What does it take to have a transformed heart? And what would that look like?  The Children of Israel are urged throughout Deuteronomy to remember where they have been.  Moses pleads with them to remember the goodness of God in the wilderness so that they would remember the Lord, He is God and there is none other. But the sad part is, after all that they had seen, they still did not fully see God as precious, one to be treasured—hence why they kept falling so easily into idolatrous worship.  Their minds were closed.  Had they fully understood, they would have loved Him.  And how would they show that love?

Obedience honors God.  Rejoicing in Him honors God.  And loving God with all your heart, mind, and strength honors God.  But how do we get a transformed heart?  Can we do that on our own? The children of Israel could not as we see in Deuteronomy 29:26

A Hardened Heart

“You have seen all that the Lord did before your eyes in the land of Egypt, to Pharaoh and to all his servants and to all his land— ³ the great trials which your eyes have seen, the signs, and those great wonders. ⁴ Yet the Lord has not given you a heart to ^[a]perceive and eyes to see and ears to hear, to this very day. ⁵ And I have led you forty years in the wilderness. Your clothes have not worn out on you, and your sandals have not worn out on your feet. ⁶ You have not eaten bread, nor have you drunk wine or similar drink, that you may know that I am the Lord your God.  Deuteronomy 29:2-6 (NKJV)

What had it taken for these people to be prepared to go into the promised land?  They had walked through the wilderness, facing trials, difficulties, and tests.  Many had fallen along the way due to unbelief, blatant disobedience, and failure to love God as their greatest treasure.

³⁰ The Lord your God is about to go^[bl] ahead of you; he will fight for you, just as you saw him do in Egypt^[bm] 31 and in the wilderness, where you saw him^[bn] carrying you along like a man carries his son. This he did everywhere you went until you came to this very place.” ³² However, through all this you did not have confidence in the Lord your God, ³³ who would go before you on the way to find places for you to camp, appearing in a fire at night and in a cloud by day to show you the way you ought to go.  Deuteronomy 1:30 NKJV

A Transformed Heart

Ah, but Moses continued to warn them that when they do not see God as precious, then they will fail again.  Yet, there is hope.  If when they see all these things, they turn to look for God, He will restore them.  Furthermore,

the Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live. Deuteronomy 30:6 NKJV

Cutting away the dead flesh surrounding our hearts at times can be a very painful process.  So, God alone can give us a transformed heart, one that can love Him with all our mind, our heart, and our strength.  Yet, He knows our joy is dependent on this.  Our joy can only be full when we find our creator in all His glory as our greatest treasure.

2 Corinthians 3:17-18

¹⁴ But their minds were closed.^[ac] For to this very day, the same veil remains when they hear the old covenant read.^[ad] It has not been removed because only in Christ is it taken away.^[ae] 15 But until this very day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their minds,^[af] 16 but when one^[ag] turns to the Lord, the veil is removed.^[ah] 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is present,^[ai] there is freedom. ¹⁸ And we all, with unveiled faces reflecting the glory of the Lord,^[aj] are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another,^[ak] which is from^[al] the Lord, who is the Spirit.^[am]  2 Corinthians 3:14-18 NET

¹⁵ But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. ¹⁶ Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. ¹⁷ Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. ¹⁸ But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as ^[b]by the Spirit of the Lord.  2 Corinthians 3:15-18 NKJV

And we all having been unveiled in face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image, from glory to glory, even as from the Lord, the Spirit.  2 Corinthians 3:18 Berean Literal Study Bible

Concluding thoughts

A transformed heart can only be accomplished by God.  So, what is our part? To turn to Him, to seek Him, and to rejoice in Him. And when we have a transformed heart, we see and reflect His Glory to the world.  It is never our Glory; but His that shines forth to the world around us.  When we know that, we can even rejoice in the trials and sorrows; because we know He is through them transforming us until one day, I will look like Jesus.  One day, I will have a perfect transformed heart overflowing with joy, hope, faith, love and His Glory.

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD?

If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link.  There is nothing more important than this; because,  He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

PREVIOUSLY

Can You Really Know the Lord, He Is God?

For Prayer or Comments

If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here

Or if you would like to share  your story or thoughts, you can  comment here

Books Available

If you want to know more about books I have written, click on this link to discover my Book Resources.

Another option is going to Amazon.com. There you can find my books by searching for Effie Darlene Barba.  Or click this link to be taken there

Furthermore  for inspirational photos or home decor click here.

Disclosures

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2019
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Credits

Photo by Nick Fewings on Unsplash

New King James Version (NKJV)

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

New English Translation (NET)

NET Bible® copyright ©1996-2017 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com All rights reserved

It has been a fascinating journey at times on mountain peaks so high I can not imagine ever having doubt.  At other times, I have trudged through valleys that carried me into the depth of sorrow.  The wilderness, with all its uncertainties and questions, surrounded me at times.  Each step of the way along this journey, there has been one constant—that is the Lord He is God, there is no other.  In Deuteronomy, Moses reminded the nation of Israel of this truth.  Every step of their journey had one purpose. That they might really know the Lord He is God, there is no other. But the question then arises, does your heart really know that? Or does anything else capture your heart? Is He enthroned upon your heart?

How often did Moses warn the people not to allow their hearts to roam so far from God?  Yet, we tend to, just as they wander so easily.  Worries, concerns, and even grief enters our hearts; pulling our focus off Him and onto our momentary comforts.  Still, were we to recognize that trials come so we might run steadfastly into His arms of love.  For all who know Him and have tasted of His goodness, we find that even the wilderness has purpose.  Through it all, God reveals Himself to us that we might know the Lord, He is God and there is no other beside Him. Oh, how I long for the day that I might always rejoice in Him and never allow my heart to stray again or my mind to doubt.  Still, even when I do stray, He remains faithful to His covenant promise to me.  Sealed in the blood of Christ, I am forever His and He mine—no matter what.

When We Fall

Continue reading Can You Really Know the Lord, He Is God? →

Our study moves us from the book of Numbers into Deuteronomy as I continue to follow the outlines for my life group.  That way I am sharing with you the thoughts as I prepare each lesson.  But as we move, I cannot help but notice Deuteronomy is quoted 195 times in the New Testament. Three times Jesus found strength in Deuteronomy, quoting from its text when confronted by Satan in the desert.  God’s word provides us with the strength to victoriously respond to Satan.  So, it is fitting today to look at Deuteronomy and derive from its rich pages 3 things one must do in a crazy world such as we live: Remember, Hold Fast to God’s Truth, and Rejoice in Him alone.

We are surrounded by trials, temptations, false prophets, and even demons whom Satan would wield against us.  His fiery darts flying at us from all sides.

So, what are 3 things we must do as represented in Deuteronomy? I believe Deuteronomy tells us we must remember, we must hold fast to the Truth of God, and we must rejoice in Him Alone.  That is how we find hope, strength, joy, and victory in a crazy world that is hell bent on destroying our faith.  For that is where we live.  Fiery darts come at us from all sides; but we can rest assured that God has already secured our victory, if we know Him.  So, all these battles along the way are only bringing us closer to Him.  The annoyances, the constant pressure pushes us closer to Him if only we remember, hold fast, and rejoice in Him Alone.

Deuteronomy is filled with wondrous sermons and songs, all to bring the Children of Israel to remember, hold fast to truth, and to rejoice in God Alone.

REMEMBER

Continue reading 3 Things One Must Do in A Crazy World →

As we move through Numbers, somewhat quickly, we next come to Numbers 28.  Therein and following through Numbers 30, God lays out His Design for worship.  It was apparent that the children of Israel continued to stumble whenever they designed worship.  After all they had fallen into idolatrous worship, repeatedly.  It became apparent that if one tries to God in the way one designs, they will ultimately worship a God of their own design and not truly Jehovah God, Yahweh, the Great I AM.  We see that quite often in our modern society. People cast aside the truth of the word and say they worship “God”.  But, in truth, they worship some self-made concept of who they think God should be.  How often had the Israelites fallen victim to their own self-will.

So it is that God laid out a very extensive sacrificial system to ever keep before them the truth of their own sin and the need for redemption.  Only God could be the true redeemer.  All the sacrificial system pointed to Jesus Christ.  No one was able to keep themselves cleansed from sin without the grace of God providing them a way of redemption.  Just as then, this is true today.

Oh, we may set up a thousand rituals which make us feel better.  We may even think or pretend this to be true worship.  Yet, it too often is only some means of a “feel good about me” worship.  But, how do we truly Love God with all our hearts, minds, and souls.

Numbers 31

Remember Balaam?  He was the pagan sorcerer whom God used to speak blessings over His people in front of the Moabite King.  Balaam put on some pretense of worshiping and obeying God.  However, he never truly loved God.  He knew of God’s power; but, never loved God for His Glorious Righteousness.  Well, in the end of Balaam’s story, he had whispered a secret into the King’s ears.  “you can only cause their destruction by appealing to the lusts of their flesh”.  And so, that is exactly what the king did.  The people were so easily seduced by the Moabite women.  The men so filled with sensuous pleasures, quickly began to worship other gods, forsaking God Almighty.  In truth, the sensuous affairs became their worship.

All who had fallen had to be destroyed.  Because God knew the future of the nation depended on the Israelite nation worshiping God by His Design and His Will, not their own design.  It was also necessary to wipe out all the “Midianites”, except for the children and the virgins.  Once the battle was complete, the Israelite nation had to enter a purification process.  Following the purification period, the spoils were divided, including herds of cattle, sheep and donkeys.

His Design, His Will

It was necessary that all follow God by worshiping and loving Him by His design and His Will.  Not because God is bad. Nor is it that God doesn’t love His people with a truly unconditional love.  Rather God has to remove the evil in our hearts and those who would harm, because He who created everything in the Universe, knows that only in Him can we find true joy, love, hope, and harmony.  He is the being that we so desperately seek and without Him there is nothingness.  Knowing what is best for us, we can only truly love Him with all our hearts, minds, and strength through worshiping Him by His Design, His will.

Sometimes, God permits what He hates to accomplish what He loves for those who are His.

A Question is Raised

Now as we come to this week’s main lesson, we find that the tribes of Reuben and Gad come before Moses and ask to remain east of the Jordan.  The land there was very fertile and perfect for raising cattle and sheep, of which they had an abundance after overtaking the Midianites.  After all God had given them the victory and the land were theirs for the taking.

As we will find, God does agree with the plan.  He had after all given the land to them; but the problem wasn’t their receiving the land.  The initial problem was their hearts.  This is what they initially said,

“Even the country which the Lord smote before the congregation of Israel, is a land for cattle, and thy servants have cattle. Wherefore, said they, if we have found grace in thy sight, let this land be given unto thy servants for a possession, and bring us not over Jordan.”  (Numbers 32:4-5).

You, see initially, they saw, they desired, and they asked to remain, taking no consideration for the other tribes and the battles they must face.  Moses rightfully saw the selfishness of their hearts and rebuked them.

God had by His Design promised them Canaan.  His will was that the Israelite nation inhabit the land flowing with milk and honey.  If these two tribes settled down before crossing the Jordan, the army would be seriously compromised.  Many would lose heart and want to stay behind.  It could even lead to their being so discouraged that they would once more rebel against God rather than to follow His Design, His Will.

To Truly Love God

The tribes of Reuben and Gad returned with a proposal.  Let us have these lands.  We will build fortresses for our livestock and then we will go to battle across the Jordan and not return until all the people have their land.

Moses returned with, yes.  But that yes came with stipulations.

1. You will go at the front of the battle.
2. Before going you will build cities to protect your families from invaders.

Oddly enough it appears they were more concerned with protecting their livestock than protecting their families.  Invaders could come in and lead their families into idolatrous worship.  To truly love God, they must be concerned with their family’s knowledge and worship of God.  And, so they made a vow to do just that.  Moses gave them this warning, “ But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the Lord: and be sure your sin will find you out.” (Numbers 32:23).

Concluding Thoughts:

God has a perfect plan for the life for each believer.  His design and His will is for our good.  We sometimes want to settle down in the comforts of the here and now or run after something we desire.  His Grace may even allow just that.  It does not remove us from the obligations to love God with all our hearts, minds, and strength.  Even though that may be harder in the place we have chosen, we still must seek Him first.  We will in those situations face harsh battles.

Furthermore, we must be ever more vigilant to not allow in the influences of evil.  We must learn to always love God by His Design, His Will.  Any other way leaves us vulnerable to our destruction, at least here and now.  But thank God, He even then has a plan for our escape if we truly know Him as Savior.  He will be Lord of our life before our time on earth ends and we stand before him.  Of that I am certain.  For Jesus is the Author and the Finisher of our faith.  Hebrews 12:2.

To truly Love God is to trust Him, no matter what.  It is stepping out to follow His Design, His Will even when that looks too hard or costs everything we desire here and now.  Knowing with all our hearts, that His plan is better than anything I can design.  His Love is greater than any I can find here on this earth.  And His Joy will fill my heart to overflowing.  Though it be a valley of tears that leads me ever closer to His heart, there I will trust Him.

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD?

If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link.  There is nothing more important than this; because,  He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

PREVIOUSLY

Forsaking All I Trust Him

What Are the Keys to Being A Woman of Strength?

For Prayer or Comments

If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here

Or if you would like to share  your story or thoughts, you can  comment here

Books Available

If you want to know more about books I have written, click on this link to discover my Book Resources.

Another option is going to Amazon.com. There you can find my books by searching for Effie Darlene Barba.  Or click this link to be taken there

Furthermore  for inspirational photos or home decor click here.

Disclosures

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2019
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Credits

Photo by Joshua Sortino on Unsplash