Reading for today: Judges 6:11-27 and I Thess. 3:4-5

“…the same night…the Lord said to him,…’tear down the altar of Baal…and cut down the wooden image that is beside it;…’” Judges 6:25

Before God would use Gideon to deliver Israel from their enemies, He told him to get rid of the idols. God has great plans for each of our lives as well. Is there any idol holding you back from carrying out God’s plan? Anything getting between you and God, anything drowning out the message He’s giving? If so, get rid of it now - you will never regret it!

Reading for today: Judges 6:1-10 and I Thess. 3:1-3

“Then the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord. So the Lord delivered them into the hand of Midian for seven years,…” Judges 6:1

Israel was having a terrible time, but it didn’t have to be that way. It was because of their own disobedience to God. When they called out to God, though, (verse 6) He called Gideon to deliver them. Sometimes I think about how much of my frustration and trouble is really the result of my own actions. Thankfully, when we call out to God in prayer, He delivers us by His Spirit.

Reading for today is: Judges 5:24-31 and 1 Thess. 2:19-20

“Thus let all Your enemies perish, O Lord! But let those who love Him be like the sun when it comes out in full strength.” Judges 5:31a

It has been raining for over 4 weeks now as I write this. I want the sun and its brightness. I miss its brilliant warmth. May we as God’s people rely on Him so much that we too will be brilliant, warm, and bright, no matter what!

Reading for today is: Judges 5:12-23 and 1 Thess. 2:17-18

“Therefore we wanted to come to you-even I, Paul, time and again and again-but Satan hindered us.”  1 Thess. 2:18

Paul tried to make it back to Thessalonica and Satan had stopped him.  Acts 16 says that the Holy Spirit also kept him from coming. How did he know when it was God or when it was Satan who was interfering with his plans?  Satan could have hindered him through civil authorities, or illness.  Let’s pray that we can know the difference and rely on the Word of God as our guide. 

Reading for today is: Judges 5:1-11 and 1 Thess. 2:14-16

“Then Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam sang on that day, saying…”  Judges 5:1

Often times the Lord will speak to me in song.  Sometimes He will give me direction, or lift my spirit to worship him.  Sometimes He even wakes me up with a song to get me through the day. I am so thankful to Him for that. I love the tradition in the Old Testament when they sing God a song after a great victory. It’s a thank-you song to God, and I’m certain He loves it.  What is your thank-you song to God today?

Reading for today is: Judges 4:15-24 and 1 Thess. 2:13

Focus on:  1 Thess. 2:13

In Hebrews 4:12 it says the Word is living and active. It says that the Word works like a sharp sword cutting away deeply into our innermost thoughts and attitudes.  I don’t want anything to be hidden from You, Lord. Let Your Word work in me.

Reading for today is: Judges 4:10-14 and 1 Thess. 2:9-12

 Focus on:  1 Thess. 2:11-12

This verse is full of instruction for our church, our family and our friends.  Some say that Paul was in Thessalonica for only three weeks to form this early church and he decided to use love and encouragement.  May we use this example at Horizon, in our marriages, with our kids and with our friends and co-workers.

Reading for today is: Judges 4:4-9 and 1 Thess. 2:3-8 

 ”And Barak said to her, ‘If you will go with me, then I will go; but if you will not go with me, I will not go!’” Judges 4:8

Paul went to Thessalonica and founded the church he was writing to under promise of persecution and even death.  I am so glad that Paul was obedient. I’m glad he was brave. I admire his resolve to please only God. What if Barak would have said, ‘I will go and do what the Lord is telling me to do because HE is with me and I trust HIM?’  I wonder how the story would have been different.

Reading for today is: Judges 4:1-3 and 1 Thess. 2:1-2

“When Ehud was dead, the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the Lord.”
Judges 4:1 

The Jewish nation struggled to keep God first. They would sin, and would become surrounded by trouble, sin and oppression. They would cry out to the Lord, and He would have pity on them. He would send a “judge” who would help them defeat their enemies and point them back to God. The generation would die off and the whole thing would happen again.  I am so glad that God is so quick to love, forgive and send help.  We don’t look too different from our predecessors, do we?

Reading for today: Judges 3:12-31 and 1 Thess. 1:9-10

“…even Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath to come.”
1 Thess. 1:10b

If we put our trust in Jesus, He will rescue us from the troubling times that are to come and provide eternal life for us!  As believers, we have hope in the second coming of our Lord and Savior.