“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?
Add your thoughts below.

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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?
Add your thoughts below.

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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?
Add your thoughts below.

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Posted by John Weldon

“Scapegoat”

February 29, 2024

February 29, 2024

Read Leviticus 16, Psalm 60, Galatians 3

Have you ever heard of or used the term “scapegoat?” Today, a scapegoat is a person who is blamed for wrong doings, mistakes, or faults of others. Usually done in a quick manner. Maybe you were somebody else’s scapegoat or maybe you were the one blaming the other person. I’m sure this gets done quite often in a workplace, a school, and most of all between siblings. The term comes from Leviticus 16 from a practice that was done on the Day of Atonement. One time a year Aaron or the high priest would enter the Most Holy place and offer two sacrifices of a goat. “He is to take two male goats for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering” v. 5. After using a bull to sacrifice for his own sin the Lord describes these most curious instructions for Aaron to follow. “Then he is to take the two goats and present them before the LORD at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. 8 He is to cast lots for the two goats—one lot for the LORD and the other for the scapegoat.a 9 Aaron shall bring the goat whose lot falls to the LORD and sacrifice it for a sin offering. 10 But the goat chosen by lot as the scapegoat shall be presented alive before the LORD to be used for making atonement by sending it into the desert as a scapegoat” vv. 7-10. Aaron or the high priest would lay hands on the “scapegoat” and send it away to run into the wilderness which would represent the sins of the people being carried away and removed from their camp. 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

“Unclean vs. Sin”

February 25, 2024

February 25, 2024

Read Leviticus 12, Psalm 56, Hebrews 12

As you read Leviticus 12 it is important to note the difference between being ceremonially unclean and committing a sin. There were three types of laws in the Old Testament. The moral law which instructed Israel and everyone else on how to live their lives. The civic laws of the nation of Israel which were only bound to the Israelites and not to other nations. These laws were meant to represent God’s standard before the other nations as a witness to God. The ceremonial laws were the laws that Israel was to observe when they were to come before the Lord to offer a sacrifice or approach the tabernacle or temple. These laws focused on the person remaining clean before the Lord when they came to offer a sacrifice. If an Israelite were to become unclean by touching a dead body, dead animal, or a bodily discharge it would make that person unclean and they would have to take steps to purify themselves before coming in the presence of the Lord or in their community. It didn’t signify that they committed a sin necessarily. If a person was ceremonially unclean and neglected to properly purify themselves, it could possibly lead to sin and exclusion from the community.

Leviticus 12 describes the process of purification that a woman would have to undergo after childbirth. “Say to the Israelites: ‘A woman who becomes pregnant and gives birth to a son will be ceremonially unclean for seven days, just as she is unclean during her monthly period.” v. 2.

As New Testament believers we are not bound to the sacrificial system of the Old Testament. Jesus’ death on the cross for our sins was the payment once for all. However, there might be activities that we participate in today that would not be considered sinful, but they might be akin to the unclean attitude we take when coming before the Lord. We might not want to come in to a church or setting where we set aside time to honor God and his holiness and have a disregard for our own personal cleanliness. We might not want to practice a spiritual discipline like reading the Bible or praying while we are working in certain situations as a sign of respect toward God.

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

“A Pure Heart”

February 20, 2024

February 20, 2024

Read Leviticus 7, Psalm 51, Hebrews 7

Psalm 51 is a psalm of David. The subtitle tells you that he wrote it after the prophet Nathan confronted him about committing adultery with Bathsheba and having her husband Uriah killed. David had thought he had gotten away with his sin. He thought he had covered it up. He had it all planned out, but God wasn’t fooled. The way that Nathan did it you can read about in 2 Samuel 12. It was a bit shocking, but I got David’s attention.

David cries out to God, “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin” vv. 1-2. There is also great theology in this psalm. David declares “Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge” v. 4. Even thought David did wrong against Bathsheba and her husband, ultimately David sinned against God because it was God’s law that David had broken. Next, we read about sin as imputed from birth. We are born with a sinful nature. A bent to do wrong. “Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me” v. 5. You do not have to teach a young child to be selfish or to react in their emotions. It comes naturally.

This seems like bad news, but we are not done yet. David knew who to go to for forgiveness and to cleanse him. “Cleanse me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8 Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice” vv.7-8. When we find forgiveness from God it restores our joy and removes the guilt and shame that we feel because of our sin. Many people try to hide it today. They want to minimize their sin for various reasons. Remember David was the one that is often called “the man after God’s own heart.” It is only because God is the one who can do what David asked next. “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me” v. 10. Nothing is unforgivable with God (1 John 1:9). If we are alive, we can seek forgiveness from Him. No matter what we have done, even the worst of the worst can find forgiveness in Jesus. Don’t believe me? Just remember David who committed the sins he did.

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

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Posted by John Weldon

“Nothing in all Creation is Hidden From God’s Sight”

February 17, 2024

February 17, 2024

Read Leviticus 4, Psalm 48, Hebrews 4

What are some things that you wonder about? Today I have wonder what the intentions of an advertisement was. I wonder if people really understand Jesus’ message and mission. Do you wonder what a person might really think about you? Do you wonder about some specific detail in the Bible? Do you wonder about your future? There is so much that we do not know.

Leviticus 4 describes how an Israelite is to atone for a sin that they commit unintentionally or unknowingly. We cannot know someone else’s intentions unless they tell us or write them down. That is something that is locked up in their minds and is between themselves and the Lord. The question arises, “If I do something accidentally is it still wrong?” This chapter teaches us that it is. “If a member of the community sins unintentionally and does what is forbidden in any of the LORD’s commands, he is guilty” v. 27. The good news is that we can be forgiven just as with a sin we intentionally commit. “In this way the priest will make atonement for him, and he will be forgiven” v. 31. God’s Law will show us when we are off the path.

The author of Hebrews tells us that nothing is hidden from God. “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account” v. 13. God knows everything that takes place in the secret places, behind the closed doors. He even knows our hearts and what we are thinking. That should bring both a little fear and comfort to us. He knows when we are wronged and deceived by others and He knows when we are the ones doing the deceiving.

This is also a benefit to us. When we walk in a relationship with God, we can have limited access to the knowledge that He choose to share with us. God revealed himself to us though His word and in the person of Jesus. Verse 12 tells us the benefit of His word in our lives. “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” v. 12. We are judged by God’s Word. It acts like a mirror in which it shows us where we should be and where we are not. His Word is here to guide us …if we will follow it.

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

“Top Ten”

February 7, 2024

February 7, 2024

Read Exodus 20-22, Psalm 38

Everyone has a top ten list. David Letterman, YouTubers, every blogger or writer known to man has probably composed a top ten list about something in their lifetime. God has a top ten list too. In Exodus 20 we read the Ten Commandments that God gave to Moses on Mount Horeb. They are often broken down between Commandments toward God (1-4) and then Commandments toward other people (5-10). God gave these basic ten commandments to Israel for them to live by. It is for the good of themselves and for those around them. Because these might be familiar to you, I encourage you to read them slowly and notice things that maybe you thought were something else. For example, many people say “you should not lie” but the command is actually “you shall not bear a false witness” which involves lying but is slightly different. Others will say “The Bible says not to kill” but it is really more accurate to say, “You shall not murder.” All but one (the Sabbath) of the ten commandments are repeated and emphasized in the New Testament.

Exodus 21-22 are other laws that flow out of the ten above.  I will warn you. Several of these laws in Exodus 21-22 can sound harsh and cause many questions to even the most learned pastors. My advice is to read slowly, read more than just one verse when you come across a sentence that you might struggle with. Many time the Bible will iron out the rough spots for you if you keep on reading. The subjects of servants, injuring a pregnant woman, selling your daughter as a servant are in these passages. It’s easy for the world to grab a verse and make it into something that the Bible doesn’t intent. My suggestion, talk to someone who has spend time looking at this or find a book on these passages and they will help you understand them without calling into question the character of God or His Law.

One factor in reading God’s law is that it brings conviction to us. It helps us know when we need to seek forgiveness and when we need to change our behavior or speech. That’s what we find when we read Psalm 38. David has a humble attitude asking God not to rebuke him in his anger. David has a keen awareness of his sin and just how much it affects his own life. Do we avoid God’s Word because it convicts us or do we have a attitude of running toward God’s Word so that we can be conformed to what God desires for us to be?

What else do you see in these chapters? What words, phrases, or themes, stand out to you? What questions do you have about some of the hard verses that are in these chapters? Add your thoughts or questions below. I will be glad to give you some thoughts if you have questions.

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Posted by John Weldon

“Sin and Consequences and Believe”

January 3, 2024

January 3, 2024

Read Genesis 3, Psalm 3, John 3

Genesis 3 describes the fall of humanity. Sin is real and so are the consequences. People often make little of sin. We compare ours to others, we minimize our own and point the finger at everyone else. After God confronted Adam and Eve in the garden, the blame game started. Each one pointed the finger at the other. Adam not only blamed Eve, but he even threw some shade toward the Lord with “the woman you put here with me…” v. 12. If you have ever been around children, you know this is par for the course, but sadly adults do not respond much better. Each one had their own consequences, each consequence was different, but related to who they were and the role they had. We must learn to confess our sins. It starts with acknowledging that we are sinners (Romans 3:23) and we need to act where we cannot.

Satan is also real. Here he is disguised as the “serpent” whose sole plan is to mislead and cause doubt to enter the picture. The first four words from his mouth were, “Did God really say” v. 1. According to the latest Barna worldview survey’s, most people who identify as Christians do not believe in a literal Satan.

Four out of ten Christians (40%) strongly agreed that Satan “is not a living being but is a symbol of evil.” An additional two out of ten Christians (19%) said they “agree somewhat” with that perspective. A minority of Christians indicated that they believe Satan is real by disagreeing with the statement: one-quarter (26%) disagreed strongly and about one-tenth (9%) disagreed somewhat. The remaining 8% were not sure what they believe about the existence of Satan.[JW1] 

If Adam and Eve could not fend off the temptation of the servant what hope is there for us? Although we are like Adam and Eve; descended and designed in like manner we have hope. The solution for us all, one Adam and Eve would not see, was hinted at in the Garden when God pronounced his judgment on the serpent. “he will crush your head, and you will strike his heal” v. 15. A future single male descendant of Eve’s would crush the serpent one day. We know now looking back that Jesus was this promised deliverer.

In Psalm 3 we read a psalm of deliverance. David wrote it when he fled from his son Absolom who was trying to take the kingdom away from his own father. In the midst of trouble, David would call on the Lord and trust that God would be “a shield around me” v. 3. Even when David was in the minority and only had a few hundred men, when he was protected by the Lord, he was confident in God’s deliverance.

One of the repeated words and theme in the Gospel of John is the word “believe.” It is used 98 times in the fourth gospel and only 56 times in the remaining 26 New Testament books. John 3 is a much beloved chapter in the Bible. It contains John 3:16 where Jesus tells Nicodemus “that whosoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Let’s not forget the grace gift that God gave to Adam and Eve in Genesis 3. He “made garments of skin” for them and covered their nakedness. The implication is that an animal had to be sacrificed to provide the skins for them. This was just the beginning of the sacrifices that would have to be made for everyone going forward who sought forgiveness. Jesus came to give us the ultimate grace gift by giving his life on the cross for our sins. Jesus death on the cross was the final sacrifice that was made for the sins of all humanity.

What else sticks out to you in these chapters? What words or phrases catch your eye? Add your thoughts below.

 [JW1]https://www.barna.com/research/most-american-christians-do-not-believe-that-satan-or-the-holy-spirit-exist/

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Posted by John Weldon

Let Scripture Speak

March 9, 2010

Sometimes, I just can’t find the words to say or to share just the way  I want.  I like to turn to the Bible and let it speak to me, speak for me.   I can’t do a better job than God.  Psalm 51 was a psalm of David.  He wrote it after he was confronted by the prophet Nathan about his sins with Bathsheba and her husband.  He wrote it when he felt probably the lowest spiritually in his life.  No,  I didn’t do anything like David did, but I’m can identify with him and how he felt.  I long for forgiveness and a fresh start in life, ministry, and with my family.   I pray that I will never again find myself far away from God and that He will keep me on the straight and narrow path.

1 Have mercy on me, O God,
       according to your unfailing love;
       according to your great compassion
       blot out my transgressions.

 2 Wash away all my iniquity
       and cleanse me from my sin.

 3 For I know my transgressions,
       and my sin is always before me.

 4 Against you, you only, have I sinned
       and done what is evil in your sight,
       so that you are proved right when you speak
       and justified when you judge.

 5 Surely I was sinful at birth,
       sinful from the time my mother conceived me.

 6 Surely you desire truth in the inner parts ;
       you teach me wisdom in the inmost place.

 7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
       wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

 8 Let me hear joy and gladness;
       let the bones you have crushed rejoice.

 9 Hide your face from my sins
       and blot out all my iniquity.

 10 Create in me a pure heart, O God,
       and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

 11 Do not cast me from your presence
       or take your Holy Spirit from me.

 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation
       and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

 13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
       and sinners will turn back to you.

 14 Save me from bloodguilt, O God,
       the God who saves me,
       and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.

 15 O Lord, open my lips,
       and my mouth will declare your praise.

 16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
       you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.

 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
       a broken and contrite heart,
       O God, you will not despise.

 18 In your good pleasure make Zion prosper;
       build up the walls of Jerusalem.

 19 Then there will be righteous sacrifices,
       whole burnt offerings to delight you;
       then bulls will be offered on your altar.

Taken from the NIV Bible

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Posted by John Weldon

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