Author: trevongross

Deuteronomy 21:1-22:30; Luke 9:51-10:12; Psalm 74:1-23; Proverbs 12:11

How do you handle the tough challenges of life? As believers, we are not exempt from distasteful things. “The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time.” (Psalm 34:17)

The Bible is clear that Jesus came to give His life on the cross for us. But that was not his ultimate goal! The moment that he was conceived in Mary’s womb began a journey for Him to get back to His Father’s presence. So, even though as an all-knowing God, he understood all the twists, turns and torture that Jesus would endure, He never took His eyes off of the larger goal.

This is how you and I should face the difficulties of life. Far too often we focus on the challenge itself without realizing that there will be joy on the other side. What was Jesus’ joy? “As the time drew near for him to ascend to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem” (Luke 9:51). Notice He set out for Jerusalem because it was a way-station on the path back home! He knew what needed to happen at Calvary, but Jesus’ heart was set on what happened afterwards. The cross was bearable because Jesus knew on the other side was resurrection from the dead, returning to Heaven and reconnecting all of us to the Father.

Don’t be intimidated when bad situations arise. Focus on the other side when you know you stand in victory and stand as a stronger person. This is what Jesus did and we should too.

Tomorrow’s Reading: Deuteronomy 23:1-25:19; Luke 10:13-37; Psalm 75:1-10; Proverbs 12:12-14

Deuteronomy 18:1-20:20; Luke 9:28-50; Psalm 73:1-28; Proverbs 12:10

A question commonly asked, is “Why do the wicked prosper?” As you read through the psalms, this is a recurring question that is asked. The challenge with this type of question is that it focuses on the wrong thing. When we take the time to assess other people’s possessions, achievements, or prosperity, it leads us down the wrong road.

The psalm we read today said that he almost lost his footing because he started looking at what others had. Why did he lose his footing? Because when he looked at others, he allowed envy to enter into his life. Once envy entered, then he began to look at every aspect of their lives and compare it to his own. The writer of the psalm also began to question if living for God was the best way to go. Was living a righteous life all for naught? Of course not!

God’s way is never to compare ourselves to others. The psalmist starts off with the words, “Truly God is good to Israel, to those whose hearts are pure.”

When we look at what others have, we lose sight of what is most important: the goodness of God that He has shown to us. You may not have all that you want but you have experienced the goodness of God. There may still be unanswered prayers but God has still been good to you. Put the focus back on God and not on others. Let this be your prayer: “But as for me, how good it is to be near God! I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do.” (Psalm 73:28)

Tomorrow’s Reading: Deuteronomy 21:1-22:30; Luke 9:51-10:12; Psalm 74:1-23; Proverbs 12:11

Deuteronomy 16:1-17:20; Luke 9:7-27; Psalm 72:1-20; Proverbs 12:8-9

God’s Word is so important to our lives that we cannot take it lightly. When Israel was instructed about the rules for a King, God says that the King should write the entire Law, which God had given Moses, by hand in front of the priests.

This seems like a strange request. However, God was laying out a strategy for how we can become saturated with His Word so that we do not stray from it. In addition to handwriting the entire scroll, the King was to always keep a copy of the scroll with him and read from it daily. As the King persists in reading the Word of God, he became saturated with its truths so that he would not become boastful and act like he was above others.

The advice God gave for the King applies to us. As we stay connected to the Word of God, it will keep our flesh in tact so that we can remain humble and not act as if we are better than others. You see, the King had an office of responsibility but it did not make him better than the people he ruled. As you remain connected to God’s Word, you will drive out all obstacles in your life and remain in alignment with God’s Word. The closer you stay to God’s Word, the more you will see the hand of God work in your life. Treasure God’s Word! It is your foundation for living.

Tomorrow’s Reading: Deuteronomy 18:1-20:20; Luke 9:28-50; Psalm 73:1-28; Proverbs 12:10

Deuteronomy 13:1-15:23; Luke 8:40-9:6; Psalm 71:1-24; Proverbs 12:5-7

As good as some people may seem, we must be careful that they do not draw us away from God! Moses cautions the Israelites about prophets who come in God’s name and do miraculous signs and speak accurate prophetic words. Then, they somehow suggest that you should turn aside to follow foreign (or strange) gods. Even though they did spectacular things, their testimony is not to be believed because they are not remaining true to God.

Those who lead people astray, away from God, were to be put to death. This seems like a big deal for God to demand the ultimate penalty for them. Well, it is a big deal! If someone is drawing you away from Him, that person cannot be trusted– even if they do spectacular spiritual things. This is the caution that all of us have to heed.

No one should be allowed to weaken our relationship with God or the church in which God has set us because if we lose those two anchors in our lives, we will drift aimlessly on the sea of life. If you have let someone do this, there is no better time than today to get back in place. Repent to God for allowing this to happen and then get back in place. Your joy and peace are tied to being in the right place! When you are in the right place, you can say like our psalm reading, “I will shout for joy and sing your praises, for you have ransomed me. I will tell about your righteous deeds all day long, for everyone who tried to hurt me has been shamed and humiliated.”

Tomorrow’s Reading: Deuteronomy 16:1-17:20; Luke 9:7-27; Psalm 72:1-20; Proverbs 12:8-9

Deuteronomy 11:1-12:32; Luke 8:22-39; Psalm 70:1-5; Proverbs 12:4

Obedience cannot be overlooked in our relationship with God. If we look at the two sides to our relationship. We have God’s side and our side. God took the first step to love us, care for us, provide for us, make a way for us to get back into His family and put in place any and everything we could, or would, ever need or want. In response to all that He has done, God just says, “Love me back.”

Here is where we misunderstand it. Love is not a feeling. I know when we think of God and His overwhelming love for us, it causes us to feel good. But, when God is saying, “Love me back,” He is not saying, “Have good feelings towards Me.” No, God is saying, do what I ask of you. Now in the Old Testament, this was a voluminous list of things. However, we are under grace in the New Testament so we don’t have that long list. Jesus distilled all the Old Testament law into 2 commandments.

“Jesus replied, ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.  A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.'” (Matthew 22:37-40)

To love God is to obey God! Love is demonstrated in our obedience to His will for our lives. What has constantly held humanity back from the fullness of all God has for us is our disobedience. Moses went on to even tell the Israelites that they had witnessed all the miraculous signs that God had performed and their children were not privy to any of this. Their obedience is what would pass down a legacy of obedience and blessings.

Today, make your legacy to demonstrate your love to God by living an obedient life. Live with a listening ear to God’s instructions. When you read something in the Word of God or He witnesses a message to your heart, obey Him. The next generation is counting on you!

Tomorrow’s Reading: Deuteronomy 13:1-15:23; Luke 8:40-9:6; Psalm 71:1-24; Proverbs 12:5-7

Deuteronomy 9:1-10:22; Luke 8:4-21; Psalm 69:19-36; Proverbs 12:2-3

When God moves on our behalf, we should be careful not to allow that to cause us to be boastful or proud. God was preparing Israel for one of the biggest national coups that would take place. He was going to displace several nations to make room for His people, Israel.

But before they even get into the land, God says, “It is not because you are so good or have such integrity that you are about to occupy their land.” God makes it very plain to them that what He is about to do has nothing to do with them. He goes on to say that He is doing it as an act of judgment for those people’s sins and to keep a promise to a previous generation. It had nothing to do with the current generation of Israelites.

This is a powerful reminder for us. Some of the blessings that we enjoy are not because we did anything right! It’s because of God’s commitment to the prayers of another that we have some of the things we enjoy. Our responsibility is to be grateful for everything we have and not become haughty!

Tomorrow’s Reading: Deuteronomy 11:1-12:32; Luke 8:22-39; Psalm 70:1-5; Proverbs 12:4

Deuteronomy 7:1-8:20; Luke 7:36-8:3; Psalm 69:1-18; Proverbs 12:1

Do you really know how much God loves you? God is so passionately in love with you, that He looked over all others and selected you to be His very own. This is hard for many people to accept. God told Israel that He chose them simply because He loved them!!

God loves you for the same reason. God’s love is not something that you can earn. All you can do is accept it. It boggles the mind why God would love us but He does. Israel was the smallest of all nations and wasn’t held in high regard. But, they enjoyed the favor of God’s love. In fact, they had a covenant of unfailing love!

When God says He loves us, it is no small thing. When God loves us, it means He will act on our behalf. God told Israel that He would fight their battles. He said that He would open doors for them. God promises when they get in trouble, He will rescue them.

He even said that He will keep His covenant to 1000 generations. If a generation is about 22 years, He is saying that for 22,000 years he will watch out for you and yours. And we don’t earn any of this.

All God asks in return is that we love Him back. How do we love God? By doing what He says. One of the responses to this love is to protect it by living the way God prescribes. God says to Israel that they cannot compromise His standards and allow their lives to be polluted by the ways of the ungodly. You see, God wants people who are exclusively His. He wants this as a response not a requirement of His love. The next time you say, “I love God” check your heart to make certain that you are doing all you can to honor the love He shows you.

Tomorrow’s Reading: Deuteronomy 9:1-10:22; Luke 8:4-21; Psalm 69:19-36; Proverbs 12:2-3

Deuteronomy 5:1-6:25; Luke 7:11-35; Psalm 68:19-35; Proverbs 11:29-31
Do you fear God? Now, before you answer too quickly, I am referencing a respect, awe and reverence of God. You should never be afraid of God. But, is your respect and reverence for Him so great that you do not want to displease Him in any way? That is the Biblical sense of fearing God.

Moses recalled how the people were reluctant to go up to hear God’s voice so they told Moses you go up and come back and tell us what God says. God remarks that, “Oh, that they would always have hearts like this, that they might fear me and obey all my commands! If they did, they and their descendants would prosper forever.”

God’s desire for Israel was that they would maintain a fear (respect, awe, reverence) of Him and pass this on to their children and grandchildren because in so doing, they would establish an unbroken line of blessings!

Our disobedience to God actually shows a lack of respect for God! This is where we have to be careful as we live under grace. We can be lulled into thinking that we can blatantly continue to disobey God and it not carry any consequences. When we become comfortable disregarding God’s ways, Paul said that we are treating “the grace of God as meaningless.”

If God’s love, mercy and grace means anything to you, then you respect it by obeying God’s directions. Whatever God leads us to do is never to hurt us but to help us. And, it requires obedience because those things God tells us to do are things that we naturally would not desire to do. If you really fear God, obey Him today. You will establish a spiritual legacy of blessings!

Tomorrow’s Reading: Deuteronomy 7:1-8:20; Luke 7:36-8:3; Psalm 69:1-18; Proverbs 12:1

Deuteronomy 4:1-49; Luke 6:39-7:10; Psalm 68:1-18; Proverbs 11:28
Israel had the unique privilege of hearing God’s voice. When Moses ascended up on Mt. Sinai to receive the law, God’s voice boomed from the clouds and His fire could be seen. Among all the nations on the earth at this time, only Israel enjoyed this honor.

Moses reminded the people as he prepared for his death not to take God’s voice lightly or for granted. As they prepared to enter the Promised Land, they were cautioned to listen to God’s voice diligently all their days. Moses was concerned that they would be enthralled by all the blessings of the Lord and neglect to hear His voice.

Moses warned them not to forget the time when, “ …the Lord spoke to you from the heart of the fire. You heard the sound of his words but didn’t see his form; there was only a voice.” Israel only had a voice.

You have His voice as well! This is a unique miracle that we can experience daily. God is always speaking but are you listening. He wants to speak to you about your life and your future. Heed Moses’ admonition and listen to His voice. He will guide you by His voice.

Tomorrow’s Reading: Deuteronomy 5:1-6:25; Luke 7:11-35; Psalm 68:19-35; Proverbs 11:29-31

 

Deuteronomy 2:1-3:29; Luke 6:12-38; Psalm 67:1-7; Proverbs 11:27

Have you ever done the right homework on the wrong day? Or, have you arrived for an appointment to only find out that you were there  at the wrong time? As diligent as you were to do the homework or be at the appointment, if it’s not at the right time and day, then you get no credit.

The same is true with God. We think it’s easy to get credit when we are nice to people who are nice to us. Or, when we are generous with those who are generous with us, we think God smiles. “If you love only those who love you, why should you get credit for that? Even sinners love those who love them!” But in truth, it’s not when things are easy that God smiles, its when they are challenging.

Jesus reminds us that how we represent God in those hard cases really gets us credit. It is when we are the target of people’s venom and we return kind words in response that we get God’s attention. It is when others mistreat us and we return compassionate acts that God smiles because that is a clear representation of His character. Don’t run from difficult situations with people. Use them as ways to show God that you love Him more than you love yourself (pride).

Remember your reward will come from God not people! That’s the best credit you can get!

Tomorrow’s Reading: Deuteronomy 4:1-49; Luke 6:39-7:10; Psalm 68:1-18; Proverbs 11:28