DEVOTION: (A warning: some of the subject matter in the reading for today may not be suitable for younger readers. Use your best discretion parents.) Numbers 25:1-8 While Israel lived in Shittim, the people began to whore with the daughters of Moab. These invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods, and the people ate and bowed down to their gods. So Israel yoked himself to Baal of Peor. And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel. And the LORD said to Moses, "Take all the chiefs of the people and hang them in the sun before the LORD, that the fierce anger of the LORD may turn away from Israel." And Moses said to the judges of Israel, "Each of you kill those of his men who have yoked themselves to Baal of Peor." And behold, one of the people of Israel came and brought a Midianite woman to his family, in the sight of Moses and in the sight of the whole congregation of the people of Israel, while they were weeping in the entrance of the tent of meeting. When Phinehas the son of Eleazar, son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose and left the congregation and took a spear in his hand and went after the man of Israel into the chamber and pierced both of them, the man of Israel and the woman through her belly. Thus the plague on the people of Israel was stopped. Here's the deal folks. God doesn't look kindly on false worship. He hates it when people are worshiping other gods beside Him. He abhors it when we put other gods in front of Him or when we make other gods equal to Him. I don't know how else to put it. There is only one God! His name is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The first commandment is "You shall have no other gods before me." All of the other commandments hinge on this one. Did you read what happened when the Israelites did what they did? God told them not to and they did it anyway so they suffered the consequences of their sin. As drastic and as serious as this tory may seem, it is nothing compared to what will happen to those who worship false gods and do not believe in the true God after they die. What are the false gods in your life that are taking you further and further away from the one true God? Is it your money? Is it your time? Is it your comfort or your convenience? Is it your pride? Is it your own judgment of others? Whatever it is know that the Lord doesn't like it. He hates it. He abhors it! Now also know that He gives you a way out of it. He gives you Himself. Tomorrow night you will have a real physical and spiritual way to bring those sins in your life that are dragging you down, to the forefront and literally put a sign of them on your forehead. Then you will be able to leave them there at God's altar. I urge you to come to worship tomorrow night so that you may find relief from your sins through God's grace! That the plague of sin in your life may be stopped and you may be refreshed and renewed in HIM!! Let us pray: Lord God, help me to realize the serious of my sins and that they only bring me further away from You. Then help me to give them up to You so that my soul may be refreshed daily by You. Amen. ____________________________________________________________________________________ TUESDAY'S QUIZ: Who was Balaam? (try this one more day) _____________________________________________________________________________________ CALENDAR: Tues- Quilters 9-2; Bible study 11:30-12:15; trustees meeting 7pm Wed- Ash Wednesday supper 5:30; worship 6:30; newsletter deadline Sat- worship 5pm Sun- worship 8:30; Sunday school 9:45; worship 11am; voter's meeting at 9:45 __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ NEWS: LENT BEGINS WITH ASH WEDNESDAY TOMORROW!! Supper starts at 5:30 and WORSHIP STARTS AT 6:30. Tell your friends, neighbors, relatives and everyone else you know about this wonderful opportunity for food,fellowship and worship! Fried chicken and all the fixings for supper!! __________________________________________________________________________________ VOTER'S MEETING THIS SUNDAY at 9:45!! Agendas are in the office. ____________________________________________________________________________ RURAL KING is donating 5% of net total of receipts to our congregation for purchases made this week, Feb 10-16. Get your fertilizer, dog food, seeds, etc. Bring your receipts, no photocopies, to the church office by the end of Feb. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ A HUGE THANK YOU TO ALL WHO PARTICPATED IN THE YOUTH GROUP STEAK DINNER AND AUCTION!! We've raised somewhere around $8,000!!! We are set to go to San Antonio for the youth gathering and to do some servant and mission trips for the coming years as well!! There are way too many to thank! It was, as always, an awesome event and everyone had a great time! ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ |
