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Today in Paradise
Day 117
Judges 7:1-8:17; Luke 23:13-43; Psalms 97:1-98:9; Proverbs 14:7-8Today in Paradise
Do you know the Greek word for “truly”? It’s “amen.” We say it at the end of a prayer. Jesus uses it up front to announce truth. When Jesus tells the thief on the cross, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise,” He is affirming at least 3 specific promises.
First, He means “today.” While this could be metaphorical, it is fair to take its plain meaning. The thief’s immediate destiny is about to unfold. His prior crimes are washed away by his new faith in Jesus. His present suffering is temporary. Second, “with me.” His destiny is bound to Jesus. Wherever Jesus is going, the thief will follow. Nothing can ever separate them. Third, he will be “in Paradise.”
The word “Paradise” comes from a Persian word for a walled garden, such as you would find on a wealthy estate; a place of great tranquility, beauty, peace, and safety. Through the cross, an abject, guilty sinner will be delivered by faith from death into the exquisite joys of heaven through the saving grace of Jesus Christ. What was true for him is truly available for you. You may rest secure in that hope.
These are beautiful promises, and there is yet more to Christian belief regarding our ultimate future. Death is not the end, and in addition to these promises about heaven, there is also a further promise about Resurrection. Stay tuned. AMEN!
The Rev. Tim Nunez
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Go in the Strength You Have
Day 116
Judges 6:1‐40; Luke 22:54‐23:12; Psalms 95:1‐96:13; Proverb 14:5‐6Go In the Strength You Have
Take the world for Christ!
Too big, Lord!
Well, then, take your city for Christ!
Like Israel during the seven years Midian oppressed them, Central Florida – my zip code – is threatened with being overrun by evil. Is that God’s will for my zip code? For yours? For the World? NO!
It is weak faith manifested in the failure of the church to act in the power of Christ’s name that provides evil with the opportunity to oppress. Yet, like Gideon, God has already spoken to us: Verse 12, “The LORD is with you, mighty warrior.” Verse 14, “Go in the strength you have…” Verse 16, “I will be with you…” Verse 23, “Peace! Do not be afraid.”
While he was still processing wheat, God called Gideon a “mighty warrior,” knowing he could be acting in obedience and faith to God. He told Gideon to set out “in the strength you have.” It is the faith-filled act of going that unleashes God’s power. We wait too long for the power before going. “Go, and make disciples.” And best of all – “Peace! Do not be afraid.”
Who is God’s warrior in your zip code?
Richard Bordin
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Deborah and Jael
Day 115
Judges 4:1‐5:31; Luke 22:35‐53; Psalm 94:1‐23; Proverbs 14:3‐4Deborah and Jael
Eve tempting Adam to eat, Sarai scoffing at the idea of bearing Abram’s son to the point of laughter, Rebekah deceiving Isaac to gain favor and a blessing for Jacob, and so on. Women’s roles in the Bible up to the Book of Judges were less than positive. Then two women come to the forefront in the Book of Judges. Deborah sat under the Palm of Deborah, “…and the people of Israel came up to her for judgment” (4:5). She is in a position analogous to that of Joshua, and identical to that of the other judges. No higher position existed in Israel during this period. She speaks the truth of God and has national recognition and acceptance. Barak, the chosen commander for the key battle with King Jabin, will not go to war without her being there, reminiscent of Israel’s forces prevailing while Moses’ arms were raised and flagging when they were lowered.
Deborah not only speaks authoritatively of Barak’s victory, but also has knowledge from God that the enemy commander, Sisera, will not fall into Barak’s hands, but instead into the hands of a woman. Sisera escapes the battle on foot and, thinking a tent woman (nomad) named Jael will submit to his authority, makes himself incredibly vulnerable. He did not ascertain to whom she owed allegiance, and got a tent peg driven through his temple for his mistake. This to many would seem to be a gruesome, reprehensible act in our modern point of view, but the act of a tough woman in time of war.
Joe Pollock
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Today in Paradise
Day 117 Judges 7:1-8:17; Luke 23:13-43; Psalms 97:1-98:9; Proverbs 14:7-8 Today in Paradise Do you know the Greek word for “truly”? It’s “amen.” We say it at the end of a prayer. Jesus uses it up front to announce truth. When Jesus tells the thief on the cross, “Truly, I say to you, today you…
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Go in the Strength You Have
Day 116 Judges 6:1‐40; Luke 22:54‐23:12; Psalms 95:1‐96:13; Proverb 14:5‐6 Go In the Strength You Have Take the world for Christ! Too big, Lord! Well, then, take your city for Christ! Like Israel during the seven years Midian oppressed them, Central Florida – my zip code – is threatened with being overrun by evil. Is…
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Deborah and Jael
Day 115 Judges 4:1‐5:31; Luke 22:35‐53; Psalm 94:1‐23; Proverbs 14:3‐4 Deborah and Jael Eve tempting Adam to eat, Sarai scoffing at the idea of bearing Abram’s son to the point of laughter, Rebekah deceiving Isaac to gain favor and a blessing for Jacob, and so on. Women’s roles in the Bible up to the Book…
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The Profit of the Right Knowledge
Day 114 Judges 2:10‐3:31; Luke 22:14‐34; Psalms 92:1‐93:5; Proverbs 14:1‐2 The Profit of the Right Knowledge In chapter 2, God lays out the pattern that is demonstrated three times in chapter 3 and again and again throughout the book of Judges: They forgot God; they did their own thing; they got themselves into a big…
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The Love of God
Day 113 Judges 1:1‐2:9; Luke 21:29‐22:13; Psalms 90:1‐91:16; Proverbs 13:24‐25 The Love of God We don’t just want to be loved; we need to be loved. Among our greatest needs is the need to know that we matter to somebody – that somebody truly cares. As we read God’s Word, we learn the story of…
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The Voices of Choices
Day 112 Joshua 24:1‐33; Luke 21:1‐28; Psalm 89:38‐52; Proverbs 13:20‐23 The Voices of Choices Bob Dylan used to sing a song called “Gotta Serve Somebody.” The lyrics suggest that everyone, a CEO, a doctor, a socialite, a construction worker… yes, everyone, rich or poor, serves someone or something. “It might be the Devil or it…