Day 182

Deuteronomy 29:

As Moses approaches the conclusion of His words to the Children of  Israel, he again reminds them that they are a special treasure in the hand of the Lord and that they belong to God completely. No clearer picture of provision could ever be experienced than that of the Manna in the wilderness and the amazing longevity of the shoe leather of the Jews!  The issue of separation between the people of God and the people of the land is a recurring theme in this book and Moses makes no apology for it.  The Lord can see the heart of the people and He knows that they are easily turned towards sin and so He inspired Moses to speak out the challenge and then to speak it out again.  Repetition is not without purpose and often leads to greater retention of it meaning.  the lesson for us is, when the Lord has spoken to us once… twice…three times…we really should pay attention and do something about it!

2 Corinthians 6:

We are God’s people and as such should be careful who and what we attach ourselves to. The concept of being ‘unequally yoked’ is the reality that occurs when we commit ourselves to the influence of someone who doesn’t believe. Whether in a marriage or a business venture, if we are ‘yoked’ together with another who doesn’t believe then we will constantly be being ‘pulled’ in different directions.  The Lord called Christians to “Take my yoke” and to be joined with Him.  If you yoke yourself to an unbeliever then you truly are relinquishing the possibility of the influence of Christ in your life. The Lord’s desire for you is Holiness and for that to become a reality requires you to set yourself apart everyday to become all that He has for you.  This is challenging and ‘in your face’ stuff but it is the stuff that successful Christianity is all about.

Day 181

Deuteronomy 28:

There is no clearer picture of the central issue governing whether or not you will have the blessing of God upon your life than that of Obedience.  Moses here outlines the specifics of the blessings and curses of the law and the only variable is that of obedience.  If you read either half of this scripture in isolation, you will have a ‘skewed’ picture.  Either you will see God as a cosmic Santa Claus, constantly giving out blessing upon blessing or you will see God as a Harsh and  Cruel Judge who seeks retribution for any wrong committed.  The truth is that both aspects need to be understood and held together in tension.  Our God is a loving generous Father but also a jealous and strong Lord.  Obedience towards Him will guarantee blessing and will keep all the curses of the law far from you and I.

2 Corinthians 5:

Paul outlines the reality we can have of personal assurance of Salvation.  Through the Gospel there needs to be no doubt of your eternal home.  The only things that will limit your assurance are either lack of action (in response to the Lord’s command to follow) or lack of faith in God’s ability to perform what he has promised.  Both of these require you to do something…firstly you need to fully surrender your life to Christ and secondly you need to put doubt aside and take the awesome step into ‘faith’.  Then assurance will be yours and certainty will take your life in a totally different direction!

Day 180

Deuteronomy 27:

In this passage we find Moses outlining a memorial which is to be set up after the Children of Israel successfully cross the Jordan.  It is to be made up of 12 large river stones which will stand as a testimony to the 12 tribes of Israel that the Lord has done amazing things which have led to the culmination of crossing the river Jordan on dry land.  The memorial is to act as a remembrance but also as a warning.  The stones reminded the people that if they neglect or disobey their God then they will be in danger of having all of the curses of the Law come down upon them.  It is important to remember the “Crossing Jordan” moments in your life: your salvation; your baptism; when you were filled with the Spirit etc… These become milestones and remembrances which point you always to the importance of following in the Lord and walking in His will.   Today is an appropriate day to look back at the ‘monuments’ in your life but it may also be a day to set up a new one!

2 Corinthians 4:

In what way would you usually describe yourself? Paul uses a powerful but obscure metaphor to bring his message home to us.  We are clay pots, made by the master and filled with whatever the Master desires.  We have ‘treasure’ within and the reality of that treasure should make us value who we are and who we have the potential to become.  The excellence of any work that we do is not from us but from the Lord working within us.  We need to be careful to make certain that the glory always is directed towards Him and not overflowing to us who really have done nothing to deserve it.  Paul wants the Corinthians to have this ‘humble’ view of themselves because it really helps when things get bad.  When you are surrounded by failure, frailty and fragility it is good to know that the answer is not from yourself but from the greater one that is inhabiting your life!  That is a reason for hope, faith and joy all at the same time.  If we could truly learn this lesson we would be well on the way to finding a greater level of personal maturity than we have ever known.

Day 179

Deuteronomy 26:

The concept of bringing your first fruits to the Lord began way back with the first farmer and first hunter,  Cain and Abel.  From that time on it was appropriate to bring the first of all of your increase as an offering to the Lord.  Moses re-iterates this important practice which focuses the thankfulness of the people upon the appropriate recipient.  The Lord receives the thanks and praise that is due His name and He in turn continues to bless and prosper His people.  There is no limit to the power and importance of thankfulness and we should be regularly reciting the list of blessings that is ours.  We are in truth His special people and we should be forever aware of that and it should change the way we think, the way we speak and the way we behave.

2 Corinthians 3:

What is your credential for ministry?  Is it a letter signed from your Pastor?  Is it a list of talents and qualities that others have pointed out about you?  Is it your intelligence, beauty or capacity…or is it something that comes from a very different place.  The Lord calls you to follow Him not because of any inherent goodness within but because of the delight of His heart.  He wants to use and bless you because of Him, not because of you.  We need to be very careful not be become enamoured with our own success or capacity because it is clear that the Lord is not impressed by any one these.  What He is looking for is the one who recognises that they are lost without Him and desperate for His touch…then you and I will truly be of value!

Day 178

Deuteronomy 25:

The Laws that Moses is here outlining are like all Laws.  They work on the concept of action and response. If you commit a bad action then you reap a bad result and even punishment.  If you do good then you receive blessing and favour in all that you do.  The various laws are at times very specific and even a little obscure but the central themes run clear…live according to the word of the Lord and you will do well, stray to the left or right and you will end up off course and floundering.  Let’s keep our eyes on the prize and let’s keep out feet upon the road that the Lord has called us to follow.

2 Corinthians 2:

There is a time for judgement and a time to forgive.  Paul’s previous letter was a letter of reprimand and judgement but this letter is different.  Paul acknowledges that the previous offender has come to their senses and is now operating effectively within the body.  The issue however is that no-one is allowing him to be restored back into full fellowship.  We need to be people who are able to stand up for what we believe but also who can be mercifulul and accepting when the time comes.  Paul says that we should be fragrance diffusers…that the scent and aroma of Christ would permeate everything we do.  People should be able to tell that we have ‘walked this way’ and our lives should be a constant testimony to the goodness and blessings of God in our lives.

Day 177

Deuteronomy 24:

As Moses continues we find commands regarding the unfortunate reality of divorce. In this situation the concept of remarriage of divorced couples is outlawed for the Jew.  The reason for this is the fundamental reality that unless you establish strict boundaries, people will simply suit themselves and rack up numerous and even frivolous relationships.  The rest of this passage again visits the attitudes which are required for our daily relationships.  This passage is filled with grace and generosity, two attributes which must be present in the life of the Christian.  The way we respond to those around us is the open indication to them of the reality of the Lord within our lives.  It is always a good challenge to think about the impact you are making on others and whether or not they would be able to recognise you as a devoted disciple of the Lord.

2 Corinthians 1:

Paul begins his second letter to the Corinthians in a far more gentle tone than the first.  His purpose in this letter is to build up and strengthen the Church after His last letter, in which He was forced to bring strong and direct discipline to the body.  Paul beings by discussing the nature of suffering and the challenges therein but he goes on to point out that our destiny is to be fruitful and faithful in the midst of suffering.  There are many promises which are waiting for us and they are all stamped ‘yes’ and ‘amen’ by the Lord.  It is a powerful reality to contemplate that the Lord has a storehouse of blessings just waiting for us to put ourselves in the position to be able to receive them.

Day 176

Deuteronomy 23:

Being a member of the Congregation of the Lord was a great privilege and was not bestowed on simply anyone.  In fact, certain people were excluded for one, three or even up to ten generations.  The ‘People of God’ were elect and precious, they were not average or ‘normal’ they belonged to the Lord and were is particular and peculiar treasure.  This is why the campsite of the people of God was to be a place of cleanness and mercy.  Moses’ words ring in the ears of the people and they cherish one another more and delight to serve such unique and passionate Lord.  The challenge for us is to realise that our entry into the presence of the Lord is a privilege and the fact that we do not have to stand on ceremony is a bonus.  We have become His people who did not deserve it, were not born into it and could never have purchased the opportunity.  Cherish your relationship with Him and His people today

1 Corinthians 16:

As Paul concludes his first letter to the Corinthians he brings a challenge about generosity.  He calls the church to set aside an offering each week and to bless those who are ministering to them (Timothy).  But they are to offer more than just financial support; the needs and challenges that Timothy faced were to be born by the people as well.  Paul finishes with a list of personal greetings and challenges and I always find it helpful to imagine that my name was added to this list.  Which of these challenges would Paul lay at your feet today?

Day 175

Deuteronomy 22:

Moses’ words continue with a calling to right attitudes and actions.  He lists opportunities for doing the ‘right’ thing rather than doing the convenient and profitable one.  He challenges the action of ‘stealing by finding’ and demonstrates the guilt which will be incurred by omission or carelessness.  The point of these laws was to demonstrate the nature and attitude of the Lord not to tie people up in legalistic bondages.  Mercy is the attitude and action which is regularly re-visited.  The second half of this passage is another challenge towards sexual purity and wholeness.  There is no greater undermining influence on an individual or group than that of sexual immorality.   In the society we live in our attitudes must be straight and sure otherwise we will be led easily astray.

1 Corinthians 15:

Do you need a reason to sing?  Then this is the passage for you!  this is one of the chapters of Paul’s writing that makes you want to stand up and make some noise!  It reiterates the whole purpose of the coming of Christ and proclaims the truth that He desires to be seen by us!  We have victory over our enemies because of the fact that Jesus is risen and has forever become our hope!  Those things which stand against us have passed away from their influence and the final enemy – death itself – has been swallowed up in victory!  get ready to sing, get ready to be inspired and then get ready to take your freedom and make a difference for Him!

Day 174

Deuteronomy 21:

Moses lists now a series of short, sharp counsels on what to do in difficult circumstances.  Each of these is dealt with clearly and we can readily agree with most but also has a spiritual aspect dealt with along the way.  We have the atonement of the stain of an unsolved murder; the framework of how to deal with females who are taken captive; treatment of sons regardless of favouritism; and the harsh judgement that should fall upon a rebellious son.  Each of these issues mirrors a spiritual principle that we should recognise.  We have the freedom that should come from honesty and open confession of truth;  kindness and gentleness in the midst of a harsh and cruel environment; fairness and equity within families; and recognition that rebellion is a dire sin against the Lord and is entrenched in the attitude of the holder. The passage closes with the statement that anyone who is hung on a tree is cursed…there is one who hung in that place for you and I.  He took all the curses of the Law upon Himself so that we might be free!

1 Corinthians 14:

This passage deals with the wonderful gift of Speaking in other Tongues and the benefits it entails.  Paul says that if we have to make a choice is is better to have love…but nowhere does he say we have to make that choice.  Tongues should not be elevated to the most important of the gifts of the Spirit but neither should it be relegated to a place of little or no value.  The Lord blesses His Church by speaking with and through us.  The Gift of Tongues has three aspects…The personal prayer language; Tongues which the speaker does not know but the hearer naturally understands; and finally tongues which the speaker and the hearer do not understand…this is where the gift of interpretation comes in.  We need to understand what the Lord is saying when He has a message for the Church but we should not hold back from speaking in tongues in our private and personal time with God.  It is a powerful gift which builds us up and strengthens the core of our experience with God.  Paul says 1 Corinthians 14:18 “I thank my God that I speak with tongues more than you all!”

Day 173

Deuteronomy 20:

This chapter is a powerful statement of the promise that the Lord will constantly protect His people and that they will never be alone when they face the battles that the Lord ordains.  The Children of Israel were about to cross the river Jordan and take hold of their inheritance and this was not going to happen without a fight. The most important thing was to realise that the Lord was with them and were not fighting alone.  This is a great encouragement for us and a great comfort. Each of us have to face various battles but the Lord is fighting with us… fear doesn’t help, doubt doesn’t provide anything we need.  What we need is confidence and we will be able to achieve all that the Lord has for us – just as the children of Israel did.

1 Corinthians 13:

Often this powerful chapter is reserved for reading at weddings.  It seems an appropriate passage but that particular application is far too limited to meet the demands of this life changing scripture.  This is a chapter for your whole life…whether you are single or part of a couple, whether you are a young child or an older person, whether you are from my culture or from across the globe.  This message of love is necessary, undervalued and misinterpreted.  As you read through the passage today do a little ‘self test’ on whether you match up to the attributes which are mentioned.  In all my years as a Christian I never have fully managed it, but I am determined that today (as the Lord continues to work upon my life) I will display all the attributes of love that I am capable of.