Highlights In Today's Reading:
Just think! We are to cleave (cling, adhere to) (11:22) unto the Lord! Today's reading makes you think! We're told to choose between conforming to the Word of God and enjoying His blessing or conforming to worldly standards inspired by Satan and cheating ourselves out of the blessings of God. Don't miss out (12:28).
Children never instinctively develop a godly character since we are all born with a sinful nature. Therefore, parents are required to take every opportunity to lay up these My words in your heart. . . . and teach them (to) your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. . . . ye shall diligently keep all these Commandments . . . to do them, to love the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways, and to cleave unto Him. . . . Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse; A blessing, if ye obey the Commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you this day: And a curse, if ye will not obey the Commandments (11:18-19,22,26-28). This calls for diligent teaching of biblical truths day after day. We are living in the most secular age ever known.
Today, as never before, we have been caught up in the spirit of this age and unconciously have been conditioned by secular education and the prevailing materialistic philosophy of life. To withstand the modern onslaught of worldliness in our homes, we must faithfully teach our children the Word of God. We dare not let them just have their way.
"Dear Lord, I do not ask that thou shouldst give me some high work of Thine, some noble calling, or some wondrous task.
"Give me a little hand to hold in mine. Give me a little child to point the way over the strange sweet path that leads to Thee.
"Give me a little voice to teach to pray. Give me two shining eyes Thy face to see.
"The only crown I ask, dear Lord, to wear is this: That I may teach a little child. I do not ask that I may ever stand among the wise, the worthy, or the great.
"I only ask that, softly, hand in hand, a child and I may enter at the gate." (Author Unknown)
Moses . . . said unto them, Set your hearts unto all the words which I testify among you this day, which ye shall command your children to observe to do, all the words of this Law. For it is not a vain thing for you; because it is your life (Deut. 32:45-47).
Thought for Today:
Most people would not think of abusing a child, but we truly abuse our children when we neglect to teach them the Word of God.
Christ Revealed:
Through the burnt offerings which were totally consumed. These typified Christ's total offering of Himself to death (Deuteronomy 12:6; see Heb. 10:5-7). The bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the Sanctuary (Holy Place) by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp. Wherefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify (make holy) the people with His own blood, suffered without the gate (13:11-12).
Word Studies:
11:1 keep His charge =be true to all His requirements; 11:6 opened her mouth =split like a chasm; 11:10 thy foot =working a treadmill with your foot; 11:11 drinketh water =soaks up water; 11:17 wrath be kindled =anger flare up; 11:21 as the days of heaven upon the earth =forever; 11:22 cleave =hold fast; 11:25 stand before you =resist you; 11:29 goest to possess =about to occupy; 12:2 possess =conquer; 12:5 habitation =dwelling; 12:9 the rest =the resting place; inheritance =possessions; 12:15 lusteth after =covets, desires; 12:26 holy =consecrated; vows =pledges; 12:29 cut off =destroy; 12:30 snared =trapped; 13:3 proveth =tests; 13:13 Be'lial =worthlessness, evil; 13:15 smite =strike; 13:16 spoil =plunder; 13:17 multiply thee =increase your numbers; 13:18 hearken =listen and obey; eyes =sight
Prayer Needs:
Pray for Arabic, English, & Spanish International Shortwave Broadcasts sponsored by Thursday Morning Prayer • Staff: Beth Carlton • Government Officials: Rep. Tim Holden (PA) and Rep. Todd Platts (PA) • Country: Chile (15 million) on the southwestern coast of South America • Major language: Spanish • Religious freedom • 73% Catholic; 20% Protestant; 1% Other; 6% None • Prayer Suggestion: Remember, what is impossible with men is possible with God (Matt. 19:26).
Optional Reading: Luke 20
Memory Verse for the Week: Matthew 5:11
