A HOLY PEOPLE
Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 13-14
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion on the right-hand side).
A camel is there to greet tourists at the "Sea Level" sign when you descend from the hills of Jerusalem (2,500 feet above) to Jericho (1,200 feet below). Jesus often made that 24 km journey, as did the "Good Samaritan" in Jesus' parable.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Deuteronomy 13:3
You shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams, for the Lord your God is testing you to know whether you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.
“A camel is a horse put together by a committee,” someone jokingly said. At any rate, it may not be good for us to eat camel…it’s definitely not good for the camel! Moses was concerned with the physical health of the people as well as with their spiritual and moral health. The Elders in the Jerusalem church decided that non-Jewish believers should observe only these food prohibitions: “Blood, things strangled, and meats offered to idols” (Acts 15:20). The entire Kosher system of eating is derived from the last sentence of Deuteronomy 14:21, where meat and dairy products cannot be cooked or eaten together. We can be thankful that these food laws were not required of us. Amen?
Our key verse gives a prohibition which is just as valid today as it was then. There are false teachers and fraudulent prophets everywhere. Second Peter chapter 2 (click here) warns us of the danger, the destruction, and the description of those who would seek to turn us away from the truth of God’s Word. This is why we need to affirm the historical understanding of doctrine, for example, the Apostle’s Creed and the Nicene Creed (click here). On the internet there are often side-bar items that ought to be ignored. False prophets, cult leaders, are trolling for a certain kind of fish. Let us not be suckers. These people, who are themselves deceived, will do their best to draw us into their heresies.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, keep me true to You and in solid Bible teaching. You promised, Lord Jesus, that, “When He, the Spirit of truth is come, He will guide you into all truth” (John 16:13). Guide me, Holy Spirit, I pray. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
Ron and Ann Mainse are leading a tour group to Israel from May 16th – 28th, 2015. Why not travel in the land of the Bible with them (click here for information). Kosher food is required by law in all Jewish hotels. I must confess, I’ve gone to an Arab hotel in east Jerusalem for breakfast in order to have some crisp bacon! In fact, knowing the kosher Scripture was coming up, I bought some bacon yesterday for breakfast today. Just writing about it makes me hungry.
My all-time favourite course in Bible College was “Doctrines of Salvation.” I took it twice, not because I failed the first time, but because I had a job for a year before college to earn some money, and during the night shift I was required to check the equipment every 15 minutes. That gave me time (with the blessing of my boss) to take some studies by correspondence. Those courses I took that way may have had a greater impact on me than the lectures on the same subjects later at college. You may want to do as I did; they now call it “distance education” via the internet. Check it out here with a link to my alma mater (One of my grandsons, Eric Mainse, graduates from “Masters” this spring. He’s Ron & Ann’s son).
Yours for learning sound doctrine, and sticking to it,
David
Delighted to read we can buy wine with our tithes. I love a glass of wine a day, but just one. Unfortunately I don’t like red wines which are supposed to be more nutritious for us.
The camel looks silly but adorable in the pic.
I feel ever ready for heretics. This bible study is a God-send Rev. et al. W/o blessed people like u spreading God’s word, heretics would be rampant. Thanks so much for caring.
Blessings to all this season of hope.
The baby in the manger would stand before the crowd one day and teach, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they will be filled” (Matthew 5:6)
I would like to wish you and all your family a very Merry Christmas and all the best of God’s great blessings for the coming New Year. You have been blessed with an amazing family. Obedience is certainly the key and you are a great example of that to all of us who take part in your blog everyday. God Bless!
Here’s some food for thought…
Before Moses, and Aaron, and the Israelites escaped Pharaoh and Egypt, Pharaoh’s spiritual leader was also able to do miracles… With this thought in mind, it is possible to see how many of the Jewish Church leaders reflected on Deuteronomy 13 and more specifically verses 1-5… when Jesus was not only doing miracles but claiming to be the Son of God…
Verse 5: 5 But that prophet or that dreamer of dreams shall be put to death, because he has spoken in order to turn you away from the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt and redeemed you from the house of bondage, to entice you from the way in which the Lord your God commanded you to walk. So you shall put away the evil from your midst.
Blessings brothers and sisters
Good thought David, but did Jesus foretell by dreams? I might not be understanding what you’re saying. Hope u find your answer:-)
Thanks Lynda. I have my answer in the cross.
In hindsight it would have been better to have started verse 5 like this… 🙂
5 But that prophet… shall be put to death
I’m simply saying that I can see how the Church leaders who have been given authority by God through Moses to faithfully lead their people were blinded to the fact that Jesus was in fact God in flesh and blood…
Yay! Glad you got your answer. Your response brought up memories of this beautiful hymn.
http://youtu.be/oqaDCJkTTSA
Thanks David for all your blogs, I love reading them………Did the bus go into Jericho this year? I know 2 years ago we saw the city but did not go into it. The camel reminds me of the time we got to ride them if we wanted to, and I did.
My internet has been out for three days and I have just got caught up. Enjoyed all the messages David, blogs and photos. Children are beautiful. I enjoy taking my grandniece to church and the Christmas concerts. Gone to five already. Love that song, “In the Cross”. Lord, let the embers of our heart burn brightly toward you. Blessings saints!
Blessings to all as we celebrate The Greatest Gift from God, His Son Jesus.
Like you Pastor David I pray for The Holy Spirit to guide me on my journey through the Bible with everyone second time around. I have been profoundly taught His Word, and how much I am loved. Thank you once again for your faithfulness in sending us our daily bread. A year ago I was recovering from breast reconstruction, and I have seen God’s healing hands upon me, as I study together with you and our fellow bloggers.
MERRY CHRISTMAS everyone.
I’ve mentioned before I go swimming ALOT! I can’t get up early any more until spring happens BUT GOD has brought people to the pool who are ‘SEARCHING’ and when we are in the hot tub these conversations talk place. pray that I can listen and respond correctly when the subject of God and Jesus and all that surrounds our Lord arises! I have been amazed how many conversations have happened at the pool! I always try and compliment a parent about their “child” because parents like to hear good things said about their children! God certainly does! So please keep this wonderful exercise that I enjoy so much in your prayers and that the Lord will bless the conversations. thank you ..
MERRY CHRISTMAS