Judges 11-13
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Part 1 of "The World Judges" Series
Every single blog I write, I think it will be the time where the Israelites finally realize that there IS a real God, and there is no reason to worship other "gods" that they used to worship. The Israelites sinned, and when they needed help from God, the promised to try harder to follow Him. Turns out, God saves them, and they go back to their evilish ways.
Even yesterday, God got SO angry with them, He refused to save them again. He must have been 10 times angrier than I am with the Israelites! But, the Israelites PROMISED to worship Him (and only Him,) forever, and God heard their cries and agreed to save them.
He sent a person called a judge, and in case you didn't get it yet -- that's why today's series (and the book of Judges) is called what it is. It's all about the mediators God sent to help the Israelites steer away form foreign gods.
But, once the judge died... and the Israelites weren't near their mediator, the Israelites went back to sinning again. They were very depending on people! And guess what?
Things haven't changed much. People are still dependent on their own ideas, and their own beliefs, and it takes someone (similar to the judges in today's reading,) to save them from evil. But of course, once the judge isn't near the sinner... they get on back to their badness.
That's where we come in. I want every single person reading this to consider themselves Christians judge after reading these next couple of days --it might require you to do a little talking to people, and actually listening to what I have to try and say-- so let's start this bad boy up!
The real reason for this "series" is simply to make people aware of what it means (to me, anyway) to be a judge. What does it mean to go out and share God's love to you? Does it mean to wait for the perfect opportunity to talk to someone? Does it mean there needs to be a bright light above someone flashing "Go talk to him/her about Jesus, Carly!"
Of course not. Everyone has certain comfort zones, and whomever you think needs Jesus is the audience you must tell about Him. You have tons of opportunities to tell others, and that's exactly what the judges in today's reading did. If they knew someone was doing something wrong, or heading down a path that didn't really lead to Jesus, they helped each person out, little by little. And even though they might of thought they were only doing a little -- they reached all of the Israelites! They saved an entire nation from just telling others about God.
And, all of you reading this, the judges probably had an effect on you, too. So, they reachd more people than they meant too, more people than they thought. Don't believe me? It's in the Bible. Being a judge isn't just being a Christian for yourself. It isn't just about keeping Jesus to yourself, and sharing Him with no one, either.
Our duties are to TELL PEOPLE. So, be sure to.
Once you tell someone, they might react differently. That's when you need to understand the second part of being a judge, to understand where the person you're trying to reach is coming from. Some might be aboard with the Jesus thing, and others might disagree. Some might believe you a little, but choose to take a different path. No matter what, it's important to remain true to God. It's important that YOU know what you stand for, and you can make your own decisions. If someone disagrees with you, try your best to help them out, but be sincere. Listen to what THEY have to say before pouring out your heart.
Don't keep your thoughts and happiness to yourself. Share it with the world!
Back in the Bible, people needed a nudge from judges to stay away from sins, and be a follower of God. And, today... everyone still needs God, people! In fact, we steer away from him probably a little more than the Israelites! That why I need YOU to be a judge. Remind people what it's like to have a steady God by your side, and don't forget to tell people about him any chance you get.
Yes, yes, yes. Keep in mind there are some people why might be dangerous, and could get you in trouble, and blah blah blah. But as long as you pray for that person, and give them little hints that God loves them... then everything should fall into place.
PEACE!
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