Author: Daryl Pint

The song of Moses. We will look at this in more depth but for now let the words of this song occupy your mind.  

Deu 32:1-47  “Give ear, O heavens, and I will speak, and let the earth hear the words of my mouth. May my teaching drop as the rain, my speech distill as the dew, like gentle rain upon the tender grass, and like showers upon the herb. For I will proclaim the name of the LORD; ascribe greatness to our God! “The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he. They have dealt corruptly with him; they are no longer his children because they are blemished; they are a crooked and twisted generation. Do you thus repay the LORD, you foolish and senseless people? Is not he your father, who created you, who made you and established you? Remember the days of old; consider the years of many generations; ask your father, and he will show you, your elders, and they will tell you. When the Most High gave to the nations their inheritance, when he divided mankind, he fixed the borders of the peoples according to the number of the sons of God.

 But the LORD’s portion is his people, Jacob his allotted heritage. “He found him in a desert land, and in the howling waste of the wilderness; he encircled him, he cared for him, he kept him as the apple of his eye. Like an eagle that stirs up its nest, that flutters over its young, spreading out its wings, catching them, bearing them on its pinions, the LORD alone guided him, no foreign god was with him. He made him ride on the high places of the land, and he ate the produce of the field, and he suckled him with honey out of the rock, and oil out of the flinty rock. Curds from the herd, and milk from the flock, with fat of lambs, rams of Bashan and goats, with the very finest of the wheat— and you drank foaming wine made from the blood of the grape. “But Jeshurun grew fat, and kicked; you grew fat, stout, and sleek; then he forsook God who made him and scoffed at the Rock of his salvation. They stirred him to jealousy with strange gods; with abominations they provoked him to anger. They sacrificed to demons that were no gods, to gods they had never known, to new gods that had come recently, whom your fathers had never dreaded. You were unmindful of the Rock that bore you, and you forgot the God who gave you birth. “The LORD saw it and spurned them, because of the provocation of his sons and his daughters. And he said, ‘I will hide my face from them; I will see what their end will be, for they are a perverse generation, children in whom is no faithfulness. They have made me jealous with what is no god; they have provoked me to anger with their idols. So I will make them jealous with those who are no people; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation. For a fire is kindled by my anger, and it burns to the depths of Sheol, devours the earth and its increase, and sets on fire the foundations of the mountains. “‘And I will heap disasters upon them; I will spend my arrows on them; they shall be wasted with hunger, and devoured by plague and poisonous pestilence; I will send the teeth of beasts against them, with the venom of things that crawl in the dust.

 Outdoors the sword shall bereave, and indoors terror, for young man and woman alike, the nursing child with the man of gray hairs. I would have said, “I will cut them to pieces; I will wipe them from human memory,” had I not feared provocation by the enemy, lest their adversaries should misunderstand, lest they should say, “Our hand is triumphant, it was not the LORD who did all this.”’  “For they are a nation void of counsel, and there is no understanding in them. If they were wise, they would understand this; they would discern their latter end! How could one have chased a thousand, and two have put ten thousand to flight, unless their Rock had sold them, and the LORD had given them up? For their rock is not as our Rock; our enemies are by themselves. For their vine comes from the vine of Sodom and from the fields of Gomorrah; their grapes are grapes of poison; their clusters are bitter; their wine is the poison of serpents and the cruel venom of asps.  “‘Is not this laid up in store with me, sealed up in my treasuries?

  Vengeance is mine, and recompense, for the time when their foot shall slip; for the day of their calamity is at hand, and their doom comes swiftly.’ For the LORD will vindicate his people and have compassion on his servants, when he sees that their power is gone and there is none remaining, bond or free. Then he will say, ‘Where are their gods, the rock in which they took refuge, who ate the fat of their sacrifices and drank the wine of their drink offering? Let them rise up and help you; let them be your protection! “‘See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god beside me; I kill and I make alive; I wound and I heal; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand. For I lift up my hand to heaven and swear, As I live forever, if I sharpen my flashing sword and my hand takes hold on judgment, I will take vengeance on my adversaries and will repay those who hate me. I will make my arrows drunk with blood, and my sword shall devour flesh— with the blood of the slain and the captives, from the long-haired heads of the enemy.’ “Rejoice with him, O heavens; bow down to him, all gods, for he avenges the blood of his children and takes vengeance on his adversaries. He repays those who hate him and cleanses his people’s land.” Moses came and recited all the words of this song in the hearing of the people, he and Joshua the son of Nun. And when Moses had finished speaking all these words to all Israel, he said to them, “Take to heart all the words by which I am warning you today, that you may command them to your children, that they may be careful to do all the words of this law. For it is no empty word for you, but your very life, and by this word you shall live long in the land that you are going over the Jordan to possess.”

So Abram said to Lot, “Please let there be no strife between you and me, and between my herdsmen and your herdsmen; for we are brethren. Is not the whole land before you? Please separate from me. If you take the left, then I will go to the right; or, if you go to the right, then I will go to the left.” (Genesis 13:8-9)

God did something special when He called Abram (later named Abraham) out of Ur of the Chaldees and promised Abram all of Canaan. But when Abram brought his nephew Lot with him into the land, it wasn’t long until there was conflict. Abram and Lot each had big herds of livestock, and their workers fought over the better grazing lands.

Abram and Lot each claimed to serve Yahweh as God instead of the local Canaanite idols, and their conflict made them look like hypocrites. The logical solution was to separate the flocks and take them to different grazing lands. But who would go where? That is when Abram used his right to lay down his rights.

Abram said to his nephew, If you take the left, then I will go to the right; or, if you go to the right, then I will go to the left. Abram was the eldest and God promised the land to Abram (not to Lot), this was pure generosity.

This was true generosity, not weakness. Abram could fight when it was the right thing to do (Genesis 14). He didn’t yield to Lot out of weakness but out of love and trust in God. Because Abram lived with an eternal perspective, a few acres of grazing land didn’t seem worth fighting for.

The giving up of rights is a theme throughout the Bible. God was glorified when Jesus, out of love, waived his right to an existence that knew no human suffering or trial by experience (Philippians 2:5-11). God was glorified when Paul, out of love, waived his right to be supported by the gospel (1 Corinthians 9:14-18). In Genesis 13, Abram fulfilled the New Testament principle of love: Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. (Philippians 2:4)

But if we give up our rights, who will look out for us? Abram could do this because he learned that God would provide for him, and so Abram did not have to worry about being too generous. In this case, Abram was willing to let God look out for his interests. Right or left, it didn’t matter to Abram, because God would be there.

There are times to stand on principle and claim a right – the Bible also gives examples of this. Sometimes doing this is good for others and not only for us. Yet we are grateful for the generosity God shows to us, and we seek to show that to others.

We can do what is right by committing our rights to God.

We make decisions every day. Most decisions are trivial, ike what to eat for lunch. Some decisions are more important, such as which vocation to pursue. And some decisions are life-altering, such as whether or not to get married. But you and I both know the most important decision we will ever make is where to spend eternity.

In Matthew 25:46, Jesus described the two eternal destinations: “[The unrighteous] will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” After death, everybody will live forever in either heaven or hell. There’s no third alternative, which makes this the most consequential decision of your life.

At some point, you chose to follow Jesus Christ and spend eternity in heaven. But what about the people you know and love? They also must decide their eternal destination before it’s too late. How can you help them choose eternity in heaven?

In Matthew 7, Jesus used three sharp contrasts that illustrate this crucial choice:

1. There are two paths: one leads to life; the other leads to destruction. Jesus said, “The gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it” (vv. 13–14).

The fact that every person who isn’t a Christian is on the wide path leading to hell is difficult, especially if that includes our friends or family. That’s why most people today—including over 60% of evangelical Christians—embrace Satan’s lie that there are valid ways to heaven other than faith in Christ alone.

But Jesus was clear: few people will enter heaven, while many will enter hell. The only way to heaven is through faith in Jesus Christ, who said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me” (John 14:6). There are two paths, Jesus said, but only one leads to heaven.

2. There are two followers: one obeys God; the other pays God lip service. Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father … will enter” (v. 21).

Simply saying Jesus is Lord doesn’t necessarily make somebody a Christian. It’s possible to profess faith in Christ but not possess faith in Christ. So who will enter the kingdom of heaven? Jesus said it’s the person who does God’s will.

In John 6:40, Jesus said, “For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life.” God’s will is that you trust in Christ alone for salvation—but that’s not the end of it. There’s an inseparable connection in the Bible between belief and obedience. Good works don’t produce eternal life, but they prove that there is eternal life.

3. There are two houses: one is built on rock; the other is built on sand. Jesus said, “Everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. … Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand” (Matthew 7:24–27).

When storms come into our lives, they reveal the true nature of our faith. For those who build their lives on the foundation of Jesus Christ, the hope of heaven stands secure. But those who chose to build their lives on any other foundation don’t have that hope, so when storms come, they are swept away.

These examples from Scripture can help people understand the enormous choice before them: heaven or hell. There’s no time to lose. Our friends, family, and neighbors must make this decision about eternity, so let’s help them choose heaven!

While reading various commentaries and devotionals, here are some statements worth saving and thinking about.

If we have had the former rains of conversion/justification we whould be seeking and praying for latter rains of growth/sanctification.

Faith can clearly see where reason is blind.

Men give advice; God gives guidance.

Upon the return of Jesus our rememberence of Him will no longer be of Him weighted with and scarred with the sin’s of the world that He bore, but as Holiness, Glorious, Splendor, and Majesty. The scars will be there but we will see Him fully in all of his Glory and Honor. 

Jesus perfect sacrifice -fulfilling in perfect moral purity the prescriptions of the ceremonial law, which but clothe in outward form the universal consciousness that nothing stained or faulty is worthy to be given to God. 

And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the LORD. Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the LORD respected Abel and his offering, but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell. (Genesis 4:3-5) Here, it was one lamb for a man  (Genesis 4:3-5). Later, at the Passover, it would be one lamb for a family Exo 12:1-51. Then, at the Day of Atonement, it was one lamb for the nation ( Leviticus 23:27-28 ). Finally, with Jesus, there was one Lamb who took away the sin of the world (John 1:29).

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

“It ought to be a daily disappointment when our Lord does not come; instead of being, as I fear it is, a kind of foregone conclusion that he will not come just yet.” (Spurgeon)

One reason we may not hear God speak to us is that there are uncontrolled emotions drowning out His voice. And of all the emotions that drown out God’s voice, perhaps none is more potent than fear.

 God wants us to enjoy this life, not just to endure it.

While reading various commentaries and devotionals, here are some statements worth saving and thinking about.

Sin will take you where you don’t want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, cost you more than you can afford to pay, deafen your ears to the HolySpirit, and blind you to things of God. 

Remember—God is always very near and working on our behalf. When we see immediate answers to our prayers, we should rejoice. When He doesn’t answer immediately, we should trust. The time we spend in prayer is precious because we are entering into and recognizing the presence of a God for whom nothing is impossible. Give Him time to work!

Paul said we labor and strive “according to His power, which mightily works within [us].” We are not striving alone or even side-by-side with God. Instead, we have God’s power working in us and through us to accomplish His purpose.

We are not born into this world spiritually neutral. The Bible says we come into this world separated from God. Yet He instigated a plan to restore that broken relationship.

There is no good news unless you understand the bad news. What you believe about sin determines what you believe about salvation. And Paul didn’t mince words. He wrote, “You were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds” (v. 21). You cannot fully appreciate what Jesus has done for you until you understand the desperate condition we are all in apart from Christ.

 The only reason to know God’s will is so you can obey it for the purpose of honoring and glorifying Jesus Christ in all you think, say, and do. It is God’s will for us to trust, follow, obey, cling to, and rely upon Him, and to love others, be generous, help the widows and orphans, be joyful, rejoice, patient, and proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Many people today are discontent with traditional religious beliefs, so they’re constructing their own faith. Their beliefs are a curious blend of two parts Bible, one part pop psychology, and one part prejudice, sprinkled with a dash of superstition. Even many Christians today are engaging in what I call “religion by mathematics”: they add to what God has said in His Word, or they subtract anything they find distasteful or restrictive. They might reject what the Bible says about hell or sexual morality.

The starting place for knowing the will of God is knowing the Word of God. Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” It is impossible to apply God’s Word in your life if you don’t know God’s Word. In Hosea 4:6, God said, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” You can never know God’s will apart from God’s Word.

 Noah did not have to shut the door to keep anyone out of the ark; God alone did it. After the same pattern, it is never the duty of God’s servants to disqualify people from salvation. If the door is to be shut, God will shut the door. God’s servants may warn, but God holds final judgment – not man.

Some sort of comfort may, for a time, be derived from false trust in the worldly, but it is an empty comfort – and great is its grief when the failure is discovered to the soul.

While reading various commentaries and devotionals, here are statements worth saving and thinking about.

Let God use every person and problem to continue conforming you to the image of Christ 

The keys to assurance are right doctrine and right living. God’s Word is truth. Obedience, faith, trust, and reliance in it cement Assurance in our hearts. Being neglectful of God’s Word results in fake, weak, and lukewarm assuance that will never ever sustain the heart and mind.

You made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless till they rest in you.

Face your giants today clothed in the armor of Christ. Let God prepare you for battle. Our enemies are on every side, and so must our armor be.

Day by day, morning by morning, begin your walk with Him in the calm trust that God is at work in everything.

 “You are brothers and sisters in Christ. Now act like it!” 

Stop relying on self-motivation and start leveraging Holy Spirit led self-discipline.

Stop focusing on what you don’t have and start expressing gratitude to God for what you do have.

Make it your goal to be kind to everyone; you never know who might be in need of the human touch of kindness. It is the duty of every Christian to be Christ to his neighbor.

When you feed your heart and mind with [the Bible’s] truth, you regain your perspective and find renewed strength.

God has no limits. His reserves are overflowing without end. He can do more than we ask and much more than we can imagine.