Doing because He first loved Us

Deuteronomy 6:20-25.

Growing up as a teenager, "Why do I have to do it?" would be my first response to something I didn't want to do, like, then, doing the dishes. If you can relate, we're not alone on this:

In the book of Deuteronomy, after Moses had reminded Israel of God's law (ch 5) and given directions on keeping it close to heart and memory (6:6-9), he then tells them why they ought to do it (6:20-25).

In the future when your child asks you "what do these commands from God mean", why do we have to do it? Tell them (v20):

We were slaves in Egypt (v21).
We were slaves to sin (Romans 6:17).
God did all His wonders, all it takes (v22).
God sent His Son to the cross (Romans 5:8).
He pulled us out of there to bring us in (v23).
He pulled us out of darkness into his marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9).
And give us the land He promised (v23).
He gave us eternal life (John 3:16).
So that we would live reverently, in obedience before GOD (v24).
So we can live in Christ our righteousness by the Spirit (Galatians 5:25, Romans 6:18).

Moses paints a picture of God's love as a response to why we do God's Word.
We know and rely on God's love for us...we love because He first loved us (1 John 4:16, 19).

Reflect & Pray

What recent event has reminded you of God's love for you? How might you share your experience of God's love with others?

May God's beautiful love encourage us to continually long for, and to do, His Word, in Jesus name.

God bless you exceedingly,
Sam.

Psalm 91: A Complete Refuge 3

Psalm 91 [short series]. As we journey through life, sometimes we go through troubles beyond our control — an addiction, sudden financial lack, sickness, broken relationship, losing a loved one, a hope deferred. How do we navigate those seasons? Or maybe you are currently in such a season and wondering, "How do I live through this?" Previously [1] [2] , we saw that God's refuge is guaranteed. The Psalm also shows the completeness of God's refuge as a reason for how we can navigate the seasons of life. His Refuge is complete through this life! Psalm 91:3-6, 13 God rescues you from troubles beyond your reach and permanently deals with the cause of all problems, Satan himself. His refuge deals with: Sin: snare of the fowler (v3, 11-12) Snares are traps used to catch animals, often made with something enticing or luring, like a cheese trap for a

Psalm 91: A Guaranteed Refuge 1

Psalm 91 [short series]. Psalm 91 is a commonly known Psalm that often raises doubts (e.g. Does it really apply to our present realities?), gets misinterpreted (e.g. If you trust God, no trouble will come to you) or gets undermined (e.g. It’s all a metaphor). But the message in the Psalm is such a profound encouragement to keep trusting in God because of the kind of refuge that only He can provide. As we will see in a 4 part study, the Psalm shows us why God is the only refuge you can trust (v2), and this is because: His refuge is guaranteed By His greatness: He can. v1, 11-12 By His promise: He will. v4, 14-16 His refuge is complete Through this life. v3-6, 13 Into the next life. v7-10, 16 His Refuge is guaranteed by His Greatness! Psalm 91:1, 11-12 He can always rescue! T

In Christ is all we need

Luke 5:1-11 NIV; 2 Peter 1:3 NIV. Praise God! Happy new year!!! One time, I was meeting friends for a game of badminton. When I arrived at the court, I noticed I had come with the wrong bag. I planned to play in shorts, but I played in trousers, and my very competitive friends were not merciful. Peter described the Christian life almost like my backpack experience, except that he made the right switch. He picked the one that had all he needed for his journey. In Luke's passage (Luke 5:1-11 NIV), he records Peter's first meeting with Jesus. It was at a time when he had toiled all night but couldn't catch any fish. So he parked his boat by the seashore. But when Jesus saw Peter's boat, he got into it and used it to teach the crowd the word of God - to meet their spiritual needs. Again, in displaying his divine miraculous power, he used the boat to provide much fish - to meet the physical needs of Pet

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