DeStee

01/11/2025

01/11/2025

31/01/2025

Finish Well!

SCRIPTURE READING — DEUTERONOMY 34:12
No one has ever shown the mighty power or performed the awesome deeds that Moses did in the sight of all Israel.

— Deuteronomy 34:12

Moses remained committed to the Lord until the very end of his life. He was a child of God, a diligent leader of God’s people, a prophet, and much more. Moses is described as a “man of God” and a “servant of the Lord” in the closing chapters of Deuteronomy. He knew who he was and whose he was. That makes a difference in one’s life. Moses was faithful. Though he was certainly not perfect, Moses finished well.

When we think about finishing well, we realize it is not a last-minute commitment. We can stay focused even when we must take detours and alter our plans. When we fall, we get up with the Lord’s help. When things do not go the way we thought they would, we cannot allow our feelings and thoughts to get in the way of doing God's will. We know we depend on the Lord in all things, and we stand firm in his strength.

When our time comes to leave our home on earth to go to our eternal home in heaven (unless Jesus returns before then), we want to say, “I have fought the good fight . . . I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7). And we want to hear our Lord say, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” (Matthew 25:21).

PRAYER
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, help me to be fully committed to doing your will until the very end of my life. May you be glorified! Amen.

30/01/2025

Intimacy with God
SCRIPTURE READING — DEUTERONOMY 34:1-11
Since then, no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face.
— Deuteronomy 34:10

What an incredible privilege to have intimacy with God!

The Lord initiated his relationship with Moses at Mount Horeb in the wilderness by appearing to him from within a bush that was full of flames but did not burn up (Exodus 3). God called to him, “Moses! Moses!” and told him to take off his shoes, for he was standing on holy ground. Moses obeyed God and was assured of God’s presence from that initial encounter. God instructed Moses in carrying out his mission, and he listened when Moses spoke to him. It was the beginning of an intimate relationship.

Being in God’s presence is a spiritual encounter, whether private or public. We cannot make it happen on our own. The Lord must draw us to himself. We can experience God’s presence anywhere at any time because God is always with us, no matter where we are (Psalm 139:7-18; Matthew 28:20). We may experience God's presence while reading the Bible, praying, worshiping, serving a prison sentence, lying in the hospital, or washing dishes.

Sometimes we are desperate for intimacy with God. Like David, we may thirst and long for God’s presence (Psalm 42). The spiritual practices of solitude, reading the Bible, fasting, and prayer can help us cultivate intimacy with God.

Holy Spirit, draw me near. Help me to cultivate an intimate relationship with God. Fill me with your refreshing presence each day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

29/01/2025

No man can justly censure or condemn another, because indeed no man truly knows another. No man can judge another, because no man knows himself.
-Thomas Browne
Get wisdom! Get understanding! Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth.
-Proverbs 4:5 The New King James Version
When you don’t witness, you just did.
-Unknown

27/01/2025

Honey From The Rock
SCRIPTURE READING — DEUTERONOMY 32:9-14
He . . . fed [his people] with the fruit of the fields. He nourished [them] with honey from the rock. . . .

— Deuteronomy 32:13

We will never be satisfied with anything in life unless we have God, the Rock, who provides for all our needs.

In many ways, life is like a wilderness—especially when we are dealing with loss, sickness, unmet dreams, and other kinds of challenging circumstances. We are hungry, afraid, lonely, empty, and without hope in the wilderness. We search in vain for ways to satisfy our needs. Some people think their situation would be better if they were single, or married; if they had children, or no children; or if they had a different career, went to a better school, lived in a different place, and so on. We look for provisions and satisfaction in the wrong places.

Though life has its challenges, God reveals himself and gives us what we need to endure. The honey we receive from the Rock is sweet to the soul. It heals, sustains, and comforts. Sometimes it works beyond our understanding. Even when things fall apart all around us, we can say, “It is well with my soul.” We can keep saying, “God is good. All the time.”

We know we cannot make it in life without the Rock. We know where our help comes from (see Psalm 121). When we “taste and see that the Lord is good” (Psalm 34:8), we are always blessed in the wilderness of life. God is right there with us.

Help me, Lord, to remember that honey from the Rock keeps my soul alive and well. You are the Rock in the weary land of life. Thank you for always being there. In Jesus, Amen.

11/07/2024

11/07/2024

Listen to wisdom