Numbers 24 - 8.9.24

Scripture:

”Now when Balaam saw that it pleased the Lord to bless Israel, he did not resort to divination as at other times, but turned his face toward the wilderness. When Balaam looked out and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit of God came on him and he spoke his message: “The prophecy of Balaam son of Beor, the prophecy of one whose eye sees clearly, the prophecy of one who hears the words of God, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who falls prostrate, and whose eyes are opened: “How beautiful are your tents, Jacob, your dwelling places, Israel! “Like valleys they spread out, like gardens beside a river, like aloes planted by the Lord, like cedars beside the waters. Water will flow from their buckets; their seed will have abundant water. “Their king will be greater than Agag; their kingdom will be exalted. “God brought them out of Egypt; they have the strength of a wild ox. They devour hostile nations and break their bones in pieces; with their arrows they pierce them. Like a lion they crouch and lie down, like a lioness—who dares to rouse them? “May those who bless you be blessed and those who curse you be cursed!” Then Balak’s anger burned against Balaam. He struck his hands together and said to him, “I summoned you to curse my enemies, but you have blessed them these three times. Now leave at once and go home! I said I would reward you handsomely, but the Lord has kept you from being rewarded.” ‘Even if Balak gave me all the silver and gold in his palace, I could not do anything of my own accord, good or bad, to go beyond the command of the Lord—and I must say only what the Lord says’?“ ‭‭Numbers‬ ‭24‬:‭1‬-‭11‬, ‭13‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Observation:

Balaam met with God and He spoke to him. I love how he introduces himself before he prophecies, “The prophecy of Balaam son of Beor, the prophecy of one whose eye sees clearly, the prophecy of one who hears the words of God, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who falls prostrate, and whose eyes are openend”

Balak had seen what Israel had done to other nations and knew they would defeat him too.  His army was not strong enough to fight.  He recognized that what Balaam said came to pass. So, he summoned Balaam to curse them. 

Before going, Balaam sought God and would not go. After several pleas from Balak, God told him to go ahead and go.  However, something in Balaams’s heart must have been off because an angel was waiting to stop him. His donkey saw it and saved his life. God opened the donkey’s mouth to speak to Balaam. Then he repented and humbled himself. 

At this point in the story he has given two blessings instead of curses and Balak is furious. He refuses to pay what he promised and sends him home. 

Balaam did not let money or pressure sway him. Of course, the donkey incident must have been a huge red flag not to. 

Application:

The same God Balaam met with is the One we have access to today.  I would love to speak with assurance as he did knowing that I see God clearly and speak His will. The truth is that is available to me. May I meet with God daily for that confidence.  

I also do not want to be distracted by things of the world that will try to sway me and stand firm. While it would be nice to have a conversation with Diamond (my treasured pet), I don’t want it to be a consequence of my disobedience. 

Prayer:

Father God, Thank you for your love and plan for my life. There is nothing you won’t do to capture your children’s attention and direct us in what’s right, you even used a talking donkey.  Like Balaam may I seek you always and have the assurance that when I obey you, your words will be in my mouth. May I only speak what you say.  If I stray, please open my eyes to my error and guide me back on track. There is nothing impossible for you. You are a Mighty and Gracious God. 

Amen 

- Cindy Howard

Matthew 12 - 08.08.24

SCRIPTURE - Matthew 12:1-3, 5-7 NLT

“At about that time Jesus was walking through some grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry, so they began breaking off some heads of grain and eating them. But some Pharisees saw them do it and protested, “Look, your disciples are breaking the law by harvesting grain on the Sabbath.” 

Jesus said to them, “Haven’t you read in the Scriptures what David did when he and his companions were hungry? 

And haven’t you read in the law of Moses that the priests on duty in the Temple may work on the Sabbath? 

I tell you, there is ONE here who is even GREATER than the Temple! 

But you would not have condemned my innocent disciples if you knew the meaning of this Scripture: 

‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’”

OBSERVATION 

Jesus has a discussion about The Sabbath 

There was no actual law that prohibited the plucking of grain in order to eat on the Sabbath. On the contrary, gleaning handfuls of grain from a neighbor’s field to satisfy one’s immediate hunger was explicitly permitted (Deut 23:25). 

What was prohibited was for a farmer to harvest on the Sabbath for a profit—which was clearly not the case with Jesus’ disciples.

Jesus further pointed out their hypocrisy from the Law of Moses, that while the Pharisees were nit picking about the disciples eating some wheat grain, the Pharisees were the ones who actually “worked” every Sabbath as they attended to the Temple responsibilities. 

Jesus kept  The Sabbath as it was intended.

The Sabbath was for—rest AND WORSHIP-to Draw Close to God AND to invite others to join you in drawing close to God—not rest for rest’s sake.

APPLICATION 

Called to Sabbath Worship and Rest 

Jesus is LORD of the Sabbath.

Unfortunately the Pharisees never understood what Jesus—as LORD of The Sabbath—was Teaching. They were so concerned about the “letter of the Law” that they missed the Opportunity to EXPERIENCE God when HE was standing right in front of them.

Sabbath-comes from the Hebrew word Shabbat-which means REST-

A break from our regular routines—to lay down work—and breathe in Jesus. 

God set this Day of Rest aside SO we may be able to JOIN Heaven and EXPERIENCE the JOY of Corporate Worship as we gather to honor and Glorify God.

Jesus set the example for us to follow:

“…on the Sabbath day Jesus went into the synagogue, as was his custom.” (Luke 4:16 NIV)

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:24-25 NIV)

“And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven IS at hand.’” (Matthew 10:7 AMP)

PRAYER

LORD Jesus,

Thank YOU for Your Love. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit that brings us into deep communion with You. Thank You that You allow us to continually DWELL with YOU.

Thank You for Sabbath rest that draws us together in Unity—to Worship and glorify You—and to encourage One another…all the MORE as we see the Day approaching.

Teach me More and More about what it means to Abide in You at Your Feet. And experience heaven on earth.

In Your Holy and Precious Name. Amen

Tina L Kudelka

Matthew 11 - 8.7.24

Scripture

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30, NKJV).

Observation

We hear Jesus’s comforting invitation “come to me, you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest”. When we come to Him, we receive rest. Jesus further invites us to partner with Him, and to take his yoke upon us. I remember seeing farmers in India use oxen to plough rice fields, when I was very young. A yoke is a piece of wood designed to put over the neck of two animals, so that they go in the same direction pulling the plough and accomplish what they are supposed to do. The yoke keeps the two animals together, distributing the weight of the plough equally between them and making them go in the same direction to till the field. Without the yoke, the animals will go in different directions and the field does not get tilled. Nowadays you no longer see the ox and the yoke, as they have been replaced by tractors.

Jesus is inviting us to give Him our burdens and in exchange take his yoke on our shoulders. He assures us that his yoke is easy and his burden is light. Jesus is always with us, and he cares for us. His word asks us to cast our worries and burdens on Him because he cares for us (1 Peter 5:7). He has promised to be with us at every step. He has promised to hold our hand always and help us (Isaiah:41:13). He has promised to direct our steps.  When we take His yoke on us, one side of the yoke is on our shoulders, but the other side of the yoke is on His shoulders. When we take his yoke on our shoulders and follow His lead, we learn from Him. He is gentle and humble in heart. (Matt:11:29). His yoke is not like the world’s yoke which crushes. His yoke is easy and His burden is light. 

Application

All of us labor in the fields that God has planted us, and at times life gets overwhelming. When I feel overwhelmed, I remember this verse, “come to me you who labor and are heavy-laden, I will give you rest”. Instead of going to the world’s avenues of entertainment for rest, let's go to the feet of Jesus for rest. Only in His presence is true rest. When worry hits, let's take all the anxiety and worries to Him in prayer. Once you give it to Him, leave it with Him and receive his rest in exchange, knowing that He will take care of it. He has created each one of us with a unique purpose and calling. We can accomplish His purpose in our life, only by partnering with Him, by taking His yoke on us. Let us give our desires and plans to Him in prayer, and ask Him to direct our steps. He will direct our steps and show us where to turn at every step, and every crossroad, and in the million decisions we need to take in a day. He has promised to direct our steps when we trust in the Lord with all our heart, lean not on our own understanding and acknowledge Him in all our ways (Prov 3:5-6).

Prayer

Father, I thank you for loving me. I thank you God for daily bearing my burdens (Psalms 68:19-20). Thank you Jesus for calling me to you, so that I find rest for my soul. I want to take your yoke upon me and follow your lead and learn from you as I go through life. Show me how to do that everyday. Help me to bring all my anxieties to you and cast it at your feet, and receive your peace in exchange. Help me to prioritize my time with you everyday above everything else in life. Help me to love you with all my heart, all my soul, and all my strength (Deut: 6:5). Make my life a living sacrifice holy and acceptable to you (Romans 12:1). In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

- Asha Chacko George