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Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Promises to God Today we enter into a new Address from Moses, his 3rd in this book, to this new generation
of Israel. A Call for Commitment to God. Here after going over the principles and laws of in the previous chapter He reminds
Israel of the contract that God had made with them to be a nation to which the rest of the world would know God and Seals'
half of the contract that promised to obey and love God which to this point they have failed to honor. In making application
we see that when we are saved we are adopted into this same contract with the Lord now being His People. It reminds me of
the relationship I have with my kids of loving them while they love me and with that comes a desire to obey and serve. It
is a natural course of action. We too are to obey and Love the Lord while letting others know of our God by taking the Gospel
into the 4 corners of the world. How about you? Do you see the contract entered when we become a child of the King? Let us
learn from today's text and remembering our promises to the Lord.
1:01 am edt
Sunday, July 29, 2012
ConsequencesI trust that everyone had a wonderful weekend. As we start this week we continue in Deuteronomy
chapter 28 finishing the 6th principle of Consequences of Obedience and Disobedience for this new generation Israel in this
the 2nd giving of the law. In our text today we see the tremendous Blessings for Obedience and the Extreme Curses for Disobedience.
In making application we see the Lord showing us the difference of right and wrong. These strong consequences are another
indication of what our Lord feels about sin. God hates sin because sin hurts others and that is why Jesus went to the cross.
We should never take sin lightly. Just because we live in a day where God extends Grace we should never take Gods grace as
license to sin because if nothing else, there are still consequences. It reminds me of the great basketball player, Magic
Johnson, who in his day was extremely popular and had an image of a playboy. Many young people looked up to him but as a result
of his lifestyle he contracted Aids which was a consequence of his sin. Now not all bad things that happen to us are a result
of our sin but rest assured our sin does bring consequences in our lives. How about you? Do you see your decisions bringing
a blessing or a curse? Let us learn from today's text and remember our decisions bring forth consequences.
11:55 pm edt
Saturday, July 28, 2012
RememberToday we continue in Deuteronomy chapter 27 and enter into the 6th principle of Consequences
of Obedience and Disobedience for this new generation Israel in this the 2nd giving of the law. In our text we see the Levites
shouting the 12 curses and a Monument for God's Laws where Israel is to build and alter in remembrance to what the Lord has
done in delivering them to the promise land. A alter of remembrance. In making application the challenge put to all of us
is the importance to remember what the Lord has done in our lives. In our home we have gathered rocks like in this text placing
the date of our salvation on each. This serves as a remembrance and it encourages us in times of discouragement. How about
you? Have you remembered what the Lord has done in your life? Let us learn from today's text and remember what the Lord has
done in our lives
12:01 am edt
Friday, July 27, 2012
A Heart of ThanksAs we apply today's text to our lives we come to the end of this 5th set of principles that
Moses is giving this new generation of Israel - Laws for Human Relationships. In our text to day we see the Prayers to God
thanking him for His provisions and deliverance. Here Israel was reminded to give their first fruits and symbol of thanksgiving
and were to recite a prayer as a remembrance to what God has done. In doing so Israel was to stay humble before the Lord lest
they forget the Lord as the former generation did. In making application today we are to remember the Lord. Tithing, Thanksgiving,
giving Grace before meals are all a part of this process to teach the next generation of the Lord lest they forget. It reminds
me of being a young boy and being in the hospital for 2 weeks with bad kidney stones. Each day my dad would bring me a new
toy. By the end of my stay I would be upset at the nice toys I received. I was unthankful and did not even acknowledge the
gift or the giver. Now that my dad has passed I remember all the times we had and am regretful that I didn't acknowledge all
that he did for me. Now when I think of my Heavenly father and the day I meet him face to face I don't want to have this feeling
of unthankfulness but rather a heart of thanks. How about you? Do you acknowledge and give thanks to our Lord Jesus? Let us
learn from todays text giving thanks lest are future generations forget the Lord.
12:50 am edt
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Don't Muzzle the Ox Today we come close to the end of this 5th set of principles that Moses is giving this new generation of
Israel - Laws for Human Relationships. The word Deuteronomy means the second giving of the law and here in chapter 25 we see
the important principles for discipline, the carrying on of a family name, and what catches my attention verse 4 that explains
the to not muzzle the ox when he treadith out the Corn. This principle describes the ox that grids the corn and grinds the
flower should be able to take from his labor. In serving the Lord today many Pastors of small Churches are denied a wage.
So are many workers that labor hard for their employer and do not make a wage to support their family. Many approach the area
of usury of others which the Lord describes as a sin. It reminds me of a Pastor I knew whose Church refused to pay him a wage
while having plenty in the treasury. He had a small family and worked a full time job during the week then was expected to
perform all the duties of the Pastorate. The Church ended up voting him out due to his not visiting the all the sick but what
they did is muzzle the ox that God gave them to meet their spiritual needs. If they had followed this principle in our text
they would had the Pastor they needed. In making application we need to pay our Pastors and Ministers a decent wage. Many
think that Preachers work only one day but I can testify that Ministers work more than lay people. With all the study, prayer,
visits, and contacts I average 48 hours a week on this Ministry. Add to that a family and a business and you can see it that
it is truly a calling but to Ministers it is a labor of love. Many would and do work for free because it is a labor of love
but it is the Churches responsibility to take care of Pastor. How about you and your Pastor or Minister? Make sure you meet
their financial needs. Let us learn from today's text and not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Biblical MarriageToday we continue in Deuteronomy chapter 23 where Moses is giving the 5th set of principles
- Laws for Human Relationships - in this second giving of the law to this new generation of Israel. In this section we see
principles for marriage and divorce. The new couple was to spend one year together without work or military service to strengthen
the Marriage bond. In the betrothal process the home was to be prepared to allow this process to happen. What a wonderful
idea to start a Marriage strong. In divorce some might misread the principles of today's text as the Lord agrees with divorce
but this was not the will of God but rather the law in the process of the hardened heart of the married couple. These verses
show us more of the heart of our Lord when it comes to Marriage, a man and woman making a promise before God. The 2 become
one and the relationship which the Lord sees as Holy Matrimony. In making application as I stated on Monday our society is
far from the heart of the Lord when it comes to Marriage with 60% ending in divorce. If we would apply Biblical Principles
to our marriages our results would get closer to the heart of God with none ending in divorce. How about you? Do you embrace
Biblical Principles when it comes to Marriage? Let us study the Scriptures and apply them to Marriage so that we will attain
a Biblical Marriage.
11:36 pm edt
Monday, July 23, 2012
Your Mission Field hope everyone is enjoying our walk through the Bible. Today we continue in Deuteronomy chapter 23
where Moses is giving the 5th set of principles - Laws for Human Relationships - in this second giving of the law to this
new generation of Israel. In this section we see principles for the Sanctuary and the Camps which were the neighborhoods of
the Israelites giving instruction to how to treat your neighbor. In making application we see how the Lord is serious about
the treatment of the House of God and about how we treat our neighbors. Seeing how the Lord feels about the Sanctuary should
motivate us to respect the House of God today. Seeing how the Lord wants us to treat our neighbor should motivate us on how
we should treat our neighbors. The truth is that our neighborhood is our Mission field and we should treat our neighbors with
kindness showing and telling them of our Savior. It reminds me of our neighbors at our first house. A Spanish family bought
a house next to ours. Being of foreign decent the neighborhood was not as welcoming. We befriended the family taking time
to get to know them and took them to a Spanish mission Church introducing them to Jesus - where they received Christ. Praise
the Lord. How about you? Do you see your neighborhood as a Mission field? Let us learn from todays text and see our neighborhood
as a Mission field.
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Taking a Stand I hope everyone had a great weekend. Today we continue in Deuteronomy chapter 22 where
Moses is giving the 5th set of principles - Laws for Human Relationships - in this second giving of the law to this new generation
of Israel. In this section we see principles for Helping Neighbors, Rules for a division of the sexes, and violations for
marriage laws. In this we see again the Lords opinion on the sanctity of Marriage and division of the sexes. In making application
we see that the Lord takes Marriage seriously and it being between a man and women. In culture we see our standards for marriage
being far from the Lords with 60% ending in divorce. Also in culture we have a debate on gay marriage while the Bible explains
God's position clearly. Just this week Truett Cathy the founder of Chick-fil-a came under fire when in an interview he agreed
with Scripture on being anti-gay marriage. For those who know Truett this comes as no surprise. He closes his restaurants
on Sundays, teaches Sunday School at his church, and honors God with his finances funding many charities. It is small world
as I knew Truett as a small boy when we would visit his 1st restaurant in hapeville Ga. The Lord blessed him from there to
create this restaurant giant. I remember as a boy asking my parents why he was closed on Sundays having them reply "He
is Christian and closes to go to Church on Sundays". The culture and media though - have branded him as "old fashioned
and intolerant" for his Biblical convictions showing how far from God many in our society have fallen. God's position
is found throughout the Bible and in our text today. We see clearly what God believes and we have to make a decision to agree
with God's position or agree with the position of society. How about you? Do you take a stand for what is in the Bible even
when society disagrees with its principles? Let us learn from todays text seeing God's position on these principles and then
Take a Stand for what He declares is right.
11:34 pm edt
Saturday, July 21, 2012
Needing a Savior Today we start a new section in the book of Deuteronomy chapter 21. In this second giving
of the law to this new generation of Israel we have had a (1) review of the 10 commandments, (2) instruction to love God and
obey His commandments, (3) laws for proper worship, (4) laws for ruling a nation and today we start (5) laws for Human Relationships
- with Forgiveness for an unsolved Murder, rules for Marriage and Family, and the proper Burying of criminals. Some of these
principles seem extreme but they define what is right and wrong in God's eyes. The law is ultimately given as a schoolmaster
to show us the need for a savior. Don't be discouraged that you don't keep all the law listed in these chapters we have read
or will read in the upcoming days but rather see your need for a savior. I remember the day when I found myself on the wrong
side of the law of God as a guilty sinner. It was then I found how much God loved me as I heard the Gospel and found out that
Jesus paid my price for my sin debt. As I repented of my sin, accepted His free gift, God saved Me. Praise the Lord. How about
you? Have you seen yourself as a guilty sinner after studying the law of God. Have you received Jesus-Christ as Lord and Savior?
Let us learn from todays text seeing the law and our inability to keep the law as a need to be saved.
12:20 am edt
Friday, July 20, 2012
Don't forget the Lord If you are new with us we are walking through the Bible chapter by chapter. Today we continue
in the book of Deuteronomy making application of our text. Here in Chapter 20 we see
Moses finishing this section of the Laws for ruling the nation, which is the 4th part
of Moses instruction as he is in the second giving of the law to this new generation of Israel. Today Moses gives us the Instructions
for Soldiers. In this text we are reminded that the Lord fights our battles for us and that we are instructed to follow His
instruction 100%. In our flesh though we have a problem. When we face the enemy we fail to trust the Lord to continue in the
battle and when the Lord delivers us we tend to forget the instructions of the Lord in following out His Plan. We face this
problem continually in our lives. It reminds me of financial challenges I have faced and when it looks hopeless I have almost
quit before the Lord shows up and gives me victory. Other times I have been given financial victory and forgot to tithe and
follow His instruction. I am glad that the Lord doesn't forget me like I have forgotten Him. How about you? Do you forget
the Lord in areas of your life? Let us learn from today's text and not forget the Lord.
12:10 am edt
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Prepare the RoadHow informative is this study in the book of Deuteronomy. Today we continue in Chapter 19 where we view the Laws for ruling the nation, which
is the 4th part of Moses instruction in the second giving of the law to this new generation of Israel. Today Moses gives us
the the instruction of the Cities of Refuge. A place to escape the judgement of others due to accidental death of a person.
A picture of our Lord Jesus where we can escape the judgement we deserve as lost sinners. What catches my eye is that Israel
was to keep the roads in good condition, "preparing a way" for those who needed to use it. In making application
we see the need for us to "prepare the way" for sinners by keeping the roads paved with the Gospel. Those who are
saved have a responsibility to lead others to Christ by simply sharing the Gospel. It reminds me of a campaign that I believe
the Lord had me do when I mailed a million tracts to the homes in our city of Atlanta. I felt an obligation to share the Gospel
in the city where someone shared the Gospel with me and I was saved. A lady called me who received Christ from the tract in
tears because she finally was forgiven from her sins...Hallelujah...Now I cant take any credit for her salvation because all
I did is prepare the road where by the Lord convicted her of her sins and she received the free pardon of sin in Christ-Jesus.
I did get to rejoice with her which encourages me to continue preparing the road to this day and as a result others continue
to use the Gospel Road to be saved. How about you? Do you share the Gospel with others? Let us learn from todays text and
continue to "prepare the road" so others can reach the city of refuge which is Christ-Jesus
11:39 pm edt
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
CounterfeitWe continue in Deuteronomy Chapter 18 in this second giving
of the law given by Moses to Israel. He gives the Principles that the former generation
failed to give and example before them. In this 4th part , The Laws for ruling the nation, Moses goes through Offerings for
the Priests and Levites, Warnings against Unholy Practices, and Advice Concerning the Prophets. Many practical applications
can be applied from the conduct of Ministers to our Separation from the unholy worldly teachings of the world, to our following
the teachings of the leaders of the Lord. In making application in our lives we see that many are giving us teachings and
messages. Some come in the name of the World and give worldly advice teaching us to go its way. Some come saying they have
a word from the Lord but are deceitful and have there own agenda, and some have a word from the Lord which will line up with
Scripture and the Holy Spirit to help us grow. So many voices can confuse or frustrate the new believer and those who have
little knowledge of the Word of God. The Key to know what voice to listen to and the Key to catch a counterfeit is to study
the original. This reminds me of a story I heard of how the FBI trains its agents to identify counterfeit bills. Instead of
looking at counterfeit bills they study the real currency. After much study they can spot a fake because they know the real
currency. They know how it feels, how it smells, and every detail of how it looks. We need to do same when it comes to learning
from others. We are to know God's Word through our simple daily Bible study so that when presented with false or worldly teaching
we can then reject the counterfeit for we know what the Word says. How about you? If you were presented with false or wordily
teaching could you identify it because you have a understanding of God's Word. Let us learn from todays text so we will identify
the counterfeit.
10:18 pm edt
A Closed DoorToday we continue in Deuteronomy Chapter 17 where Moses continues to give Principles to teach this new generation of Israel. In this second giving of
the Law Moses has taught a Review of the 10 commandments, Second, to Love God and obey His commandments. The third principal
of the Laws for Proper Worship and the fourth principle we reviewing currently, The Laws for ruling the nation. Yesterday
we learned Biblical Leadership and today Guidelines for the King. God did not want Israel to have a king because He was their
King. Stubborn though, Israel wanted a human king just as the other nations so with their constant begging God gave them what
they wanted even though it was not His will for them. In upcoming days you will see the error of their ways. In making application
we see that if we persistently ask God for things that are not his will He will give you over to your request to teach you
the error of your way and showing you who God truly is. It reminds me of when I was a young boy wanting to eat a banana split
at dairy queen after a ball game. I asked and asked my parents over and over each time we went to receive one but they knew
it was too much and would make me sick. After much persistence they bought me one and sure enough I threw it up. The moral
of the story is to not try to open doors that God closes. Many reading this note will be seeking Gods will and God will shut
doors that we want opened and if we are not carful we miss the will of God for our lives. God knows what is needed for us
and will keep us from things that get us off tract just as that banana split was for me as a child. We must trust God when
He closes a door to not pry it open lest we see the error of our ways. How about you? Do you see this principal in your life?
Let us learn from our text today and not try to pry open doors God closes
12:41 am edt
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Biblical LeadershipI hope everyone had a great weekend. We pick up our study in Deuteronomy Chapter 16 where Moses is giving Principles to teach this new generation of Israel.
In this second giving of the Law Moses finishes up on the 3rd principal of Laws Given for Proper Worship going over the observations
of the Celebrations. Moving into the 4th principal of Laws for Ruling the Nation specifically Justice in the Courts. In making
application we see the need to elect proper leadership in the Church and the Government. Too many times we fail to make decisions
based on Godly Principles instead we make decisions based on personal preferences, politics, personal gain, or even ignorance.
It reminds me politicians today who promise the world but when they get your vote they do things their own way. If we elect
officials based on their record and their character then we will put leaders of Justice that will guide our nation. In the
Church their are Biblical qualifications for leadership and if we are wise we will elect them according to the standards of
the Bible. How about you? Do you elect officials and leaders according to the Biblical characteristics they posses? Let us
learn from todays text and follow the Bible for our leaders.
10:34 pm edt
Friday, July 13, 2012
BitternessAs we continue in Deuteronomy Chapter 15 Moses continues giving Principles to teach this new
generation of Israel. In this second giving of the Law Moses gives instruction reminding the New generation of the mistakes
of the former. Today we see principles on Lending money, slaves, and first born animals. In this we see the Lords view on
holding others in bondage and who ultimately owns everything - the Lord. Israel was to release debts and free slaves after
a period of time as to not keep in others in bondage. Plus he reminds us to not forget the Lord in the proper use of the first
born animals as belonging to the Lord. In making application we see how the Lord is the ultimate authority in all we own.
We are simply stewards of what he allows us to manage. It reminds me of doing work for a customer who ran up a large debt.
After a period of time without realizing I had started to get bitter at my customer. Every time we drove through that neighborhood
I would get angrier for lack of payment. After a period of time I decided to forgive her of the debt. When I did the bitterness
I had toward her melted away. I had held her in bondage in my heart. What I realized is that it all belonged to the Lord anyway.
I was just managing His resources. I now try to keep this principle of the Bible in my heart with all I have and do, It is
God that owns my house, car, and bank account along with the strength to labor. The Lord has blessed me more than I could
ever thank Him for so holding others in bondage for what they do hurts me more because it causes bitterness. How about you?
Do you hold others in bondage for what the owe you? Do you realize that everything belongs to the Lord? Let us learn from
todays text realizing that the Lord owns it all and we are just managing His Possessions.
11:02 pm edt
"What does the Bible say about superstitions?""What does the Bible say about superstitions?"
Answer: Superstition is based on the ignorant faith of an object having magical powers. Another word for superstition
is “idolatry.” The Bible does not support the idea of things occurring by chance, but nothing is done outside
of God’s sovereign control. Either He causes or allows everything in keeping with His divine plan (Acts 4:28; Ephesians
1:1...0).
There are many types of superstitions
in the world, ranging from the benign—such as not walking under a ladder—to the occult practices of astrology,
black magic, divination, voodoo and sorcery. Scripture condemns those who practice astrology (Deuteronomy 4:19), magic, divination
and sorcery (2 Kings 21:6, Isaiah 2:6). Idolatry is also forbidden, and no one who practices it will enter the Kingdom of
God (Revelation 21:27). These types of practices are extremely dangerous because they open the minds of the practitioners
to the influence of the devil. First Peter 5:8 warns us to “be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls
around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
We should get our faith not from objects or rituals
of man-made origin, but from the one true God who gives eternal life. “See to it that no one takes you captive through
hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.
For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head
over every power and authority” (Colossians 2:8-10).
Question: "What is the meaning of Friday the 13th?"Question: "What is the meaning of Friday
the 13th?"
Answer: Friday the 13th occurs from one to three times per year when the 13th day of any month
falls on a Friday. The fear of Friday the 13th is called paraskevidekatriaphobia, a word derived from the Greek words Paraskeví
(Friday) and dekatreís (thirteen), attached to phobía (fear). Some people are so paralyzed by paraskevidekatriaphobia
that ...they avoid normal activities and some refuse
to travel on that day. For those who fear the day, consolation can be taken from the fact that it will occur only once in
2010 (August) and 2011 (May), although it will occur three times in 2012 (January, April, July). Friday the 13th is thought
to be a day of unlucky events, although the origins of such ideas are unclear. Consequently, several theories have been proposed
about the origin of the Friday the 13th superstition.
One theory states that it is a modern amalgamation of two
older superstitions: that thirteen is an unlucky number and that Friday is an unlucky day. Combining two unlucky elements
into one day would make it all the more fearsome, and so it has become. In numerology, the number twelve is considered the
number of completeness, as reflected in the twelve months of the year, twelve signs of the zodiac, twelve hours of the clock,
twelve tribes of Israel, twelve Apostles of Jesus, twelve gods of Olympus, etc., whereas the number thirteen was considered
irregular, transgressing this completeness. There is also a superstition, thought by some to derive from the Last Supper,
that having thirteen people seated at a table will result in the death of one of the diners since Jesus was arrested and crucified
after the Passover meal He shared with His twelve disciples (Matthew 26–27). The fact that He was crucified on a Friday
also adds credence to this theory.
Other theories regarding the origin of Friday the 13th include a Norse myth
involving Frigga, the free-spirited goddess of love and fertility, whose name means Friday. When Christianity came to her
country, Frigga was denounced as a witch and banished to the mountains where, it was believed, she convened a meeting with
eleven other witches, plus the devil on Fridays to plot revenge and ill turns of fate for the coming week. For many centuries
in Scandinavia, Friday was known as “Witches' Sabbath.”
Another theory about the origin of the superstition
traces the event to the arrest of the legendary Knights Templar, a monastic military order founded in Jerusalem in 1119 A.D.,
whose mission was to protect Christian pilgrims during the Crusades. Because of their wealth and power, French King Philip
IV secretly ordered the mass arrest of all the Knights Templar in France on Friday, October 13, 1307. The connection between
the superstition and the Knights Templar was popularized in the 2003 novel The Da Vinci Code.
Some have been known
to take advantage of the irrational fear of Friday the 13th and have capitalized upon it for monetary gain. The release of
certain books, movies and music albums that depict mysticism and/or evil have been timed to coincide with the day. The 13th
book in A Series of Unfortunate Events was released on Friday, October 13, 2006 by Lemony Snicket, also known as novelist
Daniel Handler. Music group Black Sabbath’s debut album was released on Friday, the 13th of October, 1970. Four of the
twelve films in the Friday the 13th series, were released on a Friday the 13th, although considering the other eight were
released on other days, it would appear the date was inconsequential to the marketing. The 2009 film "2012" was
released on Friday November 13, 2009.
Fear of Friday the 13th is based on superstition, and as such it has no
place in the mind or heart of Christians. No day or date is to be feared by those who belong to God through Jesus Christ.
Everything that happens is under the control of our sovereign God who rules every event in the universe and never allows superstitions
or the schemes of men to thwart His divine will and plan (Isaiah 46:11). Furthermore, attending to superstitions and ‘old
wives’ tales’ and planning our lives around them can provide an opening for Satan who “prowls around like
a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8) and, as such, should be avoided.
PrinciplesIn our study today we continue to make application from out text. Today we continue in Deuteronomy chapter 14 where Moses continues giving Principles to teach this new generation of Israel. In this text Moses explains Clean and Unclean
Foods and Tithes. We see that there are symbolic meanings behind the statutes given as we are a people unto Himself and today
with foods and tithes we see that there are healthy foods to eat and less healthy foods. In choosing to deny certain foods
we identify what is unclean before the Lord as an testimony to others. In tithing we see the Lords welfare system to give
of tithe so that there will meat in His house and meet the needs of others. In making application we see that the meats listed
to avoid are unhealthy and the need to tithe is needed to meet the needs of others. Some get prideful in keeping the law but
the Lord has us to be testimony and blessing in keeping these principles. It reminds me of a Church I visited who preached
tithing and took great pride in their offerings. The leaders drove elaborate vehicles, expensive clothing, and lived in mansions
but didn't have a food pantry for the poor or a benevolence fund to help the poor. This Church followed the letter of the
law but missed the heart of this principles. God wants you to be the same on the outside as the inside. How about you? Do
you see this principle in your Life? Let us learn from todays text understanding the Lords plan for eating and tithing in
our lives.
1:22 am edt
Thursday, July 12, 2012
StarsToday we continue in Deuteronomy chapter 13 where Moses continues giving Principles to teach this new generation of Israel. After giving laws for proper
worship and the pitfall for Idols in chapter 12. Here in chapter 13 we see Moses warning this new generation of Israel to
watch for those who would entice them to worship Idols or false gods. These People or False Prophets of influence have the
tendency to entice others to sin by following these gods which again the Bible describes as Idols. We learned that today Idols
come in all forms from careers, success, power, finances, etc., as well as other gods like Mohammed, Buddha, etc. the list
goes on and on but basically an Idol is anything that comes between you and The God of the Bible. Today, as in the day of
the text, there are those who entice us to worship Idols are these People are ones we look up to and admire. In making application
I am reminded of the leaders of business who would entice us to worship the Idol of success. They would use their position
and financial gain to influence us to follow their Idols of putting our careers ahead of God. Another example is Hollywood
and Americas obsession with the Actors that we lift up going them the title of "Stars" or "Movie Stars".
We call them "Stars" because we lift them up as the stars of the sky and in doing so they have influence over many
to worship their Idols of anything from money, to promiscuity, to drugs to alcohol, and this list too goes on and on. Even
False Religions of Buddhism, Hinduism, and Scientology which have recently been in the news. It seems as every "Star"
has some Idol and much influence to share it to their fans. How about you? Do you recognize those who would entice us to worship
Idols? Let us learn from today's text staying away from Idols and those who entice us to worship them
12:03 am edt
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Beware of IdolsWe continue to walk through the Bible taking each Chapter. Reading its text, defining its meaning,
and making application of the text. Here in Deuteronomy chapter 12 Moses continues giving Principles to teach Israel. Today, He gives laws for proper worship, in particular, that there
is only one altar for sacrifice. Moses saw first hand the affects of idol worship with the former generation of Israel and
warns this new generation of the consequences of other gods and other worship. In making application I am reminded of when
I entered into the workforce. The company I worked for subtilely wanted you to worship and make sacrifice to them. Working
on Sundays, holidays, with many hours and many rewards creating a "work family" that I learned when I advance to
upper management. The company would relocate you when you advanced to lower management to "break ties" with your
surrounding family creating a more dedicated worker. I fell for their "strategy" and it was only till I made it
to assistant to the vice president did I see what they were doing and what I had done. I had "fallen" for the same
thing Israel did. Worshiping another god making sacrifice on their alter. Today false gods come in the form of careers, finances,
leisure, relationships, the list goes on and on ...but the simple fact is anything that comes between you and God will become
an idol to you. How about you? Is there anything that comes between you and Him. Let us learn from today's text and Only Worship
the God of the Bible.
11:55 pm edt
Being Blessed The book of Deuteronomy has been a great study as we look at the law being given to the new generation
of Israel. Today in chapter 11 Moses continues giving Principles to teach Israel. We
have looked at the mistakes of the former generation being reminded to not forget the
Lord as he Blesses us, to not forget God's Mercy, and to Fear the Lord obeying His Commandments. Today we another simple but
powerful principle in verse 26 of Blessings and Cursing. When presented a free will decision we have the choice to obey or
disobey the Lord. The blessing of obedience is a chain of events that the Lord intervenes providing His provisions, situations,
and circumstances to walk through the decision. While the curse is a chain of events that do not include the hand of God.
In making application It reminds me of a poor decision I made when purchasing a vehicle early in our marriage. I financed
a car after being convicted to not take on any debt. The vehicle seemed to be the right decision in my flesh but I knew in
my spirit in was the Wrong Decision. After many months of not being able to make the payments the car was repossed. How embarrassing
not to mention a poor testimony. There me, my wife, and 2 little kids were with no car. My wife said I can try to finance
a car in my name and again the decision to obey or disobey what the Lord had convicted us on. We said "NO" Lord
we are gong to obey you. At that very instant the phone rang and a friend of mine said "I have a car that the I believe
the Lord would have me give you" It was an older model that we drove for over a year till we could save up for another
one which we paid cash. Praise the Lord. A true Blessing of the Lord. A chain of events where the Lord intervened and provided
our need. How about You? Do you see the principle of Blessings and Cursing in your life? Let us learn from todays text and
choose to Obey the Word of the Lord and be Blessed of the Lord.
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Obey and Fear the LordI hope everyone had a great weekend. Today we continue in Chapter
10 of the book of Deuteronomy as Moses continues giving Principles to this new generation of
Israel. We have been reminded to not forget the Lord our God as he blesses us. To not forget God's Mercy. Today we are reminded
to Fear the Lord and Obey the Lord as the former generation of Israel forgot at the giving of the 10 commandments. Moses reminds
this new generation of Israel of the mistakes of their forefathers and the lack of Fear and Obedience resulting in judgement.
The word Fear means "to reverence" or respect and obedience to follow the instruction of an authority. In making
application we are to obey the Words of God and Fear the God of the Bible as its pages testify of the power of God. It reminds me of my early 20's when I bought my 1st sports car. My job transferred me to the West
Virginia mountains. With my new fast car the winding mountain roads it felt like one of those new car commercials with a car
racing around corners and hills. My problem is I did not Fear the Mountain roads nor did I obey the traffic laws resulting
in me driving my car off a mountain, hitting a tree, destroying my car, and breaking my nose. A painful reminder of my disobedience.
I now had a New Fear and sense of Obedience for the laws of the Roads. How about you? Do you Obey and Fear the Lord? Let us
learn from those who came before us and left this example as a guide. To Obey and Fear the Lord.
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