Podcasts about him deuteronomy

What is the best way to enter this year? Well Psalm 100:4 shows us how. It says: “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.”  No matter how many fireworks parties we may have attended in the countdown to another year, and no matter how many good resolutions we may make, by far the best way to start this year, is to be full of thanks to God and to praise His name. - Praising God is one of the greatest secrets of success in any year - Praising God will raise your spirits - Praising God will release hope - Praising God will build your faith - Praising God will change the atmosphere - Praising God will open prison doors (just as happened for Paul and Silas when they sang hymns at midnight after they were beaten in Philippi) - Praising and thanking God will bring you into a lifestyle of freedom and joy.  The Bible teaches us that thankfulness is more than just good manners: it's a very big part of our relationship with God. When we are really grateful to God, we align our hearts with God's will, and we open ourselves up to His many blessings. Gratitude helps us shift our focus from what we don't have to all the amazing things God has already given us.  Today so many people are down and depressed because they fail to recognise the many blessings that they should be thankful for. Others spend their time praising the gods of this world: entertainment, sport, fashion, financial success, fame…. only to find that they do not bring lasting satisfaction.  When you praise God, however you are recognising who and what is most important in life no matter what circumstances may look like in a particular moment (2 Chronicles 20-22). The Bible teaches us, in both Old and New Testaments and particularly in the book of Psalms, that we should always be full of thanks to God. We should praise the Lord at all times (Psalm 34:1 (NLT); Acts 2:46-47; Ephesians 5:20). We should praise the Lord in all circumstances (Philippians 4:6-7).We should praise the Lord in all places (Psalm 150:1). We should praise the Lord for all reasons (Psalm 150:2). We should praise the Lord by all means (Psalm 150:3-5).  So, who should praise the Lord? All people (Psalm 150:6; Psalm 100:1). And if you still want to know why we should praise the Lord and give thanks to Him, Psalm 100 is very clear. We should praise the Lord because:  1. The Lord is God (Psalm 100:3; Hebrews 11:6; 1 Samuel 2:2) 2. The Lord is our creator (Psalm 100:3) 3. The Lord is our shepherd (Psalm 100:3) 4. The Lord has made the way for us to come into His presence (Psalm 100:4; Hebrews 10:22) 5. The Lord is good (Psalm 100:5) 6. The Lord's love endures forever (Psalm 100:5; Psalm 136) 7. The Lord's faithfulness continues through all generations (Psalm 100:5; Deuteronomy 7:9-16; Acts 2:38-39)  Apply  1. The Lord is God (Psalm 100:3). The God of the Bible is the God of gods, King of kings and Lord of lords (Hebrews 11:6; 1 Samuel 2:2).  2. The Lord is our creator (Psalm 100:3). We didn't get here by accident or some unproved evolutionary process. We are the products of a great Creator who can recreate our lives when we have messed up and come to God in repentance.  3. The Lord is our shepherd (Psalm 100:3). Jesus is the great shepherd who comes looking for us and looks after us forever when we receive Him. He leads us gently to places of rest and refreshment. He walks with us in times of darkness. He provides for us even when enemies attack. He causes His anointing to overflow on us. He always shows us His goodness and mercy.  4. The Lord has made the way for us to come into His presence (Psalm 100:4). He invites us to enter His gates and His courts. We cannot enter God's courts by our own righteousness, but through Jesus' shed blood for unclean sinners we can draw near to God (Hebrews 10:22).  5. The Lord is good (Psalm 100:5). The Lord is good. His character is totally good, there is nothing bad about Him. He is king and generous and willing to bless you with his goodness.  6. The Lord's love endures forever (Psalm 100:5). His unconditional mercy never fails. Psalm 136 repeats that His steadfast love endures forever. His love never runs out.   7. The Lord's faithfulness continues through all generations (Psalm 100:5). The God who made covenant promises to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and their natural and spiritual descendants, keeps His word to all who follow Him (Deuteronomy 7:9-16; Acts 2:38-39). Many have seen God's blessing in past generations in their families, but even if we have not, you can receive Him and His blessings in your life and generation, and so also can your children and grandchildren and every generation to come.  Here are so many great reasons to enter this year with thanksgiving. Decide that from this day forward, every day you will be thankful to God and will always praise His name. At the start of this year, make these declarations today and anticipate what God will do in your life this year: - In 2025 I will be thankful and praise God every day because this is the day that the Lord has made, and His mercies are new every morning - In 2025 I will be thankful and praise God every day because I can trust him to guard my heart and mind in every situation. - In 2025 I will be thankful and praise God every day because the Lord is my Saviour, shepherd, my strength and my shield - In 2025 I will be thankful and praise God every day because my Heavenly Father knows my needs and is able to bless me abundantly.  - In 2025 I will be thankful and praise God every day because I will see miracles in my life because nothing is impossible to God  - In 2025 I will be thankful and praise God for in every circumstance because I will be more than a conqueror through Jesus Christ who gives me strength - In 2025 I will be thankful and praise God for every blessing to me and to my family because I believe that the Lord is good and his love endures forever; and that his faithfulness continues through all generations.  

What is the best way to enter this year? Well Psalm 100:4 shows us how. It says: “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.”  No matter how many fireworks parties we may have attended in the countdown to another year, and no matter how many good resolutions we may make, by far the best way to start this year, is to be full of thanks to God and to praise His name. - Praising God is one of the greatest secrets of success in any year - Praising God will raise your spirits - Praising God will release hope - Praising God will build your faith - Praising God will change the atmosphere - Praising God will open prison doors (just as happened for Paul and Silas when they sang hymns at midnight after they were beaten in Philippi) - Praising and thanking God will bring you into a lifestyle of freedom and joy.  The Bible teaches us that thankfulness is more than just good manners: it's a very big part of our relationship with God. When we are really grateful to God, we align our hearts with God's will, and we open ourselves up to His many blessings. Gratitude helps us shift our focus from what we don't have to all the amazing things God has already given us.  Today so many people are down and depressed because they fail to recognise the many blessings that they should be thankful for. Others spend their time praising the gods of this world: entertainment, sport, fashion, financial success, fame…. only to find that they do not bring lasting satisfaction.  When you praise God, however you are recognising who and what is most important in life no matter what circumstances may look like in a particular moment (2 Chronicles 20-22). The Bible teaches us, in both Old and New Testaments and particularly in the book of Psalms, that we should always be full of thanks to God. We should praise the Lord at all times (Psalm 34:1 (NLT); Acts 2:46-47; Ephesians 5:20). We should praise the Lord in all circumstances (Philippians 4:6-7).We should praise the Lord in all places (Psalm 150:1). We should praise the Lord for all reasons (Psalm 150:2). We should praise the Lord by all means (Psalm 150:3-5).  So, who should praise the Lord? All people (Psalm 150:6; Psalm 100:1). And if you still want to know why we should praise the Lord and give thanks to Him, Psalm 100 is very clear. We should praise the Lord because:  1. The Lord is God (Psalm 100:3; Hebrews 11:6; 1 Samuel 2:2) 2. The Lord is our creator (Psalm 100:3) 3. The Lord is our shepherd (Psalm 100:3) 4. The Lord has made the way for us to come into His presence (Psalm 100:4; Hebrews 10:22) 5. The Lord is good (Psalm 100:5) 6. The Lord's love endures forever (Psalm 100:5; Psalm 136) 7. The Lord's faithfulness continues through all generations (Psalm 100:5; Deuteronomy 7:9-16; Acts 2:38-39)  Apply  1. The Lord is God (Psalm 100:3). The God of the Bible is the God of gods, King of kings and Lord of lords (Hebrews 11:6; 1 Samuel 2:2).  2. The Lord is our creator (Psalm 100:3). We didn't get here by accident or some unproved evolutionary process. We are the products of a great Creator who can recreate our lives when we have messed up and come to God in repentance.  3. The Lord is our shepherd (Psalm 100:3). Jesus is the great shepherd who comes looking for us and looks after us forever when we receive Him. He leads us gently to places of rest and refreshment. He walks with us in times of darkness. He provides for us even when enemies attack. He causes His anointing to overflow on us. He always shows us His goodness and mercy.  4. The Lord has made the way for us to come into His presence (Psalm 100:4). He invites us to enter His gates and His courts. We cannot enter God's courts by our own righteousness, but through Jesus' shed blood for unclean sinners we can draw near to God (Hebrews 10:22).  5. The Lord is good (Psalm 100:5). The Lord is good. His character is totally good, there is nothing bad about Him. He is king and generous and willing to bless you with his goodness.  6. The Lord's love endures forever (Psalm 100:5). His unconditional mercy never fails. Psalm 136 repeats that His steadfast love endures forever. His love never runs out.   7. The Lord's faithfulness continues through all generations (Psalm 100:5). The God who made covenant promises to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and their natural and spiritual descendants, keeps His word to all who follow Him (Deuteronomy 7:9-16; Acts 2:38-39). Many have seen God's blessing in past generations in their families, but even if we have not, you can receive Him and His blessings in your life and generation, and so also can your children and grandchildren and every generation to come.  Here are so many great reasons to enter this year with thanksgiving. Decide that from this day forward, every day you will be thankful to God and will always praise His name. At the start of this year, make these declarations today and anticipate what God will do in your life this year: - In 2025 I will be thankful and praise God every day because this is the day that the Lord has made, and His mercies are new every morning - In 2025 I will be thankful and praise God every day because I can trust him to guard my heart and mind in every situation. - In 2025 I will be thankful and praise God every day because the Lord is my Saviour, shepherd, my strength and my shield - In 2025 I will be thankful and praise God every day because my Heavenly Father knows my needs and is able to bless me abundantly.  - In 2025 I will be thankful and praise God every day because I will see miracles in my life because nothing is impossible to God  - In 2025 I will be thankful and praise God for in every circumstance because I will be more than a conqueror through Jesus Christ who gives me strength - In 2025 I will be thankful and praise God for every blessing to me and to my family because I believe that the Lord is good and his love endures forever; and that his faithfulness continues through all generations.  

John 5 Jesus, in this chapter, heals a paralytic man, for this man had been trying to get healed in the pool of Bethesda for thirty-eight years. Jesus saw the low probability of this man getting healed, and He had compassion for him, which healed him on the Sabbath. So the Jews asked him who healed you on the Sabbath, and he did not know who had healed him, but later on, he found Jesus at the temple and learned that it was Jesus indeed who had healed him. The Jews wanted to take Jesus' life because of this healing, especially because it was done on the Sabbath. Jesus further explained that He acts in accordance with the Father's will. He also revealed that the Father is the giver of life to the dead, and the Son has the power to give life to whomever He chooses. Jesus went on to say that Moses wrote about Him (Deuteronomy 18:15-20). Also, John talked about Him, clarifying that His testimony was not rooted in Himself but that others had talked about His coming prior. Jesus is the exclusive way to the Father. No other prophet, teacher, or individual has referred to God as his Father, except Jesus. "I and the Father are one (John 10:30). Also, He is "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me." (John 14:6). Without Jesus, our hope is limited to the earthly realm. But when we place our hope in Jesus, our hope extends to eternity. Application: Trust Jesus with all your being. He alone can save.

Send us a textSubscribe here to receive my new church history podcast every few weeks at.https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.comFor an ad-free version of the podcast plus the opportunity to enjoy hours of exclusive content and two bonus episodes a month and also help keep the Bible Project Daily Podcast free  for listeners everywhere at;patreon.com/JeremyMcCandlessWelcome:Welcome to today's episode, where we look specifically Deuteronomy 4:20-43. In this episode, we explore Moses' plea to the Israelites as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. He reminds them that they have been chosen by God, not because of their own greatness, but because of God's love and faithfulness. Yet, this chosen status comes with a heavy responsibility. The Israelites must remain faithful to God, resist the temptations of idolatry, and remember the covenant that has been established.As we reflect on these verses, we are called to examine our own lives. How often do we stand on the edge of God's promises, only to be distracted by the allure of the world? Like the Israelites, we too must remember our identity in Christ and remain steadfast in our devotion to Him.Join us as we unpack the reasons for obedience, the dangers of idolatry, and the hope that comes from seeking God with all our hearts.Study Notes: "Reasons For Obedience" (Deuteronomy 4:20-43)Key Themes:Appeal to Obedience: Moses calls the Israelites to obedience, reminding them of the covenant with God and the consequences of disobedience.Reminder of God's Faithfulness: God delivered the Israelites from Egypt, described as an "iron furnace," to be His special possession.Warning Against Idolatry: Moses warns of the spiritual dangers ahead, urging the people to avoid the worship of other gods.Consequences of Idolatry: Disobedience and idolatry will lead to severe consequences, including scattering among nations.The Attractiveness of the Lord: Moses emphasizes the uniqueness of God's relationship with Israel, urging obedience based on God's character and deeds.Twelve Reasons for Obedience:You will live (Deuteronomy 4:1).You will possess the land (Deuteronomy 4:1).You have seen what the Lord has done (Deuteronomy 4:3-5).You will be a witness to others (Deuteronomy 4:6).The Lord is near you (Deuteronomy 4:7).You have the Word of God (Deuteronomy 4:8-14).The Lord saved you (Deuteronomy 4:20).The Lord punishes disobedience (Deuteronomy 4:21-22, 25-28).The Lord made a covenant with you (Deuteronomy 4:23).The Lord is a jealous God (Deuteronomy 4:24).There is only one Lord, and there is none other like Him (Deuteronomy 4:32-37).Your children will be better off (Deuteronomy 4:40).Reflection:As we study this passage, we are reminded of the gravity of our choices and the importance of remaining faithful to God. The reasons for obedience are not just about avoiding punishment but about recognizing the incredible blessings and relationship we have with our Creator.Let this be a call to live in a way that honors God, walking in righteousness, love, light, and wisdom, as we journey towards the promises He has Support the showJeremy McCandless is creating podcasts and devotional resources | PatreonHelp us continue making great content for listeners everywhere.https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com

Love: Seeks the good of others (1 Corinthians 13:4-7). Is patient, kind, and forgiving (Colossians 3:13). Overcomes evil with good (Romans 12:21). Vengeance: Is driven by anger and a desire for retribution (Romans 12:19). Leads to more harm and perpetuates a cycle of violence (Proverbs 24:29). Is discouraged, as God says vengeance belongs to Him (Deuteronomy 32:35). The Bible encourages us to choose love over vengeance, trusting that God will ultimately bring justice in His time and way.

Psalm 150:1-6 1 Praise the LORD! Praise God in His sanctuary; Praise Him in His mighty firmament! 2 Praise Him for His mighty acts; Praise Him according to His excellent greatness! 3 Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; Praise Him with the lute and harp! 4 Praise Him with the timbrel and dance; Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes! 5 Praise Him with loud cymbals; Praise Him with clashing cymbals! 6 Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD! Psalm 150 is last of the five “Hallelujah Psalms” that conclude the Book of Psalms. The Book of Psalms teaches us to worship and seek the LORD in spirit and in truth. It opens our mind, heart, and soul to have communion with our great God. It is a book of prayers and pleas to the LORD for strength and deliverance from our enemies. But most of all it is a book of praise as we enjoy intimacy in our fellowship in the presence of Jehovah! The Psalms give us the opportunity to vent our emotions of hurt, pain, suffering, rejection, anger, worry and fear to the LORD instead of taking them out on people and things around us! I trust you will make it a regular habit of reading, memorizing, and meditating on the Psalms as part of your daily walk with the LORD! Psalm 150 gives us some final instructions on what our praise to the LORD should be like. First, our focus of praise should always be on the LORD and our great God! The word "praise" is used thirteen times in this psalm, and each of these “praise” is connected to “Praise the LORD”, “Praise God”, or “Praise Him”. Next, we learn about the place of worship which is both Heaven and Earth. “Praise God in His sanctuary; Praise Him in His mighty firmament!”  (v. 1b). The "firmament" is the great expanse of heaven (Psalms 11:4; 148:1; Gen. 1:6) where the angels and "spirits of just men made perfect" (Psalm 148:1-7; Heb. 12:23) worship the Lord. Heaven is and always will be a place of continuous praise to the LORD (Isaiah 6:1-3; Revelation 4). The "sanctuary" was the Jewish tabernacle or temple where the priests and Levites led the people in praising God. We know that the Lord does not live in the structures that we design and build (Acts 7:48-50; 17:24-25), but there is nothing sinful about setting aside a place totally dedicated to worshiping the Lord. The early church met in the temple, in upper rooms, in private homes, and even in synagogues, and when persecution began, they met in caves and underground burial chambers. People who excuse themselves from public worship because they "worship God in nature" need to be reminded that the God of nature has revealed Himself in Jesus Christ and commanded us to gather together with other believers (Heb. 10:25). We can lift our hearts to the Lord from any geographic location, for our God fills heaven and earth. True worship begins in our hearts initiated by the Holy Spirit and should take place in our personal and private closet time with the LORD and His Word. Our public and corporate worship with other believers should be an overflow of our private praise and worship. We shouldn't go to church to worship, we should to church bringing our worship with us! We should seek the LORD each day with our whole heart, and we are promised that we will find Him (Deuteronomy 4:29)! Remember the place of worship and praise should be everywhere! God bless!

John 15:9 "As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. 10 "If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love.11 "These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. 12 "This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends. 14 "You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.15 "No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. 16 "You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. 17 "These things I command you, that you love one another.  Jesus begins by telling them that He has spoken all these things that we might be full of joy in our lives. Jesus did not come so that we would be miserable, but joyful. Then He commands us to love one another as He has loved us by being willing to lay down our life if necessary. He gave Himself totally and completely because of His great love with which He loved us (Eph 2:4). This is the greatest kind of love that gives everything including our lives. Then He tells us that we are saved (His Friends) if we love like this and whatever else He asks us to do. He also says He will show us what He is doing and we will know the will of the Father and all He the Father has told Him. Lastly, He tells us that He is the one who chose us and did it so that we would bear fruit. Then He repeats the command that we love one another. This is very important that we love one another because we are all a part of each other and God and the Bible says that God is love.  9 "As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. Love is an action, not an emotion Fifth blessing of abiding is that your life will be motivated by love. In the love that I have for you.” Our love for Christ is the result of Christ's love for us and is grounded at bottom in the Father's love for the world (3:16). This chain of loving relationships characterizes God's family; the Father loves the Son, the Son loves His followers, His followers love one another.[i] Abiding in His love is not automatic; it is something which we are commanded to do, and which takes effort and action on our part (albeit, inspired and empowered by God—see Philippians 2:12-13). Abiding in Christ requires the self-discipline that Paul talks about (1 Corinthians 9:24-27) and which the Holy Spirit produces (see 1 Timothy 1:7). Psalm 89:33 but I will not remove from him my steadfast love or •be false to my faithfulness.  As the Father loved him, who was most worthy, he loved them, who were most unworthy. The Father loved him as his Son, and he loves them as his children. The Father gave all things into his hand; so, with himself, he freely giveth us all things.[ii] Jesus now speaks of abiding in Him as abiding in His love. Our Lord's love for His disciples is like the Father's love for Him. As our Lord speaks, He is virtually standing in the shadow of the cross. How can He speak of the Father's love for Him at a time like this? Usually, we tend to emphasize the Father's love for us, and that this love prompted Him to send His Son to the cross (see Ephesians 2:4). I believe we must also recognize that the Father sent the Son to Calvary out of His love for the Son, as well as out of His love for lost sinners. How can this be? Dying on the cross of Calvary was indeed an act of humility on our Lord's part (see Philippians 2:5-8), but it was also intended for His greater exaltation: Philippians 2:9-11 9 As a result [of His death on Calvary, as described in the previous verses] God exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow—in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue should confess to the glory of God the Father that Jesus Christ is Lord. Colossians 1:18-2018 He is the head of the body, the church, as well as the beginning, the firstborn from among the dead so that he himself may become first in all things. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him 20 and through him to reconcile all things to himself by making peace through the blood of his cross—whether things on the earth or things in heaven (; see also Eph 1:18-23).  10 "If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. Each involves the other (love and keeping the commandments of Jesus). And abide. The high example of Jesus (the Son) in relation to the Father is set before us as the goal.[iii] We abide in His love when we keep His commandments A believer is motivated by the wonder of Jesus' love, which is patterned after the Father's love in its quality and extent. Remain in My love might seem to be mystical but Jesus makes it very concrete. Obedience to the Father's commands is the same for a disciple as it was for the Son (cf. 14:15, 21, and 23 ;). Active dependence and loving obedience are the proper paths for all of God's children. 3 And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. 1 John 3:22 22 and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him. 1 John 3:24 24 whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, 4 and God5 in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us.  1 John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. Our Lord does not say that we abide in His love “if we keep His commandment (singular),” but rather if we “keep His commandments” (plural). Here, Jesus does not say that we abide in His love when we “keep the law.” I believe that our Lord avoided the term “law” here and employed the word “commandments” because He did not want to give legalistic Judaisers an occasion to attempt to put the Gentiles under the Old Testament law. The Judaisers separated the law from love,[iv] though they should not have done so: “Therefore know that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments”[v] (Deuteronomy 7:9, NKJV, emphasis mine). Jesus inseparably joins love and commandment keeping. Jesus summed up the whole law by two commandments, both of which were commands to love: Matthew 22:34-40- 34 Now when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they assembled together. 35 And one of them, an expert in religious law, asked him a question to test him: 36 “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” 37 Jesus said to him, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is like it, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.' 40 All the law and the prophets hang on these two commandments” (). The Judaisers seemed to be ignorant of the fact that the law was given out of love. God gave Israel the law because of His love for those He had chosen to be His people (Deuteronomy 7:7, 12-13; 10:14-16). He expected His people to obey His law out of their love for Him (Deuteronomy 7:9; 30:16). Whenever we separate God's love from God's law, we get ourselves into trouble. God gave the law out of His great love for His people. What God prohibited, He prohibited for man's own good. What He required, He required for man's own good. The law is a manifestation of God's love for His people.[vi] No wonder the psalmists can say these things about God's law: 1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night (Psalm 1:1-2, NKJV). The law of God should be the delight of every saint because it is a manifestation of God's love. God gave us His law to keep us from those things which would destroy us and to point us to the only One who can save us—Jesus Christ. Whenever we begin to look upon God's commands as something other than an expression of God's love, then we are headed for serious trouble. For example, consider the account of the fall of man in Genesis 3 11 "These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. Obedience brings joy therefore we will have the Joy of our Lord. Sixth blessing of abiding is that your life will be overflowing with Joy. Jesus had great joy in pleasing His Father by living a fruitful life (cf. Heb 12:2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.). The purpose of His teaching is to give man an abundant life, not a joyless existence (John 10:10). The commands for His disciples to obey are for their joy (cf. Joh 17:13 "But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves.). That your joy might be full; not only that you might be full of joy, but that your joy in me and in my love may rise higher and higher, till it come to perfection, when you enter into the joy of your Lord.' ' Note, [1.] Those and those only that have Christ's joy remaining in them have their joy full; worldly joys are empty, soon surfeit but never satisfy. It is only wisdom's joy that will fill the soul, Ps 36:8 They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house, And You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures. Our joy is very different … First and foremost, our joy is really His joy (John 15:11; 17:13). As we abide in Him and He in us, we experience great joy from those things that bring Him joy, as we would also be grieved by what grieves Him. Second, the disciples had a very special joy. As they were greatly grieved at the death of their Master, their joy at seeing Him alive, raised from the dead, can hardly be described (see John 16:22; 20:20; 21:7). Third, joy is the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Acts 13:42; Romans 14:17; Galatians 5:22; 1 Thessalonians 1:6). Fourth, we have joy when we become born-again Christians by faith in Jesus Christ (Acts 8:5-8; Romans 15:13). Fifth, we rejoice when others come to faith in Christ, as well as when they grow in their faith (Acts 11:23; 15:13; 2 Corinthians 7:13; 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20; 3:9; Philemon 1:7; Hebrews 13:17; 1 John 1:4). Sixth, we have joy in taking part in the plans and purposes of a sovereign God, even when this brings about our own suffering (Acts 4:23-31). Seventh, we find joy in doing that which brings the Father's approval (Hebrews 12:2). Eighth, we have joy in sacrificial service (2 Corinthians 8:2). Ninth, we have joy in being with other saints and enjoying their fellowship (Philippians 1:3-4; 1 Thessalonians 2:19; 2 Timothy 1:4; 2 John 1:12). Tenth, we have joy when we ask God for what He desires and for what we need, and in seeing Him answer our prayers (John 16:24).  12 "This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Keep on loving is the verb usage - “that ye keep on loving one another.” See 13:34. Previous command was to: Mt 22:39 "And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'  13 "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends. This refers to Jesus' vicarious, substitutionary atonement (cf. 10:11; Rom. 5:7–8). This is love in action! “Self-sacrifice is the high-water mark of love” Jesus summed up the Ten Commandments in Lu 10:27 So he answered and said," 'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,' and 'your neighbor as yourself.'" I believe Jesus is restating that in that Loving God is the first four commandments and the last 6 have to do with loving your neighbor.  If you love God you will keep the first 4 and if you love your neighbor then you will keep the last 6. But Jesus was also upping the level of love required, we can only love our neighbor as yourself without the Holy Spirit and being saved, but with Him, we can love at a new level where we willfully love and are willing to give up everything for our friends.  14 "You are My friends if you do whatever I command you It gives the condition for friendship, which is obedience (cf. 14:15, 23–24; 15:10; Luke 6:46). We must not interpret this word friend in a limited way, because the Greek word means “a friend at court.” It describes that “inner circle” around a king or emperor. (In John 3:29, it refers to the “best man”, at a wedding.) The “friends of the king” would be close to him and know his secrets, but they would also be subject to him and have to obey his commands. There is thus no conflict between being a friend and being a servant. Keep on doing my commands is the verb usage “If ye keep on doing,” not just intermittent obedience. Just a different way of saying what is in verse 10. Obedience to Christ's commands is a prerequisite to discipleship and fellowship (spiritual friendship with Christ). He repeats it in the Great Commission (Matt. 28:20, Genesis 18:17 17 The Lord said•, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do, Each of us is as close to God as we choose to be.” We are His friends, and we ought to be near the throne, listening to His Word, enjoying His intimacy, and obeying His commandments.  15 "No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. Normally, a slave does what he is told without understanding his master's mind or business Jesus called His disciples friends because He had disclosed His Father's revelation to them.  16 "You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. Jesus then reminded them that contrary to the common practice of disciples picking a teacher, Jesus had chosen them (cf. John 15:19). The purpose of His choosing was so that they would produce lasting fruit. He chose them for a mission, and His Father would answer their requests in order to accomplish that mission (whatever you ask in My name; We keep our ears open and listen to what He says to us. “Hast thou heard the secret of God?” (Job 15:8) “The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him; and He will show them His covenant” (Ps. 25:14). We must be attentive and alert. Note three present active subjunctives with ἱνα [hivna] (purpose clause) to emphasize continuance (ὑπαγητε [hupagēte], keep on going, φερητε [pherēte], keep on bearing fruit, μενῃ [menēi], keep on abiding), not a mere spurt, but permanent growth and fruit-bearing. He may give (δῳ [dōi]). Second aorist active subjunctive of διδωμι [didōmi] with ἱνα [hina] (purpose clause). Cf. 14:13 for the same purpose and promise, but with ποιησω [poiēsō] (I shall do). See also 16:23f. 26.[vii] As the Father loved him, who was most worthy, he loved them, who were most unworthy. The Father loved him as his Son, and he loves them as his children. The Father gave all things into his hand; so, with himself, he freely giveth us all things.[viii]  17 "These things I command you, that you love one another. Answered prayer is linked to love and mission!  John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. Have you trusted Him as your Savior? He can Save you if You ask Him based on His death, burial, and resurrection for your sins. Believe in Him for forgiveness of your sins today. hisloveministries.podbean.com #HLMSocial hisloveministries.net https://www.instagram.com/hisloveministries1/?hl=en https://www.facebook.com/His-Love-Ministries-246606668725869/?tn-str=k*F https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/110230052184687338/charity/145555 “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”  -John 8:32 The world is trying to solve earthly problems that can only be solved with heavenly solutions.  

“That you…may have the strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” — Ephesians 3:18–19 Love is not merely what God does, it's who God is. “For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person – though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die – but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us.” — Romans 5:6-8 “Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” — Deuteronomy 6:5 “And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul…” — Deuteronomy 10:12 “You shall therefore love the LORD your God…” — Deuteronomy 11:1 “…to love the LORD your God and serve Him…” — Deuteronomy 11:13 “…love the LORD your God and walk in obedience to Him…” — Deuteronomy 11:22 “If you obey the commandments of the LORD your God that I command you today, by loving the LORD your God, by walking in his ways…” — Deuteronomy 30:16 “Only be very careful to observe the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, to love the LORD your God, and to walk in all his ways…” — Joshua 22:5 “Be very careful, therefore, to love the LORD your God.” — Joshua 23:11 “Love the LORD, all you his saints! The LORD preserves the faithful but abundantly repays the one who acts in pride.” — Psalm 31:23 “Jesus answered him, ‘If anyone loves me, he will keep my word…'” — John 14:23 “Though you have not seen him, you love him…” — 1 Peter 1:8 “Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible.” — Ephesians 6:24 “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” — Mark 12:30 “Therefore, be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” — Ephesians 5:1-2 What's keeping us from loving God? 1. We reject God's authority. “And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, ‘You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.'” — Genesis 2:16–17 God doesn't establish his authority to keep us from what is good, He establishes his authority to protect us from what is bad. “I'm amazed that so many Christians want the benefits of the Kingdom of God, with the caveat that they themselves will be the King.” — John Cooper 2. We love ourselves too much. “And he said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'” — Matthew 22:37 “This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” — Matthew 22:38-39 3. We find our identity in self. Five Evidences of Loving God 1. An increasing desire to spend time with God. 2. An increasing desire to depend on God. 3. An increasing desire to flee from sin. 4. An increasing desire to gather with God's people. 5. An increasing desire to tell others about God.

“It's not what you eat, it's what you absorb” – “God wants us to love Him” – Deuteronomy 29:29 The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law. - Deuteronomy 30:1-19 Repentance and Forgiveness * God does not always explain why things happen. * Difficulty can reveal what is in your heart. * Why does God allowing thing to happen? * Our hope is in God, it is the only hope for America. * God, for the sake of the children, NO MORE. - Deuteronomy 30:11-15 The Choice of Life and Death * Your choses are pre-loaded with consequences. * God takes you right where you are at. * Absorb the promises of God.

Today's Reading: Deuteronomy 10:12-21Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 15:19-16:22; Matthew 13:44-58“Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no longer stubborn.” (Deuteronomy 10:16)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. God commanded the sons of Abraham to get circumcised. Circumcision was a sign attached to the covenant promise that God would bless the offspring of Abraham and also bless the nations through Abraham's offspring.The Law told Israel, “If you, the offspring of Abraham, wish to receive God's blessing and pass it along to the nations, you must obey my statutes.” Of course, genuine obedience is not merely external. Genuine obedience begins in the heart. It includes fearing God and loving Him (Deuteronomy 10:12), as well as loving your neighbor (Deuteronomy 10:19). So, Moses calls the Israelites to deal with their sinful hearts. “Don't merely cut off your foreskin. Cut off the stubborn attitude that clings to your heart!” Here circumcision is a metaphor for repentance. Cut off the Old Adam and let him die!Moses admits that they won't circumcise their hearts, and so the Law must curse them (Deuteronomy 28:15-29:29). Then, Moses predicts that God would have compassion on them. He will circumcise the hearts of His people, so that they truly love Him and obey Him gladly (Deuteronomy 30:1-6).In His mercy, God sent Jesus, the true Offspring of Abraham (Galatians 3:16). He obeyed the Law with a pure heart. He had no need to cut away sin from His heart, because there was no sin found there. Nevertheless, He was cut off and left to die on the cross. Why? He suffered the curse of the Law in our place, so that we disobedient sinners can live forever.Then, the risen Christ sent His Spirit. The Holy Spirit comes to us through the Gospel and He enters our hearts. He circumcises our hearts. He causes us to repent of our sins and love the One who loved us first. Indeed, Paul says that we were circumcised in Holy Baptism, where the Old Adam was put to death, so that we might rise with Christ (Colossians. 2:11-15). Since you were baptized and have heard the Gospel, the Spirit has circumcised your heart. Therefore, you love the Lord and your neighbor, albeit imperfectly, until the Day of Resurrection when sin is cut away and removed entirely. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Almighty God, You gave Your only-begotten Son to take our nature upon Himself. Grant that we, Your adopted children by grace, may daily be renewed by Your Holy Spirit; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for Spiritual Renewal, LSB p.312)-Pastor Alexander Lange is pastor of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Albany, Oregon.Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Duane BamschStudy Christ's words on the cross to see how you can show more Christlike grace in your life. Perfect for group or individual study, each chapter has a Q&A at the end, and the back of the book includes a leader guide. Available now from Concordia Publishing House.

-Justice- is a big word today. But without a just God, justice doesn't make sense. Everything He does is just- justice flows from Him -Deuteronomy 32-4-. Sometimes, even when we seek justice, we may face an unjust judge who loves being in office more than being truly just. But that is not the case with the Lord. --God clearly laid out laws of justice for people who accidentally killed another person. He provided cities of refuge in the Promised Land to protect them from the avenger of blood. But even though they could find safety and justice in one of these cities, they could never live down the fact that they had taken a human life, even if it was unintentional. These cities were a place of the Lord's mercy, but they also showed that He does care about the sanctity of human life. --The only reason we are still alive is because God is merciful to us, even though our hearts are evil. Jesus taught that even hating our neighbor or getting angry with him puts us on the same level as a murderer. We all have real guilt, and so we need a City of Refuge to flee to- The good news is that Jesus died in our place. He - the Just One - suffered for us who are unjust. And because the Lord laid our sins upon Him, we may now walk in the freedom and liberty that He has bought for us by His death and resurrection-

Original Hebrew מודה אני לפניך מלך חי וקיים, שהחזרת בי נשמתי בחמלה, רבה אמונתך. ואני תפילתי לך ה' עת רצון אלוהים ברוב חסדך ענני באמת ישעך מלא כל הארץ כבודו. אין עוד מלבדו English Transliteration Modeh Ani Lefanecha Melech Chai Vekayam, Shehechezarta Bi Nishmati Bechemla, Raba Emunatecha. Va'Ani Tefilati Lecha Adonai Et Ratzon, Elohim Berov Chasdecha, Aneni be'emet Yishecha. Melo Kol Ha'aretz Kevodo. Ein Od Milvado. English Translation Thank you Living Everlasting King, for You have restored my soul in me with compassion – Your faith is abundant. (First sentence in the siddur, prayer book) And I am my prayer to You Hashem, may it be a time of favor, God, in your abundant kindness answer me with the truth of Your salvation. (Psalm 69:13) The whole world is filled with Your Glory (Isaiah 6:3). There is nothing other than Him (Deuteronomy 4:35) . Music Produced by David Lifshitz Guitar: Amit Yitzchak Base Guitar: David Lifshitz Keyboard: Yehuda Leuchter Drums: Elie Farkas

For $300,000, you can buy a new McLaren 720S sports car. The vehicle comes with a V8 engine pumping 710 horsepower—considerably more than you’ll need for your morning commute. Of course, you might be tempted to use all that power. One Virginia driver learned his McLaren was so “fast” it could go from an upscale showroom to the scrap heap in just twenty-four hours! One day after buying the car, he slammed it into a tree. (Thankfully, he survived.) Just three chapters into the story of the Bible, we learn how a different bad choice and a tree marred God’s good creation. Adam and Eve ate from the one tree they were to leave alone (Genesis 3:11). The story has barely begun, and paradise is cursed (vv. 14–19). Another tree would play a role in undoing this curse—the cross Jesus endured on our behalf. His death purchased our future with Him (Deuteronomy 21:23; Galatians 3:13). The story comes full circle in the Bible’s last chapter. There we read of “the tree of life” growing beside the “river of the water of life” (Revelations 22:1–2). As John describes it, this tree will be “for the healing of the nations” (v. 2). John assures us, “No longer will there be any curse” (v. 3). God’s story comes with the happily-ever-after we all long for.

Vengeance is one of the few things in the Bible that God openly declares that it belongs to Him (Deuteronomy 32:35). Therefore, anyone who takes vengeance on another person is taking of what belong to God. Are there any complications associated with taking of what belong to God? What does the Bible say about avenging a wrong which has been done to you? This and many more is what Rev. Amos addresses in this timely message. Stay blessed, learn and enjoy...

When my grown son faced a difficult situation, I reminded him about God’s constant care and provision during his dad’s year of unemployment. I recounted the times God strengthened our family and gave us peace while my mom fought and lost her battle with leukemia. Highlighting the stories of God’s faithfulness stitched into Scripture, I affirmed He was good at keeping His word. I led my son down our family’s God-paved memory lane, reminding him about the ways He remained reliable through our valley and mountaintop moments. Whether we were struggling or celebrating, God’s presence, love, and grace proved sufficient. Although I’d like to claim this faith-strengthening strategy as my own, the Lord designed the habit of sharing stories to inspire the future generations’ belief in God. As the Israelites remembered all they’d seen the Lord do in the past, He placed cobblestones of confidence down their God-paved memory lanes. The Israelites had witnessed God holding true to His promises as they followed Him (Deuteronomy 4:3-6). He’d always heard and answered their prayers (v. 7). Rejoicing and reminiscing with the younger generations (v. 9), the Israelites shared the holy words breathed and preserved by the one true God (v. 10). As we tell of our Lord’s majesty, mercy, and intimate love, our convictions and the faith of others can be strengthened by the confirmation of His enduring trustworthiness. Who has invested in your spiritual growth by sharing what God had done in their lives? What creative ways can you share God’s faithfulness and love across generational lines?

As I have been praying for direction from God on this season of the podcast, I kept coming back to the heart of the matter: we as the people of God need to remember who we are and whose we are. When we can live from that knowledge, we can press in to the places where we have been placed and live out what we were created to do. As I’ve asked the Lord to show me who would be able to speak into these places with power, authority, honesty, and humility, one of the names that kept coming up for me over and over again is today’s guest: Phil Herndon. Phil is a counselor that has dedicated his career to shepherding people who are battling anxiety and various types of addiction. He has such a powerful gift of taking big ideas about God, the needs of humanity, the mind, and body and breaking them down into bites that can not only be understood but consumed for soul nourishment. That is exactly what happens in this episode today. During this conversation, we break down what tends to drive the human heart, as well as how it works in the brain, and the assurance that God made us this way on purpose! We then wade through the deep waters of the various spiritual gifts and how we are each uniquely wired to reflect these gifts in our spheres of influence.  I hope and pray that you’ll stick with us all the way to the end on this one. Even though it's a little long, its power packed around every corner. Phil just has so much wisdom and insight to share, I just couldn’t condense it down! Join us on the deep dive, take notes on what stands out to you, and let’s lay our hearts before our Creator, and ask Him to show us how to be who He made us to be.   We need you, friend. We need your gifting. Come alive to His story. It matters. You matter. *References: -Fellowship Bible Church Rutherford County is the church we attend together :)  **Phil just recently preached a POWERFUL word about The Sheep and the Shepherd in Chaotic Times. I’ve linked it here! -limbic brain -AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) -Southwestern Seminary -LPC compatible (licensed professional counselor) -homiletics  -Chip Dodd - His book The Voice of the Heart (which we mention!) is a game. changer. -Stephen James - He has other works, but if you are a person with a little boy in your life, PLEASE get a copy of his book Wild Things. Its about raising boys. Lord, help us all. lol -Young Life -thinking brain -”E.T. phone home” -Aslan’s quote: “Aslan" said Lucy "you're bigger". "That is because you are older, little one" answered he. "Not because you are?" "I am not. But every year you grow, you will find me bigger.” ― C.S. Lewis, Prince Caspian  -codependency -the written Law -the Jewish oral law/Torah -Corinth -DTS- Dallas Theological Seminary -Carson Newman -exceptions to the draft for the Vietnam War -SHAPE test (spiritual gifts test) -Christine Caine’s A21 Campaign -ecclesia- The Greek word for an assembly, especially the popular assembly of ancient Athens. // A community or a church. -Heilsgeschichte -- German word for history, story. Literally means “salvation story” and “History as continued divine action on, for and with people” -Raising the little light :: scene from Harry Potter  -The Body Keeps The Score *Scripture References: Isaiah 14:27 / Job 42:2 -My ways are not thwarted  Isaiah 41:10 / Isaiah 43:2 / Psalm 40:17/ 1 Peter 5:6-7-God cares for you Jeremiah 29:11 / Psalm 57:2- -I’m made for something else John 10:27- the sheep know my voice  Psalm 139:14- fearfully and wonderfully made Ecclesiastes 3:11-God has placed eternity in the hearts of men Matthew 19:14-Let the little children come to me Galatians 5:19-21-list of what we fall into Galatians 2:11-14-Paul corrects Peter about codependency (his relationship with the Jews: be one guy) 1 Corinthians 12:12-31-the diversity of the body of Christ -Psalm 139 -1 Corinthians 12- y’all are a MESS and also spiritual gifts :)  -accept each other because God made you and brought you together Romans 12:3-8-with another set of gift Ephesians 2:8 -You were saved by the same grace John 10:10- He came that we would have life and life to the full John 1:5 / Luke 1:76-79-hold a light against a dark background of the world  Matthew 5:29- gouge out your eye (deal with your sin) Ephesians 6:12- we are not at war with flesh and blood Luke 18:27- what is impossible for the Lord Acts 2- Pentecost in Acts and the tongues of fire 1 Peter 2:5- we are an altar of living stones Jeremiah 20:9 -If I don’t speak it burns in my bones Psalm 23- The Lord is my shepherd Hebrews 12:1-2- the course set out for her Genesis 3-brokenness part of the world 1 Peter 1:20 / Ephesians 1:4 /His redemptive plan has always been part of the plan John 14:27- Jesus never promised the absence of fear, He promised the absence of anxiety when we lean into Him Deuteronomy 10:12-13 / Psalm 51:17 / Psalm 33:18-22 / 2 Chronicles 7:14 / / Deuteronomy 28:9/ Proverbs 3:5 / 2 Timothy 3:14-15- we can control how we respond to the Father James 3 / Romans 12:2 / Romans 12:18/ Psalm 133:1 / Colossians 3:14 - we can control how we respond to people *Full list of Spiritual Gifts (from 1 Corinthians, Romans, Ephesians, and 1 Peter) Encouragement (sometimes called exhortation) Giving Leadership  Mercy Prophecy Service (or serving) Teaching Apostleship Pastoring Evangelism Administration Discernment Healing Interpretation of Languages (often called Tongues) Languages (Tongues) Wisdom Faith Knowledge Miracles Connecting with Phil: Sage Hill Counseling Facebook Email Phil Listen Phil’s latest sermon here.(His actual message starts about 47 minutes in to the service) Connecting with Emily and Simply Stories Podcast: Instagram (Em life // Podcast Life) Facebook Twitter Blog  *Intro and outro music by music by audionautix.com

It's a really fun day over on the podcast because the fabulous Lori Beth Auldridge is on! Lori Beth is a podcaster and blogger who started her life on the mainland, but now resides on the beautiful island of Maui in Hawaii with her family and baby goats! Lori Beth is passionate about connecting Mommas and engaging motherhood from the heart of sisterhood. We talk about where this heart comes from, how we are attempting to navigate this crazy world of covid19 and walk through big feelings and confusion with our children, and how to process not just the “what ifs, but the what is.” I am so grateful for Lori Beth’s willingness to share her story of growing in her faith, how we face and process fear, and choose to be the light during the times that just feel so dang dark.  Motherhood can create bonds of shared experiences through the power of storytelling and bearing with one another in love. Or by choosing to live in silence and isolation, it can choke out the potential beauty of even the hardest parenting day and steal our joy and our potential connection with others because of assumption and comparison. Lori Beth and I talk about the importance of coming to the table with our full selves, authentically, and with open hearts as we live in the motherhood community, and I hope it is an encouragement to you. She does such a beautiful job in the Ya-Ya Mamas world and on the Elevating Motherhood podcast of asking the hard questions, but making space for Mothers in all seasons to process from their unique perspective. Be sure you are following Lori Beth and check out her podcast as well as her blog for a great source of encouragement and a wide range of topics on living this crazy Momma life. There also happens to be a very cute special guest appearance in the first few minutes of the podcast. ;) References: -the island of Maui -“opt outers” -YMCA before and after school program -Marriott Maui -Ya Ya Mamas -Elevating Motherhood -ABLE : “Be the Light” necklace -Jesus Calling by Sarah Young -Right Now Media -Trillia Newbell -Indigenous Birthworker Movement -De-colonizing your cuisine -Elevation Church -Hillsong Church -“The Blessing” - Elevation Worship -“Graves into Gardens”- Elevation Worship - Article on “do not fear” being said more than any other command in scripture Scripture References: -Matthew 22:37: love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, and soul -Numbers 23:19- There are no human motives attached to the heart of God God is the sustainer of all creation Romans 1:19- He makes himself known in creation Psalm 19:1-6- The heaven declares the glory of God -Colossians 1:17- He is before all things and holds all things together - 1 Peter 1:3-5- We can have hope in Him -Deuteronomy 7:9- May his favor be upon a thousand generations -Hebrews 4:16- boldly approach the throne of grace -Matthew 26:36-46-Garden of Gethsemane -Isaiah 43:1- Do not fear -Isaiah 43:2- When you pass through the waters -John 1:5- The light cannot be overcome by the dark -Luke 6:45- Out of the mouth the heart speaks -Ephesians 5:14- Wake up o sleeper -Genesis 9 -Rainbow of God’s promises Matthew 14:23-33- Jesus walks on the water Connecting with Lori Beth: Podcast Blog Facebook Instagram  Connecting with Emily and Simply Stories: More episodes Blog Facebook Instagram (Podcast) // Instagram (Writing, Family, and other general shenangians)  Intro and Outro music by audionautix.com 

Psalm 104:1-4 God is King over all creation. He is above all. (Isaiah 40:12; 48:12-13) Psalm 104:5-9 God set the boundaries for water. (Job 38:4-11) Psalm 104:10-13 God is not only Creator but also sustainer. He makes sure everything gets the water it needs. He takes credit for the hydrologic cycle. (Psalm 147:8-9; Amos 9:5-6) Psalm 104:14-18 God designed the ecosystems of interdependency among animals, providing habitats for even extreme conditions. Psalm 104:19-23 God uses the sun and moon to help us have a rhythm to our days, months, and years. He has partitioned the day and night for humans and animals respectively. Psalm 104:24-30 Now we take a praise break. Looking over all that God has made, His phenomenal engineering in the design as well as maintenance of creation, we feel overwhelmed by His majesty and wisdom. The book of Job describes the Leviathan in great detail (Job 41). Psalm 104:31-35 We sing to God for His magnificence in creation. He is unique beyond comparison to anything or anyone else (Isaiah 40:12-26). As a result, He commands His people to recognize His oneness and sole role as our God. Furthermore, He seeks our wholehearted devotion to Him (Deuteronomy 6:4-5). This is our fitting response.

AND YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH -Mark 12:30 Mark 12:19-30 -- The first and great commandment, foremost of all -- love God! This is the first and great commandment. In Deuteronomy we are told to love God and cling (cleave, hold fast) to Him (Deuteronomy 10:20; 11:22; 13:4; 30:19-20). This is the same word used in Genesis 2:24, that a man should cleave, be joined, to his wife. 1 John 5:3 This commandment to love God is not burdensome. It is not to be a difficult, painstaking ordeal. 1 John 4:10, 16, 19 We love because He first loved us. Luke 7:36-50 When you truly experience God’s love in your life, the natural response is to love Him back in return. John 3:16; Romans 6:6-10 God loved us when we were sinners. He didn’t love us because we deserved love. Ephesians 2:1-10 He loved us with His great love when we were dead in trespasses and sins. Revelation 2:1-5 Don’t forget your first love. Ezekiel 16:1ff; Hosea 2:5-23; 3:1ff - An allegory of Yahweh’s love to an unfaithful bride Psalm 16:1ff -- A psalm of David David Loved God. Yahweh was his portion. In His presence is fullness of joy!

  “Now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you except to revere him, to obey all his commandments, to love him, to serve him with all your mind and being, and to keep the Lord’s commandments and statutes that I am giving you today for your own good” (Deuteronomy 10:12-13). Deuteronomy closes out the Pentateuch with Moses’ farewell address to his beloved people. It presents the law to the new generation, but in an expanded version from the teachings at Sinai. With 38 years of experience in leading the nation, Moses re-teaches the children of those who failed to trust and obey God at Kadesh. Seasoned by the wilderness wanderings, Israel’s 120-year-old deliverer and leader preaches three messages before handing off leadership to Joshua. The descendants of Jacob had learned that they were God’s special people (Genesis); they had experienced the delivering power of their redeeming God (Exodus); discovered that He is a holy God (Leviticus) who demands the trust that leads to obedience (Numbers). Now, poised just east of Jericho, they re-receive the detailed instructions on every aspect of life formerly delivered through Leviticus. But this time the emphasis is on the people rather than the priests, and the practical aspects rather than the principles. The primary difference is the insight that obedience to God flows from love for God. The word love occurs 22 times, whereas the word obey occurs only 10 times. This basic lesson—love for God is expressed in obedience to God—is highlighted in three ways. First, through the history of the exodus generation as Moses reviews their wanderings (1-4). Second, through a review of the law (5-26). And, finally through a renewing of the covenant (27-34). Much like the Gospel of John supplements the synoptic Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke— Deuteronomy supplements the first four books of the Pentateuch. It completes the history from God’s perspective by giving the spiritual significance of the events. And like John’s Gospel, Deuteronomy retells the story emphasizing God’s love. The lesson from Deuteronomy is clear. God’s instructions come from His loving heart. Obey Him because you love Him. This emphasis on God’s love (4:37, 7:7-8, 10:15, 23:5) made it the Lord Jesus’ favorite Old Testament book. He quoted Deuteronomy more than any other. The theme of Deuteronomy is the need to obey God because you trust His love. The lessons from the past are placed in the context of the loving relationship between God and His people. “Beware lest you forget” is a repeated warning. This new generation was unfamiliar with the experiences of Mt. Sinai. Moses emphasizes the danger of forgetfulness because it leads to arrogance and disobedience. They must remember two things: (1) God’s love for them motivated His commands, and (2) their love for God should motivate their obedience to Him (Deuteronomy 4:1-6). th Deuteronomy follows the outline of the vassal treaties of the 15 century B.C. Israel, about to enter the Promised Land, knows that disobedience will bring discipline but obedience will lead to blessing in the land. I. HISTORY: Moses’ first sermon reviews their recent history with spiritual insight. For forty years they had wandered and died. Now with the passing of the unbelieving generation, God has led the nation in great victories over Sihon and Og, bringing them back to the threshold of blessing east of the Jordan. But before they enter the land they must learn a crucial lesson—obedience brings victory and blessing while disobedience results only in defeat and judgment (1-4). II. HOLINESS: Moses’ second sermon (which extends through chapter 26) contains many of the same commands previously received at Mount Sinai. Every aspect of life is again addressed so that only a holy people would possess the land (5-26). Deuteronomy: Obey your holy God because you trust His love! MORAL DUTIES: Moses begins with the basics—the Ten Commandments—and then gives the Great Commandment (6:4-6) and urges parents to teach these faithfully to their children (6:6-9). There is urgency in Moses’ request. The Promised Land remains to be conquered and enjoyed. God is looking for a generation of obedient people to bless because they trust His love (5-11; 10:12-13). CEREMONIAL DUTIES: More detailed regulations govern everyday life. Religious life must reflect the holiness of God. Every hint at idolatrous influences, and every uncleanness must be avoided and purged from the life of God’s people. National worship is to be holy and pure (12-16). CIVIL DUTIES: Holiness should not be practiced in the Tabernacle only. Justice, truthfulness, and humane treatment must prevail (17-26). Messiah: A type of Christ—Moses. Moses was like Christ in his service as the redeemer and shepherd of his people (Hebrews 3:2) and in his office as a prophet (Deuteronomy 34:10 and Luke 24:19). Deuteronomy 18:15 is a direct prophecy of a coming Prophet fulfilled by Jesus of Nazareth. The Jews expected a Prophet and the Messiah—two distinct persons (John 1:20-21, 7:40-41). The Christians realized that both came together in the person of Jesus Christ (Acts 3:22-23). III.HORIZONS: Moses’ final sermon speaks of new and exciting horizons for the future. He lays out the near future in a repetition of the blessings and cursings (27-28; Cf. Leviticus 26). Moses envisions the distant future in the prediction of their future dispersion among the nations and their eventual return. Dramatically, Moses delivers the challenge: “I have set before you life and death...choose life.” The covenant is renewed and Joshua takes over for the great hero of Israel. God Himself buries Moses in an unknown place, perhaps to prevent idolatry (27-34; 30:19-20). RENEWING THE COVENANT: The time for recommitment to the covenant has come. Two chapters review the covenant; two chapters affirm the covenant. This is the Palestinian Covenant (30:1-8), which defines the borders of the land originally promised to Abraham (Genesis 12-15). This Covenant promises unconditional ownership of the land but warns that possession is conditioned upon obedience (27-30). REPLACING A HERO: With the covenant re-established and the nation poised at the Jordan River, Moses’ service to the Lord is complete. After pronouncing blessings on each tribe, Moses climbs Mount Nebo for a final glimpse of the Promised Land. He would enter the Promised Land 1400 years later when he appears with His Messiah on the Mount of Transfiguration (Matthew 17:3, 31-34). IV. God’s people must pass their faith on to the next generation by letting them know that the choice is between life and death (30:19-20). Obedience to God should be taught in the context of trusting His love! Listen, Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord is one! You must love the Lord your God with your whole mind, your whole being, and all your strength (6:4-6). “Now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you except to revere him, to obey all his commandments, to love him, to serve him with all your mind and being, and to keep the Lord’s commandments and statutes that I am giving you today for your own good” (10:12-13). Teaching trust and obedience to God begins at home! These words I am commanding you today and must be kept in mind, and you must teach them to your children, and speak of them to your children and speak of them as you sit in your house, as you walk along the road, and as you get up. You should tie them as a reminder on your forearms and fasten them as symbols on your forehead. Inscribe them on the doorframes of your houses and gates (6:6-9).

Four positional roles of Jesus reveal his inheritance as the firstborn and that we can trust Him (Deuteronomy 21:15-17).

Joshua 1:8 Don't be a cafeteria Christian, choosing to do only what you want to do. Psalm 1:1 I. Faith in God Deuteronomy 11:1; Hebrews 11:6 God is bigger than our problems; why don't we trust Him? Deuteronomy 11:11 II. Family in service for God Joshua 24:15 The whole family needs to be involved. III. Fellowship IV. Financial responsibility to God and the local church Be honest. Deuteronomy 12:5 Where you spend your money is where you are spending your life. V. Forsake those opposed to God and His work. Deuteronomy 12:2 There are some places where you should not be. Psalm 1:1 - Don't seek counsel from the ungodly.