9 Gideon Principles for Christ Followers

1. The Principle of Divine Vision: See Yourself as God Sees You

Scripture Foundation: "The angel of the LORD appeared to him and said to him, 'The LORD is with you, O valiant warrior.'" (Judges 6:12)

When God encountered Gideon, He addressed him not as he was (hiding in fear), but as what God intended him to become. God saw potential and calling where Gideon saw only limitation.

Application for Today: As Christ followers, we must learn to view ourselves through God's perspective rather than our own insecurities. God often sees leadership qualities, spiritual gifts, and potential impact that we don't recognize in ourselves. By embracing God's view of us, we step into our divine calling despite our perceived inadequacies.

2. The Principle of Starting at Home: Confront Idolatry in Your Inner Circle First

Scripture Foundation: "Take your father's bull and a second bull seven years old, and pull down the altar of Baal which belongs to your father, and cut down the Asherah that is beside it." (Judges 6:25)

Before Gideon could lead a national deliverance, God required him to confront the idolatry in his own family. His first mission wasn't against the Midianites but against the false worship in his father's household.

Application for Today: Spiritual transformation must begin with addressing compromises in our own lives and immediate circles before tackling broader cultural challenges. Christ followers must have the courage to respectfully challenge ungodly practices within their families, workplaces, and churches before attempting to transform society at large.

3. The Principle of Supernatural Dependence: Less Is More with God

Scripture Foundation: "The LORD said to Gideon, 'The people who are with you are too many for Me to give Midian into their hands, for Israel would become boastful, saying, "My own power has delivered me."'" (Judges 7:2)

God deliberately reduced Gideon's army from 32,000 to 300 to ensure that the victory would clearly be divine rather than human. This counterintuitive strategy demonstrated that with God, less is often more.

Application for Today: When facing challenges, Christ followers must embrace divine mathematics where subtraction can lead to multiplication of impact. By deliberately limiting our reliance on human resources, talents, or strategies, we create space for God to demonstrate His power in unmistakable ways. True spiritual victory comes not through human strength but through conscious dependence on God.

4. The Principle of Fear Management: Faith Doesn't Eliminate Fear but Provides a Path Through It

Scripture Foundation: "But if you are afraid to go down, go with Purah your servant down to the camp, and you will hear what they say; and afterward your hands will be strengthened." (Judges 7:10-11)

God didn't rebuke Gideon for his fear but provided a way to build his courage through listening to the enemy's own fears. Fear was acknowledged and addressed, not denied.

Application for Today: Christ followers need not pretend to be fearless; instead, we must learn to manage fear while moving forward in obedience. God often provides specific strategies to strengthen our resolve in frightening situations. By acknowledging our fears while refusing to be paralyzed by them, we demonstrate authentic faith that perseveres despite emotional uncertainty.

5. The Principle of Strategic Unconventionality: Embrace God's Unexpected Methods

Scripture Foundation: "He divided the 300 men into three companies, and he put trumpets and empty pitchers into the hands of all of them, with torches inside the pitchers." (Judges 7:16)

Gideon used trumpets, pitchers, and torches rather than conventional weapons, following God's unconventional battle strategy that defied military logic but achieved divine results.

Application for Today: Christ followers must remain open to God's unexpected and sometimes counterintuitive methods. When facing spiritual challenges, the solution may not align with conventional wisdom or established approaches. By embracing divine creativity and unusual strategies, we position ourselves for breakthroughs that glorify God rather than human ingenuity.

6. The Principle of Persevering Pursuit: Finish What God Starts

Scripture Foundation: "Then Gideon and the 300 men who were with him came to the Jordan and crossed over, weary yet pursuing." (Judges 8:4)

Despite fatigue, Gideon persistently pursued the enemy kings until the mission was completely accomplished. He refused to settle for partial victory.

Application for Today: Christ followers must develop spiritual stamina to complete God's assignments even when tired, discouraged, or facing resistance. Spiritual breakthroughs often come after periods of exhaustion when we choose to continue pursuing God's purpose despite personal discomfort. Finishing well requires perseverance through seasons of weariness.

7. The Principle of Humble Leadership: Deflect Glory to God

Scripture Foundation: "But Gideon said to them, 'I will not rule over you, nor shall my son rule over you; the LORD shall rule over you.'" (Judges 8:23)

When offered a dynasty, Gideon verbally redirected the glory to God, recognizing that the victory belonged to the Lord, not himself.

Application for Today: Christ followers in positions of influence must consistently redirect praise to God rather than building personal platforms or legacies. True spiritual leadership points others toward God's sovereignty rather than human achievement. By declining opportunities for self-exaltation, we preserve God's proper place as the true ruler of His people.

8. The Principle of Vigilance Against Success: Guard Your Heart After Victory

Scripture Foundation: "Gideon made it into an ephod, and placed it in his city, Ophrah, and all Israel played the harlot with it there, so that it became a snare to Gideon and his household." (Judges 8:27)

Despite his verbal humility, Gideon's actions after victory (creating the ephod) ultimately led to idolatry, showing how success can become a spiritual trap.

Application for Today: Christ followers must maintain vigilance especially after significant spiritual victories, recognizing that success often creates unique temptations. The greatest spiritual dangers sometimes come during seasons of prosperity and achievement. By establishing accountability and regularly examining our motivations, we protect ourselves from the subtle pride that can transform victories into idols.

9. The Principle of Generational Faithfulness: Build Legacy Through Consistent Example

Scripture Foundation: "Then it came about, as soon as Gideon was dead, that the sons of Israel again played the harlot with the Baals, and made Baal-berith their god." (Judges 8:33)

The nation quickly returned to idolatry after Gideon's death, revealing that his reforms hadn't taken root in the next generation's hearts.

Application for Today: Christ followers must prioritize transmitting faith to subsequent 

generations through consistent example, intentional teaching, and authentic spiritual practice. Lasting impact comes not merely through what we accomplish but through how effectively we transfer our faith to those who follow us. By investing in discipleship and modeling authentic relationship with God, we create spiritual legacy that outlasts our individual lifetimes.

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These principles from Gideon's story provide a comprehensive framework for effective Christian living, addressing internal character development, spiritual leadership, faith in difficult circumstances, and long-term spiritual impact. Together, they offer timeless wisdom for navigating the challenges of following Christ in any generation.

 Enough Already!

Sometimes, you go through life and you feel like you don't have what it takes. You think "I'm not enough. I'm not good enough. I am not strong enough. I am not smart enough. I am not going to do enough. Enough already.

To be mighty with the Lord...

Be COURAGEOUS enough to stand alone and fight.

BE COMMITTED enough to endure till the battle is done.

Be CRAZY enough to Challenge God to show up.

Be COMPASSIONATE enough for God that if Jesus desires it you would do the impossible for Him.

Be COMPETENT enough in your skills to be an expert and dedicate yourself to serving Him.

Be CONFIDENT enough in the talents & abilities God has given you to take on any challenger.

Be CRAVING God enough to be after the heart of God regardless of our size and appearance.

You with God means you are enough.

You with God means you have enough.

You with God means you can say to the Devil “I’ve had enough”.

I am enough. I have the right stuff. I made to do what God calls me to do. Go be mighty for the Kingdom.

The Anti-Prophetic Word

 Gossip ie. "talebearing" in the scriptures, grumbling, complaining, & receiving course talk about anyone is considered destructive to the point that Paul the apostle said such would not inherit the kingdom of heaven. He told us to mark that person and stay away from them. He places such behavior on par with sexual sins such as homosexuality, adultery, and fornication. See 1 Corinthians 6 Gossip is an "anti prophetic" gift. See 1 Corinthians 12. Prophecy is when you give a word that encourages, comforts, and lifts or blesses another. This was encouraged by Paul and he wished that everyone did this rather than speaking in tongues. If what some says to you builds up, lifts up, blesses up receive it. If God gives you a word that builds, that lifts, and blesses give it. If what some says to you tears down, cause growth to stop, is course language and defames or reviles another do not receive it. This gives the enemy the great dragon, and lion walking about a foot hold to come against God's church and to divide the gathering of the saints Christ's bride! See James on the tongue for further knowledge considering the danger of gossip. See Philippians ... whatever is true, lovely good etc... think on these. Gossip makes you focus on the negatives and not on what is good. A culture that promotes this is not just fallen but condemned by all the apostles. James 4:11 Do not speak against one another, brethren. ... Proverbs 20:19 ...Therefore do not associate with a gossip.

UPS RIGHT TURNS LITTLE CHANGES BIG IMPACT

“UPS RIGHT TURNS” 

In 2004, UPS implemented a new policy to try to save money. Their engineers developed a software program that would plan their delivery drivers’ routes to use as many right turns as possible.

REASONS FOR CHANGE:

• 61% of accidents at intersections occur when a left turn is involved versus only 3% when turning right.

• Drivers will have less waiting time to turn left and will result in less fuel usage.

• Improved efficiency for which their packages are delivered.

RESULT:

UPS was able to plan their drivers’ routes with roughly 90% right turns. By repeating this small change with each delivery, big change was achieved! In the first year, UPS saved 28.5 million miles driven, 3 million gallons of fuel, and 1,100 trucks. Just the reduction of fuel alone saved the company $9 million in one year!

Sow a Character reap a Destiny!

Burlsworth's High School Coach quote.  

Have I told you all lately that I love you?  Well I have to get back to you on that.  Football is rough game its unpredictable.  Life itself squeezed into 60 minutes and a hundred yards, and you can't control who your mommy and daddy are but you can control how hard you work. Sow a thought reap and action, sow an action you reap a habit, sow a habit reap a character, sow a character you reap a destiny.  Every play starts with a cadence and ends with a whistle what you do in between determines your legacy.  What you do in between matters so give it everything you got.  

 I am always interested when people say there is a "Revival"!  Nothing that we see and call a revival today happened in the scriptures.   They put on ashes and repented and God spared them but that wasn't a revival.  It was survival.  Jesus spoke and people believed in Him wanted to be near Him, and to have even just his shadow fall on them.  I think when men call something a "revival" they are referring to what happens in the worship service.  Revival I believe should look like Pentecost all over again.  There should be a spontaneous move of God and thousand of unbelievers not believers giving their hearts to God.  Then there should be a great baptism service with stories being told.  That is what revival looks like.  We have seen it in the scriptures.  I am not saying Asbury didn't have a revival.  I am saying that had long prayer and worship service.  What happened there can happen in our own hearts anytime we want to fall down and seek God's face.  What happened at Pentecost hasn't happened since.  Revival is an awaking to the things of God a new.  Well I can have that right where I am.  I should want that and be after that right here.  It should be happening in me.  It should be happening in you.  Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.  You know revive your soul in God's presence.  I have the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit doesn't need to come again on me.  I have Him.  I should use the gifts He gave me to love and serve my brothers.  That will bring revival to them.  Revival doesn't look like a prayer meeting that lasts days.  It doesn't require a large crowd or a seminary.  I wonder what God says about revival? Reviving was something God did as you sought Him.  The one comes with the other.  If you want to see Revival want it for yourself and seek Him for it.  Let Him our Lord define what happens there after.  

What is your Call Sign on your helmet? 

Maverick, top gun has a helmet with lines red and white going over the top. His reel is "Goose" has a red helmet with the same lines and eagle! If you have seen the movie these represent the need for speed and flying by the seat of your pants. Your identity is on your helmet. How you fly is wrapped up in how others give you your call sign. Maverick says it all. Goose says it all. Goose is a smart mouthed arrogant funny and always quacking off. So their helmets represent their identity to those they fly with and how they fly together. Our helmet has a "call sign" Salvation. How we live and who we are is wrapped up in the call sign God has given us. Take the helmet of "salvation". We are to live as saved and we are to be identified by the helmet we take and put on. No pilot goes into their plane without their helmet and we should not go into life without ours. Take up your helmet of salvation and let it identify who you are with and what you are all about.