Good morning everyone! Deuteronomy chapter 27.
In this chapter the Israelites are addressed three times:
1. By Moses and the elders who remind the people to keep God's commandments.
2. By Moses and the priest who remind the people to keep God's laws. Plus they are assigned the job of cursing anyone who disobeys God's laws.
3. By Moses alone who assigns the 22 tribes and the priests to be presenters of blessings or cursings.
Reading this chapter is actually refreshing to me for it shows teamwork and commitment amongst the team.
Something I feel is lacking within the church today is leadership that is seen by the congregation. Don't get me wrong, most every church has elders and leaders in place. But all too often God's vision of the church is presented only by the pastor. I think it's hard to get the church excited with God's Vision if only one person presents the vision. I feel the vision will lack credibility. If the whole leadership is seen by the congregation presenting the vision then I feel the vision gains credibility amongst the congregation and helps increase the probability of the congregation getting behind God's vision. I don't think it's enough for a congregation to know God has a vision in order for them to get behind it. I think God's vision takes on value when the church sees both the pastor and the whole leadership living and presenting and speaking about the vision.
Some questions to think about. What is the vision of the church you attend? Do you see God's Vision articulated? Do you feel it's just the pastor behind the vision trying to get others excited about it? Or do you see the whole leadership team behind the vision trying to get others excited about it? Are you behind the vision 100%… A committed participant? What part do you play in carrying out the vision? Or are you a spectator? How can you move from a spectator position to a participant? Find out what the needs of the church are and see where your gifts can be used to help move the church forward and help impact the lives for Jesus. Talk to your pastor or leader of the church and see what needs exist. Then get behind it and get involved.
While reading chapter 27, I was wondering about how difficult it may have been for Moses to give directions about what to do on the other side of the Jordan River, but to know that he couldn’t go with them there himself. Here are some verses that I’m sharing today from Psalm 106.
Verses 24-25: Then they despised the pleasant land; having no faith in His promise. They murmured in their tents, and did not obey the voice of the Lord.
Verses 32-33: They angered Him at the waters of Meribah, and it went ill with Moses on their account, for they made his spirit bitter, and he spoke rashly with his lips.
May we be careful not to become bitter or speak rashly when dealing with those who might murmur and complain.
May we not do any of the things that lead to being cursed.
A little verse that doesn’t really capture the overall message of this chapter really stood out to me:
7 “Sacrifice fellowship offerings there, eating them and rejoicing in the presence of the Lord your God.”
This was to be done after the Israelites crossed over into the promised land. Fellowship offerings… God wanted His people to come together, eat, and rejoice in His amazing presence! How often to we allow our lives to get so busy, we don’t take time to do what God has asked of us, be in fellowship with one another and enjoy His love for us! I know personally I have times where I want to be introverted and stay in my comfort zone and no branch out to fellowship with others after mass or for church events. I think this goes along with what Blair said about being connected with leadership and helping to grow the vision of a church and it’s community.
I hope we can take some time to be in fellowship with one another and enjoy Gods presence in our lives!