Today's Word

Today's Word comes from last night's study. I had been asking the Lord what He wanted people to hear and this is where He led me. The actual study was comprised of Deu 10:12--11:32. It is a fitting section of Scripture, because in some ways the U.S. is like ancient Israel. 

Many traveled here for religious freedom, seeking to worship and serve the God of the Bible. The land had to be fought for, but was rich in "milk and honey". Also, like ancient Israel, this nation will only stand as long as God is our God. 

The following excerpt contains His instructions on how keep a right relationship with Him. While, certainly, we have been released from the need to sacrifice animals, we have not been released from the need to respect Him for Who He truly is.


And now, O Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways, to love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the Lord's commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good? -- Deu 10:12-13

If this is what God expected of Israel, why do we now think our sins and lack of real commitment to Him is of no consequence? Christ died for our sins. This is true, but He did not die that we might continue in them. He did not die that we might treat Him as our servant. He did not die that the things He regards should not be our concern. No, Christ died that our forgiveness might be full, that in our efforts to serve Him -- with all that we are, with all that we have, with all that we can give -- might not be hindered by our sin.

Dear Brothers and Sisters, let us therefore repent, and turn to the task at hand -- worshiping and serving the Lord our God.