“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

“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

“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

“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?
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Posted by John Weldon

“Strong and Courageous”

May 21, 2024

May 20, 2024

Read Joshua 1, Proverbs 16, Romans 16

What would you do if you had more courage? Would you go sky diving? Would you drive a race car? Would you take more chances in business ventures or in talking to more people with the gospel?

The opening chapter of the book of Joshua has the command for Joshua to be “strong and courageous” repeated four times in Joshua 1. “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go” v. 9. Why was God telling Joshua to be “strong and courageous?” The opening verses tell us why, “Moses my servant is dead” v. 2. Israel’s greatest leader had passed away and God had chosen Joshua to take his place. Can you imagine following someone so big and influential? You would probably need a little encouragement from the Lord as well.

Not only was God encouraging Joshua to be strong and courageous, but God also promises Joshua that “I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses” v. 3. God keeps his promises and that is comforting to know. Is there anything that you believe God has called you to do and you need a reminder of God’s promises in your life? Do you need a challenge to be “strong and courageous” just as Joshua did?

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

“Strong and Weak”

May 18, 2024

May 18, 2024

Read Deuteronomy 32, Proverbs 13, Romans 14

Have you ever made a judgment of something or someone that you later took back? Maybe it was a decision that you judged for yourself about how to walk your faith out in a certain area of life. I have done this many times and had to admit when I was wrong or make an apology. Being a Christian does not mean living in a bubble exempt from the world. We must learn to live together as Christians even in our differences. The statement that is often repeated is “In the essentials we have unity, in the non-essentials we have liberty, and in everything have love.”

Romans 14 talks about what we should do when we have disagreements among believers with these non-essential items. First, we need to accept and understand that we will not always agree. We must do this without passing judgment on them. That is the Lord’s job. “Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters” v. 1.

Second, be set in our own personal convictions. “One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind” v. 5. This is much like taking the plank out of our own eye in the illustration that Jesus taught in Matthew 7.

Third, we are not to look down on other believers even if they have a different view than our own. “The man who eats everything must not look down on him who does not, and the man who does not eat everything must not condemn the man who does, for God has accepted him” v. 3. And again in verse 10, “You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.” God will do the judging and not us.

Fourth, we are to focus on the main things and set our priorities in them. “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, 18 because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men” vv. 17-18.

Finally, we should avoid becoming a stumbling block to others. “Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling-block or obstacle in your brother’s way” v. 13. If we know that some we believe is okay to do offends another person, we should avoid doing it before them or in a way that causes them to stumble.

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

“Truth and Lies”

May 17, 2024

May 17, 2024

Read Deuteronomy 31, Proverbs 12, Romans 12

We used to play a game in student ministry called “Two Truths and a Lie.” Each student would write down three statements on an index card. Two would be true about themselves and one a lie. We collected the cards and try to figure out who the person is first and then we try to determine which statement is a lie. It was one of my favorite games. You could always wrap a biblical thought in after the game was over.

Proverbs 12 speaks many verses about both truth and lies. “Truthful lips endure for ever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment” v. 19. Truth is never in danger of becoming not true. But a lie can easily forget the lie it told.  In verse 22 we read, “The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in men who are truthful.”

Be a person of truth. Be honest, admit our mistakes, and be willing to speak the truth to friends and family.
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

“Life or Death”

May 16, 2024

May 16, 2024

Read Deuteronomy 30, Proverbs 11, Romans 11

“Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. 12 It is not up in heaven, so that you have to ask, “Who will ascend into heaven to get it and proclaim it to us so that we may obey it?” 13 Nor is it beyond the sea, so that you have to ask, “Who will cross the sea to get it and proclaim it to us so that we may obey it?” 14 No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so that you may obey it.

15 See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. 16 For I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess” vv. 11-16.

Obedience is not hard and at the same time it is very hard. What do I mean? Well, knowing what to do to obey is not the difficult part. Sure, there are some things that may take a bit of thought, but we can quickly discern what we need to do in most cases. This is characterized in the first few verses above. It is not far from us up in heaven, we don’t have to cross the sea to understand it.

But the hard part of obedience that we all struggle with is to submit our wills to the Lord and follow His plan and not our own. From the first sin in the garden in Genesis 3 to the last sin you may have committed, obedience is a struggle for all of us. But don’t lose hope and quit. Just because we may not be able to completely obey doesn’t mean we stop trying.

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

“The Struggle is Real”

May 12, 2024

May 12, 2024

Read Deuteronomy 26, Proverbs 7, Romans 7

The phrase, “the struggle is REAL!” is a statement you might hear someone say when they are having trouble doing something fairly easy or ordinary. Things like walking, or changing a lightbulb, or just trying to speak a sentence in English (or your native tongue). What have you struggled with recently? Opening a pickle jar or something else? The one thing we all struggle with is sin. It affects us all in various ways. Paul wrote about his struggle with sin in Romans 7.

“We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. 15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18 I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it” vv. 14-20.

Paul was writing about the struggle he faced with his sinful nature and the life he lived through the Holy Spirit. When we decide to follow Christ we receive the Holy Spirit who helps us and convicts us of sin. Until we go to be with the Lord we will have the same battle that Paul did. We aim to mortify our fleshly sinful nature, but sometimes we will miss it.

Many people will often fault Christians for being hypocrites and not living up to the standard in the Bible. If this happens to you, the best thing is to own it. We all fail and miss the mark in some ways. Hopefully we can minimize the consequences and damage done to others, but sadly this is not always the case. When followers of Christ sin it doesn’t mean that Christianity is false, in fact, I would argue that it gives evidence that the Christian faith is an accurate description of how the real world is in truth and reality.

If you are struggling with sin, take heart remember even the Apostle Paul admitted his own struggle and he is one of the giants of the faith who wrote 13 books of the Bible and won many people to Christ through his mission trips.

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

“One Man”

May 10, 2024

May 10, 2024

Read Deuteronomy 24, Proverbs 5, Romans 5

In Romans 5 Paul takes us back to the beginning, to the creation account. “Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned” v. 12. The New Testament sheds light on the Old Testament. Those who believe that God created the world through the process of evolution must deal with this passage. They may either attempt to say Paul was speaking metaphorically or some other explanation. If there is ever any doubt about the beginning of the world and the creation account we learn from the New Testament that it all started with “one man.”  But if you take the meaning of “one man” not being Adam then you should also take the second part of this passage metaphorically too and that is near impossible to do. That would deny that Jesus died for our sins. “Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men” v. 18. What a poetic way for Paul to explain the gospel. Through “one man” (Adam) sin entered the world and through another “one man” (Jesus of Nazareth) righteousness came into the world. Sin affected the who world, but so also did the payment Jesus made on the cross for our sins.

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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