When Moses Spoke....

Moses' first speech in Deuteronomy is a profound historical review that serves to remind the Israelites and us, of their/our past, instruct them in the present, and prepare them for the future. The speech is found in Deuteronomy 1:1–4:43 and is a foundational text for understanding the covenant relationship between God and Israel and, today, between God and us.

Through this speech, Moses calls the Israelis to remember God's faithfulness, learn from their history, and commit to a life of obedience and trust in the Lord as they stand on the brink of the Promised Land.

This speech is as relevant today as it was then; we too have travelled the Christian's road and many of us stand ready to be prepared for the future. Our memories of "good" are short but we seldom forget the "bad" - and which necessitates a hard look at the past so that we do not forget God's infinite blessings and so that we can be strong and confident of the future.

"As Moses is giving the Israelites his final teaching and advice before they enter the Promised land he is reminding them of all the blessings the Lord has bestowed on them from the time he rescued them from Egypt". 

As we move forward in life, do we not need these reminders as well?

A central theme of the speech is the call to obedience and the reminder of God's laws. Moses underscores that adherence to God's commandments is crucial for the Israelites to thrive in the land they are about to inherit. He warns them against idolizing earthly things and urges them to remain faithful, emphasizing that their relationship with God is the foundation of their identity and success as a nation.

What of us today? Do we truly consider God as the foundation of our success? Do we consider Gods Word & commands as "Guidelines for suggested living" or really treat them as "commandments" which are sacrosanct?

Ms. Francis Taylor says - "I have mentioned before that many of us consider the commandments "suggestions" or commandments for only the time in which they were given. But think of the discord caused by dishonesty, greed and abuse of authority. Moses' advice to the Israelites is just as true today as it was millennia ago. Following God's law is just as important now as it was then".

As we proceed through Lent, let us read again Moses' address to the people in Deuteronomy and be reminded of who we are and whose we are!

Feasting During Adversity

Psalm 23 is quite strange. After all, after having walked through the "valley of the shadow of death" God prepares a feast for David in the presence of his enemies! Can we/ you ever feast or banquet during adverse times?

The KJV devotional has this to say -

"David faced so many challenges but remained confident in the power and provision of God. He knew how God could prepare a feast; not just in a secure place but even in the presence of enemies. This illustration shows us the richness of God’s care for His people and the confidence we can have in Him. We see here that God prepares the table and does not bother to remove the presence of enemies (or adversity). This means that there are times when God allows hardships to linger, but He still provides care, sustenance, provision, and strength while we are going through these adversities.

We cannot always expect God to get rid of all of our obstacles for us, but we can be confident that even when surrounded by threats or hardships, God invites us to sit and dine at His table, enjoy His blessings, and trust that He can protect us (and help us to overcome). As our provider, He ensures that we are nourished and well cared for even when we face opposition or threats."

David leaves his story for us as a proof that God provides for our needs, even in extremely challenging circumstances. He blesses us with abundance and joy as well as protection for the adversity that may surround us, at all times. 

Rise and Shine by Janice Riley is available here. 

Saturday Vespers

                                                  

As we relax on Saturdays, its time to not only think about ourselves but also all those people who need our prayers and support. We are sharing some prayer needs so that we all can support each other.

We want to pray for peace and normalcy to prevail in Bangladesh and protection of minorities there. 

We ask for divine intervention:-

For a Pastor in Australia and a senior citizen - :

We pray for healing and strength allowing him to continue his work for God. 

For a senior in India suffering from Dementia. We continue to  pray for her peace as well as strength for her caregiver.

For a senior in India suffering from a debilitating back pain, we ask for prayer of strength and healing. 

Tanu requests prayer saying:
Heavenly Father I thank you for the wonderful organization where you have blessed me and other families with a job. I continue praying that you look at us with mercy and favor, protect the organization from individuals who do not have good intentions for the company and for others, protect us from individuals with selfish ambitions and designs. For it is in the mighty name of our Lord Jesus Christ that I do pray believing and trusting (everything has to have an end many people have been frustrated by this one person, enough is enough please consider the majority of us) Amen.

For Latvia and its people: After decades of Communism, the Soviet Union's collapse left a moral vacuum in Latvia which was quickly filled by opportunistic negative influences. Drug and alcohol abuse, a widespread sex trade, and high rates of abortion and suicide all point to significant needs. People often feel numb or even helpless. Latvia has done relatively well from a technology and development perspective, but needs prayer for the deeper and eternal needs of its people.

For all those who are without jobs, facing financial stress or health issues. 

PLEASE MAIL YOUR PRAYER REQUESTS TO: THISWEEKWITHJESUS@GMAIL.COM

Gates and Fences

Growing up there was no television and going to the movies was a treat. The daily entertainment came from reading books. Two such book are ones I will never forget - All things bright and beautiful and All creatures Great and Small by James Heriot, a vet surgeon in rural England. 

His books are about his daily experiences as a vet and  Gods creation, farm animals, birds and other creatures in our daily life, as well as the challenges they face as do their owners and farmers. One common picture which will keep popping up is that of fences on farms, pens and enclosures where the animals are kept safe. A gate left open accidentally can result in tragedy for the animal, so the farmer makes sure all gates are shut. In case it is not and animals stray, they are sitting targets for wolves, speeding cars and other dangers, so the farmer immediately goes after the strays and tries to bring them back to safety.

This is much like our own shepherd who may leave 100 of us while we are in the safety of Gods hedge of protection, or fence, and goes after one lost person to bring them back to safety.
That the hedge, or wall or tent, of protection is a reality is clearly mentioned in Job where Satan states to God Job 1:10 “Have you not put a hedge (of protection) around him and his household and everything he has? "
This protection from God happens in 3 spheres - from outside elements, from ourselves and from our tendency to rebel and disobey.
Speaking from personal experience, This protection is so powerful it can move mountains of trouble. It is invoked not only when we ask, but is active 24x7. It protects even when we are not aware we need protection.
Today, if this is not a part of your daily prayer, we suggest you make it a daily ask. Just as we ask to be delivered from evil - which includes sickness, dangers, ill intentions as well as our own desires, allowing us to live less fearfully and more meaningfully.
Books by James Herriot in case you are interested.
All Things Bright and Beautiful:
The Classic Memoirs of a Yorkshire Country Vet https://amzn.in/d/0bBfgB5U
All Creatures Great and Small: The classic memoirs of a Yorkshire country vet https://amzn.in/d/01zGaC6l

#CountYourBlessings

All too often, in this great world, we seem to lapse into a state of ingratitude, taking for granted all of the blessings and comforts we enjoy or have enjoyed. We either revert into an attitude of self-satisfaction, expecting that peace and bliss will always follow us, or, become despondent and depressed and totally hopeless when face with adversity and think that our desperate situation is forever.

During these times we should, with sincerity of heart, count our blessings! Maybe even write them down to keep reminding us.

There is a song too, by the same name which has a history which demonstrates the reality and truth of this song. We may have heard this song in school or #Sundayschool, because maybe adults think it is childish to thank #God so simply. 

Gipsy Smith, a famous evangelist of yesteryear, said of this song, "Men sing it, boys whistle it and women rock their babies to sleep to it."

How did this song come about? 

Johnson Oatman, Jr., born April 21, 1856, was a citizen of Lumberton, N.J. His dad was a local merchant and just happened to be the best singer in town, with a rich, powerful voice. Young Johnson could not sing as well as his father, yet he grew up wanting to make some musical contributions of his own. However, for a time he worked in the family business, but soon gave up those opportunities and began to study for the ministry. After finishing school and ministering in the Methodist Episcopal churches for a time, Johnson continued to hope that life surely held some other plans for him.

At 36, he realized that he did, without question, have a musical talent after all. While he could not sing, he could write songs for other Christians to sing. So, every year some 200 songs flowed from his pen. He eventually had written 5,000 songs and was happy that in his musical compositions he had found a way to "preach the Gospel."

"Count Your Blessings," was written in 1897. Almost immediately it began its meteoric journey.

Like Johnson, each one of us too is blessed with something which can be used for Gods message of hope, love and peace to the world. We need to find it and use it.  

Listen to this great song once again and get inspired. For old times' sake.

Count Your Blessings sung by Guy Penrod

#graceupongrace

Our Legacy

                

I cannot forget a Book by Robin Sharma called "Who will cry when you die". The title inspired me to think, and often I ask myself the same question: who will cry when I die? Maybe not literally, but who will genuinely grieve? 

Apart from my family and a couple of friends, I really can't count any. We are so involved with self and careers and God knows what else, we forget to carve out a legacy of good which can live on after us. But why should we? 

Because "Life" is not a career; life is not about just us. There is nothing wrong about doing things for us but that is not the end. Life is the means to the end but life is living in harmony with the world around us. Taking care of the world and people around us. Using our talents wisely for the benefit of others. Thats how we can create a legacy. 

Creating a legacy is about making a lasting impact that transcends your lifetime. It involves living with intention and purpose, and making contributions that benefit others

Hebrews 13:16 says "And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased".

Everything we have comes from above. Do we even stop to give thanks? Do we share it with others? Do we become a channel of His blessing and grace to others? Do we even want anyone to remember us?  

Note the word "sacrifices" and "sharing" in the verse.  

Pastor Rajiv has already talked about sacrificial giving or sharing in earlier posts and clearly defined what it means to give and more so, what is sacrificial giving. 

Careers and material things will end one day as will life itself. What will last will be the legacy we leave. Can we start creating it today? 

True Power!

The celebrated Scottish preacher, James Stewart, made a statement explaining ....: "It is always upon human weakness and humiliation, not human strength and confidence, that God chooses to build His Kingdom; and that He can use us not merely in spite of our ordinariness and helplessness and disqualifying infirmities, but precisely because of them."

This fact actually transforms our mental attitude toward our circumstances.

Our cribbing and self-pity over issues we face, weaknesses we have and lack of resources, all fade away once we acknowledge all and yet commit to being ready to serve. We maybe financially broken, physically challenged or mentally destroyed, yet we are of use in His kingdom. How we will be used is left to Him.

Let's take a look at some of our Biblical greats who served God. As a leader, Moses need to be a great speaker yet he couldn't speak straight. Jacob was deceptive. Abraham, too old to father a child, begot a nation. Did you know Elijah was suicidal? The great Gideon started as a coward and ended as a conqueror. Samson was a womanizer. Rahab was a prostitute. David was an adulterer and murderer. Job was bankrupt. Noah was a drunk. In fact, he is the first drunkard mentioned in the Bible. Yet God used them all magnificently! 

True Power therefore, does NOT lie in our human achievements, competencies or knowledge but in the shadow of the most high. 

Throughout scripture we see God using imperfect people for the sake of his perfect mission. The weakest become the strongest.   

Pastor Chuck Swindoll comments thus - "Once you are convinced of your own weakness and no longer trying to hide it, you embrace the power of Christ".

Thus, in our weakness we become powerful, all powerful through the power of Christ.

Where are we today? Weak and broken? Jobless? We still have opportunity and time to donate to God. Living in a country where religion is banned? Here is opportunity to share hope. Let us not use our weakness as an excuse. 

Let us use it as our power, received from God to serve God and humanity.

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