Friday, May 30, 2008

Sticking Your Neck Out

Many sacrifices are made for ministry that matters. Often, personal finances, time, and talents are devoted to meeting the needs that are not met through offerings or church budget allotments. We become vulnerable when we have to take a risk of personal loss for the sake of the message. If we are not willing to place our treasure in a place, then our hearts are somewhere else.

The neck of the body is what the head rests on. Necks provide support and allow the head to go in its intended direction. Unwillingness to submit is what the Bible calls "stiff-necked." Many stubborn dance participants refuse to personally invest time, resources, or faithfulness to the work. We reap by the same measure that we sow. If we invest little, there will be little return.

Kings adorned the necks of honored servants with gold chains. An ornament about the neck is a symbol of honor and grace. A yoke on the neck indicates bondage. Our actions as dance ministers can result in a reward or a burden. How we handle the work of the Lord will be returned to us. Let us make sure to keep our necks bowed down to the One who is able to set us free.

Deuteronomy 10:16 (NKJV)
Therefore circumcise the foreskin of your heart, and be stiff-necked no longer.

2 Chronicles 30:8 (NKJV)
Now do not be stiff-necked, as your fathers were, but yield yourselves to the LORD; and enter His sanctuary, which He has sanctified forever, and serve the LORD your God, that the fierceness of His wrath may turn away from you.

Nehemiah 9:16 (NKJV)
“But they and our fathers acted proudly, hardened their necks, and did not heed Your commandments.

Isaiah 10:27 (NKJV)
It shall come to pass in that day that his burden will be taken away from your shoulder, and his yoke from your neck, and the yoke will be destroyed because of the anointing oil.

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