Talking Donkey

Num 21-23; Mark 6, 7

Numbers 22:18-22

But Balaam answered them, “Even if Balak gave me all the silver and gold in his palace, I could not do anything great or small to go beyond the command of the LORD my God. ¹⁹ Now spend the night here so that I can find out what else the LORD will tell me.” ²⁰ That night God came to Balaam and said, “Since these men have come to summon you, go with them, but do only what I tell you.” ²¹ Balaam got up in the morning, saddled his donkey and went with the Moabite officials. ²² But God was very angry when he went, and the angel of the LORD stood in the road to oppose him. Balaam was riding on his donkey, and his two servants were with him.

God told Balaam not to go to Balak. God told Balaam that the people Balak wanted to curse were already blessed. God Balaam His will and plan for those people. God told Balaam. But what did Balaam do? He kept asking God what to do. He heard Gods voice, he knew what God wanted and even though he said to the men that no amount of silver or gold could take him away from the will of God, it was the very love of money that made him keep asking God what to do.

God knows whats in our hearts. He knows us better than we know ourselves. God knew that Balaam was tempted by their money. Balaam was a man of God, he heard the voice of God, but he was human and was tempted. God was angry with him because what Balaam said with his voice wasn't what he truly meant in his heart.

There have been many times where I havent wanted something so bad that i would manipulate my way into that situation. I would keep giving myself excuses to let myself think that i was doing the right thing. I would even try to manipulate God and walk away from what He had already told me, by making up stories. When it gets to the point that i try to manipulate God, i know ive reached a low point. The moment i try making excuses for myself should be the very moment i know that I am going in the wrong direction. When God tells me where to go or how to do things, i won't need to make excuses, i won't need to make up stories, i wont need to manipulate or lie about things. Because the will of God is straight, narrow, and truth.

Lord,

Thank you for your guidance in my life. Thank you that like Balaam even though he disobeyed you and you got angry you still used him in the place where he was at. You are a great God that even when we walk away you still use us in that place. You find a way to get us back on track and for that i love you . It is through your mercy and grace that i can find you again, seek you more, and hear your voice.

I forever love you always

Amen

What to do with demon possession

Num 19, 20; Ps 28; Mark 5

Mark 5: 18-20 As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. ¹⁹ Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” ²⁰ So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.

The demon possessed man was chained up, hand and foot, but those chains couldn't hold him. He would cut himself with rocks everyday. He didnt have just one demon in him but several...a legion of demons. This man was desperate for the demons to come out. He cried out every night and when he cut himself he was either trying to kill himself or simply trying to get the demons out in any means possible. Demons recognize the spirit of God and His power therefore were forced to bow before Jesus. Even the demons were afraid of Christ. Once the demons left the man, he probably had no where to go. His family and friends must have left him, so he wanted to be with Jesus. But Jesus needed him to show the people that His power was real. The demon possessed man became a disciple of Christ in that part of town. Because the people wanted Jesus out, Jesus used the demon possessed man to spread the gospel.

If i was living in those times I would want to be with Jesus too. I wouldn't want to stay behind, I want to be with Jesus at all times. But Jesus' plan wasn't to keep us where we're at. His plan is to raise us in to His disciples and have us go out and show people what He can do. When Jesus does a miracle in our lives He doesn't want us to keep it quiet. He wants us to tell people and show them so in turn they can believe. And we are being used by God in that manner. We are truly being His disciples when we tell people about His power and authority.

If the demon possessed man wouldn't have said anything to the people about his life changing than he wouldn't have been a disciple of Christ. Those people wouldn't have been able to know who Christ is and in turn be saved.

Lord, Thank you for doing things in my life that i can say you truly changed me. The miracles and wonders you have put in my life have changed me forever and I love telling people about all you have done. Thank you for putting patience in my life that I can wait for you. I can wait for that moment that i see another miracle. that i feel your presence once again, that i see your face, and that i can feel your love. I forever love you always Amen

i am like them

Num 17, 18; Ps 29; Mark 4

Numbers 17:8,10 8 The next day Moses entered the tent and saw that Aaron’s staff, which represented the tribe of Levi, had not only sprouted but had budded, blossomed and produced almonds. 10 The LORD said to Moses, “Put back Aaron’s staff in front of the ark of the covenant law, to be kept as a sign to the rebellious. This will put an end to their grumbling against me, so that they will not die.

God told Moses to give each tribe leader a staff. The staff was no more than a piece of wood. Nothing special. After Moses each gave them a staff he put them in the tabernacle overnight. When Moses entered the tabernacle in the morning he noticed that Aarons (leader of the Levites) staff had blossomed and produced almonds. God told Moses to put Aarons staff in front of the Testimony so those people that were rebelling could see it. When the people saw it they were afraid because this was another sign that God was watching them, rebellious or not.

The Israelites abandoned God than came back when there was a miracle. Than they rebelled again than came back. They sinned than they would repent. And it was a cycle that happened with every generation. And it is still a cycle that goes on today. I don't have to be an Israelite to know that I, one of Gods children, participate in this cycle. I don't do it on purpose, I don't want to admit that i do it, but i do. As a sinner I abandon God for that sin...than when i repent I come back. I may not grumble or groan like the Israelites did...I may not worship a golden calf...I may not wish that I was back in slavery instead of following God to freedom. But I do complain about little things in life, that i wish God would fix...I do worship other things in life by putting them before God...I do wish sometimes i can do things that are not pleasing to God just because its easier for me.

I can't say I am better than anyone else, especially the Israelites. I can't say i have seen more miracles than they have, because i haven't seen miracles like they did but i still believe. I am human...I sin...I make mistakes...but i love God with every being of my body, spirit, and soul. I want God to show me those miracles, I want God to be more evident to me. I want to see a staff grow almonds..I want to see manna fall from the sky...But even more, I want to see God.

Lord, Thank you for being evident. You are everywhere and I may not see You or feel You..I know you are there. You have never abandoned me or forsaken me. I trust in your word, your love, your life, your promise for my life. I trust in you My God. Thank you for always taking care of me. I forever love you always Amen

Who is this King of Glory?

Lev 23, 24; Ps 24; Acts 21

Psalm 24:8-10
Who is this King of glory?
The LORD strong and mighty,
the LORD mighty in battle.
⁹ Lift up your heads, you gates;
lift them up, you ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.
¹⁰ Who is he, this King of glory?
The LORD Almighty—
he is the King of glory.

What can I say but proclaim that the Lord is the king of Glory. He is worthy and mighty to be praised. My God is above all creator of heaven and earth. He made the big and small things. He cares about me and all that is within me.

Father,
I thank you for being the true King. There is no one like You. You are mighty and worthy and blessed. I worship you because it is worth the time being with you and hearing you and knowing you. You are everything to me.
I forever love you always
Amen

Instead..

Lev 7-9; Acts 15
Acts 15:19-20 “It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God. ²⁰ Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood.

Paul was called to reach out to the gentiles. He was appointed for them to help them find the one true God. God spoke to Paul and in return Paul wanted to be an apostle to not just a certain type of people. Paul was not the type of person to be kept in the box. He was someone who needed to reach out to everyone who was able to have a relationship with Christ. Paul didn't see just the jews but everyone else around the jews. He saw people. He saw multitudes. He saw revival. He saw miracles. He saw the world.

We are to be like Paul. Not just think inside the box. We are to reach out to all people, all men. And the way of having people turn to Christ shouldn't be difficult. Its not all about rules and regulations. Its not about hating on them. Its about loving them, for who they are. Its about being simple with people. God told us what to do and we understand. But the people who are new to knowing Christ can't understand theological phrases and thoughts, just yet. We are to keep things simple and if they choose to go deeper, we are to support them. If someone wants to keep their relationship with Christ simple, we support them.

Lord, Thank you for the spirit you have implemented in me. You have allowed me to see things in many different ways yet i choose you in the end. I choose your love, your grace, your mercy. your blessing over me. I choose to be with you whether simple or difficult you are my God. you are my Father. I forever love you always Amen

They shouldn't all be "normal"

Lev 1-3; Acts 13

Acts 13:46-48
Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: “We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles. ⁴⁷ For this is what the Lord has commanded us: “‘I have made you^f]">[f] a light for the Gentiles, that you^g]">[g] may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’^h]">[h]”⁴⁸ When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed.

The jews knew that they were the chosen people. But throughout the years they had taken what God saw a blessing to them for granted. They moaned, complained, saw God and even worshipped other idols. They took their messiah and betrayed him. Instead of God waiting for them to change their ways and wholly and completely trusting God, He had to move on from them. They were still the chosen people but other people needed God and through the humanity of Christ, He was able to see them. Gentiles needed God just as much as the jews and God appointed Paul and Barnabas to reach out to them.

Sometimes when God puts people in front of us to save we don't want to talk to them because they don't look "normal". They are different looking, speaking, and acting so we are turned off. But like Paul and Barnabas, God has called us, called me to reach out to not just those that look "normal" but anyone and everyone. God called us to do this, not just certain people...He wants all of us to reach out to the Gentiles, to the lost, the broken, the sad, the mad, the angry, the sinful, the happy, the joyous EVERYONE.

Lord, Thank you for calling me into your will and service. Help me to reach out to those that need you the most. Give me the words and boldness to be your instrument and light. I forever love you always Amen

Even when it hurts...i trust in You

Ex 39, 40; Ps 15; Acts 12

Psalm 15:1,4b
1 LORD, who may dwell in your sacred tent? Who may live on your holy mountain? 4b who keeps an oath even when it hurts, and does not change their mind;

David was a man that sought God out. He wanted to know the secrets of God and explore them in his life. When David was reciting his poetry and scribing them i believe a lot of that was him just thinking aloud. When he spoke about who may dwell with God in his tent he was thinking those things out loud. Gods sacred tent was the place that God was 24/7. This was the tent that had the ark of God...the presence of God...the glory of God. Who was anointed enough to be able to spend that time with God? Not many people but one of the requisites was for someone who keeps an oath...no matter what.

Davids life was full of successes and betrayals. He didn't know who to count on because his own king tried to have him killed. So David had only God to rely on. The very person who he trusted was killed. But David was anointed by God, called out by Him and David promised God to worship Him, to love Him, to live for Him. There were many things in Davids life that he had to change and he paid consequences for it. David knew that the decisions he made had to stay grounded and he had to follow through because God doesn't want people who are constantly back and forth.

God opens and closes doors for us. He wants us to go through things than he takes us out of those seasons. Thats the cycle of life. Friends come and go...people come and go...but God remains forever. There are times when I have to make the hardest decisions and its so easy to look back and crack that door just a little bit. But God can't work with us if we're always allowing ourselves to open the door again. If the door is meant to open than God will open it...not me. I can't open doors anymore because than God won't be able to talk to me as candidly as He'd like to. If I want to hear all of God I have to be all of God. If i want to know all that God has for me than I have to be all that God has for me. And trust that God knows the true desires of my heart and if all is right than He will make a way...but i can't make that way if I truly want Gods will in my life.

Lord, Thank you for building that relationship with me that I can trust you. I want to be close to you as much as I possibly can and if it means making hard decisions and not turning back than I am willing...for You. Even when it hurts God I will bring myself back to you and your rest. Thank you for your grace and faith. I forever love you always

Its all worship

Ex 37, 38; Ps 19; Acts 11

Psalm 19:1-6
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. ² Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. ³ They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. ⁴ Yet their voice^b]">[b] goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun. ⁵ It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, like a champion rejoicing to run his course. ⁶ It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is deprived of its warmth.

God created everything, every little thing, for a purpose. The trees weren't only made to help with oxygen. The ocean wasn't created only to produce breeze, clouds werent only created to shade the sun, flowers weren't made just to look pretty. Every thing has a purpose. A greater purpose than in science books or surface looks. God made each and everything living thing to glorify Him. Nature and everything that comes with it glorify God. The waves when they rise and fall are bowing to the Lord. The birds, the sun and moon, trees, flowers, bushes, clouds are all worshipping God. We may not see it with our natural eyes because there worship is not human, its divine and its for God not us.

Sometimes I can see the things around me worship God. When i hear the waves crashing, or the trees blowing. When I smell a flower that is intoxicating and the clouds continuously moving...it reminds me of heavens worship. At all times there is worship, theres no end to Gods worship thats why nature keeps moving, keeps reproducing, keeps showing us new things because there doing that to glorify Him.

Lord, You created me and everything around me. You made all of this earth for one purpose, to glorify you. You created us into being to live a wonderful life with you as the center. You are God forever and like the flowers and trees and clouds I want to worship you at all times. I want to live this life for You and with You. God you are my all and like the waves i want to crash on this earth with a thunderous sound proclaiming You. I forever love you Always Amen

Why him and not me?

Exodus 30-32; Acts 8

Exodus 32:1-4

When the people saw that Moses was so long in coming down from the mountain, they gathered around Aaron and said, “Come, make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who brought us up out of Egypt, we don’t know what has happened to him.”² Aaron answered them, “Take off the gold earrings that your wives, your sons and your daughters are wearing, and bring them to me.” ³ So all the people took off their earrings and brought them to Aaron. ⁴ He took what they handed him and made it into an idol cast in the shape of a calf, fashioning it with a tool. Then they said, “These are your gods, Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.”

Moses was in the mountain having time with God. God was giving him instructions, telling him how to lead his people, showing him what he needed to do, making sure he knew everything step by step. And after those 40 days and nights the people became restless. They turned to their selfish ways and wanted something, anything to worship. So Aaron decided to take control and do something about their selfishness.

Up to this point Aaron had been second in command. He was Moses' mouth because Moses wasn't a very secure speaker. However, Moses was gone and Aaron thought he could take control and do something as a leader. This is the point where you finally realize WHY God didn't choose Aaron to lead his people out of slavery. He was just as selfish as they were. Aaron wasn't first in command material because he didn't have the conviction, strength, love, holiness that Moses did.

Sometimes i wonder why did God choose this or that person. Or even why did God choose me? But this verse tells us that very reason. Every person has different qualities in them and God doesn't look at where you were placed in your family, He looks at your heart. Moses wasn't gone for a long time, it was merely 40 days and nights...these people had seen the hand of God at work, they knew who God was and how to worship Him. But they chose to be selfish and Aaron, instead of leading the people in worship to God, he became weak too.

Lord,

Thank you that you know all. I thank you for putting everything into perspective especially when i don't understand certain things. You make things known and today i know why certain people are called to be certain things. I may not see those qualities, or things in their heart like you do, But i trust that you have it all in control and i will remain worshipping you no matter what i see or not, no matter what i hear or not, it will always be you.

I forever love you always, Amen