God's Champions Overcome Their Weakness and Seize the Day

Judges 3:12-30

What some may view as a handicap can become a strength in God's hands. In fact, God’s ability to use us should raise our expectations.  

 

Ehud was unable to use his right hand. So, he could not be a soldier and would not be seen as a threat by the Moabite warlord Eglon. Eglon (who was the original Jabba the Hutt) had taken over Israel.

Although, he was disabled, Ehud creatively used what God had given him. He would be the one bringing the required payment of protection money to Eglon, so he made a dagger that would be concealed on his right thigh. He knew they would not search a cripple very closely. He would get Eglon alone, kill him and escape before his guards could react.

Ehud could have dwelt on his disability and doubted his value to God. He could have passed on the opportunity of taking the tribute to Eglon. Instead, he trusted God and seized the opportunity.

Two shoe salesmen were sent to Africa during the early 20th Century. One sent a telegram home that said: “Get me home. Nobody here has shoes.”

The other’s telegram said: “Send me all of the shoes you can. Nobody here has shoes.”

No matter how weak or limited we might feel, we are capable of great things for God. What brings victory in our lives, allows us to serve and be used by God, is neither our own strength nor our list of credentials. It is our faith in God through Christ.

You can be a spiritual champion like Ehud if you are ready to act when God presents an opportunity, even if you have to act alone. Someone has to be first.

You have to be courageous. Ehud was willing to do a scary thing. God's will can take us out of our comfort zone and turn our weakness into strength.

You have to be a leader: Victory was not complete until Ehud got others involved. He rallied his countrymen and completed the defeat of the Moabites.

Be a spiritual champion in your generation.

Highland Park Community Assistance Network

Pastor Dan Trevino got us off to a good start 

with a hearty breakfast;  assisted by

 his son Eli and Leroy and Vivian Reed.

Baptist Temple is preparing to take ministry to the next level. We offer many opportunities for people to improve their spiritual, emotional, financial and physical health. This is the abundant life that Jesus came to bring us. Along with our traditional church ministries we offer nutrition and fitness classes, quality education for babies through 8^th grade, food and clothing ministries and so much more. We are assisted in these endeavors by a family of churches, non-profits and government agencies.

God has opened some doors that will allow us to help people on a deeper level. We will be able to address the underlying issues that cause people to be in poverty. Most importantly, we will work with people on a personal level. This will naturally create opportunities to share the gospel.

When I first came to BT I saw the potential of the Brunnemann Building as a center for community ministry but the task seemed daunting. Instead, we began a modest clothing ministry and mobile food pantry at the Fritz building. The success of the ministry became a catalyst for the restoration and naming of the Brunnemann Building.

The full potential of the Brunnemann Building will soon be realized as we create a permanent food pantry in the back half of the building. Also included will be a space for talking one-on-one with clients in a private setting.

The heart of our system will be a mentoring-based, client choice food pantry. Client choice means that people will select the items that they want from our store. It will be a shopping experience that preserves the dignity of our clients and reduces both waste and abuse.

The mentoring portion is the key factor of the program. It allows us to partner with our clients in developing a proactive plan to become self-sufficient. Mentoring is mandatory for continued access to our food pantry. Clients earn points for every thing they do to improve their lives. This includes attending classes, worship and volunteering.

Another important piece of this program is the Christian Women's Job Corps. This program equips women for life and employment. We will be able to leverage our daycare, kitchen and office to provide on the job training that will give our clients the skills they need to get a job. This program will launch in January 2015.

Our bottom line will be people completely transformed by the power of the gospel. Jesus said, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10)

A Christian's health, finances and relationships ought to reflect the power of the Holy Spirit. The church needs to teach people how to make that happen.

Join us in this task. You can volunteer short-term or long-term. You can contribute finances or material goods. Be a part of transforming lives.

Click here for ways that you can serve.

We Need a Hero Today

Judges 3:7-11

During a time when Israel was oppressed by a thug whose name meant “double wicked darkness,” God sent a hero to deliver them.

This hero, Othniel, had a solid pedigree. His relative, Caleb, was one of 12 spies sent by Moses into the Promised Land. Ten of the spies were afraid but "Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, 'We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it'" (Numbers 13:30).

However, it was the Spirit of God that brought Othniel's victory rather than his DNA or military prowess. He was one of only 18 individuals in the Old Testament who had the Holy Spirit. When the Spirit came on Othniel, he conquered the enemy. When the Spirit came on the apostles at Pentecost, they turned the world upside down.

Today, this Holy Spirit filling is promised to every believer. Paul told us to be "filled with the Spirit," (Ephesians 5:18).

The Holy Spirit give us power to conquer any enemy. The Holy Spirit equips us for spiritual battle against relationship problems, addictions and the temptations that afflict us. The Holy Spirit allows God to use us in ways that we can hardly imagine.

We need heroes like Othneil today in our churches and our communities around the world. Christians are oppressed in Iraq and other countries; people oppress each other in our own nation. While, we do not need to be delivered from the King of Mesopotamia, we have our own “double wicked darkness” to contend with.

Sin is at the heart of suffering and oppression and the Holy Spirit is the cure. You can be a hero to someone by showing them God's love in your word's and actions.