Focus on the Covenant

This day with God, we put our attention on Deuteronomy 29 as we orderly go through the Word of God documenting our thoughts and ideas in this blog. Today, we read that Moses reminds the people about what God has done for them in the past. He had led them out of bondage from Egypt, parting the Red Sea, providing food as they wondered through the wilderness, and victories over their enemies.

A covenant of the Lord was made with the people. If they followed the covenant, they would be blessed with everything they needed and with the great wonders of God. They would be protected from their enemies, and gain victories because God would set things up for them to easily win their battles.

But they would be cursed if they did not follow the covenant and turned away from God toward idol worship. This would be like planting an evil seed in their heart that ultimately would produce sorrow and pain. It would grow to take root and produce bitterness.

A lesson for us today is that it is easy to have negatives that enter into our thoughts like doubt, fear, and distress. The lesson is about not just going through the motions, giving lip service, or simply looking good on the outside but finding ways to internalize our faith so it becomes a part of our character.

That’s why it is so important to regularly read the Word, document the lessons learned and organize these lessons so they can be applied throughout life and shared with others. These documented lessons become a treasure that last forever. Rather than nice furniture, nice cars, or expensive clothing that eventually begins to decline in value, the treasure you produce will gain in value over time.

Thoughts of good values and lessons learned can be gained by reading God’s Word, observing or listening to others, through music, art, and nature. These thoughts are like faith muscles and each good value gained or lesson learned builds on the other to make us stronger and stronger.

The picture of the Cross below was taken at my nieces wedding. The cross binds us to God and binds two together in a marriage. The cross also binds a community together and the result is a society that flourishes because everyone is applying the principles taught by Christ.

This day with You Lord, help us to focus on the Cross. The lessons You teach will lead us to a future with new eyes and help us to be the people we need to be with a greater vision that opens the door to an awesome future. Amen

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Desire to Aspire

My child, eat honey, for it is good, and the honeycomb is sweet to the taste. In the same way, wisdom is sweet to your soul, If you find it, you will have a bright future, and your hopes will not be cut short. – Proverbs 24:13-14

The post “Endless Possibilities” inspires you to imagine a world in when God’s plan and direction is followed. A world in which there is a desire to listen and gain wisdom from the Word. A world in which you to reflect on failures as lessons learned and ask God for help. A world in which you go to God for direction each day and think of the possibilities.

Take inspiration from the song Write Your Story by Francesca Battistelli.  Let the Author of hope and the Maker of the stars write a story on your heart. Be His work of art and make your mark. Know that God’s plan for your life is beyond what you could imagine.  

Index of devotionals

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Endless Possibilities

This day with God will be amazing as we read Deuteronomy 28 and reflect on the past.  As we examine our hopes and dreams for the future and let God take them to a level that we never dreamed of.

Today, we read about the blessings to expect from obedience to God’s Word. Families, communities, and whole nations will flourish if people live the way God instructs. There will be good crops and livestock will have plenty to eat along the countryside. The economy will provide plenty for all and the people will be secure. Any enemies will flee because of fear. Other nations will look up to our leadership and want to emulate.

On the other hand, there will be hard times if not we are not obedient to God’s way. This includes drought, plagues, sickness, confusion, and lawlessness. Other nations will have no respect and begin to take over our land.

Think of the possibilities if we went to God more and followed His plan for us. Imagine all the people obeying this plan. Cities are crime free, the countryside thriving with lush grass for livestock, and crops are flourishing as the time of harvest nears.

Small towns are bourgeoning into communities filled with young children being shaped into the leaders of tomorrow.  Other nations looking up to us and ready to listen. To follow God’s direction so His plan would spread across the world.

This day, let us dream big, picture in our mind how to make these dreams happen, and pray for direction for them to transpire. Lord, if we desire to follow Your way, then we have found the way to paradise. We have all we need to fulfill the destiny You have for us which is a future of endless possibilities. Amen.

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Ruth: A Story of Redemption, Part 5

Today’s message from my pastor is at this link. The rags to riches account from Ruth 4 is about getting knocked down from the brokenness of this world but letting faithfulness bring recovery and hope. About reaching out to the Lord in faithfulness to become forever better and experience the heights God can take you.

Worship online via FUMC at this link https://firstwaco.com/ or Download the free app in the App Store or on Google Play. Look for First Waco.

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Execution of the Plan

What competes against us are things like hate, iniquity, and other corrupting influences. God provides a plan to victory over these competing forces and inspires with songs like “See a Victory” by Elevation Worship.

Mark Shields's avatarThis Day With God - A Spiritual Journey

For the Word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. – Hebrews 4:12

We contend with inner battles each day. Things like hate, iniquity, and other corrupting influences in our life that lead to failure. As brought out in the post “Doing What Makes Us Victorious”, God has a His plan for us but effort is needed to execute the plan properly.

The Word of God is alive and active. Receive this plan found in His Word, execute the plan, and as this song by Elevation Worship points out: See a Victory. The story has a good ending because the battle belongs to the Lord. He will take what the enemy meant for evil and turn it for good.

Index of devotionals

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