Start with Reflection.

Good morning, everyone!

Over the next few weeks we’re going to be in a series entitled Starting Well, and we’re going to be walking through the book of Deuteronomy.

There’s something sacred about beginnings.

Life has these cycles of beginnings and Endings..

God built seasons into creation ..ebs and flows..

— morning and evening, winter and spring, Sabbath and work —

Here is the thing about beginnings… they invite us into reflection…

God Himself modeled this in creation..

In Genesis — In creation - God spoke, He formed the heavens and the earth , He separated the waters the sky… Heb created creatures and mandkind…He then blessed them—

but God also reflected.. He paused each day, looked back, ,..declared each day as Good… then on the seventh day he rested completely…

The word reflection comes from Old English and means to bend back —it means to mirror…ask lights Ben’s to produce s reflection..

When is comes to the spiritual life…reflection

speaks of pausing …and to consider where we have been, where we are present, and where God is leading us.

And this isn’t a new idea. People have understood the power of reflection through the ages.. .

Plato famously said,

 “The unexamined life is not worth living.” Plato

Paul the apostle urged Christians to test themselves and confirm whether they are truly in the faith,

2 Corinthians 13:5 ESV

5 Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!

more recently…

Richard Foster in his book the , Celebration of Discipline..write

“Reflection is the basic discipline for seeing ourselves as we truly are.” Richard Foster…

Reflection is important of moving for ward..

We’re going to see in the book of Deuteronomy how God — — prepares His people To enter the Promised Land.

In the Hebrew Bible …Deuteronomy, is called Devarim, which means “words” or “the scroll.”  It comes from the opening line: chapter..

“These are the words that Moses spoke…” (Deut. 1:1)

 Deuteronomy, meanSpirit “Second Law.”

Not because God changed the Law, but because Moses  taught if again to a new generation.

So Deuteronomy is a series  three sermons delivered by Moses…

Moses, is an old man, standing on the eastern side of the Jordan River looking across at the land God promised Israel.

He knows he will not enter it… But, rather that Joshua and the new generation born in the wilderness are the one who will possess the land.….

This is a profound moment of transition — a moment of change — a moment for reflection.

Is is here that..

Moses retells the story of God’s deliverance and prepares a new generation.  for what comes next.

He deals with three directions

Backwards — remember what God has done. Present — listen to what God is doing now. Forward — trust what God will do in the future.

Moses begins with a painfully honest retelling of their history. In chapter one he says:

In chapter 1 he says:

Deuteronomy 1:1–3 ESV

1 These are the words that Moses spoke to all Israel beyond the Jordan in the wilderness, in the Arabah opposite Suph, between Paran and Tophel, Laban, Hazeroth, and Dizahab. 2 It is eleven days’ journey from Horeb by the way of Mount Seir to Kadesh-barnea. 3 In the fortieth year, on the first day of the eleventh month, Moses spoke to the people of Israel according to all that the Lord had given him in commandment to them,

Moses starts with Israel Journey to the promised land and he Points out that from Horeb (where Moses received the Law) to Kadesh-barnea. (edge of the land) —was only a 11 day journey the first time.. but second time was

“In the fortieth year…” (Deut. 1:3)

So what should’ve taken 11 days took 40 years.

— Then Moses point is not only to highlight failures - — — but of reveal Gods covenantal goodness..

God walked with Israel through the wilderness. —

He provided manna s He led them with cloud and fire  He gave them the Law  He defeated there enemies in thr wilderness..

During those forty years, God was shaping a New generation to walk into blessings… fufilling the Abrahamic Covenant…

We learn from Moses and Israel..

T/S Why is it important to take time to reflect?

1. Refection Re focuses -on the Benefits of God’s Word

We live in a distracted would.... Our phones, social media, notifications — they constantly grab our attention.

It is interesting studies have shown that over the past two decades, our ability to focus has been shrinking dramatically.

In 2004, the average person could concentrate on a single task for about two and a half minutes.

Today, it’s down to just 47 seconds — less than a minute before something pulls us away.

The question is ..how do we deal with distraction?

To be honest

We have to intentionally build habits into our lives. We have to  deliberately create space to focus on God.

In seminary I had a professor — Garth Rosell who taught church history … He was a character… He taught with such a passion — that it was contagious… He taught us monastic movements.. in the desert fathers..

After Constantine made Christianity the empire’s religion, be ing a Christian become safe, comfortable, and mainstream. what happen …

People were just going through the motions instead of truly pursuing God.

So these men and women did something radical: they walked into the desert. Alone, removed from the distractions of life, they embraced solitude, simplicity, prayer, and fasting — all to focus fully on God. intentionally.

Reflection rediscovering the wonderful of Faith..

Ralph Waldo Emerson once said can you imagine if the stars only appeared one night in a thousand years, everyone would stop what they were doing in awe.

But because we see them all the time, and because life is busy, we often overlook them.

Reflection helps us pause, notice God, and remember what really matters — His presence, His provision, His promises.

This is what we find in our text in … Deuteromy chapter 6…

Moses says Go back to Gods laws and appreciate it..

Look at Deuteronomy 6:1–3

Deuteronomy 6:1–3 ESV

1 “Now this is the commandment—the statutes and the rules—that the Lord your God commanded me to teach you, that you may do them in the land to which you are going over, to possess it, 2 that you may fear the Lord your God, you and your son and your son’s son, by keeping all his statutes and his commandments, which I command you, all the days of your life, and that your days may be long.

And then Moses tells Israel the benefits..of Gods word

“…that you may fear the Lord…” (v.2)

Reverence that Lord..

“…that your days may be long…” (v.2)

“…that it may go well with you…” (v.3)

“…that you may multiply greatly…” (v.3)

When we hear “commandments,” we often think restriction. But in Scripture commandment equals flourishing.

God isn’t limiting joy; He’s directing it.

He is highlighting the Benefits…

Pam has these Chia seeds — that she had been giving in the mornings. — I have no idea exactly what they do …all I know ..is that they are meant to be good for you… and I trust her. -The other day..

Emma said to me, “Dad, I don’t know how you drink those chia seeds that mom puts in your juice..…!”

 And I told her, “I drink it like medicine —because it is good for me…

There are benefits that we have in the word of God..

The word of God has intrinsic value. The word of God benefits us...

David wrote in

Psalm 103:1–5 ESV

1 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! 2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, 3 who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, 4 who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, 5 who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

There are benefits in Gods word…

God who forgives all our sins

Heals our diseases

Who Saves us

Crowns us with love and mercy -

Satisfies us with good things —so that our youth is renewed…(like eagles)

Deuteronomy repeatedly says:

“Take care lest you forget…” (Deut. 6:12; 8:11; 8:14; 8:19)

REflection is not passive… its active

Israel is commanded to:

remember

consider

rehearse

recount

teach

not forget

reflection is not merely introspection — it is spiritual guardrail. Israels case it was to keep them from idolitary..

T/S Why is it important to take time to reflect?

1. Refection Re focuses -on the Benefits of God’s Word

2. Reflection Prepares Us for What Is Next

We just got back from being a week away…

Everytime we travel ..I tell myself not,to overpack…and they I go and do it.. I

… Pam has the ability to get things into small spaces. It’s almost like Tetris — they just know how things fit.

Meanwhile, my bag is overflowing, and we’re only going away for a week.?

Reflection is what we arepacking into our back.

The well known pastor ..Donald Grey Barnhouse— said..

“I can say from experience that 95% of knowing the will of God consists in being prepared to do it before you know what it is.”

In Our text..

Moses is Preparing the People for What Is Next

Deuteronomy 6:1–3 ESV

Deuteronomy 6:1–3 ESV

1 “Now this is the commandment—the statutes and the rules—that the Lord your God commanded me to teach you, that you may do them in the land to which you are going over, to possess it, 2 that you may fear the Lord your God, you and your son and your son’s son, by keeping all his statutes and his commandments, which I command you, all the days of your life, and that your days may be long. 3 Hear therefore, O Israel, and be careful to do them, that it may go well with you, and that you may multiply greatly, as the Lord, the God of your fathers, has promised you, in a land flowing with milk and honey.

Israel was about to enter a new land full of unknowns—new battles, new temptations, new relationships, new leadership. Moses knew that transitions are vulnerable moments.

Reflection then action…

Som Moses says prepare in advances…

Moses says the lord to teach Israel in advances… do that when where in the land the y well practice is..

Remember years ago … read a book that talked about preparing our kids … we have limit Ed times to pack I to their suitcase…

Things..Like values..and Faith..

Reflection Prepares Us for What Is Next

We see this in the ministry of Jesus..

Before major moments in His ministry, Jesus withdrew, reflected, and sought the Father’s guidance.

Mark 3:13–14(ESV) says:

Mark 3:13–14 ESV

13 And he went up on the mountain and called to him those whom he desired, and they came to him. 14 And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach

Jesus doesn’t just send them out — He first forms them:

“…that they might be with Him…”

Before they preached, before they cast out demons, before they stepped into the world,

Jesus prepared them through presence, teaching, and relationship. This was deliberate. This was intentional formation.

There are several times in His ministry where Jesus …

Early mornings in prayer (Mark 1:35) — seeking the Father before daily ministry.

Before feeding the crowds (Luke 9:10–11) — reflecting and teaching before large-scale ministry.

Before the cross (Luke 22:39–46) — praying in Gethsemane to align with the Father’s will.

Reflection Prepares Us for Our Seasons of Transition

Many of us are entering seasons of transition:

A new year

A new challenge

A new opportunity

A new uncertainty

…— in the 16 Century — a Christian leader called Igneous came up with a daily prayer of examine…

Where every day — you reflect on God movents in our lives… an Examine bascially asks “am moving towards the grace of God or away from God”…

Regular refection. helps us think about what God is doing, where He is leading, and what we may need for the road ahead.

A prayer of Examine is preparing Our hearts — to receive what God has for us each day…

T/S Why is it important to take time to reflect? Reflections remind us of

T/S Why is it important to take time to reflect?

1. Refection Re focuses -on the Benefits of God’s Word

2. Reflection Prepares Us for What Is Next

3. Reflection Re-Centers Our Priorities

One of the first leadership books I ever picked up was actually at Pam’s parents’ house when I was in my early twenties. It was Steven Covey’s The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People.

Covey introduced a tool called the time management matrix, which evaluates tasks based on two factors: importanceand urgency.

Covey taught a powerful truth: most of us spend our lives in the tyranny of the urgent.

We respond to what screams the loudest — the crises, the deadlines, the interruptions — and neglect what truly matters.

We often live by Demands rather than Priorities…

Sometimes we don’t see this for ourselves..

MOSES EXPERIENCE FIRST HAND..

In the story of Israel in Exodus 18 — the people had multiplied in Egypt..

We told that Jethro Moses father in law observed Moses… and saw that he would sit judging the people from morning to evening—

… Moses

was exhausting himself and the people…. Jethro confronts Moses ..COMES WITH A SOLUTUION

His solution was simply — Moses ROLE BE ONE OF SEEKING GOD.. should represent the people before God and — teach the people Gods word…and deal with the more difficult issues…

And leave the judging of Israel to capable leaders — some would be over 1000’s and — hundreds - fiftties and tens… distributing the burden.. This would be a win win outcome for Moses and the people..

Not only would more peoples needs be met developing leaders..

What is interesting is that in Deuteronomy

This actually became the foundation of Israel Judicial system and govenance. .

Later, Deuteronomy 16:18 Moses instructs the appointment of judges and officers in all towns to judge the people with righteous judgment, institutionalizing what Moses established—a permanent structure ensuring justice -

What we learn the importance of Order…

We can be do it all the right things out of God order..

Augustine famously said that

“ sin is not just loving the wrong things, but loving the right things in the wrong order.” Augstine.

In Deuteronomy 6. Moses touches this are a of priorities.. He’s not merely giving law — he’s reordering their PRIORITE OR loves:

What come first.

lets read…

Deuteronomy 6:4–9 ESV

4 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

Moses …talking priorites..

Begins with God and his word..

THIS Section IS CALLED THE Shema, the WHICH THE Jewish confess AND recite daily.

Deuteronomy 6:4–9 ESV

The Lord our God, the Lord is one.

God here is called Elohim, the same word used in Genesis 1:

“In the beginning God (Elohim) created the heavens and the earth.”

The word Elohim is plural ..and points to the fullness of God’s nature …the Godmhead…who is ACTIVE IN CREATION.. We start who God is..

John 1:1–2 ESV

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.

Moses establishing order..

Next, Moses says:

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” (v.5)

Jesus later calls this the greatest commandment… love Godmlove others…

Here is the thing …we need to live Hod first.. that is the order..

Love for God establishes the central axis around which everything else in life revolves. Without it, life drifts. next priority..

Moses continues with the family

“These words shall be on your heart… teach them diligently to your children… bind them on your hand… write them on your doorposts and gates.” (vv.6–9)

now..In Israel, these commands were taken very literally.

The people would bind the law on leather straps around their wrists and foreheads, , as a constant reminder of God’s Word.

They also placed small boxes containing Scripture on their doorposts, so that entering and leaving their homes, they were reminded of God’s law and priorities.

As Christians, we may not wear leather straps or affix boxes to our doors, but the principle remains the same. 

We carry God’s Word on our hearts—through prayer, meditation, Scripture memorization, and teaching.

Our homes, habits, and routines become the “doorposts” where God’s Word shapes both our private and public life. Reflection and obedience transform these practices into spiritual rhythms that keep us aligned with God’s order and priorities.

CONCLUSION —

As we think about starting this year well, to be honest: it’s not about willpower…

It’s not about trying harder, fixing yourself, or keeping a list of resolutions.

True new beginnings don’t come from us—they come from God’s mercy and initiative.

Jeremiah tells us in his book laments…

Lamentations 3:22–23 KJV 1900

22 It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

Every morning, His mercies are fresh, and every day He invites us to 

His rest…and go walk in step with Him.

waliking mercy..

means reflecting, re-centering, and ordering our lives around Him.

Here is the thing..

God can be trusted because knows the story… begining - middle and the end…

A.W. Tozer points out something amazing about God’s attributes.. His Omnipotence..

Tozer says — the fact.

“That God appears at time’s beginning is not too difficult to comprehend, but that He appears at the beginning and end of time simultaneously is not so easy to grasp.5

A. W. Tozer

God is always present .

So as we step into this new year 2026, here’s the invitation:

 lean fully into God’s mercy,

and allow Him to write the story of your year.

When God is first, everything else finds its proper place. Start well—not by your strength, but by His.

CLOSING PRAYER

Lord, as we begin this new year, teach us to reflect. Help us remember Your faithfulness, recognize Your present work, and prepare for what You are inviting us into.

Center our lives on loving You with all our heart, soul, and might — so that those who come after us may see in us a faith worth following. In Jesus’ name, amen.