Deuteronomy 31 - 10.7.24

Scripture

Deuteronomy‬ ‭31‬:‭6‬-‭8‬, ‭23‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the Lord swore to their ancestors to give them, and you must divide it among them as their inheritance. The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”….23The Lord gave this command to Joshua son of Nun: “Be strong and courageous, for you will bring the Israelites into the land I promised them on oath, and I myself will be with you.””

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Observation

Moses was telling the Israelites that he wasn’t going to cross over to the Promised Land with them and that he was getting older; however, Joshua, was going to lead them into the land that the Lord had promised to them. Moses had to encourage the Israelites to be strong, courageous and unafraid, because the Lord would be with them. He also commissioned Joshua and said the same thing to him. Then in verse 23, God commanded the same thing to Joshua!

If the words of being “strong, courageous, not afraid and not discouraged because of God’s presence with you” shows up 3 separate times in this passage, it must be important.

Application

Do it afraid.

I remember our guest speaker Nicole (who is a missionary to the Middle East), speak about how she does a lot of things afraid. Sometimes, God calls us to do things completely out of our comfort zone or completely out of what we want. Because He is God, of course we must submit and be obedient, but it’s not always easy. I want to encourage us all that whatever fears we have about what God is calling us to do, whether at work, church ministry or in daily life, He is with us, so we don’t have to be discouraged, but rather can be strong and courageous.

Prayer

Dear Lord,

Thank You for always calling out the best in me. Thank You that no matter what I have to face in life or what you are calling me to do, that You are with me and I don’t need to be afraid. Thank You Lord for the reminder that we don’t need to stay stuck in fear, because we have Your strength, courage, and presence with us. Amen.

-Michelle Gaddi

Psalm 62 - 10.4.24

Scripture ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭62‬:‭5‬-‭8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

”Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.“

Observation:

God is

• My hope

• My rock

• My salvation 

• My fortress

• My refuge 

Because of this I can find rest in Him and trust Him.  David wrote this when he was under attack. Even though people were against him, he chose to write a song of praise and sing before the Lord. 

Application:

 God wants to give me rest in times of trouble. When things are what seems to be a continuous fight He wants me to trust Him and do what David did, pen a song of praise.  May I go through each day remembering that God fights the battles for me and there are times He brings me to a place of refuge and rest.  I choose to completely trust Him and seek to obey, fighting when necessary and taking refuge to rest when necessary.  I choose to seek Him to know what cause of action to take. 

Prayer:

My Father God, Thank you that you want me to come to you as a my Father. You want to shelter me in your wings. You sent your Son Jesus and provided from my salvation. He paid such a great cost. You also sent the Holy Spirit to teach and guide me.  By doing so you are always with me. Lord, today and every day may I take refuge in you. I know you are my fortress and my rock. I won’t be shaken as long as I trust in you and obey your Word.  Show me when to fight and when to take refuge. Please renew me as I rest in You. Thank you that you grow me in trials. You provide for my needs and even the desires of my heart. What a marvelous Father you are! Amen

- Cindy Howard

Deuteronomy 27 - 10.03.24

SCRIPTURE :Deuteronomy 27:9-10 NIV

“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.””

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OBSERVATION

BE Silent—and Listen

Moses gives two commands- Be Silent and Listen.

Once Joshua led the Nation into the Promised Land—

They were to STOP—and reaffirm their Covenant Promise to The Lord-

To keep ALL The Commandments.

Joshua was commanded to plaster some large stones on Mount Ebal and write clearly on them ALL The Laws that God gave His People —in addition to building an altar for sacrifices.

God saw this covenant as a Solemn Marriage Covenant.

Any breaking of His Laws was likened to Adultery in God’s eyes.

God wanted His People—who HE had set apart for Himself-

To WHOLLY commit themselves to HIM.

APPLICATION

COVENANT RELATIONSHIP STILL REMAINS

Give God the 1st Place of Love and Honor— and everything else will fall into place.

If we Love and honor God Foremost-then we will Love what He loves and naturally desire to do those things that are pleasing to Him and bring Him glory.

““This is the NEW COVENANT

I will make with my people on that day, says the Lord:

I will put my laws in their hearts,

and I will write them on their minds.””

‭‭(Hebrews‬ ‭10‬:‭16‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

“And Jesus replied to him, “ ‘You shall LOVE the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’

This is the first and greatest commandment.

The second is like it, ‘You shall LOVE your neighbor as yourself [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for others].’

The whole Law and the [writings of the] Prophets depend on these two commandments.”” (Matthew‬ ‭22‬:‭37‬-‭40‬ ‭AMP‬‬)

“I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy because I have promised you to one husband—-to present you as a pure virgin to Christ.”

‭‭(2 Corinthians‬ ‭11‬:‭2‬ ‭AMP‬‬)

“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

‭‭(Psalm‬ ‭16‬:‭11‬ ‭ESV‬‬)

PRAYER

LORD Jesus,

Thank You for pursuing me. Thank You for continuing to Love me and grow me and Teach me. Thank You that YOU Stand by me THROUGH everything. Circumstances will never dictate Your ability to provide anything at anytime -anywhere.

You are GOD and there is No other. In your Presence is FULLNESS of JOY and at Your Right Hand are Pleasures—Forevermore. May my life tell Your Love story.

In Jesus Name. Amen.

Tina L Kudelka