“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

“Boldness”

April 13, 2024

April 13, 2024

Read Numbers 33, Psalm 119:41-80, Acts 3-4

What would you do if you had a little more boldness? Would you do something crazy like sky dive or ride a motorcycle for the first time? Maybe you would take more chances in business or in life? One of the traits we see in the book of Acts is the boldness of the disciples as they are impowered by the Holy Spirit to share the good news of the resurrection. What made them have this boldness? I believe it came from their experience of seeing the resurrected Jesus and the power from the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 4 is an example of this boldness. The Jewish leaders had Peter and John rounded up and began to question them “’By what power or what name did you do this?’ 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: ‘Rulers and elders of the people! 9 If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, 10 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed’” vv. 7b-10. The Holy Spirit is probably the most forgotten and minimized part of the trinity, at least in my experience. But equally as much God as the Father and the Son, the Holy Spirit is vital for God’s work in our lives. Peter’s boldness was not just a softball tossed at him to easily hit a homerun, Peter and John were standing before the most powerful people in Israel who had the power to jail or shut them up. Acts 4:12 is probably the most exclusive statement in the New Testament about how we attain salvation. “Salvation is found in no-one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved” v. 12. Peter was clear, it was not the law that saved, it was Jesus. The response from the religious leaders tells it all. “When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus” v. 13. The good news is that you don’t have to be trained or educated or have money or status to be bold. It can come from the Holy Spirit and from our personal experience of witnessing the power of God in our lives.

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

“The God Who Sees Me”

January 17, 2024

January 16, 2024

Read Genesis 16, Psalm 16, John 16

H.G. Wells wrote the Novel “The Invisible Man.” Harry Potter has his cloak of invisibility. And many sci-fi shows like to brandish the power to cloak their spacecrafts to make them invisible. As cool as this might sound, do you ever feel that you are invisible? Maybe you just wish someone would see you. Recognizing you or giving you a little attention. We all might have times in our lives when we feel that way. The good news is that there is a God who sees you.

In Genesis 16, We see an impatient Sarai who has waited 10 years since the time God had promised a son. Sarai hatches the idea that maybe Abram should take her maidservant Hagar and try a child through her. Oh course, Abram quickly agrees. “He slept with Hagar, and she conceived” v. 4. Naturally, Sarai becomes jealous and starts mistreating Hagar because her own plan worked. Sarai causes Hagar to run away and she runs to the desert where an angel appears to her with a message. “The angel of the LORD also said to her: “You are now with child and you will have a son. You shall name him Ishmael, for the LORD has heard of your misery” v. 11. Ishmael means God hears. Verse 13 says, “She gave this name to the LORD who spoke to her: ‘You are the God who sees me,’ for she said, ‘I have now seen the One who sees me.’” It should be comforting that in times when we feel invisible or are facing something that we didn’t even stir up, there is a God who sees us.

Psalm 16 is a psalm of David with a similar theme to Hagar’s plight in Genesis. David cries out to the Lord to keep him safe. Verses 9-11 seem to show us that David knows despite his circumstances and situation God sees Him. “Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, 10 because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. 11 You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” May the promise of Scripture give you hope and aid you in trusting in the Lord in times like David faced.

In John 16 Jesus continues His Olivette discourse. He continues teaching on the Holy Spirit and tells the disciples what they might not wait to hear, times will get tough before they get better. Jesus even tells them that some of them will be put to death and it will be seen as a service to God. Jesus tells the disciples that the Holy Spirit, the Counselor, will convict the world in three areas. Sin, righteousness, and judgment. The Holy Spirt will teach us what is wrong and sinful, the Holy Spirit will teach us what is also right in the absence of Jesus, and finally the Spirit will act in judgment because Satan will be condemned for his actions.

As Jesus explains in detail about his soon coming absence and then appearance. The disciples probe Jesus with more questions. When they final understand the disciples respond with “Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you questions. This makes us believe that you came from God” v.30. The grief and confusion the disciples faced now became confidence and joy knowing that Jesus was a God that saw them and all things. Don’t let us forget that Jesus, our Lord and Savior, sees us and He knows what will take place in our future even though we do not.

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

“Do Not Let Your Hearts Be Troubled”

January 14, 2024

January 14, 2024

Read Genesis 14, Psalm 14, John 14

What things in your life trouble you most? Is it a circumstance you face, a relationship, financial or material needs, a physical illness or perhaps something new you are facing with an unknown future? What takes your peace away from you? One thing that can make these difficult circumstances better is knowing that we do not face them alone. If we are blessed to have family, friends, a church to lean on can make these times more bearable. There is greater comfort knowing that whatever we face as disciples of Jesus that the Lord is with us, and that God can rescue us from anything we face.

In Genesis 14 we find the story of Abram who rescues Lot from a battle where he is caught in between some rival kings. Abram rounds up 318 “trained men born in his household” v. 14.  Abram goes all out to rescue His nephew Lot from trouble and the Lord gave him success in his efforts. In almost 30 years of ministry, working in a church, I have seen many people in need. One common theme is that bridges often have been burned in families and there is no help available for those in need. Be thankful for the family that you do have. If you do not have a family that you feel you can call a blessing, why not turn it around and be a blessing to them or create that type of family going forward.  

After the battle is over Abram is greeted by The King of Sodom and the King of Salem, named Melchizedek. These two kings can be contrasted against one another. Melchizedek is an interesting person which we know little about from Genesis 14, but psalm 110 and Hebrews chapter 5 and 7 speak more about. Melchizedek is said to be priest of El Elyon “God Most High.” Abram strangely gives him a tenth of the spoils he collected in the rescue. This is the first time we see the use of a tenth given in the Bible. The King of Sodom asks for the people back but tells Abram he can keep the goods. The King of Sodom comes out next and asks for the people back that he rescued but tells Abram he may keep all the goods. Abram informs the King of Sodom of his oath – “have taken an oath” v. 22 “I will accept nothing belonging to you” v. 23 Not even the smallest items? – “a thread or the thong of a sandal” v. 23 Abram wants only to have others know God was the source of Abram’s blessings and possessions and no one else. – “you will never be able to say ‘I made Abram rich’” v. 23. Many believe, including myself, that Melchizedek is a theophany of the preincarnate Christ whom Abram pays a tenth to. You can dig into that deeper in Hebrews if you wish.

Psalm 14 starts off with an often-quoted verse by many Christians who want to take a swipe at atheists. David writes “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God’” v. 1. I’m not sure the best way to win the ear of an atheist or for them to hear the gospel is to start with name calling. Also, this misunderstands the meaning of the word “fool” in the biblical sense. Most often a fool was a morally deficient person. If a person does not believe that God exists, there is no higher authority in their lives than themselves. They will say and do what they want to, which is what the word fool in Scripture describes. The next few verses David reminds us all with some “hard truth” (as our student pastor recently said) that we are all sinners, “there is no-one who does good” v. 2, and not many people seek the Lord “The Lord looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God” v. 2. David resolves the psalm again with a reminder that God will bring salvation and restore the fortunes of his people. “Let Jacob rejoice and be glad” v. 7.

In John 14 we have the beginning of a long discourse of teaching from Jesus on the Holy Spirit. The chapter begins with Jesus telling the disciples, “Do not let your hearts be troubled” v. 1. The disciples were trouble because what Jesus had revealed to them in the previous chapter. He was going to be with them only for a little while longer. Even worse, those who claimed to never leave Jesus would deny Him three times before the cock crows.  Jesus uses a beautiful wedding analogy in verses 2-3. Jesus was going away to prepare a room in his father’s house. In the first century Jewish culture the betrothal of an engaged couple would be a typically longer period. The groom would go and build a home or a room in his parents’ home and prepare it for he and his soon coming bride. After the wedding ceremony the groom would take his bride back to the home that he had prepared for her. The disciples ask questions and try to understand what Jesus was referring to. Thomas questions Jesus, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” 6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No-one comes to the Father except through me.” vv. 5-6. This exclusive statement by Jesus has no doubt caused many relativists to push back and reject Christianity then and now.

In Jesus teaching about the Holy Spirit in this chapter we first learn that the Holy Spirit will act as a “Counselor” v. 26, not like a mental health professional, but a defense attorney who will defend us in times of need. Second the Holy Spirit will “teach and remind you of everything I have said to you” v. 26 when they teach and write the Gospels and Epistles. Third, and most importantly the Spirit will bring peace to them. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” v. 27. This is not an absence of war or conflict, but rather an inner peace that Christ’s followers will have despite the trouble they will face (John 16:33).

What else do you see in these verses as you read them? What words, phrases, or themes stand out to you? Write your thoughts below.

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Posted by John Weldon

Conversations with High School Students

October 27, 2011

Yesterday I went to a local high school in the area to hangout with some students after school.  These students are your typical students in some aspects but not in all aspects.  These 60+ students are members of the Secular Student Alliance Club at Parkview High.  These students meet every other week to discuss topics ranging from the existence of God , to the possibility of morals without God to other issues like animal rights and other social issues.  If you are new to apologetics and are not familiar with the term “Secular” it just means activities and attitudes that do not have a religious or spiritual basis.  The students members hold a variety of different beliefs or positions.  Some are atheist,  some are agnostic,  many of them are might label themselves as skeptical or searching, and there was a Christian in the group also.

I meet them about a year ago through Michael, one of the students in my student ministry, at the church where I am student pastor.  Michael had been going to the Secular Student Alliance Club each week to talk and share his Christian beliefs with the students and to jump in to the debates and discussions they had each week.  I really admire Michael for doing this, I don’t think I would have done that at his age if our school had a SSA Club like they do.  (We had to fight to even have the right to a Christian Club when I went to South Gwinnett High School 20 years ago.)  The SSA club invited me to speak a few times last school year thanks to the invite from Michael.  After Michael has graduated and gone to college I have stay in contact with the students and we talk weekly through Facebook about different subjects.

Let me first break some common misconceptions about the students in the SSA club.  They are nice, polite, smart, and funny.   Just like the average teen.  Many of them are active in community doing things to take care of environment.  A few weeks ago they held a can drive to collect food items for a local food bank in the area.  There are certain feelings that are associated or arise when you mention the word “atheist” or “skeptic”, or even “Christian” for that matter.  I think these feelings come from a past where perception was different.  Any time I have gone to talk with them I have always felt at ease and comfortable with talking to them.

Part of the reason I wanted to write this blog was to help you break down those areas of misconception and also to get a feel of what is like to have conversations with students like these or anyone else for that matter.  Yesterday I went to the meeting not really knowing what I might talk about.  I usually have an outline and prepared talk, but yesterday I just felt like being very low-key and open to where the conversation may go.  I had been in some intense discussions recently online with some of them and I really felt it was important to just be a good listener this time.  I admit, I think I have become addicted to the feeling of being in the moment with apologetic discussions.  Not knowing what questions may come up and not having all the answers, I know the best thing I can do is offer up a quick prayer for help and rely on the Holy Spirit to help me give an answer that is Biblical and is easy to understand.

As the meeting started they allowed me to open with a small discussion about some things that I have noticed through the online conversations as misunderstandings about the Christian worldview.  I talked about Blind faith vs. a Biblical Faith.  Biblical faith is based on evidence just as scientists make thesis and hypothesis based on evidence in science.   From there the conversation morphed into the different types of knowledge that we can obtain.

After I finished talking I opened it up for anybody ask questions.  They asked some really good questions that I could tell that they really wanted to know the answer to.  Some were easy to answer, some questions I had to ask a question in return to get some clarification over, and some I had to pause and think a bit before responding.  We were discussing free will, and one student asked a good question, that caught me off guard, one I had never heard before.  A student asked me if God took part of Mary’s free will when He chose her to be the mother of Jesus and to be with child from the Holy Spirit.  After a brief pause, and another silent prayer for some help from God I thought and went back to the story.  We know from the text that Mary was already a follower of Jehovah God and like most Christians today, we want God’s will to be our own will.  I made a personal reference to my life to back up the thought.  The other Christian in the room, the student,  chimed in and said that Mary still had a choice of whether to keep the baby or to accept God’s desire for her life.   In the text it says that she had been chosen by God, but it didn’t say that she was already pregnant yet.   That was an insightful question.  We ended the meeting talking about Homosexuality a bit and then finished talking about worldviews and how that there can only be one right worldview.  They can’t all be right.

One of the students I have been talking with for the last several weeks was asking a lot of questions about the Bible and I asked him if he had a Bible.  He did not have one so I asked if  I could give him one.  He agreed and took it from me.   I am looking forward to going back soon, if not to talk, but perhaps only to listen and sit in on their discussions and learn what kinds of things that they deal with and question.  One thing that I can say about this group oh high school students is that they really want to know what they believe and why.  They are looking for truth and answers for life and I applaud their thirst for knowledge and truth.  I would wish that many Christians would also have the same type of fire that these high school students do.

As always, questions, comments, and discussions welcome.

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Posted by John Weldon