Bible Chapter: Deuteronomy 11 & 12
Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.
1. Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
What is most important in raising children? What is vital to life and critical to pass on to the next generation? There are many topics that could be included in this answer. But we read here of the most important truth to pass on. This truth is the teaching, the words of God. Israel was challenged to fix the words that came from God on their hearts and post them many places so they are obvious and people are constantly reminded of them. They were to teach them to their children so they would not only know them, but live and apply them in daily life. If there is not a foundation of knowing and living according to God’s directives, then anything that is accomplished in life is second best. We must live life for what is eternal.
God told them that He set before them a blessing and a curse. Obedience to His commands would bring the blessing. The curse would come if they disobeyed the commands of the Lord. They were warned several times to reject, to destroy any form of worship of other gods when they took the promised land. If they didn’t destroy the places of worship, they would be drawn in to them. This is good advice. Stay far from and don’t even play around with sinful things. They are deceptive and easily will trap someone in sinful participation.
2. What can I apply in my life from the reading?
Chapter twelve, verse twenty eight beautifully sums up this question of what I can apply in my life.
28 Be careful to obey all these regulations I am giving you, so that it may always go well with you and your children after you, because you will be doing what is good and right in the eyes of the LORD your God. NIV
Make a special effort to obey God’s regulations. There is no place in the Bible where God makes suggestions. He gives commands because He knows what will work best. We shouldn’t be like the person who refuses to learn from others and insists on only learning from their own mistakes. We can save lots of heartache by listening and learning from God’s Word.
3. How can I help someone?
Each person must make a choice of either obedience or rejection of God’s ways. God says there is a blessing or a curse, it is up to us. We must take God’s warning seriously. Adopting the ways of the world leads to problem after problem. It leads to a loss of hope. An important question: how close can I get to Jesus?
Bible Chapter: Deuteronomy 9 & 10
Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.
1. Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
Israel was about to cross over to conquer nations that were much stronger than they were. The cities had tall walls for protection. The people were strong and had a reputation that no one could overcome them. But, God promised to go before them like a devouring fire. They would destroy the nations that anyone would say could not be conquered. These nations were strong, but evil. God was judging them for their sin. This is just another reminder of God’s righteousness and His rejection of sin. No nation is strong enough to resist God’s judgment.
God told Israel over and over to quit being stubborn against Him. They would so quickly turn away. Moses reminded them of the time when he was on the mountain getting the Ten Commandments from God. Before he even returned they had formed a golden calf and were worshiping it. God was ready at that time to wipe them out and start over with Moses.
2. What can I apply in my life from the reading?
What does God require of His people?
Fear the Lord.
Walk in all His ways.
Love Him.
Serve God with all your heart and soul.
Observe God’s commandments and decrees.
These basic principles are proclaimed over and over throughout the Bible. This also describes what Israel struggled with throughout their history as recorded in the Bible. They were often stubborn and stiff-necked. Nothing has changed. People of all nations across the world today are the same. They are stubborn and demanding their own way.
It is much better to be obedient, following the basics mentioned above and seeking to get close to God. It is much better to make a strong and consistent effort to consume the Word of God and apply it in daily life.
3. How can I help someone?
I want to help people see that the best life is found in obedience. How close can I get to God? Learn to ask the right questions. Pursuing a close walk with God is better than asking how much I can get away with and not miss out on heaven.
Bible Chapter: Deuteronomy 7 & 8
Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.
1. Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
Drive out the evil. Destroy the places of evil worship. God wanted them to completely destroy anything that had to do with the false gods the people served in the lands they would conquer. He even told them to not take the gold the gods were made of. It would become a detestable thing to them and pull them away from serving God. They were to have no close contact or relationship with the heathen, they were not to intermarry, but destroy everything connected with the heathen lands where they would live. They were to only serve God. Israel was warned that the evil one wanted to pull them away from worshiping the true God who had helped them along the way.
God reminded them that He was the powerful One. He would fight for them. He would drive out the enemies. Their weakness allowed God’s strength to be shown. Israel was reminded over and over, don’t forget the Lord.
2. What can I apply in my life from the reading?
Chapter eight ends with a sobering reminder and challenge. When the time came that they were prosperous, when they had lots of food and comfort, they must not forget to worship God and give Him the glory He is due. If they would forget God, they would then say how good and smart they were. Pride!!! All the good things came because of their amazing abilities. Pride!!! Then, if they did that, God would destroy their land. They would realize that they were not as awesome as they claimed.
As I read this section the thought of our modern world, and especially the United States jumped out to me. Our land is filled with people who mock and ridicule God. We have so much. And yet, God is mocked and people brag about all they have accomplished. People are very blatant about saying that the Bible, those who believe in it, are foolish and worthless. People claim they are smarter than previous generations and they know better. This is a quick road to failure and destruction. Pride and arrogance is destroying this nation.
3. How can I help someone?
The book of Proverbs tells us to trust God and don’t lean on our own understanding. That is a good application of these chapters. I want to help people see these truths and apply them in life.
Bible Chapter: Deuteronomy 5 & 6
Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.
1. Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
These two chapters are awesome. They review what God had given to Israel to guide them. They talk about the blessings and benefits of obeying God. God made a covenant with them. Central in that covenant were the Ten Commandments. These ten commandments, note that they are not suggestions, give any society a solid foundation for how to live. The blessings are reviewed in Deuteronomy 5:29 NIV 29 Oh, that their hearts would be inclined to fear me and keep all my commands always, so that it might go well with them and their children forever!
If the hearts of the people would be toward God with a holy fear and obedience, things will go well with them. For all whose hearts are towards God they have an amazing promise of God’s help as well as eternity.
As I read these chapters the positives, the blessings of God jumped out. Do what God commanded and watch life be amazing. Yes, they had battles to face. But, those who obeyed were blessed. As I look around life I see huge differences between those who obey and those who insist on living life as they want. The negatives of self-rule are not worth it.
2. What can I apply in my life from the reading?
It says to love God with all your heart, soul and strength. It goes on to say to impress them on others by keeping them before everyone. Why? What does this all mean? It means that God has our best interest at heart. He did some amazing things for Israel. He is still doing amazing things. It is common for people to desire to define God to their own liking. They think that God should make sure everything always goes well in life. Nothing bad should happen. They don’t recognize that God really IS awesome. He has given us the responsibility to obey and apply. If we won’t do that, He is limited in what He will do for us.
3. How can I help someone?
I want to help people become excited about God. In reading these two chapters I can see many reasons to be excited about Him. The commandments He gave give a society a solid foundation for living and getting along. The promises of His presence makes life the best. I want to help people see God, not as some religious obligation, but the loving creator that He is.
Bible Chapter: Deuteronomy 3 & 4
Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.
1. Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
God told Moses to not be afraid of the king of Bashan, for God had handed him over to Moses. And, that is exactly what happened. They continued to conquer till they took all the land God gave them on the east side of the Jordan River. That land was divided among two and a half tribes. The promise of God’s help is repeated in chapter three, verse twenty two. They were told to not be afraid because God would fight for them. Awesome!!!!
An important principle was repeated for the nation. Follow God’s laws so that they could live. Then they could go and take the land that had been promised. They were not to play with the laws, adding to or subtracting from them. Human laws are constantly changing depending on the person in power. God told them that He had given the laws they were to follow and they didn’t need any fixing. God is the highest authority. They were told to always remember the things that God had done. That would make them stand out to the other nations.
2. What can I apply in my life from the reading?
Here’s a good verse to apply in life that will make a lasting impact.
Deuteronomy 4:9 NIV
9 Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.
Pay attention and then listen. Keep the things of God close to your heart. Then, be sure to pass the things of God on to future generations. Those who know they will inherit lots of money look forward to the day when they will be able to enjoy the things that money can buy. God said that the best thing to pass on was His Word. No where in the Bible does it say that the best thing is to get really rich and then pass on tons of money to the next generation. It does say many times to seek God and let your children and grandchildren know God’s truths.
3. How can I help someone?
God is a consuming fire with a righteous, holy jealousy (4:24). God rightly judges sin and blesses obedience. His jealousy is not some petty thing. It is a righteous desire to keep what belongs to Him. I want people to know and understand God’s care for and desire to be in close relationship with every person on earth.
Bible Chapter: Deuteronomy 1 & 2
Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.
1. Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
Deuteronomy is the last book Moses wrote. He was at the end of his life and this book is his farewell address to Israel. They had been wandering in the desert for almost forty years and it was about time for them to take the promised land. The majority of the population had no recollection of the exodus or the time in Egypt. They needed a reminder of what God had done and what He expected.
Moses review some of the early history. Included was the event that brought them to their long journey in the wilderness that kept most of them out of the promised land. After the spies went through the land to check it out, they came back with a glowing report. But, their report also included great fear. They said they people were too strong and they couldn’t win. They completely left God out of the picture. Because of this fear and unbelief, God kept them from seeing what they should have received.
They forgot that they didn’t need to be afraid, for God had promised to fight for them. They didn’t trust the Lord, so they lost out. They wandered in the desert till that whole generation died out.
2. What can I apply in my life from the reading?
Caleb and Joshua received the blessing of survival and entrance to the promised land. This is because they followed the Lord wholeheartedly. God’s blessing was on them and their descendants. Following the Lord with all I have is a lifelong journey. One victory does not mean it is time to rest. This is an ongoing trip, walking and living with and for the Lord. In Moses’ writings we see this truth repeated many times. When they were obedient, they were blessed. When they were disobedient, they were judged. This is a good practical lesson to learn and apply.
3. How can I help someone?
When someone is writing or speaking, they will emphasize what is most important. Moses let us know obedience to God was high on the list. This is what people must grasp. I want to help people see that and learn to make it a central part of their lives.
Bible Chapter: Numbers 35 & 36
Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.
1. Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
In the process of dividing up the land, God provided for the Levites. They were to have cities and places to pasture their flocks. God also provided cities of refuge. He knew there would be times when one person would kill another. He provided for an orderly process to prove guilt or innocense. Those accused of murder could go to a city of refuge and be protected. There would be an orderly trial arranged and they would bring in witnesses. If it was proven that someone purposely killed another, then that one was to be put to death. If they were not guilty of willful murder, the could live safely in the city of refuge till the death of the high priest. Then they could go home.
God wanted to protect the land. He said that the blood of innocent people would pollute the land unless they brought justice against the guilty. Life is valuable. God’s righteous justice requires that those guilty of willful murder be punished.
Having given clear instructions about the dividing of the land so that each tribe got a fair share, God also gave instructions regarding the inheritance of the land for future generations. He protected the tribes so no tribes would be forced out of their inheritance.
2. What can I apply in my life from the reading?
God cares about people. He made people in His image and wants to protect us. The enemy hates people as much as God loves them. The enemy loves death and works hard to, as Jesus said, steal, kill and destroy. Death is high on the priority list of the evil one. People are used to kill others. God requires justice for innocent blood. I must not be caught up in anything that comes close to that, in spite of the fact that our laws are allowing death in various forms. People today are promoting various forms of death as “compassionate”. That is simply a cover for destroying the life God created.
3. How can I help someone?
When people are caught up in the lies of death, I want to help them see the blessings of life. Life can be tough some times, but it is always worth striving to protect. God has an appointed time when we have completed our journey through life, let HIM make the decision when it is to end.
