Today's reading: Deuteronomy 22, 23, 24; Psalm 1, 31, 61, 91, 121; Proverbs 1
Deuteronomy 23:23, "That which is gone out of thy lips thou shalt keep and perform; even a freewill offering, according as thou hast vowed unto the LORD thy God, which thou hast promised with thy mouth."
I have a friend who made a vow a number of years ago and he struggles to keep it today. He now takes a long time to think before he makes a commitment. We all need to stop and think before we make a decision.
Today, people get married on a whim and then divorced the same way. Decisions are made flippantly. We make no second thought as to the ramifications of our decisions. We live for the moment. We like how it makes us feel or how we feel when we are with someone.
We need to be people of our word. If I tell you that I will do something then I need to be a man and do it. Our word needs to be worth something. What is your word worth?
Monday, March 1, 2010
Sunday, February 28, 2010
February 28, 2010
Today's reading: Deuteronomy 19, 20, 21; Psalm 28, 58, 88, 118, 148; Proverbs 28
Deuteronomy 20:8, "And the officers shall speak further unto the people, and they shall say, What man is there that is fearful and fainthearted? let him go and return unto his house, lest his brethren's heart faint as well as his heart."
Some years ago I worked with someone that I became close to. It was so funny when people would call and talk to us; because, they could not tell which one of us was which. According to others we sounded just like one another on the phone. We all had a good laugh about it. On guy decided that when one of us would answer the phone he would say both of our first names as one name. This way he had a 50% chance of getting it correct.
I noticed also during this time that some things I would say were exactly the way he would have said them. I also noticed that occasionally he would say things that I would say. We shared some of the same likes and dislikes; but, not all. We both enjoyed spicy, hot food and many other things.
My point? You never know how you might influence someone when you are around them. Especially, if you are around them a lot. I have heard it said that "nearness is likeness". I believe that because I have seen it. I have seen it in my wife and I. The longer we are married the more she and I pick up on the other person's saying and mannerisms also. It is kind of funny.
If you allow someone to have influence over you then you are allowing that person to lead you. Leadership is influence. If I will not allow you to influence me then you will not lead me no matter how hard you try. It would be like trying to take a horse to the watering tank and then pull his head into the water to drink. The theme song to "Mission Impossible" is playing now. Yes, it would be impossible. I know this because I have tried it. Don't attempt it.
So, who is influencing you today? What leader are you following? Have you tried following Jesus? If not start now!
Deuteronomy 20:8, "And the officers shall speak further unto the people, and they shall say, What man is there that is fearful and fainthearted? let him go and return unto his house, lest his brethren's heart faint as well as his heart."
Some years ago I worked with someone that I became close to. It was so funny when people would call and talk to us; because, they could not tell which one of us was which. According to others we sounded just like one another on the phone. We all had a good laugh about it. On guy decided that when one of us would answer the phone he would say both of our first names as one name. This way he had a 50% chance of getting it correct.
I noticed also during this time that some things I would say were exactly the way he would have said them. I also noticed that occasionally he would say things that I would say. We shared some of the same likes and dislikes; but, not all. We both enjoyed spicy, hot food and many other things.
My point? You never know how you might influence someone when you are around them. Especially, if you are around them a lot. I have heard it said that "nearness is likeness". I believe that because I have seen it. I have seen it in my wife and I. The longer we are married the more she and I pick up on the other person's saying and mannerisms also. It is kind of funny.
If you allow someone to have influence over you then you are allowing that person to lead you. Leadership is influence. If I will not allow you to influence me then you will not lead me no matter how hard you try. It would be like trying to take a horse to the watering tank and then pull his head into the water to drink. The theme song to "Mission Impossible" is playing now. Yes, it would be impossible. I know this because I have tried it. Don't attempt it.
So, who is influencing you today? What leader are you following? Have you tried following Jesus? If not start now!
Saturday, February 27, 2010
February 27, 2010
Today's reading: Deuteronomy 16, 17, 18; Psalm 27, 57, 87, 117, 147; Proverbs 27
Deuteronomy 17:18-19, "And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book out of that which is before the priests the Levites: And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life: that he may learn to fear the LORD his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them:"
You all know from reading this blog that I believe that daily reading the Bible is vitally important. It was so important to the LORD that He assigned the kings of Israel the task of writing a copy of it and to keep is before the priests the Levites. Why is it so important?
I believe that it is important because what you put into you will come out. You are like a funnel. If you pour water into a funnel and expect grape juice to come out the other end you will be sadly mistaken. This is a principle called "Garbage In/Garbage Out" (GIGO). We need to fill our minds and hearts with the Word of God. If we do we will be equipped to live a life that pleases God also. The Bible is good for us.
The Bible is good for others too. Proverbs 27:17, "Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend." If I am going to encourage my fellow Christians then I will use the Bible to do that. When you sharpen an axe you use a file or grinder of some sort. This causes friction, heat and sparks. This happens because of the contact of the axe head to whatever you choose to sharpen it with. It is the same in our lives as Christians. We need to be close enough to one another to cause sparks, heat and friction from time to time. This is exhortation. If we see someone doing something contrary to the Bible we should pray for them and us. Then we need to go to them in Christian love and share the Bible with them and try to lead them in the way God would be pleased with.
So friend, how are you doing?
Deuteronomy 17:18-19, "And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book out of that which is before the priests the Levites: And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life: that he may learn to fear the LORD his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them:"
You all know from reading this blog that I believe that daily reading the Bible is vitally important. It was so important to the LORD that He assigned the kings of Israel the task of writing a copy of it and to keep is before the priests the Levites. Why is it so important?
I believe that it is important because what you put into you will come out. You are like a funnel. If you pour water into a funnel and expect grape juice to come out the other end you will be sadly mistaken. This is a principle called "Garbage In/Garbage Out" (GIGO). We need to fill our minds and hearts with the Word of God. If we do we will be equipped to live a life that pleases God also. The Bible is good for us.
The Bible is good for others too. Proverbs 27:17, "Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend." If I am going to encourage my fellow Christians then I will use the Bible to do that. When you sharpen an axe you use a file or grinder of some sort. This causes friction, heat and sparks. This happens because of the contact of the axe head to whatever you choose to sharpen it with. It is the same in our lives as Christians. We need to be close enough to one another to cause sparks, heat and friction from time to time. This is exhortation. If we see someone doing something contrary to the Bible we should pray for them and us. Then we need to go to them in Christian love and share the Bible with them and try to lead them in the way God would be pleased with.
So friend, how are you doing?
Friday, February 26, 2010
February 26, 2010
Today's reading: Deuteronomy 13, 14, 15; Psalm 26, 56, 86, 116, 146; Proverbs 16
Deuteronomy 15:17-18, "Then thou shalt take an aul, and thrust it through his ear unto the door, and he shall be thy servant for ever. And also unto thy maidservant thou shalt do likewise. It shall not seem hard unto thee, when thou sendest him away free from thee; for he hath been worth a double hired servant to thee, in serving thee six years: and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all that thou doest."
I remember growing up on the farm there were several men who came through as hired farm hands. One man in particular we will call Bob. He worked for my uncle several times and was as hard working a man that you could want. The problem was the Bob loved alcohol. When he would get in trouble he would end up at my Aunt and Uncle's house to sober up and get back on the wagon so to speak. Bob was a great guy when he was sober. I only remember seeing him under the influence one time in my life when my Uncle and I went to get him and bring him to the house for a time of drying out.
Bob could work from sun up to sun down as hard as any man. I remember when there was a lull in the conversation Bob would say, "How 'boot that William?" Tragically, Bob's life ended in a benge for alcohol. He got so desperate that he drank rubbing alcohol. He laid on the floor and literally bled to death because of it. How sad.
My point today? In our text we are reminded of how to treat servants. This could be compared to our modern day employee/employer relationship. I often wonder as a servant of God, would He drive an awl through my ear at the end of six years. The answer to that brings doubt to my heart. I want to think that He would; but, I know me too well.
How about you friend? If you were God's servant would He drive an awl through your ear at the end of six years?
Deuteronomy 15:17-18, "Then thou shalt take an aul, and thrust it through his ear unto the door, and he shall be thy servant for ever. And also unto thy maidservant thou shalt do likewise. It shall not seem hard unto thee, when thou sendest him away free from thee; for he hath been worth a double hired servant to thee, in serving thee six years: and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all that thou doest."
I remember growing up on the farm there were several men who came through as hired farm hands. One man in particular we will call Bob. He worked for my uncle several times and was as hard working a man that you could want. The problem was the Bob loved alcohol. When he would get in trouble he would end up at my Aunt and Uncle's house to sober up and get back on the wagon so to speak. Bob was a great guy when he was sober. I only remember seeing him under the influence one time in my life when my Uncle and I went to get him and bring him to the house for a time of drying out.
Bob could work from sun up to sun down as hard as any man. I remember when there was a lull in the conversation Bob would say, "How 'boot that William?" Tragically, Bob's life ended in a benge for alcohol. He got so desperate that he drank rubbing alcohol. He laid on the floor and literally bled to death because of it. How sad.
My point today? In our text we are reminded of how to treat servants. This could be compared to our modern day employee/employer relationship. I often wonder as a servant of God, would He drive an awl through my ear at the end of six years. The answer to that brings doubt to my heart. I want to think that He would; but, I know me too well.
How about you friend? If you were God's servant would He drive an awl through your ear at the end of six years?
Thursday, February 25, 2010
February 25, 2010
Today's reading: Deuteronomy 10, 11, 12; Psalm 25, 55, 85, 115, 145; Proverbs 25
Deuteronomy 10:6, And the children of Israel took their journey from Beeroth of the children of Jaakan to Mosera: there Aaron died, and there he was buried; and Eleazar his son ministered in the priest's office in his stead."
I am caught by the second half of this verse today, "... there Aaron died, and there he was buried; and Eleazar his son ministered in the priest's office in his stead." What an honor to follow in your father's footsteps; especially, in the LORD's ministry. I know so many men who are Pastors and one of their greatest desires is for their sons to follow them into the ministry. I know that it is my desire for our son to do that very thing. However, God has a different plan for him and this is obvious.
Have you ever taken some time to think about what will become of your children when you step into eternity. I know some of you, my readers, have done that. This is something that I do not like to think about because of our "situation". It concerns me greatly what will happen to our son when we step out into eternity. If we have fulfilled the mandates of Scripture in teaching our children and loving them and winning them to Christ then we should have no worries in this area.
The problem is that most of us don't teach or train our children in the manner that God would have us to train them. This is where the rub comes in. Now, when we depart this earth there is not as sure of a foundation as what we would like there to be and this causes us grief on this side of eternity. There will be no grief on the other side of eternity for those who have been born-again. For those who never trust Jesus Christ as their Saviour there will be nothing but pain, agony, suffering and grief. Imagine living in a place that is described as a fire that burns and is not quenched. I don't want my children, you or anyone else to spend eternity in such an awful place. Yet people step out into eternity every day unprepared for heaven which reserves them a place in hell. God forbid! It is true.
So what of our children today? Have we prepared them for life without us? Most importantly; have we prepared them for eternity? Are you prepared for eternity?
Deuteronomy 10:6, And the children of Israel took their journey from Beeroth of the children of Jaakan to Mosera: there Aaron died, and there he was buried; and Eleazar his son ministered in the priest's office in his stead."
I am caught by the second half of this verse today, "... there Aaron died, and there he was buried; and Eleazar his son ministered in the priest's office in his stead." What an honor to follow in your father's footsteps; especially, in the LORD's ministry. I know so many men who are Pastors and one of their greatest desires is for their sons to follow them into the ministry. I know that it is my desire for our son to do that very thing. However, God has a different plan for him and this is obvious.
Have you ever taken some time to think about what will become of your children when you step into eternity. I know some of you, my readers, have done that. This is something that I do not like to think about because of our "situation". It concerns me greatly what will happen to our son when we step out into eternity. If we have fulfilled the mandates of Scripture in teaching our children and loving them and winning them to Christ then we should have no worries in this area.
The problem is that most of us don't teach or train our children in the manner that God would have us to train them. This is where the rub comes in. Now, when we depart this earth there is not as sure of a foundation as what we would like there to be and this causes us grief on this side of eternity. There will be no grief on the other side of eternity for those who have been born-again. For those who never trust Jesus Christ as their Saviour there will be nothing but pain, agony, suffering and grief. Imagine living in a place that is described as a fire that burns and is not quenched. I don't want my children, you or anyone else to spend eternity in such an awful place. Yet people step out into eternity every day unprepared for heaven which reserves them a place in hell. God forbid! It is true.
So what of our children today? Have we prepared them for life without us? Most importantly; have we prepared them for eternity? Are you prepared for eternity?
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
February 24, 2010
Today's reading: Deuteronomy 7, 8, 9; Psalm 24, 54, 84, 114, 144; Proverbs 24
Deuteronomy 7:9, "Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;"
How well do you know the LORD?
First of all you must know Him in salvation. Look at Deuteronomy 7:23, "But the LORD thy God shall deliver them unto thee, and shall destroy them with a mighty destruction, until they be destroyed." Salvation is deliverance. I know He is talking of delivering the enemy into the hand of the Israelites to be destroyed; but, my thoughts went to the deliverance we can have through Christ and His shed blood. Sin is our enemy and we can be bound by it. When we come to faith in Jesus Christ we get a freedom that we have never known.
Secondly you must know Him in supplications. Look at Deuteronomy 7:17, "If thou shalt say in thine heart, These nations are more than I; how can I dispossess them?" One thing is for sure when the children of Israel got into a tight spot they would call upon the LORD. I was reminded of prayer when I read the first part of this verse, "If thou shalt say in thine heart,". I know that some of the most sincere prayers of my life have been uttered under my breath or in my heart to God and the great thing is that He hears them if I am in a right relationship with Him. If not, I can rest assured that He did not hear my prayers.
Thirdly you must know Him in sanctification. Look at Deuteronomy 7:25, "The graven images of their gods shall ye burn with fire: thou shalt not desire the silver or gold that is on them, nor take it unto thee, lest thou be snared therein: for it is an abomination to the LORD thy God." To be sanctified is to be set apart from sin to God. When you or I do something we should consider if God would be pleased with what we are going to do. I have some clothes that I only wear to Church. They are sanctified so to speak. They are set aside only to be worn to Church or a like function. I don't want to get them dirty or torn by wearing them to mow the yard or work on a vehicle.
Fourthly you must know Him in separation. Look at Deuteronomy 7:26, "Neither shalt thou bring an abomination into thine house, lest thou be a cursed thing like it: but thou shalt utterly detest it, and thou shalt utterly abhor it; for it is a cursed thing." So many people do not like the word separation. Just like in our last point, if we do not separate from some things we can become effected by them. I don't partake in alcohol or drugs because I do not want to ruin my Christian testimony. You cannot glorify God while living in sin! It is impossible. The only way you can glorify God is to repent (turn from) your sin and go the direction God directs you to go.
Lastly you must know Him in the Scriptures. Look at Deuteronomy 8:3, "And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live." Jesus Himself quoted this in Matthew 4:4, "But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." You see Jesus knew that the Scritpures (Bible) were vital to our Christian walk so He gave us His own example of correctly using them. The Bible is God's love letter to you and I. I hope you spend a lot of time reading it. I know I need to spend more time reading it.
So friend, how well do you know the LORD?
Deuteronomy 7:9, "Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;"
How well do you know the LORD?
First of all you must know Him in salvation. Look at Deuteronomy 7:23, "But the LORD thy God shall deliver them unto thee, and shall destroy them with a mighty destruction, until they be destroyed." Salvation is deliverance. I know He is talking of delivering the enemy into the hand of the Israelites to be destroyed; but, my thoughts went to the deliverance we can have through Christ and His shed blood. Sin is our enemy and we can be bound by it. When we come to faith in Jesus Christ we get a freedom that we have never known.
Secondly you must know Him in supplications. Look at Deuteronomy 7:17, "If thou shalt say in thine heart, These nations are more than I; how can I dispossess them?" One thing is for sure when the children of Israel got into a tight spot they would call upon the LORD. I was reminded of prayer when I read the first part of this verse, "If thou shalt say in thine heart,". I know that some of the most sincere prayers of my life have been uttered under my breath or in my heart to God and the great thing is that He hears them if I am in a right relationship with Him. If not, I can rest assured that He did not hear my prayers.
Thirdly you must know Him in sanctification. Look at Deuteronomy 7:25, "The graven images of their gods shall ye burn with fire: thou shalt not desire the silver or gold that is on them, nor take it unto thee, lest thou be snared therein: for it is an abomination to the LORD thy God." To be sanctified is to be set apart from sin to God. When you or I do something we should consider if God would be pleased with what we are going to do. I have some clothes that I only wear to Church. They are sanctified so to speak. They are set aside only to be worn to Church or a like function. I don't want to get them dirty or torn by wearing them to mow the yard or work on a vehicle.
Fourthly you must know Him in separation. Look at Deuteronomy 7:26, "Neither shalt thou bring an abomination into thine house, lest thou be a cursed thing like it: but thou shalt utterly detest it, and thou shalt utterly abhor it; for it is a cursed thing." So many people do not like the word separation. Just like in our last point, if we do not separate from some things we can become effected by them. I don't partake in alcohol or drugs because I do not want to ruin my Christian testimony. You cannot glorify God while living in sin! It is impossible. The only way you can glorify God is to repent (turn from) your sin and go the direction God directs you to go.
Lastly you must know Him in the Scriptures. Look at Deuteronomy 8:3, "And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live." Jesus Himself quoted this in Matthew 4:4, "But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." You see Jesus knew that the Scritpures (Bible) were vital to our Christian walk so He gave us His own example of correctly using them. The Bible is God's love letter to you and I. I hope you spend a lot of time reading it. I know I need to spend more time reading it.
So friend, how well do you know the LORD?
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
February 23, 2010
Today's reading: Deuteronomy 4, 5, 6; Psalm 23, 53, 83, 113, 143; Proverbs 23
Psalm 83:18, "That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth."
We live in a society that no longer believes that there is only one way to heaven. This is so sad. In John 14:6, "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." That is pretty well to the point. It is sad that people no longer believe the truth. The Bible tells us this will happen in the last days before the return of Christ. People are getting cold and indifferent to the truth. They no longer want to hear truth. They just want to be made to feel good. Church services are becoming nothing more than a pep rally for those who attend. This is sad.
The mission of the Church is found in Matthew 28:19-20, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen." This passage is known as "The Great Commission". In most Churches today it is "The Great Omission". I am afraid that it is left out.
We need to teach people, "...that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth." You see worship is ascribing or assigning worth to someone or something. You see, we need to teach and tell the world that God is worthy of worship because He is the King of all kings and LORD of all lords. He is the only one worthy of our worship.
So, what are you telling the world? Really?
Psalm 83:18, "That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth."
We live in a society that no longer believes that there is only one way to heaven. This is so sad. In John 14:6, "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." That is pretty well to the point. It is sad that people no longer believe the truth. The Bible tells us this will happen in the last days before the return of Christ. People are getting cold and indifferent to the truth. They no longer want to hear truth. They just want to be made to feel good. Church services are becoming nothing more than a pep rally for those who attend. This is sad.
The mission of the Church is found in Matthew 28:19-20, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen." This passage is known as "The Great Commission". In most Churches today it is "The Great Omission". I am afraid that it is left out.
We need to teach people, "...that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth." You see worship is ascribing or assigning worth to someone or something. You see, we need to teach and tell the world that God is worthy of worship because He is the King of all kings and LORD of all lords. He is the only one worthy of our worship.
So, what are you telling the world? Really?
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