A Lasting Source of Hope

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Jeremiah 45:1-5

 

Galatians 6:8-9

For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. ⁹ And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

(ESV)

 

While 24-hour news keeps us informed about news in our world as it happens, it can also become a barrage of negativity bringing sorrow, pain, weariness, and lack of rest. The result is people having no hope and even living in despair. When Barack Obama won the presidential election in 2008, he ran on a promise of hope and change, a message appealing to a majority of voters lacking hope after seeing the negativity of the world around them. While the message of hope is appealing, people were placing their hope in a man instead of in God. Jeremiah 45:1-5 is a message to a man living in sorrow, pain, and despair bringing his focus back to God something everyone reading this could benefit from.

 

During the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, Jeremiah dictates a word from the Lord to Baruch, instructing him to write it in a book. This is not the first time Baruch has served Jeremiah as the one taking the word from the Lord dictated by Jeremiah and writing it down but this time the word from the Lord is for Baruch (Jeremiah 45:1). The word from the Lord begins with the Lord telling Baruch He has heard what he has said. Baruch has been saying “Woe is me! For the Lord has added sorrow to my pain.” Baruch is weary from his groaning and finds no rest (Jeremiah 45:2-3). The Lord then tells Baruch he is breaking down what He has built and plucking up what He has planted (Jeremiah 45:4). Jeremiah 45:1-5 ends with the Lord asking Baruch if he is seeking great things for himself and if He is, not to seek them for the Lord is bringing disaster on all flesh. However, God promises to give Baruch’s life as a prize of war wherever he goes, sparing his life (Jeremiah 45:5). God is giving hope to Baruch during a time of trouble, promising life.

 

Galatians 6:9 reminds us not to grow weary in doing good by focusing on the reward God has in store for his people. Baruch has served Jeremiah as the one dictating the words from the Lord, given to Jeremiah (Jeremiah 36:4). In addition to serving as a scribe to Jeremiah, he also read the word of the Lord given to Jeremiah when leaders banned Jeremiah from going to the House of the Lord (Jeremiah 36:5-8). With the rejection of the word of the Lord dictated to Baruch (Jeremiah 36:27), Baruch may have suffered persecution like that suffered by Jeremiah (Jeremiah 37:11-21). Jeremiah 45:1-5 is a message of encouragement to Baruch as he suffered sorrow and pain at what was happening to him and his people. The purpose of this word from the Lord is to take the focus of Baruch off his situation and on to God and a promise of life wherever he would go.

 

The constant barrage of negativity from 24/7 news inflicts sorrow and pain, especially for God’s people as they see sin and evil become acceptable in the world. Focusing on this barrage of negativity will wear one down, causing a loss of hope and eventually despair. Unlike Baruch, Christians have the full canon of Scripture available to them but do we focus on the promises and truth of the Bible or continue to focus on the barrage of negativity spewed from the news? I want to encourage everyone reading this to spend less time focusing on the barrage of negativity spewed by the news and internet and more time focused on the truths of the Bible.

 

If you are reading this post and have never made a profession of faith in Jesus as your Savior, I encourage you to do so now by praying with me,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God challenge and bless everyone reading this post.

Revealing the Mystery

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Romans 11:25-36

 

Romans 11:25

Lest you be wise in your own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers:^[a] a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. 

(ESV)

 

In my younger years, I liked reading Mysteries, mainly Sherlock Holmes mysteries. I found myself intrigued by trying to solve the mystery based on the evidence gathered by Mr. Holmes. In Romans 11:25, the Apostle Paul speaks of a mystery, the mystery of the fullness of the Gentiles. The text of Romans 11:25-36 provides an understanding of this mystery and how it impacts both Jews and Gentiles.

 

A hardness of the heart happened in Israel and opened a door of mercy through which God provides salvation to the Gentiles (Romans 11:25). This hardness of the heart has the purpose of bringing Israel to Salvation (Isaiah 59:20-21; Jeremiah 31:31-34; Psalm 14:7; Romans 11:26-27). However, this does not mean the Gentiles have replaced the Jews due to the Jew's rejection of Jesus because the promises of God are irrevocable (Romans 11:28-29). The Jews and Gentiles both have a heritage of disobedience to God with a merciful God providing a path of salvation for both Jews and Gentiles (Romans 11:30-32).

 

The mystery of the time of the Gentiles demonstrates the dept of the richness, wisdom, and knowledge of God one can find in the Word of God. It also demonstrates the unsearchable judgments and inscrutable ways of God (Romans 11:33). Paul then quotes Jeremiah 23:18, asking who has sought the counsel of God from His Word and listened (Romans 11:34). Paul asks who has given a gift to God that could repay to God for his gift of salvation (Job 41:1-11; Romans 11:35). Paul then gives glory to God for all things come from and through God (Romans 11:36).                                                                                                

 

The mystery of the time of the Gentiles involves a pause in God’s timeline with Israel. After the destruction of Jerusalem by Rome in 70 AD Israel ceased to exist as a nation till 1948. During this period, the Church which began in Acts 2 spread the message of the Gospel throughout the world. This is what Paul referred to as the time of the Gentiles, also known as the Church age. The fullness of the time of the Gentiles will occur when Jesus catches up (raptures) those believing in Jesus as their Savior to meet Him in the air (Revelation 4:1; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). After this event, the Jews will experience a time of great tribulation and after the desecration of the new Temple at the mid-point of the tribulation period (Daniel 9:27) realize the Antichrist is not their Messiah. Those studying Eschatology, or the end times believe many Jews will believe the desolator of the Temple (The Antichrist) is their messiah only to discover the deception they fell for after the desecration of the Temple. This will lead to national repentance by Israel with God extending them His mercy.

 

The Church still exists in the time of the Gentiles with a mission of spreading the message of the Gospel and making disciples for Christ (Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19-20). However, looking at the current state of the world, it is not a stretch to believe the time of the Gentiles is nearing an end (Luke 12:54-56). Therefore, the Church must have a sense of urgency, taking the Gospel message of Salvation to as many people as possible before the Church is caught up to meet the Lord. While Churches may have differing interpretations of Scripture, they must unite around the mission of spreading the Gospel and making disciples.

 

I now want to extend an invitation to all reading this that have never asked Jesus to be their Lord and Savior, by praying with me,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God challenge and bless everyone reading this post. 

The Consequences of Separation from God

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Jeremiah 44:1-30

 

Ephesians 6:12

 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

(ESV)

 

The expected red wave in the November 8, 2022 election did not materialize but the U.S. House of Representatives did shift from Democrat control to Republican, making it possible to halt the out-of-control spending contributing to high inflation in the U.S. While this is good news for the U.S. economy, the closeness of the election indicates a divisiveness in the culture. Politically this divisiveness is a division between the Democrat and Republican governing philosophies, spiritually there is a division between Godliness and ungodliness, a battle not with flesh and blood but a battle with principalities and powers in high places (Ephesians 6:12). This battle cannot be fought with conventional weapons but spiritual weapons (Ephesians 6:13-18), weapons only accessible through drawing close to God and not separating from God.

 

A remnant of Jews in Judah decided to move to Egypt to seek safety from the Babylonian occupiers of Judah. This goes against the Word of the Lord issued by Jeremiah (Jeremiah 42:7-17). In Jeremiah 44:1-30, we see that the remnant in Egypt has decided to separate from the worship of the one true God and worship the queen of heaven when in Egypt (Jeremiah 44:17). While those choosing to worship the queen of heaven believe this will return them to the prosperity they enjoyed in Egypt, it is exactly what led to the exile (Jeremiah 44:20-21). The consequences of this decision to separate from the worship of God to the worship of the false God of the queen of heaven will have the dire consequence of death by the sword and famine (Jeremiah 44:11-14).

 

Despite this additional warning from the Lord, the remnant in Egypt continues their path of separation from the worship of God and continue their worship of the queen of heaven (Jeremiah 44:15-19). The queen of heaven possibly refers to the goddess Ishtar, Astarte, or Ashtoreth a near eastern goddess of fertility. (1) It is separation from God that led to Israel and Judah’s exile and the remnant in Egypt is destined to suffer a worse fate, death by the sword, famine, and pestilence for their separation from the worship of God (Jeremiah 44:11-14). The moral of the story is that one should run to God and not from Him in times of trouble.

 

The remnant returning to Egypt from Judah have decided to worship the queen of heaven, following in the footsteps of their ancestors (Jeremiah 44:15-17). To justify their decision, they fall for the deception that the consequence of their situation is due to stopping the worship of foreign gods, forgetting that their situation is due to the worship of other gods and the separation of themselves from God, resulting in their exile. God explicitly commanded His people to only worship Him (Exodus 20:1-3) reminding them that He was the one who delivered them from slavery in Egypt (Exodus 20:2). However, the remnant from Judah going to Egypt is seeking safety and security by returning to Egypt instead of returning to God.

 

We live in unprecedented times. While the overturning of Roe v. Wade returned the decision on legalizing abortion over to the states, the debate remains with the lives of the innocent unborn in the balance. Traditional marriage is under attack, replaced with gay marriage with churches under pressure to perform gay weddings. Businesses are under pressure to cater to the LGPTQ community to avoid legal action and negative comments in media and social media. Even the creation of God which God declared as good (Genesis 1:10, 12, 18, 21, 25, 31) questioned with people born with one gender claiming God made a mistake and they should be the other gender.

 

The Church has a choice to make. Does it essentially return to Egypt by reaching out to individuals falling for these deceptions, accepting their behavior, or remain true to God by standing against these ungodly lifestyles, lovingly pointing the individuals involved in these lifestyles to Christ? The Church at Laodicea is an example of a Church preoccupied with its wealth and prosperity instead of with Jesus Christ, a lukewarm Church (Revelation 3:14-22). While Revelation 3:20 is used to evangelize people, in the context of Revelation 3:14-22, it indicates Jesus is outside this Church wanting to come in and not involved in the Church.

 

In contrast, the Church at Philadelphia is a Church not spewed out of the Lord’s mouth because of its lukewarmness but instead commended for its good works and provided an open door despite its little power (Revelation 3:7-13). Even though this Church had little power, it stayed true to the word of God and promised escape from the hour of trial coming upon the world (Revelation 3:8-10). The mission of the Church is not a mission of compromising with the world to attract them into becoming involved with the Church but a mission of staying true to the Word of God and pointing people to a loving God who sent His Son to die for their sins (John 3:16-18; Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19-20; Revelation 3:8). If you are reading this and have never asked Jesus to forgive your sins and be your Savior, I invite you to do so now by praying with me,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God challenge and bless everyone reading this post.

 

1. Mariana, Tota. Who is the Queen of Heaven in Jeremiah 7:18; 44:17-19; 44:25. The Marian Blogger. [Online] July 23, 2019. [Cited: November 19, 2022.] https://themarianblogger.wordpress.com/2019/07/23/who-is-the-queen-of-heaven-in-jeremiah-718-4417-19-4425/.

Not Replacement, Grafting

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Romans 11:1-24

 

Romans 11:1

I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! For I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham,^[a] a member of the tribe of Benjamin.

(ESV)

 

In the previous chapter of Romans, Scripture established that salvation from sin was for all (Romans 10). In Romans 11:1-24, Paul deals with the belief that God has rejected the Jews because they rejected Jesus and God replaced them with the Church. Such a belief would go against the availability of salvation to all with Paul’s teaching in this section pointing out that God has not rejected the Jews and replaced them with the Gentiles but has instead extended salvation to Jews and Gentiles through Christ. Jew and Gentile can be grafted to the root of Christ through belief in Jesus as Lord.

 

Paul begins this text by asking the question of whether God has rejected the Jews and answering the question with an emphatic no citing his being a believer and a Jew (Romans 11:1). The text elaborates further by looking at the example of Elijah who believed he was the only one left in Israel that followed God (Romans 11:2-3). God responds to Elijah by telling him of the existence of a remnant in Israel of seven thousand who had not bowed in worship to Baal (Romans 11:4). Paul then brings the narrative back to his time, letting the reader know there is a remnant of grace, including himself, among the Jews during his time (Romans 11:5). However, if this is a remnant of grace, it is no longer based upon one’s works for that would make grace unnecessary (Romans 11:6).

 

Paul then asks another question, if Israel has failed to obtain what it was seeking with the elect remnant receiving it with the others hardened (Romans 11:7). God has deafened and blinded his people spiritually, with them wandering in a state of spiritual stupor that was still present in the time of Paul writing the book of Romans (Deuteronomy 29:4; Isaiah 29:10; Romans 11:8). David also stated that their table had become a snare, trap, stumbling block, and retribution for them with their eyes darkened so they cannot see (Psalm 69:22-23; Romans 11:9-10). When Jesus entered the Temple and overturned the tables, he told them He was doing it because they had turned His Father’s House into a den of thieves (Matthew 21:12-13).

 

The stumbling of the Jews over Jesus has the benefit of bringing salvation to the Gentiles to make Israel jealous (Romans 11:11). If the trespass of this stumbling over Jesus brings the riches of salvation to the world, how much more will the Jews full inclusion mean (Romans 11:12). Paul then gives insight into the purpose of his ministry to bring the Gospel message to the Gentiles to save some of his fellow Jews by making them jealous (Romans 11:13-14). Paul then states that the Jews rejection of Jesus, bringing salvation to the Gentiles brings reconciliation to God for the world. Jewish acceptance after their rejection will mean resurrection from the dead (Romans 11:15). If the dough, Jesus, is holy so is the whole lump of those connected to the dough of first fruits, the rood that is holy with any branch connected to the root also holy (Romans 11:16).

 

Paul then cautions Gentiles not to become arrogant toward the Jewish branches that have broken off from the root, Jesus, due to their rejection of Him as Messiah because it is not the branches that nourish the root but the rood nourishing the branches (Romans 11:17-18). Gentiles believing in Jesus are grafted onto the root, Jesus, through grace with no reason to boast (Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 11:19-20). Pride can lead to God rejecting the newly grafted branches just like the Jews were rejected for their rejection of Christ (Romans 11:21). God is both severe and kind, severe to both Jews and Gentiles who have fallen through rejection of Christ or arrogance in Christ, and kind to those continuing in grace (Romans 11:22). Those branches that have broken off from the root can be grafted back in if they choose to believe (Romans 11:23). If God chose to graft in wild branches, Gentiles, why would he not regraft in the natural branches, Jews, choosing to believe in Jesus as their Messiah (Romans 11:24).

 

In Romans 10:5-21, Scripture determined that the message of salvation was for all. For God to reject the Jews without providing a chance for salvation would mean the Jews were not included in salvation for all. We know God cannot lie so even though the Jews have disconnected from the root of God’s salvation through their rejection of Jesus Christ as their Messiah, they can still come back to God through repentance, something the nation of Israel has done many times in their history. There is therefore no such thing as replacement theology, the belief that the Church has replaced the Jews in God’s plan, but instead, there is an opportunity for all to reconcile with God by accepting Jesus as their savior. This is how anyone, Jew or Gentile, grafts their wild sinful branch (Romans 3:23) onto the root of salvation, Jesus Christ.

 

This opportunity to reconcile with God is available to all because it is a gift from God according to His grace or unmerited favor (Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 6:23). One receives this gift by confessing with their mouth that Jesus is Lord and believing in their heart that God raised Jesus from the Dead. If you are reading this and have not confessed Jesus as Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, I invite you to do so by praying with me,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

No matter your nationality, your gender, your race, or what you have done in your life, the mercy and grace of God has now saved you from your sins if you just prayed with belief in Jesus as your resurrected Lord. I encourage all that just prayed to find a local Church teaching the Bible and become involved to begin the study of the Word of God and association with other believers. I also encourage you to let someone know about your decision, especially anyone you know who has been praying for you. May God challenge and bless everyone reading this post. 

Let’s go to Egypt

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Jeremiah 43:1-13

 

Jeremiah 43:5-7

But Johanan the son of Kareah and all the commanders of the forces took all the remnant of Judah who had returned to live in the land of Judah from all the nations to which they had been driven— 6 the men, the women, the children, the princesses, and every person whom Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard had left with Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan; also Jeremiah the prophet and Baruch the son of Neriah. 7 And they came into the land of Egypt, for they did not obey the voice of the Lord. And they arrived at Tahpanhes.

(ESV)

 

The people remaining in Judah had security under the leadership of Gedaliah but with his murder, found that security has gone (Jeremiah 40:9-12; 41:1-3). Those in Judah initially sought the Lord’s direction through Jeremiah and were advised not to return to Egypt (Jeremiah 42). However, simply hearing from the Lord is useless without seeking interpretation of the Word through the Holy Spirit and making application of the Word to our lives. Sadly, those in Judah failed to properly interpret the Word coming from Jeremiah and failed to make application of the Word to their lives.

 

After receiving the warning from the Lord through Jeremiah, Azariah, Johanan, and all the insolent men accuse Jeremiah of lying and not speaking the words given to him by the Lord (Jeremiah 43:1-3). Such false accusations were not surprising to Jeremiah because his entire ministry has been one of trying to convince Israel and Judah to repent and turn back to the Lord to avoid exile that was rejected (Jeremiah 6:19; 15:6). After making these false accusations, Johanan and the commanders of the forces then disobey the Word of the Lord and go to Egypt, arriving at Tahpanhes (Jeremiah 43:4-7).

 

Once the people are in Egypt, Jeremiah receives a Word from the Lord in Tahpanhes (Jeremiah 43:8). The Lord orders Jeremiah to take large stones with his hands and hide them in the mortar of the pavement in front of Pharoah’s palace in Tahpanhes in sight of the men of Judah (Jeremiah 43:9). Jeremiah then tells the men of Judah that Nebuchadnezzar, the Lord’s servant, will set his throne upon the stones he has just hidden and spread a royal canopy over them (Jeremiah 43:10). Nebuchadnezzar shall come in and strike the land of Egypt, causing those in the land to suffer pestilence, captivity, and the sword (Jeremiah 43:11). Nebuchadnezzar shall burn the temples of the gods of Egypt and clean the land of Egypt like a shepherd cleans his cloak, and then go away in peace (Jeremiah 43:12). Nebuchadnezzar shall also break the obelisks of Heliopolis along with burning the temples of the gods of Egypt (Jeremiah 43:13). The people of Judah seeking escape from Babylonian captivity will suffer captivity in Egypt but without the safety promised by God to those going to Babylon (Jeremiah 24).

 

Decisions have consequences which in this case are destruction for those choosing to go to Egypt instead of obedience to the Lord according to the Word of the Lord coming from Jeremiah. It is puzzling that these people would ask Jeremiah to inquire of the Lord on their behalf (Jeremiah 42:1-6) and then reject what they hear from the Lord (Jeremiah 43:1-2). They even went so far as to accuse Jeremiah of lying to them because he wanted them destroyed (Jeremiah 43:3). Every individual has free will with God allowing them to make decisions but along with this right to make decisions comes the consequences of these decisions. After following through on the decision to go to Egypt, the people in Judah receive a warning from the Lord through Jeremiah that tells them the king of Babylon that they are running from will conquer Egypt (Jeremiah 43:8-13). What the people of Judah feared was destruction by the king of Babylon that will come upon them in Egypt, something they could have escaped by obeying the Lord and remaining in Judah.

 

Our decisions also have consequences and why it is wise for one to seek Godly counsel before making any major decision. It is also crucial to prepare through the study of the Word of God and praying continually so we can keep our head or Godly perspective in all situations, endure hardship, and do the Lord’s work (Ephesians 6:18; 2 Timothy 4:1-8). It is also crucial to spend time regularly with other believers for this is where we will find wise counsel when we need it. The main application we must make in our lives is to lose conformity to the world’s way of thinking and allow the Word of God, time spent with God in prayer, and time with other believers to transform our thinking (Romans 12:2).

 

If you are reading this and have never made Jesus the Lord of your life, I invite you to do so now by praying with me,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God Challenge and bless everyone reading this post.

A One Size Fits All Gift

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Romans 10:5-21

 

Romans 10:12-13

For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. ¹³ For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

(ESV)

 

One of Satan’s most devious deceptions is placing people into categories which creates divisiveness in the culture. This divisiveness causes groups of individuals to become prideful, believing they are superior to other groups of individuals. Proverbs 16:18 reminds us that pride goes before a fall meaning that any group of individuals believing they are superior to others has a fall coming. Romans 10:5-21 reminds us that the message of Salvation from sins is for all and not limited to a select group of individuals. The message in this passage teaches us about,

 

1)      Confession (Romans 10:5-13) – The passage begins with a contrast of Moses writing about righteousness based on the law and one living by the commandments in the law versus righteousness based upon faith (Romans 10:5-7). This is another reference to the contrasting of righteousness based upon religion or one performing certain religious practices versus relationship or one entering into a restored relationship with God through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). Saving faith is not based on works but a confession of Jesus as Lord based on one’s belief in Jesus’ resurrection from the dead (Romans 10:8-10). Belief in Jesus as Lord eliminates shame for Jesus came to save not condemn (John 3:16-17). This belief also eliminates any distinction of groups for all who believe are saved who call upon the name of the Lord (Romans 10:11-13).

2)      Commission (Romans 10:14-17) – Experiencing a restored relationship with God should cause one to have the desire to share their experience with others lacking a relationship with God in their lives. Paul poses a series of four questions to challenge his readers to share the Gospel message (Romans 10:14-15)

a.       How will people call on Jesus in whom they have not believed – Jesus taught that if He is lifted up, he will draw all people to him (John 12:32). Sadly, many Churches are either liberal or legalistic. Liberal teaching is a self-help message, designed to make one feel good but fails to lift up Jesus or speak of one’s need for a Savior. Legalism requiring adherence to a set of rules and regulations to gain a right standing with God. The Great Commission is about lifting up Jesus and pointing people to their need for a Savior and a relationship with God.

b.      How can people believe unless they hear the message of the Gospel – Again this is a call to the Church to focus on lifting up Jesus through teaching from the Bible.

c.       How are people to hear without someone preaching – Every believer in Christ as Savior has a calling to share the Gospel with others when the opportunity presents itself. This does not require one to have academic proficiency in theology but a relationship with God they can share.

d.      How are people to preach unless God sends them – Churches must also be a place where one discovers their God-given calling and equipped, empowered, and encouraged to step out and serve God in their calling.

The world under the divisive deception of Satan needs to hear the Word of God from Churches that lift up Jesus and His Word and why each of us must use our God-given gifts to find our calling and serve God. We must be participants and not spectators in the Great Commission (Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19-20).

3)      Contradiction (Romans 10:18-21) – Satan has caused the Jews to be blinded to the truth that Jesus is the Messiah, using divisiveness between groups, Jews and Gentiles, to cause them to believe only they are God’s chosen ones. This is what the Bible means when it speaks of the veil over the minds of Israel when reading the old covenant that only Christ removes.

 

There is a contradiction in the Bible between salvation through the law and righteousness based upon faith. Moses wrote about salvation by the law, saying that all who live by the commandments shall live by them (Romans 10:5). Contrast that with salvation by grace which says that the Word of God is near and in one’s mouth and heart (Romans 10:8). Because of this, one is saved by a profession of faith with his or her mouth that Jesus is Lord and belief in one’s heart that God raised Jesus from the dead (Romans 10:9-10). Since there is no distinction in this passage that one be Jewish or Gentile, the Gospel is available to all. This is why God tore the veil from top to bottom when Jesus said it is finished to make the most holy place available to all who believe (Matthew 27:51). The mission of the Church is to declare this message so others can have a relationship with God through a righteousness of faith because the sacrificial requirement of the law that was fulfilled with the death of Jesus on the cross (Hebrews 10:11-14).

 

As we see the world around us sliding further and further into ungodliness, the Church must return to its missional focus of spreading the Gospel (Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19-20). People are hurting, economically, physically, and mentally, looking for answers. These people turn to their abilities or the government for help but are not finding answers. This is a harvest field that is ripe and ready for harvest, waiting for harvesters to go and tell others about Jesus (Matthew 9:37). If you are reading this post and have never made a profession of faith in Jesus as your savior, I invite you to do so now by praying with me,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

I encourage everyone who has made a profession of faith, including those that just prayed to join in the mission of the Church (Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19-20) and become a harvester by telling others what Jesus has done in your life. May God challenge and bless everyone reading this post.      

No Security in Egypt

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Jeremiah 42:1-22

 

Jeremiah 42:21-22

And I have this day declared it to you, but you have not obeyed the voice of the Lord your God in anything that he sent me to tell you. 22 Now therefore know for a certainty that you shall die by the sword, by famine, and by pestilence in the place where you desire to go to live.”

(ESV)

 

It is an understatement to say that we find ourselves in complicated times. For those of us that have been around a while, there are familiar components like economic retraction, soaring prices, and increased violence. However, there are also components unfamiliar like transgenderism, which is a slap in the face of God, telling Him that He made a mistake with my gender at birth that I need to correct. The redefining of life excludes the unborn in the interest of permitting their murder through abortion in the interest of convenience so one can have sex without the consequence of a baby. There is also the absolute rejection of any standard of truth, like the Bible, in the interest of defining truth to include what every individual believes it should be. This is why it is crucial for everyone professing faith in Jesus as their Savior or Messiah to be, like the Bereans, who diligently seek truth through the study of the Bible, God’s Word (Acts 17:11; Psalm 119:105).  

 

A remnant of Jews has remained in Israel, believing they were safe under the leadership of Governor Gedaliah (Jeremiah 41:1-4). However, with his assassination, this remnant lives in fear and under the leadership of Johanan, has plans to go to Egypt, believing they will find protection there (Jeremiah 41:17). Johanan does do the wise thing and seek guidance from the Lord before taking the people to Egypt (Jeremiah 42:1-3) but will he listen to the instruction from the Lord coming from Jeremiah or reject it? Jeremiah agrees to bring their plea to the Lord with the people vowing to obediently follow the instructions from the Lord, whether good or bad (Jeremiah 42:4-6).

 

God rejects their plans to go to Egypt for protection and urges the people to trust God by remaining in the land (Jeremiah 42:7-12). The Word of the Lord from Jeremiah then continues by letting the people know the consequences of disobedience by defiantly going to Egypt (Jeremiah 42:12-17). While this is not defiance like the worship of Baal that sent Israel into exile (Jeremiah 11:13,17;19-5) it is a rejection of the Word of the Lord and as such carries consequences. The Word of the Lord from Jeremiah then continues with the consequences of defiance to the Word of the Lord should the people choose to go to Egypt instead of obeying the instructions from the Lord as they promised (Jeremiah 42:5-7,18). Jeremiah reminds the people that they asked him to inquire of the Lord on their behalf and that rejection of his instructions from the Lord will result in their death (Jeremiah 42:19-20). Jeremiah has carried out his obligation and the ball is now in the court of the people in Israel, will they flee to Egypt or obediently obey God (Jeremiah 42:21-22)?

 

The remnant remaining in Israel thought they would be safe under the leadership of Governor Gedaliah because he promised protection for those remaining in Israel (Jeremiah 40:9). However, with his assassination (Jeremiah 41:1-4), the people lived in fear and plan to go to Egypt for protection (Jeremiah 41:17), but do the smart thing, seeking guidance from the Lord (Jeremiah 42:1-3). With the Word from the Lord rejecting the people’s plan to go to Egypt, the people must choose between going ahead with their plans to go to Egypt based on fear or trust in God based on faith in the Word of the Lord coming through Jeremiah (Jeremiah 42:7-12).

 

Where we turn when facing danger or lack in our lives is an indication of where our heart is. While it is not wrong to depend upon our God-given abilities to provide for and protect us, there are times when these abilities face an unsurmountable enemy. These are the times when we must place our trust in the Word of God and live obediently to what it instructs us to do. This is because Jesus is the overcomer (John 16:33), the one who provides for our needs (Philippians 4:13), and the one providing strength to do whatever is necessary (Philippians 4:19). One unsurmountable problem faced by all humanity is the problem of sin (Romans 3:23). This is a serious problem carrying with it a death penalty but one can escape this death penalty by accepting God’s free gift of salvation (Romans 6:23). This gift is available for all because Jesus came to die for sinners (Romans 5:8). One can accept this gift by making a profession of faith in Jesus as his or her Lord (Romans 10:9-10). Please join me in making this profession by praying with me now,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God challenge and bless everyone reading this post.

Jesus, the Stumbling Stone of Grace

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Romans 9:30-10:4

 

Romans 9:32-33

Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone, ³³ as it is written,

“Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense;
    and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”

(ESV)

 

Life is full of struggles that can become stumbling blocks in our lives. Life brings financial stumbling blocks, health stumbling blocks, stumbling blocks in marriage, and even stumbling blocks in our relationship with God. While Jews and Christians worship the same God, the Jews have a stumbling block, Jesus whom they rejected as their Messiah. The same is also true of Gentiles who reject Jesus as their Savior but there is hope because Jesus overcame despite struggles (John 16:33) through His death burial and resurrection, giving us the gift of eternal life (Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 6:23).

 

Romans 9:30-10:4 begins with Paul asking if the Gentiles wo did not pursue righteousness have attained it through faith while the Jews who pursued righteousness through obedience to the Law failed to reach righteousness (Romans 9:30-31). Paul then answers the question by explaining that the Jews failed to achieve righteousness because they attempted to reach it through works of obedience and not through faith (Romans 9:32). However, despite their stumbling over the stumbling block Jesus, Paul still prays and has a desire for the salvation of his fellow Jews (Romans 10:1). Paul acknowledges a zeal for God by his fellow Jews but not according to knowledge. This knowledge is knowledge of the Word of God something they lack even though they diligently study it (Romans 10:2). This lack of knowledge has led to their ignorance regarding the righteousness of God that comes through faith and not one’s works (Romans 10:3). In fulfilling the law through his death as the sinless lamb of God, Jesus has made righteousness available to anyone choosing to believe (2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 10:4).

 

The Jews are God’s chosen people, chosen to receive the law but have failed to attain righteousness, believing they can attain it through works of obedience to the Law (Romans 9:32). This belief rejects the words of Isaiah who stated that the righteous acts of humanity are like a filthy rag (Isaiah 64:6). In addition to this word of prophecy, there were the annual sacrifices of a lamb at Passover, indicating that salvation is more than adherence to the Law (Deuteronomy 16:1-2). Paul has a heart’s desire for his fellow Jews to believe in Jesus as their Messiah but understands that this belief is a stumbling stone they must overcome through faith in Jesus as the lamb of God taking away their sins (John 1:29). Salvation is through the grace of God and not our works (Ephesians 2:8-9).

 

Jesus said He is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). Jesus did not say he was a way but the way. Since we are all sinners (Romans 3:23) and under a death sentence for sin (Romans 6:23a) we find ourselves in a hopeless situation. However, through Jesus we have the free gift of eternal life and have hope but not according to our works but the grace of God (Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 6:23b). To receive this gift, one only has to confess with their mouth that Jesus is Lord of his or her life and believe that God raised Jesus from the dead (Romans 10:9-10). If you have never confessed this with your mouth, I invite you to do so by praying with me,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God challenge and bless everyone reading this post.

Security in Christ

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Jeremiah 41:1-18

 

Jeremiah 38:17-18

Then Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, “Thus says the Lord, the God of hosts, the God of Israel: If you will surrender to the officials of the king of Babylon, then your life shall be spared, and this city shall not be burned with fire, and you and your house shall live. 18 But if you do not surrender to the officials of the king of Babylon, then this city shall be given into the hand of the Chaldeans, and they shall burn it with fire, and you shall not escape from their hand.”

(ESV)

 

Security is something people strive to achieve in their lives. However, when we place our hope of security on something created by God instead of God Himself, it will fail us. This does not mean that God’s created things are bad, but they are part of a corrupted world and will fail. A wise person seeks his or her security in God the creator and not created things (Jeremiah 29:11; Proverbs 3:5).

 

Gedaliah received warning of a threat to his life and instead of heeding the warning, chose to ignore it (Jeremiah 40:13-16). Part of this warning was asking permission to kill Ishmael, the one issuing the threat. While we do not know what Gedaliah trusted in for his security, it is obvious he did not trust the warning he previously received. This resulted in not only his death but also the deaths of the Judeans and Chaldean soldiers who happened to be with Gedaliah (Jeremiah 41:1-3).

 

Unaware of the murder of Gedaliah, eighty men arrived from Shechem to bring grain offerings and incense to the Temple (Jeremiah 41:4-5). Ishmael lures these men in by coming out from Mizpah weeping and telling the men to come to Gedaliah (Jeremiah 41:6). Once the men enter the city, Ishmael murders them and casts their bodies into a cistern but ten men are spared because they let Gedaliah know they have stores of wheat, barley, oil, and honey hidden in fields (Jeremiah 41:7-8). The cistern where Ishmael threw the bodies of those he had murdered was designed for defense against Baasha king of Israel but now is a mass grave for those slain by Ishmael (Jeremiah 41:9). Ishmael then takes the remaining people in Mizpah captive intending to cross over to the Ammonites with them (Jeremiah 41:10). However, Johanan hears of the evil done by Ishmael and takes his men to fight against Ishmael, confronting him at the great pool in Gibeon (Jeremiah 41:11-12). Upon seeing Johanan, the people rejoiced with those taken captive by Ishmael turning around to join Johanan (Jeremiah 41:13-14). Ishmael manages to escape Johanan with eight men, going to the Ammonites (Jeremiah 41:15). Johanan takes those rescued from Ishmael to Gibeon, intending to flee to Egypt for safety out of fear of the Chaldeans (Jeremiah 41:16-18).

 

Gedaliah could have escaped assassination by heeding the warning of Johanan and allowing him to take out Ishmael (Jeremiah 40:13-16). While Scripture does not cite the warning of Johanan as coming from the Lord, Gedaliah’s kindness towards the Jews remaining in Judah makes it reasonable God sent Johanan to allow Gedaliah to spare his life. Not only would heeding the warning have saved Gedaliah’s life but it also would have spared the lives of the Judeans with Gedaliah along with the Chaldean soldiers who happened to be there (Jeremiah 41:3).

 

Hearing of the kindness of Gedaliah towards the exiles remaining in Judea caused many to return to Judea believing they would escape the oppression of exile (Jeremiah 40:11-12). While it is reasonable to side with those returning to the land after seeing the kindness of Gedaliah towards the exiles, the Lord told those in Jerusalem and Judah to go to Babylon where they would be safe (Jeremiah 38:17-18). The exiles returning and remaining in Judah had a false sense of security that Governor Gedaliah would keep them safe but with that safety removed because of Gedaliah’s assassination, the people must turn elsewhere for security. However, instead of turning to the Lord for security, the people intend on returning to Egypt, symbolic of the world, instead of God (Jeremiah 41:17-18).

 

We live in a dangerous world with a culture that continues to slide down the slippery slope of ungodliness. While the Supreme Court in the United States has reversed Roe v. Wade, returning the debate on abortion to the states, those supporting abortion and the murder of the unborn still work to make abortion legal. Scripture reminds us that the baby in the womb is formed by God and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:13-14) reminding us of the value God places on life in the womb. Psalm 139:13 also reminds us that God formed our inward parts which include the parts determining one’s gender. To believe the gender we were born with is a mistake is a slap in the face of God, telling Him he made a mistake with our gender at birth.

 

The lessons from Jeremiah 41 are,

 

1)         Be men and women of the Word like the Bereans who daily examined and studied the Word of God (Acts 17:10-12). This makes it possible for us to discern world events with a Biblical basis of truth, providing a Biblical worldview of issues, and warning us of the consequences of a society sliding down the slippery slope of ungodliness.

2)         Seek security in a relationship with Christ and not the world. While God does use the systems of the world to protect His people at times, like the provision of safety for the Jews going to Babylon, this should not be the initial place where a believer turns for security. Instead, the security of a believer lies in a relationship with Christ, the one who takes our burdens and gives us rest (Matthew 11:25-30).

 

If you are reading this and do not have a relationship with God through acceptance of Jesus as your Savior, I invite you to do so now by praying with me,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God challenge and bless everyone reading this post.