Deuteronomy 11:18-21 - Love and Obey. Part 1

Deuteronomy 11:18-21 - Love and Obey. Part 1

Deuteronomy 11:18-21 (MSG) Place these words on your hearts. Get 
them deep inside you. Tie them on your hands and foreheads as a 
reminder. 19 Teach them to your children. Talk about them wherever you 
are, sitting at home or walking in the street; talk about them from 
the time you get up in the morning until you fall into bed at night. 
20 Inscribe them on the doorposts and gates of your cities 21 so 
that you'll live a long time, and your children with you, on the soil 
that God promised to give your ancestors for as long as there is a 
sky over the Earth.  

  The Bible is God's book for his followers, the book he left 
us, the book through which he speaks. While there are many Christian 
books that you can read, the Bible alone is the book for the ages, the 
book that you'll want to read every day in order to learn more about 
your new life in Christ, to understand God's will, to learn how he 
wants you to live. You see, the Bible is not a book you read from 
start to finish and then you're "done." God's Word is "alive and 
powerful.... It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires" (Hebrews 4:12, 
November 2). You can never "finish" reading the Bible. The Bible will 
speak in different ways at different times and give you guidance when 
you need it. That's why you need to get into it every day. The more 
you study, the more you will understand about God's plan for you. 
  The Bible is not just a book - it is a living testament by 
which you can pattern your life. Take it off the shelf and keep it 
near you so that reading it becomes a part of your daily routine. 
[The One Year Bible for New Believers re Deu. 11:18-20] 

God asks that His people obey Him because their obedience is 
their strength and life (vv. 8-9). They could not prosper in the land 
without God's constant care and blessing (Matt. 8:33). The Word in the 
heart will control the hand, the eyes and the tongue and will protect 
and direct the household (vv. 18-19).  His "I will" is all the 
promise we need! If we choose to obey, God will bless, even though we 
may experience trials and burdens. If we choose to disobey, God will 
still keep His promise and chasten us. If we love Him (vv. 1, 13, 22), 
we will obey Him, and in that obedience is life. [Chapter by 
Chapter Bible Commentary by Warren Wiersbe]