Cornerstone Community Church Vodcast

The account of Deborah and Barak in Judges 4:4-9 has some interesting plot twists and provides insight into aspects of God’s assignment. What do our responses to the passage reveal about some of our underlying beliefs about faith and God? What are some practical takeaways from the account?

Each time you try to witness to someone or share the Gospel, you must begin on the premise that the person you're speaking to is spiritually-blinded. According to Scripture, the god of this age has blinded the eyes of those who do not believe. Understand the enemy will do all he can to shield and distract the person from the light of the Gospel. That is their number 1 assignment, which is why prayer is so necessary in the process of salvation. Discover how the veil can be removed.

Some of the greatest men in the Bible were born of mothers who went through a season of barrenness. The prophet Samuel was one such example. The Bible says the Lord closed Hannah’s womb and she was provoked severely by her rival. Hannah cried out for a son to bring her relief from the reproach, not knowing that the Lord wanted to birth the great prophet through her and not just any son. Could it be that the barrenness in our lives is to prepare us to steward the birth of something greater than we can ever imagine?

Some of the greatest men in the Bible were born of mothers who went through a season of barrenness. The prophet Samuel was one such example. The Bible says the Lord closed Hannah’s womb and she was provoked severely by her rival. Hannah cried out for a son to bring her relief from the reproach, not knowing that the Lord wanted to birth the great prophet through her and not just any son. Could it be that the barrenness in our lives is to prepare us to steward the birth of something greater than we can ever imagine?

The setting is the Garden of Eden, but the time is the present. This picture of the Garden of Eden is repeated in all our lives. Our enemy continues to make his appearance, and the two trees are there in the middle. It's important that we learn how to cultivate the garden that God has placed in us – to resist the enemy who seeks to disrupt what God is doing in us, and also to understand the purpose of the two trees.

The setting is the Garden of Eden, but the time is the present. This picture of the Garden of Eden is repeated in all our lives. Our enemy continues to make his appearance, and the two trees are there in the middle. It's important that we learn how to cultivate the garden that God has placed in us – to resist the enemy who seeks to disrupt what God is doing in us, and also to understand the purpose of the two trees.

Some of the greatest promises in the Bible were given to those who displayed the greatest zeal. I think of Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, who was given the covenant of an everlasting priesthood because of his zeal. I think of the sons of Levi who displayed a great zeal for the Lord and chose His side even against their own flesh and blood and they were given the promise of the priesthood. But none displayed a greater zeal for the Father than Jesus, the Son. Therefore God has given Him a Name above all other names.

Some of the greatest promises in the Bible were given to those who displayed the greatest zeal. I think of Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, who was given the covenant of an everlasting priesthood because of his zeal. I think of the sons of Levi who displayed a great zeal for the Lord and chose His side even against their own flesh and blood and they were given the promise of the priesthood. But none displayed a greater zeal for the Father than Jesus, the Son. Therefore God has given Him a Name above all other names.

There’s no doubt that Elijah stands as one of the premier prophets of the whole Old Testament. Not only that, he also obtained a position with Moses as one of the two witnesses that stands before the Lord. But Elijah’s journey as a prophet was not all smooth-sailing. He started spectacularly, stumbled along the way, and finished out in a very different fashion from how he started.

There’s no doubt that Elijah stands as one of the premier prophets of the whole Old Testament. Not only that, he also obtained a position with Moses as one of the two witnesses that stands before the Lord. But Elijah’s journey as a prophet was not all smooth-sailing. He started spectacularly, stumbled along the way, and finished out in a very different fashion from how he started.