Better late than never, right?

Hello! Hope I didn't miss too many people this morning. Wednesdays are Bible Study days and I'm always studying up until the last minute even in the "wee small hours of the morning," hence why my posts are usually late on Wednesdays.

However, this morning I slept through my alarm. So not only did I not get my extra studying in but I didn't blog either. And yet, Bible Study was great--better than some of the times I had my act together. Isn't the Holy Spirit, funny? Hmmm. . . .


Here's the question and answer from yesterday:
Tues, Mar 17: Who spoke out of the fire on the mountain? (Dt 4)
Deuteronomy 4:11-12 1 You came near and stood at the foot of the mountain while it blazed with fire to the very heavens, with black clouds and deep darkness. 12 Then the LORD spoke to you out of the fire. You heard the sound of words but saw no form; there was only a voice.

And here's the question of the day:
Wed, Mar 18: Based on Psalm 33, what do you think it means to fear the Lord?


And here's the reflection of the day:
Throughout the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Bible), we hear Moses, speaking for God, admonishing the Israelites "to fear God, to revere God's name, and to offer service and gifts" at the appropriate time. These are the principles which informed their worship and their faith.

But here in Deuteronomy 6, there's a new concept into their worship. It's a demand really, if you want to be honest. It's a love demand. Israel is to love God.

Now, it's a funny thing to try to love "a power that may hurl one swiftly to destruction and may take away everything that one possesses" (Clements, NIB Commentary). In fact, God is love-ly: "God becomes the supreme expression of love, motivating, inspiring, and making possible a deeper understanding of the nature of love in the lives of human beings."

Love lies at the heart of worship. Love is the leaven of faith. "Love the Lord your God with all your heart. . . "

It's easy to get lost in the rules and regulations of the Law. But at the center of the Law is love. The reason for the rules and the regulations is love--God's love for us AND our love for God. Two greatest commandments: love God and love thy neighbor.

Have a love-ly day!
Allison