Demanding Extra Sign was an Indication of Unbelief.. Judges6

Was Gideon testing God, or was he simply asking God for more encouragement? In either case, though his motive was right (to obey God and defeat the enemy), his method was less than ideal. Gideon seems to have known that his requests might displease God, and yet he demanded two miracles, even after witnessing the miraculous fire from the rock.

It is true that to make good decisions, we need facts. Gideon had all the facts, but still he hestitated. He delayed obeying God because he wanted even more proof.

Demanding extra signs was an indication of unbelief. Fear often makes us wait for more conformation when we should be taking action. Visible sign are unnecessary if they only confirm what we already know is true.

Today the greatest means of God's guidance is HIS Word, the Bible. Unlike Gideon, we have complete , revealed Word. If you want to have more of God's guidance, dont ask for signs, study the Bible.

Call on God in every Situation.. Judges 6

Again the Isrealites hit rock bottom before turning back to God. How much suffering they could have avoided if they had trusted HIM! 

Turning to God shouldnt be a last resort; we should look to HIM for help each day. This isnt to say life will always be easy. There will be struggles, but God will give us the strength to live through them. Dont wait until youre at the end of your rope. Call on God in every situation.

Was Barak Cowardly or just in need of Support? .. Judges4

We dont know Barak's character, but we see the character of a great leader in Deborah, who took charge as God directed. Deborah told Barak that God would be with him in battle, but that was not enough for Barak. He wanted Deborah to go with him. Barak's request shows that at heart he trusted human strength more than God's promise. 

A person of real faith steps out at God's command, even if he or she must do so alone.

How dis Deborah command such respect? She was responsible for leading the people into battle, but more than that, she influenced them to live for God after the battle was over. Her personality drew people together and commanded the respect of even Barak, a military general. She was also a prophet, whose main role was to encourage the people to obey God. Those who lead must not forget about the spiritual condition of those being led. A true leader is concerned for persons not just success

Craving for Power and Love of Money.. Judges5

War was the inevitable result when Israel chose to follow false gods. Although God had given Israel clear directions, the people failed to put HIS Words into practice. Without God at the centre of their life, pressure from the outside soon became greater than power from within, and they were an easy prey, for their enemies, if you are letting a desire for recognition, craving for power, or love of money rule your life, you may find yourself besiege by enemies--stress, anxiety, illness, fatigue. Keep God at the centre of your life, and you will have the power you need to fight these destroyers

Develop Your Faith and Obedience.. Judges3

Enemy nations were still in the land because the Israelites had failed to obey God and drive them out. Now God would allow the enemies to remain an order to test the Israelites, that is, to give them an opportunity to exercise faith and obedience. By now the younger generation that had not fought in the great battles of conquest was coming of age. It was their job to complete the conquest of the land. There were many obstacles would be a test of their faith.

Perhaps God has left obstacles in your life--hostile people, difficult situations, baffling problems--to allow you to develop faith and obedience.

Idol is not Creator because it created by human.. Judges2

God often saved HIS harshest criticism and punishment for those who worshiped idols. Why were idols so bad in God's sight? To worship an idol violated the first two of the Ten commandment. The Canaanites had gods for almost every season, activity, or place. To them, the Lord was just another god to add to their collection of gods. Israel by contrast, was to worship only the Lord. They could not possibly believe that God was the one true God and at the same time bow to an idol. Idol worshipers could not see their god as their creator because they created it. These idols represent sensual, carnal, and immoral aspects of human nature. God's nature is spiritual and moral. Adding the worship of idols to the worship of God could not be tolerated.

Despite Israel's disobedience, God showed HIS great mercy by raising up judges to save the people from their oppressors. Mercy has been defined as" not giving a person what he or she deserves" this is exactly what God did for Israel and what HE does for us. Our disobedience demands judment! But God show mercy toward us by providing an escape from sin's penalty through Jesus Christ, who alone saves us from sin. When we pray for forgiveness, we are asking for what we do not deserve. Yet when we take this step and trust in Christ's saving work on our behalf, we can experience God's forgiveness.

The Cycle of Sin.. Judges2

One generation died, and the next didnt follow God. Book of Judges is a brief preview of the cycle of sin, judgment, and repentance that Israel experienced again and again. Each generation failed to teach the next generation to love and follow God. Yet this was at the very center of God's law. It is tempting to leave the job of teaching the Christian faith to the church or Christian school. Yet God says that the responsibility for this task belongs primarily to the family. Because children learn so much by our example, the home offers the most effective place to pass on the faith to the next generation.

Baal was the god of storm and rains; therefore, he was thought to control vegetation and agriculture. Ashtoreth was the mother goddes of love, war, fertility. Temple prostitution and child sacrifice were a partof the worship of these Canaanite idols. This generation of Israelites abandoned the faith of their parents and began worshiping the gods of their neighbors. Many things can tempt us to abandon what we know is right. The desire to be accepted by our neighbors can lead us into behavior that is unacceptable to God. Dont be lulled into compromised or pressured into disobedient