Deuteronomy 13-14 ; Proverbs 9:1-12 ; Luke 13:1-30 "Leaves Like Elephant Ears" © by Terri L. Stricker - Original Ink & Styrofoam on Paper In Deuteronomy 13-14 we see further regulations about idolatry, false prophets, and issues relating to the separation of God’s people.  God tells the people that He tests them (verse 3).  God tests His people for their own benefit.  He already knows where they stand with Him, but they  do not.  They need  to know where they stand with Hi

Deuteronomy 11-12 ; Psalm 43 ; Luke 12:35-59 "Memories of Places Recycled, II" © by Terri L. Stricker - Collage on Paper Today our readings in Deuteronomy begin in chapter eleven with the one supreme responsibility that God intended for Israel to demonstrate before a watching world – to “ Love the LORD your God  and keep His requirements, His decrees, His laws, and His commands always” (verse 1).  God said, “if you faithfully obey the commands I am giving you … then I will

Deuteronomy 9-10 ; Psalm 42:6-11 ; Luke 12:1-34 "Memories of Places Recycled, I" - Original Collage on Paper Yesterday in Psalm 42, we learned about the biblical treatment for a “downcast soul.” Today in Deuteronomy 9-10, Moses basically says the same thing that Psalm 42 is saying.  Notice: “Be assured … that the LORD goes ahead of you … like a devouring fire” (verse 3).  Moses again reiterates: “ Remember this and never forget  …” (verse 7).  We need to understand that, ac

Deuteronomy 6-8 ; Psalm 42:1-6 ; Luke 11:33-54 "Aftermath of Camille" © by Eric C. Stricker - Original Color Photograph The common theme for each of our readings today is “do not forget the Lord.”  We may wonder how that’s possible, but when we look at our own culture, we recognize that – in many ways – our culture parallels the general beliefs and practices of the ancient Israelites. Each of today’s readings testifies to [1]  God’s love, mercy, grace, and blessings that He

Deuteronomy 4:15-5:33 ; Proverbs 8:32-36 ; Luke 11:5-32 "Our Sun and Our Shield" © by Terri L. Stricker - Original Pen & Ink on Paper Today we come to Deuteronomy 4:15-5:3. Here we see that God forbids the Israelites from “making idols or images like a man or a woman, an animal or a bird, or like any creature” (verses 16-18).  God says, “watch yourselves very carefully” (verse 15).  This means that He expects us to examine ourselves  regularly to ensure that we are “not ent

Deuteronomy 2:24-4:14 ; Psalm 41:7-13 ; Luke 10:25-11:4 "Terri Teaching, 1976" © by Eric C. Stricker - Original Photograph In Deuteronomy 2:24, God tells Moses and the Israelites to “Set out now and cross the Arnon Gorge because He has given into their hands Sihon the Amorite king of Heshbon and his country” (verse 24).  All along the journey, the Israelites have had nothing to fear from anyone, for God “put the terror and fear of them on all the nations under heaven” (vers

Deuteronomy 1:1-2:23 ; Psalm 41:1-6 ; Luke 9:57-10:24 "Easter Basket" © by Terri L. Stricker - Original Colored Pencil on Paper Happy Resurrection Sunday ! Today we begin the book of Deuteronomy in our readings. Deuteronomy is the fifth book of Moses, and the word means “second law.”  By now, all the Israelites who disobeyed God in the wilderness wanderings have died off – just as God promised that they would (cf., Numbers 14:21-23; Deuteronomy 1:35).  Here, in the book of