THE MOST DANGEROUS THING YOU CAN EVER DO
NUM.32:1-12; 20-23
“Moses said to the Gadites and Reubenites, “Should your fellow Israelites go to war while you sit here?” (v.6)
Harry Houdini (1874-1926) was a Hungarian- American illusionist and stunt performer noted for his sensational escape acts. One of Houdini’s most famous tricks was his escape from a firmly-sealed packing crate after it had been dropped into water.
Houdini first performed the escape in New York’s East River in 1912. Locked in handcuffs and leg-irons, the crate he was in was then nailed shut and secured and weighted with 200 pounds of lead. The crate was lowered into the water; Houdini escaped in 57 seconds. No-one really knows how he did it but every time the trick was performed, the magician must have come perilously close to drowning!!
We also put ourselves in dangerous positions in our lives – perhaps not as dramatic as Houdini’s – but we can drive our cars too fast or tamper with electrical appliances that we know very little about. The list is endless but danger often arises because we make a bad or series of bad choices and they can equally apply to our personal relationships.
The Bible tells us that the most dangerous thing a person can do is rebel against God and be disobedient to His will. One of the hardest things to do after we are saved is
to persevere, or continue in the faith, without being derailed by the Devil. Satan sets out to trap us by many detours on the road of life!
In this passage, Moses is instructing the children of Reuben and of Gad that they are to go over the River Jordan, and help the other 10 tribes subdue the land of Canaan. Then they can return to the east side of Jordan if they wish. What he was saying was: “There is a great need beyond the river. You are needed to meet the need and to do the work of God!”
The same is true for us today. If you go and do as the Lord has commanded, you can help meet the existing need, the need that God has put us here to meet, and then to live a full life honouring to Him by claiming the inheritance Christ has bought for each one of us in God’s Kingdom.
If you are not willing to play your part, beware!” God does not just hope but expects all of us to serve Him. Our part may be different from that of our neighbour but all of us have a role to play.
Moses warned the people that if they did not go and help their brothers defeat the enemy, they were committing a great sin and that God would deal with that sin!
What is God asking you to do for Him at Tabernacle or wider afield for the extension of His Kingdom? Ask Him prayerfully to show you clearly and then do it willingly.
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EASTER BLESSING
We were blessed in our Easter services and we would like to thank everyone who contributed in any way. The weekend got off to a great start with the United Communion Service when the guest preacher was Pastor Phil Evans (Golden Grove). On Good Friday our morning and evening services were well attended with Pastor Peter Palmer and the Rev Richard Harrison being the guest speakers.
It was a joy to see the Sunday school children and young people performing their Easter play on Sunday morning and we are always grateful for all the hard work put in over many weeks by the Sunday school teachers and helpers. In particular, we would like to thank two of our relative newcomers, Lyn Brown and Jodi Spiers. Lyn wrote the script and Jodi designed and produced the scenery.
On Sunday evening, Pastor Peter Cho – still recovering after problems with his voice – closed the series of services with another powerful Gospel message.
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SPEAKERS FOR SUNDAY SERVICES IN APRIL
3rd: a.m. Mr Ron Spillards
p.m. Mr John Thomas
10th: a.m. Pastor Peter Cho
p.m. Pastor David Palmer
17th: a.m. Pastor Peter Cho
p.m. “ “ “
24th: a.m. Pastor Peter Cho
p.m. Mr Geoff Champion
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