Good morning, “The Lord your God is testing you to find out whether you love Him with all your heart and with all your soul. 4 It is the Lord your God you must follow, and Him you must revere. Keep His commands and obey Him; serve Him and hold fast to Him.”
This was in today’s reading Deut. 13. It is a good word for us today. What is in our hearts? Do we really love God and obey His Word? or do we obey when it is only easy or convenient? Do we worry what others will think, do, or say? Do we really put God first in our lives or do we just say we do and do what we want, when we want, how we want? Good questions to ponder. Be blessed today.
Category: Deuteronomy
Be Strong *Deut. 31:6
Deuteronomy 31:6
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy+31%3A6&version=NKJV;NIV
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“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.”
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Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. If Moses spoke this word from God to Joshua before entering into the Promised Land, then discouragement and fear would be right at Joshua’s door at some point in his future.
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God always warns His people before something happens. God does not want us to be caught off guard, or to become afraid, discouraged, or frustrated in life situations. Hope in God. Trust in His Word. Bring your concern or troubling matter before Him. Pour out your heart to Him. He alone holds all things in His hand.
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Thank You God for warning us ahead of time. Thank you for your love, compassion, mercy, grace, and kindness. Thank you that we can trust in You to go before us, no matter where we are. You are our saving shield, a fortress, a stronghold in the day of trouble. Help us to trust and rest in Your saving grace. Thank you Father. In Jesus Name. Amen.
We Can Grasp *Deut. 30:11-20
Deuteronomy 30:11-20
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy+30%3A11-20&version=NKJV;NIV
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God never gives us more than we can handle. His grace and mercy are sufficient. I love what God Himself says, 11 Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. 12 It is not up in heaven, so that you have to ask, “Who will ascend into heaven to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?” 13 Nor is it beyond the sea, so that you have to ask, “Who will cross the sea to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?” We can grasp it. We can take hold of what God is saying. It is simple life or death; blessings or curses. We can obtain the Holy Scriptures (Bible, God’s Word) in so many forms – Book, phone app., song, audio Bible, internet, church, TV, radio, DVD, CD, etc. The Word of God is everywhere. God has made it now possible to reach the ends of the earth with His Word because of our vast world communication system. We have no excuse. The choice to choose is there whether we like it or not. Yes is yes. No is no. If one says, “I won’t choose,” they are automatically not choosing God. It is a black and white matter. There is no in between. No fence sitting. One either chooses to accept and follow God’s way or not. There can be no excuses of not knowing. Every decision we make is our own choice. We can’t blame God or any person for any of the choices we make.
Return *Deut. 30
Deuteronomy 30
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy+30&version=NKJV;NIV
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This is what God promises to do for you, if you return to the Lord your God and obey Him with all your heart and with all your soul according to everything He commands you. The following is what God will do for you: *restore your fortunes *have compassion on you *gather you and bring you back *be more prosperous *be more numerous *circumcise your heart *circumcise your descendants’ hearts *greater love for God *give life and live *curse on enemies *obey the Lord * follow His commands *prosper the work of your hands *prosper your fruit & crops *delight in you *make you prosper.
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How many times does God tell us that we will prosper and gain life and have so many blessings if only we return to God and follow Him. All this the Lord God promises to do, if you obey Him by keeping His commands that He gives us in His Word, and to turn to the Lord your God with all your heart and soul.
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The greatest command Jesus taught us to obey was to love the Lord God with all our heart and soul and love people like we want to be loved and treated. If we do this, then all the Law of the prophets is fulfilled. It’s not like He’s asking us a ton of things to do. He only requires that we love Him, treat Him with respect and honor (obey Him) and to treat all people with love & respect.
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God is not requesting; He is commanding. God’s command is not unrealistic. It’s not beyond our reach. It’s not out of reach; it’s attainable. God wants us to prosper. God wants to bless us. But God is God; Creator of the Universe; above all things and we are His creation. God set the standard and we abide by it and we will be blessed, prosper and live. If we ignore God’s standard then we choose death and destruction. God always gives choices. What will your choice be?
Purge *Deut.22:13-30
Deuteronomy 22:13-30
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy+22%3A13-30&version=NKJV;NIV
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Purge from evil and do what is right before the Lord your God.
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There is so much sexual promiscuity, blatant, and corrupt behavior. This is sin. Sin kills. The Word of God brings life, which says, “Purge from this evil.”
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We want God’s blessings, but will we listen to His Word? It’s not about us – it’s all about God and what God has done in the Name of His Son.
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Lord, God of Israel, forgive us our sins. Show us where we are off. Show us what we need to purge from. Lead us in the way everlasting. Thank you Lord.
Hear… *Deut. 20
Deuteronomy 20
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy+20&version=NKJV;NIV
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War – Do not be afraid of them, because the Lord God will be with you. Hear…today you are going into battle against your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not be terrified or give way to panic before them. For the Lord your God is the One who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies.
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God gives His people specific instructions as how to battle the enemy in order to be successful.
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Whether you’re up against a physical, spiritual, or an emotional battle, if you trust in the Lord God and follow His directions He will lead you in the way everlasting. His promises are true. No one and nothing can change any of God’s promises.
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Thank you Lord for Your promises and Your protection. Help us to trust in You for all that we need in our lives and the lives of our loved ones.
Over & Over *Deut. 15
Deuteronomy 15
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy+15&version=NKJV;NIV
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Do what is right and God will bless you. God is saying this over and over in this chapter. Do not be tightfisted. Give and give freely; not begrudgingly. God sees. God knows. God hears. Honor God’s Word and He will honor you. Give and it will be given to you.
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Lord God of Israel, You are Creator of heaven and earth and all that is within them You have created. Everything is in Your hands. Everything was created for your pleasure. You have given to us freely. Help us to be generous and give with right motives. May we not be tightfisted nor grudgingly give, but on the contrary may we be joyful givers and give to those who are in need. Help us to trust in the truth of Your Word – the Holy Scriptures. Thank you! In Jesus Name we ask. Amen.
Enticements *Deut. 13
Deuteronomy 13
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy+13&version=NKJV;NIV
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Don’t be deceived. Let not someone lead you astray by deceptive enticements. Temptation looks invitingly sweet, pleasurable, and it might be so for a little while, but then reality strikes and no longer is this “thing” sweet and pleasurable – for now it brings on a harshness and pain that is irrevocable.
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When these deceptive thoughts or words come to you stand strong and extinguish them immediately – give them no room in your mind or heart. Some (most) temptations can seem overpowering. Immediately call on the Name of the Lord God. He will give you the strength and power to overcome. Why will He do this? Because God loves you and desires you to have the best; not to be destroyed.
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Lord God above all, You hold all things in Your hand. When temptation comes our way give us the strength, courage, power to squash it completely, rendering no effect on us. Open our eyes to see tempting enticements for the ugly, horrible, and hurtful things they really are. Help us to overcome temptations and stand victorious in You. Thank you. In the Name of Jesus Messiah. Amen
Guarantee *Deut. 12
Deuteronomy 12
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy+12&version=NKJV;NIV
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God wants what is best for His people. He tells them over and over, so there can be no mistake. His instructions are very clear.
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God’s people are about to enter into the Promised Land. Again, the Lord God reminds them if they are willing to follow the way He has prepared for them without adding or taking away anything from what God’s said, then they will be blessed and prosper.
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The points to remember are: Be careful to do as the Lord requires. Remember it is the Lord who brought you here and it is He who is giving this land to you, so don’t forget Him, His way, or His Word. Worship the Lord God of Israel alone. Raise nothing above Him; put Him first. Do not worship the Lord God like pagans worship their gods and idols.
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Go to the Lord and ask Him to lead you to where He would have you worship Him, which church or temple. He will direct your steps. It is there that you should give all your tithes, offerings, sacrifices, special gifts, and vows. By doing this the Lord guarantees His blessings; everything He’s called you to do will be blessed. You and your family will rejoice in everything the Lord has done for you. What an awesome promise God is giving to His people.
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There is one warning, which we all need to heed: Do what is right in the eyes of the Lord God. Do not be wise in your own eyes nor do as you see fit. Instead follow the Lord and He will lead you into your inheritance to dwell in safety and rest.
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God loves His people and wants them to be happy, flourish, and enjoy life. His promise is not to be added too or to be subtracted from. It is exact; exactly how the Lord Almighty wants it to be.
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Proverbs 3:5-8
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+3%3A5-8&version=NKJV;NIV
Be Careful *Deut. 11:22-32
Deuteronomy 11:22-32
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy+11%3A22-32&version=NKJV;NIV
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God continually warns His people to “be careful” in what they do and how they act. Follow God, the Lord God of Israel and blessings will flow. However, if you choose not to abide by the Bible then blessings are withheld and a curse will follow if you disobey the commands of the Lord your God and turn from His way by following other gods.
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Blessings and curses are set before His people. Warning after warning God gives to be careful about our words and behavior. He longs to bless His people. God is holy and sets a good standard for His people to follow. The standard is for our sake, our benefit, so we can live a blessed life. When we sin – for no one is perfect – quickly repent; ask God’s forgiveness and sin no more. God is gracious, faithful, and ever forgiving of true repentance.
Inspired Lessons 