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WEDNESDAY — Speak Now or Forever Hold Your Peace!
Today’s Big Point: Do you object to God using you, or are you just making excuses?

“I was doing my first weekend message five years ago talking about marriage when the auditorium power went out while I was still on stage. People began loudly whispering and I could see shadows scampering for the door.  I realized that while my microphone still worked. However, I could no longer see my notes. All I kept thinking was, I have to figure out how to keep everyone calm and get through this… Even though I could not see anyone (and they definitely couldn’t see me), I started talking about the funny things that happen in marriage. They could hear I was having fun and so for the next 15 minutes we all laughed together. The lights never came back on and I found out later that someone had hit a transformer down the road. That was a weekend message I’ll never forget!”
- Barb Roose, Pastor of Spiritual Formation

READ…What does the Bible say?
Judges 6:15 (New Living Translation)
15 “But Lord,” Gideon replied, “how can I rescue Israel? My clan is the weakest in the whole tribe of Manasseh, and I am the least in my entire family!”

Exodus 3:10-12 (New Living Translation)
10 Now go, for I am sending you to Pharaoh. You must lead my people Israel out of Egypt.” 11 But Moses protested to God, “Who am I to appear before Pharaoh? Who am I to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt?” 12 God answered, “I will be with you. And this is your sign that I am the one who has sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God at this very mountain.”

1 Samuel 16:7 (New Living Translation)
7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

THINK…Find the answers
In Judges 6:15, Gideon gives the Lord excuses why he cannot rescue Israel. What are Gideon’s excuses?

Before Gideon, Moses made excuses to God as to why he thought God couldn’t use him. In Exodus 3:11, Moses protested to God, “ W______ _____ ___ to appear before Pharaoh? W_______ ____ ___ to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt?”

When God was ready to have Samuel anoint David as his chosen king, Samuel had objections. He thought David’s oldest brother was more qualified. In 1 Samuel 16:7, the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his A______________ or H______________, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by O___________ A_____________, but the Lord looks at the H____________.”

LIVE…What will you do now?
So we’ve looked at the excuses that Gideon and Moses had for themselves and that Samuel had about God using David. What are some of the excuses you’ve made when God has called you to do something for Him?
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What will you do next time God wants to use you?

PRAY…God, what do You want me to know & do?
Lord, It’s time for me to stop making excuses and do what you need me to do. Show me what it is that you want me to do. I must remember it’s not me, but You through me, that will get whatever you want accomplished. Thanks for giving us Gideon as an example. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.

DAILY BIBLE READING COMMENTARY: 
Luke 17:1 A millstone was used to grind grain. It weighed hundreds of pounds and would cause certain drowning if it was attached by rope to someone’s neck.
Luke 17:3-4 “Seven times” is not an exact number, but it does highlight the idea that we are to forgive many times. Dealing with relational conflict biblically also means that we must, whenever possible or appropriate, confront Christ-followers who offend us, according to Matthew 18.
Luke 17:11 Leprosy in that time probably included a variety of diseases like psoriasis, lupus, ringworm or others. Because they were unable to associate with non-affected people, lepers were forced to find and establish community with other lepers.
Luke 17:14 Jewish priests were the only ones to declare a leper “clean.” Imagine how surprised the priest would be once the former leper disclosed the source of his healing.
Luke 17:16 Only one of the 10 healed of leprosy returned to thank Jesus. It is significant that that man was a Samaritan, who represented a group of people hated by the Jews. This story demonstrated Jesus’ compassion, but also symbolized what was happening in Jesus’ ministry. The religious leaders continued to reject the gospel while outsiders (Samaritans, sinners, tax collectors) received the gospel message with a heart of gratitude.
Luke 17:19 The Greek word “sozo” was used by the writer Luke to describe being healed, it also indicated that while 10 were healed, only one was “saved.”