{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Christ Covenant Church","title":"Journaling: Deuteronomy 8-11","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":4328,"description":"Abundant life is the result of careful and complete obedience to God’s commands (8:1).\nGod humbles us – i.e. tests us w/difficult situations to: 1) reveal the genuineness of our loyalty (love and obedience) to Him (8:2 – “to know what was in your heart”), 2) reinforce the fact that our physical bread/provision in life is fully dependent on our receiving of God’s spiritual bread/provision (i.e. His Word) (8:3), 3) demonstrate His ability to care for us during those times (8:4), 4) discipline us (positively and negatively) and make us stronger (8:5).\nIf you get mad at God when things are difficult, then you have not taken to “heart” that God is treating you like a good parent either b/c you do not approve of good parenting or do – but are a giant hypocrite (8:5).\nBeing faithful to God (“keep[ing] His commandments”) not only means “walking in His ways” (obeying Him) but also “fearing Him” (being afraid to disobey Him) (8:6).\nConstantly thanking God for all the good things He has given and done for you is important to: 1) keeping God’s commands and not forgetting how important He is to your life (8:7-11), 2) not becoming haughty by thinking such things (including your successes in life) are simply the result of your own power or efforts (8:12-18).\nGod’s whole purpose in testing us is to “do (us) good in the end” (8:16b).\nOne of the reasons we tithe to God is to acknowledge that He is the reason (His power and promise to the Patriarchs) we are able to “get (or possess) wealth” (8:18).\nForgetting to constantly thank God for the good things we receive will result in: 1) serving or worshipping (being loyal to) things other than God (“other gods”) (8:19a), 2) our destruction (8:19b-20).\nNo matter their greatness, might, size or strength, God’s pattern in the past is to be a “consuming fire” that destroys, subdues – or drives from their countries, those nations or peoples who practice overt (sexual) wickedness, (9:1-5 w/Lev 18:1-30 and 20:10-23).\nGod keeps His former...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/UXGjftzm8Yw--IISwUKe6A6-CX1YtARptisfLmFJFoI/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS81Zjc4/MmNmNTMxZjNmOTgw/YjA1NWRhYmMxMTNl/YmE1Zi5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}