ACTIVE COMMUNICATION

PASTOR RYAN LADEN – DEVOTIONALS

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As we continue in our series of devotionals from the biblical book of Deuteronomy, we turn next to a command from the Lord that calls his people to be active in sharing the truth of God with those around them. 

Shema

This teaching is so popular that it has its own nickname. 

The following is often referred to by the Hebrew title of, “the Shema.” This Hebrew word is heard in the English command to hear or to listen up. The child of God is being called to pay attention to the message of the Lord that follows. 

1 These are the commands, decrees and laws the LORD your God directed me to teach you to observe in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess, 2 so that you, your children and their children after them may fear the LORD your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life. 

3 Hear, Israel, and be careful to obey so that it may go well with you and that you may increase greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the LORD, the God of your ancestors, promised you. 4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. 5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 

6 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

(Deuteronomy 6:1-9 NIV11)

The Law

The commands and laws given by God through Moses to the Israelite people were a blessing. In these laws, all the people of Israel were to be held to account by the same standard. From the highest to the lowest in the land, the laws of God were to be applied without prejudice or respect to a person’s wealth or standing. 

The law was also designed to reinforce that the Lord God was the one true source of authority and moral right and that all others needed to submit to the command of the Lord. This stopped the people from elevating their leaders to divine status like all the other cultures surrounding the Hebrews had done from time immemorial. (See Dt. 4:5-8 to hear about how the Law was actually a tool of evangelism and not just a uniform code of justice)

Verses 1-3 – Purpose

If the people of God would listen to the call of the Lord and become a people who actively communicate the truth of God’s word and faithfully tell of the great actions of the Lord that had occurred in times past, then the people would be blessed. 

The first blessing that comes from telling others about the Lord is that each generation will be able to carry on this legacy of faithfulness. As we actively share our faith and the reasons for our trust in the Lord with our children and their children, the faithfulness of God’s people becomes a rock-solid foundation for generations to come. 

Verses 3-4 – Meaning

What is it that we are to be actively communicating to those around us? We are called by God to speak to others about God’s love for us and our love for the Lord. 

•   The more we understand and accept the love of God in our lives, the more desire we will have to share this love with others. 
•   We cannot just show acts of love and hope that people will figure it all out on their own. 
•   We need to be clear with them. Tell them why we love God and how this love brings meaning and purpose to all we do. 

Verses 6-9 – Authentic Selves

We are being called by God to share what is real in our hearts with those around us. 

What we truly love will be apparent to our children and our neighbors. They will know whether our words match our attitudes and passions as we spend time with them. As we travel through life, we are called by God to share what is real with those the Lord has placed into our sphere of influence. 

•   In your life, who has spoken the message of God’s person and love to you?
•   Who did God use to help you see and experience his love?
•   Who is God calling you to share your passion and his love with today?

In Christ, 

Ryan Laden

PASTOR RYAN LADEN

Works at MTN. CHURCH

Former Senior pastor at Warnbro Community Church

Studies at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

Studied at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

Studied at Baylor University

Studied at Texas Tech University

Went to Castle Hills First Baptist

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