I. God’s desire and delight is to bless His people

Dt 10:11 "Then the LORD said to me, ‘Arise, begin your journey before the people, that they may go in and possess the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.’

14  "Indeed heaven and the highest heavens belong to the LORD your God, also the earth with all that is in it. 15  "The LORD delighted only in your fathers, to love them; and He chose their descendants after them, you above all peoples, as it is this day. 

II. We continually experience the best of all possible lives when we do what God asks of us

12 "And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, 1) but to fear the LORD your God, 2) to walk in all His ways

3) and to love Him,     4) and to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, 

5) 13 to keep the commandments of the LORD and His statutes which I command you today for your good?

A. Those who Fear God wisely perfect holiness in mutual submission and praise; those who don’t are foolish fakes.

Ps 111:10  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments...

2Co 7:1  having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.  Eph 5:21  submitting to one another in the fear of God.    Rom 3:18 There is no fear of God before their eyes."

Heb 12:28  Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.    1Pe 2:17  Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.

Re 14:7 Fear God and give glory to Him   Re 19:5 Praise our God, all you His servants and those who fear Him, both small and great!

B. Those who make the preparations to walk in ALL his ways progress in His perfect revealed will on a daily basis

De 11:13 if you earnestly obey My commandments which I command you today, to love the LORD your God and serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul, 14  ‘then I will give you…15 that you may eat and be filled.’

Dt 10:16  "Therefore circumcise the foreskin of your heart, and be stiff-necked no longer.  11:16  "Take heed to yourselves, lest your heart be deceived, and you turn aside and serve other gods and worship them  17  "lest the LORD’S anger be aroused against you,

18 lay up these words in your heart and in your soul, bind…19…teach…speaking…sit…walk by the way, lie down, rise up, write…

C. Those who Love God experience exclusive intimacy with Him as they obediently serve the highest interest of others

Jn 14:21 Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me… and I too will love him and show myself to him

Jn 15:10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love… 11 These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. 12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.  (Make Disciples Mt 28)

D. Those who exceptionally & exclusively serve the LORD God with all their heart and soul fulfill their purpose for living

Num 14:24 because my servant Caleb had a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went…

3:14  You have said, ‘It is useless to serve God; What profit is it that we have kept His ordinance, And that we have walked as mourners

Ro 12:1  not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;   2Ti 2:24 servant…not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient,

Ac 20:19  "serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews;

Rom 12:1-2 reasonable service  14:18  For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men.

Mt 25:21 Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few, I will make you ruler over many. Enter into the joy of your lord

Col 3:24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. Cx Lk 16:11-13 mammon

Mt 4:10  Jesus said to him, Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.

E. Those who carefully & exclusively observe the LORD's commands experience what is not just good, but what’s BEST!

De 11: 7  "but your eyes have seen every great act of the LORD which He did. 8 "Therefore you shall keep every commandment which I command you today, that you may be strong, and go in and possess… 9 a land flowing with milk and honey.’

Dt 12:2  "You shall utterly destroy all (cf 13:6)…4  "You shall not worship the LORD your God with such things. 5  "But you shall seek the place where the LORD your God chooses…8  "You shall not at all do as we are doing here today—every man doing whatever is right in his own eyes—15  "However…whatever your heart desires, according to the blessing of the LORD your God which He has given you; 20…as much meat as your heart desires

Dt 11:26   "Behold, I set before you today a blessing and a curse: 27  "the blessing, if you obey the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you today; 28  "and the curse, if you do not obey the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside from the way which I command you today, to go after other gods which you have not known.

Questions for Reflection/Discussion/Response:

1. Why do some folks think that God is a killjoy who wants us to be miserable and miss out on what’s best in this life and the next?

2. How careful are we to know and obey what God has commanded? What helps us obey? Is moderation in obedience a good thing?

3. How does one circumcise their heart and avoid being deceived? How does the Body of Christ help you follow Christ?

4. What idols and practices need to be destroyed so you may wholeheartedly obey and serve? What lie is stopping you?

5. How will you walk with God this year and where will you end up? What help do you need to reach that destination?