Deuteronomy 11:1-12:32 + Luke 8:22-39 + Psalm 70:1-5 + Proverbs 12:4
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Old Testament – Wow. I like Deuteronomy chapter 11 a lot today. There are a ton of powerful verses in this chapter! I love verse 22 – “”Be careful to obey all the commands I give you; show love to the LORD your God by walking in his ways and clinging to him.” I really like that… show Love to God by walking in his ways – and clinging to him. I think I caught that term in our readings yesterday as well – “clinging.” I know in our world today it’s not too cool to be too clingy. 🙂 But, I think God indeed wants us to be clingy when it comes Him! I pray that I cling to God each and every day. How about you? When it comes to God, are you clingy? Check out this amazing stained glass image of a woman clinging to the cross. Amazing. I love the imagery. Take a few moments to meditate on this one…
Verses 26 through 28 are terrific verses on the choice the Israelites could make back then – “”Today I am giving you the choice between a blessing and a curse! You will be blessed if you obey the commands of the LORD your God that I am giving you today. You will receive a curse if you reject the commands of the LORD your God and turn from his way by worshiping foreign gods.” I believe this choice has morphed but still continues today through the New Covenant. We can choose to follow Jesus or we can choose to follow our own ways. One way is a blessing and one way is truly a curse. Like the Israelites, we still have the choice of a blessing or a curse…. Which choice will we make?
New Testament – Today in Luke chapter 8 verses 29 through 31 we will read some sobering verses – “For Jesus had commanded the evil spirit to come out of the man. Many times it had seized him, and though he was chained hand and foot and kept under guard, he had broken his chains and had been driven by the demon into solitary places. Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” “Legion,” he replied, because many demons had gone into him. And they begged him repeatedly not to order them to go into the Abyss.” Jesus then expels these demons from the man into a herd of pigs. The One Year Bible Companion has an interesting commentary on these verses that says Jesus did not simply destroy or send these demons into the Abyss, “because the time for such work had not yet come. But it will come. The book of Revelation records the future victory of Jesus over Satan, his demons, and all evil.” This is news for each of us to pay attention to! Satan, his demons and all evil are still out and about in our world today. And honestly – make no mistake – we each need to be very cognizant of the evil that can pursue our hearts. I don’t mean to scare you – but also, I do mean to scare you. 🙂 When I first became a Christian 9 years ago, I instantly understood God’s love and grace and goodness. And I honestly thought for a short while that the world was just so good, and that there wasn’t really any evil in the world. There were just humans that made bad decisions. Well, fortunately I shared this viewpoint with a wise Christian friend of mine. He prescribed that I read 2 books – 1. This Present Darkness by Frank Peretti and 2. The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis. My friend also told me this – “The devil’s greatest trick is making you think that he does not exist. If you don’t believe he exists, then you won’t even realize it when he’s tempting you.” Wow. So true. If you are like me, where I was a few years ago, and you are not so sure that there is an actual presence of evil in our world – an evil that pursues people’s hearts – then I prescribe these 2 books above to you as well. Now – the good news – Jesus is still the answer to expelling demons and evil and sin away from us today! Jesus is Risen and is so infinitely more powerful than any of the evil that is out there. So – more important than reading those 2 books above, my prescription to you really is to stay as close to Jesus, God and the Holy Spirit as you possibly can in this life. And you will have no need to fear evil. Stick with Jesus.
Okay, I’ve typed a lot here without a question. . . Here it is. Do you believe in the existence of evil in our world today? Do you believe that Satan exists? Do you believe that demons exist? Do you know the one true Remedy and Salvation and Protection from all evil? Will you run into Jesus’ arms for this safety forever? And my last piece of very serious advice if you are struggling with a sin that you know is putting you in contact with evil – you must must must leave that sin behind. I know that all sin is risky and dangerous and dumb, but I think you also will know if you are really entertaining a sin that is leading you down a very dark path. Please confess that sin to Jesus and God and repent. Seek counseling and professional help immediately if it a serious sin or addiction. God will give you victory. Yes, it may be a long and painful process of getting free from the addiction, but you must take this journey to freedom. The freedom will justify the pain it takes to get you there. Paul tells us to flee from sin. Flee from evil. Will you flee? Please flee.
Bible.org’s commentary on Luke chapter 8’s readings today titled “Stilling of the Storm” is at this link and commentary on “The Deliverance of the Demoniac” is at this link.
Psalms – Psalm 70 verse 4 is awesome – “But may all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness. May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, “God is great!”” Indeed, I think as Christians we should be filled with joy & gladness! Yes, there will be tough times. And suffering. But overall, I pray that we are filled with joy and gladness.
Proverbs – Proverbs 12:4 today teaches us: “A worthy wife is her husband’s joy and crown; a shameful wife saps his strength.”
Worship Video: Today’s readings remind me of Tasha Layton’s terrific song “Never:”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKwTxaO2djc
Will God ever let you down? Click here for Never!
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on three verses of Scripture today: “See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse- the blessing if you obey the commands of the LORD your God that I am giving you today; the curse if you disobey the commands of the LORD your God and turn from the way that I command you today by following other gods, which you have not known.” Deuteronomy 11:26-28 NIV
Prayer Point: Pray that you will always choose God’s blessing for your life by walking in obedience to Him and His Word. Pray that you will never follow idols, which will only bring you curses.
Comments from You & Questions of the Day: Based on our Proverb above, what do you think worthy means in this context? Why would a worthy spouse be the other spouse’s joy and crown? What does shameful mean in this context? If you are married, do you seek to be a worthy spouse? If you are not married, are you preparing yourself today for potentially being a worth spouse in the future? Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings? Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!
God bless,
Mike
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BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
(our Group Bible Study is below! : )
======= Ramona:
Yes, you know there is evil and I also know that there is demonic activity and demon possessed people. I’m not talking about people who we just call mental ill but people who have some other “spirit” living in them.
Deuteronomy 11-12:32
Deut. 11
2 Listen! I am not talking now to your children, who have never experienced the discipline of the LORD your God or seen his greatness and awesome power.
God is speaking to those at least 41 years and older because everyone over 20 who left Egypt would die in the wilderness because they rebelled against the Lord and believed the bad report the ten spies brought back. But what I’m intrigued with is the admonishment he gives to the “old” folks that He is not talking to someone else but He is talking to them.
So often when we hear a message we begin thinking of who that message is for but we don’t include ‘us” in the mix. “O, where is so and so they need to be here to hear this. Yet God is saying, “Listen Up This one if for you!”
Another thing I love is the cause and effect that God brings in when He begins telling them to consequences, good and bad, of obeying and or disobeying the commands of the Lord. (God is the creator of the Laws of Physics. E=Mc2 created by God discovered by Einstein) Let’s face it we live in a cause and effect world. Everything that you are know and where your are now is composed of the choices you and I made. If ya don’t like where you are, make new choices; however, if the choices are not based on “Thus saith the Lord,” its back to being zapped in the microwave.
What I also love that is in this chapter is verse 22,
22 “Be careful to obey all the commands I give you; show love to the LORD your God by walking in his ways and clinging to him.
This verse brings to my remembrance words spoken by Jesus in the book of John. If you love me, keep my commandments. (John 14:15)
Also in chapter twelve we see that God is the one who sets the terms of worship not man. Here God tells Israel that He will tell them where to offer their sacrifices and how they are to bring their offerings. God is not asking their opinion or seeking their suggestions. In our worship services are we really worshiping the way God has stated, in spirit and in truth (John 4:23), and are we following God’s agenda or our own.
Luke 8:22-39
Ahh! The storms of life that terrify us rocked Jesus to sleep. Not only does Jesus bring peace in the midst of the storm, He is the peace in the storm, how I long to walk in the peace that Jesus is.
Does anyone realize that as Jesus was getting out of ht boat this demon possessed man ran toward Him while the demons inside were begging Him to leave them alone? Somewhere inside of this man controlled by these legions of demons, the man had enough power to run toward the only one who could free him from the torment inside.
This conflict, this tension of two opposing forces, light and dark, is in everyone. This is the conflict between flesh and spirit that Paul talks about in the seventh chapter of Romans,
21 So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; 23 but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? 25 Thanks be to God–through Jesus Christ our Lord!
Psalm 70:1-5
GOD IS GREAT!!!
Note in David’s Psalm he talks a lot about being poor and here is says that he is poor and needy. David was not a man we would consider poor using today’s understanding of lack of resources and or wealth.
Proverbs 12:4
I don’t know about having a shameful wife but I do know that my strength is sapped when I’m around people who act shameful and either friendship or family ties connect them to me.
Grace and peace,
Ramona
======== Kurt:
Yes, I think evil is very present in this world. All you have to do is watch the news for 5 minutes, or read the first few pages of the paper to see how much evil there is. Just when I think it cannot get worse, it does. What are we as believers doing about it? As believers, God has given us authority to “drive out demons”. We can say “Satan, in Jesus name I command you to flee”, and he must/will. I think Satan loves it when Christians bicker and argue among themselves about who’s right and who’s wrong, because their focus is not on him. I know I have been guilty of this at times. But we have to remember, that Satan is our enemy, not our fellow believers.
Kurt
======= Amy:
Use of REPETITION
I have just been impressed recently by the use of repetition in the Bible. Clearly, when things are repeated over and over, sometimes, just a paragraph later- these are super important. Think of how you tell your kids basic things like- don’t talk to strangers- repeatedly.
At first, I was bored when I was reading the same point over, or once again how exactly it was that the Israelites traveled out of Egypt. Now, I realize that despite God and Moses saying things reapeatedly- we still disobey. I can see why things bear repeating- especially with us personally today.
Is there anything God has repeated to you over and over? What is the importance of this? Are you putting too much emphasis on trying to understand what is being repeated or are you going to be obedient and act on or listen to what is being communicated?
Yes there is evil in this world.
Mike’s 2 recommended books are a good insight into this.
Amy
======== Luch:
Regarding Mike’s comment about the devil’s activities and Jesus’ dealing with the evil spirits in Luke 8, I was reminded of this reality after seeing The Exorcism of Emily Rose inspired by the true story of a lady who experienced many of the events in that movie. It’s not for the faint of heart or for those who are adverse to some scenes of graphic violence. If you want to read a review of the movie go to http://www.hollywoodjesus.com. I only know that when I was at the theater I had teenagers sitting around me that I didn’t even know, asking ME questions about God, the Bible, the devil, and so forth. The best part of the movie is the interview with the director as to his motivation for creating this story. Regardless of your views on Satan or how the Catholic church deals with exorcisms, you will be putting on your FULL ARMOUR OF GOD when you leave the house after watching and engaging Emily Rose. One disclaimer. This movie is not like The Exorcist that many of us saw in the 70s. It’s much more Christ centered and ‘biblical’ in its dealing with the Lucifer. But then again that’s just my opinion. Umbrella of mercy, please! o:)
Luch
======== Emily:
That was a great question on the existence of Satan and demons. I really found it hard to believe in the machinations of demons etc. though nothing is more explicit than the snake in the Genesis and the evil angel of the book of Job (such a sorrowful book…that ends on a positive note though..) As a kid I used to be so scared of Satan and evil spirits etc.But they were based on a child’s fears than Biblical warnings.
In Eastern cults there are things like black magic and in my younger years I found that scary and the vampires etc. you know…
As far as the Bible is concerned, if we read Bible (OT) God continuously condemns witchcraft practices. But there is no explanation how it works or if it really worked in a supernatural way..i.e. you can evoke black and dark forces? Im not too sure. But in OT there is a mention of horrible child sacrificers, dark orgies, sexual practices related to the weird gods
NT is rather more explicit in the description of evil spirits… how Jesus cast demons out.. I remember reading some of that stuff and getting a bit spooked. : ) And there is a mention of an evil spirit, Beelzebub.
In the modern times, I know about Exorcism as practised in Catholic church but I have no personal experience of demons, though I have tried hard to look or notice any demonic activity around me. But some people confess direct experiences, mental disturbances, hyteria…. and some of the stuff sounds horrific.
Like all, I have experienced stress, anxiety, depression, despondency…. but nothing demonic. BUT I do give God credit for the protection He has granted me… instead of getting traumatized by demons, every now and then I find God’s comforting assurance , strength, comfort and peace through my dark times.
But having said that I do warn that IN A SUBTLE WAY dark forces do exist as I observe the personal experiences of some people I have talked to. I recently heard some Sermons on Satan and demons by Chuck Swindol, Charles Stanly and many others…. It was rightly mentioned over and over that Satan and demons don’t come forward to spook us… rather they work very very subtly…. trying to destroy us through negative emotions, anger, jealousy, covetousness, despair, strong sexual lusts, extreme greed for money and all things material, depravity, thuggery, corruption, addictions etc…..
Is it a matter of surprise then… that all through the Bible… we are warned against all of these negative emotions and destructive behaviours??? Thank God for his perfect laws and holy commands or we will be lost in darkness.
When you consider it all… you know how real Satan and demons are!!! And they dont want you to know. So fellow Christians, Be Warned and caution your friends and family. Support and counsel them through their dark times. And remember that who can be against us when God is for us. Hallelujah!
Emily
======== Larry:
“Be careful to obey all the commands I give you; show love to the LORD your God by walking in his ways and clinging to him.” I really like that… show Love to God by walking in his ways – and clinging to him. I think I caught that term in our readings yesterday as well – “clinging.” I know in our world today it’s not too cool to be too clingy. : ) But, I think God indeed wants us to be clingy when it comes Him! I pray that I cling to God each and every day. How about you?”
I think of it in this way. We do cling to God, but in the way a newborn infant clings to his mother. A newborn will grip fiercely, but in truth it is only the arms of his mother that hold him close to her. We are powerless to cling to the Lord, we really must count on him to hold us up.
Larry
========== Kristie:
I think the overarching principles of the passage in Luke today is that Jesus was demonstrating to the disiples and us that he is:
1. Lord over the natural world (by calming the storm!)
2. Lord over the supernatural world (demons asking Him for mercy! and He cast out a legion!)
Kristie
========= Betty:
Yes, I do know there is a devil and demons in this world today. I have read both those books you recommended. They were real eye openers, even when I already knew satan and demons were real.
One suggestion I’d have about getting rid of sin in your life–first of all you may need to ask God to reveal anything in you that has not been planted by Him, then if you have a hard time giving it up, all you need to do is ask God to give you the strength to give it up. He shows you the sin and then gives you His power alone to give it to Him. God is so neat that way–it’s like getting a test and then He gives you the answers and ways to “get it right”. There is no way we can give up sin on our own power. Giving it to Jesus is the only way.
Betty
======== Jackie:
I always knew the devil exsisted, and that he is just waiting to find us in a weak moment. But, I read a book written my Ben Alexander, and learned a whole lot more about how the devil operates. The ouija board, seances, tarrot card readings, etc. I really believed they were all palor tricks, to trick people out of their money. But, after reading this book, and the scripture references, I’ve had my eyes opened. The devil is in all this. He picks out the weak ones, and through them, trys to get to us. We all need to keep in the word, because, if we don’t, he is waiting for us! A very interesting book.
Jackie
======== Ramona:
I know Satan exists and that he has “little” helpers. I have seen demonic activity on the street, in church and on the subway. It is something you not only see and feel (it’s kind of like a sense of something oppressive resting itself on top of you draining all energy and strength out of you. I once walked into someone’s home that lived near my school. A group of us went to her apartment to study; however, I could not concentrate and I felt like my legs had turned to rubber. I couldn’t figure out what was going on and I thought I might be coming done with some kind of virus. I later found out she operated out of the occult, she read palms and did Tarot Card readings.
I don’t know if her activity had anything to do with what happened to her daughter, who was the same age as my youngest son, who is 28, but her daughter lost her mind about five years ago. At the time that happened her mother’s dabbling in the occult was the first thing that came to my mind when I heard the news.
I also know that there are demonic forces out there because Jesus has stated there are.
Ramona
======== Pat:
Question related to Deuteronomy! 2: 21-22:
[“The Lord your God will choose a special place. He will put his Name there. But suppose it’s too far away for you to go to it. Then you can kill animals from the herds and flocks the Lord has given you. Do it just as I have commanded you. In your own towns you can eat as much of the meat as you want to. Eat it as you would eat antelope or deer meat. Those who are clean and those who are not can eat it.]
These verses seem to be giving the Israelites permission for the first time to eat foods previously considered unclean. Am I reading these verses correctly or do you have another interpretation on these verses?
God Bless!
Pat
======== Jean:
Proverbs 12:4 This verse made me realise as much as I pray for the Lord to bring me a man who will be a good husband and father (when the time comes), I too have to work through my walk in God, in becoming a worthy wife to him. Because I believe he too is praying for a God fearing wife. So I have to be an answer to his prayers. Putting God first, loving Him and obeying His commandements (Deut 11:1-12) is what I want to do.
Jean
========= Erin:
Hi everyone!
It is so important for us to realize that the devil is existent in our society everyday. Whenever we feel something pulling us toward evil, we must realize that that is the devil tempting us, but that that is why we have Jesus to save us. We must “cling to the cross.”
I love Proverbs 12:4. Although we are not married yet, I strive to be a worthy girlfriend, and prepare myself everyday for being a worthy wife. Living a Christian life has made me truly realize what it means to be worthy – to work hard, stifle silly complaints, and remember the joy that God brings into the everyday. Of course my boyfriend does things that frustrate me, but when I stop my anger before it starts, and turn around and do something that pleases him instead, I realize what a better choice that was afterward when I see how happy and in love we are, and how I avoided a silly fight that would have gotten us nowhere. I know that marriage is the relationship that God wants for us, and I cannot wait for that relationship. In the meantime, I am trying very hard not to hen-peck him, but instead have meaningful conversations about marriage that will lead him to realize that God wants us to get married sooner rather than later.
Anyway! I got off on a tangent, but maybe there are others who can relate to my story. : ) On a related topic, I was wondering if I could solicit some advice from fellow one year bible readers. I have a friend who recently overcame a very serious drug addiction, and was saved by the Lord. She is now leading the Christian life, and we have started this journey together, so I am trying my hardest to help her along this path. While she no longer has the desire to do drugs, she is struggling with this very drastic lifestyle change. Although I don’t want to get into specifics publicly, she is feeling guilty about wanting to do certain things that, while not as bad as her old life, and not considered bad at all in the kind of society she was raised in, are frowned upon in her church. Does anyone have any books, blogs, etc. to recommend in addition to prayer? I know this was kind of long, so thank you to all who read this and pray for her, and thank you so much if you have any advice. God Bless!
Erin
========= John:
Satan Real or Not?????
In general people will say one of the following:
– Evil/Satan does not exist
– Evil exists as some nebulous force
– Satan is real entity
While I believe Satan is a real entity as do all the posters I have seen so far – only 27% of Americans believe Satan is real. And on average around only half of Christians. (Catholics being the low at 17% and Assembly of God being the highest at 56%. Mormons – who are not Christians come in at 59%.)
The numbers come from a Barna Poll (reliable Christian poller) and are from 2001. I have read articles that say the percentages have not changed much – but the only hard numbers I have seen are in this 2001 poll.
======================================================
I was stunned at these numbers because what it really says is people of faith do not believe God’s Word. You can go to any verse that mentions Satan or the devil – substitute “nebulous evil force” in for the name – and most just do not make sense.
So just be aware that you may be talking to a professing Christian but that does not mean they automatically share your view on Satan.
John
======== Jenny:
great readings! a lot really spoke to me. I am single, but I am preparing myself to be the best spouse I can be…if God provides a husband. otherwise i’ll be the best single i can be =)
I loved Ps. v. 2 “Let them be turned back and confused. Who desire my hurt”…I had some very hurtful clients today at work…boy did i want revenge! but i took it to the Lord and driving home i remembered a saying i have on my page: “forgiveness means setting the captive bird free…then realizing you were the captive bird!” thats so true….so i forgave them n lay it at the cross n the burden left me. Praise God! I will let God deal with them.
Of course demons, evil, and satan exist….only a fool wouldnt believe that. satan is constantly on the prowl!…he’s constantly in attack mode.
I think i shared b4 that I started the Screwtape Letters, but i had to put it away bcos i became too focused on the devil, and i was disturbed. i want to be aware and i recognize whats of him, but i dont want to think of him too much!! The Bible says, watever is lovely, whatever is pure…focus on these things! My dad was studying demonology many years back…he performed exorcisms and such, but we had weird things going on in our house around that time. i didnt know he was studying that cause i was a kid, but my mom later told me that the certain weird things going on started wen he had the study material and tapes here. So i say, be careful! the demonic world is VERYYYY real, dont mess with it! Focus on Jesus Christ!
Jenny
========== Ramona:
Deuteronomy 11:1-12:32
As I read through the above two chapters, I couldn’t help but see that these two chapters represent the Great Commission in action. Kind of like a back to the future scenario. Although the reading speaks of telling, retelling and rehearsing what God did, what He is doing to and in Israel to Israel, this is a prime example of “witnessing.” And if truth be told, childhood friends, family and relatives are the hardest group to speak about God and His Christ.
In this reading it is the older generation, those about forty-five to sixty years old that this message is targeted too. These are the ones, 20 years and under, that survived the desert, the ones over twenty died in the wilderness because of their unbelief and outright rebellion against God. It is memories of God operating in our life that keeps us anchored to Him. It is remembering how wonderful the taste of the New Wine is that keeps us from going after the gods of the “nations” around us. This is the stuff I need to reflect on, and study diligently and digest because within these multitude of words are the key to maintaining that which God has blessed me with.
With all this to “chew on” there was something that absolutely shocked me and is causing me to rethink all my actions. In the eighth verse of chapter twelve I find out that that which got me to my promise is not what will keep me there. Getting to your promise, entering your promise and then staying to dwell in the midst of that promise requires a different state of mind. You cannot live in your promise doing the same things that got you to your promise.
Don’t continue doing things the way we’re doing them at present, each of us doing as we wish. Until now you haven’t arrived at the goal, the resting place, the inheritance that GOD, your God, is giving you. But the minute you cross the Jordan River and settle into the land GOD, your God, is enabling you to inherit, he’ll give you rest from all your surrounding enemies. You’ll be able to settle down and live in safety. From then on, at the place that GOD, your God, chooses to mark with his name as the place where you can meet him, bring everything that I command you: your Absolution-Offerings and sacrifices, tithes and Tribute-Offerings, and the best of your Vow-Offerings that you vow to GOD. (Deuteronomy 12:8-11 MSG)
To get to the Promise Land, Israel needed a mind-set, she had to be focused on following God, not murmuring and complaining. Once tested and found acceptable, she was brought to the edge of her Promise. Yet, some, Reuben, Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh, didn’t have the mind set to enter in. (Numbers 32: 1-33). But once inside their land of Promise, there had to be a change of mind, attitude, direction and perspective. What gets you to your Promise is not the same thing that keeps you in your Promise. What was done before, what those who occupied the land previously did or didn’t do, is no longer relevant. As difficulty as it was to get to the Promise Land, 40 years of traveling an eleven day journey, maintaining that Promise went to a entirely different level. It is easier to Obtain than to Maintain. We usually Obtain by keeping our focus on God and Maintain by trying to keep our focus on me, myself and I.
Grace and peace,
Ramona
========= Debbie:
I was 9 when I was saved.
Now that Iam 48 I found that I want to understand the bible more. Church has always been a part of my life. You go to church on Sundays and thats it. I have found you have to study every day to fight the devil in your every day life. This one year study is the best. Thank you for the time you take to do this.
It wasn’t til my daughter divorce her husband and begain drinking that I had to cry out to Jesus. She is in School and has put her life back togather. This would not have happen If God was not in my life.
I can’t understand how the lost can make it in this world with out Jesus in there life.
God Bless..
Debbie
======== Luch:
Yes it is very interesting that Jesus, who is the Provider of all we need, allowed Himself in His humanity to be materially provided for by this circle of friends. Speaks to the issue of supporting those who have been set apart vocationally for the work of advancing the kingdom of God, and that it’s not a ‘beggarly’ thing to receive support from people because even Jesus set a pattern for this in his itinerant ministry.
Luch
======== Gary:
Today I saw how Jesus used scripture to direct and guide his life. In Deuteronomy 8:3, Moses instructed the Israelites
“man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD”.
During Jesus’ temptation, he used these verses (Matt 4:4, Luke 4:4) to guide his correct thinking about the the reality we live in. He rebuked Satan while he was being tempted because he understood and saw a greater reality based on God’s revealed truth. He knew God would provide for his every need, and that he could trust God to provide that need in his perfect timing.
My typical response to events of life is so different than how Jesus responded, and I need to change that. I realized that Jesus KNEW God’s word (or course, he IS God’s Living Word). Likewise I need to know God’s Word, and allow it to change me so I will respond to life’s trials in a godly way. The more I meditate on God’s truth, I, like Jesus, will begin to respond to that truth, that reality, in a way that pleases my Savior.
Lord, thank you for the goodness you have revealed in Christ.
Gary
======= Mark:
I must admit that I do not say grace at every meal time. Having said that, a day does not pass that I do not give thanks to the Lord for all He has done for me and all he has provided. We must be careful that saying grace before or after meals isn’t taught as doctrine, or that we are not good Christians if we fail to say grace. I love praising and thanking God, but not just at meal time. It is a good practice and I am not discouraging it at all, but it is not a sin to forget to say grace.
Mark
======= Elizabeth:
Hello Everyone,
I grew up as Catholic in the North and we had a rote prayer before meals that was disconnected from any relationship or real conversation with the Lord. I didn’t know the Lord then.
Interesting that the Lord has moved me to the South where we say “Grace” (a foreign expression my family never used). I am not a big “rote” prayer person and do not pray with our children before bedtime (which I sometimes feel guilty about, but I just can’t seem to get into praying before bedtime…my best prayer time has always been in the morning).
Our prayers before meals are actually quite nice though and seem to have a naturalness about them. We use them as an opportunity to pray for family, friends, whoever comes to mind.
For us as a family, I think the key has been to remember to pray whenever the occasion arises and to fold prayer into our days in a natural way.
Enjoyed everyone’s comments today. The Lord is teaching me a lot in Deuteronomy 7 & 8!
Elizabeth
======= Natalie:
Today, Deuteronomy 8, really stood out, because I finally started to notice that when I pray in times of good fortune, I tend to ask for more then just thanking him for the position in which I am. This message, for many reasons, is a wake up call to me.
Natalie
======= David:
Yes I believe in demons. They allowed me to see and talk to them a few years ago. They did it so that they could challenge me to remove them. They even told me their names. That they were demons of selfish thought and action. They have a lot of confidence in their ability to defeat the human flesh. They also exist in great numbers.
This gave me new insight into clinging to Jesus. I don’t want to bore anyone with all the details of how my family and I was heavily attacked from then on. My family and I are still under attack all now. I know for a fact that these Demons are relentless. They have attacked and still attacking our mind, health, and finances. Thank God that they can only influence our choices and not make them for us.
Successful strategies that are working so far are, filling our home with Gospel music, and praying and clinging to Jesus every moment I get.
To give you an idea of the numbers of Demons that are out there, when I was allowed to see them in the room that I was in, the whole room became dark with shadowy figures that I could not even see my hand in front of my face. This was in my bedroom with my wife and children in the house already sleeping. I could not wake them up during the experience, thank God. I was wide awake and standing in the bedroom at the time.
By the way the lights were on!
David
======== Melanie:
I just prayed for your family ,Mr Chin. I thank you for your honesty. I believe in demons but I wonder why they are attacking your family so strongly. This may sound strange but I wish they would spend some time at my daughters house and scare my daughter back to the Lord. She grew up Christian and has hurt us so much by the choices she has made in the last couple of years. I imagine the answer would be why should the demons bother they already have her, but do they really as she accepted Jesus as a child and showed a real desire to love Jesus.
Melanie
======== Steve:
Deuteronomy 11:1-12:32
What stood out for me was that the absolute necessity to tear down the idols in our life that hinder us from entering the good life in the promise land. Sin is always a poor choice and a bad deal no matter how it’s disguised. If we were able to look at our sin through a spiritual microscope, we would see that we just made a deal equivalent to selling our home for a penny. Sin makes no sense but we will continue to make sucker deals until we tear down the idols that disguise the ugly reality of sin.
Luke 8:22-39
They sailed to the region of the Gerasenes, which is across the lake from Galilee. 27 When Jesus stepped ashore, he was met by a demon-possessed man from the town. For a long time this man had not worn clothes or lived in a house, but had lived in the tombs.
(That’s what the man looked like before meeting Jesus)
When they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting at Jesus’ feet, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid.
(This is what the man looked like after meeting Jesus)
What a dramatic picture of transformation. What did the people do after this dramatic transformation? “Then all the people of the region of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them, because they were overcome with fear. So he got into the boat and left”. Why did they send Jesus away? They sent Him away because they didn’t want to accept Jesus as their savior and they didn’t want to change the way they were living.
Steve
======== Rebecca:
Many people are possessed by demons. A lot of famous people are used as puppets and their lives disgarded. The stories of these folks almost always end the same. Many of the musical artists today sing of selling their souls and our children listen. We are bombarded with covetous messages telling us that things will get better for us if we just buy this or that or leave our spouse for something better etc..There are tons of new age people that actually channel spirits and place their messages on the internet for all to see and follow. They claim to be God and tell you that sin is ok and we should not even discern sin because Jesus would not want us to judge it and you are all gods and Goddesses. They attempt to include some parts of scripture in their messages to further confuse people as well. They tell you that everything is ok and that you are not accountable for anything you do. Unless you do it to them personally of course, they don’t like anyone to contradict their message or to bring up the Bible or they will ridicule you for not being as wise as they are. There is definitely evil at work in the world today. And there is a lot of good in the world as well…Thank you for this Bible Blog! <3 In these confusing times I will cling to God and his word and will teach my children to do so as well. I thank God for all of our abundant blessings and his amazing, unceasing love! <3 :)))
Rebecca
======== Lorraine:
I just wanted to say that I am actually still with this! yay!
In the first two months I would get two or three days behind and then spend a morning catching up. But now I reach for the book everyday almost automatically. I tend to read in the morning and then look at your blog in the evening. This means that I remmeber what I read and get to think about it some more. This way I’m not just reading it as achore. I am actually engaging with it.
It’s becoming a habit now and one that I hope continues. Thanks for a great encouraging blog and emails.
Lorraine
======= Billy:
Yeah Mike, I totally believe in that there is an Evil force in the world and it is real. That is why I am here reading this Blog and the Bible to put on the armor and protect myself. Thanks for the book recommendations. I know a little about C.S. Lewis and his writing is superb. Thanks again,
Billy
======== Terry:
god is great! those 3 words, praise the lord just as he has willed us to do and by doing that daily we are living proof of Gods word and what it can do for us. dont forget to praise the lord our God daily for the rest of your life.
Terry
======== Hal:
Your comments on the New Testament reading for today is a great reminder that even Christians can be locked in chains. There is only one way to break free and that is through the power and blood of Jesus. “Been there, done that”!
Hal
======= Cathy:
Thanks for all your comments. I am struggle with one thing. In today’s reading in Deutoronomy, God says that you don’t have to worship idols or other gods. I am christian catholic despite all the readings and researches made about all status in catholic churches, I truly do not know if I should look for another church or continue with it. I started three weeks ago to attend one community church in my area but still hesitate.
Any advises or thoughts are welcome.
Thank you all and have a blessing day.
Cathy
====== Art:
Take your struggles to the Lord in prayer, Cathy. You are in my prayers tonight.
art
======= Doug:
Cathy,
It is a relationship with God thru Jesus and not the name over the door of the church that changes our life. Christ followers are found
in small group studies and fellowship with other Jesus followers whatever the group or church setting maybe.
Mike,
Thanks for your leading our study it gets better every year
Doug
======= Jill:
Hmmmm. Being clingy to anything other than Jesus can become a god. But how bout when you cling to people, family or chikdren too much. Does God allows situations to happen to bring us closer to Him? To draw strength on Him? God wants all of our true devotion. He wants to be first in our life!
Also resist the devil and he will flee from you! You have to acknowledge that the devil has a plan for you and wants you. If you dont you won’t see how he tries to pull you and tempt you away from Jesus. Rev. 2:10.”the devil will put some of you in prison to test you and you will suffer persecution” be on guard!! He’s out destroy and the closer you get to God the more he wants to destroy!
Keep seeking! God bless everyone on this day!
Jill
======== Robert:
Ramona says, “If ya don’t like where you are, make new choices; however, if the choices are not based on “Thus saith the Lord,” its back to being zapped in the microwave”. Ok that is such a good analogy I am going to use it too.
Whooo, In Luke 8, we have 2000 pigs jumping off a cliff! That is a lot of pork chops. No wonder the people didn’t want Jesus to stick around. (Pigs are more important people).
I love Billy Graham’s quote on Proverbs 12:4. Here is another from St. Elmo’s Fire: “She is the only evidence of God I have seen, with the exception of the mysterious force that removes one sock from the dryer every time I do my laundry.”
Robert
======== Mitch:
Yes. Evil exists. Satan is real. I was an atheist until 48, and an all-pro on Satan’s team. AND he was ticked when I switched sides. Pew Research in 2021 – 56% of Americans think Satan is real, and only 51% believe God is real. But yea! 62% of evangelicals believe Satan is real.
Evil is defined as anything not of God. Evil cannot exist without God (good) otherwise evil would be the norm. Think shadows cannot exist without a light source. Sooo…we do evil when we free will sin, and Satan inspires evil acts through suggestions in our mind.
NT – Ramona not sure there was a dichotomy of man running to Jesus and demons inside – demons are not omniscient. Man was probably on usual M.O. of attacking anybody who came near, and was caught up short when demons recognized Jesus.
Mitch
======== Nancy:
In Deuteronomy 12.32 it states, “Be sure to do everything I am commanding you to do. Do not add anything to my commands. And do not take anything away from them.
The Pharasees added 600+ things to it. So have some Christians with rules about dress etc. The Great Commandment Jesus gave us says it all, Luke 10.27.
Nancy
======= John:
Luke 8
Jesus Calms the Storm
The storm was probably being stirred up by Satan. How so? Satan had already made several attempts on the Lord’s life – this was just another.
The word “rebuke” in Greek is the same one used in Luke 4 addressed to the demon possesed man in the synagouge. Be Quiet, be muzzled, in a forceful tone.
The storm did not just subside as the NIV has it, but in the Greek, – it “ceased” right then and there. And there was calm.
Why did Jesus ask – “Where is your faith?” They had been with Jesus two years. They knew He was the Messiah. They saw his miracles. They knew there was a plan that was God’s, and they were a part of this plan. Did they really think God was going to let them go down in this little boat in a rough sea? Did they really think Jesus was this uncaring towards them? Where is their faith?
Clearly after two years – they still need to be shored up in theior belief in Christ. In fact – this issue will not be resolved until the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.
Interestingly – the disciples did wait until the last minute to even go to the Lord. Their attitude was one of panic and fear. How many times do we wait until things are out of control until we go to the Lord – and with what attitude do we go?
======================================================
Legion
Covered before, but regarding the townspeoples fear when surveying the aftermath of the casting out of demons.
“When the demons asked Jesus to leave them alone, he overruled them in order to bring the demoniac back to his right mind. Then the man could make a conscious choice about Jesus as Savior and Lord. When the people in their fear rejected Jesus with their eyes wide open, he complied immediately and got into the boat. He was not going to force salvation on anyone. Their fear was of the supernatural. They seemed to be more at home with the demoniac then the Christ who cast out the demons.” – Ron Ritchie
Salvation is a gift and it is free – but there is a cost. One must be seeking it, humble oneself, be repentant, and ask for it. These people were not in that place at this time.
Later thanks to the testimony of Legion – who was left behind – many in this area did come to belief.
John
====== Vance:
Deuteronomy 12 (Amplified)
28
Be watchful and obey all these words which I command you, that it may go well with you and with your children after you forever, when you do what is good and right in the sight of the Lord your God.
29
When the Lord your God cuts off before you the nations whom you go to dispossess, and you dispossess them and live in their land,
30
Be watchful that you are not ensnared into following them after they have been destroyed before you and that you do not inquire after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods? We will do likewise.
31
You shall not do so to the Lord your God, for every abominable thing which the Lord hates they have done for their gods. For even their sons and their daughters they have burned in the fire to their gods.
32
Whatever I command you, be watchful to do it; you shall not add to it or diminish it.
Luke 8 (Amplified)
24
And the disciples came and woke Him, saying, Master, Master, we are perishing! And He, being thoroughly awakened, censured and blamed and rebuked the wind and the raging waves; and they ceased, and there came a calm.
25
And He said to them, [Why are you so fearful?] Where is your faith (your trust, your confidence in Me–in My veracity and My integrity)? And they were seized with alarm and profound and reverent dread, and they marveled, saying to one another, Who then is this, that He commands even wind and sea, and they obey Him?
~~~
We need to make sure we are not ensnared in the ways of the world. Once a person is ensnared, then that person is enslaved.
DETERMINED OBEDIENCE—from a HEART OF LOVE, DEVOTION, AND WORSHIP—is KEY. We are to obey even if no one else stands with us… even if our family is against us.
Yet (at least for me) while I am seeking to obey, it is SO easy for me to unintentionally think this: “I am righteous because I obey.”
It can happen—at least to me, sometimes before I am even aware of it occurring.
THIS IS WHY WE NEED TO KEEP OUR EYES ON JESUS, and on THE WORK THAT HE HAS ALREADY ACCOMPLISHED FOR US AND IN US !
This brings me to Luke chapter 8. Of course there were dangers and of course the waves were real. Humanly speaking, they really could potentially have been killed.
Yet, note what Jesus said: “And He said to them, [Why are you so fearful?] Where is your faith (your trust, your confidence in Me–in My veracity and My integrity)?”
I try to pray a daily prayer that I find helpful.. not just as a rote habit. I try to pray it daily to build a godly habit, training my soul and body to be in submission to the Spirit of Jesus Who is one with my spirit.
I quote part of below:
“Heavenly Father, thank You for loving me and choosing me before You made the world. You are my true Father—my Creator, my Redeemer, my Sustainer, and the true end of all things, including my life. I love You; I trust You; I worship You. Thank You for proving Your love for me by sending Your only Son, Jesus, to be my substitute and representative. I receive Him and all His life and all His work, which You ordained for me.
Thank You for including me in Christ, for forgiving me my sins, for granting me His righteousness, for making me complete in Him.
Thank You for making me alive with Christ, raising me with Him, seating me with Him at Your right hand, granting me His authority, and anointing me with Your Holy Spirit. I receive it all with thanks and give it total claim in my life.
Jesus, thank You for coming for me, for ransoming me with Your own life. I honor You as my Lord; I love You; I worship You; I trust You.
I sincerely receive You as my Redemption, and I receive all the work and triumph of Your crucifixion, whereby I am cleansed from all my sin through Your shed blood, [whereby] my old nature is removed, [whereby] my heart is circumcised unto God, and [whereby] every claim being made against me is disarmed.”
In particular, I note this part:
“I sincerely receive You, Lord Jesus, as my Redemption, and I receive all of the total work and complete triumph of Your crucifixion.” Then notice the WORK that God did FOR YOU AND ME and IN YOU AND ME.”
“…whereby I am cleansed from all my sin through Your shed blood, [whereby] my old nature is removed, [whereby] my heart is circumcised unto God, and [whereby] every claim being made against me is disarmed.”
WE ARE A NEW CREATION IN CHRIST. We do not have to “become” a new creation, and we do not have to “work to make” a new creation.
WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO MATURE, in the Lord Jesus, and to ALLOW the new creation in the Spirit of Jesus (who is one with our spirit – I Corinthians 6:17) to rule over our souls and bodies. We CAN walk in a way so that our bodies and souls—with all of the things pulling at them in the world—walk in submission to the Spirit of Jesus in fellowship with our spirit.
Romans 8 (Amplified)
3
For God has done what the Law could not do, [its power] being weakened by the flesh [the entire nature of man without the Holy Spirit]. Sending His own Son in the guise of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, [God] condemned sin in the flesh [subdued, overcame, deprived it of its power over all who accept that sacrifice],
4
So that the righteous and just requirement of the Law might be fully met in us who live and move not in the ways of the flesh but in the ways of the Spirit [our lives governed not by the standards and according to the dictates of the flesh, but controlled by the Holy Spirit].
Hebrews 5 (Amplified)
13
For everyone who continues to feed on milk is obviously inexperienced and unskilled in the doctrine of righteousness (of conformity to the divine will in purpose, thought, and action), for he is a mere infant [not able to talk yet]!
14
But solid food is for full-grown men, for those whose senses and mental faculties are trained by practice to discriminate and distinguish between what is morally good and noble and what is evil and contrary either to divine or human law.
Vance
======= Douglas:
1 Corinthians 11:7-10
7For a man ought not to wear anything on his head [in church], for he is the image and [reflected] glory of God [[a]his function of government reflects the majesty of the divine Rule]; but woman is [the expression of] man’s glory (majesty, preeminence).(A)
8For man was not [created] from woman, but woman from man;(B)
9Neither was man created on account of or for the benefit of woman, but woman on account of and for the benefit of man.(C)
10[b]Therefore she should [be subject to his authority and should] have a covering on her head [as a token, a symbol, of her submission to authority, [c]that she may show reverence as do] the angels [and not displease them].
I always wondered where the Mennonites got there promotion for a head covering. Now I know. How many other Churches require a head covering?
Douglas
======= Ramona:
Douglas, All Jews, male and female, where a head covering when they enter a Synagogue, Paul’s admonishment to the Church at Corinth, since they were mostly Gentiles, had to be a cultural thing. Orthodox Jews, male and female where head covering outside the Synagogue also. For a woman it may be a hat and/or a wig. Some women are required to shave or cut short their hair and wear wigs. So the example or admonishment by Paul was not something He just stuck in. Remember Paul was Jewish.
By the way, since we are not in the book of Corinthians, what made you ask that question?
Ramona
