Speaking what God wants…

 

Speaking what God wants…

Reading about Balaam in the book of Numbers is similar in to reading about Jonah…

Both men were to give a message that the Lord had given them,  Balaam had a donkey whom he beat three times, Jonah was in the belly of a fish for three days…both were reluctant to speak…Balaam and Jonah had to proclaim…both faced enemies of Israel…their hearts really weren’t right with God…

 The angel of the Lord said to Balaam, “Go with the men, but speak only what I tell you.” So Balaam went with Balak’s officials. “Well, I have come to you now,” Balaam replied. “But I can’t say whatever I please. 

I must speak only what God puts in my mouth.”

Num.22.35,Num.22.38

 Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time: “Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you.”

Jonah.3.1-2

“Balaam was a wicked prophet in the Bible and is noteworthy because, although he was a wicked prophet, he was not a false prophet. That is, Balaam did hear from God, and God did give him some true prophecies to speak. However, Balaam’s heart was not right with God, and eventually he showed his true colors by betraying Israel and leading them astray.

Balaam’s name and story became infamous, and he is referred to several times in the New Testament. Peter compares false teachers to Balaam, “who loved the wages of wickedness” (2 Peter 2:15). Jude echoes this sentiment, associating Balaam with the selling of one’s soul for financial gain (Jude 1:11). Finally, Jesus speaks of Balaam when He warns the church in Pergamum of their sin: “There are some among you who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin so that they ate food sacrificed to idols and committed sexual immorality” (Revelation 2:14). Satan’s tactics haven’t changed all that much. If he cannot curse God’s people directly, he will try the back-door approach, and idolatry and sexual immorality are his go-to temptations.”  Gotquestions.org 

It was just interesting to me how God used both men to speak…He uses so many methods to tell of his Word…wicked, reluctant…even a donkey…the heavens declare His glory…we have His Word around us in so many ways…He is not hindered in any way in proclaiming Himself…

Thank YOU…

 The heavens declare the glory of God;the skies proclaim the work of his hands. 

Day after day they pour forth speech;night after night they reveal knowledge. 

They have no speech, they use no words;no sound is heard from them. 

Yet their voice 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. 

The law of the Lord is perfect,refreshing the soul.

The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,making wise the simple. 

The precepts of the Lord are right,giving joy to the heart.

The commands of the Lord are radiant,giving light to the eyes. The fear of the Lord is pure,enduring forever.

The decrees of the Lord are firm,and all of them are righteous. They are more precious than gold,than much pure gold;they are sweeter than honey,than honey from the honeycomb. 

May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight,Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Ps.19.1-4,Ps.19.7-10, Ps.19.14

Thy Word….

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npWJZwgmKMo

Double lives, double minded…

 

Double lives, double minded…

I had a cancerous mole removed from my face this week…went in for yearly check up, the doctor looks me all over and looks closer at one spot (doesn’t look any different to me), takes a “sample” and it was cancerous…so out comes the needles, the knife, the cauterizing machine, the tests, the bandaids….ugh..and whew…what looked simple led a different life under my skin, spreading and growing…

Recently, along with that, I just finished a book about double lives…people who led hidden lives while purporting upstanding, stable lives to those around them…found out by undercover investigators…all imposters in their lives…one for good,  one for evil…

 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do. Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 

Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

Jas.1.8,Jas.4.7-8

There are those in the Bible who had divided lives…some repented of the evil they has done, while others did not…

David repented and sought after God’s heart…he wanted a whole heart for God…Saul, David’s predecessor, on the other hand, was half hearted…

Saul turned Paul, sought God whole heartedly..he was not double minded after he turned to God, traveling to preach the gospel in so many places…

James writes not be double minded…turning to God Wholeheartedly….

Matthew speaks of two masters, God and money…

  “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

Matt.6.24

Matthew later speaks of wolves in sheep’s clothing…

 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

;Matt.7.15-20

Single minded, undivided hearts, bearing good fruit, true, humble…a worthy goal…

Thank YOU…

“This is what the Lord says: ‘Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Where is the house you will build for me? Where will my resting place be? Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?’ declares the Lord. ‘These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite [wounded] in spirit, and who tremble at my word’” (Isaiah 66:1-2 NIV).

Spirit lead me…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABWnLjXer10

 

 

 Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,for I have put my trust in you.

Show me the way I should go,for to you I entrust my life.

Ps.143.8

Mercies….

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJg31komsak

Found notes..friendship…

 Found notes…friendship….

I still have more notes that I found going through files this winter… some to throw away, some  to keep and some to share…

This was one…the abc’s of friendship….

I still have a long way to go on these concepts… a work in progress for sure…

“The ABC’s of Friendship

The ABC’s of Friendship 

Accepts you as you are 
Believes in “you” 
Calls you just to say “HI” 
Doesn’t give up on you 
Envisions the whole of you 
(even the unfinished parts) 
Forgives your mistakes 
Gives unconditionally 
Helps you 
Invites you over 
Just because 
Keeps you close at heart 
Loves you for who you are 
Makes a difference in your life 
Never Judges 
Offers support 
Picks you up 
Quiets your fears 
Raises your spirits 
Says nice things about you 
Tells you the truth when you need to hear it 
Understands you 
Values you 
Walks beside you 
Xxoxoxoxxxoooxxox, explains things you don’t understand 
Yells when you won’t listen and 
Zaps you back to reality”

Author unknown

This was a good article…

Lifelong friend 

Mentor friend 

The adventure friend

The supportive friend 

 https://www.lovewhatmatters.com/the-4-types-of-friendships-that-define-our-lives-and-how-to-nurture-each-one/

An interesting article…

All of these friendships are important. Data from a recent survey exploring friendship networks revealed that most of us, regardless of age, have cultivated a wide variety of social relationships. Here’s an overview of the specific friendship types that were explored:

1. Lifelong Friends

2. Best Friends

3. Close Friends

4. Social Group Friends (friends you socialize with but with whom you are not particularly close)

5. Activity Friends (friends with whom you engage in specific activities, such as “gym buddies,” members of your book club or dinner club, church circles, and so on)

6. Friends of Convenience (the folks with whom you might share carpooling duties, youth sports team parents, neighborhood groups, and so on)

7. Acquaintance Friends (people at work, people you see each day when you’re walking your dog, folks you know to speak to, but not about anything of consequence or especially personal)…d https://www.psychologytoday.com/au/blog/lifetime-connections/202111/the-7-types-friends-and-which-is-most-essential-our-happiness

Our most important friend, who knows us inside and out, a Saviour, a forever friend,  Jesus…

 Yet I am always with you;you hold me by my right hand. 

You guide me with your counsel,and afterward you will take me into glory. 

Whom have I in heaven but you?And earth has nothing I desire besides you. 

My flesh and my heart may fail,but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Ps.73.23-26

Thank YOU…

What a friend we have in Jesus….

https://www.crosswalk.com/video/dennis-quaid-heartfelt-what-a-friend-we-have-in-jesus-live-performance.html?aps=d491a43856e21b587867b447453a930de9780b237aec2d5b87b5802fcc4d8c3d&utm_content=1129189_20250114_322&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=lst_bst_daily_bible_living&utm_source=newsletter&bt_ee=Lg72SqCzgwJOIULrXfAZ/i9vZD6sKQP6Cyf/xRmtIE7hsEdTK/1EQMvr6wRvCqoQ&bt_ts=1736852784568

Hot Seat…

 “Hot seat”…

We played the game “Hot Seat” last night…you answer a  question about yourself and the rest of the group answers what they think you might have said…then share…they range from very unserious to serious…

“What would you name a new shoe business?” .., “what wouldn’t you do even given a million dollars?”

A great way to find out what others think of you or what a person’s personality really is…since we had all ages, three generations, it was interesting…some were simple, easy answers, while others were thought provoking…

A few Verses later came to me…

 Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure;I am clean and without sin”? 

Even small children are known by their actions,so is their conduct really pure and upright? 

Gold there is, and rubies in abundance,but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel.

Prov.20.9,Prov.20.11,Prov.20.15

 Start children off on the way they should go,and even when they are old they will not turn from it. 

Whoever sows injustice reaps calamity,and the rod they wield in fury will be broken. 

Have I not written thirty sayings for you,sayings of counsel and knowledge, teaching you to be honest and to speak the truth,so that you bring back truthful reportsto those you serve?

Prov.22.6,Prov.22.8,Prov.22.20-21

 He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.

1Tim.3.7

Through out the Bible, God speaks of various people’s character…whether evil, good, bad, a friend, noble, etc., etc., etc….

What would He speak of mine, yours??? We are in the “hot seat”….

Thank YOU…

More like Jesus…

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hNGQ2AQWZ6Q&pp=ygUcaSB3YW50IHRvIGJlIGxpa2UgamVzdXMgc29uZw%3D%3D

https://scripturesavvy.com/being-like-christ/

https://www.gotquestions.org/Christ-like.html

Slow…

 Slow…

The other day, I went with some of my family to the Phoenix Zoo…one f the pictures I came away with was one of the tortoise exhibits…a rabbit was sitting next to this huge tortoise…was a reminder of the old story of the “ Tortoise and the Hare”…where the hare challenges the tortoise to a race…of course, the hare just knew he would win, but story tells a different ending, the tortoise-slow and steady , wins…

The scene of the two animals together made me think of the times the word “slow” is used, especially in regard to God being “slow to anger”…

It is repeated several times by several different writers…David, Joel, Jonah, Nahum, James, Peter…along with the character qualities of compassion, gracious, power, great love, patience…

Thank YOU…

 But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God,slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.

Ps.86.15

 The Lord is compassionate and gracious,slow to anger, abounding in love.

 He will not always accuse,nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.

 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west,so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

Ps.103.8-12

 The Lord is gracious and compassionate,slow to anger and rich in love. The Lord is good to all;he has compassion on all he has made. 

Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,and your dominion endures through all generations.The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does.

Ps.145.8,Ps.145.9,Ps.145.13

 Rend your heart and not your garments.Return to the Lord your God,for he is gracious and compassionate,slow to anger and abounding in love,and he relents from sending calamity.

Joel.2.13

 He prayed to the Lord, “Isn’t this what I said, Lord, when I was still at home?

 That is what I tried to forestall by fleeing to Tarshish.

 I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity.

Jonah.4.2

 The Lord is slow to anger but great in power;the Lord will not leave the guilty unpunished.His way is in the whirlwind and the storm,and clouds are the dust of his feet.

Nah.1.3

 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,

Jas.1.19

 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

2Pet.3.9

Numerous “quickly” references, especially in the book of Psalms…

 Lord, do not forsake me;do not be far from me, my God. Come quickly to help me,my Lord and my Savior.

Ps.38.21-21

Ten thousand reasons…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXDGE_lRI0E

Friends in many places…

 Friends in many places…

Moving a from home to home  several times over a lifetime can be both hard and great…meeting new people, leaving others behind is both hard and great as well.

I have been blessed for so many friends in each place from grade school on…many of whom I still keep in touch with sporadically and regularly…we have shared history, backgrounds, basic commonalities…two friends called this past week in one day, just needing to talk, both had lost their spouses this past year and feelings are raw…another I met yesterday on the plane going through the same things…

I thought of these verses…Jonathan and David…”sworn friendship” through the thick and thin…

 Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace, for we have sworn friendship with each other in the name of the Lord, saying, ‘The Lord is witness between you and me, and between your descendants and my descendants forever.’”

Then David left, and Jonathan went back to the town.

1Sam.20.42

 My intercessor is my friend as my eyes pour out tears to God; on behalf of a man he pleads with God as one pleads for a friend.

Job.16.20-21

My friends are not these that David talks about…

 My friends and companions avoid me because of my wounds;my neighbors stay far away.

Ps.38.11

 The righteous choose their friends carefully….

Prov.12.26a

 A friend loves at all times,and a brother is born for a time of adversity. 

One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin,but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Prov.17.17,Prov.18.24

 One who loves a pure heart and who speaks with grace will have the king for a friend.

Prov.22.11

 “But you, Israel, my servant,Jacob, whom I have chosen,you descendants of Abraham my friend,

Isa.41.8

And John speaks of faithfulness… even with strangers..and he writes as a friend one to another, encouraging those to whom he is writing…

 Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well. It gave me great joy when some believers came and testified about your faithfulness to the truth, telling how you continue to walk in it. 

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. 

Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers and sisters, even though they are strangers to you. Peace to you. 

The friends here send their greetings. Greet the friends there by name.

3John.1.2,3John.1.3,3John.1.4,3John.1.5,3John.1.15

Thank YOU…

Friend and friends forever…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOnSToVsBz4