Can you imagine how Moses felt when he knew his influence over the Children of Israel was about to end? God had raised up Joshua to be the new leader, and Moses was confident that he would do a good job. It would not be the same, though. There would be new challenges and new conquests for the new leadership. It would no longer be done the way Moses thought was right.

He sought the Lord for Joshua and was reassured that as God was with Moses, He would be with Joshua. This was comforting to the retiring leader. He could now rest in the Lord’s provision for his life and future, knowing that God was in control of the future of His people.

READ/HEAR: Deut. 31,32

Idolatry is bowing down to anything or anyone apart from The LORD.

Although we don’t often see, in our culture, images made of wood and stone, there ARE many opportunities to bow down to things that displace God’s place in our lives.

One easy way to realize unhealthy strongholds in our lives is … can we give it up? We are to have no other gods placed in front of GOD.

READ/HEAR: Deut. 29,30

God’s blessing upon a life gives advantages and favor that puts you on top rather than on the bottom. No doubt, His angels are unseen beings constantly guarding, protecting, and serving the Heirs of Salvation.

The amazing thing about God’s blessing is that we don’t deserve it, but we get it because He loves us. It comes through relationship with Christ Jesus.  We are co-inheritors of all Christ receives because Jesus has made us His brothers.

When other see the blessing of God upon our lives, we can witness to them be just being.

READ/HEAR: Deut. 28

The Children of Israel were commanded to build an altar at specific places where God met them and wanted them to respect His commandments. They were to plaster large stones and write His commandments upon them.

Obviously, we as New Testament Christians take the Lord’s presence with us wherever we go … a sort of traveling altar … but its good to have a “place” in your home where you spend your time with God. God remembers places where we come close to Him.

READ/HEAR: Deut. 25-27

How much clearer can I say it?

He doesn’t. People have opinions when they hear about birth defects or are not happy with their gender. Regardless, God is the Master Creator and He has made everyone and everything according to His Plan.

We belong to the Lord. We don’t belong to ourselves. “How can the pot say to the potter, ‘Why have you made me like this?'” [Rom. 9:20]

Many don’t understand the “Why” until much later in life, or until certain significant events have occurred which explain why we were given a path to take.

Consider judgement. I will not be judged on what kind of a woman I was. I was given the role of a man. In heaven there will be no male of female. All will have glorified, spiritual bodies that are capable of inheriting eternity. This life lasts NOT VERY LONG compared to eternity.

READ/HEAR: Deut. 22-24

As the Children of Israel began inhabiting the Promised Land God had given them, they were to attack the fortified cities belonging to the inhabitants God wanted removed. They were to have confidence that the Lord would be with them and give them victory. If they could not muster enough courage to fight, they were to be sent home lest their fear influence other men. Their fear was a deteriorating element that needed to be removed.

God’s love is the active element that has the power to remove fear.

“Where God’s love is, there is no fear, because God’s perfect love takes away fear. It is his punishment that makes a person fear. So his love is not made perfect in the one who has fear.”  1 John 4:18

READ/HEAR: Deut. 19-21

The Levites were not to have an accumulation of earthly possessions. God said “He” wanted to be there possession.

We are wise to model our desires after their example, by seeking the Lord and whatever supports or furthers His Kingdom. It’s up to Him to therefore provide our support.

If you seek riches and ignore the Lord, life can be SO EMPTY.

If you seek the Lord, He will give Himself to you AND all the things you really need here in this life to be satisfied.

“What you should want most is God’s kingdom and doing what he wants you to do. Then he will give you all these other things you need.”  Matt. 6:33 ERV

READ/HEAR: Deut. 16-18

Most of the people I know have more than they need and more than they could ever use. God wants us to be generous and help the needy, so why don’t we do what we can to help them.

Instead of always looking to what we can gain, we should be endeavoring to be liberal givers.

Some people give freely and gain more; others refuse to give and end up with less. Give freely, and you will profit. Help others, and you will gain more for yourself.  Proverbs 11:24,25

READ/HEAR: Deut. 13-15

God told the children of Israel that He would give them rest from their enemies after they had conquered them and were living in harmony with His precepts.

Rest is not taking a nap. It’s a station of life where God has given you …

• the strength to maintain peace in the midst of any challenge,
• courage to face any obstacle through your faith in His power, and
• a profound trust that everything will work together in your life to accomplish His purpose.

“There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into His rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from His. Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest.”  Heb. 4:9-11

READ/HEAR: Deut. 12

Strength is a precious commodity. Just ask me … I’m now 70 years old and wrestle with cancer in my blood that robs me of energy and strength. I value strength.

God challenged His people to be obedient to His laws, thereby qualifying for His blessings of strength and prosperity. They would then have the strength to conquer their foes in the Promised Land. Then, when they were residents there, their obedience would qualify them for God’s blessings of rain and healthy living conditions.

A life of obedience to God’s commands and a relationship with Him through Christ is the best possible life to live here on earth. Soon then, He will return to take us to live with Him in an eternal, abundant life. Our future is very bright because of Christ.

READ/HEAR: Deut. 9-11