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    Posted by Dion Todd
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Wet Fleeces

  • Gideon said to God, If you will save Israel by my hand, as you have spoken, behold, I will put a fleece of wool on the threshing floor; if there be dew on the fleece only, and it be dry on all the ground, then shall I know that you will save Israel by my hand, as you have spoken. It was so; for he rose up early on the next day, and pressed the fleece together, and wrung the dew out of the fleece, a bowl full of water. Judges 6:36 WEB

    Gideon was now scared and confused. He thought that he had heard from God, so he tore down the altar of baal, and built an altar to God over it during the night. Now the townspeople were mad at him. He had wanted to be obedient, but now things were growing worse and an enemy army was gathering. He became doubtful and scared and could see the storm clouds coming.

    When the Lord spoke to Gideon, you can bet one of the next things that ran through his mind was, "I must be making that up. He had many questions as to whether that was God actually communicating with him. Even after the first fleece test was successful, he wanted a second test to confirm that one.

    When you hear from the Lord, it is normal for the next thought to be like Gideon's, one of doubt. When the word is sown, the enemy comes immediately to snatch it away (Matt 13:19). Gideon asked the Lord for a confirmation and used a fleece.

    In my own life, this seemed to work at first when I truly did not know if it was the Lord speaking to me, but after I came to know Him better, the tests seemed to stop working. Occasionally when I am completely stalled, He may give me a sign to encourage me to take the next step, but it is rare these days. It is usually signs following and not signs leading.

    We help a child to learn to walk, but after they learn how, they walk on their own. As we build a relationship with God and take on the mind of Christ, we begin to know when it is the Lord speaking. Jesus said, My sheep hear My voice (John 10:27) and that His sheep would not follow a stranger (John 10:5). You can tell the difference.

    Do not be surprised today if you pray and when the Lord starts talking back you think, "I must be making that up!" We have all been there, but somewhere deep inside you, you know that it is Him. Trust God. If you miss Him, He will find you. He is able to keep you from deception when your focus is on Him. Hearing the Lord is easier than you think.

    Prayer: Father I thank You so much for all that You have done for me. I pray that You teach me to hear Your voice better, to recognize when it is You speaking. I want a deeper, more meaningful relationship with You today. Draw me Lord, in Jesus name I pray.

    Note: Happy Friday! For any who did not see the website announcement, we are changing the starting day of the weekly Bible Studies to Tuesday (instead of Monday) due to our personal schedule. Most likely it will be viewable by Monday afternoon. For those who would like a personal message when the study is posted, be sure to join the Bible Study group, which can be found under the "Groups" link on the website (you need to be signed in to join). ALSO, please note that we have changed our mailing address to: Refreshing Hope Ministries / P.O. Box 67 / Conway, SC 29528. Thank you all so much!

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23 comments
  • 3
David and Dianna Wyles
David and Dianna Wyles Thank you thank you!! Yes please, Let me hear YOUR voice in my head and know for sure it's you!!! Let me stop hearing the lies of your adversary in my head and only hear your sweet truth! Draw me closer Lord and give me peace In Jesus name ~Amen~ Thanks again Pastor, Gods messages come through loud and clear through you :) Stay blessed
August 14, 2015
  • 3
Rachael Burke
Rachael Burke Amen, thank you Lord for listening to you. Good morning Pastor Todd, thanks sou have for the refreshing messages, Gid richly bless you
August 14, 2015
  • 4
Marisa Jackson
Marisa Jackson Amen!! Speak Lord, your servant is listening!! I want to always be able to hear Our Father in Heaven!! I know I have to "Be Still, and know that He Is GOD!"
August 14, 2015
  • 1
Deborah Alexander
Deborah Alexander Amen
August 14, 2015
  • 3
Deborah Alexander
Deborah Alexander TYL  An on time message for me,  thank you Pastor Todd
August 14, 2015
  • 2
Kealtis "Key" Austin
Kealtis "Key" Austin Gideon reminds me so much of me, but I'm still a little fearful to try God.  Maybe that's what my problem is.  Hmm
August 14, 2015
  • 3
Schalk  de Beer
Schalk de Beer Yes please Lord, thank you, in Jesus name, amen. 
August 14, 2015
  • 2
Carol Policastro
Carol Policastro AMEN to this one!!
August 14, 2015
  • 2
Darlene Blackmon
Darlene Blackmon Thank you Lord for all you have done for me. I pray you alow me to continue to serve you with open ears and heart. In Jesus name.....Amen.  
August 14, 2015
  • 2
Dianne Freeman
Dianne Freeman Thank you Father for all your many blessings.  Draw me nearer to You Lord!!!  Amen.
August 14, 2015
  • 2
Teresa Bridges
Teresa Bridges Dear Father, thank you for guiding me with the only advice I want to follow!  Your will God, not mine, because, in your will, I can never go wrong!  I love you Abba!
August 14, 2015
  • 2
Donna Marotto
Donna Marotto I am so glad I read this today.  I was just talking to my friend last night of how sometimes I doubt that God spoke to me.  Sometimes I think it was all in my head? He spoke to me a year and a half ago...wanting me to "speak to teenagers"  wasn't really sure what that meant.  I tried so many different avenues and I think I finally realized what He wants me to do.  I recently enrolled in the lay ministry program within my diocese....with a concentration of youth ministry.  Thanks Pastor Dionn for your encouraging words! God Bless!
August 14, 2015
  • 3
Carol Pady
Carol Pady Abba Father I praise you for giving us your Holy Spirit that helps us discern what is coming from you. I have heard your voice clearly when I have asked you for direction. When I didn't follow through you repeated the same words to me. My prayer is that you continue to pour out your words to us and give us the ability to know your small still voice. In Jesus name I pray amen.
August 14, 2015
  • 3
Sylvia Schmidt
Sylvia Schmidt OH man...this has spoken to me so much. I can really relate to all of what you talk about here! The talking from God, then the not talking or hearing from him. These days it seems every few months I hear from Him. The most recent was when I heard from the Holy Spirit talking about God and it was several sentences of encouragement. I had to fight off the enemy in my head and then the Holy Spirit spoke to me. It changed my whole view on how the spirit and God speak. I am blessed that it happened at a really great bible camp where I can go there for peace and rejuvenation each year with my kids. My kids are now starting to read the bible because of going to camp and it started a few weeks ago and it is really exciting to see them develop their relationship with God too! Have a great day everyone!
August 14, 2015
  • 1
Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd Amen, Sylvia, that sounds like a wonderful encounter, and yay for your kids, too :)!
August 14, 2015
  • 1
Sylvia Schmidt
Sylvia Schmidt Thanks Sylvia! PTL!!
August 14, 2015
  • 1
Uwalaka Dorathy
Uwalaka Dorathy Father.i want to know you. 
August 14, 2015
  • 1
Scott Riegelmann
Scott Riegelmann Thank you Pastor!
August 14, 2015
  • 1
David  Earlywine
David Earlywine Thank you Pastor Todd,GOD Bless you.
August 14, 2015
  • 2
J D  Williams
J D Williams DEAR FATHER I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT WHO TEACHES US ALL TRUTH I KNOW YOUR VOICE BECAUSE YOUR VOICE DOES'NT LIE YOU ONLY SPECK THE TRUTH....
August 14, 2015
  • 1
Ticardo Williams
Ticardo Williams Amen.  Praise God!  Thank you!  Speak Lord, for Your servant hears.
August 15, 2015
  • 1
Lissy Verghese
Lissy Verghese Thank you dear Pastor, for the great message!
August 15, 2015
  • 1
Cheryl Hepler
Cheryl Hepler Yes, walking years with the Lord it is easier to hear the Lord.  Oh, sometimes I may be waiting a bit too. blessings to you both!  
August 20, 2015