“Forgotten”

June 15, 2024

June 15, 2024

Read Judges 2, Ecclesiastes 10, 2 Corinthians 10

What’s something that you have forgotten before? Car keys, phone charger, sun screen, or a wallet or purse? Recently we were headed to my son’s graduation ceremony and after we were over half way there we realized we had forgotten the tickets that all the family needed to enter the building. We turned around and luckily we got to the arena just in time. The more important something is, the more we will go out of our way to retrieve what we have forgotten.

In Judges 2 the author tells us that Israel had forgotten something very important, God. “After that whole generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation grew up, who knew neither the LORD nor what he had done for Israel. 11 Then the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the LORD and served the Baals. 12 They forsook the LORD, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of Egypt. They followed and worshipped various gods of the peoples around them. They provoked the LORD to anger 13 because they forsook him and served Baal and the Ashtoreths” vv. 10-13.

These verses tell us the importance of passing on our faith to our children and family. If we do not teach and train our children, someone else will. More importantly, if we do not lead by example a life that walks with the Lord, the chances will go down that our children will too.

The whole theme for the book of Judges can be summarized here in chapter 2. “Whenever the LORD raised up a judge for them, he was with the judge and saved them out of the hands of their enemies as long as the judge lived; for the LORD had compassion on them as they groaned under those who oppressed and afflicted them. 19 But when the judge died, the people returned to ways even more corrupt than those of their fathers, following other gods and serving and worshipping them. They refused to give up their evil practices and stubborn ways” vv. 18-19. You will notice as you read through Judges that the further you go, the more wicked and weaker the judges become that rescue Israel. This is a very negative time for the nation of Israel. We must remember the Lord and all that He has done for us. We must also pass it on to our children so they will not face the consequences as well.

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

“Reconciliation”

June 11, 2024

June 11, 2024

Read Joshua 22, Ecclesiastes 6, 2 Corinthians 5

What comes to your mind when you hear the word “Reconciliation?” Do you think about balancing your checkbook? Do you think about the bills passed by the United States House in budget matters? Do you think about working something out with a friend or family member?

In 2 Corinthians 5 Paul tells us that first, we have been reconciled to God through Christ. “All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ” v. 18. In what way were we reconciled to God? In some sense several of the examples above are useful. Jesus balanced the ledger for us by paying the price for our sins on the cross. He also resolved the conflict between God and us enabling us to be in a right relationship with Him.

The second half of the verse Paul then explains our role as the ones who would help others be reconciled to God. “…and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation” vv. 18-19. We have a responsibility to help others find peace with God by being reconciled to God from our sins. Paul illustrates this through the idea of an ambassador. “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God” v. 20.

The story is told of when Ronald Reagan became the President. He called all his ambassadors together for a time of instruction and greeting. He asked them to come to the podium one at a time and tell the audience which country they represented. One by one they came and announced the countries that they were going to travel to. After several people came to the microphone and shared President Reagan stopped them, He said, they had gotten it wrong. They all represented the United States, not the countries they were assigned to travel to. May we never forget as Christians who we represent, the Lord Jesus Christ. May we take our role as ambassadors serious and point as many people as possible to what Jesus stands for and help them understand the need for a walk with the Lord.

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

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Posted by John Weldon

“Hospitality”

January 19, 2024

January 19, 2024

Read Genesis 19, Psalm 19, John 19

Genesis 19 is the story of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. As soon as Lot finds the two angels entering the city in the evening, he pleads with them to stay with him and not in the middle of the city. He likely knows how wicked “all the men from every part of the city” v. 4 were. Lot still an outsider to the people of Sodom tries to offer hospitality, and ultimately protection for the two guests. How do we as Christians look out for people today? How can we offer protection or safety to others in a time of need?

The reason for the destruction of the city has been well known for thousands of years. We even have Jewish commentary that speaks about the nature of the homosexuality in this chapter. Some Revisionists and LGBTQ affirming people will try to say that “knowing” the two angels was not about having sex with them, but this doesn’t fit the context. Especially when Lot offers his daughters to the men who “who have not known any other man.” The same Hebrew word is used. It clearly could not be to know the men in a non-sexual way because Lot’s daughters were “pledged to marry.”

But what are we to make of Lot’s proposal? “Look, I have two daughters who have never slept with a man. Let me bring them out to you, and you can do what you like with them. But don’t do anything to these men, for they have come under the protection of my roof” v. 8. Here are some opinions or interpretations. One, he simply did not care about his own daughter’s safety and lives. Two, he was scared and quickly offered a solution in desperation. Three, he was faced with a moral dilemma and choose the lesser of two evils. Four, Lot’s comments should be taken as sarcastic in a way to shock their conscience and stop their actions. We must remember that Lot does not have the integrity that Abraham has, and His actions are compared to Abraham’s in a number of ways. God did not command Lot to offer his daughters, nor would he. The Bible describes his free will choice and is not a prescription for us to follow in the future.

Psalm 19 is a psalm that highlights the glory of God seen in nature and how it points to a creator. “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. 2 Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge” vv. 1-2. In apologetics this is referred to as general revelation. God reveals himself through creation to every single person on the planet. David then goes on to praise God for his Word, He uses the different words like “the Law of the Lord,” “statues,” “precepts,” and “commands.” David sees the benefits of God’s special revelation to us through his Word. David ends the psalm with a prayer, and he asks God to keep him from sinning. “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer” v. 14.

John 19 is the narrative of Jesus crucifixion. I would encourage you to take your time and read through the chapter slowly. Sometimes we think we know things and, in our haste, we may miss the important details. I have heard many Christians debate whether or not they believe Jesus was crucified with no clothes on or very little. Most likely, he had none. This was all a part of the cruelty of the cross.  Not only was it a painful way to suffer and die, (The word excruciating comes from the practice of crucifixion), but it was also the public humiliation that Jesus faced from those who passed by.  Verses 23-24 describe that the soldiers divided his clothes between them and gambled for the final under garments that were left. This leads me to believe Jesus was put on display in total humiliation. As you read through the story, keep in mind that Jesus endured all that for you and to die for your sins on the cross.

Earlier we discussed the hospitality of Lot in the city of Sodom. Now in John 19 we see Jesus in the lowest point of his earthly life on the cross, but He does something amazing. Something only the Godman could do. He has the desire to hand his mother over to the disciple most believe as John to take care of her and look after her. “When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing near by, he said to his mother, “Dear woman, here is your son,” 27 and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home” vv. 26-27. Most people turn inward when they face pain or difficult circumstances, but Jesus still cared for others. Despite the ups and downs of life, who can you and I look out for and show compassion or hospitality toward?  

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

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Posted by John Weldon

“Right or Left”

January 13, 2024

January 13, 2024

Read Genesis 13, Psalm 13, John 13

In Genesis 13 we find a choice of right or left. The Scripture says that Abram had become very wealthy. His herdsmen and Lot’s herdsmen started to argue, likely over who was occupying which pastureland for their own livestock. Being the eldest, Lot had the right to select which area he wanted but in a show of  kindness allows his nephew Lot to pick first. Lot looked around and the Scripture says, “Lot looked up and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan was well watered, like the garden of the LORD” v. 10. This must have allured his eye to choose this side over the other. The Scripture hints at what will come in the next chapter by mentioning Sodom and that “the men of Sodom were wicked and were sinning greatly against the LORD” v. 13. Is this not the perfect illustration of sin. It looks appealing to the eye at first, at a distance, all seems fine, but sooner or later we find ourselves in a place and situation we did not foresee with consequences we did not want to face.

Psalm 13 is a smaller psalm of David. If this psalm seems familiar, it is because David again is crying out to the Lord as he wrestles with his thoughts and wonders, “How long, O Lord? Will you forget me for ever? How long will you hide your face from me?” v. 1. As David writes this psalm out it appears that God has not resolved his situation yet, but David leans on the promises of God. He writes, “But I will trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation” v. 5. David took comfort knowing that God would save him, even if he didn’t know how. Where do you think David had gotten a trust like this? Chances are it was not automatic, it was build by many times in his past when God rescued him. We can do the same when we look back and see how the Lord has brought us through in times past.

John 13 might be the most challenging image of Jesus that followers of Christ look at. Jesus is God, He is Savior and LORD, miracle worker, teacher, but here hours before Jesus would go to the cross and pay the debt of the world’s sins, Jesus humbles himself and serves his disciples by washing their feet. Jesus had already humbled himself as Paul describes in Philippians 2:4-11, but this act of foot washing was something that would leave a mark on his disciples. The chapter begins with his intention, “he now showed them the full extent of his love” v. 1. So many people are caught up in being served today. America has become a nation of service. How many carwashes have popped up over the last few years or businesses that will do anything you want them to… for a price. The meal delivery business like Uber Eats, Door Dash, and Grub Hub show us we are willing to pay anyone just about anything to be served. Jesus was a leader who was willing to serve those he loved. If you pull comments from the disciples early in Jesus’ ministry its clear they think He was going to come in and rule as Messiah. The Jews were looking for someone to free them from the Romans and they would return to their glory days. When Jesus washed their feet he set an example for them to follow. “You should do as I have done for you” v. 15. This message of Jesus was taken to heart by the early Christians, it’s all in the writings of Paul and the other Epistles. How do you follow Jesus’ example and serve others around you? What can you do to show the love of Christ to others in your circle of influence?

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

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Posted by John Weldon

Sons and the Son

January 10, 2024

 January 10, 2024

Genesis 10 is the genealogy of Noah and his three sons. There are seventy sons listed from the three sons of Noah. Seventy is a number in Jewish culture of completeness. There were seventy that were listed traveling to Egypt from Jacob’s family during the famine (Genesis 46). Many have speculated that this genealogy is not a direct father to son list. It may only list the predominant sons in the family lines. These names only account for the men in the family and very few women are named in many of the genealogies in the Bible. Japheth (vv. 2-5) descendants are said to have settled near the seas (likely the black, Caspian, and Mediterranean seas). Next the sons of Ham (vv. 6-20) are named and many of the names are actually groups of people rather than names. This cursed line of sons connects with the nation of Babylon. Last the sons of Shem (vv. 21-32) are listed briefly but they will take a more prominent role in Genesis 11 with the godly line that is listed. One final thing to note, In Genesis 10 verses 5, 20, and 31 talk about “individual languages” this is not a contradiction with Genesis 11:1.  We must remember the author of Genesis is writing looking back at the 70 people groups as they are today.

Psalm 10 is a psalm where the author seems to wonder about the hiddenness of God. “Why, O LORD, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?” v. 1. The wicked seem to get the upper hand and the psalmist seems to think he is prosperous over the righteous people. There are probably times in our lives when we feel the same way. People that cheat or cut corners, to get ahead at work or school seem to never get caught. One of the characteristics of the psalms is their personal nature and the raw emotions that the authors record. It can help us identify with others and know that we are not alone in our thoughts. In the middle section of the psalm the author cries out to the Lord to do something, “Arise, LORD! Lift up your hand, O God. Do not forget the helpless” v. 12. At the end of the psalm the author reminds himself of the promises of God. “The LORD is King for ever and ever; the nations will perish from his land. 17 You hear, O LORD, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry” vv. 16-17. There are two promises here. First, God will judge the nations, those who do evil will be perish. Second, God hears their cry for help and he will encourage them.

In John 10, Jesus is the good shepherd who looks after the flock. Jesus is contrasted against the devil who comes in personified as the wolf. One of the most used examples and illustrations in the Bible is that of sheep and the shepherd. That is what the nation of Israel knew best. They were nomadic shepherds for the most part. Jesus was throwing some shade toward the religious leaders of the day, calling them “thieves and robbers” v. 8. Jesus knew they didn’t care for the sheep like He did. Verse 10 has always been a special verse to me. It shows the black and white motivations between the devil and Jesus. “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

The last part of John 10 is a continued conversation between Jesus and the religious leaders. Jesus boldly claims to be the one that gives eternal life. The religious leaders question him and try to get him to profess that He is the Christ. Jesus tells them they would know if they were really His sheep. Jesus boldly claims to be “one” with the father and this incites the Jews to pick up stones again to stone Jesus. Many contemporaries who deny that Jesus claimed to be God have looked at John 10:28-30 and sold it short. They try to say Jesus meant “one in spirit” or some other less than full meaning. The key is the response of the Jews in verse 33. “’We are not stoning you for any of these,’ replied the Jews, ‘but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God.’” They knew exactly what Jesus meant when he said it and if they misunderstood what Jesus meant, why then would Jesus not correct them and deny he meant that? The answer can only be, because that’s exactly what Jesus meant to say and imply.  All the other contemporary religions and cults that branch off of Christianity will all differ here with who Jesus is.

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

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Posted by John Weldon