Signs of God’s Favor....

God honors those that honor Him. And those that don’t disappear at second glance, wiped away from deceitful memories we once had of them.

33 But the Lord will not let the wicked succeed or let the godly be condemned when they are put on trial. 34 Put your hope in the Lord.Travel steadily along His path.He will honor you by giving you the land.You will see the wicked destroyed. 35 I have seen wicked and ruthless people flourishing like a tree in its native soil.36 But when I looked again, they were gone! Though I searched for them, I could not find them! Psalms 37:33-36

The Poor...

I’m sure this can be taken out of context, so I’ll be careful in my insight. Here in Deuteronomy we read about how God sees and wants us to treat the poor. First of all, there wouldn’t be any poor if everyone obeyed and followed God’s commands. Think about that for a second! If we all followed God, poverty wouldn’t exist. So poverty is a disobedience issue. Or better yet, a selfish issue. Second, we are to have an “open hand” when it comes to the poor. We need to provide them with what they need. I know you’re probably thinking, “there are people out there abusing the system, purposely taking advantage of kind-hearted people”. You are correct. But here’s my take on that. First, you can’t accurately judge who falls in that category and who doesn’t. If you separate the wheat from the tares you might uproot the wheat with the tares (Jesus’ words, not mine). Second, are we not playing God when we make these kinds of judgements? Who are we to determine who gets our help and who doesn’t? God takes care of all who believe. It’s our job to be His hands and feet. With disobedience comes poverty. And yes, some of the poor have brought their poverty on themselves, but remember, everything we possess has been given to us by God. It’s our job to manage it and redistribute it where it needs to go. Our preconceived notions about the poor need a “Divine” overhaul. Be obedient rather than selfish. Don’t be hard-hearted and tight-fisted when it comes to your possessions. In reality, do we really own anything? Or does it own us? What we do with our possessions will either honor God and others, or it will enslave us, leading us down a one-way road with no return. Do yourself a favor, develop a giving heart, you won’t regret it. We will always have the poor among us, but your giving attitude will show God where your heart really is; right next to His.

4 “There should be no poor among you, for the Lord your God will greatly bless you in the land He is giving you as a special possession. 5 You will receive this blessing if you are careful to obey all the commands of the Lord your God that I am giving you today. 6 The Lord your God will bless you as He has promised. You will lend money to many nations but will never need to borrow. You will rule many nations, but they will not rule over you.7 “But if there are any poor Israelites in your towns when you arrive in the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hard-hearted or tightfisted toward them. 8 Instead, be generous and lend them whatever they need. 9 Do not be mean-spirited and refuse someone a loan because the year for canceling debts is close at hand. If you refuse to make the loan and the needy person cries out to the Lord, you will be considered guilty of sin. 10 Give generously to the poor, not grudgingly, for the Lord your God will bless you in everything you do. 11 There will always be some in the land who are poor. That is why I am commanding you to share freely with the poor and with other Israelites in need. Deuteronomy 15:4-11

A Distracting, Deceptive Practice...

If I could sit down with a Jewish scholar, I’d love to ask them about their written and oral traditions. They have some 600+ written laws that they adhere to. When I read through the first 5 books of the OT (their Bible) I read of God clearly telling them not to add to His decrees or take away from any of them. These 600+ regulations is one thing Jesus opposed through His earthly ministry. I think the reason or answer I would get would be that in fear of God killing more Jews (like He did in the wilderness), the Israelites feared God so much that they built a hedge of protection around God’s law. Evidence of this was when the people heard God’s voice, they trembled. They pleaded with Moses to go talk to God, and promised to do everything He told them to do. They didn’t want any direct contact with God, direct contact was Moses’ job. So they built up these 600+ regulations out of respect and fear of God, to keep people from sinning (thus God destroying them). Unfortunately, they turned a good attempt to save people, into a religious, self-righteous works-based ritual. The very thing they wanted to protect people from God, ended up keeping God from them. God has His plan, we don’t need to add to it, or take away from it. That’s exactly what Satan does, he distorts, distracts, and twists God’s desires for us, to keep us from experiencing Him (personally). Fortunately, for those who truly pursue God, Jesus freed us from this distracting deceptive practice. We can freely come to the throne of God, because Jesus uprooted these hedges, His ancestors placed between man and His Father. Praise Him for this. Pursue Him because of this. And worship and serve Him because He knows and loves us enough to pay the penalty of sin on our behalf.

32 “So be careful to obey all the commands I give you. You must not add anything to them or subtract anything from them. Deuteronomy 12:32

True Love...

True Love always gives us a choice. False love always demands.

26 “Look, today I am giving you the choice between a blessing and a curse! 27 You will be blessed if you obey the commands of the Lord your God that I am giving you today. 28 But you will be cursed if you reject the commands of the Lord your God and turn away from Him and worship gods you have not known before. Deuteronomy 11:26-28

Pass It On....

What if one day you are in your back yard and you see a beautiful flower you’ve never seen before. It intrigues you so much with its unique beauty and fragrance, you pluck it out of the ground and put it in a vase in your home. The fragrance fills the air with an aroma so pleasing, no matter how you are feeling it brings joy to your soul every time you walk into the room where it’s displayed. One day a friend of yours visits and tells you that this flower is so rare, it’s value is immeasurable. You get so excited you want to show the world. So many people that have never seen it, would be brought joy if they only see a picture of it. You learn of it’s value, and it’s special joy-bringing properties that you hire a special photographer (had to put this in here 😜) to capture it’s unique beauty. You start posting the image on the internet and it goes viral. Two billion viewers in the first week. The sight of this flower alone, brings joy to the world. The world stops fighting. Wars end. Violent acts stop. People treat each other with care and concern. All of this because you found something that brought you joy and shared it with the world, something you witnessed firsthand. You know where I’m going with this by now. The point to all of this is this: if we don’t share what we know to be true about God, Jesus, then some may never get to experience the joy that salvation brings to a condemned soul. Those who see have to pass it on to those who haven’t seen. Our duty (we are commanded to do), is to preach the Gospel and make disciples. We do that by speaking and living truthful lives, experiencing God firsthand, and loving others. We need to pass on what we know to be true, to those that may have never heard or understand the truth of the Gospel. We share the truth (Jesus), and God does the rest.

1 “You must love the Lord your God and obey all His requirements, decrees, regulations, and commands. 2 Keep in mind that I am not talking now to your children, who have never experienced the discipline of the Lord your God or seen His greatness and His strong hand and powerful arm. 3 They didn’t see the miraculous signs and wonders He performed in Egypt against Pharaoh and all his land. 4 They didn’t see what the Lord did to the armies of Egypt and to their horses and chariots–how He drowned them in the Red Sea as they were chasing you. He destroyed them, and they have not recovered to this very day!5 “Your children didn’t see how the Lord cared for you in the wilderness until you arrived here. 6 They didn’t see what He did to Dathan and Abiram (the sons of Eliab, a descendant of Reuben) when the earth opened its mouth in the Israelite camp and swallowed them, along with their households and tents and every living thing that belonged to them. 7 But you have seen the Lord perform all these mighty deeds with your own eyes! Deuteronomy 11:1-7

18 “So commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these words of mine. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. 19 Teach them to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. 20 Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates, 21 so that as long as the sky remains above the earth, you and your children may flourish in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors. Deuteronomy 11:18-21

Zachariah’s Son....

One reason people don’t respond to the Gospel is because they don’t think they need a Savior. They don’t see their own sin as their condemnation. They fail to see their guilt and God’s justice. Salvation means little to them because their pride blinds them of the truth. Satan loves deceiving people. That’s why he hates those who diligently preach the Gospel and live lives that give no reason to doubt it. Zachariah’s words to his son (John the Baptist) could ever ring so true today.

76 “And you, my little son,will be called the prophet of the Most High,because you will prepare the way for the Lord.77 You will tell His people how to find salvation through forgiveness of their sins.78 Because of God’s tender mercy,the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us,79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,and to guide us to the path of peace.” 80 John grew up and became strong in spirit. And he lived in the wilderness until he began his public ministry to Israel. Luke 1:76-80

The Gift of Honesty...

Are you diligent and honest? Or just pretending to be? The ability to be honest with yourself is a gift from God. Ask Him for eyes to see and a responsive heart for truth.

11 A hard worker has plenty of food,but a person who chases fantasies has no sense. Proverbs 12:11

With Their Own Swords....

Those who oppose God end up stabbing themselves with their own swords. The weapons they chose to fight God, end up, being the weapons that end their own lives.

15 But their swords will stab their own hearts,and their bows will be broken. 16 It is better to be godly and have little than to be evil and rich.17 For the strength of the wicked will be shattered, but the Lord takes care of the godly. Psalms 37:15-17

God Doesn’t Change...

God doesn’t change. That’s one thing you can base your life on. What He says stands for all time. His character doesn’t change. It’s a model we all should strive to be like. When He tells us how to live, that doesn’t change either, regardless what society believes or not. God isn’t trendy, He won’t demand something from us, then say “forget about it”. Here’s an example of God telling the Israelites what He requires from us. Some 800 plus years later, He says the exact same thing. Do you think the people in Micah’s day, said about God, “This is ancient news, it doesn’t apply to us. We are so far advanced it isn’t relevant anymore”. The fact that God doesn’t change should be the determining factor to take Him seriously, and take Him at His Word.

12 “And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you? He requires only that you fear the Lord your God, and live in a way that pleases Him, and love Him and serve Him with all your heart and soul. 13 And you must always obey the Lord’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good. Deuteronomy 10:12-13

8 No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good,and this is what He requires of you:to do what is right, to love mercy,and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8

Questioning God’s Decisions....

I’ve been around some people who have issues with God’s decisions. When we talk about the OT stories of the Israelites journey into the Promised Land, they seem to get mad at God for killing the inhabitants and taking their land. For He commanded the execution of every living soul; men, women, and children. At first I could see their argument, but then I thought, “who am I to question God’s decisions?” No, I’m not a robot. I don’t have to accept God’s decisions as either good or bad. The bottom line is that every decision God makes is 100% informed. He knows the future, He knows what the outcome of each decision He makes. He is 100% just in everything He does. And He loves us. As it says in Romans (my paraphrase) everything is meant for our good (8:28). That is, God is for those who honor and seek Him. These people in the Promised Land despised God, or turned their back on Him. Thus they were being punished for their sin. Who am I to say sin shouldn’t be punished? And Who did God punish for my sin? Jesus. So if I say that these people shouldn’t have died for their sins, then in essence am I saying, “I’m qualified to judge sin?” “God is wrong?” Instead, I need to focus on my own sin, and my own condemnation of it. The fact that God grants me salvation based on what Jesus did on the cross, I need to let God be God. I need to stop trying to play the role of Judge or jury. I need to concentrate on obeying Him and loving people. But what about the children? Isn’t that still cruel? Obviously my point made earlier hasn’t set fully in yet. But I will present an insight that might settle your sense of injustice. God saves, right? Maybe He saved those children by taking them to Heaven early, keeping them from doing horrific things. Maybe He looked into the future and saw that they would be more evil than their parents? Maybe He saw their parents about to sacrifice them to their gods and rescued them? I don’t know. But I do know that God cares for me and loves me more than anything else. I’m sure He loves those children too. Maybe, every single one of them went to be with Him in Heaven? I certainly don’t have all the answers. The only thing I’m sure of is this: God is worthy of my trust, regardless if I fully understand or not.

But recognize today that the Lord your God is the One who will cross over ahead of you like a devouring fire to destroy them. He will subdue them so that you will quickly conquer them and drive them out, just as the Lord has promised.4 “After the Lord your God has done this for you, don’t say in your hearts, ‘The Lord has given us this land because we are such good people!’ No, it is because of the wickedness of the other nations that He is pushing them out of your way. 5 It is not because you are so good or have such integrity that you are about to occupy their land. The Lord your God will drive these nations out ahead of you only because of their wickedness, and to fulfill the oath He swore to your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Deuteronomy 9:3-5

Giving Credit Where Its Due...

God is the source of our success. We can’t take the credit. It’s not because we are good people, as some may think, rather it’s His prerogative to bless people. The second we take the credit for something God has orchestrated, is the moment we cross the line between pride and humility. Paul also wrote about this when he said, “we ought not to think more highly of ourselves...”. And you know what the Bible says about pride... “it comes before a fall”. Give credit where credit is do, and see how it puts life back into the proper perspective. God deserves His Glory. Are you giving it to Him or taking it from Him?

1 “Listen, O Israel! Today you are about to cross the Jordan River to take over the land belonging to nations much greater and more powerful than you. They live in cities with walls that reach to the sky! 2 The people are strong and tall–descendants of the famous Anakite giants. You’ve heard the saying, ‘Who can stand up to the Anakites?’ 3 But recognize today that the Lord your God is the One who will cross over ahead of you like a devouring fire to destroy them. He will subdue them so that you will quickly conquer them and drive them out, just as the Lord has promised.4 “After the Lord your God has done this for you, don’t say in your hearts, ‘The Lord has given us this land because we are such good people!’ No, it is because of the wickedness of the other nations that He is pushing them out of your way. 5 It is not because you are so good or have such integrity that you are about to occupy their land. The Lord your God will drive these nations out ahead of you only because of their wickedness, and to fulfill the oath He swore to your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 6 You must recognize that the Lord your God is not giving you this good land because you are good, for you are not–you are a stubborn people. Deuteronomy 9:1-6

Hypocritical Behavior....

I always think about how hypocritical liberal people are that promote animal rights. Take PETA for instance. They protest circuses, they spray paint fur coats in department stores, they haggle and even destroy buildings in the name of “animal rights”. They are for animal rights so much so they put animals before people. Or so they say. Their facade of “caring for animals” by emphasizing “no kill” policies at their facilities, are only smoke and mirrors. The bottom line to their business is making money to support their anti-God agendas. The truth has been exposed by their real-life practices. Come to find out when their facilities get full, they kill the animals and freeze them. When the freezer gets full they secretly dispose the frozen carcasses at night in places no one knows about. Does this sound like a “no kill” policy, or that they live by what they promote? On one hand, they reject God (The Creator of these beings), but on the other hand they want to “protect” the animals that He created. Sounds a little like idolatry to me; worshipping creation instead of The Creator. They think that following God is ludicrous. When in reality, those close to God, treat their animals with higher regard than PETA ever could.

10 The godly care for their animals, but the wicked are always cruel. Proverbs 12:10

The Adversity of Prosperity....

I once heard a preacher talk about adversity and prosperity. He said, “For every 100 people that can handle adversity, there’s one that can handle prosperity. Think about that. Here in Deuteronomy, Moses instructs the people about this very issue: prosperity. Look at what’s it’s done in America? Just imagine what our founding fathers would say if they were alive today?

10 When you have eaten your fill, be sure to praise the Lord your God for the good land He has given you.11 “But that is the time to be careful! Beware that in your plenty you do not forget the Lord your God and disobey His commands, regulations, and decrees that I am giving you today. 12 For when you have become full and prosperous and have built fine homes to live in, 13 and when your flocks and herds have become very large and your silver and gold have multiplied along with everything else, be careful! 14 Do not become proud at that time and forget the Lord your God, who rescued you from slavery in the land of Egypt. 15 Do not forget that He led you through the great and terrifying wilderness with its poisonous snakes and scorpions, where it was so hot and dry. He gave you water from the rock! 16 He fed you with manna in the wilderness, a food unknown to your ancestors. He did this to humble you and test you for your own good. 17 He did all this so you would never say to yourself, ‘I have achieved this wealth with my own strength and energy.’ 18 Remember the Lord your God. He is the One who gives you power to be successful, in order to fulfill the covenant He confirmed to your ancestors with an oath.19 “But I assure you of this: If you ever forget the Lord your God and follow other gods, worshiping and bowing down to them, you will certainly be destroyed. 20 Just as the Lord has destroyed other nations in your path, you also will be destroyed if you refuse to obey the Lord your God. Deuteronomy 8:10-20

A Test of Character...

I’m certain I’ve wrote about this topic before. It may even be a repeat entry, but regardless, it needs to be proclaimed again. When we experience adversity, we need not always take it as punishment or discipline from God. Sometimes it may be a direct consequence of our own actions, like getting burned when touching a hot stove. It also may be God testing our character; helping us to see what we are really made of. This is the case for the Israelites during their 40 year journey in the Wilderness. God did it to humble them, to prove their character, and to see if they would obey Him. You see Adversity is a test of our character, not to prove to God what we are made of, rather for God to show ourselves the makeup of our character; flaws, pimples, warts, and all. The key is how we react when go through these adverse times. We can either obey God, and experience growth, or we can try to figure it out on our own and wind up being our own stumbling block, and thus, stunting our growth.

2 Remember how the Lord your God led you through the wilderness for these forty years, humbling you and testing you to prove your character, and to find out whether or not you would obey His commands. 3 Yes, He humbled you by letting you go hungry and then feeding you with manna, a food previously unknown to you and your ancestors. He did it to teach you that people do not live by bread alone; rather, we live by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. 4 For all these forty years your clothes didn’t wear out, and your feet didn’t blister or swell. 5 Think about it: Just as a parent disciplines a child, the Lord your God disciplines you for your own good. 6 “So obey the commands of the Lord your God by walking in His ways and fearing Him. Deuteronomy 8:2-6

One Defining Behavior...

One defining behavior in our society today that reflects its moral decline, is the selfishness displayed in the increasing number of people who don’t want to have children. That’s not even including those that terminate their pregnancies. God sees children as a blessing. A reward to those who follow Him. We have come a long way in that aspect. Unfortunately, it’s not in the positive direction.

12 “If you listen to these regulations and faithfully obey them, the Lord your God will keep His covenant of unfailing love with you, as He promised with an oath to your ancestors. 13 He will love you and bless you, and He will give you many children. He will give fertility to your land and your animals. When you arrive in the land He swore to give your ancestors, you will have large harvests of grain, new wine, and olive oil, and great herds of cattle, sheep, and goats. 14 You will be blessed above all the nations of the earth. None of your men or women will be childless, and all your livestock will bear young. Deuteronomy 7:12-14

A Comforting Passage...

This is a comforting passage living in a day where people call evil good, and good evil. Not worrying about evil prospering is a relief. Knowing they will fade away like grass should help us endure the opposition. Knowing we should focus on trusting God and doing good, makes our days less complicated. Knowing that when we align our hearts with God’s heart, it brings delight, should motivate us to continue to do good regardless of the opposition we face. We are on the winning team. This should be our mentality. Instead of winning a trophy in the end, we receive eternal paradise. If this doesn’t light your fire, your wood must be wet.

1 Don’t worry about the wickedor envy those who do wrong.2 For like grass, they soon fade away.Like spring flowers, they soon wither. 3 Trust in the Lord and do good.Then you will live safely in the land and prosper.4 Take delight in the Lord,and He will give you your heart’s desires. 5 Commit everything you do to the Lord.Trust Him, and He will help you. Psalms 37:1-5

A Proper Fear...

A proper fear of God is not only healthy, but guarantees our prosperity. This prosperity isn’t about money and possessions, it’s about other blessings that God grants us. Like close friendships, like a healthy mind and body, like a fresh outlook on life, like a discerning spirit, like food on the table, like a good night’s rest, like having a loving family... Do I continue? Having the right heart for God pleases Him. It’s exactly what He wants from us. It’s such a desire of His, that He promises us to provide and protect all of our future generations, He promises to lavish His unfailing love to a thousand generations that follow and obey Him. Wow, what more do we need than to know God loves us that much that He’s willing to commit to taking care of our line of ancestry of 1000 generations. In a day in which we live where “anti-God” is the common theme, we need to hold tight to our Biblical beliefs, and diligently teach them to our children. This is the only way to guarantee God’s blessing. Then we can boldly move forward with confidence, that God has our back, working everything out for our good.

9 You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected–even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject Me. 10 But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love Me and obey My commands. Deuteronomy 5:9-10

28 “The Lord heard the request you made to me. And He said, ‘I have heard what the people said to you, and they are right. 29 Oh, that they would always have hearts like this, that they might fear Me and obey all My commands! If they did, they and their descendants would prosper forever. Deuteronomy 5:28-29

1 “These are the commands, decrees, and regulations that the Lord your God commanded me to teach you. You must obey them in the land you are about to enter and occupy, 2 and you and your children and grandchildren must fear the Lord your God as long as you live. If you obey all His decrees and commands, you will enjoy a long life. 3 Listen closely, Israel, and be careful to obey. Then all will go well with you, and you will have many children in the land flowing with milk and honey, just as the Lord, the God of your ancestors, promised you.4 “Listen, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. 5 And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. 6 And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. 7 Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. 8 Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. 9 Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.10 “The Lord your God will soon bring you into the land He swore to give you when He made a vow to your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It is a land with large, prosperous cities that you did not build. 11 The houses will be richly stocked with goods you did not produce. You will draw water from cisterns you did not dig, and you will eat from vineyards and olive trees you did not plant. When you have eaten your fill in this land, 12 be careful not to forget the Lord, who rescued you from slavery in the land of Egypt. 13 You must fear the Lord your God and serve Him. When you take an oath, you must use only His name.14 “You must not worship any of the gods of neighboring nations, 15 for the Lord your God, who lives among you, is a jealous God. His anger will flare up against you, and He will wipe you from the face of the earth. 16 You must not test the Lord your God as you did when you complained at Massah. 17 You must diligently obey the commands of the Lord your God–all the laws and decrees He has given you. 18 Do what is right and good in the Lord’s sight, so all will go well with you. Then you will enter and occupy the good land that the Lord swore to give your ancestors. 19 You will drive out all the enemies living in the land, just as the Lord said you would.20 “In the future your children will ask you, ‘What is the meaning of these laws, decrees, and regulations that the Lord our God has commanded us to obey?’21 “Then you must tell them, ‘We were Pharaoh’s slaves in Egypt, but the Lord brought us out of Egypt with His strong hand. 22 The Lord did miraculous signs and wonders before our eyes, dealing terrifying blows against Egypt and Pharaoh and all his people. 23 He brought us out of Egypt so He could give us this land He had sworn to give our ancestors. 24 And the Lord our God commanded us to obey all these decrees and to fear Him so He can continue to bless us and preserve our lives, as He has done to this day. 25 For we will be counted as righteous when we obey all the commands the Lord our God has given us.’ Deuteronomy 6

What’s the Source?

What is the source of revival? What can change a man’s heart? Answer: the Spirit of God speaking Truth. Where did I come up with this answer? Luke chapter 1 verse 17. John the Baptist had this spirit, and look what he did. We can plant seeds, and water them, but only God can make them grow. If you want to see change in your life or the lives of others, ask God to empower you with His Spirit. It’s the only real way to evoke change in the human heart.

15 for he will be great in the eyes of the Lord. He must never touch wine or other alcoholic drinks. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth. 16 And he will turn many Israelites to the Lord their God. 17 He will be a man with the spirit and power of Elijah. He will prepare the people for the coming of the Lord. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and he will cause those who are rebellious to accept the wisdom of the godly.” Luke 1:15-17

Truth is Objective...

In a world that lives in a Missouri state of mind, the “Show Me State”, it’s important to have documents that reinforce all that we know about God. The book of Luke is one example of this (as is the entire Bible). The purpose of his meticulous research, and devotion to accurately reporting the truth, was to reassure Theophilus of the certainty of everything he had been taught about Jesus. In our day of “I won’t believe it until I see it with my own eyes” mentality, truth is accepted only on the basis of “if it fits into my lifestyle”. Wrong is wrong and right is right regardless whether or not it suits your fancy. The word objective means it’s not up to you to decide if it’s true or not. Truth doesn’t change. In a world where everyone equates truth based on what society accepts (mere opinions) as good or bad behavior doesn’t change the fact that it’s good or bad. God is the ultimate determiner of right and wrong, not us. The problem lies in our acknowledgement of Jesus being Lord of our lives, or not. He is Who we will have to give an account of our life when we stand face to face with Him at the other side of death’s door. Submitting to Him now determines how we see truth. If we don’t bow a knee to Him, then we make up our own truth to satisfy our behavior. You just have to look at our society today to see this truth being played out. “My Truth” vs “Your Truth” is being fought everywhere we look. Here in the first chapter of the Gospel of Luke, we are given a golden nugget. Luke’s purpose was took give an accurate account of the life of Jesus. What we do with his purpose determines everything.

1 Many people have set out to write accounts about the events that have been fulfilled among us. 2 They used the eyewitness reports circulating among us from the early disciples. 3 Having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I also have decided to write a careful account for you, most honorable Theophilus, 4 so you can be certain of the truth of everything you were taught. Luke 1:1-4

Regaining Status....

Since the beginning of time, when man sinned, he’s been trying to regain his status. The further man falls away from God the harder the pursuit of worldly things he desires to fill the void. Man’s pursuit of youth and beauty, his attempt to hang on to this world, has left him more empty than when he began his journey. The irony in all of this, “the fountain of life” that he pursues, is found only in God. Heaven is the destiny of all who believe and follow God. Yet man wants Heaven here on earth, and he wants it without God. The conundrum of selfish thinking: what we truly desire can only be obtained when we realize it’s a selfless pursuit, not a selfish one.

 Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains,Your justice like the ocean depths.You care for people and animals alike, O Lord.7 How precious is Your unfailing love, O God!All humanity finds shelterin the shadow of Your wings.8 You feed them from the abundance of Your own house,letting them drink from Your river of delights.9 For You are the fountain of life,the light by which we see. 10 Pour out Your unfailing love on those who love You;give justice to those with honest hearts. Psalms 36:6-10

100% Of Your Heart...

The one missing element in today’s society when it comes to Christianity is this: you can only truly know God when you pursue Him with all (100%) of your heart. So many people quit trying because God seems distant. They think, I’ve tried and just don’t “feel” close to Him. They fail to realize that their lack of “real” effort is the reason they seem bewildered in this pursuit. They fail to put all of their heart and soul into pursuing their Maker. The key to God is putting Him first. He should be the priority in your life. Better yet, He should BE your life. Dedicating you’re “whole” heart to Him is exactly what we were created to do. You will find Him when you seek Him with your whole heart. What’s blocking your path to truly knowing Him? What idols have you erected in your heart that’s taking away from fully devoting yourself to Him? You must tear down the altar of those idols. It’s not a matter of time, or possessions, or focus, rather it’s a heart issue. Until you empty yourself of “yourself”, it’s impossible to fully pursue God. When your cup is full of anything but God, there’s no room for Him to give you what you really need. His nearness to us is our good. It starts with our 100%, full devoted attention. You’ll find Him, and He will respond when you seek Him with all of your heart. Is that missing in your walk?

23 So be careful not to break the covenant the Lord your God has made with you. Do not make idols of any shape or form, for the Lord your God has forbidden this. 24 The Lord your God is a devouring fire; He is a jealous God. Deuteronomy 4:23-24

29 But from there you will search again for the Lord your God. And if you search for Him with all your heart and soul, you will find Him. Deuteronomy 4:29

39 “So remember this and keep it firmly in mind: The Lord is God both in heaven and on earth, and there is no other. 40 If you obey all the decrees and commands I am giving you today, all will be well with you and your children. I am giving you these instructions so you will enjoy a long life in the land the Lord your God is giving you for all time.” Deuteronomy 4:39-40

Never Forget...

God gave this command to the Israelites, “Never forget” what your eyes have seen. Don’t let the memories escape from your mind. Pass them on to your children and grandchildren. Never forget what the Lord has done for you. When you remember what God did in your life, you remember Who you’re accountable to. This keeps your mind aligned with proper boundaries and self-restraint. This keeps you from sinning greatly. It keeps pride from swelling up and choking you with too much of self. Fearing God keeps us on the “right” path. It keeps us useful and equipped to carry out His Will. It gives us purpose. It helps us stay grounded. It gives us a sense of hope, which anchors our soul. It all starts with “never forgetting” Who it is we serve.

9 “But watch out! Be careful never to forget what you yourself have seen. Do not let these memories escape from your mind as long as you live! And be sure to pass them on to your children and grandchildren. 10 Never forget the day when you stood before the Lord your God at Mount Sinai, where He told me, ‘Summon the people before Me, and I will personally instruct them. Then they will learn to fear Me as long as they live, and they will teach their children to fear Me also.’ Deuteronomy 4:9-10

Our Allegiance...

When we choose to follow God, giving our allegiance solely to Him, there is no need to be afraid. He will fight for us. In a day and age where fear, guilt, and shame dominate the minds of most, taking refuge in God’s promises make the most sense. What’s stopping you from fully trusting Him with your life?

21 “At that time I gave Joshua this charge: ‘You have seen for yourself everything the Lord your God has done to these two kings. He will do the same to all the kingdoms on the west side of the Jordan. 22 Do not be afraid of the nations there, for the Lord your God will fight for you.’ Deuteronomy 3:21-22

The Offer Of Redemption...

Redemption is the main theme of the Bible. Not anything we deserve, rather it’s granted to us based on God’s love for us. No matter what people may say about why they don’t believe what the Bible teaches, every single person on this earth would agree that being pardoned from a death sentence would be welcomed by them. No one can say anyone who pardons someone condemned to die deserves to be ignored. God has given all humanity free will. And it’s only when we respond to that free will with gratitude, does He reveal more of Himself to us. It’s by Grace, through Faith in Jesus, that we are saved and made right with God. It’s open to all. Even the most violent God-haters out there are extended this offer. If God forgave Peter (emphasized here in verse 7), who denied Him 3 times (after being told he would and denied it), He can also forgive you and me. Isn’t God’s Grace the greatest gift? Not only does it grant us eternal life (never having to fear the grave or eternal punishment), but it allows us to know and walk with the Creator of the universe. Just imagine, we have access to the One Who has seen it all, and Who knows everything. He wants a personal relationship with me. If you don’t feel and know you are loved from this, you might need to check the condition of your heart. The change you may be seeking is only possible with super-natural intervention. And that’s only possible when your heart is in the “willing” state.

7 Now go and tell His disciples, including Peter, that Jesus is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see Him there, just as He told you before He died.” Mark 16:7

How You View Sin...

Be careful how you view sin. It’s deceptive. It will tell you to not fear God. In doing so, you’ll only deceive yourself, and only corruption and destruction will follow.

1 Sin whispers to the wicked, deep within their hearts.They have no fear of God at all.2 In their blind conceit,they cannot see how wicked they really are.3 Everything they say is crooked and deceitful.They refuse to act wisely or do good.4 They lie awake at night, hatching sinful plots.Their actions are never good.They make no attempt to turn from evil. Psalms 36:1-4

No Regrets Being Faithful...

When we refuse to listen to God there are consequences. Yes, we can go into something we want, but without His presence or blessing it will only result in disaster. If we only realize “His Will equals our good”, we only have to trust and obey, things will be alright. Sometimes, we only get one chance to participate in God’s short term plan. When we reject it, then later realize our mistake and try to do His Will without His blessing, we are right back where we started, rejecting Him again in our defiant attempt to fix the first dilemma we brought on ourselves. We are fickle. It stems from our selfishness, and our lack of submission to God’s authority. He is in charge and knows best, we don’t. When in doubt, do what God puts in your heart to do. There’s no room for second-guessing Him. No one ever regrets being faithful to God’s calling.

26 “But you rebelled against the command of the Lord your God and refused to go in. 27 You complained in your tents and said, ‘The Lord must hate us. That’s why He has brought us here from Egypt–to hand us over to the Amorites to be slaughtered. 28 Where can we go? Our brothers have demoralized us with their report. They tell us, “The people of the land are taller and more powerful than we are, and their towns are large, with walls rising high into the sky! We even saw giants there–the descendants of Anak!”’29 “But I said to you, ‘Don’t be shocked or afraid of them! 30 The Lord your God is going ahead of you. He will fight for you, just as you saw Him do in Egypt. 31 And you saw how the Lord your God cared for you all along the way as you traveled through the wilderness, just as a father cares for his child. Now He has brought you to this place.’32 “But even after all He did, you refused to trust the Lord your God, 33 who goes before you looking for the best places to camp, guiding you with a pillar of fire by night and a pillar of cloud by day.34 “When the Lord heard your complaining, He became very angry. So He solemnly swore, 35 ‘Not one of you from this wicked generation will live to see the good land I swore to give your ancestors, 36 except Caleb son of Jephunneh. He will see this land because he has followed the Lord completely. I will give to him and his descendants some of the very land he explored during his scouting mission.’37 “And the Lord was also angry with me because of you. He said to me, ‘Moses, not even you will enter the Promised Land! 38 Instead, your assistant, Joshua son of Nun, will lead the people into the land. Encourage him, for he will lead Israel as they take possession of it. 39 I will give the land to your little ones–your innocent children. You were afraid they would be captured, but they will be the ones who occupy it. 40 As for you, turn around now and go on back through the wilderness toward the Red Sea.’41 “Then you confessed, ‘We have sinned against the Lord! We will go into the land and fight for it, as the Lord our God has commanded us.’ So your men strapped on their weapons, thinking it would be easy to attack the hill country.42 “But the Lord told me to tell you, ‘Do not attack, for I am not with you. If you go ahead on your own, you will be crushed by your enemies.’43 “This is what I told you, but you would not listen. Instead, you again rebelled against the Lord’s command and arrogantly went into the hill country to fight. 44 But the Amorites who lived there came out against you like a swarm of bees. They chased and battered you all the way from Seir to Hormah. 45 Then you returned and wept before the Lord, but He refused to listen. 46 So you stayed there at Kadesh for a long time. Deuteronomy 1:26-46

No Future...

You’ll never establish deep roots practicing evil behavior. There is no future for the wicked.

3 Wickedness never brings stability, but the godly have deep roots. Proverbs 12:3

Abortion Pollutes Our Land...

Abortion pollutes our land. And the only solution lies in the execution of each murderer. In order to purify our land, According to Numbers 35:33, America needs to execute abortionists to purify our land of murder. Fortunately for us, God provides a way to be made right with Him, through the embracing of our Lord and Savior Jesus, whose sacrifice, death, and resurrection overcame the power of death and provides us with the forgiveness we need to be restored back into a relationship with God. It’s Jesus’ death that purifies our land. Embrace Him today, He’s alive and willing to forgive anyone who has a contrite heart. What’s the condition of your heart?

33 This will ensure that the land where you live will not be polluted, for murder pollutes the land. And no sacrifice except the execution of the murderer can purify the land from murder. 34 You must not defile the land where you live, for I live there myself. I am the Lord, who lives among the people of Israel.” Numbers 35:33-34

Our Judicial System....

I think it’s so ironic how our judicial system was developed based on the Bible, God’s word. Follow through the 10 Commandments and you’ll see many of the precepts in which our system is based. Here in Numbers 35, the “innocent until proven guilty” concept is stated. Everyone is given a trial. And no one could be condemned on the testimony of only one person. Isn’t it funny how America rejects God and His Book, the Bible, yet embraces the justice He demands when they are wronged?

12 These cities will be places of protection from a dead person’s relatives who want to avenge the death. The slayer must not be put to death before being tried by the community. Numbers 35:12

30 “All murderers must be put to death, but only if evidence is presented by more than one witness. No one may be put to death on the testimony of only one witness. Numbers 35:30

There’s Always Someone Willing...

There is always someone willing to serve God. Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, both members of the Jewish Counsel, were silent throughout Jesus mockery of a trial, but when He died, they rose up, and risked everything by preparing His body for burial. The Disciples all fled, so the women and these two men, rose up, having witnessed this History-changing moment, to serve God’s purposes. When some are not willing to serve God (for whatever reason), God will find and use those who are willing to serve to accomplish His will. Are you willing to serve?

42 This all happened on Friday, the day of preparation, the day before the Sabbath. As evening approached, 43 Joseph of Arimathea took a risk and went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. (Joseph was an honored member of the high council, and he was waiting for the Kingdom of God to come.) 44 Pilate couldn’t believe that Jesus was already dead, so he called for the Roman officer and asked if He had died yet. 45 The officer confirmed that Jesus was dead, so Pilate told Joseph he could have the body. 46 Joseph bought a long sheet of linen cloth. Then he took Jesus’ body down from the cross, wrapped it in the cloth, and laid it in a tomb that had been carved out of the rock. Then he rolled a stone in front of the entrance. 47 Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph saw where Jesus’ body was laid. Mark 15:42-47

Strength To Stand...

A great example of giving in to peer pressure. Pilot questioned the crowds’ cause by stating Jesus’ innocence. Yet he still gave into their demand to crucify Him. Pilate either didn’t care (probably the case), or had little to no integrity (actually both). How often do you give into a group’s cause when they hound you, revert to violence, name call, and demand their way even when they know their cause is wrong? Ask God for strength today, to take a stand for truth. When one of these worldly causes come knocking, you’ll have the Spirit there to help you take a stand and open the eyes of the spiritually blind.

9 “Would you like me to release to you this ‘King of the Jews’?” Pilate asked. 10 (For he realized by now that the leading priests had arrested Jesus out of envy.) 11 But at this point the leading priests stirred up the crowd to demand the release of Barabbas instead of Jesus. 12 Pilate asked them, “Then what should I do with this man you call the king of the Jews?”13 They shouted back, “Crucify Him!”14 “Why?” Pilate demanded. “What crime has He committed?”But the mob roared even louder, “Crucify Him!”15 So to pacify the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He ordered Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip, then turned Him over to the Roman soldiers to be crucified. Mark 15:9-15