Matters of the Heart: Loving God With All

 

Matters of the Heart: Loving God with All

Reflections on Deuteronomy Chapters 5–16

By Carol

🌸 Introduction: A Heart Fully Devoted

In this season of waiting and trusting, God has invited me deeper into His Word—not just to read it but to live it. Deuteronomy 5 through 16 reminds us what it means to walk in covenant with a holy God: to love Him with all our heart, soul, and strength. These chapters are rich with instructions, but more than that, they reveal God's heart for His people.

This guide is my reflection—a personal walk through His Word—desiring to keep His commands not out of duty but out of love. May it bless you, challenge you, and lead you closer to the One who calls us His own.

Deuteronomy 5 – The Ten Commandments Repeated

Summary: God’s covenant is re-established, and the Ten Commandments are repeated. Moses reminds Israel of their holy calling and God's power.

🔑 Key Themes: Obedience, reverence, and God's holiness

💭 Reflection: What commandments is God calling me to revisit with fresh eyes?

Deuteronomy 6 – Love the Lord Your God

Summary: The Shema calls us to love God with everything. Teaching His Word to the next generation becomes a sacred duty.

🔑 Key Themes: Love, loyalty, and remembrance

💭 Reflection: How do I show daily love for God with all of me?

Deuteronomy 7 – Driving Out the Nations

Summary: God sets His people apart. He warns against compromise and reminds them of His covenant love.

🔑 Key Themes: Holiness, separation, and God's faithfulness

💭 Reflection: What compromises do I need to remove to walk fully with Him?

Deuteronomy 8 – Do Not Forget the Lord

Summary: Prosperity can cause forgetfulness. Moses urges Israel to remember that God provides.

🔑 Key Themes: Gratitude, humility, and remembrance

💭 Reflection: Do I give God full credit for where I am today?

Deuteronomy 9 – Not Because of Your Righteousness

Summary: A reminder that our blessings come from God’s grace, not our goodness.

🔑 Key Themes: Grace, mercy, and repentance

💭 Reflection: Am I walking humbly, acknowledging His grace in my life?

Deuteronomy 10 – Fear the Lord, Love Him

Summary: A renewed call to serve God with all our heart and soul, highlighting His justice and compassion.

🔑 Key Themes: Heart devotion and God’s character

💭 Reflection: How am I reflecting God’s justice and mercy?

Deuteronomy 11 – Love and Obey

Summary: Obedience leads to blessing. God's Word is to be in our hearts and homes.

🔑 Key Themes: Obedience, faithfulness, and blessing

💭 Reflection: How am I keeping God's Word close daily?

Deuteronomy 12 – Worship in the Place God Chooses

Summary: Instructions for proper worship. God desires pure devotion, not mixed with worldly ways.

🔑 Key Themes: True worship and spiritual purity

💭 Reflection: Am I giving God my full attention in worship?

Deuteronomy 13 – Avoiding Spiritual Deception

Summary: Israel is warned about false prophets and enticement to idolatry—even from loved ones.

🔑 Key Themes: Discernment, spiritual vigilance, and loyalty to God

💭 Reflection: Am I guarding my heart from subtle distractions or deception?

Deuteronomy 14 – Clean Living and Generous Giving

Summary: Dietary laws and tithing reinforce a lifestyle of holiness and trust in God's provision.

🔑 Key Themes: Holiness, stewardship, and generosity

💭 Reflection: What does my giving say about my heart?

Deuteronomy 15 – Release and Mercy

Summary: God introduces the year of release, calling for mercy toward the poor and generous freedom for servants.

🔑 Key Themes: Compassion, freedom, and provision

💭 Reflection: Where is God asking me to release others—or myself?

Deuteronomy 16 – Remembering Through Celebration

Summary: Three major feasts help Israel remember God's deliverance. Moses also appointed leaders to uphold justice.

🔑 Key Themes: Celebration, remembrance, and justice

💭 Reflection: How am I celebrating God’s work in my life?

🙏 Closing Reflection Prayer

“Lord, as I walk through these chapters, let Your Word settle deep within my heart. Help me not only to remember Your commandments but to live them out with joy and surrender. I want to love You with all my heart, all my soul, and all my strength. Thank You for Your mercy when I fall short and for Your Spirit that strengthens me to begin again. Make me a light in my home, a voice of encouragement in my family, and a heart fully Yours. In Jesus' name, Amen.”

Savory Lump Crab Soup

Click the link above for the recipe.

Seeds of Impact: The Tithe - The 10th Protects the 90

 🌾 Seeds of Impact: The Tithe – The 10th Protects the 90

Scripture Focus: Malachi 3:8–11 (VOICE)

"Will a man rob God? Yet you rob Me. But you say, ‘How have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings..."

💡 A Lesson Learned

One of the greatest revelations I’ve received from this study is this: “The 10th protects the 90.” When I bring the tithe into the storehouse—my church, where I’m spiritually fed—I honor God’s principle. And in return, He promises to bless, increase, and protect the remaining 90%. This is not just stewardship; it’s covenant trust.

✨ (1) The Law of the 10th – A Covenant Principle

The number ten symbolizes testing and divine order. The tithe represents the first and best portion. Deuteronomy 14:22–23 commands the people to tithe the increase of their crops so they will learn to fear the Lord. Tithing teaches reverence and trust and reminds us that God is our ultimate Provider.

✨ (2) The Law of Reciprocity – Sowing and Reaping

Malachi 3:10 invites us to test God and see if He won’t open the windows of heaven. This is the principle of sowing and reaping. Faithful giving brings blessing spiritually, relationally, and materially. Deuteronomy 15, the Year of Release, reveals how God’s generosity flows through His people, creating freedom and provision.

✨ (3) The Law of the Heart – Devotion in Giving

Matthew 6:21 says, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Tithing is more than obedience—it’s a reflection of worship. In Deuteronomy 14:23, God instructed the people to tithe so that they would learn to revere Him. Giving shapes our hearts to be more like His.

🌸 Reflection Questions

• Am I giving out of worship or obligation?

• Where have I seen God multiply or protect my 90%?

• Do I truly trust God to provide through His promises?

• What does my giving say about the condition of my heart?

🙏 Closing Prayer

Lord, thank You for teaching me to trust You with what’s already Yours. Help me to honor the principle of the tithe—not just for the blessings but because I love and revere You. I believe that as I bring the 10th into the storehouse, You will protect and multiply the 90. Help me give with joy, with faith, and with a heart that reflects Your generosity. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The Faith Center is my home Chruch. Located in Sunrise, FL

SR Pastor, Joel Tudman

Bishop, Henry Fernandez

Pastor Joel Tudman taught Seeds of Impact in March. This series has changed my perspective on giving.

Turkey Stuff Cabbage Rolls
Click the link above for the recipe.

Matters of the Heart : Trusting God in the Wilderness

 

Matters of the Heart: Trusting God in the Wilderness

This morning, as I opened my heart to God's Word, I was reminded by Proverbs 4:5, which says to embrace wisdom and understanding, and Luke 7:6-7,9-10 says to cherish simple, powerful trust in the Lord. These scriptures resonated deeply with me, especially as I'm navigating my season of waiting—my wilderness.

The wilderness can feel lonely, uncertain, and sometimes overwhelming. It's easy to become restless or tempted to rush through it. But today, I was reminded of something crucial: the wilderness is purposeful. It's not punishment—it's preparation.

God has gently highlighted some areas I must surrender during this season:

1.  Yielding my will to Him: Surrendering the desire to control outcomes and trusting that His plan is greater than mine.

2.  Choosing gratitude and contentment: Instead of envying what others have, I must appreciate and celebrate the blessings God has already placed in my life. True fulfillment comes from recognizing His provision in my current circumstances.

3.  Releasing pride: Pride subtly whispers self-reliance, but humility calls me back to dependence on God. His strength is made perfect in my weakness.

4.  Waiting patiently: This is the toughest! But I understand now—I must not rush out of the wilderness prematurely. God has a purpose for every moment I spend here. My job is to trust Him until He leads me out.

If you are in your wilderness today, I encourage you to see it as a divine space for growth, refinement, and deepened intimacy with God. Trust that He sees exactly where you are. He knows what He's doing, even if the path isn't clear to you right now.

Remember, waiting isn't wasted time—it's holy ground.

Be encouraged, hold onto faith, and know that you're never alone in your wilderness. He’s with you, guiding each step. Trust the process; trust the One who holds your tomorrow.

What is Simple Trust? Simple Trust is believing wholeheartedly in God's promises without needing to see immediate proof or answers. It's trusting Him fully, confidently knowing that His Word and timing are perfect, even when our circumstances seem uncertain. This is so important.

A Simple Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your presence in the wilderness. Help me to fully surrender my will, embrace gratitude, release pride, and wait patiently on Your perfect timing. Strengthen my trust and deepen my faith in Your promises. Guide me through each step, knowing that You hold my tomorrow. In Jesus' name, Amen.

With love and prayers,

Carol

Honey Chipotle Salmon

Click the link above for the recipe.