In a world that looks to the natural eye to be falling apart all around us, and at a time when everyone seems to be pointing fingers at each other as to who's to blame, it's no wonder panic and fear have been wreaking havoc on the minds of people around the globe. The Bible says there will come a day when everything that can be shaken will be shaken. We are in that day. And even though the natural reflex to what is going on in the world is panic and fear, this is not a legal right for us as believers.

As we look at our circumstances, there is no doubt that things can look impossible and overwhelm us, but we must be careful not to allow fear, worry, and panic to have a home in our thoughts. Jesus never promised us a life free of trouble, but He did say:  "Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world!" When we allow uncontrolled thoughts to have free reign, we open the door to strongholds taking root in our mind.

We live in a day when the name Christian doesn't have the same punch it did 2,000 years ago. We have lost something in the Church today that we once had: our reputation. A reputation is not what you say about yourself, but what others say about you. Your reputation will go before you. A reputation can open doors for you. The current reputation of the Church is anything but what God intended; it also doesn't operate as He intended either.

I believe a spiritual battle cry is being released, as we speak. God is assembling His true followers for one last mighty outpouring as we preach the Gospel of the Kingdom and usher our precious Lord back to earth. The Bible says all creation eagerly awaits the revealing of the sons of God. We must be what God has called us to be and start acting like sons and daughters of the living God!

Let's look at a time when things didn't look good for the children of Israel.
It was a time when Israel had turned their back on God, and the Midianites were oppressing the children of Israel because they had disobeyed God. I believe there is a key to breakthrough hidden in Judges Chapter 6. It is the key that God gave Gideon and it's a key that we need today if we are to be what we were created to be. Let's break it down:

"And the Angel of the LORD appeared to him, and said to him,"The LORD is with you, you mighty man of valor!" Gideon said to Him, "O my Lord, if the LORD is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all His miracles which our fathers told us about, saying, 'Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt?' But now the LORD has forsaken us and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites."  Then the LORD turned to him and said,"Go in this might of yours, and you shall save Israel from the hand of the Midianites. Have I not sent you?" So he said to Him, "O my Lord, how can I save Israel? Indeed my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house." And the LORD said to him, "Surely I will be with you, and you shall defeat the Midianites as one man"" (Judges 6:12-16).
     
The angel this verse is referring to is the Lord. So, we see here that the Lord came to Gideon at a critical time for Israel. His purpose was to empower Gideon's destiny.  The angel said, "The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valor." Gideon's response was one of doubt. Let's be honest, we have all done it too. It's not always easy in the midst of trouble to stand on the Truth, even though it is full of power for our victory.  Instead we often look at our mountain.  We look at what we don't have at the moment. We look at our shortcomings and failures instead of believing God's Word. We know what God's Word says, but we focus on the mountain in front of us, settle for less, and in many times fail in defeat from our circumstances. Gideon was full of excuses for what he didn't have.

Gideon was stuck in his circumstances and could not see past them.  This is where many of us are today.  We believe what we see and hear more than God's Word. When we start to believe what we see and hear in the natural world over the Word of God, then we become bound to our circumstances and the Lord's hands are tied. God will never overstep the order or structure He has instituted. Until we begin to believe in what He has put within us - the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead, and until we see ourselves as He does - more than conquerors, we will live from one defeat to the next and the vicious cycle will continue.

Gideon allowed his limitations and circumstance to blind him from his breakthrough. What I want you to see here is the Lord's response to Gideon. The Lord never entertained Gideon's concerns only his potential. Why? Because when the Lord looks at you, He doesn't see your limitations, He only sees your potential. He can only see what He put in you. He sees greatness, opportunity, and someone He can use to get the job done. The Lord doesn't comprehend limits because He has none and He has created us to be more than conquerors. The Lord spoke to Gideon's destiny. What He was saying was "Gideon, Just Be..." Just Be what? Just Be what I created you to be. Stop trying to figure it all out. Stop making excuses.  Stop putting limits on yourself. Just Be... Inside each of us is limitless potential for greatness. The Kingdom of God is alive within all Believers. His Spirit dwells in us. All we have to do is believe in ourselves like God believes in us. Here is the key:  We have to start to see ourselves as God sees us, i.e., a mighty man or woman of valor.

What God has to do with us, just like with Gideon, is to change our perspective on how we see ourselves in order to align with what He sees. We have to change the channel in our mind to the "all-things-are-possible" network where we are the star of the show chosen by God to manifest His Kingdom and release His glory.

Another key here is that God will never use you without first giving you an experience. Something happened before Gideon could step into his destiny and before the revelation took complete root in his mind. Why is an experience so important? It is important because no one can take it away from you. People can take your degree and your money, but they cannot take what God gives you. Look at what happened to Gideon:

"Do not depart from here, I pray, until I come to You and bring out my offering and set it before You." And He said, "I will wait until you come back." So Gideon went in and prepared a young goat, and unleavened bread from an ephah of flour. The meat he put in a basket, and he put the broth in a pot; and he brought them out to Him under the terebinth tree and presented them. The Angel of God said to him, "Take the meat and the unleavened bread and lay them on this rock, and pour out the broth." And he did so. Then the Angel of the LORD put out the end of the staff that was in His hand, and touched the meat and the unleavened bread; and fire rose out of the rock and consumed the meat and the unleavened bread. And the Angel of the LORD departed out of his sight. Now Gideon perceived that He was the Angel of the LORD. So Gideon said, "Alas, O Lord GOD! For I have seen the Angel of the LORD face to face." (Judges 6:18-22)

God gave Gideon an experience that sealed it for him. He now knew that this was the Lord and that what He had spoken to him was real. It was through this experience that he received his breakthrough and shift in perspective. I believe that God will give you an experience. Look at what this passage says: As the sacrifice was placed on the rock - symbolic of Jesus, fire rose up and consumed it. Notice that the fire didn't fall on it, but it rose. I believe that the experience that God is going to give you will be like fire rising in you, out of your innermost being, with God breathing on your destiny and igniting your calling.

What are some of the things that we can learn from Gideon?

* God took an ordinary man and used him in a supernatural way. Gideon didn't have any special qualifications. In fact, in the natural world, he was limited, but that did not stop God from using him.

* We have to allow the Holy Spirit to shift our perspective on how we see ourselves and begin to see ourselves as God sees us.

* God will not use us without giving us an experience.

* When God chooses you for something, you cannot fail as you step out and obey.

* God is not counting on what you possess, but on what He has put within you.

*  God will never send you out on your own strength, but in the power of His Spirit.

Gideon had a choice, just as we have, to believe God's Word or to reject it. I believe there are two main reasons why we don't see the same results as the early Church.

1. We are ignorant and have stopped teaching and believing what God taught us (See Hosea 4:6). We lose today by default.

2. We don't see ourselves as God sees us. We have a hundred and one reasons for why we can't: it's too hard, I'm too tired, and how can I make a difference. We could go on and on.

I want you to know today that there is nothing impossible for you. The Lord is with you; therefore, you are not alone. You are a mighty man or woman of valor! Go in this might of yours! You possess authority!

Close your eyes and think about these statements for a minute. Ask God to awaken these revelations in your mind. Ask Him to shift your perspective. Ask God to give you an experience that no one can take away from you. God is looking for someone that He can use. Will you be the one? It all starts with the key of seeing yourself as God does and "Just Be..." Can you hear it? God is saying: "My child I have created you. I have a plan for you. I have chosen you. I have put greatness inside you. Now my child Just Be what I created you to be! Now is your time to shine!"

I would like to pray for you. As you read this prayer, read it with expectancy and I believe that you will receive a breakthrough and impartation today!

Father God, I pray for those reading this now that you will shift their perspectives and anoint their eyes to see themselves as you see them. I rebuke all doubt, negativity, defeated mentalities, and insecurities right now in Jesus' name! I rebuke every lie the enemy has spoken to you! I command your thoughts to align with the Word of God and His plan for you! I speak to your destiny and greatness and I say:  "Arise in Jesus' name!" Lord, give them an experience like the one you gave Gideon that will leave them changed, empowered, and focused on your call in their lives! I speak to their destiny and I say:  "Awaken in the name of Jesus!" Lord, let your fire arise within them right now! Breathe on them a fresh anointing and increase their faith! I ask this, Father, in the precious name of Jesus. Amen!

Praise God! There is a new generation of leaders emerging. Jesus is coming! If this word has ministered to you, please let me know. I would love to hear from you. I pray that these words have spoken to you today.

God Bless,

Ben