It is your time to step up Part 4

God calls and empowers ordinary people to do extraordinary things. Through the story of Gideon, we learn powerful lessons about how God sees us versus how we see ourselves.

Who Was Gideon and Why Does His Story Matter?
Gideon wasn't a natural-born leader or warrior. He was found hiding while working, trying to protect his family's wheat from enemies. Yet God saw something more in him - calling him a "mighty man of valor" before Gideon had done anything noteworthy.

Why Do We Question God's Calling?
Like Gideon, we often question God's calling on our lives:

• We doubt our own abilities
• We question if God is really with us during struggles
• We compare our journey to others
• We let our current circumstances define us

How Does God See Us Differently Than We See Ourselves?
God declares our identity before we recognize it ourselves. He doesn't wait until we're "ready" or "qualified" - He calls us based on who He knows we can become through His strength.

What Holds Us Back from Stepping Into God's Calling?
Often our biggest barriers are mental, not physical:

• Fear and insecurity
• Past experiences or family history
• Depression and anxiety
• Feeling unworthy or incapable

How Does God Empower Us to Step Up?
God tells us to "go in the strength you have." He doesn't require us to have it all figured out. He simply asks us to:

• Trust His presence with us
• Use whatever strength we currently possess
• Take action despite our fears
• Remember His faithfulness in the past

Life Application
This week, identify one area where you've been hiding or holding back due to fear or insecurity. Take one small step forward in faith, remembering that God sees you as mighty even when you feel weak.

Ask yourself:

• Where am I letting past experiences or current circumstances define me?
• What would I do if I truly believed God was with me?
• What small step of faith can I take this week?
• Who can I encourage with this message of hope?

Remember: You are mighty not because of who you are, but because of who God is. He calls you to step up not based on your current abilities, but on His faithful presence with you.

Day 1: Seeing Yourself Through God's Eyes
Devotional
Have you ever felt like you were hiding, just like Gideon was when God found him? Maybe you're feeling inadequate, questioning your worth or abilities. Yet here's a profound truth: God sees you differently than you see yourself. When He found Gideon threshing wheat in a winepress, hiding from enemies, God didn't address him based on his current circumstances. Instead, He called him a mighty warrior. God wasn't just speaking to Gideon's present reality; He was declaring Gideon's future potential. This same God looks at you today, seeing not just who you are, but who you can become through His strength.
Bible Verse
'The angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon and said to him, "The LORD is with you, mighty warrior."' - Judges 6:12
Reflection Question
What limiting beliefs about yourself might be preventing you from embracing God's view of who you are?
Quote
God calls us not based on our current abilities, but on who he knows can become strong through his strength.
Prayer
Lord, help me see myself through Your eyes. When I feel inadequate or unworthy, remind me that You see my potential and have called me for a purpose. Give me the courage to embrace the identity You've given me. Amen.
REVERENCE (Who God is):
* You are the God who sees (El Roi), who knows me completely and still calls me by a new name.
* You are the Sovereign Lord who declares things not as they are, but as they shall be.
RESPONSE (Who I am in light of who God is):
* I confess my tendency to view myself through the lens of fear, past failures, or limitations.
* I worship You for calling me "mighty warrior" even while I’m hiding in fear.
REQUESTS (What I ask of God):
* Help me to see myself through Your eyes, not through the opinions of others or my own insecurities.
* Strengthen my faith to believe in Your calling and not retreat into false humility.
READINESS (How I will respond in obedience):
* Today, I choose to reject limiting beliefs and walk in the identity You’ve spoken over me.
* I will speak life over myself and others, echoing what You say rather than what fear says.

Day 2: Questioning the Call
Devotional
When God calls us, it's natural to have questions. Gideon certainly did. He looked at his circumstances and wondered how God could possibly use him. Many of us do the same. We look at our past failures, current challenges, or perceived limitations and question God's choice. But God's call isn't based on our perfect circumstances or complete readiness. He calls us because He sees our heart and knows what He can do through us when we trust Him. Your questions don't disqualify you; they're part of the journey of faith.
Bible Verse
'"Pardon me, my lord," Gideon replied, "but if the LORD is with us, why has all this happened to us?"' - Judges 6:13
Reflection Question
What circumstances in your life make it difficult to believe God could use you for His purposes?
Quote
God is calling you because he knows your heart, not just your circumstances. Like Gideon, you might feel hidden, insignificant or unworthy, but God sees you as a mighty warrior.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, when doubts arise, help me remember that You don't call the qualified, but qualify the called. Give me faith to trust Your plan even when I don't understand. Amen.
REVERENCE:
* You are the Wise and Patient God who does not turn away from honest questions.
* You are faithful through every generation, even when we doubt.
RESPONSE:
* I acknowledge my doubts and fears before You.
* I thank You for not abandoning me when I question or feel unworthy.
REQUESTS:
* Lord, increase my trust. Help me believe You are working even when circumstances say otherwise.
* Teach me to bring my questions to You without shame.
READINESS:
* I will not let my questions stop my obedience.
* I commit to step forward in faith, even while seeking greater understanding.

Day 3: Taking Action in Faith
Devotional
God's call to Gideon came with a clear directive: "Go in the strength you have." This powerful command reminds us that we don't need to wait until we feel completely ready or fully equipped. God asks us to step out with whatever strength we currently possess, trusting that His presence will make up for what we lack. Sometimes we're waiting for a grand calling or perfect circumstances, but God often calls us to serve right where we are - in our families, workplaces, and communities.
Bible Verse
'The LORD turned to him and said, "Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian's hand. Am I not sending you?"' - Judges 6:14
Reflection Question
What small step of faith could you take today with the strength you currently have?
Quote
You should not wait for a call to some high lofty office in the church before you serve. God is looking for you to serve right where you are, in your family, in your community, on your job.
Prayer
Lord, give me courage to act on Your calling today, using whatever strength I have. Help me trust that Your presence is enough to accomplish what You've called me to do. Amen.
REVERENCE:
* You are the God who sends and strengthens.
* You are present and powerful, using what we already have to accomplish Your will.
RESPONSE:
* I praise You for entrusting me with a calling, even when I feel small.
* I surrender my excuses and yield to Your divine command to "go."
REQUESTS:
* Help me go in the strength I have. Multiply my efforts with Your divine power.
* Open my eyes to the mission field in my daily life.
READINESS:
* I will take one practical step of faith today, however small.
* I will serve faithfully where I am, trusting You to guide and provide.

Day 4: Embracing Your Identity
Devotional
Identity precedes activity. Before Gideon did anything significant, God declared who he was - a mighty warrior. This teaches us an important truth: our worth isn't determined by our accomplishments but by who God says we are. Like gold being refined, we're in process. God sees our final form while we're still being shaped. When we embrace our God-given identity, it changes how we live and serve. We begin to act not from a place of trying to prove ourselves, but from a secure knowledge of who we are in Him.
Bible Verse
'"Pardon me, my lord," Gideon replied, "but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family."' - Judges 6:15
Reflection Question
How might your actions and choices change if you fully embraced your identity as God's chosen servant?
Quote
I am gold in making. I'm not what I gonna be, but God is taking me to the process.
Prayer
Father, help me embrace the identity You've given me. When I'm tempted to doubt my worth, remind me that You've already declared who I am. Thank you for seeing me as complete even while I'm in process. Amen.
REVERENCE:
* You are the Creator who defines identity, not the world or our circumstances.
* You are the Refiner who sees gold where others see dross.
RESPONSE:
* I lay down feelings of inadequacy.
* I receive Your words over me—mighty, chosen, beloved.
REQUESTS:
* Teach me to fully live from the identity You’ve declared over me.
* Deliver me from needing validation from the world.
READINESS:
* I will live from a place of security in You, not striving to earn worth.
* I will encourage others to see their identity through Your eyes.

Day 5: Empowered for Purpose
Devotional
God's calling on our lives isn't just about us - it's about His larger purpose and plan. When God called Gideon, it wasn't merely for personal transformation; it was to deliver Israel. Similarly, God empowers us not just for our own benefit, but to make a difference in our spheres of influence. Whether in our families, workplaces, or communities, God wants to work through ordinary people like us to accomplish extraordinary things. Your current position, whatever it may be, is your mission field.
Bible Verse
'The angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon and said to him, "The LORD is with you, mighty warrior."' - Judges 6:12
Reflection Question
In what specific ways could God use your current position or circumstances to impact others for His kingdom?
Quote
God calls and empowers all ordinary people to do extraordinary things.
Prayer
Lord, help me see the greater purpose in Your calling. Use me where I am to make a difference in others' lives. Thank you for choosing to work through ordinary people like me. Amen.
REVERENCE:
* You are the God who empowers ordinary people for extraordinary purposes.
* You are the Lord of the Harvest, sending laborers into the fields of family, community, and beyond.
RESPONSE:
* I thank You for including me in Your kingdom work.
* I confess I have sometimes separated my "spiritual life" from my everyday life.
REQUESTS:
* Empower me to walk in purpose where I am right now.
* Use my gifts, story, and position to impact lives for Your glory.
READINESS:
* I commit to live today on mission, seeing my family, workplace, and community as my calling field.
* I will look for ways to serve and lead, trusting You to use me for eternal impact.

Summary
The sermon focuses on the story of Gideon from the Book of Judges, emphasizing how God calls and empowers ordinary people to do extraordinary things. The pastor draws parallels between Gideon's initial self-doubt and hiding, and how many Christians today struggle with feelings of inadequacy and mental barriers that prevent them from stepping into God's calling for their lives.
The message emphasizes that God sees people not as they see themselves, but as who He knows they can become through His strength. The pastor uses both biblical examples and personal experiences to illustrate how God works through people's weaknesses to demonstrate His power.

Intro Prayer
Heavenly Father, as we gather to discuss Your Word and the story of Gideon, we ask that You would open our hearts and minds to receive what You want to teach us today. Help us to see ourselves as You see us - as mighty warriors in Your kingdom. Give us the courage to be vulnerable with one another and to share honestly. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Ice Breaker
Share a time when you felt inadequate for a task but ended up succeeding anyway. What gave you the confidence to push through?
Key Verses
Judges 6:12
Judges 6:13
Judges 6:14
Judges 6:15

Questions

• How do you typically respond when God calls you to step out of your comfort zone?
• What mental barriers or self-doubts do you struggle with most in your spiritual journey?
• How has God shown His strength through your weaknesses in the past?
• Why do you think Gideon questioned God's presence despite being called a 'mighty warrior'?
• What does it mean to 'go in the strength you have' as God told Gideon?
• How can we better recognize God's calling in our lives even when we feel inadequate?
• What role does community play in helping us step into God's calling?
• How can we maintain faith when circumstances seem to contradict God's promises?

Life Application
This week, identify one area where you've been 'hiding' due to fear or self-doubt. Take one small step forward in faith, remembering that God sees you as mighty through His strength. Write down any mental barriers that arise and bring them to God in prayer.

Key Takeaways

• God calls and empowers ordinary people to do extraordinary things
• Our current position does not define who we are in God's eyes
• Mental barriers often hold us back more than physical limitations
• God's presence, not our ability, is what qualifies us for His calling
• We must learn to see ourselves as God sees us

Ending Prayer
Lord, thank You for seeing in us what we often cannot see in ourselves. Help us to walk in the identity You've given us as mighty warriors in Your kingdom. Give us the courage to step out in faith, knowing that Your presence goes with us. Transform our minds to align with Your truth about who we are in You. In Jesus' name, Amen.