130th Week, Deuteronomy Chapters 25-29 (Click on Title for Video Introduction)

 Click on Title for Video Intro

Monday, Deuteronomy Chapter 25

Deuteronomy 25

Verse 16

Jeanie Boldt

Verse 16:  For the Lord your God detests anyone who does these things, anyone who deals dishonestly.

THOUGHT

Oh, My Goodness!!! What rules, what laws. Today some of these seem a little outdated or silly. However, how many of our laws will be laughed at in years to come? The thing to remember is that mankind messed it all up. We have thousands of laws written because we cannot follow the TEN that the Lord our God gave us.

Rory and I are taking a study on marriage enrichment. The last chapter was entitled Practical Advice on Making a Marriage Work. Charles Swindoll listed five very common-sense things. The last one was “BE NICE”. It is something everyone can do. It includes being courteous. We need to set aside our bad mood and our worries in order to return a smile or compliment. Respect others. Don’t be so critical. Affirm others. Being nice is so simple. 

When I think of all of these laws, I can’t help but think about how we Christians just need to be nice and live right. If there was any verse that spoke to me in the chapter, it was the 16th. Being Honest to one another and speaking words of truth are so important. Remember it sets us free.

Ephesians 4:32 Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.

PRAYER

Father God, thank You for the Ten Commandments. Please forgive us for making such a mess of them each day. Forgive us for having to make thousands of laws that Your laws cover in 10. Forgive us for making it so hard to be kind. We just pray that the Holy Spirit would be so alive in us each day that kindness would flow from our actions, words and deeds. Help us as we live our daily lives to BE NICE. And always may we remember words of TRUTH. For all of our blessings we praise and honor You. AMEN

Tuesday, Deuteronomy Chapter 26

Deuteronomy 26

Verse 18

Jeanie Boldt

Verse 18:  And the Lord has declared this day that you are his people, his treasured possession as he promised, and that you are to keep all his commands.

THOUGHT

There are many days when we all feel that we are not worthy to be called children of God. I know that there are days that I feel I could be a better nurse, a better listener, a better wife, mother, grandmother, sister, friend, a better professing Christian, a better dancer (HA), a better Stephen Minister or Salt Shaker. However, it is then that I must realize that I am the Lord’s treasured possession. 

He created me to love me and to know me better. He WANTED that with each passing day. I know that we do not always remember that. So when we feel no one loves us or cares for us, not even ourselves, don’t forget that the Lord above does at all times. He only asks that we keep His commands. May we listen to our biggest fan and the ONE who loves us more than we can imagine.

PRAYER

Father God, we love You for loving us so much. Thank You for thinking of each of us as SPECIAL IN YOUR SIGHT. We love and respect You for creating us just as we are. Forgive us when we do not honor that. Help us to take good care of our temple physically, spiritually and mentally. Finally direct us through the work of the Holy Spirit to follow Your commands. May we listen with our whole heart. You are our KING and even though You think we are special, we know that

YOU ARE MORE PRECIOUS THAN SILVER, LORD.

YOU ARE MORE COSTLY THAN GOLD, LORD.

YOU ARE MORE BEAUTIFUL THAN DIAMONDS.

AND NOTHING IN THE WORLD COMPARES TO YOU!!!!

AMEN

Wednesday, Deuteronomy Chapter 27

Deuteronomy 27

Verse 9b

Jeanie Boldt

Verse 9b:  YOU HAVE NOW BECOME THE PEOPLE OF THE LORD YOUR GOD.

THOUGHT

How many of you know the day that you became a child of God? There are many different thoughts about baptism and when the correct time is. Many speak about being ‘Born Again’. Many are raised in families where their faith is just a part of their daily lives and upbringing.  We are all children of God. There is no special day except for our birth. He had that planned way ahead of time, even before our parents knew. He is our Father even in our mother’s womb.

However, there is a time in our lives that the Holy Spirit tugs at our heart and makes us want to LOVE GOD OUR FATHER SO MUCH AND PLEASE HIM WITH OUR ACTIONS. The Lord Himself makes that happen if we only open our hearts to Him. He makes it our choice. He never stops knocking. We Salt Shakers know what it is like to open the door and let Him in. WHAT A WELCOME RELIEF we feel. WHAT A BEAUTIFUL FEELING we experience. It doesn’t mean things will be perfect without problems or conflict, but it does mean He will always be there to help, to guide, to love, to support and to even carry us when needed.

This week celebrate the time you welcomed Christ with your whole being. Be happy in the fact that YOU HAVE NOW BECOME A MEMBER OF THE LORD YOUR GOD’S FAMILY.

PRAYER

Father, the world for many of us has been affected by the weather that You so control. Please keep all of us safe and warm and healthy through the storms. Thank You for our homes, safe cars and intellect to use good judgment when it comes to the weather. Thank You for welcoming us into Your family. We are proud to be called a person in Your kingdom. Thank You, Lord, for this group. We are glad to be called YOUR PEOPLE.  AMEN

Thursday, Deuteronomy Chapter 28

Deuteronomy 28

Verse 13

Jeanie Boldt

Verse 13:  The Lord will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the Lord your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom.

THOUGHT

It is very clear after reading this chapter that anyone in their right mind would choose to obey the Lord our God and receive blessings from that instead of not following His command and decrees and be cursed for disobedience. God began with the blessings, but the major part of the address was given to the judgments. God promised to bless every area of their lives including their political ventures, their agriculture and their witness to the Gentiles. Obedience would lift them higher, make them richer and keep them safer.   From a spiritual point of view, we can claim these promises today. 

I am assured that we will be blessed if we obey as is written in verse 13. We are always going to be at the top. There are days when things don’t seem to go exactly perfect, and we may question and want to stray. Some days our health may be questioned and certain symptoms may bother us. There are days when there is just never enough money to spread around to everyone. However, stand FIRM in your faith. The Lord speaks the truth. We will be first if we pay attention to His commands and follow His ways. We will be blessed.

PRAYER

Father God, thank You for this week in which to share with the Salt Shakers. I have felt so led by the Holy Spirit. Sharing my thoughts has been a blessing to me and has come so easily. I love Your Word. Help us to diligently obey You, carefully observe Your law, and joyfully do Your will. We as Salt Shakers want to be blessed in the end and not cursed. We want to be the head and not the tail. We want to be at the top and not the bottom. Fill us each day with the desire to look at You and concentrate on doing what is right in Your sight. You are our King, and we are so proud to be called Your children. AMEN

PS: If we do not “serve the Lord with gladness”, we will end up serving the enemy with sadness.

Friday, Deuteronomy Chapter 29

Deuteronomy 29

Verse 9

Tanya Ruden

Verse 9:  Carefully follow the terms of this covenant, so that you may prosper in everything you do.

THOUGHT

I know that this is something we have talked about before, and my mom alluded to it last week in her devotions about being nice. It is something so simple, yet so often forgotten. God made a covenant with us many years ago.  In the 5th book of the Bible he states His covenant.  God promised to bless the Israelites by making them the nation through whom the rest of the world could know God. In return, the Israelites promised to love and obey God in order to receive physical and spiritual blessings.

We all know God is perfect and keeps his part of the covenant.  How are we doing at keeping our half?  All we have to do is love and obey God.  We need to obey everything God asks, not just the parts we feel like. We know that when we do this God will bless us.  He will bless us with prosperity, maybe not prosperity as the world sees it, but we will not be without. In this chapter it is so true where Moses stated that during the whole time they were walking through the desert their clothes didn’t wear out and they always had shoes.  God loves us and promises to help us prosper.  Let’s obey and love always!!

PRAYER

Dear Jesus, sometimes the easy is so hard.  Why?  You don’t ask much of us. You even break it down into simple tasks, love and obey.  So often we challenge Your authority or try to make our own rules to obey. May we always live as You request love and obedience, never challenging or questioning, but knowing, that just as You promised the Israelites, You have promised us.  We will prosper!  We will have blessings! Help us as sinners to love and obey! We can only do it with Your help and guidance in our lives. We love You, Jesus!  AMEN