Dear friends and family,

Thank you for allowing me to share Heartstrings with you today. I pray the Lord speak assurance to your heart as we take a look at someone without much courage.

There was a time as told in Judges chapter 6 that the Israelites would sow their seed and wouldn't you know it that was the time when the Midianites and Amalekites of the east would come up against them. They would set up camp and then destroy the crops leaving no nourishment for Israel. Not even their donkeys, sheep or oxen.

There are some days that just don't seem to have a good ending. Wouldn't you like to experience what Gideon did? Would you like the Angel of the Lord to personally show up and speak blessing and favor upon you?

The Angel of the Lord is Jesus. Although we would love a physical view of Him, I wonder if I could even stand upright. Yet, Jesus is Lord, Risen from the dead and is with us through the inward working of His Spirit. Just as He said.

So the people are crying over their loss before the Lord. God sent a prophet to remind them of the past deliverance and how they went out of that place of bondage. 

Then the Lord God spoke (verse 10) and said, "I am the Lord your God; fear not the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But you have not obeyed My voice."

Oh the troubles living today in our nation! Many are at a loss for the trouble they are experiencing aren't they? Could it be that they are in fear of the little so called gods who have set themselves up to ruin and destroy our nation? When it comes down to it...Who is your God and Who do you serve? God is the only One Who is True and Just.

Anyway, to here is Gideon beating wheat in the winepress to hid it from the Midianites and all the while the Angel of the Lord comes and sits down under the oak tree. The thought of Him sitting and watching Gideon makes me chuckle. 

How many times a day have I gone along thinking the Lord must not be paying attention to me. When all the while He is there near me! 

I love verse 12..."And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him and said to him; The Lord is with you, you mighty man of [fearless] courage!" 

Does this speak to your heart today? I hope you read the rest of the story about Gideon because he was anything but courageous. Isn't it that way with us? We think we are small, insignificant in God's plans and yet He sees us as mighty warriors! 

In that moment Gideon probably looked around to see if the Angel was speaking to someone else. But, no. He came to Gideon! A man who lived in fear of the enemy, just like all the others. Hiding out and trying to store away to keep the enemies grubby hands off his provision.

Think about this. Are you freaking out trying to store away foods and things in case of enemies. I know, we are to prepare for winter. And, we are. But, if it is done in fear of man instead of thanksgiving to the Lord for His provision, we are in sin.

We loose the most important things when we walk in fear. Our faith begins to weaken and we spend more time searching out the wisdom of the gods of our world than the wisdom of God. We find this wisdom in trusting Christ as our Savior and spending time with Him. 

It isn't just about how many scriptures we can quote but if we are taking time in the Living Word, Jesus Christ. That is what makes the Words in our Bible come alive. It remains and when we remain in Him, His Word, abides in us and we can bear fruit that pleases and brings glory to God.

These are just the things I have been thinking about the last few days. I hope it makes sense and speaks to your heart. You are not what the world says you are. You are what Mighty God says you are. Only in Christ can we be transformed into that image. 

Do you need to be transformed today? Where do you spend most of your thoughts? I know, it isn't easy. Holy Spirit is praying for us before the Father and leading us to be conformed not to the world but to the image of Christ. Talk to Him. As a friend. He is waiting and is so near, even living in you! Praise the Lord!

Abundance is...listening to the Lord, hearing what He says about you! In the matchless name of Jesus, amen.