Deuteronomy 14-16  These chapters are reminders about what it meant for Israel to be "sons of the Lord your God.."  He calls them "a holy people." ... a chosen people.. "a people for His own possession.. "  Therefore their lives would be set apart from the nations by what they ate; what they tithed; what they did;  and what they celebrated. 

Chapter 14 gives the details about what was clean or unclean in God's sight regarding meat. God's commands were meant for Israel's good.  We may not understand them or practice them.. but they were vital to God's people for His purposes.  This chapter also touches on tithing from the grain, wine, and oil, the first-born cattle and sheep.. "in order that you may learn to fear the Lord your God always."  Obeying God's commands would bring rejoicing to His people.. all the people, rich and poor alike ... for this would provide for "the Levite.. the alien, the orphan, and the widow" so that all would be "satisfied".  

Chapter 15 reminded the people of keeping the sabbath year.. when debts were to be forgiven  and kinsman would release their brothers from service. It was a time to be generous and not prideful or greedy. 

Chapter 16 restated the laws for the feasts of Passover, Weeks, and Booths.  They were to "remember all the days of your life the day when you came out of the land of Egypt.."  The Lord didn't want Israel to forget that they had been slaves and that He had brought them out to this Promised Land and blessed them with all that He provided.  The harvest was because of His grace. The work of their hands that brought about produce..was because of God's blessing.  God wanted and still wants His people to remember Him.. He holds everything in His hands and without Him.. we can do nothing.  Come and rejoice in the goodness of God!

The Words that Jesus spoke echo these words from the ancient message to Israel.. "Remember! " All that we have is from the hand of our Father in heaven,  He has brought us out of slavery to sin.. out of darkness.. out of hopelessness.. and blessed us with all that we need.  We are reminded that we are also a chosen people.. holy to the Lord, His own possession, because of the Lord Jesus Christ who died for our sins.  He reminds us that we need to distinguish between what is clean and what is unclean.. not so much in what we eat.. but in all that we take into our minds and hearts and lives.  He reminds us to practice forgiveness and generosity towards our brothers and sisters in Christ.  He reminds us to rejoice in the Lord for His many blessings - with sacrifices of praise and thanksgiving. He also reminds us to practice justice and righteous judgement (16:19-20)  These things were commandments for Israel in their new land and they are important for our walk with Jesus in the land where we dwell.

 May we keep our eyes on Jesus and walk in His ways by the power of His Sprit who lives in us. Help us Father we pray.. In Jesus' name. Amen. 

 Deuteronomy 13  This message talks about idolatry.. following or going after any "other god".. any god "whom you  have not known" as Moses repeats here several times.  The problem introduced here is those who are "false" prophets.  Prophets who dream dreams and even do signs and wonders... but entice them to turn to other gods.   The Lord warns His people to "not listen" to any such prophet. 

Listen to the methods used by these people:  They counsel rebellion. (v5);  they "seduce you from the way" (v5); they "entice you secretly" (v6);  they seek "to seduce you from the Lord your God.." (v10); they can even "seduce" a whole city with their words and deeds. (v13)

Don't listen!  the Lord warns us. ".. if you will listen to the voice of the Lord your God, keeping all of His commandments.. and doing what is right in the sight of the Lord your God.."  then you will receive mercy and compassion and blessing.  But, failing the test and turning away from the Lord for false gods.. false promises.. seductive and rebellious promises.. will result in destruction . 

Satan still uses the same tactics in our day that he used since the garden .. seductive lies; false promises; counseling rebellion.. trying to seduce God's people to forget the voice of the Lord and listen to his own words that lead to destruction.  How many in our world, even now are dreamers of dreams.. trying to seduce men and women.. cities and countries.. away from the ways of the Lord.. to follow false gods.. false religions.. false ways.  We see whole cities.. even many states in our own country.. and whole nations.. who have been seduced by the lies of satan.. enticed to believe the lies that lead only to destruction and not to blessing and mercy and compassion which are found only in the Lord our God. 

Father in heaven, hear our prayers as we call upon You ... send forth Your Spirit of Truth to move in Your people.  May we speak up and proclaim Your Holy Name.. to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ who came to shine Your Light into this dark world. Deliver us from the evil one who seeks to blind the eyes of mankind. Let the glory of Your grace and goodness fill the earth we pray, in the name of Jesus the King of heaven and earth. Amen! 

 Deuteronomy 12 The Israelites were about to enter the promised land.  Moses gives them some new instructions for sacrifices.. a transition that will take place when the tabernacle is moved into a central location and the people are scattered into their various tribes.  At that point they would "seek the Lord at the place which the Lord your God shall choose from all your tribes to establish His name there for His dwelling and there you shall come." (v5) 

Every offering, tithe, and contribution would be brought to this place and offered no where else. "And you shall rejoice before the Lord your God, you and your sons and daughters, your male and female servants and the Levite who is within your gates, since he has no portion or inheritance with you."

The Lord gives them permission to slaughter and eat meat when they desired to.. as long as it was not the meat set apart for a holy offering before the Lord.  That could only be done at the place God chose... this would eventually be the city of Jerusalem. 

"Be careful to listen to all theses words which I command you, in order that it may be well with you.. " 

Every place where the nations before them had offered evil sacrifices was supposed to be destroyed and every practice of idolatry was meant to be forever extinguished.  How sad that Israel failed to listen and obey these commands from the Lord.  

Verses 8-9 are especially relevant for us today, "You shall not do at all what we are doing here today, every man doing whatever is right in his own eyes; for you have not yet come to the resting place and the inheritance which the Lord your God is giving you."  What is right is that we turn away from every false way that the world promotes.  We worship our God only in the place He chooses.. which according to Jesus is not on a mountain or in Jerusalem..  "true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth"  ( John 4:23) Jesus is the place.. the person that God has chosen.  He is our resting place and our inheritance. He is where we rejoice before the Lord our God.  It is in Jesus that we are well and where we find all that is good and right in the sight of the God of gods and Lord of lords, the Great and Mighty, Awesome God that we serve. 

Father in heaven, we come to You for grace and mercy.. to find the fulness of Your love and salvation through our Savior, Jesus Christ.  Help us to do Your will and to rejoice in Your Word. May we worship You in spirit and in truth all the days of our lives.  May we live in the Light and Love that You have poured out on us through Your Spirit in the name of Jesus. We give You our thanks and our praise. Amen. 

 Deuteronomy 11 The Lord makes it clear.. once again.. that obedience to His commands will result in blessings.. and disobedience will result in judgement. 

Israel was given a clear direction ..  a path to prosperity and blessing from the hand of God. He had spoken to them from the mountain; He had done great and mighty works among them;  He had shown them His judgements upon those who refused to obey or listen to Him.  Everything He did and said had prepared them for this moment.. at the edge of the Land He would give them. 

The land that Israel would receive was the Lord's own land.  He cares for that land, the Word tells us.  "the eyes of the Lord your God are always on it, from the beginning even to the end of the year." (v12).  The Lord would provide rain in season. He would bless the land with grain and wine and oil.  He would provide grass for the cattle.. "and you shall eat and be satisfied."   

All they needed to do was to keep His commandments.  "For if you are careful  to keep all this commandment which I am commanding you, to do it, to love the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and hold fast to Him;  then the Lord will drive out all these nations from before you.. " 

Listening and doing God's word results in blessings.. beyond anything imagined. - the Lord tells His people.. but to not listen.. to turn aside.. to follow other gods.. would result in the curse...  (v27-28) .. "be careful" (v32). 

God's directions have not changed because He never changes.  He still gives us the same choices.. to love Him and obey His Word.. or to turn aside and not listen.  One brings life.. the other choice brings judgement.. ultimate destruction.  Every one of us must make that decision. Failure to follow Him and obey His Word will result in death.. eternal destruction.  But, if we will look to Jesus, surrender to Him and receive Him as the Lord and Savior that He is.. we will receive every blessing that He has promised for eternity. 

Father in heaven, open the eyes of the blind.. all who are still walking in darkness..  bring them back to the Truth of Who You are.. the Great, the Mighty, the Awesome God... Creator of heaven and earth.. Who has offered Life and Blessing to all who would call upon Your Name.  We get so wrapped up in all of the things of this earth that we fail to see the reality of what is "unseen" - eternity.. a future far greater and of more importance than the petty things of this mortal life.   Do we choose.. Eternity.. in heaven.. in Your glorious Presence with greater blessings than we can ever imagine.. or eternal suffering in the fires of hell?  We are foolish to allow this decision to wait.. "Choose Life!" Your word tells us... and we do!  We choose to come before You in repentance and faith in Jesus Christ who has become the Way, the Truth and the Life.  We pray for those we love.. that they would also make this decision.. today!   Help them Father!  Thank You for such grace and mercy, Father. Amen. 

 Deuteronomy 9-10  Moses reminded the Israelites that they were going into a land to "dispossess nations greater and mightier than you.. "  It would be a victory that the Lord their God would bring.. not because they deserved it or earned it by being righteous.. for they were far from it.  God would remove the other nations because of their own wickedness.. not because of Israel's righteousness.  For they were NOT righteous at all... 

Moses reminds them of the days when the nation was at Mt Horeb.  They had all made the covenant with the Lord their God.. but within 40 days, as Moses was on the mountain meeting with God and the fire was right in front of their eyes.. they begged for an idol.. a golden calf.. and worshipped it. 

God saw the wickedness of Israel.  He was ready to blot them out and make a nation from Moses.. but Moses interceded for the people.  Aaron, the appointed High Priest, had made the idol..and would have been destroyed, but Moses prayed for him too. This was not the only time that Israel rebelled and sinned against God.. over and over they complained and sinned. God called them "stubborn" and "wicked".  Yet, He relented and forgave them when Moses prayed and they repented. 

God had given them the  10 commandments.  Now, He gives them this command, "And, now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require from you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways, and love Him, and to serve the Lord with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the Lord's commandments and His statutes which I am commanding you today for your good?" 

Then, Moses reminds the people Who their God really is:

"Behold, to the Lord your God belong the heaven and the highest heavens, the earth and all that is in it." (v14)  

"For the Lord your God is the God of gods and the Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God who does not show partiality, nor take a bribe. He executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and shows His love for the alien by giving him food and clothing. (17-18)

"He is your praise and He is your God, who had done these great and awesome things for you which your eyes have seen." (v21) 

This God.. chose to "set His affection" on the fathers of this nation.. He chose to love Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and to make them a nation "above all peoples".  Therefore, He tells them..  "Circumcise then your heart, and stiffen your neck no more." (v16)   Instead, "fear the Lord your God;" .. "serve Him and cling to Him.. " 

Father in heaven, God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty and the awesome God.. You are our praise.. You are our God through the Lord Jesus Christ who has mediated for us a better covenant. You choose to love us and call us Your own when we come to faith in Jesus.. a faith not or ourselves, but a gift from Your loving hand. We come to praise and worship You, the God of heaven and earth, for there is no other.  You alone have purchased our redemption by the sacrifice of the Beloved Son.  How can we thank You enough?  We desire only to love You and serve You with all our hearts and souls. We cling to You and surrender our whole selves to You. In Jesus' name. Amen. 

 Deuteronomy 8  Moses continued to speak to the Israelites about the ways that God has proved to them that they are His people and He is their God. The covenant between them would not be broken if they would walk in His ways and obey His commands.  Moses told them to "be careful to do" all the Lord had told them.  ".. .remember all the way which the Lord your God has led you.. " 

Remember the lessons of the wilderness, Moses told them.  Remember how God taught them to live by His Word.. not by bread alone.  He humbled them.  He disciplined them. He provided for them.  He was giving them a land.. "a good land" where they would lack nothing..  a land of blessing after blessing... 

But.. "Beware lest you forget the Lord your God.. "  Moses warned again. Don't forget to obey the Lord's commandments.  Don't be satisfied with the blessings.. of houses, of herds and flocks.. of silver and gold.. don't be prideful  and "forget" that it all came from the Lord.  

"But you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who is giving you power to make wealth, that He may confirm His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day."  To forget.. to turn to idols.. to  be like the nations that were about to perish.. would bring about their own destruction... "you shall surely perish." 

This is just as important for us today.. this message of truth and encouragement, as well as warning.  We need to remember all the ways that God has led us and carefully, diligently, abide in Jesus.  God has provided a new covenant through the broken body and poured out blood of Jesus so that we can enter a "good land".. better than the promised land of Israel... a heavenly dwelling place where we will find every blessing.. eternal life with our Lord. Remember.. Jesus told His disciples.. Remember Me until I return. 

Father in heaven, may we never forget You and the greatness of Your love and salvation provided for all who will believe in Jesus, Your Beloved Son.  May we be careful to abide in Your Word and to do Your will. Once again we ask that You would equip us with all that is good so that we can do Your will. Work in us all that is pleasing to Your heart.  Fill us with the fullness of God, Holy Spirit. Come and have Your way in us today, we pray. Amen. 

 Deuteronomy 7 As Israel awaits the day when they enter the promised land, Moses continues to instruct and remind them of God's promises... but he also reminds them of God's warnings. 

They were going into a land with 7 "greater and stronger" nations.. and they would defeat them all because "the Lord your God shall deliver them before you and you shall defeat them.. "  But.. they must not allow themselves to be yoked together with any of these nations.. They must not intermarry with them... they must not allow their gods to remain in the land.  Everything evil must be destroyed by fire.  "For you are a holy people to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for His own possession out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth." (v6) 

The Lord chose them. He chose to love them. He chose to rescue them. He chose to redeem them.  "Know therefore that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps His covenant and His lovingkindness to a thousandth generation with those who love Him and keep His commandments." (v9) This is an amazing promise given to a wandering people who had failed over and over and over again.  What an awesome and patient God we serve!

The blessings promised to a nation that would keep God's covenant are so great:

v13  "He will love you and bless you and multiply you; He will also bless the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your ground, your grain and your new wine and your oil, the increase of your herd and the young of your flock, in the land which he swore to your forefathers to give you ."

V14 "You shall be blessed above all peoples; there shall be no male or female barren among you or among your cattle." 

v15 "and the Lord will remove from you all sickness; and He will not put on you any of the harmful diseases of Egypt which you have known.. " 

God would defeat every enemy. He would provide deliverance. They would have no reason to fear. "You shall not dread them for the Lord your god is in your midst, a great and awesome God." (v21) 

Father in heaven, You are the Lord our God and You have never changed Your promises for those who love You and obey Your commands.  You have blessed us by choosing us in Jesus Christ .. calling us to faith.. filling us with Your Spirit.. and claiming us as Your own. We pray that You will continue to equip us with every good thing to do Your will and work within us that which is pleasing to You. We surrender all to You that we might be completely Yours.. abiding in Christ and He in us.. to the glory and honor of Your Name. Amen.

 Deuteronomy 6  Moses was given commandments, statutes and judgments to teach the people of Israel so that all may be "well" with them and their descendants.  Keeping the Lord's commandments with fear and with profound love.. doing "what is right and good in the sight of the Lord".. with diligence and care.. would result in possession of the promised land..  "So the Lord commanded us to observe all these statutes, to fear the Lord our God for our good always and for our survival, as it is today." ( v24) 

He reminds them again and again:

"listen and be careful".. (v3)

"teach them diligently to your sons"(v7)

".. watch yourself, lest you forget the Lord.." (v12)

"You should diligently keep the commandments.." (v17) 

"And it will be righteousness for us if we are careful to observe all this commandment before the Lord our God, just as He commanded us." (v25) 

The promise of God to the people who obey His commandments was more than just a piece of land, although that was a wondrous thing.. the promise was His Presence, His Power, and His Blessing. The land "flowing with milk and honey.. " was God's gift to them.  If they did what was "right and good" they would be blessed.. they would multiply greatly.. and all would be "well" - sound, beautiful, happy, successful, right, glad'; they would know God's kindness and mercy; they would be "satisfied". 

The promises of God are precious.. 2 Peter 1: 2-4 "Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that  His divine power had granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises in order that by them you might become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust." 

As Moses taught the Israelites to trust and obey the commandments of God that would lead them to an earthly home.. so Jesus teaches us to trust and obey Him so that we can enter "the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior. "  God instructed Moses to tell the people to be diligent to keep the commandments.. and Peter writes to us to diligently practice the godly qualities of "faith.. moral excellence.. knowledge.. self-control.. perseverance.. godliness. brotherly kindness.. and love..."   It is the same calling.. made possible by Christ's sacrifice and the love of the Father.  Let us not forget the Lord!

Father in heaven, how blessed is Your Name in all the earth!  You are our Creator and our Savior for You have made us and then You have redeemed us by the sacrifice of Your Beloved Son.  It is beyond our comprehension.. this great love that You have for us.. for human beings who are so flawed by the the sin that has taken root in our lives.. Thank You for setting us free and bringing us into the Kingdom of the Son. Thank You for granting us such precious promises so that we might live.. with Christ in us and Your Spirit filling us.. such amazing love and grace. Help us to obey Your Words.. help us to love You with all of our being.  Put all of Your words on our hearts today, Lord, so that we might always do what is right and good, to the glory of Your Name and to the honor of our Lord Jesus in whose name we come. Amen. 

 Deuteronomy 5  Moses reminds this new generation of Israelites that God made a covenant with them.. not just with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.. but with all of Israel. The covenant was made at Horeb.. and the whole nation agreed to this great covenant.  So.. listen and observe these commandments.. so that "it may be well with you.."  he tells them again. 

Some of these people had been children during that meeting between God and man at Mt Horeb.  Maybe some had yet to be born.  Their parents and grandparents had seen the fire burning there on the mountain. They had heard the voice of God. They had made the covenant.. but they had failed to listen.. and failed to observe the Lord's Word.  This new generation had a chance to learn from their parents' mistakes and to build a nation in the land God was giving them.  It would be a nation unlike any other... if they listened and obeyed:

The nation of Israel would have the Lord, their God.. and no other gods or idols.  They would worship Him alone according to the Word that He had given them.  They would love Him and keep His commandments. 

This new nation would lift up the name of their God, honoring Him and refusing to take His name in any evil, useless, or deceptive way. 

They would observe the sabbath day. They would honor God by resting and allowing all of their children, servants, and animals to rest.  They would remember that the Lord, their God had rescued them from Egypt and slavery, with His own "mighty hand and by an outstretched arm.. " and they would "observe the sabbath day." 

The nation of Israel would be a nation that practiced respect and honor towards their fathers and mothers. They would not murder. They would not commit adultery. They would not steal or bear false witness. And they would not covet what belonged to their neighbors. 

This new nation of Israel had every opportunity to make this happen. They still do.  "Oh that they had such a heart in them, that they would fear Me, and keep My commandments always, that it may be well with them and with their sons forever!"

Here is the will of God for God's people.  It is the way He wants us  all to walk.. to "not turn aside to the right or to the left.."  It is the way that Jesus came to make possible for us. It is the way of righteousness. 

Father in heaven, help us to live according to Your Word by the power of Your Spirit who lives in us... to strengthen us, to give us life in Christ Jesus, to abide with us forever.  We confess our need for Your salvation.. for Your Mighty Hand and outstretched Arm.. to bring us into Your Holy Presence , complete and without blame through the cleansing blood of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Have Your way in us today we pray.. in the Name of our Lord, Jesus Christ  ,Amen. 

 Deuteronomy 4  Moses spoke to the people of Israel to prepare them for their near future.. they were about to enter the land that had been promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.  The most important thing that they must do was to "listen" and to "perform" all that God had given them through laws and statutes and judgements.  Keeping God's Word would make them a nation.. a great nation.  "So keep and do them, for that is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes and say, 'Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people'. "  They were meant to be a nation greater than any other because they had a God greater than any other. 

"Know therefore today, and take it to heart, that the Lord, He is God of heaven above and on the earth below, there is no other." ( v39) 

God had given Israel righteous laws. Laws that would make them a great nation.  God had spoken to them at Mt Horeb.. allowing them to hear His voice and see the fire unlike any other fire.. "Then the Lord spoke to you from the midst of the fire; you heard the sound of words, but you saw no form - only a voice."  

The one thing that God seems to hate most is when people make for themselves idols.. images that they call "god" and worship. Whether it is a graven image.. or the sun, moon, or stars.. God commands His people to never give His glory to any other or anything.. "For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God." ( v24) 

The commandment that Israel failed at time and time again was this one.  They turned away to false gods. They also failed to obey God's command to teach their children and their grandchildren the Word.  These two failures would lead to exile. But.. God would bring them back to Himself. "But from there you will seek the Lord your God, and you will find Him if you search for Him with all your heart and all your soul." (v29) 

All that God had shown Israel was so that they "might know that the Lord, He is God; there is no other besides Him."  They had heard His voice.. they had seen His fire.. He had chosen Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and loved them.... "therefore He chose their descendants after them. And He personally brought you from Egypt by His great power." (v37) 

"So you shall keep His statutes and His commandments which I am giving you today, that it may go well with you and with your children after you, and that you may live long on the land which the Lord your God is giving you for all time." (v40) 

We have not had the privilege of hearing God's voice or of seeing His fire in the heavens.. but we have been given His Word. The lessons from this chapter of Deuteronomy are relevant for us just as they were for Israel.. May we also take it to heart that the Lord is God of heaven above and the earth below and there is no other!  May we know that His word has been given to us so that we might have wisdom and understanding beyond anything the world ( even AI) can ever achieve!  We have been chosen to know Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior and know that when we search for Him we will find Him when we search with all of our hearts and souls. We know that we have been given a command that will not only affect our futures but that of the generations to come.. for when we live by God's Word and teach our children and grandchildren to do the same.. He will guide our steps and bless our land. 

Father in heaven, our Great and Mighty God, there is none like You. We long to hear Your voice and to know Your glory. We are thankful for the Word of life that You have given to us so that we might walk in Your ways and do Your will. Fill our hearts and souls with Your Truth and with Your Spirit so that we might continue to live in the land You have given us and proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ to those who need to hear it.  Let the Light of Your countenance shine in us and through us we pray.. in the name of Jesus Christ the King. Amen. 

 Deuteronomy 3 This chapter reviews the way the Lord prevailed against the nations to the east of the Jordan river.  Israel conquered the Amorites, then they took Gilead and Bashan. Here is where the tribes of Manasseh, Reuben, and Gad would establish their homes. This is a massive tract of land where modern day Jordan and Syria are now.  The warriors from those tribes were required to go over the Jordan and help their brothers conquer Canaan, but then they would possess their own homes to the east. 

Moses said to Joshua, "Your eyes have seen all that the Lord your God has done.. "   The people of Israel conquered kingdoms and took fortified cities. They were nomads that had wandered in the desert for 40 years. They could not have done what they did if the Lord had not fought for them.  Moses encouraged Joshua that God would do the same thing for the rest of the people when they crossed the Jordan. "Do not fear them, for the Lord shall do to all the kingdoms into which you are about to cross." 

Moses asked the Lord to allow him to cross over, but the answer was "No".  In fact, Deuteronomy 3:26 adds these words, "Enough! Speak to Me no more of this matter."   But, He did allow Moses to climb up to the top of Mount Pisgah and see the Promised land with his own eyes. This would be his final resting place.. 

But before that day, Moses would once again teach the people of Israel the ways of the Lord.  God had just begun to show them His greatness and they would see so much more.. if.. they walked according to His laws and trusted Him with all their hearts. 

This chapter reminds me once again that there is nothing impossible for our God.  We see the desperate needs in our country for unity and wisdom. We see the need for a new outpouring of the Spirit of God in our world. We know that it is vital for God's people to live as the light of the world... as Jesus called for us to be.. Pray for the Word of God to "run rapidly and be glorified" according to His will.. in our land and in the land of Israel.. and yes, even in the land east of the Jordan River. 

Father, Your Name will be exalted in the nations and in all the earth. You have declared it and it will be so.  Help us to stop striving.. to be still... and to know that You are God and all will be accomplished according to Your Word.  Let us be found faithful when our King returns. We want to walk in Your ways and we pray that Your Kingdom will come as Your will is done on earth as it is in heaven.  Praise Your Holy Name!  Fill us afresh Holy Spirit.. fill us, Your children with the fulness of God we pray, in the name of Christ Jesus . Amen. 

 Deuteronomy 2   Verse 3 "You have circled this mountain long enough. Now turn north."  God's Word to Moses took the people of Israel out of the wilderness... and into the path that would take them to the  Promised Land.  These words have stopped me.. taken my thoughts to a different place..  What mountain have I been circling "long enough"?  Is there a path that I need to go forward on? I need to meditate on this some more.. 

Moses led the people as the Lord directed. They passed through Seir.. the land given to Esau and the Lord told them to not provoke them or take any of their possessions.  They could buy food and water and keep moving. 

When they passed through the land of Esau's heritage, they came to the land of Moab and again the Lord commanded them to  "not harass.. nor provoke them.. " This land was given to the sons of Lot and the Lord would not take it away.  The same with the land of Ammon. 

But, when they arrived at the valley of Arnon, things were different. The king, Sihon the Amorite "was not willing"  to allow the Israelites to pass through the land. God hardened his heart and gave the people of Israel victory over the Amorites and they were given that land to occupy and possess. 

Verse 7 "For the Lord your God has blessed you in all that you have done; He has known your wanderings through this great wilderness. These forty years the Lord your God has been with you; you have not lacked a thing."  

They had wandered "long enough".. the unbelieving generation was gone.. the passage through the land of Esau and Lot was complete.  The victory over the Amorites was done.  They were on the cusp of the future that they all dreamed of.. and they needed to remember that God had done it all.  He would do the rest.. if they trusted and obeyed. 

Father, You are watching over us, Your people.  You move us through the years of this life, caring for us, blessing us, and being with us.  We have not lacked a thing. You have a plan and a future prepared for us and we are on the cusp of eternity.  By the power of Your Spirit in us, Father, strengthen us for what lies ahead so that we will know the victory that Jesus has purchased for us.. sanctify us entirely, Lord, so that we will stand before You without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus. May we enter into Your glorious Presence clothed in His righteousness!  Come Lord Jesus! Come!  May You find us walking in faith and ready to meet You on that Day.. we ask this in Your Holy Name, King Jesus, Amen. 

 Deuteronomy 1 

The first few chapters of Deuteronomy are Moses' words... a history lesson, if you will.. for those who survived the 40 years of wandering in the wilderness.  This new generation would be the ones to go into the Promised Land to possess it as God intended.  Moses reminds this great multitude of people of all that God had done and of the failure of their fathers to trust God those many years before. 

 "But for all this, you did not trust the Lord your God." These words were spoken to a generation that experienced the plagues in Egypt.. the crossing of the Red Sea.. the presence of the cloud by day and the fire by night. They had eaten the manna and drank from the water that came out of a rock.  They had heard God's voice in the thunder and lightning on the mountain of God.  Out of all the multitude that came out of Egypt only 2 men would survive.. Caleb and Joshua. Only these two trusted the Lord their God. 

Now.. the children who had grown up in the wilderness.. who had watched the older generation fail and fall along the way.. were ready to enter into God's promised land.. if they would trust Him. 

Caleb would trust the Lord.. he "followed the Lord fully".   Joshua would lead them because he was also faithful to trust and obey the Lord.  Moses told the people to "encourage" Joshua.  Moses had been continually challenged and discouraged by the people of Israel. He had even lost his privilege of entering the land. He knew the challenges that Joshua would face and he wanted the people to pray for Joshua and to trust the Lord. 

The Word of God is always relevant and meant to light our paths.. even those words written for a nation thousands of years ago.. May these words challenge us to examine ourselves.. are we trusting God for whatever lies ahead for us today?   Let us be reminded of all that God has done for us throughout our lives and take heart that He is leading us to a Promised Land.. a City not built by human hands. Let us trust Him and encourage one another in the journey ahead.  Let us follow the Lord fully even as Caleb and Joshua did. 

Father in heaven, Your Word is Truth for today, for me.. and for all who call upon Your Holy Name.  Strengthen us with power through Your Spirit today. May we be rooted and grounded in Your great love and filled with the fullness of God. We are fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.. that we might run with endurance the race that is set before us. We need You to surround us with Your Presence even as You surrounded Israel in the wilderness.  May we never forget all You have done and may we always put our trust in You.  In the name of Jesus our King we pray. Amen. 

 Luke 21  The first 4 verses of this chapter are focused on a poor widow who gave all she had as an offering.  Many gave out of their surplus, Jesus said, but she gave out of her poverty.  Her gift was worth "more than all of them" He declared.   Let us not miss this lesson as we read onto the rest of the chapter where Jesus begins to talk about the future of Jerusalem and of the earth...  All the beauty and splendor of the temple would soon be broken down and done away with.. but the value of a poor widow's offering  endures forever. 

Jesus opens the conversation about the future with a warning.. "See to it that you be not misled..."  The future for the disciples would not be easy.  There would be wars.. They would be persecuted. There would be earthquakes and plagues and famines.  But they did not need to be afraid, for God would give them opportunities to testify before "kings and governors."   He would give them the words to speak.. He would give them endurance.  

The future of Jerusalem would be devastating. Armies would come against them. The sword would be used against her people. "Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles.. " When  the "times of the Gentiles" is fulfilled and there are "signs in sun and moon and stars upon the earth.. ";  when the nations are dismayed, the powers of heaven are shaken.. then "they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory." 

Jesus tells His people to keep looking up.. to be ready.. to be alert and praying "in order that you may have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man." 

We live in a day when all these things seem to be happening around us and we keep looking for Jesus to return. We must remember the lessons of this message from Jesus.. don't be deceived; don't be afraid; trust Him for words to testify of  His coming;  and be praying.. so that we will be ready.. 

Father in heaven,  we are fixing our eyes on Jesus, laying aside all that encumbers us, running the race set before us in Your strength and staying alert so that we can stand before our King.  May the power of Christ in us preserve us for that day.. as we offer our all to You. Amen. 

 Luke 20:19-47  The scribes and chief priests tried to discredit Jesus, sending people who "pretended to be righteous" in order to catch Him is saying something against the Law or against Rome.  They still didn't realize that Jesus knew everything and was not fooled by their tricks. 

The question about paying taxes is a loaded one. A yes or no answer would have exploded in either case. But, Jesus is not stumped and His answer astounds them. "Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's and to God the things that are God's." 

The next question came from the Sadducees who asked about the resurrection, which they did not believe in...  imagining a woman who was married to 7 brothers and widowed 7 times without having any children.  What would happen to her after she died?  Jesus answered in an unexpected way.. " The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage, but those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage... " 

Jesus goes on to describe a new life for those who belong to the God.. a life that is without end.  "Now He is not the God of the dead, but of the living; for all live to Him." 

How little they thought of God..  and how small are our conceptions of His greatness.  The psalmist wrote, "Even the darkness is not dark to Thee, and the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are alike to Thee. " ( Psalm 139:12)  Jesus now tells us that life and death make no difference to  God. He is God and He sees everything.. He rules over every place.. and He knows everything and everyone!

Jesus challenged His challengers with a question of His own.. "How is it that they say the Christ is David's  son?"  David, himself called Him, Lord.  He would not say that to his son.. but only to One greater.. to the Son of God. The pharisees and sadducees, the scribes and priests.. were so far from the Truth that they didn't know that the Messiah stood right in front of them. 

"Beware" the Lord warned His disciples... just because someone acts like they know it all, does not mean they do. The scribes walked around like they were the greatest, but their hearts were wicked. They would receive condemnation for what they did.  

When I stop to think about what I need to learn from this chapter of Luke.. I am reminded that there is nothing that Jesus does not know and He is able to provide direction for my every question, my every problem, and my every need.  He sees me in the light and in the darkness. If I am living, He is with me and when I die, He will be with me still.  He is the Son of God and He came to earth as the son of David to fulfill the will of the Father.. to bring salvation to all who will call on His Name. 

Father I know that I can trust You with every question and with every need in my life.  I am Your child and I love You, for You have loved me with an everlasting love.  Thank You for saving me and making me whole.  Keep me in Your will, Father, to the glory of Your Name and for the Name of Jesus Christ my King. Amen 

 Luke 19:28-48; 20:1-18

  Jesus entered Jerusalem on the colt of a donkey. His disciples sang and shouted the song of praise,

 " Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord; Peace in heaven and glory in the highest." 

 The Pharisees complained.

Jesus wept over the city where the Name of God was supposed to dwell.  Then He reacted with anger at the treatment of God's House.. where they had brought in "robbers".  The place meant for worship and prayer was being misused and abused by those who lied and cheated and defrauded the people of God.  How could this be?

The Pharisees and chief priests and scribes began to plot His destruction.. and question His authority. 

Jesus then told the parable of the vine-growers.. evil men who refused to give the owner of the grove what was lawfully his.. who mistreated the slaves sent to receive the harvest.. and who killed the beloved son thinking that they would be able to keep what was not theirs. 

This is such a clear picture of what was happening right before their eyes.. 

The Vine-owner, God the Father, Creator of heaven and earth and everything on the earth.. chose the people of Israel to work in His garden.  They began to claim everything for themselves and when God sent the prophets to lead them in the Truth, they mistreated them and killed them.  So.. God sent His Beloved Son.. and they rejected Him and crucified Him on a cruel cross.  What happened to those who rejected Jesus?  They lost what they had and it was given to others.. they rejected the Stone and it became the Cornerstone.. this Stone fell on them and they were scattered "like dust." 

All of us.. every single person who ever was, is now, or  ever will be.. has been/ is brought into being by a loving and patient Creator.  He has given us His Word to show us Truth about ourselves.. that we are sinners in need of salvation.. and there is only One who can save us.  Jesus Christ is the Way the Truth and the Life. He is our only hope and we either receive Him and His help or we are lost forever.. We fall on Him or He falls on us.. one way brings life.. the other eternal death. 

Father in heaven, open our eyes.. open the eyes of those who still do not see their own sin and need for salvation..Send workers into Your harvest field today, Lord, so many more will hear the good news and follow Jesus. We ask this in His Holy Name. Amen. 

 Luke 19:11-27  Jesus was getting nearer to Jerusalem.. and the people, including His disciples, were excited in anticipation.. for they believed that the Kingdom of God was coming immediately. 

But.. Jesus stops and tells them another parable.  It is about a nobleman who goes away to "receive a kingdom for himself".  He leaves his slaves in charge of his estate as he goes away.. giving 1 "mina" (worth about 100 days wages)  to each of ten men in order that they might "do business" for him.  As he leaves, his citizens send a delegation to tell him not to return, for they did not want him to reign over them. 

When the king returns from his successful mission, he called the slaves to give account of their work. The first one had been faithful and gained 10 times what he had been given and was rewarded with  a position of authority over 10 cities.  The second had earned 5 minas and was rewarded with 5 cities.  The third man.. had done nothing. He put the mina in a handkerchief. By his own confession he says that he knew the king was "an exacting man"  who could take up what he didn't lay down and reap what he did not sow.  He knew that the king was able to do great and impossible things, yet he did not trust him to use him..  He felt worthless and he acted in that way.  Maybe he didn't believe that the king would ever return.  He didn't think about the fact that the king had chosen him to do this.. which should have made him have confidence to do what needed to be done. 

Jesus tells the moral of this story, "I tell you, that to everyone who has shall more be given, but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away." 

Jesus knew that He was the One going away to receive His Kingdom and that He was leaving His disciples behind.  He gave them responsibilities for when He was absent and He will examine their faithfulness when He returns.  We are counted among those who are Christ's servants.  All we have in this life is from Him. What are we doing with what He has given to us? Are we faithfully serving our King? When it is time for us to give an account to Him, will He find us faithful? 

Father in heaven, may we be found faithful and good servants on that blessed day.. we want to  serve You with all of our hearts, souls, minds, and strength. Help us, Holy Spirit, to walk in truth and love and to trust fully in Your power to use us.. and all we are.. and all we have been given ...  to the glory of God, our Father and Mighty King and to Jesus, our Savior and Lord. We ask this in His name. Amen.

Luke 24 "But on the first day of the week, at early dawn... " 

The women came to finish laying His body to rest.. but.. the stone was rolled away.. the tomb was empty.. and then angels appeared! "Why do you seek the living One among the dead? He is not here, but He has risen.." 

Jesus had told them.. but they didn't understand.. didn't believe.. didn't know that God would do this impossible thing...until now.  That very moment "they remembered".  They knew.  They returned "and reported all these things to the eleven and to the rest."  No one believed..but.. Peter "arose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen wrappings only; and he went to his home, marveling at that which had happened." 

Luke takes us quickly through the next events.. Jesus walking with the two disciples to Emmaus. Jesus meeting with the apostles in the upper room.. and Jesus ascending into heaven. 

They were "slow of heart to believe.."  Jesus said. They were needlessly troubled. They needed to understand all that the Scriptures had said about Him. "Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures." 

When the Holy Spirit came upon them the would be "clothed with power from on high".  They would proclaim "that repentance for forgiveness of sins... in His name to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem." 

Sorrow was washed away.. great joy filled their hearts.. and they were "continually in the temple, praising God." 

We celebrated Easter.. or Resurrection Sunday.. in so many ways yesterday.. all over this world.  So much of the "celebrations"  have nothing at all to do with the joy that the disciples found with the Living One during those days.  It was a joy that changed their lives and changed the world.  It is a joy unspeakable that changes every heart that will choose to believe. 

Father in heaven,  we rejoice that our Savior lives!  May our hearts stop being slow to believe.. may our minds be opened to understand.. may we be filled with the Holy Spirit.. clothed with power from on high! May we be faithful to proclaim the good news of repentance in the name of Jesus for the forgiveness of sins. Thank You for the wonderful celebration of the resurrection of Jesus. We praise You! Amen and amen. 

 Luke 23  I will go back to chapter 19 next week, but for today, Good Friday, I want to visit the events of that day.. the day that Jesus suffered. 

It started the night before, after the Passover Meal, when the group headed to the Mount of Olives, and Jesus fell to His knees and began to pray, "Father, if Thou art willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will but Thine be done."  As He prayed, His disciples slept. The multitude gathered and the betrayer came. 

Jesus was brought before the high priest... mocked, beaten, and blindfolded.  On that Friday morning the Council of elders came. "If You are the Christ," they said, "tell us."  But.. when He told them, they would not believe and brought Him before Pilate. 

Three times Pilate found nothing to convict Jesus of and was willing to release Him.  Three times the Sanhedrin insisted that Jesus be crucified.  They were insistent. They would not quit. And they prevailed. 

Jesus was led away, so weak from the beatings that He had endured.. that Simon of Cyrene was enlisted to carry the cross behind Jesus. 

"And when they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified Him and the criminals, one on the right and one on the left." 

The soldiers divided His garments. 

The people stared at Him. 

The rulers sneered. 

And Jesus prayed for the Father to forgive them. 

"And it was now about the sixth hour, and darkness fell over the whole land until the ninth hour, the sun being obscured, and the veil of the temple was torn in two. And Jesus crying out with a loud voice, said, 'Father, into Thy hands I commit My Spirit.' And having said this, He breathed His last." 

The centurion praised God, for he understood that Jesus was innocent and that His death was far from ordinary ..  The multitudes.. began to return, beating their breasts. His friends and His mother and the other women, stood at a distance, watching. 

Joseph of Arimathea received permission to take the body of Jesus and laid Him in a tomb cut into the rock. 

And it was done. 

Father in heaven, we call this day "good" not because Jesus suffered such cruelty and horror.. but because He did so for us.. that we might be saved by the One sacrifice that can wash us clean of all our sin. The One sacrifice that was enough, once for all, to pay the high price for the redemption of mankind.. for all who will believe in Him. You asked Your Son to lay down His life and He humbly and willingly suffered and died on a cruel cross that day.. that Good Friday.  How can it be?  What is impossible for man.. is possible with God.. and by Your grace we are saved. Thank You Lord!  Let the glory and grace of Jesus Christ our King be made known in our country and in this world today we pray.  In Jesus' Name. Amen. 

 Luke 18:28-43 ; 19:1-10

Peter.. just as astounded as the others that Jesus said it was hard for the wealthy to enter the kingdom of God.. made a simple statement, "Behold, we have left our own homes, and followed You."  Was he wondering if it was worth it?  Was he wondering if that got him into the kingdom?  Jesus reassured him and the rest of the disciples that "there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who shall not receive many times as much at this time and in the age to come, eternal life."   Yes.. it is worth it all!

Things were about to get bad.  Jesus tells them again that He is going up to Jerusalem to die. All that the prophets had said about Him would be done.. including mocking and mistreatment, scourging and death on the cross. But.. they still did not understand and "this saying was hidden from them.."  

As the group proceeds towards Jerusalem they come upon a blind man who begins to yell out, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"  Even when others tried to quiet him, the man continued to cry out.  And.. Jesus stopped.  

"What do you want Me to do for you?" He asked.  

"Lord, I want to regain my sight." Bartimaeus answered.  

And Jesus spoke to him, "Receive your sight, your faith has made you well."  

No mud.. not even a touch..  just a brief conversation..  a few words from Jesus changed that man's life.. "And immediately he regained his sight and began following Him and glorifying God; and when all the people saw it, they gave praise to God." 

The next stop that Jesus made is underneath the tree where Zaccheus had climbed in order to see Him.  Jesus called him to come down so that He could stay at his house.  Zaccheus was ready to receive Jesus.. in his home and in his heart.  The people complained but Jesus welcomed Zaccheus into the kingdom, "Today salvation has come to this house because he, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost." 

Both Bartimaeus and Zaccheus received Jesus that day.  Both had been lost but now were found. Both of their lives were changed.  Bartimaeus, the blind beggar.. and Zaccheus, the rich tax-gatherer went from death to life that day.  Both of them knew that God had done the impossible work of salvation in them.  Indeed, "the things that are impossible with men are possible with God" !

Father in heaven, we give You glory, for You have done the impossible things in our own lives.  You have healed sicknesses, You have redeemed sinners.  You have given to us a Savior who came to die on a cruel cross so that we might know You.. to know that it is worth it all because we have received eternal life.. and in this life we will see Your greatness, goodness, and glory.  King Jesus, we bow before You and receive You as our Lord and Master. Come and fill us once again  Holy Spirit so that the Name of Jesus will be on our lips and His light will shine brightly in our lives. Do the impossible once again, Lord God so that more eyes will be opened and more people will be saved to the glory of Your Holy Name.  Amen.

 Luke 18:18-27   The young man saw Jesus and ran up to Him.  Mark tells us that he even knelt before Him. His question seems sincere, "Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" 

Jesus saw this young man. He asked a question in return, " Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone."  Then Jesus gives the man a reminder of what God calls good.. " Do not commit adultery, Do not murder. Do not steal. Do not bear false witness. Honor your Father and Mother." Matthew adds, "Love your neighbor as yourself." Mark adds, "Do not defraud." 

Why would Jesus speak only of these 5 commandments?  These all focus on relationships with others.. and the young man is confident that he has kept them.  But.. what of the first 4?  Did he have  "no other gods"?   Had he made himself an idol? Had he used God's name in vain? Was he observing the Sabbath to keep it holy?  And what of the last commandment?  Did he covet what belonged to his neighbor? The young man wanted to justify himself..yet... it seems that he knew something was lacking.  But he didn't like what Jesus had to say, "One thing you still lack; sell all that you possess, and distribute it to the poor and you shall have treasure in heaven, and come, follow Me." 

"But when he had heard these things, he became very sad; for he was extremely rich."  He turned away. He rejected the eternal life that he wanted so badly.. it was right there in front of him and he let it slip away.. His wealth was his god and it was too much to surrender.  He would rather have treasures on earth that would not last than treasures in heaven that will never perish. 

Jesus made a statement that shook them all.. "How hard it is for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God."    Over and over Jesus taught that humility and trust in God are what is "good".  Oh, the way is narrow that leads to God's Kingdom!  It is hard to choose it.. but thankfully Jesus adds, "The things impossible with men are possible with God"!   

This is why He came.. to do the impossible.. to save the lost.. rich and poor.. Hallelujah!

Father in heaven, we come with grateful hearts to thank You for making a way when there was no other way.. and that way is Jesus!  King Jesus, we will follow You.. we will surrender all.  Help us to do the will of the Father, to exalt His Name, and to keep choosing the narrow way every day.. running the race set before us with our eyes fixed on You.  We ask this is Your Holy Name. Amen.