Deuteronomy 2:1-3:29 + Luke 6:12-38 + Psalm 67:1-7 + Proverbs 11:27
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Old Testament – Okay, I think we’ve come across quite an understatement in our readings today in Deuteronomy chapter 2 verse 1 when Moses says: “We wandered around Mount Seir for a long time.” Indeed… it was a long time of 3 decades plus of wandering… 🙂 But, it’s important for us to remember why it was such a long time of wandering – because of the Israelites’ sin in not entering the Promised Land when they were first instructed to do so by God. And, I think about this in our lives today. When we sin. And particularly when we consistently sin – with a bad habit or addiction that we know we should not be indulging in – we can become just like the Israelites, wandering around in the wilderness for a long time… My fear is that we can get so used to our sin and wandering around in the wilderness that we don’t ever break free from it. We stay in bondage to the sin. And then we stay in the wilderness. The wilderness for us today may simply be living life half-heartedly in a bit of a haze or a bit of a funk. With some sort of cloud hanging over us. It’s no way to live life. I guess I just want to encourage you that if you are struggling with what seems to be an unreleaseable sin to not give up. Don’t ever give up on victory! Continue to take the sin to Jesus over and over and over again. Take it to God over and over and over again. Pray about it continuously. Seek wise counsel from friends and pastors and professional help. Freedom awaits you. You can get out of the wilderness. The Promised Land awaits you. Please don’t continue to “wander around Mt. Seir for a long time”…. Below is a painting titled “The Wanderer” by German artist George Seir from 1934:
We read some significant verses at the end of Deuteronomy chapter 3 when Moses asks to enter the Promised Land, and God replies in verses 26 through 28: “`Speak of it no more. You can go to Pisgah Peak and view the land in every direction, but you may not cross the Jordan River. But commission Joshua and encourage him, for he will lead the people across the Jordan. He will give them the land you now see before you.'” Here we see that God is standing firm in his refusal of allowing Moses to enter the Promised Land – and yet, he does show mercy in allowing Moses to view the land.
New Testament – In Luke chapter 6 verses 12 & 13 today we read – “One day soon afterward Jesus went to a mountain to pray, and he prayed to God all night. At daybreak he called together all of his disciples and chose twelve of them to be apostles.” Every time I read about Jesus’ calling of the apostles, I always think about myself. What would I have done if I was called by Jesus to be an apostle back then? What would I do if I was called to follow Jesus in this way today? What would you do? Would you leave everything behind and follow Jesus?
Verses 22 & 23 are just no joke and so powerful for each of to consider and remember in our lives today – “God blesses you who are hated and excluded and mocked and cursed because you are identified with me, the Son of Man. When that happens, rejoice! Yes, leap for joy! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were also treated that way by your ancestors.” Wow… rejoice when you are hated and excluded and mocked and cursed – because you are identified with Jesus. No, don’t just rejoice – leap for joy!
Today we read 3 amazing verses that I don’t think we can hear often enough. And my hunch is that we don’t follow these teachings often enough… they can seem initially so counter-intuitive – just like leaping for joy is when you are persecuted for loving Jesus. But these 3 verses are clearly such an important part of living the Christian life. And when you really meditate upon them, you’ll see that they really are not counter-intuitive at all, but completely wise. Verse 28 – “Pray for the happiness of those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you.” And verses 35 & 36 – “”Love your enemies! Do good to them! Lend to them! And don’t be concerned that they might not repay. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to the unthankful and to those who are wicked. You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate.” How are you doing on praying for the happiness of those who curse you or hurt you? How are you doing in loving your enemies and doing good to them? Do you believe we should be compassionate in these ways?
Verse 37 I don’t think we can hear often enough either – “”Stop judging others, and you will not be judged. Stop criticizing others, or it will all come back on you. If you forgive others, you will be forgiven.” I really need to hear this one – stop judging others. Stop judging others. Stop judging others. Okay, I think I’ve got it…. Maybe… 🙂
Bible.org’s commentary on Luke chapter 6 readings today titled “Defining Discipleship” is at this link.
Psalms – Psalm 67 verse 2 today sounds very Great Commission-ish: “May your ways be known throughout the earth, your saving power among people everywhere.” It’s interesting to read this verse when just recently I was reading a review in my local newspaper about a book that “exposes” evangelical Christians. (of which I am one) This book really dives into how “successful” evangelical Christians are in “recruiting” young adults ages 20 to 35 with their ministries. And this book reviewer – and the book author – were very disdainful of Christianity. Saying it threatened secular society… and this just made me realize that the more we do indeed make God’s ways known throughout the earth – the more we introduce people to God’s saving power among people everywhere – well, then the secular world will push back big time with books and reviews like the one I read. And the secular world will even push back in more severe ways as well. This makes me realize that indeed our efforts to make God’s was known – God’s love, grace, mercy, salvation, call to repentance – are being noticed by others. But hopefully more than just being noticed by others, let us pray that our Kingdom work actually introduces others to God’s only son Jesus, who transforms hearts and lives for eternity!
Proverbs – Chapter 11 verse 27 is a powerful Proverb to pay heed to! “If you search for good, you will find favor; but if you search for evil, it will find you!” I pray each of us is consistently searching for good – and never searching for evil.
Worship Video: Psalm 67:2 reminds me the amazing song “My Redeemer Lives” by Nicole C. Mullen:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QvX4CwSmwY
Do you know our Redeemer lives? Click here for Life!
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” Luke 6:37 NIV
Prayer Point: Pray that you will not judge others, but leave the Judgment to Jesus. Pray that you will not condemn. Pray that you will forgive others, as Jesus has Forgiven you.
Comments from You & Questions of the Day: Based on Psalm 67 today, how are you helping to make God’s ways be known throughout the earth? Are you sharing with other’s God’s saving power? Do you want the life you live to reflect God’s glory to others? Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings? Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!
God bless,
Mike
p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.
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BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
(our Group Bible Study is below! : )
======= Ramona:
Deuteronomy 2:1-3:29
Something I noticed with Israel and her wars, God gave them victory before they went to battle, ergo, God gives us the Victory over our enemies (addictions; stress; bad health; people who come against us because we are believers—whatever conflicts with a Kingdom loving, God centered lifestyle); however, we must go into the battle. I heard this from my pastor’s wife about three/four weeks ago. “Running from the battle qualifies you for captivity.”
“Get up, make your way across Wadi Arnon. Look! I have already delivered over to you Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon, and his land. Go ahead! Take it! Engage him in war! … The LORD said to me, “Look! I have already begun to give over Sihon and his land to you. Start right now to take his land as your possession.”
(Deuteronomy 2:24, 31 NET.)
I was also tying to find the post that someone wrote (I think it was Andrew B, but I could be mistaken), when we first got into Deuteronomy, that Moses was playing the “Blame Game,” and at the end of our readings sure enough Moses again blames the “crowd” for his inability to enter the Promise Land.
But the LORD was angry at me because of you and would not listen to me. Instead, he said to me, “Enough of that! Do not speak to me anymore about this matter.
(Deuteronomy 3:26 NET.)
Grace and peace and Make it a Blessed Day!! Don’t allow circmstances and other people to control whether a day is blessed or not—Take charge [That encouragement if from me also, self-speak spoken (written) out-loud]
Ramona
======= Gene:
Doing my reading today and thinking of, I was praising God for being so good to us, just like He was with the people going to the promised land, forgiving them and picking them up and back to Him every time. I could not help it, thinking of what Jesus did for us in Calvary, out of His free and loving will, without complainig, to take us to our “promised land” and I have shedded some tears because we, like the Israelites complain so much for every litle thing, some times forget what He did for us that good friday. He is a good and merciful God and many times He acts like He is deaf and so merciful, when we are just using small excuses to stay in our own dessert away from Him.
Gene
======== Roslyn:
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” AMEN!!!
Truly a great reminder of how we should treat one another, for we are ALL one in God, Christians or non-Christians.
Roslyn
======= Laura:
In Deuteronomy we see history as meaning rather than as bare fact. Here the stories rewire the souls of the people, preparing them for what lay ahead. As the OT progresses, the stories are told and retold, each time telling the meaning: the truth about God, his justice, grace, sovereignty, mercy, fierce jealousy.
So, if everything points back to Torah (the first five books), how should we understand the OT?
If Torah is the story of God’s gracious covenant with Israel–and not law as is often assumed–could it be the the OT is also about God’s grace?
I believe this is true and this year, I’m reading to see if it is so. It has certainly been the case so far.
Laura
======= Ramona:
Laura,
I too see the “grace” of God in the Old Testament even though many people think that the God of the Old is different than the God of the new. God’s grace was not always evident to me when I first began reading through the Bible 18 years ago, but every time I read though and more things are revealed in my understanding, I know without a doubt that God is the same and has always been the same throughout all eternity.
Jesus Christ never changes! He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
(Heb 13:8)
If Jesus Christ is the Word of God and is God, as stated in the first chapter of the Book of John, than God has never changed and His grace and mercy is stamped indelibly on the universe. We confuse the consequences of our misdeeds and sinful actions, things we have set in motion because we live in a cause and effect world, with the absence of a God full of grace and mercy. If I warn my child about playing in the streets and he plays in the streets in spite of my warning, when he is hit by an 18 wheel truck that does not mean I am lacking in grace and mercy it means he didn’t listen.
Ramona
======= John:
Laura,
Absolutely, the Old Testament is replete with examples of God’s grace and mercy.
“Grace of God” is defined in one dictionary (freedictionary.com):
“the free and unmerited favor or beneficence of God”
The above defintion can be seen in action throughout the Old Testament.
“As we have seen, God extended His grace freely to individuals and nations who humbly sought His favor in Old Testament times. God granted His grace to Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, the children of Israel, the Ninevites, David, and even kings Ahab and Manasseh when they repented of their wickedness. The Scriptures also record God’s grace and blessings to those women who sought His favor, including Abraham’s wife Sarah, (Gen. 21:6-7, Heb. 11:11, Ruth the Moabitess (Ruth 1:16; 2:12), and Hannah, the mother of Samuel (I Sam. 1:10-19).
The entire Old Testament is a demonstration of God’s gracious kindness and mercy. However, the grace and mercy which God granted during Old Testament times was in most cases limited to physical deliverance and material blessings. The Scriptures reveal that only a few in Old Testament times received God’s Holy Spirit and were granted the grace of God unto eternal salvation. Nevertheless, God’s blessing and grace was extended bountifully in the physical realm for those who loved God and kept His commandments. And mercy and forgiveness was extended to all who repented from the heart.
The Old Testament is a history of those who sought God with all their hearts, and received God’s grace and blessing, as opposed to those who rejected God’s grace and blessing, and heaped to themselves punishment and wrath for their grievous sins.”
John
======= Lisa:
Re: Gods grace as seen in the old testament journeys, I feel like I have just completed a long journey because I was a few days behind on my reading. I know we are supposed to skip those days, but I hate to miss anything. I can see why the journey took as long as it did because there were many cities, lands and people to conquor. I am having a struggle with these readings as I did with Leviticus and Numbers because of the long lists of names, animal sacrifices and counting of people that took place. It seems so much of these chapters are redundant too. I wonder if anyone else has had struggles with reading these chapters in the old testament as I have. I still try to look for God’s grace and realize that he has those chapters in the bible for a good reason. I’ve been trying to give Him the glory.
On another thought that may be all my own. Where were all the animal rights activists in those days? So many animals were sacrificed daily. God must of provided an enormous abundance of animals and probably dealt severly with those who stood in the way of the work of the sacrifices performed by the Levites. Scripture leaves that part out. Am I the only inquisitive one who thinks along these lines? I of course am thankful that Jesus was the final sacrifice and that we all have access to Him now and His saving grace.
I love the bible enough and God’s word to maintain my focus and have a great respect to all my fellow brothers and sisters In Christ who have been faithfull to God and this blog and who post daily. Especially, brother Mike who has set this blog up for us and goes above and beyond in his duty to serve. Welcome back Mike, I know this welcome back is late. You must be blessed by the oppourtunity it was to help out those Katrinia victims. Our church is sending out a group in June. I wish I could be a part of it, but felt that I wanted my husband to go along with me if I went. He chose not to go. I only have so much vacation time that I can take and it is about the only time my husband and I see each other. I hope God lays it on the hearts of all who have the opportunity to serve in this way and makes it possible for them to do their duty.
I am looking forward to this study of Deuteronomy and all the blessings it will offer to us.
Lisa
======= Anka:
“These forty years the LORD your God has been with you, and you have not lacked anything.”….the Israelites didn’t seem to think so…they complained about the food and many other things.Looks like when God says “in all things give thanks”…he REALLY means that…even when everything seems to be crashing around you…God’s still in control and he thinks…”you lack nothing”…so give thanks…hhmm praise sure can be a sacrifice when the last thing you feel like doing is praise God..in a way,that in it’s self is a battle…fighting to do God’s will(give thanks)when all your flesh wants is another pity party.
He who seeks good finds goodwill,but evil comes to him who searches for it….It’s amazing just how much trouble comes from making bad choices…good comes from looking up to Jesus…bad comes from listening to the whinnings of our flesh…a thousand mile journey starts with one step…pray or watch some more TV…go to church or just hang out doing something else.Choosing what we seek or guarding our hearts from interests that are against God’s will is a daily sacrifice…
God is good!!!
Anka
======= Sandy:
Speaking of God’s grace…I love the thought my husband, a pastor, has brought up about Moses being refused by God to enter the Promised Land: (and I don’t know if it’s an original thought with my husband): Moses represented the Law, and the law can never bring us into God’s holy presence; it can only condemn us and show us the need for Jesus and His blood shed on the cross to bring us into “the Promised Land.” So it was so symbolic that Moses couldn’t deliver the people into the Land, but that Joshua (Jesus’ name is really Joshua)-is the one God chose to bring the people into His chosen land, the place of blessing and prosperity.
Another thought that blesses me about Moses–in the story about the Transfiguration, Luke 9:30, we see Moses and Elijah speaking with Jesus on the mountain, in the promised land. So God in His mercy brought His servant Moses into the land after all! He’s the God of the living, not of the dead, isn’t He? : ) His grace is greater than our sin and mistakes.
Blessings.
Sandy
======== Peggy:
Today”s reading gave me a push. As I have been doing my bible study, I have had this tug on my heart that God wants me to be doing something more for Him. I have been praying everyday that He will reveal to me what it is. My nephew reminded me, “dont sit back and wait jump in and you will know God’s will”. Thank you for this reading. Believe you me I have been wandering in the dessert long enough. Have a Blessed day.
Peggy
======= Emily:
Just a little note to mention that Deutronomy is one of my favourite books in Bible. Some of my favourite verses come from Deutronomy. Shema is also in Deutronomy. O, how I wish I could be transported to those times when God led his people directly… guided, chided and His people… I miss that direct connection…
No direct connection with God is the reason most people become despaired, discouraged, depraved because they can’t feel the presence of the Lord. I pray that Lord shows His mighty presence to all those who love Him….
Emily
======= John:
Emily,
“No direct connection with God is the reason most people become despaired, discouraged, depraved because they can’t feel the presence of the Lord. I pray that Lord shows His mighty presence to all those who love Him….”
The Lord’s mighty presence is exemplified all around us in creation every day, His physical presence was here on earth 2,000 years ago, His direct fellowship as “Abba” is only a prayer away…
A prayer from a “believer” that acknowledges him, confesses sins, and asks for restoration. (Something in the vein of David in Psalm 51). When fellowship is restored with the Father, then his presence is felt. [It is what I have learned and experianced the last two years.]
A prayer from a “non-believer” that turns back to God, repents of sins, and accepts His Son as Lord and Savior and does all that with a “true” heart will find the fellowship and presence of the Lord in all its abundance.
John
======== Pat:
Luke 6:12-13 stood out today in our reading of the Scripture. Jesus prayed all night before choosing the 12 apostles. As our all-knowing Savior prayed all night before making His big decision, then He has set the example for us to pray earnestly and long before making big decisions in our lives.
God Bless,
Pat
======== John:
Pat,
John 14:10
“Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.” NIV
I wonder if it was a big decision, or if Jesus was praying to the Father to reveal the names of the disciples to become apostles. Perhaps also he was praying for the protection of these apostles in the coming days, months, and years.
John
======= Jenny:
Great blog today, as always, very powerful! I love it! There is so much good stuff, I can tell this is gonna be a long comment! :p
Deut. has lots of great gems! I love the dialog between God and Moses, I wonder if God’s voice was audible to Moses…I know we have dialog with God now, but I wonder what it was like for Moses…
I like this verse, I can relate to this!: Deut 2:7 “He knows your trudging through this great wilderness. These…years the LORD your God has been with you; you have lacked nothing”
In v.25 is very interesting…sounds like the nation of Israel today, hm? “I will begin to put the dread and fear of you upon the nations under the whole heaven, who shall hear the report of you, and shall tremble and be in anguish because of you”
The Beatitudes I know we have discussed a lot in other gospels, I’ll just touch on a couple. “Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted”. This isn’t referring to mourning in everyday life, like the death of a loved one, I sure don’t feel blessed! This is in reference to when we mourn over our sin, our initial conversion to Christ and every time we mourn over sin, we should! It’s a sign we are truly His child! When we mourn, there are two responses though, we can be sorry for our sins, but make the wrong choice. One example, Peter mourned after the rooster crowed and he realized he had denied the Lord. He did the right thing; he wept bitterly, mourned and repented. He turned from his sin and continued after Jesus. Then there is anther example, Judas Iscariot who mourned and wept after he betrayed Jesus. But his mourning didn’t lead to repentance, but the taking of his own life…he gave up!
I definitely think we all suffer from judging ppl, not just Christians either. It seems like a natural human tendency…you see someone and instantly make a judgment. My study Bible says this:
“This forbids hypocrisy and a condemning spirit rising from self-righteousness. It does not condemn true discernment”.
There are certain judgments we are to make! God gave us this, like for women, we make judgments and we have to. If I see a strange man hanging around, I’m gonna make a judgment! If, particularly a man, gives me a bad feeling, I listen to that! That’s not wrong. One reason God gave us judgment is to keep us safe!
I am a huge advocate for forgiveness!! Theres just no way around it, we MUST forgive!
Regarding v 29 “To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also”…I just heard a radio sermon on this and wanted to mention it. This is referring to revenge. Not to take revenge on a person…this doesnt mean we are to be wimpy, ‘easily taken advantage of’ ppl who get pushed around. When Jesus was slapped in the face after His arrest, He didn’t say, ‘hey slap the other one!’ He said, “why did you strike me?” Lets not mistake forgiveness and humility for being wimps. This is the point the pastor was making.
‘Love your enemies…pray for them.’ This is huge…remember Christians, nonbelievers are watching us, whether we realize it or not. When we profess His name…this is a distinguishing factor. this shows God in our lives, that we can love those that do us wrong and that we forgive. We have a responsibility to bring glory to God’s name.
Regarding that book you mentioned, ha, at least the author referred to ages 25-35 as young adults! I like being called young. :p
Of course I’ve heard a lot about what a danger us evangelical, Christian fundamentalists are. Ha! Well, we ARE a threat!! A threat to satan’s kingdom! Praise God! These authors are under the authority of the enemy. (my spell-check wants me to capitalize satan’s name, I refuse! Haha.)
Proverbs is awesome! “If you search for good, you will find favor; but if you search for evil, it will find you!”…Wow, that’s sooo true!! I love it!
Great readings…I could continue with my tangents and thoughts but I better stop…haha.
Jenny
======= Lisa:
“I know, I talked to Him this morning” I love that line at the end of this song. I want to tell everybody. My husband and I recently made a collage of magazine pictures and sayings that would keep us focused. I have one about encouraging future homemakers and one about hometown heroes, but I found a saying to put in the middle of our poster “impacting our world for the Lord Jesus Christ.” I’ve been amazed at how this has helped us to stay focused on our call and family goals. WE are encouraged and know where we are headed when we look at it. We all get busy, and this might help someone else to “focus” After all, God’s word says to make the vision clear by writing it down. God wrote our redemption in Jesus’ heart (The Word) Aren’t you glad that our redeemer lives?!
Lisa
======== Kary:
Mike,
I love what you say about how our sin keeps us out of the promised land. I am reading an excellent book right now that makes this point. I recommend it to anyone who feels like, though they have been a Christian for a while, they just don’t seem to have real victory in their lives. This book goes into some major reasons why and how to overcome them.
The book is called Maximized Manhood by Edwin Louis Cole.
Kary
========= Elizabeth:
Hello Everyone,
I agree with you Mike about the wandering being an understatement and the insidious nature and lure of sin.
Along those lines, I like this quote from my Key Word commentary this morning:
“Let no man think to kill sin with few, easy, or gentle strokes.” -John Owen
In the devotion I’m reading with the children, it describes sin as weeds that spring up in our hearts:
“The seeds of sin are in our hearts. And they keep coming up. Jesus forgives our sins when we ask Him every day, but the next day we sin again. Even if we have new hearts, the seeds of sin still try to grow. So we cannot be good all the time.
It is very sad. We should always want to live for God and praise Him, but we cannot. Sometimes we do not even want to. That is the worst of all the weed seeds.” -Leading Little Ones to God
Always fighting the battle here…trying to get around the hills of Seir…plucking the weeds over and over and over….
I like this thought from the Key Commentary too though:
“7. Key thing to look out for
God’s plans are never permanently thwarted by human disobedience.”
Amen! So be it, dear Lord.
Elizabeth
======== Romayne:
I think there’s a wealth of difference between arrogantly judging and rightfully discerning and speaking out about what is false or sinful, whether in someone’s life, or in pulpit teaching. If we don’t “judge” properly, then sin will abound within the church as well as without and that would be bad.
I was convicted by the verse where Jesus states that the measure with which you give, is the measure which will be used to give to you, which hits me hard as while I tithe, I’m utterly miserly in the rest of my giving, preferring to see a nice healthy increasing bank balance (the old saving for a rainy day that’s got a bit skewed!). So I’m repenting of that attitude right now, and praying I can be a cheerful giver without concern of what’s left over for me, knowing that everything I have comes from Him alone and I can’t take it with me!!
Blessings,
Romayne
======== Karen:
Persevere! Yes, never give up. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you and He most certainly will.
I always feel so sad when I read about how Moses does not get to go into the promised land. God knows best, of course, but it still makes me feel bad for Moses. Love in Christ. HUGS!!
Karen
======= Terri:
I wonder did Moses know what he did wrong???? Or does he REALLY believe that it is the others fault that he doesn’t get to go to the promised land??? Anyone??
Terri
======= Aurette:
Moses was blaming the people because they were moaning in the desert. Out of anger and frustration the second time at the rock instead of obeying God’s instruction for him to speak to the rock, he out anger hit the rock and then God said it is because of your disobedience you will not enter the promise land. Moses asked whether he could just enter … See Morethe promise land to look at it and God said no. God then told Moses to go up to the mountain and He then viewed the promise land from up there and then God took Moses home.
Aurette
======= Frederick:
Deuteronomy 2: 2-3, 31-35
2 Then the LORD said to me, 3 “You have made your way around this hill country long enough; now turn north.
31 The LORD said to me, “See, I have begun to deliver Sihon and his country over to you. Now begin to conquer and possess his land.”
32 When Sihon and all his army came out to meet us in battle at Jahaz, 33 the LORD our God delivered him over to us and we struck him down, together with his sons and his whole army. 34 At that time we took all his towns and completely destroyed[c] them—men, women and children. We left no survivors. 35 But the livestock and the plunder from the towns we had captured we carried off for ourselves.
Our LORD has his own timing. It is a mystery that why the God led the Israelites 38 years (plus two before the LORD declared them to wander in the desert) but not 37 years nor 39 years. But the truth is when God’s time is up, God acts immediately. Be alert for God’s timing.
Luke 6:21
21 Blessed are you who hunger now,
for you will be satisfied.
Blessed are you who weep now,
for you will laugh.
The tears you shed are now in God’s hand. When His time comes, you will laugh. What a promise!
God Bless
Frederick
======= Lily:
Luke 6:27 “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
I pray in my mind and heart that God punish the people who mistreat me and hurt me and others especially those we love. I always say, that God’s justice will come one day.
It is hard on our own to love those who mistreat us. It is not impossible with God’s help although it is a slow process. I had a personal experience with a co worker who (because of his material needs) resulted in lying to our superior about my work so he could take over my tasks. I was deeply hurt because it was not true. I carry this hurt with me Then one day I prayed for him and his family. Wow, it was liberating to pray for those who hurt us. A big burden washed away which was eating me up for a while. I saw him in a funeral wake. We hugged and that time I knew the hurt was not there anymore. I still pray for him and his family.
I still need to work more on praying for others who hurt me and trust God.
Luke 6:37 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.”
In many small ways sometimes we are not aware that we are judging others. I pray that God will watch my actions and words so as not to intentionally or unintentionnally judge others.
Yes, Mike we have to pray not to judge others for judgement is of the Lord.
God bless.
Lily
======== Zig:
Grace and peace and Make it a Blessed Day!! Don’t allow circumstances and other people to control whether a day is blessed or not—Take charge [That encouragement if from me also, self-speak spoken (written) out-loud]
Thanx so much for this Ramona. Ive been having issues with my boss and he has started wearing me down but today i just came to the office with a smile determined not to let him have a say on how my day went. He was away most of the day but regardless of that I cam e knowing i will have a good day and what you have said is so true. Bless you for that and have a good every-day ya’ll.
Zig
======== Steve:
Deuteronomy 2:1-3:29
As the Israelites marched on towards the Promise Land, they were instructed by God not to fight with the decedents of their relative Esau (the land of the Edomites, Moabites, and Ammonites) along the way. When they arrived at the land of the Amorites, King Sihon flat out refused to let them pass through the territory and attacked them. The Israelites completely and decisively destroyed King Sihon’s kingdom, (the land east of the Jordan) just outside the Promise Land. This is where Gad, Reuben and the half tribe of Manasseh settled. What would have happened if King Sihon would have feared them a little more and granted them passage? Would Reuben, Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh still have occupied territory outside the Promise Land?
What territory do we occupy, the Promise Land or have we chosen to live just on the outskirts of the Promise Land? The tribe of Reuben and Gad were cattlemen and in that day having herds of cattle was prestigious; similar to today’s standards of wealth which are measured by how big your house is and how prestigious a car you drive. Remember when Moses came down from the mountain top and the Israelites had begun worshipping the image of the golden calf (wealth & power)? Occupying the territory outside the Promise Land is failing to trust God for our provisions. It in a sense making the statement we know what’s best for us better than God. It’s relying on our own prosperity and resources (Manna-Amnesia) for our safety and security.
By fast forwarding in time we see that the territory chosen by Reuben, Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh later fell to the Assyrians. The moral of the story is that Father (God) always knows best. Leaning on our own understanding seems like a good idea at the time but never quite works out like we plan.
Steve
========= Brian:
PRAISE GOD. THANK YOU JESUS! GLORY TO GOD.
THAT JUDGEMENT MESSAGE IS SO IMPORTANT. I HELD A GRUDGE FOR YEARS AND WHEN THE LORD SHOWED ME TO LET GO IT WAS WONDERFUL.
BRIAN
======== Cathy:
Thank you Ramona,
It is sometime hard going to work knowing that your supervisor always try to make you ridicule in front of your co-workers. But as you mentioned we don’t have to let other people to control whether a day is blessed or not.
Have all a peaceful day.
Cathy
======= Jill:
“Love and they will know we are Christians by our love” remember singing that song? I find it helps when I want to curse my enemies or anyone difficult to love! Specially family members. People who have betrayed us, hurt us! “Father help me forgive them . Help me show them love” we can win people over by our love. We can’t do it on our own strength but only with Gods power and might.
Mike your words ” This makes me realize that indeed our efforts to make God’s was known – God’s love, grace, mercy, salvation, call to repentance – are being noticed by others. But hopefully more than just being noticed by others, let us pray that our Kingdom work actually introduces others to God’s only son Jesus, who transforms hearts ” really stood out today.. If everyone would show this to others and people see Jesus in us by our actions the Christians could change this world! Thankyou. For the reminder . To leave all behind and follow Jesus. Yes it would be worth it. If people criticize us because of our love for the lord.. Rejoice! Amen!
Jill
======= Russ:
I think sometimes we get in the middle of a battle and forget what we are fighting for…if we focus on the battle and not God, we can fall. But if we focus on God, the battle is already won.
Russ
======== Joyce:
I love that line…”Running from the battle qualifies you for captivity”. Brings to mind an automatic door, technically the door is open…but you have to approach it for it to ‘open’.
Joyce
======== Robert:
Mike, Thanks for the pep talk about wandering around with this sin over our heads and it feeling like doom. There is a Promised Land and we can find the freedom through Jesus. I would like to suggest a wonderful way to have that help that is available through the many different “freedom sessions” that are available all over North America. My own church has had several weekend ones. These will all be starting up as Covid diminishes. Google: freedom sessions near me. They are also on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/freedomsession/
Deuteronomy 2:25
“This very day I will begin to put terror and fear of you on all the nations under heaven”. In my mind this is one of the reasons Israel was always considered so powerful because of their God and His favor towards them. (Me too even as a Gentile). Throughout history this reputation has preceded them; even to this day they are a force to be reckoned with!
Psalm 67 supports how the one and only God blesses his people and all will respect him.
Luke 6:27-41
Loving your enemies and judging others. This section is a great read for those raising children. Generally speaking you train your kids by:
1. What you say.
2. How you do things or how you model your behavior and actions.
3. Your authenticness.
4. Making it a priority to “play fair”, and remember you can “fight” another day.
Can you see how deviating from any of these will probably teach them the wrong way too.
Robert
======== Debbie:
Thank you for the encouragements about wandering in the wilderness. So true!
Debbie
======= John:
Luke 6:37
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged.”
I have been known to cringe when pundits, politicians, and activists throw this verse out to the public over various venues. I find it “ironic” that all too often these same individuals come down on Christians and judge them in a very personal way.
I struggled with this simple verse in the past. However Paul seems to expound on Jesus’ words in Romans 2. The context is God’s Righteous Judgment, and the greek word “krino” is the same word Jesus used in Luke and Matthew.
It would seem that Paul indicates “judgment/judging” as ascertaining one’s heart – knowing one’s motives – and then condemning the person. Much as a judge would in a courtroom (the condemning part). None of these things can we know, only God has that right to Judge. This would also seem to be Jesus’ intention when following verses are read after Luke 6:37.
I beleive there are two types of judgment that are mentioned in the New Testament. One is as these verses indicate – a heavenly judgment that is only in God’s wheelhouse. The other is a judgment of the fruits of an individual or society. A judgment of “discernment”. Through the study of God’s Word and the indwelt Holy Spirit we all should be able to tell good from bad in our lives – if not initially, at least as it unfolds. We should also be able to recognize the same in society. We need to speak out on these issues, but (and the tricky part is) from a position of love and firmness without getting personal or “condemning” the person(s). This last, I admittedly struggle with in day to day life.
Romans 2:1-4
“You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. So when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you toward repentance?” NIV
======================================================
A different but similar view done more concisely : )
In his book “True for You, But Not for Me,” Paul Copan describes the fallacy in this all too common thinking:
It has been said that the most frequently quoted Bible verse is no longer John 3:16 but Matthew 7:1: “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.” We cannot glibly quote this, though, without understanding what Jesus meant. When Jesus condemned judging, he wasn’t at all implying we should never make judgments about anyone. After all, a few verses later, Jesus himself calls certain people “pigs” and “dogs” (Matt 7:6) and “wolves in sheep’s clothing” (7:15). … What Jesus condemns is a critical and judgmental spirit, an unholy sense of superiority. Jesus commanded us to examine ourselves first for the problems we so easily see in others. Only then can we help remove the speck in another’s eye – which, incidentally, assumes that a problem exists and must be confronted.
John
======= John:
Luke
Blessings and Woes
One religious sect leader said – ‘just follow the beatitudes and you will be in God’s kingdom.’ Implying that non-christians could get to heaven if they follow this teaching of Jesus. (Inclusive theology).
People concentrate on Matthew for the “Beatitudes”, but here Luke provides a compare and contrast.
Blessed
– ‘are the poor’ – in spirit – those who recognize they have no standing on their own before God – that they depend on Him.
– if you are poor in spirit and hunger – for righteousness – God will satisfy you.
– ‘are you who weep – over the state of your nature (sinful)- for you will laugh in heaven.
– ‘are you when men hate you because of Jesus – for it shows you are not of the world but of Christ.
Woes
– to the rich – who think they are spiritually rich – that they can earn their way to heaven – your comfort is here on earth.
– ‘to the well fed’ – who have no hunger for righteousness in the Lord – for they will hunger for the Lord when it is too late.
– ‘to those who laugh’ – for they do not admit their sinful nature and weep over their condition – for you will mourn and weep in the afterlife.
– to those who get along with the world – because you have no clue. It is a false sense of comfort.
Pretty hard to follow Jesus’ teaching here without accepting and receiving him as your Savior.
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Love for Enemies
Maybe this is hard for some, and maybe it is easy for others.
If it is hard for you to do – a suggestion: start with people in your assembly (church). Quit hanging out with people you are comfortable with and who are like you. Instead find someone, a family, or various persons who you would never hang out with before you became a Christian. Start being a factor in their lives.
This happened to me – not by choice, but by God thrusting these people in my life – and it has truly been a blessing.
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Luke 6:37
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.”
One of the most quoted by secularists, and most understood by Christians – verses in the Bible.
Judged (Krino) and condemn have to do with God’s judgment. We do not know people’s hearts. We cannot judge their standing before God.
” It becomes clear that from looking at the usage of usage of the Greek words KRINO and KRISIS, it is God who does this when it comes to judging the individual. It is not man’s place to KRINO another person. We may KRINO fruit, works, holidays, festivals or foods for ourselves but not others. The Bible makes it very clear that the job of judging man does not belong to mortals but to an infinite, eternal, righteous and just God.” – from link below
We can and should be discerning, but judging and condemning – it is not our job.
The below link is one of the best I have found in the last year. It discusses all the verses that talk about judging and discernment – the Greek – and how it should be understood and applied.
John
======= Vance:
Deuteronomy 3 (NKJV)
22
You must not fear them, for the LORD your God Himself fights for you.’
~~~
MY NOTES:
I notice that, if the Israelites had kept their eyes on their Lord and Savior—Yahweh—they would have been able to resist the temptation of their weakness to rebel in fear that the enemy used against them. Their own confession, rooted in fear spawned unbelief, led them not entering the Promised Land. Those men who had instigated the rebellion were killed because of their rebellion. Their children went into the land in place of them.
What amazes me is how faithful the Lord is to His people—even in their rebellion. Of course, He must discipline us in love if we have rebelled against Him. I think once again of something I read yesterday that still speaks deeply to me from the website titled, http://hebrew4christians.com:
Reply Requested: When Convenient
OT AND NT: BUILDING OF THE TABERNACLE OF GOD
EXODUS 35:1 THROUGH EXODUS 38:20 (NKJV)
The construction of the mishkan (tabernacle) now begins with Bezalel and Oholiab leading the work. Notice that Bezalel (betzal’el) is a type of Christ, a man “called by name” from Judah who was “filled with the Spirit of God” (ruach elohim) and whose name means “in the shadow of God.”
Bezalel’s chief assistant is Oholiab (aholi’Av), whose name means “the Father’s tent.”
Notice that this is the second time that the description of the mishkan (tabernacle) and its furnishings given in the Torah…
Why is this the case?
1. FOR ONE THING, THE LORD IS SHOWING THAT HIS PURPOSES WILL NOT BE THWARTED, EVEN IF MAN’S SIN (I.E., THE MOLTEN CALF INCIDENT) CAUSES A DELAY IN GOD’S PERFECT WILL.
2. A second reason has to do with the fundamental importance of the mishkan (tabernacle) and the blood atonement rituals that allow for communion with God.
~~~
Luke 6 (NKJV)
12
Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.
13
And when it was day, He called His disciples to Himself; and from them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles:
14
Simon, whom He also named Peter, and Andrew his brother; James and John; Philip and Bartholomew;
15
Matthew and Thomas; James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called the Zealot; 16 Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot who also became a traitor.
19
And the whole multitude sought to touch Him, for power went out from Him and healed them all.
35
But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil.
36
Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.
38
Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”
PSALM 67 (NKJV)
1
God be merciful to us and bless us, And cause His face to shine upon us, Selah
2
That Your way may be known on earth, Your salvation among all nations.
~~~
MY NOTES:
It strikes me as amazing that the Lord Jesus, the Full and Perfect Man, chose the apostles that He did. It does not amaze me that He prayed all night to do it. It is really sobering that Jesus, at the Father’s direction, chose “Judas Iscariot who also became a traitor.”
Jesus had to be prayed up, humanly speaking, for He knew what His mission was—to die for the sins of the world. Every time He loved Judas, He knew Judas could be a traitor.
I note that Judas “became” a traitor. Perhaps he could have avoided it. In any event, even if Judas had not betrayed Jesus, prophecy cannot be broken, and someone else would have betrayed Jesus.
~~~
As Jesus gave, so He calls us to give. And as we give, we are NEVER to expect or demand something back from people. HOWEVER, God in His Word clearly teaches us that AS WE GIVE WITH LOVE, BEING PROMPTED BY THE SPIRIT to give in worship, then GOD HIMSELF WILL GIVE BACK TO US in His time and His way.
Luke 6: 38
Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”
~~
As we are blessed spiritually and materially, then His way can be known on the earth. Why? For our hearts are right before God and we serve Him first as Lord. Then, because we have material blessing, then we can invest heavily in the Kingdom of God and use our money as a spiritual weapon bathed in prayer to take back what the enemy has stolen from mankind.
Vance
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