Deuteronomy 13

“Let us go after other gods” (v2). The Lord warned the Israelites that they would not only face temptation from those outside the community, but also from within. “Prophets” and “dreamers of dreams” would try to entice people away from the true God. Signs and wonders were not proof of credibility (v2); more than miracles, God wanted the Israelites to “love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul” (v3). Not even their own families should be able to sever th

Deuteronomy 11-12

“But you shall seek the place that the Lord your God will choose out of all your tribes to put his name and make his habitation there” (12:5). After centuries in Egypt, the Israelites were accustomed to pagan worship and idolatry (v30-31). Therefore, in the Promised Land, they were commanded to tear down and completely destroy pagan altars (v2-3). Rather than every family creating their own worship practice (v8), they were strictly commanded to go to the designated holy p

Mark 12:18-44

“Which commandment is the most important of all?” (v28). While the Sadducees tried to trip Jesus up in theological debate about resurrection (v19), a scribe asked the right question. Jesus complimented the scribe for his “wise answer” (v34), which was that the heart of the law is to “love God and neighbor” (v33). Jesus highlighted the emptiness of religious people who want to look spiritual but ignore the needs of the vulnerable (v38-40).

Acting spiritual and giving a “wis

Mark 12:1-17

“Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours” (v7). Jesus responded to questions about his authority (chp 11) by telling a provocative parable. To reject the vineyard owner’s son (v6) invites judgement. The owner “will come and destroy” them (v9). Rather than heed the warning, they tried to trap Jesus with a question about taxes (v14). He answered perceptively, telling them to “render to Caeser” what is his and to “God the things that are God’s” (17). This sil

Psalm 28

“To you, O Lord, I call; my rock, be not deaf to me” (v1). In distress, David cries out, believing that God is not silent to his “pleas of mercy” (v2). He places his trust in God’s commitment to do what is right, to judge evil ones and “render them their due” (v4). Confident in God’s justice, his heart is free to worship, knowing that he has been “heard” (v6). His heart is filled with newfound faith in the Lord, his strength and shield (v7).

“In him my heart trusts, and I

Deuteronomy 9-10

“And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him ... and to keep the commandments” (10:13). Moses, recounting Israel’s recent history, reminded them of God’s requirements. The original stone tablets of the Law had been broken, but God had mercifully given them a second chance (10:1-5). God desired holiness, yet he knew they were a sinful people. Ultimately, they needed a “circumcision” of the

Deuteronomy 8

“Beware lest you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth’” (v17). The Lord knew that due to human sinfulness, the Israelites’ comfort and success in the Promised Land could one day become a trap for them. When they settled down, they might forget God’s provision through the “great and terrifying wilderness, with its fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty ground where there was no water” (v15). And forgetting their need, they migh

Deuteronomy 7

“The carved images of their gods you shall burn with fire. You shall not covet the silver or the gold that is on them or take it for yourselves ...” (v25). The Israelites were about to walk into a populated land with idols, resources and customs. God’s amazing promises to them – to be with them, to defeat their enemies, to multiply them, to make their families flourish – were only valid when the Israelites kept themselves separate. Adopting their neighbors’ idols and usin

Deuteronomy 6

“And when the Lord your God brings you into the land ... take care lest you forget the Lord, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery” (v10-12). God had demonstrated powerful love toward Israel by rescuing them from the “house of slavery”, so the proper response was loving obedience. Their main command was to love the Lord with heart, soul, and might (v5). Going after “other gods” would be a betrayal of divine love (v13).

“And you shall do what

Mark 11:11-33

“By what authority are you doing these things, or who gave you this authority to do them?” (v28). Jesus’ cleansing of the temple demonstrated to the religious leaders that his authority would disrupt their control of public worship, finances, and many other aspects of life. They wanted to destroy him because they feared his power, and they were also afraid of the people’s reaction (v18, v32). Jesus’ cursing of the fig tree revealed his judgment against a hardened nation t

Mark 11:1-10

“Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” (v9). Mark reports that when Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey and people celebrated his kingly arrival, he immediately “went into the temple” (v11) and “looked around at everything”. As the faithful Son of the Father, he knew the temple had been corrupted. On the following day, he drove out everyone making money from temple activities and reclaimed the temple’s true purpose: “A house of prayer for all nations”

Psalm 27

“You have said, 'Seek my face.' My heart says to you, 'Your face, Lord, do I seek'” (v8). The psalmist’s troubles never ended during his lifetime, but he learned to “hide” himself within God’s care and presence. Through enemy attacks (personal and public, v2-3) and war, he learned to be confident of God’s faithful love. When even his own family failed him (v10), God was revealed as the true Father. The enemy’s purpose would not ultimately succeed, because he was on God’s

Deuteronomy 5

This chapter continues Moses’ repeating of the Law and history. He recalls the circumstances in which the Law was given at Mt. Sinai with fire, lightning, and earthquake -- all of nature seeming to respond to the moment. Israel learned the Law and responded with the right words, 5:28. But v29 says, “Oh that they had such a heart in them that they would fear me and keep all my commandments always, that it may be well with them and their sons forever.”  Knowing scripture is

Deuteronomy 4

The book of Deuteronomy (second Law), is more than a recitation of history and Law. Its intent is to show God’s personal involvement with Israel, vs36-40, that He personally had brought them from Egypt by his power, v37. While Israel stood in one sense in a special relationship with God, God’s treatment of Israel was according to His own character, the same standard which always guides Him. If we sin, we are under judgement. If we repent, He forgives. That is not the exce

Deuteronomy 2,3

The event of Moses striking the rock with his rod causing water to gush out (Numbers 20) hardly seems to warrant the penalty of prohibition from entering the Promised Land. Moses prayed, apparently more than one time, for forgiveness and permission, until God said “Enough!  Speak to me no more on this matter” 3:29. 

Sixteen hundred years later, Jesus took Peter, James and John with him to a mountain in Galilee to pray. Luke 9:30 records a visible glory was present, and Mos