Send us a textš Episode SummaryIn today's episode, we trace the final downward spiral of Samsonāa man chosen by God but overtaken by his own desires. Judges 16 is a tragic yet illuminating story of what happens when Godās gifts are used without God's guidance. From Gaza to Delilah, from strength to blindness, this chapter lays bare the fruit of the fleshāthe spiritual and moral consequences of walking in disobedience.But this is more than a cautionary tale. It's also a testimony to grace. Because even at rock bottom, even after betrayal, lust, and failure, God wasnāt finished with Samson. And Heās not finished with you.š Key ThemesThe Danger of Presumption: Using Godās gifts without walking in His willTemptationās Tactic: How compromise can wear down even the strongest saintThe Fruit of the Flesh: Sinās end is always blindness, bondage, and brokennessGrace After Ruin: Godās mercy meets us in the ashesāand raises us up againš Reflection:Where have you been relying on God's gifts while ignoring God's voice? Ask the Lord: āStrengthen me, I prayājust once more.ā Ā Then turn back to Him with open hands, and watch grace begin to grow again.Support the showTo listen to my monthly church history podcast, subscribe at; https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com For an ad-free version of my podcasts plus the opportunity to enjoy hours of exclusive content and two bonus episodes a month whilst also helping keep the Bible Project Daily Podcast free for listeners everywhere support me at;|PatreonSupport me to continue making great content for listeners everywhere.https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com
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29:59
Special Update - Please Take Part in My Listener Survey.
Send us a textVOTE HERE:https://www.patreon.com/posts/poll-round-two-132240243?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_linkSupport the showTo listen to my monthly church history podcast, subscribe at; https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com For an ad-free version of my podcasts plus the opportunity to enjoy hours of exclusive content and two bonus episodes a month whilst also helping keep the Bible Project Daily Podcast free for listeners everywhere support me at;|PatreonSupport me to continue making great content for listeners everywhere.https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com
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12:26
Standing Alone. (Judges 15: 1-20)
Send us a textš Episode SummaryWhat do you do when you feel utterly aloneāabandoned by friends, misunderstood by your own people, and left to stand for God without support?In topday's episode, we walk through the stormy events of Judges 15 and the life of Samson: a man set apart by God, empowered by the Spirit, and yet isolated in his calling. From betrayal to supernatural victory, Samsonās story challenges us to consider the costāand the rewardāof radical faithfulness.We explore how spiritual compromise can infect God's people, and how the courage to stand aloneālike Samson, Luther, and Athanasiusācan shape the future of the Church.If youāve ever felt abandoned, alone in your convictions, or pressured to conform, this episode is for you.š Key ThemesThe Cost of Faithfulness: What it means to stand for truth when no one else willSpiritual Compromise: How Judahās betrayal of Samson reflects the churchās modern dangersHoly Spirit Empowerment: Samsonās strength wasnāt in his musclesābut in Godās presenceThe Power of One: From Athanasius to Luther, history turns on the courage of solitary saintsš Takeaway QuestionsHave you ever felt called to stand when no one else would join you?Where might you be tempted to compromise instead of confront?What would it look like to depend more on the Holy Spirit than on approval from others?Ā This week, ask God: Where are You calling me to standāalone if necessary? Then pray for strength, humility, and clarity to do just that.Ā Support the showTo listen to my monthly church history podcast, subscribe at; https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com For an ad-free version of my podcasts plus the opportunity to enjoy hours of exclusive content and two bonus episodes a month whilst also helping keep the Bible Project Daily Podcast free for listeners everywhere support me at;|PatreonSupport me to continue making great content for listeners everywhere.https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com
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32:59
God Can Use the Spiritually Flawed. (Judges 14 : 1-12)
Send us a textWelcomeThanks for pressing play! In todayās journey through Judges we meet Samsonāthe gifted judge who could tear lions to shreds, yet couldnāt rein in his own appetite. His life is a walking paradox: Spirit-empowered, vow-bound ⦠and willfully compromised.Ā The big question weāre chasing: How can a holy God work through people who are anything but holy? If youāve ever felt the tension between your calling and your failures, Samsonās story is your mirrorāand your hope.Episode Notes1. Three Snapshot Scenes1. **The Woman (vv. 1-4)**Ā Ā Ā āShe is right in my eyes.ā ā Samson   ⢠Impulse over covenant   ⢠Echo of the bookās theme: *āEveryone did what was right in his own eyesā* (Judg 21:25).2. **The Lion (vv. 5-9)**   ⢠Spirit-given strength vs. self-given silence   ⢠Touches a carcass twice, quietly breaking his Nazirite vow.3. **The Riddle (vv. 10-12)**   ⢠A seven-day drinking feast among Philistines   ⢠āOut of the eater came something to eatā¦āāturning sinās secrecy into gambling capital.2. Big Truths to Chew On| Truth | Why It Matters || Godās sovereignty bends even sinful choices into redemptive purposes (v. 4). | Your failures donāt write the final chapter. || Charisma without character caves in. | Spiritual gifting ā spiritual maturity. || āRight in my eyesā is the default of a leaderless heart. | We all need a better King than ourselves. |3. Reflection Questions1. Where do you rely on gifting while neglecting character?Ā 2. Which appetites currently drive your āsight-basedā decisions?Ā 3. How have you seen God redeem a bad choice you made?Ā 4. In what area do you need to swap *āright in my eyesā* for *āright in Godās eyesā* this week?### 4. Practice This Week⢠30-Minute Audit:** List recent decisions. Mark each *S* (sight) or *F* (faith). Pray over the *Sās.* ⢠Honey Fast:** Skip your go-to comfort snack/beverage for three days. Each craving = a cue to pray, āLord, master my appetites.ā ⢠Accountability Text:** Ask a trusted friend, āWhat blind-spot do you see in me that I justify as āright in my eyesā?ā6. Resources & Links Karl Barth, *Church Dogmatics* IV/1, p. 209 ā on Godās use of human sin for divine purposeĀ ---## š Stay Connected⢠Jeremy McCandless | SubstackĀ Subscribe for the written companion essays. Ā Rate & review if this episode gave you fresh hope. See you next week when we watch Samsonās riddle explodeāand trace the fallout to Godās bigger rescue plan.*Grace outmuscles failureāalways.*Support the showTo listen to my monthly church history podcast, subscribe at; https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com For an ad-free version of my podcasts plus the opportunity to enjoy hours of exclusive content and two bonus episodes a month whilst also helping keep the Bible Project Daily Podcast free for listeners everywhere support me at;|PatreonSupport me to continue making great content for listeners everywhere.https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com
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28:56
When Even God's Blessings Are Not Enough. (Judges 13. 1-24)
Send us a textWelcome to todayās episode, where we dive into Judges 13āthe beginning of Samsonās remarkable story. In a time of Israelās deep spiritual decline, we witness a divine intervention: the angel of the Lord announces the birth of a deliverer. But Samsonās arrival isnāt just a story of hopeāitās a tale of consecration, purpose, and the tension between human weakness and divine calling. What does this chapter reveal about Godās ways? And how does it set the stage for the turbulent life of one of Israelās most enigmatic leaders, and asks the question, are there times when even God's Blessings Are Not Enough.Letās explore.Ā Support the showTo listen to my monthly church history podcast, subscribe at; https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com For an ad-free version of my podcasts plus the opportunity to enjoy hours of exclusive content and two bonus episodes a month whilst also helping keep the Bible Project Daily Podcast free for listeners everywhere support me at;|PatreonSupport me to continue making great content for listeners everywhere.https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com
Why not make Studying the Bible part of the rhythm of your daily life. The Bible Project Daily Podcast is a 10 year plan to study through the entire Bible, both Old and New Testament, chapter by chapter, verse by verse. Season one is a short overview of each of the sixty-six books of the Bible. Season two launched our expositional journey through the whole Bible beginning with the book of Genesis. Thereafter each season take a New Testament/Old Testament alternatively until the project is complete. (God willing) Why not join me on this exciting journey as we study the whole Bible together from Genesis to Revelation.