This is the seventh and final post highlighting lessons we can learn                                                from a variety of different Bible characters. [From Judge 4-5)  Deborah sits under a palm tree, helping to resolve disputes and adjudicate law cases. As Israel’s judge and prophet, people come from far and wide to hear her reasoned deliberations. She has a unique position, for she is the only female judge the Israelites have had and is a leader for her people.  One day, having felt a strong prodding from the Lord, Deborah summons an Israelite general named Barak. She relays a message that is God’s command - gather men for battle against their Canaanite oppressors. As a prophetic leader, her job is to sing encouraging war chants – and a victory song – during and after the battle.  But Barak wants more from her tha...

This is the sixth of seven posts highlighting lessons we can learn from a variety of different Bible characters. [From 2 Kings 4:1-7] The woman faces her day with groans of sadness and despair. She is destitute. Her husband - a member of the prophetic guild - has died, and her debts are beyond any ability she has to pay. In fact, the creditor is coming to take her two grown sons… as payment …which means they will be enslaved for the rest of their lives. She cannot see a way to stave off what seems inevitable: not enough food to supply her needs, not enough money to save her sons. She will lose her sons and become a beggar. In a moment like this, where can turn? Who is willing and available to help? She cries out to Elisha. Elisha the prophet. Elisha knew her husband, so he perhaps might consider aiding her in some way. Thankfully, Elisha does come. Yet when he shows up, he does not arrive with an answer…but with a question: “Tell me, what do you have in your house?” The widow repl...

This is the fifth of seven posts highlighting lessons we can learn from a variety of different Bible characters. [From Judges 16] You’re going about your business when there’s a knock at the door. You open it to find several men who declare themselves to be agents of your country’s government, along with a few of the most influential leaders.  You’re in shock. You’re tongue-tied. Why are they here?  To tell you that the country’s top enemy is in love with you. He is a proven threat to the nation, because he already has used his incredible strength to kill many of your countrymen.  These leaders need your help. They ask you to discover just one little thing: the secret of the big man’s strength. You can save thousands of lives if you can find out that information. And don’t worry, nothing really bad is planned. If this enemy can be captured, they’ll just tie him up to keep him from doing further damage. Wouldn’t you want to help your country in such...

This is the fourth of seven posts highlighting lessons we can learn from a variety of different Bible characters. [From Luke 19:1-10]   It’s a warm day in Jericho; the city is bustling as usual with people traveling through and doing business in town. Zacchaeus is glad that he’s the chief tax collector here, for Jericho is a wealthy city. A very wealthy city. This wealth provides extra revenue for the royal family, and also a fat living for people such as himself. As the overseer of the town’s tax collection process, he lives extremely well. He’s at the top of a financial pyramid (sort of like modern-day multi-level marketing) with tax collectors who work for him, and he gets a cut of every transaction. The system is corrupt, so he fleeces his own people, who are helpless and have no way to complain or push back. At least from a financial perspective, life is good for Zacchaeus. But today, Zacchaeus has more than money on his mind. Jesus will be passing through town a...