IDK

As I have been reading scripture over the past few days I have found myself saying "I don't get it!" 

I would like to say that I have or at least can find a good understanding of the scripture I read. But lately I just don't get it. So I'm asking for help. If you haven't read Judges 17-19 take a few moments and read and then give me your thoughts maybe we can learn from each other. 

3 People Acts 14

Then some Jews arrived from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowds to their side. They stoned Paul and dragged him out of town, thinking he was dead. But as the believers gathered around him, he got up and went back into the town. The next day he left with Barnabas for Derbe. (Acts 14:19, 20 NLT)

3 People. 

Some Jews - traveled to Iconium to oppose Paul and the gospel. They had a mission to stop it. I relate these "some Jews" to some Christians. It's not everyone but there are some in the church that go out of their way to oppose the gospel moving forward. They preach tradition and conformity. They throw stones of accusations. I don't want to be part of this group. 

Believers Gathered - there are powerful things that happen when the people that believe gather together. Things come back to life. The broken and bruised are healed and restored. Encouragement come from a gathering of believers. 

He, being Paul - Notice that Paul was stoned for preaching the gospel. Some say he was dead. But when he got back up (maybe even back from the dead) he went back into the city, the same place he was stoned. Maybe it was a show of Power. The Power of the gospel will move forward. The power of the Holy Spirit > is He who is in you than he who is in the world. The power of passion for e mission of God. 

Which are you?  

It's been a minute. Circles

I know it's been a while sense anything has been posted so I thought it would be good to start something. 

At church we have been reading through the books of Judges and Acts. Two radical books in the bible. So I'm going to try to post a few thoughts from these books. 

Circles. 

Judges Ch 13. 

Again the Israelites did evil in the Lord ’s sight, so the Lord handed them over to the Philistines, who oppressed them for forty years. (Judges 13:1 NLT) 

This is a common scripture you will read throughout Judges. I ask the question as to why or maybe how long will the followers of God walk in this circle. The circle = doing evil in Gods sight -> bondage -> crying for help from God -> God rescues. 

You would think that after several times walking in this circle they would get it. But then I remember how many times I fall short of obedience. How often I can walk in the circle of the same temptation. How many times have I cried out to God for salvation. 

I guess I am not that different👎. 

 So here's the beauty of this seemingly depressive scripture, God's mercy! God's grace! God comes to the rescue every time they turn back to Him. Every time they or we cry out, which is repentance, God comes to the recuse. 👍.

 I don't think it's wise to continue to walk in the same circle. I want to grow into walking a path of growth and moving forward not walking in circles. I get to dizzy. 

Here's one more thought from Ch. 13. 

The angel of the Lord appeared to Manoah’s wife and said, “Even though you have been unable to have children, you will soon become pregnant and give birth to a son. (Judges 13:3 NLT)

When her son was born, she named him Samson. And the Lord blessed him as he grew up. (Judges 13:24 NLT)

Notice that God gave direction and Manoah and his wife took action. They had to do their part. If you know what I mean. 

This is crucial to understand as we listen and hear from God. As we partner with His plan we move from circles to paths that lead to freedom.