Category: Deuteronomy

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Legacy

Last night before I fell asleep I was thinking of my Dad and Mom and the legacy they left me. Tomorrow is the date of their marriage, they were married just short of sixty years when my Dad died in 2005.

They were both first generation Americans, born to Norwegian immigrants. They grew up on farms in Iowa and Minnesota. Dad was a husband, father, heavy equipment operator and mechanic. He built roads, dams, bridges and pipelines. Fishing was his passion, he enjoyed hunting, tinkering in his workshop and playing cards and dominoes with his friends. Mom was a wife, homemaker, school teacher, clerical worker and bank teller. She loved to bake, sew, knit, and read. She always enjoyed having the house full of family and friends.

My parents loved each other dearly and they practiced the art of forgiveness. They modeled, not a perfect life, but certainly a loving one. They were strict, we had rules. We learned to work hard, respect our elders, and obedience. They loved the Lord and honored His word. My brother, sister and I grew up in Sunday School and church. We learned to trust the Lord at an early age.

We weren’t perfect, each of us had times when we followed our own path without consideration for the Lord but we returned to serve Him.

Why am I taking this trip down memory lane this morning?

I want it to be an encouragement to young parents, to parents of teenagers, to parents of adult children, and to grandparents. My Mom and Dad prayed for us every day and they prayed for our grandchildren. Mom prayed over my oldest two children on their last visit with her before she died. She trusted the Lord to provide them with strength, courage and a lasting relationship with Him.

“Bring up a child by teaching him the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn away from it.” Proverbs 22:6 NLV

“I will make My agreement between Me and you and your children after you through their whole lives for all time. I will be God to you and to your children’s children after you.” Genesis 17:7 NLV

My parents molded my character with love and discipline. Dave and I followed that example and raised our children the same way and I am pleased to say that our children are raising and have raised their children the same way.

“And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 Keep these words in your heart that I am telling you today. 7 Do your best to teach them to your children. Talk about them when you sit in your house and when you walk on the road and when you lie down and when you get up.” Deuteronomy 6:5-7 NLV

As parents the Lord has entrusted us with a responsibility to teach our children to love and honor Him and His word. There is no greater legacy!

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Are You Weary?

It seems I have been writing about weariness or the need to rest quite frequently lately. It must mean we have some weary readers out there.

Fatigue is real. Weariness is real. That’s why God so wisely instructed us to rest.

“Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 You have six days each week for your ordinary work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the Lord your God. On that day no one in your household may do any work. This includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, your livestock, and any foreigners living among you. 11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them; but on the seventh day he rested. That is why the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy.” Exodus 20:8-11 NLT

Resting on the Sabbath, the Lord’s Day, was given for our benefit. God rested and so should we. If asked, many people could come up with a number of the Ten Commandments – don’t lie, steal, murder, don’t have an affair, don’t swear, honor your parents – but one that is often overlooked is resting.

We get up early and stay up late. We fill our days with multiple activities, we pride ourselves by being the “masters of multitasking”. We can be fixing breakfast, answering emails, making lunches for the kids and doing our on-line banking all at the same time and we wonder why we feel overstimulated before 8 am. Then we lay down at night still answering emails or texts and doing one final internet search.

“It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones.” Psalm 127:2 NLT

Setting aside time, dedicated strictly to the Lord, reminds us that He is worthy of worship. It is a weekly reminder that our blessings and strength come from the Lord. He is the one who supplies what we need. He gives us wisdom and insight. He provides us with health and goods. He is our source of joy, peace, kindness and understanding.

“ Remember that you were once slaves in Egypt, but the Lord your God brought you out with his strong hand and powerful arm. That is why the Lord your God has commanded you to rest on the Sabbath day.” Deuteronomy 5:15 NLT

We haven’t been in physical bondage like the Israelites were in Egypt but oftentimes we are enslaved to appointments, deadlines, obligations and responsibilities that God never intended for us to take on.

When we stop for that “day of rest”, we can focus on the One who causes us to rest in green pastures, beside still waters and restores our soul.

“For I have given rest to the weary and joy to the sorrowing.” Jeremiah 31:25 NLT

Make time to rest – remember, that’s an order from God, Himself.

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Family Time

Dave and I arrived at the racetrack yesterday afternoon. It’s one of those things we do twice a year with our oldest daughter and her husband. It’s family time!

We are so appreciative to have one on one time with each of our kids. I’m not saying it isn’t fun when we are together in a group but it’s harder to focus on individual, quality time. In fact, we are very blessed to be living close enough to each of our daughters that we have this kind of time to share. Just a week ago, we were able to spend the afternoon playing at the park with our youngest daughter’s family.

It used to be the mind set of some Christians that all they needed was to go to church on Sunday and they were good. Well, one day a week in a group setting is nice but I enjoy the one on one time with the Father.

“Know then that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God. He keeps His promise and shows His loving-kindness to those who love Him and keep His Laws, even to a thousand family groups in the future.” Deuteronomy 7:9 NLV

He wants to show us His loving-kindness – not only to us but to our families for a thousand generations. Amazingly, our heavenly Father is seeking time with us.

“Now all of us can go to the Father through Christ by way of the one Holy Spirit. 19 From now on you are not strangers and people who are not citizens. You are citizens together with those who belong to God. You belong in God’s family.” Ephesians 3:18-19 NLV

May I encourage you to carve out some time to hang out with the Father today. He desires the pleasure of your company!

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Pursued by Goodness

I just love it when I wake up singing praise to the Lord. It sets the tone for my whole day!

Sunday we sang a song that filled my heart and my soul. This morning it also filled my mind. I had to get up and just sit with the Father and sing it over and over to Him.

“Goodness of God” by Bethel Music

“And all my life You have been faithful, oh-oh-oh
And all my life You have been so, so good
With every breath that I am able
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God, yeah

‘Cause your goodness is running after, it’s running after me
Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me
With my life laid down, I’m surrendered now
I give you everything
‘Cause your goodness is running after, it’s running after me, oh-oh
‘Cause your goodness is running after, it’s running after me”

We are being chased, pursued by God’s goodness. This is the image that King David painted for us in Psalm 23.

“Surely goodness and mercy and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life,
And I shall dwell forever [throughout all my days] in the house and in the presence of the Lord.” Psalm 23:6 AMP

Goodness, mercy and unfailing love are sent to follow us all of our days.

Moses told the Israelites the same thing just days before they entered into the land of promise.

“Now it shall be, if you diligently listen to and obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all of His commandments which I am commanding you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. 2 All these blessings will come upon you and overtake you if you pay attention to the voice of the Lord your God. 3 You will be blessed in the city, and you will be blessed in the field.” Deuteronomy 28:1-3 AMP

Why is it, I wonder, that people are so ready to believe that God is looking for ways to punish us and not to bless us?

The Israelites had faced numerous hardships on their journey to the land the Lord had promised them. In fact, one king hired a prophet to proclaim a curse on them. (This just happens to be one of my favorite stories.)

Each time the prophet was supposed to pronounce a curse he would proclaim a blessing. The king became very angry and this is what the prophet told him.

“Then King Balak demanded of Balaam, ‘What have you done to me? I brought you to curse my enemies. Instead, you have blessed them!’…’God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through? 20 Listen, I received a command to bless; God has blessed, and I cannot reverse it!'” Numbers 23:11,19-20 NLT

The Lord has promised to fill our lives with blessings – unconditional love, forgiveness, peace, joy, provision. We are being pursued by goodness!

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Discover New Treasures

We had two of our youngest grandkids with us on Friday and Saturday. It’s always fun to see things through their eyes.

Dave and I took them in the side by side for a ride in the desert. We hadn’t gotten too far from the RV when we stopped to look for rocks and talk about the cacti. There we found a large number of quartz rocks and lava rock. Our granddaughter is particularly interested in volcanoes, so this was a real find for her. Our grandson is a learning sponge so everything we saw and explained was intriguing to him.

As we traveled down the road further, we discovered a catch pond filled with water. The road around the upper bank was narrow and rocky. I thought the kids might be a bit scared and I was ready with words of reassurance but then I heard our granddaughter giggle from the front seat and say, “Pappy this is fun”.

That’s how I feel when reading the Bible – it’s a new and exciting discovery!

“But there in these other lands you will look for the Lord your God. And if you look for him with all your heart and soul, you will find him.” Deuteronomy 4:29 ERV

The Psalms which were written by David are filled with his life experiences and how he trusted God. He includes his successes and his failures. It was important to him that others could learn by what he had faced. This morning I was drawn to Psalm 34 and I read it from several different translations. I really wanted to put down the whole chapter here because it is all so good but am only going to share the first eight verses and you can read the rest in your Bible or an on-line source.

“I will always praise the LORD. 2 With all my heart, I will praise the LORD. Let all who are helpless, listen and be glad. 3 Honor the LORD with me! Celebrate his great name. 4 I asked the LORD for help, and he saved me from all my fears. 5 Keep your eyes on the LORD! You will shine like the sun and never blush with shame. 6 I was a nobody, but I prayed, and the LORD saved me from all my troubles. 7 If you honor the LORD, his angel will protect you. 8 Discover for yourself that the LORD is kind. Come to him for protection, and you will be glad.” Psalm 34:1-8 CEV

Notice how the word LORD is in all caps. It means Adonai, all that God is – all of His attributes and power.

We praise the LORD because there is no one greater; we look to the LORD because there is no one with more power and wisdom; we honor the LORD because there is no one that deserves more reverence or respect. We discover the LORD and find that He is all loving, kind, merciful and gracious.

Take time to discover the LORD. Let Him reveal who He is and He can be all we need.

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Receiving and Giving

Several years ago, I wrote a book for the Advent Season. It is a 30-day devotional centered on the many gifts God has given us. He is a father who truly loves giving the best to his children.

“But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands.” Deuteronomy 5:10 NLT

However, He isn’t a selfish Father. He wants us to share the blessings we receive with others.

“Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.” Luke 6:38 NLT

Dave and I love to give. God has planted that in our hearts in a marvelous way but there was a time we had nothing to give, we had to learn to receive. Friends brought a trunk full of groceries and gifts to our door just before Christmas. They said “we were just in the neighborhood”. That wasn’t completely true, they lived over 45 miles away, but their hearts were linked to ours and they followed the Lord’s leading and gave.

When we learn to receive from the Father, we are then enabled to give according to the Father’s heart. He gives unconditional love. He gives safety and protection, He promises to provide our every need. He gives us joy unspeakable, freedom from fear and worry.

“How great is the goodness you have stored up for those who fear you. You lavish it on those who come to you for protection, blessing them before the watching world.” Psalm 31:19 NLT

Never despise the size of your gift, thinking it’s too small or insignificant. To someone with an empty pantry two cans of beans is a feast. For someone who has only a dollar left to their name a ten-dollar bill is a huge blessing. Someone who has lost their life’s partner and are having their first Christmas alone will be blessed to join your family’s celebration.

“You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” 8 And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.” II Corinthians 9:7-8 NLT

Give generously, not only at Christmas but all year through. Give what you have so graciously received from the Father. The blessing comes in giving what we have received!

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The Changing Lane

Last night we had a “good-bye” dinner for some of our host friends who will be leaving the mountain the end of this week. Things are beginning to change.

Each day we become more visually aware that Autumn is here and our mountain life is changing. I feel blessed that we are here to see God’s design of changing seasons but the goodbyes do tug at my heart.

“And evening passed and morning came, marking the third day. 14 Then God said, ‘Let lights appear in the sky to separate the day from the night. Let them be signs to mark the seasons, days, and years. 15 Let these lights in the sky shine down on the earth.’ And that is what happened.” Genesis 1:13-15 NLT

From the beginning the change of seasons was in His plan. It was established by His word and it has not changed. The Father’s faithfulness is unchanging.

“Understand, therefore, that the Lord your God is indeed God. He is the faithful God who keeps his covenant for a thousand generations and lavishes his unfailing love on those who love him and obey his commands.” Deuteronomy 7:9 NLT

Faithful and unfailing.

The question that came to mind the other day as I was driving up the lane to our campground was how many times have these trees’ leaves changed? Season after season, year after year, they from green to yellow and gold and then they fall to the ground, only to bud again in the Spring. They are a part of God’s plan and design. It was spoken at the beginning of time and the life of each subsequent generation of trees follows suit.

Why? Because God’s word established it. Established it in the same way that He established his love and faithfulness.

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 9 So do not be attracted by strange, new ideas. Your strength comes from God’s grace, not from rules about food, which don’t help those who follow them.” Hebrews 13:8-9 NLT

Jesus is always the same. Period. He does not change, season after season, year after year He remains the same. He is our example of the Father’s unfailing love, mercy and grace. His eternal purpose is to bring us into relationship with the Father. Our strength comes from God’s grace.

Our lane changes from green to gold. Some trees die and then new saplings sprout. One day it will all be gone but we have God’s promise that his word will never pass away.

“Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.” Matthew 24:35 NLT

When we put our faith and trust in Him, we have the promise of eternal life; a life in heaven surrounded by beauty, in the presence of God, Himself!

If you have trouble with change, put your hope in the One who never changes and whose Word will last forever.

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In the Fields

Do you possess a mental calendar? When you travel certain places do you have familiar memories that you can share with your family and friends? Is there a richness for times spent and lessons learned?

I do!

And so do some of the Bible’s leading characters. I’ll share just one.

“So Joshua called together the twelve men he had chosen—one from each of the tribes of Israel. 5 He told them, ‘Go into the middle of the Jordan, in front of the Ark of the Lord your God. Each of you must pick up one stone and carry it out on your shoulder—twelve stones in all, one for each of the twelve tribes of Israel. 6 We will use these stones to build a memorial. In the future your children will ask you, ‘What do these stones mean?’ 7 Then you can tell them, ‘They remind us that the Jordan River stopped flowing when the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant went across.’ These stones will stand as a memorial among the people of Israel forever.’” Joshua 4:4-7 NLT

The Lord’s promise had been fulfilled. The Israelites were now in the Promised Land. This was a land that had been promised to Abraham hundreds of years earlier. God was faithful to His word and Joshua wanted them to have an everlasting memorial of God’s faithfulness, a visible memorial that would last forever.

I have only stacked stones once but my memory serves as a constant reminder of the promises of God.

For instance, I remember the first time the verses of Deuteronomy 28 became a reality in my life. Dave and I were farming alfalfa for an absentee farmer in the Arizona desert. We had been listening to some teaching tapes on Victorious Christian Living, a new concept to us. It was there that these words came to life:

“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 28:2-4 ERV

Blessed in the city and in the fields…we spent a lot of time in those 900 acres of alfalfa. The Lord protected us, the crop and our children. We saw the land give amazing yields per acre. We were protected from storms and rattle snakes. We had good health and strong bodies.

When we drive through miles of open prairie now, I remember – “we are blessed in the fields”. When we drive the freeways I remember – “we are blessed in the city”. When I planted gardens in the backyard I remembered – “He blessed my land and gave me good crops”.

My favorite time is being in the fields. It’s there I remember I am blessed and not alone. My Father has given me a promise, one that I will never forget.

Take a little time today to stack some mental stones – stones which have spiritual meaning. Remember the promises of God!

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Mending Fences

All through the Bible we have verses that tell us to remember – remember the good things the Lord has done.

We are told to teach our children God’s ways; make sure they know of the times the Lord has delivered us, protected and provided.

“You must be very careful not to forget the things you have seen God do for you. Keep reminding yourselves, and tell your children and grandchildren as well.” Deuteronomy 4:9 CEV

“Someday your children will ask, “Why are these rocks here?” Then you can tell them how the water stopped flowing when the chest was being carried across the river. These rocks will always remind our people of what happened here today.” Joshua 4:6-7 CEV

So, this morning the Lord reminded me of a special time we experienced years ago, and I wanted to share it with you. Some of you have read it before but ask the Lord what He is wanting you to learn as you read it again.

I had the privilege to preach the funeral of a dear friend. This old cowboy had lived a good life but not always a godly one. In fact, it wasn’t until a couple years before he died that I had the opportunity to lead him to Jesus. How special it was to know that God’s love had touched this man’s life and that he accepted Jesus as his Savior.

Dave and I made the trip from Montana to Nebraska for the celebration of his life. I remember asking him just a few days before he died if he was ready to see Jesus and he responded with a resounding “Yes, I just didn’t think it would be this soon.”

When we entered the mortuary, I saw his favorite saddle was positioned at the end of his casket and tied to the saddle was a pair of fencin’ pliers. I wondered how many times he must have used those as he rode fence and checked on the cattle.

As I preached his funeral the next day, I made comment that Derald wouldn’t need those pliers anymore because there are no fences to mend in heaven. However, down here on earth we still need them.

How many times have I needed a pair of spiritual fencin’ pliers? How many times have I needed to have the lines around me pulled tight and secured, once again, to a strong post? How many times have I tried to grab a loose strand of wire with my hands and been stuck on the barbs?

“These two things cannot change: God cannot lie when he says something, and he cannot lie when he makes an oath. So these two things are a great help to us who have come to God for safety. They encourage us to hold on to the hope that is ours. 19 This hope is like an anchor for us. It is strong and sure and keeps us safe.” Hebrews 6:18-19

To me, hope is like a pair of fencin’ pliers. It pulls things up tight and keeps us for running off beyond the fence of safety that God has established for us.

God can’t lie. Trust His Word, pull your fence tight, and He will keep you safe and sure.

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Too Much

Yesterday evening some campers were returning from a walk to the lake and they stopped to tell us what they had seen. When they were standing at the lake’s edge, they had five or six osprey fly directly overhead.

They had told us, just the night before, they had hoped to see some and then tonight there they were. Their comment was “it was almost too much to take in”.

Too much!

Our Father is the God of too much.

“From far away, the Lord will appear to his people. The Lord says, “I love you people with a love that continues forever. That is why I have continued showing you kindness.” Jeremiah 31:3 ERV

“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 ERV

“This faith and knowledge make us sure that we have eternal life. God promised that life to us before time began—and God does not lie.” Titus 1:2 ERV

Too much! Too much love – it continues forever. Too much – His kindness extends to a thousand generations. Too much – He gives eternal life and He is always truthful, He cannot lie.

“Lord my God, you have done many amazing things! You have made great plans for us—too many to list. I could talk on and on about them, because there are too many to count.” Psalm 40:6 ERV

“There are many other things that Jesus did. If every one of them were written down, I think the whole world would not be big enough for all the books that would be written.” John 21:25 ERV

“The Lord’s kindness never fails! If he had not been merciful, we would have been destroyed 23 The Lord can always be trusted to show mercy each morning. 24 Deep in my heart I say, ‘The Lord is all I need; I can depend on him!” Lamentations 3:22-24 CEV

Too many great plans, too many miracles and good things; unending kindness, always trustworthy, daily mercy. He is ALL we need.

Too much – like the mountain skyline. Each day I stare, sometimes breathless, it seems impossible to take it all in.

“You, Lord, are my shepherd. I will never be in need…You honor me as your guest, and you fill my cup until it overflows. 6 Your kindness and love will always be with me each day of my life, and I will live forever in your house, Lord.” Psalm 23 CEV

We will never exhaust the mercy, the kindness, the provision or the love of our heavenly Father or of Christ Jesus, our Lord.

They have no end. They are simply too much!

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