🫚Bitter Root🙊

Don't miss the good things God's doing focusing on the hard things.

Remember that after the correction and punishment and the fresh start. We still have an enemy that wants you and I to fail. Don't forget that our enemy is very crafty. He doesn’t like that you are living peacefully and walking up right and talking to our Heavenly Father and lifting up your hands. He hates that you have a song in your heart and once again you are singing Hymns, Psalms and Spiritual songs making Melody in your heart. Oh no, he has to get this stopped as soon as possible. Here’s how he can do it.

Hebrews 12:15 (KJV) Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

Have you admired something someone had? Then you asked the question, where did you get that? I like it. Then they would tell you where they had gotten it. Then you might say I’m going to get me one. To which they might say “great it only cost me about 20 bucks I think.” What they just did was put a number in your mind. So off to the store you go only to find out that it was not 20 bucks at all but it was $80.00. Oh, that's 60 dollars more than you thought. That is the same tactic our enemy uses “Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God” What is God’s Grace?

Ephesians 1:7 (KJV) In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Don’t fly by this “the forgiveness of sins” No matter what sin, we have been forgiven. Grace is being given something we don’t deserve at the expense of someone else. We have been forgiven of our sins at the expense of Jesus Christ. But here comes our enemy in his crafty way. He not only wants your life back in bondage but as many others as possible by using me or you to do it. First we forget what God has forgiven us for. Then we notice something we don’t like in someone else. But instead of keeping quiet and remembering what God has forgiven us for we tell someone else about what we don’t like about Jim or Mike or whoever. Know what we have just done? We have now placed something in the heart about another. If they tell someone else and maybe add a little to it, it then becomes a root that spreads defiling many. Oh my it’s like that number that was placed within the mind. Now every time you see that awful sinful person you can only see their bad side. What’s wrong with that? Nothing except I/you forget what we have been forgiven of and instead of forgiving we become unforgiving toward another. That’s not what Jesus did and that’s not what we are to do either. I still remember it and it must have been 25 years or more now. Yes God has forgiven me and the man is in heaven today. But the lesson learned that morning is not forgotten. A man that had written me more than one bad check had written a book of poetry. As he went to his car to get me and the men I was having breakfast with his book; free of course. I made this statement “he might write good poetry but don’t take a check from him because more than likely it will be bad.” What did I do? I put a root of bitterness in those men's hearts. Because of me they more than likely never read his book and if they did you know what they remembered? The bad checks he had written to me. Be Careful about what we say about others. Don’t give the enemy ammunition to destroy others. 

Luke 11:4 (KJV) And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.

🙌🏻Lifted Hands Feeble Knees🦵

Hebrews 12:12 (KJV) Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;

Here is the word “Wherefore” again. Remember what Webster said it meant? “For which reason”  that’s right.  In the verses before, there is correction and as bad as that might sound; for who likes to be corrected, punished? I sure don’t and especially when I was a kid. But after the punishment was over I had no more fear of being punished. Because of what you have just been through there is no more reason to be fearful of being punished. So for this reason “lift up the hands ” and those “feeble knees” which have not kneel in prayer, talking with your Heavenly Father now can kneel in prayer and pray to the Father. When I was in fear of being caught and of the punishment that would follow it was hard for me to look my dad in the eyes. So it is with my Heavenly Father. It’s hard to talk with Him in prayer because I know He knows. It is almost impossible to raise my hands in praise because I know He knows.  So what did this correction do? Hebrews 12:13 (KJV) And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. It put me back on the right track or path and let me know I was healed. The hiding is over, the shame is gone because my Heavenly Father has forgiven me. Live peacefully and Godly so others see the Lord in me.  

Hebrews 12:14 (KJV) Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

🩺👨🏼‍⚕️Please Put Me Back In 👩🏻‍🍼

Hebrews 12:6 (KJV) For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

Love and Chasteneth in the same verse; strange or is it?? Chasten means “To correct by punishment; to punish; to inflict pain for the purpose of reclaiming an offender ” Then there’s the word Love  “to be pleased with; to regard with affection ” If there is affection there why would there be pain? Back in the day when I was in High School when one broke the rules and was disciplined there was no affection in the pain that was to be endured by the paddle. No you were punished, disciplined for the deed done. Now when my Daddy would discipline me it was a different story. Yes I was punished for what I had done wrong and yes there was pain involved. But it was a two sided pain; pain on my part and pain on my Dad and Mom’s part. It could have been a lie that I told, oh my Dad didn’t like you lying to him. One time when I lied to my Mom I got a whipping where I thought I was about to see Heaven’s Doors about to open; oh it was bad. Why? Not so much for lying but to teach me how wrong it was to lie. I was taught a valuable lesson that evening that has helped me all my life which none of those paddlings at school ever did. Why was that? Because I knew that none of those at school loved me but my Dad and Mom loved me and after the punishment it was never brought up again, no record was ever kept. When God punishes His children He, like my Dad does it out of love not anger. Hebrews 12:7 (KJV) If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? Did you see it? “God dealeth with you as with sons” son is a family term there is only one way to be a son or a daughter and that’s by birth. Now it makes sense.  John 3:3 (KJV) Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. What is Jesus telling this man Nicodemous? Nicodemous is a grown man and Jesus is telling him except he is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God?  This confused Nicodemous and he began to ask how can this be possible? There is no way I can be placed back into my mothers womb. He was right he couldn’t and neither can you and I. This is a long subject and if you have read my writing for very long I have written more than once about the New Life in Christ. Here is a cliff note on the subject. We were born with this life we are now living. But this life is an earthly life which is needed to get by here on planet Earth. This fleshly life will not be good enough for Heavenly living. The day we realize we are a sinner then there is great hope. We come to God and ask Him for Salvation which He freely gives. James 4:2 (KJV) Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.

Romans 10:13 (KJV) For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Once you as a sinner ask or call believing then you become a Child of God being born again. This is an experience you will not forget. Titus 3:5 (KJV) Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

Then you will at times be disciplined. When I was saved, born again things began to change in my life and some were by God’s simple disciplining like when a four letter word came flying out of my mouth. I mean I had been using four letter words for years and never did I feel bad about it; not one time. But all of a sudden when I started using those words that came so freely out of my mouth God began to work or discipline me, His child. There was this feeling that said that those words were not pleasing to my Heavenly Father, let’s not use them! God began His disciplining within His new born child. Nowadays I don’t use those words but I’m still being disciplined in other areas of my life. Why is that? Because I’m God’s Child. Parents who discipline their children love their children

Hebrews 12:8 (KJV) But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. 

Hebrews 12:11 (KJV) Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. I can never remember going to  my dad and asking him to discipline me. Oh no because disciplining is not pleasant, it's painful. Asking others for forgiveness, saying you are sorry for your actions, I shouldn’t have said that to you, those were harsh words that never should have been spoken. Sometimes God has us apologize for our actions. I have had to do that many times, to those I love and to those I don’t know and it never gets easy. It's a very humbling experience. 

🤷🏼‍♂️I Don’t Know 😩

We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give. Sir Winston Churchill

Hebrews 12:5 (KJV) And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: Forgotten What? Words of encouragement as a father to his children. The longer one removes himself or herself from the Word of God, forgetfulness sets in. The way one gets better at anything is to do it on a regular basis. The Bible tells us Romans 10:17 (KJV) So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Well, where will we hear the Word of God? I think Church would be a good place to start. But then there’s reading the Word of God for yourselves. Don't just take the Pastor, Priest, Bishop, Sunday School Teacher or anyone else’s word for what the Word of God says or teaches. 

Acts 17:10 (KJV) And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.

 Acts 17:11 (KJV) These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

Where did the Apostle Paul and Silas go when they left Thessalonians? The Synagogue. What did they do there? Taught the Word of God. Here is what is interesting (they received the word with all readiness of mind) But that’s not all they did (and searched the scriptures daily) Why would they do that? (whether those things were so) Well there you go we are not just to hear The Word of God. We are to search the scriptures on a daily basis so that we ourselves will know if what they preached, taught or said is true. In other words make it yours, don’t just believe because of what someone else said or told you. The more we hear the more we need to search. We do the same thing with other things in our life. Before I was laid off from Nash Electric because of a bad economy. I was out on a job sight where all types of voltages were being used. Low voltage for controls and high 3 phasee voltage for electric motors. On this one electric motor I was helping the electrician wire it up. I noticed that he was wiring up the motor for 208 voltage and it was to be wired for 480 volts. I asked him why he was doing that and he said because this is the way you do it. I then said that’s not how the wiring diagram reads! He was about to make a big mistake just because he thought he was right. If we are not searching the scriptures or have stopped searching or stopped going to Church then we will forget the encouragement we received from hearing and searching. 

2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV) Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

👅Pleasurable?🤩

“The price of greatness is responsibility.”

Hebrews 12:4 (KJV) Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.

I see the word sin, what is sin? How do I know what sin is? Webster says this “The voluntary departure of a moral agent from a known rule of rectitude or duty, prescribed by God ” is sin pleasurable?  Hebrews 11:25 (KJV) Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; I would say so but the last part of that verse says it is short lived. Sin always leaves you wanting more; it never satisfies “for a season” . It is enjoyable for a short time, then you want more and then more until it grows to a lot and then it grows out of control. Before long it has taken over, don't let those three words escape your mind “for a season” but not forever. Sin has a big payday  

Romans 6:23 (KJV) For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. I’m reminded of a friend I had, yes I had. That’s past tense meaning a friend that I have no more. Why is that you ask? Because the pleasures of sin! You see, sin has wages and it costs him his family and his wealth. He never had anything because of his support of sin. Was he having a good time? I’m sure at times he was but his sin took him to an early grave. I still think of him from time to time although he has been gone 20 plus years. A time before the pleasures of sin took him on a ride that would end his life way too short. Just because we have pleasure, and enjoyment in doing something doesn’t make it sin but sin is always there. Going to a ball game is not sin but getting drunk at the ball game is. Having friends over to your house for a cookout isn’t sin but touching your friend's wife inappropriately is. Going shopping isn’t sin but while shopping you pick something up and put it in your pocket, is. We fight against sin or struggle with it because it is ever before each of us everyday. After reading about the results of sin we see the word “but”. There is a way out of the penalty of sin. It is a “gift” and that “gift” is given by God. A gift is something that is given at no cost to the receiver. All one has to do is reach out and receive. For God so loved that He gave (John 3:16) accept the gift of God and bypast the penalty of sin, death; John 17:3 (KJV) And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. I hope my friend received the Gift of God and I pray that you have also.

🖐️Resist💋 🙆🏻‍♂️💪🙆‍♀️

Hebrews 12:4 (KJV) Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, resisted unto blood against sin.

“Ye have not yet” ok not yet what? Remember how this chapter started off? Wherefore seeing or somewhat understanding of what happened in chapter 11. Do you remember this?

Hebrews 11:36 (KJV) And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:

Hebrews 11:37 (KJV) They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;

And others “were stoned” that’s shedding blood for what you believe. They “were sawn asunder” oh how painful that must have been; that too is shedding blood for what you believe. They “were slain with the sword” that too is shedding blood for what you believe. The examples were before you but you have “resisted unto blood” we haven’t had to be tormented, walk to a table where you would be sawed into, stand before a firing squad. No, not one of us is shedding our blood for what we believe. But we all deal with resisting sin. How are we doing with that? It’s an enemy we fight with everyday. The lust of the flesh and oh how we can justify our sin. I had a friend that I have great respect for and still do. He is in glory now. I remember a conversation we had many years ago about another man. This other man was having a relationship with a married woman who was getting a divorce. My friend said to me that this woman was getting a divorce what difference does it make ? My answer was simple because it was a Bible answer Exodus 20:14 (KJV) Thou shalt not commit adultery. It didn’t read Thou shall not unless the divorce was in the making. Think twice, even three or four times before doing what you are seeing Hollywood do. Have you ever noticed they are not all that happy with each other. Their marriages fall apart. There’s a price to pay for sin that’s why we are taught to resist. Maybe if the penalty was death it would be easier to resist. Oh but it is Romans 6:23 (KJV) For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

🆘 Faint Not In Your Mind 🧠

Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.”

Hebrews 12:3 (KJV) For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

Oh no, I was thinking differently. After accepting Jesus as my savior life would be better. But what is this I just read “endured” then “contradiction” oh my. Would this be opposition? Oh I don’t like opposition! Wouldn’t that be some type of resistance? The verse before said that Jesus endured the cross, don’t forget the shame. But also don’t fly by the words before all that “for the joy that was set before him” You call that JOY? Yes when you get your focus on what is in front of you and look past that to see the future. In Exodus chapter 15 the first thing we read is great joy, singing, praising God for all He had done. You will do the same when you accept Jesus as your savior. But only 3 days later these same people are complaining because there is no water and the water that is there is bitter, undrinkable. They forgot that just 3 days ago they were happy enough to sing. Now they are complaining. Don’t let that happen to you. The chapter ends with them coming to a place of shade and plenty of water to drink. A place of rest. Remember that we can’t live on past victories. But at the same time we can’t let the present time bring us to a stop. Never forget there is a great future for the child of God. Looking unto Jesus the author and the FINISHER. Let not your heart be troubled. Romans 8:18 (KJV) For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Not long ago one of my good friends who was at the point of death said these words “no longer is death my enemy it is now my friend. In order to get to heaven I must go by way of the grave.” He has quit looking at the present, his eyes are focused on Jesus. He has run his race that was set before him and now he is waiting for the call to come up hither. 

Revelation 4:1 (KJV) After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. Don’t you want to go?

🫵 You Can 🏃‍♂️‍➡️

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Hebrews 12:2 (KJV) Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set 

before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

We must focus on Jesus, the source and goal of our faith. The 2024 summer Olympics was held in Paris July 26-August 11, 2024 Every one that qualified is hoping for the same thing, win the gold. That’s what they are going for. Everyone that goes out in their sport wants the gold. You won’t hear one of them saying “I hope I can just finish.” Everyone that qualified wanted to win and win big, the Gold! 

We are being told the same. We are being told “Looking unto Jesus” not some Prophet of old, not a disciple of the past. Oh no we are plainly told who to look unto and it’s Jesus and not ourselves. “Looking unto Jesus” why is that? Because He is “the author and finisher of our faith” He’s the example we are to look at “who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame” So the runners are on the starting line they are ready to run the race. As I look at them they are not talking with each other, they are not making jokes, making fun of the way someone is acting or even the color of clothing they are wearing. No! They are ready to run the race and they are waiting to hear the sound of the gun, they are looking at the finish line. So I ask myself this day that is now before me. Am I ready to run this day's race? Am I joking around? Am I talking about others? Am I making fun at how those around me look? Do I have my ears open and ready to listen to the Author and the Finisher of my faith? It’s’ not me, it’s not how much I know, the question is am I listening and ready to do what the Author of my faith wants me to do? It’s not about how much Bible we know; we will never know enough. No, as we come in contact with others, God may just want you to share a moment of how He touched you that can’t be explained any other way. Just remember we are seed planters or maybe today you will be a reaper of seeds others have planted. Get ready, the door is about to shut behind you and the race will begin. 

🌊 Impossible 🚶🏻‍♂️

A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.

Hebrews 12:1 (KJV) Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 

Webster says this word “Wherefore” means For which reason. Since we are surrounded by so many examples of faith, let us get rid of everything that slows us down, entangles us, hems us in giving us the idea that escape is impossible; it’s a weight, a sin which so easily distracts us, let us run the race with patience and never give up. In Hebrews chapter 11 we read of men and women who didn’t quit when the race that was set before them got difficult. In other words this race is possible although it may be difficult at times. There will be cross roads and even sometimes no roads but keep pressing on looking at the goal ahead. First we are given examples of faith. I remember all too well when in school, my books always had examples of how to write the sentence, do the math or whatever. The examples always looked easy, you know why? Because I didn’t do the work. Now when I began to do the work it got confusing fast. Just remember faith in Christ is not easy, because along the way there will be distractions, things that look impossible. Did it look impossible for Moses when it looked like all was finished as he looked ahead and all he could see was water? It seemed that Moses was in an impossible place to go forward and yet God told him to go forward not telling him that the Red Sea was about to open and make a way of escape. Let us run the race, we are told and when in doubt look and learn from the examples that have been set before you. Will it look confusing at times? You better know it will. Will you be in doubt of what to do? Oh yes. So what is the answer when you find yourself in this place? “lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us” There is always going to be an easier route, a place to quit, bad advice if you get your eyes off the finish line. Peter had great faith that he could walk on water and he did until he got his eyes off of Jesus and began to look at the great storm he was walking in. The Bible tells us that he began to sink. That has always amazed me and you may say why? My answer is have you ever tried to walk on water? If you have you will find out very quickly you don’t begin to sink. So get your eyes off the mark and you begin to sink. It matters not if you are losing weight, getting rid of an addiction it is the sin that EASILY hems you in. 

🩻 But Others 🫵

 Hebrews 11:33 (KJV) Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,

Hebrews 11:34 (KJV)  Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.

Hebrews 11:355 (KJV) Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:

Boy that’s wonderful, that’s the kind of stories we love to hear. Winners, overcomers in hopeless situations, escaping rather than giving up, turning weakness into strength, fighting when many would have ran for their lives. Oh the success they are the best. But wait, the next verse tells of a story we don’t like to hear nor live. 

Hebrews 11:36 (KJV) And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:  Others? Yes others the unnamed, the ones we don’t want to be, the ones we try so hard not to be. We like recognition, we like being employee of the month, salesman of the year or of the month or of the day. We run races to win and we like being recognized.

Hebrews 11:37 (KJV) They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; Wait a minute didn’t all these have faith in God? Sure they did, we are told they did. Then why all the hardships? I can’t explain why we as God’s people go through hardships. But if you take the time to read this wonderful book we call the Bible you will find  that many had hardships. Some because of what they did knowing better and others just let the temptations of this life draw them in deeper and deeper. 

You and I may fit better with this crowd. Maybe we are not in prison, nobody is about to stone us or saw us 

in half but none the less we have been forgiven, we have put our trust in God. But the doctor said it doesn’t look good and from what he knows he gives you no more than 6 months. What! I'm only 43 and my daughter will be graduating in just 8 months. Read this verse.

Hebrews 11:39 (KJV) And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:  These Old Testament saints received not; they greatly desired to see their Savior in the flesh; they saw Him by faith; they believed in Him, and rejoiced in the expectation of his coming. But it never happened. Wait, wait, we too haven’t seen Jesus yet. But we have read about His birth and we celebrate it every December 25.  We have read of His life on this earth. We have read of His promise, be not troubled I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again. You know what I have learned? It matters not what age, there will always be something we want to see, a place we want to go. It does not  matter whether we are 43 or 92 we have plans! I think he was 92 and seemed to be in great health. His name was Ralph Ayers. He bought him a free standing sitting swing and had his grand boys place it close to the road. He would wave as cars passed by and we all would wave back. Some of us would even stop and sit with him on his swing. While we talked or better yet while he talked. I love to stop and hear him talk of the past; he had some great tales to tell. One day he was sitting there not sure if he felt bad or just going in to eat lunch. He drove his 4-wheeler into his garage, closed the door and the next morning when his grandson went by to check on him he was dead right there by his 4-wheeler. I’m sure he had plans. The promise Jesus left were words of encouragement. I am going to prepare a place for you, don’t be troubled. These all died not seeing or knowing what we know. They, like you and I, were looking into the future by faith. The Apostle Paul said “eye hath not seen, ear hath not heard; here read it for yourself.

1 Corinthians 2:9 (KJV) But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. We hang on here because this is all we know. God is saying don’t get too comfortable because you are not staying here. I have prepared a much better place for you and death is coming, please understand I love you so please trust Me. A prepared place for prepared people. Hebrews 11:40 (KJV) God having provided some better thing for us,

⏳When Time Fails ⌛️

Hebrews 11:32 (KJV) Hebrews 11:32 (KJV) And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: 

Is the writer saying “I don’t have the time; oh how I wish I did because there’s so many more Gedeon’s oh what a great story of faith about the man who was a farmer who became a great leader. You’ll find his story in book #7 of the Old Testament Judges Chapter 6-8 Gedeon asked a question that many have asked as they see all the evil going on around them. Judges 6:13 (KJV) And Gideon said unto him, Oh my Lord, if the LORD be with us, why then is all this befallen us? and where be all his miracles which our fathers told us of, saying, Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt? but now the LORD hath forsaken us, and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites. Read about this man Gedeon and see how the Lord greatly used him. There is hope for anyone to become a Gedeon. But the writer didn’t have time to tell of this great man of faith that God greatly used.  Neither was there enough time to write of Barak. Who was this man Barak? In Judges chapter 4 and 5 you can read about him. He was use to lead ten thousand men all volunteers. Israel had been brought into bondage, again. There were 900 chariots of iron and these volunteers were lightly armed and were no contest for these chariots. But these volunteers had something else, they had God and He would overcome this enemy as He had done in the past. It’s an interesting read about how the victory was won with a woman, a hammer and nail.

“Samson”he was famous for his great strength oh but there is much more to know about him 

Judges chapters 14-16

“Jephthae”  It will be hard to find him with that name. But if you use “Jephthah” you will find him in Judges chapter 1l & 12 he may be more like you and I because he at first joined up with the wrong kind of friends. But later he became a believer and put his trust in God and had great faith; he fought, he conquered all because he trusted.

“David” a man after God's own heart.

“Samuel” a child of prayer, devoted to the Lord, who  heard his voice, was used by God. He behaved with great uprightness, all his days; and had a good report of God and man.

”and of the prophets” from Samuel to John the Baptist you see we don’t have the time. Because if not careful God knows we will get too focused on the greatness of man. God uses men and women but the greatness is never in the man or the woman for they are nothing without God in their presence.