Ephesians 4

New Hope Daily SOAP: Ephesians 4

Pastor Vicki Harrison

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Ephesians 4:11-13, So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Paul has been discussing the new life we have in Christ and the new faith community that is created, what we call the church.  The church, as the body of Christ, is an entirely new kind of community - a family of people who belong to Jesus and to one another AND love one another with the extravagant love of Christ.  But this unique community has standards.  Look at verses 2-4.  This body of believers should be humble, gentle, patient, and bear one another in love.  There should be unity among them as a demonstration of to whom they belong.

While there is unity, there is diversity in gifts and strengths.  Jesus has made sure that his church has everything it needs to become mature and effective.  Thus, some people are given the gifts and graces to become apostles, others prophets, still others evangelists, pastors, and teachers.  Jesus obviously excelled in all of these categories but we don't.  Thus, we need one another desperately to build up and strengthen the body of Christ.

Historically, the church has focused more on pastors and teachers than the apostles, prophets, and evangelists.  If we look at the state of the Western church, you can see how badly this has hurt us.  We are incomplete which can lead to being ineffective.  We need everyone to build up the church:

·      Apostles are the entrepreneurs of the church, starting new mission and ministries, leading the church into new territory.  Without apostles, we get stuck in the same place, not responding to the changing needs of our world. 

·      Prophets often stand on the fringes of the church, as God's messengers, speaking hard words into the family of faith.  We have pushed the prophets aside because we tend to not like hard words. 

·      Evangelists are the salespeople of the faith.  They are particularly gifted at sharing the Good News of Jesus with people who don't get know him.  We are ALL called to be evangelistic but certain people are truly gifted in leading new people to Christ.  We need them. 

·      Pastors are shepherds of the flock.  They nurture and protect the congregation.  They are essentially the caregivers of the flock, ensuring and guarding the spiritual health of the people.

·      Teachers are the communicators of the faith.  They help the people remain Biblically grounded, teach the next generation about Jesus, and ensure that the church is faithful to God's Word and grows in their knowledge of Scripture and doctrine.

Think about your unique gifts.  Are you an apostle, a prophet, an evangelist, a pastor, or a teacher?  How can you use your gifts to build up Jesus' church?

Let's pray...Lord Jesus, Thank you for providing everything needed for our church.  Help us use the gifts of all the people so that we can build up your church and make a difference for your Kingdom.  In Your Name, Amen.

Ephesians 3

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Ephesians 3:16-19, I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

In today's focus verses, we find this beautiful prayer that Paul offers for the people in the Ephesian church.  He starts by asking God to strengthen them by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Ephesus was a very pagan city.  The church there dealt with opposition on a daily basis.  Paul knew they needed supernatural strength.  The same could probably be said of us today.  The sources of our distractions and opposition are different but still powerful. 

Next, he prayed that they would be rooted in Jesus' love and understand how expansive and deep his love truly is for his people.  In understanding this, it would change how they interacted with one another and with the unbelieving world.  Having a solid understanding of God's extravagant love for us, we can extravagantly love others. Think about that...when we experience God's love so deeply, it's much easier to act in love toward others, even when they aren't very lovable.  I've had to deal with some pretty unpleasant people this week who I didn't feel like being loving toward.  But then I read this verse and God quickly reminded me - he loved me when I wasn't so lovable.  Because of his deep love for me, I can respond to others with love, period.

Finally, Paul prays that as they have this full understanding of God's love, they will be filled with the fullness of God.  What might it be like to be filled with the fullness of God?  I'm not sure I've gotten there yet but I sure want to get there.  It sounds like there could be nothing better!

Let's pray...God of Love, We give you glory and praise for the way you demonstrate your love to us.  Help us be even but a small reflection of your love toward others.  More of you, Jesus, and less of me.  In Your Name, Amen.

Ephesians 2

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Ephesians 2:6-10, And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.  For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Central to our belief as Christians is that Jesus was not only resurrected but also exalted to a high place.  In fact, he sits at the right hand of the Father.  The amazing thing is that we as believers receive new life in Christ AND we also are exalted with him in the heavenly realms.  Today's focus verses state that the purpose of this is that we can be shown the incomparable riches of his grace.  Think about that for a moment.  The Message translation says it a different way: Once God has us where he wants us, he will have all the time in the world to "shower grace and kindness upon us."  Both sound absolutely marvelous.  We get to know and experience Jesus' amazing love for us right now.  We are exalted with him and he continues to shower us with grace and love.  Wow.

But there is more.  Our salvation is totally and completely based on faith and nothing else.  We are saved by grace through faith in Jesus alone.  There is nothing else needed to be saved.  At the time Paul wrote this, there were plenty of people who said that circumcision and following the law were also necessary to be saved.  Paul has made it clear that NOTHING else is needed - we are saved by the amazing grace of Jesus and all we have to do is have faith.  God knows us well and he did this so that we couldn't brag about our salvation because it was totally his doing and not ours.  Again, wow.

Then, there is the final part of today's focus verses.  We are God's handiwork.  Other translations say "masterpiece." We are created by God to do good things that God designed us specifically to do.  If you needed a Scripture to illustrate the phrase "God don't make no junk," this could be it.  You are God's masterpiece.  He lovingly designed you.   You are not a random experiment.  He had YOU in mind when he made you.  Your gifts and talents were also not random but were given to you by God to do good things for his world.  You are a masterpiece and you have a purpose.  Let that sink in.

Let's pray...Almighty God, You are an amazing and kind God.  Thank you for creating us and thank you for choosing us.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.  In Your Name, Amen.

Ephesians 1

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Ephesians 1:15-17, For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 

Paul's letter to the church at Ephesus is quite extraordinary!  The prose is both beautiful and powerful.  It speaks to who we are in Jesus, new life in Christ, and what we must now do about it.  The church at Ephesus, in modern-day Turkey, was established on Paul's second missionary journey.  On his third missionary journey, Paul spent 2-3 years in the city.  He addressed false doctrines and pagan practices.  In his letter to the church of Ephesus, written roughly 10 years later, Paul commends the Ephesian church on their faith and love.  They have done well and we see that expressed in this letter.

In today's focus verses, Paul states how he has heard of their faith and love, and he gives thanks for them and their dedication to Jesus.  He lifts them in prayer, specifically that they will know God even more and will be given supernatural wisdom and revelation.  While he is pleased with their spiritual maturity, he is still praying for them, that they continue to grow in holiness.  Paul wants them to truly have the knowledge of God, which can't be gained by study but only through God himself. 

As I read this, I can't help but think about how we are never done growing spiritually.  We never get this point in our walk in which we can say, "That's it, I've made it, no more study, prayer, or service needed for me!"  If we aren't dead, we aren't done.  God isn't done with any of us yet.

Let's pray...Dear God, Thank you for continuing to invest in us our sanctification.  Help us not become complacent or lazy in our faith, thinking we have done all there is to do.  Reveal to us our next step and give us the courage, desire, and motivation to learn and grow and become more like you.  More of you, less of me.  In Your Name, Amen.

Galatians 6

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Galatians 6:2-3, Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.  If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important.

We have reached the final chapter of Paul's letter to the Galatians.  Paul certainly emphasizes the main point of the letter, that salvation is found in the cross of Jesus and not in the law.  But he also gives the Galatians some words of encouragement.  He speaks of sharing one another's burdens.  Notice the assumption: every single one of us has burdens and the intent is not for us to bear them alone. 

There are certainly people who are resistant to sharing their concerns and burdens with others.  Some are embarrassed, others are too proud, some don't want to appear needy, and others truly don't want to impose.  But Scripture tells us that God wants us to share our burdens with others so that they can help us carry them.  AND...God wants us to do the same for others.  None of us are too important or too busy to care for our friends. 

Psalm 55:22 reads, Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you... Then there are the words of Jesus in Matthew 11:28-30, Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.

Certainly, we can give our cares and burdens to the Lord.  But I think part of God bearing our burdens is through other people, through the body of Christ.  By God's design, our brothers and sisters in Christ can hold us up and care for us during life's hardships and us for them. 

How have you experienced others' bearing your burdens?  How have you carried burdens for your brothers and sisters in Christ?  Spend some time today reflecting on this.

Let's pray...Lord Jesus, Thank you for the gift of Christian friendship.  Thank you for the people you put in our lives to care for us and us for them.  Help us nurture the established friendships but also be aware and open to the new people you place in our lives.  In Your Name, Amen.

Galatians 5

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Galatians 5:22-23, But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

Throughout the book of Galatians, Paul is emphasizing that in Christ, we have freedom.  Under the law, we live in bondage.  He is imploring the Galatians to live as free people, true heirs of God, experiencing the fullness of life that comes knowing you belong to Jesus Christ. 

In this chapter, Paul speaks to how easy it is to slip back into a life of bondage.  Others use their freedom to engage in sin.  Paul is stating that neither is acceptable. True Christian freedom manifests itself in obedience, self-control, and love. 

Just as Christ sets us free, Paul says that it is the continuing work of the Holy Spirit in our lives that sanctifies us, allows us to better reflect Jesus.  When the Holy Spirit comes and makes a home within us, it begins to transform us from the inside out.  We cannot stay the same people once the Spirit of the Living God is within us.  There should be fruit that demonstrates our new nature.  That fruit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. 

Reflect on the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  How well do you exemplify these attributes in your own life?  Are some easier than others for you?  Something I find interesting about these is that they are "fruit" of the Spirit, not "fruits."  God intends for us to live out each of these, not just some of them.  If we are very kind people but we lack self-control, then we need to spend time in prayer and ask God to help us with our self-control and then be intentional about working on that trait.  If we struggle with patience, then we do the same thing.  Friends, we have the Spirit of God living within us and that is powerful and transformative.  Spend some time today praying about the transforming power of the Holy Spirit in your life.

Let's pray...Holy God, Help us be better reflections of you by living out love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  Reveal to us what we need to work on and give us the motivation and desire to do so.  More of you, Jesus, and less of me.  In Your Name, Amen.

Galatians 4

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Galatians 4:4-7, But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law.  God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children.  And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.” Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir.

In this chapter, Paul contrasts humanity's condition under the law versus in Christ.  Under the law, people were heirs to a promise that God made with Abraham, but really they were no better than slaves, for they were still in bondage to the law.  Under Christ, however, there is true freedom.  People aren't merely heirs to a promise.  They are children of the one true God.  Our salvation has nothing to do with the law.  Rather, our salvation rests in the work of Christ. We are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.  When we are saved, God puts his Holy Spirit within us.  There is an intimacy there.  Now, we call out "Abba, Father" which effectively means "Daddy."  We aren't slave children.  We are truly God's children whom he loves.  We can rest in the love of our father.  We don't have to be fearful or timid.  We can spend time with our Father God, sit in his lap, and soak up the love he has for us.

I'll close today with Romans 8:15-16, So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children.

Let's pray...Abba, Father, Let us know you and your love in an intimate way.  In Your Name, Amen.

Galatians 3

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Galatians 3:26-28, For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes.  There is no longer Jew or Gentile,  slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. 

Paul is pointing out that we no longer live "under the law" but are "in Christ" despite our inability to keep the law.  We are no longer condemned by God because of our sin.  Rather, because we now live in Christ, God is our father.  Because of the forgiveness and salvation that we have in Christ, we don't have to approach God with fear of punishment, but rather we know that God loves us.  We are his sons and daughters and we have the privileges that children have with their father.  This isn't because of anything we've done but because of what Jesus Christ has done for us.

Baptism is a visible sign of this union we have with Jesus.  Our salvation is NOT dependent on baptism (remember Paul is making a point that salvation is by faith alone and nothing else).  But baptism is an outward and visible sign of what Christ has done within us.  Through the inward faith in Christ, we are now sons and daughters of God.

As sons and daughters of God, we not only belong to God but we also belong to one another.  We are brothers and sisters and there is no distinction of race, rank, or sex.  We are equal in the eyes of Jesus and thus, we should be equal in the eyes of one another. 

Over thousands of years, this is a doctrine that has been twisted and/or ignored.  We are all equal and we belong to one another.  Period.

Let's pray...Jesus, Forgive us for the times in which we as individuals or a church have behaved as if some people are better or more deserving than others.  Forgive us for harming our brothers and sisters in Christ.  We are one in you.  Help us behave and act like it.  Give us insight and wisdom into our own culpability.  We need you, Jesus.  More of you and less of me.  In your name, Amen.

Galatians 2

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Galatians 2:11-13, But when Peter came to Antioch, I had to oppose him to his face, for what he did was very wrong. When he first arrived, he ate with the Gentile believers, who were not circumcised. But afterward, when some friends of James came, Peter wouldn’t eat with the Gentiles anymore. He was afraid of criticism from these people who insisted on the necessity of circumcision. As a result, other Jewish believers followed Peter’s hypocrisy, and even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy.

This chapter provides an interesting discussion about how, early on, the apostles accepted Paul's ministry to the Gentiles and even blessed it.  There was a clear understanding, in Paul's view anyway, that Gentile Christians didn't have to follow Jewish law but needed to simply believe in Jesus Christ.  But the power of criticism is strong.  People within the church were highly upset about this and the apostles started to cave.  They began to profess the need to follow Jewish law again and even stopped eating with Gentiles.  Paul was forced to confront Peter, who ministered primarily to Jewish Christians, about his hypocrisy which seemed to be spreading among the apostles.

Let's think about the definition of hypocrisy: to state specific beliefs and values to which one's actions clearly defy.  The church has often been accused of being hypocritical, professing one thing and doing another.  Individual Christians have often been accused of being hypocritical, saying one thing and then doing another.  Hypocrisy has been incredibly damaging to the Kingdom.  Paul is calling it out in today's Scripture, as he recognizes how dangerous it is for the new Gentile believers.  It has the potential to not only confuse them, but lead them away from the Gospel message. 

The same can be said today.  When we live by the mantra "do as I say but not as I do" then people are turned off.  I've had a number of friends and family members leave the church permanently because they couldn't stand the way those who gathered on Sunday and professed one thing behaved poorly the rest of the week.  Friends - our behavior, attitudes, and words matter to an unbelieving world!  As we continue our week, ask God to give you a hyperawareness of the kinds of things you say and do.  Are you representing Jesus well? Are we representing Jesus well as a church?  (Even in our social media?)

Let's pray...Dear Lord, You have given us the example of holiness and we so often fall short.  Jesus, give us an awareness of our words and actions.  Give us wisdom and insight to know when we are hypocritical and then give us the courage to fix it.  More of you, Jesus, and less of me.  Amen.

Galatians 1

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Galatians 1:6-7, I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God, who called you to himself through the loving mercy of Christ. You are following a different way that pretends to be the Good News but is not the Good News at all. You are being fooled by those who deliberately twist the truth concerning Christ.

During Paul's three missionary journeys, he established churches throughout what is now Turkey, Greece, and in Rome.  Once the church was started, he sent pastoral letters, providing both encouragement and rebuke to the new believers.  Over the next six days, we will be reading through the pastoral letter sent to the churches at Galatia.  The region of Galatia included several cities to which Paul evangelized during his first missionary journey, including Pisidian Antioch, Iconium, Lystra and Derbe.  In fact, this letter may be the earliest pastoral letter that Paul wrote, penned around AD 48 or 49.

Since Paul had established the various congregations in Galatia, the churches had been plagued by false teachers.  They fiercely rejected the Gospel that Paul preached, which was that people are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone.  Rather, the false teachers were saying that to be saved, people must also be circumcised and follow the whole law of Moses.  Besides rejecting the Gospel, they also attacked Paul's credibility.  Throughout the letter, we will see Paul continually going back to these two themes - his credibility and apostleship AND the gift of grace offered by the Good News of Jesus. 

That helps us better understand our focus verses for today.  Paul is clear that anything less than the true Gospel is not the Gospel at all.  Those who teach that something other than faith is needed for salvation are twisting the Good News and Paul expresses shock that the Galatians would be so quick to believe this false teaching.

Salvation by grace through faith in Jesus is the core teaching of our faith.  Are there times in which we try to twist this doctrine?  Do we add or subtract from it?  What can we do to ensure that this teaching stays central to the church's teaching?

Let's pray...Lord Jesus, Thank you for your gift of grace.  We are sorry for the ways we distort it and cheapen it.  Help us stay strong in the faith, teaching and living out your Good News in all we do.  In Your Name, Amen.

Deuteronomy 34

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Deuteronomy 34:10-12, Since then, no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face, who did all those signs and wonders the Lord sent him to do in Egypt—to Pharaoh and to all his officials and to his whole land. For no one has ever shown the mighty power or performed the awesome deeds that Moses did in the sight of all Israel.

So here we are in the final chapter of the book of Deuteronomy.  Moses has seen the people to the edge of the promised land, he has ensured that the covenant between the people and God has been renewed, and he has commissioned Joshua to succeed him.  He is ready to die in peace.  This chapter speaks to the love the people have for Moses.  But it also speaks to the kind of man that Moses was and the Godly life he led. The Scripture states that no prophet has risen up that did the mighty things that Moses did.  He lived life boldly, obediently, and got to experience the wondrous deeds of God. Moses had an incredible legacy.

I often say that at the end of our lives, only three things matter: who we’ve loved, who’s loved us, and what we have done for the Lord.  Moses came to the end of his life and did well in each of those categories.  What about your life?  Is there an area that needs work?  Will you have regrets or be satisfied and thankful?  As we close out the book of Deuteronomy, take some time to reflect on these questions.  What kind of legacy will you leave? 

Let’s pray…Lord Jesus, We know we are sinners but we truly want to live our lives boldly and obediently, leaving a legacy of faith for those who follow us.  Help us, Lord.  More of you, less of me.  In Your Name, Amen.

Deuteronomy 33

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Deuteronomy 33:1, This is the blessing that Moses the man of God pronounced on the Israelites before his death. 

Moses’ final act before death was the bestow blessings on the tribes of Israel.  He has led these people for forty years.  I’m sure his emotions were strong as he spoke these blessings to the people he shepherded and loved.  Bestowing blessings before death was a common tradition at the time.  Think of Jacob and Esau competing for their father’s blessing on his deathbed.  There was some prophetical element to the blessings but also Moses was sharing his own thoughts about each tribe as he blesses them.  These are words the people can hold onto and remember as they transition to a new place and way of life. 

It’s always been interesting to me what famous people say on their deathbed.  In mid-east tradition, it was important to impart blessings on those you love most.  In Western tradition, we tend to focus on the final words spoken by a person.  John Wesley’s last words were, “Best of all, God is with us.” What an amazing legacy to leave.  D.L. Moody’s last words are reported to be, “If God be your partner, make your plans large.” 

Regardless of what one’s final words are, they are only important if one has lived life well.  Living well often leads to dying well.  If we live in the knowledge of God’s saving grace, then we also can die in the knowledge of God’s saving grace. 

Let’s pray…Dear Lord, We are so grateful for your love and grace and how they show up in our lives.  Help us live well, walking firmly with you, so that we can one day die well and move into glory.  We are thankful for who you are, Lord Jesus.  May we live representing you in a manner you are pleased by.  In Your Name, Amen.

Deuteronomy 32

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Deuteronomy 32:44-47, Moses came with Joshua son of Nun and spoke all the words of this song in the hearing of the people.  When Moses finished reciting all these words to all Israel, he said to them, “Take to heart all the words I have solemnly declared to you this day, so that you may command your children to obey carefully all the words of this law. They are not just idle words for you—they are your life. By them you will live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess.”

In this chapter, God gives Moses his final instructions before the torch is passed to Joshua and Moses passes away.  He is to teach the people the words to a song (32:1-33) which was intended to serve as a witness to the covenant that God was entering into with the people.  This was a normal element in mid-east treaties.  What God was agreeing to was available for all to see.  The song also would serve as a reminder for the people of what they agreed to and it was intended to be repeated and sung for years to come.

Moses gathers the people to teach them the song and tells them to take the words of the song, as well as the whole law, to heart.  He stresses, "these are not just idle words for you - they are your life." The people needed to live and breathe these words because they represented their relationship with God.  If the words were not on the forefront of their mind, then they would drift and fall out of covenant.  Truly, these words were life for them. 

I couldn’t help but think about how we also have access to God's Word through Scripture.  The words of the Bible are not idle words but truly life for us.  It’s through God’s Word that we get to know God and hear his voice.  When we fail to read Scripture regularly, then we also are tempted to drift away and break covenant with God.  How important it is to stay connected to the words of life and allow them to soak down deep within us. 

Let’s pray…Almighty God, Thank you for your words of life.  Thank you for making Scripture available to us.  Help us to allow your Word to soak down deep within us so that we can know you, obey you, and hear your voice.  Give us a desire to read your Word daily and help us make it a priority in our everyday lives.  In Your Name, Amen.

Deuteronomy 31

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Deuteronomy 31:23, The Lord gave this command to Joshua son of Nun: “Be strong and courageous, for you will bring the Israelites into the land I promised them on oath, and I myself will be with you.”

It is time for Moses to step aside and allow God to commission Joshua for the job of leading the Israelites into the promised land. (Just FYI...Moses was forty years old when he left Egypt and  fled for Midian, eighty years old at the time of the exodus, and now he is one hundred twenty years old as the people are about to enter Canaan.)  Over the years, Moses was an effective leader for the people, essentially a mouthpiece for God in many ways. The people knew him and listened to him.  Thus, it was so important for the people to repeatedly hear that Joshua was God's chosen successor for Moses and that God would offer Joshua divine presence and protection.

A change in leadership can be difficult and this was a big one!  The people had been following Moses for forty years.  He had carried them through some pretty tough situations, usually of their own making.  Now, it's Joshua's time to lead.  We don't get much insight into what Joshua is thinking but my guess is he's a little nervous and also a little excited.  The shoes he is filling are big, the job is very important, and let's be honest, the people are difficult.  While he knew this would be his destiny for years, it's different when it's finally right before him.

Have you ever gone through significant leadership transitions?  What was that process like?  What kind of emotions do you think Joshua is experiencing as he takes over for Moses?

Let's pray...Dear God, Thank you for providing guidance and presence for our leaders.  We ask that you work through them, so that they can lead as you see fit, and your name will be made known throughout the world.  In Your Name, Amen.

Deuteronomy 30

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Deuteronomy 30:4-6, Even if you have been banished to the most distant land under the heavens, from there the Lord your God will gather you and bring you back. He will bring you to the land that belonged to your ancestors, and you will take possession of it. He will make you more prosperous and numerous than your ancestors.  The Lord your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live. 

God clearly sets the boundaries for his people in this chapter.  They know under what conditions they will be blessed and under what conditions they will be cursed.  But God also promises that no matter how bad things get, no matter how far they wander or are sent, God will bring them back to this land. 

It's interesting and painful for me to read this and know what eventually happens.  The people did not follow the covenant.  They did rebel against God over and over again.  They worshiped other gods, they allowed idolatry and immorality to seep into their everyday lives.  And eventually, after many warnings, God lifts his hand of protection and allows them to be conquered and to be spread to distant lands.  But just as he promised, they are eventually allowed to return.  God's plan of redemption continues; God always keeps his promises.

I read this chapter in Deuteronomy and I can't help but be reminded of the valley of dry bones in Ezekiel chapter 37.  The people are in Babylon.  They've been scattered, just as they are warned in Deut. 30.  They are impoverished, hopeless, and feel separated from God.  And yet, God promises to bring them back to Jerusalem.  Once again, we see God renewing his promise to the people.  Yes, you have made a royal mess of things.  Yes, I followed through on my warnings.  But, I will also keep my promise.  I will take the dry bones of your lives and restore them.  You will go back to the promised land and I will do something new and improved in my people.  I will breathe new life into your old dry bones. 

How many of you today need to be reminded that God keeps his promises?  How many people need to be reminded that even when things seem hopeless, God has the ability to renew and restore our lives?  No matter how far we stray, God wants to bring us back to him.

Let's pray...Almighty God, You are a good God.  No matter how much we mess up, you always are ready to restore us and do a new thing in our lives.  Lord, breathe new life into us right here, right now.  We pray this in the mighty name of Jesus, Amen.

Deuteronomy 29

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Deuteronomy 29:9-15, Carefully follow the terms of this covenant, so that you may prosper in everything you do. All of you are standing today in the presence of the Lord your God—your leaders and chief men, your elders and officials, and all the other men of Israel, together with your children and your wives, and the foreigners living in your camps who chop your wood and carry your water. You are standing here in order to enter into a covenant with the Lord your God, a covenant the Lord is making with you this day and sealing with an oath, to confirm you this day as his people, that he may be your God as he promised you and as he swore to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.  I am making this covenant, with its oath, not only with you who are standing here with us today in the presence of the Lord our God but also with those who are not here today.

The assembly in this Scripture is described with unusual fullness - the leaders, chief men, elders, officials, other men of Israel, wives, children, and even foreigners.  Everybody was included in the covenant.  Yes, the covenant was meant to be for the whole body but it also included individual people from all walks of life.  They all were committing to a covenant renewal with God, just as they were on the cusp of moving into the promised land.  Remember, the original covenant was made at Horeb with their parents.  That wasn't sufficient.  This new generation needed to commit themselves to the Lord and recognize their own responsibility in the covenant. 

God doesn't have grandchildren, only children.  This passage reminds me of this truth.  Our children must make a commitment to God on their own, they must have their own faith.  They cannot ride on our coattails.  The new generation of Jews heading into Canaan had to make a new commitment to God on their own, just as our children must make a commitment to God in their own right.  There are some religions in which you are born into that tradition. While you might be born into a Christian family, you aren't born a Christian.  Rather, it's a decision that each individual must make on their own.  Will I follow the Lord or will I not? I can't make that commitment for my kids anymore than you can make that commitment for yours.

How are you encouraging the next generation of young people to follow Jesus?  Is there a young person in your life that you currently pray for and disciple?  What specific actions do we as a church need to make to lead children and young adults into a life of faith?

Let's pray...Lord Jesus, Use me to minister and disciple a young person in their walk with you.  Help me create space and time in my life to walk alongside someone who needs to learn and grow in the faith.  In Your Name, Amen.

Deuteronomy 28

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Deuteronomy 28:1-2, 15, If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God...; However, if you do not obey the Lord your God and do not carefully follow all his commands and decrees I am giving you today, all these curses will come on you and overtake you...

This chapter details the blessings that will come upon the Israelites if they obey the laws that God has given them.  It also lists the curses that will come upon them if they fail to obey the laws and uphold their side of the covenant.  God would reveal himself through the people of Israel.  He would do this by blessing them so much that the rest of the world would know God blessed them or he would curse them so much that the rest of the world would know God cursed them. One way or another, God would be revealed.

While we live on the other side of the cross under a new covenant, God still wants to reveal himself to us.  We see the hand of God in so many things: a sunset, answered prayer, a strong conviction, a word from God as we pray or read Scripture, or simply his supernatural comfort and presence.  How has God revealed himself to you this week?  Make sure you share this with at least one other person in your life. 

Let's pray...God, Thank you for showing up in our lives in so many ways.  Help us be watching and waiting for your revelation.  In Your Name, Amen.

Deuteronomy 27

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Deuteronomy 27:1-8, Moses and the elders of Israel commanded the people: “Keep all these commands that I give you today. When you have crossed the Jordan into the land the Lord your God is giving you, set up some large stones and coat them with plaster. Write on them all the words of this law when you have crossed over to enter the land the Lord your God is giving you, a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the Lord, the God of your ancestors, promised you. And when you have crossed the Jordan, set up these stones on Mount Ebal, as I command you today, and coat them with plaster. Build there an altar to the Lord your God, an altar of stones. Do not use any iron tool on them. Build the altar of the Lord your God with fieldstones and offer burnt offerings on it to the Lord your God. Sacrifice fellowship offerings there, eating them and rejoicing in the presence of the Lord your God. And you shall write very clearly all the words of this law on these stones you have set up.”

The book of Deuteronomy can essentially be thought of as a covenant renewal document for the Isrealites as they make their way into the promised land.  They have now received the instructions for the covenant from Moses but it won't go into effect in full until they reach their final destination.  Once they arrived in Canaan, the promised land, they were to mark the occasion with a monument, a stone altar, to the Lord.  They were to celebrate a covenant meal there at the monument and listen to the covenent blessings and curses.  We find the curses throughout the rest of chapter 27, the blessings in chapter 28, and the official renewal of the covenant in chapter 29.

I've been to a lot of monuments throughout the U.S. and in other countries.  My guess is you have as well.  A monument is a way to commemorate an event but monuments also make a statement about what a people or community values and thinks others should remember.  God wanted his people to remember the covenant he made with them, the importance of following the one true God, and how he would care for them and provide for them if they held up their end of the deal. 

Think about different monuments you have visited over the years.  What kinds of values did they represent?  What kinds of feelings did those monuments stir up in you?  What kinds of monuments do we have to remember our commitment to God?

Let's pray...Almighty God, You are the one who was and is and is to come.  You are worthy of all honor and praise.  Help us remember your mighty works, how you have loved us and protected us, how you have saved us and forgiven us, and how you are forever present with us.  Thank you, Lord.  Amen.

Deuteronomy 26

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Deuteronomy 26:12-13, When you have finished setting aside a tenth of all your produce in the third year, the year of the tithe, you shall give it to the Levite, the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow, so that they may eat in your towns and be satisfied.  Then say to the Lord your God: “I have removed from my house the sacred portion and have given it to the Levite, the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow, according to all you commanded. I have not turned aside from your commands nor have I forgotten any of them. 

This chapter details the procedures for the Israelite farmers to follow when giving the firstfruits of their harvest to the sanctuary that would be approved by God when they entered the promised land.  The focus verses deal with the special provisions for the poor and vulnerable.  Every third year there were tithes required to care for those who had no family or the ability to own property, specifically the Levite (priest), the foreigner, the orphan, and the widow.  In this third year, what would have been brought to the sanctuary (eventually the temple) would stay in the villages so that the poor and vulnerable would have their fill. 

Let's pray...Lord, Thank you for always caring for the least of these among us.  Who is it you have called us to care for in our community?  Give us eyes to see and hears to hear.  We love you, Lord Jesus.  In Your Name, Amen.

Deuteronomy 25

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Deuteronomy 25:7-10, However, if a man does not want to marry his brother’s wife, she shall go to the elders at the town gate and say, “My husband’s brother refuses to carry on his brother’s name in Israel. He will not fulfill the duty of a brother-in-law to me.” Then the elders of his town shall summon him and talk to him. If he persists in saying, “I do not want to marry her,” his brother’s widow shall go up to him in the presence of the elders, take off one of his sandals, spit in his face and say, “This is what is done to the man who will not build up his brother’s family line.” That man’s line shall be known in Israel as The Family of the Unsandaled.

This passage refers to what is called levirate law.  When a man dies childless, his next oldest brother is supposed to marry the dead man’s wife in order to produce a child.  If a child is conceived, it is considered the dead brother’s child.  This provides protection for the widow in a highly patriarchal society.  A woman at that time, in that culture, needed a husband or male heir to care for her, provide basic resources, and offer protection.  Without this, the widow would be destitute.

Today’s focus verses are instructions for what to do if the brother of the deceased man refused to marry the widow.  The brother was to be publicly shamed in front of the town elders, the widow was to spit in his face and take off one of his sandals.  The sandal represented the fact that the derelict brother forfeited any claims to the dead brother’s estate.  The spitting represented disgust.  While levirate law might seem strange to us, it was an essential part of protecting the most vulnerable in Israelite society.

Think about the safety nets we have for the most vulnerable in our society.  It’s obvious, even as we read these Old Testament Scriptures, that God cares for those who can’t care for themselves, those who are oppressed, and those who are vulnerable.  How do you help care for the least of these in our community?  How can we better care for the needy and vulnerable as Jesus’ church at New Hope?

Let’s pray…Lord Jesus, Break our heart for what breaks yours.  Guide us to help those who need it most.  Give us wisdom and discernment as individuals and a church.  More of you, Jesus, and less of me.  In Your Name, Amen.