1 Corinthians 15

Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. vv.51-52

Read chapter 15
This chapter is packed with all sorts of foundational truth like resurrection, no macro-evolution, spiritual vs. natural, etc.  I decided to focus today on some of the end verses that are a turning point of how you view our future hope.  Now this chapter is known as the resurrection chapter.  It talks about how Christ was raised from the dead and this had to happen or else our belief in Him and our salvation is nothing, it's dead.  We can't just believe that Christ died for our sin, we must believe that He was raised from the dead too.  This gives us hope of our resurrection from the dead.  But wait a minute, why do we need resurrection if we go to heaven when we die?  Somethings not quite right with those two beliefs.  This chapter clearly says we will be raised from the dead and given spiritual bodies.  There are also some that won't experience resurrection because not all will sleep (v.51), but still be changed in a twinkling of an eye with a spiritual body.  Now a spiritual body is not just some floating matter that we won't be able to recognize people, but a spiritual body is a body without corruption of sin and death working through it.  It is of God and not of the dust (vv.47-49).  Now the challenge for you with this passage: Paul is speaking to believers at that time saying they won't all sleep, but we don't see any of them walking around today, so when will this take place?

1 Corinthians 14

Even things without life, whether flute or harp, when they make a sound, unless they make a distinction in the sounds, how will it be known what is piped or played? v.7

Read chapter 14
If someone speaks in a tongue, what is it you first think of?  Babble right? Unintelable sounds?  Many Christians and churches are said to "speak in tongues" like this, yet scripture does not describe speaking in tongues this way at all.  Now I can't explain why it is that this happens then today, other than deceit by themselves or Satan.  One of my friends grew up in a charasmatic church that spoke in tongues and he says he remembers the pastor teaching him how to do it by repeating the same word over and over again till it becomes something more.  Ridiculous right?!  Paul even tells Timothy to avoid idol babbling falsely called knowledge in 1 Timothy 6:20.
Well what is a tongue then?  A tongue is a known language.  It is the same Greek word that has been translated into two English words: tongue and language.  So the gift of language or tongue (which ever word you chose to use) is someone being able to speak another language like Spanish, Mandarin, Hebrew, etc without having studied; he's fully fluent the first time he opens his mouth.  We see this for example in Acts 2:1-12 at Pentecost when men had traveled from all nations heard the apostles speaking in tongues saying that they each could hear them in their own language what the Holy Spirit was saying through them.
I am bilingual English & Spanish but I had to study my butt off to learn a second language.  Oh I wish it was as easy as just being able to speak without having studied which is why that is a spiritual gift, a gift from God.
So how do you now understand the phrase speaking in tongues?  There is a deep study and article by Bible Teach Otis Sellers to check out Biblical Gift of Tongues

1 Corinthians 13

Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;  does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil;  does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;  bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. vv.4-8

Read chapter 13

The famous love chapter.  You'll here this at about 70% of weddings for it's such a good truth of what love is- more than just a "feeling."  Yet this isn't love just between a husband and a wife, this love we ought to show to everyone.  I work with 12 post college aged interns for a whole year in housekeeping tasks, and there are days when I check myself with this list when I'm struggling loving them.  Sometimes I can't even get past the first characteristic without realizing I've fallen short of "suffering long" or as some versions have "patient."  We have to remember the Paul is talking to the Corinthians still and is calling them out for their misuse of spiritual gifts through their pride, selfishness, etc.  He's saying even the most honoring gift is nothing, useless, vain if they are not doing it out of love.  So which of these characteristics of love are the hardest for you and which do you find most affective for someone to love on you well?

1 Corinthians 12

But now indeed there are many members, yet one body.  And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary.  And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; vv.20-23

Read chapter 12
I love this illustration of unity.  Just as we need all parts of our body as they all have different functions that are needed, so in unity with others all are needed for who they uniquely are.  Sometimes you don't realize how useful a body part is till it's gone or broken.  When I was in a back brace I lost any abdominal muscles I had so once I got out of the brace and tried to do a plank ab exercise I feel over immediately.  I quickly realized how necessary strong abs are.  If the whole body were an eye it wouldn't be able to hear, or if the whole body were a head it couldn't get anywhere without feet.  Some parts that other people value more doesn't make other parts useless. Yet body parts can't compare itself to another and the believer ought not to compare either to other believers.  Each member needs the other and not one can stand alone.  When one part of the body is hurting the whole body is in pain and if one part is healthy it helps the rest of the body be strong.  So the direct correlation with how we ought mourn and rejoice with our fellow members.
What are "weaker" parts in an area of unity you're in that you need to pay more honor to?

1 Corinthians 11

 For this reason the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels. v.10

Read chapter 11
This can be a very difficult passage for many to read and believe because of what is said about a man being the head of the woman.  Well let's dig a little deeper to read what's going on in the context.  Now first off no where in the law does God command head coverings, though many people wore these.  And why does it say "because of the angles"?  Well this could be of the sexual perversion that angles had with women in the Old Testament (see Genesis 6) and therefor a warning to the Corinthians as they were dealing with a lot of sexual immorality.  Also this talk about short and long hair for men and women seems to be like a secret code for talking about sexual immorality.  Bible Teacher Nathon Johnson describes it this way, "in the Roman society of the day, all males wore their hair short and all females wore their hair long. This was the style and the custom, and was so universally followed that breaking it would have been most bizarre and immediately noticeable. Thus it was that the prostitutes took up the habit of making a statement of their trade by reversing this cultural norm. The female prostitutes would cut their hair short to indicate their trade, and the male (homosexual) prostitutes would grow their hair long for the same reason.  In this passage, it would appear that hair length and head coverings are used as symbols for sexual immorality and morality, and for prostitution and abstention from prostitution. The language is very delicate and somewhat confusing to those of us who do not understand the customs of the day." (Long Hair and Glory).
So now does reading this passage clear up some confusion or difficulty in understanding it today?  What are symbols of how people look today that reveals a sexually immoral lifestyle?

1 Corinthians 10

No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. v.13

Read chapter
This was one of the first bible verses I ever memorized when I was a senior in high school.  I struggled with temptation in a lot of things and one of my leaders gave me this verse to cling to and find truth in beating the lie that I can't overcome.  Every time I was in a situation where I was tempted, I started looking for a way out and would always find it!  Now there were a lot of times I saw the way out but chose not to take it giving in to temptation instead, but that was my choice not God's doing.  True are the words of Warren Wiersbe in his book Be Wise: 

"The believer who thinks he can stand may fall; but the believer who flees will be able to stand."

God doesn't let us be tempted beyond what we can bear, notice this doesn't say God doesn't  make you experience something you can't bear.  For example, many people say God doesn't give you something you can't bear when a mother's son dies.  That has nothing to do with temptation of what Paul is talking about here.  What are situations of temptation that you feel like you can't overcome?  Start looking for the way out that God provides.  It may not be running from that temptation but a way you "may be able to bear it."

1 Corinthians 9

 I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.  v.22

Read chapter 9
This phrase has been misused by so many, to the point of being abused for selfish reasons.  I once heard someone use this to justify smoking marijuana.  Paul was not a hypocrite or a people pleaser.  Paul was "an ambassador, not a politician...He simply adapted his approach to different groups" (Warren Wiersbe, Be Wise).  He didn't have an outline that was the same for all his sermons or have a booklet of steps to take to take to share the gospel.  He got to know them on their level.  Paul humbled  himself for the salvation of others.  He gladly says he's become a servant to all men (v.1) even though he was free from all men, kind of a paradox I'd say.  Paul didn't sin to win sinners but just like Jesus he'd hang out with them.  How can you be among unbelievers without people pleasing (negatively) so that you might share the salvation of our Lord Jesus Christ?  

1 Corinthians 8

Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble. v.13

Read chapter 8
Now the big question: "Can Christians do _____?"  The question then was can believers eat food sacrificed to idols and this is still the question today if believers can do something that nonbelievers do.  Paul is addressing the stronger believers here in answering this question as they had deeper knowledge and understanding of their freedom in Christ and as it has to do with conscious sake.  Out of love for the weaker brethren the stronger ought to be mindful of their actions.  Paul even starts off the chapter that "knowledge puffs up, but love edifies" (v.1).  The meat markets in that day had meats for everyday eating and meats specifically for sacrifices to idols.  The idol meat was cheaper than the normal meat so if a believer bought the idol meat or ate it at a guest's home this would either offend another believer or cause someone who's thinking wasn't mature in knowledge of food sacrificed to idols (if they realized idols are false and therefore something not real can't contaminate food) they would buy it too, but through their weak conscious they would be sinning.
For example, I stopped drinking alcohol for this reason.  I had a tolerance of alcohol where I could drink a glass or two of wine and be fine, but I remember one time hearing someone say "Well if Nicole's drinking than I can drink."  This made me sad and upset a bit.  I did not want to be someone else's standard for drinking and their justification as to how much they could drink (they might easily have a different tolerance and get drunk quicker or could turn in to an addictive behavior).  So I decided I'd rather not drink at all to not cause someone else to stumble in something that could lead to sin.  
What are some other ethical ways a stronger and weaker believer need to look out for each other in love this way?

1 Corinthians 7

Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. v.5

Read chapter 7
So many think the Bible teaches sex is bad.  It's not bad but a beautiful thing when used how it was created to be used- within marriage.  Paul here is encouraging sex!  Encouraging sex with their spouse.  He speaks of it as the glue to keep them as one and a tool to keep Satan out of their marriage.  When husbands and wives are apart for whatever reason they are to be aware of one another's physical and spiritual needs and desires.  They shouldn't deprive the other that could lead to sin in their marriage but equal consent for a time of this separation.  "Sexual love is a beautiful tool to build with, not a weapon to fight with. To refuse each other is to commit robbery (1 Thess. 4:6) and to invite Satan to tempt the partners to seek their satisfaction elsewhere." (Wiersbe, Warren W.. Be Wise). 
So Paul is encouraging sex with your spouse.  What a beautiful and glorious thing.  What causes you to deprive your spouse or them you?  If you're single, how can you control your sexual desires?

1 Corinthians 6

All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. v.12

Read chapter 6
Can freedom really lead to bondage?  It can and it does if that freedom is abused.  Think about it, if someone is over 21 in the U.S they can drink legally, but if they drink every day multiple times a day just because they can they will become an alcoholic and be enslaved to alcohol.  I once heard a saying: 

"First the man take a drink, 

than the drink takes a drink, 

then the drink takes the man."

Or even food can become bondage, having the freedom to eat whatever if one doesnt use self control can turn into gluttony and bondage to food.
Well this is what Paul is saying here: controlling desires so that desires don't control them.  They had a false view of what freedom was.  All things may be right for you to do but not all things are beneficial.  How have you seen in your own life freedom become bondage?  What are other examples you see often today that is okay to do but not beneficial?

1 Corinthians 5

But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner—not even to eat with such a person. v.11

Read chapter 5
Discipline among believers.  This is a not so fun thing to read and also carry out.  Now first off Paul is telling them that we are respond differently to sin if they are a fellow believer in Christ or if they aren't.    If they are not a believer in Christ and are sinning we don't hold them to the same standard as we would a believer for the most important thing is them to realize their need for a Savior and come to belief in Jesus Christ.  The Holy Spirit will be their conscience then and direct them in the way they live.  Yet for a believer who is living a sinful life, not repenting or seeking help, that Paul says the Corinthians are not to keep company with, this possibly meaning in private or in public.  This isn't isolating them, but separating them in hope that they repent and turn back to Christ.  The man who was being called out in verse one of this chapter for his sexual sin we see this change 2 Corinthians 2.  So how does this look today?  What harm do you think there is in not disciplining known sin?

1 Corinthians 4

We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are dishonored!  v.10

Read chapter 4
"Trendy Christianity."  It was the title of an article I read that a friend posted on social media the other day.  The author states:

  Christianity now has a concrete “look.” We know what to do. We know what songs to sing. We know the cool bloggers and the trendy speakers. We know what to wear...The TRUTH that we are abandoning is this: we are no longer foreigners in this land. We blend in. We make following Christ easy, lukewarm, concrete, hip, and fun.

The same thing seemed to be going on in Corinth.  Paul uses a little sanctified sarcasm, as one commenter put it, when he was writing to them about looking like the rest of world.  Now this doesn't mean we are to be foolish, weak, dishonored in the sense that you might think of it but that is how Paul and the other believers were viewed by the world for how they chose to live their daily lives.  
“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”- Jim Elliot
Strength that knows itself to be strength is weakness; but weakness that knows itself to be weakness becomes strength.- Waren Wiersbe
The Corinthians were aligning themselves with big name people to seem distinguished rather than no bodies or despised men.  Does the world view you a fool, weak or dishonored?  How so?  What are ways you fall into trendy christianity and how can a change happen?

1 Corinthians 3

I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; v.2

Read chapter 3
Babies are only babies for a short time.  They start off only drinking milk till they are old enough to start eating foods.  You can tell a baby from toddler in that one drinks from a bottle while the other eats with his hands and even an older child mastering the use of spoons and forks and bigger pieces of food than the tiny bits mom cuts for him.  This process is only a couple of years at the most, yet I know so many Christians that have been babies in Christ their whole lives since they first believed: 20, 30, 40, 90 years!  Milk can only satisfy for so long till you're just craving a nice big juicy stake, yet a baby doesn't crave a steak till they've tasted and experienced out delicious it is.  So to in our walks with Christ once we taste more and more of the food of God, we will crave it more.  The Word of God is our spiritual food: milk (1 Peter 2:2), bread (Matt. 4:4), meat (Heb. 5:11–14), and even honey (Ps. 119:103). Just as the physical man needs a balanced diet if his body is to be healthy, so the inner man needs a balanced diet of spiritual food (Wiersbe, Warren W.. Be Wise).  Just as a baby matures into an adult so the believer to grow must grow from immature to mature.  Not to just live on Bible stories but on Bible doctrines.  Not just to have super heroes and toys to play with but to use God's tools to build with.  Are you drinking milk or eating solid food?  Do you crave a steak or desire to taste and see?  How do you plan to mature in your growth as a believer this coming year?

1 Corinthians 2

And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God.  For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.  vv.1-2

Read chapter 2
Public speaking.  It is the #1 phobia.  Even many prominent speakers have this fear.  Well Paul here is telling the Corinthians that it wasn't about the presentation of the gospel as to why they chose to become followers.  Rather it was the demonstration of the Holy Spirit, having nothing to do with the messenger who was speaking it.   Paul wasn't the best speaker using his words to build up an emotional response, but what he delivered with truth of Jesus Christ and Him crucified.  He didn't add fancy youtube videos or long drawn out stories, but so that he wouldn't get the credit.  Paul wasn't trying to sell christianity, he was following what God told him to do and that was to preach the gospel among the nations.  In churches today, many people prefer some emotional, encouraging presentation rather than doctrine.  Warren Wiersbe's Be Wise says to that: "Sermons based on what? If they are not based on doctrine, they will accomplish nothing! “But doctrine is so dull!” people complain. Not if it is presented the way the Bible presents it. Doctrine to me is exciting! What a thrill to be able to study the Bible and let the Spirit teach us “the deep things of God” (1 Cor. 2:10).
What goes through your soul when you want to or are about to share the gospel?  What holds you back?  How do you want messages of God's word to be delivered?  

1 Corinthians 1

But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; v.27

Read chapter 1
We can all fall in to one of three categories when facing our worth: either prideful, useless, or confident in Christ.  Now as much as we all wish we think the third category all the time we know that we fall in to the other two in many or certain situations.  Feeling prideful or useless is depending on human wisdom rather than on God's wisdom.  We see over and over again through out all of scripture God choosing the foolish and weak things to shame the wise and mighty.  Just think of King David who was a scrawny little brother, or Rehab who was a prostitute, or the twelve disciples who were unschooled men.
Paul is writing this letter to the believers in Corinth who were struggling with their daily life in Christ Jesus entrapped in many sins and the ways of the world.  He doesn't start off yelling at them for their sinful acts but reminds them of who they are in Christ Jesus: they are set apart as His holy ones. "God called them, not because of what they were, but in spite of what they were!" (Warren W.. Be Wise (1 Corinthians)).  The world may glory in status, position, financial success, etc, but God does the opposite that no one may boast in themselves but God alone.  It is confusing to the wise how God can use the foolish and weak in such mighty and powerful ways yet oh is it how the turtle beat the hare, the transformation a sinner to a saint, someone dead to the world who becomes alive in Christ. How have you seen God use the foolish or weak things of the world to shame the wise and might?

Judges 21

Therefore they instructed the children of Benjamin, saying, “Go, lie in wait in the vineyards, and watch; and just when the daughters of Shiloh come out to perform their dances, then come out from the vineyards, and every man catch a wife for himself from the daughters of Shiloh; then go to the land of Benjamin. vv.20-21

Read chapter 21
Does anyone else think of the movie Seven Brides for Seven Brothers when they read this chapter?  Well to not completely lose the tribe of Benjamin after almost everyone was killed besides 600 men that fled to the wilderness in battle (20:47), Israel helps figure out how to keep that tribe alive.   There were 400 virgins that were found to give to these 600 men, so that leaves 200 men to find wives for.  They will not give them women to be wives from the other tribes of Israel as to not break the oath they made that they wouldn't give their daughters to them for the horrible act the men of Benjamin committed.  So in order to not break the oath of giving they tell the men of Benjamin to catch a woman when they go out to dance to become their wife and therefore aren't breaking the oath for others took them.  This again doesn't seem to be the Lord's plan but the men trying to get around their own vow to make a plan that doesn't cause them to sin.  Could not the last 200 men found wives for themselves without the rest of their family (all Israel) figuring it out for them?  Oh the desire for families to intervene in making marriages then letting the Lord direct the path.

Judges 20

“Shall I yet again go out to battle against the children of my brother Benjamin, or shall I cease?” And the Lord said, “Go up, for tomorrow I will deliver them into your hand.” v.28

Read chapter 20

The men of Benjamin receive their consequence for their sin of what they did to the woman in chapter 19 by abusing and killing her.  All the other tribes are so disgusted and upset about what happened and are quick to volunteer to go and fight against the men of Gilead which is in the tribe of Benjamin; 400,000 of men go up to battle against 26,000.   Seems like an easy win, yet the first two days the men of Benjamin are the ones winning the battle.      The men of Israel had gone to inquire of the Lord and He responded to their question, but it wasn't till the third time that they wept, fasted, prayed, offered offerings and then asked that God's answer was that He would deliver the men of Benjamin into their hands.  It might have been that although they were mad they didn't want to kill their brothers.  Were they delaying the inevitable?  Or were they quick to fight and ask God to make their battle successful without asking first how they should respond.  Seems like after this time of praying, fasting, weeping they had their assurance and therefor led to their victory.  Interesting that God responded to them in their first two days in battle to go forward, but that didn't mean they would win that day until God said so on the third day.  When have you felt the Lord's answer to move forward in a matter to not turnout the way you thought? How can you still move forward in defeat when you are sure of God's answer to continue to do so?

Judges 19

Look, here is my virgin daughter and the man’s concubine; let me bring them out now. Humble them, and do with them as you please; but to this man do not do such a vile thing!” v.24

Read chapter 19
This is probably the chapter I hate the most in the Bible.  Strong statement, but after you read this chapter you'll understand why.  Sin to the max and how disgusting it is.  Men wanting to rape other men.  Fathers giving their daughters to be abused.  Men sexually abusing women.  Yuck.  You wonder why did God let this happen and it's because He gives us free will.  Unfortunately that free will is abused and used for evil as the sin nature so easily takes over.  Not only did these men of the city sin, but the old man and the husband do too as they were selfish and esteemed rights and dignity of women so low.  Did they think they were choosing the lesser of two evils?  Did they think they were allowing a different sin to make right?  Neither of these possibilities is justification for their choice, yet how often do we think these are our only options in a hard situation to either choose the "lesser evil" or think sin will fix another sin?

Judges 18

So he said, “You have taken away my gods which I made, and the priest, and you have gone away. Now what more do I have? How can you say to me, ‘What ails you?’” v.24

Read chapter 18
A spin on Micah.  In the chapter before he seemed to be doing what he thought was right and thought God was blessing him for his works, but not so any more.  The tribe of Dan comes to the house of Micah, notices his idols, images, and his priest and take them for themselves.  Now in both parties they covet these ungodly things and seem to find their worth in them.  The Danites take them for their land they had just conquered to use those in worship and Micah says he has nothing left now that they've taken his gods.  Both Micah and the Danites were putting their trust in manmade gods.  Yet God is not an image one can build or form so that He dwells among His people.  True then as well as today of 1 Timothy 6:7, "For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out."
If you lost all your possessions, would you feel like you lost your God too?  Would you feel like you lost your worth?  Praise the Lord nothing can separate us from the love of Christ Jesus (Romans 8:38-39)! 

Judges 17

 Then Micah said, “Now I know that the Lord will be good to me, since I have a Levite as priest!” v.13

Read chapter 17
Micah is either completely ignorant or hypocritical.  He had just made his own idol images and, having no reference to the Mosaic law, makes his own place of worship and regulations.  He seems to think that God blesses him in this by sending him a Levite to be his priest.  This superstition or justification of circumstances made him deceive himself in the ways of the Lord for his own gain.  Matthew Henry comments,

 "those who please themselves with their own delusions, if Providence unexpectedly bring any thing to their hands that further them in their evil way, are apt from thence to think that God is pleased with them."

"Everyone did what was right in his own eyes" (v.7) and this was no doubt the case with Micah, thinking he knew what was best and what pleased the Lord.  What one person thinks is good the next doesn't.  So true then and today too.  On the flip side how often people today think the Lord will be good to them if they go to church, if they have a Bible in their house, if the feed the poor, etc.  They may all be good things but we cannot earn God's favor for He loves us already.  Micah 6:8 says, "He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?" 
How has your own desires, or someone else you know, led to your or their own delusions in God's way or thoughts toward them?

Judges 16

And it came to pass, when she pestered him daily with her words and pressed him, so that his soul was vexed to death, that he told her all his heart, and said to her, “No razor has ever come upon my head, for I have been a Nazirite to God from my mother’s womb. If I am shaven, then my strength will leave me, and I shall become weak, and be like any other man.” vv.16-17

Read chapter 16
Delilah.  Samson's lover.  She's the definition of a nagging woman.  We read how much Samson was enthralled and in love with her but we never read if she was in love with him.  We all know women have this unknown power over men and Delilah seems to use it that she may get a monetary reward.  Now one would hope that there is no secrets between a husband and wife, yet we're not sure they're even married and seems to be more of a relationship of lust and sexual pleasures.  Time and time again we see her whining and pestering Samson for the secret of his strength.  Samson finally gives in when he just can't stand it any longer and tells her all his heart.  He shares his intimacies with her and she then uses it against him to bring him down.   I always wonder what Samson even thought when she asked how he could be afflicted, seems pretty obvious that she has evil intentions.  How sad that this happens so often in relationships that people use others intimacies to their hurt.  Has someone ever done this to you?  Have you done this to someone?  If you're a woman, do you find yourself nagging to get what you want or use power over a man for selfish gain?  If you're a man, how have you let lust become a trap?  How do respond to a nagging woman?

Judges 15

He found a fresh jawbone of a donkey, reached out his hand and took it, and killed a thousand men with it. v.15


Read chapter 15
What does a jawbone of a donkey even look like?  Donkey's Jawbone Random question if you don't read this chapter.  Samson killed 1,000 men with a fresh jawbone of a donkey.  He did this because of a lot of back and forth revenge between him and the Philistines.  Samson's wife was given to another man so Samson lit fox tails on fire which burned down parts of their town. Then the Philistines killed Samson's wife and her father so Samson then killed those men.  Therefor the Philistines encamped against Judah to battle them, so then the people of Judah went to Samson and delivered him to the Philistines.  Samson is now bound with the Philistines but when his anger is aroused he brakes lose and finds a donkey's jawbone and kills a thousand men.  Seems like some action movie right, where you're always like no way would that happen in real life, but this did.  Now all this retaliation and anger on Samson's part seems like he's kind of a fool too, yet God had chosen him before he was even conceived despite his foolishness and gives him strength despite the unimaginable circumstances.  So God uses us despite our foolishness and is with us in unimaginable circumstances.  How have you seen this play true in your life?  God may not allow you to kill your enemies with a random artifact laying around, yet how may you be doubting that God is with you and has already overcome your enemies? 

Judges 14

Now to his surprise, a young lion came roaring against him.  And the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him, and he tore the lion apart as one would have torn apart a young goat, though he had nothing in his hand. But he did not tell his father or his mother what he had done. vv.5-6

Read chapter 14
I always thought how random it was that Samson came across a lion until I lived out in the high dessert of Oregon where mountain lions are a common thing.  Well maybe not just everyday you'd run in to one but at least once a year there would be one on our property.  It still says to Samson's surprise that there was a lion roaring against him, which would surprise just about anyone I'm sure.  Yet how often do people forget that there are dangerous people lurking about in unexpected places to devour us?  Samson, though, was able to tear apart the lion with his bear hands.  This must have been God revealing to Samson the strength He had given him.  Once Samson realized this gift he uses it any occasion he gets and hopefully would never look on life's great difficulties knowing of this strength that is in him.  How of we forget the strength in us by the Holy Spirit when we come across difficulties in life and ways the Lord strengthened us in past such occasions?   

Judges 13

For behold, you shall conceive and bear a son. And no razor shall come upon his head, for the child shall be a Nazirite to God from the womb; and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines. v.5

Read chapter 13

Samson is a well know Bible character in most Sunday school classes.  Yes, he is known for his strength because the Lord was with him, but this wasn’t just because he was a “good Christian.”  In this chapter we see that Samson was set apart since before he was conceived.  The Angel of the Lord appeared to Samson’s mother who was barren telling her she was going to conceive and have a son.  Now first off it’s interesting to note that the Angel of the Lord appeared to the wife first before the husband, Manoah.  Creditability of a woman was not respected or taken as true then but Manoah believed and trusted his wife, a sweet glimpse of character this relationship had.  While this woman was pregnant she was not to drink wine or eat anything unclean.  That seems like what most pregnant woman aim to do today.  Yet not only is she supposed to abide by this while she’s pregnant but her son is to live that way his whole life.  He is to be a Nazarite from birth meaning not drinking anything from the vine nor shaving his head.  We read in Numbers chapter six of the Nazarite vow that many did for a time till the vow was completed.  Samson’s life was a vow and therefore his whole life he was to live that way (thus we see in chapter sixteen when a razor shaves his head that the vow is broken and the Lord is no longer with him).

Why do you think these regulations were made to hold a vow?  What would you do if the Angle of the Lord spoke to someone who doesn’t have much credibility in the worlds eyes that shared the word of the Lord with you?