Day 15 Deuteronomy 23-34

Deuteronomy 28

 ^1-6 If you listen obediently to the Voice of God, your God, and heartily obey all his commandments that I command you today, God, your God, will place you on high, high above all the nations of the world. All these blessings will come down on you and spread out beyond you because you have responded to the Voice of God, your God: 

   God's blessing inside the city, 
   God's blessing in the country; 
   God's blessing on your children, 
      the crops of your land, 
      the young of your livestock, 
      the calves of your herds, 
      the lambs of your flocks. 
   God's blessing on your basket and bread bowl; 
   God's blessing in your coming in, 
   God's blessing in your going out.

***

There are many rules laid forth in the book of Deuteronomy that just are not being applied today.  We changed the rules because we didn't like them.  We put our own will above HIS.  


When we take time and truly look into our behaviors - are we doing what we should?  The Bible has strict rules against adultery, murder, theft, lies, etc.  And yet, many of the people who commit such acts often go without punishment by their peers.  


All I can say is that my GOD is a loving and forgiving GOD.  He has put in place a chance for us to receive His love and forgiveness.  However, while we say we love and believe in Him, our actions should reflect that as well.  It's in the Bible, it's in His teachings.  He wants everyone to walk away from the sin they commit, daily ask for forgiveness, and draw closer to Him.  When we do this, we find His blessings for us.

Day 14: Deuteronomy 9-22

Deuteronomy 10:12-18  

^12-13 So now Israel, what do you think God expects from you? Just this: Live in his presence in holy reverence, follow the road he sets out for you, love him, serve God, your God, with everything you have in you, obey the commandments and regulations of God that I'm commanding you today—live a good life. 

 ^14-18 Look around you: Everything you see is God's—the heavens above and beyond, the Earth, and everything on it. But it was your ancestors who God fell in love with; he picked their children—that's you!—out of all the other peoples. That's where we are right now. So cut away the thick calluses from your heart and stop being so willfully hardheaded. God, your God, is the God of all gods, he's the Master of all masters, a God immense and powerful and awesome. He doesn't play favorites, takes no bribes, makes sure orphans and widows are treated fairly, takes loving care of foreigners by seeing that they get food and clothing. 

Sometimes I think we forget that God loves ALL of us - but it doesn't mean we can behave in a manner that is unpleasing and assume "we're all good".  I'm getting sick and tired of people who call themselves Christians that act in a manner that is un-Christ like.

We are called to love Him first - above family (yes, even above family), friends, house, cars, jobs, things - Christ must come first.

W are called to follow his lead.  Did he surround himself with the politicians and the wealthy? No.  His followers were the working men.

We can't buy our way into Heaven - so if you think writing checks alone will get you there, think again.  It is good to give of our blessings, and we should.  But deeds alone do not work.

Our minds and spirits need to be right with Him for our lives to be right.

Cut out all the nonsense in your life - for a week, a month, a year.  And I challenge you to not change!

Day 13 Deuteronomy 1-8

Deuteronomy 6:4-9 

 ⁴ “Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one! ⁵ You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. ⁶ These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. ⁷ You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. ⁸You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. ⁹ You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

I think these verses nicely sum up my reading for today.

As I am raising my children, my biggest flaw is how do I raise them 'right'.  I was raised in a home where church wasn't a huge priority, but we did attend our weekly CCD classes every year until Confirmation.  I look at my 3 kids, all with different personalities.  S has such a spirit in her, and it's beautiful to watch her pray and worship at home.  But she refuses to participate at church.  Not even a little bit.  She's 'too shy'.  E just doesn't seem interested in church or Sunday School... but when we ask her to pray, she goes into great detail.  J is still young, but will be the first to say that we need family prayer time.

I've listened to radio programs, I've read a few books.  But I don't want to be talked at, I want a conversation with someone - what worked for you, what do you wish you hadn't done, what would you change.

I'd very much like to see more churches offering weekly/monthly discussion groups that bring young parents and parents with grown children together.  I want to become a better parent, and I want to know how to raise my kids to always love and follow The Lord.