B.E.S.T. Shabbat

32Therefore on that day he called him Jerubbaal, saying, “Let Baal plead against him, because he has torn down his altar.” (Judges 6:32 (NKJV)) Click here to listen to " Gideon Part 3 " Last chapter, we looked at the tearing down by Gideon of the altar of Baal Peor and the Asherah pole, the idols of the Midianites. This was a declaration of war in the heavenlies against the attempts to appease the gods of the enemies of God and the Israelites. The response is immediate: 33Then all the Midianites and Amalekites, the people of the East, gathered together; and they crossed over and encamped in the Valley of Jezreel. (Judges 6:33 (NKJV) When the gauntlet is thrown by Gideon, by destroying the altar of Baal Peor and the Asherah pole, The followers are threatened at an existential level. This is hard for us to understand in our era of dissolving national identities. The closest thing we have to the heart attitudes of those who worship and an idol is our modern-day racial identi...

"Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of  that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus . Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do:  forgetting what lies behind  and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the  upward call of God in Christ Jesu s ."  Php 3:12-14 (NASB) Click here to listen to  " The Upward Call " Each of us has been chosen, by our Abba-Father  for a call .  These times that we live in  with all of the fears and  shaking that is going on can make us feel that we are  just trying to survive .  This is NOT our destiny! We have been  “laid hold of” by Christ Jesus . I want you to see that picture. Think of it like  He has knocked at the door of your house  and has taken you into His custody .   But unlike a prisoner of th...

Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things. And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who "will render to each one according to his deeds": [5] eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness--indignation and w...