As the Israelites moved into the season of being led by Judges, they enjoyed peace, prosperity and security under the leadership of the Judges Tola and Jair. This would lead us to believe these Judges were faithful men of God.   Read More

Gideon has led the people of Israel out of idolatry. He has defeated the Midianites with just 300 men. A great story of a man fulfilling his God given calling. Gideon’s faithfulness and pursuit of God’s direction has been one for the history books. Now he crosses the Jordan River. As he crosses the river, Gideon seems to cross over from a man seeking the will of God to a man seeking his own will. His men are exhausted, he has defeated Midian, now he wants the trophies of their Kings. In verse 5 we see Gideon stating, “I am pursuing after Zebah and Zalmunna…” When asking for bread for his men, the officials of Succoth and Penuel turn him down thinking that he would fail. His response to these officials is littered with the reference of “I” will do this and this. Gideon has seemed to cross over from serving God to serving self. When he is successful the downward spiral continues. While he has the where with all to not become their King, he does take the spoils of war and creates a rival to Aarons golden calf that becomes a snare to himself and his family.  Read More

Judges 6 presents a powerful narrative centered around Gideon, an unlikely man called to be used by God to deliver Israel from the oppressive Midianites.  Read More

I find it profound that Judges 3:2 reveals God's purpose in testing the Israelites: "he did this only to teach warfare to the descendants of the Israelites who had not had previous battle experience." This shows how God may allow us to face battles specifically to strengthen us. By the conclusion of this section in Judges 6:31, we read the powerful declaration: "So may all your enemies perish, O LORD But may they who love you be like the sun when it rises in its strength." Between these verses unfolds a recurring cycle: the Israelites falling into sin, experiencing the consequences of their disobedience, crying out to God, receiving divine deliverance, and enjoying periods of peace—typically lasting 40 or 80 years—until they once again turned from God and repeated the pattern.  Read More

The Book of Judges is known for being one of the darkest periods for the people of Israel. Chapter 1 starts with the people of Israel continuing their conquest after Joshua’s death. They were still faithful and obedient to God’s commands to go and take their land. But, as we keep reading in chapter 1, the people of Israel started to fail in the conquest. Starting with verse 27, we see that the Israelites were not driving out all the people for the land. Instead, they left them on the land and had them do forced labor. Someone might say that was a nice thing from the Israelites; these people will still have somewhere to live, but that was not God’s orders. Chapter 2 clears this up for us, in verse 2 the Angel of the Lord tells them “you shall not make no covenant with the inhabitants of this land; you shall break their altars. But you have not obeyed my voice.”   Read More

Real Life Principles:  Importance of Obedience: The chapter highlights the value of obedience to God's commands, as demonstrated by the Reubenites, Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. Unity and Communication:It is important to keep unity among God's people, even when they are geographically separated. The potential conflict that arises over the altar reveals the crucial role of clear communic...  Read More

These are some of those parts of the Bible we can get complacent in…you know, those spots with tons of names, locations, lists of things. That stated, we can’t lose sight of the fact that if it’s in the Bible, it is there for a reason!  Read More

As the lands are divided among the 12 tribes of Israel, we see that Joseph’s sons are granted land instead of himself. Ephraim and Manasseh’s allotments are designated in chapters 16-17. An interesting thing happens in verses 14-18 of Chapter 17. Evidentially the “people of Joseph”, mainly Manasseh’s people, complained that their land wasn’t big enough and that the Canaanites still occupied a portion of it. Joshua didn’t back down from his decision but instead challenged them to “finish the job.” God had commanded the Israelites to drive out the Canaanites from the land when he gave them the promised land. (Deut. 7) They had instead, left them to dwell in the land and forced many of them to labor. (Joshua 17:13)   Read More

As we read through these chapters in Joshua, we see the fulfillment of God’s promises to His people. In Joshua 12, we look back at the kings who were defeated, marking key victories in the conquest of the land. Then, in Joshua 13, we find that there’s still more land to be taken. Finally, chapters 14 and 15 focus on how the land is divided among the tribes, with special attention given to Caleb's story of faith. These chapters are not just historical—they’re reminders of God’s faithfulness and a call for us to reflect on the inheritance we have in Christ today.  Read More

Real Life PrinciplesBefore you sign an agreement seek God's Guidance: The Israelites' failure to consult God resulted in an irreversible covenant with the Gibeonites. This highlights the importance of seeking divine wisdom before making decisions.Discernment and Vigilance is needed in a world of crooked people: The Gibeonites' deception serves as a reminder to be vigilant and discerning in interac...  Read More

Joshua 5 reminds us that entering new seasons requires preparation, obedience, and a steadfast reliance on God's provision. By facing our fears, renewing our commitment, and remembering God's faithfulness, we can confidently step into the promises He has for us. Step up in this new season.  Read More

As the book of Joshua opens, the Israelites are camped along the east bank of the Jordan River at the very edge of the Promised Land, and they are completing the mourning period for Moses, who had just died (Deuteronomy 34: 7-8). Thirty-nine years earlier (after spending a year at Mount Sinai receiving God’s law), the Israelites had an opportunity to enter the Promised Land, but they failed to trust God to give them victory. As a result, God did not allow them to enter the land but made them wander in the wilderness until the disobedient generation had all died.   Read More

“I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!””‭‭Psalms‬ ‭91‬:‭2‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬https://bible.com/bible/100/psa.91.2.NASB1995Reflecting on my past, present, and future sufferings. I am comforted by Gods word over and over again. He is my refuge! He is my fortress. In Him, I can trust. He was with me when I was abused. Although the enemy will lie to me and tell me He wa...  Read More

In Chapter 30 Moses told the Hebrews that when they were ready to return to God, he would be ready to receive them. God’s mercy is unbelievable. It goes far beyond what we can imagine. Even if the Jews deliberately walked away from Him and ruined their lives, God would still take them back. God would give them inward spiritual renewal (circumcise their hearts). Chapter 31 is an interesting addition to the last chapter since there is to be a change in leadership. The laws were to be read to the whole assembly so that everyone, including the children, could hear them. Every seven years the entire nation would gather together and listen as a priest read the laws to them. There were no books, Bibles, or newsstands to spread God’s word, so the people had to rely on word of mouth and an accurate memory.   Read More

In Deuteronomy 27:18 we find: “And the Lord has declared this day that you are his people, his treasured possession as he promised, and that you are to keep all his commands”. Reading this makes me feel chills, it’s amazing to see how God considered his people and treasured them, and the reason why He always reminded them to obey. Moses has been reminding the new generation of Israelites that will enter to the promised land all of God’s commandments, covenants and who the Lord is. Today’s chapters are part of the ultimatum Moses is giving, related in detail to obedience and the renewal of the covenant.  Read More

Some very practical day to day biblical principles are lined out in the chapters before us today. Why did Boaz instruct his workers to leave grain for Ruth in the field? Deut. Chapter 24 holds the beginning to that story! If a husband dies, who should his wife marry? Chapter 25 is was a good resource for people of that time. Wondering how much you should tithe on your income? Chapter 26 is for you! God’s people had laws spelled out in great detail that helped them structure their society in the way He wanted it done.  Read More

Deuteronomy 22 addresses a variety of seemingly disparate topics. Yet a unifying thread runs in this chapter. There is a concern for the well-being of the community and the preservation of its moral fabric.   Read More

In this passage, we are still reading guidelines and rules about leadership, their judges and future kings, and the social order among the people of Israel. But we find a very important passage in the middle of these chapters.   Read More

Have you gotten frustrated with someone who asks a lot of “why” questions? That person may have the right perspective, (a strong maybe). Deuteronomy is the fifth book of the Torah. The word Deuteronomy has the literal meaning “second law” or “repeated law.” If you are not careful, the book can seem to be a message of dos and do nots.   Read More

In Deuteronomy chapter 11 through 13 Moses continues to speak to the people of Israel as they prepare to go into the Promised Land.  Read More

Deuteronomy Chapter 8 tells us to obey God’s commandments. We do this by obeying God with: (1) OUR HEART – which means by loving Him more than any relationship, activity, achievement, or possession; (2) OUR WILL – by committing ourselves completely to Him; (3) OUR MIND – by seeking to know Him and His Word, so His principles and values form the foundation of all we think and do; (4) OUR BODY – by recognizing that our strengths, talents, and sexuality are given to us by God to be used for pleasure and fulfillment according to His rules, not ours; (5) OUR FINANCES – by deciding that all of the resources we have ultimately come from God, and that we are to be managers of them and not owners; (6) OUR FUTURE – by deciding to make service to God and man the main purpose of our life’s work.   Read More

Deuteronomy 5 - Covenant (real) Moses gathered the people and gave his longest sermon in the book of Deuteronomy. He reminds Israel of who God is and who they are. The LORD talked with you face to face on the mountain from the midst of the fire. Deut 5:4 He restates the commandments and stresses that this covenant is with them, not their ancestors. It was a covenant of the living not the dead. Exodus 20:22 The Mount Sinai experience was not one of sweet fellowship with God. It scared them and they wanted Moses to intercede.  Read More

As the people of God get closer to the promised land, we read how God reminds them, “ do not fear, I have given them into your hands”. Do not be afraid, I will fight for you.’’ He gave them Og just like he had the previous kingdoms. He divided the land and reminded them to keep obeying as they prepare to enter the new land.  Read More

Real Life Principles. Moses addresses the people of Israel who are about to go into the promised land after 40 years in the desert. The word he gives them is directly from God. If you want a word from God, read the word of God.Moses starts off by reminding the Israelites of how God has been with them. In verse 8 Moses reminded them how God told them to go into the Promised Land, that he had promis...  Read More