Encouragement

The Inspired Man

by Brandon Braddy
10/21/23
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Judges 6: 7-8 (KJV)

  Reading in the bible pages, I have seen something I am not certain that I noticed much before. For I have read of Gideon, read of the doubts and questions that seemed to flood his entire being, Why God, have these things befallen us? In other words, Why are these things happening? I have also read where the angel met with him and drew out a strength from this man, one he himself did not see. God is amazing at seeing our potential, He knows all things, He sees not our present conflicts of heart, nor our past, but He understands, is touched by the feelings of our human infirmities, and then His call beckons to us, it reached Gideon's heart when he first heard those words, Thou mighty man of valor. But what I noticed in this chapter has less to do with Gideon and his calling, and more to do with God first sending another man, one who seems to be unnamed in this passage, all we know is his God-given purpose, to prophesy. In the Old testament, the prophets sent from God were inspired perfectly to confront people with truth, sometimes including a person's or nation's disobedience to the Lord. That is what this man was sent to do in this chapter. We know little about him. Prophets were humans, filled with imperfections, plenty of questions, struggles, just like us. It just seems to me that among certain denominations of even professing Christians, there are at least a few words that some people might be tempted to take the wrong way, and these words are, prophecy and prophesy. Leaders must be careful, pastors especially, when someone says, Can I prophesy? I just received a word from the Lord, KFC's kitchen just ran out of chicken! But please do not let those words make us worried, know when to be alert, and lean on Jesus for wisdom during those times of the misuse of God's word. At the same time, these words when used biblically, can truly point people, especially those already saved, closer to our Lord. I have studied in the book of Romans, where there are listed several categories of spiritual gifts, even that word, prophecy, which also is a gift from God. Christian art originates from this category, Old Testament prophets also predicted the future, but if someone does that today, all I will say is, look out for a crystal ball somewhere, because as they say, that dog won't hunt! Be on guard for the wrong, but be receptive to the right, to the helpful words, to the things of the Lord that He sends our way. God was the first Artist, even moments before everything was made by His hand, and He then said, that is very good. Please always remember, prophecy is not a bad word, it is all in how it is used, rather than abused. Teachers and preachers may have this spiritual gift today, it now mainly is speaking forth words already contained in the Bible, that are God-inspired. But it can be anything really that is spoken, even painted, any form of Christian art that is also to some extent inspired by God, that can be used to reach out to hearts. We only have been given one perfect word, but God still inspires people, not as He did with Mathew, Mark, Luke, John and others when they penned each of the four Gospel books of the Bible we hold in our hands. But the Lord still uses people. The unamed prophet for example, the word behind prophet in this chapter, means: inspired man. Do not be afraid to be inspired by God. If you have questions about what you are gifted by our gracious Father to do in your mission-field, to serve Him, and wherever He desires to place you, always seek His will for your life, but also, read about and know your spiritual gifts. Study what they are in Romans, this is the best place first to get to know how He formed you when He saved you. He has given every Christian at least one spiritual ability, and it usually magnifies off of the things you enjoyed doing even before Christ came into your life. For me, I believe God had signs along the way that pointed to what I am now as a follower of Christ gifted to do for His glory alone. After being saved by Jesus, I knew I wanted to serve Him, I even prayed, Lord send me. Where you want me to go, what you want me to do, I'll go. I actually thought I was going to be the next Billy Graham. My problem was I did not understand how the Lord works, nor the gifts He gave to me. God shows us little by little at times, and we may accidentally even, as I did, expand on what God really wanted us to do in the first place. One personal example of this is that after being allowed to share some of my writings in public places, I began instead trying to speak without my writings in my hands. My point is we will not always get it right when we are following God, and I know why now that I made this blunder and others while serving Him, I did not know my own spiritual gifts. Being that God has given us as individuals what we have, explore those gifts, take them out, like a child at Christmas time, and get to know what He has given you, then use it or them for His glory. He wants to use us, you do not have to enter every door allowed for you to open, sometimes we have to realize when the door does not fit us, and know when to say yes to the God-given doors that do. Find where you fit, most of us will not touch the masses, like I once thought I would as Brandon "Graham". But there is only one of those, and I know more now than then of who I am in Christ and what my mission is from God. Be still, know that He is God, He has amazing things in store for your life. And when the ground beneath our feet or around them, almost seems like it might give way, remember, the Lord will come again, but we know not the hour, so until the time comes that only He knows when, we still can be used of God for His glory. Know your gifts, it is important. Know what you are not good at doing, and know what you enjoy doing, your given passion. Because with that passionate gift from God, you may touch one, two, or some more along the way, but God is not restrained, His arm not shortened, nor His hand weakened, that He will not receive again what you give back to Him, and use it to help heal and bring hope to others. Remember, the little things, your few seeds when scattered will add up, your work is not done in vain. He is not unrighteous to forget you labor of love shown to others. God knows our hearts. He remembers. We shall be rewarded in Heaven, continue sowing the seeds of God's love, for it is both, not just one or the other, but the sowers and those that reap who will have great joy in Heaven together. Have high expectations for yourself as God's vessel, for He will use those that are willing, and those that sow in tears, will go forth, bearing precious seed. In the waiting, prepare for greater things. He that hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.