Believe Today!

Deuteronomy 2: ⁷ The Lord your God has blessed you in everything your hands have done. He watched over you when you traveled through that huge desert. For these 40 years the Lord your God has been with you. So you have had everything you need.

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“I think I can make it!” I said to myself as I sprinted through the busiest airport.  Fortunately my plane was at a close gate this time.  As I arrived at the gate, to my dismay the plane was pulling away and so went my dreams of having this wonderful conversation with the partner of the firm.

“GOD, why did YOU put all this traffic in my way?” I mean I left in plenty of time, or so I thought. Now I have to catch another plane, arrive late and instead of being on the partners’ good side, I would have to explain my shame away!

• In moments of stress I quickly fall into a panic.
• In moments of duress I easily fall blind to what’s wrong.
• In moments of pressure I hastily fall into short term planning without thinking.

My panic comes from an unsatisfied expectation of GOD.  I mean when I really want something I can’t have then panic sets in because I haven’t thought of another path.  I only thought about getting or achieving “that” thing. When I panic I lose trust in GOD.

• GOD says “stand still and watch the great thing the LORD is about to do right here in front of you!”
• GOD says “I decided to show you my power”
• GOD says “This day is your deliverance.”

During stressful times, GOD wants me to quiet down for a moment and communicate with HIM.  HE wants me to understand HIS might and power in the situation. When I allow GOD to take on the fight my trust increases.

Looking back on the many disappointments I’ve had in life, I have realized it was great that I didn’t get what I wanted because GOD gave me what I needed!

• Is your faith slipping?
• Did you want something so bad only to find it crumbling away from you?
• Are you willing to let GOD take things away from you?
• Can you let HIM guide you onto HIS path instead of trying to do things on your own?

Threatening GOD

Deuteronomy 1: ²⁹ Then I said to you, “Don’t be terrified. Don’t be afraid of them. ³⁰ The Lord your God will go ahead of you. He will fight for you. With your own eyes you saw how he fought for you in Egypt.

³¹ “You also saw how the Lord your God brought you through the desert. He carried you everywhere you went, just as a father carries his son. And now you have arrived here.”

³² In spite of that, you didn’t trust in the Lord your God.

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For months our lives were put on hold.  Every decision was based on the possibility of moving to a new city “if” I got the top position in the company. I felt extremely nervous during the interview and did not get the position. I do remember pouting.

“LORD, what’s the purpose of being ‘good’ if nothing comes out of it? I’m done serving!” I said during my tantrum. Little did I know HE had much better things in mind for me and I was busy making HIM an enemy!

• When I have trials placed in front of me I sometimes pout.
• When I have obstacles placed in front of me I sometimes kick and scream at GOD.
• When I am not getting “my” way I sometimes throw a tantrum, threatening GOD in the process.

Like a four year old who wants to run away from home I looked around and realized, where will I go? I mean everything and everywhere and everyone is HIS. You would think I would become rational at that realization. Instead I thought, “well, YOU are GOD, of course ‘YOU’ would say don’t be terrified and don’t be afraid, but I’m human what can I do?”

• GOD says “TRUST in the LORD with all your heart in all your ways and do not lean to your own understanding.”
• GOD says “Put aside childish things” and “have faith in your GOD for I delivered you.”
• GOD says “the fear of GOD is the beginning of wisdom.”

In other words, why am I yelling at GOD for not getting my way?  GOD has a better plan that I could never dream up.  HIS ways are solid and I can be free to be “me”, not what everyone expects me to be. I don’t have to threaten HIM or coerce HIM into getting something I probably didn’t want in the first place.

GOD knows what’s best. HE wants a solid “trust” from me. I Believe!

• Do you doubt GOD?
• Are you ready to throw in the towel because life is getting difficult?
• Why do you have to be convinced over and over that GOD is faithful?
• Won’t you get rid of you pride of needing GOD to prove HIMSELF and show HIM your trust?

GOD hasn’t changed HIS mind

Deuteronomy 1: ⁸ “I have given you all of that land. Go in and take it as your own. I took an oath. I promised I would give the land to your fathers. I promised it to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. I also said I would give it to their children after them.”

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Crisp air takes my mind back to my first career type job I had. For the first time in most of my life I did not have to return to school. I was working every day! I prayed for the first time in a long time. “LORD please make me successful.” There were no expectations, no definitions, and no exceptions to my prayer.

I felt a sense of peace after that prayer, almost like “It’s already done.” Little did I know, GOD had an incredible journey that would take years to unfold. There were many turbulent times that I felt like giving up. HE made me wildly “successful” from a human perspective. That sense of peace actually told me HE would do it and HE did.

• Sometimes I can’t see the end of the road because I’m too busy looking at the problems.
• Sometimes I can’t see progress in my journey because I’m too busy looking backwards.
• Sometimes I can’t see grace because I’m too busy looking at judgment of others.

GOD said HIS people would receive the land and they did. GOD said humans would have a difficult time on this planet and they are. GOD never makes a statement and then change HIS mind or change the rules. HE lives by HIS decree and once it is spoken it cannot be retracted.

• GOD said to me “I loved you before you were made.”
• GOD said to me “I made you in MY image and you are beautifully and wonderfully made.”
• GOD said to me “I will be with you always.”

When HE sealed my eternal relationship with the HOLY SPIRIT, HE enabled me to always have a way back to HIM when I sin. HE guides me on the correct path and HE delivers on ALL of HIS promises. My expectations are sinful and somehow HE corrects me and delivers me to the right place. HE makes me “successful” in HIS eyes and that’s all that matters!

  

• Are you waiting on GOD’s blessing with a certain expectation of what “success” looks like?
• Do you set goals for GOD that HE will never meet?
• Won’t you tear down your expectations of GOD and praise HIM for the blessings HE is giving you?
• Can you accept HIS promises HE is giving you and recognize HIS daily grace?

GOD lives here too

Numbers: ³³ “‘Do not pollute the land where you are. Murder pollutes the land. Only one thing can pay to remove the pollution in the land where murder has been committed. The blood of the one who spilled another’s blood must be spilled. ³⁴ So do not make the land where you live “unclean.” I live there too. I live among the people of Israel. I am the Lord.’”

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“GOD lives here too.” This seemed very profound to me.  HE lives in my house and sees everything I’m doing. If I tried to do something in secret, HE knows.  Even when I try to justify why I am sinning GOD knew the seed of sin was the problem and HE doesn’t even listen to any excuse I could come up with.

HE made a clear way back to HIM.

• My sin requires atonement through bloodshed.
• My sin requires that I be put to death.
• My sin requires that I spend eternity separated from GOD’s love.

Since my birth made me a sinner, I seemed destined to spend eternity separated from GOD.

• JESUS volunteered to take my punishment.
• JESUS paid the penalty of my sin by shedding HIS blood for me.
• JESUS sent the HOLY SPIRIT to live in me, sealing my relationship with HIM for eternity.

While the Earth is still polluted with my sin, GOD rescues me through HIS own power in the middle of my sin. HE doesn’t even expect me to clean myself up in order to have a relationship with HIM. HIS love is sufficient!

• Have you done something in secret?
• Do you think you are hiding what you have done from GOD?
• Can you confess what you have done or are planning to do and let GOD deal with it?
• Won’t you accept HIS love the way HE wants to give it?

Act like I mean it

Numbers 33: ⁵⁵ “‘But suppose you do not drive out the people who are living in the land. Then those you allow to remain there will become like needles in your eyes. They will become like thorns in your sides. They will give you trouble in the land where you will live. ⁵⁶ Then I will do to you what I plan to do to them.’”

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“Serves him right” was my thought as the news about another boss being release from “our” company.  “He was a jerk anyway” came across my mind. My compassion was extremely low for those who mistreated people.

Years later they were asking me to leave. I just knew it was a joke so I reached out my hand to those I had supported so they could rally around me. I could not find compassion.

• Some of the things I do may pop up later.
• Some of the ways I act will appear later.
• Some of the actions I take will grow into a crop later.

“You will reap what you sow” is what the LORD tells me. If I sow complaints about people, then complaints will be made about me. If I look at everyone else’s heart and not look at my own then the measure of judgment I hold on them will be held on me.

One day I will stand in front of GOD and account for my sins. GOD wants me to keep reducing the number of sins I commit so they won’t be “thorns in my sides.” HE knows sin will give me nothing but trouble so HE provided a plan.

• JESUS died for my sins and took away my eternal consequences for them.
• JESUS knew how disruptive sin is in my life so HE sent the COMFORTER to live inside me.
• JESUS forgave me for my sins before HE created me.

“It is finished” are the words JESUS uttered as HE died for me. HIS resurrection from this murder is the final statement to mankind showing HIS power over life and death. Now it’s up to me. I can treat this overwhelming act of love as common or I can truly appreciate its power.

• Are you trying to justify your sin by talking about someone else?
• Do you think GOD is pleased with you when you talk about “that” person?
• Can you plant a crop of encouragement, kindness, faithfulness and trust?
• Won’t you seek GOD’s kingdom instead of seeking justification for your actions?

Have Courage!

Numbers 32: ²⁰ Then Moses said to them, “Do what you have promised to do. Prepare yourselves to fight for the Lord. ²¹ Prepare yourselves and go across the Jordan River. Fight for the Lord until he has driven out his enemies in front of him.

²² “When the land is under the Lord’s control, you can come back here. Your duty to the Lord and Israel will be over. Then the Lord will give you this land as your own.

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Traffic seemed thick on this rainy day heading into work. Several drivers seemed persistent on cutting me off. At work it seemed like nothing but bad news spewed from each person I met. I felt unnerved when I heard about some of the larger issues.

Then one of the senior executives came to me and said “Take the weather with you!” He smiled and walked away whistling! “Why is he so happy? This is a rotten day and everyone around me is rotten!” I thought to myself.

• Listening to negative attitudes can rob me of my courage.
• My negative mindset can make me fearful.
• Seeing nothing but problems can make me lose my courage.

Despair and hopelessness come from me dwelling on what I can or cannot see. I look at the situation with sinful eyes and see my feeble abilities going up against the giant problem and fear, doubt and worry ensues.  How can I handle giant problems?

• I must realize that while I think I am fighting, it is really GOD who is striking the blows.
• I must get in the battle in order for GOD to do the fighting.
• I must have courage to face situations and admit I am weak so GOD can step up and show HIS strength.

If I run away from my problems and hide in the corner, the problems will overtake me and make me doubt GOD more and more. GOD wants me to step out on faith and HE will do the rest!

• Are you facing problems that seem much larger than you expected?
• Do you feel like running and hiding?
• Can you look at GOD’s might and know HE is GOD?
• Won’t you accept HIS awesome power and fight today?

Going through the fire!

Numbers 31 ²¹ Then the priest Eleazar spoke to the soldiers who had gone into battle. He said, “Here is what the law the Lord gave Moses requires. ²² All of your gold, silver, bronze, iron, tin and lead ²³ must be put through fire. So must everything else that doesn’t burn up. Then those things will be ‘clean.’ But they must also be made pure with the special water. In fact, everything that won’t burn up must be put through that water.

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Headed to the “plaza” to do some shopping, my sister and I had a conversation. I don’t know how fast I was going but by the time I noticed the stopped car it was too late.  I slammed on my brakes and the car went into a skid. We hit a pole instead of the stopped car. My sister’s head hit the windshield and fortunately she walked away with only a major headache! Why did this have to happen? I thought to myself!

• The troubles I face feel rotten at the time.
• The trials I face seem devastating at the moment.
• The tribulations I face seem difficult when I am going through them.

“Why me” is a question I’ve muttered to the LORD on many occasion. I mean, I’m trying to live right and do the right things but it seems like trouble is all around me is how I feel during the situation. BUT GOD knows more.

• GOD knows it takes the fire of trials to burn away parts of my character that won’t help HIS kingdom.
• GOD knows it takes the fire of trouble to burn away any thought of me not needing HIM.
• GOD knows it takes the fire of tribulation to burn away to get me out of my comfort zone and follow HIM rather than my own plans.

Fire purifies. Fire burns. Fire engulfs. GOD uses fire to grow me and I should not be afraid of it rather enjoy watching the change in my character.  GOD knows what is best for me and HE wants to grow me. Praising HIM for my trials makes me stronger!

• Are you going through difficult times?
• Do you feel GOD has left you alone?
• Can you look at what HE is taking you through as a growing period?
• Won’t you praise HIM in spite of your situation?

Released from a promise

Numbers 30: ³ “Suppose a young woman is still living in her father’s house. She makes a special promise to the Lord. Or she takes an oath and agrees to do something

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⁴ “Suppose her father hears about her promise or oath. And he doesn’t say anything to her about it. Then she must keep her promise. She must do what she agreed to do.

⁵ “But suppose her father doesn’t allow her to keep her promises when he hears about them. Then she doesn’t have to do what she promised or agreed to do. The Lord will set her free. He’ll do it because her father hasn’t allowed her to keep her promises.

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Since GOD takes promises and authority very seriously HE allows times when promises can be broken.  HE recognizes situations where I haven’t thought through my promise because of my lack of exposure at the time.

• GOD knows there may be situations for releasing me from a promise but getting tired isn’t one of them.
• GOD recognizes I may have promised in haste and I may not be able to keep my promise so I need to learn not to promise something I can’t keep.
• GOD sees when I should step up and make a promise and it will be up to me to seize the opportunity to take a harder road and remain disciplined to HIS way.

I have taken some difficult promises over the years that proved quite overwhelming.  “Not complaining about anything or being sarcastic for 30 days” proved to be eye-opening to say the least. Some promises are easy some seem to grow temptation to its paramount.

GOD says “take promises seriously but make promises to ME.” I may only make a few promises to the LORD in my life but the ones I make I need to keep.

• Are you afraid to make a promise?
• Are you willing to sacrifice something or follow through with something GOD is moving you to do?
• Won’t you make a promise without thinking “GOD will understand if I don’t keep this promise?”
• If you have been kept from fulfilling your promise can you understand GOD has released you?

Keeping Promises

Numbers 30:1 Moses spoke to the heads of the tribes of Israel. He said, “Here is what the Lord commands. ² Suppose a man makes a special promise to the Lord. Or suppose he takes an oath and agrees to do something. Then he must keep his promise. He must do everything he said he would do.

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“I promise I won’t do that again” were my empty words to the LORD as I tried to escape consequences of my actions many times.  Whether it was a ticket that I got off with a warning or a close call with something else, I found that the thing I would “never” do again would be done again, sometimes within 24 hours!

• GOD doesn’t like my empty promises.
• GOD doesn’t like when I use a promise to get my way and then not keep my promise.
• GOD doesn’t like when I don’t follow through with my promises to HIM.

A vow to GOD is important to HIM. HE doesn’t take my promises lightly even though I might.  It may be a character situation that HE is looking at.  HE knows a destructive path is built on deception and when I lie to HIM by making a promise I have no intention of keeping, HIS anger is stirred.

• GOD wants me to make special promises to HIM to keep our relationship close.
• GOD wants me to keep those special promises, showing HE is more special than anything else.
• GOD wants me to do everything I said I will do and not change my mind when the going gets good.

If I vow to give more when I am wealthy then I must give more when I am wealthy. In fact I need to start giving more before I get wealthy. If I vow to stop doing something, then I need to stop doing that thing unconditionally rather than waiting on GOD to orchestrate the perfect time.

Making a promise is special to GOD.  HE doesn’t want me to shy away from doing that.  BUT HE would rather that I not promise rather than making an empty promise that I won’t keep.

• Have you made empty promises to GOD?
• Have you broken your vow to HIM?
• Can you ask HIM for forgiveness of your broken promises and realize HE forgives you?
• Can you stop trying to fix your broken promises and focus on your relationship with GOD?

GOD appoints leaders

Numbers 27: ¹⁸ So the Lord said to Moses, “Joshua, the son of Nun, has the ability to be a wise leader. Get him and place your hand on him. ¹⁹ Have him stand in front of the priest Eleazar and the whole community. Put him in charge while everyone is watching. ²⁰ Give him some of your authority. Then the whole community of Israel will obey him.

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“Who put her in charge?” was our thought when we got a new “go-getter” boss. She seemed to never stop working. Her diplomacy skills seemed sharp when she spoke to her boss but when it came to us it was a different story.  I thought about complaining, but could never find the words.

She then approached me and asked me to be the primary speaker on one of the projects we were working on.  “Maybe she isn’t so bad after all.”

• Sometimes I get mad at leaders when I’m not getting my way.
• Sometimes I think poorly of leaders based on my negative attitude.
• Sometimes I feel the leader is crazy because I didn’t take the time to understand them.

Being a leader is difficult especially when leading a group of whiners and complainers.  Each criticism is but another jab to the face that the leader must take. I wonder how I can make the leaders’ job easier.

• GOD wants me to respect the leader even if I don’t agree with their direction.
• GOD wants me to be creative with the leader because HE never wants me to hide my talent.
• GOD wants me to understand that HE appointed the leader and any criticism of them is a criticism of HIM.

Some leadership styles are more difficult for me to serve under; however it is my responsibility to use my GOD given talents and abilities to their fullest.  GOD appoints leaders and my complaints to HIM are about HIS decision of appointing this person to their post. Every complaint is heard and noted.

I must respect GOD’s decision and ask HIM for help when I don’t feel like following the appointed person.

• Is there a leader that you have complained about?
• Do you think GOD is excited about your complaints or actions?
• Are you performing up to your best when the leader isn’t acting like a leader?

GOD does what HE says

Numbers 26: ⁶⁵ The Lord had told the people of Israel at Kadesh Barnea that they would certainly die in the desert. Not one of them was left alive except Caleb, the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua, the son of Nun.

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“If you don’t write an excellent final, I’m going to give you a failing grade” my professor told me. In disbelief I went back and studied.  It was past the deadline to drop the class and I was determined to prove him wrong. I began studying, asking questions and preparing. 

On the day of the final I prayed. It had been a while.  A week after the final I was in my professors office begging him to at least give me a “D.” I had failed my first class in my life! He did what he said. I wish I had studied along the way.

• Many times I ignore what GOD wants me to do.
• Many times I ignore GOD’s rules and do what I want to do.
• Many times I ignore the situations GOD places in front of me because of pride rather than faith.

“GOD loves” I tell myself. HE would never harm me or punish me is my foolish thought. BUT GOD loves me in a much greater way. 

• GOD loves me so much that HE doesn’t want sin to separate me from HIM.
• GOD loves me so much that HE doesn’t want my pride to get in the way of listening to HIM.
• GOD loves me so much that HE wrote HIS laws on my heart so that I would inherently follow them.

Many times my fear gets in the way of hearing GOD. I may run after money or chase things I’m not supposed to have. HE then allows the consequences of my sin to overwhelm me to open my eyes and cry to HIM as being the only answer. HE doesn’t “manipulate” like humans do. HE simply knows what holes I will fall in and allows me to do it.

GOD loves me enough to let me make mistakes, BUT HE loves me more to not let my mistakes get in the way of eternal life.

• Is GOD tearing down your world?
• Do you feel HE is surgically removing things from you?
• Can you let HIM remove things out of your life and allow HIM to change you for HIS good?
• Won’t you let HIM discipline you so you can do “great” instead of “good?”

Following GOD gives me peace

Numbers 25: ¹² “So tell Phinehas I am making my covenant with him. It promises to give him peace. ¹³ He and his sons after him will have a covenant to be priests forever. That is because he was committed to making sure that I, his God, was honored. In that way he paid for the sin of the people of Israel.”

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“Don’t lie this time” was the thought that popped in my head when I finally reached the courage to face my flaws. It was so easy to think of an excuse rather than face the consequence of my action. I actually can’t remember when this thought popped in my head but it has lasted throughout my life.

This meant I couldn’t stretch the truth by saying I got caught in traffic when the road was clear and I was actually late. It meant I couldn’t say my phone was broken that’s why I didn’t call. It meant I couldn’t say everything is fine when I am hurting inside.

• When I follow GOD I must face my own flaws.
• When I follow GOD I must say what HE wants me to say no matter how incriminating it may be.
• When I follow GOD I must reduce so HE can increase.

The spotlight is fun but it requires “reputation management” which causes me to hide my flaws. When I hide my flaws I can’t minister to those who have the same flaws. They will look at my façade thinking they need to be perfect and that is not the case.

• GOD wants me committed to making sure HE is honored.
• GOD wants me to show I am flawed but HE isn’t.
• GOD wants me to tell others I sin daily but I’m forgiven eternally.

When words I write point to me, then I get my reward here on earth. When they point to GOD, we all reap eternal rewards that I can never imagine!

• Are you putting on a façade?
• Are you busy pointing out someone else’s sins and haven’t confessed yours?
• Can you tell someone if you have fear, doubt, lust, pride, anger or something else that keeps you from exciting worship of GOD?

GOD has a blessing

Numbers:24: ⁵ “People of Jacob, your tents are very beautiful.
    Israel, the places where you live are very beautiful.

⁶ “They spread out like valleys.
    They are like gardens beside a river.
They are like aloes the Lord has planted.
    They are like cedar trees beside a stream.
⁷ Their water buckets will run over.
    Their seeds will have plenty of water.

“Their king will be greater than King Agag.
    Their kingdom will be honored.

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When circumstances seem most dismal, GOD comes through with HIS message of love. HE has never failed me before and HE certainly won’t start now. In fact, GOD sees all that I go through.  The trials, temptations, tribulations and troubles are all part of amazing growth I must endure to become stronger for HIS purpose.

·         GOD promises I will have plenty and HE knows there will be trials in my life.

·         GOD promises I will be rewarded in heaven and knows my needs here on Earth.

·         GOD promises I will have eternal life when I believe in JESUS’s murder and resurrection in place of my sins and knows I will continue to sin until I die.

When GOD blessed me, HE looked at my entire sinful life and immediately tried to restore me to my rightful place, the place HE created for me. That blessing is permanent! My belief in JESUS has eradicated all my sins. HIS grace is sufficient.

·         Do you feel GOD’s grace is sufficient for forgiveness of your sins?

·         Do you feel GOD’s grace is sufficient for forgiveness of “that” person’s sins?

·         Can you stop judging and ask for grace and let GOD take care of the situation?

·         Won’t you ask for a blessing instead of a curse for someone today?

Can anything stop GOD’s plan for you?

Numbers 23: ¹⁹ God isn’t a mere man. He can’t lie.
    He isn’t a human being. He doesn’t change his mind.
He speaks, and then he acts.
    He makes a promise, and then he keeps it.

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“Heal my eyes” was my statement to GOD in a demanding tone of disbelief. To this day I still wear glasses and it seems like my vision has seen no improvement for decades after my rant. I have also prayed for many things that weren’t good for me, but I wanted them at the time. I wasn’t granted favor in those prayers either.

• GOD isn’t a mere man.
• GOD can’t lie
• GOD isn’t human.
• GOD doesn’t change HIS mind.

GOD’s ways are not my ways.  I would turn HIM into a slave or a genie, granting my every wish and smiting my enemies. GOD has HIS plan for me and HE is supreme to execute it, whenever and however HE sees fit. I must have faith in HIM that HIS plan is best for me.

• GOD speaks and then HE acts and nothing can stop HIS plan.
• GOD makes a promise and keeps HIS promises to me because nothing can stop HIS plan.
• GOD leads and I follow because nothing can stop HIS plan.

There is no one nothing no thought no height no depth that can keep me from GOD’s love. All forces bow to HIM and those who oppose HIM are blotted out. GOD’s plan for me cannot fail because GOD can’t fail.

• Do you know GOD has a plan for you?
• Can you see HIS love in your life or are you preoccupied with your circumstance?
• Won’t you share HIS love with someone today?

Will I do “anything” for money?

Numbers 22: ¹⁵ Then Balak sent other princes. They were more important than the first ones. And there were more of them. ¹⁶ They came to Balaam. They said,

“Balak, the son of Zippor, says, ‘Don’t let anything keep you from coming to me. ¹⁷ I’ll make you very rich. I’ll do anything you say. Come. Put a curse on those people for me.’”

¹⁸ But Balaam gave them his answer. He said, “Balak could give me his palace filled with silver and gold. Even then, I still couldn’t do anything at all that goes beyond what the Lord my God commands.

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Selling drugs or stealing never crossed my mind. I always felt hard work was the key to amassing wealth. I started in corporate with a prayer asking for “success.” Along the way I would pray here and there but as I got promoted higher and higher, my prayers became shorter and more absent.

Soon my attendance at church or serving events became sparse. I mean I had a lot of responsibility and I have to make this pile of money. Hard work isn’t bad is it?

·         Seeking money may make me forget GOD’s commands.
·         Seeking money may make me forget GOD wants me to rest on occasion.
·         Seeking money may make me forget GOD owns everything anyway so I should not worry about finances.

GOD feeds the sparrows and HE watches over me. HE doesn’t want me so desperate for money that I will compromise my relationship with worshipping HIM and serving those HE sends me to. HE wants me to be able to say “No” even if the money seems great.

How do I know this? I recently took an assignment that pushed away any quiet minute I could spend with GOD. This troubled my SPIRIT and left me with no rest. I was paid well but had no peace. This passage reminds me that no amount of money is worth losing my peace with GOD.

·         Are you losing sleep trying to make money?
·         Have your financial worries piled up so high that you have forgotten GOD owns everything?
·         Will you ask GOD what HE wants you to do or say?
·         Can you stop compromising your beliefs to follow what GOD will have you do today?

Where does complaining get me?

Numbers 21: ⁴ The people of Israel traveled from Mount Hor along the way to the Red Sea. They wanted to go around Edom. But they grew tired on the way. ⁵ So they spoke against God. They also spoke against Moses. They said to them, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt? Do you want us to die here in the desert? We don’t have any bread! We don’t have any water! And we hate this awful food!”

⁶ Then the Lord sent poisonous snakes among the people of Israel. The snakes bit them. Many of the people died.⁷ The others came to Moses. They said, “We sinned when we spoke against the Lord and against you. Pray that the Lord will take the snakes away from us.” So Moses prayed for the people.

⁸ The Lord said to Moses, “Make a snake. Put it up on a pole. Then anyone who is bitten can look at it and remain alive.” ⁹ So Moses made a bronze snake. He put it up on a pole. Then anyone who was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake remained alive.

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“This guy is an idiot” I thought to myself. My boss would frequently sneak into my office to see if I had any new ideas lying around that he could take credit for. I would lock my cabinets and take my laptop with me so he wouldn’t find anything. “I’m tired of this guy, I should complain.” So I did.

Later his boss and his boss’s boss all began to frown at me. What was once pats on the back soon became sneers and curt responses. I needed a higher authority to protect me.

• When I complain I have not considered GOD’s plan
• When I complain I have not looked around to see what GOD is doing.
• When I complain I am only looking at the situation from my eyes.

GOD despises complaints. GOD DESPISES COMPLAINTS! I had to say that twice because GOD despises complaints. I cannot tell who HIS servant is and who isn’t. Yeah, the person may not be acting the way they should at the time but my complaint about them is abysmal to GOD.

• GOD wants me to pray for my leaders and let HIM handle their downfalls.
• GOD wants me to praise HIM for HIS plan no matter how bleak things may seem.
• GOD wants me to be honest when I feel low but wants me to trust HIM rather than blame HIM.

When I have problems all I have to do is look up!

• Are you complaining about your situation?
• Are you complaining about people around you?
• Can you understand that GOD is not pleased with your complaints?
• Won’t you look to HIM for grace?

Leaders are patient

Numbers 20: ⁷ The Lord spoke to Moses. He said, ⁸ “Get your wooden staff. You and your brother Aaron gather the people together. Then speak to that rock while everyone is watching. It will pour out its water. You will bring water out of the rock for the community. Then they and their livestock can drink it.”

⁹ So Moses took the wooden staff from the tent. He did just as the Lord had commanded him. ¹⁰ He and Aaron gathered the people together in front of the rock. Moses said to them, “Listen, you who refuse to obey! Do we have to bring water out of this rock for you?”

¹¹ Then Moses raised his arm. He hit the rock twice with his staff. Water poured out. And the people and their livestock drank it.

¹² But the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron. He said, “You did not trust in me enough to honor me. You did not honor me as the holy God in front of the people of Israel. So you will not bring this community into the land I am giving them.”

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Sitting in church was no longer enough for me. Something stirred inside me and made me want to do more. I could sense it clearly and was led to teach.  This was a great and scary revelation.  I had never taught before but accepted the challenge.

My fears got the best of me as thoughts raced through my mind. “What if they won’t listen?” “What if I’m boring?” “What if I don’t know any answers?” In my usual planning way I thought up some “exciting” ideas.  I will come up with a few gimmicks to keep everyone awake, this way they will hear.  My lesson failed miserably because people got distracted by my gimmick!

• I must face the reality that GOD doesn’t need my help but loves when I do.
• I must face the reality that GOD’s methods are strange to me but they always work.
• I must face the reality that GOD’s message does not go out “void” rather every word spoken is fruitful and for HIM.

Sometimes I really can’t believe GOD’s plan for me.  I mean some of the things HE has me do seem futile.  Shouldn’t I fill a stadium and have thousands of people clamoring over CHRIST? Not right now. GOD has me right where HE needs me. It may be only one person I need to speak to in my entire life.  I just need to be ready and obedient to HIS ways.

• Do you think GOD’s plan for you is wrong right now?
• Do you feel like HE has you doing futile work?
• Can you remain obedient and speak about HIM to someone today?

A “leftover” attitude

Numbers 18: ³² Bring the best part of what you receive. Then you will not be guilty of holding anything back. You will not make the holy offerings of the people of Israel “unclean.” You will not die.’”

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Wednesday had finally arrived! I got paid twice a month and it seemed like I would run out of money quicker than I wanted to. I could finally pick up the new suit I had put in layaway and I could buy some groceries. I could also pay rent but the car payment would have to wait until the following check.

On Sunday I had a couple of dollars to put in church. “There… I gave” I thought to myself. This was a sacrifice because I could have kept it to myself!

• When I give GOD the leftovers I sometimes run out.
• When I give GOD the leftovers I put HIM last.
• When I give GOD the leftovers I treat HIM with an “HE won’t mind” or “HE should be thankful” attitude.

My giving in church crept into other areas of my life. When it was time to clear the closet I would look at the worn items. When it was time to move I would give away the things I didn’t want or use. I would keep the best and give away the worst. BUT GOD wants something different.

• GOD wants me to give my best to HIM and others.
• GOD wants me to plan my giving just like planning my new clothes, vacations and gadgets.
• GOD wants me to not cringe when I get a large payment and have to give HIM my best.

I need to give without expectation that GOD will double or triple my gift here on Earth. GOD can do with my money and possessions as HE sees fit. HE wants me to not let things have a hold on me so giving helps this process. When I give my best GOD does the rest!

• Are you clinging onto your little change?
• Are you afraid to give your best?
• Can you recognize a part of you that is not giving GOD your best?
• Won’t you start out small and grow into excited giving?