Superman's Flaws

Reading 32: Judges 16

I don't understand why Samson stayed with her?? She was obviously trying to do something to him...perhaps he was blinded by his lust for her?

Samson has been captured, tricked by the woman he thought he loved. He has been sold out, had his eyes gouged out...ouch...and is being carried off in gold shackles. And I love the line that follows:

But the hair on his head began to grow again after it had been shaved.

With God there is always a second chance. Samson was a royal screw up. He made bad choices from the very beginning of this chapter, BUT the hair on his head began to grow again.

God never gives up on us. Even though our wrong decisions land us in gold shackles sometimes...there's always another chance. That's the wonderful grace of God!

God Is In Charge

Reading 27: Joshua 6

This is the verse that stands out to me today:

Now Jericho was tightly shut up because of the Israelites. No one went out and no one came in.
Then the LORD said to Joshua, "See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men.


Jericho was tightly shut up, but the next thing God says is "See! I have delivered Jericho into your hands." It's just like God to see the bigger picture. Sometimes I look at a problem that's all "shut up" no way in, no way out...but God is there and He sees the whole picture. He knows the whole story, and He says "See, I have already taken care of everything". All I have to do is trust His lead.


New blogging plan (if anyone is reading): Blogging about the reading every day was getting entirely tedious and was sucking the "joy" out of my 180 days....so I decided to cut back to just a few times a week, and continue to read on the off blogging days from my physical Bible.

Loud and Clear

Day 25: Deuteronomy 28 (I caught up off line)

Amazing blessings, "small" requirement.

All these blessings could be yours IF you obey the Lord your God. It's noteworthy to me that the blessings don't simply make my own life 'better', but these types of blessings listed also affect the people around me.

My city, my children, my 'flocks', my food, my land. Everything in my life, everyone in my life benefits (essentially) when I choose to obey the Lord.

I'm writing these two phrases on a card this week:

You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out. (maybe put this on a door)

If you pay attention to the commands of the LORD your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom

Reading 21: Numbers 11 (Yes, I'm a day behind.....)

Moses is struggling under the burden of sole leadership. And asks the Lord to either kill him or send him some help.

As leaders, we've all been there. Sometimes we're there more than once.

Moses has to bring 70 people to recieve the Spirit to be leaders, even the ones who were too busy for the meeting still get the job!

It's interesting how the people of the camp are unsettled by the new leaders. Sometimes people have a hard time not just taking on leadership, but accepting shared leadership.

Reading 20: Exodus 32
Reading 21: Leviticus 26

As I reflect on the possibilities of ministry and chances for the future, I'm in constant reflection on whether or not we are "following God's lead". I think it's important to take time to check the direction of our efforts.

I do believe that we can be in the center of God's will, and experience difficulties, struggles, and conflict, the Leviticus passage says that obeying God's lead results in:

rain and fruition of crops
peace
fearlessness
victory over enemies
fruitful and increase in numbers
so many blessing, just keeps piling up
God will walk among you
you will walk with head held high

the contrast is:
life waste away
defeat
hard work with no results
constant hunger for 'more'
fearful hearts

The Ten Commandments

Reading 18: Exodus 20

I keep coming back to the very first phrase of this chapter:

"And God spoke all these words"

It was important to the writer that we understand these are God's rules, from God's very mouth. These are not arbitrary laws, created to oppress a people just escaping from oppression. These are encouragements to pattern a lifestyle.

If I could take these commandments to heart in my own life, think of how much easier life could be? I heard a sermon once on the fact that the first 4 govern my relationship with God, and the last 6 govern my relationship with other people.

1. No other gods
2. No false images
3. No misusing God's name
(in other words, just 'cause you tack God's name on to it doesn't mean He endorses it.)
4. Keep the Sabbath
5. Honor mom and dad
6. No murdering
7. No adultery
8. No stealing
9. No lying
10. No coveting other people's stuff

A a day to get the thoughts going...

Reading 16: Genesis 10 & 11
Reading 17: Genesis 14

After reading the Miracle at the Red Sea, it really got me thinking!

The Egyptians lost the wheels on their chariots, they couldn't see the Israelites for a whole day, and still they pursued them. It reminded me that no matter what some enemies will never give up pursuing you. They could witness God performing an impossible miracle around them, and still will seek out to destroy you.

It may sound harsh, but perhaps I should be willing to let them be carried away in the water? I follow God regardless of what's ahead or behind me. And let God take care of those that wish only to do harm and destroy, and sometimes He deals with those people rather ruthlessly.