Joshua 4:9 “Then Joshua set up twelve stones in the middle of the Jordan at the place where the feet of the priests who carried the ark of the covenant were standing, and they are there to this day.” 

EXTRA DUTY

 I’ve looked, and I can’t find anywhere that God told Joshua to do this.  He was supposed to take stones and set them up on the bank, cover them with lime and mark the commandments on them.  But nowhere does God say, “Set up a monument in the Jordan.”  So, why does Joshua do this and was it being disobedient?

Obviously, God didn’t mind since Joshua wasn’t chastised for it.  We don’t know how deep the Jordan was normally at the crossing site, but probably once the waters returned you couldn’t see those rocks.  But the people would know they were there.  They could remember the wall of water which was backed up so they could cross.  Maybe years later, when the river got low you could see them. Who knows?

TEACHING MOMENT

We need markers in our lives.  Children need to be taught to mark milestones in their walk with Christ.  When a prayer is answered, mark it down.  When a healing occurs, mark it down.  When a new direction is given, mark it down.  Why?  Because we tend to forget the details of the pivotal moments.  We need to teach our children to retail these stories to their children one day.

Every moment of our lives is watched over by God.  He will direct us, if we will let Him.  But He won’t force us.  Not forcing  us, though, does not mean He is not keenly aware of what is going on.  Children learn this by watching us in our own walk.  Make them part of your journey.

Are you going through a “redirection” right now?  Is God sending you down a new path?  How about your children?  Are they facing a big decision?  Set up your stones.  Mark the spot.  One day you will look back and say, “That’s where I crossed my Jordan.”

O God, You are the One who tells me where to cross the Jordans in my life.  Help me to trust that You know exactly the perfect spot.  Teach me to lead my children in their own crossings.

Deuteronomy 33:1 “Now this is the blessing with which Moses the man of God blessed the sons of Israel before his death.”

ONLY THE BEST

Isn’t it sad that the only time most of us ever hear those words “bless you” is after we sneeze?  It’s such a – well – blessing to hear those words.  In my experience, it seems Christians are the least likely to “bless” someone when we should be the most diligent at it.  Blessing someone invokes God’s blessing on them, not ours.  We are praying God’s protection and presence.  What’s NOT good about that?

Here in this chapter today, the next 28 verses are Moses’ last blessing on the tribes of Israel.  He goes through each tribe and blesses them.  Some get one sentence, and others get several.  The length of the blessing isn’t the important thing.  It’s the blessing being done that is key.

TEACHING MOMENT

 Have you ever blessed your child?  You don’t have to be ordained to bless them.  You don’t have to take them to the Pastor for that.  You can do it as often as you desire.  Let me encourage you to do that.  I would often pray for my children before school, asking for protection and provision (especially on test day, lol).

Blessing your child, speaking truth to them from God’s word, is a huge encourager to your little Elrod or Gertrude.  When they hear Mom or Dad praying a blessing on them, they know that you and God are both on the same team rooting for them.  They know that you have them on your mind.  They realize how much you desire God’s direction in their lives.

If you aren’t in the habit of blessing your children, let me encourage you to do that today.  Make it a routine.  Let them hear your heart for them according to God’s will.  I promise you will be blessed too.

Father, today I ask Your blessings on my brother or sister who is reading this right now.  Give them good health.  Meet their physical, emotional and spiritual needs today.  Protect them from those who would want to harm them and give them peace.

 Psalm 65:2 “O You who hear prayer, to You all men come.”

 DOES HE HEAR US?

 In order for us to believe that God answers prayer, we must first believe He hears us.  The Psalmist says so right here.  In fact, he addresses God as “You who hear prayer” as if that was His title.  The writer does not question it.  To him, it is just a fact.

How do we come to that?  By seeing God answer prayers.  How many prayers have you seen God answer?  For me, it’s been countless.  Some big and some small. Small quickly and some I’m still waiting on.  But they have all been answered in one of three ways – yes, no or not now.

TEACHING MOMENT

Teaching our children the importance of prayer is critical to their spiritual growth.  But teaching them to recognize when God answers is even more important.  They can’t just look for the answer they want.  We don’t pray and then only accept our desire.  Nope, we have to be pray in His will.

This verse above also says, “to You all men come.”  In one way or the other, at one time or the other, they will.  Our children will all come to God at some point.  Our prayer, of course, is that they will come to Him surrendered at an early age and not face Him in judgment.  God will hear that cry of confession if it is prayed sincerely and honestly and with brokenness.  He eagerly awaits your child to become His child.

How about you?  Are you believing God for something right now?  What are you praying about?  What are you waiting to hear?  Is it His Will or yours you want to see done?

You are the answerer of prayers, O God.  I know You hear and stand ready to respond when I pray in Your Will and not my own.  Thank You, in advance, for answered prayers.

 Deuteronomy 28:15 “‘But it shall come about, if you do not obey the Lord your God, to observe to do all His commandments and His statutes with which I charge you today, that all these curses will come upon you and overtake you:’”

HARSH WORDS

This is a tough chapter.  While verses 1-14 tell about God’s blessings for obedience, verses 15-68 describe the consequences for disobedience.  I don’t know about you, but I definitely prefer blessings over punishment.

I know what you are saying.  “Carl, this is Old Testament, so it doesn’t apply to me as a Christian.”  Really?  Do you think a holy God is still going to allow you to thumb your nose at Him and live a life of disobedience?  Not hardly.  Now, if you are truly a believer, you should be very careful to obey Him.  Why?  Because you love Him.  That’s simple.

TEACHING MOMENT

 I don’t need to explain to you how to apply this verse, do I?  As a parent it seems we are always dishing out either consequences or praises.  I prefer to praise children.  It is a lot more fun.  I love catching kids doing the right thing.  Let me encourage you to do the same.  Look for the good stuff rather than the bad stuff.

I had a teenage boy in a children’s home I served in once who was a very negative leader.  But he definitely had leadership skills.  After months of constantly disciplining him for his negative actions, I realized I need to find ways to use his leadership skills in positive ways.  So, I began to give him small tasks to do that would allow him to lead others.  Slowly but surely, he started leading positively.  “Blessings” rather than “curses” followed.

What are you focused on in your life?  Are you so distracted with your own pursuits that you don’t even stop and make sure that you are living obediently?  May I encourage you to stop and do that?  Examine your choices and line them up with God’s Word.  You may be surprised.

Thank You Father, for the blessings You send to me.  I know the disciplines I receive from You are to shape me into a more useable vessel.  Help me choose obedience every day.

Deuteronomy 23:23 “‘You shall be careful to perform what goes out from your lips, just as you have voluntarily vowed to the Lord your God, what you have promised.’”

KEEPING YOUR WORD

I bet you’ve never done that, right?  You have never said, “I swear…”  We have all said that.  But do we realize the gravity of that statement?  The Lord warns us of making such vows.  We have to be very careful of “swearing” to do something.  It can really come back to bite us if we are not careful.

Now, not all vows are bad.  Marriage vows are good.  Vows to uphold an office you are elected to are good.  The Pledge of Allegiance to our country is great.  Just make sure that your vow to uphold these is real and that you are willing to be held accountable to the vow.

TEACHING MOMENT

The next time little Johnny says, “But Dad/Mom, I swear I didn’t break that…” take the time to explain what he just said.  Pull out this verse.  Talk about what that means.  Make sure he understands that when we “swear” to something or make a vow, it means something.

One great way to do that is to model it for them.  Make a vow to them that you plan to keep and then keep it.  Show them by modeling good behavior.  When we break our promises to our children they learn that’s okay.  Promises always broken are promises that should have never been made.

Are you guilty of that?  Are you guilty of broken promises?  Who do you need to go to today and ask forgiveness for breaking a vow to them?  Maybe it’s your spouse.  Maybe it’s your child.  Whomever it is, make it right.  Your word matters.

Promise Keeper, remind me of the power of a vow.  Help me keep my word to all I have sworn to.  Help me be that person people know will keep his word.

 Deuteronomy 19:21 “‘Thus you shall not show pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.’”

 I’LL GET HIM BACK

 So, this is where that saying “an eye for an eye” comes from.  Have you ever wondered that?  I have read this before, but never really stopped to realize just how harsh this was.  God was insistent on keeping evil and disobedience out of His people.  He was not going to tolerate outright evil.

But isn’t it amazing how different grace is?  When Christ came He told us to turn the other cheek, to go the second mile.  What?  Isn’t He the same God who spoke these words in Deuteronomy?  Yep!  But He knew from the beginning that law would not save us.  We needed grace.  We needed a Savior.

TEACHING MOMENT

Children have a natural tendency to want to “get them back” if they have been hurt by someone.  Has your child ever said that?  Maybe your little Elrod or Gertrude came home from school fuming.  They started spouting off about so and so in their class who had embarrassed them.  Then they start making plans for payback.  Nip that in the bud.

Take them to this passage and then explain how Christ came to fulfill all the laws of the Old Testament.  Explain how He died for that boy or girl who just hurt their feelings.  Explain how we, as believers, are to do everything in our power (through the Holy Spirit) to win them to Christ, not pay them back.  That’s the world’s way.

I bet you have never gotten revenge on someone, have you?  Right!  We are probably all guilty of that to some degree.  We may not have taken “an eye for an eye,” but we get back at others.  Repent.  Confess that as sin.  Remember, Christ died for each and every one we encounter in our life’s journey – even the mean ones.

Giver of Grace, remind me daily of the forgiveness I have received from You.  Help me forgive others in the same way.  Help me love them as You love them.

 Deuteronomy 14:28-29 “‘28 At the end of every third year you shall bring out all the tithe of your produce in that year, and shall deposit it in your town. 29 The Levite, because he has no portion or inheritance among you, and the alien, the orphan and the widow who are in your town, shall come and eat and be satisfied, in order that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hand which you do.’”

 IS CARING FOR OTHERS

 I love the fact that the Lord had a plan from the beginning for us to meet the needs of those who lead us spiritually, as well as the less fortunate (aliens, orphans and widows).  It is just sad that we don’t do a better job of it in the church or individually.

I serve on the board of a ministry called AMG International.  AMG stands for Advancing the Ministries of the Gospel.  It was founded in the 50’s by Dr. Spiros Zodhiates.  One of the most recent ministry opportunities that has been given to AMG is the refugee ministry in Greece, where thousands of refugees have come trying to get into Europe.  What an opportunity to live out these verses.

TEACHING MOMENT

 Our children, for the most part, love to give to others.  How many times has your child asked to give something to the person beside the road with the sign in their hands?  We adults are the ones who get hard-hearted and look the other way.  Kids look AT the person and want to help.

In this case, they are teaching us.  We need to listen to THEM.  They are living out these verses.  Whether it is assisting an Iraqi refugee in Greece or a homeless vet in Chattanooga, we need to do as the Lord leads and not fear.  Give of your blessings.  I promise you will be blessed so much more.

Lord, all I have is Yours.  Direct me to give in the way You want me to give.  Help me to hold all I have with an open hand.

Deuteronomy 13:4 “‘You shall follow the Lord your God and fear Him; and you shall keep His commandments, listen to His voice, serve Him, and cling to Him.’”

IT’S NOT A BAD THING

Did you ever date someone or have a friend who was clingy?  That can really drive you crazy.  They call you every hour on the hour.  They are constantly trying to get with you for lunch or dinner or just to hang out.  They want to be with you all the time.

Isn’t it interesting here that Moses is telling the people to cling to God?  You see, the Lord knew the people would need to stay close to Him when they entered the Promised Land.  This chapter gives them stern warnings what would happen if they forsook Him.  Cling to Him and avoid the discipline of the Lord.

TEACHING MOMENT

 How many times have you taken your child to the store and told them to stay right beside you?  In this day and age, you had better keep a close eye on your child.  Why?  Because there are lots of folks out there who would harm your child.  So, we are diligent about teaching stranger danger and other safety precautions to our kids.

Why aren’t we as careful about teaching them spiritual safety?  Eternal abuse from the spiritual realm will last for eternity.  We have to be more diligent to protect and teach them the dangers of forsaking our Lord.  He is the only one who can truly protect them spiritually.  Teach them to cling to Him.

Are you clinging today?  Are you walking with Him?  He wants you to cling. He will never complain that you are too clingy.  He wants you resting in His bosom.  It is a safe place.  Cling to Him.

O Lord, I am thankful I can cling to You.  I want to feel Your breath on me.  I want to be so close to You that I can hear Your heartbeat.  I am clinging, Lord.

 Deuteronomy 10:12-13 “12 ‘Now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require from you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and love Him, and to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, 13 and to keep the Lord’s commandments and His statutes which I am commanding you today for your good?’” 

EXPECTATIONS

 I worked over 30 years in the Children’s Homes ministry throughout the Southeast.  Whenever I talked with a child about getting along with the Houseparent or anyone else in authority, I would ask them, “Do you know what they expect from you?  Do you understand the rules?”  Most of the time, when they began to realize those, they got along much better.

Here it is in a nutshell.  God boils it all down.  Here is what He expects from us.  Fear the Lord.  Walk in His ways.  Love Him.  Serve Him.  Keep His commandments and statutes.  If we do that, rebellion won’t be on our minds.  Our hearts will be surrendered to Him, and all will be well between us.

TEACHING MOMENT

 Now, this is a principle you want to make sure to teach to your little Susie and Johnny.  The earlier they learn this, the easier their walk with the Lord will be.  Of course, as believers in Christ, we have the extra benefit of the Holy Spirit residing in us.  He reminds us of our love for the Savior.

Your children are more than likely going to rebel or resist you at some point.  Make sure they understand what you, as a parent, expect from them.  Keep your expectations age appropriate, but most importantly, keep them Christ focused.  If your children are pleasing their Master, they should be pleasing you too.

Perhaps you need a reminder today of your allegiance.  We adults can get so distracted making our children mind that we forget that we are required to do the same.  Are you fearing, walking, loving, serving and keeping?

Law Giver, I am thankful that Christ came to fulfill the Law.  I know I am still required to surrender my life to You on a daily  basis.  Today, I do that afresh.  Thank You.

 Deuteronomy 5:1 “Then Moses summoned all Israel and said to them: ‘Hear, O Israel, the statutes and the ordinances which I am speaking today in your hearing, that you may learn them and observe them carefully.’”

 IS THERE AN ECHO AROUND HERE?

 The ten commandments were repeated by Moses here before the people began to enter the Promised Land.  Why?  Didn’t they know them?  Didn’t they understand them?  I guess the Lord and Moses felt they needed to hear them again.  Read them again in verses 7-21.  Which one of those hits you the hardest?

How many times have you had to “relearn” something?  Boy, it happens to me all the time.  If I don’t do something a lot, I have to get out the instructions again.  It was the same with God’s directions to the Israelites.  They had to be reminded of His expectations over and over again.

TEACHING MOMENT

I bet you never have to repeat yourself with your kids, do you?  I can hear you laughing now.  Sure you do.  Our children may hear you the first time, but for some reason they don’t understand it the next time.  Repetition is needed for them to get it.

Aren’t you glad we don’t have to “repeat” salvation?  Oh, our children need to understand this.  “Once saved always saved” is true if you are truly saved.  Repetition is NOT needed here.  The repetition comes in our need to die to self daily.  Every day we have to surrender to Christ and say no to our flesh.  Now that’s worth repeating.

I don’t know about you, but I have to do that every second of every hour of every day.  My flesh is wicked and strong and wants to rule my life.  But when I say no to it and yes to Christ, life makes sense.  Joy returns!  Peace reigns.  Repeat!  Repeat!

Lord of all creation, You have made us flesh and blood.  You knew we would have to choose to follow You.  Help me today to choose You in all I do.  Thank You for salvation that is sure!