Read Deuteronomy 11
Highlights:
Warning against false gods and adding to or taking away anything from the Word of God. Just think! We are to cleave (adhere) to the Lord (Deut. 11:22)! We must choose either loyalty to and love of His Word and enjoying His blessing or conforming to worldly standards that are inspired by Satan (12:28).
The tithes of the produce from the ground and from the herds were brought in recognition that God is the source of all blessings of life. Ye shall bring your Burnt Offerings, and your sacrifices, and your tithes . . . and your Freewill Offerings (Deut. 12:6). God claimed the tithes and gifts as an essential part of worship and as a safeguard against Israel's turning to idolatry. Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty (Prov. 3:9-10).
Christ rules in love as Lord of His people. Therefore, He appeals to willing hearts to express His love. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also (Luke 12:34). When you neglect the privilege of supporting the Lord's church, you are depriving yourself of the joy of sharing and the satisfaction of being a profitable servant of our Master. Love is also expressed by praying for the pastor and his leaders, for the sick, and for our many friends who need to be in a closer relationship with Christ.
The self-centered, self-pleasing person who lives only to get, to have, to hold, and to keep, may discover too late why life becomes less satisfying with the passing of every year.
The morning after Jacob dreamed of the ladder that reached from earth to heaven, he awoke feeling that the place he had chosen to sleep was the house of God, and . . . the gate of heaven (Gen. 28:17). God promised to bless and protect him wherever he went.
We all need to be more like Jacob in declaring: If God will be with me, and will keep me . . . then . . . I will (be able to) surely give the tenth unto Thee (28:20-22). When we think about the goodness of God, we realize that our obligation is far greater than our ability to repay. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver (II Cor. 9:7).
The test of our love for God is not only what we do with our abilities and possessions but how much we really desire to do His will. What dominates our lives — even our thoughts? Our personal activities show our love for the Lord even now: Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. . . . not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved (I Cor. 10:31,33).
Thought for Today:
For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist (II John 1:7).
Christ Revealed:
Through the Burnt Offerings which were totally consumed. These typified Christ's total offering of Himself to death (Deut. 12:6; see Heb. 10:5-7). The bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the Sanctuary (Holy Place) by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp. Wherefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify (make holy) the people with His own blood, suffered without the gate (13:11-12).
Word Studies:
11:1 keep His charge be true to all His requirements; 11:6 opened her mouth split like a chasm; 11:10 thy foot working a water treadmill with your foot; 11:11 drinketh water soaks up water; 11:17 wrath be kindled anger flare up; 11:21 as the days of heaven upon the earth morever; 11:22 cleave hold fast; 11:25 stand before you resist you; 12:15 lusteth after covets, desires; 12:26 holy consecrated; 12:29 cut off destroy; 13:13 Belial worthlessness, evil; 13:15 smite strike; 13:16 spoil plunder; 13:18 hearken listen and obey.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for Government Officials: Rep. Tim Holden (PA) and Rep. Todd Platts (PA) • Country: Vatican City (900) in Rome, Italy • Major languages: Italian and Latin • Religious freedom • Approximately 100% Roman Catholic • Prayer Suggestion: Read the Word of God to build up your faith so that you can pray and ask in faith (Rom. 10:17).
Optional Reading: Luke 20
Luke 20Memory Verse for the Week: Exodus 20:6-7