Deut. 18:15 - "'The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your countrymen (brothers), you shall listen to him.'"
There are many denominations whose theological beliefs say that there are no prophets today. Prophets, in the old testament were the carriers of the message and truth of God. They brought encouragement and warning and revealed things that only God could see. I struggle with that belief; that there are no prophets today, because there are many who God has given prophetic gifts to. These are people who bring Biblical encouragement. They speak out Kingdom truth as it relates to a situation (again, Biblically based) and they can speak out things about yourself that only that person and God would know, because God told them. We need prophets today. Often times we get so wrapped up into a situation that we don't take time or are too stressed to quiet our hearts, so as to hear God's voice speaking into the situation. Sometimes have never stepped into Kingdom presence here on earth, so then we miss seeing things we ought to see and hearing things we ought to hear and believing things we ought to believe (because we are believing other voices instead). God sends us kinsmen, friends and members of the spiritual family, who are living in Kingdom presence, to reveal to us God's heart, eyes and voice into the situations of our lives. I know I've been encouraged by many of those people. God will reveal to you and even send you prophets who are near you. Ask Him today, you never know, He just might put those prophetic gifts inside you so that you can be an encouragement to others.
Saturday, August 30, 2014
Friday, August 29, 2014
Promise 62 from Deuteronomy: 18:12-13
Deut. 18:12-13 - "'For whoever does these things is detestable to the Lord; and because of these detestable things, the Lord your God will drive them out before you. You shall be blameless (or have integrity) before the Lord you God.'"
The Lord is very clear about his thoughts toward any type of sorcery or witchcraft. It is "detestable" to Him. Because of this, He wont even allow His people to be bothered by them. He will just remove them or their power from touching His people, nor even be tempted by it. The Lord, Himself goes to bat for the integrity of His people so that they are not defiled by such devilish acts. This is an area we don't have to worry about. He has our backs on this one. We just need to be just as disgusted by it as He is.
The Lord is very clear about his thoughts toward any type of sorcery or witchcraft. It is "detestable" to Him. Because of this, He wont even allow His people to be bothered by them. He will just remove them or their power from touching His people, nor even be tempted by it. The Lord, Himself goes to bat for the integrity of His people so that they are not defiled by such devilish acts. This is an area we don't have to worry about. He has our backs on this one. We just need to be just as disgusted by it as He is.
Wednesday, August 27, 2014
Promise 61 from Deuteronomy: 18:2
Deut. 18:2 - "'They (the Levitical priests) shall have no inheritance among their countrymen; the Lord is their inheritance, as He promised them.'"
As a single missionary with no children, I think often about what I could possible leave as a legacy and to whom? I have no estate and no offspring to leave it to, if I had one. I don't have much to leave behind, but I do have a grand inheritance to receive. I'm not talking about the furniture I'll receive from my dad's estate, but a whole kingdom of riches from my Heavenly Father's estate. The Lord, Himself is my inheritance! If I receive my inheritance today (which I have), then I will indeed not only have something grand to leave behind, but even more, to take with me and accumulate after I leave. There is nothing more valuable and more precious than having all the riches of the Heavenly Kingdom as a possession, and nothing more honourable than to pass that inheritance on to others. I am willing to give my inheritance to any and all, but what I don't know is; how many are willing to receive it? The Lord is my inheritance, that is my promise from Him!
As a single missionary with no children, I think often about what I could possible leave as a legacy and to whom? I have no estate and no offspring to leave it to, if I had one. I don't have much to leave behind, but I do have a grand inheritance to receive. I'm not talking about the furniture I'll receive from my dad's estate, but a whole kingdom of riches from my Heavenly Father's estate. The Lord, Himself is my inheritance! If I receive my inheritance today (which I have), then I will indeed not only have something grand to leave behind, but even more, to take with me and accumulate after I leave. There is nothing more valuable and more precious than having all the riches of the Heavenly Kingdom as a possession, and nothing more honourable than to pass that inheritance on to others. I am willing to give my inheritance to any and all, but what I don't know is; how many are willing to receive it? The Lord is my inheritance, that is my promise from Him!
Monday, August 25, 2014
Promise 60 from Deuteronomy: 17:18-19
Deut. 17:18-19 - "'Now it shall come about when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, he shall write for himself a copy of this law on a scroll in the presence of the Levitical priests. It shall be with him and he shall read it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the Lord his God, by carefully observing all the words of this law and these statutes.'"
What does an "ideal" king, or country leader look like? Moses describes that king: vs. 15 - he should be a king that God chooses, he needs to be a countryman (not a foreigner); vs. 16 - he should not multiply horses for himself; vs 17- he shall not multiply wives for himself, he shall not increase sliver or gold for himself; vs. 18 - he shall write for himself a copy of the law on a scroll in the presence of Levitical priests; vs. 19 - he shall read it daily. Why should he do this? "So that he may learn to fear the Lord his God." and verse 20 continues by saying, "That his heart may not be lifted up above his countryman and that he not turn aside from the commandment." And in this "he and his sons will continue long in the kingdom." We have the practical guidelines given here. In each instruction it draws the king's attention from raising him self above anyone and totally keeping his attention on God and the law. In doing this he maintains a fear or reverence for God. The blessing in promise is long life and favour among God and the people. Jesus set such a great example of this as He came so humbly as a babe and walked with no regard for earthly gain, yet in the end, he gained the world, should they yield themselves to Him. As those adopted into the kingdom of God, we have a mandate as royals, as leaders, to put on the Christ-like mantle of leadership, to humble ourselves so that our focus remains on Him and so that we do not put ourselves above others. We too then, will live long in the kingdom.
What does an "ideal" king, or country leader look like? Moses describes that king: vs. 15 - he should be a king that God chooses, he needs to be a countryman (not a foreigner); vs. 16 - he should not multiply horses for himself; vs 17- he shall not multiply wives for himself, he shall not increase sliver or gold for himself; vs. 18 - he shall write for himself a copy of the law on a scroll in the presence of Levitical priests; vs. 19 - he shall read it daily. Why should he do this? "So that he may learn to fear the Lord his God." and verse 20 continues by saying, "That his heart may not be lifted up above his countryman and that he not turn aside from the commandment." And in this "he and his sons will continue long in the kingdom." We have the practical guidelines given here. In each instruction it draws the king's attention from raising him self above anyone and totally keeping his attention on God and the law. In doing this he maintains a fear or reverence for God. The blessing in promise is long life and favour among God and the people. Jesus set such a great example of this as He came so humbly as a babe and walked with no regard for earthly gain, yet in the end, he gained the world, should they yield themselves to Him. As those adopted into the kingdom of God, we have a mandate as royals, as leaders, to put on the Christ-like mantle of leadership, to humble ourselves so that our focus remains on Him and so that we do not put ourselves above others. We too then, will live long in the kingdom.
Saturday, August 23, 2014
Promise 59 from Deuteronomy: 16:20
Deut. 16:20 - "'Justice, and only justice, you shall pursue, that you may live and possess the land which the Lord your God is giving you.'"
There is a pattern seen here; "That you may live and possess the land." We are seeing that there are rules and regulations that must be adhered to in order for the Israelites to experience the blessing of "full living" and "peaceful possession" of the land. In this verse, they must live justly in the land. They are not to "distort justice or take bribes or be partial," according to verse 19. In other words, they shall not be corrupt or allow anyone to corrupt them. When they stand firm on what is right in the eyes of the Lord, if they treat all as equals and defend the defenceless, God will bless them in that land. If you think about what the heart goes through when one is trying to cheat another, to get revenge, or to cause another to fail, you see a heart that is motivated out of self-ambition, jealousy, anger, envy, and the eyes are totally focused on "self". That is what God is trying to warn his people against. He doesn't want them to become selfish and so self-absorbed on what they can get and how they can better themselves that they forget who He is. I believe there are many societies in this world who have forgotten who God is. Politicians rule out of fear and selfish gain, if not for themselves, for their own political party. They have forgotten what it means to look up and to see who God is, therefore, they are not experiencing the promised blessing of the fullness of life and peaceful possession of their land. "Whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is right (just), whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, think (dwell) on these things. (Phil. 4:8)" Are we doing this? As a nation, I think not. Look at the blessing we miss out corporately. But I do believe, individually we must strive for "just" living, and when we do, He blesses us.
There is a pattern seen here; "That you may live and possess the land." We are seeing that there are rules and regulations that must be adhered to in order for the Israelites to experience the blessing of "full living" and "peaceful possession" of the land. In this verse, they must live justly in the land. They are not to "distort justice or take bribes or be partial," according to verse 19. In other words, they shall not be corrupt or allow anyone to corrupt them. When they stand firm on what is right in the eyes of the Lord, if they treat all as equals and defend the defenceless, God will bless them in that land. If you think about what the heart goes through when one is trying to cheat another, to get revenge, or to cause another to fail, you see a heart that is motivated out of self-ambition, jealousy, anger, envy, and the eyes are totally focused on "self". That is what God is trying to warn his people against. He doesn't want them to become selfish and so self-absorbed on what they can get and how they can better themselves that they forget who He is. I believe there are many societies in this world who have forgotten who God is. Politicians rule out of fear and selfish gain, if not for themselves, for their own political party. They have forgotten what it means to look up and to see who God is, therefore, they are not experiencing the promised blessing of the fullness of life and peaceful possession of their land. "Whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is right (just), whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, think (dwell) on these things. (Phil. 4:8)" Are we doing this? As a nation, I think not. Look at the blessing we miss out corporately. But I do believe, individually we must strive for "just" living, and when we do, He blesses us.
Friday, August 22, 2014
Promise 58 from Deuteronomy: 16:15
Deut. 16:15 - "'Seven days you shall celebrate a feast to the Lord your God in the place which the Lord chooses, because the Lord your God will bless you in all your produce and in all the work of your hands, so that you will be altogether joyful.'"
The Lord delights to se His people joyful! The Israelites were told to plan a big party into their schedules because God was going to bless them. Instead of setting out to do their work in hopes of success, they already knew they were going to be successful, their crops would be plentiful and their herds will be large enough to have plenty to sacrifice, yet provide for their families. What if we too approached our work with expectations of success and not failure? What if we automatically planned in celebrations of success even before we laid a hand on the plough, in anticipation of God's blessings? God desires to bless us so that we will be joyful. Let's schedule in a joyous celebration in anticipation of God's blessing. He already promised that of His people, why not grasp ahold of it now?
The Lord delights to se His people joyful! The Israelites were told to plan a big party into their schedules because God was going to bless them. Instead of setting out to do their work in hopes of success, they already knew they were going to be successful, their crops would be plentiful and their herds will be large enough to have plenty to sacrifice, yet provide for their families. What if we too approached our work with expectations of success and not failure? What if we automatically planned in celebrations of success even before we laid a hand on the plough, in anticipation of God's blessings? God desires to bless us so that we will be joyful. Let's schedule in a joyous celebration in anticipation of God's blessing. He already promised that of His people, why not grasp ahold of it now?
Thursday, August 21, 2014
Promise 57 from Deuteronomy: 15:18
Deut. 15:18 - "'It shall not seem hard to you when you set him free, for he has given you six years with double the service of a hired man; so the Lord your God will bless you in whatever you do.'"
Some times we fall into a trap of thinking that God only has one way or answer for us for each decision that needs to be made. In this passage Moses is teaching the law on the sabbatical year. "If you purchase a kinsman as a slave, then on the 7th year, you set him/or her free. But if you all get along nicely and the slave doesn't want to leave then you have the choice to take him or her into your household to serve you forever, "You can keep them or let them go, the Lord will bless you in whatever you decide." Because the Lord knows us, if we are trustworthy, He will trust us and bless us with whatever decisions we make in life. Often times He throws many options out there and says, "Here, help yourself!" God is not a Dictator God, He is loving and compassionate and trusts those who love and honour Him. He will bless the choices we make, we can't go wrong.
Some times we fall into a trap of thinking that God only has one way or answer for us for each decision that needs to be made. In this passage Moses is teaching the law on the sabbatical year. "If you purchase a kinsman as a slave, then on the 7th year, you set him/or her free. But if you all get along nicely and the slave doesn't want to leave then you have the choice to take him or her into your household to serve you forever, "You can keep them or let them go, the Lord will bless you in whatever you decide." Because the Lord knows us, if we are trustworthy, He will trust us and bless us with whatever decisions we make in life. Often times He throws many options out there and says, "Here, help yourself!" God is not a Dictator God, He is loving and compassionate and trusts those who love and honour Him. He will bless the choices we make, we can't go wrong.
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