“The Believer’s Freedom”

May 31, 2024

May 31, 2024

Read Joshua 11, Proverbs 26, 1 Corinthians 10

As American’s we love our freedom. People from all over the world love it as well and many desire to come here and experience it for themselves. The greatest freedom we can have, however, is not found in our nations laws or in any other country. The greatest freedom we can have is freedom in Christ. Many unbelievers might read that last statement and laugh. “Christianity is taking your freedom away!” they might reply. There is a misunderstanding of the true purpose and meaning of freedom.

In his letter to the church in Corinth Paul tells them, ““Everything is permissible”—but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible”—but not everything is constructive. 24 Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others” vv.23-24. Paul is saying in our freedom in Christ and from the Mosaic Law we can do many more things, but not everyone of those is helpful.

Imagine a smart phone. You could use it for a door stop, something to skip across a lake, or something else. It might work and it might not. That is not what a smart phone is designed to do. It was designed for a specific purpose and when we use it for that purpose it is functioning at its highest capacity.

Paul goes on to talk about food as an example and then he finishes out his thoughts with these verses. “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 32 Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God— 33 even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved” vv. 31-33. In our freedom as believers, we should not seek to use it for our own benefit, rather we should use our freedom for others and for the Lord.

What else do you see in these chapters? What words, phrases, or themes stick out to you?
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Posted by John Weldon

“Heaping Coals”

May 30, 2024

May 30, 2024

Read Joshua 10, Proverbs 25, 1 Corinthians 9

There are many places in Scripture that seem counterintuitive to us when we compare them to the teachings of the world. The first shall be last, if someone strikes you on the cheek turn and let them strike you on the other and many more. Here in Proverbs 25 we find another one. “If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. 22 In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you” vv. 21-22. The world tells us to punch back, seek revenge, but here God says be kind to your enemy and meet his needs. This is the way!

What else do you see in these chapters? What words, phrases, or themes stand out to you?
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Posted by John Weldon

“Don’t Forget to Pray”

May 29, 2024

May 29, 2024

Read Joshua 9, Proverbs 24, 1 Corinthians 8

What’s something that you have neglected to pray about in your past? How did it turnout? Last year my son needed a vehicle and we knew we had to have it. So we went about looking for one, thought we had a great deal and bought it. But I forgot to pray about it. I took for granted that I needed to take this “trivial matter” to the Lord to see if that was the right vehicle for my son. You can guess the rest of the story I bet. We had problem after problem with it from the day we drove it off the car lot. Note to self, Don’t forget to pray.

The same thing happen to Israel in Joshua 9. No, they didn’t a lemon of a car, but they made a decision without seeking the Lord first. A group called the Gibeonites tricked Israel into thinking that they were from a far away land and not on the list of nations that God told them to wipe out. The deception was good, they pulled out all the stops and made food that seemed to be foreign and misled Israel. Verse 15 says, “The men of Israel sampled their provisions but did not enquire of the LORD.”

This put Israel in a bad place. God had told them to wipe out the Gibeonites with all the other nations, but now they had made a vow to the Lord not to kill them and treat them as subjects.  These subjects would be a thorn in their side and bring temptation from other gods to Israel. It amazes me that how serious Israel took keeping their own vow to the Gibeonites. What if we acted this way today. Whatever we do and vow, don’t forget to pray!

What else do you see in these chapters? What words, phrases, or themes do you notice?
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Posted by John Weldon

“Devoted to the Lord”

May 28, 2024

May 28, 2024

Read Joshua 8, Proverbs 23, 1 Corinthians 7

What’s something you are devoted to? I know the “Sunday school” answer if you grew up in a church, it’s probably “Jesus.” But what other things are you devoted to? Family, a spouse, a job, a hobby? The list could go on and on. In 1 Corinthians 7 Paul addresses the church at Corinth about a new problem they were having because of their new faith in Christ. They had some questions about what to do in their marriage relationships when one person in the family became a believer and the other spouse was not. In summary, Paul encouraged them to first devote everything they did to the Lord and His will for their lives, not acting in their own interests. “I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord” v. 35. He discussed that in either way a husband or wife should not leave their spouse just because they were not both Christians. “To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord): If any brother has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her. 13 And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him. 14 For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. 15 But if the unbeliever leaves, let him do so. A believing man or woman is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace. 16 How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?” vv. 12-16.  Paul’s advice was to stay married or stay single and allow God to use them as they were, married or single.

What else do you see in these chapters? What words, phrases, or themes stand out to you?
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Posted by John Weldon

“The Effects of Sin”

May 27, 2024

May 27, 2024

Read Joshua 7, Proverbs 22, 1 Corinthians 6

Sin is destructive. Unfortunately, sin can affect more than just ourselves. In Joshua 7 we see some different ways in which sin spills over from our lives to the lives of others.

First and foremost, sin is an affront against God. It is missing the mark of how God intended us to live. “But the Israelites acted unfaithfully in regard to the devoted things; Achan son of Carmi, the son of Zimri, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of them. So the LORD’s anger burned against Israel” v. 1. God saw and knew about it before anybody else did.

Second, our sin affects the nation in which we live as a whole. Joshua had sent a small army to take care of the city of Ai, a much smaller city than Jericho. But because of Achin’s sin they faced defeat. “So about three thousand men went up; but they were routed by the men of Ai, 5 who killed about thirty-six of them. They chased the Israelites from the city gate as far as the stone quarries and struck them down on the slopes. At this the hearts of the people melted and became like water” vv. 4-5. When the individuals in a nation sin, it affects their nation altogether. When multiple people continue to sin in the same manner it becomes a corporate sin of the nation. In America today we might say that her corporate sins would be materialism, greed, the destruction of the family, and other sins that we are committing in large scale amounts.

Finally, our sin affects those closest to us, and the ones we love. Achin’s sin not only got himself killed but his family as well. “Then Joshua, together with all Israel, took Achan son of Zerah, the silver, the robe, the gold wedge, his sons and daughters, his cattle, donkeys and sheep, his tent and all that he had, to the Valley of Achor. 25 Joshua said, “Why have you brought this trouble on us? The LORD will bring trouble on you today.” Then all Israel stoned him, and after they had stoned the rest, they burned them” vv. 24-25. This might come across as very strict to us today, but we should remember that the same thing happens to us today. We might not face a family stoning like Achin’s family did, but the decisions and choices we make as parents will either led our family away from God or bring them to Him. If we hold no regard for the Lord, it’s likely that our influence will have a similar affect on our family as well.

What else do you see in these chapters? What words, phrases, or themes stand out to you?
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Posted by John Weldon

“Sacrifice vs. Obedience”

May 26, 2024

May 26, 2024

Read Joshua 6, Proverbs 21, 1 Corinthians 5

“To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice” – Proverbs 21:3 This proverb is similar to 1 Samuel 15:22, “But Samuel replied: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.” Sacrifices are well intended by the Lord would prefer we follow His instructions in life.

What else do you see in these chapters? What stands out to you?
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Posted by John Weldon

“Given a Trust”

May 25, 2024

May 25, 2024

Read Joshua 5, Proverbs 20, 1 Corinthians 4

What have you been entrusted with? Was it a materialistic object like something valuable or sentimental. Or maybe you were entrusted with a person to look after them like babysitting a child. As Christians we have also been given a trust. In 1 Corinthians 4 Paul says, “Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. 3 I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. 4 My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me” vv. 2-4. AS servants of Christ we have been given a trust to guard and share the gospel of Jesus with others and to invite them to join us in His kingdom work.

According to these verses our first job is to prove “faithful.” We must stay the course and hold fast to the gospel in which have placed our trust. Second, we must realize that we are not judged by the world in the end, we are judged by God. Sure, people will judge us, but the only judgement that counts is that of the Lord. What specifically has God given you as a trust today? Are you being a faithful servant with whatever it is?
What else do you see in these chapters? What words, phrases, or themes stand out to you?
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Posted by John Weldon

“A Foundation”

May 24, 2024

May 24, 2024

Read Joshua 4, Proverbs 19, 1 Corinthians 3

When have you seen a foundation that was weak and caused a building or structure to collapse? Earlier this year we saw the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore when the ship hit it.  Worse than the building being destroyed is when there are people injured or worse loss of life. There have been and will continue to be stories that will give evidence of weak foundations that end in loss.

As horrific as these events are, there is an even worse disaster. In 1 Corinthians 3 Paul talks about the importance of building our lives on the strongest foundation possible and it wasn’t as important as “WHO” build the foundation as to “WHAT” the foundation was. “By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. For no-one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ” v. 10-11. Paul said he was the first to come and lay the foundation but that others had come and built upon it after him.

Just as modern structures are inspected by the governments and those who want to insure our safety, so to God will also one “Day” judge what we have built and with what materials we have chosen. “If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13 his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work” vv. 12-13. What are you building yourself with? To borrow from the three little pigs story, are you using brick, wood, or straw? What else do you see in these chapters? What words, phrases, or themes stand out to you?
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Posted by John Weldon

“Various Proverbs”

May 23, 2024

May 23, 2024

Read Joshua 3, Proverbs 18, 1 Corinthians 2

The proverbs in the Bible are wise sayings from Solomon. The word proverb means “probability.” We should realize that the sayings of Solomon are not promises, but rather wisdom that will probably come to pass. There are always exceptions of course, but in general we can take these statements to the bank.

Many of the proverbs in chapter 18 talk about a fool’s mouth and his behavior. A fool is an amoral person. “A fool’s lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating A fool’s mouth is his undoing, and his lips are a snare to his soul” v. 6-7. And then sometimes, not listening to someone will get us played as a fool too. “He who answers before listening— that is his folly and his shame” v. 13.

This next proverb is one I think the 24/7 mews media and everyone on social media should read… twice! “The first to present his case seems right, till another comes forward and questions him” v. 17. There is always this rush to get the story out or to be the first one to break a story, perhaps to put a certain spin on it. Culture loves it when we rush to judgment and say things that society agrees with even if it’s not true. We need to be careful and think through things before we teach, share, or even discuss them with others.  

This last proverb is one from a recent sermon I used. “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit” v. 21. We have the power of life or death in our tongues. The choice is up to us as to which way we will use it.  Remember this doesn’t mean always saying nice things to people or never making them mad. Sometimes we have to speak the truth in love to people so that we can try to warn them of going the wrong direction. What else do you see in these chapters? Do you have a favorite proverb that speaks to you most?
Add your thoughts below.

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Posted by John Weldon

“Is Christ Divided?”

May 22, 2024

May 22, 2024

Read Joshua 2, Proverbs 17, 1 Corinthians 1

My wife and I are “a house divided.” She grew up about 30 minutes from Auburn, Alabama and is a die-hard Auburn fan. I grew up about 45 minutes from Athens, Georgia and am an equally loyal Georgia fan. What are some ways that you might be divided in your house? Is it over schools, sports teams, movies and music, or something else?

The one thing that we want to avoid dividing over most as Christians is in our faith. The letter to the church at Corinth starts out with a short greeting and then Paul gets right into the first problem they faced, a divided church. “I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought” v. 10. What were they divided over? We might not know everything but apparently Paul calls them out for which one of their teachers and leaders was their favorite to follow. Paul even mentions that he was glad they he had not baptized only a few so that they could not fight over that too. Paul boldly asks, “Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul?” v. 13. Paul was telling them they had their eyes on the wrong person. It wasn’t supposed to be on Paul, Apollos, or Cephas. They were only to have their eyes of Jesus Christ.

We might laugh at this and say, “how silly they are,” but we must be careful not to fall into the same trap today. We might have our favorite podcasts, preachers, or teachers but these need to come secondary to our Savior. Do we favor a book over “the book?” Do we prefer to listen to an eloquent speaker over listening to the Word of God? Do we prefer “a new word” from some contemporary Christian over the old Word of God that never changes? What else do you see in these three chapters? What words, phrases, or themes stick out to you?
Add your thoughts below.

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Posted by John Weldon

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