Terry Scheuffele

Be Strong and Courageous:

The Lord Has Surely Given

Sunday, we will continue our sermon series entitled Be Strong and Courageous. Last week we discussed the leadership transition between Moses and his protégé, Joshua. Joshua had reason for anxiety because he was required to finish the task begun by Moses. However, Yahweh encouraged him to focus on the task ahead, prepare himself and Israel, trust God’s promises, and obey everything the Lord had said.

Sunday, we will consider two of these themes. Joshua’s preparation led him to send two spies into the city of Jericho. Their report reinforced Israel’s trust in the promises of God. All of this occurred by means of a very unlikely source – a Canaanite prostitute.

Joshua 2:1 Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from Shittim. “Go, look over the land,” he said, “especially Jericho.” So they went and entered the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there.

As Moses’ aide, Joshua was a trained general. He knew that reconnaissance was the first step before planning any battle. However, the victory against Jericho was not to be a human victory brought about by human plans. Consequently, the report of the spies brought no helpful information for the battle itself. Rather, it served to further encourage and embolden the people of God that even the enemy knew Yahweh was fighting for Israel and the inhabitants of the land trembled in fear.

All of this occurred because of Rahab, who the Bible calls a harlot. The word, harlot, could refer to a cultic prostitute, who served in the ritual fertility rights of Canaanite religion. However, it appears that Rahab used her home in her business. One might even envision close proximity to a bar. In my imagination, I see her as a “Miss Kitty” type character as depicted in the old western, Gunsmoke.

The spies, when in Jericho, first go to her establishment. With men coming and going (especially if there was a bar involved), this would seem to be a good starting place to collect information. It would also be a great way to hide in plain sight.

While there, Rahab tells them how terrified the inhabitants are. She also makes a confession of faith in Yahweh. She is considered the first Canaanite “convert.”

Joshua 2:9-11 “I know that the LORD has given this land to you and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. 10 We have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely destroyed. 11 When we heard of it, our hearts melted and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.

The narrative of Rahab and the spies is told in vivid Hebrew story-telling fashion. It makes for a very intriguing story. The king learns of their presence (no doubt by some of the men frequenting her establishment). He sends a message for her to produce the men, but she lies and sends the king’s men on a “wild goose chase.” Anticipating a search, she hides the men under stalks of flax on her roof. When the “coast is clear,” she lets them down the wall on a rope through a window in her home. Though some scholars think otherwise, it appears she even negotiates her and her family’s safety as the men are dangling on a rope outside her window!

The story of Rahab and the spies functions in the text of Joshua as an encouragement for Israel that they can trust God’s promises. It is an encouragement for us as well.

Joshua 2:24 They said to Joshua, “The LORD has surely given the whole land into our hands; all the people are melting in fear because of us.”

Be Strong and Courageous! Joey

Be Strong and Courageous:

Moses, My Servant, is Dead

My next sermon series is taken from the book of Joshua; I’ve entitled it Be Strong and Courageous after the encouraging message God gave Joshua. We will be exploring leadership, God’s promises, God’s presence, God’s leadership, obedience, courage, and other related subjects. I encourage you to read through Joshua during the course of these lessons.

Joshua was a pupil and protégé of Moses. The Bible calls him his “aide.”

Exodus 24:13 Then Moses set out with Joshua his aide and Moses went up on the mountain of God. Exodus 33:11 The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent. Numbers 11:28 Joshua son of Nun, who had been Moses’ aide since youth, spoke up and said, “Moses, my lord, stop them!” Joshua 1:1 After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide….

Theirs was a mentor/mentee relationship. It evidently began when Joshua was very young.

Have you ever had a relationship like that? I have had several. Alvie Tate, an elder at my home congregation, encouraged and equipped me to lead singing, give Wednesday night devotionals, and teach class. My Mom and Dad encouraged and supported me. My paternal grandmother, Nanny, was particularly encouraging. I have had several teachers throughout my educational years who greatly influenced me: Claudia Murphy, Dowell Flatt, Winford Claiborne, Clyde Woods, Carol Osburn, Tommy Garrison, Evertt Huffard, and Dave Bland. Various church leaders have directed and supported me through the years: Ray Cox, Everett Gray, Bill Stough, Calvin Crim, Joe Cooper, Dennis Barr, Mike Osborne and, of course, the elders here at the Boise church. Some of these relationships were more than just an influence to me; they were truly mentor/mentee in their scope.

Mentor relationships, however, are meant to be temporary. Eventually, the pupil becomes the master or a master of what is taught. This is evident in the relationship between Barnabas and Saul in the book of Acts. Sometimes the mentor is taken away from us by death or distance. It is also the case that some mentors, being human, sin and fall from their influential position.

We feel hurt, confused and directionless when a mentor suddenly is taken from us. Suddenly or not, flying solo for the first time can fill us with fear and anxiety. Joshua is in this lonely place as his story begins.

Joshua 1:2 Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them– to the Israelites.

Notice how many times God encourages him in the first few lines of this book.

Joshua 1:5 As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Joshua 1:6 Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people. Joshua 1:7 Be strong and very courageous. Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.

What do you do when faced with a daunting task without your usual support system? I will discuss four strategies in my lesson Sunday. (1) FOCUS — Stay focused on what God has led you to do. (2) PREPARE – You have been trained; use your training to get ready. (3) TRUST – God has promised to be with you; trust his leading and provision. (4) OBEY – Do what God has commanded you to do.

Be Strong and Courageous! Joey

The Gospel of Jesus Christ

Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel
I preached to you, which you received
and on which you have taken your stand.
2 By this gospel you are saved,
if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you.
Otherwise, you have believed in vain.
3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance:
that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,
4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day
according to the Scriptures…
1 Corinthians 15:1-4

….

The beginning of the gospel
about Jesus Christ, the Son of God
Mark 1:1

….

And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached
in the whole world
Matthew 24:14

….

Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.
Mark 16:15

….

I am not ashamed of the gospel,
because it is the power of God for the salvation
of everyone who believes…
18 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all
the godlessness and wickedness
Romans 1:16-18

….

This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven
in blazing fire with his powerful angels.
8 He will punish those who do not know God
and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.
2 Thessalonians 1:7-8

Important Business

On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them.

24 When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. 25 You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David: “‘Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? 26 The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against his Anointed One.’ 27 Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. 28 They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen.

29 Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. 30 Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

….

32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. 34 There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need. 36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement), 37 sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.

Acts 4:23-37

Sunday we discuss how the early church took care of important business.

Please Join us! Joey

These Three Remain: Faith, Hope and Love

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels,
but have not love,
I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.

If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries
and all knowledge,
and if I have a faith that can move mountains,
but have not love, I am nothing.
If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames,
but have not love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy,
it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking
is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts,
always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails.

But where there are prophecies, they will cease;
where there are tongues, they will be stilled;
where there is knowledge, it will pass away.
For we know in part and we prophesy in part,
but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears.

When I was a child, I talked like a child,
I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child.
When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.
Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror;
then we shall see face to face.
Now I know in part;
then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.
But the greatest of these is love.

1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Sunday we conclude our series on Faith, Hope and Love.

Please Join us! Joey

These Three Remain: Faith, Hope and Love

Romans 5:1-5 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

Hope is another one of those topics with so much information, that it could fill an “all day sermon.” However, we will restrict our time Sunday to Romans 5:1-5. Our series text is 1 Corinthians 13:13, Now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. We are looking at things that last. There are so many things we could choose to change about ourselves, most of them good, but Paul tells us that faith, hope and love are among the few things that will last. Why build our lives upon things that are transient and temporary when we can choose things that last.

Last week we spoke of faith – covenant faith (saving faith in Jesus), epistemological faith (perceptive faith – recognizing the biblical worldview in life), and eschatological faith (faith that trusts God to eventually answer all our questions and make all things right). This last type of faith is what creates hope for the child of God.

Romans 5:1-5 mentions all three dimensions of faith and introduces our Christian hope. We are justified by faith in the finished work of Christ. We are introduced to God’s perspective (world view) regarding human suffering and how that leads us to our eschatological faith/hope in the glory of God which will be ours on the last day.

We can rejoice in our sufferings because we know where they lead the child of God—perseverance, character, and finally hope.

Our hope is one that will not disappoint us because it is of di-vine origin. God floods our heart with love and hope through his indwelling Spirit.

No matter how hard life gets, how much we suffer and struggle, how difficult our pathway, or how dark the night becomes, we know that morning is coming and it will not disappoint!

I’ll say more in my lesson, Joey

These Three Remain:

Faith, Hope and Love

Friday, January 10, 2025, is Quitters Day. It is recognized on the second Friday of January to mark the date that most people give up on their New Years Resolutions. According to Statista, the six  most common New Years resolutions are:

1. Save more money (21%)
2. Eat healthier (19%)
3. Exercise more (17%)
4. Lose weight (15%)
5. Spend more time with family/friends (14%)
6. Quit smoking (9%)

These are all good resolutions and worthy of embracing. Christians often add to this list a number of spiritual ones like the following.

1. Spend more time with God (pray more, read Scripture).
2. Develop Christian Relationships (avoid negative influences).
3. Be more Mindful, Intentional, Reflective (journal, plan, set goals).
4. Repent of/Avoid Sinful Practices or Bad Habit.
5. Reach out More to Others (Serve, Evangelize, Teach).

However, most of these resolutions soon fall to the wayside. Many don’t even last past the second Friday in January – Quitters Day. It is for this reason I have always had a love/hate relationship with resolutions. I have not given up on self-improvement, but I realize that sometimes we “bite off more than we can chew” as we make our list of goals.

This year, I am doing something different. In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul contrasts flashy, temporary things with things that will last.

1 Corinthians 13:8-13 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I  thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12 Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Beginning Sunday, I want to talk about three words that for the Christian promise stability and permanence. I want to orient my life around these three foundational concepts. Faith, Hope, and Love. For the next three weeks, we will discuss each one of these in succession. I hope you will join us for this series.

I’ll say more in my lesson, Joey

New Year, New Hope

This time of year it is easy to see the amazing beauty of God all around us. As the snow gracefully falls to ground with great intricacy, each uniquely formed flake accumulating all around us changes the scenery completely. A six-sided marvel, as individual as a fingerprint, screaming to the world how great our creator is. In Luke 19:38, as Jesus enters Jerusalem and the people are worshiping him for what he truly is, the Pharisees confront him. His response is “I tell you the truth, if my followers are silent the very stones will cry out”. God doesn’t need us; He doesn’t need you to show his greatness in the world but that is why we were created – to be his image bearers to the world. He wants us to be like Him in our love, action and deed. As we enter the new year let us choose to shine like stars in the universe (Philippians 2:12-16).

– Ryan Bier

A New Year and a New Hope

The beginning of a new year can bring many feelings – uncertainty, anxiousness, excitement, joy, and longing, just to name a few. There’s no better place to turn for inspiration in the year ahead than the Bible! Begin the new year with encouraging Bible verses to strengthen your faith, deepen your love, and increase your hope!

People all over the world express ways to change their lives in the form of making resolutions for these changes. They may be in the form of going on a new diet, creating a change jar where your intentions are not to say bad words, have a bad attitude or think bad thoughts.

Millions will start the year with these kinds of resolutions and goals for change and better living – healthy eating, better financial planning, or better time management. What if your resolution was to know God better and walk in His plan for your life? God is the author of new beginnings and it’s never too late for Him to change your life!

Scripture is full of amazing guidance for transforming your life with a fresh start. Because of the life Jesus lived and his sacrifice for us, the free gift of salvation and new life in him is ours. The Bible tells us that we are a new creation, Be inspired throughout the New Year as you meditate on the promises of God in the Bible.

If you’re looking to refresh your spirit and find guidance, turning to the Bible can be a comforting and wise choice. Reflect on the past year and see how far you’ve come. It’s a time to acknowledge both joys and challenges. As you do, consider setting resolutions that draw you closer to Christ. Trust that embracing spiritual growth and living in the Spirit can deepen your relationship with Him. Surround yourself with a supportive community, seeking counsel in God’s Word to uphold your New Year’s resolutions.

Consider these Scriptures as you look forward to the New Year.

New Year Bible Verses

2 Corinthians 5:17 – Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

Isaiah 43:18-19 – “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.

Jeremiah 29:11 – For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Revelation 21:5 – And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

The True Meaning of Christmas

Christmas is one of the most important Christian and cultural holidays of the year, but often people ask, what is the true meaning of Christmas? For Christians, the true meaning of Christmas is the celebration of the Savior, Jesus Christ.

The meaning of Christmas can vary for different people and cultures, but it is generally celebrated as a Christian holiday that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ. For Christians, Christmas is a time to reflect on the significance of Jesus birth emphasizing themes of love, peace, and goodwill toward all.

Beyond its religious roots, Christmas has evolved into a widely celebrated cultural and festive occasion in many parts of the world. It often involves exchanging gifts, spending time with family  and friends, decorating homes with festive ornaments, and partaking in special meals and traditions.

Christmas has been commercialized for so many years and many people celebrate this holiday with the focus on Santa and the pressure and anxiety that comes with giving gifts and meeting unnecessary expectations. The message of Christmas often gets lost.

The former Rev. Billy Graham had this to say about Christmas.

In the midst of all upheaval, crisis, difficulty, problems, and fear comes the true message of Christmas with all of its hope, goodwill, and cheer. The message of Christmas has been terribly misapplied and misunderstood for many years. Some think of business profits, shopping, gifts, tinsel, toys, and celebration. Others think only of Bethlehem, of the star in the sky, shepherds in the field, and angels singing. Still others cynically ask, “Where is this Prince of Peace in a world filled with so much trouble?”

The real Christmas message goes far deeper. It heralds the entrance of God into human history. It is Heaven descending to Earth. It is as though a trumpeter had taken his stand upon the turrets of time and announced to a despairing, hopeless, and frustrated world the coming of the Prince of Peace. It answers all the great questions that plague the human race at this hour. The Christmas message is relevant, revolutionary, and reassuring to us today. I believe it can be summed up in three words: a cradle, a cross, and a crown.

On that first Christmas night, the Bible tells us about the angel coming to those fearful shepherds and saying, “Fear not, I bring you good news” (Luke 2). This is the true meaning of Christmas—the Good News—that God sent His only Son to Earth to save people from their sins. Christmas is not a myth, not a tradition, not a dream—it is a glorious reality.

The true meaning of Christmas is love. John 3:16-17 says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” The true meaning of Christmas is the celebration of this incredible act of love.