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Judges 7-9
Written by Joel Schmidgall | June 29, 2010 |
This is the dumbest battle plan I have ever heard! The stupidity being established is two-fold. First, they decide that 300 in the army is better than 22,000. Second, they chose jars and trumpets over traditional war weapons. I have found that my assessment of Biblical decisions would delete most of the miracles that happen in the Bible.
When God clearly speaks, He has put into place a rule for …
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Two Girls and a Tent Peg
Written by Heather Zempel | June 28, 2010 | Judges 4 - 6
Judges 4:4 is a critical verse in my spiritual journey: “Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel at the time.”
Deborah wore a lot of hats. First, she was a wife. Second, she was a prophetess. Her judge role carried a number of responsibilities as she served as a legal, spiritual, and even military leader of her generation. Several years ago, I wrestled with the issue …
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Legends
Written by Heather Zempel | June 27, 2010 |
Today, we start a new series of readings called Legends. From the Judges to the Kings, you will read the stories of men and women faithful and unfaithful. From the booming prophetic voices of the Kingdom of Israel to the quiet persuasions of a Jewish Queen in Persian exile, you will observe the noble, the daring, the foolish, and the wise. This series will cover a fairly large chunk of …
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Book Background: Judges
Written by Will Johnston | June 27, 2010 |
I’m sorry. I just couldn’t help myself. Okay, I’m not that sorry, and I could have helped myself. But I didn’t want to.
The judges in the Book of Judges weren’t exactly like the ones in Judge Dredd, although they did share some similarities. The Biblical judges were warriors who rose up to save and …
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Book Background: Jude
Written by John Hasler | June 26, 2010 | Jude 1
No, it’s not just the title of a great Beatles song- it’s a book of the Bible! Though short (maybe even just one page in your Bible), and nestled in between the 3 Epistles of John and the epic book of Revelation- Jude is no insignificant piece of writing.
Jude, the author given credit for the book by the majority of scholars, was the brother of James (and thus …
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Jude: Defend the faith. Remain faithful.
Written by Juliet Main | June 26, 2010 |
In the book of Jude, Jude, who describes himself as “a slave of Jesus Christ and a brother of James” ( Jude 1:1) writes to the church to warn them to defend the faith and to protect themselves and other Christians against false teachers so that they do not turn away from Christ.
“Dear friends, I had been eagerly planning to write to you about the salvation we all share. …
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Book Background: 2 Peter
Written by Heather Zempel | June 25, 2010 | 2 Peter 1 - 3
While some scholars claim that the different literary style of 2 Peter points to a different author, it is widely accepted that loud-mouthed disciple Peter also wrote this book. In Peter’s first book, he encouraged the Church to be strong through the difficulties of persecution. In this letter, he addresses a potentially more damaging threat—the internal danger of false teachers.
“We did not follow cleverly devised tales when we …
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Wishing I had Words…(the brotherhood)
Written by Jenilee LeFors | June 24, 2010 | 1 Peter 4 - 5
As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” -1 Peter 4:10
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. …
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Book Background: 1 Peter
Written by Heather Zempel | June 23, 2010 | 1 Peter 1 - 3
While the authorship and timing of 1 Peter are somewhat debated, most scholars take the book at face value at ascribe it to the author as listed—Peter—who likely wrote it from Rome during Nero’s persecution in AD 62-63. The book is addressed to Gentile believers dispersed to a number of different places around the ancient world—Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia. While these territories were ethnically and sometimes linguistically diverse, …
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Living Hope
Written by Andy Pisciotti | June 23, 2010 | 1 Peter 1 - 3
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last …
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