Blessing and Curse

I was reading in Numbers and Deuteronomy this morning and was caught up in the continuing cycle of blessings and curses that were consistently occuring in the life of the Israelites. Deut. 11:26 - "See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse...the blessing if you obey the commands of the Lord your God...." That got me to thinking about my last congregation -- how whenever we were faithful to the mission God had given us on the hills of north Atanta, we were wonderfully blessed. Whenever we were not so faithful, but followed our own agendas, the blessings were scarce. I think that's true with any local or national church, all individuals -- follow God's leading and commandments and receive the blessings. Fail to do so and the blessings cease. Then comes the call to repentance, confession and renewed commitment to God's leading. As James reminds us that there is wisdom from above and there is earthly wisdon. Follow the former for the blessing. Follow the latter for ... well, you know. It's always been that way and always will be. Choices, choices...!