When we are faced with a challenge in life, we need wisdom in order to navigate the situation. God has promised to help us to acquire true wisdom if we are willing to seek Him and ask for it, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5). There is a wisdom of this world, but this is not what God gives. In the centuries leading up to the time of the New Testament, the Greeks were known for their philosophy— literally, love of wisdom. In 1 Corinthians 1:21-25, Paul wrote:

For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

Worldly wisdom does not necessarily bring one to a knowledge of God; in fact, it may be a hindrance to saving faith.

When James speaks of the wisdom God gives, he is referring to a spiritually upright walk that glorifies God, a wisdom that shines forth in the midst of trials. The world has always had its “wise men” who in their self-interest are motivated by envy and live morally bankrupt lives. However, God’s wisdom produces righteous motives that produce harmony with God and others. Consider how James elaborates on the difference in James 3:13-18:

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Now more than ever we need this wisdom from above. While God promises to give it to those who ask in faith, that does not mean we do not have to work for it. We are taught to pray, “Give us this day our daily bread” (Mt. 6:11); yet, even though the Lord provides sun, rain, and a multitude of blessings we could not provide on our own, we must still labor so that we may eat (2 Thess. 3:10). Likewise, we must apply effort to learn from God’s word and the experiences of life in order to gain true wisdom. Lord, give us your true wisdom from above, that we may become more like you through each challenge of life.

-Mark Day

The following question was sent to me to be answered during the March 2020, 5th Sunday evening Question & Answer lesson. Due to the current Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation that began before that time, this question was not answered so I have chosen to answer the question in this month’s article. Question: “Homosexuality. Looking through Facebook I read something saying it being a sin may not be true.  So, instead of just pulling up my pant legs and jumping in, I decided to look it up.  Is this correct? Thank you.”

The questioner when asking the question inserted a link to a Wikipedia article they had referenced regarding this topic. One must recognize that there are articles on Wikipedia that are often written by those who are seeking to further their own agenda and are not written objectively. The only true source of what God thinks on a topic is to consult the Bible because that is God’s standard. So, we answer the question, “Is Homosexuality Sin”?

In Leviticus 18:22, 24, 26 we read, “Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination…Defile not ye yourselves in any of these things: for in all these the nations are defiled which I cast out before you…Ye shall therefore keep my statutes and my judgments, and shall not commit any of these abominations”. Leviticus 20:13 says, “If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.” Also, Sodom and Gomorrah clearly indicates God in the Old Testament did not approve of homosexuality and it was (is) sin.

In the New Testament we read in Romans 1:26-27, “For this cause God gave them up unto vile passions: for their women changed the natural use into that which is against nature: and likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another, men with men working unseemliness, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was due.” (ASV) Paul is describing that homosexuality is contrary to the natural order (i.e. against nature) started at the Creation, one man and one woman. See Genesis 1:26.

In 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 Paul told the Corinthian Christians “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators (a broad word for all sexual sin – JDS), nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate (i.e. passive homosexual partner – JDS), nor abusers of themselves with mankind (i.e. active homosexual partner – JDS), nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” To not inherit the kingdom of God means to die lost. Notice though, that some of the Corinthians needed to make a change and did so (and such were some of you). They were not “born that way” regarding any of the sins listed in Paul’s “sample list”. When they obeyed the Gospel (i.e. wash, sanctified, justified) their sins were forgiven. See Mark 16:16; Romans 6:3-4; 1 Peter 3:21.

The Lord has spoken, and He is clear that practicing homosexuality is sin, it is a choice. Nonetheless a person can choose to cease the practice of homosexuality (or any sin), obey the Gospel and be forgiven, and by remaining faithful, look forward to heaven someday, 2 Timothy 4:7-8. Turn from sinful lifestyles, turn to the Lord. We are praying for you.

-Jerry D. Sturgill

(An outstanding article on this topic can be found at Apologetics Press – http://apologeticspress.org, “An Investigation of the Biblical Evidence Against Homosexuality”)

When Joshua faced the daunting prospect of years of intense warfare in leading the children of Israel into the land of Canaan, God said to him:

Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (Josh. 1:7-9).

God would be with Joshua through the entire process and would make him victorious if he would be willing to go with God.

Of key importance to Joshua’s faithfulness to God was the Book of the Law. Joshua was to meditate on it day and night so that his thoughts would be shaped by God’s thoughts. Psalm 1:2 says of the righteous man, “But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night.” Instead of viewing Bible study as drudgery, the righteous person views it as a delight. As Joshua’s predecessor, Moses, reminded Israel, God gave the law for their good (Deut. 6:24; 10:13). Psalm 19:7-11 tells of the benefits of God’s law; it restores the soul, makes the simple wise, rejoices the heart, and enlightens the eyes. The law of Moses is still beneficial to us today; it produces comfort and hope (Rom. 15:4). When we realized how beneficial God’s word is to our souls, it will produce a desire to spend time with it; thus, we echo these sentiments: “Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day” (Psa. 119:97).

The New Testament portion of God’s word benefits us as well. Jesus said His words are “spirit” and “life” to those that hear them (Jn. 6:63). Faith comes from hearing God’s word (Rom. 10:17; cf. Jn. 20:30-31). If we are to grow as children of God, we must desire the pure milk of God’s word (1 Pet. 2:2). As Paul had his final meeting in Miletus with the elders of the congregation of Ephesus, he said, “So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified” (Acts 20:32).

Joshua was spiritually successful when he continued to meditate on God’s word, neither turning from it to the right or left. When faced with daunting prospects in our lives, we can be courageous and built up in faith knowing the Lord is always with us as we meditate daily upon His word: the Bible.

– Mark Day

How many times must God tell us something before we listen? When God states the same thing over and over again, it must be important information that we ought to focus our studies on! God, through His infinite wisdom and knowledge, knows that humans are forgetful. Most of us need reminded multiple times a day to take out the trash! As you study your Bibles, do you notice the reoccurring statements God has purposefully placed in His Book? They ought to stick out to us like a sore thumb, but the majority of us overlook them and fail to see the lessons God desires us to see.

God spoke through His prophets that the people of Israel during the time of Judges were doing evil in the sight of the Lord (Judg. 2:11; 3:7; 3:12; 4:1; 6:1). During the time of the kings, individual leaders were described as doing evil in the sight of the Lord as well (1 Kgs. 11:6; 15:26; 2 Kgs. 21:20; 23:32; 23:37). Notice first, God is aware of all things. Whether it is a nation, a small group of people, or individual persons; God knows what we do (Heb. 4:13). Though our deeds are not immediately punished on earth, they will be examined when we face the Judgment (2 Cor. 5:10). Make sure the evil you have committed is removed from your account by the blood of Christ! Secondly if there is an evil way of living, then there must be a right way. How can we know what is right in God’s sight? Read His word and obey it (Ps. 19:7-8)! Lastly, we must focus on teaching our youth about God. Once the generation who had served God with Joshua had died, a new generation arose who had no respect for the Lord (Judg. 2:10-11). If our children are to avoid doing what is evil in the sight of the Lord, then parents must educate them on what is right in God’s sight (Deut. 11:18-22).

How many times have you read in the Gospel of John, “His hour had not yet come”? It is written several times, but have you ever thought of what it is in reference to (John 7:6, 8, 30; 8:20)? Towards the end of Jesus’ life, His hour had come and it is made clear that this statement referred to His death and glorification on the cross. (John 12:23-33; 13:1; 17:1-5). Realize this; God had an ultimate plan and it was completed perfectly. God had set in motion the sacrifice of His Son for mankind before the world’s foundation (1 Pet. 1:18-20)! If God took such meticulous care of humanity since the beginning of time, why do we not trust that He will continue to take care of us today? Secondly, timing is everything. Jesus knew it was not yet time for His death. Even though He knew He must die, there were still many things He needed to accomplish! We all must face death and the Judgment to come (Heb. 9:27), but that does not mean we should neglect our responsibilities to God while we live! Live fully while on this earth, but make sure you live Godly; for that is all that matters in the end (Eccl. 3:1-8; 12:13-14). While one lives their life, God expects them to be working in His kingdom bringing other souls to Jesus (John 4:36-38; Matt. 28:19-20). Are you making use of the time God has given? Timing is everything; and if time is wasted God is not pleased (Eph. 5:15-17).

While studying the Bible, recognize that we should be digging deep into the Word. Would a gold miner simply scratch the surface and be successful? God’s Word is more precious and important than any gem or stone this world has to offer (1 Pet. 1:18-25). Notice the reoccurring statements found in the Bible, examine things with a microscope, apply the lessons learned to yourself, then take it to others. God speaks to us through His Son; what His Son said is recorded for us in the Bible (Heb. 1:1-2; John 12:47-50). Are you listening to what God has to say?

-Brandon Foresha

When Israel entered the promised land, the Lord cut off the waters of the Jordan river so the people crossed on dry ground (Josh. 3:14-17). God commanded a man from each tribe to take a stone out of the midst of the Jordan. Joshua relayed the Lord’s commands to Israel and explained, “…these stones shall be for a memorial unto the children of Israel for ever. And the children of Israel did so as Joshua commanded, and took up twelve stones out of the midst of Jordan, as the LORD spake unto Joshua, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel, and carried them over with them unto the place where they lodged, and laid them down there. And Joshua set up twelve stones in the midst of Jordan, in the place where the feet of the priests which bare the ark of the covenant stood: and they are there unto this day” (Josh. 4:7-9).

            In Joshua 22, the tribes of Reuben and Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh returned over the Jordan to the land they desired for an inheritance east of the river; they built an altar at the Jordan, not for sacrifice, but as a witness of the common heritage they had with the other tribes of Israel that were in the land west of the Jordan. Their concern was that their children and future generations would remember their tie with the other tribes (vv. 24-28).

            As generations come and go, truths that were once evident can become forgotten. After the death of Joshua and the elders that outlived Joshua, Israel forgot what the once knew, “And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the LORD, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel” (Judges 2:10).

            The need to be reminded of important truths is obvious from these accounts. Forgetfulness is not only a transgenerational problem, but can plague an individual’s life. While a man may have a memory of a past event, that does not guarantee that it will remain dear to him. Love can grow cold so that truths are no longer held fervently. What God has done for us must be more than facts that we are intellectually able to recite; it must be functional momentum of our entire lives.

            Christ instituted a memorial for His followers to remember His death until He returns (1 Cor. 11:23-26). The church gathers on each first day of the week to observe this memorial (Matt. 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:14-23; Acts 20:7). Is Christ’s death for you the driving force in your life? Or is there something else that occupies your heart and deepest aspirations? Perhaps one of the reasons we may often find ourselves worried, angry, or depressed is that we allow other loves to occupy center stage on our hearts. Our love for security, popularity, a relationship, money, control or whatever else we feel like we cannot live without comes to the forefront of our hearts and pushes Christ’s love for us demonstrated on the cross to the background. The fact that God loves you so much that His Son died for you on the cross so that you could have fellowship with Him should be the engine that drives your love and service to God and others. Will you let your heart be reminded of this most-important truth today as we partake of the Lord’s Supper?

-Mark Day