Deut. 8:5 - "'Thus you are to know in your heart that the Lord your God was disciplining you just as a man disciplines his son.'"
Usually when we think of the loving heart of the Father, we think of Him through the person of Jesus, but here in the old testament, God the Creator is described as a Father who disciplines His children just as an earthly father would his son. God loves us too much to leave us just as we are, tl leave us in our folly. God does not discipline us out of the jealousy for Himself, nor out of the wrath and anger, but out of a spirit of love for His children. God wants us to get this, to understand this fully in our hearts. Moses didn't say 'Get this into your thick heads.', no, he said 'you are to know in your heart.' When information we receive stays in our brains, we can choose to draw from it or not, but when it is in our hearts, the knowledge forms who we are, it becomes a part of us, which naturally guides our actions and character. Therefore, know in your heart that God loves you enough to discipline you, for your safety and to build godly character in you.
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Promise 26 from Deuteronomy 8:3
Deut. 8:3 - "'He humbled you and let you be hungry, and fed you with manna which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that He might make you understand that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord.'"
Bread, with the exception of manna, is something that man can produce, make, fashion. Man usually knows how to get it, has control of when to get it (if they are rich enough) and relies on it to sustain life. Bread can be substituted for rice or sweet potatoes for cultures who have a different staple. God gave the Israelites a very difficult lesson, a 40 year one, that taught them that bread alone is not sufficient, what they themselves can produce is not sufficient but they can live on what comes from God alone. His words are provision! His words gave them direction, instruction, encouragement, structure, equipping, foresight and preparation. His words gave them everything that they didn't have within their own strength. Within their own strength they were slaves, bound, hopeless and a dying race. On their own, they were lost, hungry and wandering endlessly in circles. They were powerless against the elements and the enemies. Through God's word they found identity, direction, power, promise and victory with abundance. Why would we even consider trying to live our lives in our own strength?
Bread, with the exception of manna, is something that man can produce, make, fashion. Man usually knows how to get it, has control of when to get it (if they are rich enough) and relies on it to sustain life. Bread can be substituted for rice or sweet potatoes for cultures who have a different staple. God gave the Israelites a very difficult lesson, a 40 year one, that taught them that bread alone is not sufficient, what they themselves can produce is not sufficient but they can live on what comes from God alone. His words are provision! His words gave them direction, instruction, encouragement, structure, equipping, foresight and preparation. His words gave them everything that they didn't have within their own strength. Within their own strength they were slaves, bound, hopeless and a dying race. On their own, they were lost, hungry and wandering endlessly in circles. They were powerless against the elements and the enemies. Through God's word they found identity, direction, power, promise and victory with abundance. Why would we even consider trying to live our lives in our own strength?
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Promise 25 from Deuteronomy 7:24
Deut. 7:24 - "'He will deliver their kings into your hand so that you will make their name perish from under heaven; no man will be able to stand before you until you have destroyed them.'"
Not only will God give us all we need to defeat our enemies, but He will take care of the authority of our enemies. He will defeat the power and authority of those who oppose Him and cause others to turn away from Him. Any leader who discourages their people from turning to God or from seeking Him will ultimately be removed from that power and destroyed. God is a jealous God. I think we should pray for that jealousy to manifest itself in greater measure over the nations of the this world. Then maybe the world will see more peace and righteousness.
Not only will God give us all we need to defeat our enemies, but He will take care of the authority of our enemies. He will defeat the power and authority of those who oppose Him and cause others to turn away from Him. Any leader who discourages their people from turning to God or from seeking Him will ultimately be removed from that power and destroyed. God is a jealous God. I think we should pray for that jealousy to manifest itself in greater measure over the nations of the this world. Then maybe the world will see more peace and righteousness.
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Promise 24 from Deuteronomy 7:22-23
Deut. 7:22-23 - "'The Lord you God will clear away these nations before you little by little; you will not be able to put an end to them quickly, for the wild beasts would grow too numerous for you. But the Lord your God will deliver them before you, and will throw them into great confusion until they are destroyed.'"
The enemy always appears to be so much bigger, ferocious and threatening than we are, regarding personal enemies that is. An enemy can be a person or a difficult situation. For the Israelites, the wilderness beasts are mentioned as their enemy. Anything that causes us to feel fearful and powerless against it. Often times when we feel afraid it is because we feel like we are vulnerable and defenceless against it. God tells us the truth, through Moses, "We are not defenceless!" God is not only our Shield and Armour but He is our offensive weapon against the enemy. He will bring our enemies to destruction through His methods either by making us wiser or stronger, or causing them (it) to be confused, thereby disarming its power and strength or threat over us. We have a mighty Heavenly army on our side. That is our promise from our Heavenly Daddy!
The enemy always appears to be so much bigger, ferocious and threatening than we are, regarding personal enemies that is. An enemy can be a person or a difficult situation. For the Israelites, the wilderness beasts are mentioned as their enemy. Anything that causes us to feel fearful and powerless against it. Often times when we feel afraid it is because we feel like we are vulnerable and defenceless against it. God tells us the truth, through Moses, "We are not defenceless!" God is not only our Shield and Armour but He is our offensive weapon against the enemy. He will bring our enemies to destruction through His methods either by making us wiser or stronger, or causing them (it) to be confused, thereby disarming its power and strength or threat over us. We have a mighty Heavenly army on our side. That is our promise from our Heavenly Daddy!
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Promise 23 from Deuteronomy 7:21
Need to go back to this verse, too good to pass up!
Deut. 7:21 - "'You shall not dread them, for the Lord your God is in your midst, a great and awesome God.'"
Have you ever stood right in the midst of God? It is the most amazing experience! Your body just goes numb as a peace washes over you. Yesterday (written in Nov 21) during worship in a BSSM class at Bethel, Redding, I saw myself worshipping at Jesus' feet surrounded by a cloud of glory, it made me dance like a ballerina all around Him, He was laughing and enjoying the moment with me. There is so much freedom in the presence of God. No one else matters when it is just me and Jesus. God is telling the Israelites that He will be in their midst, they will have no need to worry about a thing. God promises that for us too! "Christ in you" allows you to carry His presence, to feel His touch and hear His laughter over you. Why don't you step into His presence today?
Deut. 7:21 - "'You shall not dread them, for the Lord your God is in your midst, a great and awesome God.'"
Have you ever stood right in the midst of God? It is the most amazing experience! Your body just goes numb as a peace washes over you. Yesterday (written in Nov 21) during worship in a BSSM class at Bethel, Redding, I saw myself worshipping at Jesus' feet surrounded by a cloud of glory, it made me dance like a ballerina all around Him, He was laughing and enjoying the moment with me. There is so much freedom in the presence of God. No one else matters when it is just me and Jesus. God is telling the Israelites that He will be in their midst, they will have no need to worry about a thing. God promises that for us too! "Christ in you" allows you to carry His presence, to feel His touch and hear His laughter over you. Why don't you step into His presence today?
Monday, March 18, 2013
Promise 22 from Deuteronomy 7:18-19
Deut. 7:18-19 - "'You shall not be afraid of them; you shall well remember what the Lord your God did to Pharaoh and to all Egypt: the great trials which your eyes saw and the signs and wonders and the mighty hand and the outstretched arm by which the Lord your God brought you out. So shall the Lord your God do to all peoples of whom you are afraid.'"
Fear is something that we can so easily entangle ourselves with. Fear of people or anything that comes against us; a sickness or a challenge. Moses tells his people, "Remember what you've seen God do. Remember who your God is." This is why testimony is so important. When we write down what we see God do in our lives, we can draw from the strength of the testimony of who He is and what we've already seen Him do, in either our lives or others. When we know that God can save us one time, we know He can do it again, therefore we can rest in that promise of His character. This passage says God WILL deliver them again from their enemies. And so He shall do for us.
Fear is something that we can so easily entangle ourselves with. Fear of people or anything that comes against us; a sickness or a challenge. Moses tells his people, "Remember what you've seen God do. Remember who your God is." This is why testimony is so important. When we write down what we see God do in our lives, we can draw from the strength of the testimony of who He is and what we've already seen Him do, in either our lives or others. When we know that God can save us one time, we know He can do it again, therefore we can rest in that promise of His character. This passage says God WILL deliver them again from their enemies. And so He shall do for us.
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Promise 21 from Deuteronomy 7:14-15
Deut. 7:14-15 - "'You shall be blessed above all people; there will be no male or female barren among you or among your cattle. The Lord will remove you from all sickness; and He will not put on you any of the harmful diseases of Egypt with you have known but He will lay them on all who hate you.'"
Moses is describing what it means to be blessed by God. The Israelites experienced what it looks like to live outside the blessings of God while they were slaves in Egypt. They experienced bareness, illness, poverty and persecution. They are not in that land any longer. Could it be possible that the society and culture we live in can keep us from receiving the blessings God has for us? When a nation, especially its leaders, do not humble themselves before God, how is it then that God can bless that nation? It is those who hate Him who will experience disease, bareness and poverty. It is clear that many of our nation's leaders are compromising God's law because they are bowing to the demands of sinful man instead of standing in obedience to God. It is no wonder that God's chosen people are also subject to the curses of the nation. What is the promise here? God can and will redeem His people. He will draw them out of slavery and into kingdom health. He will pour out His abundance onto His people. AMEN!
Moses is describing what it means to be blessed by God. The Israelites experienced what it looks like to live outside the blessings of God while they were slaves in Egypt. They experienced bareness, illness, poverty and persecution. They are not in that land any longer. Could it be possible that the society and culture we live in can keep us from receiving the blessings God has for us? When a nation, especially its leaders, do not humble themselves before God, how is it then that God can bless that nation? It is those who hate Him who will experience disease, bareness and poverty. It is clear that many of our nation's leaders are compromising God's law because they are bowing to the demands of sinful man instead of standing in obedience to God. It is no wonder that God's chosen people are also subject to the curses of the nation. What is the promise here? God can and will redeem His people. He will draw them out of slavery and into kingdom health. He will pour out His abundance onto His people. AMEN!
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Promise 20 from Deuteronomy 7:13
Deut. 7:13 - "'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.'"
This is the promise of God to His people, Israel. All of this had one condition; that they remain faithful in keeping the law. God is revealing to us His heart's desire for His people. He wants to see us multiply, He wants to see us successful in our work, He wants to see all whom we care for thrive, be healthy and prosperous. That is His desire for those He loves. He promises His love and blessings to be poured out on His people. This is His character and desire for His loved ones. All He asks from us is faithfulness to Him.
This is the promise of God to His people, Israel. All of this had one condition; that they remain faithful in keeping the law. God is revealing to us His heart's desire for His people. He wants to see us multiply, He wants to see us successful in our work, He wants to see all whom we care for thrive, be healthy and prosperous. That is His desire for those He loves. He promises His love and blessings to be poured out on His people. This is His character and desire for His loved ones. All He asks from us is faithfulness to Him.
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Promise 19 from Deuteronomy 7:9
Deut. 7:9 - "'Know therefore that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God, who keeps His covenant and His loving kindness to a thousandth generation with those who love Him and keep His commandments.'"
Moses is giving the Israelites a pep-talk by speaking truth over them. Vs. 6, "For you are a holy people," "You are chosen by God to be His own possession," vs. 7. "The Lord loves you not because you are greater in number, but fewer," vs. 8. "Because of His love for you, He kept His promise and saved you with His mighty hand and redeemed you." So now the people know they are loved, chosen, Holy, His own possession, saved, and redeemed. Then He reminds them of who God is. vs. 9, "Your Lord is God." "He is faithful" "He keeps HIs promises," "His loving kindness never runs out for those who love Him."
In my growing up in conservative evangelical churches, I didn't experience the custom of speaking truth over people, especially in church. Maybe that is why so many people have identity issues. Because the truth that they are loved, chosen, saved, redeemed, beloved children of God wasn't spoken over them, they always either doubted these truths or simply didn't believe them. So because of not having a firm acceptance of identity as precious children of God, people live out of an orphan heart. Striving to earn favour in the eyes of man, possessive of their role and territory, jealous for things (even gifts) that others have. They lack confidence, get defensive and many live in a "whoa is me" mentality. Moses knew that in order for Israelites to step into their identity with, and grasp the authority given to them to defeat the armies of the promised land, they needed to have confidence in their own identity in God and who they are. When God's people begin to accept who they are and to step into their destiny as adopted children of the Almighty God, it frees them to turn their focus off themselves, their needs and wants, and onto what they can do for the Kingdom, motivated not by performance, but out of their own love for their Heavenly Father.
Moses is giving the Israelites a pep-talk by speaking truth over them. Vs. 6, "For you are a holy people," "You are chosen by God to be His own possession," vs. 7. "The Lord loves you not because you are greater in number, but fewer," vs. 8. "Because of His love for you, He kept His promise and saved you with His mighty hand and redeemed you." So now the people know they are loved, chosen, Holy, His own possession, saved, and redeemed. Then He reminds them of who God is. vs. 9, "Your Lord is God." "He is faithful" "He keeps HIs promises," "His loving kindness never runs out for those who love Him."
In my growing up in conservative evangelical churches, I didn't experience the custom of speaking truth over people, especially in church. Maybe that is why so many people have identity issues. Because the truth that they are loved, chosen, saved, redeemed, beloved children of God wasn't spoken over them, they always either doubted these truths or simply didn't believe them. So because of not having a firm acceptance of identity as precious children of God, people live out of an orphan heart. Striving to earn favour in the eyes of man, possessive of their role and territory, jealous for things (even gifts) that others have. They lack confidence, get defensive and many live in a "whoa is me" mentality. Moses knew that in order for Israelites to step into their identity with, and grasp the authority given to them to defeat the armies of the promised land, they needed to have confidence in their own identity in God and who they are. When God's people begin to accept who they are and to step into their destiny as adopted children of the Almighty God, it frees them to turn their focus off themselves, their needs and wants, and onto what they can do for the Kingdom, motivated not by performance, but out of their own love for their Heavenly Father.
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Promise 18 from Deuteronomy 6:4-13
Deut. 6:4-13 - '"Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might (v. 5). These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart (v.6). You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up (v. 7). You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. You shall write them on the door-posts of your house and on your gates.. Then it shall come about when the Lord your God brings you into the land which He swore to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to give you, great and splendid cities which you did not build, and houses full of all good things which you did not fill, and hewn cisterns which you did not dig, vineyards and olive trees which you did not plant, and you eat and are satisfied, then watch yourself, that you do not forget the Lord who brought you from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. You shall fear only the Lord your God; and you shall worship Him and swear by His name (v. 13).'"
How could we have missed vss. 5&6 so easily? People say, "I'm a good person, I've never broke any of the 10 commandments." But the reality is, we have all broken the very 1st commandment. Who can say that throughout their whole Christian walk they have truly loved the Lord with all of their heart, soul and might? I would safely say that most people claiming to be christian would have a desire to love Him, or they are grateful for the what He has done for them, but what about truly loving Him? Moses shows us what that looks like in vs. 7, 'You shall teach the words diligently.....' Most people interpret this as teaching the 10 commandments. I believe that Moses is talking about vs. 5; God's love. Talking about God's love is supposed to be just as natural and normal as putting on clothes and brushing our teeth. Talking about God Himself, should be an all day event anywhere we go. But what do we let get in the way? "Fear!" What did Moses say about that? "You shall fear only the Lord your God; and you shall worship Him and swear by His name." Moses leaves no room for any "buts". It is simple, you have no excuse whatsoever for not talking about the God you love anywhere you go. It should ooze from the fibre of our beings.... if.... we truly love Him.
How could we have missed vss. 5&6 so easily? People say, "I'm a good person, I've never broke any of the 10 commandments." But the reality is, we have all broken the very 1st commandment. Who can say that throughout their whole Christian walk they have truly loved the Lord with all of their heart, soul and might? I would safely say that most people claiming to be christian would have a desire to love Him, or they are grateful for the what He has done for them, but what about truly loving Him? Moses shows us what that looks like in vs. 7, 'You shall teach the words diligently.....' Most people interpret this as teaching the 10 commandments. I believe that Moses is talking about vs. 5; God's love. Talking about God's love is supposed to be just as natural and normal as putting on clothes and brushing our teeth. Talking about God Himself, should be an all day event anywhere we go. But what do we let get in the way? "Fear!" What did Moses say about that? "You shall fear only the Lord your God; and you shall worship Him and swear by His name." Moses leaves no room for any "buts". It is simple, you have no excuse whatsoever for not talking about the God you love anywhere you go. It should ooze from the fibre of our beings.... if.... we truly love Him.
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Promise 17 Deuteronomy 5:30-31
Deut. 5:30-31 - "'Go, say to them, 'Return to your tents.' But as for you stand here by Me, that I may speak to you all the commandments and the statutes and the judgements which you shall teach them, that they may observe them in the land which I will give them to possess.'"
This is the God Almighty, the Creator of the Heavens and the earth telling Moses to send the others away but "You, come and stand by Me." If someone were to tell you to go and stand by God, where would you go? Where would you stand? I love this whole passage in Deuteronomy because the God of the old testament, that so many people are afraid of, intimidated by, or simply don't understand is making Himself so personal and so touchable. In v. 28, He says, 'I have heard your voice', 'He showed His glory', 'His greatness, you have seen Him'. (v.24). And now He is telling Moses, "Come stand by Me." He has made Himself in a physical form so that Moses knows right where to stand, God wants Moses close so that He can speak to him. Where is your God Almighty? Do you know where to stand if He were to say, 'Come, stand next to Me'? God promises us a closeness with Him. He desires to speak to us, not from afar, but right face to face with us. This is our God, our Saviour, our Friend.
This is the God Almighty, the Creator of the Heavens and the earth telling Moses to send the others away but "You, come and stand by Me." If someone were to tell you to go and stand by God, where would you go? Where would you stand? I love this whole passage in Deuteronomy because the God of the old testament, that so many people are afraid of, intimidated by, or simply don't understand is making Himself so personal and so touchable. In v. 28, He says, 'I have heard your voice', 'He showed His glory', 'His greatness, you have seen Him'. (v.24). And now He is telling Moses, "Come stand by Me." He has made Himself in a physical form so that Moses knows right where to stand, God wants Moses close so that He can speak to him. Where is your God Almighty? Do you know where to stand if He were to say, 'Come, stand next to Me'? God promises us a closeness with Him. He desires to speak to us, not from afar, but right face to face with us. This is our God, our Saviour, our Friend.
Monday, March 4, 2013
Promise 16 from Deuteronomy 5:29
Deut. 5:29 - "'Oh that they had such a heart in them that they would fear Me and keep all my commandments always, that it may be well with them and with their sons forever!'"
Can you hear the longing in God's voice when He says this? "Oh, if only they had such a heart..." God reveals His passion to Moses and His people. He so longs for His people to be in right relation with Him, to live in their destiny as children of God, to be content in all they have and who they are, to be children who work out of a place of rest. Where there is rest, there is peace, joy contentment and love. This is His desire for His people. He set everything up for their lives to be this way. He made it all possible. They just needed to choose to step into all that He had prepared for them. That's all! The promise here is that God has it all set up for us too. We just need to decide, are we going to step into our destiny and grab ahold of all He has set up for us, or continue in a life of striving?
Can you hear the longing in God's voice when He says this? "Oh, if only they had such a heart..." God reveals His passion to Moses and His people. He so longs for His people to be in right relation with Him, to live in their destiny as children of God, to be content in all they have and who they are, to be children who work out of a place of rest. Where there is rest, there is peace, joy contentment and love. This is His desire for His people. He set everything up for their lives to be this way. He made it all possible. They just needed to choose to step into all that He had prepared for them. That's all! The promise here is that God has it all set up for us too. We just need to decide, are we going to step into our destiny and grab ahold of all He has set up for us, or continue in a life of striving?
Saturday, March 2, 2013
Promise 15 from Deuteronomy 5:3
Deut. 5:3 - "'The Lord did not make a covenant with our fathers, but with us, with all those of us alive here today.'"
As the Israelites had often heard of the God's love for their fathers and the covenant He made with them, it would be discouraging and tempting to feel like they were living in the shadow of their fathers and receiving their left-overs. Moses puts that option to rest as He points out that God made a personal covenant with them. The next verse says, "He spoke to you face to face at the mountain from the midst of the fire." I love that, God doesn't leave us with someone else's left overs. It is tempting to look at someone else's favour or gifting and feel short handed by comparison. God speaks with us face to face giving all that He wants to pour on us uniquely. Moses pointed out to the Israelites the personalness of God and that has never changed. God is the same today as He was yesterday. The covenant has just changed through Jesus as He showed us even more of the Father's Heart of God.
As the Israelites had often heard of the God's love for their fathers and the covenant He made with them, it would be discouraging and tempting to feel like they were living in the shadow of their fathers and receiving their left-overs. Moses puts that option to rest as He points out that God made a personal covenant with them. The next verse says, "He spoke to you face to face at the mountain from the midst of the fire." I love that, God doesn't leave us with someone else's left overs. It is tempting to look at someone else's favour or gifting and feel short handed by comparison. God speaks with us face to face giving all that He wants to pour on us uniquely. Moses pointed out to the Israelites the personalness of God and that has never changed. God is the same today as He was yesterday. The covenant has just changed through Jesus as He showed us even more of the Father's Heart of God.
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