Ed Levy

Wrestling with God

One thing that everyone on the entire planet has in common is that we want to be happy. Another way to say this is that we want to be blessed. One way to receive the blessings of God is to spend time in His word and in prayer.

Adultery and Greed

Adultery and greed are frequently linked as internal, heart-driven sins that defile a person and often signify a departure from God. Both are viewed as forms of idolatry—placing selfish desires or material wealth above God. What are they and is there hope for us to get completely free from these sins?

False Teachers

When we think of false teachers, we often think of people teaching false doctrine in the church. And while there are and have been false teachers in the church, there are many more in the classroom, and those may be the ones we should be the most concerned about when it comes to our children.

Deuteronomy 6:4-9 – Forward

There is a passage in the Bible that Jews recite regularly. It includes the Sh’ma and the verses that follow. Some might say that it is one of the greatest passages of the Old Testament. Following is a series of short commentaries on this passage. I pray that it is a blessing to you.

Deuteronomy 6:4-9 – Intro

In John Chapter 1, we read that “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.” Faith in Jesus, the Word of God, is key to our understanding of Deuteronomy 6:4-9. Jesus is the Word.

Deuteronomy 6:4-9 – Hear

Who we are listening to determines how we live our lives. So God starts by telling us to Listen to Him. Are you listening to God? Do you hear Him? If not, why?

Deuteronomy 6:4-9 – O Israel

If the Passover story is analogous to our lives, where do you find yourself today? Are you still in Egypt, a slave to sin? Or are you wandering in the wilderness, pining for your old life of sin? Or have you moved into the promised land, establishing the Kingdom of God in your life?

Deuteronomy 6:4-9 – One God

The first commandment in the Ten Commandments is “No other gods.”. While we don’t worship idols made of wood, stone, or metal, there are still many false gods that people serve with their life. We can make a god out of anything. But God says this is a bad idea, that He alone is God.

Deuteronomy 6:4-9 – Love the Lord Your God with all of your Heart

When Jesus was asked what the greatest commandment is, He replied that it is to Love God with all of our being. (Matthew 22:34-40) Total commitment to God in all of our ways. What does it mean to love God this way?

Deuteronomy 6:4-9 – These Words Shall Be Upon Your Heart

I have been asked more than once why Jesus had to die. As people, we want to know “why” about everything it seems. We begin asking our parents why we have to do what they say. We ask why at work, at school, in relationships, and so on. So why did Jesus have to die?