Archive for category: GAMEtime Sharing

Hi GAMErs!

Today’s passage is Judges 1:27-36.  Let’s go!

Judges 1:27-36 (NIV)
27  But Manasseh did not drive out the people of Beth Shan or Taanach or Dor or Ibleam or Megiddo and their surrounding settlements, for the Canaanites were determined to live in that land.
28  When Israel became strong, they pressed the Canaanites into forced labor but never drove them out completely.
29  Nor did Ephraim drive out the Canaanites living in Gezer, but the Canaanites continued to live there among them.
30  Neither did Zebulun drive out the Canaanites living in Kitron or Nahalol, who remained among them; but they did subject them to forced labor.
31  Nor did Asher drive out those living in Acco or Sidon or Ahlab or Aczib or Helbah or Aphek or Rehob,
32  and because of this the people of Asher lived among the Canaanite inhabitants of the land.

On verses 27-36:  In the first 26 verses of Judges 1 we already see hints of Israel’s tribes not going all the way in fully occupying the Promised Land, but rather compromising and allowing other nations to occupy it. This happened in verse 19 where the tribe of Judah did not fully take over the plains.  This happened in verse 21 where the tribe of Benjamin did not oust the Jebusites out of Jerusalem.  We see this happening even more in verses 27-36: the tribes of Manasseh (v27), Ephraim (v29), Zebulun (v30), Asher (v31), Naphtali (v33), Dan (v34), and Joseph (v35) all fail to drive out the Canaanites from the land. 

Hi GAMErs!

Today we begin the book of Judges.  The book of Judges describes a time in Israel’s history after Moses and Joshua had led the Israelites into the Promised Land and before Israel’s kings had begun to rule.  This period is known as the time of the judges.
 
Today’s passage is Judges 1:1-15.  Let’s go!
 
Judges 1:1-2 (NIV)
1  After the death of Joshua, the Israelites asked the LORD, “Who will be the first to go up and fight for us against the Canaanites?”
2  The LORD answered, “Judah is to go; I have given the land into their hands.”
 
On verses 1-2:  By the time Israel’s leader Joshua had died, there were still parts of the Promised Land that the Israelites had yet to conquer and take over (see Joshua 23:4-5).  So Judges 1-3 describe how Israel tried to conquer those remaining lands.  The Israelites start well by inquiring of the LORD for advice on who to send to fight the Canaanites.  And God answers by saying that Judah is to go.

Hi GAMErs!

Today’s passage is 2 Thessalonians 2:13-3:5.  Let’s go!
 
2 Thessalonians 2:13-17 (NIV)
13  But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth.
14  He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
15  So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.
16  May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope,
17  encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.
 
On 2:13-17:  In the previous verses, Paul talked about the anti-Christ, “the man of lawlessness”, and how when he comes he will deceive all “those who are perishing…who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness” (v10, 12).  
 

Hi GAMErs!

Today we begin our look at 2 Thessalonians, a letter written by Paul to the church in Thessalonica, probably in the early A.D. 50s, soon after he wrote 1 Thessalonians. 
 
Today’s passage is 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12.  Let’s go!

2 Thessalonians 1:1-2 (NIV)
1  Paul, Silas and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
2  Grace and peace to you from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
 
On verses 1-2:  Thessalonica was an important port city, located in what is now modern day Greece.  When Paul started the church there during his second mission trip (Acts 17:1-10), Paul and his team faced dangerous persecution, so much so that Paul and his teammate Silas were sent away for safety reasons.  From this letter we’re about to read, it will become evident that the Christians who remained in Thessalonica continued to face persecution for their faith.

Hi GAMErs!

Today’s passage is 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11. Let’s go !

1 Thessalonians 5:1-8 (NIV)
1  Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you,
2  for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
3  While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
4  But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief.
5  You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.
6  So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled.
7  For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night.
8  But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.

On verse 1-8:  Jesus is returning one day. The question is not if, but when, He will return. The best way you can prepare for Jesus’ return is not by trying to figure out the exact date and time of His return — something which Jesus Himself says He doesn’t know (Mark 13:32) and something which Paul says he won’t bother writing about (v1).  Rather, the best way to prepare for Jesus’ return is by living a life of faith, hope and love in Jesus Christ every day.