Scripture For Sisters and Nieces

I went back to Michigan for 2 and a half weeks so I got a little behind in my reading.  We decided to pick up the reading in Deuteronomy.  I went back to Michigan because I was having a hard time remembering what my mom was like.  She was sick for a year and a half and the memories I have are of that time.  I wanted to be able to remember how my mom was when she wasn’t sick.   In the beginning of this story in my bible it says that Deuteronomy is a book of memories.  God used Moses to remind  the new generation of the covenant.  Moses first reviewed the mighty acts God has done for Israel.  Then he let them know that, based on the past, they must trust, obey, and love God as they prepared to enter their new homeland.  It then goes on to say, How did God help you in the past? Are you willing to trust him with your deepest fears?  I am going through so much in my life right now that I am learning the only way to get through it is to trust God completely.
Here are a few of the scriptures that stuck out to me.
Deuteronomy 1:42 “But the Lord told me to tell you, Do not attack, for I am not with you.  If you go ahead on your own, you will be crushed by your enemies.”
There are so many times that I don’t wait on Gods timing because I am impatient.  Every time it turns out not the way I wanted it to go.  God has perfect timing and we need to learn to wait on Him.

Deuteronomy 3:22 Do not be afraid of the nations there, for the Lord your God will fight for you. God is always with us fighting our battles with us.  With God anything is possible!

Deuteronomy 4:16 So do not corrupt yourselves by making an idol in any form-whether a man or a woman.
Sometimes I find myself more concerned about the man in my life than God.  This is a good reminder that God will satisfy our every need and we need to be careful not to look for that in a human.

Deuteronomy 4:30-31 In the distant future, when you are suffering all these things, you will finally return to the Lord you God and listen to what he tells you.  For the Lord your God is a merciful God: he will not abandon you or destroy you or forget the solemn covenant he made with your ancestors.
I am very fortunate and needed to be reminded that God will never abandon or destroy me. I love this book!!

Deuteronomy 5:1 Moses called all the people of Israel together and said, Listen carefully Israel.  Hear the decrees and regulations I am giving you today, so you may learn them and obey them!

This was in my bible and I thought it was good.  Listening means absorbing and accepting information about God.  Learning means understanding the meaning and consequences of this information.  Obeying means putting into action all we have learned and understood. All three parts are essential to a growing relationship with God. 

Deuteronomy 10:12-13 And now, Israel, what does the Lord you God require of you?  He requires only that you fear the Lord your God, and live in a way that please him, and love him and serve him with all your heart and soul. And you must always obey the Lord’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good. 

This is a good summary of what Gods expectations are of us.  I have had several people ask me what I mean when I say fear the Lord.  I think it means to have a deep respect for his authority.  God has given us the bible to live our lives by and that is how I plan to live the rest of my days here on this earth.

Deuteronomy 14:26-27 When you arrive you may use the money to buy any kind of food you want-cattle, sheep, goats, wine or other alcoholic drinks. Then feast there in the presence of the Lord your God and celebrate with your household. And do not neglect the Levites in your town, for they will receive no allotment of land among you.

Here Moses is telling the Israelites about tithing.  What I thought was interesting was that they were to take the money and spend it on themselves and celebrate with the Lord.  I think that we need to spend more time celebrating with the Lord. 

Deuteronomy 15:10 Give generously to the poor, not grudgingly, for the Lord you God will bless you in everything you do.

God has always told us to give to the poor.  I try to but this is defiantly something I need to work on.

Deuteronomy 17:4-5 When you hear about it, investigate the matter thoroughly.  If it is true that this detestable thing has been done in Israel then the man or women who has committed such an evil act must be taken to the gates of the town and stoned to death.

Wow am I glad that Jesus came and died on the cross and paid the price of my sins. 

Deuteronomy 28:2 You will experience all these blessings if you obey the Lord your God

Im so happy to know that God will bless me if I obey him.

Deuteronomy 30:15-16 Now listen! Today I am giving you a choice between life and death, between prosperity and disaster.  For I have command you this day to love the Lord you God and to keep his commands, decrees,  and regulations by walking in his ways. If you do this, you will live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you and the land you are about to enter.

This sums up the whole book of Deuteronomy.  God has given us commandments to follow.  He tells us he will bless our life if we follow them.  Why do we so often try to do things our way instead of His.  I have spent the last 6 weeks really focusing on the way that God wants me to live my life.  I am done doing things my way or on my timing.  I am ready to live and obey Gods words.