BibleJournal.net

Psalm 35 – Lessons from David

This psalm is a cry for vengeance. David has been slandered, offended, accused, and sinned against and this psalm is one where he is crying out to God to “make even” with his adversaries. The first lesson we see here is that David did not take matters into his own hands.

In our day and age, it is so easy to be accused or offended and immediately we reach for a sword to slash back. Go read any comment threads on Facebook or any other social media platform and you will see people getting vengeance. We need to learn from David and ask the Lord to do it on our behalf and to trust that someday Jesus will make His enemies (which are our enemies as well) His footstool.

Jesus states in the Sermon on the Mount, “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also” (Matt. 5: 38-39).

The context of this statement is in verbal accusations. Some passivists will use this as an example that people should not defend themselves at all. What this is trying to say is if someone insults you, turn your cheek and let them throw more insults. Don’t repay an insult with an insult. Speak life.
Read verse 13 and 14 again, “’But as for me, when they were sick, My clothing was sackcloth; I humbled myself with fasting; And my prayer would return to my own heart. I paced about as though he were my friend or brother; I bowed down heavily, as one who mourns for his mother.”

David mourned for them, he fasted on their behalf, and he interceded for them in their trials. He didn’t just turn his cheek, but spiritually, David went on offense for his adversaries.

To sum this all up, practically how do we respond when we are accused, shamed, or treated poorly by the world? In some cases, we need to defend ourselves and defend the faith, but in other cases it is better to relent and to actively show our love for those who persecute us (Matt. 5:44).

 

Today’s Reading: I Corinthians 16 

As we recognize and celebrate our father’s and father–figures, I see this message of Paul’s as a father‘s blessing to his children.

Over my lifetime, there have been many times when I have gone on a voyage or gone away to college and I would have conversations with my father and then we were start our goodbye before the departure.

Many times this will start in the house in one room. Then we would say our goodbyes and then proceed to the front room of the house. Then in the front room, we will have another conversation for about 2 to 5 minutes. Then we say our goodbyes. Next, we would go out to the car and spend another 2 to 5 minutes speaking about another subject. Then we say our goodbyes and give our hugs. So the full goodbyes take about 20 minutes or so.

These times that we saying goodbye are those lasting memories that you have with that person. You save for each moment because you never know when it might be the last.

Over my life, I have had several memories of last conversations of my loved ones. I remember the last conversation with my grandmother that was over 22 years ago. I remember my last conversation with my wife’s grandfather which was over 11 years ago. I remember each of the conversations I’ve had with my mother and my father and my in-laws over the last several years. We are still fortunate to have our parents, but each time that we leave them, I embrace and remember the last final words and blessings that they give us. In this last chapter of Corinthians, we can see that Paul is giving these blessings and pieces of knowledge to the next people.

“Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come…

I will visit you after passing through Macedonia, for I intend to pass through Macedonia, and perhaps I will stay with you or even spend the winter, so that you may help me on my journey, wherever I go…

But I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost …

When Timothy comes, see that you put him at ease among you, for he is doing the work of the Lord, as I am….  

Now concerning our brother Apollos, I strongly urged him to visit you with the other brothers, but it was not at all his will to come now. He will come when he has opportunity… 

Let all that you do be done in love….  

I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, because they have made up for your absence, The churches of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Prisca, together with the church in their house, send you hearty greetings in the Lord…

The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you…

My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭16‬:‭1‬-‭2‬, ‭5‬-‭6‬, ‭8‬, ‭10‬, ‭12‬, ‭14‬, ‭17‬, ‭19‬, ‭23‬-‭24‬ ‭ESV‬‬

With these blessings that we received from Paul let us also remember the blessing that we communicate with others. Now that I am a father as well, I try to give small nuggets of wisdom each time my kids go on a trip or away from me for a period of time. Each one of these times I remember their face, their hug, and their smell.

I have learned not to take goodbyes and hellos for granted. I have learned that these special moments, even though they might take a moment to do these could be the things that last for a lifetime in my memory.

Lord allow us to be with you and be with others in our most vulnerable spots. Allow each of the conversations that we have to be meaningful and to be remembered. Allow us to enjoy each other as if each moment could be our last. May you continue to smile upon us and give us grace and give us peace. Amen.

Be blessed.

1 Corinthians 13

The first thing I thought of after reading 1 Corinthians 13……who stood up and read this at my wedding??  I can’t be the only one that thought about weddings!  Second thing I thought of and went straight to spotify to play for some inspiration…..Alan Jackson – Where Were You When the World Stopped Turning?  Heck, I just listened to it again.  That song in itself can be the summary of this chapter!

Paul reminds us all that without LOVE, nothing else matters.  Love is patient, love is kind.  I was told to be patient and kind as young as I can remember.  My wife still tells me that today.  We tell our kids that.  Love doesn’t envy or boast meaning don’t show off or resent other people.  Again, things and principles we were told growing up and what we continue to tell our children.  I feel like from now on I should say to my kids each day on the way out the door, “First Corinthians, chapter 13!”, but it doesn’t quite have that ring to it.

I think the word love can be abused, overused, taken advantage of.  We need that reminder of what the bible says it means and Paul does that here.  Many things like knowledge, prophecy, and spiritual gifts are temporary.  But LOVE is eternal.  Someday, when we fully understand everything and see God face-to-face, we’ll realize love was the most important thing all along.

We all certainly know what love is and what it means when it comes to our loved ones or special events like the birth of a newborn or the day we get married.  But what Paul does here is go a little deeper and reminds us about that Alan Jackson type of love that we need to show towards everyone.  It is not just about the love on the good days and people that are close to you but also the love on the not so good days and everyone else in the world.

Country music fan or not, I urge everyone to listen to that song at least once today and reflect on where and how you show your love to those around you and those far away.

Faith, Hope and Love will always matter, but LOVE is the greatest.  It is the foundation of real relationships, real growth, and real faith.

Today’s Reading: 1 Corinthians 11

How awesome that by the publishing of this post, we will celebrate the marriage this weekend of our daughter. We are very blessed and happy that our daughter is marrying a Godly-man and their faith in Jesus Christ is a central part of their relationship. Praise God!

Marriage, as designed by God, is a sacred covenant that reflects His character, order, and love. From the beginning, Scripture teaches that marriage is not merely a social contract, but a divine institution created by God to unite a man and woman in a lifelong, faithful partnership (Genesis 2:24). At its core, marriage reflects the covenant relationship between Christ and His Church (Ephesians 5:25-32), built on love, sacrifice, mutual respect, and spiritual unity.

God’s design for marriage begins with headship and partnership. In 1 Corinthians 11:3, Paul outlines a spiritual order: “the head of every man is Christ, the head of a woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.” This structure reflects not superiority, but divine alignment. Just as Jesus submits to the Father in love and unity, so are husbands called to lovingly lead their wives, and wives to respond with respect and support. This mutual submission (Ephesians 5:21) fosters unity, trust, and flourishing.

Marriage is also a sanctifying relationship, where both spouses are shaped more into the image of Christ. Through selfless service, forgiveness, and shared spiritual pursuit, a husband and wife grow in faith together. God calls couples to love each other deeply, bear with one another’s weaknesses, and remain faithful through all seasons.

At its heart, God’s spiritual design for marriage is about reflecting His love to the world. A Christ-centered marriage puts God first, values prayer and Scripture, and commits to building a home grounded in grace and truth. It is a daily choice to love as Christ loves—sacrificially, joyfully, and unconditionally.

When couples honor this design, their marriage becomes more than companionship—it becomes a testimony of God’s glory, faithfulness, and redeeming love.

Written with the assistance of ChatGPT

1 Corinthians 8 (Wednesday June 4th)
To preface this entire post, I want us all to read 1 Cor. 10:31, “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” Be above reproach. Be a man or woman of good reputation because you represent our great God.

If you have been a Christian for any amount of time, you have had the question okay well what do I do if the Bible doesn’t talk about a certain topic? For example, the Bible doesn’t always give us specific verses on if you can or cannot take in certain media, to smoke, to drink alcohol (the Bible clearly warns against getting drunk Eph. 5:18), and many other hot topics in our culture. So, what do we do?

This passage of scripture was specifically for the Corinthian church. There were many pagans turned Christians in this church. Something that they would have done in their previous worldview was to sacrifice meat to the various idols they worshipped. Then that same meat would be sold in the market. So, the Christians are now asking okay now that we worship Jesus, can we still eat this meat, or should we not eat this meat? Paul’s answer is simple. He says that some people have the knowledge in their heart and mind that all other idols are not true gods, therefore their conscience is not weak when they eat the meat that was offered to these idols. Then there are the people who may have practiced the actual offering before and their conscience is weak towards this practice because it reminds them of idolatry they previously committed.

So, let’s make this more personal. Say you had a sin struggle with getting drunk before you came to Christ for salvation. Now after you are a Christian, you understand that just having a drink is okay, but because you have abused it, your conscience is weak towards even having a drink. Obviously that Christian should not drink because going against their conscience would be sin.

Now, Paul goes back to everyone and clarifies some things.

1. Our freedom should not be a stumbling block for another Christian (v.9).
2. Give up your freedom for the sake of others (v.13).

So, to put this all together, there are some areas where you have freedom to trust your conscience that God created in you and the Spirit He put in you. BUT you should never favor your liberty over your brother and sister in Christ. AND you should be willing (not that you must) to give up your liberty, even though your conscience is not weak, for the sake of someone else.

1 Corinthians 5

The Corinthian church turned a blind eye to the reckless behavior of some of its members. ‘We are all Christians,’ they reasoned. But over time, sin became normalized. What once shocked them now seemed ordinary. A few had infected the whole.

Could the same be happening in your church? Maybe — but the first place to look is within.

Where are you making small compromises?

• • “What you watch”
  • “What you listen to”
  • “What you say”
  • “What you do”
  • “Where you go”
  • “What you give – or withhold”

Small sins shape your soul — and our souls shape the church.