Get Close To The Lord

DECISIONS, THEY ARE YOURS, MAKE THEM # 3

Deuteronomy 11:26-28a
“Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse; A blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you this day: And a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the LORD your God,”

People choose God’s blessing or His curse.
Sin dishonors God. Israel belonged to God. They did not give God the honor they should have. And yet they expected God to bless them. Listen, God will not be used for an emergency kit in some tight spot. God is on His throne, and men must reckon with Him. God will be your partner, but do not leave Him out of your plans. If we are to have God’s blessings then we need to get on our knees and ask God’s forgiveness. A sin loving, pleasure seeking generation must wake up and realize that God must be dealt with. He will not be used, but He does desire to bless us. Leftovers are not enough.

Malachi 1:7
“Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of the LORD is contemptible.”

Oh, listen to me, they had brought that which was not their best to the Lord. God’s people had robbed God of that which was His. Polluted bread, leftovers were far too often given to God. God had called for the best of the flock. The first lamb without spot or blemish. The tithe, which was the first tenth. Are we guilty of giving God just the leftovers? Service to God should never become tiresome.

Malachi 1:13
“Ye said also, Behold, what a weariness is it! and ye have snuffed at it, saith the LORD of hosts; and ye brought that which was torn, and the lame, and the sick; thus ye brought an offering: should I accept this of your hand? saith the LORD.”

Malachi 3:14
“Ye have said, It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the LORD of hosts?”

The people were tired of serving God and yet they expected His blessings. There are many people today who have become tired of serving the Lord. They are too tired to go to church on Sunday. They are too lazy to get up and dress for Sunday School. They have their favorite TV programs on Sunday and Wednesday nights. It is difficult for many churches to find enough willing people to fill the places of
service. People either work too hard or stay out too late Saturday night to be fit for worship on Sunday. Listen, when God’s people get right with God, things will happen. God’s blessings will come. There will be standing room only in the church. Budgets will grow and the storehouse will overflow. God’s blessings will be upon us.

Yes, the decisions are ours, are we willing to make them?

Russell Stolp
Chaplain, CFO

Psalm 37:4 "Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart."
Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy
ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.