1.  What pockets of resistance are in your life that God wants you to remove? What blessings are you missing out on by not being obedient?2.  Are there any promises of God that you don't firmly believe or may seem contradictory? For example: If God is love then how can He allow harm to come to those He loves? Don't be   ashamed to question. Seek out an answer for your concerns from trustworthy sou...  Read More

Judges 2:16-23 (HCSB)16 The Lord raised up judges, who saved them from the power of their marauders, 17 but they did not listen to their judges. Instead, they prostituted themselves with other gods, bowing down to them. They quickly turned from the way of their fathers, who had walked in obedience to the Lord’s commands. They did not do as their fathers did. 18 Whenever the Lord raised up a judge ...  Read More

Judges 2:6-15 (HCSB)Joshua’s Death6 Joshua sent the people away, and the Israelites went to take possession of the land, each to his own inheritance. 7 The people worshiped the Lord throughout Joshua’s lifetime and during the lifetimes of the elders who outlived Joshua. They had seen all the Lord’s great works He had done for Israel. 8 Joshua son of Nun, the servant of the Lord, died at the age of...  Read More

I'm gettin' nuttin' for Christmas Mommy and daddy are mad I'm gettin' nuttin' for Christmas 'Cause I ain't been nuttin' but badThat must have been how the Christians in Corinth felt when Paul wrote the scathing letter about their behavior. In the church there was sexual dysfunction, abuse of the Lord’s Supper, and the disunity of the church in general. We will read about what Paul prescribed for t...  Read More

Judges 2:1-5  (HCSB)Pattern of Sin and Judgment2 The Angel of the Lord went up from Gilgal to Bochim and said, “I brought you out of Egypt and led you into the land I had promised to your fathers. I also said: I will never break My covenant with you. 2 You are not to make a covenant with the people who are living in this land, and you are to tear down their altars. But you have not obeyed Me. What...  Read More

Judges 1:27-36 (HCSB)Failure of the Other Tribes27 At that time Manasseh failed to take possession of Beth-shean and its villages, or Taanach and its villages, or the residents of Dorand its villages, or the residents of Ibleam and its villages, or the residents of Megiddo and its villages; the Canaanites refused to leave this land. 28 When Israel became stronger, they made the Canaanites serve as...  Read More

Judges 1:1-26 (HCSB)Judah’s Leadership against the Canaanites 1 After the death of Joshua, the Israelites inquired of the Lord, “Who will be the first to fight for us against the Canaanites?” 2 The Lord answered, “Judah is to go. I have handed the land over to him.” 3 Judah said to his brother Simeon, “Come with me to my territory, and let us fight against the Canaanites. I will also go with you t...  Read More

THE PROBLEM WITH GAMBLINGThe desire for riches and easy money brings all kinds of problems. Be content with what God provides as you work for a living.KEY TRUTH: Gambling Has Dangerous Consequences and Exploits the Vulnerable (Proverbs 1:8–19; 10:2)KEY TRUTH: The Love of Money Leads to All Kinds of Problems (1 Timothy 6:9–10; Proverbs 23:4–5)KEY TRUTH: God Instructs Us to Work Hard for What We Nee...  Read More

1.  Why is it easy for us to think that greed is only a problem for the rich? While you may never be tempted to join a gang and commit murder, what are some ways you are tempted to get money (or stuff) the wrong way?2. How does gaining money a little at a time help us to better steward it rather than coming into a lot of money at once? Why is the lure of a quick dollar won through gambling such a ...  Read More

I Timothy 6:6-10, 17-19  (HCSB)6 But godliness with contentment is a great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these. 9 But those who want to be rich fall into temptation, a trap, and many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root ...  Read More

Luke 12:32-34  (HCSB)32 Don’t be afraid, little flock, because your Father delights to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Make money-bags for yourselves that won’t grow old, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.Andrew Ivey This passage in Luke is a recollec...  Read More

Matthew 6:19-24  (HCSB)God and Possessions 19 “Don’t collect for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But collect for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves don’t break in and steal.21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your...  Read More