Thursday, March 4, 2010
March 4 ... Deuteronomy 14 - 16 "Stingy Hearts"
Deuteronomy 14:10-11 - "Give freely and spontaneously. Don't have a stingy heart. The way you handle matters triggers
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Those verses from chapter 14 got to me as well. "Don't have a stingy heart." Also these words in chapter 15 about releasing slaves after 7 years - "Don't consider this an unreasonable hardship...Believe me, GOD, your God, will bless you in everything you do."
ReplyDeleteMy sister has been on my mind a lot lately, and God has used His Word to reveal His next steps to me with her. It involves me humbling myself and opening up myself to more of her criticism. My flesh is resisting it, but God's Word - like these verses this morning - keeps reminding me that my eyes must be on Him.
According to Crabb, everything in me that's bad (pride, selfishness, ungodliness, etc.) needs to be destroyed to release that which is good.
Lord, I see only a glimpse of my own sin. I make excuses for it. I take matters into my own hands. I want to be holy because You are holy. I pray you give me the courage to obey you fully in what you've shown me.
I think particularly as a woman, I struggle with my bank account offering me some security or insecurity through the years. It comes from a place early in my childhood when my father died very unexpectedly. Yet my mother always gave God the credit and told us specifically how He always came through for her. "God takes such good care of the widows and the children" she would say.
ReplyDeleteSomehow, that truth didn't get planted in my heart. I talk the talk, but when push comes to shove, I try to explain to my husband how "women need security, and if something were to happen to him..."
But the Lord says "Don't count the cost." Remember Who your provider is. Remember Who rescued you! I have 50 years of personal testimony to that truth. Wonder why I can't fully let go, fully surrender, as you say, Bev.
There would be no worries, no doubts, and abundant joy. His Plan is so much better.
One of my pastors, who is a Christian Jew, spoke on Deutoronomy just recently and gave some great insight.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.sagemontchurch.org/learn/wednesday/vid/2010-01-27.htm
--michele
Catching up here. I'm working 12 hours a day and the commute is one hour each way.
ReplyDeleteLORD, have mercy on me!
I m a l i t t l e b i t t i r e d .
But I'm reading the chapters and reading all your comments. Rosebuds in my day...yes, they are!
Cici. I smiled when I read your intent to move forward with your sister. It IS about HIM, isn't it!? I'm wishing you shalom.
Annette, touching what you shared, very touching. I can't imagine what your life was like without your daddy. I'm sure that blew the top off of your "security" bank. I believe God has done a huge work in your life thus far. And He will continue it.
Michele, I watched the sermon and loved it! I believe that message will sow a huge harvest. So perfect for what we're learning right now. I love love love to hear a converted Jew speak about the Lord. So much completeness is revealed through their faith. I want one of those "things" to nail on my doorpost.
Deut. 15:1
"At the end of every seventh year, cancel all debts."
Something very short and precious. My debt...that I could not pay...has been stamped "CANCELLED" by the blood of Jesus Christ!
Love overwhelms me. His love has taken away the curse in my life and replaced it with one blessing after another. Even in the midst of mighty suffering, He blesses me. Sheltering in His Shadow. No debt-collectors chase me here. Every penny has been paid!
Thank You, kind Giver of of all Good things.
I love You.