Discuss Deuteronomy 30 Page 2

Hi Sandra,

It is not posable for someone to put a curse on you or your family. On God could do such a thing and He is a gracious and forgiving God. You could however put a curse on yourself, by not obeying the commandments of God

Deuteronomy 30:19

I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live,

Joshua 5:1-7 seems to indicate that the rite of circumcision that is normally performed on male Israelite boys on the eighth day after birth, was not being done since the days of Israel's bondage in Egypt. While on their journey to the Promised Land, this act of being marked out as belonging to the God of Israel, was neglected during their onward march.

So in verse 2, we read, "At that time the LORD said unto Joshua, Make thee sharp knives, and circumcise again the children of Israel the second time". This "second time" phrase is misleading & certainly cannot mean a re-circumcision as that is not really possible nor required. I feel that we can understand it to mean that "what Israel had neglected to do according to God's directions, they must now do as a second (or, renewed) act to perform. So these who will now been circumcised would not just be babies but also men, as the rite has been re-established, which was once overlooked.

But if you're also enquiring about the rite of circumcision, then this physical cutting was the permanent sign required by God that Israel was a separated people, different from any other people or nation ("a token of the Covenant betwixt Me & you", Deut 10:16). If it were only a marking on the flesh, then this would over time be obliterated, but circumcision would permanently show a separation of a people to God. For the Christian, circumcision & all Jewish rites are not observed, as Jesus death & resurrection & gift of the Holy Spirit meant that it would no longer be our skin, but our hearts that would be circumcised, as sin would no longer reign in us ( Colossians 2:11). And this, God also would do for Israel ( Deuteronomy 30:6) which is what circumcision of the flesh should direct all God's people to have: circumcision of the heart. But how often we fail, as Israel failed - but we find forgiveness at the Cross.

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Deuteronomy 4:13 And he declared unto you his covenant, which he commanded [you to perform], even ten commandments; and he wrote them upon two tables of stone.

Deuteronomy 6:17 | View whole chapter | See verse in context

Ye shall diligently keep the commandments of the LORD your God, and his testimonies, and his statutes, which he hath commanded thee.

Deuteronomy 11:22 For if ye [shall diligently keep all] these commandments which I [command you], [to do them], to love the LORD your God, [to walk in all his ways], and to cleave unto him;

Deuteronomy 13:4 Ye [shall walk] after the LORD your God, and fear him, and [keep] his commandments, and [obey] his voice, and ye [shall] serve him, and cleave unto him.

2 Chronicles 31:21 And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, and in the law, and in the commandments, to seek his God, [he did it with all his heart, and prospered.]

Deuteronomy 7:9 Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with [them that love him and keep his commandments] to a thousand generations;

Deuteronomy 11:1 Therefore thou shalt love the LORD thy God, and [keep] his charge, and his statutes, and his judgments, and his commandments, [alway.]

Deuteronomy 15:5 [Only] if thou carefully hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to [observe to do all] these commandments which I command thee this day.

Deuteronomy 27:10 Thou shalt therefore [obey] the voice of the LORD thy God, [and do] his commandments and his statutes, which I command thee this day.

Deuteronomy 30:8 And thou shalt return and [obey] the voice of the LORD, [and do all] his commandments which I command thee this day.

1 Kings 8:58 That he may incline our hearts unto him, [to walk in all his ways], [and to keep] his commandments, and his statutes, and his judgments, which he commanded our fathers.

These are just a few of the scriptures [commanding us to keep them.]

This is indeed the heart of a christian! You speak truth based on the word. The word is a direct revelation of the life we have in Him> Thanks for your inspirational comments, we must know that we are not alone !

Trying to be a holy man, and a sinful man I can only say is with my deepest heart thank you Jesus for your Grace bless you.

Thank you Chris! Christian practice is on my heart and mind this morning. God bless the doctrines of Christ producing peaceable living fruit in our lives in practice. We are weak but the Lord, the Lamb of God is a strong deliverer. That we truly follow him all the days of our life. Keep the faith.

Carleton

Thousands of Christians gathered outdoors in Portland on Saturday to sing spiritual music amid the state's coronavirus social distancing measures-just hours before a riot was declared across town and a separate crowd lit fire to the city police union headquarters.

Worshippers met in Waterfront Park on Saturday evening for an event dubbed "Riots to Revival." Controversial Christian musician Sean Feucht, who has hosted similar gatherings on California beaches amid COVID-19 restrictions, led the crowd in song and some were even baptized. Most people flouted social distancing and did not wear masks or facial coverings, KGW reported.

"I'm excited to share with you some good news from Portland. Last night, we gathered thousands of people that came together," Feucht told "Fox & Friends Weekend" Sunday morning.

'LET US WORSHIP' FOUNDER CALLS OUT CALIFORNIA LEADERS' CORONAVIRUS LOCKDOWN HYPOCRISY

"White, Black, Hispanic - we came and released our song of hope over this city. People gave their life to Jesus. Hundreds of people -- We baptized people in the river behind us. There was so much joy that took over the streets of that city last night."

Feucht estimated between 4,000 and 7,000 people attended the massive outdoor church service that happened just blocks away from the federal courthouse and acted as a counter-protest to bring worship, prayer, and acts of kindness to Portland. Only 600 people responded to a Facebook event to say they would attend.

Thanks for that information, Carleton. I found the Dordrecht Confession of Faith with its eighteen articles. Had a quick glance over it & in the greater part, find agreement to it. Sometimes, we come across other Christian 'groups', such as the Mennonite & the Church of God in Christ, but have very little knowledge about them & their beliefs. Such a Confession of Faith is a handy reference to keep for the future.

No, we've never met, unless you've visited Perth Australia, & even then the chances of a meeting would be quite slim. But we are joined together by the selfsame Spirit, in Christ, a bond not easily broken. As we share discussion with others on these pages, there will certainly be agreements & disagreements on doctrinal & general matters, and I suppose that's what gives the purchased family of God both variety & distinctiveness in our common faith, with Christ's Love & Understanding as the under girding foundation. I don't subscribe to any particular denomination as I've found none that is fully consistent with Scriptural teaching. However, for not forsaking the assembling together of the saints, I do attend a local Baptist Church as I find that they, along with the Christian Brethren (the Open variety!) attend closest to what I find in the Word & I receive much benefit from the messages shared.

Every blessing dear brother - I always look forward to reading your notes, along with Mishael's, Jesse's, Adam's, & others.

Good evening Chris and all. Likely more can be found in The Martyrs Mirror by Thieleman J. van Braght, however the particular confessions of faith that two of which I have written on this website, are part of 18 articles drawn up at Dortecht Holland in 1632, the confession says at a certain peace convention on April 21. More information can be found at Gospel Publishers in Moundridge, Kansas. I, myself am a baptized member of the Church of God in Christ Mennonite with no Mennonite background on my blood side. After being born again by faith and repentance and later baptized I then met my future wife whose ancestors were likely from some of the Churches that signed this particular confession.

Our times right now are testing every Christian, myself included.

God Bless our sharing and that He will increase our fervent love towards one another.

Have we met Chris?

Carleton

Thanks Carleton. An excellent & pertinent article on a Christian's response to an enemy's attacks. You mentioned "brethren 389 years ago": can you clarify? Thanks.

This is one article of my faith too, from brethren 389 years ago last spring. Is there really anything new under the son?

Carleton

"Of Revenge"

As regards revenge, that is to oppose an enemy with the sword, we believe & confess that the Lord Christ has forbidden & set aside to His disciples & followers all revenge & retaliation, & commanded them to render to no one evil for evil or cursing for cursing, but to put the sword into the sheath, or as the prophets have predicted, to beat the swords into ploughshares.

From this we understand that, according to His example, we must not inflict pain, harm, or sorrow upon anyone, but seek the highest welfare & salvation of all men, & even if necessity requires it, flee for the Lord's sake from one city or country into another, & suffer the spoiling of our goods; that we must not harm anyone, & when we are smitten, rather turn the other cheek than to take revenge or retaliate.

And moreover, that we must pray for our enemies, feed and refresh them whenever they are hungry or thirsty, & thus convince them by well doing, & overcome all ignorance.

Finally, that we must do good and commend ourselves to every man's conscience; & according to the law of Christ, do unto others that which we would have others do unto us.

Have you tried using the Search Boxes that are above the red area where you click the link to come in here? One is blank: you type in what you are searching. Hit the arrow.

The search engine will bring up all scriptures with that word in it. Click on either Old Testament only or New Testament only. It will pare down your list.

After you find your scripture, click on it and it is highlighted yellow.

Scroll down to the Commentary Box and click on that. Reading that is helpful.

It takes a little use to get used to it. It's helpful to read all scriptures written on a certain subject, such as baptism or the "caught up" (rapture) event, or the Bema Seat Judgement of Christ.

Sorry that was 1 Thessalonians 5 1-28 !

John 14:27

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.

Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

1 Thessalonians 1-28

:)

Thanks T. I believe the Holy Spirit leads in these scriptures as well as the entire Bible in their interpretation. I am at peace in standing opposed to the thought of adding another visit/earthly reign of Jesus to this earth. The second coming of Jesus will gather His faithful lambs.

Carleton

Deuteronomy 28:13-68

But ._._._. Deuteronomy 28:1-13

1 Peter 4:3-5

James 4:11-17

Amos 1:2-15

Amos 2:1-16

Hebrews 10:26-31

Colossians 3:4-6

Ephesians 5:1-21

Revelation

Mathew 23

Mathew 25:31-46

Mathew 24

Don't Believe Everything You Hear

" 1 John 4: 1 My dear friends, don't believe everything you hear. Carefully weigh and examine what people tell you. Not everyone who talks about God comes from God. There are a lot of lying preachers loose in the world."

Get yourself a good KJV study bible, it will answer most basic questions...

Thank you Chris!

Carleton

Hi Leigh. Your questions on the many & varied Judgements of God probably will require several pages of comment here. May I direct you to this Site: Bible dot org & then look for, The Judgements, Past, Present & Future. It is an extensive list with much more information added to the topic & will give you the answers you seek, with supporting Scriptures.

The list of God's Judgements begin with the Judgement of Satan & His (fallen) angels when there was a rebellion in Heaven and remarkably end in a similar way with Satan & his angels being finally judged & then all who've died rejecting God & His Saviour will stand before God at the Great White Throne Judgement. I hope this will enlighten your mind & heart as you also study the Word simultaneously.

Good morning! Mishael, I was the truck driver.

Carleton

Information on the Judgements of God. What are they, when are they, who are they about, I'm sure there are different kinds. Even a scripture I once read said talk of God's judgements.

Thanks,

Leigh A Ringstaff

Good night all!

Many at Church are choosing not to wear a mask, and for the sake of unity I have taken mine off at times, all the while I think of those I work with by the law, having to suffer in miserable summer conditions wearing a mask to legally complete their jobs (fda food facility) 10 hours or more, and I wish that I again had my mask back on. What is our practice?

Carleton

Face coverings don't protect the wearer as much as they protect the people the wearer encounters. The apostle Paul summarizes the practical implications of a Christ-like ethic toward others: "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others" ( Philippians 2:3-4 ESV).

Mishael

Thanks Betty for that comment from J.C. Ryle. That wonderfully explains the meaning of holiness & that it ought to be the quest & hallmark of every believer in Christ. There's much benefit from meditating on those words & to use it as a mirror to our own walk with the Lord.

Our reasonable service in self denial allows for many Holy Blessings.

:)

Holy ones, yes; they're the same as the people who have chosen to live true in Christ, whole heartedly in Him and not partial. These are below an excerpt from the book Holiness by J. C. Ryle, from a chapter called Holiness; which are very helpful 1-7:

1. Holiness is the habit of being of one mind in God, according to how it's described in Scripture. It is the habit of agreeing in God's judgment, hating what He hates, loving what He loves, and measuring everything in this world by the standard of His Word.

2. A holy man will endeavor to shun every known sin and to keep every known commandment.

3. A holy man will strive to be like our Lord Jesus Christ. He will not only live the life of faith in Him and draw from Him all his daily peace and strength, but he will also labor to have the mind that was in Him and to be conformed to His image ( Rom. 8:29). Christ was a faithful witness for the truth; that He came not to do His own will; but His Father's will.

4. A holy man will follow after meekness, patience, gentleness, patience, kind tempers, government of his tongue.

5. A holy man will follow after temperance and self-denial.

6. A holy man will follow after charity and brotherly kindness

7. A holy man will follow after a spirit of mercy and benevolence towards others.

The greatest misery of a holy man is that often when he would do good "evil is present with him"; that the old man is clogging all his movements and, as it were, trying to draw him back at every step he takes ( Rom. 7:21). But it is the excellence of a holy man that he is not at peace with indwelling sin, as others are. He hates it, mourns over it and longs to be free from its company. The work of sanctification within him is like the wall of Jerusalem-the building goes forward "even in troublous times" ( Dan. 9:25).

Thank you Betty. I wasn't sure whether the "holy ones" you referred to were simply good, caring people as opposed to those who were adulterers, murderers, liars, etc. However, you've said that we have to be holy as our Father in Heaven is Holy, so I know that you were referring to believers behaving as they ought to & not about 'good' people who maybe good in their works, but their hearts are far from God.

Now if only those 'good' people turn to the Lord, then their spirits would be saved & their good works would follow them.

Hi and Yes Chris, "Holy Ones" (God said we are as our Father. Our heavenly Father is holy; therefore, we must live a holy life to be holy as He. There are 2 fathers. One is Holy and the other, which is the sinful ( the devil). God said that His children will hear His voice when He call them. If we can not hear from God, then the devil is keeping us busy so that time is wasted because he is determine to destroy many.

Betty, that was a good reminder about God's requirements for our behaviour on Earth: how we live our lives & how we treat others. But you mention "holy ones". It seems that you've defined them as people with good clean lifestyles & love for everyone, and it is these that God lets into Heaven. Am I correct with your understanding or have I missed something there? In my years of treading about on this Earth, I've seen so many good upright people who've dedicated their lives to the help of others, to the point of being fine examples of what Jesus taught, but yet, are not followers of Christ nor have faith in Him. Could you clarify this? Is your definition of "holy ones" limited to your explanation here, or is there more to its meaning?