The Journey Readings: Week 38... and a choice...

A lesson from last week in Deuteronomy... makes one think about things differently...

"See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse:

the blessing, if you obey the commandments 

of the Lord your God, which I command you today,

and the curse if you do not obey the commandments

of the Lord your God...

Deuteronomy 11:26-28 ESV

Do you see the choice...?

"See... I am setting before you... a blessing... and a curse..."

He doesn't choose... to bless... or curse... the choice is set before us...

He's already set up a law... 

With obedience... comes a blessing...

With disobedience... a curse...

Just like gravity... it's a law...

Now... this is not prosperity gospel... 

We all have choices set before us... and some people's choices to disobey... cause some who are walking in obedience to suffer... which feels like a curse...

And we all live under the curse of the Fall... walking in a broken world... where we are told we will have trouble...

But the way we choose to respond... to what the Sovereign Lord allows... results in a blessing... or a curse...

Choosing to forgive... as we have been forgiven... 

Choosing to love an enemy... rather than retaliate... 

Choosing to trust Him to judge... instead of judging others...

These all lead to blessing... it's a promise...

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

for they shall be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you

and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.

Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven..."

---Jesus

Matthew 5:3-12 ESV

It's your choice...

What might you discover if you joined The Journey...?

This week's readings...

Monday                 Deuteronomy 14

Tuesday                 Deuteronomy 15:1 - 17:7

Wednesday            Deuteronomy 17:8 -18:22

Thursday               Deuteronomy 19-20

Friday                    Deuteronomy 21-22