We don’t deserve ANYTHING God has given to us, least of all His love. But, He loves us, and that’s that!

His love is unmerited, but we are wise to praise Him and obey Him because of it. We can be influencers and witnesses to those around us … our neighbors, our classmates, our family members … when they see God’s lavish blessing upon our lives.

Salvation is a love gift to us. The best way to use this gift is to read the instruction manual that comes along with it … the Bible. Navigating life is rewarding and healthy when we live by His Word and apply it to every situation.

In my 70 years here on this earth, this is one of the principles that I have learned to embrace above all others.

READ/HEAR: Deut. 7,8

Recently I observed our Youth Pastor and his wife as they parented their three children as they sat on the front row of our Sunday A.M. worship service. (It was a special service where children were invited to join the adults) I was impressed by their process of making sure their children were standing when they should, sitting and paying attention appropriately, conducting themselves with complete uprightness, and keeping a healthy attitude. I thought to myself … these children are blessed to be in this household and will turn out to be fabulous Christians. It was refreshing to see.

Training children in God’s house is a wonderful opportunity to teach them Kingdom protocol. They will bring honor to their God and your family name.

READ/HEAR: Deut. 5,6

As a Christian School administrator, I quickly learned that children bring the culture of their home to school with them. Parents who were doing a good job of training in the home ie. manners, Bible story knowledge, moral purity, and other positive character traits seen in the lives of their children were obvious to teachers and staff.

The Christian School is a place to reinforce the values of the home. Yes, children can come to know Christ in the school, but until they come to the age of accountability, c. 12, the home is the primary influence.

Christian parents are wise to display authentic Christianity in the home. Prayer, Bible stories, family devotions, regular church attendance are excellent ways to teach children to follow Christ.

READ/HEAR: Deut. 4

God had given the new land to His children of Israel, but they had conquests to achieve. Sihon and Og were two kings who presented formidable resistance to their progress. However, they were instructed to NOT be afraid, but to move forward in battle against these kings. Not only were they handily conquered, but much valuable spoil was taken.

In life, we have challenges before us. Identity your challenge and begin praying. God will confirm whether you are on the right road. If it is in the path that He has chosen for you, fight on … He will give the victory. If it is a path of your own choosing, beware! You could incur losses.

READ/HEAR: Deut. 2,3

The story of Israel’s journey to and conquest of the Promised Land has many lessons for the contemporary Christian.

Above all, they needed the Lord’s leading. He gave them a leader, Moses, who was mostly faithful to obey God’s voice and supervise the culture.

There were obstacles … giants, adversarial people groups, trials … that they had to overcome or endure.

Their attitude became a constant challenge. They wanted what they couldn’t have, and were not appreciative of God’s faithful provision.

Our destination is not a location on a map, but an eternal relationship with a God Who has prepared a destination for us … Heaven.

READ/HEAR: Deuteronomy 1

The families of the 12 tribes were each given a section of the Promised Land for an inheritance. God clarified to Moses how to be fair to each tribe, reinforcing God’s penchant for being just and fair. Even the Levites who were not to own material possessions were given cities and pastureland for their livestock. Their focus was to be upon ministering to the Lord through sacrifices and teaching.

It is Godly for us to likewise do our best to be fair in determining inheritance portions. The family we are born into will generally distribute an inheritance when the ancestors pass away. It’s God’s plan to perpetuate the blessing.

READ/HEAR: Num. 35,36

Moses is commonly known as the author of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. Not only was he a man who walked with God … he was a scholar, having been trained with the finest education Egypt could offer. In hearing the details of names, places and events in the Pentateuch, one is impressed with his ability to publish the facts. No doubt, the Children of Israel were respectful and somewhat awed by this man God had chosen and prepared to lead them into the Promised Land.

God does that. He prepares leaders and equips them with unique and quality giftings that enable them to provide the necessary leadership for His people.

READ/HEAR: Num. 33,34

As the children of Israel entered the Promised Land, they all had an obligation to fight the resistant inhabitants and remove them. The Gadites and Reubenites recognized their obligation and joined their brothers, even though they settled east of the Jordan. They ALL went to war to claim their inheritance.

Contemporary Christians also have a war on their hands. We are all encouraged to “Fight the Good Fight of Faith.” There is a constant battle between our flesh and God’s Spirit. Everything that stands between us and the life of faith that God intends must be conquered. Eternal peace and an end to strife will occur when we live with the Lord forever in Heaven.

READ/HEAR: Num. 30-32

God gave to Moses an exhaustive list of offerings to be made, and the schedule for their execution. God knew what He wanted to atone for the sins of the people. The alternative to fulfilling the requirements was death.

Gratefully, we have a Saviour Who met all the offering requirements with ONE SACRIFICE … His Life. This alone is reason to give Him praise every moment of every day.

READ/HEAR: Num. 28,29

As Moses neared his final days, God pointed out Joshua as the next leader of Israel. The spirit of leadership was upon him. This element was necessary for God’s people to be adequately looked after. Joshua was born with it … he didn’t take a seminar or college course to get it.

Yes, his skills needed honed and refined … that happened as he served an apprenticeship to Moses. He turned out to be a great leader and shepherd to God’s people.

His name is very similar to the Hebrew name for Jesus. Joshua was a prefiguring of Christ to us.

READ/HEAR: Num. 26,27