Correct direction or the donkey?

Good morning! Ever feel like you have 100 roadblocks in the way? One detour after another, right. It's commonplace these days to blame the devil but have we considered it may be due to the Lord’s hand? That He may be displeased and stop you from your own ways...

I've been reading Numbers 22-24. In chapter 22, this is precisely what happened to the prophet Balaam. He was bid by Israel's enemy to curse God's people. Even tempted by this king with earthly stature & wealth (vs 17) he still stayed true to God.

However after asking the Lord a 2nd time to go with this man seeking to curse, the Lord said "...Go with them but the word which I say unto thee, that shalt thou do." (vs 20) Instead of WAITING as the Lord directed, he arose the next day to go.

Needless to say, God's anger was kindled against him! (vs 22) What did God do? He sent the angel of the LORD to block his path! Balaam couldn't see it but his donkey could. Haha, he even got beat up in a sense because the donkey wouldn't push through! After he hit the donkey 3 times the donkey spoke! Yes, the Lord opened its mouth to speak & correct. (vs 28-30).

"Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and he bowed down his head, and fell flat on his face. And the angel of the LORD said unto him, Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times? behold, I went out to withstand thee, because thy way is perverse before me:" (vs 31-32

See, he needed to know what he was doing was of his own accord. The Lord went to extreme measures to get his attention. After he realized & confessed his sin, then he sought the Lord’s direction & will.

The Lord still works in mysterious ways. I've experienced His roadblocks before. Thankfully minus a talking donkey, lol! The question is how far will He need to go to captivate your attention?

What if... Would you be concerned? Accountability & the Christian

What IF... Would you be concerned?

What if I began sharing more about my physical attributes than the attributes of God, would you be concerned?

What if I began promoting more sports than Scriptures,  would you be concerned?

What if I became more consumed with fashion than the finished work of Christ, would you be concerned?

What if I began to become more involved with politics and set aside the Prince of Peace, would you be concerned?

What if I began promoting Hollywood and celebrity gossip instead of Christ conquering hell and the grave, would you be concerned?

What if I began sharing horoscopes instead of my trust in the Father above who not only holds me in His thoughts and hands but knows what t he future truly holds, would you be concerned?

What if I began spouting out profanities every time someone stomped on me instead of asking you to pray for them with me, would you be concerned?

What if I began falling for worldly riches and get rich quick schemes over trusting the Lord to provide for me, would you be concerned?

What if I began embracing those who spread hate and deceit over those who live love and speak truth, would you be concerned?

What if I began clubbing & partying while letting my children raise themselves and fall prey to the one who seeks to destroy, would you be concerned?

What if I began a life of constant hypocrisy, living a lie while promoting Christ, would you be concerned?

WOULD YOU LOVE ME ENOUGH TO TELL ME THE TRUTH? This, my dear one is accountability!

What if I began to tell you, much of what I've said here, I see in many of you? ARE YOU CONCERNED?

Jesus said, "I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent." Revelation 3:15-19

REPENT & RETURN TO YOUR FIRST LOVE, CHRIST!

Victory and the vice

Yesterday I was talking with my Mom about different vices people use & cling to. She asked me to define "vice". I thought a moment and couldn't do it. Lol, I could only give examples. I told her I would look it up and share. This morning, it was one of the 1st things the Lord placed on my heart. 

A vice is, "a moral weakness" or "a specific form of evildoing." How many of us ever thought of a vice in this way?

Immediately, the Lord reminded me of the Apostle Paul. He said, "And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure." 2 Corinthians 12:7

There are many who believe his "thorn in the flesh" was a physical impairment. I believe it was some kind of vice. Looking at the definition of vice, it could be he had a human fleshly weakness. 

Are we to justify ourselves if the Lord is dealing with us in a specific area of our sin nature? Certainly not! This should provoke us to prayerfully ponder if we are allowing our fleshly wants/desires more than pleasing the Father above. After all, there are rewards or consequences. 

"For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live." Romans 8:13

In following Jesus, we are to deny ourselves, carry our cross daily and follow Jesus. Despite the "vice", we must live for Christ! 

 "Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier." 2 Timothy 2:3-4

Are we willing to examine ourselves, and honestly seek the Lord regarding whatever vice we may have. If it's truly evil doing, it is sin! Are we feeding the flesh with our own vice, is it truly a "thorn in the flesh" or an excuse to have as we please?

Sweet surrender or changed correction?

Recently I was wronged by another person. In my fleshly reaction I looked to others around to stand up for me. (Wrong choice. If we truly belong to Christ, He is our defender and avenger. Looking to any other than Him is sin.) 

Such as life, right? Well, when I saw the Lord's correction coming upon the individual, I shouted, "I'm happy and I'll be glad when..." The moment those words fell out of my mouth, I knew I messed up! 

Here's why: "Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth: Lest the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him." Proverbs 24:17-18

The Lord immediately laid this passage upon my heart. I was so focus on the wrong done (misplaced focus, no longer on Christ, rather focused on "poor me"- This is sin) and the doer of it, I set this to the side. After I quieted this needed check in my spirit (I ignored the voice of the Lord! Dangerous, even for those who are His. Another sin!), I became even more distracted. (Those of you who know me already know how easily this happens, lol!) boy was I wrong! Like a snowball affect, the moment I chose to put my focus on "self", it was one slip, trip and fall after another. 

Here we are a couple days later... The Lord did withdrawal His wrath and correction. When He did my heart sank even more. Last night I spoke with this individual. Though there was much humility in that conversation, there was more I had to be taught. I wrongly held onto things I should've immediately given to God, my Father. I allowed my pride to swell as I focused on the pride in the other person. I failed to see my own shortcomings and faults. 

See, He brought me to this passage last week. He was trying to prepare me for what was ahead. Though I had read it, I tucked it away as already known. I had seen Him work in this way before. (That was an extremely prideful act!) To be teachable, we MUST be humble and a "know it all attitude" just won't cut it! 

As He brought this passage to me again, He granted me eyes to see the errors of my own ways and the reasons for the repercussions. In rereading it again the phrase, "...it displease Him..." leaped off the pages. I did it, I broke His heart. Yes, I'm still His. Yes, He still loves me. Yet the impact of accepting my childish and immature behavior brought me to my knees and my heart to tears. This is genuine repentance! More than godly sorrow but sin saturated in full surrender to the One I caused much pain. 

He once again took me to this passage and took me farther. He said, "Fret not thyself because of evil men, neither be thou envious at the wicked; For there shall be no reward to the evil man; the candle of the wicked shall be put out." (vs 19-20)

Long story short, it's up to us to begrudgingly hold onto pain or to forgive and surrender it to the ONLY One able to heal, restore, defend and avenge us.

Covering Clean or Corrupt?

"Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin:" Isaiah 30:1

Think about that! Not many today think about a "covering". It isn't necessarily a part of our modern culture. In reality, even in clothing today there's little if any modesty, much skin is revealed. I can see a spiritual portrait here of our sin sick and morally depraved society. Can you see this condition? 

There are many examples in the Word of God that shows the blessings of being covered in Christ as well as the Father's displeasure of those who seek anything and everything but Him. 

In Exodus 12 they were instructed to put lamb's blood upon the 2 posts of every house in order that the spirit of death or "the destroyer" may pass by, leaving all inside this protective covering safe. Pretty remarkable! This was a portrait of what Christ does for us who are His! 

Was not death and destruction not the reward for those left unprotected? Yes! When one has chosen the things of this world over Christ, the covering (whether acknowledged or not, whether known or not) is considered "strange apparel" in the sight of the Living God. 

"Hold thy peace at the presence of the Lord GOD: for the day of the LORD is at hand: for the LORD hath prepared a sacrifice, he hath bid his guests. And it shall come to pass in the day of the LORD'S sacrifice, that I will punish... all such as are clothed with strange apparel." Zephaniah 3:7-8

Still today, the Lord has bid His guests. There's no safety nor surety outside of Christ. If the covering be corrupt, so must the inside be as well. Are we covered in His cleansing Blood or have we opted for the world's corrupt covering? 

Complaining and the corrupt heart

When I find myself complaining and easily irritated (which seems pretty frequent lately), the Lord pricks my heart. Why? Because it reveals my heart isn't right with Him. 

How can we know this? 

"A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh." Luke 6:45 "Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?" James 3:11

These things reveal much about where we seek contentment. If our eyes and hearts are fixed upon Christ, we won't be so easily disappointed and spring off of our emotions. After all, our only stability is found in Christ, our unmoveable Rock! 

"Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;" Philippians 2:14-15

My sweet lil friend reminded me yesterday, "Always remember Michelle, life's not fair". It's true! May we praise the Lord more and complain less! There should be a notable difference in us who have Christ, not mirror those of this world. 

Father, please fix our hearts upon Christ by Your Spirit which is stronger that any super glue, for Your glory. In Jesus name. Amen!!!

Team building and trust!

Let's talk team building! 

During my quiet time, I surrendered this day and all it holds unto the Lord. I asked Him to feed me, according to that which is needed for the toils, trials and tasks ahead, from His Bread of Life; His Word. 

So, He took me to 1 Chronicles chapters 11-12. King Saul had been killed and David was anointed king "according to the word of the LORD"(11:3) As I continued to read the Lord is very explicit in detailing those He surrounded David with; Brilliant, mighty, experienced and skilled men of war. 

As I read through the names, tribes, talents and huge numbers, I asked the Lord. "How does this pertain to us today? What do you want me to take from this incredible portrait and apply to my life?"

He always astounds me! He said, "I always provide what is needed. Look again at the talent and skill each group of men hold." So I did.

First, He showed me how He cherry picked the 3 closest to David. Each were loyal, with unimaginable strength and honorable. The Lord directed David as to their order in stature and reputation. Then on into chapter 12 He showed me the astounding vast numbers of David's supporters. "...They were all mighty men of valour... Came to David to help him, until it was a great host, like the host of God." (vs 21-22) 

Each group baring unique skills; contributing their qualities to a greater army. 

A few are:

*"...mighty men of valour..."(v25,28,30)

*"...men that had understanding of the times"(v32)

*"...expert in war, with all instruments of war... they were not of double heart."(v33-34)

Here's the cool part... hundreds of thousands of men, all from different backgrounds, sizes and skill yet, "All these men of war, that could keep rank, came with a perfect heart..." (v38)

Bottom line, there's no way King David could handle the tasks ahead alone. The Living God knew and provided every area of expertise needed to conquer the task at hand!!! He still does the same for us today BUT it's up to us to utilize what He's given. Will we struggle alone or trust His provisions?