“He Had One Left to Send, a Son”

March 29, 2024

March 29, 2024

Read Numbers 18, Psalm 88, Mark 12

What’s your most prized possession that you own? Would it be something expensive and special? Would it be something extremely ordinary but hold a significant meaning to you? Maybe it’s a new car, a valuable piece of jewelry, or a Bible or book that was given to you by someone special. Whatever you are thinking about, now imagine giving that up and giving it to someone else. Not only for them to borrow but for them to mistreat, abuse, or even destroy it. Would you still want to loan it to them? Probably not, but that is what God did when He sent his Son to come to earth, to suffer and die on the cross for our sins. The people rejected Jesus, they took him and murdered him, and they tried to take what was His.

In Mark 12 Jesus tells the parable of the tenants. “He then began to speak to them in parables: “A man planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a pit for the winepress and built a watchtower. Then he rented the vineyard to some farmers and went away on a journey” v. 1.  The owner of the vineyard sent some servants to the vineyard to collect some of the fruit, but the tenants killed the servants that the owner sent. These tenants represented the religious leaders of Jesus day, and the servants were the prophets from the Old Testament. Last of all the owner sends his own son. The owner remarks, “They will respect my son” v. 6. The comparison of the son is with that of Jesus. In this parable Jesus is showing that He knew what they would ultimately do to him, they would crucify Jesus as God’s Son. The final verse tells the interpretation, “Then they looked for a way to arrest him because they knew he had spoken the parable against them” v. 12.

What else do you see in these chapters? What stories, verses or elements stand out to you?
Add your thoughts below.

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Posted by John Weldon

“Against Moses”

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Read Numbers 16, Psalm 86, Mark 10

Have you ever had a time where you did not want to do something, but because you were in charge or the leader you knew what had to be done? Maybe it was a task or perhaps even dealing with a relationship with someone that was not the most kind or easy to be around.

Moses was God’s chosen leader to lead Israel out of Egypt and into the land of the Canaanites. Israel had already messed it up with a bad report and it cost them 40 years in the desert before everyone over the age of 20, who was counted in the census would pass away and then they would enter. Now it seems that some of the leaders had not learned their lesson. Numbers 16 says that a group of leaders “became insolent 2 and rose up against Moses. With them were 250 Israelite men, well-known community leaders who had been appointed members of the council” vv.1b-2. These were not just typical members of Israel, they were leaders. They had gotten to the point where they thought Moses was no more special than they were. “You have gone too far! The whole community is holy, every one of them, and the LORD is with them. Why then do you set yourselves above the LORD’s assembly?” v. 3b. I can see why Moses “face down” when he heard this. He was doing a job that He didn’t want to do, but now was dealing with leaders who wanted to take his place.

God dealt with these leaders in a most unusual way. “The ground under them split apart 32 and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them, with their households and all Korah’s men and all their possessions. 33 They went down alive into the grave, with everything they owned; the earth closed over them, and they perished and were gone from the community.” vv. 31-33. God wasn’t done yet either.  Other people began to complain after this too. “The next day the whole Israelite community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. “You have killed the LORD’s people,” they said” v. 41. God sent a plague through the community, and it killed 14,700 people. The thing that blows mw away is the reaction of Moses to the Lord when God starts His judgment. They pleaded for God to stop, and they wanted to save the very people that were mad and complaining toward them. This shows you what kind of leader Moses was. He cared for the people under his leadership, even when they were difficult and hard to love. 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 Servant of All”

March 26, 2024

March 26, 2024

Read Numbers 15, Psalm 85, Mark 9

The religious leaders were not the only ones that didn’t completely understand Jesus’ mission. His disciples even though they spent time with him, they still had misunderstood his plans. The Jews, including the disciples, had been looking for a Mesiah that was coming to ride in on a white horse kick Rome out of the land and bring back the glory days for the nation of Israel. This being a couple of days past Palm Sunday reminds us that Jesus rode in on a donkey and his fist appearance was not like they thought it was. In Mark 9 we get a glimpse of their thoughts in this area. The disciples were arguing about something while they traveled. Jesus knew what it was and decided to make this a teaching moment. He asked them, ““What were you arguing about on the road?” 34 But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest” vv. 33-34. Apparently, they had envisioned Jesus taking his throne after his great military conquest and the disciples were arguing for their seat at the table after it was all said and done. Like many statements of Jesus, he offered a counter-intuitive one for them to think over. “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all” v. 35. Jesus would continue to work on this mentality for them later, most of all when He washed the disciples’ feet in John 13. To drive home the point even more he grabbed a little child that was nearby (in a safe and good way!) to use as an example. “Taking him in his arms, he said to them, 37 “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me” vv. 36-37. We must keep in mind that children did not hold anywhere near the power that they do today. In the biblical world, children were to be seen and not heard, they were considered useless until they reach the point where they could work and contribute to their society. Now Jesus was saying they had to value the things that culture did not. They had to serve and welcome in the “little children” to be great. Jesus was a great leader, the greatest of all time, but He was a servant leader and not one who led with an authoritarian hammer or as a dictator. How can you and I be more servant-minded?

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

“Dwelling Place”

March 25, 2024

March 25, 2024

Read Numbers 14, Psalm 84, Mark 8

What are some of the most amazing places you have visited before? What do you love about them? Are you a beach or mountain person? We all have had places that we have gone to and wanted to go back and spend more time there. There is a difference between a visit and then dwelling. Often many people “visit” with the Lord. They pop in and out occasionally when it works with their schedules and desires. Very few will take time and “dwell” in the house of the Lord and in his presence. In Psalm 84 the author describes the “dwelling place” where the Lord is. The psalmist wants to go and be there with the Lord. “How lovely is your dwelling-place, O LORD Almighty! 2 My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God” vv. 1-2. The thought that comes is the blessing of those who get to dwell in the house of the Lord. “O LORD Almighty, my King and my God. 4 Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you” vv. 3-4. The psalmist has discovered the real blessings are when we make our dwelling place with the Lord. The world may look like they are having fun but the long-lasting blessings come when we stay in the relationship with the Lord. He can truly say, “Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere.” v. 10.

What are some of the blessings that you have experienced in your time spent with the Lord?
What else do you read and see in these three chapters? Add your thoughts below.

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Posted by John Weldon

“Follow the Leader”

March 23, 2024

March 23, 2024

Read Numbers 12, Psalm 82, Mark 6

What are your aspirations in leadership? Do you see yourself as more of a leader or as a follower? Often many people want to be the leader. Children in school want to be a leader and for adults the same is true in work and play. God had chosen Moses as the leader of Israel, to be the one to lead them out of Egypt. Moses reluctantly agreed to do it. This did not make everyone happen and we read about this in Numbers 12.

“Miriam and Aaron began to talk against Moses because of his Cushite wife, for he had married a Cushite. 2 “Has the LORD spoken only through Moses?” they asked. “Hasn’t he also spoken through us?” And the LORD heard this” vv. 1-2. Did you notice that the complaint against Moses as leader started because his sister and brother didn’t like that Moses had married a non-Israelite. This was the seed of the complaint against his leadership to start with.

God heard about this and wanted to teach them a lesson. He called them all to the tent of meeting to let them know that Moses was not just any leader. Prophets were informed by visions and other means, but with Moses God said, “With him I speak face to face, clearly and not in riddles; he sees the form of the LORD. Why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?” v. 8. Being a leader is difficult and not being a leader can be equally difficult as well. Learning to follow and not complaining when we can easily do so is hard.

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

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Posted by John Weldon

“Seeing Faith”

March 19, 2024

March 19, 2024

Read Numbers 8, Psalm 78, Mark 2

What are some things that you can’t see with the naked eye, but you know they are there? The wind, microscopic organisms, or maybe even your own brain? We may not be able to see these things, but we know that they are there because we see the effects from them. In Mark 2 we find a story of 4 men who brought a paralytic man to Jesus in a most unusual way.  The house was so packed out they could not get their friend to Jesus for a chance to experience healing, so they made their own way… through the roof. “Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus and, after digging through it, lowered the mat the paralyzed man was lying on” v. 4. What great faith these four took for the paralytic man to experience healing. “When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven’” v. 5. Faith is something meant to be seen, not just something we talk about. Real faith is accompanied by actions and not simply words alone. As James says, “faith without works is dead.”

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

“Take a Vow”

March 17, 2024

March 17, 2024

Read Numbers 6, Psalm 76, Colossians 4

What is something that you have made a vow to do? A wedding vow? A vow to never do something that you did in your past? A vow to some conviction that you hold dearly in life? Numbers chapter 6 is the instructions for anyone, man or woman who wishes to become a Nazarite. Samson and Samuel were Nazarites according to the Scriptures and many people believe that John the Baptist was also a Nazarite, even though the Bible doesn’t specifically call him one. John the Baptist’s ascetic lifestyle seems to imply that he was one. Nazarites were to abstain from drinking alcohol, coming into contact with a dead body, and they were not to cut their hair in a specific way.

You might not consider the Nazarite vow for yourself today but is there something in your lifestyle that you set apart as a sign of obedience to the Lord or to show reference or respect for the Lord’s commands. Growing up in a culture that seems to have a “no boundaries” approach to life, Christians can easily be swayed into following all the practices of the world or what is deemed acceptable in culture. The idea of denying ourselves some pleasure or seeking to remain holy for the Lord’s use is a rare task for many today.

Paul gives some wise final instructions in Colossians 4. “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 3 And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. 4 Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. 5 Be wise in the way you act towards outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone” v. 2-6.

Just like a Nazarite who devotes himself to the Lord, Christians are to devote themselves other spiritual practices like prayer and sharing the gospel. In verse 4 Paul asks for prayer in sharing the gospel, “that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should” v. 4. He also challenges the believers to “Be wise in the way you act towards outsiders; make the most of every opportunity” v. 5. This could mean a variety of specific things but would include how we treat and relate to others. Are we being good salt and light to others around us or… are we pushing anyone away with our attitude or harshness. We should make a vow to have conversations that are seasoned the perfect amount. If you have ever had French fries that were too salty or not salty enough you know what reaction it brings to you. The right balance is the way to go. What else do you see in these three chapters? What words, phrases, or themes stand out to you?
Add your thoughts below.  

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Posted by John Weldon

“Rooted”

March 15, 2024

March 15, 2024

Read Numbers 4, Psalm 74, Colossians 2

In 1984 Space Biospheres Ventures, a company based in Arizona, began to build a completely self-contained biosphere that was completely cut off from the rest of the world. Designed to function completely on its own the scientists and engineers had thought of everything… almost everything. Several years after the project began. The trees planted in the biosphere begin to topple down and the large majority of them fell and died. After digging into the problem, they discovered what they missed and did not account for in their biosphere… wind. Not accounting for wind was the trees downfall (pardon the pun!). Trees need a steady amount of wind to drive the roots of the tree to dig down deeper and help the tree remain stable. Without the constant stress of the wind on the trees the roots failed to go deep enough to support the weight of the growing tree. In 2011 the University of Arizona took over what is now known as Biosphere 2.

In Colossians 2 we find Paul encouraging the Christians in Colosse take hold of something similar. “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness” vv. 6-7. The next verse tells us one way that Paul warned the early church to be careful and to be rooted in our beliefs. “See to it that no-one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ” v. 8. We live in a time where many people say “beliefs don’t matter” or that they are secondary to our actions and being kind or nice. Nothing could be further from the truth. Our convictions and beliefs will control our actions and behavior.

We all need to be rooted in Christ Jesus and in our faith so that when the storms of life come, we will be ready to face them. The little stresses we face in life help prepare us for bigger situations. If we are not rooted good, we will fall more easily. Being thankful is a big part of it too. If we neglect to thank God for working in our lives and making us into who He desires for us to be it will be easy to walk away when times get tough.

What else do you find when you read these three chapters? What words, phrases, or themes stand out to you? Add your thoughts below.

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Posted by John Weldon

“Then I Understood”

March 14, 2024

March 14, 2024

Read Numbers 3, Psalm 73, Colossians 1

What is something that has perplexed you in the past or caused you to question something you thought was right? How did it turn out? Was it like you thought or not? Asaph, the author of Psalm 73 is perplexed by what he sees around him. Specifically, how the wicked and the godless and the arrogant seem to have the easy road. A feeling of envy had to start to settle in with him when he looked at the lives of those who did not worship the Lord. “But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. 3 For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked” vv. 2-3. We may be tempted to think along the same lines today.  We see the lives of the people around us who do not care about a walk with the Lord, and we might be envious of their lifestyles.  We see their freedom in how they live out their lives without the authority of God’s Word over them. The devil whispers in our ears, “you could have that kind of life too, if you just forget about God.” The psalmist captures their mindset, “This is what the wicked are like— always carefree, they increase in wealth” v. 12. Again, the temptation to throw it all away returns, “Surely in vain have I kept my heart pure; in vain have I washed my hands in innocence. 14 All day long I have been plagued; I have been punished every morning” vv. 13-14.

Then, in verses 16-17, Asaph has his “ah ha” moment. “When I tried to understand all this, it was oppressive to me 17 till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny” vv. 16-17. It was only after Asaph had entered the temple and learned from the Lord about the ultimate fate of the wicked. Asaph realized like we all need to that nothing escapes God. People might seem to get away with things or be living “the life” but in end it all comes down to ruin. Asaph is thankful for the Lord’s guidance in his life. “Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. 24 You guide me with your counsel, and afterwards you will take me into glory” vv. 23-24. The temporary pleasures of the earth are nothing compared to the spender of Heaven and Asaph knows it is good to be near God. What else do you see in these chapters? What words, phrases, and themes stand out to you?
Add your thoughts below.

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Posted by John Weldon

“Demotion”

March 11, 2024

March 11, 2024

Read Leviticus 27, Psalm 70, Philippians 2

So many people love the idea of a promotion. Maybe our talents, skills, or work ethic has paid off for us and we are given a promotion at work, school, or in some other area of life. It could be more money, a better job, a bigger house or some other materialistic resource. Maybe it’s as simple as an upgrade of our phone or some piece of technology that it outdated. What promotion or upgrade have you recently experienced?

Most people do not even think about a downgrade or demotion in life. That idea is foreign to many. A rare few might consider something like that. Maybe they take a different job for less pay to have more time for themselves or family.  Maybe they might move to a different location or change schools to live near family or have the lifestyle they desire. Philippians 2 is just this very idea. Paul explains that Jesus took a big demotion to come to the earth. “Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness” vv. 6-7. It goes even further than Jesus becoming a servant. “And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!” v. 8. Jesus would be willing to demote himself to the point of dying on the cross for our sins. WHY… Why would Jesus demote himself like that, ultimately giving up his own life. The answer is a deep mystery, but it is also so simply explained in Scripture. Jesus loved us enough to die for us. We may scratch our heads trying to comprehend this love, but we can be thankful for it all the same. We were loved enough for Jesus to leave the spender and majesty of heaven where he was worshiped day and night to come to earth to give his life for us.

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

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