I'm remodeleding my perspective

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The Theme “building and becoming, during inclement times,” this year has really challenged me to look inward for change as opposed to outward.

Less at how I’ve been affected, and more on how i can be effective! I believe Paul told the Philippians “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus,” because he understood that he needed to get them to an elevated, and spiritual view point, when facing difficult circumstances. So they could make Godly decisions, rather than human ones! Over the past months God has really been driving home the steps in the building process. I realized that, often times, whether naturally or spiritually, We’re not always starting on a new structure from the ground up! The letter Jude wrote the his friends wasn’t directed at the unsaved! The statement “your most holy faith” indicates, he’s talking to those already established. So this “build” is more of a “remodel”. And in order to complete the proper steps in a remodel, and to “become” what was envisioned, we must begin the “demolition” process! (expound)

The only reason i’ve made it through these past 12 months is because, like Paul , I’ve gotten to a place where I’m no longer affected by what I see or have seen, but I’m provoked by what I believe. Now When i find myself experiencing hardship, and discouragement, Im learning not to expect God to do it how I’ve seen it done before. But rather I’m opening up myself to all of his possibilities.

Proverbs 3:5–6 (ESV): Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6  In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. So I as I prepare for the next season of my life, “I’m remodeling my perspective!”

Perspective meaning the angle or direction in which a person looks at an object, (or even a situation).2. point of view, 3. or the ability to understand what is, and what isn’t important!

Judges 6:11–16 (ESV)
Now the angel of the Lord came and sat under the terebinth at Ophrah, which belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, while his son Gideon was beating out wheat in the winepress to hide it from the Midianites. And the angel of the Lord appeared to him and said to him, “The Lord is with you, O mighty man of valor.” And Gideon said to him, “Please, my lord, if the Lord is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all his wonderful deeds that our fathers recounted to us, saying, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt?’ But now the Lord has forsaken us and given us into the hand of Midian.” >>>And the Lord turned to him and said, “Go in this might of yours and save Israel from the hand of Midian; do not I send you?” >>>And he said to him, “Please, Lord, how can I save Israel? Behold, my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.” And the Lord said to him, “But I will be with you, and you shall strike the Midianites as one man.”

God said “You” not them - Gideon had a tainted perspective (you don’t inherit the sins of the people you’re connected to unless you participate!) People would rather include you in their mess rather the repent for wrong doing. Your dirty hands are the justification they need, to keep you tied to them! bound! (But Jesus said “i’ve come that you might have life, and life more abundantly!”)

Gideon’s Perspective was tainted by Israel and his family! He was made to believe that the God of past days had just given up on them. As though their decision to break covenant with God and worship Baal had nothing to do with. We don’t get to be disobedient, satisfy our flesh and maintain privilege with God! That’s why we gotta know him for ourselves. Just in case the influential people around us aren’t living according to the word. The Bible says “Know them that labor among you”! Because people are fallible! No one should replace God in your life! Paul said “Follow me as I follow Christ” that way you’ll know when to stop!

This is why its important to know what belongs inside of you and by who who’s authority! “Holy Faith, and Strength” these are your remodeling tools, Given by God! 2 Timothy 1:7 “for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”

Like Gideon, A lot of us, through our tainted perspective from mishandling, and mismanagement, have developed mistrust. and our perception is that we can’t trust anyone! Even the voice of God! So Gideon needs multiple reassurances from God before he’ll trust God to keep him alive!

Once God has earned Gideon’s trust, he then test’s Gideon’s obedience, by tell him to burn up the alter of baal (What are you willing to you sacrifice for God? What relationships are you willing to part from, what attitudes are you willing to forsake of the Gospel?) What pipes, and sub-walls, need to come down, so you can become what God is calling for you to be? Are you ready to trust him with all your heart?

Trust God with the entire process!

Judges 6:33–35 (ESV)
Now all the Midianites and the Amalekites and the people of the East came together, and they crossed the Jordan and encamped in the Valley of Jezreel. But the Spirit of the Lord clothed Gideon, and he sounded the trumpet, and the Abiezrites were called out to follow him. And he sent messengers throughout all Manasseh, and they too were called out to follow him. And he sent messengers to Asher, Zebulun, and Naphtali, and they went up to meet them.
Judges 7:1–7 ESV
Then Jerubbaal (that is, Gideon) and all the people who were with him rose early and encamped beside the spring of Harod. And the camp of Midian was north of them, by the hill of Moreh, in the valley. The Lord said to Gideon, “The people with you are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hand, lest Israel boast over me, saying, ‘My own hand has saved me.’ Now therefore proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, ‘Whoever is fearful and trembling, let him return home and hurry away from Mount Gilead.’ ” Then 22,000 of the people returned, and 10,000 remained. And the Lord said to Gideon, “The people are still too many. Take them down to the water, and I will test them for you there, and anyone of whom I say to you, ‘This one shall go with you,’ shall go with you, and anyone of whom I say to you, ‘This one shall not go with you,’ shall not go.” So he brought the people down to the water. And the Lord said to Gideon, “Every one who laps the water with his tongue, as a dog laps, you shall set by himself. Likewise, every one who kneels down to drink.” And the number of those who lapped, putting their hands to their mouths, was 300 men, but all the rest of the people knelt down to drink water. And the Lord said to Gideon, “With the 300 men who lapped I will save you and give the Midianites into your hand, and let all the others go every man to his home.”
Gideon (now Jerubbaal) trusts God with his life but not with the process! Gideon asks God to save Isreal, but doesn’t consult back with him on how he’s gonna do it! What Gideon didn’t realize is that he received the vision but not the mission! I believe his new found zeal, encouraged him to believe that, since he has now obtained Gods protection for the Midianites, that he could take it from there! i’ve made it this far, and I know the end result, so i can put down these instructions!
(trying to put together a trampoline without the manual) i ended up having to tear everything down before i could get the finished product! Understand that you when remodel your perspective, your no longer gonna see it from your point of view, or with your understanding. But you’re actually trading it for Gods! That way you no longer have to worry if everything is gonna work out, because Knowing the endgame will only get you so far!
Matthew 6:31-33 “Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
Last I checked the Midianites were coming through taking all their food - and the before text exclaimed that the Holy spirt clothed Gideon - So ALL, these things are getting ready to happen for you - THE LEAST YOU CAN DO, IS ASK GOD WHAT’S NEXT?!
Judges 7:9-11 “That same night the Lord said to him, “Arise, go down against the camp, for I have given it into your hand. But if you are afraid to go down, go down to the camp with Purah your servant. And you shall hear what they say, and afterward your hands shall be strengthened to go down against the camp.”
So Now Gideon is down to less than 1% of his intended army. His perspective just took a big hit! And now his perception is spinning out of control! That’s why i love God’s response! (if you’re afraid) Of course he was afraid! God just took away the only, way Gideon thought he could win!
Somebody say DEMO DAY!
Then he went down with Purah his servant to the outposts of the armed men who were in the camp.” Judges 7:13-15 “When Gideon came, behold, a man was telling a dream to his comrade. And he said, “Behold, I dreamed a dream, and behold, a cake of barley bread tumbled into the camp of Midian and came to the tent and struck it so that it fell and turned it upside down, so that the tent lay flat.” And his comrade answered, “This is no other than the sword of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel; God has given into his hand Midian and all the camp.” As soon as Gideon heard the telling of the dream and its interpretation, he worshiped. And he returned to the camp of Israel and said, “Arise, for the Lord has given the host of Midian into your hand.”
Paraphrasing (Gideon divided into three companies around the Midianites, they broke the clay jars, and held their torches, then the cried out what they heard the Midianite interpreter say. “For the Lord, and Gideon!” Then the Midianites began killing each other and fled!
Gideon’s Perspective just got remodeled! God didn’t intend on putting Gideon to war with a huge army! He’s done that already! God said ”But I will be with you, and you shall strike the Midianites as one man! All he needed, was to trust and believe that God had something special planned for him. How God did it for Israel, wasn’t how he was going to do it for Gideon! How he did it for someone else isn’t how he’s going to do it for you! Lamentations 3:22–23 (ESV): The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; 23  they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “Your faith gives God space!”
Our faith is hindered by our perspective! Because we utilize past experiences and stories to determine how God is going to come through today! So now, our faith is limited, and we can only expect God to do things that we’ve already seen him do. When really, our experiences should grow our Faith, to expect God to do it bigger and better than before!
I once heard a preacher say that to shift doesn’t just mean to change positions. But like on a keyboard, the shift key has the ability to grow small letters into big letters! The shift key also has the ability to bring out special characters, that otherwise would’ve gone un-utilized! God wants to shift you in this season of you life! But you First have to remodel your perspective, so you can see you how HE see’s you!
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