in retrospect: health and prosperity

Posted on June 25, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

mosesatneboDeuteronomy 28:1-14

We testify to the existence and goodness of God by our actions.  Health and prosperity can be part of that testimony.  If we are careful to do what God wants, he is free to open up his good treasury (12) and bless us.  But let us not think for one moment that we can manipulate him.  He is God, and he knows our motives.  If he ever sees us in a heart of greed or selfishness, then all our good works will have availed nothing.  We do not devote ourselves to him or his word FOR the blessings.  He chooses to bless for his name’s sake.

LORD, bless us as we follow you, so that the world that needs you may know where to find you.

Posted in integrity, kingdom of God, obedience | Tagged | 1 Comment

in retrospect: dos and don’ts

Posted on June 24, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

mosesatneboDeuteronomy 27

Our relationship with God is by grace, not on the basis of what we have done or not done.  It also not on the basis of what we are doing, might do, or will do.  We did not, and cannot earn our salvation.  But once we claim to have been rescued by the grace of God, the world will be looking for evidence to back up that assertion.  It is then that confirming the words of God’s law comes into play (26). 

Our lives should reflect and demonstrate the relationship that God initiated by his grace.  If they do not, then we are in effect calling down curses upon ourselves.  The LORD is a jealous God.  He cannot tolerate it when his bride takes his name, and then has an affair with the Adversary.

LORD, help us to remain faithful to your name and your word.  Help us to remember the consequences of breaking faith.

Posted in discipleship, faithfulness, grace, growth, obedience | Tagged | 1 Comment

in retrospect: gifts of rejoicing

Posted on June 23, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

mosesatneboDeuteronomy 26

The firstfruits and tithes were not taxes of obligation. They were gifts that the Israelites had opportunity to give because God had promised to bless them with an abundance.  The little ceremony that accompanied the gifts was a means of celebrating God’s grace.  The rituals we perform as Christians are that as well.   It is such a great feeling to have and be able to give to help those who minister at home and throughout the planet.  What a joy it is to write out a check and put my church’s name on it!

LORD, thank you for the joy we can experience when we give to those serving in your name.

Posted in giving, grace, ministry, worship | Tagged | 1 Comment

in retrospect: remembering the past

Posted on June 22, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

mosesatneboDeuteronomy 23:15-25:19

Interspersed in these various laws is a word that ties them together: remember (24:9, 18, 22).  Moses wanted the Israelites to know that they had been learning God’s way through the things they had experienced.

LORD, help us to learn from our walk with you.

Posted in dependence upon God, discipleship | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

in retrospect: God is looking

Posted on June 21, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

mosesatneboDeuteronomy 23:1-14

The reason no indecent thing was allowed within the camp was that God was looking.  The camp must remain holy “so that (God) may not see anything indecent among you and turn away from you.  Even though the LORD saved the Israelites by his grace, he would still not tolerate sexual or spiritual indecency in the camp.  We who follow Christ should take special care not to offend the Holy Spit who walks among us, and is looking.

LORD, we commit ourselves to sexual and spiritual purity.

Posted in commitment, faithfulness, Holy Spirit, purity, sexuality | Tagged | 1 Comment

in retrospect: purging the evil

Posted on June 20, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

mosesatneboDeuteronomy 22:13-30

Sexual sins, and sins of deception and violence associated with them could not be tolerated in a society that sought to display the glory of the LORD.  Moses’ instruction was for the community to purge itself of the evil and so preserve a society whose relationships lead people to the LORD and not away from him.  

Jesus teaches the same principle on a personal level:

Matthew 18:9  “if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into the hell of fire.”

LORD, we resolve to purge the evil from our lives, so that we draw people to you, not away from you. 

Posted in commitment, discernment, genuineness, kingdom of God, sanctification | Tagged | 1 Comment

in retrospect: removing the shame

Posted on June 19, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

Deuteronomy 21-22:12

The culture to which these commands was originally given was an oriental, shame-based culture.  The people in these cultures are primarily motivated by shame, experienced by the whole group, and not primarily by individual guilt.  This explains the connection between the various issues that this section addresses:

  1. The shame of unsolved murder.
  2. The shame of a woman taken in war.
  3. The shame of an unloved firstborn.
  4. The shame of a rebellious son.
  5. The shame a hanged criminal.

The purpose of these regulations is to help the society deal with the shame involved in these situations.  God loves his people, and wants their glory, not their shame.

LORD, we resolve to bring glory to you, and to reflect your glory in how we live.

Posted in church, consideration of others, glory, shame, worldview | Tagged , | 2 Comments

in retrospect: wise warfare

Posted on June 18, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

mosesatneboDeuteronomy 20

Moses would not participate in the wars he spoke of, but his words would guide those who did.  Warriors had to be free of other concerns and pursuits, and must be aware of the bigger picture.  That had to know that the conquest was God’s judgment upon the Canaanites, and to be aware of the danger involved in letting those enemies survive.  They had to be careful not to harm the land, because it would soon be their land. 

LORD, you have called us to peace, not war.  But we must sometimes wage war with the Adversary.  Teach us wise warfare.

Posted in conflict, dependence upon God, missions, prayer | Tagged | 1 Comment

in retrospect: taking advantage of grace

Posted on June 17, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

mosesatneboDeuteronomy 19

Life in the new society was to be permeated with grace, but there would be those who would seek to test God by taking advantage of that grace.  Murderers fleeing into the levitical cities of refuge, landowners moving boundary markers, and malicious witnesses were examples.  The LORD demanded justice in these cases.  The peace of the society had to be preserved so that the society would witness as a whole to God’s rescue.  No individual had the right to oppose that peace for selfish gain.

LORD, thank you for your grace.  May we never take advantage of your grace, and so bring shame upon your name.

Posted in church, deliverance, genuineness, grace | Tagged | 1 Comment

in retrospect: those who minister

Posted on June 16, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

mosesatneboDeuteronomy 18

The Levite who served the people in the LORD’s name was to be provided for because of his ministry.  The prophet was to be listened to – and false prophets were not.  The Israelites were not to follow those who pretended to read the signs or communicate with the spirit world.  God himself would raise up people of integrity to speak his word.  The new society depended upon such people.

LORD, give us appreciation for the people you have place among us to minister in your name.

Posted in dependence upon God, discipleship, ministry | Tagged | 1 Comment