Deuteronomy 14
Rules regarding mourning for the deadverses 1-2
You are the children of the LORD your God – you shall not cut yourselves
nor make any baldness between your eyes for the dead
FOR you are a HOLY people to the LORD your God
and the LORD has CHOSEN you to be a PECULIAR people
to HIMSELF – above all the nations that are upon the earth
Dietary rules regarding animalsverses 3-8
You shall NOT EAT any abominable thing
These are the beasts which you shall EAT – ox – sheep – goat – hart
roebuck – fallow deer – wild goat – pygarg – wild ox – chamois
and every beast that parts the hoof
and cleaves the cleft into two claws
and chews the cud among the beasts
that you shall eat
Nevertheless these you shall NOT EAT of them that chew the cud
or of them that divide the cloven hoof – as camel – hare – coney
for they chew the cud – BUT divide not the hoof
And the swine -BECAUSE it divides the hoof – yet chew not the cud
it is UNCLEAN to you – you shall not eat of their flesh
nor touch their dead carcass
Dietary rules regarding marine animalsverses 9-10
These you shall EAT – of all that are in the waters
all that have fins and scales shall ye EAT
and whatsoever hath not fins and scales you
may NOT EAT it is UNCLEAN to you
Dietary rules regarding birdsverses 11-18
Of all CLEAN birds you shall EAT
BUT these are they of which you shall NOT EAT
eagle – ossifrage – osprey – glede – kite – vulture after his kind
every raven after his kind – owl – nighthawk – cuckoo
hawk after his kind – little owl – great owl – swan – pelican
gier eagle – cormorant – stork – heron after her kind – lapwing
bat
Dietary rules regarding insectsverses 19-20
And every creeping thing that flies is UNCLEAN to you
they shall NOT BE EATEN
BUT of all CLEAN fowl you may EAT
Don’t eat animals that die natural deathverse 21
You shall NOT EAT of anything that dies of itself
you shall give it to the stranger that is in your gates
that he may eat it – or you may sell it to an alien
FOR you are an HOLY people to the LORD your God
you shall not seethe a kid in his mother’s milk
Tithe of cropsverses 22-27
You shall truly TITHE all the increase of your seed
that the field bring forth year by year
You shall eat before the LORD your God
in the place which HE shall choose to place
HIS name there
The TITHE of your corn – wine – oil
firstling of your herds and of your flocks
that you may learn to
FEAR the LORD your God always
And IF the way be too long for you
so that thou art not able to carry it
Or IF the place be too far from you
which the LORD your God
shall choose to set HIS name there
when the LORD your God has blessed you
THEN shall you turn it into MONEY
and bind up the MONEY in your hand
and shalt go to the place which the LORD your God
shall choose
And you shall bestow that MONEY for whatsoever your soul lusts after
for oxen – sheep – wine – strong drink
or whatsoever you soul desires
And you shall eat there before the LORD your God
and you shall REJOICE – you – your household
and the Levite that is within your gates
you shall not forsake him
FOR he has no part nor inheritance with you
Three year tithe to give to those in needverses 28-29
At the end of three years you shall bring forth all the TITHE of
your increase the same year – and shall lay it up within your gates
And the Levite (because he has no part nor inheritance with you)
and the stranger – and the fatherless – and the widow
which are within your gates – shall come shall eat
and be SATISFIED
That the LORD your God may BLESS you in all the work of your hand
which you do
COMMENTARY:
DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers
: 2 For thou art a holy people unto the LORD thy God, and the LORD hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth. (5459 “peculiar” [cegullah] means treasured possession, personal wealth, jewel, special, or wealth)
DEVOTION: Moses continues to repeat the commands of the LORD regarding things to eat and giving of the tithe to the LORD. He reminds them that they can’t forget the Levities in their giving. HE instructed them on how to give to support the Levites, homeless, fatherless, stranger and all those in need.
Moses reminds that that they are the children of God. He reminds them that they are a holy or separated people. He reminds them that they are a chosen people.
Finally, he reminds that that they are treasured possession of the LORD. They were chosen above all the nations of the world. They have a special relationship with the LORD. They can’t lose this relationship.
HE gave them special instructions for service. HE made sure that they knew what they could eat and what they were not supposed to eat.
The LORD cared about everyone that came in contact with HIS people. HE not only called them his jewel but HE called them HOLY. This means that they were set apart for a special purpose in HIS plans.
Today we are called the same. We are HIS jewels. We are HOLY. We are set apart for a special service for HIM. Our service involves obedience to HIS rules.
Our rules are different but still in line with what HE expected from the Old Testament saints. Are we acting like HIS people? Are we sharing like HE commands in this chapter? Do we have a concern for those around us who have special needs? Remember we are chosen above all peoples in the world to influence our world for Christ.
CHALLENGE: Those who are followers of Christ are a separated people. We are jewels that need to be spread around the world sharing our lifestyle with the world who need to know a Christian lifestyle.
DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers
: 10 And whatsoever has not fins and scales you may not eat; it is unclean to you. (2930 “unclean” [tame’] means defiled, polluted, become impure, ceremonially unclean, tainted with impurities according to cultic regulations and requirements, especially understood as cultically impure in the eyes of God)
DEVOTION: Are we under the same dietary laws as the children of Israel were here? Are we not to eat lobster or shrimp? Many believers are guilty of eating these types of food on a regular basis.
In the New Testament the LORD brought a sheet down from heaven in a vision that Peter received from HIM. The LORD told him to take some of the food on the sheet that was made up of unclean animals that we find in this chapter.
What did Peter do? He refused to eat because the animals were unclean. The LORD stated that what HE called clean was not to be refused.
Peter understood the message referred to the salvation of Gentiles. He was supposed to go with Gentiles and see the LORD work in their lives. There were many Gentiles saved during the first century due to the witness of the Apostles.
They learned that not all the ceremonial laws applied today.
So today we can eat things that the children of Israel were not allowed to eat. It was for health reasons that the LORD made up the list of animals not to be eaten. It was also for obedience reasons that HE made up the list to see if the children of Israel would obey this standard.
God has a standard for all of us regarding our eating habits. Are we listening to those in authority over us regarding our eating habits? There are some foods that are not good for some people with some health issues.
CHALLENGE: We need to understand that there are things that the LORD doesn’t want us to put in our bodies. There are foods and drinks that we need to make sure we are asking the LORD if we should be eating.
: 23 And you shall eat before the LORD your God, in the place which HE shall choose to place HIS name there, the tithe of your corn, of your wine, and of your oil, and the firstlings of your herds and of your flocks, that you may learn to fear the LORD your God always. (3925 “learn” [lamad] means teach, to be instructed in, be skillful, exercise in, to accustom oneself, to train, well-versed, or gain information)
DEVOTION: The LORD wants HIS people to understand that HE is teaching them things they need to understand to be good servants of HIM. HE uses circumstances to teach HIS people. HE uses the Levities to teach HIS people. HE uses miracles to teach HIS people what HE expects of them.
Here we have a list of things that belongs to the LORD in this agricultural society. They were a group of people who had to be taught what was good to eat and what was not good to eat. They had to be taught what belonged the LORD and what they could keep. It was a long list of things that were clean and unclean in the eyes of the LORD.
Many things that were unclean were unclean because of the type of life they were living.
Today we have better ways of keeping things from poisoning us. They were living in different conditions and the LORD was protecting them from sickness.
Also, we find that the LORD expected them to give HIM the first fruits of their animals and produce. HE wanted them to bring a tithe to HIM, so that, the Levites had something to eat. This was part of their payment for being fulltime servants of the LORD.
We realize that the LORD still expects us to provide for those who are in full-time service to HIM. That is one of the reasons the LORD gives the command to bring our tithe to him each week when we attend church.
The bottom line was that the LORD want us to trust HIM for all we have. If we bring a tithe each Sunday to church with us we are saying that we are going to trust HIM to provide for us with the rest of our money.
CHALLENGE: Remember the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. Our money shows HIM if we trust HIM to provide for us.
DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers
: 26 And you shall bestow that money for whatsoever your soul lusts after, for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatsoever your soul desires, and you shall eat there before the LORD your God, and you shall rejoice, you, and your household. (183 “lusts” [‘avah] means desire, covet, incline, wait longingly, crave, want, or be greedy.)
DEVOTION: The system the LORD allowed was one that was practical. If the people who were going to the place chosen by the LORD for sacrifices was too far for them to travel with their animals, they were to sell the animals and then buy animals at the chosen place to offer as sacrifices to the LORD.
The tithe was used by the LORD to pay the Levites. The Levites had very little land given to them because they were the LORD’S inheritance from Israel. They were to work around the chosen place and receive their income from the people.
So when the people who lived far away came with their money they would buy their sacrifices. Then they would have a time of rejoicing. The sacrifice was to be used for this time of celebration. There was to be a genuine time of worship of a family that had come from far to worship the LORD in the chosen place.
Most of us realize that Jerusalem is the chosen place for the Temple to be built to worship the LORD. This is one of the problems that the LORD Jesus Christ had to face when HE was here on this earth.
HE entered the Temple area and found them cheating those who were coming to worship. They were overcharging for the animals. HE turned over their money tables and condemned them for turning a place of worship into a den of thieves.
Now the Levites had to be paid and should be paid if they were faithful to their duty to the LORD. Today we know that faithful ministers need to be paid in order to do their duty properly.
I have always said that if the minister takes too much pay, he will have to answer to the LORD. It the people pay the minister too little they will have to answer to the LORD. Each has their responsibility before the LORD. There is no “Lord you keep him humble and we will keep him poor” in the Bible.
So every family that comes to the Temple was to bring their sacrifices that would satisfy the LORD, in that, they paid the Levites. It also was a time when they could celebrate their feasts with others.
We have to remember that the Bible in many places condemns drinking too much strong drink. During these celebrations NO ONE was supposed to be drunk, especially the Levites.
CHALLENGE: The tithe was necessary for the livelihood of the priests and Levites. Today it is necessary for the support of the pastor/teachers around the world.)
: 29 And the Levite, (because he has no part nor inheritance with you) and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, which are within your gates, shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied; that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hand which you do. (7646 “satisfied” [saba‘] means to eat/drink one’s fill, have enough, plenty, satiate, to be sated (with food),or to have in excess.)
DEVOTION: Every third year they were to take their tithe to the nearest Levitical city and give it to the priest. They in turn would give it to those who were in need. The LORD wanted those who were usually neglected to be provided for by the children of Israel.
There was no welfare program in existence at this time and so those who were poor had to beg for whatever they needed. The ones who fit into this category were those who were orphans whose parents had died. There was, also the widows who didn’t have families to support them. They even included those who were not from Israel. There were those who were poor who had come into the land but were not able to make enough money to support them.
The church today needs to help those in their congregations that have special needs. There are still widows and orphans and foreigners around to help with their monetary needs. There has to be wisdom regarding who to help but there should be help available through the deacon’s fund or some other fund in the church.
If the church, like the children of Israel, were helping those who had genuine needs the LORD would bless them and us. A giving church helps these individuals which in turn brings them blessings from the LORD.
Is the LORD blessing your work because of what you are doing for those around your church that are struggling to keep it together? If not, start a program that will minister to these groups on a regular basis.
OK, will there be people who will take advantage of you? YES!! However, they will have to answer to the LORD for their actions. We will have to answer to the LORD for our actions.
CHALLENGE: We have a social responsibility toward those who have less than we do to make sure that they have enough food to eat. However, we are not to encourage laziness.
DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:
BODY
Chastity (Purity in living)
Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)
Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)
Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)
Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)
SOUL
Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)
Frugality (wise use of resources)
Titheverses 22, 23, 28
Work of your handsverse 29
Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)
Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)
Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)
SPIRIT
Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)
Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)
Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)
Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)
Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)
Levite within gate: not forsakeverse 27
Tithe within gates of Jerusalemverse 28
DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:
Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)
God the Father (First person of the Godhead)
LORD (Jehovah)verses 1, 21, 23-26, 29
God (Elohim)verses 1, 21, 23-26, 29
LORD your Godverse 1
LORD thy Godverses 2, 21, 23-26, 29
God the Son (Second person of the Godhead – God/man, Messiah)
God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)
Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)
Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)
Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)
Nationsverse 2
Strangerverses 21, 29
Alienverse 21
Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)
Cut yourself for the deadverse 1
Baldness between eyesverse 1
Eating food forbiddenverses 3, 7, 8, 10, 12-19, 21
Uncleanverses 7, 8, 10
Seethe a kid no mother’s milkverse 21
Forsaking the Levitesverse 27
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)
Childrenverse 1
Holyverses 2, 21
Chosen peopleverse 2
Peculiar peopleverse 2
Titheverses 22, 23, 28
Chosen placeverses 23-25
Learn to fear the LORDverse 23
Blessedverses 24, 29
Turn tithe into moneyverse 25
Rejoiceverse 26
Care for Leviteverses 27, 29
Inheritanceverses 27, 28
Care for strangerverse 29
Care for fatherlessverse 29
Care for widowverse 29
Israel (Old Testament people of God)
Children of the LORDverse 1
Holy peopleverses 2, 21
Dietary list for children of Israelverses 3-21
Titheverses 22, 28
Exchange product for moneyverse 25
End of three years bring titheverse 28
All shall eat and be satisfiedverse 29
Church (New Testament people of God)
Last Things (Future Events)
DONATIONS:
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QUOTES regarding passage
1) Tithes (14:22–29)
22–29 The tithes required in the Pentateuch have been the subject of much debate. In Numbers 18:21–28 the tithe is given to the Levites who in turn tithe their receipts for the use of the Aaronic priests. In Deuteronomy the tithe is taken to the place the Lord shall choose as a dwelling for his Name, and there it is eaten joyfully in the presence of the Lord (v.23). Moses had already mentioned in 12:6 the tithes along with the other things the people were to bring to the chosen sanctuary, where they should eat and rejoice. Surely the people in a few days would not consume a tenth of their total annual production! Having already given directions for the support of the Levites by the tithes (Num 18:21–28), Moses here spoke of the festal communal meals that the people were to enjoy when the tithes were brought to the tabernacle (v.26)—situated somewhere in one of the tribal allotments after settlement in Canaan.
Every three years these tithes were to be brought to local city centers where they were stored for the use of the Levites, the aliens, and the poor (vv.28–29). This care for nonlanded people would lead to God’s blessing on the work of their hands. The garnering of tithes was to come the third year and the sixth year. After the sixth year, the sabbatical year was observed as a year when the fields lay fallow, after which the cycle commenced again. “At the end of every three years” (v.28) is Hebrew idiom for the third year, as is seen from the reference to the sabbatical year, especially in 15:12, where the sabbatical year obviously starts immediately after the passage of six years.
The Jewish rabbis have usually held that there were three tithes: (1) for the priests and Levites, (2) for the communal meals, (3) every third year for the nonlanded (i.e., the Levites, aliens, fatherless, and widows).
It is obvious that the observations on tithes in Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy overlap one another. The Levites had interest in all three tithes, as did the general populace. The tithes were often the source of sacrifices and so within the control of the priests and Levites, at least to the extent that the tithes were used in sacrifices. The sacrificial system included communal meals, participation in which varied. In one place one aspect of these variants is emphasized and in another a different aspect is mentioned. The garnering of the tithes of the third year in the towns surely indicates that every third year the tithes of v.22 were not to be taken to the central sanctuary.
So all the designations of tithes speak of one basic tithe to be put to various uses. The contributions of the Israelites to the economy, however, extended beyond the tithes; they included other sacrifices, vows, gifts, etc.
The logistics of transporting the tithes of all production would be difficult—perhaps impossible for families living at a distance from the tabernacle, wherever it might be. An interesting and modern adjustment is offered. The people could turn the tithe into cash and then, at the place the Lord would choose, convert it into food and drink desired for the celebration of God’s blessing on the work of their hands (vv.24–26). (Kalland, E. S. (1992). Deuteronomy. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 & 2 Samuel (Vol. 3, pp. 101–103). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.)
14:28–29. Every third year the second tithe (cf. comments on vv. 22–27) was not to be taken to the sanctuary but was to be used to feed the Levites and less fortunate members of society. The aliens were foreigners who lived with the Israelites. Though those foreigners were to be treated fairly, they did not share all the privileges of Israelite citizenship. Widows and their children (the fatherless) were also given special consideration (cf. 24:19–21; 26:12–13).
If the Israelites obeyed this command to share, then they could always expect to live in a prosperous society and could be generous, for God would bless them in all the work of their hands. Tithing is not commanded in the New Testament. Yet believers in the Church Age still indicate by their giving that God supports and cares for them. Christians are to give “generously,” knowing that they “will also reap generously” (2 Cor. 9:6; cf. 2 Cor. 9:7–9; 1 Cor. 16:1–2). (Deere, J. S. (1985). Deuteronomy. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, p. 290). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
A generous people (Deut. 14:22–29)
When we studied Deuteronomy 12, we learned that God commanded His people to give 10 percent of their produce (grain, fruits, vegetables, and animals) to Him as an act of worship and an expression of gratitude for His blessing. Every year, each family had to go to the sanctuary with their tithes, enjoy a feast there, and share the tithe with the Levites who, in turn, would share it with the priests (Num. 18:20–32). Moses repeated this commandment, because when it comes to giving to the Lord, some people need more than one reminder (2 Cor. 8:10–11; 9:1–5).
The people of Israel were to be generous with tithes and offerings because the Lord had been generous with them. Each time they brought their tithes and gifts to the sanctuary and enjoyed a thanksgiving feast, it would teach them to fear the Lord (Deut. 14:23), because if the Lord hadn’t blessed them, they would have nothing to eat and nothing to give. As David said, everything we give to God first comes from His hand and it all belongs to Him (1 Chron. 29:16). When we cease to fear God and fail to appreciate His bountiful provision, we become proud and start to take His blessings for granted. Then the Lord has to discipline us to remind us that He is the Giver of every gift.
Every third year, the people were to give the Lord a second tithe which remained in their towns and was used to feed the Levites and the needy people in the land, especially the widows and orphans. The Levites served at the sanctuary but were scattered throughout Israel. If the people of Israel demonstrated concern for the needs of others, God would bless their labors and enable them to give even more (Deut. 14:29). Our Lord promised, “Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom” (Luke 6:38, nkjv). “He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully” (2 Cor. 9:6).
As Christians enjoying the blessings of God’s grace, we ought to do far more than the Jews who lived in the dispensation of the Mosaic Law. The New Testament doesn’t command us how much we should give, but it does urge us to give in proportion to the blessings we have received from the Lord (1 Cor. 16:1–2; 2 Cor. 8–9). The calculating Christian will always be the loser; the generous Christian will enjoy the blessing of God. However, Christian industrialist R.G. LeTourneau used to warn, “If you give because it pays, it won’t pay.” Our motive must always be to please God and glorify Him. (Wiersbe, W. W. (1999). Be equipped (pp. 101–102). Colorado Springs, CO: Chariot Victor Pub.)
Ver. 29. And the Levite, because he hath no part nor inheritance with thee, &c.] Shall come and take the first tithe, according to Jarchi; but though this he was to do, yet is not what is intended here, but he was to partake of the second tithe, or what was in the room of it, the poor’s tithe, with whom he is here joined: and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, which are within thy gates, shall come; and take the second tithe, as the above writer rightly interprets it, and which he says is the poor’s of this year; see ch. 12:12, 18. and shall eat and be satisfied; make a plentiful meal, eat freely as at a feast; and, as the same writer observes, they were not obliged to eat it at Jerusalem, according to the way they were bound to eat the second tithe of the two years, that is, the two preceding this: that, the Lord thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hand which thou doest; as might be expected, when his commands, and particularly those respecting the tithes and firstlings, were obeyed. (Gill, J. (1810). An Exposition of the Old Testament (Vol. 2, p. 60). London: Mathews and Leigh.)
FROM MY READING:
(Remember the only author that I totally agree with is the HOLY SPIRIT in the inerrant WORD OF GOD called THE BIBLE! All other I try to gleam what I can to help me grow in the LORD!!)
The tithe (14:22–29) is an act of gratitude or devotion (cf. Gen. 14:20; 28:22), not so much a legal demand. It is a recognition that all possessions are gifts of God (8:18). Every third year, the Israelites are to bring a second tithe to the storehouses of the Levitical cities (v. 28). As an expression of love to God and to neighbor, this tithe supplies the needs of the Levites themselves, as well as the resident aliens, the poor, the widows, and the orphans. God promises rich blessings to those who give bountifully and cheerfully. (Elwell, W. A. (1995). Evangelical Commentary on the Bible (Vol. 3, Dt 14:3–22). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House.)
The CHURCH in an age of CRISIS by James Emery White
Research done by Gabe Lyons and David Kinnaman on how people view the church and people in it found that we are seen as hyperpolitical, out of touch, pushy in our beliefs, and arrogant. And the most common perceptions are that we are homophobic, hypocritical, and judgmental. (p. 174)
Listening to the unchurched involves far more than information. It means taking that information and assessing fundamental barriers and issues. (p.178)
Among the unchurched, spiritual progress can’t be made until reality is defined in tow very important areas where self-delusion runs high. First, typical unchurched pepple enter our doors thinking that, in some way or another, they are a Christian. Typically, they aren’t. At best they have a cultural Christianity; they have a pseudo-faith that addresses very little of their life. They know of God but don’t know God. Second, the typical unchurched people who begin attending do not consider themselves a sinner. A mistake, yes, but not a sinner.
Understanding these two areas of blindness is critical to speaking into the soul of the unchurched in our culture.
IN regard to the first area of blindness, we must navigate a three-stage process: (1) help them realize the vacuous nature of their spiritual life; (2) help them explore authentic spirituality as offered through Christ; and then (3) facilitate that relationship beginning and growing. Or more simply put, they come in thinking they are a Christian, they need to discover they’re not, and then we need to help them become one.
As for the second area of deception that blocks spiritual progress, we have the tricky business of helping them see they area more than merely a mistake; they are a sinner – a person in open moral rebellion against a holy God. And they need to see that the wages of those sins are spiritual death. (p. 179)
Corporate worship is designed to keep you humble by reminding you of your need and thankful by reminding you of God’s gift.
To the unbelieving world, it’s just a bunch of foolishness. “Sin? Who cares? Grace? Who needs it? Moral law? I’ll make up my own rules, thank you. Heaven? Hell? Nobody believes that stuff anymore. Right and wrong? Who knows? True and false? Who has the right to decide? Just be happy and don’t hurt anyone else.” You and I live in a world that tells us it’s all foolishness.
That’s why we need to be reminded again and again. There’s no way I could say it better than the apostle Paul:
“For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. … For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. … And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.” (see 1 Corinthians 1:18-2:5)
Isn’t it good that God devised a plan so that we would regularly gather and remember what the world around us ignores or mocks? As we remember, our hearts fill once again with gratitude and are moved once again to worship. We leave with a fresh knowledge that grace isn’t foolishness; no, it’s the foundation of our hope.
Paul David Tripp, New Morning Mercies: A Daily Gospel Devotional (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2014), 336.
Anyone can find the dirt in someone. Be the one that finds the gold Proverbs 11:27
Hebrews 4
As we labor to enter into God’s rest, we may call upon Christ for mercy and grace.
INSIGHT
The Word of God is energized by the Spirit of God. Whenever Scripture goes forth, it never returns without accomplishing the work it was intended to do. This is because the written Word of God is “living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword” (v. 12). As we minister to others, the Bible must be central to all that we say and do. We must always remember that it is the Word which is alive, not our own insights, clever arguments, or interesting stories. (Quiet Walk)
THE POWER AND GUILT OF SIN
And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world.
1 John 4:14
Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ clearly saves us, in the first instance, from the guilt and the penalty of sin. We are all guilty before God and before His holy law. We are guilty in His presence; so the first thing I need is to be saved from the guilt of my sin. I need a Savior in that respect apart from anything else. I have broken the law of God, and I am under the condemnation of that holy law; so before I can talk about salvation or about being saved, I must be perfectly clear that I am delivered from the guilt of my sin. That is the glorious message that the New Testament gospel brings to me.
In Christ my guilt is removed. It is no use my facing the future and proposing to live a better life. I am confronted by my own past—I cannot avoid it, I cannot escape it. I have broken the law—I must deal with the problem of my guilt—and I cannot do so. I cannot undo my past; I cannot make atonement for my misdeeds and for everything I have done against God. I must be delivered from the guilt of my sin, and Christ—and Christ alone—can so deliver me.
But having thus had the assurance that the guilt of my sin has been dealt with, I am still confronted by the power of sin. I battle the world and the flesh and the devil; forces and factors outside me are trying to drag me down, and I am aware of their terrible power. The man or woman who has not realized the power of sin all around him or her is a novice in these matters. There is only One who has conquered Satan, there is only One who has defeated the world, and that is this Son whom the Father sent into the world to be our Savior. Jesus Christ can deliver me from the power of sin as well as from the guilt of sin.
A Thought to Ponder
Jesus Christ can deliver me from the power of sin as well as from the guilt of sin.
(From The Love of God, pp. 140-141, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
Quote: God raised up prophets in Israel during those times when the people needed to be called back to the faithful worship of the Lord. It has often been said that prophets weren’t just “foretellers”; they were primarily forth-tellers who declared the Word of the Lord in the name of the LORD. The faithful prophet spoke in God’s name and gave only God’s message for God’s glory and for the good of God’s people.
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