Good morning you guys! So sorry I didn't get yesterdays entry in. Camps have started and I did third shift fill in. So I told myself I'd enter the entry after breakfast and it never happened. I hope you're doing well and still pushing forward in God's Word!
Numbers chapter 7.
God's house was assembled, anointed and consecrated. It was set apart for God's work and for his glory. Immediately the leaders were role models for their family and tribes by offering sacrifices and gifts for the Lord. I feel our churches struggle in finding leaders within the church who will support the pastor and the vision God has given them. We lack commitment and support from leaders who can act as a role model for the rest of the congregation. I've heard it said that a church will only be 80% as committed as their leadership. Think about that! So if the church leadership lacks commitment, then the church body will be even less committed. I feel we need to be in church and Sunday school for personal growth and as a role model to others to demonstrate the value of fellowship other than in the pews. If a person comes to church and sees you in the pews every time they come, then it tells them that church must be important. If they don't see you much then it's like telling the new person, it's not that important. It's the same with Sunday school. The new person comes and see the leaders not going to Sunday school so they make a conclusion: it's not that important. The more the new person sees committed people, the more he / she sees that church is more than just a “resting” place. It's a ministry place! A place to learn and grow. A place to be encouraged. A place to encourage others. A place of fellowship and developing relationships. A place to get involved and use one's gifts and talents. Think how much more effective a church could be if more people got committed and supported the vision and purpose of the church. People often approach the pastors with a great idea on a new ministry that should be done within the church. Or have an idea how a ministry they're doing could be improved. When they are told that's a great idea why don't you take charge? The idea all of a sudden ends.
I get it we're busy, but sometimes it's a matter of re-prioritizing what is really important to us.
Do you have a passion for the church and its ministries? Get involved. Get committed! It's not always easy and requires sacrifices but the rewards are great and lives will be impacted: Yours and others.
How supportive are we to the church. Let's rate ourselves on a scale of 0 to 10. Now ask God, “How would You want me to improve?
Pastor Blair’s comments today make me think of what we read in Hebrews 10:24-25.
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
The story that touched my heart today was about the distribution of the carts and oxen that were gifted to the ministry. Moses distributed them according to the priests’ service. The men that carried the heaviest load – the boards, silver sockets, etc., were given more carts and oxen. When we look at others, do we wonder why they seem to be more blessed than we are? Life isn’t fair but God is. We need to remind ourselves that they may have heavy burdens, responsibilities, or obligations that we don’t understand. To whom much is given, much is required (Luke 12:48). Likewise, do you see people and wonder how they can possibly bear the burdens they carry … God gave them the oxen necessary oxen and carts to bear the burden. He does the same for you and me.
Lord, I know You are all I need. Set the agenda. Give me what You know is best for me.
Love all the comments today. I noticed how at the end of describing each of the offerings, they give the grand total of the weight of the shekels and the animals given as an offering. It reminds me that so often in today’s society we want to focus on what we do, or one person’s accomplishments. But God wants us to be in community with one another because when you think about the numbers in just one offering, compared to the numbers when all is put together, you see a much greater number. And it was important enough to end the chapter writing out the totals of ALL the offerings combined, even though they were all exactly the same. Let us remember we can do more together than we can alone, and work to be in fellowship together to further the kingdom of God!