Category Archives: discernment

the right man

Posted on August 24, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

1 Samuel 10:17-11:15 Perhaps if some look closely at this account they will find early chinks in Saul’s armor, but I see no major fault in his actions.  He is the king that the people asked for.  In fact, I … Continue reading →

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time for a king … or not

Posted on August 22, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

1 Samuel 8 The people were tired of how God was working out his will among them.  They wanted a king, and they demanded that Samuel appoint one.  The LORD told Samuel to relent and give them a king, and … Continue reading →

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deeper to go

Posted on August 11, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

Judges 21 The ESV Study Bible comments: “Israel’s apostasy had reached the depths, and the stage was set for the coming of a godly king, David, a man after God’s own heart with whom God would make an everlasting covenant. … Continue reading →

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blessed by grace

Posted on August 7, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

Judges 17 Micah was not a judge, and his story does not chronicle God’s intervention in the lives of his people as do the stories of the judges.  Instead, Micah’s story illustrates what the spiritual atmosphere was like at the … Continue reading →

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one last prayer

Posted on August 6, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

Judges 16 The Bible skips over Samson’s twenty years of judging over Israel, delivering them from the oppression of the Philistines.  It tells the story of his betrayal by Delilah, and his being blinded and losing his strength.  But he … Continue reading →

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by popular demand

Posted on July 31, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

Judges 10:1-11:3 The difference between this narrative and the others in Judges is that Jepthah’s judgeship seems to be initiated by the people, and God endorses it with his favor.  We should not be afraid of doing something that has … Continue reading →

Posted in commitment, compassion, discernment, faith | Tagged , | 2 Comments

putting out the fleece

Posted on July 27, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

Judges 6 If you want to use this passage as a proof-text for testing the LORD to see if he is in something you are planning, or to determine whether a certain option is his will or not – go … Continue reading →

Posted in confidence, dependence upon God, discernment, faith, missions | Tagged | 1 Comment

missions and conflict #2

Posted on July 13, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

Joshua 11-12 Just as it was in the conquest of the Soutrhern lands, the kings of the Northern lands conspired in an alliance and came against Joshua, and the LORD gave them into the hands of Israel.  The reason was … Continue reading →

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missions and the valley of trouble

Posted on July 9, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

Joshua 7 Joshua assumed that all he had to do was follow the same game plan that had led to success at Jericho.  He sent out spies, they sent back a favorable report. He commissioned the attack. Then it all … Continue reading →

Posted in commitment, dependence upon God, discernment, missions, prayer | Tagged | 1 Comment

our missions–his victories

Posted on July 8, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

Joshua 6 Most of us are used to reading Joshua 6 as a Sunday School story – one that encourages believers to stay in line and shout when we’re told to (or something like that).  Another way to read it … Continue reading →

Posted in dependence upon God, discernment, faithfulness, kingdom of God, missions | Tagged | 1 Comment