What an exciting service on Sunday! From the Worship of God to the Word of God and everything in between. Unfortunately we ran out of the grape juice for communion and there were about 30 people who were not able to take part. I did not hear anyone complaining. That is not the kind of people we have at our church. This is the first time I can recall this happening. It is a good problem to have but one we don’t want to repeat. We had 307 in attendance on Sunday and I believe there are many more big days to come. God is pouring out His Spirit on our church and people are responding.
I was drawn to a passage in Deuteronomy 4:37-40, where Moses is repeating an observation that he previously made. That God had delivered His people from bondage In Egypt by whatever means was available. God had everything at His fingertips so it was going to happen no matter what. It goes along with my message on Sunday concerning the Lord doing whatever it takes to fulfill His promises.
“Because He loved your ancestors and chose their descendants after them, He brought you out of Egypt by His Presence and His great strength, to drive out before you nations greater and stronger than you and to bring you into their land to give it to you for your inheritance, as it is today.” Deut. 3:37-38
Moses uses two covenantial words in these two verses: the words, “Love” and “Choose.” To love is to choose, and to choose is to love. God chose to redeem because of His Love. The Exodus deliverance was based on God’s covenant with His people. It is not based on what we have done, simply on the basis of God’s Word to us. During this Advent season we are reminded of God’s great love for us to come and redeem us. What a God we serve. Now we are asked to have covenant obedience by recognizing that God is God of all and we are to live our lives according to that knowledge.
“Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the Lord is God in heaven above and on the earth below. There is no other.” Deuteronomy 3:39
Now we move to the last verse which summarizes what God expects. Simply put, He demands obedience to His decrees and commands. It is our privilege to follow God’s ways as He proves over and over His love for us in allowing His Son to become sin so we can fulfill the covenant stipulations. If we do, then we can expect blessing and longevity for us and our future family.
“Keep His decrees and commands, which I am giving you today, so that it may go well with you and your children after you and that you may live long in the land the Lord your God gives you for all time.” Deuteronomy 3:40
I am looking forward to the Children’s Musical this Sunday. It’s always good when the church family comes together and experiences Advent as our children share the message.
Joy in Jesus!
Pastor Mike
No comments:
Post a Comment