by Oran Burt

1. Give up your Idols.

God had allowed the Midianites to oppress Israel for seven years because of Israel's wickedness. God called Gideon to deliver his people from the oppression, and the first order of business was to destroy the idols (Ashera) that his father had built (6:25). Idolatry had resulted in Israel hiding in caves and wine presses from their enemy. Idols can't deliver us, but can help prevent God's deliverance.

2. Prepare for Battle.

The timid, careless need not apply. God wanted Gideon to realize that he could not deliver himself, but that he must rely on God and not say "my own power has delivered me" (7:2). Our adversary doesn't give up easily. He threw down the boy possessed with demons - even after being commanded to depart (Mk. 9:26,27) - and he is determined to seek and devour. God gave Gideon 400 to 1 odds so that the issue would be clear.

3. Let your light shine.

When Gideon and the 300 men broke the pots and the lights "came on" suddenly, they were able to conquer the enemy with God's help. Light dispels the darkness. If we let our light shine among men through our good works, God will receive the glory today (Mt. 5:16).

4. Let God rule over your life.

After the deliverance, the people were so impressed with Gideon and his sons that they asked him to rule over them. He turned down the offer saying, "the Lord shall rule over you" (8:23).

5. Don't go back into bondage.

Gideon made an ephod from the gold offerings the people gave. That ephod became a snare to him and his household. We have been set free from sin that we might live for another, yet the pull of temptation is constant. Joshua pleaded with the people of God not to go back and cling to the nations from which God had delivered them (Josh. 23:12). The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. Peter warned about the disaster of having escaped the pollutions of the world and yet becoming entangled in them again.

by Tim Hall

You would think that the Apostle Paul would be in complete control. After all of the trials and difficulties he had suffered, he surely would have a handle on fear and doubts by now. But this great servant of God still needed strength at times. Where could he get it?

By the last chapter of Acts, Paul had been through so much. He had often been beaten, imprisoned, rejected by his own kinsmen, and had just survived a shipwreck from a fearful storm. Ahead of him, however, was a date with the Emperor, Caesar Augustus. A visit with the Roman ruler was not a pleasant appointment. The Caesars guarded their power with cold and ruthless means, and theirs were not normally sympathetic ears.

The skyline of Rome was in sight when Luke provided us with these details: "And from there, when the brethren heard about us, they came to meet us as far as Appii Forum and Three Inns. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage" (Acts 28:15, NKJV).

Brethren coming together - is that such a big deal? It is when you are involved in a struggle, as Paul on this occasion was. And, in case you hadn't checked lately, struggles are still a part of life. Like the storm that wrecked Paul's ship, trials blow into our lives without warning. We may feel as if we are cast overboard, straining just to keep our heads above water. How we need courage in such situations! But where can it be found?

Our text shows that courage can come from people. We find courage, just as Paul did, by being with others who believe as we do, who have weathered crises in their lives, who compassionately reach out to help us. It's important that brethren keep up their habit of coming together.

The writer of Hebrews understood this principle and urged Christians to regularly practice it. In pressing his readers to endure, he wrote, "And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching" (Heb. 10:24,25). He didn't order church attendance for the sake of big numbers; he exhorted brethren to practice active fellowship as a matter of survival!

Often when I attend worship and Bible study assemblies, my life is going well. I am joyful and confident, able to offer courage to others who are there. Occasionally, though, I stand on the other side of the transaction. Instead of being in a position to give encouragement, I am the one who needs it. What better place to find the strength needed than with people who draw their strength from the Lord?

Philo, a Jewish philosopher who was a contemporary of the apostles, once wrote: "Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle." That is a good reason to make assembling with the saints a high priority. Often we can help others just by being present; sometimes we're the ones who will be helped.

By Emmett Smith

My wife, 15-year-old daughter and I went to see “The Passion of the Christ” yesterday afternoon. Overall we found it to be a faithful account of the Biblical narratives. It was very moving and I would encourage anyone who is interested to go and see this film.

As always when viewing a movie based on the Bible, I was concerned with the inevitable “creative license” that appears in any such endeavor. I left the theater with an appreciation for Mel Gibson’s faithfulness to the Biblical text. Below are my notes as to some of the more “creative” scenes.

I have no reservations about recommending this movie. I’m sure any Christian will be moved by this interpretation of His passion. We did not take our 10-year-old daughter, and in retrospect I’m glad we didn’t. But anyone mature enough to understand the gospels from an adult perspective should be able to appreciate this film.