Everyone has had a moment in their life when they experienced rejection. Today, Pastor Ed will be reminding us that even if we had a tough childhood, or experienced rejection even from our parents, our Father in Heaven will never reject us. As a Christian, you are accepted in the Beloved. You are accepted and have been given access to the throne room of your Heavenly Father. Anything the enemy intended for evil in your life, God is in the process of turning it for your good.

There is a reason the Bible correlates sin with leprosy, the effects of both sin and leprosy are very similar. Today, Pastor Ed will be explaining how God commands us to refrain from sin because He loves us and doesn't want us to become blind and dull of heart. You don't know you have leprosy until it's too late. It starts beneath your skin and slowly travels until it begins to cause numbness to your nerves. Sin likewise, starts secretly from within, and dulls your heart to the point of not felling the Holy Spirits convictions.

Today, Pastor Ed will be exhorting us to be separate from the world and to not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. The Bible says that bad company corrupts godly character. In our text today, we will read how God commanded the children of Israel not to be intermingled with the heathen in the land and because of their disobedience, God disciplined them. God tried to prevent them from being judged, so He commanded them exactly what to do, yet they disobeyed.

God has set up laws in nature that have a cause and effect. The Bible say's: “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked, you will reap what you sow”. Today, Pastor Ed will be reminding us that God has given us His Word so that we can be aware of the effects of sin and what God considers to be sinful. Don't allow the world, the flesh, and the devil to tell you what is right and wrong. Only the Bible should be your authority that tells you how to live as a Christian.

As Pastor Ed continues his teaching series through the Book of Judges, we'll be learning many lessons on what not to do by looking at Israel's poor example. All throughout this book we will hear how the children of Israel only did what was right in their own eyes. For you and I today, we also can slip into this dangerous mindset and behavior. If the Word of God isn't continuously present in our hearts and minds, we too, can begin to walk according to our own fleshful desires.

God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. This scripture should be a memory verse for anyone that desires to be used by God to help further His Kingdom. Today, Pastor Ed will be warning us against becoming puffed up when we receive a promotion, or if we become blessed financially or materially. Everything that you have has been given to you by God, so there is no reason to boast. All your successes in life have been allowed because of the sovereignty of God, give the Lord all the glory.

Do you remember how your family and friends reacted when you first told them you got saved? Today, Pastor Ed will be encouraging us to stand firm in our faith, especially during times of persecution from those that are close to us. Jesus said that those who want to live a godly life will suffer persecution. The wounds from those you love always hurt the most, and the best thing you can do is to pray for them. Don't allow criticism from others derail you from your walk with the Lord and His calling on your life.

As Pastor Ed continues his teaching series through the Book of Judges, he'll be reminding us how God delights in making the weak strong, and the unqualified, qualified. Gideon wasn't the best choice by any means to carry out the mission God had in store. However, God strengthened Gideon supernaturally and because he knew the strength wasn't his own, God received all the glory. If you want to be used mightily by God, remain humble, and allow God to work in and through you.

Today, Pastor Ed will be challenging us to be students of the Word of God. There is no better way to understand God's will for your life, than to meditate in the Word of God day and night. As we learn about the life of Gideon, we'll see that he had times of doubt and times of faith. Gideon put out a fleece to test the Lord because he has some doubts, but at other times, Gideon simply believed the Word that God gave Him. Faith comes by hearing and hearing the Word of God. So when you have doubts, get into the Word!

Have you ever noticed that there are many similarities between the men and woman God chose to use? Today, Pastor Ed will be explaining how both Moses and Gideon both felt extremely inadequate when God called them to complete a mission for Him. God always chooses those that are humble and contrite, because He knows they will depend on Him for strength and give Him glory. If you think your capable in your own strength, then chances are, God will either humble you, or not use you.