Deuteronomy 5-8

This is probably one of the most powerful couple of chapters in the old testament. Deuteronomy 6:4 Listen, Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is One. Love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. These words that I am giving you today are to be in your heart." This is such a powerful piece of scripture, it describes just how God wants us to live our lives. With all of your Heart, have you checked the motives of your heart lately? Do they portray the character of who God is? With all of your soul, What purpose, and value are you giving your life? Does it reflect the truth of how much God cares for you? With all your strength, Are you fighting the good fight? are you so willing to have the strength to make the hard decisions of showing God's love towards others, are you brave enough to choose God even when you don't feel like it? this is how i think it looks like to actually live out the call Moses gives to the people ready to step into a new chapter of their life.

Deuteronomy 1-4

The book of Deuteronomy is the last book of Moses, or in Jewish culture it is known as last book of the Torah. Moses begins to remind the people of Israel of all that has happen over the course of forty years in the wilderness. He begins to direct a new generation to what God requires of them, as they are about to head over to the land God has promised them. Many of the things that are written occurs in the previous books of numbers, Leviticus, and Exodus. One thing i have noticed while reading over the first couple of chapters of Deuteronomy is, reflecting on what God has done in the past really helps with what you want to do in the future. Moses shares with the people the glory of who God is, and the promises He makes. I too began doing the same thing, taking a look back and highlighting what God has done for me and my family and friends. It truly is a blessing to even know God in such a way. I now look forward to the days ahead knowing that they will someday be days i will reflect on and give praise to God for showing me once again how amazing He truly is. And if you are reading this and are thinking, "well God hasn't really done much for me" i would like to challenge you to look again knowing that the very breath you are taking is a gift from God. Ask God to reveal himself in moments you might have missed him for whatever reason, and ask to be more sensitive to his presence for the remaining days ahead.

prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, so glorious and wonderful you are. Thank you for allowing me to look back on those times in which you did hold me close, those times in which you spoke encouraging words into my heart when not even a whisper came from the lips of those around me. Thank you for quenching my thirst for truth, and feeding my hunger for love, and purpose. Lord let me give praise to you for being so faithful even during the days i completely lost faith. Thank you Lord truly, abiding in you till i meet you face to face in your holy and precious name Jesus i pray, Amen.

Numbers 25-36

Throughout my reading of Numbers, I would read God's very clear and strict instruction about not worshiping other god's or making and idol for yourself to worship. In Chpater 25, there is a moment when some of the people of Israel begin to worship a local god, that was a result from having certain types of relationships with the woman of Moab. The people of Israel began bowing down and worshiping this fake man made idol, and God began to burn against them with His anger unleashing a plague among the people. You will read a whole lot about idolaitry in the Bible, it is very clear God Hates it. As i look around my house I make a quick scan and make sure i dont have anything that can resemble any type of idolatry. Then I truly realized that even though i might not have anything i can physical touch and see to put in God's place, i do at times create one in my own heart and mind. There are times when we are caught wanting something so much, or even placing expectations on something to the point were it dictates our lives, that it becomes idolatry. Plain and simple, anything that you put in front of a proity of pleasing God becomes idolatry. And it took the people of Israel 40 years to truly understand that message, even though they still run into the same issue down the line just like the rest of us. I used to have this idea of God in my mind, and live my life according to how I envisioned god, that too was idolatry, because I was not living for the one true and living God, the God of the Bible. Make sure you are not living for a god you have crearted in your heart, and mind for the sake of not having to deal with certains truths. Maybe you justify your lifestyle because you heard somewhere that god says its O.K. But when you take a look at who God really is through His word you come to understand maybe he really is not O.K with certain things. smash the idols of your heart and know the one true living God.

prayer: Holy and glorious Heavenly Father. I pray that i may keep the truth of who you are in my heart and mind for the rest of my days. So that i may not fall into the trap of forming and shaping a god of my own imagination, but give me the strength and heart to live for you the God of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob. If there is anything of an idol in my heart please show it to me now speak loudly to my heart and give me the courage to remove them from life in order to truly follow you closely, I ask this all in your son Jesus Christ name, Amen.

Numbers 15-24

My schedule has been quite a bit hectic. So i have been slacking with the blogging, but the reading hasn't stopped. I have finished the book of Numbers but will go back to post about the chapters that caught my heart's attention. In Chapters 22-25 we read about a prophet named balaam. He does not belong to the tribe of Israel, but God uses him to blessed the people of Israel. Balak which was an apposing King wanted Balaam to curse the Israelites But every time balaam went to ask to see if God would allow it God pretty much tells him "don't you even think about it!" What got me thinking is that Balaam didn't just take God's word the first time he had to ask a couple more times and always as the first God replied with the same answer, that the nation of Israel was to be blessed. I began to wonder how many times God has spoken his truth into my life and I simply just want to go around what He has said and wishfully think that he might change his mind. Sometimes i have to remind myself that my heart should continue to stay on the course, and seek for Gods truth, that in the long run is ultimately better than anything i could have wished for.

prayer: Lord, O Mighty God. Forgive me for my stubbornness at times. I know i don't fully understand what you are doing in my life, but please grant me the faith and patience to pursue your will for my life. Thank you for the many blessing you have spoken into my life, may i continue to trust in who you are. in Jesus name, Amen.

Numbers 7-14

These chapters in Numbers left a great impact on my heart. Starting from chpater 11 through 14 we read about the poeple of Israel complain about their hardships. They begin complaining about the manna that God has been providing for them, meanwhile reflecting about what they used to have back in Egypt. It amazes me to think that after what God has done for the poeple before their very own eyes they would still request for their old lifestyle back. I myself am guilty of this very same heart. I often forget of the marvelous thing Gods has provided me with, an amazing loving Wife, roof over my head, beautiful family, and most of all important his loving salvation. We tend to think as christans that once we begin a realtionship with God, its like I give 50% and God gives 50%. But we tend to forget that we don't deserve even salvation! That's right we don't but God was gracious enough to gives us that. Just like with the people in the wilderness He gives us what we need, and we begin to remember our old lifestyle just remember it was a lifestyle in slavery in which we have been freed from.

Prayer: Lord, please help me to not forget where you have brought me from. Help me to reflect on the freedom of your salvation. Forgive me when I complain about my circumstances. Help me to have a contempt heart towards every aspect of my life, in your loving sons name Jesus Christ, Amen.

Numbers 1-6

After exploring the first six chapters of Numbers, I can clearly see how very orderly, and well structured our God is. The book of Numbers begins with a census, having Moses take a head count (if you will) of the people of Israel. I have to admit reading the first couples of chapters of Numbers, after finishing Leviticus is a bit to take in. But, I understand the importance of why all this information has been carefully saved and preserved for me to read at this very moment of my life. God is a God of order, and structure and very well planned. He gave certain duties to certain members of the tribes, which i thought was amazing. There are times when i feel like i have to be the GO-TO-GUY! My heart is sometimes bent on wanting to be the guy that does all the jobs well. But in reality that usually isn't the case, and i end up very frustrated in the end. Knowing that God has given me a purpose and passion for specific certain things, I know now to focus on that task and honor the Lord completely with my life by answering the call He has given me.

prayer: Heavenly Father, Lord of creation. I thank you so very much for giving my life purpose. Lord pour out your wisdom into my heart for my life. take my hand Lord and direct my paths to stay focused on the duties you have placed in my heart before i was even brought into this world. Glory be to your name that brings salvation. in Jesus name, Amen.

Leviticus 18-19

I was blown away to read the fingerprints of Jesus throughout these chapters in Leviticus. chapter 19:17 it says You must not hate your brother in your heart. in Matthew 5:21 we read Jesus saying this "You have heard it was said said to our ancestors, Do not murder, and whoever murders will be established to judgment. But I tell you, everyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment". God was concerned about the heart and spirit of the law, right from the very beginning. Jesus doesn't come to people with a new set of rules but only reminding them of the laws given to them since the covenant. We also read about God's fair and loving commands towards the blind, poor, widow, and the foreign person.

prayer: Lord almighty, Heavenly Father, amazing in all of your glory. I come to you asking to reveal to me the heart of the matter. Keep me away from just keeping the rules, and bring me closer to keeping a relationship with you. Pour out your mercy for I am a sinner, filled with pride, fear, and unable to trust in you. Soften my harden heart with your loving grace, in your glorious name Jesus Christ, Amen.