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.