11-14-10 1 Corinthians 15:1-11

The passage I read was 1 Corinthians 15:1-11

You can find it here:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+15%3A1-11&version=NIV

My summary of the passage is this:

Paul reminds the believers in Corinth of the gospel he preached to them previously, emphasizing that this gospel is how they are saved and otherwise they are not.  He reiterates that Christ died for our sins and was buried and raised again appearing to Peter and the disciples and then  500 others (even though some no longer live changed by that experience).  Jesus then appeared to James and the apostles and lastly to Paul.  Paul then speaks quite humbly of himself as he explains that he is undeserving because he persecuted the church.  He goes further to explain that he has come to be who he is by grace alone.  He explains that it wasn’t him that did all that he did for God, but rather grace through him. 

As I reflect:

I first think of Paul reiterating the gospel to a saved people and then I compare it to my life.  While I am around my Christian brothers and sisters or while I write to them through the many forums made available to me, do I speak of and joyfully continue to share the gospel that we saved have all come to agree and stand on?  Perhaps a gentle reminder there that even among saved, it is good not to forget why.  We should remind each other of this more often.  It would be near impossible to do so without also expanding upon the fact that it is by grace that we are saved and it is by grace that we are capable of any good thing.  Not to lessen any portion of the Bible, for it is all God-breathed and is all useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, however I must say that often I am deeper impacted by the letters written by Paul.  Perhaps we share a common sarcasm to the method by which we answer people’s questions at times, or maybe it is a deeper sense of relation because like Paul, I once persecuted the church and attacked believers.  Regardless of the reason, I (like Paul) realize how very unworthy I am of grace.  We both acknowledge that the only good done through us is due to Christ alone.  We have both at times felt the least of our brethren.  I love that here he comes back to the very basic truth by which we are saved, the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  The fact that He died, rose again, and completely showed His grace, love, and omnipotence in sacrificing himself for our debts and resurrecting himself for our new life is the very basis of our belief system and without that, we are just another blind people aimlessly chasing after a god we cannot grasp.

My response to the Lord:

Lord, there is no greater love; no greater grace than that which you have given us on the cross.  But not in that alone, Jesus also rose again to show his grace on us that we may live as new creation in Christ.  Thank you Father for adopting us; for allowing us to drink from the living water; to partake in the body and blood; for your grace.  For you saw the punishment that we required for our sins against you, and you graciously paid our debt that we may know you through Christ.  Lord, my life is yours.  Every bit of me is yours.  This is all I have to give in thanks.  So with this life will I sing your praise and worship your holy name, and with this life will I seek to do your will.  In Jesus name.

11-13-10 Psalm 84:1-12

The passage I read was Psalm 84:1-12 

(I absolutely love this Psalm)

You can find it here:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+84%3A1-12&version=NIV

My summary of the passage is this:

There are so many things to meditate and act on in this Psalm.  I feel like each point in this passage should have it’s own Bible study devoted to it.  These points will serve as my summary.

My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the LORD

Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you.

Blessed are those whose strength is in you

They go from strength to strength

Look with favor on us

Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere (oh how I love those words… They are so close to my heart and so true to me)

I would rather be a door keeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.

The Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.

LORD Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in you.

As I reflect:

I am first off reminded of the song “better is one day” (written by Matt Redman and later sung by him, Chris Tomlin, Kutless, Petra, and many other bands and worships across the globe. – INSPIRED BY GOD).  You can find it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bldv9M_nXXE.  It really is a beautiful song, as are the words of this Psalm.  

Each one of the points from the passage could be a study entirely in and of itself.  Our Lord is so beautiful and has provided so much for us.  How could I live even one moment without yearning to be in His presence; to go home to my Father?  So If I put some of these together I learn that I am blessed when I trust in the Lord, find my strength in Him, and dwell in His house.  I believe this is not just the church or Zion, but also a state of living; a state of mind that brings His kingdom closer with every step.  I often praise aloud during my days and occasionally I will come across verses or chorus lines that bring me to my knees in tears at just how wonderful it is to know Jesus and the things of my past that he has taken away from me.   I cannot in privacy listen to or sing along with any songs about going home to Heaven or wondering what it will be like without having a complete breakdown (healthy by the way) of my emotions.  There is no joy greater though a close 2^nd place goes to knowing that my children will also be going to the same place one day.  All thanks and praise be to God!  There are days when in praise and worship and I feel as though I have spent the entire day in His courts of praise.  I know there are days when I come back inside my home after this and my smile is just stuck like cement and others in my home can tell I have had tears in my eyes.  I feel at those times as though there is nothing that could ruin that moment; nothing that could take me out of His arms reach, or from the warmth of His light.  No sin is tempting to me when He has drawn that near to me.  I feel as though everything I have on this earth could be taken away and I could be thrown in the deepest darkest dungeon without even the slightest effect to my joy in the Lord.  As for verse 12 (Lord Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in you), I am living this now.  I have old colleagues at my last job that may not understand and daily I come across the looks of those who scorn or are jealous of my life.  It is quite simple.  I have no secret to success.  I have no hidden recipe of how my life is so blessed; how everything simply falls perfectly into place and just seem to work for us; how everything we apply ourselves to grows so quickly and does so well.  Instead, we wear the recipe on our shoulder openly for the world to see…The only reason we are blessed by our Lord, is that our trust is in Him.  We trust Him with every aspect of our life big and small.

My response to the Lord:

How else can I respond Father but to worship you as the Psalmist here also lifted up your name.  You are worthy of no less and so much more than my everything Lord.  I am so blessed by your love.  I look forward to the day I get to come home, but I thank you for the opportunity to serve you daily here as well.  Lord guide me to do you will as all that I am is yours.  

11-12-10 Psalm 111:1-10

The passage I read was Psalm 111:1-10

You can find it here:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%20111:1-10&version=NIV

My summary of the passage is this:

The Psalmist is celebrating God’s glory.  I think he himself summarizes the passage best by verse 1 as he says that he will praise the Lord with all his heart both in public and in private.  Here are some of the other points of the passage:

If we delight in God’s works, we ponder on them. 

The Lord is Gracious and compassionate.

He is faithful and just.

He redeemed his people.

His name is holy and awesome.

Verse 10 = “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding.  To him belongs eternal praise. “

As I reflect:

In reflection I am less likely to consider the praises of Our Lord as the topic of the lesson as this is something that naturally begins happening once one realizes what the Lord has done in their life (both for them and through them for others).  I believe the focus during my reflection is that the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. The first Proverb (verse 1-7) says,

“¹ The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:

 ² for gaining wisdom and instruction;
   for understanding words of insight;
³ for receiving instruction in prudent behavior,
   doing what is right and just and fair;
⁴ for giving prudence to those who are simple,^[a]
   knowledge and discretion to the young—
⁵ let the wise listen and add to their learning,
   and let the discerning get guidance—
⁶ for understanding proverbs and parables,
   the sayings and riddles of the wise.^[b]

 ⁷ The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge,
   but fools^[c] despise wisdom and instruction. “

Verse 7 has stuck out to me for a number of years and it was the first thing that popped into my mind when I read the last verse of today’s passage too.  The fear of the Lord is a most important ingredient in our lives as Christians.  Have you ever stopped and really thought about why we should have this reverent, humble respect as we serve the living God?  I have.  I can say it’s humbling to consider that though we are given the gift of being able to communicate with the Creator.  It is certainly not our right and it is not to be taken for granted.  When you approach the Lord, you are approaching the King of Kings.

My response to the Lord:

Lord, as I kneel before you in humble adoration, I bow my head in reverence.  Lord my God, I pray you hear my prayer and answer your servant.  Please mold me that you would find pleasure in your servant.  Fill me with knowledge and wisdom and help me to be bold and discerning in how that knowledge and wisdom is shared with a world in need.  Lord, you will be done in and through me.  In Jesus Name. 

11-11-10 Exodus 33:12-23

The passage I read was Exodus 33:12-23

You can find it here:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+33%3A12-23&version=NIV

My summary of the passage is this:

Moses pleads with the Lord for His presence to go with him.  The Lord grants this.  Moses pleads with the Lord to see His glory.  The Lord grants a view of His back side as He passes by Moses but refuses to show His face saying that Moses would surely die if he saw the face of God.

As I reflect:

I think Moses shows several human characteristics here that are comforting to know he felt.  He showed worry, that he could not do this alone.  He showed reverence and asked the Lord to continue to find favor with him and to teach him. He showed hesitation and fear that even though the Lord said He would go with him, he wanted the enemy to know that the Lord was with Him.  Then he even requests a proving confirmation and shows his curiosity as he requests to see the Lord’s face.  All these things I have done.  I am not comforted at having something in common with Moses.  What is comforting to know, is how God responded.  God said, “I now you by name and you have found favor with me.”  He said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest… I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the LORD, in your presence.   I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.”   I am convinced it is with us who have also found favor in the Lord’s sight, that He is with us always through His Holy Spirit and that He goes with us into our battles.  There is nothing more comforting to know that I have The Almighty in my presence and that He cares for me.

My response to the Lord:

Lord, I thank you for your Holy Spirit here with me now.  I thank you for your compassion and you mercy undeserved that is poured out on me here.  I pray Lord that your goodness will be with me always; that your presence and rest will be with me.  I pray that by your grace I may please you with the life you have loaned me.  And Father, though at times I may fear what you have asked me to do, may I not hesitate or waver from your will.  In Jesus name I pray. Amen

11-10-10 2 Corinthians 8:1-9

The passage I read was 2 Corinthians 8:1-9

You can find it here:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Corinthians+8%3A1-9&version=NIV

My summary of the passage is this:

This was an encouragement and challenge to the believers at Corinth.  Paul here tells them about the churches at Macedonia.  He says they haven’t much but what they have they give.  He says they are in a trial and still overflowing with joy, that they are generous even beyond their ability to give, and that they are urging others to also be this generous.   Paul then challenges the believers at Corinth saying that they have so much faith and ability and that they have excelled in every good thing.  He says he wants to test their sincerity of love by comparing them with the earnestness of others (such as the churches in Macedonia).  They key verse that stands out to me is this:

⁹ For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.

As I reflect:

Even thought the believers at Corinth wwere doing so well in so many areas, there was still room for improvement and Paul was quick to challenge them to continue growth in the area of generosity.  As if it weren’t enough to compare them to this lowly set of churches with almost nothing, Paul goes one further and compares to our Lord Jesus Christ who gave all for us.  That’s pretty convicting.  A very strong example of the generosity that we ought to have in our own lives.  In another passage of scripture we are reminded that we ought to have the mindset/heartset to lay down our life for another (even an underserving person).   That Christ was willing to lay down His life to pay our debt and show His love for us while we were yet sinners is the ultimate example of what love truly is.  It is an example that we should all follow.  We should love not only those close to us, but even a complete stranger enough to die to our own desires to serve and help them any way we can.  I am reminded that we are Jesus Christ’s hands and feet here.  Where we go and how we act determines the view that others will make of what God is like.  If God’s followers are stingy with their gifts, then we have misrepresented our Father.  If God’s followers are willing to lay down their lives joyfully for the good of a stranger, how strong a witness of grace may we be to this world. 

My response to the Lord:

Lord, full of grace you gave your Son for my debt to be paid.  You loved me enough to do this and bring me close.  I can never thank you enough Father.  But while I am here on this Earth I can (if you are willing) be an ambassador for your kingdom.   I know the general public view of a “Christian” because it is this view of us that I must battle at every opportunity to witness.  Holy Father, I pray that you would use me and the many other men and women that are willing to change the public view of God by what our actions show.  Lord help us to be salt and light as we draw the lost closer to you.  Lord prepare the hearts of the many as we bring your kingdom.  May we be generous even to the end of our lives, faithful to serve, and may we lose not the joy you have allowed as we take hold of our labor for sake of the harvest.  In Jesus Name

11-07-10 Hebrews 3:1-11

The passage I read was Hebrews 3:1-11

You can find that passage here:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%203:1-11&version=NIV

My summary of the passage is this:

Fix your thoughts on Jesus.  God is the builder of everything.  Moses was a faithful servant.  Christ is faithful as the Son and is in charge of God’s house.  We are his house (if we hold firm to our belief system in Him).  Out of us have come some very faithful servants (such as Moses).  We need to believe and act on that belief In Jesus.  Think of the Israelite in the desert for 40 years.  Their unbelief and improper actions despite the Lord proving Himself in so many ways to them ended up causing them to lose their lives.

As I reflect:

This passage stands out in two sections to me.  One is a nice analogy of the body of the Lord.  The other section is a warning of accountability for unbelief. 

As for the analogy, we are His house.  It makes since.  He is our Architect; our Creator.   We our His creation.  The builder of the house deserves all glory for the compliment of the created.  Jesus is in charge of God’s house.  Moses was a servant in God’s house.  We are all to be good stewards of the creation He has given us. 

The second part seems to be pretty simple yet serves as a powerful reminder of accountability to the Christian.  If you have claimed to be a follower of God, then follow Him.  He will only tolerate your lack of commitment for so long.  The example was given to us here of the Israelites in the desert and the ground swallowing them up for their constant turning from the Lord.  We have also been told that if we continue to live in sin after Salvation, the Lord will eventually turn us over to that sin.  And we know that sin can carry a very high punishment outside of the grace of Gods Spirit.  It is good to be in the Law of the Spirit.  May we choose not to live in sin and reap the consequences that we are not able to bare.

My response to the Lord:

Thank you for your graciousness Holy Father.  Thank you for keeping me in your house; your body of believers.  May I never stray Lord.  May I never be like those who acknowledge you with their lips and then deny you with their actions.  Lord by your grace alone I stand.  

11-06-10 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5

The passage I read was 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5

You can find that passage here:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Thessalonians+3%3A1-5&version=NIV

My summary of the passage is this:

Paul shows confidence in the Thessalonians because of His confidence in God to work through them.  He asks for prayer to spread the Gospel.  He asks for prayer for deliverance from the wicked.  Then he pronounces blessings that the Lord is faithful and will strengthen and protect the Thessalonians.  He says, “may the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.”

As I reflect:

I already find myself over analyzing this one.  But taking it at it’s face value may have a better result of fruitfulness.  For this reason, I will look at the example set for me by a greater man than I.

A man of God should encourage other men and women of God.  He should do so not because of his faith in the human condition to do great things, but because of his faith in the Lord to do great things through people despite their human condition.  A man of God should always be humble enough to ask for help and accept prayer for deliverance from evil.  A man of God should take note of where other believer’s walks are and encourage them based on the good things that He sees God doing in their lives and he knows God will continue to do.  A man of God should bless others in the name of Jesus.  I have often said, “The Lord bless and keep you.”  Here, Paul says, “The Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.”  That is a very specific blessing.   Mine is a bit more general, but I like what outcome is implied more by Paul’s blessing of the Thessalonians.  If such a blessing were granted than the receiver would surely grow into Christ like characteristics of loving unconditionally and enduring for the sake of such love.  What a powerful blessing.

My response to the Lord:

Father, please teach me your ways.  Reveal to me your mysteries.  Open my eyes and ears to know you more Lord.  Thank you for the Biblical examples you have given us to live a life of devotion to you.   Please help me to incorporate these examples in my own life that I may better reflect your characteristics through me.  Help me to stay humble and accept the prayers of others.  Allow me to better see your work in others that I may encourage them on those paths.  Remind me that I am to bless others not only in action, but also in words that by faith I believe you will fulfill.  Help me daily Lord to be more like you and less like what was once me.  In Jesus name I pray.  Amen

11-05-10 Genesis 15:12-16 and Exodus 3:1-10

The passages I read were Genesis 15:12-16 and Exodus 3:1-10

You can find those passages here:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=genesis%2015:12-16&version=TNIV

and here:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=exodus%203:1-10&version=TNIV

My summary of the passages is this:

In the first passage Abram (later Abraham) goes into a deep sleep and dreams the Lord comes to him with a promise that for 400 years his descendants will be enslaved and mistreated in a country not their own.  The Lord says he will punish that country and save them from there, giving them great possessions. He also tells Abram that he will have a long and peaceful life.  

In the second passage, just over 400 years have passed now and the Lord comes to Moses in a burning bush, told him to take off his shoes (holy ground) and then said that He was concerned about the people’s sufferings.  He told Moses that He has come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and bring them into a land flowing with milk and honey.  He then sends Moses to bring the Israelites out of Egypt. 

As I reflect:

 I was tempted at first to simply say this Bible study has the obvious meaning that God never forgets His promises and He is faithful to keep them, but that doesn’t really say how I can apply it to my own life (which should be the goal when one reads the Word).  For me, I can say this tackles my impatience.  The Lord confirmed in me and my wife about 6 years ago that we were to work in ministry.  Though we minister as we can when we can and pretty much where ever we go, we haven’t actually gotten to step into a ministry with a full time role of any kind.  Here I am 6 years later searching for an internship in ministry and finding a great deal of difficulty at times.  I must not begin to doubt what God has confirmed in us.  It is simply a matter of time and finding the right ministry.  I know that He has an open door somewhere because He is faithful.  I know that He will lead me to it if I just keep seeking, because He is faithful.  I know that Moses (though scared and requiring help from his bro) did do what God said and because of that, God was faithful all through the process.  As He is being faithful with us also.  We continue the search and He makes sure my family and I are well taken care of financially, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, etc.  He has surrounded us with true friends that care and check up on us and are happy to be held accountable and to hold us accountable.  He really has taken care of every excuse that one could come up with to run away from this search.  He has labeled the hallway and set me on a path of trying door handles as I walk through it.  One of them will open.  That’s the one I’m going to keep looking for.  I know Moses felt like giving up so many times.  I have felt that way too.  “Oh I can just get a telemarketing job, or move to the beach and do labor till I find something in my comfort zone, or go into sales, or customer service call centers”.  But these are the areas God trained me in, not the areas He called our future to.  As the Lord is faithful to bring us to completion, I must also be faithful to attempt to be the product He has called me to be.   Being in front of people instead of being on the phone at a desk is out of my comfort zone.  Just as publicly speaking was out of the stuttering Moses’ comfort zone.    

My response to the Lord:

Holy Father, thank you so much for this study tonight.  I had no idea what reflection was going to bring.  Now I feel revived and reassured that I’m right where you want me.  Lord please forgive my sins and lead me away from temptations.  Please continue to mold and sanctify me through your Holy Spirit.  Please never cease in guiding me to your perfect will for this life.  Help me to focus and take one foot in front of the other; one knob after the other, until I come to your will.  Do not allow me to fall into a comfort zone like the days of ole.  I prayed and you have taken that away confirming that a different direction is what you have for me.  Lord help me to find the right door.  Take my hand Abba, for I cannot even breath without you.  Help me not to settle for what the world calls success, but to continually keep my eyes on you that this storm would not stop me from finding the other side of the valley.  Lord I praise and worship you for all your wonder.  You are glorious Lord.  

11-04-10 Psalm 36:5-12

The passage I read was Psalm 36:5-12

You can find that passage here:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy%207:1-11&version=NIV

My summary of the passage is this:

God is faithful to fulfill the promises of his mercy which hath no end.  This passage is an edification of God.  The author is lifting up the name of the Lord and speaking of His love, kindness, righteousness, judgments, mercy, and light. 

As I reflect:

The very first 2 verses say,

⁵ Your love, LORD, reaches to the heavens,
   your faithfulness to the skies.
⁶ Your righteousness is like the highest mountains,
   your justice like the great deep.

This immediately brought a song to mind.  “Your Love Oh Lord” by Third Day.

You can listen to that song here if you are unfamiliar:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEF7IoQ3eUk&ob=av2n

the lyrics read,

“Your love, oh Lord
Reaches to the heavens
Your faithfulness stretches to the sky
Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains
Your justice flows like the ocean's tide
I will lift my voice
To worship You, my King
I will find my strength
In the shadow of your wings”

No doubt in my mind that this passage is where they got the inspiration for that song.  I love when I come across lyrics to a song I know in the Bible.  That just makes my day.

Anyhow, back to reflecting (now listening to the song).

These are such simple words and yet I never would have on my own come to write them down.  I think the closest I’ve ever come is when I tell the Lord allowed, “thank you for blessing me Lord.  I am sooo undeserving.  I am thankful that you keep blessing me, though I have not an understanding of the love you must have for a wretch like me to continue blessing even when I fail you.”  That’s almost a daily thing now.  I have to at some point (sometimes more than once) stop and thank my God for blessing so richly a man and family so undeserving of such grace.  That He chooses to lead me to His wings protection despite my offenses is a beauty this earth has nothing to compete with. 

My response to the Lord:

Your love Lord, is everywhere in my life and I am not blind to how very often you are faithful to me, though I find myself unfaithful in my flesh.  It is because you are so truly righteous that I fear your justice at times Father.  But I have nothing to fear for your unfailing love provided that my debt be paid for me due to my inability to pay the price myself.  This is something that is far beyond our poor power to fully grasp; that your love would not only allow for forgiveness, but that you would take in those that are responsible for your sons torture and death by way of sin against you….I am without words when I think that you not only are not going to destroy me for that, but that you love me enough to invite me to take refuge under your wing.  The Lord has provided all that I need and soo much more.  Perhaps had I heard of the life that you give to your children, I wouldn’t have believed it.  But that I am blinded by it daily in my own life, makes it impossible to deny.   Lord keep my heart upright though my flesh fail, that I may stay in your light and love.  I ask the same of your other children; my brothers and sisters.  May none of us become so so self centered or arrogant to stand against you, nor so blind or easily led that we should fallow your enemies.  Let them not stand against us Father.  In Jesus Name

11-03-10 Deuteronomy 7:1-11

The passage I read was Deuteronomy 7:1-11

You can find that passage here:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy%207:1-11&version=NIV

My summary of the passage is this:

God is about to give land to his children and he instructs them how to take hold of it.  He tells them to completely destroy and drive out the nations in the way there and he is very specific in telling his children not to become one with those nations or in any way accept them and their pagan rituals.  He makes it clear that if they end up letting their sons marry the daughters of those nations or vice versa, that it will result in pagan worship and that God would then need to punish His children out of anger.  He is not only specific as to what not to do, but He also tells them exactly what to do.  Burn down carved wooden gods, break down alters, etc.  He then goes on to explain that He didn’t set apart the people of God because they were special in and of themselves.  Matter of fact is that they were almost nothing when they were found.  Instead, the reason that God saved them was 2 fold.  1 because He loved them.   2 because He keeps His covenants and is loyal.  He had made a covenant with the forefathers of this generation and was now keeping it.  This passage is wrapped up with a final reminder that even though he is loyal to those who love him, he is also quick to pay the wages of death to those who hate him.  The passage stops at verse 11 saying to “take care to follow the commands, decrees and laws I give you today.”

As I reflect:

This week’s bible studies are supposed to in one way or another reflect God’s faithfulness.  I decided a few weeks ago not to let what the bible studies or “supposed” to be about effect what I might take away from the Word if given the openness to receiving directly from God what is meant to be given to me in that passage.  It is no different in this passage.  Instead of focusing on God’s faithfulness, I am left looking at the passage as a whole and waiting on a message that I can and will apply to my life.  

Here are some things that kinda stick out:

Do not be unequally yoked

Do not accept evil

We are a treasured possession of God

We weren’t chosen because of our own greatness.

We were chosen because of love

God is faithful to His word

Take care to follow the commands and decrees and laws of God

As I came across the second to last point that stands out there, I got my reflection.  God is faithful to his word, yes, but He also has a condition set in verse 9.  He said Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.

Notice the last part of that verse states the condition of the covenant… It is to those who love Him and keep his commandments.  That idea is kind of reflected in the first couple verses too as the Lord discusses the specifics of what to do as he brings them into the land.  There are conditions that we are asked to meet in our walk with Christ.  I’m not saying that these conditions necessarily are the basis of our salvation, but they are certainly things that we need to remember on the daily.  Looking at my own salvation for example, I know that I am saved from hell.  I know that I am saved from my own sin’s condemnation.  But the only reason I know that is because I walk in a different law.   The law of the Spirit through life in Christ Jesus, and this affects my ability to be free from such condemnation.  Promise = freedom from condemnation, condition = walk in the law of the Spirit.  Promise = all things work together for the good, condition = love God and be called according to His purpose.  Promise = eternal life with Christ Jesus, condition = confess with your lips and believe in your heart (which WILL affect how you live) that Jesus is Lord over your entire life.  There are many other conditional offers that exceed just being saved from eternity in hell.  There is still more to a Christian walk.  There are characteristics and fruits offered when we meet the required conditions of seeking after Him fervently and making our request known properly.  That being said, this study did indeed come back to God’s faithfulness.  It’s quite clear now just how this passage applies in that light.  The conditions or part of the equation sometimes.  Like God is faithful to forgive us (promise) if we will repent (turn away from) and confess our sins (condition of our heart). 

My response to the Lord:

Lord, so far beyond our poor ability to grasp is the depth of the plans you have made for us.  That you have so perfectly set up every little intricate detail is amazing to me.  Even the rules by which we live and die, you have plainly given to us to either receive and follow, or ignore and fall.  Thank you for putting thought into me Lord.  Thank you for giving us the opportunities to improve and grow as we seek after you.  May I daily be reminded of who I am in you and reflect it in my walk, talk, and thought.   Thank you for your faithfulness Lord.  I can rely on you to do what you said you will do, if I will do what you have asked me to do.  And I thank you for your unconditional love and blessings undeserved that despite my failures, you continue to offer me and my family.  I truly love you Father.