Tag: Lord

Daily Word

Psalm 3

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Read Psalm 3 – Get God’s Word in!  For your good and God’s glory, read your bible.  Life is so chaotic.  Many things and many thoughts happen beyond our control. Setting your mind on the glory, love, power and compassion of the LORD will strengthen you for the trials of life.  The more you know and love the LORD, the easier it is to lead your life with peace, joy and wisdom.

David is in one of those trials where things are rising up against him. (:1) It would be normal human nature to let his thoughts run rampant with what his enemies are doing, but he calls on the name of the LORD,  “But you are a shield around me, O LORD; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head.”

Verse :5 is a powerhouse.  Sleep is one of the most challenging things when your heart is riled up, yet David says, “I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me.”  Try that as your mantra the next time you find yourself sleepless with worries.  David did not lie down and analyze his problems; he spoke victory over them with the pure truth that the LORD sustains him.

Beloved, thank you for showing up today and setting your heart on things above.

Daily Word

Deuteronomy 12

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Read Deuteronomy 12 – Wasn’t that a lovely break we took in Psalm 40 when I last wrote?  May you always be mindful of when your heart needs to pause from the ‘should’s’ of life.  The Lord truly cares about your heart above all else.  Okay, shall we get back on course with our chapter?  

The Israelites are given some preparation instructions for worship.  Step one is to clean house (:2-3).  The Lord commands that all the places of worship created by the previous inhabitants be utterly destroyed.  He is protecting them from being led astray.

The Lord assures them that He will select the place where they are to offer sacrifices, and grants permission for them to kill and eat as needed apart from an act of worship. This is a freedom, a liberty the Lord is expressly granting them, with the only warning to ensure there is no blood (:15,16,20-25).

They are commanded to provide for the Levite; that is the tribe set aside as priests. (:12,18-19).

Our chapter ends like it began, instructing the Israelites to:  “take care that you be not ensnared to follow them, after they have been destroyed before you, and that you do not inquire about their gods, saying, ‘How did these nations serve their gods? – that I also may do the same.’ “ :30  The Lord HATES the abominable things these nations did to serve their gods.  They even burned their children alive as human sacrifices to their gods. (:31)

I pray you do not get lost in these instructions to the Israelites about things that may seem far removed from Christian life today.  Blood sacrifices are no longer required as Jesus shed his blood as our once and for all sacrifice.  And we are still not to dabble in occult practices, even under the guise of curiosity, lest we be led astray. Remember, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”  Hebrews 13:8  He desires a life of joyful worship from us, as he did for our ancient brothers and sisters.  “And you shall rejoice before the LORD your God in all that you undertake.” 18b.

Daily Word

Psalm 40

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Read Psalm 40 – Beloved, I am in a season. I have been rereading Deuteronomy 12 and my mind wanders. Heavy things are happening in my life and I am desperate for something more intimate than the cautions to the Israelites.
I share this, not for pity, but that you may also be attune to times when you need to change gears… God’s Word is not labor. It is His gift to us that we may know Him and how he delights to draw us near.
When I was pouring out my heart this morning and feeling like a disappointment; he drew me to Psalm 40. “I waited patiently for ADONAI, till he turned toward me and heard my cry. He brought me up from the roaring pit, up from the muddy ooze, and set my feet on a rock, making my footing firm. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will look on in awe and put their trust in ADONAI.” 40:1-3. I am using my COMPLETE JEWISH STUDY BIBLE today… there’s something about the richness of their word for the LORD, ‘ADONAI’, that makes my heart swoon.
And the air around me was feeling like muddy ooze – life can get so heavy – and knowing that God’s Word can relate to my heart does give me the ‘song of praise’ King David mentions.
“How much you have done, ADONAI my God! Your wonders and your thoughts toward us – none can compare with you! I would proclaim them, I would speak about them; but there’s too much to tell!” :4 Beloved, gratitude changes the very air we breathe!
My friends, can you join me today in this life giving Psalm? How is the LORD, ADONAI, reaching out to your heart in these precious 17 verses? He is great and glorious, our helper and rescuer, there is joy to be had for all who seek him… I’ll let you go on your own treasure hunt for these; they are all found in Psalm 40.

Daily Word

Deuteronomy 9

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Read Deuteronomy 9 – Today is the day.  Before you go forward, remember that every lesson that has brought you to this moment is because the LORD is your God.

Beloved,  as you read this passage consider the two layers.  On one layer,  Moses is speaking to the Israelites before they cross into the Promised Land that the LORD will hand them.  The other layer is to read this passage as a model for your own life.  Remember you are under the LORD’s care and control.  A healthy fear of the LORD, and surrender of any pride that would usurp Him is the right way to live.

In verse :4 the Israelites were clearly warned not to brag about their righteousness as the LORD brings them victory against the Anakim giants and their fortified cities.  And the LORD is doing this because of the wickedness of these nations, and His promise to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, not because of any earned merit on the part of Israel.

They are reminded of their stubbornness and some of the poor choices they have made that provoked the LORD to anger (:6-25).  Likewise we should never get ahead of ourselves.  God’s Word says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus”  Romans 3:23-24

Moses’ prayer in :25-29 changed the LORD’s wrath over the golden calf incident.  Look closely at the prayer as a model for your prayers.  Moses humbles himself, laying prostrate for 40 days before uttering a word.  He exalts the LORD; he reminds Him of the great things He has done because of who He (the LORD) is!  Moses reminded God of His promises to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. 

Beloved, when you pray, get your thoughts quiet and focused before you celebrate the holiness of the Lord your God.  Thank Him for all He has brought you through.  Remind Him of the promises found in His Word, and then humbly present your petitions.  Pray like Moses.

Daily Word

Deuteronomy 8

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Read Deuteronomy 8 – Remember that it is the LORD who provides.  Do not lose your way on the stumbling blocks of pride.  The LORD cautions the people to be careful and obey all the commands he is giving them today.  And He gives a reason why:  “Then you will live and multiply, and you will enter and occupy the land the LORD swore to give your ancestors.” :1

He goes on to say their time in the wilderness was a time of testing, when God humbled them by letting them hunger, then feeding them manna.  He taught them that “man does not live by bread alone; rather we live by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.” :3

Jesus used this verse when Satan tempted Him to turn the rocks into bread just as we are wise to use Scripture to stand against the attacks of the enemy. (see Matthew 4/Luke 4)

God explains that He acts as a parent disciplining a child, for your own good. :5

Beloved, each of us is wise to note the danger of good times, when life is abundant.  This is a gift from God, but a lack of gratitude makes us easy prey for pride to steal our hearts away.  Why don’t you offer a prayer of thanksgiving today, remembering all the blessings God has given you.

Daily Word

Deuteronomy 7

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Read Deuteronomy 7 – Remember who God is, all that He has done,  and all that He expects of you.

Whenever I begin a new journal, I recap what led me to Jesus, so that whomever should discover it in years or lifetimes to come, would have an understanding as to my relationship with Him. It renews my joy to look back at the Lord’s hand over my life. 

Moses is doing very much the same now for the Israelites, in preparation for entering the Promised Land. Moses gives the Lord’s very strict instruction concerning the seven nations who occupy the land.  The Lord gives a few ‘why’s’ for the people as well. 

First,  in :6 FOR YOU ARE A PEOPLE HOLY TO THE LORD YOUR GOD. THE LORD HAS CHOSEN YOU OUT OF ALL THE PEOPLES ON THE FACE OF THE EARTH TO BE HIS PEOPLE, HIS TREASURED POSSESSION. 

Beloved, we believers are also the Lord’s treasured possession. Do you treat yourself as one who is treasured by God Almighty? You are representing your Heavenly Father in all you do and say.  It is a great blessing as well as a responsibility to live as one who loves and belongs to Jesus. 

Scripture goes on (:7-9) to elaborate the point that this is because of who God is and His faithfulness, and not because of their merits. This message was for the Israelites, but it also serves us well to remember we belong to Jesus, not by our merit but because He loved us first. (See 1 John 4:19 for more on this) 

Our chapter includes some great promises for the Israelites (:12-24) as well as the command to destroy all the peoples God hands over to them, and explains another ‘why’: FOR THAT WILL BE A SNARE TO YOU. :16b 

Beloved, we live in a time of relative peace and this may be hard to understand. Yet for us,  because of Jesus, our command is to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength – and love our neighbors as ourselves.  Part of this is to purge all unrighteousness from our lives.  The Lord wants zero sin to blemish you, no immorality, no drunkenness, slander, idolatry, lies or deceit. (See Galatians 5 for more) And He tells you this so you will not be snared as well.

Daily Word

Deuteronomy 4

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Read Deuteronomy 4 – Hear it. Know it. Do it.   The Lord is giving instructions through Moses. 

Verse :2 is where most organized religions and all belief systems outside of Christianity mess up.   As humans we want to make our mark, traditions are added, legalism is infused,  but the LORD is clear:  DO NOT ADD OR TAKE AWAY FROM WHAT GOD COMMANDS. 

America would be well served to remember,  repent and cling to verses :7-8. 

The Lord issues a strong warning against idolatry (:15-20). Beloved,  idolatry can slip in so easily… It can be fame,  fortune, cars,  clothes,  food,  even good things like your children or charity if your pride in them goes above your love for Jesus…. Anything you hold in esteem and leave God out of is dangerous territory.  And notice :19, the Lord includes the worship of His creation, the sun,  moon and stars,  in things we are not to bow down and serve. 

Beloved, non- believers will suggest the Bible is a book of rules and no fun.   I pray as you comb through you will see God’s immense love and protection…. Somewhat like parenting and traffic laws protect us,  every “Do not” is there for your good and God’s glory. I have a favorite quote by Pastor John Piper, “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him. ”  I pray you delight in His Word and statutes! 

Daily Word

Deuteronomy 3

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Read Deuteronomy 3 – “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches.  Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit.  For apart from me you can do nothing.”  John 15:5  In our chapter, Moses speaks of learning this lesson.

The Lord assured them of victory over the land of the giants; they conquered all sixty towns, fortified cities and villages, belonging to King Og, the last of the Rephaites (:3-11).  This repeated mentioning of the conquering of the Rephaites stresses that Israel’s original fears that kept them from the Promised Land for 40 years, were unfounded.  Truly, as Romans 8:31 says: “If God is for us, who can be against us?”  

Beloved, are there any giants in your life, keeping you from all that God has for you to do, to receive, to glorify Him by?

The Lord gave the conquered lands to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh with the stipulation that they must leave and cross the Jordan with their brothers until all of the land of Israel was secured (:18-20).  Although God permitted that the women, children and livestock could stay behind while only the fighting men left.  I learned in a deeper study of Joshua that this took about 7 years, and I am reminded of our military, who leave families behind to serve God and country.

Beloved, you may be called to go and you may be called to stay behind, either way you are called to PRAY, covering those on the fighting lines with spiritual protection and fortifying those left behind with all that is needed to endure and thrive in the absence of their loved one.

Moses pleaded with the LORD to cross the Jordan (:23-25).  The LORD could not allow it, but He did permit Moses to go up to Pisgah Peak, where he could lay eyes on all that the LORD would give to Israel.  

Beloved, sometimes God says no.  Notice that Moses remained faithful, even when he did not get what he hoped for, as you should too.  Remember, God is good all the time, even when He says no.

Daily Word

Deuteronomy 2

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Read Deuteronomy 2 – Hindsight is a wonderful thing.   Moses continues speaking to the Israelites about the wilderness years.   The Lord instructed them when it was time to move on and how they were to treat the neighboring regions.  They were to use utmost respect when it came to Esau’s descendants in the land of Seir, and with the  Moabites in the land of Moab.  These were people the Lord had established and He was not giving the Israelites a foot of their land (:5, :9).  

We discover an element of mystery as the giants of old are mentioned…. The Emites, the Anakites, the Rephaites, the Horites, the Zamzummites and others.  The bible doesn’t say much about them beyond this,  and we certainly don’t see them walking around today. 

Moses covers a 38 year period from the time they left Kadesh-Barnea until they entered the Zered Valley.  He explains that is how long it took the generation of fighting men to perish (again, that is the group who we learned about in yesterday’s chapter 1).

They were to continue Ar, dealing fairly with the Ammonites as to not provoke war.   Are you catching the way the Israelites are being obedient to the Lord now?   There were over a million Israelites by estimates… the numbers were in their favor, but because God said Don’t,  they didn’t. 

At last,  the Lord told them to go to Heshbon, as He was giving that land to them. The Lord hardened King Sihon’s heart against Israel.  War was waged and land was conquered.

Beloved, hindsight can tell you so much about the Lord. You can see your answered prayers, yes’s and no’s. You can see His love, protection and mercy. What does the summary of His hand over your life include? 

Daily Word

Genesis 39

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Read Genesis 39 – Back to Joseph. 

He is now a house slave to an Egyptian official named Potiphar.  “The LORD was with Joseph, and he became a successful man… His master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD caused all that he did to succeed in his hands.” :2-3  Joseph is put in charge of all that his master had and his master prospered because of God’s favor over Joseph. 

In verse :6 we learn something else about Joseph, “Now Joseph was handsome in form and appearance.”  Suddenly, Mrs. Potiphar is interested in Joseph.  She makes some advances, which he refuses, until the day comes where she won’t take no for an answer.  Joseph fled, leaving a frustrated and angry Mrs. Potiphar still holding his coat.  She spins the story and says Joseph attacked her.  When Master Potiphar came home and heard her tale, he was angry and sent Joseph to the prison where the kings prisoners were kept.  I would be so discouraged, but there is no hint of that in Joseph. 

Even in prison, the LORD was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. :21 

Beloved, consider what Colossians 3:23 says:  “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as though working for the Lord, not for human masters,”.  And think about Romans 8:31, “What shall we say in response to these things?  If God is for us, who can be against us?”  Joseph’s circumstances should be cause for despair, but he walks so closely with the LORD, there’s simply no room for it.  Next time you get down, hang on to Joseph’s faith and trust your Heavenly Father with the outcome.