Day 123...(Deuteronomy 31; Psalm 123)..."Happy New Year"

In today's reading from Deuteronomy we find a good word to begin 2010. As 2010 begins, we have no idea what may lay ahead. My head spins, as I think of all the changes in my life since New Year's 2009. In all likelihood 2010 will bring joys, celebrations, blessings, some challenges and sorrow. God's words to Moses and then Moses's word to Joshua are fitting, as we move into the new year...

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."

HAPPY NEW YEAR! SHALOM!

Day 122...(Deuteronomy 30; Psalm 122)..."Prosperity and The Bible"

The word prosperity comes up in the reading of both Deuteronomy and Psalms today. In our United Methodist tradition we tend to shy away from any association with a "prosperity gospel." I do not think we can make an argument that God's people are financially prosperous. Prosperity in this context would be experienced through blessings. What I do see in these readings is the correlation of self-inflicted curses. Clearly, a decisive loyalty to love God and follow His teaching leads to prosperity. Choices to pursue other gods leads to destruction. Maybe we need to broaden our understanding of prosperity to one of blessings.

Here is a sample...

"See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. For I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the LORD your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess."

Though I am baffled by the ceremonial and rigid requirements of Deuteronomy...I am inspired by the greater theme of loyalty to God.

Day 121...(Deuteronomy 29; Psalm 121)..."A Message to Hold Near"

Psalm 121 is also one of my favorite. I find myself reciting it at memorial services and at times of transition. The Lord does not sleep. He does watch over our coming in and going out. In all of life, we are to "lift up our eyes to the hills, from whence our help does come." "Our help comes from the Lord the Maker of Heaven and Earth!"

In Deuteronomy Israel is reminded to keep the covenant. If we they do not, God's judgment will come. A covenant of blessing or curse continues to be a theme of our reading. Deuteronomy keeps this theme of "what part don't you understand" in the message.

Day 120...(Deuteronomy 28; Psalm 120)..."God Hears"

The Psalmist says... "I call on the LORD in my distress, and he answers me." In this Psalm the writer sounds all out of sorts. He comes in peace but is answered with war. In such times, God does hear. This is a good teaching for peace attempts in the face of violence. It is reassuring to know God does hear us, when we face hostility.

In Deuteronomy, we read yet again..."blessing or curse." God's way or the other way. We do make things very complicated.

Day 119...(Deuteronomy 27; Psalm 119)..."Favorite Verse in the Longest Psalm"

Why is the 119th Psalm so long? It is an Hebrew acrostic according to biblical notes in the NIV study Bible. Amidst the length nestled in the many inspiring verses is one of my favorite and states the reason why daily Bible study makes a difference.

"Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light for my path.

If you are in to the structure of the Psalms, Psalm 117-119 are all noteworthy. There are some that acknowledge Psalm 118 as the halfway point in the Bible. Psalm 117 is the shortest. Psalm 119 is the longest. All this in three chapters. We are rapidly winding through the Psalms and we have forty-one to go.

We begin the New Testament with the New Year!

Day 118...(Deuteronomy 26; Psalm 118)..."A Little Bounce for the Day After Christmas"

Psalm 118 has a bounce to the words. The trusting of God is better than any man and princes. One verse says..."Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous: "The LORD's right hand has done mighty things!" The verse with the most bounce appears in a recognized form. We have sung it! We have begun worship with the phrase. Here is the passage...

"This is the day the LORD has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it."

What a bounce as I never grow tired of this passage. The day after Christmas especially. I like to have a bounce in my steps.

Day 117...(Deuteronomy 25; Psalm 117)..."Muzzling

Duane Manuel gives insight into the passage... "do not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain." Apparently owners of the ox lacked compassion and were greedy and did not want the ox to eat grain while treading with the millstone. They would muzzle the ox. This teaching which also appears in New Testament indicates that you can actually harvest more grain in keeping the ox strong. There are several possibilities of meaning.

1) Keep the ox strong and do not hinder the work

2) A worker deserves it wages (Paul's meaning)

3) Show compassion in times of prosperity

4) Animals are God's creations too and deserve fair treatment.

Psalm 117 is one of the shortest. Twenty-nine words in all and only two verses. Enjoy for Psalm 119 is coming...are you ready? 176 verses.

Christmas Day...Day 116(Deuteronomy 24; Psalm 116)..."Merry Christmas"

Merry Christmas! "Immanuel...God is with us." "The Word has become flesh and dwelt among us." Hope you have a great Christmas Day.

Our reading today includes one of my favorites...Psalm 116. This Psalm, at age 18, moved me to trust the Lord in a deeper way. I remembered why tonight as I was moved by these words...

"For you, O LORD, have delivered my soul from death,
my eyes from tears,
my feet from stumbling,

that I may walk before the LORD
in the land of the living."

Christmas Eve...Day 115 (Deuteronomy 23; Psalm 115)..."God is our Help and Sheild"

God is our help and shield is stated three times. This in literary form is known as an intensification. Instead of being repetitive this is done to bring a point home. In saying the same phrase three times the message becomes more dramatic. What is the phrase?

"He is their help and shield"

Today we celebrate a message that has been intensified over 2000 years. The Christmas message of Christ's birth I never grow tired of sharing or hearing spoken or sung. What is this great news? "Christ is born today!" May He born in our hearts today!

ADVENT Day 24...(Deuteronomy 22; Psalm 114)..."As He Cares For the Birds of the Air"

The Bible teaches that God cares for the birds of the air. In today's reading, we have a mandate to care for the birds. Notice the delicate teaching in Deuteronomy 22...

"If you come across a bird's nest beside the road, either in a tree or on the ground, and the mother is sitting on the young or on the eggs, do not take the mother with the young. You may take the young, but be sure to let the mother go, so that it may go well with you and you may have a long life."

God cares for us. He cares for the birds. We are to care for the birds too. How important is this kind of teaching? In taking care of creation, our lives will be enriched and even in some cases blessings of a long life.

ADVENT Day 23...Day 113(Deuteronomy 21; Psalm 113)..."Praise the Name of the Lord...on the Shortest Day of the Year"

As Advent bends in a few days toward Christmas Eve, a simple, profound, and wonderful thought emerges in the Psalm.

"From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets,
the name of the LORD is to be praised."

Everyone, Everywhere, and Everything is to praise the Name of the Lord. In our journey to the manger, may the Name of the Lord be praised from sun rise to sun down. On this the shortest day of the year...O Come let us adore Him Christ the Lord! Amen!

ADVENT Day 22...Day 112(Deuteronomy 20; Psalm 112)..."I Really Like the 112th Psalm"

Psalm 112 is great! Where there is a negative God will answer with a positive. When facing the dark there will be dawn of new light! There is no fear of bad news for the heart is steadfast. Those who follow the Lord will never be shaken. And in the end the longing of the wicked will come to nothing. Psalm 112 would be great reading when having a discouraging or difficult day. The Psalmist would say hang in there for God's ways will keep you upright and blessed. Here are the first few passages of this great Psalm.

"Praise the LORD.
Blessed is the man who fears the LORD,
who finds great delight in his commands.

His children will be mighty in the land;
the generation of the upright will be blessed."

As we begin our journey to Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, let us walk upright and honor the Lord. May God bless all in this special time of year! Have a great week!

ADVENT Day 21...Day 111(Deuteronomy 19; Psalm 111)..."Where did the phrase "an Axe to Grind" come from?"

I wonder if the phrase "an axe to grind" may have originated in Deuteronomy? Here is the passage...

"For instance, a man may go into the forest with his neighbor to cut wood, and as he swings his ax to fell a tree, the head may fly off and hit his neighbor and kill him. That man may flee to one of these cities and save his life. Otherwise, the avenger of blood might pursue him in a rage, overtake him if the distance is too great, and kill him even though he is not deserving of death, since he did it to his neighbor without malice aforethought."

The highways to flee are both road of mercy and judgment. The innocent can flee but the guilty will be apprehended.

What do you think about the punishment for a false witness? "The judges must make a thorough investigation, and if the witness proves to be a liar, giving false testimony against his brother, then do to him as he intended to do to his brother." This punishment might just silence someone speaking out of turn.

The Psalm says..."the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." This is a wonderful passage to ponder in Advent. How can we fear the Lord and live a "fear not life." If we disrespect the Lord will our lives not consumed with fear. Obviously, the passage is a call to respect the Lord. If we do, then the words of the angel ring true..."fear not."

ADVENT Day 20...Day 110(Deuteronomy 18; Psalm 110)..."Best Practices"

What is the best practice for a people following God? How to do you keep a nation pure in religion? This was the word to Israel as they prepared to enter the promised land. They were to avoid detestable practices. What were these detestable practices? Here is a word...

"When you enter the land the LORD your God is giving you, do not learn to imitate the detestable ways of the nations there. Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the LORD, and because of these detestable practices the LORD your God will drive out those nations before you. You must be blameless before the LORD your God."

What detestable practices cause us to stumble today? Spirituality is a fine line between sacred and scary. Religion does not save us for most any spiritual practice is considered religion. Deuteronomy builds on laws (10 Commandments), love, and best practices to keep following God...and not "fall for anything." This would be the best of "best practices" today.

ADVENT Day 19...Day 109(Deuteronomy 17; Psalms 109)..."The Evil One in the Psalms"

Psalm 109 is a different kind of Psalm. Why would David wish all this ill will on anyone? Upon a closer look there is a battle between good and evil. The language is convincing of the war between good and evil.

"May his days be few;
may another take his place of leadership.

May his children be fatherless
and his wife a widow.

May his children be wandering beggars;
may they be driven from their ruined homes.

May a creditor seize all he has;
may strangers plunder the fruits of his labor.

May no one extend kindness to him
or take pity on his fatherless children.

May his descendants be cut off,
their names blotted out from the next generation."

...not you average Psalm. I am reminded even in the Psalms a battle rages between good and evil.

ADVENT Day 18...Day 108(Deuteronomy 16; Psalm 108)..."How Great is God's Love?"

How great is God's Love? Paul says it in Ephesians 3:23..."God's love is deep, wide, high, and broad." I John says it simply..."God is Love." The Psalmist says it this way...

"For great is your love, higher than the heavens;
your faithfulness reaches to the skies."

God's love is greater than we can imagine. And just to think He loves you and me! He is also faithful beyond our limits!

ADVENT Day 17...Day 107(Deuteronomy 15; Psalms 107)..."A Debt Relief Plan That Ends Poverty!"

Deuteronomy gives us basic foundations such as to Love God with all our heart, mind, and strength. How about a debt elimination and poverty plan? It is not a Jubilee (every 50 years) but it is appealing to think about. What if our current world forgave debts after seven years? Perhaps there would be less greed and less poor. Here is the wording...

"You may require payment from a foreigner, but you must cancel any debt your brother owes you. However, there should be no poor among you, for in the land the LORD your God is giving you to possess as your inheritance, he will richly bless you, "At the end of every seven years you must cancel debts. This is how it is to be done: Every creditor shall cancel the loan he has made to his fellow Israelite. He shall not require payment from his fellow Israelite or brother, because the LORD's time for canceling debts has been proclaimed. if only you fully obey the LORD your God and are careful to follow all these commands I am giving you today. For the LORD your God will bless you as he has promised, and you will lend to many nations but will borrow from none. You will rule over many nations but none will rule over you"

I like the every seven year plan but I do not expect it to pass congress!

ADVENT Day 16...Day 106 (Deuteronomy 14; Psalm 106)..."No Bull, Do not Eat Mosquitos or Grass"

Deuteronomy tells us not to eat anything that swarms. I was not inclined to eat mosquitos and I sure do not like them to eat me. These kind of chapters make you wonder how barbaric the menu could have been at the time!

The Psalmist knows how to recall victories. He also knows how to "learn from mistakes." Almost the entire 106 Psalm is a litany of Israel's mistakes. One of the greatest lines is found in 106:20.

"They exchanged their glory for an image of a bull, which eats grass." The human condition of doing things their way instead of God's way is summed up in a few words.

ADVENT Day 15...Day 105 (Deuteronomy 13; Psalm 105)..."Give thanks for what the Lord has Done"

Another case, in the reading today, of looking to the future recalling the victories of the past. Psalm 105 references many points of victory. Is repetition to be discouraged? Obviously not if this literary form is in the Bible. If we are struggling moving into the future, why not give thanks for how the Lord has brought us through the past. Repeating the victories moves us into the future. Especially, when facing adversity. Here is the first verse that unlocks the chapter...

"Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name;
make known among the nations what he has done.

Sing to him, sing praise to him;
tell of all his wonderful acts.

Glory in his holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.

Look to the LORD and his strength;
seek his face always.

Remember the wonders he has done,
his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced"

ADVENT Day 15...Day 104(Deuteronomy 12; Psalm 104)...

One my favorite hymns is "Majesty, worship His Majesty" by Jack Hayford. (#176 in the United Methodist Hymnal. I suppose some of the loftiness could come from the Psalm 104 which states...

"the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, you are very great; you are clothed with splendor and majesty"

Splendor and majesty...does this not describe the heart of worship?

ADVENT Day 14...Day 103...(Deuteronomy 11; Psalm 103)..."A Choice of Blessing or Curse"

Both readings today have the same theme of "follow God and you will be blessed...disobey God and you will have a curse." Is this God's punishment? No, rather the consequences which are self-imposed. Deuteronomy is becoming one of my favorite Old Testament Books because it lays. out basic choices...

"See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse- the blessing if you obey the commands of the LORD your God that I am giving you today; the curse if you disobey the commands of the LORD your God and turn from the way that I command you today by following other gods, which you have not known."

The Psalmist also echoes this teaching with..."with those who keep his covenant
and remember to obey his precepts. The LORD has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all."

The Psalmist also is in tune with God's blessing and he also lifts up God's grace..."The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. "

ADVENT Day 12...Day 102(Deuteronomy 10; Psalm 102)..."What does the Lord Require of You?"

Today we have another straight forward plain message. What does the Lord require of you? Here is the answer...


"And now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the LORD's commands and decrees"

The word fear can also mean respect. Love, as in chapter six, is center of the message of God. One addition is "to walk in his ways." Is this not a great goal of life? Walk in the ways of God.

ADVENT Day 11...(Deuteronomy 9; Psalm 101)..."Eighty Days of Dedication"

In today's reading, I noticed something for the first time. Moses lay prostrate before the Lord 40 days and nights twice. Once to receive the 10 Commandments and a second time to plea for mercy for the rebellious people...including Aaron. On both occasions he lived off water. Forty days in the Bible indicates an extended time. This means Moses endured eighty days or two extended times for his receiving the Ten Commandments and pleading for his people. What dedication! I wonder why we grow so impatient in spending time with the Lord and in seasons of prayer. Advent and Lent offer great opportunities to ask such questions.

ADVENT DAY 10...Day 100...(Deuteronomy 8; Psalm 100)..."What Part of Follow the Lord Did You Not Understand?"

Deuteronomy is a "no non-sense" Book that seems to say over and over again..."what part of following God did you not understand. In writing similar to Jesus' parable of the wise and foolish builders, the writer (attributed to Moses) says...

"If you ever forget the Lord your God and follow other gods and worship and bow down to them, I testify against you today that you will surely be destroyed."

This is not "rocket science" is it? Our human condition makes everything far too complicated and we work against ourself all the while.

I never grow tired of hearing or reading the 100th Psalm. Do you? Are the pastures of the Lord not the "greenest pastures" of all.

ADVENT Day 9...Day 99...(Deuteronomy 7; Psalm 99)..."Gazoontite!"

Now for some deep theological reflection. It is not good if your last name in the story of Israel end with "ites." After reading all those names I added one. I actually sneezed and yes this was actually..."gazoontite." Here is this passage of "ites."

"Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites, seven nations larger and stronger than you"

Perhaps a more inspiring passage today comes at the end of the Psalm...

"Exalt the LORD our God and worship at his holy mountain, for the LORD our God is holy."

GOD BLESS YOU!!!

ADVENT Day 8...Day 98...(Deuteronomy 6; Psalm 98)..."Here's Your Sign!"

If you summed up the teachings of the Bible could be summed up one one daily plan it would be this one. In Moses's day places of frequent reference were identified. (doorposts, conversations, teach them to children, wear them on your forehead) We have so many places we could place this command today. This plan of loving God is to be on our "post it" notes, dashboard, mirrors, screen savers, cell phone rings, t-shirts, stickers, and calendars. Wherever we need to post the plan...post the plan. What is the plan? Here it is...

"Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates."

What a plan for life!

ADVENT DAY 8...Day 97(Deuteronomy 5; Psalm 97)..."The Ten Commandments Made Easy"

I believe it was Dr. Charles Allen the renown United Methodist Pastor who said the Ten Commandments can be remembered with two thoughts...honoring God, and relating to others.

Commandments 1-4 Deal with our relationship with God
1) God is first
2) No idols
3) No taking the Lord's Name in vain
4) Honor God's Day the Sabbath

Commandments 5-10 Deal with our relationships with other

5) Honor parents

6) No murder of others

7) No adultery

8) No stealing from others

9) No lying to others

10) No coveting of others

ADVENT Day 7...Day 96...(Deuteronomy 4; Psalm 96)...."I Really like the Themes Today!"

After spending so much time in chapters that are dry with law and regulations, I really, really like the themes today! The two readings from Deuteronomy and Psalms today are very compatible. Themes of obedience, righteousness, God's power and our need to praise. There is also a stiff warning against idolatry. Chapter four of Deuteronomy sets the stage for the next chapters. We will read about the Ten Commandments and priority of completely loving God. The Psalm is a source of inspiration through many songs of praise and worship...


"For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise"

and...

"Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth."

ADVENT Day 6...(Deuteronomy 3; Psalm 95)..."Moses sees the Promised Land without entering the Promised Land"

Moses does not get to cross to the Promised Land but he does get to see it from far above. He lives to see the vision become real! Is this not satisfying to see Israel's destination. Is not vision to see the promised land as exciting as entering the Promised Land? Obviously, in God's journey to see with vision is better than wandering in the wilderness. Great leaders do not always complete the journey but they do see the vision. Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King had similar outcomes. Here is the passage...

"Go up to the top of Pisgah and look west and north and south and east. Look at the land with your own eyes, since you are not going to cross this Jordan. But commission Joshua, and encourage and strengthen him, for he will lead this people across and will cause them to inherit the land that you will see."

Advent Day 5...Day 94(Deuteronomy 2; Psalm 94)..."When our Footing is Slipping"

What a great passage in today's Psalm about God supporting in times of trouble. Have we ever felt like our footing is slipping? About to fall? Here is a great passage...


"When I said, 'My foot is slipping,' Your Love Oh God supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul."

Anxiety is quickly remedied when remembering God is there to catch us, when our feet begin to slip. What a joy to move from anxiety to consolation!

ADVENT Day 4... Day 93(Deuteronomy 1, Psalm 93)..."Help Wanted Leaders!"

Can you spell Deuteronomy without looking at the name of Book? We will be reading one chapter at a time because the chapters are longer. In chapter one, we read of an urgent plea for leadership help! Here is the proposal for bolstering leadership...

"You are too heavy a burden for me to carry alone. The LORD your God has increased your numbers so that today you are as many as the stars in the sky. May the LORD, the God of your fathers, increase you a thousand times and bless you as he has promised! But how can I bear your problems and your burdens and your disputes all by myself? Choose some wise, understanding and respected men from each of your tribes, and I will set them over you."

The criteria for leaders listed wise, understanding, and respected. We still look for those three qualities today!

We still have a way to go in the Psalms with fifty-seven days of Psalms still left.