KJB Daily
Devotion – Following Jesus Through Every Chapter
Date: Tuesday, February 16, 2016
Chapters: Numbers 22-24
Message: Numbers: For They Are Blessed
Hello My Friend,
As Christians we might get into some messes, but that is between you and God, no one else has a say in what He allows and does not allow, and the blessings He gives or takes away. Now, if anyone else messes with us that is a different story. If we are His saved, born again children, no one can change that, and He always has our back. “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” - Jeremiah 29:11.
Curse, To utter a wish of evil against one; to imprecate evil upon. As the Israelites were getting close to the promised land, news got around of how strong and powerful they were and that scared the other nations. As they were passing through Moab, the king of Moab tempted a prophet named Balaam into putting a curse upon them. Little did they both realize that God had blessed them as a nation, and there was no way He would take it away.
“And Moab was sore afraid of the people, because they were many: and Moab was distressed because of the children of Israel. And the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the rewards of divination in their hand; and they came unto Balaam, and spake unto him the words of Balak. And he said unto them, Lodge here this night, and I will bring you word again, as the LORD shall speak unto me: and the princes of Moab abode with Balaam. And God came unto Balaam, and said, What men are these with thee? And Balaam said unto God, Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, hath sent unto me, saying, Behold, there is a people come out of Egypt, which covereth the face of the earth: come now, curse me them; peradventure I shall be able to overcome them, and drive them out. And God said unto Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed.” - Numbers 22:3,7-12.
“thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed.” Jesus broke the curse of death and hell when He gave His life on the cross. Now, anyone who believes in Him and receives Him as their Saviour is blessed with the gift of eternal life. “That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” - John 3:15,18.
God will use any means to get us to see that we are going in the wrong direction. There is one culprit behind all curses, Satan, and he will use anyone to try to curse God's people, even if they are saved. You can be sure that if that person does not repent of that evil, God will make sure they learn their lesson one way or another. Balaam, still determined to find a way that Israel could be cursed so he can get his riches and honor, did not listen to the warnings and met up with Balak once again, this time God let him to go there with a message.
“And he brought him into the field of Zophim, to the top of Pisgah, and built seven altars, and offered a bullock and a ram on every altar. And he said unto Balak, Stand here by thy burnt offering, while I meet the LORD yonder. And the LORD met Balaam, and put a word in his mouth, and said, Go again unto Balak, and say thus. And when he came to him, behold, he stood by his burnt offering, and the princes of Moab with him. And Balak said unto him, What hath the LORD spoken? And he took up his parable, and said, Rise up, Balak, and hear; hearken unto me, thou son of Zippor: God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? Behold, I have received commandment to bless: and he hath blessed; and I cannot reverse it.” - Numbers 23:14-20.
“and I cannot reverse it.” Once saved, always saved, the blessing of eternal life cannot be reversed no matter how many time we mess up after being saved. While Satan cannot take one single soul that belongs to Jesus, he can cause a lot of disruption in one that does not live their lives with Christ in it. While evil things happen to us that we cannot explain, the majority of the time, all curses come when we take our eyes off Jesus. “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.” - 1 Peter 5:12-16.
There is a reason why God's children are to be separate and not conform to other nations, we fall victim to it's evil, but even if we do God never lets us go because He made a promise never to leave nor forsake any soul that believes in and receives His Son. Each time Balaam tried to curse Israel it was reversed as a blessing. God was well aware of the sin that plagued Israel, but remembers His promise to make a great nation out of Jacob. One more time Balak pleads with Balaam to curse Israel, and now after three tries, and much bigger blessings. Balaam finally realizes he cannot curse Israel, and Balak was mad.
“And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he went not, as at other times, to seek for enchantments, but he set his face toward the wilderness. And Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel abiding in his tents according to their tribes; and the spirit of God came upon him. And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said: He hath said, which heard the words of God, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open: How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, and thy tabernacles, O Israel! And Balak's anger was kindled against Balaam, and he smote his hands together: and Balak said unto Balaam, I called thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast altogether blessed them these three times. Therefore now flee thou to thy place: I thought to promote thee unto great honour; but, lo, the LORD hath kept thee back from honour.” - Numbers 24:1-5,10,11.
“the LORD hath kept thee back from honour.” How often are we told that our faith in Christ is what keeps us from getting things? I have had people turn me down for business because of my faith. While we may have to contend with some worldly people who are just plain scared that we might receive something far greater than them, it is really God that we have to contend with. God does not hold us back from anything of value, and He will bless us tremendously if we remain faithful to Him. He may give some things and take some things, but what He takes He replaces with greater things. Never let anyone make you think that because you follow Christ you are losing out, no one loses with Christ. “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.” - 1 Corinthians 3:11-15. Praise God!
Today's Prayer: God, Thank You for giving us the power to break the curse of death and hell. When we call on Your Son, He instantly breaks the curse, but we can still be held in bondage to a corrupt world. Lord, give us Your power to break free from the things that hold us bondage. Help us keep our eyes on Jesus so that we do not fall into the temptations of the devil, give us the strength we need to walk away from evil, and even know when getting near it. Lead us and guide us in Your will, and Your ways, and continue to bless us with Your mercy and grace so that we can turn any curse into something for Your glory. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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Read Previous Devotions: http://imfollowingjesus.com/Biblestudy/
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Copyright © 2016 I'm Following Jesus, All rights reserved.
Date: Tuesday, February 16, 2016
Chapters: Numbers 22-24
Message: Numbers: For They Are Blessed
Hello My Friend,
As Christians we might get into some messes, but that is between you and God, no one else has a say in what He allows and does not allow, and the blessings He gives or takes away. Now, if anyone else messes with us that is a different story. If we are His saved, born again children, no one can change that, and He always has our back. “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” - Jeremiah 29:11.
Curse, To utter a wish of evil against one; to imprecate evil upon. As the Israelites were getting close to the promised land, news got around of how strong and powerful they were and that scared the other nations. As they were passing through Moab, the king of Moab tempted a prophet named Balaam into putting a curse upon them. Little did they both realize that God had blessed them as a nation, and there was no way He would take it away.
“And Moab was sore afraid of the people, because they were many: and Moab was distressed because of the children of Israel. And the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the rewards of divination in their hand; and they came unto Balaam, and spake unto him the words of Balak. And he said unto them, Lodge here this night, and I will bring you word again, as the LORD shall speak unto me: and the princes of Moab abode with Balaam. And God came unto Balaam, and said, What men are these with thee? And Balaam said unto God, Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, hath sent unto me, saying, Behold, there is a people come out of Egypt, which covereth the face of the earth: come now, curse me them; peradventure I shall be able to overcome them, and drive them out. And God said unto Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed.” - Numbers 22:3,7-12.
“thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed.” Jesus broke the curse of death and hell when He gave His life on the cross. Now, anyone who believes in Him and receives Him as their Saviour is blessed with the gift of eternal life. “That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” - John 3:15,18.
God will use any means to get us to see that we are going in the wrong direction. There is one culprit behind all curses, Satan, and he will use anyone to try to curse God's people, even if they are saved. You can be sure that if that person does not repent of that evil, God will make sure they learn their lesson one way or another. Balaam, still determined to find a way that Israel could be cursed so he can get his riches and honor, did not listen to the warnings and met up with Balak once again, this time God let him to go there with a message.
“And he brought him into the field of Zophim, to the top of Pisgah, and built seven altars, and offered a bullock and a ram on every altar. And he said unto Balak, Stand here by thy burnt offering, while I meet the LORD yonder. And the LORD met Balaam, and put a word in his mouth, and said, Go again unto Balak, and say thus. And when he came to him, behold, he stood by his burnt offering, and the princes of Moab with him. And Balak said unto him, What hath the LORD spoken? And he took up his parable, and said, Rise up, Balak, and hear; hearken unto me, thou son of Zippor: God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? Behold, I have received commandment to bless: and he hath blessed; and I cannot reverse it.” - Numbers 23:14-20.
“and I cannot reverse it.” Once saved, always saved, the blessing of eternal life cannot be reversed no matter how many time we mess up after being saved. While Satan cannot take one single soul that belongs to Jesus, he can cause a lot of disruption in one that does not live their lives with Christ in it. While evil things happen to us that we cannot explain, the majority of the time, all curses come when we take our eyes off Jesus. “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.” - 1 Peter 5:12-16.
There is a reason why God's children are to be separate and not conform to other nations, we fall victim to it's evil, but even if we do God never lets us go because He made a promise never to leave nor forsake any soul that believes in and receives His Son. Each time Balaam tried to curse Israel it was reversed as a blessing. God was well aware of the sin that plagued Israel, but remembers His promise to make a great nation out of Jacob. One more time Balak pleads with Balaam to curse Israel, and now after three tries, and much bigger blessings. Balaam finally realizes he cannot curse Israel, and Balak was mad.
“And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he went not, as at other times, to seek for enchantments, but he set his face toward the wilderness. And Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel abiding in his tents according to their tribes; and the spirit of God came upon him. And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said: He hath said, which heard the words of God, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open: How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, and thy tabernacles, O Israel! And Balak's anger was kindled against Balaam, and he smote his hands together: and Balak said unto Balaam, I called thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast altogether blessed them these three times. Therefore now flee thou to thy place: I thought to promote thee unto great honour; but, lo, the LORD hath kept thee back from honour.” - Numbers 24:1-5,10,11.
“the LORD hath kept thee back from honour.” How often are we told that our faith in Christ is what keeps us from getting things? I have had people turn me down for business because of my faith. While we may have to contend with some worldly people who are just plain scared that we might receive something far greater than them, it is really God that we have to contend with. God does not hold us back from anything of value, and He will bless us tremendously if we remain faithful to Him. He may give some things and take some things, but what He takes He replaces with greater things. Never let anyone make you think that because you follow Christ you are losing out, no one loses with Christ. “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.” - 1 Corinthians 3:11-15. Praise God!
Today's Prayer: God, Thank You for giving us the power to break the curse of death and hell. When we call on Your Son, He instantly breaks the curse, but we can still be held in bondage to a corrupt world. Lord, give us Your power to break free from the things that hold us bondage. Help us keep our eyes on Jesus so that we do not fall into the temptations of the devil, give us the strength we need to walk away from evil, and even know when getting near it. Lead us and guide us in Your will, and Your ways, and continue to bless us with Your mercy and grace so that we can turn any curse into something for Your glory. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Are You 100% Sure You Are Going To Heaven?: http://godsprice.com/
Receive The KJB Daily Devotions In Your Email: http://eepurl.com/2WMzT
Read Previous Devotions: http://imfollowingjesus.com/Biblestudy/
Visit I'm Following Jesus: http://imfollowingjesus.com/index.html
Like I'm Following Jesus On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/byhisstrength
Copyright © 2016 I'm Following Jesus, All rights reserved.
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