Podcasts about in judges

What does it look like to be truly stuck in life? In Judges 6, we encounter the nation of Israel living out a painful cycle: compromise leads to crisis, crisis leads to crying out, and God responds with deliverance. But here is what makes this passage so striking, before God sends a deliverer, he sends a prophet to confront the heart. The message is clear: God is less interested in changing our circumstances than in changing us.Fear has a way of relocating us, shrinking our lives down to the size of what we are afraid of. This message calls us to examine whether we have built our lives around our fears rather than around our faith, and to ask honestly: where have we drifted, and what has quietly taken the place of God in our hearts?

Judges 7:1-8, 19-23 What do we do when God calls us to something that seems far beyond what we have to offer? In Judges 7, we find Gideon staring down an army of 135,000 with only 32,000 fighters at his side

God's hand may be unseen, but His work is unmistakable… Judges 4-5 is a good reminder for us when we face circumstances, trials, or situations that God is present, God is working, and God is in control… even when we ask: Where is God? In Judges 4 the people of Israel are asking this… But God is not absent…

In Judges 4-5, God raises up Deborah during a time of compromise, oppression, and spiritual darkness. Her story reminds us that when evil rises, God raises His people to stand against it. Discover how walking in your God-given calling, staying close to God, and relying on the Holy Spirit can give you the wisdom and courage to say yes when God calls.

God does not need the strongest, most confident, or most qualified person. He is looking for ordinary people who are willing to place their lives in His hands.In Judges 6-7, Gideon is hiding from the Midianites when God calls him a “mighty warrior.” Gideon feels weak, afraid, and completely unqualified, but God sees who Gideon will become through His power. God then reduces Gideon's army from 32,000 men to only 300 and sends them into battle with trumpets, torches, and jars. What looked impossible from a human perspective became possible because God was with them.This message reminds us that God uses the improbable to do the impossible. Our weaknesses, fears, and limitations do not disqualify us. When we surrender our lives to God, He can use even the most ordinary people and ordinary tools for extraordinary purposes.Whose hands is your life in today?

What happens when we refuse to repent of our sin? In Judges 16:4–22, Samson's relationship with Delilah reveals the consequences of unrepentant sin. What begins with compromise ultimately leaves him devastated! Listen as Pastor Rob Bentz shares our latest message, Immorality (Unrepentance), to learn why sin always costs more than it promises. Only God's grace, and the freedom found in repentance brings peace. 

What happens when we refuse to repent of sin? In Judges 16:4–22, Samson's relationship with Delilah reveals the consequences of unrepentant sin. What begins with compromise ultimately leaves him disarmed, deceived, and devastated. This message explores how sin always costs more than it promises and points us to the hope of repentance, God's grace, and the freedom found in wholehearted obedience to Him.

What controls your decisions: fear of people or fear of God? In Judges 6, we see how the fear of others can keep us from living in faithful obedience, but God's presence gives us the courage to trust Him instead. Pastor Joel Tomkinson explores how hearing God's truth, holding onto His presence, and honoring Him above everyone else weakens the grip of fear and leads to a life of bold faith.

Many things guide our life decisions. Oftentimes, the difficult decisions we face in life come down to the posture of our heart--do we fear people or do we fear God? In Judges 6, we see how the fear of others can keep us from living in faithful obedience. Listen as Pastor Rob Bentz shares our latest message, Fear, as we explore how hearing God's truth, holding onto His presence, and honoring Him above everyone else weakens the grip of fear and leads to life of bold faith.

What controls your decisions: fear of people or fear of God? In Judges 6, we see how the fear of others can keep us from living in faithful obedience, but God's presence gives us the courage to trust Him instead. This message explores how hearing God's truth, holding onto His presence, and honoring Him above everyone else weakens the grip of fear and leads to a life of bold faith.

God's purpose for your life does not wait for you to have everything figured out. In Judges 13, He moved toward a barren woman in a struggling tribe, setting apart her unborn son as a Nazirite before he ever took his first breath. Even when Israel had drifted from Him for decades, God remained faithful to His plan. Preparation for that plan began not with Samson, but with his mother's obedience. The same is true for us today. God is not looking for perfection before He acts. He is looking for hearts that are willing to be set apart and ready. The question worth asking is whether we are preparing for what He has already purposed.

What holds you back from doing what God asks of you? What holds you back from answering the call of God? In Judges 4 and 5, God calls Deborah and Barak to free His people from oppression. Deborah trusts God, but Barak hesitates. Listen as Pastor Rob Bentz shares our latest message, Passivity, to see why answering the call of God is so important for a believer.

What holds us back from doing what God asks? In Judges 4, God calls Deborah and Barak to free Israel from oppression, but Barak hesitates. This message explores the cost of passivity and how faithful action begins with trusting God.

What holds us back from doing what God asks? In Judges 4, God calls Deborah and Barak to free Israel from oppression, but Barak hesitates. In this message, Pastor Chris Hansen explores the cost of passivity and how faithful action begins with trusting God.

What happens when a person gains power but loses their sense of right and wrong? In Judges 9, we encounter the tragic story of Abimelech—a man driven by ambition, willing to compromise truth and sacrifice others to achieve his goals. In this sermon we take a careful look at the emptiness that comes when life is built on pride, self-promotion, and a rejection of God's wisdom.This passage reminds us that God sees beyond outward success and ultimately holds every heart and every leader accountable. Yet, even in a dark chapter of Scripture, we are reminded of our need for a better King—one who leads with humility, righteousness, and grace.Join us as we consider the kind of people we are becoming and the foundation we are building our lives upon.

In Judges 2:6-23, we see a generation rise up that did not know the Lord. Listen as we discover the signs of a compromised faith: forgetting God's greatness, forgetting His ways, and facing His discipline. Join us as we hear from Abe Philip on what it means to keep ourselves from idols and remain faithful to God.

In Judges 2:6–23, we see a generation rise up that did not know the Lord. This message looks at the signs of a compromised faith: forgetting God's greatness, forgetting His ways, and facing His discipline. Join us as we consider what it means to keep ourselves from idols and remain faithful to God.

Wednesday, 24 June 2026   Now when they drew near Jerusalem, and came to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, Matthew 21:1   “And when they neared unto Jerusalem, and they came unto Bethphage toward the ‘Mount, the Olives', then Jesus, He sent two disciples.” (CG)   In the previous verse, Chapter 20 ended with Jesus healing the sight of the blind men, who were then said to follow Him. In Luke, the account of Zachaeus, the wee little man, comes after the healing. Matthew skips over that, saying, “And when they neared unto Jerusalem.”   The walk from Jericho to Jerusalem is uphill. The path follows a wide gorge at times with stunning views. Eventually, Jerusalem comes into view. Along this well-beaten track, certainly still accompanied by a large group of people, it says, “and they came unto Bethphage.”   Béthphagé is a location found only three times, once in each of the synoptic gospels. It is, unfortunately, rendered by some as House of Figs. This does not give the full sense of the word. The name is derived from beth, house, and pag (Hebrew pagah), crude, which is found only once in the Old Testament, in Song of Songs 2:13. There it says, “The fig spiced her crudes.” The word khanat signifies to spice. It is a term used when referring to embalming.   The meaning isn't that of putting forth but of the sweetening, or spicing, of the fruit as it ripens for harvesting. This process then explains the word pagah, crude, an unripe fig. The fig is already on the tree, but until it goes through the spicing process, it otherwise remains an inedible crude unless it is properly prepared to make chutneys, jams, and preserves. However, once it is spiced by the season, it becomes edible right off the tree.   Understanding this, Béthphagé means House of Unripe Figs, or more scientifically, House of Unspiced Figs, with the understanding that the spicing process is on the tree, not in later preparation. Bethphage is collocated with Bethany, as is seen in Mark's and Luke's gospel records.   The actual site of Bethphage has never been determined, but its general location, based on the gospels, is certain. Being near Bethany, it is within what is known as a Sabbath-day's journey, which is 2000 cubits or less, to Jerusalem. That is determined from Acts 1:12, which places the Mount of Olives within this distance. Matthew says it is “toward the ‘Mount, the Olives'.”   This contains another new word, elaia, olive. It refers to the tree or the fruit. In Judges 9, the olive is noted as the finest of the fruit trees. Its fruit is highly prized. Olives are used for eating, oil, soaps, and more. The oil is used for lighting lamps and cooking food, among other uses. The wood is prized for its beauty and can be burned for warmth.   As for the olive itself, it is a symbol of religious privilege. For example, it reflects the Spirit working through those who are included in this privilege. The olives receive their fatness from the roots. The branches receive this fatness and produce olives, which are then used to put forth light before the Lord in the form of olive oil. At this location, it next says, “then Jesus, He sent two disciples.”   These two are to prepare for a special moment prophesied by the prophet Zechariah, hundreds of years earlier.   Life application: It is important to know what the various things noted in the Bible represent. The olive was just seen as a symbol of religious privilege. The fig has its own connotation as well. Unfortunately, the meaning of the fig has been misapplied by many to signify the nation of Israel.   That misinterpretation has been passed around for eons, and it damages any hint of trying to figure out what is being presented in Scripture. Rather, the fig speaks of the spiritual connection between God and man.   When this was lost in the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve attempted, by their own works, to restore that connection through the use of fig leaves covering the disconnect, the shame of sin.   When Jesus curses the fig tree, in the gospels, it forms a parable concerning the place He was coming from and going to, the temple, which is the place where the spiritual connection with God was effected for the people.   In His words, “Let no one eat fruit from you ever again” (Mark 11:14), He was indicating that the temple that served the law would never again be the source of connection to God. Instead, that connection would only come through Him.   Understanding this, the House of Unspiced Crudes will have its own particular meaning. It refers to a fig that is not yet ready to be eaten unless it is manually prepared in a manner similar to pickling. Pay attention to such details. In considering the details, typology is likely to come forth from the surrounding narrative, forming a larger picture of something else.   Lord God, it is so wonderful to search out the treasures found in Your word. Help us to be diligent to research what is said, paying attention to every detail. In doing this, we will more clearly understand what You are telling us. Help us, Lord, to be methodical and patient as we search out this precious word. Amen.  

Hosts Pastor Robert Baltodano and Pastor Lloyd Pulley Question Timestamps: Theresa, Facebook (3:32) - Can I have demonic sin? Charles, NY (6:47) - If we are present with the Lord after we die, then who will rise from the dead when the dead in Christ rise? Anonymous, email (8:39) - How would you advise someone having trouble with involuntary thoughts of taking the Lord's name in vain? Carl, email (10:10) - In Judges 11 verse 31, does the word "as" mean a comparison? Matt, Instagram (13:24) - Is it a sin to not want to have kids? Rose, email (16:25) - Who was Cain afraid of, if Adam and Eve were the only other people on Earth? Where did Cain get his wife? Enriquez, HI (18:51) - Are some born again into immortality without the influence of Satan? Bella, email (23:06) - Who is allowed to speak in tongues and when? Isaac, GA (25:48, continued after break at 33:30) - What was Adam to God? Debbie, email (34:50) - Would it have been possible for Hannah to have purchased Samuel back from the temple? Johnny, email (36:33) - Why was Isaac limited to only blessing one son? Rich, email (39:14) - Can you explain why Jesus cursed the fig tree? Jackie, NJ (41:56) - In Kings, how could the king have gathered all the people together for announcements or decrees? Kirk, MA (46:01) - Didn't Esau give away his birthright for soup? Didn't God predict the older would serve the younger? Joshua, MA (51:10) - Was Eve surprised to have a man child? Ask Your Questions: Call: 888-712-7434 Email: Answers@bbtlive.org

Are you making major decisions based solely on what's efficient, logical, or profitable?When things get tough, it is incredibly easy to look around at what is working for everyone else and try to copy it. In Judges 2, the Israelites got into trouble because they stopped trusting God and started copying the religious practices of the surrounding culture. Today, creators do the exact same thing: we follow the algorithms, the hustle culture, and the financial advice of the secular world without ever stopping to ask God for wisdom.Life and content creation become exponentially harder when we rely purely on secular thinking. If you only look at your problems through a physical, biological, or financial lens, you are missing out on the spiritual reality of how God operates. The secular mindset thrives on fear, telling you to panic, go into debt, and work yourself into burnout. But the biblical approach often looks like taking a Sabbath, waiting patiently, and making small, faithful steps of obedience—even if it means making less money.

The letter of James is full of challenging spiritual statements.  Many are applicable to the world which surrounds us. James was writing at the time when Jerusalem was about to be destroyed as his half-brother (our Lord) had warned.  The great majority had rejected the divine message, it is evident that, 30+ years after their Lord ascended to heaven the convictions and commitment of believers was in serious decline.What James writes is also appropriate for the world today and the spirit among many who consider themselves believers, “You ask and do not receive,” he declares, “because you ask wrongly to spend it on your passions…. Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? [4 v.3,4] What he writes next reminds us of what Paul said to the people of Athens – about the unseen presence of the only real God, encouraging them to “feel their way toward him and find him.  Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, for ‘In him we live and move and have our being'”  [Acts 17 v.27,28] Compare this with what James told believers in Jerusalem about God, “'He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us?'” [Ch. 4 v.5]   The Creator of all things, it is clear, sees and knows all. In Judges we read about Gideon; in his days the people had largely forgotten their history, especially the faith that Moses and Joshua inspired in them as they started to possess the promised land. The nation was in deep trouble, Gideon had an astonishing encounter with an angel of the LORD and asked him, “if the LORD is with us why has all this happened …” [6 v.13]  We know the reason, few in our world will know the reason when our world starts to really fall apart.   Finally, what Isaiah writes in todays' ch. 33 is a sort of prayer, an inspiration that we can and should take to heart, “O LORD , be gracious to us,; we wait for you.  Be our arm every morning, our salvation in time of trouble.” [v.2] We all need to experience “friendship” How do we find ours? Does it sustain us spiritually?  Above all, how real in our divine relationship?   Is it “our arm every morning.”? 

In Judges 5, Deborah and Barak respond to God's mighty deliverance with a song of praise, celebrating the Lord's victory over the Canaanite oppressors. In this message, Pastor Jim Schultz walks through this powerful chapter, showing how the song highlights both God's sovereign power and the willing obedience of those who answered His call.Along the way, we see the contrast between those who stepped forward in faith and those who stayed on the sidelines, offering timely lessons for believers today. What keeps us from obeying God? Fear, inconvenience, distraction, or something else?This sermon also explores how Christians should understand themes of battle and victory in light of the New Testament. Drawing from Ephesians 6, Pastor Jim explains how believers are called to engage in spiritual warfare through faith, prayer, standing firm in God's truth, and boldly sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.Join us as we learn to praise God for His victories, trust His leadership, and faithfully follow His call.

Today's Promise: Judges 6:12 Have you ever felt inadequate, overlooked, or incapable of being used by God? If so, today's episode is for you. In Judges 6:12, an angel of the Lord appears to Gideon, a frightened man hiding in a winepress, and calls him a "valiant warrior." Gideon certainly did not see himself that way, but God did.   Join us as we explore this promise to discover how God sees beyond our fears, failures, and limitations. While we often define ourselves by our past mistakes and present struggles, God sees our potential through His power at work within us. Just as He transformed Gideon from a fearful farmer into a mighty deliverer, He can transform your life as well.   If you feel stuck in your own "winepress" today, this episode will encourage you to trust God's perspective over your own and step confidently into the purpose He has prepared for you.

In Judges 16:28, Samson discovered that even after failure, compromise, and spiritual defeat, God was still willing to restore, strengthen, and use him again, so cry out to Jesus today and ask, "Lord, one more time," and let Him restore what has been lost.

In Judges, we see gifted, but flawed leaders living through cycles of compromise, rescue, and rebellion. When Israel drifts away from God, we witness the consequences of only using strength and influence without tempering it with surrender and integrity. Even though it seems like chaos, God continues to work through imperfect people. As we look at Judges, we will see why character matters more than giftedness.

We hear a lot about the prophets, but what about prophetesses? Women worked alongside men in the Old Testament, even as prophetesses of the Lord. Although the Old Testament text has a lot less to say about these women, we read that they were respected and sought after for their specific wisdom. The history in the Bible would surely not be the same without unity between these women and the men they served with and for. Why don't we see these stories as powerful movements for the kingdom of God? We have examined the unity God created men and women in and the unity of work he created us for. And we also examined how sin broke this sacred unity. This is the underlying why. Culture and sin both play an unintentional and sometimes intentional role in us not hearing more about these female prophets. You could probably tell me a lot about Moses and Aaron, but what about their sister? Her name was Miriam, and she was also a prophet of the Lord. If I think about this trio more, I wish I could have heard more about their unity and the dynamics of their work together! Miriam is one of the earliest leaders of worship! In Exodus 15:20-21 we see her leading other women in song and dance after they crossed the Red Sea. The timing of the text suggests she may have been the first to lead a victory celebration of the exodus from Egypt! Miriam was noted as one of God's chosen leaders of the exodus in Micah 6:4. I brought you up out of Egypt and redeemed you from the land of slavery. I sent Moses to lead you, also Aaron and Miriam (Micah 6:4). She was “joined as a whole” in unity with her brothers in this work. Deborah, too, was a powerful prophetess. She is described in Scripture as a judge, military strategist, warrior, and mother in Israel. No, she was not an actual mom, but rather she was a leader of Israel. In Judges, we see Deborah working, first as a judge and then as the one who leads Israel to war. Now Deborah, a prophet, the wife of Lappidoth, was leading Israel at that time. She held court under the Palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the Israelites went up to her to have their disputes decided (Judges 4:4-5). Men and women sought her counsel. In the next verse we see Deborah sends for and summons Barak. Barak said to her, “If you go with me, I will go; but if you don't go with me, I won't go” (Judges 4:8). You can read more about this in Judges chapters 4 and 5, but again we see God using men and women—in unity— to complete work. How do you see examples of Miriam and Deborah and their unity with the men around them in your work today?

Abimelech's story is a tragic mess. Driven by selfish ambition, he conspires to seize power by murdering his seventy brothers. He is godless, ruthless, and self-serving—and that dangerous combination brings destruction to everyone under his leadership.In Judges 9, Pastor Andy uses the story of Abimelech to show how godless leaders become dangerous leaders. What happens when a leader has ambition without character, power without love, or courage without restraint? The result is always ruin.Welcome to Antioch Georgetown! We are a church in Georgetown, TX, and our mission is simple--We lead people to follow Christ in a life-changing way.Get Connected:

In Judges 6, the Lord meets Gideon and calls him a “valiant warrior.” Yet Gideon doesn't look the part—he appears fearful and uncertain. While Gideon is focused on changing his circumstances, God is focused on changing his identity.Today, we'll explore how the Lord is still at work within us, transforming our hearts and shaping us into valiant warriors who live on mission with Him.Welcome to Antioch Georgetown! We are a church in Georgetown, TX, and our mission is simple--We lead people to follow Christ in a life-changing way.Get Connected:

In Judges 6, Israel's disobedience opened the door to oppression—and the Midianites devastated the land year after year, leaving God's people harassed, hiding, and hopeless (Judges 6:3, 5). It took seven long years before Israel humbled itself and cried out to the Lord (Judges 6:6). In today's episode of the MY Devotional Podcast, Dr. Michael Youssef draws a sobering parallel to our own time: when adults fail to model faithful obedience, the next generation often learns to retreat—running and hiding from the “Midianites” of their day rather than standing firm in God's strength. But God's pattern with Gideon still holds: before He delivers His people from external threats, He must deliver them from internal unbelief. Dr. Youssef calls believers to welcome God's gift of revival through confession and repentance, then to cling to the Lord, rest in His strength, and show the next generation what it looks like to “stand up and be counted.” If you're burdened for the future of your family, your community, or your nation, this devotional will re-center your hope: God can still rescue, but He begins by reshaping hearts. Prayer: God, forgive us for the poor example we have set for the next generation. I pray that my generation would humble itself before You before it's too late. Help us show our children what it means to stand up for Truth instead of being overrun by our culture. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen. “Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood” (Acts 20:28). Learn more in Dr. Michael A. Youssef's sermon Beware of Spiritual Amnesia, Part 3: LISTEN NOW Scripture Focus: Judges 6:1-6 The voice you hear on the MY Devotional podcast is digitally generated with Dr. Youssef's permission. If today's devotional stirred a question, burden, or need for prayer, you don't have to walk through it alone.

What if your biggest obstacle is not fear — but the choice to hold back? In Judges 6, God calls Gideon a mighty hero while he is literally hiding in a wine press. That disconnect is the whole point. In Why You Keep Holding Back, Pastor Mike O'Connell unpacks the Greek word deilía from 2 Timothy 1:7 — often translated "timidity" — and reveals that it is not describing an emotion. It is describing a posture: the decision to shrink back when courage is already available to you.God did not just call Gideon out of hiding. He stripped away every safety net — shrinking an army of 32,000 down to 300 — so there would be no question about who deserved the credit. If there is a decision you keep deferring, a conversation you keep avoiding, or a calling you keep softening to make it more comfortable, this message will challenge you. What God sees in you is not what your circumstances are telling you. And the step He is asking you to take might be the very thing that unlocks everything else.

What if your biggest obstacle is not fear — but the choice to hold back? In Judges 6, God calls Gideon a mighty hero while he is literally hiding in a wine press. That disconnect is the whole point. In Why You Keep Holding Back, Pastor Mike O'Connell unpacks the Greek word deilía from 2 Timothy 1:7 — often translated "timidity" — and reveals that it is not describing an emotion. It is describing a posture: the decision to shrink back when courage is already available to you.God did not just call Gideon out of hiding. He stripped away every safety net — shrinking an army of 32,000 down to 300 — so there would be no question about who deserved the credit. If there is a decision you keep deferring, a conversation you keep avoiding, or a calling you keep softening to make it more comfortable, this message will challenge you. What God sees in you is not what your circumstances are telling you. And the step He is asking you to take might be the very thing that unlocks everything else.

The third stop in our names of God study brings us to Elohim, and it's actually where it all begins. Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” The Hebrew word used here for God is “Elohim”. This is how we meet God, and before he asks absolutely anything of us, he reveals who he is. Who is he? He is Elohim, meaning he is the Supreme One, the Mighty One, the Creator. The name Elohim tells us our God is all power and absolutely zero limitation. Nothing and no one is above him and everything begins with him. Nothing exists without the Creator. To understand our Elohim, look at his creation. Look at the magnificent universe and its perfect balance to sustain life. Look at the intricate details of life. Nothing is by accident, everything is the intentional thought and spoken word of Elohim, the Creator. But you know that, right? You know he created all of this and holds all of this, but do you realize, Elohim doesn't stop there. A creator doesn't create once and never create again. He continues to create. He continues to make things new … for you! Not only for you, but IN YOU. 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a NEW person. The old life is gone; a NEW LIFE has begun!” This is the work of Elohim, the Creator who is still creating new things in you. As long as you're alive, he's still creating in you. New things are growing and developing because of his continued work of creation in you. Question – Where do you need Elohim to create something new in you? God is working in you, and he's working all around you. Elohim can work in anything and everything because it was all his original work anyway. The one who created it can change it or redesign it in any way he wishes. He alone holds that power. Maybe what you need doesn't even exist right now. Do you honestly think that's a problem for Elohim, the Supreme One, the Mighty One, the Creator? Girl, he can create the solution for your problem. He can design the pathway through your impossible. He can make a brand new, never been seen before creation to meet your need. He is not limited to what has been before. He is not limited to what makes sense. He's not limited to what you know or what you understand. He can make a new cure. He can make a new way. He can make a new solution. Our God is a CREATOR. He creates things that have never existed before. Did you know you can call on him to create for you now? Think about this – when Moses and the Israelites stood before an impassable Red Sea with their enemies closing in from behind, there was no way. There were no solutions. This was hopeless. So Elohim, our God the Creator, created a new way that had never been seen or imagined before. He created a dry path through the Red Sea by splitting the waters and making them stand on their ends. And let me tell you something you need to know – If God can do that then for them, God can do something radically new for you now! Call on your Elohim. God, create a way for me. Maybe what you need is a new opportunity. You're at a dead end with no viable options and you feel desperate. You've looked for a different opportunity and found absolutely none. Well – LOOK AGAIN, Sis. For real, God can create a new opportunity for you that simply wasn't there before … but it can be now. In my journey of faith I've found this simple truth – God loves to show up for the one who is looking for him. Jesus tells us in Matthew 7:7, “Seek and you will find.” I believe Jesus really meant that and I believe Elohim can really back it up. If you look for him, you will find him … and you'll find him doing new things for you all the time! Creating ways where there were no ways before. Creating new opportunities where old opportunities spoiled. Creating new solutions to impossible problems and letting you stumble right into them as you seek his hand. Question – Where do you need Elohim to create something new for you? You can trust God's unlimited hand over your limitations. You can trust God's power over your problems. He can speak into existence absolutely ANYTHING NEEDED HERE. Elohim is the creator of all things, including YOU. Nothing in your life is beyond his power. He can create in you what you cannot create on your own. He can align for you in one day what you couldn't possibly make come together in a hundred lifetimes. Get a glimpse of how big your God, Elohim, really is … now know that anything you can dare to imagine is the tiniest proportion of who he really is and what he can really do. Elohim doesn't just create worlds with mountains and valleys, rivers and oceans, the sun and moon and stars – he creates moments – he creates solutions – he creates connections – he creates paths that lead to eternal destinations. Elohim creates abundance where there was lack, order where there was chaos, and life where there was death. In Exodus, we see God create manna out of absolutely nothing and make this dewy food substance just appear on the wilderness ground every morning for his people. It had never been there before and likely has never been there again since – but he made it new for the Israelites just when they needed it. This shows us Elohim doesn't need resources – HE CREATES THEM. Maybe you're standing here today empty handed feeling like you have nothing to even start with. Okay, that's not a problem for our God. He can create the resources you need. He can create the job. He can create the opportunity. He can create the connection. He can create the need and then allow YOU to be the one to meet the need in a perfect way. How many times in scripture do we see God create new life in a womb that was declared barren and broken? That's not a limitation for the Creator. He can create in impossible places and grow miracles. I'm literally watching him do that right now in one of my friend's lives. Elohim is still working! In 2 Chronicles 20, God gives a new battle plan for Jehoshaphat against a mighty army he didn't have a chance winning against. The new battle plan God gave was to go out and sing praises the next morning and this would send the enemy armies into a frenzy and fight against one another. As Jehoshaphat and his tiny army of men sang praises to the Lord, this massive army slaughtered each other until not a single enemy remained. I need a battle plan like that for some battles I'm facing. A new plan straight from Elohim! How about you? He creates solutions we would never think of, and even when they sound crazy, God's solutions will NOT FAIL! Elohim spoke a new identity over Gideon. In Judges 6 Gideon felt like the smallest nobody of a whole tribe of nobodies. But Elohim speaks a new identity into Gideon as a mighty warrior. That mighty warrior went on and did mighty things with his new identity. Question – Do you need Elohim to speak a new identity over you? Remember, he's already doing the work in you! Going back to 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a NEW person. The old life is gone; a NEW LIFE has begun!” Let him create a new identity in you and do a new work through you leading you to a radically new life! Elohim – our God the Creator is all power and zero limitation … and he's still creating today! Follow Pamela on Instagram – https://instagram.com/headmamapamela Or Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/pamela.crim Find out more about BIG Life – http://biglifehq.com

Samson's story is not what we expect from a hero. In Judges 16, we meet a man of incredible strength, yet repeated weakness. He is a judge set apart by God, yet constantly drawn toward compromise. Samson defeats enemies, breaks chains, and topples gates, but he cannot seem to master his own desires. His life is a pattern of calling and carelessness, of divine purpose tangled with personal failure. By the time we reach the end of his story, Samson is no longer standing in power, but sitting in darkness blinded, bound, and broken. And yet, it is there, in that place of humiliation, that something changes. For the first time in a long time, Samson does not rely on his own strength. He calls out to God. His final act is not just one of physical power, but of surrendered dependence. It is in weakness that he becomes, paradoxically, a victor. In this weakness leading to strength, Samson's life points beyond itself. It reminds us that God's purposes are not defeated by human failure, and that true strength is found in reliance on Him. Ultimately, Samson directs our eyes to Jesus who, through apparent weakness, brought the greatest victory of all.SERIES: Judges: The Flawed and the Faithful SCRIPTURE: Judges 16:1-31 SPEAKER: Pastor David Hallett

What if the version of you that God sees… is nothing like the version you see?In Judges 6, Gideon is hiding—afraid, intimidated, and just trying to survive. But in that very moment, God shows up and calls him something completely different: “Mighty man of valor.”God doesn't speak to where you are—He speaks to who He's called you to be. And too many believers are living beneath that calling… hiding, staying quiet, and allowing fear, culture, and distraction to keep them from stepping into what God has already put inside them.Gideon went from hiding in a pit… to tearing down idols… to stepping into purpose. And it started with one moment—when he chose to believe what God said about him.The same call is going out today: Mighty man. Mighty woman. The Lord is with you. Support the show

The book of Judges is the “wild west” of the Bible—a messy, dark season in Israel's history. After settling in the land, the people of Israel failed to continue the fight God had called them to, leaving work unfinished and ground unconquered.In Judges 3, we're introduced to Othniel, the first judge, who shows us what it looks like when God raises up a faithful leader to step into the battle. His story reminds us that God is still calling His people to engage, not retreat.Just like Israel, we're called into a daily spiritual battle. There is still ground to take in our lives—areas where God wants to bring growth, freedom, and victory. The question is: will we step forward in obedience, or settle where we are?Welcome to Antioch Georgetown! We are a church in Georgetown, TX, and our mission is simple--We lead people to follow Christ in a life-changing way.Get Connected:

In Judges chapters 10–21 and Ruth chapters 1–4, Israel repeatedly turns away from God and experiences oppression, and though God raises up judges like Jephthah and Samson to deliver them, the nation falls deeper into moral and spiritual chaos, ending with civil war and the statement that everyone did what was right in their own eyes. In contrast, the book of Ruth shows a story of faithfulness and redemption, as Ruth remains loyal to Naomi, marries Boaz, and becomes part of the family line that would lead to King David.Read the WHOLE Bible with me! Subscribe so you don't miss an episode. If you appreciate what is happening on this channel, please like, comment and most importantly, share this everywhere you can so we can bring as many people as possible with us on this Bible reading journey. GOD IS SO GOOD!Here is a link to all of the worship songs I have finished the Bible readings with. Worship with me!https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLv0l3ExigVUcMr6ja88bC607BoR1EaQuF&si=e1HfJdRXr4LSdU7WHere is the link to read the WHOLE Bible with me on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLv0l3ExigVUdyHEiJ2X2tFvXNINmLMs7O&si=FM_Od_qVefeWU1kYDo you want a Bald Headed Country Boy t-shirt? You can find them on my website with the link below.https://baldheadedcountryboy.com/

In Judges 6 through 8, we meet a leader who begins his journey hiding in fear and insecurity. Gideon's story is not simply about victory over an enemy. It is about the process God uses to reshape a person's dependence. Before God gives Gideon influence, He removes his confidence. Before God brings victory, He reduces... The post Judges: When God Reduces You Before He Uses You first appeared on The Nomad Pastor.

Sin always costs more than we want to pay. In Judges 10, Israel's rebellion led to crushing discipline, but God also showed them the path back: honest confession, real acknowledgement of sin, and a turning away from false gods. This episode is a sober warning not to test God's patience—and a hopeful reminder that restoration begins when we finally take sin seriously.

In Judges 1, Israel steps into the Promised Land ready to move forward. They actually begin in a good place, they seek the Lord and ask what they should do next. There's direction. Over and over again, we see the same phrase: "they did not drive them out." Instead of fully obeying what God had asked, they begin to compromise. They allow certain people to stay, put them to forced labor, and learn to live alongside what God had clearly told them to remove. But what starts as partial obedience slowly turns into a pattern of compromise, and eventually, confusion. There's a moment in Judges 1:19 where it says Judah couldn't drive out the inhabitants because they had iron chariots. And you can almost hear the justification in that. This is too hard. This is too much. This isn't realistic. It's an invitation to take an honest look at our lives and ask: Where have I stopped short? What have I allowed to stay that God has asked me to remove? Where have I chosen what feels easier over what God has said? Because obedience isn't just about starting well, it's about finishing faithfully. Click SUBSCRIBE for weekly episodes with Pastor David Maestas. 

In Judges chapters 6–9, God calls Gideon to deliver Israel from the Midianites, giving Israel victory with a small army, but later Gideon's son Abimelech seizes power and brings conflict and destruction.Read the WHOLE Bible with me! Subscribe so you don't miss an episode. If you appreciate what is happening on this channel, please like, comment and most importantly, share this everywhere you can so we can bring as many people as possible with us on this Bible reading journey. GOD IS SO GOOD!Here is a link to all of the worship songs I have finished the Bible readings with. Worship with me!https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLv0l3ExigVUcMr6ja88bC607BoR1EaQuF&si=e1HfJdRXr4LSdU7WHere is the link to read the WHOLE Bible with me on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLv0l3ExigVUdyHEiJ2X2tFvXNINmLMs7O&si=FM_Od_qVefeWU1kYDo you want a Bald Headed Country Boy t-shirt? You can find them on my website with the link below.https://baldheadedcountryboy.com/

In Judges chapters 2–5, Israel repeatedly turns away from God, but He raises up judges to deliver them from their enemies, including Deborah and Barak, who lead Israel to victory and praise God in song.Read the WHOLE Bible with me! Subscribe so you don't miss an episode. If you appreciate what is happening on this channel, please like, comment and most importantly, share this everywhere you can so we can bring as many people as possible with us on this Bible reading journey. GOD IS SO GOOD!Here is a link to all of the worship songs I have finished the Bible readings with. Worship with me!https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLv0l3ExigVUcMr6ja88bC607BoR1EaQuF&si=e1HfJdRXr4LSdU7WHere is the link to read the WHOLE Bible with me on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLv0l3ExigVUdyHEiJ2X2tFvXNINmLMs7O&si=FM_Od_qVefeWU1kYDo you want a Bald Headed Country Boy t-shirt? You can find them on my website with the link below.https://baldheadedcountryboy.com/

Hiding in a winepress. Questions in the heart. A life shaped by fear, weakness, and small beginnings. Then God speaks. In Judges 6, Gideon is seen before he feels strong, called a mighty warrior before he believes it, and sent forward with the strength he already has. What follows is more than a moment of encouragement; it is the beginning of inner transformation—where God meets weakness, speaks identity, and reveals His might through surrendered people. Alan reminds us that purpose can be knocking while fear is still answering, and that God's strength often begins to rise in the places we've tried to hide. If you've been shrinking back, disqualifying yourself, or waiting to feel stronger first, this message is your invitation into a new day: Step out of hiding. Step into the strength God declares over you.

Leadership hesitation creates spiritual vulnerability. In Judges 4 and 5, Israel is living under fear and oppression because those called to lead have grown passive and uncertain. Into that moment, God raises Deborah. Not because she campaigned for influence, but because she was faithful when others hesitated. This episode explores what happens when courage becomes... The post Judges: When God Raises Leaders the Culture Refuses to See first appeared on The Nomad Pastor.

Before the victory came, Gideon gave. Throughout the Bible, breakthrough follows surrender. Guest Pastor Bil Cornelius walks us through the levels of giving and the principle that changes everything. It isn't strategy. It's surrender.   In Judges 6, Gideon didn't wait for proof. He didn't wait for the miracle. He laid down an offering first. And only after the sacrifice was placed on the rock did the fire fall.  The early church gave themselves first to the Lord before explosive growth. And Jesus gave first. Offering precedes outpouring. Sacrifice precedes supernatural. Generosity precedes breakthrough 

When evil seems to win, and God feels silent, where is justice? In Judges 9, Abimelech murders his 69 brothers, gets crowned king, and rules for three years while his one surviving brother waits in exile. But God was working the entire time—through unexpected people, mysterious methods, and even the mess itself. This dark story reveals crucial truths about God's sovereignty and justice: He sees every evil, He will make all things right, but He does it in His timing and His way. When you're waiting for justice, remember—God is still in control.This week, our hosts continue their discussion on the book of Judges, some of the talking points were, Gideon's judgeship, God sending the evil spirit, and how God uses something evil for good. Oh and tune into the beginning to hear our hosts talk about freedom, the freedom they had to make some decisions in their younger years that sadly backfired.If you would like to watch the video podcast, find us on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMhDfGn0zfzi6XjcKkSVcFAFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/discovertbcInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/topekabiblechurchWebsite: https://www.discovertbc.com/

In Judges 6 we are introduced to the fearful, hiding, Gideon.  An unlikely warrior who will be used powerfully by God.

He WorshipedJudges 7: 15-18 “When Gideon heard the telling of the dream and its interpretation, he worshiped; and he returned to the camp of Israel, and said, “Get up; for the Lord has given the army of Midian into your hand.” After he divided the three hundred men into three companies, and put trumpets into the hands of all of them, and empty jars, with torches inside the jars, he said to them, “Look at me, and do the same; when I come to the outskirts of the camp, do as I do. When I blow the trumpet, I and all who are with me, then you also blow the trumpets around the whole camp, and shout, ‘For the Lord and for Gideon!'”We have been talking about times when praise and worship have won battles, broken chains, and set captives free. This is no exception. In Judges 6, Gideon is introduced as a reluctant and fearful man, threshing wheat in a winepress to hide it from the Midianites. When the Angel of the Lord appeared to him and called him a mighty warrior, Gideon doubted the message, pointing out that his clan was the weakest in the tribe of Manasseh and that he was the least in his family. Despite Gideon's doubts, God assured him of His presence and called him to deliver Israel from its enemies.Chapter 7 begins by discussing a battle where Gideon went into battle with thousands of troops and yet was still outnumbered. Then God told Gideon that he had too many troops and he should send home any who were scared. A good majority of them went home. I think there were 3,000 left. Then God told him there were still too many and how to decide who else should leave. Now Gideon was down to 300 soldiers, and God was pleased. However, Gideon was not sure how this was going to work out. They were vastly outnumbered. It says in Judges 7:12 “The Midianites and the Amalekites and all the people of the east lay along the valley as thick as locusts; and their camels were without number, countless as the sand on the seashore. And Gideon had 300 and God on his side.One thing I love about this story is that it shows us that God knows us. He knows our weaknesses, and He loves us anyway. God knew that Gideon would be scared and would need some reassurance before going into battle. Judges 7:9-12 says, “That same night the Lord said to him, 'Get up, attack the camp; for I have given it into your hand. But if you fear to attack, go down to the camp with your servant Purah; and you shall hear what they say, and afterward your hands shall be strengthened to attack the camp.” Then he went down with his servant Purah to the outposts of the armed men that were in the camp. While he was there, he overheard one of the enemy soldiers explaining a dream he had and talking about how great Gideon was. This gave Gideon all the confidence he needed to go into war trusting the Lord.Do you see how God knew Gideon would be scared? Do you see how God didn't discount Gideon because he was afraid to trust God and enter this seemingly unfair battle with just 300 men? God didn't walk away and find someone else who was more qualified, or someone who would trust him without fail or without question. God saw Gideon's fear and gave him what he needed to push past it. God is so good. He will do the same for you. God isn't asking you to never be afraid of what He is calling you to do. He is asking you to trust Him and to do it anyway. If you feel you need confirmation or some sort of sign to know God is asking you to do it, then ask Him for that. He is faithful to answer when we ask.I thought this story was great for our praise series because of the verses I picked for today. “When Gideon heard the telling of the dream and its interpretation, he worshiped;” When Gideon heard the enemy talking about how powerful he was, He got the courage to push past his fear. However, before waking the army to tell them to go into battle, it says two very powerful words. He worshiped. You might even just gloss over those two words in the grand scheme of the whole story. However, the Lord highlighted them for me. He wanted me to not only see them, but to point them out to you. He doesn't want us to miss it. Gideon knew where his strength came from. He knew who was going to win this battle for him, and it wasn't those 300 soldiers. It was the Lord our God.Gideon worshiped the Lord. Did this change the outcome of the war? I have no idea. Did it change how God won the war for them? Again, I have no idea. What I do know is that nothing is put in the Bible accidentally. Every word in the Bible has a meaning. There is a reason God wants us to know that before going into a war where he was incredibly outnumbered, Gideon worshiped. How about you? Are you in a war that seems unfair? Are you in a war where you seem outnumbered? Have you worshiped yet? Have you come to the Lord and asked for his help and then worshiped Him even though you might not have seen that help yet? If you are in a battle, whether it is medical, physical, financial, or some other kind of battle, and you don't know what else to do, might I suggest worship? It seemed to work for Gideon; it could work for you, too!I am not sure if you know this story, so let me go on to explain what happened.  The verse says, “After he divided the three hundred men into three companies, and put trumpets into the hands of all of them, and empty jars, with torches inside the jars, he said to them, “Look at me, and do the same; when I come to the outskirts of the camp, do as I do. When I blow the trumpet, I and all who are with me, then you also blow the trumpets around the whole camp, and shout, ‘For the Lord and for Gideon!'”These 300 soldiers were going into battle against an enemy with so many soldiers they couldn't be counted, and instead of putting swords and shields in their hands, Gideon put trumpets and jars with torches in them. This is the amazing thing about letting God fight your battles: He rarely does what you think He will do. When they blew the trumpets and shouted, God threw the Midianite army into confusion, and the enemy turned on itself. Israel won the battle without fighting by strength.God is not asking you to fight your battle alone. He is not asking you to figure out how to win the battle on your own. God is calling you to trust Him. He is calling you to invite Him into your struggle and then to listen to Him when He asks you to do something. God will solve your problem in ways you can't even imagine. I know you can't see a way out, and that is ok, you don't have to. God can make a way out. Do you think those soldiers had any idea that all they had to do to win the war was to blow on a trumpet, smash a jar, and shout “For the Lord and for Gideon!” I am sure they probably thought the plan was crazy, and yet this plan saved them from having to fight at all.God can do the same in your life. He can cure your disease without you doing anything. He can solve your problem in ways you can't even conceive. God is calling us to praise and worship, and he will do the rest. If you are like me, you have been trying to solve your own problems and those of everyone around you for far too long. How has that been going? Why not give God a shot? I guarantee he can do better than we can.Dear Heavenly Father, I ask you to bless all those listening to this episode today.  Lord, we want to trust you. We want to push past our fear and do the thing you are calling us to do. Please help us. Lord, help us trust you and help us turn our battles over to you. Your plan is better than our plan. Please help us release all the control and hand it over to you. We love you, and we ask this in the mighty name of Jesus. AmenThank you so much for joining me on this journey to walk boldly with Jesus! I look forward to meeting you here again tomorrow. Remember, Jesus loves you just as you are, and so do I. God is on your side, and we are both rooting for you—always. Have a blessed day.Today's Word from the Lord was received in September 2025 by a member of my Catholic Charismatic Prayer Group. If you have any questions about the prayer group, these words, or how to join us for a meeting, please email CatholicCharismaticPrayerGroup@gmail.com. Today's Word from the Lord is, “I have chosen you. I have anointed each one of you. Never, never forget that. You did not just wander here. You were led here. You are my children, my anointed children, my chosen children. Always, we will be together. We will walk together. We will decide together. Remain in my love.” www.findingtruenorthcoaching.comCLICK HERE TO DONATECLICK HERE to sign up for Mentoring CLICK HERE to sign up for Daily "Word from the Lord" emailsCLICK HERE to sign up for my newsletter & receive a free audio training about inviting Jesus into your daily lifeCLICK HERE to buy my book Total Trust in God's Safe Embrace

In Judges 20 & 21, the nation of Israel has turned pagan, and they have stopped asking God for advice. This week we'll find out what happens when a nation turns from God and starts doing whatever sounds good or seems right.

This Sunday, Pastor Keithen Schwahn continued our sermon series, God Comes Where He's Wanted, with a teaching on the altar of the home, drawing from the story of Gideon in Judges 6 and the words of Jesus in Matthew 18. We need to confront the brokenness of the altar of the home in our culture and take responsibility for the next generation. In Judges 6, we see the great danger of generational drift when vision is not matched with action, reminding us that renewal begins with tearing down the idols that compete for our devotion. As God restores Gideon's identity and calls him into partnership, we are urged to pursue fully integrated lives marked by obedience and faithfulness to remove idols. In Matthew 18, we are reminded of Jesus' deep care for children, and we are all invited to fight for the future of the church by blessing young people, breaking generational cycles, and intentionally passing on faith.

Some battles cannot be won with strength, talent, or effort alone. They require a different weapon.In Judges 15, Samson defeats 1,000 enemies not with a sword or spear but with the unimpressive jawbone of a donkey. What looked weak became powerful in God's hands. In this message, we discover how Samson's jawbone is a powerful picture of fasting and spiritual warfare.Fasting is more than skipping meals. It is a spiritual discipline that humbles us, sharpens our hunger for God, and positions us for breakthrough. Just as the jawbone was meant for eating but became a weapon, fasting turns a physical discipline into a spiritual advantage.In this message, you'll learn-  Why fasting is a humble weapon God uses to defeat strongholds-  Why some victories only come through prayer and fasting-  How fasting breaks bondage, restores closeness, and builds spiritual momentum-  How fasting impacts not only you but the next generation-  Why revival often comes after the battle, not beforeKey Scriptures-  Judges 15:14–19-  Matthew 6-  Isaiah 58