January 6 - For Your Own Good

        Deuteronomy 10:12-13 - "Now, O Israel, what does Yahweh your God ask of you, except to revere him, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve him with all your heart and soul, and to observe his commands and decrees that I [Moses] am giving you today for your own good?"

         Many non-believers who give excuses for not wanting to follow God's rules do not realize the truth in the above verses. God has given us laws and rules to follow in order for our lives to be blessed, for things to go well, and in order to keep from being self-destructive. Isaiah 48:17-18 follows this theme, in that God is trying to teach us what is best for us. Isn't this exactly what a loving father does for his own children?

        Jesus re-iterates the need to keep the commandments in Matthew 19:16-22, but then gets to the heart of the young man in the story. The man did not have a problem with keeping the commandments or so he thought. Jesus told him specifically to sell his possessions and give to the poor; but he left Jesus in a sad state of mind, because he had great wealth. Perhaps he was unknowingly ranking his possessions in order of importance ahead of God. Perhaps he was keeping the commandments in deed only, but not in heart. Did he really love Yahweh his God with all his heart and soul (Matt. 22:37)? Did he really put God foremost in his life (Exodus 20:3)?

        Jesus also gets to the heart of the matter in Matthew 6:25-34 - which is that our heavenly Father loves us so much, that he will take care of us. So, don't worry. Surrender your life to him, and allow him to take care of you. All of these sets of verses are really tied to the nature of God - that he loves us and wants the best for us.

January 9 - The Word of God is Alive

        Heb 4:12 - "The Word of God is living and active. It is sharper than any double-edged sword and penetrates......judging the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."

        Acts 7:37-38 - "This is that Moses.....[who] received living words to pass on to us."

        The Bible is not just a collection of spiritual stories, a history of people who had personal encounters with angels and with God himself. It is not just an inspirational book to help us live better lives in our communities. It contains the very words of God, the very thoughts of God, and his will for mankind. It is a collection (canon) of writings by individuals who were "carried along by the Holy Spirit" (2 Peter 1:19-20). These latter verses also state that "we will do well to pay attention to it". Not only does this include the Old Testament canon (which Jesus recognized and used), but it also includes the words and history of Jesus, as well as the writings of the apostles (even before they were canonized); (cross-reference Matthew 24:35 and 1 Peter 3:2, 15-17.)

        I am not surprised at radical Muslims who kill in the name of Allah or the Quran. There are texts in the Quran that would, at least, suggest this action, and at most, command it. They are trying to follow their commander and his commands, as if they were following the words of Deuteronomy 32:45-46: "When Moses finished reciting all these words to all Israel, he said to them , 'Take to heart all the words that I have solemnly declared to you this day, so that you may command your children to carefully obey all the words of this law. They are not just idle words for you - they are your life." (emphasis mine)  Jesus then comes along and fulfills the law, giving us a broader and fuller revelation thereof, and of God our Father. Therefore, the active and living (written) word of God, should be your life and my life - not just the religious component for righteous living. It should be the guiding light for everything in our lives.