Wed.’s Devo - God’s Family

Read: Deuteronomy 18:1-20:20; Luke 9:28-50; Psalm 73:1-28; Proverbs 12:10 The Levite was set apart in every way. His inheritance came from the Lord. He was welcomed to enjoy the offerings for the priests and Levites any time he was near the place of worship. *** When they come into the land the Lord promised and they possess it, they were to rid it of all evil occult practices. God would not speak to them through the evil ways of their enemies. He would speak to his people through a prophet like Moses. A true prophet’s words will come to pass. *** They were to set apart three cities for cities of refuge to protect the innocent wrongly accused of murder. As they continued to be faithful to the Lord and continued to take more territory, they were to designate three more cities of refuge. *** When the Levites were deciding a case, they were to make their decision on the testimony of at least two witnesses. If a false witness is found, then he will receive what he wanted the man accused to receive. *** When they went to war, they were not to compare the size of their enemies armies, because the Lord was on their side. The priests were to encourage the army before they fought and remind them not to be afraid. It was the Lord who would give them the victory. *** The officers were to ask the soldiers if they had any unfinished business at home, or if they were afraid to fight. If any of this was true, they were excused from serving. *** When they came to the city outside the promised land, they were first to offer it the right to surrender. If they surrendered, they were to make slaves of all the people in the city. If they didn’t want to make peace, then they were to kill all the males and take the women and children and livestock as plunder. In the cities within the promised land, they were to kill everyone in the city and leave nothing alive so that they could not teach them their abominable ways. *** They were to leave all the trees that produced fruit and use the others for siegeworks. *** In Luke, Jesus took Peter, James and John up on a mountain with him to pray. It was the eighth day which refers to the “new millennium.” Jesus transformed into his glory before them. They watched in awe as Jesus talked to Moses and Elijah. *** As Peter was preparing them to stay with them on earth, God spoke and told them to listen to Jesus, he was God’s son. Then, Jesus was there alone, and Moses and Elijah were gone. *** The next day, Jesus cast out an evil spirit from a man’s son. Jesus called them a faithless and twisted generation. When the demon manifested through the son, Jesus rebuked the spirit and healed the boy. He gave him back to his father. *** The crowd marveled at what Jesus did, but he told his disciples he was soon going to be handed over to the hands of men. They didn’t understand what he was telling them. Instead, they argued about who would be there greatest in his kingdom. Jesus brought a child before them and said that whoever receives a child in his name receives him and the one who sent him. The least among them will be the greatest. (I’m sure they didn’t get that one either.) *** John told Jesus that there was a man casting out demons in his name and wanted to stop the man because he wasn’t part of their following. Jesus told him not to stop him because if he is not against him, he is on his side. *** We can learn a lot from today’s reading. We are part of a big family of God’s. The Levite from another city and the believer from another group are all part of the same company of believers. Thou we are in the presence of the greatest prophets that lived like Moses and Elijah, the one we are to hear the most is Jesus. Jesus is the one who links us all together as one big family. *** Lord, may we not compartmentalize ourselves because we don’t go to the same church or believe quite the same. May we see other believers as our family and love and accept them as fellow workers in your kingdom.

Tues.’s Devo - The Feasts

Read: Deuteronomy 16:1-17:20; Luke 9:7-27; Psalm 72:1-20; Proverbs 12:8-9 The feasts centered around the different harvest times. The first feasts were in the spring at the time of the barley and wheat harvest. These were Passover, Unleavened Bread and First Fruits. After they harvested their first fruit, they were to count seven weeks and then celebrate the Feast of Weeks or Pentecost. *** The next set of feasts were in the fall and they centered around the fruit harvests like grapes, figs and olives. These feasts were Roshashana or the New Year, Yom Kippur or Day of Atonement and Feast of Booths or Feast of Tabernacles. *** At these three feasts, all the men of Israel were to come to the place designated and bring their offering to the Lord. They were to be times of great celebration and joy. *** All the city’s were to appoint judges and officials to judge the people fairly and according to God’s laws. They were not to show partiality or take bribes. *** Anyone found worshiping other gods or constructing altars for foreign gods were to be stoned to death on the evidence of at least two witnesses. Any cases that were too hard for the city judges to decide were to be brought to the Levites. *** When they came into their land, and they wanted a king, it must be the one the Lord chooses. He must be a fellow Israelite. He must not buy horses for himself or send the people to Egypt to buy horses, because God told them never to return there. He was not to have many wives or excessive gold and silver. All these things Solomon did. *** The king was to write for himself a copy of all the law which should be a reference for him to follow. He must do this to remind himself that he is not above his people. If he obeys the law, his kingdom will be established and continue to be passed down to his posterity. *** Revelation 1:6 and 5:10 says that God has made us kings and priests and we shall reign upon the earth. If we write God’s Word in our heart and obey it we will pass our legacy down to our posterity. *** In Luke, Herod heard about what Jesus was doing and was afraid that John, who he had killed, was now raised from the dead. Others said that Jesus was a prophet. Herod wanted to see Jesus for himself. (He would get to see him soon enough.) *** The disciples returned from being sent out and told Jesus all the wonderful things they saw the Lord do through them. Jesus took them apart to Bethsaida but the crowds followed. It was a desolate place and when Jesus had taught all day, the disciples encouraged Jesus to send the people home so they could find a place to eat and sleep. *** Jesus told the disciples to feed them. They could only find five loaves and two fish which was not enough to feed over 5,000 people. Jesus took what they had and blessed it. Then he broke it and gave it to his disciples to distribute. Everyone was satisfied and they took up twelve baskets of left-overs. *** Jesus asked his disciple who the people were saying he was. They told him that some thought he was John the Baptist, others one of the prophets. Then he asked them who they thought he was and Peter spoke up. He said that he was the Christ of God. *** Jesus told them not to tell anyone this. He would be rejected by the religious leaders and killed. He would rise on the third day. If they wanted to follow him that would have to take up their cross daily and follow him. They would have to be willing to lose their lives for him to save their soul. *** Lord, we have all answered the question of salvation. We have given our lives to you to save our soul. May we take up our cross today and bear it proudly for your name sake.

Mon.’s Devo - The Kingom of God Has Come

Read: Deuteronomy 13:1-15:23; Luke 8:40-9:6; Psalm 71:1-24; Proverbs 12:5-7 God warned them that prophets and dreamers would arise and try to get them to go after other gods. It would be a test to them to see if they would follow them. They were to purge the evil from their midst, even if it was their kin. Anyone who drew them away from the Lord were not to be allowed to live. Whoever discovered their evil tactic, were to be the first to throw the stone of death. *** If a whole city turns from God and begins to worship other gods, God’s people were to go to war against that city and kill its inhabitants. All of the spoil from that city was to be burned. *** There were certain animals that would be sinful to eat because of what that animal symbolized, or what that animal ate. What they ate represented what we are to eat spiritually. We are to eat the Word of God and things that are good and true and righteous. The animals they were allowed to eat had to have cloven hoofs, which mean they stand on a firm foundation. The Word is rightly divided and gives us stability. They were to eat animals that chew the cud. This is a picture of a person who meditates on the Word and what he hears before he swallows it as truth. *** They were to eat fish with fins and scales. The fins help it stay upright and the scales cover and protect it. All of these things are what the Word does for us. They were to tithe from the net worth of their field every year. They were to bring it to the place of worship and offer it there and eat it as a family. If they lived too far and had too much to bring, they could sell it in their town and bring the money to buy it again in the place of worship. *** At the end of three years, their tithes were dedicated to the Levite, the sojourner, the fatherless and the widow. *** At the end of seven years there was to be a kind of jubilee where all debt was to be released against their neighbor or kin. This did not apply to foreigners, only their own people. *** If they continued in God’s laws they would be a nation who lent to others and would not need to borrow. *** They were to be kind and giving to the poor. If they had a Hebrew slave working for them, they were to release him in the seventh year with provisions of food, drink and animals. They were to remember where they came from. They were once slaves themselves and God redeemed them. If that slave wants to stay and serve his master then his ear would be nailed to the door of the master’s house with an awl. This would make him his slave forever. *** We were once God’s servants, but when we make him our Lord, we are having our ears pierced to the door which is Christ. We are fellowshipping in his suffering which included being nailed to a tree. God no longer calls us his slaves, but his friends and his family (John 15:15). *** All the firstborn males of the herd and flock were to be dedicated to the Lord. If it was blemished it was to be eaten in the town and not brought to the Lord. They were never to drink its blood. The only blood we are to partake in is Christ’s. *** In Luke, Jesus returned to Galilee and was met by Jairus who was a ruler of the synagogue. His 12 year old daughter was dying. He came to beg Jesus to come to this house and heal her. On Jesus’ way to his house, a woman who had been bleeding for 12 years came to touch his garment hoping to be healed. When she did, Jesus felt healing power leave his body and heal her. When Jesus found the recipient of his power he told the woman that her faith had healed her. *** Jesus continued to the house of the child and found she had died. He told everyone she was just sleeping and he went and woke her up from death and her spirit came back to her body. Jesus was demonstrating to the people that he alone had power over sickness and death. *** Then, Jesus gave this power and authority to his disciples and sent them out to heal and proclaim the kingdom of God. We have been given the same power and authority and mandate to heal the sick, cast out demons and proclaim the kingdom of God. *** Lord, may we walk in your authority and power and may your kingdom come.

Sun.’s Devo - Choose Blessings

Read: Deuteronomy 11:1-12:32; Luke 8:22-39; Psalm 70:1-5; Proverbs 12:4 Moses is still instructing the people what to do when they enter into the land, so that they can maintain their blessings from the Lord. The number one thing he told them was to love the Lord and keep his commandments. They had witnessed the miracle at the Red Sea. They saw how they passed over on dry land, while the Egyptians had been drown in the sea. They had witnessed what happened to Dathan and Abiram when the earth swallowed them because they rebelled against God and Moses. *** Moses encouraged them to be strong and courageous and to go in and take the land the Lord had given them. This land is not like the land of Egypt where they had to irrigate to get water. This land is full of rivers, hills and valleys. God blessed this land and it will be a blessing for them as long as they keep his commandments. *** The key to their blessing was in their heart. If they continued to love the Lord and do his commands and teach them to their children they will live long in the land and be blessed. God will drive out their enemies before them. They will flee in fear of them because of their God. *** The choice was theirs either to walk in God’s blessings or to walk in the curse. When they came into the land they were to set the blessing on Mt. Gerizim and the curse on Mt. Ebal. Then they were to cross the Jordan and take the land as their possession. They were to tear down all their altars of idolatry and burn them. They were to seek a place of worship that God could put his name on and that is where they will bring their burnt offerings, their sacrifices, and their tithes and offerings. They were to always take care of the Levites. *** When they came into the land, they could eat meat as long as they drained the blood from it. All offerings to the Lord were to be eaten in the place designated for worship. *** They were not to imitate the worship of the heathens in the land who even sacrificed their children in the fire. *** In Luke, Jesus and his disciples were headed across the sea to the land of the Gerasenes. Every time they went to this land they faced a storm first. The demons did not want Jesus to enter their land. This time Jesus was asleep in the boat. He was awakened by his disciples to do something about the storm. *** Jesus spoke to it and rebuked it and it stopped. Then, he rebuked the disciples for not doing it themselves. He had demonstrated to them already how to do that. The legions of demons were waiting for him on the other side. They all resided in one man. When Jesus went to cast them out of the man, the demons begged Jesus to let them enter into the pigs that were close by. Jesus allowed them to and the pigs ran over the cliff and all drowned in the water. When the shepherds, who were watching the pigs saw this, they ran into the city and told everyone. *** The people came out to see Jesus and the man who was now sane and clothed. They were so afraid, they told Jesus to leave. The man who was delivered begged to go with Jesus but he told him to stay and be his witness. The next time Jesus would come there, the people would receive him with open arms because of this man’s witness. *** We will have trials and tribulation, but we can choose to go through them calmly in peace by our faith. *** Lord, your ways are always perfect. May we exercise our faith to speak to our storms and tell them to be calm. May we speak to our soul and tell it to be calm. Thank you for the peace that surpasses our understanding. We choose to obey you and walk in your blessings.

Sat.’s Devo - God’s Seed on the Earth

Read: Deuteronomy 9:1-10:22; Luke 8:4-21; Psalm 69:19-36; Proverbs 12:2-3 It was the day they were to cross over the Jordan to possess their land. God made it clear that they were to take no prisoners and destroy them all quickly. God was not helping them conquer these nations because they were so righteous, but because the people who now lived there were so wicked. And, because God had promised their forefathers he would give them this land. *** God reminded the people of Israel how stubborn they were and how they had rebelled against him when Moses went on Mt. Sinai to receive the commandments. They had quickly made a golden calf to worship. God had wanted to destroy them, but Moses interceded for them and saved them. They also caused God to be angry at Taberah, Massah, and at Kibroth-hattaavah. He wanted to destroy them then also, but Moses interceded for them. *** When Aaron died he was replaced by Eleazar his son. God promoted the Levites to carry the ark and minister to him. *** The Lord only requires that they fear him and walk in his ways, love him and serve him with all their heart and soul. God made the whole earth and chose to love their fathers and chose their off-spring to be his family. God is fair and just and loves those who have no family or no home. He supplies their needs just like he did for them. They began with seventy people who went down to Egypt and now are as the stars in the sky - innumerable. *** In Luke, Jesus gave us the parable about the seed, the sower, and the soil. The seed is the Word of God. God is the sower of his seed, and the soil is the hearts of people. The seed only grew and flourished in the hearts of the ones who heard the truth, held it fast and had a good and honest heart. They are the ones who with patience will bear the fruit of the seed. They are the ones whose light will shine brightly, leading others to the truth. They are the ones who God calls his family. *** Lord, thank you that you have chosen us to be your family. May our lives reflect your righteousness and love.

Fri.’s Devo - God’s Promises For His People

Read: Deuteronomy 7:1-8:20; Luke 7:36-8:3; Psalm 69:1-18; Proverbs 12:1 There were seven nations in the promised land that they were to defeat. I call them the “ites”. God told them to completely destroy them and have no mercy. They were not to make any covenant of peace with these “ites”, because if they allowed them to live, they would turn them away from serving him and lead them into idolatry. They were also to destroy everything that had to do with the worship of their gods. *** The Israelites were God’s people and were to be holy and set apart from the people in the world. God chose them out of all the people in the earth to set his name on and to love and care for. His covenant with those who love him would last for a thousand generations, but he promised to repay those who hate him. *** God’s promise to his faithful was to love, bless and multiply them. He would bless their womb and their possessions. He would keep them well and help them conquer nations much more numerous and more physically stronger than them. They would not need to fear their enemy because they Lord was with them. He would clear the nations before them by throwing them into confusion until they were destroyed. Their kings would be brought down and destroyed. They were to burn all their pagan possessions in the fire and not covet the gold and silver in them. If they bring any of their idols into their house, their house will be devoted to destruction. (Remember Rachel who stole her father’s idols. She died soon after that.) *** God had tested them and tried them in the wilderness to prepare them for this moment. He had fed them, given them water, kept them safe and clothed. God had given them laws teaching them how to love him and love one another so that they would prosper in all they did. *** When they did prosper and had more than they need, they were to remember where it came from and who allowed them to have it. It is the Lord who gives a person power to get wealth. They were to always remember the Lord and serve him only. *** In Luke, Jesus was invited to the Simon’s to eat. Simon was a Pharisee. A woman who was a sinner, entered the house and knelt at Jesus feet as he was reclining to eat. She wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. She kissed his feet then anointed them with the ointment. *** Simon thought that if Jesus was a prophet he would know what kind of woman this was and not let her continue. Jesus perceived his thoughts and gave Simon a parable. *** In his parable there was a money lender who had two clients. One owed him 500 denarii and the other 50. The money lender decided to forgive them both their debt. He asked Simon which would love the money lender the most. Simon replied the one who owed him the most. Jesus explained that this woman, because of her sins owed God the most and is more appreciative of God’s forgiveness than Simon who was “righteous”. This was her way of showing her appreciation. *** Jesus then told the woman that her sins were forgiven and her faith had saved her. He released her to go in peace. The other Pharisees had a big problem with Jesus forgiving her sins. 
 *** Their opinion did not stop Jesus from continuing to proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God. The women who followed Jesus provided for his ministry out of their means. One of them, Chuza, was married to the manager of Herod’s household. *** Lord, we know that a great wealth transfer is coming to the earth and the wealth of the wicked has been stored up for us. May we remember what we read today and use it to glorify you and grow your kingdom. May we be like the women who supported your work on the earth.

Thur.’s Devo - Love the Lord

Read: Deuteronomy 5:1-6:25; Luke 7:11-35; Psalm 68:19-35; Proverbs 11:29-31 God had made a covenant with the children of Israel at Horeb. He emphasized that he made it with them and not their children. He gave them the ten commandments which sum up all the other commandments. God himself wrote them and did it amidst fire, the cloud and thick darkness. All of them had drawn near and had seen the glory of God and heard his voice. The people agreed to obey the Lord and he heard their promise. God lamented that he wished they would always have a heart to hear him and obey him so that it would always go well for them. *** God commanded them to continue to love him with all their heart, soul and might and to teach their children to do the same. When they enter the land he promised them and live in prosperity and wealth, they are not to forget the Lord who did all this for them. They are not to be tempted to worship the gods of the inhabitants of the land. *** When asked by their children, why they follow the laws of the Lord, they are to tell them how he delivered them from the bondage of the Egyptians with great signs and wonders and brought them to this land. He commanded them to keep his laws so that he could preserve them and keep them safe. *** In Luke, Jesus went to Nain with his disciples and the crowd that were now following him. They came to the gate of the city where a man was being brought out who had died. The man was his mother’s only son. Jesus had compassion on the mother and told her not to weep. He touched the bier that the man was in and told the man to arise. He woke up from his death and was returned to his mother. The people saw this and feared and worshiped the Lord. They believed Jesus to be a great prophet and his fame spread. *** The disciples of John reported to John what Jesus was doing. John sent them to Jesus to ask him if he was indeed the Messiah or should they keep looking for him to come. Jesus told them to tell John all he was doing - the blind were seeing, the lame walking, the lepers were cleansed, the deaf were hearing and the dead were raised. Then he added blessed are those who are not offended in me. I wonder if he didn’t add this last statement because John was offended that he was still in prison when the scriptures say that the Messiah would open the prison doors and set the prisoner free. Jesus wanted him to rejoice in what God was doing, and not in what he was not doing. This is a great word for us. When we don’t see what we are praying for answered, we should rejoice at all the prayers God has answered. We don’t understand God’s total plan and neither did John. *** Jesus then spoke to the people about John praising him as being the greatest prophet of all time. His calling was to prepare the people for the coming of the Lord and he had done just that. The same people that had a hard time accepting John because he wasn’t what they had expected, were the same ones who were having a hard time accepting Jesus because he wasn’t what they had expected. *** Lord, may we give you all our expectations of how you are supposed to be working right now. May we accept your ways and thank you for the things we do see and help us have faith to keep believing in you when we don’t understand.