Hey everybody
Leaving in the morning for Teen Camp. I thought I would share one more time before going. I will continue the story of Gideon out of Judges 6. Gideon wasn't afraid to question God, and God was very patient with Gideon. Altogether, God gives Gideon four signs that he is with him and that Gideon has no reason to fear.
The first of these signs comes when Gideon asks God to show him a sign that it was really God speaking to him. (6:17 - 23) Perhaps Gideon feared that this was some one else's voice speaking to him, just claiming to be God, or perhaps he was just afraid to do what God was telling him. but either way, Gideon wanted prof that this was coming from God. Perhaps we can be like this as well, when we question God's will in our lives. "How can this really be your will God?" I've said it, have you?
Any way, Gideon prepares meat and bread and sets it on a rock. The angel of the Lord touches it with his staff and flames shoot up out the rock and devour it all. As signs from God go, this one must have been very cool to watch. So Gideon gets his proof.
Going on from there, God tells Gideon to go break down his father's alter to Baal, build a proper alter, then cut down the Asherah pole (which was made of wood) and use it for the fire for the offering. Now God has been reassuring Gideon that he is with him and that Gideon does not need to be afraid. However, Gideon is still afraid, so he goes at night and tears down the alter and pole. Notice that Gideon is fearful, but he is still obedient. He does what God tells him to, which is good, but he does it in the least risky way possible. God is telling Gideon that he is a warrior, but he does not look or feel like one yet.
Gideon's hometown is very angry and want to kill him, but God manages to work it out for Gideon that there are no repurcussions. Plus, he gets a cool nickname out of the deal.
Are we like Gideon, , fearful, trying to be disciples with easiest way possible. Well, if that is case, then, also like Gideon that is a warrior inside there trying to break out. Fearful or not, Gideon was obedient. let's do the same, and allow God to stretch our faith the way he ultimately stretches Gideon's.
The Lord is with you mighty warrior.
Tom
Friday, August 10, 2012
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
The Questioner
Hello everyone.
I'm gearing up for camp. I've got some thoughts to share with you before I go. I've been looking a Gideon, whose story is told in Judges 6, 7 and 8.
So here is the background on Gideon's story: The Israelites had turned away from God again and this time he handed them over to the Midianites. Now the Midianites were so oppressive that the Israelites were living in the mountains and hiding in caves. (Judges 6:1-6) The Midianites would show and destroy everything the Israelites had.
OK. So Gideon is threshing wheat in a winepress when the angel of the Lord shows up. Gideon is hiding just like everybody else. Never-the-less, the angel greets him, "The Lord is with you mighty warrior." Interestingly, Gideon was not afraid to ask questions of the representative of God. The angel (and God, as well) listens to Gideon's question and is very patient with him.
Gideon's response to the angel was two questions (paraphrased). First, "if God is with us, why have all these bad things happened to us?" that "what has happened to the wondered our fathers have told us about?" Since I often ask similar questions, I will throw my own modern-day versions out there and see if anyone other than me identifies with Gideon here. I ask the first question like this: "Well God I am trying to please, why isn't life easier for me? Why do you allow these difficult things to happen?" The second question goes something like this: "Why does all the awesome stuff happen to somebody else? "When is it going to be my turn?"
I notice that God's response to Gideon's questions doesn't really seem to answer them, but in truth is does. Response to Gideon's questions: "Go on the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian's hand. Am I not sending you?" The answer to my own questions is the same. It doesn't matter if I don't have all of those things I think I need. I am to work to accomplish God's will with whatever I have (good or bad) and allow God to make up the difference. This was God's plan.
Gideon responds to God in complete insecurity (Judges 6:15) basically saying, "Who am I?" You ever felt like that? I have? God's response was about the same. It really didn't matter who Gideon was, it mattered who God was. If Gideon would just allow himself to b used by God, the victory would be his. It is a valuable lesson. It really isn't about how strong I am, because God will make up the difference.
The story of Gideon has a lot of good lessons. More to come.
The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.
Tom
I'm gearing up for camp. I've got some thoughts to share with you before I go. I've been looking a Gideon, whose story is told in Judges 6, 7 and 8.
So here is the background on Gideon's story: The Israelites had turned away from God again and this time he handed them over to the Midianites. Now the Midianites were so oppressive that the Israelites were living in the mountains and hiding in caves. (Judges 6:1-6) The Midianites would show and destroy everything the Israelites had.
OK. So Gideon is threshing wheat in a winepress when the angel of the Lord shows up. Gideon is hiding just like everybody else. Never-the-less, the angel greets him, "The Lord is with you mighty warrior." Interestingly, Gideon was not afraid to ask questions of the representative of God. The angel (and God, as well) listens to Gideon's question and is very patient with him.
Gideon's response to the angel was two questions (paraphrased). First, "if God is with us, why have all these bad things happened to us?" that "what has happened to the wondered our fathers have told us about?" Since I often ask similar questions, I will throw my own modern-day versions out there and see if anyone other than me identifies with Gideon here. I ask the first question like this: "Well God I am trying to please, why isn't life easier for me? Why do you allow these difficult things to happen?" The second question goes something like this: "Why does all the awesome stuff happen to somebody else? "When is it going to be my turn?"
I notice that God's response to Gideon's questions doesn't really seem to answer them, but in truth is does. Response to Gideon's questions: "Go on the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian's hand. Am I not sending you?" The answer to my own questions is the same. It doesn't matter if I don't have all of those things I think I need. I am to work to accomplish God's will with whatever I have (good or bad) and allow God to make up the difference. This was God's plan.
Gideon responds to God in complete insecurity (Judges 6:15) basically saying, "Who am I?" You ever felt like that? I have? God's response was about the same. It really didn't matter who Gideon was, it mattered who God was. If Gideon would just allow himself to b used by God, the victory would be his. It is a valuable lesson. It really isn't about how strong I am, because God will make up the difference.
The story of Gideon has a lot of good lessons. More to come.
The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.
Tom
Friday, July 20, 2012
This one is for the ladies
Hey everyone.
As I have continued in my study of Judges, I have come to the story of Deborah in Judges 4 and 5. The clear heroes of this story are two women: Deborah and Jael. Here is the background to the story: As they seemed to always do, after the death Ehud, the Israelites return to evil ways. God allows another power to oppress them, this time it is the Canaanites. They are oppressed by Canaan for twenty years. The king in Canaan is Jabin and the commander of his army is Sisera.
God raises up a new prophet and leader in Israel, her name is Deborah. We know that Deborah was both a wife (Judges 4:4) and a mother (Judges 5:7), and from reading the two chapters about her, we can tell that she was clearly a very impressive person.
Deborah summoned Barak and told him that God had instructed that he should form an army and lead them against Sisera, and that God had given Sisera into his hands. Barak is hesitant and says that he would do it only if Deborah went with him. Deborah agrees to go with him, but tells him that because he asked this that the glory that would have been his would be taken from him and given to a woman. Now Barak did ultimately do as God instructed and so gained the victory and is even mentioned in Hebrews 11, what we often refer to as the Faith Hall of Fame, but initially Barak seems to have more confidence in Deborah than he does in God. Because of this, the glory that would have been his is taken from him just as Deborah prophecied. That glory goes to Jael, the wife of Heber, who kills Sisera. Sisera, in cowardly fashion, runs from the battlefield when it is clear that his army is being routed, and hides in the tent of a woman. Jael allows him to fall asleep in her tent and then drives a tent peg through his head. So Israel is saved from Canaan by two heroic women and one reluctant man.
An interesting side note comes toward the end of Deborah's song which is recorded in chapter 5. Deborah imagines Sisera's mother looking out the window, waiting for his return and wondering what is taking him so long. One of her ladies responds that it must be taking a long time to divide up the women. It is interesting that women like Deborah or Jael were just considered a part of the plunder, prizes for the warriors, as though they were objects rather than people. In many ways our society hasn't changed all that much. Many men still objectify women, but clearly God does not. He places great value on women and is more than willing to use them for his great purposes.
Tom
As I have continued in my study of Judges, I have come to the story of Deborah in Judges 4 and 5. The clear heroes of this story are two women: Deborah and Jael. Here is the background to the story: As they seemed to always do, after the death Ehud, the Israelites return to evil ways. God allows another power to oppress them, this time it is the Canaanites. They are oppressed by Canaan for twenty years. The king in Canaan is Jabin and the commander of his army is Sisera.
God raises up a new prophet and leader in Israel, her name is Deborah. We know that Deborah was both a wife (Judges 4:4) and a mother (Judges 5:7), and from reading the two chapters about her, we can tell that she was clearly a very impressive person.
Deborah summoned Barak and told him that God had instructed that he should form an army and lead them against Sisera, and that God had given Sisera into his hands. Barak is hesitant and says that he would do it only if Deborah went with him. Deborah agrees to go with him, but tells him that because he asked this that the glory that would have been his would be taken from him and given to a woman. Now Barak did ultimately do as God instructed and so gained the victory and is even mentioned in Hebrews 11, what we often refer to as the Faith Hall of Fame, but initially Barak seems to have more confidence in Deborah than he does in God. Because of this, the glory that would have been his is taken from him just as Deborah prophecied. That glory goes to Jael, the wife of Heber, who kills Sisera. Sisera, in cowardly fashion, runs from the battlefield when it is clear that his army is being routed, and hides in the tent of a woman. Jael allows him to fall asleep in her tent and then drives a tent peg through his head. So Israel is saved from Canaan by two heroic women and one reluctant man.
An interesting side note comes toward the end of Deborah's song which is recorded in chapter 5. Deborah imagines Sisera's mother looking out the window, waiting for his return and wondering what is taking him so long. One of her ladies responds that it must be taking a long time to divide up the women. It is interesting that women like Deborah or Jael were just considered a part of the plunder, prizes for the warriors, as though they were objects rather than people. In many ways our society hasn't changed all that much. Many men still objectify women, but clearly God does not. He places great value on women and is more than willing to use them for his great purposes.
Tom
Monday, June 25, 2012
Unlikely heroes
Hey everyone.
The Hugheses are leaving in the morning for a grand vacation. We are going to Illinois for my Mom and Dad's 50th Anniversary, then to Texas for the World Discipleship Summit. An exciting road trip.
Any way, I wanted to share a little bit from what I have learned from Judges before I go. Judges 3 tells two stories, Ehud and Shamgar. Both saved Israel. During Ehud's time Israel was being oppressed by the Moabites. The Moabites oppressed Israel for 18 years before the Israelites finally cried out to God for help. Ehud is God's chosen deliverer. Ehud visits Eglon, king of Moab. He tells him that he has a special message for hm from God that he needs to deliver privately. Ehud stabs Eglon with a sword, and Eglon is so fat that Ehud shoves the sword inside him completely and loses the sword inside of Eglon and the fat closes over it. Ehud escapes because Eglon's servants think that he is just taking a long time going to the bathroom. The Bible says that they wait to the point of embarrassment before unlocking the room. This time allows Ehud to escape and rally the Israelites who attack and turn the tables on Moab. Here is something I found interesting. Judges 3:15 says that Ehud was a left-handed man. Several commentaries that I looked tell me that the word that was translated as left-handed could have also meant "crippled in the right hand." It is not certain, but is quite possible, based on what I have read, that God's choice for deliverer was a man with a fairly significant handicap.
OK, now let's look at Shamgar. The Bible devotes one verse to his exploits. It simply says that he killed 600 Philistines with an oxgoad and saved Israel. Pretty good. Just so you know, an oxgoad was an 8 foot stick that was sharp on one end and flattened on the other. The sharp end was for poking the oxen that pulled the plow, and the flat end was for cleaning dirt off of the plow. Shamgar was likely a farmer. The farmer became a warrior and saved his people.
Sounds like neither man was someone we might have selected to be the heroes of Israel, yet God chose them. Why? Because in a nation where very few people had much of a heart for God, they did, and that was all God needed in order to work.
Tom
The Hugheses are leaving in the morning for a grand vacation. We are going to Illinois for my Mom and Dad's 50th Anniversary, then to Texas for the World Discipleship Summit. An exciting road trip.
Any way, I wanted to share a little bit from what I have learned from Judges before I go. Judges 3 tells two stories, Ehud and Shamgar. Both saved Israel. During Ehud's time Israel was being oppressed by the Moabites. The Moabites oppressed Israel for 18 years before the Israelites finally cried out to God for help. Ehud is God's chosen deliverer. Ehud visits Eglon, king of Moab. He tells him that he has a special message for hm from God that he needs to deliver privately. Ehud stabs Eglon with a sword, and Eglon is so fat that Ehud shoves the sword inside him completely and loses the sword inside of Eglon and the fat closes over it. Ehud escapes because Eglon's servants think that he is just taking a long time going to the bathroom. The Bible says that they wait to the point of embarrassment before unlocking the room. This time allows Ehud to escape and rally the Israelites who attack and turn the tables on Moab. Here is something I found interesting. Judges 3:15 says that Ehud was a left-handed man. Several commentaries that I looked tell me that the word that was translated as left-handed could have also meant "crippled in the right hand." It is not certain, but is quite possible, based on what I have read, that God's choice for deliverer was a man with a fairly significant handicap.
OK, now let's look at Shamgar. The Bible devotes one verse to his exploits. It simply says that he killed 600 Philistines with an oxgoad and saved Israel. Pretty good. Just so you know, an oxgoad was an 8 foot stick that was sharp on one end and flattened on the other. The sharp end was for poking the oxen that pulled the plow, and the flat end was for cleaning dirt off of the plow. Shamgar was likely a farmer. The farmer became a warrior and saved his people.
Sounds like neither man was someone we might have selected to be the heroes of Israel, yet God chose them. Why? Because in a nation where very few people had much of a heart for God, they did, and that was all God needed in order to work.
Tom
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Determined
Hello everyone.
I haven't written anything in a while. It's been so long in fact that I finished my study of Colossians, and have started a study of the book of Judges. As I am sure you know Judges picks up where Joshua leaves off. So early in Judges we see the generation after Joshua and how things went for them.
Joshua's generation had been devoted to the Lord but did not completely drive out some of the nations in the Promised Land. That remainder of the job was to be finished by next generation, but they did not seem to take the task too seriously. Here is what is says regarding the Canaanites in Judges 1:27, "But Manasseh did not drive out the people of Beth Shan or Taanach or Dor or Ibleam or Megiddo and their surrounding settlements, for the Canaanites were determined to live in that land." Here is what it says in Judges 1:35, "And the Amorites were determined also to hold out in Mount Heres, Aijalon and Shaalbim."
If you asked an Israelite of the time why they allowed these nations to stay, he might respond, "Well, they were determined to stay." But what isn't being said is that apparently the Israelites were not all that determined to drive them out. If they at least had equal determination to the Canaanites and the Amorites, they would have driven them out, because they had God on their side. The fact they allowed these "determined" nations to remain led to now end of trouble for Israel for generations to come. Had they been more determined to be obedient to God, perhaps they would have had less trouble in the coming generations.
But does this mean for us? Realize that there are forces at work that are pretty "determined" to lead us astray or lead us into sin. But if we are just as determined to stay out of sin, understanding that God is on our side, won't He give us victory?
Any way, a little something to think about.
Tom
I haven't written anything in a while. It's been so long in fact that I finished my study of Colossians, and have started a study of the book of Judges. As I am sure you know Judges picks up where Joshua leaves off. So early in Judges we see the generation after Joshua and how things went for them.
Joshua's generation had been devoted to the Lord but did not completely drive out some of the nations in the Promised Land. That remainder of the job was to be finished by next generation, but they did not seem to take the task too seriously. Here is what is says regarding the Canaanites in Judges 1:27, "But Manasseh did not drive out the people of Beth Shan or Taanach or Dor or Ibleam or Megiddo and their surrounding settlements, for the Canaanites were determined to live in that land." Here is what it says in Judges 1:35, "And the Amorites were determined also to hold out in Mount Heres, Aijalon and Shaalbim."
If you asked an Israelite of the time why they allowed these nations to stay, he might respond, "Well, they were determined to stay." But what isn't being said is that apparently the Israelites were not all that determined to drive them out. If they at least had equal determination to the Canaanites and the Amorites, they would have driven them out, because they had God on their side. The fact they allowed these "determined" nations to remain led to now end of trouble for Israel for generations to come. Had they been more determined to be obedient to God, perhaps they would have had less trouble in the coming generations.
But does this mean for us? Realize that there are forces at work that are pretty "determined" to lead us astray or lead us into sin. But if we are just as determined to stay out of sin, understanding that God is on our side, won't He give us victory?
Any way, a little something to think about.
Tom
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Fullness
Hey everyone.
I would like to share a concept with you that I saw while studying Colossians. It is a concept that disciples are going to already understand, but I want to make sure that I teach it to my children or to someone that I am reaching out to and studying the Bible with. The concept is pretty simple. It is that "full is better than empty."
Here is what it says in Col. 2:8-10: "See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental forces of this world rather than on Christ. For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness."
Paul tells us that the thinking or philosophy of the world is hollow. In other words, it is empty. He compares these empty philosophies with the fullness that is in Christ. If you think about good things, we will always choose full over empty. Would you rather your wallet be full or empty? Would you rather your gas tank be full or empty? Would you rather your refrigerator be full or empty? Generally I choose full. Full is better than empty. So we are trying to get people to choose full lives in Christ over empty lives in the world.
The problem is that Paul also says that these worldly philosophies are deceptive. How are they deceptive? They are empty things posing as full things. The world is constantly reaching out with its emptiness trying to convince people that it is full. It's like the chocolate Easter Bunny that you think is solid, but when you bite into turns out to be hollow. The chocolate still tastes good, but the hollowness is somewhat disappointing. For example, that party lifestyle that seems to promise so much fun and happiness, really delivers very little. Yet we are bombarded with it constantly, and so are our children. Perhaps you and I see through it, but most people do not.
I pray for own children that they will have that kind of perception, to see the lures of the world for what they really are: hollow. Much better that we can all find real joy and full lives in Christ. Because we all understand that full is better than empty.
Tom
I would like to share a concept with you that I saw while studying Colossians. It is a concept that disciples are going to already understand, but I want to make sure that I teach it to my children or to someone that I am reaching out to and studying the Bible with. The concept is pretty simple. It is that "full is better than empty."
Here is what it says in Col. 2:8-10: "See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental forces of this world rather than on Christ. For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness."
Paul tells us that the thinking or philosophy of the world is hollow. In other words, it is empty. He compares these empty philosophies with the fullness that is in Christ. If you think about good things, we will always choose full over empty. Would you rather your wallet be full or empty? Would you rather your gas tank be full or empty? Would you rather your refrigerator be full or empty? Generally I choose full. Full is better than empty. So we are trying to get people to choose full lives in Christ over empty lives in the world.
The problem is that Paul also says that these worldly philosophies are deceptive. How are they deceptive? They are empty things posing as full things. The world is constantly reaching out with its emptiness trying to convince people that it is full. It's like the chocolate Easter Bunny that you think is solid, but when you bite into turns out to be hollow. The chocolate still tastes good, but the hollowness is somewhat disappointing. For example, that party lifestyle that seems to promise so much fun and happiness, really delivers very little. Yet we are bombarded with it constantly, and so are our children. Perhaps you and I see through it, but most people do not.
I pray for own children that they will have that kind of perception, to see the lures of the world for what they really are: hollow. Much better that we can all find real joy and full lives in Christ. Because we all understand that full is better than empty.
Tom
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Holding it all together
Hello everyone.
This post is short and sweet, but I think you'll like it. In Col. 1:17 it says, "He is before all things, and in him all things hold together." The context here is that Paul is talking about the supremacy of Christ. Jesus had created everything, whether visible or invisible. It was created by Him and for Him. He is supreme. What I want to focus on is the statement Paul makes that says that Jesus holds all things together. There are some obvious things that we think of here. That Jesus holds the church together and that Jesus holds creation together can be seen clearly from the context here. But I want us to think about how Jesus holds everything together on a more personal level.
Not only does Jesus hold the Earth together, but he holds my life together. Within my life, he holds my marriage together, he holds my family together, he even holds my career as a teacher together, often working things out for me in ways I could have never expected. And everything that I do, I am better at it, if I allow Jesus to be supreme in it. (This year, the Hugheses are going to the World Discipleship Summit in San Antonio. Jesus is even holding my vacation together.) I can see Jesus at work in big and small ways, holding my life together for me. I hope you can too.
Tom
This post is short and sweet, but I think you'll like it. In Col. 1:17 it says, "He is before all things, and in him all things hold together." The context here is that Paul is talking about the supremacy of Christ. Jesus had created everything, whether visible or invisible. It was created by Him and for Him. He is supreme. What I want to focus on is the statement Paul makes that says that Jesus holds all things together. There are some obvious things that we think of here. That Jesus holds the church together and that Jesus holds creation together can be seen clearly from the context here. But I want us to think about how Jesus holds everything together on a more personal level.
Not only does Jesus hold the Earth together, but he holds my life together. Within my life, he holds my marriage together, he holds my family together, he even holds my career as a teacher together, often working things out for me in ways I could have never expected. And everything that I do, I am better at it, if I allow Jesus to be supreme in it. (This year, the Hugheses are going to the World Discipleship Summit in San Antonio. Jesus is even holding my vacation together.) I can see Jesus at work in big and small ways, holding my life together for me. I hope you can too.
Tom
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