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My God has Ridden Across Heaven to Help Me–Deuteronomy 33:26

March 22, 2013 in 2013 Journey, Deuteronomy, God Speaks today, Jesus with 0 Comments

Today’s Scripture Reading:  Deuteronomy 33:1 through Deuteronomy 34:12; Joshua 1:1 through Joshua 2:24

I’m sad that Moses died in today’s reading.  He has been our leader for four books.

There has never been another prophet in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face (Deut. 34:10).

Did you notice that God, not man buried him? (Deut. 34:5)

My God has ridden across heaven to help me!  I love the beautiful picture this phrase brings to mind.  In Deuteronomy 33:26 (NLT), Moses is giving his final words to the Israelites just before his death.  Here’s what he says:  “There is no one like the God of Israel.  He rides across the heavens to help you, across the skies in majestic splendor.”

Just think, when Moses wrote these words in Deuteronomy, Jesus had not come.  Moses knew a lot about God’s help and majestic splendor but  Moses had just a glimpse of the extent  God was willing to help.  God was so determined to help us that he sent his only son “across the heavens” and to the earth to die on a cross for our sins.  Moses is one of my top 5 heroes of the Bible and I’ve experienced “help” that he could only hope for.  Wow!  That’s amazing!

I had the privilege of watching two of Louie Giglio’s DVDs on the “majestic splendor” of  God and saw this amazing picture.   I encourage you to check out Louie’s “How Great is Our God” and “Indescribable” DVDs.

 

Yes, people, there is a God and He is so much bigger than we allow Him to be.

Where would I be without My God?  I can’t tell you how many times My God has ridden across heaven to help me in my day-to-day life but the most important time God came to my rescue was when He sent his son Jesus Christ  to this earth to pay the price for my sinful nature and make  a way for me to have eternal life (John 3:16)

Do you need to be rescued today?  Ask Jesus Christ, son of the one true God and our Savior to ride across heaven to help you.

©2013, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading:  Joshua 3:1 through Joshua 6:27

Are Past Failures Keeping You From Future Goals? –Psalm 90:17

March 21, 2013 in 2013 Journey, Deuteronomy, Fear, Giving Our Best to God, Goals, leadership, Obedience, Psalms, Workplace with 2 Comments


Today’s Scripture Reading: Deuteronomy 31:30-32:52; Psalm 90

From my earliest remembrances biographies were my favorite books to read. I’m inspired by the underdog; people who shouldn’t have made it; people who had every excuse to quit, yet for some reason they didn’t.

I think the story of Moses’ life is my all-time favorite biography.  Every time I read Exodus through Deuteronomy I look for Moses’ finest hour.  There are so many great moments, but I think his prayer is Psalm 90 may be the most amazing moment for me.

Think about it.  God reminds Moses “one-more-time” of his failure to demonstrate the holiness of God at the waters of Meribah and tells him it’s time to die. (Deuteronomy 32:48-52) That’s not exactly the last words you want to hear from your boss!

How did Moses overcome those feelings of failure?

I think it was all about his focus.

If Moses would have continued to focus on his mistake at Meribah, he would have missed hundreds of opportunities to succeed.

Moses kept his eye on the goal: Getting his people to the Promised Land.

It wasn’t about him.

It wasn’t about having a perfect life.

Seventy years are given to us! Some even live to eighty. But even the best years are filled with pain and trouble; soon they disappear, and we fly away. Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom. –Psalm 90:10, 12

It was about finishing the job.

It was about pleasing God.

It was about being a part of a supernatural kind of success that makes our personal failures a faint memory.

Let us, your servants, see you work again; let our children see your glory.
And may the Lord our God show us his approval and make our efforts successful.
Yes, make our efforts successful! –Psalm 90:17

Heavenly Father, show us our focus today. Make our efforts successful.  Let us see You work today.  Let us see Your glory today.

In Jesus’ Name.  Amen and Amen!

 

 

©2013, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Deuteronomy 33:1-34:12; Joshua 1:1-2:24

God Has Secrets–Deuteronomy 29:29

March 20, 2013 in 2013 Journey, Believing God in the Hard Times, Deuteronomy, Trust, Word of God with 0 Comments


Today’s Scripture Reading: Deuteronomy 29:2-31:29

“I’ve got a secret!”  Little kids love to tease each other with those words.  Adults like secrets too, as long as they’re the ones in the know.

God likes secrets too.

The Lord our God has secrets known to no one. We are not accountable for them, but we and our children are accountable forever for all that he has revealed to us, so that we may obey all the terms of these instructions. –Deuteronomy 29:29

God has secrets?

Of course He does!  There’s so much we don’t know.

Moses gave us some good news and bad news.

The good news: We’re not accountable for the secrets God keeps from us.

The bad news: We are accountable for all that he has revealed to us through His Word.

How much time do you spend worrying about things you either don’t know about (the future) or things you just don’t understand (why bad things happen to good people)?

How much time do you spend pondering over God’s Word and it’s meaning for your life in this particular moment in time?

Heavenly Father, I trust You.  I trust that the things that you’ve chosen to keep from me are for my good and Your Glory.  Help me to be accountable for the things You’ve revealed to me.  Draw me to Your Word.

Make me like you Jesus!

©2013, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Deuteronomy 31:30-32:52; Psalm 90

When…not If–Deuteronomy 26:1

March 19, 2013 in 2013 Journey, Biblical Principles, Blessings, Deuteronomy, Obedience, The Promises of God with 0 Comments

Today’s Scripture Reading: Deuteronomy 26:1-29:1

When you enter the land the Lord your God is giving you, (26:1)

not

if

or

maybe

but

WHEN!

When the Lord gave these words to Moses “entering the Promised Land” hadn’t happened yet.  For forty years they had heard they were going into the Promised Land.

Do you think some of the Children of Israel may have whispered, “Don’t you mean ‘if’ we enter the Promised Land?”

So much of the Bible we read as history, but when it was written it was prophesy.  We know they went into the Promised Land, but like I said in an earlier post—hindsight is always 20/20.

Do we live like Jesus could come today?

Are we thinking, ‘if’ Jesus comes back not ‘when’ Jesus comes back?

Reading the Bible from cover to cover lets me know that if what God said came to pass in the Israelites day; the rest of His promises will come to pass as well!

There was a second piece of this “prophesy” in today’s reading.

Depending on your obedience you will either be blessed or cursed. Were the Israelites blessed or cursed?

Thirty years ago a traveler taking a train across dry and dusty Palestine  remarked, “And the Bible calls this a land of milk and honey!”

A man overheard, tapped him on the shoulder, and showed him these words:

Your children who follow you in later generations and foreigners who come from distant lands will see the calamities that have fallen on the land and the diseases with which the Lord hath afflicted it. The whole land will be a burning waste of salt and sulfur—nothing planted, nothing sprouting, no vegetation growing on it. It will be like the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, Admah and Zeboiim, which the Lord overthrew in fierce anger.

All the nations will ask: “Why has the Lord done this to this land? Why this fierce burning anger?”   Deuteronomy 29:22–24

(Richards, Larry ; Richards, Lawrence O.: The Teacher’s Commentary. Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books, 1987, S. 157)

When I read the passage in Deuteronomy 28:15 through 29:50 last year I wrote in the margin “this sounds a little bit like our country.”

Oh Father, help us to be obedient to you!  I pray for the United States of America.  Help those of us who profess to be your children to humble themselves (ourselves) and pray and seek my (Your) face and turn from their (our) wicked ways, I (You) will hear from heaven and will forgive their (our) sins and restore their (our) land. --2 Chronicles 7:14-15

In Jesus Name, Amen and Amen!

©2013, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Deuteronomy 29:2 through Deuteronomy 31:29

Jesus, I Have a Question About The Law

March 18, 2013 in 2013 Journey, Biblical Principles, Deuteronomy, Jesus, Sin with 0 Comments

Today’s Scripture Reading:  Deuteronomy 21:10 through Deuteronomy 25:19

Man, today’s reading is tough!  I’m amazed at the “R” rated details!  Several times I wanted to shout T.M.I. (too much information)

In our age of grace it’s hard to imagine living with all of these laws.  As we read, let’s try to take the principle and not get bogged down in the rigid requirements.

I found two things that spoke loudly to me in today’s reading:

  • Take care of your neighbor and the less fortunate.  God certainly answers Cain’s question that he asked in Genesis 4:9, “am I my brother’s guardian (keeper)?”  Well…yeah.
    • If you see your neighbor’s animal wandering off, go get it.  It’s your Responsibility    (22:1)
    • When you build a new house, you must build a railing around the edge of its flat roof,  That way you will  not be considered guilty of murder if someone falls from the roof (22:8)
  •  This “nugget” really helps me to begin to understand the “why” around the drastic measures God required when there was sin in the camp.
    •  The camp must be holy, for the Lord your God moves around in your camp to protect you and to defeat your enemies.  He must not see any shameful thing among you, or He will turn away from you (23:14)

Yes, I know this scripture is talking about ‘relieving yourself’ but let’s forget that detail for a moment and apply the principle. 

“I” need to be holy so that the Lord my God will feel comfortable moving around in my spirit and soul… wait, let’s bring this into our physical space— my home, my car, my job, my church— so that He will protect me, defeat my enemies and not turn away from me.

Now that we’ve read most of the law it makes it easy understand the question the Pharisees asked Jesus, Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law? (Matt. 22:36)  I know they were trying to trick Jesus, but if I had lived in those days I certainly would have wanted Jesus to give me his “Top 5″ so that I would know what to focus on.

In Matthew 22:37-40, Jesus does just that; He boiled the Law down to two commandments:

Jesus replied:  “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.” All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.

Thank you Jesus for simplifying the Christian Life—but Lord simple still isn’t easy.  I can’t love you and love my neighbor without your help!

Thank you Holy Spirit for dwelling within me teaching me how to love!

©2013, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading:  Deuteronomy 26:1 through Deuteronomy 29:1

Can We Add This to Our Leaders’ Job Requirements? –Deuteronomy 17:18-20

March 17, 2013 in 2013 Journey, Deuteronomy, leadership, Parenting, speaking God's Words, Word of God with 0 Comments

Today’s Scripture Reading:  Deuteronomy 16:18 through Deuteronomy 21:9

The Bible continues to amaze me at its relevance in every culture.  As we have read through the first four books of the Law, I have seen a resemblance of many of  today’s laws.

Coincidence—I don’t think so.  Even though there are many things we wouldn’t think of enforcing in the 21st century, such as sacrificing animals for sin offerings and guilt offerings. There are things, like the rules for appointing judges and officials (16:18-20), that have a familiar sound.

Think about it, our Founding Fathers were Bible-reading, Bible-believing folks who came to America to have a better life and be free to worship their God. Of course biblical values and principles are at the root of our legal system!

In today’s reading I saw something I think would be a great practice for our leaders:

When he sits on the throne as king (leader), he must copy for himself this body of instruction  on a scroll in the presence of the Levitical priests.   He must always keep that copy with him and read it daily as long as he lives.  That way he will learn to fear the Lord his God by obeying all the terms of these instructions and decrees. This regular reading will prevent him from becoming proud and acting as if he is above his fellow citizens. It will also prevent him from turning away from these commands in the smallest way. And it will ensure that he and his descendants will reign for many generations in Israel. –Deuteronomy 17:18-20

Just imagine a country where the number one requirement for any leadership position is to have read the Bible and handwritten it word for word!

Why would a king need to spend his valuable time with what many would consider a monotonous ritual?

  • To learn to fear the Lord by reading and obeying the terms of the instructions and decrees
  • To prevent him from becoming proud and acting like he is above his fellow citizens
  • To prevent him from turning away from these commands in the smallest way
  • To insure that he and his descendants will reign for many generations in Israel

Wow!  That sounds like a great leader to me!

Okay, I know we’re not going to see ‘hand-writing the Word on God’ on our president’s to-do list but if we want to be a godly leader in our family, church, or workplace we might want to consider making “hiding the Word of God in our hearts…” (Psalm 119:11) a high priority for our lives.

To quote a saying I’ve heard for many years: “The faintest ink is better than the most retentive memory.”

What did you learn during your time in the Word today?   WRITE IT DOWN!

Holy Spirit, help us to remember and obey Your Word!  Amen and Amen!

©2013, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading:  Deuteronomy 21:10 through Deuteronomy 25:19

Beware of Signs and Miracles–Deuteronomy 13:1-4

March 16, 2013 in 2013 Journey, Absolute Truth, Deuteronomy, Holy Spirit, Jesus, leadership, Word of God with 0 Comments

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Today’s Scripture Reading:  Deuteronomy 13:1 through Deuteronomy 16:17

Suppose there are prophets among you or those who dream dreams about the future, and they promise you signs or miracles, and the predicted signs or miracles occur.  If they then say, ‘Come, let us worship other gods’—gods you have not known before—do not listen to them.  The Lord your God is testing you to see if you truly love him with all your heart and soul.  Serve only the Lord your God and fear him alone.  Obey his commands, listen to his voice and cling to him.       ~Deuteronomy 13:1-4

I’ve been sitting here “a while” knowing there was something in this scripture passage for us, but not knowing what it was.  Thankfully, “I” decided (Thank you Holy Spirit!) to go to my Bible software and see what the Bible commentaries had to say about it.  Here is an excerpt that I copied from The Bible Knowledge Commentary (Wheaton, IL : Victor Books, 1983-c1985, S. 1:286) that spoke to me.

13:1-5. After the general prohibition against involvement in pagan worship (12:29-31) Moses discussed three ways in which the temptation to idolatry was likely to come: through a false prophet (13:1-5), a loved one (vv. 6-11), or “revolutionaries” who had been successful in leading an entire town into apostasy (vv. 12-18).

Miraculous signs alone were never meant to be a test of truth. Miracles happen in many religions because Satan uses false religions and false prophets to deceive the world (cf. 2 Cor. 11:13-15; Eph. 6:11; Rev. 12:9). So Moses warned the people that the standard for truth must never be a miraculous sign or wonder (or other areas of human experience). The standard of truth is the Word of God.

A prophet’s or a dreamer’s prediction may come true. But if his message contradicted God’s commands, the people were to trust God and His Word rather than their experience of a miracle. If human experience seemed to contradict God’s clear teachings the Israelites were to bow in submission to God’s commands, for His Word is truth (cf. John 17:17).

The Israelites were to view each solicitation to idolatry as a test of their love for the Lord. Though there was always the danger that they might succumb to a temptation, with each successful resistance to sin their faith in and love for Him would grow stronger (cf. James 1:2-4). They were to love . . . follow . . . revere . . . obey . . . serve, and hold fast to Him (cf. Deut. 10:20; 11:22; 30:20).

My Take aways:

  • Temptations can come through our loved ones or people we respect
  • Miraculous signs were never meant to be a test for truth
  • Satan uses false religions and false prophets to deceive the world
  • The standard of truth is the Word of God
  • Trust God’s Word over an experience or miracle
  • Each time we resist the temptation to worship false gods our faith in and love for the One True God grows stronger

Just like the Israelites we can be easily deceived if we aren’t using the Word of God as our standard.  It’s easy to see why Satan fights so hard to keep us  from reading the Bible.

John, the disciple of Jesus, warns us about false prophets in the New Testament:  Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world.  ~1 John 4:1

Holy Spirit, draw us to Your Word like a magnet.  Give us supernatural discernment that can only come from You!  Jesus, teach us to run to You when something doesn’t seem right!  Father, thank You for making a way for us to know the truth!

In Jesus Name,   Amen and Amen!

©2013, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading:  Deuteronomy 16:18 through Deuteronomy 21:9

How to Be Wholeheartedly Commited–Deuteronomy 10:12

March 15, 2013 in 2013 Journey, Commitment, Deuteronomy, Parenting with 1 Comment

Today’s Scripture Reading:  Deuteronomy 10:1 through Deuteronomy 12:32

The children of Israel spent 40 years learning “what not to do.”

They  suffered greatly because of their self-dependence and spiritual pride.  In today’s reading Moses is calling Israel to exercise her only option for survival:  total commitment to the Lord.

The God of the universe made us and put us on this planet.  He wants us to fear (reverence) Him and live in a way that pleases Him.  He wants us to love him and serve him with all of our heart and soul (Deuteronomy 10:12).

How do we do this?

  • Commit ourselves wholeheartedly to these words of mine
  • Tie the Words of God to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders
  • Teach them to your children
  • Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up
  • Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates –Deuteronomy 11:18-20

What is the benefit for us?

As long as the sky remains above the earth, you and your children may flourish in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors (Deuteronomy 11:21).

How does this translate into the 21st century?

  • Be committed to reading, knowing, and living by  the Word of God
  • Do whatever it takes to keep the Word of God on your mind.  Example:  Scripture cards in your pocket, scriptures taped on your bathroom mirror or the dash of your car
  • Teach your children the Word of God
  • Talk to your children about the Bible at home, in the car, as you tuck them in at night and first thing in the morning
  • Have scriptures framed throughout your home and at the entry-way of your home

And the benefit is: Our families will thrive on this earth!  Amen!  I receive that for my future generations!

Friends, a whole-hearted, total commitment is the only way we can please the Lord.  Have you noticed that the key to pleasing God lies in knowing His Word AND passing it on to the next generation?

Lord, forgive us for our failures in these two areas.  Help us today; teach us; stir us; draw us to Your Word.  Holy Spirit, give us a passion to share Your Word with our families.

In Jesus’ Name!  Amen and Amen!

©2013, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading:  Deuteronomy 13:1 through Deuteronomy 16:17

Why Do I Forget? –Deuteronomy 4:9

March 13, 2013 in 2013 Journey, Choices, Deuteronomy, God Speaks today, speaking God's Words with 2 Comments


Today’s Scripture Reading: Deuteronomy 3:21-5:33

But watch out! Be careful never to forget what you yourself have seen. Do not let these memories escape from your mind as long as you live! And be sure to pass them on to your children and grandchildren. –Deuteronomy 4:9

In Moses’ final instructions he warns the Israelites not to forget the miracles they had witnessed.  In my spiritual mind it seems hard to think that anyone could forget things like…

  • Standing before the Lord their God at Mount Sinai (4:10)
  • Watching flames shoot into the sky (4:11)
  • Seeing the mountain shrouded in black clouds and deep darkness (4:11)
  • Hearing the Lord speak from the heart of the fire (4:12)
  • Receiving the Ten Commandments from God’s own voice (4:13)

Why would Moses think they would forget?

Because that’s what humans do and the Israelites had a track record of forgetting…a lot.

And so do I…

How about you?

God has done some amazing things in my life.  While in the midst of these miraculous times I think I’ll remember them forever…

So why do I forget?

When trouble comes, why do I act like someone who doesn’t know the supernatural power of the One, True, Living God?

Because I’m looking at the size of the problem rather than remembering the size of my God.  There’s an old hymn that tells us exactly what we need to do to remember…

Count Your Blessings

Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.

God knew we would be forgetful, that’s why he told the Israelites to write His Words on the door posts of their houses.

“So commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these words of mine. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. Teach them to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.  Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates, so that as long as the sky remains above the earth, you and your children may flourish in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors. –Numbers 11:18-21

One of these best things we can do for our children is to live a life that leads them to Jesus.  Sharing the “God Moments” of our life is a way we pass on our spiritual heritage.  It’s the way we make God BIG in their lives.

It’s also the best way to remember.  When I speak God’s blessings out loud it encourages my faith and those around me AND it helps me to remember!

I have a challenge for you today:

Go to the bottom of this post to the “leave a reply” space and finish the following three statements and click on the [post comment] button to share with everyone on The Journey. You will be encouraged and so will we!

  1. My God is amazing because _____________.
  2. God did ____________________ for me today.
  3. I didn’t know what I was going to do but God showed up and__________________.

 

Thanking God for you today!

 

©2013, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Deuteronomy 6:1-9:29

5 Things That Help Me Trust God? Deuteronomy 1:32

March 12, 2013 in 2013 Journey, Deuteronomy, Faith, The Promises of God, Trust with 0 Comments

 

Today’s Scripture Reading:  Deuteronomy 1:1 through Deuteronomy 3:20

Drum roll please.

We have made it to Deuteronomy!

I’m so proud of you!  We’ve already completed Genesis Exodus…Leviticus and Numbers!  One more book and we will have completed all the Law (a.k.a. Torah or Pentateuch)

Today Moses is giving his final instructions.   He sounded like a parent, telling the stories one more time to make sure the” kids” don’t forget where they came from.

One thing he said  jumped off the page at me:

But even after all he did, you refused to trust the Lord your God.  –Deuteronomy 1:32

I think this is the thing that grieved the Lord the most—The Israelites didn’t trust Him to take care of them.  This verse reminds me that I have Israelite tendencies.

How many times has God done the miraculous in my life?

How many times has He…

  • protected me and my family?
  • provided for all my needs?
  • loved me through people in all kinds of ways?
  • laid me on someone’s heart so they would pray?
  • given me favor in the workplace?

How many times has He made scriptures such as Romans 8:28, Ephesians 3:20, Jeremiah 29:11, Genesis 50:20, 2 Timothy 2:13 alive, real, and true in my life?

And How—Many—Times have I been too scared to trust Him?

But I’m getting better!  Here are a few things that are helping me to trust my God more everyday!

  1. Reading and believing His Word!  (Is that a plug for the Journey or what?)
  2. Writing the promises I find in His Word in my journal
  3. Memorizing scriptures that show the trustworthiness of our Heavenly Father
  4. Remembering the examples of His faithfulness to me through journaling
  5. Asking God to help me to trust Him when I’m scared

All humans have trouble trusting God.  It started with Adam and Eve, continued on with the Children of Israel and is true in our lives today.

We must push through our fear and realize God is worthy of our trust.

But, when we blow it and go into a tailspin we can know we aren’t left on our own.

If we are faithless, he will remain faith, for he cannot disown himself.   –2 Timothy 2:13

Dear Father, thank you for helping me to trust you more everyday!  Thank you for being faithful to me when I don’t deserve it!  Thank you for Jesus!  –Amen and Amen!

©2013, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Deuteronomy 3:21 through Deuteronomy 5:33

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