“There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer.” – Deuteronomy 18:10

You may not have noticed, but many of these things have come into fashion in our world today. Fortune telling, psychic readings, mediums, Tarot readers, divination, and witchcraft have all seen a resurgence in post-Christian America. This is especially true among the younger generations who are desperately hungry spiritually but don’t know where to turn, because too few credible witnesses are pointing them toward Jesus.

Some who practice these things may even claim to be Christian, but they are not. These services aren’t just harmless scams. Verse 12 continues, “for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord.” Although these verses are part of the Old Covenant, God’s nature doesn’t change. He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. What was an abomination to Him 3400 years ago in Israel is an abomination to Him today in your community. That’s because these “services” tap into things which are truly demonic.

Certainly some of them may simply be scams taking advantage of people who are easily fooled. Nonetheless, any that are “genuine” (and there are plenty which are) open doors to dark spiritual connections and attachments. Take these things seriously. Pray against these businesses and services, that they would fail. If someone you know talks about using these services or visiting these people, speak up loudly and firmly! Pray fervently for anyone tempted to use them or already using them. Point those who are spiritually seeking to Jesus. Only Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. #FollowJesus

“For you are a people holy to the Lord your God, and the Lord has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.” – Deuteronomy 14:2

This incredible (and honestly mind-blowing) statement about the ancient Israelites is now true for every believer in the Lord Jesus Christ (see 1 Peter 2:9-10)! In other words, if Jesus is your Lord, then YOU are holy to the Lord. The Lord has chosen YOU to be part of His treasured people, just as He is gathering sons and daughters from among all the ethnic peoples across the face of the earth.

This is very important because many Christians continue to think of themselves incorrectly. Take a moment to think about these truths. You are a treasured possession of God. You aren’t just another something random God picked up at a yard sale. You are treasured. Deeply loved. Meticulously known. Held close to the Lord. God loved you long before you cared about Him. In Christ, you are a recipient of His grace and mercy, His patience and faithfulness, His love and attention.

You are also holy to the Lord. To be holy is to be set apart and devoted to God. The blood of Jesus, shed on the cross for your sins, made you clean and holy the moment you put your faith and trust in Him. This is the amazing grace and mercy of God. Now, however, you are invited, called, commanded, and empowered to live a truly holy life. To devote yourself, your time, talent, and treasure to God. To set yourself apart for the things of God rather than the things of the world.

The question to meditate on today is whether you’re living like these true things are actually true? Are you living (and thinking of yourself) as a treasured possession of God? Not someone ordinary, someone extraordinary? Not someone broken and defective but someone made beautiful in Christ? Not someone barely hanging on at the edge of God’s attention and care but someone treasured by God? Not someone free to do whatever you feel like, but someone devoted and holy to the Lord? #FollowJesus

“And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart.” – Deuteronomy 6:6

The words of God, the commandments and teachings of Scripture, have been written on many things over the centuries. They’ve been written on stone. They’ve been written on scrolls and parchments. In codices and books. They’re written in the Bibles in our homes. They’re written in bits and bytes on our devices and in the cloud. However, what’s most important to God is that they get written on our hearts.

Why? Because then His words change us. When God’s words move from media to mind, and print or screen to heart, then they correct us, convict us, comfort us, challenge us, and inspire us. Then we may actually try to live by them, repenting of those ways in which we fall short, and embracing the grace God teaches through His words. Are God’s words on your heart, today?

We write God’s words on our hearts when we read them or hear them AND then think about them. When we consider carefully what they mean. When we study them until their meaning is clear. When we take a few minutes to consider what we learn through them about God, Jesus, sin, mankind, or ourselves. When we reflect on what His words mean we should or shouldn’t do in response. We hold His words on our hearts when we take notes from our reading and listening. When we take time to memorize certain Scriptures that particularly stand out to us. When we pray through the words and let God’s Spirit guide those prayers. When we draw pictures, form illustrations, or find ways to explain His words with words of our own.

There are many ways to make sure God’s words are on your heart. Broadly, this is called meditating on Scripture. Anyone can do it and everyone should do it. Make sure God’s words are on your heart today! #FollowJesus

“Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children’s children” – Deuteronomy 4:9

Our memories can be SO short. We usually have so many things blasting at us NOW that we quickly and easily forget THEN. In the midst of the crises and difficulties of the present, we too often forget the goodness and faithfulness of God throughout all the years leading up to the present. When we do, we begin to doubt. We begin to wonder. We begin to fear.

But most followers of Jesus already know the answer to all that doubt, wondering, and fear! We have lived the faithfulness of God! We just need to do as Moses commands here. Be diligent about reminding yourself of how God has acted throughout your life. When has God answered big, desperate prayers you prayed? When has He sustained you when you were long past your breaking point? When has God proven Himself faithful, kind, merciful, and gracious toward you? Tell yourself those stories once more, right now. Remember what your eyes have seen. Never let these things depart from your heart.

Then tell these stories to those in the generations following you. Whether family members, friends, or neighbors, share your stories of God’s goodness, faithfulness, mercy, presence, and power. Share the Scriptures you’ve personally seen come alive in your life story. People desperately need to hear these truths! Many in the rising generations struggle to wonder whether religion is relevant to their lives and struggles. You KNOW the answer. Share your stories, so you can remember and so that others will too! #FollowJesus

“See, the Lord your God has set the land before you. Go up, take possession, as the Lord, the God of your fathers, has told you. Do not fear or be dismayed.’” – Deuteronomy 1:21

Oh, but they did. They feared. They became completely dismayed. And it cost them terribly. What Moses said was 100% true – the Promised Land was waiting for them. God desired them to go and take possession. He was ready to make it happen. But they refused to go. The people looked at the land through human eyes rather than trusting God’s word. They assessed the difficulty of the task based on their human strength rather than trusting in God’s power. So, they refused to receive the blessing God had prepared for them.

Rather than simply move forward in faith, the people sent scouts. The scouts returned, describing the goodness of the land God was sending them into. But…. They’d seen fortified cities. They’d seen giants. They’d seen powerful armies they couldn’t possibly defeat. They saw what their fearful, inexperienced human eyes could see. An impossible task. An insurmountable enemy. A future of suffering and death. And they were dismayed.

They refused to trust God’s promises. His power, which they’d personally seen in Egypt, couldn’t possibly be enough in their minds. They assessed themselves too weak for the work, so they refused to move forward. They disobeyed God. Fear was strong than faith and entire generation missed out on blessing because of it. Their dismay and disobedience forced that entire generation of adults to live and die in the desert rather than move into God’s promise and blessing. God’s will was ultimately accomplished and God’s people were blessed, but it was the next generation. They entered without fear and dismay, trusting in God’s word and power.

Have you ever encountered something similar? Have you ever missed out on God’s blessing because you were too afraid to do what He called you to do? Have you evaluated situations based only on your abilities and resources, rejecting God’s invitation to something greater? Have you let fear get the better of your faith? If you have, remember that there is grace to forgive anything when you repent and ask God for it. Whether you have, or haven’t, resolve to never let it happen in the future. Live boldly in faith, even if you’re naturally timid. Trust in God completely, even if you doubt yourself terribly. If God is calling you to something, please don’t let fear stop you from enjoying the blessings of obedience. He will never leave you or forsake you. Trust and obey God, even when you’re afraid. #FollowJesus