Reading With the People of God - #5 We Believe.Sample

Memorization Challenge of the Month:

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

Reading with the People of God Primer

So Many Rules

“Daddy, why does Lala have so many rules?” “Well, I think it is because she wants to keep you safe and happy.” This was a discussion between my 5-year-old granddaughter and my son about me after our time together on vacation. We understand that rules can be important for our safety and relationships as we grow, but we don’t always understand when the rule is given. Perhaps we even forget why the rule was given in the first place.

In our daily readings, we have read a LOT about God’s rules for Israel in the Old Testament and the law in the New Testament. Honestly, at any time during your reading, haven’t you asked, “Why does God have so many rules?”

Today’s passage in Deuteronomy evaluates this question. It is a warning that we forget our relationship with God by not keeping His commandments. The passage details the miraculous and powerful things God did for His people while delivering them from Egypt. In Leviticus, we read about laws we could label ‘common sense laws’ that cover health and safety of the time (Remember that many of those food laws did make sense for nomadic people with no refrigeration). However, in Numbers, we read about the specific and special things to be made for the Tabernacle and worship. The people even had all of the materials necessary to create these things because God caused the Egyptians to give them all of their possessions of precious metals, etc. Everything the people had, freedom, food, wealth, and a relationship with the one true God came from Himself. The same is still true for us today.

Above all, we think we know and do, and God has originated everything for us. As we are in a relationship with Him, we can experience the benefits of obedience and love. In the Psalm we read today, David reflects on this idea, responding that it fits our worship in understanding who God is and what he has done for us. Our Romans reading helps us understand that rules and law are not the end goal. Our relationship with God is what is most important. Jesus died for that relationship and freedom from rules alone while we obey in love. *

- Gaylyn Mott, Music Teacher Stephens and Fuller Elementary, member of Cornerstone Community Church, Chowchilla.