Judges 10
Inspired thots
God is such a compassionate God; Psalm 145:8 ~ the Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. He may be angry with Israel's unfaithfulness but He never fails to deliver them out of trouble. He always helps them to win over their enemies; yet Israel sinned against God again and again! How soon they forget their God!
What wretched creatures we are! Lord, help me be steadfast with You always. Only You can give me my heart's joy! Earthly things weary me...
A daily time out with the Lord Jesus, to hear Him speak to ME. I am asking the Lord to share HIS thoughts with ME, to teach me more about Himself, and how I can be drawn closer to Him... for 'His thoughts are not my thoughts and neither are His ways my ways' Isaiah 55:8,9. This blog is not a theological exegesis. This blog is to record down the INSIGHTS & INSPIRATIONS of God's Word to me; speaking LIFE into my life for Abundant life! :)
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Reverting to Old Ways Brings Destruction
Judges 8 & 9
Inspired thots
The Israelites forgot God as soon as Gideon died. His son Abimelech ruled over them but he was cunning and wicked in his ways. But God sees all and knows all; He repays evil for evil. He caused Abimelech and the Israelites to rise against each other for their sin; Abimelech for his wickedness towards his own people and Israelites for choosing a wicked ruler although they were warned by Jotham.
Be wise to REMEMBER your God and all that He has done to follow Him all the days of your life.
Be wise to CHOOSE a righteous leader who leads you to God and not to glorify him/her self.
Be wise to WALK in God's ways all the time looking at God alone and not man.
otherwise, DESTRUCTION comes.
Inspired thots
The Israelites forgot God as soon as Gideon died. His son Abimelech ruled over them but he was cunning and wicked in his ways. But God sees all and knows all; He repays evil for evil. He caused Abimelech and the Israelites to rise against each other for their sin; Abimelech for his wickedness towards his own people and Israelites for choosing a wicked ruler although they were warned by Jotham.
Be wise to REMEMBER your God and all that He has done to follow Him all the days of your life.
Be wise to CHOOSE a righteous leader who leads you to God and not to glorify him/her self.
Be wise to WALK in God's ways all the time looking at God alone and not man.
otherwise, DESTRUCTION comes.
Friday, January 20, 2012
Assurance of Victory
Judges 7
Inspired thots
Gideon was still not very confident of leading the Lord's army into battles. He had to ask God for ASSURANCES all the time; in a way, it is good to be totally dependent on God; on the other hand, he should mature in his faith with the Lord at every battle.
What the Lord does in our lives every day in every situation, it always lead to victory. Hence, we should remember what He did and use it to build up our faith in Him step by step to move forward; not remaining where we are.
Inspired thots
Gideon was still not very confident of leading the Lord's army into battles. He had to ask God for ASSURANCES all the time; in a way, it is good to be totally dependent on God; on the other hand, he should mature in his faith with the Lord at every battle.
What the Lord does in our lives every day in every situation, it always lead to victory. Hence, we should remember what He did and use it to build up our faith in Him step by step to move forward; not remaining where we are.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Calling of Gideon
Judges 6
Inspired thots
Gideon seemed like the typical 'nobody' in the whole of Israel as he was the "least in his father's clan". His father's clan is the weakest in the tribe of Manasseh. This generation experienced hardship from their enemies because they had forgotten God and worshiped Baal.
But God is merciful to deliver; however, if one is not familiar with God, one would not be able to hear Him; if one hears Him, one would doubt Him for there is no personal encounter and relationship until it is established.
Thus, to KNOW God, one must spend time with Him so that when He calls, one Hears and Obeys!
That was how Gideon was called.
Inspired thots
Gideon seemed like the typical 'nobody' in the whole of Israel as he was the "least in his father's clan". His father's clan is the weakest in the tribe of Manasseh. This generation experienced hardship from their enemies because they had forgotten God and worshiped Baal.
But God is merciful to deliver; however, if one is not familiar with God, one would not be able to hear Him; if one hears Him, one would doubt Him for there is no personal encounter and relationship until it is established.
Thus, to KNOW God, one must spend time with Him so that when He calls, one Hears and Obeys!
That was how Gideon was called.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Much Searching of Heart
Judges 5
Inspired thots
Deborah, the current judge of Israel, led the nation in battle and victory over their enemy.
When the Lord gives victory to His people, they are to Praise Him with songs and music. There is celebration over the victory to thank God and praise Him for His guidance and power.
Every tribe of Israel was encouraged to come together to praise the Lord in the celebration; there was much searching of heart ~ a reflection of WHAT GOD HAS DONE to help break into praise and thanksgiving to God.
It is important to search the heart and give thanks to the Lord for His goodness upon our lives.
Inspired thots
Deborah, the current judge of Israel, led the nation in battle and victory over their enemy.
When the Lord gives victory to His people, they are to Praise Him with songs and music. There is celebration over the victory to thank God and praise Him for His guidance and power.
Every tribe of Israel was encouraged to come together to praise the Lord in the celebration; there was much searching of heart ~ a reflection of WHAT GOD HAS DONE to help break into praise and thanksgiving to God.
It is important to search the heart and give thanks to the Lord for His goodness upon our lives.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Heavily Dependent on Others
Judges 3 & 4
Inspired thots
The Lord had to raise up Judges for Israel. When there was no leader (judge), the Israelites turned away from God and lived wickedly. Then, when they get into trouble, they call upon the Lord for deliverance.
The Israelites had to rely on SOMEONE to keep them on God's path... they were still 'immature'... overly dependent on others for their faith and belief in God.
Did they really have a personal encounter with God? If so, they would remember His goodness to them and not fall away so easily and rampantly. God should not be taken as 'Santa Claus' who gives good things once in a while. He WILL BLESS when we walk with Him rightly.
Inspired thots
The Lord had to raise up Judges for Israel. When there was no leader (judge), the Israelites turned away from God and lived wickedly. Then, when they get into trouble, they call upon the Lord for deliverance.
The Israelites had to rely on SOMEONE to keep them on God's path... they were still 'immature'... overly dependent on others for their faith and belief in God.
Did they really have a personal encounter with God? If so, they would remember His goodness to them and not fall away so easily and rampantly. God should not be taken as 'Santa Claus' who gives good things once in a while. He WILL BLESS when we walk with Him rightly.
Monday, January 16, 2012
Man Forgets Easily
Judges 1 & 2
Inspired thots
After Joshua died, the current generation of Israel walked obediently with the Lord; but they failed in ONE important aspect... they did not TEACH God's laws to their NEXT generation. Hence, in 2:10 it says that "after that whole generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation grew up, who knew neither the Lord nor what he had done for Israel." (v11) "Then the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord and served the Baals."
So sad! The PARENTS of the current generation did not perform their godly obligation ~ Deut 6:7 "Impress them (God's laws) on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."
Hence, today we have post-modernism where the younger generation is allowed to CHOOSE what they feel is right for themselves but it is a deviation from God's ways ~ Eternal life! What would we choose? What should we have our children choose? What should our children's children choose?
Inspired thots
After Joshua died, the current generation of Israel walked obediently with the Lord; but they failed in ONE important aspect... they did not TEACH God's laws to their NEXT generation. Hence, in 2:10 it says that "after that whole generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation grew up, who knew neither the Lord nor what he had done for Israel." (v11) "Then the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord and served the Baals."
So sad! The PARENTS of the current generation did not perform their godly obligation ~ Deut 6:7 "Impress them (God's laws) on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."
Hence, today we have post-modernism where the younger generation is allowed to CHOOSE what they feel is right for themselves but it is a deviation from God's ways ~ Eternal life! What would we choose? What should we have our children choose? What should our children's children choose?
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