The passage in many ways lays out for us the basics of what it means to be a genuine disciple of Jesus – Discipleship 101. A true disciple is imperfect but learning to follow Jesus. They are also those who deny themselves in favour of following Jesus and being obedient to him. This is done […]

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Judges 13 – Samson

As we are given the birth announcement of Samson, we find that he is born into a period in history when the Israelites continue to do what is right in their own eyes. The people, then, like today are powerless to change themselves or be saved. So then, like today, God takes the initiative and […]

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Judges 11 – Jephthah’s Tragic Vow

The chapter starts with the leaders making asking Jephthah to be their leader against the enemy. Before the battle, Jephthah makes a tragic vow regarding the sacrifice of whoever would come out of his home when he returns in victory. He returns and is greeted by his daughter. We ask ‘Why does he make this […]

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John 7:14-24, “Discovering truth.”

Sin, which is ultimately selfish, can blind us to discovering truth. It is so important that we examine ourselves and ask God to give us the ability to discern truth from error and to have a realistic look at ourselves. If we want to go on sinning, then we have actually lost our ability to […]

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Judges 9

Judges ch9 paints a pretty bleak picture of what human beings are like when left to their own devices. In a chapter where God is not mentioned we see what a society without God might look lie but also ask, is he absent? But God is not absent then or now and has been acting […]

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Psalm 73 – A game of 2 halves

Have you ever felt sorry for yourself? If so it is likely because you feel hard done by. My life shouldn’t be like this. It can make us sad, or discouraged, we can feel self-pity or perhaps just despondent. Sometimes we might think, why do I bother, or what’s the point. Often at the root […]

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Judges 8, “Gideon seeks glory”

After defeating the Midianites with only 300 men, bearing only trumpets and empty jars, we conclude that the victory is the Lord’s! It could be no other. Yet in Judges ch8 we find a picture of Gideon that suggests he is trying to claim some credit for himself. We consider that we cannot seek glory […]

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John 7:11-13, “Curious about Jesus?”

When Jesus attended the festival of Booths, a kind of harvest festival, people were curious about him. Some said that he led people astray and others thought he was a good man. They were both wrong. Jesus was far more than just a good man and he certainly didn’t lead people astray.

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