Good day dear friends.
Here is our study guide for today:Monday: Deuteronomy 27, 28, 29The curses listed here are probably just a sampling. Under what several headings would you group the ones that are given?
A WORD OF CAUTION: Today's readings that follow, or if you're using your own Bible to do them, are very harsh. We're entering into reading Moses' proclamation of God's wrath. The old man is reminding the people of God's great power to liberate and rescue and to curse and condemn. It is Moses telling this new generation, "Your moms and dads saw God's power come out in full force against Pharoah and his armies, why would you want to go back to Egypt and disobedience? It is as if you wanted to ask God to use His power to destroy you! So, as he speaks of the need to obey, he reminds them of what God is capable of doing to those who in their heart want to return back to a life alienated from God.
The curses mentioned in the last two chapters of today's three, could be grouped into a worship, human interaction, sexual sins, respect among neighbors, and whatever other category you wished to assign. Each of the curses will come, Moses says, because of disobedience in one of those I assigned above. You may decide to get either more general or more specific. The underlying question Moses is asking is why in the world would you want to live a life away from God? You've seen what good God has brought to us, why leave it? You know how much God loves you and wants a relationship with you, why choose a life led by no one and blessed by no one? Moses is saying, there is only one true, living God, and we've seen the powerlessness of the so-called other 'gods' in our new land, what good will it do us to join their side?
In our lives today we make similar choices everyday. Temptation may not come in the obvious form of another god, but it can still be the same. It may even fall into one of the above categories. For example in the worship category, one is so blessed being in worship every Sunday, yet as we drive to church we see so many who are already up, in their shorts and t-shirts washing their cars. If that is worship, who or what are they worshipping? It's easy. That car has taken God's place, so guess what is getting worshipped that day? Or it could be as so many say, "I worship in nature." What is that saying? Honestly, that God is not as important as nature, and that one's selfishness to choose to be away from God's house and God's people is more important than coporate worship. And the list goes on and on. What are you worshipping? What blessings from God are you giving up on because you know better?
PRAYER: Loving God, forgive us our choices that lead us away from You and Your love. May I be an example to others that need my direction to come and be the person You would have me be. I pray in Christ Jesus' name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
e.v.
Here is our study guide for today:Monday: Deuteronomy 27, 28, 29The curses listed here are probably just a sampling. Under what several headings would you group the ones that are given?
A WORD OF CAUTION: Today's readings that follow, or if you're using your own Bible to do them, are very harsh. We're entering into reading Moses' proclamation of God's wrath. The old man is reminding the people of God's great power to liberate and rescue and to curse and condemn. It is Moses telling this new generation, "Your moms and dads saw God's power come out in full force against Pharoah and his armies, why would you want to go back to Egypt and disobedience? It is as if you wanted to ask God to use His power to destroy you! So, as he speaks of the need to obey, he reminds them of what God is capable of doing to those who in their heart want to return back to a life alienated from God.
The curses mentioned in the last two chapters of today's three, could be grouped into a worship, human interaction, sexual sins, respect among neighbors, and whatever other category you wished to assign. Each of the curses will come, Moses says, because of disobedience in one of those I assigned above. You may decide to get either more general or more specific. The underlying question Moses is asking is why in the world would you want to live a life away from God? You've seen what good God has brought to us, why leave it? You know how much God loves you and wants a relationship with you, why choose a life led by no one and blessed by no one? Moses is saying, there is only one true, living God, and we've seen the powerlessness of the so-called other 'gods' in our new land, what good will it do us to join their side?
In our lives today we make similar choices everyday. Temptation may not come in the obvious form of another god, but it can still be the same. It may even fall into one of the above categories. For example in the worship category, one is so blessed being in worship every Sunday, yet as we drive to church we see so many who are already up, in their shorts and t-shirts washing their cars. If that is worship, who or what are they worshipping? It's easy. That car has taken God's place, so guess what is getting worshipped that day? Or it could be as so many say, "I worship in nature." What is that saying? Honestly, that God is not as important as nature, and that one's selfishness to choose to be away from God's house and God's people is more important than coporate worship. And the list goes on and on. What are you worshipping? What blessings from God are you giving up on because you know better?
PRAYER: Loving God, forgive us our choices that lead us away from You and Your love. May I be an example to others that need my direction to come and be the person You would have me be. I pray in Christ Jesus' name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
e.v.
