Judges 17-18

A man named Micah sets up his own little place of worship in his house. He makes idols out of silver. He even hires his own Levite to be his priest.

What a great idea. Set up your own religion. It can be in your own house. You can be totally in charge. Hiring your own priest is a great idea because if he tells you something don't like you can just fire him. You don't have the bother of travelling to meet with other believers to worship. You don't even have to leave the house.

It's a great plan. The only problem is this is not God's plan. Micah and his mother had a desire to worship God but they violated many clear commands of God along the way. God told them.

If we desire to worship God he tells us how to do it. In Christ we have freedom. It's not about the place any more or bringing the right kind of animal but God still gives instructions in his word that are to be obeyed.

In those days Israel had no king. Everyone did as they saw fit. We can expect that statement to describe the world. It shouldn't describe the church.

May God bless your week.

Dave Morris

Samson and Delilah

Judges 16 - Samson and Delilah

When we read about Samson we have to be amazed that he was so foolish. He was in a situation that he knew was dangerous. He was in a relationship with someone who was trying to harm him. He should have run from Delilah the first time she tried to trick him. But Samson knew he was strong. He had it under control. He was just toying with this woman. She was no match for him. He was Samson, ruler of Israel. He must have had a good laugh every time he tricked her.

Have you ever been a fool like that? Have you ever seen your friends or family members being a fool like that? They are in a dangerous situation or a bad relationship that is trying to destroy them but they "Have it under control". It could be a male-female relationship but it could also be a job, an addiction, a friendship or even a hobby.

In the Gospel according to Kenny Rogers it says: "You gotta know when to hold em and know when to fold em, know when to walk away and know when to run." Samson should have walked away.

We are not as different from Samson as we might like to think.

Dave

Sunday March 7th Teaching

Greetings all:

This week we are in chapters 14 and 15 of Judges. The little baby Samson who was born to the humble Mr. and Mrs. Manoah has grown up into a big hairy young man with an attitude. He doesn't listen to his parents and marries a Philistine woman. This marriage causes him trouble right from the start. But when he Spirit of the Lord comes on him someone is going to die. First a lion, then 30 Philistines, then 1000 men of Judah.

I don't think that I would like Samson but I think that I would be very afraid of him. Samson was surely an awesome individual to behold but I am seeing nothing attractive about him spiritually in these two Chapters. He was raised by godly parents to be a man of God, separated from birth for a special purpose. But he seems to be using the gifts that God has given him to kill anyone who ticks him off. He also appears to be a prideful young man. When he kills 1000 men with the jawbone of an ass he does not praise God but credits his own strength only.

But God is still going to use him and 1000 years later he will be listed in Hebrews with the men of faith from the Old Testament. What can we learn from the life of Samson?

Dave Morris

Lets Chat

As I was reading Judges this morning, I was thinking what a dork Samson was, and yet considered a 'man of God'...how's that? And what's up with Delilah? Was she that wicked, or Samson that dumb? Anyway, thought maybe others could weigh in on what they are reading and offer other thoughts as to why God used certain people, and worked certain ways. So join in, post a thought or two. Would love to hear why you think Samson was used by God when he clearly wasn't a rule follower in regard to the nazerite calling he had.