In Judges 16:6 we read these words: “Tell me, I pray thee, wherein thy great strength lieth.”

Even before we set the verse in context … someone possessed (and displayed) unusually stout power or ability.

At least enough to spark interest (though here for a bad reason), here more than enough to create curiosity!

I wonder if that might ever (sincerely) be asked about you, about me?

Do our lives exhibit sufficient steadfastness, power, faithfulness, endurance … to draw such a question? “Tell me, I pray thee, wherein thy great strength lieth.”

By the way, should this scenario every really happen to you … “Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope (a form of strength) that is in you with meekness and fear.” Quoting 1 Peter 3:15.

And again, should it be asked … here’s the way to properly reveal the Cause, the real Reason for such strength … “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16, Our Lord Jesus speaking, from His great Sermon on the Mount. Our Father in Heaven … the strength-giver!

Spiritually as well as physically our strength (or lack thereof) generally comes from what we eat. And we Christians “eat” the Word of God! That’s our milk and bread and meat and desert (sweeter than honey from the honeycomb)!

Yes, the Bible is both quick (reviving) and powerful (like dynamite, the very Greek noun used here)!

The Holy Spirit is also our strength giver. Jesus often called Him the “Comforter,” in Latin that’s “com” plus “fortis.” When properly translated … “with strength!”

Wow!

Now contextually, this is Delilah asking Samson for the source of his strength … so she can orchestrate his downfall!

She didn’t really care about Samson … and the saddest thing about that account … Samson had already lost much of his strength due to sin (the strength robber) in his heart.

Soon, after that haircut, “And Samson wist not that the LORD was departed from him.” Judges 16:20

Strength gone!

No one will ask him again, tragically … “Tell me, I pray thee, wherein thy great strength lieth.”

Christain reading here today … do you have strength of character? Of love and loyalty? Of determination to continue serving the Lord … no matter what?

We sing … “Let others see Jesus in you.” Wonderful!

Let’s also sing … “Let others see the strength of God in you!”

Paul will now close our devotional this morning … “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.” Ephesians 6:10

Live, demonstrate this verse and many will be asking the source of your strength!

Tell them!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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America, the Country I love, is rotting from within. From the roots up! Even secularists will soon have to admit such.

I think our Text Verse focuses on situations like ours these days. “If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?” Psalm 11:3, King James Version.

America, contrary to a growing number of liberal academic revisionists, was founded on Christian (and Jewish) Principles.

But through the years, and it has taken them a long time to do it, the “roots” of American society have been damaged.

Or, as the Psalmist expressed it … “destroyed!” Which is a Hebrew verb meaning “torn down!” Also, five times it means “overthrown!”

The noun “foundations” is once (of only two occurrences in the Old Testament) translated “purposes!”

I don’t even think our government knows our true “purposes” anymore. Most of our Land’s pulpits do not, either.

Still, our verse implies (actually it outright teaches) that a point exists in God’s Estimation … when He will not even listen to the cries of His people.

That’s right. A day will arrive when our prayers, sermons, good works, ministries of all kinds … will be powerless to change God’s Mind, redirect His Hand (of indignation)!

Then … Judgment will fall!

And soon, world-wide judgment!

I am beginning to wonder … “Does anyone care?”

Destroyed?

Destroyed!

God cannot lie, folks. (See Titus 1:2.)

I am preparing a series of sermons on Bible Prophecy. Russia, Iran, and other enemies of Israel … will someday attack God’s Holy Land!

And that day (a type of Armageddon) more than the foundations will be destroyed. There we can put a period … DESTROYED. (Period.)

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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In Paul’s opening paragraph to the Book of Colossians he mentions three of his favorite spiritual graces.

They are … Faith and Love and Hope! In that order, I might add.

Now, watch the “direction” toward which he points each of these qualities.

FAITH in Christ Jesus!

LOVE to all the saints!

Then HOPE that is, Paul’s words, “laid up for us in Heaven!”

See Colossians 1:3-4 for the Bible background here.

In my Christian life, “hope” is by far the least emphasized, the weakest, of these three!

If my Hope is in Heaven … I should be able to handle life’s difficulties much better.

Suffering here!

Rewards there!

Let me illustrate this truth from Romans 8:18, Paul again! “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.”

Sufferings (Paul pluralizes the word) now!

Glory (part of our Hope) later!

Stated as a principle … Hope puts one in the mindset of being willing to sacrifice the present on the altar of the future!

Another way of saying it … The world says “Buy now, pay later!” But real Christianity says, “Pay now, reap later!”

Paul even once used the term “Blessed Hope!”

Moses practiced this … “By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.”

He willfully chose hard times … looking ahead with hope for that promised reward!

It might be good if we all complained less and hoped more!

We really do not know all that glorious Hope entails, but this much is for sure … it will not be disappointing!

Hopefully …

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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My “go-to” verse proving us Christians are now bought by our Lord Jesus, that we are His property … is found in the Book of 1st Corinthians. But it’s a negative approach to the subject. “Ye are not your own. For ye are bought with a Price.” (That Price being the precious Blood of Jesus! According to 1st Peter 1:18-19.)

I have today found a positive way of expressing that same Truth. A new way to say an old thing!

Still in 1st Corinthians … “Ye are Christ’s.” That plain! (But not all that simple!) The Name or Title “Christ” used here speaks of Jesus as Messiah! Jesus as God’s perfect Prophet, Priest and King! The Name is also grammatically framed in the genitive case, as a Proper Noun. That’s another way to show possession!

I BELONG TO HIM!

PERIOD!

In Matthew chapter 20, one of Jesus’ least familiar Parables, a landowner asks this question to a group of grumbling servants … “Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own?”

My point?

If we belong to Jesus … His “will” must be paramount in our lives! To do with us what He wishes, pleases!

I just last night read the following sentence, not knowing I would be writing this particular Article (Devotional) this morning … “Submit to nothing but the will of God!”

Do not submit to fear or temptation or some current fad or political correctness or anything else. This list could be endless!

Yield yourself to the One Who “owns” you!

Does that sound distasteful to you? Like some form of slavery?

Call it what you will … but it is in reality basic Christianity.

“Speak Lord, for Thy servant heareth!” (1st Samuel 3:9)

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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It is generally agreed that the Apostle Paul, in all his missionary journeys combined, would have traveled over well 10,000 miles during his earthly ministry!

Miles covered for Jesus’ Sake!

John Wesley, the famous circuit riding Preacher from England, traversed over 200,000 miles, preaching the Gospel!

Francis Asbury, in America, rode horseback around 270,000 miles, it is conservatively estimated. No telling how many sermons!

All these men were acting in obedience to Jesus’ Great Commission of Matthew 28:19-20. “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

Or more simply stated in Mark 16:16 … “Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.”

In fact, all four Gospels and the Book of Acts as well relate this great Task of the Church! Pursuing this noble goal will accumulate some miles, I can assure you!

All this travel, all these miles, for a Man (Jesus, the Son of God) Who barely left the little nation in which He was born!

A Man Who Himself walked very few miles in comparison to His followers!

But the miles Jesus did walk were monumental!

I think primarily of that trek from the courtroom of Pilate to Calvary’s Brow! The WALK which led to the DEATH that changed the whole world forever! Yes, the shed Blood of the now resurrected Jesus can still wash away sin. It does so daily!

Hallelujah!

Oh, one more thing about Jesus and “miles.”

Something He taught, also revolutionary, life-changing!

Matthew 5:41 … “And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.”

Here is the key to forgiveness!

The key to overcoming bitterness!

The key to turning an enemy into a freind!

The key to a more joyful life!

In reality … Jesus’ few “miles” propel us to travel our many miles for His Glory and Honor!

And were it possible, several vociferous AMENS would have just been heard! In response to that last statement.

From Paul and Wesley and Asbury and a thousand more traveling witnesses for Jesus!

HE IS WORTHY!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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