other people think of you
j) What you have

This list includes just some of the false idols of our day. Take the time to identify the false idols operating in your life. Write each one down.

Next, the prophet calls the Israelites to repentance.

Now, are you ready to confess and repent of worshipping false idols? Like Gideon, this is both a critical and defining step in moving forward with The Lord.

(Note: The word in the New Testament usually translated “repent” is the Greek word “metanoeo”. It means “to change your mind; reconsider; or, to think differently.”)

When you are ready, cry out to the Lord in repentance. If "crying out" is not an option, you can write in the space provided.

If you confessed and repented to the Lord, describe any changes in your thoughts and emotions in the area provided.

Read Judges 6:11-12:

"Then the angel of the Lord came and sat beneath the great tree at Ophrah, which belonged to Joash of the clan of Abiezer. Gideon son of Joash was threshing wheat at the bottom of a winepress to hide the grain from the Midianites. The angel of the Lord appeared to him and said, “Mighty hero, the Lord is with you!”

Select 'Successful' when you are finished.

Like his fellow Israelites, Gideon is living in fear and intimidation of the Midianites, when the Angel of the Lord appears to him and says: "Mighty hero, the Lord is with you".

Take the time now to get quiet before the Lord. When you are ready, ask Him to show you how He sees you. Wait upon Him. Stay with this before proceeding to the next step.

Write down any revelation you receive. (Note: if you did not receive anything, don't worry. Simply, move on to the next step.)

Read Judges 6:13:

“Sir,” Gideon replied, “if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? And where are all the miracles our ancestors told us about? Didn’t they say, ‘The Lord brought us up out of Egypt’? But now the Lord has abandoned us and handed us over to the Midianites.”

How frequently do you have thoughts that resemble the following:

"If God is truly with me as the Bible promises, then why aren't things going better for me?"

"Why isn't God demonstrating his power and miracles around my needs and desires?

Read Judges 6:14:

"Then the Lord turned to him and said, “Go with the strength you have, and rescue Israel from the Midianites. I am sending you!”

Select 'Successful' when you are finished.

The Lord does not answer Gideon's objections directly, but repeats that He is with him. He tells Gideon that he has been given the strength to defeat the overwhelming powers that have been oppressing him and, in addition, rescue all of Israel!

God gives Gideon both his new identity, 'Mighty Hero', and his mission: to defeat the Midianites and set Israel free from oppression.

Has the Lord given you your identity and mission?

If "Yes", write down your identity and mission in the space provided. Then proceed to the last Step.

If "No", don't worry, these Trails are designed to help you do just that. As you work each day to establish the habit of seeking Him with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, He will reveal to you both your identity and mission. That is His promise to you!

Well done! As a reminder, the next Trail: 'Part 2 "Is this you, God?"' will appear tomorrow in your Day Plan.