Title: This is love?/Topic: Love

Today’s Reading: Judges 9; Judges 10; Psalm 49; 1 Corinthians 16

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 16:14, 22
14 Do everything in love.
22 If anyone does not love the Lord—a curse be on him. Come, O Lord!

Observation: These two verses seem incongruent to me. We are told to do everything in love, and then, just a few verses later, Paul pronounces a curse on everyone who does not love the Lord. This is love? It certainly does not fit into my paradigm of what love is. How am I to synthesize these two statements? Paul is writing to a church. These people are already supposed to know the Lord. Perhaps he is saying that anyone who has known the Lord but whose love has grown cold is under a curse because he has left his first love and also because his witness to the world is poor at best. That idea would seem to be congruent with Rev. 3:16 where God says he will spit out of his mouth anyone who is lukewarm in his love toward God. But this may just be mental gymnastics on my part to make sense of these two scriptures.

Application: Questions like these are essential to my growing in wisdom and understanding of God. I have to be willing to struggle and wrestle with scripture in order to get a fuller picture of God, myself and my world. I also have to be okay with not knowing everything right now. I can have questions and still have a deep faith and trust in God. I don't have to have all the answers to still believe that the Word of God is true. As I grow in my understanding, many of my questions will be resolved. The rest will have to wait until I am with the Lord in heaven.

Prayer: Father, give me wisdom and insight into these verses. I really don't understand them very well. I want to follow you closely and do what is right. Thank you for allowing us to have questions. I trust you to bring me along in understanding your Word fully.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: Handling Depression/Topic: Inner Peace

Today’s Reading: Judges 8; Psalm 42; 1 Corinthians 15

Scripture: Psalm 42:5,6
5 Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and 6 my God. My soul is downcast within me; therefore I will remember you from the land of the Jordan, the heights of Hermon—from Mount Mizar.

Observation: David has figured out what to do when he is depressed. There were no doctors to run to in his day for mood-altering pills. He went to God. The Lord was his psychologist, psychiatrist and physician. David poured out his troubles to God and praised God for his goodness as an antidote for depression.
Application: God understands more than anyone else could about how I work. When I am “in the pits”, my first response needs to be just like David's --- run to the Lord. He is my source for healing.

Prayer: Thank you Lord for the healing power of the blood of Jesus for all areas of my life. When I focus on you, it is difficult to remain in a state of self-pity for you have given me all things richly to enjoy. Help me to maintain an attitude of gratitude and to praise you through all circumstances.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: Questions but No Answers/Topic: Mystery of God

Today’s Reading: Judges 6; Judges 7; Psalm 52; 1 Corinthians 14

Scripture: Judges 6:13
13 "But sir," Gideon replied, "if the LORD is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our fathers told us about when they said, 'Did not the LORD bring us up out of Egypt?' But now the LORD has abandoned us and put us into the hand of Midian."

Observation: Gideon asks a legitimate question. It's a question most of us ask at least once in our walk with God. “Why is this happening? Where are you, Lord?”. But God doesn't answer or even acknowledge Gideon's question. He just tells him to go do what he had been told to do. I don't know why God doesn't always answer our questions. It's a mystery. Instead of ridding Gideon of his doubts by answering his question, the Lord simply lets Gideon experience the delivering power of God through obedience. I would like all my questions answered, and I don't understand why God will answer some and not others, but I am glad God lets us ask without getting upset and that he still works through us as we obey him.

Application: Don't get upset when God seems to be deaf and not answering my questions. Keep on listening and obeying. God will deal with my questions in his time. Sometimes the answer will come just by watching what he does as I trust and obey.

Prayer: Father, I am glad that you let us ask all the questions we want. While I would love answers to them all, what I want most is for you to use me just like you used Gideon. Bring deliverance to others through me just as you did through him. Thank you Lord.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: Unfailing Love/Topic: God's Love

Today’s Reading: Judges 4; Judges 5; Psalm 39; Psalm 41; 1 Corinthians 13

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails.

Observation: What a wonderful definition of love! These are some of the very verses that have been used to bolster the idea that God's love for us is unconditional, especially the phrase from verse 5 that states “it (love) keeps no record of wrongs”. But I think that what God is saying is that love cannot be exhausted and it never gives up on someone. No matter how many times a person may sin or offend, love never gets to the place where it says, “That's it. You've done this one too many times and I'll never be taken in by you again. I'm done. My patience is worn out.” No, love always gives another chance, always believes that a permanent change for good has been made by someone who comes in repentance. Love doesn't say that something wrong is okay and doesn't deserve punishment or consequence because love rejoices in the truth. Thank God that love never fails! And thank God that his love IS conditional! Otherwise, evil would gain a foothold because our behavior wouldn't matter.

Application: Because God's love is conditional my behavior matters. I need to strive to live a holy life or there will be negative consequences. Because his love is unfailing, I never have to worry that I have blown it once too often and God will never have an intimate, loving relationship with me again. If I repent, I can be as close to him as I want to be. He is always available to me.

Prayer: Hallelujah! You are so wise and good and loving! Your ways are high above mine and I thank you for showing me this truth.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: What Goes Around Comes Around/Topic: Sowing and Reaping

Today’s Reading: Judges 1; Judges 2; Judges 3; 1 Corinthians 12

Scripture: Judges 1:6,7
6 Adoni-Bezek fled, but they chased him and caught him, and cut off his thumbs and big toes.
7 Then Adoni-Bezek said, "Seventy kings with their thumbs and big toes cut off have picked up scraps under my table. Now God has paid me back for what I did to them." They brought him to Jerusalem, and he died there.

Observation: Very interesting that this pagan king receives the exact punishment from the Israelites that he has inflicted on so many others. He reaped what he had sown. The law of the harvest is seen in its full effect in this story. It is an eternal law that God put into the fabric of the universe when he created it. The only time it is suspended is by his grace.

Application: The law of the harvest is still in effect today and I would do well to remember that. If I am critical of others, whether in public or in secret, I can expect that others will be critical of me. If I am greedy, I can expect to reap stinginess on the part of others toward me. If I am kind and generous, others will extend kindness and generosity toward me. If I extend grace, I will receive it back from others. If I am not getting what I want in life, I need to take a long look at what I am “sowing”.

Prayer: Father, I want to sow love, goodness, respect, generosity, faith, self-control, and all other good things. May I give them out in great measure, expecting the law of the harvest to give me back what I sow in abundance. Even when others give me grief in some way, may I invoke the principle of sowing and reaping by responding to their negativity with forgiveness, love and grace, knowing that you will pour more of those attributes back into my life as I do so. Thank you Lord for your goodness to me.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: The Myth of Unconditional Love/Topic: Love of God

Today’s Reading: Joshua 23; Joshua 24; Psalm 44; 1 Corinthians 11

Scripture: Joshua 23:16, 24:20, Psalm 44:26,
16 If you violate the covenant of the LORD your God, which he commanded you, and go and serve other gods and bow down to them, the LORD's anger will burn against you, and you will quickly perish from the good land he has given you."

20 If you forsake the LORD and serve foreign gods, he will turn and bring disaster on you and make an end of you, after he has been good to you."

26 Rise up and help us; redeem us because of your unfailing love.

Observation: I have heard it preached since I became a Christian that God's love is unconditional. No matter what we do, he will still love us. I just have never found support for that idea in the Bible. If God's love is unconditional, why would he ever turn his back on his kids and let them suffer as he did so often? Why would he threaten them with terrible consequences if they disobeyed? What the Word does talk about is the unfailing love of God. In other words, his love can never be exhausted. It is everlasting and will always be there for us if we meet his conditions. His conditions are quite clear: Obey! And when you don't, repent. Then you will be restored fully, forgiven fully, and received into his heart fully. His love will be yours along with a relationship with him that will be as if you had never wronged him. Unfailing love and unconditional love are two different things. With the former, a close relationship with God is always possible based on our choice to embrace his conditions for it; with the latter, he will love us no matter what we do (which isn't backed up scripturally as far as I can see).

Application: I think if we all understood the difference between these two kinds of love we would all be healthier emotionally. Unconditional love leads to dysfunctional codependent behavior that enables people to stay in a place of self-destructive behavior. Unfailing love means I draw proper boundaries for behavior and always keep a place in my heart for anyone who repents and embraces living and acting responsibly.

Prayer: Father, I want to love as you love. Help me to grow in my understanding of your love and embrace it completely. I thank you for your unfailing love that teaches me right from wrong and always receives me when I repent.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: Protect the Body/Topic: Obedience

Today’s Reading: Joshua 21; Joshua 22; Psalm 47; 1 Corinthians 10

Scripture: Joshua 22 :20
20 When Achan son of Zerah acted unfaithfully regarding the devoted things, did not wrath come upon the whole community of Israel? He was not the only one who died for his sin.' "

Observation: We are taught to mind our own business. But God makes it clear in his Word that when we sin, even in private, it affects other people. The Body of Christ, the Church, cannot be divided up. We are one whether we want to be or not and what I do, to some degree, will affect others in the Body. There needs to be a balance between “minding my own business” and confronting sin when we see it in others so that the whole Body doesn't suffer.

Application: If I want to have God's full favor in my life and the life of my church, I need to keep myself free from sin. I have a responsibility to others, as well as to God, to live in obedience to him. I also have a responsibility to confront sin in others when I see it in order to protect the Church. We cannot afford to turn a blind eye to sin to avoid offending someone; we need to be much more concerned about offending God.

Prayer: Father, I love you and I want to obey just because of that. But I also want to obey for the good of my brothers and sisters. Help keep me humble so that when I blow it I come to you in repentance and get cleansed and forgiven. And help me Lord to never become tolerant of sin in myself or others.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: In It to Win It/Topic: Discipline

Today’s Reading: Joshua 18; Joshua 19; Joshua 20; 1 Corinthians 9

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:25-27
25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. 27 No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

Observation/Application: My flesh takes no delight in these verses. Every time I read them I am reminded of all the ways in which I have yet to live up to my calling from God to live a disciplined life. I want the benefits of discipline, which are many, without the discipline! But God makes it clear that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I have to stop telling myself that I don't have what it takes to live the disciplined life I would like to have because that is a lie. When I succumb to living in an undisciplined manner I am allowing my crucified flesh to rise from the dead and live again (dead things that live again are what make horror movies). I need to embrace my “new man”, the one who lives for Christ and is full of spiritual power to live a resurrected life so that I may really do all the things I want to do and be fulfilled and happy.

Prayer: Help me Lord, to live by the truth of who I am in you; a disciplined, fruitful, warrior who wins the battles in life. I love you.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: No “Yeah, but”s/Topic: Action vs. Excuses

Today’s Reading: Joshua 15; Joshua 16; Joshua 17; 1 Corinthians 8

Scripture: Joshua 17:14-17
14 The people of Joseph said to Joshua, "Why have you given us only one allotment and one portion for an inheritance? We are a numerous people and the LORD has blessed us abundantly."
15 "If you are so numerous," Joshua answered, "and if the hill country of Ephraim is too small for you, go up into the forest and clear land for yourselves there in the land of the Perizzites and Rephaites."
16 The people of Joseph replied, "The hill country is not enough for us, and all the Canaanites who live in the plain have iron chariots, both those in Beth Shan and its settlements and those in the Valley of Jezreel."
17 But Joshua said to the house of Joseph—to Ephraim and Manasseh-"You are numerous and very powerful. You will have not only one allotment 18 but the forested hill country as well. Clear it, and its farthest limits will be yours; though the Canaanites have iron chariots and though they are strong, you can drive them out."

Observation: Ephraim and Manasseh were complaining to Joshua about the amount of real estate they had been alloted in the promised land. The bottom line is that they wanted Joshua to solve their problem. When he told them to drove out the inhabitants and work to clear the land for themselves they developed a case of the “yeah, but..”s. “Yeah, but I can't do that because ...”, there is always an excuse after a “yeah, but”. Joshua would have none of it. He put the problem back squarely on their shoulders to solve telling them that they were able to take care of it.

Application: There are a couple of lessons here. One is that I need to make sure that I am not a person always coming up with excuses as to why I can't do something. We have a responsibility to seek God's will and help in any undertaking but we still need to act. God can't bless what we never attempt. Another lesson is that when others come to me for a solution to their problems but show no interest in trying to help themselves (in other words they are giving me “yeah, but”s) I need to make sure I don't take on a burden that belongs to them.

Prayer: Give me wisdom and discernment Lord. I don't always see when others are trying to make their problems mine to solve. And give me courage to solve all of my own under your hand of direction and guidance. I don't want to be one who always has an excuse as to why I can't enter rest in my promised land.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: Remember and Celebrate /Topic: God's faithfulness

Today’s Reading: Joshua 12; Joshua 13; Joshua 14; 1 Corinthians 7

Scripture: Joshua 12:1
1 These are the kings of the land whom the Israelites had defeated and whose territory they took over east of the Jordan, from the Arnon Gorge to Mount Hermon, including all the eastern side of the Arabah:

Observation/Application: What follows this verse is a detailed list of all the kings that Joshua and the Israelites defeated in their battles. I've always thought of this chapter as quite boring and usually just skim it briefly. But the Lord spoke to me about the importance of celebrating every victory as I read it today. I need to celebrate and remember every victory he has given me in my life so that when I am facing new trials I have a history of the faithfulness of God that floods my mind and encourages me. I have never made a written record of God's faithfulness to me but that would be good also. My children and grandchildren would benefit.

Prayer: Help me to recall and celebrate every victory you give me Lord. They are far from boring. They encourage me and give me strength and faith to face new trials that come along. You are so good to me. Thank you for your victories and your faithfulness through all situations.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: Pray About the Obvious/Topic: Wisdom

Today’s Reading: Joshua 9; Joshua 10; Joshua 11; 1 Corinthians 6

Scripture: Joshua 9:14,15
14 The men of Israel sampled their provisions but did not inquire of the LORD. 15 Then Joshua made a treaty of peace with them to let them live, and the leaders of the assembly ratified it by oath.

Observation: Some things are just obvious and we don't need to pray about them, right? That's just what Joshua did in this story. It was obvious from the worn out clothes, patched wineskins and moldy provisions that these men had come from a far distance. No need to ask God about the wisdom of making a treaty with them. But Joshua was fooled. Everything the Gibeonites did and said was for the purpose of deceiving Joshua and his leaders. They relied on their own wisdom and senses to make their decision because the right thing to do was so obvious.

Application: I need to seek God's wisdom even about what seems to be obvious. He knows all things and I can be deceived just as Joshua was. Seeking God about a decision, even ones that seem like “no brainers”, doesn't bother him at all and it is protection for me. Ask, seek, and he will answer.

Prayer: Father, there have been way too many times in my life that I have made decisions based on my common sense and reasoning that have turned out to be wrong. Help me to learn the lesson of Joshua and to ask you about anything and everything. Give me favor and success in my life. Bless me Lord, and give me your wisdom in all things.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: But Why Us Lord?/Topic: Consequences of Disobedience

Today’s Reading: Joshua 7; Joshua 8; Psalm 69; 1 Corinthians 5

Scripture: Joshua 7:11, 12
11 Israel has sinned; they have violated my covenant, which I commanded them to keep. They have taken some of the devoted things; they have stolen, they have lied, they have put them with their own possessions. 12 That is why the Israelites cannot stand against their enemies; they turn their backs and run because they have been made liable to destruction. I will not be with you anymore unless you destroy whatever among you is devoted to destruction.

Observation: The Israelites get routed by a small army of men and Joshua and the elders come before God mourning and saying, “Why us Lord?”. God reveals to him that they have made themselves liable to destruction by disobedience. One person disobeyed, yet the entire group suffered as a result. When we disobey God, it always affects more than just us. It affects those we are connected to as well.

Application: I need to make sure I am being obedient to God in all the areas I know of so that I do not make myself and others liable to destruction. There are times when we all face trials and suffer for righteousness sake. But many times we (and those around us) suffer unnecessary destruction because of our own sin. When it seems I am dealing with being “piled on” by life, I need to stop and check to see if I have put myself in a position where I have made myself liable to destruction.

Prayer: Father, shine the light of your Spirit in my heart and reveal to me any areas where I have justified disobedience to you. I want to live a repentant lifestyle and turn from those things that would make me “liable to destruction”. There is enough hardship and suffering to go through in life that happens “for righteousness sake”. I don't need the other kind of suffering too. Thank you for your grace and your Word that reveals truth to us.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: Barefoot With God/Topic: Intimacy with God

Today’s Reading: Joshua 3; Joshua 4; Joshua 5; Joshua 6; 1 Corinthians 4

Scripture: Joshua 5:15
15 The commander of the LORD's army replied, "Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy." And Joshua did so.

Observation: I've always thought it strange that God would ask that Joshua (and Moses before him) to take off their sandals because the ground they were standing on was holy. I had a different thought as I read it today: God wants us to have full contact with all things holy. He doesn't want anything between us and him. His desire is that we be close, intimate, and cleansed (made perfect) by experiencing what holiness is. Shoes protect our feet from dirt and from injury. We need no such protection from God, yet our desire is often to hide from God and his holiness because we feel unworthy of it and are afraid of it (remember the reaction of the Israelites to hearing God speak to them from the cloud at Mt. Sinai? They told Moses to speak to God for them so they wouldn't have to listen to his voice anymore; it frightened them).

Application: Embrace holy moments. I am changed when I am in the presence of my holy God. Don't try to conceal or hide anything from him. When I find myself in a place where I sense the holiness of God, that is the time to “bare my feet” and come into his presence with no protection, no cover, and humbly experience his power to restore and change me. He wants me to be intimate with him, not covering anything but exposing myself fully to him.

Prayer: Father, give me more and more holy moments where I experience your complete wholeness and restoring power in my life. I want no protection from you. May I experience “full body contact” with your Holy Spirit.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: Wise Advice/Topic: Focus

Today’s Reading: Joshua 1; Joshua 2; Psalm 37; 1 Corinthians 3

Scripture: Psalm 37:1-6
1 Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong; 2 for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away. 3 Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. 4 Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: 6 He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.
Observation/ Application: The point of these verse is pretty straight-forward. Don't waste your time worrying about evil men who seem to be successful. Leave it to God. Spend your time becoming more intimate with God. Blessings, protection, provision and a fulfilled life are promised to anyone who does. That is how I want to spend my time; in positive pursuits that will bless me and others.

Prayer: Oh Lord, keep me focused on the right goals at all times and keep me from unproductive pursuits that are a waste of time.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: But What About?.../Topic: Trust

Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 32; Deuteronomy 33; Deuteronomy 34; 1 Corinthians 2
Scripture: Deuteronomy 32:4
4 He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.

Observation: I love this verse. I don't always understand God's ways or how he will work out justice. There are some big questions I wonder about. If someone lives in a place where they never hear about Jesus, do they get sent to hell when they were never told about him? What about someone who is of a different faith but who behaves like a Christian should? Why do wicked people sometimes seem to be blessed more than those who love God?

Application: When I struggle with questions, this verse (and others like it) bring me comfort. God's ways are just and perfect, he does no wrong. Thank God! I don't have to have it all figured out. I know his character, therefore I can trust that all will come out right in the end. He knows what he's doing.

Prayer: Thank you Lord for being just. I know you are endlessly creative as well as good and just. You will work all things together for the good of everyone and all will see that what you do is right. I praise you for this.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: My Redeemer/Topic: Restoration

Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 30; Deuteronomy 31; Psalm 40; 1 Corinthians 1

Scripture: Deuteronomy 30:1-3
1 When all these blessings and curses I have set before you come upon you and you take them to heart wherever the LORD your God disperses you among the nations, 2 and when you and your children return to the LORD your God and obey him with all your heart and with all your soul according to everything I command you today, 3 then the LORD your God will restore your fortunes and have compassion on you and gather you again from all the nations where he scattered you.

Observation: God is so good! When we blow it and disobey him we will suffer consequences, BUT, if we turn our hearts back to him he promises to restore us and give us just as many blessings as we had before. We are never condemned to stay in a place of lack or of suffering.

Application: It is my choice whether or not to stay in a place of unfulfillment and problems or not. Even if I have disobeyed terribly, I don't have to remain in a place of reaping what I have sown. All I have to do is come back to God with my whole heart and begin to live in obedience to what he has said and he will restore me to a life of prosperity and joy.

Prayer: Thank you for your grace and mercy. Thank you for forgiving us and restoring us completely when we choose to repent of our disobedience.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: Simply Obey/Topic: Blessing of Obedience

Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 28; Deuteronomy 29; Galatians 6

Scripture: Deuteronomy 28:9-14
9 The LORD will establish you as his holy people, as he promised you on oath, if you keep the commands of the LORD your God and walk in his ways. 10 Then all the peoples on earth will see that you are called by the name of the LORD, and they will fear you. 11 The LORD will grant you abundant prosperity—in the fruit of your womb, the young of your livestock and the crops of your ground—in the land he swore to your forefathers to give you. 12 The LORD will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none. 13 The LORD will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the LORD your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom. 14 Do not turn aside from any of the commands I give you today, to the right or to the left, following other gods and serving them.

Observation: It's simple. Obey the Lord and you will have a life full of blessing.

Application: The Bible does not promise a problem-free life if we obey God (in fact, Jesus made it clear we would suffer persecution) but it does promise a life of blessing, protection and provision if we live in obedience to him. If I am not experiencing blessing as a general rule, I need to stop and ask myself if I am walking in all the truth that I know. Am I tithing? Am I asking the Lord's guidance? Am I hiding any secret sin?

Prayer: Father, I thank you that you do so much more for us than just forgive our sin and give us a way to get to heaven. You promise to be with us here and to give us a life of fulfillment and purpose. Help me to always obey so that I may live the best life possible.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: Unto the Least of These/Topic: Gentleness

Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 25, 26, 27 and Galatians 5

Scripture: Deuteronomy 25:4
4 Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.

Observation: The gentleness, kindness and care of God for all of creation is beautifully expressed in this short verse. He instructs us that we are to make sure that animals are allowed to feed as they work for us. We are not to demand labor without letting them graze and refresh themselves with food. Paul later points out in the New Testament that this principle carries over to people as well. Laborers should share in the profits or benefits produced by their labor.

Application: We are stewards of this earth and we are to treat all of creation with kindness and justice. Having God in my heart should affect the way I behave toward animals and toward the environment. God gave us charge of the earth and all that is in it. By taking care of the earth and all its creatures I am showing love for God and expressing gratitude to him.

Prayer: Thank you for creating such a beautiful place for me to live. May I honor you by treating all life with respect and kindness.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: 3 Observations/Topic: Various

Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 22; Deuteronomy 23; Deuteronomy 24; Galatians 4

Scripture: Deuteronomy 22:1-4
1 If you see your brother's ox or sheep straying, do not ignore it but be sure to take it back to him. 2 If the brother does not live near you or if you do not know who he is, take it home with you and keep it until he comes looking for it. Then give it back to him. 3 Do the same if you find your brother's donkey or his cloak or anything he loses. Do not ignore it. 4 If you see your brother's donkey or his ox fallen on the road, do not ignore it. Help him get it to its feet.

Observation/Application: These are practical ways to follow the golden rule of treating others as we would want to be treated. We have no excuse for apathy or for being too busy to help someone else.

Scripture: Deuteronomy 22:5
5 A woman must not wear men's clothing, nor a man wear women's clothing, for the LORD your God detests anyone who does this.

Observation/Application: There is something holy about the sexes. I believe our sexuality is a reflection of God's image in us and he doesn't want us treating our sexuality lightly. I don't quite understand it all, but apparently cross-dressing is offensive to God because it demeans his creation of us as distinctly male or female. We are to be thankful for being created as one or the other and to treat our own gender with respect.

Scripture: Deuteronomy 22:11, 12
11 Do not wear clothes of wool and linen woven together.
12 Make tassels on the four corners of the cloak you wear.

Observation/Application: These verses have always amused and befuddled me somewhat. One lesson is that God is interested in the smallest details of our lives. Apparently, he even likes to be a fashion coordinator! Other scriptures indicate what the tassels were for: They were to be a reminder of the commands of God so that the people would remember how they were supposed to behave. But they were also decoration. I think God likes beautiful things, even in clothing made by man. The wool and linen thing has me flummoxed. I have no idea why that is important. It's just interesting to me that God cares about it.

Prayer: Father, I want to be obedient to you in everything and live according to your principles. I know I often fail, but I thank you that as I grow spiritually, I do better and better in following you. Where I don't understand your Word, give me insight.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: Purge the Negative/Topic: Unity

This is actually the post for yesterday (Mon. March 12, 2007). I just didn't get it posted until this morning. My apologies.

Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 19; Deuteronomy 20; Deuteronomy 21; Galatians 3

Scripture: Deuteronomy 20:1-4; 8
1 When you go to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army greater than yours, do not be afraid of them, because the LORD your God, who brought you up out of Egypt, will be with you. 2 When you are about to go into battle, the priest shall come forward and address the army. 3 He shall say: "Hear, O Israel, today you are going into battle against your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not be terrified or give way to panic before them. 4 For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory."
8 Then the officers shall add, "Is any man afraid or fainthearted? Let him go home so that his brothers will not become disheartened too."

Observation: God is powerful and God is on our side. He tells us so. But one negative person has the power to discourage a whole group and bring defeat because of his negativity. This is why anyone with anything but an enthusiastic and determined attitudewas sent home and not allowed to participate in what God wanted to accomplish.

Application: When we are facing the challenge of doing anything great for God we must not only control our own attitudes and focus on the almighty power of the Lord to accomplish whatever task it is that he has set before us, but we must also send away negative people who would discourage and dissuade us by sowing doubt in our minds. I believe this applies to us when we have an individual goal we are trying to accomplish or a group goal. We must have unity and single-mindedness.

Prayer: Father, help me to discern immediately when others are sowing doubt, fear or discouragement in me or in others and help me to separate myself from them. Help our church to maintain a spirit of unity and faith so that we may accomplish all you have in mind for us to do. And help me to never be one of those who disheartens others. May I live full of faith and enthusiasm so that I may see your great deliverances and miracles on our behalf.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: Purge the Negative/Topic: Unity

Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 19; Deuteronomy 20; Deuteronomy 21; Galatians 3

Scripture: Deuteronomy 20:1-4; 8
1 When you go to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army greater than yours, do not be afraid of them, because the LORD your God, who brought you up out of Egypt, will be with you. 2 When you are about to go into battle, the priest shall come forward and address the army. 3 He shall say: "Hear, O Israel, today you are going into battle against your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not be terrified or give way to panic before them. 4 For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory."
8 Then the officers shall add, "Is any man afraid or fainthearted? Let him go home so that his brothers will not become disheartened too."

Observation: God is powerful and God is on our side. He tells us so. But one negative person has the power to discourage a whole group and bring defeat because of his negativity. This is why anyone with anything but an enthusiastic and determined attitudewas sent home and not allowed to participate in what God wanted to accomplish.

Application: When we are facing the challenge of doing anything great for God we must not only control our own attitudes and focus on the almighty power of the Lord to accomplish whatever task it is that he has set before us, but we must also send away negative people who would discourage and dissuade us by sowing doubt in our minds. I believe this applies to us when we have an individual goal we are trying to accomplish or a group goal. We must have unity and single-mindedness.

Prayer: Father, help me to discern immediately when others are sowing doubt, fear or discouragement in me or in others and help me to separate myself from them. Help our church to maintain a spirit of unity and faith so that we may accomplish all you have in mind for us to do. And help me to never be one of those who disheartens others. May I live full of faith and enthusiasm so that I may see your great deliverances and miracles on our behalf.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: Truth from the Untruthful/Topic: Our Source

Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 16; Deuteronomy 17; Deuteronomy 18; Psalm 38; Galatians 2
Scripture: Deuteronomy 18:9-13
9 When you enter the land the LORD your God is giving you, do not learn to imitate the detestable ways of the nations there. 10 Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, 11 or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. 12 Anyone who does these things is detestable to the LORD, and because of these detestable practices the LORD your God will drive out those nations before you. 13 You must be blameless before the LORD your God.

Observation: God judged and destroyed the nations where Israel was going because of what He determined were evil, detestable practices. In other scriptures we learn that these people sometimes told the truth and could even perform miraculous signs and wonders. But it is not just truth we need to look for. The source of truth is also important. God makes it clear that our source for truth needs to be Him. Satan is the father of all lies but he knows how to use the truth for the purpose of deception. He desires to draw people away from God and ultimately, destroy them.

Application: Truth is truth, yet according to this scripture, it is still vital that we understand and discern what the source is that we are getting the truth from. We may be amazed at mediums or psychics that speak to the spirit world and get accurate information, but God warns us about seeking truth from these people. Only God is to be our source. We must trust the Holy Spirit to reveal to us what God wants us to know.

Prayer: Father, our world is filled with alternative sources of spirituality and truth. Keep us, as your people, tuned into you and hearing from you . Help us to discern the spiritual source of those we listen to. May we bring honor and glory to you at all times.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: Serious Love/Topic: Loving God

Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 13; Deuteronomy 14; Deuteronomy 15; Galatians 1

Scripture: Deuteronomy 13:1-11
1 If a prophet, or one who foretells by dreams, appears among you and announces to you a miraculous sign or wonder, 2 and if the sign or wonder of which he has spoken takes place, and he says, "Let us follow other gods" (gods you have not known) "and let us worship them," 3 you must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer. The LORD your God is testing you to find out whether you love him with all your heart and with all your soul. 4 It is the LORD your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him. 5 That prophet or dreamer must be put to death, because he preached rebellion against the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt and redeemed you from the land of slavery; he has tried to turn you from the way the LORD your God commanded you to follow. You must purge the evil from among you.
6 If your very own brother, or your son or daughter, or the wife you love, or your closest friend secretly entices you, saying, "Let us go and worship other gods" (gods that neither you nor your fathers have known, 7 gods of the peoples around you, whether near or far, from one end of the land to the other), 8 do not yield to him or listen to him. Show him no pity. Do not spare him or shield him. 9 You must certainly put him to death. Your hand must be the first in putting him to death, and then the hands of all the people. 10 Stone him to death, because he tried to turn you away from the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. 11 Then all Israel will hear and be afraid, and no one among you will do such an evil thing again.

Observation/Application: Loving God is a serious matter. We are not to let any spiritual authority entice us away from God, even if that person performs miracles or prophesies correctly. We are not to put our closest family members before God. What does that mean? I think it means that if a loved one turns from God or is making choices that are in a direction away from the Lord, we cannot in any way give our approval to such actions. Not even if it means giving up relationship with them. If we see them suffering because of their decisions, we must not rescue them unless we see that there is repentance involved. This is hard stuff. But the consequences of not loving God above all else are devastating. Death and destruction, poverty, disease, and servitude to cruel people all resulted when either individuals or the entire nation of Israel put others ahead of God. The Lord's instruction here seems harsh but it is given to protect them from heartache and destruction.

Prayer: Father, help us all to put you first, even when it requires painful decisions such as disconnecting from loved ones who are choosing to walk away from you. May you bless each of us individually and corporately as we do.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: The Choice is Mine/Topic: Blessing and Curses

Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 10; Deuteronomy 11; Deuteronomy 12; Mark 16

Scripture: Deuteronomy 11:26-28
26 See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse- 27 the blessing if you obey the commands of the LORD your God that I am giving you today; 28 the curse if you disobey the commands of the LORD your God and turn from the way that I command you today by following other gods, which you have not known.

Observation: God is quite clear. The choice between being blessed or being cursed is mine. If I obey God and live by his precepts, my life will be full of blessing, but if I disobey, my life will be very hard indeed.

Application: If I want a life that includes God working on my behalf then I must follow him and live as he says to. If I choose to follow my own way I will be on my own, outside of God's blessing, and my life will be more difficult.

Prayer: Father, I want to stay under the “spout where the glory comes out”. I desire to have your blessing upon my life. Whenever I start to stray or to believe a lie, please point it out to me by your Spirit. I want to be an obedient child who brings joy to my Father's heart. Help keep me on that narrow way.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: The Myth of Unconditional Love/Topic: God's Love

Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 7; Deuteronomy 8; Deuteronomy 9; Mark 15

Scripture: Deuteronomy 8:19-20
19 If you ever forget the LORD your God and follow other gods and worship and bow down to them, I testify against you today that you will surely be destroyed. 20 Like the nations the LORD destroyed before you, so you will be destroyed for not obeying the LORD your God.

Observation: God is speaking to his chosen people whom he loves in these verses. Even though he loves them, he makes it clear that he will destroy them if they choose to disregard what he says and live in any way they choose. This does not sound like the God of “unconditional love” that I have heard preached about so many times. In fact, as I read the Bible, I see that virtually without exception all the promises of God's blessings are conditional. There are many “If ---then” statements. If you will do this, then I will do that. The Bible does say that God is love and that his love is unfailing. What does that mean if his love is conditional? I believe it means that we cannot use up his forgiveness. If we repent of sin and disobedience, then he will forgive every time and restore us to full relationship with him. We cannot exhaust his patience or blow it so many times that he won't receive back if we come with a humble, repentant heart.

Application: If God's love is conditional but unfailing (an important distinction) it has serious repercussions for me. I cannot behave any way I please and expect that God will protect and bless me anyway just because I've accepted him into my heart. I must obey him. When I don't, I need to repent before I can expect forgiveness and restoration of my relationship with him and before I can expect to have his blessings flowing in my life. I think that the idea of unconditional love is a myth. God expects us to obey him and says that it is for our own good and benefit for us to do so. He also promises severe consequences if we don't obey. Fear of the Lord is based upon these truths.

Prayer: Father, I have set my heart to obey you. I know that sometimes I blow it and I thank you that when I do, your forgiveness is always there to cleanse me and restore me to relationship with you. Help me to understand these truths fully and properly. Where I need adjustment, speak to me by your Spirit. Thank you for your unfailing love and grace.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: Past History, Present Truth/Topic: God's Word

Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 5; Deuteronomy 6; Psalm 43; Mark 14

Scripture: Deuteronomy 5:3
3 It was not with our fathers that the LORD made this covenant, but with us, with all of us who are alive here today.

Observation: Moses is making his last speech to his people before they go on to the promised land without him. This is an amazing statement because the fathers of these people were with them when the covenant of God was given. They chose over and over again to doubt it and to disobey God and so they died in the desert without receiving the blessing of going into the promised land. The ones who are “alive today” will receive the benefits of the covenant as long as they follow its decrees. It is a timeless truth. It is not with our fathers, but with us who are alive today that God wishes to interact. As Jesus said, He is the God of the living, not the dead (Mark 12:27, Luke 20:38).

Application: The Word of God is past history but it is also present truth. If I read it simply as history I will miss what God wants to say to me today. As I read the Word, I need to ask questions about what it means for me in the here and now, what God is trying to teach me and guide me in presently so that I grow in my faith. If I don't approach the Word with this attitude it will just be dry history and my faith will become boring instead of transformational.

Prayer: Father, help me and others to always be seeking and asking the questions of how the words of your Word apply in our lives. Transform us into people who think and act like you.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.