Category: Deuteronomy

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True Love & Kindness

We only have a few days left in our study through Psalm 119.  It has been such a blessing to me and the Lord has reminded me of truths He has shown me in the past and has brought new wisdom. I have certainly enjoyed studying this chapter of God’s Word.

“Look at my suffering and rescue me. I have not forgotten your teachings. 154 Argue my case, and set me free. Let me live, as you promised. 155 The wicked have no hope of being saved, because they don’t follow your laws. 156 Lord, you are very kind. You always do what is right, so let me live. 157 I have many enemies trying to hurt me, but I have not stopped following your rules. 158 I look at those traitors and hate what I see, because they refuse to do what you say. 159 See how much I love your instructions! Lord, I know your love is true, so let me live.160 Every word you say can be trusted. Your laws are fair and will last forever.” Psalm 119:153-160

In reading through these verse I am caught by the last verse in this segment. “Every word you say can be trusted…”  Every word, EVERY word can be trusted!  “And will last forever”  FOREVER! Has forever come yet? No! Then God’s word still stands!

Remember yesterday when I mentioned that King David had only a few books of the Bible to study, let’s see what the Lord said about  enemies from studying Deuteronomy.

“The Lord will help you defeat your enemies who come to fight against you. Your enemies will come against you one way, but they will run away from you seven different ways!” Deuteronomy 28:7

Do you see why David implored the Lord for help? He had God’s word – he had a promise. David wasn’t being arrogant or demanding; he was confident that his God who had given him His Word would not lie but would do what He said He would.  David was believing God.

” God is not a man; he will not lie. God is not a human being; his decisions will not change. If he says he will do something, then he will do it. If he makes a promise, then he will do what he promised.” Numbers 23:19

You had to know that I was going to use this verse, my favorite verse. If this verse isn’t true then there’s no point in putting our faith in any of the others. Plain and simple, God doesn’t lie!

Just a few chapters later in Psalms David writes these thoughts.“I look up to the hills, but where will my help really come from? 2 My help will come from the Lord, the Creator of heaven and earth. 3 He will not let you fall. Your Protector will not fall asleep.” Psalm 121:1-3

David’s eyes were searching for help, extra troops, maybe even a neighboring king who came to assist in the battle. He knew that his help wasn’t dependent on others but on the Lord. It reminds me of the time when Elisha, the prophet’s servant saw they were surrounded by enemy soldiers. He was so fearful thinking they would be destroyed. Look what Elisha said.

“When Elisha’s servant got up the next morning, he saw that Syrian troops had the town surrounded. “Sir, what are we going to do?” he asked.

16 “Don’t be afraid,” Elisha answered. “There are more troops on our side than on theirs.” 17 Then he prayed, “Lord, please help him to see.” And the Lord let the servant see that the hill was covered with fiery horses and flaming chariots all around Elisha.” II Kings 6:15-17 CEV

Just in case you were a little uncertain about the Lord’s desire to help and deliver, read this.

“You can go to God Most High to hide. You can go to God All-Powerful for protection.
2 I say to the Lord, “You are my place of safety, my fortress. My God, I trust in you.”
3 God will save you from hidden dangers and from deadly diseases.
4 You can go to him for protection. He will cover you like a bird spreading its wings over its babies.
You can trust him to surround and protect you like a shield.
5 You will have nothing to fear at night and no need to be afraid of enemy arrows during the day.
6 You will have no fear of diseases that come in the dark
or terrible suffering that comes at noon.
7 A thousand people may fall dead at your side or ten thousand right beside you, but nothing bad will happen to you!
8 All you will have to do is watch, and you will see that the wicked are punished.
9 You trust in the Lord for protection. You have made God Most High your place of safety.
10 So nothing bad will happen to you. No diseases will come near your home.
11 He will command his angels to protect you wherever you go.
12 Their hands will catch you so that you will not hit your foot on a rock.
13 You will have power to trample on lions and poisonous snakes.
14 The Lord says, “If someone trusts me, I will save them. I will protect my followers who call to me for help.
15 When my followers call to me, I will answer them. I will be with them when they are in trouble. I will rescue them and honor them.
16 I will give my followers a long life and show them my power to save.” Psalm 91

I have lived this chapter, not perfectly, but lived it all the same. I’ve lived it facing reports of cancer, lived it facing broken bones, I’ve lived with my children facing childhood diseases, lived it in rattlesnake infested deserts, lived it in tornado ridden country, lived it in farmland facing drought! I’ve lived it through financial disaster, driving in blizzards and over hundreds of thousands of miles on the highway! I have lived it over the lives of my husband as a peace officer, my son as a firefighter and my son-in-law and grandson in the military!

It’s too late to tell me that God’s Word isn’t practical or applicable for today! Yes, I have lived it  and this I know…

 

God is faithful and He does not lie!

 

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Building Trust – Piece by Piece

Our daughter recently completed a half marathon. She has been competing in this particular event for the last 8 years. Each year the finishers medal is shaped like the piece of a puzzle. When she completed the race this year she was able to join the pieces together and the puzzle was also complete.

That’s how I feel about the verses we have been studying in Psalm 119. Each segment is building upon the last. We are almost finished and each day, piece by piece, we are beginning to see the completed picture. A picture of trust, God’s word does not fail!

After reading through this morning’s verses, I began to imagine what it must have been like for David to “Study” the word.  All that was written of the Bible during his time was Genesis through Deuteronomy, Joshua, maybe part of Judges, Psalm 90 and Job.

Now I love Genesis, Exodus, parts of Deuteronomy and Joshua but find it a bit more difficult to get through Leviticus, Numbers and Job.  So when David says he got up early and stayed awake at night to think on God’s word, I wonder where  he spent most of his time?  I’m sure he spent time in Leviticus, the book filled with the laws God gave, because he, David, was always talking about “thy laws”.  And he probably spent time in Numbers; being a military man how many could be called to battle when needed.  As a king, ruling over a vast nation, I’m sure he spent time studying the geographic divisions in Joshua so that he would know the borders of the lands allotted to each of the tribes and also know the enemy nations that they had been commanded to drive out.

And as he studied, I’m sure his heart was stirred to praise and give glory and honor to his God. I’m sure that’s how the Psalms were written. That’s really important! When you read something in the Word that speaks to you personally, take time to pause and review it over and over, let it sink in to your heart and create a stirring in soul, let it renew your mind, giving you God’s thoughts to replace those of your own. And when the word sinks in, it will take root and begin to grow, just like a seed (hmm, I think I remember Jesus teaching about something like that), and it will bring a harvest of fruit in your life.  And when it takes hold it becomes so real, it brings a time of praise to God, that He would share something so precious, so marvelous with you and make it real to you.

“Lord, I call to you with all my heart. Answer me, and I will obey your laws. 146 I call to you. Save me, and I will obey your rules. 147 I get up early in the morning to pray to you. I trust what you say. 148 Late into the night I stay awake to think about your word. 149 I know your love is true, so listen to me. Lord, you always do what is right, so let me live. 150 Here come those who have evil plans to hurt me. They live far away from your teachings. 151 But you are near me, Lord, and all your commands can be trusted. 152 Long ago, I learned from your rules that you made them to last forever.”  Psalm 119:145-152

Recently I had opportunity to look at some physical circumstances that didn’t appear to be too pleasant. In fact, they could have been downright discouraging if I had allowed them to be but you know what God brought to my heart? Psalm 112  – the righteous man’s Psalm – and I refused to let my heart be afraid over evil tidings and had it firmly fixed on God’s word.  Then instead of fear, faith came! God’s word is sure and certain, every other thing – circumstance or report, is subject to change.  God’s word stands forever.  His promises will not fail; written thousands of years ago they contain the same God-breathed power today that they had at their penning.

“We never give up. Our bodies are gradually dying, but we ourselves are being made stronger each day. 17 These little troubles are getting us ready for an eternal glory that will make all our troubles seem like nothing. 18 Things that are seen don’t last forever, but things that are not seen are eternal. That’s why we keep our minds on the things that cannot be seen.”  II Corinthians 4:16-18

I am sure that David was fully acquainted with Moses writings to the children of Israel and that is why he made it his life’s goal to know God’s word and keep it close. Once again, using my imagination, I can see King David up early this morning and reading…

“11 “This command that I give you today is not too hard for you. It is not a secret hidden in some far away land. 12 This command is not in heaven so that you should say, ‘Who will go up to heaven for us and bring it to us, so that we can hear and do it?’ 13 This command is not on the other side of the sea so that you should say, ‘Who will go across the sea for us and bring it to us, so that we can hear it and do it?’ 14 No, the word is very near to you. It is in your mouth and in your heart. So you can obey it.

15 “Today I have given you a choice between life and death, success and disaster. 16 I command you today to love the Lord your God. I command you to follow him and to obey his commands, laws, and rules. Then you will live, and your nation will grow larger. And the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to take for your own. 17 But if you turn away from your God and refuse to listen, if you are led away to worship and serve other gods, 18 you will be destroyed. I am warning you today, if you turn away from God, you will not live long in that land across the Jordan River that you are ready to enter and take for your own.

19 “Today I am giving you a choice of two ways. And I ask heaven and earth to be witnesses of your choice. You can choose life or death. The first choice will bring a blessing. The other choice will bring a curse. So choose life! Then you and your children will live. 20 You must love the Lord your God and obey shim. Never leave him, because he is your life. And he will give you a long life in the land that he, the Lord, promised to give to your ancestors—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”  Deuteronomy 30:11-20

 

This day – today – let the Word of God bring you life and blessings!!!

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God is Kind

A few months back Dave started building a workshop at the back of our property. The first step was to get the foundation level. This was time consuming. He worked for days in the hard ground, breaking it up, adding sand under the concrete pilings, every thing had to be level and on square. If it was out of level the rest of the building wouldn’t come together right.

That’s how it is for us. Our building of life must be on a true foundation. Built square and level.

“Treat me with kindness, Lord, so that I may live and do what you say. 18 Open my mind and let me discover the wonders of your Law.
19 I live here as a stranger. Don’t keep me from knowing your commands. 20 What I want most of all and at all times is to honor your laws.
21 You punish those boastful, worthless nobodies who turn from your command 22 Don’t let them sneer and insult me for following you.
23 I keep thinking about your teachings, Lord, even if rulers plot against me. 24 Your laws are my greatest joy! I follow their advice.” Psalm 119:17-24 CEV

Once again we must remember who wrote this Psalm, David, and what he had experienced in his walk with the Lord. Time and again, David faced adversaries greater in number or stature than he was. He needed to see God’s goodness each day for his survival. When he went to battle against Goliath, the odds were staggering but David was successful in the fight because he depended on the promises of God to bring the battle to a successful end.

I think we often forget that the people in the Bible were “real” people just like you and me. They had families, went out each day to do specific tasks and faced obstacles as great as any of the ones we face. David was underestimated and underappreciated by his family and those around him. They saw a boy who was curious about the battle, they saw a cocky teenager who was overly confident and thought he was bragging when he said he would fight the giant.

Seasoned soldiers were afraid to face down Goliath as he blasphemed God each day. The whole army trembled and here was this “kid” who jumped and said let me go fight him. “I’ll stop him from speaking against our God”. David wasn’t out for his own glory or elevate his family’s standing in the community. He just knew, deep in his heart, that he couldn’t allow this “uncircumcised Philistine” to defy the army of the living God. (I Samuel 17:26)

Now that may seem like an insignificant phrase at first glance but it has great meaning. The Israelites had practiced circumcision since the Lord made a vow or covenant with Abraham hundreds of years earlier. It was a sign that God had made a promise that He would protect and provide for them. He would fight their battles and keep them safe. God promised and that was good enough for David. What he saw when he looked at Goliath was a man who had no promise from God but he did and that gave him the confidence to put his life on the line. God would go with him – he would succeed.

David knew he had a covenant, a contract, with God. That same covenant holds true for us and has even been expanded to greater depth because of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. Hebrews says we have a great covenant built on better promises!

I pray verses 18 and 19 all the time. Open my eyes to see your wonderful promises. Each time I read the word there are new discoveries that God brings out. It’s so great to read a book and have the author “in residence” to teach me exactly what was meant by what He wrote.

Verse 20 might need a little explanation. When Moses was giving instruction to the Israelites before they went in to the “Promised Land”, he gave them this admonition. “I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing, choose life”. Folks aren’t cursed because God is angry with them or because “fate” wasn’t on their side. There are two sides to the coin – living blessed or living cursed – and we are the ones who get to choose. The proud made a choice; they chose to live dependent in their own intellect and independent of God’s guidance and direction. Just like our friend Goliath, depending on your own strength and knowledge will prove disastrous.

David knew doing things God’s way, following His laws and commands would look foolish to outsiders. Even his own brothers thought he was being arrogant and foolish when he said that he would fight Goliath. People are doing the same today; shaking their heads saying we’re old fashioned, our ideas and stand for godliness is antiquated. But GOD… I will follow God any day – His word has never failed.

Following God’s word, obeying His leading brings us to a place of rest and yes, joy. It feels so good to know that we don’t have to depend on our own efforts but that He is there to protect and provide.

Homework today. I would like you to read Deuteronomy 28 – find out what blessings God has for you to choose and what curses you can avoid. Get to know what God has promised so that in time of battle you know that you have been promised victory.

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Grateful for Age

This week I have had the opportunity to be with one of the youngest members of our family, Sam, and the oldest, my mother. What a joy to spend time with them both. Sam was depend upon us for most everything he needed; meals, help getting dressed, supervising his activities, bath time, bed time – you get the picture.

Mom, too, is at a point in her life where she is more dependent. She doesn’t drive anymore and she walks slower and needs help getting around but her mind is still sharp and her memories bring her great joy.

I had fun telling Sam stories about Jesus, singing little choruses and praying with him. Praying for him to grow into a man that loves the Lord, honors his parents and impacts his world. And then I also had the opportunity to listen as Mom told me of her love for the Lord, her prayers for her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Her desire is to live her days as an example of God’s love and goodness. She said she can’t be burdened down with worry but instead has to trust the Lord to reach her family with His love so that each one is with her one day in heaven.

Both the youngest and the oldest have a quiet trust in the Lord, for that I am truly grateful!

“Praise him, young men and women, old people and children.
13 Praise the Lord’s name! Honor his name forever!
His name is greater than any other.
He is more glorious than heaven and earth.” Psalm 148:12-13 ERV

All through the Bible we find the older teaching the younger. There is a constant instruction to remind the younger ones of the milestones in life. Moses taught the people that they should be talking of the things of the Lord when they came in and when they went out; when they got up in the morning and when they went to bed at night.

“Always remember these commands that I give you today. 7 Be sure to teach them to your children. Talk about these commands when you sit in your house and when you walk on the road. Talk about them when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them on your hands and wear them on your foreheads to help you remember my teachings.” Deuteronomy 6:6-9 ERV

I’m thankful that my parents and grandparents taught me to love the Lord and I’m grateful for the opportunity and the responsibility to teach my children and grandchildren of God’s goodness!

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Over and Over!

Do you get tired of hearing the same thing over and over? You remember – brush your teeth, look both ways before crossing the street, put on your seat belt, don’t run with the scissors, don’t ride your bike in flip flops. The list goes on and on.

Most of the things were learned by repetition we didn’t have to learn by experience. You know the old adage – learn by my mistakes. And isn’t this the reason we are mentored or tutored? We learn from someone else by example and experience.

Sometimes when I sit to write in the mornings I find myself saying to the Lord “but I’ve already told them that last year, last month, yesterday. Do I really need to go over it again?” And then creation reminds me that we learn from repetition.

There are only 4 seasons. It doesn’t take long to learn what to plant when – time to get out the jackets and long sleeve shirts, that those are rain/snow clouds and this is going to be a warm day. Yes, we learn by repetition of natural events so we should also learn by repetition of godly principles as well.

“But you must be strong and brave about obeying the commands my servant Moses gave you. If you follow his teachings exactly, you will be successful in everything you do. 8 Always remember what is written in that book of law. Speak about that book and study it day and night. Then you can be sure to obey what is written there. If you do this, you will be wise and successful in everything you do. 9 Remember, I commanded you to be strong and brave. Don’t be afraid, because the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:7-9 ERV

Study God’s word everyday. That means repetition! Go over it again and again. Stay with the things that work.

““Now, if you will be careful to obey the Lord your God and follow all his commands that I tell you today, the Lord your God will put you high above all the nations on earth. 2 If you will obey the Lord your God, all these blessings will come to you and be yours:

3 “He will bless you in the city and in the field.
4 He will bless you and give you many children.
He will bless your land and give you good crops…” Deuteronomy 28:1-4 ERV

There are a list of 12 verses of blessings in Deuteronomy 28 to those who learn to listen and obey the Lord. Repetition!

I had a woman ask me once how I study the Bible. I told her I found things that I needed in my life and looked up the verses that dealt with those issues – worry, fear, health, joy, marriage, children, peace – and the list goes on. I would find verses that helped with those areas and write them on an index card and I kept those cards with me all the time. They were in the truck, in my purse and on the tractor. They sat on my desk and in my kitchen. When I would feel overwhelmed in a situation I would grab the cards and read God’s word to myself, reminding me that God has a plan and He is working on my behalf. Over and over again – repetition.

“My son, pay attention to what I say. Listen closely to my words. 21 Don’t let them out of your sight. Never stop thinking about them. 22 These words are the secret of life and health to all who discover them. 23 Above all, be careful what you think because your thoughts control your life.

24 Don’t bend the truth or say things that you know are not right.” Proverbs 4:20-24 ERV

Find a modern version of the Bible if the King James language is too hard to understand and read what the Lord has to say about your situation. You don’t need to read chapter after chapter if you don’t understand it. Read a couple of verses and let them stick with you all day.

These truly are the words of life and we need to apply them over and over again!

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God Is Faithful

God is faithful. That’s His nature, His character! When we stop to wonder “if” God will come through this time – remember His faithfulness. “Will” he be there for me?

Not sure who woke up this morning questioning and wondering if God was still there, if He could still be trusted, but whoever you are let me tell you that He is – He is the great I AM.

““So remember that the LORD your God is the only God, and you can trust him! He keeps his agreement. He shows his love and kindness to all people who love him and obey his commands. He continues to show his love and kindness through a thousand generations, ” Deuteronomy 7:9

So many changes in our modern lives, it’s hard to imagine that God is ALWAYS faithful, He is ALWAYS the same.

” Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8


God is not a liar – His word is always true, you can count on Him! You can depend on His promises.
” God is no mere human! He doesn’t tell lies or change his mind. God always keeps his promises.” Numbers 23:19 CEV

Since the beginning of time the sun has come up every morning and set each evening, the tides ebb and flow, the seasons change but as constant as those things are they won’t last forever but God’s word will always remain the same.

“Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.” Matthew 24:35

You can depend on God’s faithfulness. He has always been there and will always continue to be!

“The Lord God says, “I am the Alpha and the Omega.[b] I am the one who is, who always was, and who is coming. I am the All-Powerful.” Revelation 1:8 ERV

Trust in Him today!

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