Be a Part

Based on Numbers 32-34, Mark 9:30-50

We all want to feel like we are a part of something...but usually when we have that longing feeling, we are "apart", not "a part." We want to be a part, but instead, we are apart. Sometimes, that happens because of intimidation of others. Or, sometimes that happens because of a fear of commitment on our end. Whatever the case may be, I pray we will cast all that aside, especially when we want to be a part of the Body of Christ & God's Kingdom!

God is not looking for perfection...He is looking for a willingness to be perfected. He is looking for people who will fight for His Cause!

"And Moses said unto the children of Gad and to the children of Reuben, Shall your brethren go to war, and shall ye sit here? And wherefore discourage ye the heart of the children of Israel from going over into the land which the Lord hath given them?" Numbers 32:6‭-‬7.

The children of Reuben & Gad wanted a land that was just shy of the promised land...yes, it made sense for their cattle to be there considering the great grazing conditions of the land...but what about them? These were the survivors! Their parents were not able to enter the promised land, but the younger generation was spared...and they were going to stop short!? So they agreed to go to war, be a part & fight, but then they would go back & reside there...

"And, behold, ye are risen up in your fathers' stead, an increase of sinful men, to augment yet the fierce anger of the Lord toward Israel. For if ye turn away from after him, he will yet again leave them in the wilderness; and ye shall destroy all this people. And they came near unto him, and said, We will build sheepfolds here for our cattle, and cities for our little ones: But we ourselves will go ready armed before the children of Israel, until we have brought them unto their place: and our little ones shall dwell in the fenced cities because of the inhabitants of the land."
Numbers 32:14‭-‬17.

The children of Reuben & Gad mattered in the fight. YOU matter in the fight!! Don't ever think God doesn't need you, or that you can't measure up, or you can't be a part of God's church in this day & hour! There are no special qualifications that you need to create yourself...God has created you to grow, to change, to learn anyway...all you need is a willing commitment to the cause! Cast off the things that hold back!

"And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire:" Mark 9:47.

Our eyes can tempt us to be a part of something else, something apart from God. Our eyes can deceive us into thinking we don't need church...we don't need God...but just as the last post, don't believe your eyes! Believe God! He has a special plan, and we have to stay close to Him & be a part of Him to find out!