God loves and Calls YOU!

I recently had the opportunity to go to a wonderful women’s conference near Dallas called Refresh. I partnered with them to give books to their attendees because I really believe in their mission to encourage women in their calling and this retreat style conference did just that for me.

During one of the sessions by Jeffie Jones, she dove into the text about Gideon in Judges 4. The story of Gideon is your story, it is my story, it is the story of every man or woman who has felt called by God who had to face the inner giant of fear in order to step out in boldness to obey and fulfill our individual purpose. You see when God saved you and me, he didn’t say “my work here is done” and shove us in a corner. Instead, he turns and looks at his beautiful son and daughter and says, “now, this branch can produce the fruit he was meant to produce (John 15). I have called you, saved you and now I want to use you for my kingdom and your joy.”

If we look at Gideon's story, we see a fearful Israelite hiding in fear of their enemies until God comes in and calls him, even in his fear, to step out and rescue Israel. Do you think Gideon found joy in his fearful hiding? Or did he find joy in God’s calling and equipping?

You see when God calls each of us he has information that we usually don’t fully grasp:

1. God Knows who He is 

2. God Knows who We are
   

You see God is the one and only all-knowing, all-powerful, King of the Universe and 

He.

Loves.

You.

He knows your weaknesses and ironically that is usually right where he starts- which brings us back to Gideon. When God came to Gideon to call him and give him direction. Gideon was afraid. 

“Then Yahweh Himself faced Gideon directly and said, “Am I not sending you? With my presence you have all you need. Go in the strength that you now have…”
—Judges 6:14 TPT—

That “strength” that Gideon now had- was God’s presence. He is going with you!
He isn’t going to send you out alone. He will never leave us! (Deut 31:6)

So a few points from Jeffie that I want you to take home:

1. God made you just as you are and wants to use YOU.

2. When the enemy knows our calling, He will try to steal it.

3. Settle into the truth that God is great, his way is higher. 

And one last point from me:

—> The God of the universe loves and has called YOU!

Blessings,
Lacey

P.S. Want to learn more about the conference I attended? Check them out here:
{www.refreshwomen.org}