Post by Woody Williams on Jul 15, 2008 9:10:07 GMT -5
Text for the Day -- Deuteronomy 28:1-14
----------
If you will only obey the LORD your God, by diligently observing all
his commandments that I am commanding you today, the LORD your God
will set you high above all the nations of the earth; all these
blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the LORD
your God:
Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the
field.
Blessed shall be the fruit of your womb, the fruit of your ground,
and the fruit of your livestock, both the increase of your cattle and
the issue of your flock.
Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading-bowl.
Blessed shall you be when you come in, and blessed shall you be when
you go out.
The LORD will cause your enemies who rise against you to be defeated
before you; they shall come out against you one way, and flee before
you seven ways. The LORD will command the blessing upon you in your
barns, and in all that you undertake; he will bless you in the land
that the LORD your God is giving you. The LORD will establish you as
his holy people, as he has sworn to you, if you keep the commandments
of the LORD your God and walk in his ways. All the peoples of the
earth shall see that you are called by the name of the LORD, and they
shall be afraid of you. The LORD will make you abound in prosperity,
in the fruit of your womb, in the fruit of your livestock, and in the
fruit of your ground in the land that the LORD swore to your
ancestors to give you. The LORD will open for you his rich
storehouse, the heavens, to give the rain of your land in its season
and to bless all your undertakings. You will lend to many nations,
but you will not borrow. The LORD will make you the head, and not the
tail; you shall be only at the top, and not at the bottom—if you obey
the commandments of the LORD your God, which I am commanding you
today, by diligently observing them, and if you do not turn aside
from any of the words that I am commanding you today, either to the
right or to the left, following other gods to serve them.
Devotional
----------
Obedience to God's teachings bring blessings. Do you notice in the
text that the blessings are not just spiritual, but have to do with
all of daily life? Once when Jesus was teaching a crowd, a woman
cried out and said, "Blessed is the one who bore you." Jesus
answered, "blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it."
Many people have problems with obedience and authority. They view all
authority as negative and often evidence mistrust toward those who
have it. Certainly some people have abused authority. However,
trusting in God's love, your obedience to God will author life for
you in the richest and fullest dimensions.
Prayer
-----------
Help me see, O Lord, that my obedience is an act of faith in your
love. Amen
----------
If you will only obey the LORD your God, by diligently observing all
his commandments that I am commanding you today, the LORD your God
will set you high above all the nations of the earth; all these
blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the LORD
your God:
Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the
field.
Blessed shall be the fruit of your womb, the fruit of your ground,
and the fruit of your livestock, both the increase of your cattle and
the issue of your flock.
Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading-bowl.
Blessed shall you be when you come in, and blessed shall you be when
you go out.
The LORD will cause your enemies who rise against you to be defeated
before you; they shall come out against you one way, and flee before
you seven ways. The LORD will command the blessing upon you in your
barns, and in all that you undertake; he will bless you in the land
that the LORD your God is giving you. The LORD will establish you as
his holy people, as he has sworn to you, if you keep the commandments
of the LORD your God and walk in his ways. All the peoples of the
earth shall see that you are called by the name of the LORD, and they
shall be afraid of you. The LORD will make you abound in prosperity,
in the fruit of your womb, in the fruit of your livestock, and in the
fruit of your ground in the land that the LORD swore to your
ancestors to give you. The LORD will open for you his rich
storehouse, the heavens, to give the rain of your land in its season
and to bless all your undertakings. You will lend to many nations,
but you will not borrow. The LORD will make you the head, and not the
tail; you shall be only at the top, and not at the bottom—if you obey
the commandments of the LORD your God, which I am commanding you
today, by diligently observing them, and if you do not turn aside
from any of the words that I am commanding you today, either to the
right or to the left, following other gods to serve them.
Devotional
----------
Obedience to God's teachings bring blessings. Do you notice in the
text that the blessings are not just spiritual, but have to do with
all of daily life? Once when Jesus was teaching a crowd, a woman
cried out and said, "Blessed is the one who bore you." Jesus
answered, "blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it."
Many people have problems with obedience and authority. They view all
authority as negative and often evidence mistrust toward those who
have it. Certainly some people have abused authority. However,
trusting in God's love, your obedience to God will author life for
you in the richest and fullest dimensions.
Prayer
-----------
Help me see, O Lord, that my obedience is an act of faith in your
love. Amen