Saturday February 19, 2011
Today's Passage: Judges 4:1-5:31
Memory Verse: Judges 4:24
Oppression is never a good thing. It's defined as the exercise of authority or power in a burdensome, cruel, or unjust manner. Even the "spirit" of oppression renders a person powerless, out of control, and void of self-confidence; so I can only imagine what the real thing would do. Addiction is a form of oppression. When a person has an addiction, they want to be free from it but somehow they're inable to muster up enough strength to overcome it. Therefore, by definition, the thing/person they're addicted to is their oppressor.
The children of Israel were no strangers to oppression. You would think they'd had their fill with the whole "Egypt" thing. But, here they were, back under the hand of a harsh ruler--AGAIN! Okay, before we put our judges hats on, let's take something into consideration. Even now, we as God's chosen people still put ourselves in situations where "oppression" will be the likely result. For instance, the soulties we create through unfruitful relationships are oppressive. How you ask? Look at what happens to you everytime you see the person who abused and/or betrayed you. Their very presence changes your whole countenance. Some try to move on to other relationships, only to have them end because of the baggage of the former one. Evenmore, the things we allow into our bodies (i.e. drugs, alcohol, nicotine, etc) are oppressive. Drugs, nicotine, and alcohol imprisons its users and keeps them for what seems like forever. Individuals partake of these things in order to "feel" good, "dull" pain, and "release" anxiety. But what ends up happening is the thing they use goes from being a social outlet, to being a shackle around their necks (oppression).
Please keep reading My Friends, there's good news. There's always a way out of oppression. In our passage, Israel's judge (Deborah), had to remind them that God previously gave them instructions they hadn't carried out. "Gather the army and march out against them." God's formula for breaking the bonds of oppression is to fight. You want to free? Sometimes you have to fight for it. Prayer, fasting, Bible study, and total devotion are weapons for warfare. Use them. They'll not only win your freedom, they'll maintain it as well. Oppression wasn't designed for you. However, it can be used to get your focus back on the Father and His will for your life. Just remember, if you ever feel like something/someone is oppressing you, go back to the instructions God gave you. Get back on the path. Turn your situation around by going from being the oppressed to being the overcomer.
Prayer: Father there's no way I'm ever leaving Your hand. My enemies seek to destroy me everyday. If I turn away from You, I walk right into their camp. I literally open myself up for oppression. Being with You is freedom. It's the freedom I need to live this life. So I'm with You forever and always...in Jesus' name . Amen.
Today's Passage: Judges 4:1-5:31
Memory Verse: Judges 4:24
Oppression is never a good thing. It's defined as the exercise of authority or power in a burdensome, cruel, or unjust manner. Even the "spirit" of oppression renders a person powerless, out of control, and void of self-confidence; so I can only imagine what the real thing would do. Addiction is a form of oppression. When a person has an addiction, they want to be free from it but somehow they're inable to muster up enough strength to overcome it. Therefore, by definition, the thing/person they're addicted to is their oppressor.
The children of Israel were no strangers to oppression. You would think they'd had their fill with the whole "Egypt" thing. But, here they were, back under the hand of a harsh ruler--AGAIN! Okay, before we put our judges hats on, let's take something into consideration. Even now, we as God's chosen people still put ourselves in situations where "oppression" will be the likely result. For instance, the soulties we create through unfruitful relationships are oppressive. How you ask? Look at what happens to you everytime you see the person who abused and/or betrayed you. Their very presence changes your whole countenance. Some try to move on to other relationships, only to have them end because of the baggage of the former one. Evenmore, the things we allow into our bodies (i.e. drugs, alcohol, nicotine, etc) are oppressive. Drugs, nicotine, and alcohol imprisons its users and keeps them for what seems like forever. Individuals partake of these things in order to "feel" good, "dull" pain, and "release" anxiety. But what ends up happening is the thing they use goes from being a social outlet, to being a shackle around their necks (oppression).
Please keep reading My Friends, there's good news. There's always a way out of oppression. In our passage, Israel's judge (Deborah), had to remind them that God previously gave them instructions they hadn't carried out. "Gather the army and march out against them." God's formula for breaking the bonds of oppression is to fight. You want to free? Sometimes you have to fight for it. Prayer, fasting, Bible study, and total devotion are weapons for warfare. Use them. They'll not only win your freedom, they'll maintain it as well. Oppression wasn't designed for you. However, it can be used to get your focus back on the Father and His will for your life. Just remember, if you ever feel like something/someone is oppressing you, go back to the instructions God gave you. Get back on the path. Turn your situation around by going from being the oppressed to being the overcomer.
Prayer: Father there's no way I'm ever leaving Your hand. My enemies seek to destroy me everyday. If I turn away from You, I walk right into their camp. I literally open myself up for oppression. Being with You is freedom. It's the freedom I need to live this life. So I'm with You forever and always...in Jesus' name . Amen.
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