Choosing the Way of Life

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"I call heaven and earth to witness

 against you today that 

I have set before you 

life and death, blessings and curses."

(from Deuteronomy 30:15-20)

GPS isn't perfect.

That's why when a new District Superintendent came to our church for the first time, she wound up at Child's Park. 

GPS guided her to an unused road leading to the Park.

By the Grace of God, she had cell service, called the church, and got "redirect" instructions.

Having crossed the Jordan, the Israelites listen as Moses describes what they have become: a people formed in the covenant's ordeal; a people made and unmade by the grace of God. 

Moses brought them from slavery in Egypt, guided them through the dangers of the wilderness, and finally to Sinai for accepting the Commandments.

From now on, life is lived in obedience, faith is practiced and witnessed by faithfully keeping to the Law.

Moses explains the choice that before them:

    Love God and live; serve other gods and perish! 

Heeding God means Blessings and abundance; abandoning the covenant means

unbelievable calamity, terror, and suffering. 

Choosing life, it seems to me, means loving God with your heart which is defined as intelligence, conscience, soul, and strength. 

In other words, as much as possible, with your entire being.

Second, choosing life means walking in God's ways and listening to God's voice which for me the scriptures sum up in Micah 6:8 and Jesus Great Commandment.

Third, choosing life involves keeping God’s commands and embracing God by acting in appropriate ways toward each other and God. 

Jesus interprets the commandments as a way to remain faithful to God and calls us to choose life by acting and obeying them. 

The GPS of life and blessings means:

loving God with our whole selves.

following God’s voice as we walk.

binding to God by keeping the commandments.

Think about this: God promised Israel blessings in return for obedience. 

How does God bless you?