Deut. 22-27 [Ye Message]

There was only one person who ever lived that kept every one of God’s commands. Jesus Christ. He was the spotless, sinless Son of God. It’s critical that we know that and thereby stay “In Christ.” We are safe in His care. We are dead outside of it.

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. [Rom. 8:1]

Everything we have from God comes through the Lord Jesus Christ.

I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. [John 15:5]

Deut. 19-21 [The Message]

God gave the Hebrews ways to clear their conscience if they had sinned. A clear conscience is important for the believer. In fact, it is one of our goals in the Christian life.

Now the end (goal) of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: [1 Tim. 1:5]

When we take communion, it is a time to examine ourselves and be cleansed. It increases the power of our prayer.

Deut. 18 [The Message]

These things were wrong then. They are wrong NOW.

• Human sacrifice
• Divination – using magic or witchcraft to tell the future
• Using magic to try to explain the meaning of warnings in the sky or of any other signs
• Witchcraft -worshiping evil powers
• Casting spells or charms using magic
• Speaking through someone who talks to the dead

God says get rid of these people who do or promote these evil things.

Deut. 16, 17 [The Message]

Israel was warned to only let God choose their kings.

Let’s see … don’t you think we can observe the platform of political candidates and spot those who are closer to God’s qualifications than others?

I say it again … the candidate’s position on protecting the life of the unborn is he big test for me. If they get that one right, I give them the benefit on the rest of their platform.

Deut. 13-15 [The Message]

You won’t find the word “stingy” in the King James Version. We find it in The Message, though. Verses 10 and 11 of chapter 15 encouraged the Hebrews to give liberally. If they did, God would likewise be generous with them.

At Christmas we give because God gave His Son, Christ Jesus, to take away the sin of the world. God became flesh and dwelt among us. We are His flesh to this world now. We can nullify sin by forgiving it when it’s confessed. We can show God’s love by giving to those in need.

Don’t be a Scrooge!

Deut. 11,12 [The Message]

Moses described the Promised Land as a garden that God watered and watched over. The same can be said about the Christian family.

“Your wife will bear children as a vine bears grapes, your household lush as a vineyard, The children around your table as fresh and promising as young olive shoots. Stand in awe of God’s Yes. Oh, how he blesses the one who fears God!” [Ps 128:3 MSG]

The key is to follow God’s ways in your home. Scripture encourages a home that teaches God’s commandments with every opportunity. The blessing is worth the effort!

Deut. 9, 10 [The Message]

Moses conducted two 40 day fasts at critical times in the Hebrew pilgrimage to the Promised Land. At the conclusion of both fasts, God spoke to him profoundly. From his spiritual discipline we have the Ten Commandments.

I am not a great faster. I was much better when a young Christian. Patty and I would fast one day a week. Fasting can make your voice heard on high. It gets God’s attention. Don’t get me wrong … all prayer gets God’s attention. But it’s as if your prayers are on turbo boost.

Isaiah 58 is the Bible roadmap to effective fasting.

Deut. 8 [The Message]

Moses challenged the Israelites to be careful that they didn’t forget God when everything was going well for them. When we have a need, we buckle down and seek the Lord. We are to remain thankful for all the blessings He has provided. We have nice home, nice cars, too many nice clothes in our closets, and food galore.

Gratitude is the key. Praise and thanksgiving bring us into His presence.

Deut. 5-7 [The Message]

We had a Master Teacher at Trinity for many years. Her name was Celeste Zaubi. She understood the link between learning and doing. She would plan activities that cemented in the minds of her students the principle she was teaching. She also came up with creative ways to integrate competition among the students that made the learning activities more fun.

One day I observed her teaching the class about how an assembly line works. She had gathered the materials necessary for a project. Each student was instructed to put the materials together by themself to create the finished product. They were timed. Then, she arranged them in an assembly line formation and likewise instructed them to apply their specific part to the project. They were again timed. When they saw how quickly they completed the project in an assembly line, the light bulbs of enlightenment started appearing over their heads in a heartbeat.

Learn them, Live them. The teachings of Jesus.

Deut. 4 [The Message]

Moses could only peer into the Promised Land from the top of Mt. Pisgah because he disobeyed the Lord by striking the rock instead of speaking to it. He grieved over the consequence of his disobedience. It was a lesson for all of Israel. It was a lesson for US.

Obedience is learned in the home. Wise parents teach their children that disobedience has consequences. Lessons that have less costly pain can be efficiently learned when children are little. When they become adults, the pain is magnified and can devastate lives … and families.

If a child can’t obey their parents whom they see, how in the world can they obey a God they can’t see?