Feb.24 - Deuteronomy 13 -15

It's tax season! Does this look familiar?

Moses continues to give POWERFUL WARNINGS to the Israelites that are good lessons for us today! Here are a few insights you can gain from today's reading:

1) God will test you! In Chapter 13, Moses informs Israel that God is going to test them on their faithfulness once they enter the Promised Land. And, here's how He's going to do it!

- First, He'll send men among them who'll act like true prophets of God with tremendous abilities to accurately forecast future events and perform miracles! However, they will eventually teach the people that their powers to accurately predict the future will come from other gods! Moses carefully reminds them that if this happens, they're to kill them at once, lest they lead anyone astray! Wow! Didn't Jesus tell his disciples that the moment He was ascended to Heaven that "wolves in sheep clothing" would come in and try to destroy the flock? Didn't He also forewarn His disciples saying in Matthew 24:24, "For false messiahs and false prophets will rise up and perform great signs and wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even God's chosen ones."

God will allow His children to be tested. That is why the apostle Paul so strongly encouraged the believers of his day in 2 Timothy 2:15 to "study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." He forewarns us to know the Bible and to discern its truth because, "the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons. " (1 Timoth 4:1"). Jesus even said it was "better if a millstone was tied around someone's neck and then cast into the sea" than for someone to lead one of God's children astray!

2) Second, Moses warned that God may test them with close relatives such as brothers, sisters, and even wives who may one day encourage them to follow after other gods. If this was the case, they were to have them put to death!

3) Thirdly, Moses warned that if a nearby town is worshipping another God and begins to lead any of them astray, then they were to attack the town and DESTROY EVERYTHING IN SIGHT!

God has literally no tolerance for anyone or anything that distracts people from following Him with all their heart! Do you know of anyone or anything that might be distracting you from following God with all your heart? Get rid of it!

Another POWERFUL CONCEPT is found in Chapter 14. it's about tithing! God said tithing does 2 powerful things:

1) It proves your fear or respect of the Lord! (14:23)
2) And, it is a method by which God will bless you in all your work! (14:29)

In Chapter 15, there are at least 3 more POWERFUL PRINCIPLES:

1) Cancel all debts in the 7th year! In other words, never make a loan for more than 6 years. But, if the debt is not paid off by that year, then cancel the debt. Now, this sounds like a great opportunity for someone who doesn't like to pay back their debts, but God strictly prohibited people from taking advantage of this rule!

2) Take generous care of the poor! Moses reminded the Israelites in 15:11 that "there will always be some in the land who are poor." In verse preceding this, he says, "Give generously to the poor, not grudgingly, for the Lord your God will bless you in everything you do." We ought to practice this today!

3) Loan, but NEVER borrow! God told Israel to be generous in loaning money to anyone who needed it, but they were to never borrow money! Borrowing money, in any form, was always strictly forbidden of God's people. This is a good lesson for us today! In fact, perhaps the only borrowing that any of us should ever consider would be on a home - an appreciable item. But, even still, it's better to trust God for everything and to never get into a "borrowing position!"

Have a wonderful day, and may the Lord guide you in everything you do today! And, may the wonderful countenance of His face shine upon you!