“God Told Me…”

May 4, 2024

May 4, 2024

Read Deuteronomy 18, Psalm 149, Acts 27

There are a lot of voices in our culture that are claiming that God told me… _________ (fill in the blank).
God (supposedly) told Joseph Smith to start another church, because all the others were corrupt and wrong. God (supposedly) told Charles Taze Russel and the Watch Tower Tract and Bible Society that the world was going to end in 1874, 1914, 1975, etc. God (supposedly) tells many progressive Christians today that living a life in line with the LGBTQ lifestyles is okay with Him. God (supposedly) tells some preachers that certain political leaders are going to win the presidency. Many people claim that God speaks to them today through the Holy Spirit, a dream or vision. So how do we know when God speaks to us and when He doesn’t?  There are things we can do to help us determine when God speaks to us and when it’s just bad case of Mexican food.

  • Does it agree with God’s Word? The Holy Spirit, the author of all Scripture (1 Peter 3:xx) is not going to tell you something contrary to what He has already said. God does not change, nor does his nature and moral law.  
  • Does it bring peace? This is not a full proof test. Some people can find peace in their own sins, but if a person is truly a believer and seeking to follow Jesus the decision, they make will either bring peace (Philippians 4:7) from the Holy Spirit or a sense of unrest.
  • Does it test well with the Fruits of the Holy Spirit? Does it foster the nine fruits of the Spirit in your life and the life of others? (Love, peace, Joy, faithfulness, gentleness, patience, etc. Galatians 5:22-23).
  • Does it come with confirmation? Do other mature believers agree with you? (Proverbs 15:22) Does God tell the same thing to others or at the same time?

There are a few other things we can examine when we are questioning if God has spoken or not. We find one of them right here in Deuteronomy 18. God warned Israel not to listen to or follow false prophets that came into their cities claiming to speak for God. He gives them a two question test they can use to determine whether or not God has spoken.

“You may say to yourselves, “How can we know when a message has not been spoken by the LORD?” 22 If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the LORD does not take place or come true, that is a message the LORD has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously. Do not be afraid of him” vv. 21-22.

First, has the prophet called to speak in the name of the Lord? Second, does what he said come true? This will tell us everything. When God truly speaks, He does not lie or make mistakes. We must be careful to not use the phrase “God told me…” to flippantly. If God didn’t tell you and then it comes back to you, you could lose your trust with others but most importantly, cause someone to doubt God’s Word He has already spoken.

What else do you see in these chapters? What words, phrases, or themes stand out to you?
Add your thoughts below.

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Posted by John Weldon

“Saw It Coming”

May 3, 2024

May 3, 2024

Read Deuteronomy 17, Psalm 148, Acts 26

Have you ever been in a situation where you saw something coming. I’m not saying you had a vision or that you are a prophet, but your wisdom and experience allowed you to see what was lying ahead. Maybe it was something you were going to go through or maybe you saw a family or someone you loved headed in a direction that was not good? What did you do? Did you try and stop the person from going through it?

In Deuteronomy 17 we find a passage where God tries to warn the nation of Israel about their future kings and leaders. “When you enter the land the LORD your God is giving you and have taken possession of it and settled in it, and you say, “Let us set a king over us like all the nations around us,” 15 be sure to appoint over you the king the LORD your God chooses. He must be from among your own brothers” vv. 14-15. Moses continues to give them details about the future kings. “The king, moreover, must not acquire great numbers of horses for himself or make the people return to Egypt to get more of them, for the Lord has told you, “You are not to go back that way again.” 17 He must not take many wives, or his heart will be led astray. He must not accumulate large amounts of silver and gold” vv. 16-17. God warned the people to keep the king humble and not allow him to gain wealth and multiple wives. Is anyone else thinking of a certain king who fit this description? Solomon comes to mind for me.

Even further God tells the Israelites that the king must keep a copy of God’s Law with them and read it regularly. “When he takes the throne of his kingdom, he is to write for himself on a scroll a copy of this law, taken from that of the priests, who are Levites. 19 It is to be with him, and he is to read it all the days of his life so that he may learn to revere the LORD his God and follow carefully all the words of this law and these decrees 20 and not consider himself better than his brothers and turn from the law to the right or to the left. Then he and his descendants will reign a long time over his kingdom in Israel” vv. 18-20.

This is great advice for us today. If we find ourselves in a place of power and authority. We must remain humble and keep ourselves from being distracted by other things. We must remain faithful in reading and digesting God’s Word so that we will stay inside God’s blessings for our lives.

What else do you see in these chapters? What repeated words, phrases, or themes do you find here?
Add your thoughts below.

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Posted by John Weldon

“Israelite Rage Room?”

April 28, 2024

April 28, 2024

Read Deuteronomy 12, Psalm 143, Acts 21

Did you know that they have places that you can go and let out your pent up rage? These rage rooms are designed to be a fun and strangely therapeutic way to release some frustration in your life. You go and put on the proper safety equipment and goggles and then you enter the room and smash until you are rage free… or until your wallet can’t afford the things you are breaking. That’s right you pay for your experience by the things you destroy.

We read in Deuteronomy 12 about the original order from the Lord for Israel to smash and destroy the idols and other objects of worship from the nations around them as they entered into Canaan. “These are the decrees and laws you must be careful to follow in the land that the LORD, the God of your fathers, has given you to possess—as long as you live in the land. 2 Destroy completely all the places on the high mountains and on the hills and under every spreading tree where the nations you are dispossessing worship their gods. 3 Break down their altars, smash their sacred stones and burn their Asherah poles in the fire; cut down the idols of their gods and wipe out their names from those places” vv. 1-3. That sounds like the ultimate thrill for a man, but this would be harder than Israel knew. The reason God wanted them to destroy these things was for their own protection and to keep them from wandering away from the Lord, tempted by the practices of the other religions.

God warned them to be fully obedient to his commands. “Be careful not to be ensnared by enquiring about their gods, saying, “How do these nations serve their gods? We will do the same.” 31 You must not worship the LORD your God in their way, because in worshipping their gods, they do all kinds of detestable things the LORD hates. They even burn their sons and daughters in the fire as sacrifices to their gods. 32 See that you do all I command you; do not add to it or take away from it” vv. 30-32.

What do you need to smash and destroy in your life that is keeping you from completely following the Lord?

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Posted by John Weldon

“Compelled”

April 27, 2024

April 27, 2024

Read Deuteronomy 11, Psalm 142, Acts 20

What compels you most? Is it a goal, a role model or personal friend that encourages you? Is it the Lord? Paul was the apostle who was volun-told to serve Jesus as a missionary to the Gentiles. God had called him on the road to Damascus and he surrendered to a life of service. Paul faced many hardships and difficult situations in his serve to God. ““And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. 23 I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. 24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace” – Acts 20:22-24. Paul was compelled by the Holy Spirit, he was driven to serve the Lord in obedience and at whatever cost may come. Most people today will jump ship at the first sign of trouble or hardship. We must take a play from the life of Paul and be compelled by the Spirit to serve the Lord no matter what.

What else do you see in these chapters? Write you thoughts below.

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Posted by John Weldon

“When Jesus Messes with Your Money”

April 26, 2024

April 26, 2024

Read Deuteronomy 10, Psalm 140-141, Acts 19

I have learned in life that many people often vote in politics or make decisions based on what the bottom line is with their money. “Candidate A” wants to raise or lower my taxes or “Candidate B” wants to give my profession a raise for examples. Having good finances is important but it’s not the most important thing we should make our decisions on when it comes to politics or laws being passed.

We find a case of this in Acts 19 when Paul came to Ephesus. In Ephesus many of the people had a living from the temple of Artemis and the things connected to it. They worshiped this god of Artemis which was some how likely connected to a meteor that had fallen in the past and the people viewed it as some type of godly act. They made shrines and other objects people could take and use. “A silversmith named Demetrius, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought in no little business for the craftsmen. 25 He called them together, along with the workmen in related trades, and said: “Men, you know we receive a good income from this business” vv. 24-25. The people were threatened by the work of Paul and his companions. If more and more people became believers in Christ, they would lose their business and livelihood. What comes first in our lives? Is it obedience to the Lord or is it something personally important to us?

One more final thought. It is so easy for us to read through the book of Acts quickly and get the fast summary of what Paul and the other disciples went though and where they went. But don’t let this seem like a 1-2 week mission trip for them. Verse 10 really puts it in perspective for us. “This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord.” Paul stayed in Ephesus for two years ministering to the Jews and the Greeks there. This speaks about his faithfulness and his level of commitment to share the gospel. Can we say we have the same level? What else do you see in these chapters? What words, phrases, or themes stand out to you?
Add your thoughts below.

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Posted by John Weldon

“Spiritual Food”

April 24, 2024

April 24, 2024

Read Deuteronomy 8, Psalm 136-137, Acts 17

What’s your favorite food? Growing up mine was tacos. I could eat 4-5 as a kid easily. We all need a good diet of food to remain healthy and be able to have the energy to do the things we do each day. Have you ever thought about the concept of having spiritual food to provide you with the ability to serve the Lord and walk in your relationship with the Lord? Our spiritual food is like real food. We need a variety of different types to have a balanced diet of spiritual nourishment to live for the Lord. Here in Deuteronomy 8 Moses reminded the Israelites that while they lived on the Manna in the desert for forty years, they also were feed by something else more importantly. “He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD” v. 3. The Word of God is the main way we get our nourishment as spiritual food but there are other spiritual disciplines we can practice too! Practicing spiritual like prayer, fasting, witnessing, serving the church, Scripture memorization and meditation, Sabbath rest, worship are just a few of the things we can do to feed our soul and maintain the energy to do follow Christ.

Jesus said something like Moses said when he had finished his interaction with the woman at the well in Samaria. The disciples returned bringing food for Jesus but Jesus was no longer hungry, He had been filled up by something else. “Meanwhile his disciples urged him, “Rabbi, eat something.” 32 But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about.” 33 Then his disciples said to each other, “Could someone have brought him food?” 34 “My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work” vv. 31-34. Jesus had been spiritual filled by serving the Lord and ministering to the Samaritan woman.

What else do you see in these chapters? What words, phrases, or themes stand out to you?
Add your thoughts below.

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Posted by John Weldon

“A Record of Sins”

April 21, 2024

April 21, 2024

Read Deuteronomy 5, Psalm 130-131, Acts 14

What kinds of things do you keep a record of? Do you track your exercise, your diet, your time spent on some particular activity? I recently started helping my father to catalog and inventory his model train collection that he has built up over the last few decades. Keeping a record is a good thing most of the time. There are some times when we would prefer not to keep a record. 1 Corinthians 13:5 says the Love “does not keep a record of wrongs.” We do not want people to remember our past mistakes and we shouldn’t keep a record of their mistakes either. Here in Psalm 130 we find this encouragement, “If you, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? 4 But with you there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared” vv. 3-4. We can be glad most of all that God does not keep a record of our sins. When he forgives us, he loses the record or deletes it from his tally. We should take note do practice the same thing when it comes to our forgiveness of others.

What else do you see in these chapters? What words, phrases, or themes stand out to you?
Add your thoughts below.

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Posted by John Weldon

“Criticize or Participate”

April 18, 2024

April 18, 2024

Read Deuteronomy 2, Psalm 124-125, Acts 11

Have you ever been criticized for something you have done even when it was the right thing to do? In Acts 11 we find a story about some Christians who criticized Peter for doing what God called him to do in Acts 10. Think about this again. Peter had gone to the home of Cornelius a Gentile centurion shared the good news with them and many of his family and friends believed and were saved. “Then Peter said, 47 “Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” 48 So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days” vv.46-47. In the next paragraph we find out that some of the Jewish believers became critical rather than rejoicing about the Gentiles who became believers. “So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him 3 and said, ‘You went into the house of uncircumcised men and ate with them’” vv. 2-3. These Jewish Christians had their minds on the wrong thing. It was not on the main thing, that many got saved, only that Peter had eaten with Gentiles. Peter explained himself and these Jews corrected their attitudes. They had much to learn, and it started from Peter.

A little later in the same chapter the church gets their chance to redeem themselves and they nail it! “Now those who had been scattered by the persecution in connection with Stephen travelled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, telling the message only to Jews. 20 Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus” vv. 19-20. Now there mission endeavors to the Greek in Antioch. The message of the gospel was spreading more and more. This time, instead of complaining the church decided to help out and be a part of the work of God. “News of this reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts” vv. 22-23. The church in Jerusalem sent Barnabas to help the new believers and to encourage them.

We have the same choice today. We can either complain or criticize things that we might not like but where God is moving, and people are being saved or we can choose to be a part of the movement and come along side others and help them by participating in the work too. It’s your choice.

What else do you see in these chapters? What words, verses, or themes stick out to you?
Add your thoughts below.

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Posted by John Weldon

“When a Plan Comes Together”

April 17, 2024

April 17, 2024

Read Deuteronomy 1, Psalm 122-123, Acts 10

In my early years I spent just about every Friday night watching my favorite show, the A-Team. The four members of the A-Team would be out to help someone in need, and you could garuntee by the end of the program they were going to create something to rescue and save the day. The lead role of Col. Hannibal Smith had a tag line he would say when the plan worked out. “I love it when a plan comes together!” Cue the music and then the show was off.

As I read Acts 10 I find myself wondering if God might have said the same thing when it was all said and done. Infinitely more complex and knowledgeable God pieced together a plan to bring the gospel to the Gentiles. A Gentile Roman Centurion named Cornelius was visited by an angel. “One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, “Cornelius!” 4 Cornelius stared at him in fear. “What is it, Lord?” he asked. The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God. 5 Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter” vv.3-5. At the same time God had also given Peter a vision of a sheet with animals on it and then commanded Peter to kill and eat them.  “’Surely not, Lord!’ Peter replied. ‘I have never eaten anything impure or unclean’” v. 14. Three times God told him the same thing. Just about then the men from Cornlius house arrive and ask for Peter to come with them. God confirms it and tells Peter to go with the men. On arrival at Cornelius’s house the rest of the story is made known to Peter. Then Peter understands the plan. “Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism 35 but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right” vv. 34-35. God had to show Peter though a vision of food that the Gentiles were also clean and ready to receive the gospel from Peter. All these working parts came together to complete the mission and save the Gentiles that Cornelius had gathered at his home.

How have you been a part of God’s plan and seen God working together with others to accomplish the mission? What else do you see here in these chapters? What words, phrases, or themes stand out to you?
Add your thoughts below.

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Posted by John Weldon

“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?
Add your thoughts below.

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Posted by John Weldon

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