Judges 4 & 5

There is a cycle that is repeated throughout the book of Judges – God's people wander away to serve idols and false gods, God allows them to be punitively oppressed by their enemies, they cry out to the Lord, and God sends a judge to deliver them and bring peace to Israel. Today we examine this cyclical pattern in Israel's history and Deborah's unique role as spiritual leader and deliverer.

Colossians 2:6-15

A pack of cigarettes comes with a warning label – but heresy and false teaching don't. Join Dr. Harry Reeder on InPerspective as he exposes the false teaching and deceptive human philosophies that threatened the ancient Colossian church.

Ephesians 6:10-20

The apostle Paul urged Timothy, “Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him.” You are not part of a volunteer army – you were drafted into the Lord's service by His sovereign grace. But we can become so entangled in the affairs of this world that we forget we have been enlisted in active duty.

Ephesians 6:10-12 & Revelation 9

In 2002, President George W. Bush famously called North Korea, Iran, and Iraq an axis of evil. But we must realize that Satan has formed a far more dangerous axis of evil that includes demons, unbelievers, the unbelieving world system, the sinful inclinations and desires of the flesh, and ungodly political tyrants opposed to the Lord's ultimate rule and reign.

Judges 4 & 5

Mary the mother of Jesus, as well as Ruth, Esther, Sarah, and Rahab are a few examples of women in Scripture noteworthy for their faithfulness and commitment to the Lord – and Deborah is no exception. God raised up this mighty woman of faith and courage to inspire Barak to deliver the Israelites from the Canaanites, and her sterling example encourages us to find our strength in God alone.

Judges 6-8

God gave Gideon a rather unorthodox battle plan – take an army of 300 against over 200,000 Midianites, with weapons of jars, torches, and trumpets. This would appear to be an easy victory for the Midianites, but the Israelites had one huge advantage that made all the difference – they had the living God on their side, who had promised to bring them victory.

Judges 6-8

It is possible to achieve great victory in our spiritual lives – and yet, at the same time, lay the groundwork for devastating failure and loss down the road. God worked powerfully in and through Gideon – and yet, he faltered and did not finish well in his walk with the Lord. How can we prevent spiritual victory from turning into tragic failure and defeat?

Hebrews 11:32-40 & Judges 13-17

Samson sometimes makes you wonder why he is listed among the great heroes of faith in Hebrews, chapter 11. His example offers a window of insight on the spiritual extremes, pitfalls, peaks, and valleys that we all experience, and reinforces the vital truth that salvation is by God's grace alone. What lessons can we draw from the occasional highs, and frequent lows, of Samson’s spiritual life?