THE NEW EWE

"What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!'"

Luke 15:4-6

September 8, 2021

LIFE IN THE FOLD:

In Leviticus chapter six, the Lord gave Moses instructions for the burnt offering; telling Moses commands to give to Aaron and his sons, who were the priests.

God told him that the burnt offering shall remain on the hearth atop the altar all night until morning, while the fire of the altar is kept burning on it.

Again in verse 5, the Lord repeats, "The fire on the altar is to be kept burning on it -- it must not go out." Each morning the priest was to burn wood on it, laying the burnt offering in order upon it.

A third time, the Lord once again says in verse 6, "Fire is to be kept burning on the altar continually -- it must not go out."

First of all, there were three duties involved in these instructions. There were the priest who were to offer the burnt offering upon the fire during the day. This position would have been one that would have received recognition and honor from the people. Their roles would put them where they were visible to each individual as they brought their sacrifices.

Next there were those who had the night watch to keep the fires burning, without allowing it to go out. While others were in their tents with their families and sleeping, they were all alone in the darkness, making sure that the fire remained burning without going out. This was a duty that no one ever saw or noticed. Perhaps at one time they had been told that the fire had to continually burn; but very likely, most went about their own duties, taking care of their own families and concerns, and never thought about who was responsible for taking care of it. This was a position with very little or no recognition, unseen by anyone.

Thirdly, where did all that wood come from to keep the fire on the altar continually burning? There were those whose job was to cut down trees, chop wood and make sure that there was always plenty on hand for the priests to keep the fires burning. They may have delivered the wood in the evening hours, so they wouldn't disrupt or be in the way while the priests were offering the sacrifices. No one may have even considered, "Where does all this wood come from to keep the fire burning 24 hours a day, 7 days a week?" Except for the priests who depended on the wood, it was probably a pretty thankless job with no acknowledgement or words of appreciation.

Was one of those jobs more important or more necessary than the others? Absolutely not! It took all of them working together to keep God's command regarding this. If the night priest, who was on duty, fell asleep and failed to keep the fire continuously burning, then they wouldn't have been able to keep God's command. He had to stay alert and be on watch.

Had those, whose jobs were to cut the wood needed for the sacrifices, failed to do their job and failed to keep a sufficient supply of wood cut for to keep the fire continuously burning, then the priests wouldn't have been able to do their jobs.

Even though the priests, who were on duty during the day and offered the burnt offerings, were the ones who were seen and got the recognition and honor, they couldn't have done what they were ordered to do without the cooperation and faithfulness of the others.

Sometimes it's easy to get distracted or misguided in thinking that those whose positions are ones that get the most recognition are the most important. But the truth is, it takes everyone working together and doing what God has called them to do to make the body of Christ complete and effective.

We need to realize that no one is inferior or insignificant in God's sight. He doesn't see some as being more special or more important than others. God loves each of us equally and what He has gifted us to do is much needed.

In His body, those in positions that are seen -- such as the eyes, hands, feet, ears -- are equally important to those hidden -- such as the pancreas, liver, kidneys. It takes everyone doing their job and what God designed them to do to make a healthy, living, vibrant church.

Don't despise being a woodcutter, instead of a priest. Don't complain if you are a night watchman. None can function and do their job without the cooperation of the others. Let's do whatever God has called us to do heartily and with a joyful heart, knowing that we are important and needed.

JON'S PERSPECTIVE:

Churches don't need to keep the alter flames going now. And they don't need firewood. So, what can you do? There are lots of things.

On the bigger side, there are almost always maintenance things needed on a church. You could put graphite on the door hinges, mow the lawn, paint inside or out, screw down loose steps, or just replace dead light bulbs.

If you are a good cleaner, almost any church would love to have volunteers to clean, take out trash, etc.

If there's nothing on the church itself that needs done, you could show up a little early, and visit with people as they come in. People new to a church usually feel a lot more comfortable when someone welcomes them, and lets them know they are welcome, and the church is friendly. And even people who have gone to a church for years can get frustrated with a church that doesn't welcome them.

These aren't the jobs that people usually recognize, or even think about appreciating. But they are always glad they get done. And it can be fun seeing if anyone notices, and know the secret of who did it.

ON THE MENEWE:

Fruit Dip

Soften cream cheese. Blend in brown sugar and vanilla.

Serve with apple slices, strawberries, grapes, pineapple chunks or any other kind of fruit you'd like.

THIS, THAT AND THE OTHER:

When my oldest two sisters were in elementary school, they attended a really small country school. One winter day, it was time to go home, and my oldest sister saw a pair of gloves lying there and thought they belonged to her sister. She grabbed them, but after she got home, realized that they belonged to someone else. Her little sister had left her gloves at home that day. She didn't know what to do with the gloves, so threw them behind the refrigerator to hide them. She was afraid if someone saw her with them, they would think she had stolen them. She was too embarrassed to tell anybody what she had done. A few weeks later, my parents were moving to another house and when they moved the refrigerator, they found the gloves hidden back there. They asked my sister about them, and found out what she had done. My mom took her to the other girl's house and made her give them back and apologize. My oldest sister said that she was so embarrassed, and going and apologizing was one of the hardest things she's ever had to do!

THOUGHT TO PONDER:

The giant in front of you is never bigger than the God who lives in you. - Christine Caine

OUR HEARTFELT THANKS TO YOU:

We love you!

Loretta & Jon

http://www.graysheep.org