Deuteronomy 27 11.12.21
SCRIPTURE
Deuteronomy 27:9-10
Then Moses and the Levitical priests said to all Israel, “Be silent, Israel, and listen! You have now become the people of the Lord your God. Obey the Lord your God and follow his commands and decrees that I give you today.”
OBSERVATION – What does it say?
God is giving commands to the people of Israel so they know what to do once they enter the promised land and take possession of it. This verse reflects a strong recurring emphasis in this book (and the entire Bible for that matter) on the importance of obedience for the people of God.
UNDERSTANDING – What does it mean?
Belonging to God and obeying him are inseparable.
In our culture today many people who consider themselves Christians treat God’s commands as suggestions. We read the Bible or hear a sermon and we often fail to live out anything we heard. We know things that God commands and we justify disobedience… “I break the law every day when I go over the speed limit, but only because everyone else does.” “I know God calls me to forgive but if you knew what they did you would understand why I can’t.” The list goes on.
God does NOT ask things of us in the form of suggestions or options to consider. They’re commands. At least for anyone who considers them a Christian/disciple of Christ/Christ-follower/etc. (all words that we use interchangeably to refer to someone who has believed in Jesus and received the gift of salvation).
Matthew 16:24-25
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.
If we consider ourselves disciples of Jesus we must deny ourselves at any option that would require disobedience to him. Selective obedience isn’t an option. Jesus didn’t come to give you a makeover. He came to take over your life! If he’s not Lord of all, he’s not Lord at all in our lives. It sounds silly and obvious, but if you aren’t following what Jesus has commanded you, can you even call yourself a follower of Jesus?
LIFE APPLICATION
Where have I chosen my own way?
Where have I said, “God, I know your word says to ______, but…” and justified my disobedience?
God, please forgive me for the times I disobey you. Show me the areas of my life where I have justified disobedience and please empower me to do your will. I want to truly follow you, not just claim to. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Psalms 40 11.11.21
“I delight to Fulfill your Will, My God, For Your Living Words are Written upon the pages of My Heart ”
OBSERVATION
David wrote this amazingly beautiful Prophetic Psalm. It sings of Jesus in His Perfection with God’s Love written on the Pages of His Heart coming to do the Father’s Will. “I am here to do what has been written about me” (vs 7).
UNDERSTANDING
It occurs to me as I read this verse Your Living Words (Meaning Law) could easily be exchanged for Love.
Then the scripture would read like this-
“I delight to Fulfill Your Will, My God, For Your Love is Written upon the pages of My Heart.”
Mind you, I’m not attempting to rewrite scripture, simply to capture the genuine depth of God’s Love for me AND what it would mean for me to Love God in the way HE is asking me to.
“Love the Lord Your God with ALL your Heart, Soul, and Mind” (Matthew 22:37)
We all know this verse. Jesus said it was the MOST important Command. In fact, Jesus said ALL the Law of Moses and the Prophets are based on Loving God and Loving others. (Matt 22: 37-40) Researching the verse in Psalms and Jesus command I learned a few things. In Hebrew the word heart is lev. And although we may tend to think that heart refers mainly to our emotions, in Hebrew the word lev specifically includes one’s mind and thoughts as well. The Hebrew word for soul is nephesh which literally means life. So, the actual meaning here is that we should Love God with our actual lives—every moment throughout our lives. Even to the point of sacrificing our lives for Him. (Lois Tverberg-The meaning of Biblical words)
There are numbers that estimate Jews were under the burden of 613 laws during Jesus day. No wonder Jesus said, “Take my yoke upon you for My Yoke is easy and my burden is light”. His Yoke was one of LOVE filled with Forgiveness, Grace, and Mercy.
LIFE APPLICATION
Be Consumed with God
Love God with ALL My Heart and Soul
…and Love others as much as I love myself.
Lord Jesus,
You demonstrated this Love when you came down from heaven sacrificing everything to be our atonement for sin. Thank You for Loving me and Giving me the Greatest Gift— forgiveness of sins and assurance of Heaven. I pray your Love will continue to increase in me. May Your Living Loving Word be written on every page of my beating heart. May it be so evident everyone sees it. And may I read it loud and clear whenever and wherever you lead me as Your Gift is Meant to be shared.
“God is the One who Chose us and put His Spirit in our Hearts to show that we Belong ONLY to him” (2 Corinthians 1:21-22 CEV)
Tina Kudelka
Revelation 18
Scripture
Revelation 18:8
“So in one day she will suffer great hunger, mourning, and death. She will be destroyed by fire, because the Lord God who judges her is powerful.”
Observation-What does it say?
The great city of Babylon, the home of one-world government and global trade, will think she is all powerful. Babylon will control powerful weapons and armies. But compared to the Lord God who will bring judgement upon her, Babylon doesn’t stand a chance!
What no earthly army can do, God accomplishes in just one day! From the angel of death passing over her, to this rich city running out of food, and finally the city being burned to the ground, this once proud city which boasted that they will never mourn, will grieve bitterly from its losses.
Understanding-What does it mean?
Will the things I stand for and value, hold up against God’s judgement?
Babylon believed itself to be almighty. They believed that they had the resources, the power, and the support from the other nations that made them invincible. They stood against God’s ways and His people. Babylon built great wealth and strength in armies and alliances. It gave them a false sense of security. Babylon was a city built on its sinfulness. And although God’s will allowed it, God was about to bring His swift and righteous judgment upon her. God would make an example of the city of Babylon. The message will be heard and seen around the world...just how great and awesome is God.
What is my life built on? What’s my underlying foundation? Is it built on material things, that like Babylon, give me a false sense of security? Or is my life built on the principles of God and His ways. If God put my life’s work and held it up against the fire, would it wither away, or would it be refined by it?
“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal.” -Matthew 6:19-20 NLT
Life Application
Focus on building His kingdom, not mine.
Something tangible I can do today to help me with my “life application” is to partner with DSC by being part of an ITC (In the City) group so that we could work together to “multiply Christ followers everywhere” here in our SCV community. Our first outreach is the “Give a Turkey” event. If you are not part of an ITC group, I highly encourage you to sign up here: https://www.desertstreams.com/itc
-Moses Gaddi