Wenatchee in the Word

Judges 19:1-30 - Once again, we see it mentioned that there is no king, no authority, in Israel at this time. As a result, people are sinning egregiously with one another. No account of their sin is more apparent than what we see in this chapter. Ultimately, the longer we are away from the Lord, the more in sin we become, the more blinded we get to our own sinfulness and the more calloused we become to the effects of sin. If we ever find ourselves in this kind of mindset, we must deal with our sin rightly. We must repent and come once again under the authority of God and His Word.

Judges 18:1-31 - Today, we see the tribe of Dan start to get discontent with their land inheritance situation. And as a result, they begin a progression of downward trajectory in sinful actions. Ultimately, the reason all of this is happening is because there is no king in Israel. Not even God is being looked to as the authority in the nation of Israel. And when authority is absent, anarchy is present. Anything goes. We see this in our world today. However, for Christians, this should not be the case. We have an authority. Therefore, our lives should not reflect the chaos of the world around us, but rather should reflect a humble submission to God and His perfect ways.

Judges 17:1-13 - Today, we see a man named Micah introduced. And the things were told about him, his mother, a Levite, and really the entire nation of Israel at this time, is that they did what was right in their own eyes. Through this episode, we find ourselves pondering this question: Are we looking at our problems, decisions, etc. through what is right in our eyes, or God's eyes?

Judges 16:21-31 - As we come to the end of Samson's life, we see that though his entire life was a display of strength, he is now in a time of weakness. However, we also see that though his life was really one of self reliance, he comes to a point of reliance on God. And because of the faithfulness of God, He blesses and strengthens Samson one last time! May we also realize that we are never too far gone to turn back to the Lord in humility, and see Him restore our relationship with Him!

Judges 16:1-21 - Today, we see Samson's sins finally catch up to him. Though he had much physical strength, he was no match for the constant enticement of Delilah, and really of sin in general. Eventually, it brought him to a point of giving up the blessing of God. And yet, because of his downward trajectory into sin, when God did leave him, he didn't even realize it.

Judges 15:14-20 - When Samson is brought to the Philistines tied up, God's Spirit strengthens him, and he ends up breaking loose and killing 1,000 men in an impressive battle. But instead of giving God the credit, he talks of how he defeated these men. Then in a vulnerable state, he blames God for not providing for him. Pride can do that to us. But when we focus on God more than ourselves, we find that in the good times we praise God, and in the bad times we lean on God.

Judges 15:1-13 - Samson goes back to Timnath for his wife, and finds out that she was given to the man who was his best man. So he retaliates on the Philistines. Which in turn makes them come after him by killing his wife and father-in-law. Which makes him attack again. And we find that revenge is a never ending back and forth retaliation. But we are not called to avenge ourselves. We are called to allow God to avenge us, and to actually do good to those who come against us.

Judges 14:5-20 - As Samson and his parents move forward with the marriage festivities, a lot takes place! In the process, Samson ends up breaking one of his vows as a Nazarite. He also ends up getting betrayed by his wife and owing 30 men of the city new clothes. But instead of doing it in an honorable way, he uses the special gift of strength the Lord has given him for selfish purposes.

Judges 14:1-4 - Today, we see Samson become infatuated with a woman of the Philistine people. Although his parents have their objections to it, they ultimately allow this marriage to move forward. All along, despite Samson's bad wife/life choices, God is using it to accomplish exactly what He wants to accomplish in Samson's life.

Judges 13:8-25 - Manoah asks the Lord to send the man who told his wife they would have a son to instruct them on what to do with the child. God answers this prayer, and Manoah and his wife experience an interesting encounter with the angel. Manoah's response is one of fear, but his wife's is one of faith. Specifically, faith that God is faithful to fulfill His promises.

Judges 12:7-13:7 - Today, we are introduced to the next judge of Israel, Samson! When the angel comes to Samson's mother, he has a very specific calling for him to fulfill. He was to be a Nazarite from the time in the womb until the day he died. In today's episode, we uncover what that means and how we too have specific callings to fulfill in our lives.

Judges 12:1-6 - Today, we get to the end of the story of Jephthah. He is confronted by the men of Ephraim concerning the battle against the Ammonites, and though they were wrong in their confrontation, Jephthah's response is equally terrible. And in order to determine what people were Ephraimites, they made them say a specific word that would give them away. In this episode, we see that our speech can also give us away! So we need to be mindful of what comes out of our mouths.

Judges 11:29-40 - Today, we see Jephthah make a vow to God somewhat hastily, and it ends up causing him great heartbreak. Through the episode, we learn what the Bible teaches us about our word. When we say something, it matters! And when we make promises, we need to keep them, especially when those promises are made to God!

Judges 11:1-28 - In today's episode, we are introduced to a judge named Jephthah. He was the son of a harlot. Yet, God used him to deliver Israel! But when the first attack came, he wasn't reactionary. He responded with words first. He responded with control. We too, when we are attacked can learn to lean on the Spirit of God and respond with self control.

Judges 10:6-18 - In today's episode, we see Israel again turning away from the Lord and serving other gods. But when things start to get oppressive again, they again cry out to God! It seems that when things are going well they forget God, and when things are going bad, they turn to God. Too often, we are the same. But we should recognize our need for God at all times! Both on our worst days, and on our best!

Judges 10:1-5 - In today's episode, we are introduced to two different judges of Israel. We don't know much about them. And yet, God saw it fit to have their names documented in Scripture. Their service was just as important to God as the service of more well-known characters in the Bible!

Judges 9:1-57 - Gideon had many sons! One of them, from a concubine in Shechem. This son was named Abimelech. And when Gideon died, Abimelech desired to rule. As a result of his evil schemes to become king, a lot of destruction comes about. All of his brothers are killed, and eventually, he destroys the people he rules. Ultimately, he meets his demise as well. God will exact judgment upon wickedness.

Judges 8:22-35 - As great of a victory as Gideon and the people of Israel just saw, it didn't keep them from experiencing great defeat shortly thereafter. One wrong decision causes them to worship the past victory rather than the God who gave them the victory.

Judges 8:1-25 - As the Midianites are running from Gideon and his army, we see some others asked to join in the working of God. One group of people get angry because they feel their part will not be recognized, and another group decides not to get involved at all. We learn that there are no small parts in the work of God. And we should be involved no matter how small, and with the right motives!

Judges 7:9-25 - Today, we finally see Gideon in action...kind of! Gideon and his 300 man army don't really have to do much in the battle against the Midianites, because God works an amazing victory out for them.

Judges 7:1-8 - Today, we see God dwindle down Gideon's army from 32,000 to 300. And although it seems counterintuitive, God knows what He is doing! He wants Israel to realize that this victory could only have happened because of His working!

Judges 6:33-40 - Even though Gideon has seen signs already to confirm God's call in his life, he asks for more. In a similar way, we often ask God to confirm what we feel He may be calling us to do. It's actually a good thing to ask God for confirmation! But there are some specific ways we can find that confirmation.

Judges 6:25-32 - Gideon gets his first assignment from God. He is told to tear down an altar that was being used to worship Baal, and to set up a new one in the name of Jehovah God. He does so by night, and some people want to come after him for it. But we learn that God answers for Himself, and when we grasp that, we can follow with whatever He asks us to do, especially in the area of tearing down idols.

Judges 6:1-24 - Today, we are introduced to a man named Gideon. And when we meet him, he is not in the most courageous of places. Yet, when the angel of God comes to him, he assures him that the Lord is with him and has a plan for him to deliver the Israelites from the Midianites. However, Gideon first questions those promises rather than resting in them. We are challenged to take God at His Word, and rest in the peace that He brings by knowing that He is with us and that He has a plan for our lives.

Judges 5 - The book of Judges is very narrative driven. And yet, chapter 5 gives a song of Deborah and Barak, instead of telling us a new story. It seems that we take a "praise break." As we unpack this song, we are reminded that it is good for us to pause and praise the Lord in our lives as well!

Judges 4:10-31 - Today, we see Barak and Deborah go to battle and send Sisera running! As he runs, he finds the tent of a woman named Jael, who he thought was an ally. However, Jael was not as loyal to Sisera's side as he thought, and took the opportunity the Lord gave her to take out this enemy of God!

Judges 4:1-10 - A new judge is on the job for the Israelites, and her name is Deborah! She is a wise counselor for God's people. And when they cry out to God, she calls for a man named Barak to give him God's message. But instead of trusting fully in the Word of God about sure victory, Barak asks for Deborah to go with him to battle.

Judges 3:31 - Today, we talk about a deliverer of Israel named Shamgar. We don't know much about him! But what we do know is that he was used by God in a very unique way to bring the Lord glory, and to help God's people. What ways does God want to use us to bring Him glory and help His people?

Judges 3:12-30 - When the children of Israel turn away from God again, they find themselves under rule of a very fat man named Eglon. So, they cry out to God again, and again, in His mercy, God sends them a deliverer named Ehud. The story of how Ehud delivers the children of Israel is pretty dramatic and epic! Listen as we unpack this story today!

Judges 3:1-11 - Today, we see that God had specific purposes for why He would allow the inhabitants of the land to stay. But Israel instead intermarried with the inhabitants, and it caused problems. As a result, they fell under rule of a wicked king. So, they cried out to God, and God sent them their first judge, a deliverer named Othniel!

Judges 2:11-23 - Today, we see a synopsis given of what transpires in the rest of the book of Judges. And in it, we see that Israel had a very cyclical relationship with God. They would sometimes serve Him, then they would rebel, then they would find themselves oppressed, then they would turn back to God, only to start the whole cycle again! In today's episode, we see how we can guard from that being the normal way of life for us spiritually.

Judges 2:1-10 - In today's episode, we see that Israel really enjoyed the benefits of being the people of God, but often disregarded the responsibilities that came along with being His people. As a result, there arose a generation of Israelites that didn't even know God or the things that He had done in the wilderness.

Judges 1:17-36 - God had a pretty clear command to the children of Israel about the inhabitants of the promised land. They were told to drive them out of the land completely. But we see tribe after tribe fail to do that very thing! And as a result, problems abound for Israel! In this episode, we are reminded that we often do the same thing with sin. But instead of flirting with it, or trusting our own power to fight it, we need to just totally eradicate it from our lives!

Judges 1:1-16 - When the children of Israel get to the promised land, there are a lot of people who inhabit the land. But it wasn't always like that! In this episode, we unpack the idea that often when we leave where God has called us to be, we have more problems to deal with than if we would have just maintained our walk with Him the entire time!

John 19:17-42 - In this episode, we track Jesus' being crucified, and we ultimately end up seeing that there were two followers of Jesus that no one knew were His followers. They allowed fear to keep them from being public about Him. Sometimes we do the same thing. But for all that He has done for us, shouldn't we be willing to live in a way that lets others know that we are Christians?

John 18:28-19:16 - Today, we track Jesus' interaction with Pilate, and find that Pilate had a decision to make regarding what he was going to do with Jesus. Ultimately, he made the wrong decisions. But it does beg the question - What will we do with Jesus?

John 18:12-27 - Today, we see Jesus' trials begin, ultimately leading to false accusations to get Him killed. Amidst these first questionings, Peter is asked by three different people if he is one of Jesus' disciples, and he denies Him all three times, just as Jesus predicted that he would. He failed Jesus! But, we happen to know the rest of the story and realize that even though he failed Him, Jesus' plan for Peter wasn't over. And when we fail Him, we can rest assured that God still desires to use us as well!

John 18:1-11 - Too often, when we come to situations of life, we act like Peter did in this one. We take matters into our own hands. All the while, the One who can actually change the situation if He wanted to is standing right by us. Instead of trying to force situations ourselves, we should trust in God, the One who can make things happen with merely His words!!

John 17:1-26 - In this chapter, we see Jesus praying. In the course of this prayer, He prays for Himself, His disciples, and even for us! His main prayer request? Unity. He asks God to bring unity to the disciples and to us as His followers today through the truth of His Word. And that by that unity, we would bring glory and honor to our Lord!

John 16:16-33 - Today, we unpack the "wrap up" of Jesus' discourse with His disciples the night He was going to be betrayed. He tells them about the fact that He is about to die, and that He would come back from the dead, albeit in figurative language. But He takes another opportunity to encourage them by telling them that they can find peace in Him because of how He has overcome the world!

John 15:18-16:15 - Jesus makes it very clear that the reason we need to love each other is because we will surely face the hatred of the world. They oppose Him, and they will oppose us for following Him. But we can have comfort in knowing that He is with us through it all, because we have the Holy Spirit guiding us in truth each step of the way!

John 15:9-17 - Today, we see Jesus unpack the reality that love is everything. Love is the motivator for all that we do for Christ and others. Love is the command that we are supposed to follow. And love is the evidence to show that we are truly friends and followers of Jesus.

John 15:1-8 - Today, we continue to hear Jesus' teaching to His closest followers. In this portion of His teaching, He tells them that just as branches must be drawing their life source to bear fruit from the vine, we find our life source to bear spiritual fruit in Him. So each and every day, we must determine to have an abiding relationship with our Savior!

John 14:15-31 - Today, we listen to Jesus tells His disciples about the Holy Spirit. Jesus would not be with them much longer, but He would not leave them alone, because the Holy Spirit would be with them! That same Spirit that was promised to the disciples lives in those of us who have accepted Jesus Christ as our Savior. And because of this, we can live in comfort as well, knowing we are not alone!

John 13:36-14:14 - Today, we see that Jesus takes time to settle His disciples' hearts. They have heard a few disconcerting things. And yet, Jesus reassures them of the hope they have in Him, if they only seek to follow Him and ask Him for it. Because of this, their (and our) hearts can be put at ease!

John 13:18-35 - As we continue in the book of John, we see Jesus declare that Judas would betray Him, and from that, the events of Christ's death, burial, and resurrection were set in motion. But instead of panic, Jesus takes time to invest into His disciples, and teach them that others will know they are truly His followers if they love each other the way that He loved them!

John 13:1-17 - Today, we see Jesus do something so humbling and amazing for His disciples. He takes time to wash their feet. It is such a beautiful display of His love for them, in which John described as "loving them to the end." If we, too, want to love people, we will be moved to serve people as well. Jesus even says that it's good to know how He served us, but even better if we go ahead and serve others as a result!

John 12:12-50 - Today, we see what is known as the triumphal entry take place. And because of the events that take place, Jesus realizes that the time has come for Him to die. Knowing this, Jesus makes a plea publicly for all to come to believe on Him. Some believed, some rejected, and some believed, but could not bring themselves to confess belief because of their fear of man. Through this account, we are reminded to lose ourselves for the sake of Christ being exalted.

John 12:1-11 - Today, we get into the last week of Jesus' life before His crucifixion. He is at a meal in the house of Simon the leper, and His dear friends Martha, Mary, and Lazarus are there. Each of these three siblings understood who Jesus was. And they each understood their roles in how to live for Him. As we look at this story, we will learn from the examples of these siblings on how we should live for the Lord by serving others, worshipping Christ, and witnessing for Him.

John 11:45-57 - An event that should have left no doubt to anyone there of who Jesus was actually ended up turning some completely against Him. They turn Him into the Pharisees because of His miracle working, and they seek council to put Him to death. The high priest even says, "He needs to die, so that the rest of us can live!" Now, he didn't mean it the way that Christ actually did die for all to live, but nevertheless, he spoke the truth. Christ died so that all of us can live. What a hope we have in Jesus!

John 11:17-46 - Jesus reassures Mary and Martha that their brother would live again because He is the resurrection and the life. They misunderstood. In this passage, we see that Jesus is the sole reason for life and eternal life! But even though Jesus is the only one who can resurrect dead things, physically and spiritually, He chooses to use us in the process. And what an amazing responsibility and privilege that is!