All the Words of This Law

Words are important and selecting the right words to convey a message is vital to the message itself. God’s Word is a great example of this and my study today is no exception. I am still in the study of the word “law” and that law is God’s Word. Today I am focused on the words in the scripture I was led to.

“¹²Assemble the people, men, women, and little ones, and the sojourner within your towns, that they may hear and learn to fear the Lord your God, and be careful to do all the words of this law, ¹³and that their children, who have not known it, may hear and learn to fear the Lord your God, as long as you live in the land that you are going over the Jordan to possess.” – Deuteronomy 31:12-13 (ESV)

Both of the verses above are part of my learning this morning. First, I see in verse 12 to “all the words of this law”. When I read it this morning I was struck by “this law” and specifically the word “this”. I had not really read it in the pas when I have been in this passage. I even went to two other versions of the Bible and found the same words “this law” in each of them. God’s Word is indicating here in the passage related to the reading of the law is the law that is to be followed. Not the law of man, but the law of God. It is “this” law that we are to live a life in that will guide us to righteousness.

Now before we get off track here, two things. 1) No, reading and doing God’s Law does not make us righteous. It is a guide to righteousness. Righteousness is in our heart and deemed by God, not the acts we perform. 2) “This law” is all of God’s Word and not just the “laws” found in the old testament. Those before the New Covenant are to some degree still valid, yet we look to the New Covenant to see how the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus led to His example to us as to the application of God’s Law in our lives.

Now, the second thing I found this morning as I was studying the verses above was the phrase “be careful to do all the words” found in verse 12. I know, this is part of the first phrase/words with addition of the words “be careful to do”. I went again to two other versions of the Bible and found that in this case, there are different words used. The New International Version (NIV) has the phrase as “follow carefully all the words”. And that helped me to understand it more intensely. You see, we are to read, know, and understand God’s Word and we are to follow it carefully in our actions and use them as our guide to righteousness.

Again, performing the actions and following God’s Word does not make us righteous, it is His Word on our hearts and deemed by God. But, here’s the thing. God provides us with His Law and we are to read it and know it and understand it. When we do, we will follow it and that will lead us closer to Him and subsequently can/will lead us to righteousness. This is where the first part of verse 12 and verse 13 come together. Notice those who are to read, know, and understand “this law”. It is ALL. Not just those in the church or those we like or those who are far from God, but all of us even the children.

I found the following in my NIV commentary on verse 12 as relates to the reading, knowing and understanding of God’s Word. “There were not books, Bibles, Newstands to spread God’s word, so the people had to rely on word of mouth and an accurate memory. Memorization was an important part of worship because if everyone knew the law, ignorance would be no excuse for breaking it. To fulfill God’s purpose in our lives, we need the content and substance of His Word in our heard and minds.” This commentary reiterates both of the things I mentioned above. First, “this law”, everyone was responsible to read, know, and understand God’s Law. And second, we “follow carefully” all of the law and ignorance is not an excuse.

We start learning God’s Law as children and as we grow older, we continue to learn, know, and understand God’s Law and the application it has in our lives. We are to read His Word regularly, commit it to memory and “be careful to do all the words of this law” daily.

What is your take on God’s Law? Are you pleading ignorance as an excuse to not upholding “this law”? What if your were to regularly read, know, and understand God’s Law and are “careful to do all the words of this law”?

The Law is for the Immoral

How often is it that you are breaking the law? Do you even think about the law as you go through your daily life? Are you concerned with your actions and how they align with the law? I can say that for me, I rarely think about whether or not something I am doing is legal or not. I will look to whether or not it is right.

“⁸Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, ⁹understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, ¹⁰the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine,” – 1 Timothy 1:8-10 (ESV)

Looking at the above passage, we see that the law was put in place, not for those who are “just” it is put in place for those who would be unjust or “lawless and disobedient” or immoral. Those who are “just” and right, do not need the law as they follow the LORD and the path that He has laid out for them.

I am not saying that the law is not needed. What I am saying is that it is in place for those who are not followers of Christ and His righteous direction. Those who follow Christ do work for Him and therefore are not working against the law. It is not that they are ignorant of the law or choose to disobey the law, it is that it just does not come up as they are already in standing in morality according the God.

It is certainly difficult to understand for those who are not followers of Christ. They would contend that the law is for everyone and that even followers of Christ are subject to the law. I would not argue with their assertion. I would state that there is no real thought as to what is legal or illegal as the situations rarely arise and when they do, the thought of “What Would Jesus Do” is guiding action as opposed to the law.

Now, the other question, what if a follower of Christ does indeed break the law? Great question. Then they are subject to the consequences. Following Christ is going to put you in positions where choices will be made as to legality or right. There are times when the right thing to do is not in line with what is legal and for that followers of Christ are subject to the consequences of going against the law. Again, it is not that the law is being ignored, it is that following Christ is taking the right actions.

For all there direction. For the Christian, that direction comes from God and His Word. The law is in place for the immoral who have no other guide as to what is right and what is wrong.

Where do you find your guide? Are you in the camp of needing the law to determine what you can and cannot do? What if you followed Christ, knowing that your actions are right?

Husbands, Focus on the LORD

It is easier said than done. As husbands we have lots of anxieties.

“³³But the married man is anxious about worldly things, how to please his wife, ³⁴and his interests are divided.” – 1 Corinthians 7:33-34a (ESV)

Paul, in speaking to the Corinthians is noting for them that as married men, we are occupied with pleasing our wives. We want them to be well taken care of and sacrifice ourselves for them to be cared for. I was recently given a card by my wife and sons that read in part, “Thank you for always putting your family first.” So we are devoted to them and their well being and worry becomes normalized with them.

I am not saying that we should not be married or find a way out of marriage by any means, and neither does Paul. But, we should turn our focus on the LORD and avoid the anxieties that plague us as men.

“³⁶If anyone thinks that he is not behaving properly toward his betrothed, if his passions are strong, and it has to be, let him do as he wishes: let them marry—it is no sin. ³⁷But whoever is firmly established in his heart, being under no necessity but having his desire under control, and has determined this in his heart, to keep her as his betrothed, he will do well. ³⁸So then he who marries his betrothed does well, and he who refrains from marriage will do even better.” – 1 Corinthians 7:36-38 (ESV)

Paul points out that it is good and right if we just stay where we are and focus on the LORD. If that means staying unmarried, even to our betrothed, or being married. We are best to stay in that situation and turn our focus on the LORD and remove our anxieties. We are to remember the LORD and not the things of the world. We have to get our lives in balance with the LORD.

I spend my mornings reading and studying God’s Word. I am intentional about it. It is a wonderful amount of time each day and it really does get me moving in the right direction. And then I move to the things of the world, my wife, my boys, my household, my work, and all other things. But, I have started my day with the LORD and He remains with me the rest of the day guiding me away from the world’s anxieties.

We are not to give up on what the LORD has planned for us. He planned for me and Lori to be together and He blessed us with Bryson and Aarron. I do not wish for a different life at all. I am elated to have what the LORD has given to me. It is up to me to embrace where I am and turn my focus to the LORD daily and allow Him to deal with all that is in the world for me. He will point me where He wants me next, I only need to focus on Him.

Where is your focus? Are you focused on the things of this world and not necessarily on the LORD? What if you were to accept where you are and turn your focus on the LORD and allow Him to deal with the world and point your where He would have you?

Home Made with Christ

I began a study of the word “home” and this morning I see where and how my home is made. It is made with Christ.

“²³Jesus answered him, ‘If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.’” – John 14:23 (ESV)

Jesus is speaking to the disciples in the upper room here. He is telling of the coming of the Holy Spirit and discussing the fact that though He will be physically gone, He will always be with them through the Holy Spirit. He is speaking to who He will be with, the disciples, yes, but also those who are in and keep the Word of God. He and the Father will make their home with those who follow and keep the will of the LORD.

“²¹Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him. ²²Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, ‘Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?’” – John 14:21-22 (ESV)

Jesus tells the disciples that He will make himself known to those who love Him and keep His commandments. He is asked is answering the question of Judas as to why He will only make Himself known to some and not the whole world.

Jesus answers Judas and really me as to something that I have long questioned myself. Is Christ for all and will all be saved. The answer is NO. Not all will come to know Christ. Yes, most everyone will hear of Christ, but not everyone will know Him. And as Jesus says, “And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” The Father will only make a home with those who hear of and follows and keeps His Word.

So, how and where is my home made, with Christ. I have a part to play in it. I have to hear of the LORD and study His Word and keep His Word, not just in my mind, but live it out every day. When I do, the LORD will come to me and dwell within me and make His home with me.

Where and how is your home made? Are you working for it on your own? What if you were to hear and follow the Word of the LORD and know that in doing so, He will make His home with you?

Present your Discipleship

We are to be the example of Christ in this world today. That means, not just living out what He commands of us, but also presenting ourselves as He presented Himself to those around Him and the world.

“³⁴A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. ³⁵By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” – John 13:34-35 (ESV)

I have studied this passage a few times before. This morning the LORD provided a similar lesson as in the other times. Here is one of the notes I have written in my Bible; “Presentation of God’s Love through your action is our declaration of who we follow.” This is such a true statement of the lesson God has presented for me this morning. I have been blessed to have the LORD in my life and I am doing what I can to emulate Him to those around me and the world. I have to remember that my actions are those of love and not just of action.

Jesus loved through His actions each and every day of His time on earth as man. We tend, I believe, to forget that Jesus spent 33 years in this world and yet only really look at the last 3 years as He was active in His ministry and teaching. We forget that at about the age of 12 He was teaching in the temple. We forget that He had friends He ran with as a child and youth. We forget that He demonstrated love to everyone every day of His life as the example for us to follow in our lives.

Jesus presented the Love of God through His actions declaring His following of the Father. We are to take that example and present the Love of God through our actions to declare that we are disciples of Christ. This is not just a one time thing or something for the short period of life. As Jesus did we are to present God’s Love every step of the way for our entire existence in this world.

How do others know who you follow? Are you reliant on telling them and hoping that they remember? What if you were to present your discipleship through your actions of loving as Jesus loved in His time in this world?

Renewed Heart From Our LORD

“¹⁶Therefore say, ‘Thus says the LORD God: Though I removed them far off among the nations, and though I scattered them among the countries, yet I have been a sanctuary to them for a while in the countries where they have gone.’” – Ezekiel 11:16 (ESV)

The LORD is our sanctuary. Not some land or building, but the LORD Himself. In the passage above, Ezekiel is seeing the LORD God and how He had removed the people of Israel into exile, yet He was not away from them. The people, even as they were scattered all across the land, they were able to find solace in the LORD and His closeness to them as they were away. This is a statement to us as well. The LORD is with us wherever we may be. He is where we should dwell and find comfort there.

“¹⁹And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, ²⁰that they may walk in my statutes and keep my rules and obey them. And they shall be my people, and I will be their God.” – Ezekiel 11:19-20 (ESV)

And what do we get for remaining in the LORD, we receive a new heart, one of flesh renewed to keep the commands of the LORD. We will be comforted and feel the presence of the LORD with us and we will follow Him fully.

“²¹But as for those whose heart goes after their detestable things and their abominations, I will bring their deeds upon their own heads, declares the LORD God.” – Ezekiel 11:21 (ESV)

But there are and will be those who are not finding sanctuary in the LORD Himself. There will be those who are looking for the physical safety net as opposed to relying on God. For those, they will keep their heart of stone and will ultimately be subject to the world and will not be renewed to follow and obey the LORD.

I don’t know about you, but I am looking always for the renewal of my heart. I sit here in the morning praying to the LORD for guidance and safety and comfort and direction and wisdom and discernment that I know only comes from Him. I work to find sanctuary in the LORD and know that if/when I truly do, I will find a renewed heart guiding me to follow and obey the LORD.

Where are you looking for renewal of your heart? Are you staying on the things of this world? What if you gave yourself to the LORD Himself for sanctuary, knowing that He will renew your heart?

Follow the Word of the LORD Fully

Guys, I know that we are prone to looking at the pictures found in instructions as opposed to reading the instructions themselves (Haha, just kidding, but not really). Where this is adequate for getting things started, there may be things that are missed or that we do not fully complete in the process of working through those things. Well, Saul was one of us in that he did not fully follow the instructions given to him.

The bible passage I was led to this morning is titled, “Saul’s Unlawful Sacrifice” in my ESV Bible. You see, Saul’s son, Jonathan had defeated a garrison of the Philistines and they regrouped and were preparing a fight. Saul was looking for direction and protection from the LORD. He was instructed to wait seven days for Samuel to come and lead the interaction with the LORD. And this is where Saul skips to the end and missed a piece of the instructions. He waited seven days, and then took things into his own hands, only as he was wrapping up, Samuel arrived. You cannot unburn a sacrifice and therefore Samuel would not be able to fully lead the interaction with the LORD.

“¹³And Samuel said to Saul, ‘You have done foolishly. You have not kept the command of the Lord your God, with which he commanded you. For then the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. ¹⁴But now your kingdom shall not continue. The Lord has sought out a man after his own heart, and the Lord has commanded him to be prince over his people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you.’” – 1 Samuel 13:13-14 (ESV)

This was the beginning of the end of Saul’s reign as king. He did not follow the LORD fully and missed out. Saul was impatient and thought that he knew the way. He was going to get what was his and did not want to miss out because Samuel did not make it on time (at least what he thought was on time). He moved to the end of the instructions, skipping the important part of following the Word of the LORD as given to him by Samuel.

I have learned in my over 50 years that you better follow the instructions to the letter. I have learned that having the right tool for the job is important. I have learned not to cut corners as there is a reason for the way things are done. I have learned to follow the LORD fully, even when it may not make sense or seems to be taking too long.

God knows the full story and we just know what is right now. Yes, we are to concern ourselves with the now as the past cannot be fixed and the future is not known, but, we also have to understand that there are things we do not and will not know until the LORD reveals them. God’s instructions to us may seem incomplete, but are they. Maybe, just maybe, we should read His Word and follow Him fully to make sure that we do not miss anything and get to the result that He has for this instance and for us.

What is you view of instructions? Are you a rush to the end kind of person that feels as they know what the outcome is supposed to be? What if you followed the LORD fully and allowed Him to reveal the truth and outcome as it is and not as we want it to be?

Look to Work from God’s Agenda

I do understand, when looking to lead, there is an agenda or a goal or a destination that is being worked. It only makes sense, otherwise what is the point, getting people to follow aimlessly. In virtually every leadership book, periodical, class, or seminar I have been exposed, leadership is almost pointless without purpose.

Jesus had an agenda, a goal, a destination as He was leading the disciples. He was aware of the mission. He understood the purpose. The thing is, it was not His agenda, but the Father’s. Jesus came, rather was sent to this world to carry out the Father’s agenda. He was set to do work of the Father and not His own. Jesus was the workman carrying out the mission.

As Jesus went through this world before He did anything, He consulted the Father to get the lay of the land and understand the mission at that moment. Before His actions, Jesus prayed to the Father. Jesus followed the agenda of the Father at every turn. He was in tune with God and knew that it was not His own will, but the Father’s for all things to happen.

“³⁶And he said, ‘Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.’” – Mark 14:36 (ESV)

Jesus was always looking keenly for the next part of the agenda to play out. He was looking for and always willing to accomplish the Father’s plan. Jesus was not just bringing a group of people on a journey to nowhere, He was leading based on an agenda. It was the agenda of the Father.

This is to be our approach as well. As disciples we are to follow an agenda. The agenda will lead to the goal, destination, or result we are to accomplish. The thing is, that agenda is not our own but the agenda of the Father. I have to remember every day to have restless eyes as I seek to work the agenda of the Father. I am to be in communication with the Father as Jesus was to get the direction I am to take. At each turn I am to reach out to the Father to understand as much as He can and/or will give me. I am to follow the LORD’s direction and work to accomplish His agenda.

What is leading you? Are you out there working on accomplishing your own work to get somewhere you want to be? What if you were to work the agenda of the Father and followed his direction to accomplish His agenda?

Who and/or What to Follow

I have been studying leadership for a while, especially in the corporate world I work. I have wondered about the “leaders” that have been over me and the leader that I am. Yes, the quotation marks surrounding the word “leaders” is intentional as I do not believe that everyone in a position of overseeing a group or task is a leader. As I also believe that you do not have to be an overseer of people or tasks to be a leader.

This morning I have begun a new process or structure to my daily bible study. I am working through a series titled “MasterWork”. This series is from 2011, and where that may seem a bit ago, I went through the first lesson this morning and realized the value even today. There was reference to the speed of technology and the Information Age that we are currently right in the middle. The first section of this quarter’s (as the guide is structured into quarters) is on Spiritual Leadership.

The first question asked in the lesson is who are the leaders who have had an impact and why in my life. I gave this some thought and found a couple to men that helped to shape who I am. I gave some real thought to the who and you know, I am a bit embarrassed that I did not first think of the leader that we should all be shaped by, God/Jesus/Holy Spirit. I first thought about man. Why did I not reference our LORD as the one leader who is the perfect example to emulate.

Now, I know that I am doing a bible study and writing in reference to following the Word of God. Shouldn’t I be also looking first to Him for the answers to questions. It was not until later in the reading that I found the better questions that led me to turn to God as the one true and complete one to serve as my example to follow, “But where does one begin? Which book does a leader read next? Which seminar is a must?” My answer, God’s Word.

Isn’t it true that we are always looking for the next gimmick or quick fix to things. We want things to be done with the wave of a few questions or actions to generate results. But, the truth is not in the quick fix, but in the slow and steady application of the proven approach. And where is that proven approach? Who derived the approach that stands the test of time? Why that is God/Jesus/Holy Spirit. The LORD has done it all and not just once but with many. There are so many from time that have followed the will of the LORD and been great leaders in their own right. Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Joseph, Moses, David, Paul, and Peter to name just some were men who followed the LORD.

Now, were all those listed above perfect leaders. NO! But they were leaders that followed the direction or example of the LORD. Each of them had their faults and failures, yet ultimately are considered great men who led under the direction of the LORD. They followed the LORD and His direction, teachings, and/or example in leading during their time.

The same can be said of a more modern age of leaders. Whether Billy Graham or John Maxwell, these men and countless others follow(ed) the example, teaching, and/or direction of the LORD as their guiding principle to leading. So, who and/or what to follow, that would the LORD and His Word.

Where are you looking for your leadership example? Are you looking for the next quick guide? What if you looked to true, tested, work and example of our LORD and His Word?

Follow the Direction of Elders

This morning I find myself in 1 Samuel looking through the passage of the anointment and proclamation of Saul as king. We have a situation where Saul is chosen and then anointed and then proclaimed to be king at the direction of Samuel from the LORD.

Saul was told how things would go down and he, Saul, only needed to heed the directions and it would all come about.

“⁶Then the Spirit of the Lord will rush upon you, and you will prophesy with them and be turned into another man. ⁷Now when these signs meet you, do what your hand finds to do, for God is with you.” – 1 Samuel 10:6-7 (ESV)

Here we see that Samuel gave instruction and Saul would follow through with it. But these instructions did not just come from anyone. Samuel was the priest and revered in his work with the LORD. And therefore the instruction was coming from a trusted source and should be followed.

I find myself in a position of needing instruction. As a part of a discipleship group. I seek the advice and instruction from those in the group. The presumed leader of the group is one of our pastors with the church and therefore considered to be more in concert with the LORD as he is well studied and a teacher of God’s Word. I see him as an elder and look for instruction from him.

We should all find someone that we can listen to as a teacher and elder to follow. But, we have to be careful and identify the person of the LORD and not a person of great personality. It is easy to be swept up by the dynamics of the individual. It is not about the person, but about their understanding of the Word of God and how that applies to our lives individually. The instruction that comes from them should be for the glory of God and not for the glory of the person.

Once we have found the person to provide the instruction, it is up to us to follow that instruction and know that the LORD will provide, but in His due time and not our own.

Who are you listening to for instruction? Are you listening to your peers or those in similar situations as you? What if you found an elder and followed their instruction as led by the LORD?