Emmanuel Okoro (aka MrLift)

Pushed to the Limit “Remember every road that GOD led you on for those forty years in the wilderness, pushing you to your limits, testing you so that He would know what you were made of, whether you would keep His commandments or not.” (Deuteronomy 8:2) God does not lead us through wilderness experiences to punish us, but to furnish and polish us. He is far more concerned with our character than with our comfort , and nothing shapes character better than seasons of trial. We naturally crave convenience. We want life easy, smooth, and rosy. Yet the truth remains—the road to destiny is paved with the stones of hard work, endurance, and faith. It often gets harder before it gets better. Our text makes it clear that God Himself led Israel through the wilderness. It says they were pushed to their limits —to the very edge where it seemed they would break, give up, or lose hope. But God wanted to reveal what they were truly made of. He already knew the strength He had deposited in the...

Keep and Live Out “Keep and live out the entire commandment that I’m commanding you today so that you’ll live and prosper and enter and own the land that GOD promised to your ancestors.” (Deuteronomy 8:1) Looking at this passage through the lens of today, we can almost sense how challenging it must have been—not only to keep the entire commandment but also to live it out daily. The Apostle James reminds us of the seriousness of this call when he writes: “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.” (James 2:10 KJV) That sounds daunting—until the Apostle Paul gives us a liberating perspective: “For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” (Galatians 5:14 KJV) Paul’s insight simplifies what once seemed impossible. To love my neighbour as myself is to fulfill the entire law. And when I walk in love, I step into life, prosperity, and the fullness of God’s promises. What a beauti...

Preserve God’s Holiness " And don't dare bring one of these abominations home or you'll end up just like it, burned up as a holy destruction. No: It is forbidden! Hate it. Abominate it. Destroy it and preserve GOD's holiness.” — Deuteronomy 7:26 (MSG) How can one preserve God’s holiness? First, we must understand that holiness is not just what God does — it is who He is . Holiness is the very nature of God. Everything that proceeds from Him bears that same nature of holiness. Through the new birth in Christ, we have been made partakers of His divine nature . The Apostle Peter reminds us: “We were also given absolutely terrific promises to pass on to you—your tickets to participation in the life of God after you turned your back on a world corrupted by lust.” — 2 Peter 1:4 (MSG) In our main text, God warns Israel not to bring anything set apart for destruction — idols and detestable things — into their homes. Why? Because even though such things might appear att...

Veneer of Silver and Gold "Make sure you set fire to their carved gods. Don't get greedy for the veneer of silver and gold on them and take it for yourselves—you'll get trapped by it for sure. GOD hates it; it's an abomination to GOD, your God." — Deuteronomy 7:25 (MSG) When the enemy comes, he seldom announces himself. He often comes wrapped in charm, coated with glitter, and disguised as a friend. Jesus warned us about such deception when He said, “Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.” — Matthew 7:15 (KJV) The Message translation puts it this way: "Be wary of false preachers who smile a lot, dripping with practiced sincerity. Chances are they’re out to rip you off one way or another. Don’t be impressed with charisma; look for character." — Matthew 7:15 (MSG) That’s the essence of our text. God warns us not to be drawn by the veneer of silver or gold—the outward glitter that hides ...

Bit by Bit "GOD, your God, will drive out these nations bit by bit. You will not be allowed to destroy them all at once, or the wild animals will become too numerous for you." (Deut. 7:22 MSB) They say the best way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time. In the same way, great projects are built one block at a time. The important thing is the next right step toward the dream God has placed in your heart. When Israel left slavery and approached the Promised Land, their reputation had gone before them. Had they tried to conquer the whole region at once they might have succeeded—but God said, “bit by bit.” He commanded them to overcome their enemies gradually so the land would not be left open to wild beasts. This was not a sign of weakness in God but of divine wisdom. There is deep wisdom in moving forward little by little. God’s plans are often revealed in portions—step by step, day by day. The key is to trust His timing. Don’t despise small beginnings or become impati...

Remember "But I'm telling you, Don’t be afraid. Remember—yes, remember in detail what GOD, your God, did to Pharaoh and all Egypt." (Deuteronomy 7:18) This verse gives us a glimpse into one of God’s purposes for allowing us to pass through painful or challenging seasons. He says, “Remember.” What were they to remember? They were to recall everything God did for them in Egypt—the deliverance, the miracles, the preservation of their lives in the midst of oppression. Though their experience in Egypt was hard and painful, God wanted them to look back and see that His power, mercy, and faithfulness never failed. God told them to “remember in detail.” It’s not enough to recall vaguely that God was good; we are to remember the specifics —how He made a way when there was none, how He strengthened us when we were weak, how He showed mercy when we deserved judgment, how He provided when there seemed to be no supply. If we would take time to reflect on these details, our fai...

Stay Small “GOD wasn’t attracted to you and didn’t choose you because you were big and important — the fact is, there was almost nothing to you.” (Deut. 7:7) God reminds us that His choice was never based on what we had, who we knew, or how important we looked. If status and success were not what qualified us to be chosen by Him, then it makes no sense to think those things can keep us in His favor. God was drawn to Israel because they were small and dependent. That same truth is echoed in the New Testament: “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.” (1 Pet. 5:6 KJV) The prophet Samuel asked Saul a crucial question after pride crept into his heart: “When you were small in your own sight, were you not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the LORD anointed you king over Israel?” (1 Sam. 15:17 AMP) The moment Saul stopped being “small,” he fell from the place God lifted him to. God always chooses the unlikely: “Chose these...

God Chose You "Do this because you are a people set apart as holy to GOD, your God. GOD, your God, chose you out of all the people on Earth for himself as a cherished, personal treasure." — Deuteronomy 7:6 You are precious to God. The Creator of the universe personally chose you—not by accident, but by divine intention. Everything else in creation was made in preparation for your arrival. When you came, God gave you the mandate to take charge and reign in His stead. That is the true picture of creation. But man fell, and with that fall came a loss of identity. Humanity forgot its place of honor in God’s sight. The enemy has since worked tirelessly to distort your perception—to make you feel unworthy, insignificant, and without purpose. Yet, the truth remains: before there was a “this” or “that,” God had already chosen you. Why did He choose you? Not because of what you did or didn’t do, but simply because of His love. "It was because the LORD loved you and kept the...

He Brought You Out to Bring You In "And He brought us out from there, that He might bring us in to give us the land which He swore to give our fathers." — Deuteronomy 6:23 (AMP) God has no abandoned projects. Whatever He starts, He intends to finish. The prophet Isaiah puts it this way: "From the very beginning telling you what the ending will be, all along letting you in on what is going to happen, assuring you, 'I'm in this for the long haul; I'll do exactly what I set out to do.'” — Isaiah 46:10 (MSG) When God begins a thing, the beginning itself is proof that the end is already secured. He never starts without already completing it in His plan. Our text makes this truth clear: He brought them out that He might bring them in. God does not deliver you just to leave you halfway. His deliverance always has a destination. If He brings you out of bondage, it’s because He intends to bring you into freedom. If He brings you out of lack, it’s because H...

Do Right and Do Good Deuteronomy 6:18 – “Do what is right and good in the sight of the LORD, so that it may go well with you and you may go in and possess the good land that the LORD promised on oath to your ancestors.” The ideas of right and wrong, good and evil, often differ from one culture to another. What one society calls “good,” another might see differently. Yet, deep within, our conscience helps us discern right from wrong. Still, that inner voice must be guided by God’s standard, not merely by human reasoning or social norms. Our text makes this clear: we are to do what is right and good in God’s sight. That phrase is key. It reminds us that not everything we call “good” aligns with what God calls good, and not everything we think is “right” is right before Him. The measure of righteousness is not human opinion but divine approval. When we align our actions with God’s standard, we position ourselves to enter into His promises—the “good land” He has prepared for us. In th...

Don’t Push God to the Wall " Don't push GOD, your God, to the wall as you did that day at Massah, the Testing-Place." — Deuteronomy 6:16 How can mortal men push the immortal God to the wall? How can the all-knowing, all-powerful, and all-wise God be brought to such a place? Yet, this is exactly what the children of Israel did at Massah. Moses reminded them of that moment when they tested God. “Is the Lord among us or not?” they asked (Exodus 17:7). That question revealed their doubt and disbelief. In truth, to push God to the wall is to disbelieve Him —to question His presence, His power, or His promises. Faith is the foundation of our relationship with God. The writer of Hebrews makes this clear: "But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who diligently seek Him." — Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV) When we doubt God, we displease Him. When we question His presence, we push Him to...

Get Them Inside Your Children "And then get them inside 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 to when you fall into bed at night." (Deuteronomy 6:7) Family was always God’s idea. Before there was ever a church, there was the family. In fact, when you think about it, the church itself is God’s family. That’s why His instructions include not just individuals but families. In the previous verse, God tells us to write His Word on our hearts, and now He tells us to get that Word inside our children. Children have always been part of God’s plan. Speaking of Abraham, God said: "For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment; that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which He hath spoken of him." (Genesis 18:19 KJV) God trusted Abraham because He knew Abraham wou...

Write Them on Your Heart "Write these commandments that I’ve given you today on your hearts. Get them inside of you." — Deuteronomy 6:6 It is often said that a short pencil is better than a long memory. This simple saying captures the essence of our verse today. However, Moses wasn’t just telling the people of Israel to remember God’s word—he was calling them to internalize it, to let it take root deep within their hearts. Writing God’s word down is one thing, but allowing it to shape who we are is another. When the Word of God is written on our hearts, it doesn’t just stay there—it begins to transform us from the inside out. David understood this truth when he said, “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee” ( Psalm 119:11, KJV ). Paul also echoed this when he urged believers, “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind” ( Romans 12:2, KJV ). Both men knew that the Word of God, when treasured in the heart, produces holiness and transfor...

Work Six Days “Work six days, doing everything you have to do.” — Deuteronomy 5:13 Work is a blessing from God, not a curse. It was not the result of man’s fall. Even before Adam sinned, God had already entrusted him with work in the Garden of Eden. Work, therefore, was part of God’s original design for humanity. As a young man, I often looked for ways to avoid work. But as I grew older, I discovered that life without work feels empty. I now find joy and fulfillment in what I do—so much so that even on public holidays, I sometimes crave the satisfaction that comes from meaningful labor. Before man found a wife, he found work. Truly, work is a divine blessing. “Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house.” — Proverbs 24:27 (KJV) God Himself modeled this principle. He worked six days in creation and rested on the seventh—not because He was tired, but to leave us an example to follow. When God commanded Moses to tell the ...

Hold Parents Responsible "Don’t bow down to them and don’t serve them because I am GOD, your God, and I’m a most jealous God. I hold parents responsible for any sins they pass on to their children to the third, and yes, even to the fourth generation." — Deuteronomy 5:9 (MSG) As I pondered this verse, one phrase stood out strongly to me: “I hold parents responsible for any sin they pass on to their children.” What a sobering thought! This statement lays a sacred responsibility on parents — to be mindful of the legacies they pass down. Much more than wealth or property, the patterns of life we model before our children are powerful seeds that continue to grow long after we are gone. Whether we realize it or not, parents transfer values, habits, and beliefs to their children simply by living. Every action, every word, and every attitude contributes to what our children learn and eventually become. God, in His justice, holds parents accountable for the moral and spiritual i...

No Other Gods, Only Me "You must not have any other god but me. You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind, or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea." — Deuteronomy 5:7–8 (NLT) This command remains as relevant today as it was when God first spoke it. Though we may no longer bow before carved images, idols still fill our world—and often, our hearts. They may take the form of wealth, achievements, relationships, power, or self. The human heart is easily tempted to worship the works of its own hands. We begin to believe our effort or wisdom has earned us success. That’s why God reminded Israel not to forget Him in their prosperity: "You may say to yourself, ‘My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.’" — Deuteronomy 8:17 Jesus told a similar story about a rich man who trusted in his abundance rather than in God: "I’ll say to myself, ‘You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life ...

Learn Them, Live Them Moses called all Israel together. He said to them, “Attention, Israel. Listen obediently to the rules and regulations I am delivering to your listening ears today. Learn them. Live them.” (Deuteronomy 5:1) Learning, in its truest sense, is not just the accumulation of knowledge—it is the transformation of behavior. Psychologists remind us that learning has not truly taken place until there is a permanent change in conduct . Moses’ words echo this truth: “Learn them. Live them.” It is not enough to know God’s word; we must also allow it to shape how we live. Moses gives Israel a simple but profound strategy for learning and living God’s word. The first step is attention . He begins with, “Attention, Israel.” If your mind is scattered, or anxious, you will miss the lesson. Paying attention focuses your heart and prepares it to receive truth. The second step is listening . Moses says, “Listen obediently.” Listening is more than hearing sounds—it is opening yo...

Ask Questions "Ask questions. Find out what has been going on all these years before you were born. From the day God created man and woman on this earth, and from the horizon in the east to the horizon in the west—as far back as you can imagine and as far away as you can imagine—has anything as great as this ever happened? Has anyone ever heard of such a thing?" (Deuteronomy 4:32) Questions are proof that a person is thinking. Yet sometimes, people do not know enough to ask the right questions. That is why this passage is so valuable—it helps us understand what kind of questions to ask and where those questions should come from. It says, “Find out what has been going on before you were born.” That speaks of history —the past. Ask about the past Then it says, “Imagine as far back and as far away as you can.” That points to vision —the future. Both are important. The past reveals what God has done , while the future shows what God can do . So, what questions are you ask...

God Was Angry with Me Because of You "But GOD was angry with me because of you and the things you said. He swore that I would never cross the Jordan, never enter the good land that GOD, your God, is giving you as an inheritance." — Deuteronomy 4:21 At first glance, Moses’ words might sound like he was passing the blame: “God was angry with me because of you.” But on closer reflection, there’s a deeper lesson here. Three parties were involved—God, Moses, and the children of Israel—and though their actions were distinct, the consequences were intertwined. The people complained of thirst and cried out to God. In His mercy, God instructed Moses to speak to the rock so that water would flow for them. But instead of obeying precisely, Moses struck the rock twice. In doing so, he dishonored God before the people. The Lord’s judgment was swift: Moses would see the Promised Land but never enter it. What can we learn from this? Never let the actions of others dictate your respons...

The M.O. of Your New Life "And GOD commanded me at that time to teach you the rules and regulations that you are to live by in the land which you are crossing over the Jordan to possess." — Deuteronomy 4:14 When the children of Israel prepared to cross over into the Promised Land, God gave them specific instructions for how they were to live in their new home. This moment can be likened to what happens when a believer is translated from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light. The Apostle Paul explained this truth clearly: "He has delivered us from the power of darkness and translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son." — Colossians 1:13 (KJV) Having been brought into a new kingdom, we are also called to live by a new set of principles. Just as Moses was commanded to teach Israel God’s laws for their new life in Canaan, so also believers are to live by the divine order of God’s Word in Christ. In this new kingdom, the modus operandi —the way of l...

What is the form of God? "GOD spoke to you out of the fire. You heard the sound of words but saw no form—only a voice." (Deut. 4:12) What, then, is the form of God? If you were asked to draw Him, what would He look like? As I lingered on this passage, the phrase “you saw no form” stood out. It was as if God handed me a blank canvas and invited me to see His true image—not through physical likeness, but through action. He reminded me of the parable of the Good Samaritan. A man, beaten and left half-dead by the roadside, was ignored by a priest and a Levite. Yet, a Samaritan stopped, bandaged his wounds, lifted him onto his donkey, carried him to an inn, and paid for his care, even promising to cover the rest of the cost. "A Samaritan traveling the road came on him. When he saw the man's condition, his heart went out to him..." (Luke 10:30–35) In that moment, I saw the form of God. God is love. His likeness is revealed not in abstract ideas but in living ...

That We May Learn to Fear God "That day when you stood before GOD, your God, at Horeb, GOD said to me, ‘Assemble the people in my presence to listen to my words so that they will learn to fear me in holy reverence for as long as they live on the land, and that they may teach my words to their children.’" (Deut. 4:10) The book of Proverbs reminds us that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” If a person desires to be truly wise, they must first learn to fear God. Proverbs also declares that “to fear the Lord is to depart from evil.” Putting these truths together, we see that departing from evil is wisdom itself. But then we must ask: why is there so little fear of God in our generation? Our text gives us a clue—it speaks of gathering the people in God’s presence to hear His word. Why? So that they may learn to fear Him for as long as they live. The fear of God is not automatic; it is cultivated as we listen to His word and allow it to shape our hearts. Whe...