Focus
Experience silence in the midst of your busy day. Take some time to relax into a time to be with God.
Read
Deuteronomy 30:15-20 (NRSV)
See, I have set before you today life and prosperity, death and adversity. If you obey the commandments of the LORD your God that I am commanding you today, by loving the LORD your God, walking in his ways, and observing his commandments, decrees, and ordinances, then you shall live and become numerous, and the LORD your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to possess. But if your heart turns away and you do not hear, but are led astray to bow down to other gods and serve them, I declare to you today that you shall perish; you shall not live long in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess. I call heaven and earth to witness against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Choose life so that you and your descendants may live, loving the LORD your God, obeying him, and holding fast to him; for that means life to you and length of days, so that you may live in the land that the LORD swore to give to your ancestors, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.
Reflect
Our God gives us choices. We are not forced to have a relationship with God. We all make choices every day. Some of those choices are made out of impulse, some out of habit, and others through the process of discernment. We have already made several choices this morning. We chose to get up, to bathe, to get dressed (or not) and so forth. Some of our decisions are easy; others are more difficult. If asked to choose between a hundred dollar bill and a penny, it would be a no brainer. The scripture in Deuteronomy offers a similar choice: “Today I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses.” This choice also sounds like a no brainer. So why is making this choice so difficult for us?
Life is found in our love of God (verse 20), but more is asked of us. Life is found in our obedience to God, which is where we often encounter problems. Obedience is the evidence of our love for God. Love and obedience cannot be separated. Jesus reiterated this ideal in John 14:15, “If you love me, keep my commands.” Obedience is love expressed in action. As we have heard it said, “Talk is cheap.” Each day we must make the choice to walk with God. This daily walk with God is love and obedience in action. Enter into an intimate relationship with God; let God be your heart’s desire. Know God, hear God’s voice, and share your heart with God. Let God be everything to you. Choose life.
Pray
Dear God, each day is a gift from you. May your Spirit lead and guide us as to how we use that gift. May we choose to live a life that reflects the life of Jesus Christ. By living out this example, may we truly follow the way of kingdom living. Amen.
Go with God.
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