Paul used sporting events to describe the spiritual life. He especially used the foot race. Believers are compared to runners in a race. Are you ready to run so that you may obtain the prize?
Not a message about one person like Gideon, but about a condition of this life. It is called despair meaning all hope is gone. The Lord has left us on our own. Throughout scripture, God gives us examples of those who seemed to be left by the Lord and thought they had been deserted by Him but later found that He hadn't left them at all.
The scriptures are the very words of God. It has been said that it is God's love letter to man. How much effort do you put forth to know the holy scriptures?
John Calvin's doctrine doesn't work here. Do you limit God?
Many of the teachings about the Holy Ghost are false. But that is no reason to ignore Him. The Bible says much about the Holy Spirit and His working in the life of the believer. In scripture, the dove is given as a type and picture of the Holy Ghost. This type provides much valuable teaching and direction.
