“A Chosen Instrument”

April 16, 2024

April 16, 2024

Read Numbers 36, Psalm 120-121, Acts 9

When I was in the sixth grade I wanted to play a musical instrument. All the cool people played in the band so naturally the dork in myself went straight for the orchestra! In the initial meeting with the strings teacher she suggested I play the violin because of my hand size but I really wanted to play the cello after hearing and seeing it played in a demo. I picked the cello and started my career as an amateur musician.  I stuck with it, decided to major in music education on the cello and then I ended up following a call into ministry as a pastor! Did you ever play any instruments or pick something in school to do or be a part of?

In Acts 9 we have a little different version of a chosen instrument. God chose Saul or Paul to be his chosen instrument for a much more important task. God appeared to Paul on the road to Damascus, on his way to persecute more Christians. God had blinded him and asked another believer named Ananias to go speak to him and restore his sight. A Fearful Ananias objected, but God doubled down. “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name” vv. 15-16.

We might not be called to do and experience the things that the Apostle Paul did, but God has chosen each of us to serve Him in a particular way. It might be in a full-time ministry position or it might be as a faithful volunteer that serves in a ministry at church or for the Lord. What has God chosen you to do for Him? Are you fighting back against a call on your life or are you humbly agreeing with God and serving to the best of your ability.

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

“Freedom for Fruit!”

March 2, 2024

March 2, 2024

Read Leviticus 18, Psalm 62, Galatians 5

As Americans, we love our freedom. Maybe a little too much. We tend to think of freedom as the goal and highest achievement. Many people are tricked into the myth that if they just get more power or money, they can increase the amount of freedom they have. We should not compare freedom to autonomy. These are two different things. This is where Galatians 5 teaches us that freedom is not ultimately for ourselves, but as Christians we are free to serve Christ. “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery” v. 1. There is a difference between “freedom for” and “freedom from” for all of us to consider. Take a musical instrument or a symphony orchestra. You could take the approach that says, “I have the freedom to play my instrument however I like.” You could play any notes, melodies, in any key or rhythm. Imagine that with everyone in the orchestra doing the same thing. It would be a mess and make our ears bleed for sure. But if we play in the constraints of a certain key signature or time signature and play along with everyone else we have the ability to create beautiful music. That’s how it is with our freedom in Christ. Yes we are free from the law, but we must play within the moral key signature that God has given us in his word. This is the way God designed us as his musical instruments to function.

In Galatians 5 Paul writes about how Christians should not use their freedom in Christ, freedom from the law as an excuse to sin. “You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. 14 The entire law is summed up in a single command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other” vv. 13-15.  

Paul encourages the Christians in Galatia to “live by the Spirit” v. 16. In the last part of Galatians 5 Paul contrasts the fruit of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit. He says “For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law” vv. 17-18. Because God exists and we have a moral ought to do right and not do evil we are ultimately free in Christ, but to live by the Spirit and produce the fruits that Paul lists out. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law” vv. 22-23.

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

“Slave”

March 1, 2024

March 1, 2024

Read Leviticus 17, Psalm 61, Galatians 4

The word slave is not a word that brings up good vibes. We know that Old Testament slavery is different from that of the chattel slavery that took place in America almost 200 years ago. It was voluntary and had limits and God gave protections for slaves against any mistreatment. Much of the Bible deals with this topic, both in the Old and New Testaments. Many of the New Testament authors used slavery as an analogy for connecting a spiritual truth to their readers too. This is the case in Galatians 4 with Paul.

Paul compared the Christians to “sons of God” rather than that of a “slave.” Paul explained that as sons and daughters of God we have blessings that a slave does not have. “Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, ‘Abba, Father.’ 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir” vv. 6-7.

In the middle section of Galatians 4, Paul uses this analogy to ask the church in Galatia, “Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?” v. 9. The church had turned back to their old ways and beliefs that were based in the law of Moses and not from freedom that Jesus had brought on the cross. (The book of Galatians is the only Pauline epistle where Paul forgoes the pleasantries and goes right to taking them to task in the opening chapter of Galatians.)

One interesting little nugget that stands out to me is that Paul records the reason that he met the people of Galatia in the first place. “As you know, it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you. 14 Even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus himself” vv. 13-14. Think about that, whatever Paul’s plans were, they may not have included a connection with the people he wrote the letter to, but because of an illness he had it put the two parties together. I hope that reminds us that good or bad that comes our way, God will use it for His purposes, and we can too.

The last section of Galatians 4 Paul compares the two sons of Abraham. “For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman. 23 His son by the slave woman was born in the ordinary way; but his son by the free woman was born as the result of a promise.” Paul was encouraging the Christians to live in such a way as they are sons of Isaac and free. We should do the same as well and live in the grace and freedom that God has given us through Jesus. We should not desire to go back and live in the slavery that we once did according to the Law without Christ. “But what does the Scripture say? “Get rid of the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with the free woman’s son.” 31 Therefore, brothers, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman” vv. 30-31.

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

“Scapegoat”

February 29, 2024

February 29, 2024

Read Leviticus 16, Psalm 60, Galatians 3

Have you ever heard of or used the term “scapegoat?” Today, a scapegoat is a person who is blamed for wrong doings, mistakes, or faults of others. Usually done in a quick manner. Maybe you were somebody else’s scapegoat or maybe you were the one blaming the other person. I’m sure this gets done quite often in a workplace, a school, and most of all between siblings. The term comes from Leviticus 16 from a practice that was done on the Day of Atonement. One time a year Aaron or the high priest would enter the Most Holy place and offer two sacrifices of a goat. “He is to take two male goats for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering” v. 5. After using a bull to sacrifice for his own sin the Lord describes these most curious instructions for Aaron to follow. “Then he is to take the two goats and present them before the LORD at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. 8 He is to cast lots for the two goats—one lot for the LORD and the other for the scapegoat.a 9 Aaron shall bring the goat whose lot falls to the LORD and sacrifice it for a sin offering. 10 But the goat chosen by lot as the scapegoat shall be presented alive before the LORD to be used for making atonement by sending it into the desert as a scapegoat” vv. 7-10. Aaron or the high priest would lay hands on the “scapegoat” and send it away to run into the wilderness which would represent the sins of the people being carried away and removed from their camp. 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

“I opposed him to his face”

February 28, 2024

February 28, 2024

Read Leviticus 15, Psalm 59, Galatians 2

Technology is great, except for when it’s not. We live in a world that boasts about being connected more than ever before. We can communicate with someone halfway around the world in a matter of seconds. One of the side effects of online communications is that too much of it and not enough personal contact will create certain behaviors and build character traits in us that might not be all that good. One of these side effects is a lack of desire for personal confrontation. It is east to hide behind a screen and argue a point but if we are void any relationship it usually ends bad.

In Galatians 2 Paul talks about his personal testimony of coming to Christ with the church in Galatia but then he discusses a confrontation that he had with Peter about his behavior. “When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was clearly in the wrong” v. 11. He goes on to explain that Peter was being hypocritical with his beliefs and his actions depending on who he was around. “Before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group. 13 The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray” vv. 12-13. It had gotten to the point where even Barnabas had been misled by Peter’s actions.

Some people are more outgoing than others, but I don’t know anyone who likes confrontation. Paul knew what he had to do to set things right. Think about a time when someone came to you and properly tried to correct you. Maybe it was your beliefs or maybe it was your behavior. We might not like the time of correction, but we all needed it. I thank God for the people in my life who have taken me out to lunch or pulled me aside to have a conversation with me. Another question we could ask is, “Are we approachable or a teachable person?” Do we put off an air of arrogance or come across so confident that we are beyond a teachable person.

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

“Justice and Judgment”

February 27, 2024

February 27, 2024

Read Leviticus 14, Psalm 58, Galatians 1

Many people decry the idea of Hell. They ask, “Why would an all-loving God send someone to Hell?” This is a wrong-headed question to ask. God doesn’t send anyone to Hell. We are already headed there, but when we hear that Jesus stepped in and paid the penalty for our sins on the cross, we have the opportunity to accept His grace gift and pardon from Hell.  The reality of Hell is a just reality. Of all the evil done in the world, would we not expect God to punish those who do evil? God is indeed a just God, who enacts his judgment on everyone justly. May I take this sober moment to remind you that we are all sinners and have broken God’s law. Let this be a humble reminder that we all need a Savior.  

Psalm 58 is a cry for justice from King David. He specifically aims his cry against the rulers or leaders in Israel. “Do you rulers indeed speak justly? Do you judge uprightly among men?” v. 1. David says that this is not a new thing, the wicked have been wicked for their entire life. “Even from birth the wicked go astray; from the womb they are wayward and speak lies” v. 3. David uses a couple of illustrations like a snake that is full of venom and that won’t heed the snake charmer. He wishes that they would vanish like water that flows away. The last lines of the Psalm end in an uplifting hope that David has in his God. “The righteous will be glad when they are avenged, when they bathe their feet in the blood of the wicked. 11 Then men will say, ‘Surely the righteous still are rewarded; surely there is a God who judges the earth’” vv. 10-11.

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

“Skin Rashes, Sores, and White Hairs”

February 26, 2024

February 26, 2024

Read Leviticus 13, Psalm 57, Hebrews 13

Warning: You better not ready Leviticus 13 after you just ate! Skin rashes, sores with white hairs, and raw flesh with swelling are just some of the things you will read about in that important chapter. One of the takeaways from this chapter is that God had a plan to control and treat infectious diseases. The Israelites were to quarantine for a period of time and then have a “checkup” with the priest before they were declared clean again. You might be wondering why did God tell them to see a priest and not a doctor? “When anyone has an infectious skin disease, he must be brought to the priest” v. 6. At this time in history there were no doctors like we have today. Most of the educated people were the priests and their general knowledge was good for examining the needs of the people.

Hebrews 13 is the conclusion of the book of Hebrews. Even though we do not know who wrote the book, we do know that the author had some kind of connection with Timothy because he is mentioned at the end. “I want you to know that our brother Timothy has been released. If he arrives soon, I will come with him to see you. 24 Greet all your leaders and all God’s people. Those from Italy send you their greetings. 25 Grace be with you all” vv. 23-25. The final remarks are aimed at the church and how they should live out their faith. Verse 2 discusses the important topic of hospitality. The author seems to imply that the angel may “test us” from time to time to see how we treat others. “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it” v. 2.

The author encourages the readers to remain sexually pure, keep the marriage bed sacred, and to not be carried away by strange teachings. Before the author closes the letter out, he circles back once more to Jesus as the High Priest who has paved the way for us all.  The comparison of the burned offering being taken outside the city is compared Jesus who was crucified also outside the city of Jerusalem. He adds, “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess his name” v. 15.

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

“Unclean vs. Sin”

February 25, 2024

February 25, 2024

Read Leviticus 12, Psalm 56, Hebrews 12

As you read Leviticus 12 it is important to note the difference between being ceremonially unclean and committing a sin. There were three types of laws in the Old Testament. The moral law which instructed Israel and everyone else on how to live their lives. The civic laws of the nation of Israel which were only bound to the Israelites and not to other nations. These laws were meant to represent God’s standard before the other nations as a witness to God. The ceremonial laws were the laws that Israel was to observe when they were to come before the Lord to offer a sacrifice or approach the tabernacle or temple. These laws focused on the person remaining clean before the Lord when they came to offer a sacrifice. If an Israelite were to become unclean by touching a dead body, dead animal, or a bodily discharge it would make that person unclean and they would have to take steps to purify themselves before coming in the presence of the Lord or in their community. It didn’t signify that they committed a sin necessarily. If a person was ceremonially unclean and neglected to properly purify themselves, it could possibly lead to sin and exclusion from the community.

Leviticus 12 describes the process of purification that a woman would have to undergo after childbirth. “Say to the Israelites: ‘A woman who becomes pregnant and gives birth to a son will be ceremonially unclean for seven days, just as she is unclean during her monthly period.” v. 2.

As New Testament believers we are not bound to the sacrificial system of the Old Testament. Jesus’ death on the cross for our sins was the payment once for all. However, there might be activities that we participate in today that would not be considered sinful, but they might be akin to the unclean attitude we take when coming before the Lord. We might not want to come in to a church or setting where we set aside time to honor God and his holiness and have a disregard for our own personal cleanliness. We might not want to practice a spiritual discipline like reading the Bible or praying while we are working in certain situations as a sign of respect toward God.

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

“By Faith”

February 24, 2024

February 24, 2024

Read Leviticus 11, Psalm 55, Hebrews 11

We all exercise faith every day. Most of the time we don’t even bat an eyelash thinking about the ways that we put our faith into practice. Think about it, when you pick up a prescription from the pharmacy, get in your car and drive 70 mph down the road, or some other mundane tasks that we repeat repeatedly. Think about it, the reason we don’t even give it much thought is because often we repeat these tasks over and over. By faith we expect the medications we get from a pharmacist to be correct and by faith we expect our vehicles to run correctly and that others will abide by safe driving rules.

Hebrews 11 is often referred to as the “Hall of Faith.” It begins with a concise definition of faith. “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see” v. 1. Next, we learn without faith, “it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him” v. 6. Faith is the requirement that God desires from all of us.  Then the author highlights the Old Testament people who exercised faith and trusted God. From Abel to Rahab each of these people trusted God in faith and took Him at his word.

The last part of Hebrews 11 shifts from the giants of the faith that everyone recognizes from the pages of the Old Testament to a list of unknown and unrewarded faithful people. “Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. 36 Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. 37 They were stoned; they were sawn in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and ill-treated— 38 the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground. 39 These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised.” vv.35-39. Often when we read the narratives in the Bible we tend to focus on the military victories, the miraculous rescues, and other good things that we want for ourselves. We can easily overlook those who didn’t have the happy ending or those who were killed even for their faith. The author of Hebrews treats them all the same. Win or lose, they all win by exercising the faith in the Lord they had. The author reminds us, “God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect” v. 40.

How can you exercise faith today? How can you trust the Lord and know that win or lose He has a plan for you just like He did each of these people in Hebrews 11.

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

“Once For All”

February 23, 2024

February 23, 2024

Read Leviticus 10, Psalm 54, Hebrews 10

What is something that you have done once that you plan to never do again? Ride a rollercoaster, file your own taxes, try brussel sprouts, or take a trip to a city or location. As we have been reading through the chapters in Leviticus and Hebrews it discusses a lot about the sacrificial system in the Old Testament. Over and over, the priests would have to perform the sacrifices before the Lord for the people of Israel. The author of Hebrews makes us glad we are living in the New covenant times and that we have Jesus who made the ultimate sacrifice once for all. “For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. 2 If it could, would they not have stopped being offered? For the worshippers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins” vv. 1-2. The author tells us plainly, “it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins” v. 4. The sacrificial system only temporarily covered the sins of the people.

The last half of Hebrews 10 is instructions for the church to persevere. There are great instructions in these verses that true follower of Jesus cannot ignore. There are three exhortations that all begin with “let us….” First, “let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith” v. 22. Our first goal is to work on our walk with the Lord and our goal is to have a close relationship with God. When we do this, it brings about the assurance of faith in us that we can confidently live for the Lord. Second, “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful” v. 23. We must look ahead in hope that comes from trusting God and his promises. Next, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love and good deeds” v. 24. Our jobs as brothers and sisters in Christ is to encourage and push other Christians to continue walking with the Lord and it is all about our actions.

The author gives one admonishment to his readers also, “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching” v. 25. We are not to neglect the church, (not the building), but the people who gather. We are to encourage one another and for good reason, one day Jesus will return.

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

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