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Judges begins with a pair of introductions, which orient the reader as to what will follow in the rest of the book. This particular passage describes the spiritual situation amongst God's people. It is messy. The people are getting caught up in the influence of the world around them, and forget the God who has saved them. Nevertheless, God continues to be gracious to his people in delivering them, and calling them to a life of faith. Our lives in this world are always a bit messy, and this passage calls us in the midst of this mess to keep turning to the Lord and trusting in him.
As we continue our series in discerning God's will, we are faced this week with the truth that none of us makes decisions or takes actions in a vacuum. Our decisions and actions impact the people around us in ways great and small. Part of discerning God's will is to consider that impact, and to consider what God says he wants for people. This passage in Timothy tells us that God wants people to be saved and to know the truth about Christ. This revelation about God's desire for the people around us, should impact the way we go about our decisions and actions. ...
This week we begin a series thinking about how we can be discerning God's will in our lives both individually and corporately. The word of wisdom in Proverbs 3 reminds us that discerning God's will begins with a willingness to submit our wills to God's in our lives. We won't be able to discern God's will for us if we think our own wisdom is sufficient for our lives. ...
We continue our series on discerning God's will by considering this passage in Romans, which urges us toward a new way of thinking and living in Christ. It is a breaking away from the old patterns of decision-making and actions we had in the past, and a growing in the pattern of listening to the Lord and his leading more and more. This transformation is a life-long process, but we go about all of it in view of God's mercy toward us in Christ. ...
