July 29 2012
We woke up and headed out to have family pictures taken. And then we got to visit family. Well when I say family I mean the Body we were apart of when we lived here. It was such a rich time hearing Truth that is at this moment applicable to our lives and seeing sweet friends.
JUST MY NOTES FROM THE SERMON:
Duet 26
Moses is now giving the Israelites some instructions.
1-11: loving obedience to a loving God.
God is asking for their first fruits.
Their grumblings were well documented in scripture. God's provision is given. But He requires them to recognize the giver. Reminding themselves that this land is a gift from God. Even though they will have to act to receive the gift.
It was not given bc of their merit but bc of Gods goodness. He knew they would be tempted to trust their own effort and forget his timing, provision, faith.
Sometimes we feel like we are being lazy in the world eyes. But still He says wait and trust Me. He always provides, he always has. He doesn't NEED us. He will remind us that He DOES and we do not.
25:5-9/ He brought them out, He reminds them where they were and where they would be if not for the provision of His hand. To acknowledge their helplessness without him.
A feeling of gratitude. Vs-10&11
We have to remember our depravity to realize the sacrifice He made. Those around us benefit from the worship act that overflows from our relationship with our Father.
To be Given something you have to be humble to receive it.
Acts 2 - genuine worship results on many being added to the church.
Duet 26:12-15/ the Israelites put aside provisions to take care of the poor, widow, orphan.
Practicing putting God first not idols or other people.
Faith without works....... What use is that?
Duet 26:16 do the things with all your hearts. The heart is the issue.
All is Gods already. He didn't NEED the 1st fruits. He wanted their hearts. The Harvest was already His, He created.
Do I trust God when I don't need to?
Do I trust him past what my bank account says, what I know I have, what I feel comfortable laying out.
You can obey well, but they were like white washed tombs, our dead mans bones,.......He is after loving obedience from his children, His people, His treasured possession.
Duet
10:12-13/ He requires our obedience with all our HEART and SOUL......for our good.
The best we can do is filthy rags, but He came and died for us to replace our sin with His righteousness. How can we see this sacrifice and pursuance from our God as anything other than LOVE.
Sons and daughters, heirs.
If you don't need me but you want my heart and all these things you do for my good. What would we not give to Him. What else can I give that others would know You.
We start serving out of gratitude instead of obligation. Giving differently. Going differently. Sharing out of urgency that others would know Him. We are compelled to Obey and our hearts are glad. Pondering the cross, it's transforming power, all the Love it took to complete the giving of Jesus.
Rom 5:8/ He demonstrated His love.
Isaiah 28:16/ whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed.
Everything else fails in comparison.
After Truth like this I am grateful for My Father's provision and his unfailing love for me.
Here is one of our friends Mallory, she now lives in Wake Forest with her husband Daniel.
We left right after church to head to VA for a conference. And well the ride was wearing on these guys so we had a Target pit stop. Sometimes you just have to let the kiddos play for a while.
Riding through one of our favorite places. Richmond VA.
And then we finally made it to Alexandria VA. Goodnight.
And here is just a funny. Noah's I don't want to eat face. Both our boys didn't eat as well on the trip. Makes this Momma want to worry. But you know they aren't starving, they have some meat on there bones.
