Category Archives: Deuteronomy

Appended Mind

Posted by on February 25, 2011 No comments

The central part of the Old Testament teaching was “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and strength”. Deuteronomy 6:4-5

In the Gospels, to the first and greatest of all the commandments, Christ appends mind — “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength”. Luke 10:27

Echoing this, Paul in 1 Corinthians 14:1 and following, addresses the contrast between those who speak in tongues and those who prophesy. All though he wishes that all would speak in tongues, even more so he wishes that all would prophesy. Why?

Because when a person speaks in tongues, if there is no one to interpret the tongues, only he who speaks is edified. But when a person  prophesies, the entire church is edified.

Paul says that those who speak in tongues do not speak to men but to God. Those who prophesy, speaks to men's edification, exhortation and comfort.

Prophecy takes precedence over tongues because it loves God with the mind. Even though tongues come from the Spirit, they are secondary to prophecy because they remain a mystery to the mind. As Paul says,

2) For the one who speaks in tongues does not speak to men, but to God; for no one understands except in the Spirit he speaks mysteries.
3) But one who prophesies speaks to men edification…
5)Greater is one who prophesies than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets the tongues so that he church may receive edification.
— 1 Corinthians 14:2-5

The value of the spiritual gift is determined by the extent to which it edifies the mind. When the mind is edified we love God with that portion that Christ appended to the command "Love the Lord your God…" In this we love with the mind appended. In this we love God completely.
 

© 2011, VoiceWind. . .Greg Loveless. All rights reserved.

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All Blessings Overtake You

Posted by on June 29, 2010 No comments

"All these blessings will come upon you and overtake you if you obey the Lord your God." (Deuteronomy 28:2)

Reading this passage I was struck by the term "overtake" you. This is a very interesting phrase. The idea that God's blessing will "overtake" us is a very powerful image. Especially when we understand that this term is also used to describe military actions such as pursing, coming upon, overwhelming and thus gaining victory over the enemy.

In other words, when we follow God's commands and teachings, even though from our perspective it may not seem to be beneficial, God has promised that His blessings will overtake us like an army that pursues and overtakes the enemy on the battle field.

This is an important concept that many often miss. Some see blessings as a passive process. But God is clear that His blessings are not passive but active and even aggressive to the point that they will pursue us and overtake us.

It is comforting to know that God's blessings are not passive and something we have to look for or seek out. Rather, when we honor and obey God, His blessings find us.

So here is my prayer for those of you who are reading this;

"May God pursue you and overtake you with His blessings. And may this be today!"

© 2010, VoiceWind. . .Greg Loveless. All rights reserved.

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Remove the Faint of Heart

Posted by on June 16, 2010 No comments

In Deuteronomy 20:8 we read,

"The man who is faint of heart let him depart and return to his house so that he might not make his brother's hearts melt like his heart."

This passage teaches a simple truth – that a fighting force that consists of soldiers who want to be in the fight no matter the risk or cost, are far more powerful than a greater quantity of soldiers, some of who do not want to be there.

The will supersedes simple numbers. The collective will is more powerful than sheer numbers.

This passage supports the United States Military's contention that an "All Volunteer Force" is superior to a force comprised of volunteers and draftees.

© 2010 – 2012, VoiceWind. . .Greg Loveless. All rights reserved.

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