Posts Tagged ‘religion’

Spiritual Training 09 July 2012

Posted: July 9, 2012 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Judges, Personal Growth, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command
Abimelech

Judges 9:4-6 They gave him seventy shekels of silver from the temple of Ball-Berith, and Abimelech used it to hire reckless adventures, who became the followers.  He went to his father’s home in Ophrah and on one stone murdered his seventy brothers, the sons of Jerub-Ball, But Jotham the youngest of Jerub-Baal, escaped by hiding.  Then all the citizens of Shechem and Beth Millo gathered beside the great tree at the pillar in Shechem to crown Abimelech King. 

Politics played a major part in pagan religions such as the worship of Baal-Berith.  Governments often went so far as to hire temple prostitutes to bring in additional money.  In many cases a religious system was set up and supported by the government so the offerings could fund community projects.  Religion became a profit-making business.  In Israel’s religion, this was strictly forbidden.  God’s system of religion was designed to come from an attitude of the heart, not from calculated plans and business opportunities.  It was also designed to serve people and help those in need, not to oppress the needy.

Lets bring it home: Is your faith genuine and sincere or is it based on convenience, comfort, and availability?


Spiritual Training 06 July 2012

Posted: July 6, 2012 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Judges, Personal Growth, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command
Abimelech

Judges 9:1-5 Abimelech son of Jerub-Ball (Gideon) went to his mother’s brothers in Shechem and said to them and to all his mother’s clan, “Ask all the citizens of Shechem, ‘Which is better for you: to have all seventy of Jerub-Baal’s (Gideon) sons rule over you, or just one man?  Remember, I am your flesh and blood.” When the brothers repeated all this to the citizens of Shechem, they were inclined to follow “Abimelech, for they said, “He is our brother.” They gave him seventy shekels of silver from the temple of Ball-Berith, and Abimelech used it to hire reckless adventures, who became the followers.  He went to his father’s home in Ophrah and on one stone murdered his seventy brothers, the sons of Jerub-Ball, But Jotham the youngest of Jerub-Baal, escaped by hiding. 

With Gideon dead, Abimelech wanted to take his father’s place. (Jerub-Baal is another name for Gideon; see 6:32.)  To set his plan in motion he went to the city of Shechem, his mother’s hometown, to drum up support.  Here he felt kinship with the residents.  These relatives were Canaanites and would be glad to unit against Israel.

Israel’s King was to be the Lord and not a man.  But Abimelech wanted to usurp the position reserved for God alone.  In his selfish quest, he killed all but one of his 70 half brothers.  People with selfish desires often seek to fulfill them in ruthless ways.

Lets bring it home: Examine your ambitions to see if they are self-centered or God-centered, Be sure you always fulfill your desires in ways that God would approve.

Proverbs 27:6 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: July 6, 2012 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command
Proverbs 27:6 – Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.   

Who would prefer a friend’s wounds to an enemy’s kisses?  Anyone who considers the source.  A friend who has your best interest at heart may have to give you unpleasant advice at times, but you know it is for your own good.  An enemy, by contrast may whisper sweet words and happily send you on your way to ruin.  We tend to hear what we want to hear, even if an enemy is the only one who will say it.  A friend’s advice, no matter how painful, is much more valuable.

Proverbs 5:11-14 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: July 5, 2012 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command 

Proverbs 5:11-14 – At the end of your life you will groan, when your flesh and body are spent.  You will say, “How I hated discipline! How may heart spurned correction.  I would not obey my teachers or listen to my instructors.  I have come to the brink of utter ruin in the midst of the whole assembly.”     

At the end of your life, it will be too late to ask for advice.  When desire is fully activated, people don’t want advice they want satisfaction.  The best time to learn the dangers and foolishness of going after forbidden sex (or anything else that is harmful) is long before the temptation comes.  Resistance is easier if the decision has already been made.  Don’t wait to see what happens.  Prepare for temptation by deciding now how you will act when you face it.

Spiritual Training 05 July 2012

Posted: July 5, 2012 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Judges, Personal Growth, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command
Gideon’s Death 

Judges 8:28-32 Thus Midian was subdued before the Israelites and did not raise its head again.  During Gideon’s lifetime, the land enjoyed peace forty years.  Jerub-Baal son of Joash went back home to live.  He had seventy sons of his own, for he had many wives.  His concubine, who lived in Shechem, also bore him a son, whom he named Abimelech.  Gideon son of Joash died at a good old age and was buried in the tomb of his father Joash in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.  

The relationship between Gideon and a concubine produced a son who tore apart Gideon’s family and caused tragedy for the nation.  Gideon’s story illustrates the fact that heroes in battle are not always heroes in daily life.  Gideon led the nation but could not lead his family.

Let’s Bring it home: No matter whom you are, moral laxness will caused problems.  Just because you have won a single battle with temptation does not mean you will automatically win the next one.  We need to be constantly watchful against temptation.  Sometimes Satan’s strongest attacks come after a victory.

Proverbs 3:21-26 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: July 3, 2012 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command
Proverbs 3:21-26 My son, preserve sound judgment and discernment, do not let them out of your site; they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck. Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble; when you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared.
 
What is the difference between sound judgment and discernment? Discernment (or discretion) is the ability God gives to many people to think and make correct choices. Sound Judgment, however, he give only to those who follow him. Sound judgment includes discernment, but goes beyond it. It also includes the knowledge that comes from instruction. Training, and discipline, and the insight that results from knowing and applying God’s truth.

Spiritual Training 03 July 2012

Posted: July 3, 2012 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command
 
Judges 8:22-27 The Israelites said to Gideon, “Rule over us – you, your son and your grandson – because you have saved us out of the hand of Midian.” But Gideon told them, “I will not rule over you, nor will my son rule over you. The LORD will rule over you.” And he said, “I do have one request, that each of you give me an ear-ring from your share of the plunder. “ (It was the custom for the Is…hmaelites to wear gold earrings. They answered, “Well be glad to give them. “So they spread out a garment and each man threw a ring from his plunder onto it. The weight of the gold rings he asked for came to seventeen hundred shekels, not counting the ornaments, the pendants and the purple garments worn by the kings of Midian or the chains that were on their camels neck. Gideon made the gold into an ephod, which he placed in Ophrah, his town. All Israel prostituted themselves by worshiping it there and it became a snare to Gideon and his family. Those who were very wealthy put ornaments on their camels as a way of displaying their riches. Women wore vast amounts of jewelry as well often up to 15 pairs of earrings, Jewelry was also worn for good luck. After Gideon’s rise to power he seems to have become carried away with this accumulation of wealth. Eventually it led the Israelites to idolatry.
 
Gideon probably had good motives for making the ephod (a visible remembrance commemorating the victory). Unfortunately, the people began to worship the ephod as an idol.
 
Let’s Bring it home: Sadly, many decisions that stem from good motives produce negative results. Perhaps no one stops to ask, “What might go in your plans and decisions, take time to anticipate how a good idea might lead to a potential problem

Proverbs 2:6-7 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: July 2, 2012 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Proverbs 2:6-7  For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.  He hold victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless. 

 God gives us wisdom and victory but not for drifting through life or acting irresponsibly with his gifts and resources.  If we are faithful and keep our purpose in life clearly in mind, he will keep us from pride and greed. 

Proverbs 1:7-9 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: July 2, 2012 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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 Proverbs: 1:7-9

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.  Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching, they will be a garland to grace your head and chain to adorn your neck. 

 In this age of information, knowledge is plentiful, but wisdom is scarce.  Wisdom means far more than simply knowing a lot.  It is a basic attitude that affects every aspect of life.  The foundation of knowledge is to fear the Lord –to honor and respect God, to live in awe of his power, and to obey his word.  Faith in God should be the controlling principle for your understanding of the world, your attitudes and your actions.  Thrust in God-he will make you truly wise. 

Spiritual Training 02 July 2012

Posted: July 2, 2012 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command
Gideon

 Judges 8:22-23 The Israelites said to Gideon, “Rule over us – you, your son and your grandson – because you have saved us out of the hand of Midian.”  But Gideon told them, “I will not rule over you, nor will my son rule over you.  The LORD will rule over you.”

 The people wanted to make Gideon their King but Gideon stressed that the LORD was to rule over them.  Despite his inconsistencies, Gideon never lost sight of the importance for both a nation and an individual of putting God first. 

 Let’s Bring It Home: Is God first in your life?  If he is, he must affect every dimension of your life not just what you do in church. 

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