Kansas City, Missouri, United States - Reflecting God – Embrace Holy Living - “Trusting Our Theology” – Tuesday, 30 September 2014 - Scripture: Deuteronomy 32:28-43

Kansas City, Missouri, United States - Reflecting God – Embrace Holy Living - “Trusting Our Theology” – Tuesday, 30 September 2014 - Scripture: Deuteronomy 32:28-33 They are a nation of ninnies,
        they don’t know enough to come in out of the rain.
    If they had any sense at all, they’d know this;
        they would see what’s coming down the road.
    How could one soldier chase a thousand enemies off,
        or two men run off two thousand,
    Unless their Rock had sold them,
        unless God had given them away?
    For their rock is nothing compared to our Rock;
        even our enemies say that.
    They’re a vine that comes right out of Sodom,
        who they are is rooted in Gomorrah;
    Their grapes are poison grapes,
        their grape-clusters bitter.
    Their wine is rattlesnake venom,
        mixed with lethal cobra poison.
34-35 Don’t you realize that I have my shelves
        well stocked, locked behind iron doors?
    I’m in charge of vengeance and payback,
        just waiting for them to slip up;
    And the day of their doom is just around the corner,
        sudden and swift and sure.
36-38 Yes, God will judge his people,
        but oh how compassionately he’ll do it.
    When he sees their weakened plight
        and there is no one left, slave or free,
    He’ll say, “So where are their gods,
        the rock in which they sought refuge,
    The gods who feasted on the fat of their sacrifices
        and drank the wine of their drink-offerings?
    Let them show their stuff and help you,
        let them give you a hand!
39-42 “Do you see it now? Do you see that I’m the one?
        Do you see that there’s no other god beside me?
    I bring death and I give life, I wound and I heal—
        there is no getting away from or around me!
    I raise my hand in solemn oath;
        I say, ‘I’m always around. By that very life I promise:
    When I sharpen my lightning sword
        and execute judgment,
    I take vengeance on my enemies
        and pay back those who hate me.
    I’ll make my arrows drunk with blood,
        my sword will gorge itself on flesh,
    Feasting on slain and captive alike,
        the proud and vain enemy corpses.’”
43 Celebrate, nations, join the praise of his people.
        He avenges the deaths of his servants,
    Pays back his enemies with vengeance,
        and cleanses his land for his people.
"Trusting Our Theology" by David W. Kendall
Israel confessed the right faith but often lived by a different theology. When trouble and suffering came, they wondered whether the Lord was real and whether He cared about them. As a result, while they continued to affirm right beliefs about God, they also sought the help of the gods of the nations. Perhaps they thought, “Why take any chances? There are many roads that lead to the same blessings–health, wealth, security, support, and happiness.” 
Sometimes we also are tempted along these lines. We know the truth and trust God, but we also know that we are responsible to take action. Instead of acting in faith, we attempt to look out for ourselves. As accurate as our confessions of faith may be, our lives may be driven by other beliefs. 
God declared to Israel: I am! There is no god besides me. Death and life, wounding and pain, bow to my Lordship and will serve my plans for you and for the world. Then in Jesus, God conquered death, dealt with the wounds of His people, and offered healing. Will we trust Him and believe our theology?

Hymn for Today:

"One Day" by J. Wibur Chapman
1. One day when Heaven Was filled with His praises,
One day when sin was As black as could be,
Jesus came forth To be born of a virgin,
Dwelt among men, my example is He!
Chorus:
Living, He loved me; dying, He saved me;
Buried, He carried My sins far away;
Rising He justified freely forever:
One day He's coming-- O glorious day! 
2. One day they led Him Up Calvary's mountain,
One day they nailed Him To die on the tree;
Suffering anguish, despised and rejected:
Bearing our sins, my Redeemer is He!
Chorus:
Living, He loved me; dying, He saved me;
Buried, He carried My sins far away;
Rising He justified freely forever:
One day He's coming-- O glorious day!
3. One day they left Him Alone in the garden,
One day He rested, from suffering free;
Angels came down o'er His tomb to keep vigil;
Hope of the hopeless, my Savior is He!
Chorus:
Living, He loved me; dying, He saved me;
Buried, He carried My sins far away;
Rising He justified freely forever:
One day He's coming-- O glorious day!
4. One day the grave Could conceal Him no longer,
One day the stone rolled away from the door;
Then He arose, over death He had conquered;
Now is ascended, my Lord evermore!
Chorus:
Living, He loved me; dying, He saved me;
Buried, He carried My sins far away;
Rising He justified freely forever:
One day He's coming-- O glorious day!
5. One day the trumpet Will sound for His coming,
One day the skies With His glory will shine;
Wonderful day, my beloved One bringing;
Glorious Savior, this Jesus is mine!
Chorus:
Living, He loved me; dying, He saved me;
Buried, He carried My sins far away;
Rising He justified freely forever:
One day He's coming-- O glorious day!
Thought for Today:

“So let’s do it—full of belief, confident that we’re presentable inside and out. Let’s keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. Let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching."(Hebrews 10:22-25)
Prayer Needs:
For Faculty and Students as they prepare for full=time Christian ministry in Guatemala.
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