(Judges 6,7)

Gideon was called Mighty Warrior although:

• He was afraid.
• He was the youngest.
• His family had been severely weakened by the enemy.
• He had constant struggles with doubts, and was severely insecure.
• He was from a tribe that was not known for its military strength.

Truths about our Battle:
1. God is supplying the strength we need for the battle that we are in. (Deuteronomy 33:25b) 
2. God has taken a personal interest in the battle and will supply the victory (1 Sam 17:47)
3. God will be with you all the way. (Judges 6:12,16)

Truths to take into our Battle
1. It won’t be by our strength we will win.
2. We are not alone in it.
3. We will see victory
4. It will bring Glory to God.

John 15:12-17

vs. 12-13 - A GREATER CALL

How would your world change if you too would commit to love others, to really serve others, to lay down your agenda, your plans, and serve other people with the Love of Christ? I believe it would change exponentially, that in fact it would change the others in your world.

"This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends"

vs. 15 - UNENDING BENEFITS

Jesus makes an awesome statement here, He tell us that we can be called His friend if we do what He commands, (Love God, Love Others Matt 22:37-39.) I love what He says then will happen, He says if you are my friends then I will tell you everything my Father tells me.

People are always looking to get trade secrets from successful men/women. How would your world change if you could get insider information from the best of the best, the creator of Heaven and Earth. Becoming a friend of Jesus has unending benefits.

"You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you."

vs. 16-17 - GREATER PURPOSE

I love this verse, I can know that my calling, my purpose is not powerless because Jesus chose and appointed me to "Go" and that in my going I would bear "Fruit," that I would be successful in everything I do in His name, everything I do in my calling. I have been chosen by Jesus and I have purpose, that's good news.

You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. These things I command you, that you love one another.

Duck Dynasty, one of my favorite shows on television right now.   I don't believe I am the only one, the 8.6 million who viewed the 2013 season premiere of “Duck Dynasty” speak to that.  

What does get 8.6 million peoples interest?

I am certain that people enjoy the families antics, from Willie to Si we can no doubt expect some great fun.  

But I think it is more than that, I think people watch because they can see the faith that shines through, they see a family that works together, sticks together.    I think in this present world where their isn't much good on television, but  Duck Dynasty is just good clean fun.

I thought I would share some fun facts about the family:

1.  Phil Robertson   - Master’s degree in education, Engineered, Patent and Marketed his duck call.  Beyond this Phil came to faith and the following is his testimony.

Quote from Phil:

“We’re godly people. We really don’t use filthy language. We really do fear God,” Robertson said. “We really do love you; you’re our neighbor. We’re gonna be good to you, really. And, we love you, irregardless of how you feel about us. In other words, our love for you is not contingent upon whether you love us or not. We just love you and … you say, ‘well I don’t like you.’ I say that’s OK. I love you anyway.

Robertson credits the Lord with his success, sharing his epiphany from a sinful, unfulfilled school teacher to a faithful fisherman and duck caller set on turning his life’s passion into his livelihood.

2. Willie Robertson 

Married to his wife for over 20 years. 

Masters Degree in Business

Check out his testimony:

3. Jase Robertson

I hope this show sticks around and that God blesses them emensely.

16 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices(B) so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. 2 Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb 3 and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?”(C)4 But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. 5 As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe(D) sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.6 “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene,(E) who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him,(F) just as he told you.’”(G) 8 Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.[a]

~Luke 16:1-8

Mary Magdalene and Mary mother of James had come to tend to their Lord, they had expected Him in the tomb, and even contemplated who would roll away the stone, maybe they had not remembered His words:

"The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise." ~Mark 9:31b

They had come expecting Him dead but found the tomb empty, the stone rolled away. It is here that the Lord told them something I believe to be very important, He said to them:

 “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene,^(E) who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. ⁷ But go, tell his disciples and Peter,  ~Luke 16:6

Go tell his disciples and “Peter”

I think we gloss over that verse only hearing “He is risen.” But I believe this part of the verse is very significant:

“Go tell Peter”

Peter who just a short time ago would deny Him three times, who in His Lords greatest hour would turn away “reject” Him.   

See that’s it the purpose of the Lord’s sacrifice: “RESTORATION”   Jesus in this verse was saying “You are important to me”   Peter I have risen, you can be “RESTORED,”  yes you have fallen, but you too can “RISE” again, you too can experience real “GRACE.”   

Thank you Lord that you rose again, that I have been restored because of you.  Thank you for dying on a cross for me, thank you for the grace that so abounds to me. 

When we think of death we think finality, that’s it, over, done, but in the case of Jesus this was a means to a beginning.   A new beginning for all who would receive him, for Him it would not be the end but a necessary work to reconcile the world to the Father.   A GRACE SUFFICIENT FOR US AND GENERATIONS TO COME

When we think of

John 3:16 “For God so Loved the world , that He gave His only begotten Son , that whosoever should believe in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.”   

I am not quite sure that we equate the sacrifice that Jesus took so that we could spend eternity with Him in heaven, so that we would not be justly punished for our sins and sent to hell.  

In Luke’s view of the cross he tells of two thieves who were hung next to Jesus , listen to those words:

32 Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. 33 When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. 34 Jesus said,“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”[a] And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

 39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.[a]” 43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

        ~Luke 23:32-34;23:39-43

How many of you would take the punishment for someone you love?  Not many, but lets intensify that question; how many of you would take the punishment for someone who you didn’t love or have a relationship with, who you could justify how they deserved what they would receive.     Jesus didn’t deserve the punishment He would take for you and I, He laid it all down.   I love this scripture, because Jesus in the midst of such persecution pens these words eternally in history: “Father forgive them, for they know not what they are doing.”   

It’s crazy to think of such love,  I don’t believe that many of us offer forgiveness for the petty things in our lives much less in the light of being scourged almost to death, ridiculed, spit on and forced to carry a huge cross to the place in which they would hang Him.

You and I would barely forgive someone when they cut us off while driving down the road, or when they offended us.   I heard a story of a mother and daughter who lived 2 miles from each other and didn’t speak for 20 years because of an argument.  But Jesus says these words “Father Forgive them.” 

See that’s it, Jesus is offering a grace that cannot be measured, giving what no one in history has ever given;  forgiveness that would restore those who would receive it to a right relationship with God and we see that in Luke 23:39-43; two criminals on the cross, one who would see the same events that everyone that day saw, He would see Christ (The Messiah) crucified and would choose to reject Him, and another criminal, would see Christ and recognize that salvation had come to him, grace that would redeem him.  I love these words “Remember me, when you come into your kingdom.”   

Thank you Lord for remembering me.  Daily I will reflect on the great sacrifice you made for me, though I did not deserve your grace, your mercy you extended it to me.  Thank you for a love that restored my life.  Thank you that your sacrifice was a new beginning for my life.

 Lord as we go may we understand that there has never been nor will ever be no greater love than what you gave for us.