It Is Your Time To Step Up Part 2

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Throughout Scripture, God has consistently used ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things. This powerful truth is especially evident in the Book of Judges, where we see God raising up unlikely heroes to deliver His people.

Why Does God Call Ordinary People?
God deliberately chooses to work through ordinary individuals to demonstrate His power and glory. He doesn't require perfect people - He requires willing hearts and faithful servants who will step up when called.

Three Types of Warriors God Uses
The Proven Fighter: Othniel
- Was a trusted warrior with a track record of victory
- The Spirit of the Lord came upon him
- His obedience brought 40 years of peace
- Demonstrated that God uses prepared and faithful people

The Strategic Leader: Ehud
- Was left-handed (possibly had a physical limitation)
- Used creative strategy to defeat the enemy
- Showed that limitations don't disqualify us from being used by God
- Brought 80 years of peace through strategic planning

The Resourceful Servant: Shamgar
- Used a simple farming tool (ox goad) to defeat 600 Philistines
- Demonstrated that God can use whatever we have available
- Proved that elaborate resources aren't necessary for God's work
- Showed the power of using what's in your hand

• Key Principles for Stepping Up
  God empowers those He calls through His Spirit
• One person's obedience can bring peace to many
• Preparation and faithfulness matter more than natural ability
• Strategic thinking combined with courage brings victory
• Use whatever resources God has given you

Life Application
This week, consider these questions:

• What "giants" are you facing that require you to step up in faith?
• What resources or abilities has God already given you that you're not fully using?
• Are you hesitating to step up when God is calling?

Take action by:

• Identifying one area where God is calling you to step up
• Making yourself available through prayer and preparation
• Using whatever resources you currently have to serve God's purposes
• Taking that first step of obedience, even if you feel inadequate

Remember: God doesn't call the qualified - He qualifies the called. Your time to step up is now.

It is Your Time To Step Up Part 2 - 3/30/2025
God consistently chooses ordinary individuals to accomplish extraordinary feats, as demonstrated through the warriors in the Book of Judges. Through examples like Othniel, Ehud, and Shamgar, we see how God empowers different types of leaders - from proven fighters to those with limitations to resourceful servants. These biblical warriors show that God's power works through willing hearts and faithful servants, regardless of their background or resources. Their stories teach us that preparation, strategic thinking, and using available resources are key to stepping up when God calls. ? #FaithJourney #BiblicalWarriors

Day 1: Called to Step Up
Devotional
Have you ever felt inadequate for a task God has placed before you? You're in good company. Throughout history, God has consistently chosen ordinary people for extraordinary purposes. When we look at the judges of Israel, we see this pattern clearly - ordinary individuals who simply said 'yes' to God's call. Their stories remind us that God's power isn't limited by our perceived inadequacies. Instead, He delights in working through willing hearts who step forward in faith. Today, God continues to look for people who will answer His call, regardless of their background or abilities. He sees potential where we see limitations and possibilities where we see dead ends.

Bible Verse
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." - Joshua 1:9
Reflection Question
What area of your life is God calling you to step up in, and what fears or inadequacies are holding you back?
Quote
God calls and empower ordinary people to do extraordinary things.
Prayer
Lord, give me the courage to step up when You call. Help me to trust not in my own abilities, but in Your power working through me. Remove my fears and fill me with Your confidence. Amen.
Reverence: Lord, You are the One who calls and equips. You commanded Joshua to be strong and courageous, and You remind me that You are with me always.
Response: Forgive me when I hesitate or allow fear to hold me back. Strengthen my faith to step forward in obedience.
Requests: Fill me with courage and confidence in Your power. Help me trust in Your strength rather than my own abilities. Remove doubt and fear that keep me from answering Your call.
Readiness: Lord, I step forward today, trusting that You are with me. Use me as You see fit for Your glory.

Day 2: Prepared for Purpose
Devotional
Just as a skilled craftsman carefully prepares their tools before beginning work, God prepares us for His purposes. He often uses our daily experiences, work, and even challenges as training ground for future assignments. Consider how He prepared judges like Othniel through years of faithful service before calling them to leadership. Right now, in your everyday life, God might be developing skills, character, and wisdom you'll need for future opportunities. Your current situation isn't just about the present - it's preparation for something greater.
Bible Verse
Then the Spirit of the Lord came on him, so that he became Israel's judge and went to war. The Lord gave Cushan-Rishathaim king of Aram into the hands of Othniel, who overpowered him. - Judges 3:11
Reflection Question
How might God be using your current circumstances to prepare you for future service?
Quote
You might be comfortable doing your own things, but God's looking at you. Do you know that? That as you're working, as you're serving, God is taking stock of what you're doing.
Prayer
Father, help me to see my current situation as preparation for Your purposes. Give me wisdom to learn and grow through every experience. Shape me into the person You want me to become. Amen.
* Reverence: Father, You are the Master Craftsman, shaping me for Your divine purposes. Every experience is in Your hands.
* Response: I surrender my impatience and desire for immediate results. Teach me to trust Your timing and preparation.
* Requests: Open my eyes to the ways You are preparing me today. Help me learn, grow, and develop the character needed for what lies ahead.
* Readiness: Lord, I commit to being faithful in the small things, knowing You are preparing me for greater works.

Day 3: Strategic Service
Devotional
Serving God effectively often requires strategic thinking and careful planning. Like Ehud, who approached his mission with careful consideration, we need to be both bold and wise in our service. This might mean taking time to pray and fast before making decisions, seeking godly counsel, or carefully planning our approach to challenges. God's work deserves our best thinking and most careful preparation, combined with dependence on His guidance.
Bible Verse
Then Ehud went forth through the porch, and shut the doors of the parlour upon him, and locked them. - Judges 3:18-19
Reflection Question
In what ways could you be more strategic in your service to God and others?
Quote
When you fight the enemy, you got to be strategic. You can't be quick to fight and quarrel. If you're going to be able to combat the devil, you have to be able to step back, analyze and then move.
Prayer
Holy Spirit, grant me wisdom to serve You strategically. Help me balance careful planning with complete trust in Your guidance. Show me when to move forward and when to wait. Amen.
Reverence: Holy Spirit, You are the source of wisdom and strategy. You guide Your people in truth and purpose.
Response: Forgive me when I act impulsively without seeking Your guidance. Teach me to seek You first in all my plans.
Requests: Grant me wisdom and discernment as I serve You. Help me to be intentional and strategic in my obedience. Show me when to act and when to wait.
Readiness: Lord, I will move forward today with wisdom, seeking Your direction in all I do.


Day 4: Using What You Have
Devotional
God doesn't require us to have special equipment or extraordinary abilities to serve Him. Remember Shamgar, who defeated 600 Philistines with just an oxgoad - a simple farming tool. What matters isn't the sophistication of our resources but our willingness to use whatever we have for God's glory. Whether it's a talent, a tool, or just time to pray, God can use anything we offer Him. He specializes in taking ordinary resources and producing extraordinary results.
Bible Verse
And after him was Shamgar the son of Anath, which slew of the Philistines six hundred men with an ox goad: and he also delivered Israel. - Judges 3:31
Reflection Question
What resources or abilities has God given you that could be used for His purposes?
Quote
Whatever you have, God can use you to use it for his glory. You might say, preacher, I can't preach, but you can pray.
Prayer
Lord, help me to see the value in what You've already given me. Show me how to use my current resources for Your glory. Thank You for using ordinary things in extraordinary ways. Amen.
Reverence: Lord, You are the God who multiplies the little we have and turns it into much. Nothing is wasted in Your hands.
Response: I confess that I sometimes overlook the gifts and resources You've already given me. Help me to trust that You can use what I have.
Requests: Show me how to use my time, talents, and resources for Your glory. Help me to see opportunities to serve You with what I have today.
Readiness: Lord, I will offer what I have, knowing that You can do more with it than I ever could on my own.


Day 5: Impact Through Obedience
Devotional
When we step out in obedience to God, the impact often extends far beyond our own lives. Each of the judges' faithfulness led to periods of peace and prosperity for entire nations. Today, your obedience might bring peace to your family, hope to your workplace, or transformation to your community. Never underestimate how God can use one person's faithful response to affect many lives. Your step of obedience today could start a ripple effect that impacts generations.
Bible Verse
So the land had peace for forty years, until Othniel son of Kenaz died. - Judges 3:11
Reflection Question
How might your obedience to God's calling impact others around you?
Quote
One person's obedience can bring peace to many. God can use you to bring peace to your family. He can use you to bring peace to your community. Just one person who's willing to step up.
Prayer
Father, help me to see beyond my immediate circumstances to the broader impact my obedience could have. Give me courage to be faithful, knowing that You can use my obedience to bless others. Amen.
Reverence: Father, Your plans extend beyond my life. You use obedience to bring peace and transformation to many.
Response: Forgive me when I underestimate the impact of simple obedience. Help me to trust that my faithfulness matters.
Requests: Give me boldness to follow Your leading. Let my obedience be a light to those around me and a source of blessing to my family and community.
Readiness: Lord, I step forward in obedience today, trusting that You will use my faithfulness for Your greater purposes.

Summary
This sermon focuses on the theme 'It's Your Time to Step Up' using examples from the Book of Judges. The pastor discusses three key figures - Othniel (the fighter), Ehud (the strategic leader), and Shamgar (the resourceful warrior) - to illustrate how God uses ordinary people for extraordinary purposes. Each leader demonstrated different qualities that God used to bring victory and peace to Israel, showing that God can use anyone who is willing to step up and serve, regardless of their limitations or background.

Intro Prayer
Heavenly Father, as we gather to discuss Your Word, open our hearts and minds to understand how You can use each of us for Your glory. Help us to recognize our unique gifts and abilities, and give us the courage to step up when You call. Guide our discussion and reveal Your truth to us. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Ice Breaker
What's the most unexpected tool or item you've ever used to successfully complete a task when you didn't have the proper equipment?

Key Verses
Judges 3:10
Judges 3:15
Judges 3:31
Joshua 1:9

Questions

• What does it mean to be 'prepared and faithful' in serving God?
• How can our perceived limitations actually be used by God for His glory?
• What are some ways we can be strategic in our spiritual warfare?
• Why do you think God often chooses to use ordinary people for extraordinary purposes?
• How can we avoid the cycle of sin that the Israelites fell into?
• What does it mean to pass on a 'godly inheritance' to the next generation?
• How can we remain faithful during times of blessing without falling away from God?
• What 'tools' has God placed in your hands that you could use to serve Him?

Life Application
This week, identify one area where God might be calling you to 'step up' and serve. Take one concrete step toward using whatever resources or abilities you have - no matter how ordinary they might seem - to serve God and others in that area.

• Key Takeaways
  God uses prepared and faithful people for His purposes
• Our limitations don't disqualify us from being used by God
• Strategic thinking and resourcefulness are valuable spiritual tools
• One person's obedience can bring peace to many
• The Holy Spirit empowers us beyond our natural abilities

Ending Prayer
Lord, thank You for showing us through Your Word that You can use anyone who is willing to serve You. Help us to step up with courage when You call, knowing that You will equip us for whatever task You've given us. Give us the wisdom to be strategic, the courage to be fighters, and the creativity to be resourceful in advancing Your kingdom. In Jesus' name, Amen.