Your Shield and Sword

GOD:

“… The Shield who defends you, the Sword who brings triumph…” Deuteronomy 33:29, The MSG

GOD:

There is no other and there is no other than can protect you like he does!

Strength and courage

"Be strong.  Take courage.  Don't be intimidated. Don't give them a second thought because God, your God, is striding ahead of you.  He right there with you.  He won't let you down; he won't leave you."  Deuteronomy 31:6, The MSG

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Life is too short to let others control you, intimidate you, belittle you, or scare you.  So, look up to God, ask him to help you and take over your life, then grab hold of him and don't let go.  From that moment you can take a deep breath, stand strong and courageous, and never let another man/woman intimidate you again, because God, your God, has your life and your battles all under his control; He has your victories lying in wait for you.

Choose life!

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"... The word is right here and now - as near as the tongue in your mouth, as near as the heart in your chest.  Just do it!... Love God, your God. Walk in his ways.  Keep his commandments, regulations, and rules so that you will live, really live, live exuberantly,  blessed by God, your God, in the land you are about to enter and possess... I place before you Life and Death, Blessing and Curse.  Choose life so that you and your children will live.  And love God, your God, listening obediently to him, firmly embracing him.  Oh yes, he is life itself..." 

Deuteronomy 30: 11-14, 19-20 The MSG

Choose life ~ Choose God!

On guard for God

"... Don't let down your guard lest even now, today, someone - man or woman, clan or tribe - gets sidetracked from God, our God, and gets involved with the no-gods of the nations; lest some poisonous weed sprout and spread among you, a person who hears the words of the Covenent-oath but exempts himself, thinking, "I'll live just the way I please, thank you," and ends up ruining life for everybody.  God won't let him off the hook..." Deuteronomy 29: 14-21, The MSG

One wrong move, one wrong motive, one wrong word, or one wrong thought could be the beginning of the end of the great life God has planned for you.  So, stay the course - make life easy for yourself - and let the goodness that God has planned for you overflow, and overfill, your precious life.

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Placed on high

If you listen obediently to the Voice of God, your God, and heartily obey all his commandments that I command you today, God, your God, will place you on high, high above all the nations of the world. All these blessings will come down on you and spread out beyond you because you have responded to the Voice of God, your God:

God’s blessing inside the city,
God’s blessing in the country;
God’s blessing on your children,
    the crops of your land,
    the young of your livestock,
    the calves of your herds,
    the lambs of your flocks.
God’s blessing on your basket and bread bowl;
God’s blessing in your coming in,
God’s blessing in your going out.

God will defeat your enemies who attack you. They’ll come at you on one road and run away on seven roads.

God will order a blessing on your barns and workplaces; he’ll bless you in the land that God, your God, is giving you.

Deuteronomy 28:1-8 The Message (MSG)

Why wouldn’t anyone want to follow God and abide by his commands?? 

One has to be absolutely insane not to!!

God's treasure

“And today God has reaffirmed that you are dearly held treasure just as he promised, a people entrusted with keeping his commandments, a people set high above all other nations that he’s made, high in praise, fame, and honor: you’re a people holy to God, your God. That’s what he has promised.” Deuteronomy 26:18-19,The Message (MSG)

 

You are God’s treasure set apart from the world, and one who is to be praised, and honored.  Yes, since you love God, you have a path of gold set before you and more treasures in life to come.  So, stay on course, and let those who choose not to follow God watch in astonishment as you live the great life that God has graciously given you to live.

Celebrate

“… Celebrate all the good things that God, your God, has given you and your family…” Deuteronomy 26:10-11, The MSG

Everything good in your life comes from God, so everything good in your life should be celebrated, enjoyed and, most definitely, shared with others.

Deal with it

“If you see your kinsman’s ox or sheep wandering off loose, don’t look the other way as if you didn’t see it.  Return it promptly…” Deuteronomy 22:1-3, The Message (The MSG)

In other words, when you see something that you don’t feel like dealing with because it may cut into your personal time – deal with it anyway.  Help out others and stop being selfish.

 

The battle before you.

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When you go to war against your enemy and see horses and chariots and soldiers far outnumbering you, do not recoil in fear of them; God, your God, who brought you up out of Egypt is with you. When the battle is about to begin, let the priest come forward and speak to the troops. He’ll say, “Attention, Israel. In a few minutes you’re going to do battle with your enemies. Don’t waver in resolve. Don’t fear. Don’t hesitate. Don’t panic. God, your God, is right there with you, fighting with you against your enemies, fighting to win.” Deuteronomy 20:1-4, The Message (MSG)

When faced with battles in life, remember God is with you, God is for you, and God will fight for you.  Therefore, stand strong, stand tall, refrain from sinful behavior, and watch God give you the victory.  

To Him be the glory, and to you be the victory.

The Message (MSG) Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by +Eugene H. Peterson

Not if God will, but WHEN God will.

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"When God, your God, enlarges your land, extending its borders as he solemnly promised..." Deuteronomy 19:8-10, The Message

 

As a child of God's, and as a child that diligently loves God, seeking Him with your whole heart and doing what He tells you to do, then it isn't a matter of if  His promises will come true in your life, it is a matter of when they will come true.  And as someone who believes in, trusts in, and relies on God, the promises He has for your are coming, and they are coming in a mighty way, my friend.  So, hold tight to Him and don't give up, because the promises He has for you are just beginning and they will only get better with time.

Getting rid of the darkness

"... But only if you listen obediently to the Voice of God, your God... Oh yes - God, your God, will bless you just as he promised..." Deuteronomy 15:4-6, The Message

Do you feel that you are being defeated in life?  Do you feel like the world has come against you and that every time you are trying to get ahead, you seem to take two steps back?  Are you overwhelmed and don't know which way turn?  If, Yes, to any of these questions, then let me ask:  Are you listening to, following the voice of, and reading the Word of God?  If, No, then maybe it is time to start... I think that your life will dramatically begin to turn around if you do.  

So why don't you give it a shot - with everything happening in your life now, what do you have to lose?  Maybe with God, all you will find is you've gotten rid of the darkness surrounding your life and you're ready to start living again.

Obedience and vigilance to God

“Be vigilant, listen obediently… doing what is good and right in the eyes of God, your God.” Deuteronomy 12:28, The Message

Vigilance and obedience to God equals blessing and favor to man.

 

The good life

“… Live in his presence in holy reverence, follow the road he sets out for you, service God, your God, with everything you have in you, obey the commandments and regulations of God… live a good life.”  Deuteronomy 10:12-13, The Message

There it is, the key to a good life: 

Follow God and His commands.

 

Obedience

“Your obedience will give you a long life on the soil that God promised to your ancestors and their children, a land flowing with milk and honey…” Deuteronomy 11:8-9, The Message

Not only will obedience to God bring you favor upon favor, it will bring favor upon favor to your family’s lives as well... 

we can’t ask for more than that!

With God before you

“Today know this:  God, your God, is crossing the river ahead of you… he will put them under your power…” Deuteronomy 9:3, The Message

Right now God is going ahead of you, clearing the path to your blessings and greatness.  So, have no fear, with God before you, no one can stand against you (Romans 8:31)!

 

Bread alone won't be enough.

“… Men and women don’t live by bread only, we live by every word that comes from God’s mouth…” Deuteronomy 8:1-5, The Message

In essence, without God and his Word, never will you have the quality of life that He so graciously wants to give you.

God has cleared the way

Find this quote at, https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwj1oafH_NvMAhUS32MKHWuZCDAQjRwIBw&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pinterest.com%2Fpin%2F274860383481871575%2F&psig=AFQjCNEpZ5Dqw4xm9NkbE_tJo5sXFzOtPA&ust=1463397935781177

Because you listen and follow the commands of God, your God, there is no need to fear.  He will bring you into the promised land that is yours. He has cleared the path before you and He has given you the strength to conquer those who come against you; do not be intimidated by them, for you will conquer them.  Yes, because you listen and follow the commands of God, your God, He loves you, He blesses you, He increases you - there is not one person, not one obstacle, that will be able to overtake you.  

Adapted from Deuteronomy 7, The Message

 

The God-way

"Listen obediently, Israel.  Do what you're told so that you'll have a good life, a life of abundance and bounty, just as God promised, in a land abounding in milk and honey... Love God, your God, with your whole heart: love him with all that's in you, love him with all you've got!"  Deuteronomy 6: 3, 5; The Message

It is so easy to have a good and prosperous life.  All we have to do is love God and do what He says to do.  So, why are so many of us lost in this dark world?  I believe it is because we want instant results, we don't want to be disciplined in words, actions, and thoughts, and we believe many lies. We would rather live the good and prosperous life that the world gives yet can be taken in the blink of an eye. Why?  I don't know...???  What I do know, however, is if we would just listen to God and have a little patience, our good and prosperous life is granted us.  And, when given to us by God, (not the world), our good and prosperous life is one that no man could ever take away.  

Thank you for this image, https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiFrLaivNnMAhVPzGMKHasdCX0QjRwIBw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.beliefnet.com%2Fcolumnists%2Fhaveamagnificentday%2F2015%2F10%2Fare-we-listening-for-god-2.html&psig=AFQjCNFyVMwUgGJqPg8Bd6Noryy0q28zQg&ust=1463312033144636

So, in essence - now is a good time to  make some changes and start living life the right way: The God-way!

The key to a good and long life

“So be very careful to act exactly as God commands you.  Don’t veer off to the right or the left.  Walk straight down the road God commands so that you’ll have a good life and live a long time in the land that you’re about to possess.”  Deuteronomy 5:32-33, The Message

And there it is, the key to a long and good life:

Obey God and obey His commands.  No 30-day free trial required - God is a guarantee!

 

 

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The way to wisdom and understanding

Keep the commands of God, your God.  Practice them.  You will become wise and understanding.

Adapted from Deuteronomy 3:1-6, The Message

Wisdom and understanding come from God, His Word, and His commands.  So, follow them!  Otherwise you may end up like many, so-called, leaders of this world – corrupt and broken.

Know this!!

Know this well, then.  Take it to heart right now!  God is in Heaven above; God is on Earth below.  He’s the only God there is…  Deuteronomy 4:39-40, The Message

Believing in anyone or anything else leads only to pain and darkness.

Corruption

“Carefully guard yourselves so that you don’t turn corrupt…”  Deuteronomy 4:15-20, The Message

Carefully guard yourselves so you don’t let the power of money, fame, or fortune steel your soul like so many leaders in this country. 

Yes, carefully guard yourselves so you can stand up and help bring America back to its original foundation based on our Constitution and our faith in God.

On your feet... MOVE!

Then God said, “You’ve been going around in circles in these hills long enough… On your feet now.  Get started…”

Deuteronomy 2:2-6, 24-25, The Message

You!  Yes, you – you have been wasting enough time.  Your life is too precious to live in defeat.  So, on your feet!  Get up! It is time to move forward – it is time to move on.

 

You've taken too long

…”You’ve stayed long enough at this mountain.  On your way now.  Get moving…” Deuteronomy 1:68, The Message

What is holding you back from your dreams, your beliefs, your desires… your prayers; what is holding you back from greatness?  Is it anger, stinginess, gluttony, fear, self-defeat, a family member, friend, or sin?  Well, my friend, it is time to get over this mountain of a hurdle and move on.  So, take God by the hand, look ahead, and break free from the nonsense.   It is time for change.  You can do it.  God is with you!!!

 

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America, God lives here too!

Don't desecrate the land in which you live.  I live here, too - I God, live in the same neighborhood with the people of America.  Adapted from Numbers 35:34, The Message

America, it is time we start living God-approved - it is time to take back our land.  Therefore, if what is going on around us isn't right, isn't God-approved, then we need to stand up and fight to make it so; we need to stand up and fight and make it a place where God is happy to call His home.

Thank you for the image https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwi6kYemrsrMAhVS8GMKHdONBD0QjRwIBw&url=http%3A%2F%2Flittlefishermen4christ.com%2Fprofiles%2Fblogs%2Fhello-america-1&psig=AFQjCNH6-MXVLhHKcVO6ld5X_QU1JwdRaQ&ust=1462792809293274

Fight for the foundation of God - fight for America

"If you do what you say, take up arms before God for battle and together fight for the foundation of God, the foundation for which America was built upon, until God has cleaned his enemies out of the land, then when the land is secure you will have fulfilled your duty to God and America.  Then this land, the United States of America, will be yours".  Adapted from Numbers 32:20-22As citizens of the United States of America we must stand together as one, we must stand together and fight for this country to bring America back to its foundation; the foundation for which America was built upon, which is, God and His Word. 

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Bring back America

Let God, the God of the spirits of everyone living, set a man over this Country to lead us, to show the way ahead, and bring us back to our God-given foundation, so that His people will not be like sheep without a shepherd. 

Adapted from Numbers 27:15-17, The Message

Words approved by God

“… I can speak only words that God gives me – no others.”

Numbers 22:38, The Message

I’ll  bet if more Americans, more of the world, spoke only words approved by the Lord, our Country, our world, wouldn’t be in the mess it is in today.

Is your path being blocked?

God’s angel said to him: “Why have you beaten your poor donkey these three times?  I have come here to block your way because you’re getting way ahead of yourself…” Numbers 22:32-33, The Message

When we try to go in a certain direction, but we keep getting stopped, then maybe we should find out if God is trying to tell us something.  One thing we must always try to remember: If God leads and we follow, our paths will be smooth, but if it our flesh leading, then our paths will be full of pot-holes and dead-ends. 

So, maybe now is a good time to think about the things we are trying to make work, but aren’t… maybe God’s trying to tell us something???

 

Rescued

“… I am your God who rescued you from the land of Egypt to be your personal God.  Yes, I am God, your God.”  Numbers 16:37-41, The Message

It may not be Egypt God has rescued you out of, but Egypt can be replaced with wherever, whomever, and/or whatever He has rescued you from; the place where you hit rock bottom and didn’t think you’d ever get out.  So, thank and embrace God every day - He is with you and He wants you to be a sign and an encouragement to others of His amazing mercy, glory, and love.  You never know, you may be the one that changes a life filled with doom into a life filled with God’s love.

What kind of people do you associate with?

"... Back off from the tents of these bad men; don't touch a thing that belongs to them lest you be carried off on the flood of their sins." Numbers 16:25-26, The Message

Those you choose to associate with are those that will influence you the most, and their fates will eventually become your fate.  Therefore, make sure that you are associating with real people of God: good, wholesome, prosperous, successful, joyful, peace-filled, loving, encouraging, outgoing, honest, integral, hard-working, and loyal people; these are people that will greatly influence your success, favor, and mercy in life.  

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