When a "bondservant" is referred to in the Bible, it means a voluntary, ongoing, permanent, mutually agreed upon, mutually beneficial, employer/employee relationship. It is an important concept to get right, because Jesus asks every one of His followers to become a bondservant to Himself.

Us bondservants are to voluntarily enter into an ongoing, permanent, mutually agreed upon, mutually beneficial Master (Jesus)/servant (us) relationship with the Lord Jesus. It involves, at least in the Old Testament picture, an awl, a door, and a willing ear. Listen today with your ear. Then get out your spiritual awl.

If God was only just, you, me, and the people of God would only be in big trouble. The Israelites are just past a little event known as the golden calf, where most of the golden rules were trampled on. Yet, because "the Lord's release has been proclaimed", it means that you're not getting what you deserve.

Then practically He asks for a heart toward the poor that is similar to the Lord’s heart toward them. He asks for a HAND toward the poor brother among you that is similar to the Lords HAND toward them. He wants to see amongst the people of God the very character of God: in this case financial mercy. Listen. Subscribe. Come back tomorrow unless you've something better to do when you drink your coffee.

First let's ask selfishly: If you knew that YOU were benefitting from YOUR giving, would you give more?

Here's the Crazy thing that makes this worth 7 minutes of your time: the generous GIVER is also the generous RECEIVER.

You give it to the Lord who gives it back to you.

Hmmmm. If the main profit is accrued to ME... Maybe I should give more.

And subscribe:

If we did a forensic accounting of your finances, would the generosity of God be reflected in the results?

In today's passage, God is claiming Lordship over not just your ABILITY to gain wealth, but over the wealth itself. Today is all about MONEY.

I am Lord of the wallet, King of the checkbook. Lord of Venmo. Prince of Paypal and the Paycheck. Is He Lord of your wallet?

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Doing distinctive diets self-righteously before God does not CALL FOR or EARN His favor.

It is the unearned favor of God that calls for these distinctive, at least in the Old Testament.

It constantly reminded, by everything you put or don't put in your mouth, that you are a peculiar people. Today, things are different. Listen and subscribe and comment:

God wants followers that appropriately love and worship Him. Our problem is foundational and functional rebellion on a world-wide scale. The appropriate response is the wrathful justice of God.

Yet, He also makes a way of mercy; a way for your big Santa-bag full of your sin penalty to be carried by Someone who isn't you. Unholiness has a terrible price to be paid. Fortunately, Jesus comes to pay it. Subscribe for more:

https://youtu.be/m3HY_ux030k

You gotta love the practicality and applicability of Deuteronomy. In chapter 12 alone it has many reminders, that if exercised will be of benefit to you.

We're tempted to inhabit the "Island of Misfit Toys." That is, to live in our islands of moral relativism. Deuteronomy has lots to help us with here. It calls us to love the eyes of the Lord. It wants us to see things as God sees them and to agree with Him regarding the implications that follow.

Listen just 7 minutes so as not to be marooned on your island. Don't subscribe if you have got this all figured out. Subscribe if you'd like some help beyond yourself.

https://youtu.be/V9dmoHcyXO0

The Lord loves a good party. He invents the concept of having a celebration about Him. In fact, He invites people to rejoice and feast in honor of Himself.

Of note, He asks them to have this party in a particular LOCATION. Just any old place will not do. He wants the place of the party to be that of His HABITATION. Where He is, IS THE PARTY.

Join me for 7 minutes to start the party today.

https://youtu.be/tAVRdbhaO5c