Keep Praying

 

 

We must be careful not to become weary and faint as we pray.

 

When we are tired, we might say "What's the use?  Do my prayers really matter?"

Let me say, those thoughts are from the enemy who seeks to discourage our faith and press down on our “believer” to squash it to bits.

If our spiritual eyes were opened, we would be able to see a HOST of angels waiting to carry our prayers to heaven, and bring back the answer. The battle is not with guns and swords, but is with spiritual weapons that are made active when we pray.

We have been praying for our city and using a prayer list by a saint who believes we need to made Declarations and Degrees with a voice of prophesy over our city - our loved ones, our families and even over ourselves.

God is not dead and He does answer prayer.

Spiritual Warfare using our Body, Soul and Spirit

JESUS - - I WILL DANCE FOR YOU

 

Wednesday is the day we meet early as a group to pray over our city.  Pastor Allan allows me to bring a message each week before we pray. 

As we opened our meeting, I asked that they have an open mind and a teachable spirit.  When you enter into new Spiritual territory, it is easy to criticize and find fault.  The main thing is not to quench the Holy Spirit or to grieve Him. 

 ~ ~ ~

I began by giving my testimony of last Saturday evening as I sat in my kitchen reading a book about Dancing into the Anointing. 

The Lord spoke to me and asked if I would be willing to dance for Him?  I said, yes, Lord, but you know I am not a dancer.  He had me stand in my kitchen, and He gave me instruction and asked me to do some moves for Him.   

He then told me where to sit on Sunday morning in church, and to take it slowly but to use hand motions forcefully criss-crossing my arms back and forth when the song was sung, ‘Break every chain.’   I told God, “They haven’t sung that song for quite a while, but okay, I will do it if they sing it tomorrow.” 

God asked me to worship and pull down strongholds with my hands, and to toss the wind and rain of the Holy Spirit into the air with motions as the songs suggested.  I knew that He was testing my obedience. 

This is new territory to me, and certainly fishing on the other side of the boat.  In the past I have been opposed to orchestrated, (learned- programmed) dance in the church, and I am not sure all of it is right because a "group" of dancers might not ALL be in the spirit.  (Caution). The motions, the rocking, the swaying, must be decent and certainly in the Spirit.  The question is:  Did the Presence of God come down?   The answer is: Yes !! 

Psalms 150:4  Praise him with the tambourine and DANCE: praise him with stringed instruments and organs. 

Ecclesiastes 3:4 A time to weep, to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to DANCE; 

2 Samuel 6:16 As the ark of the Lord came into the city of David, Michal the daughter of Saul looked out of the window and saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord, and she despised him in her heart. 

I am reminded of Elijah and the prophets of Baal as they jumped and danced. (Understand that satan imitates the dance of the Lord.) 

1 Kings 18: Then the prophets of Baal took the ox which was given them and they prepared it and called on the name of Baal from morning until noon saying, "O Baal, answer us." But there was no voice and no one answered.  And they leaped about the altar which they made. 

Running can be a form of dance.  I have seen men of God take off running around the church.  Others have jumped repeatedly. 

(Psalm 18: 29,33-34,37,50) For by thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall. … He makes my feet like hinds’ feet, and sets me upon my high places. He teaches my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms. … I have pursued mine enemies, and overtaken them: neither did I turn again till they were consumed.

Ephesians 4:29-31  Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And GRIEVE NOT the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 

1 Thessalonians 5: 16-23 Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.  DO NOT QUENCH THE SPIRIT.  Despise not prophecies but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil.  May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you completely.  May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Christ Jesus.

The following Excerpts are taken from:  Aimee Kovacs, book. Dancing into the Anointing: Touching the Heart of God Through Dance 

The Warfare Dance 

It is good to remember that when a church is first started, one has to dethrone the prince of the power of the air that has been on assignment to that location. The struggles a new church will have in getting started will depend on how deeply entrenched the powers of darkness are in a location. 
 

The more intercession, praise and worship, warfare, and binding and loosing that goes on, the quicker the church will experience victory. 
 

One can really feel the liberty in the service as the forces of darkness are destroyed. It takes less praise to enter into worship once the land has been possessed.
 

With the same principle, the warfare dance can be used at home to win territory for your loved ones, community, business, school system, and government in your community, or to intercede for the nation. 
 

Most of the time, the movements used in a warfare dance are sharp and angular. Examples would be kicks, jumps, punches, lunging, falling, stabbing, pushing, leaping, turning, clapping, stomping, marching, and pulling.  
 

As you seek the Lord in choreographing a dance, He will give you the steps. When it is a spontaneous dance, the Holy Spirit will dance through you and will create the steps as you go along. 
 

Warfare dance can be used to bring deliverance, healing, financial breakthrough, ministry breakthrough, and anything else that is needed.  
 

(Aimee gives her personal testimony) 
 

I use this dance a lot to get breakthroughs for my family. I dance in my kitchen. (That is my altar of prayer where I meet God.) I start out by faith.  When the anointing falls, the Holy Spirit gives me songs and words to sing as He brings to my mind.
  

I address the powers, principalities, and rulers of darkness as the Holy Spirit gives me their names. I bind them and command them to cease their operation. I command them to leave the person, business, or ministry that I am warring for.  
 

As I am verbally singing or speaking, the Holy Spirit gives me corresponding hand and feet movements. When the war has been won in the heavenlies I know it by the joy that comes or by the liberty that comes. 

These have been Excerpts from:  Aimee Kovacs, book. Dancing into the Anointing: Touching the Heart of God Through Dance

 

The Tabernacle Is Within YOU !

Jesus Speaking to His Father God

As our Bible Study teacher at Open Door Church taught the lesson, I took notes and present an edited message.

Our study is about the Old Testament Tent Tabernacle and its meaning; and how it represents Christ Jesus. 

We are reminded that Jesus spent a lot of time with the Father, more than with the people.

Mark 1:35 Very early in the morning while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went to a solitary place to pray. 

His pattern was to get up early and remove himself from the crowd, finding a secluded place to pray.  He often “Looked up” into heaven as He prayed. 

John 17  After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: "Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.

His final place of prayer was in the Garden, where he went away, a short distance from the disciples, to agonize and pray by himself.

Jesus told us to ASK and EXPECT.  He reminded us that when children request bread, their human fathers do not give them a stone, a serpent or a scorpion.  Neither will your heavenly Father give evil gifts when we as His children ask for our daily bread.  As parents we want to give our children the best.  God desires to bless us with the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 6:1-15 Jesus gave instructions not to pray to be seen of men, and not to give money to the poor as a show, but to do our good works in secret.  Jesus had been praying as he spoke those words, and the disciples asked Him to teach them to pray.  He gave them what is called the Lord’s Prayer as an example. 

1. Begin by recognizing God as your Father and that He is Holy.
2. Request that His kingdom be established here on earth as His will is being done on earth as it is in heaven. 
3. Request your daily needs,
4. Repent of known sin, and forgive others,
5. Ask to be kept from temptation, and
6.  End your prayer by thanking God for His mercy, His power and His glory.

The example of Jesus was to have a routine, a discipline and to have a personal relationship with the Father God.

Jesus is still praying.  What is it He prays for? 

Hebrews 4: This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.

Hebrews 7:25 But this man Jesus, because he continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood.  Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever lives to make intercession for them.

The Holy Spirit prays through us:  Romans 8:26  In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.

God is listening to call after call, He hears all of our pain, suffering, and burdens too heavy for us to bear, yet He is ready to bring deliverance to his children. 

The Tent Tabernacle was set up with Divine order and the Priests were expected to fulfill their obligations, with sacrifices, prayers, and burning of incense. 

 

The Bible tells us that our prayers are as sweet smelling incense before the Father God.

We as Christians have an obligation to obey the Father; to prepare our hearts and to come daily before him in prayer, praise and worship.

 

 

Shift to the Other Side

Obedience brings Abundance

 

Pastor Allan was ministering as I took notes and present a digested message here.

The glory of the Lord was present in a special way, and Pastor was speaking.  It doesn’t matter the things going on around you because Jesus is in control and He is worthy of all. 

God is present and He will meet you where you are at in life.  If you have thoughts that you are unworthy, please understand it is a lie from the enemy. 

God offers the great exchange, taking your old life and bringing newness of life removing the guilt and shame.  He then makes you worthy and clothes you with His righteousness. 

God is in the business of restoring that which the enemy has stolen.   At times it may feel like no progress is being made, but know that God desires to bless you abundantly.  He calls, but you must step out in faith to obey His command.

How many years have some of us wrestled with God as Jacob did?  I want God’s direction in my life and to always hear His voice.  I want to quit wrestling and surrender.

John chapter 21, records the event, where Jesus was with his disciples and Peter decided to go fishing.  He labored all night but caught nothing. 

 

The next morning Jesus called to Peter and asked “How goes it?”  Peter replied, “I haven’t caught even one fish.”  Jesus said, “Cast your net on the other side of the boat.”  Peter questioned in his heart; what good would that do - - isn’t one side as good as the other - -? But never the less at the words of Jesus he decided to obey.

In life there may be some things that seem foolish and silly, but it is best to obey when the Holy Spirit says to do something differently. 

Jesus said, “Stop what you are now doing and try the other side.”  All that night, Peter was expending wasted energy and time, and had not consulted Jesus in the first place about going fishing.

By obeying Jesus command there was a shift in time and space and abundance became the answer.

These men were fishermen, and they knew their business.  They expected to catch fish and knew where all the best spots were - - but not this time.  Jesus was testing their faith and desired to see if Peter was willing to obey a seemingly silly request to switch sides of the boat.

God desires to do something greater and deeper in our lives.  He wants you to live an abundant life; for you to have enough and more than enough body, soul and spirit.  We can never outdo God.  Miracles are available for you today.  God desires only good for you.

John 10:10 says:  The enemy comes as a thief to steal, kill and destroy, but Jesus comes to bring us life and that more abundantly.

The Master Plan of God is abundance, and that requires our cooperation and obedience to His Word.

The shift is sometimes in steps as He leads us along his Holy pathway.  There are better, deeper and abundant ways to live.

Don’t sit doing what you have always done.  Be willing to move to the other side.  When God speaks, actions are required on our part.  Never the less we shall obey.  Be willing to step up and volunteer and work along side those ministering here in this church.

Yes, we focus on one another, building up the brethren, encouraging, but we need to reach out to those outside of our church. 

My dream is to begin an outreach work with the Local High School.

I believe Jesus can deliver the worse sinner, the worse addict and the sickest diseased person.  We are already seeing God strip away the dross and change lives.  Casting our net on the other side does bring results. 

Build yourself up to become strong through Spiritual exercise.  Prepare yourself by personal prayer and Bible reading.  There are higher levels in God so come on up higher.  God will reveal His purpose to you in your prayer closet. 

Change is not always comfortable, but I encourage you to reach out, step up and experience more of God’s abundance.  Trust Him, for He will not lead you astray. 

We serve an amazing God and He is so mindful of us and of every little thing that disturbs us.

 

Control or Not

Control or Not

 

Each week at our Prayer meeting, I bring a short focus. 

This week I was pondering about:  

“Things you Can’t Control”

1. The Weather  (Even as I though on this, I can remember asking God to stop the rain so my children could get home from school in the dry – and he did.  I did not control the weather, but we can ask God to do so.  We also pray for rain when there is a drought.)
2. Bodily functions – such as vomiting, sweating etc.  (The more I though on this, I remembered the verse about God being upset with Christians that were neither Hot or Cold.  God hates Luke-warm, and says he will vomit them up.)  (I don’t think He had to stick his finger down his throat to do so.)
3. Someone else’s WILL.  (Oh how we would like to shake some people and make them live right, but we cannot control someone else’s decisions.
4. Your friend’s choices (same as #3.)
5. Force someone to follow Jesus.  (My thoughts took me to the saying, ‘You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink.’) 
6. God and his ways.  And the methods he uses to discipline people. 

(I was thinking about Sodom and Gomorrah, and how God destroyed both cities with fire and brimstone, because of their homosexual lifestyle. - - You might think me cruel and heartless, but think about it. - - - God sometimes uses a Muslim with a gun, to destroy a band of sodomites. 

I am sad for the grieving families of these victims and sorry the victims at the night club probably did not have time to repent.  I would not wish this on anyone.) 

 

Things you CAN Control   

1.      Your thoughts  - Accomplished by substitution of another thought.  Philippians 4:8  Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

2.     Being responsible for your own actions.  Romans 14:10, 12 “For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.”

3.     Determination to show up at Church and support meetings. Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

4.    Taking time to daily read your Bible and pray.  2 Timothy 2:15  Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that has nothing to be ashamed of, rightly dividing the word of truth.

5.     Personal Self Control – A fruit of the Holy Spirit, accomplished by choice and decisions.  Galatians 5:22-23  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Titus 2:12   The Holy Spirit teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age. 

How can we apply this lesson as we pray over our city? 

1. Request the Holy Spirit to convict these with stubborn minds and rebellious attitudes.  They are enjoying the pleasures of unrighteousness, not realizing that these gratifications are destroying them body soul and spirit. 

2. Ask Jesus to reveal Himself to our citizens and that they need to repent and turn around and face Jesus.   

3. Ask God to send dreams in the night to reveal to our citizens His truth that Christ Jesus can change their life and make it better.

 

Power of Prayer

Power of Prayer

 

We were privileged to have Laurie as a guest teacher at our Bible Study.  I took notes and present an edited lesson she taught at Open Door Church. 

Prayer produces energy, and even our thoughts are powerful.  Jesus was full of compassion as He ministered, and compassion also generates miracles.  When our praying is full of compassion, and heartfelt, we can expect the impossible to happen. 

United Prayer:

Prayer reaches out and touches our friends and families, as we touch our Father God.

A Prayer of agreement is a spiritual blending of our souls with God, his son Jesus and the Holy Spirit.

Praise and worship: Our prayers glorify God, as we find in Psalms 62:1-2  “My soul glorifies God and He is my rock and my salvation.

 

We read the entire 45^th Psalm for it is a hymn of praise.

Prayer can be Meditation, as we enter into the throne room and quietly rest in His presence.  We wait and think about God and his Mercy and Grace; then we wait for His response.

Memorized Prayers

As we begin to learn how to pray, we may start by reading a prayer from a prayer book, or reciting a pray we have committed to memory.  Children love the night time prayer, “Now I lay me down to sleep.”

How do we pray?  Some pray differently than others.  We should pray as you would talk to a friend.

Jesus taught us an example how to pray in Matthew 6:7-15

1.     Address God as our Father

2.     Realize He is in heaven

3.     Praise Him for He is Holy

4.     Know His kingdom is coming to earth

5.     His will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.  (Let God be God and abide in Him)

6.     Request for your daily food and needs

7.     Repent: Ask forgiveness as we search our hearts for hidden sin.

8.     Be willing to forgive those who sin against us.

9.     Prevent us from falling into temptation.

10. Listen to God’s guidance and protection,

11. For thine is the Kingdom, and the Power and the glory for ever.

Notice this prayer begins and ends with Praise to God Almighty.

Many scriptures can assist us in our prayers: 

1.     Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious but trust,

2.     Matthew 6:6 Enter into your closet (find a quiet place to pray.) 

3.     Luke 11:9  Ask, Seek, Knock.

4.     James 5:16  Confess your faults to one another and pray for each other.

5.     I Timothy 2:8 Pray everywhere and don’t be ashamed to lift your hands.

We don’t always understand the Ways of God.  He is kind and loving, but He can also be angry with the wicked. 

All of us have issues in our life.  Some think it is God sending trouble our way.  We think God has forsaken us and turned him back, because we find our self in a dark place and it seems there is no way out.  It is important for our attitude be one to never give up HOPE.

What does God need to do to get across to us that He is in control, and His will is being done.  God does remove some people from our lives, and brings others in.

Jesus had a life of prayer.  He often found a desert place, a mountain, or a garden in which to pray.  Prior to the cross He prayed in great agony that this cup would be taken from him, but he cried, “Not my will but thine be done.”

Let us take the example of Jesus and pray often.  Find a quiet place and practice praise, request, repentance, and assurance that He is in control.

 

Call No One on Earth, Father

The Sunday morning Sermon at Open Door Church was presented by Pastor Rodney.  I could only catch portions of his message as some voices are difficult for me to hear.  This is an edited and digested sermon using the scriptures placed on the screen while I was taking notes. Some thoughts are mine.

When Studying Scripture, it is important to read verses before and after a statement, in order to bring clarification.  Jesus was teaching against hypocrisy, pride and those who seek “Titles” to be seen of men.

Mathew 23:6-12  The Scribes and Pharisees love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’ But you; do not be called ‘Rabbi;’ for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren.  Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ. But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.

 

Close examination shows us that this was an example in pride and the use of Rabbi, teacher and father on earth, is acceptable.

A Man can be a father on earth, even if they are not the biological Father.  Consider Joseph and Jesus.

Matthew 1:18  Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit.

Joseph a just man, thought to put her away secretly not wanting a scandal. 

An angel appeared to Joseph in a dream telling him not to fear and to take Mary as his wife. 

The angel explained; All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet Isaiah, saying: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”

Isaiah 7:14 and 9:6.

In the natural this did not make sense, but Joseph did as the angel said and took Mary as his wife and became an earthly father to Jesus.

 

Jesus taught in Matthew 15:4 to honor your father and your mother. 

Paul repeated this admonition in Ephesians 6  “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.” Paul also gave instruction to Fathers:  And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.

Some people never knew their earthly father, due to death or abandonment.  Or their father may not have been a good role model, regardless he was their father and should be honored.

Jesus came to reveal God as our Heavenly Father, who only desires good for his children.

One example Jesus gave was if the children were hungry, an earthly father would not offer them a stone or a snake.  Jesus went on to say that God desires good gifts for His children and if they ask He will pour out His Holy Spirit upon them..

We can come to the Father God, through Jesus Christ the son.  

John 14:6  Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

 

A Friend in Need

 

At age 16, I was feeling blue, because my boyfriend had committed a crime and was being sent away to Juvenal prison camp.

 

In our neighborhood, we had a large number of teenagers, and we tended to pair up when we went skating or swimming, or walked to school together. 

This boy was one of our friends, and daily he and I enjoyed the short walk to school, and we also ate lunch together.

 

He and his two brothers were being raised by a single mom, and he never brought a lunch, so I would share my lunch with him.  I even asked my mother to add an extra half sandwich, and she never asked why, but I am sure she guessed.

 

It never dawned on me how my boy friend got his spending money, but he always seemed to have enough for things he wanted, like bus fare and cigarettes.

 

I learned of his arrest because of an article in the local paper about a teenager snatching a purse and getting caught.  I hid the paper from my dad, but he had already read it and was kind enough not to tell me “I told you so.”

 

There are times in life when we get hit with something that has happened to a friend, and we suffer depression along with them.  It is good to have other friends to come along side and cheer us up.

 

I don’t remember my family trying to console me, but it was my friends from the neighborhood that gave me comfort. My family felt to keep quiet, and not speak of it would be a good thing, and they were probably right.

 

At times we are at a loss for words, when others suffer. Probably the best we could do for one who is sad, is just spend some time with them, and let them talk while you listen.

 

I am so thankful that God is always a good listener and he also brings comfort to the broken hearted.

 

How is your HEARING ??

 

 

Every Wednesday we meet at our Church to Pray over our city, our families, our Nation.  Pastor Allan has asked me to bring a short focus on prayer and this was my lesson for this week.

~ ~ ~

HOW IS YOUR HEARING ??

  

Mark 4:9  And Jesus said to them, He that has ears to hear, let him hear. 

Luke chapter 8:4-8  And when a great crowd was gathering and people from town after town came to him, Jesus said in a parable, “A sower went out to sow his seed.  

1.     And as he sowed, some fell along the path and was trampled underfoot, and the birds of the air devoured it.

2.     And some fell on the rock, and as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture.

3.     And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up with it and choked it.

4.     And some fell into good soil and grew and yielded a hundredfold.”

As He said these things, He called out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

And when his disciples asked him what this parable meant, Jesus said;

“To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God, but for others they are in parables, so that ‘seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.

Now the parable is this:  - - The seed is the word of God.

1.     The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved.

2.     And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away.

3.     And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature.

4.     As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience.”

Rev 2:29 He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the churches. 

When you hear the word church, you immediately think of a building, but understand that your body is the temple (or church) of the Holy Spirit and that the Holy Spirit of God is speaking to YOU personally. 

Rev 3:2  Wake up! Listen up! Strengthen what little remains, hold fast and stand strong lest you fall. 

What can we learn from today’s scripture lesson ?? 

1.     Hear the Word of God that says to believe on Jesus and you will be saved from your sins and your name will be written in heaven.  (A future reservation for heaven is made for you so that some day you will be with Jesus in heaven.)

2.     Make a quality decision to receive Jesus and follow Him according to His word and in your actions.  God is looking for those who “REPENT” and mean it and will allow Him to change old habits and create new habits that please God.

3.     Read your Bible everyday.  Pray and ask Jesus to help you each day.

4.  Make a firm decision to regularly attend a Bible Believing Church.

Each morning when you wake, ask God, “Lord, what are your thoughts for me today?” HEAR what the Holy Spirit is saying to YOU.  He will guide you and you will overcome. He has good treasures in store for your life ... so many blessings that you would never be able to imagine them let alone count them.

 

Balaam’s Council was His Curse

Balaam’s Council was His Curse

 

Recently I wrote a post about Balaam meeting an angel on the way to Moab to curse the Children of Israel.  Read the post here.   I had prepared the lesson for our Prayer meeting, but was asked to save it for another time.  - - - so the lesson was resting. 

On short notice, I was asked to teach the Bible Study on Sunday at my church.  I had the lesson about Balaam that had been saved so I realized God wanted it for this occasion.

As I prepared with additional material, something new was revealed to me in my study.

I was reading in Revelation where Jesus said He hated the “COUNCIL of Balaam,” and this was interesting to me.  What was Balaam’s council? 

As it turned out - - Baalam and the King of Moab realized that God would not allow them to curse the children of Israel so they devised another plan.   Balaam counseled the Moabites to make friends with the Israelites and involve them with their wicked daughters.   

The women would invite the Israelites to the feasts of their false god, offer the weak minded men strong drink and encourage them to bow down to the idols.  To please the women, these foolish men did as they were told. 

Balaam’s curse was his council; “Wine Women and Song.” 

The Scripture surrounding the doctrine of Balaam and its tragic results is given in

(Numbers 25:1-3)   Now Israel remained in Acacia Grove, and the people began to commit harlotry with the women of Moab.  They invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods, and the people ate and bowed down to their gods.   So Israel was joined to Baal of Peor, and the anger of the Lord was aroused against Israel. 

The Israelites, after entering into the land of Moab, began to commit fornication with the “women of Moab,” to eat meat sacrificed to idols, and bow down and worship the false gods of the Moabites.  In order to put a stop to these sins and stay the hand of God’s judgment upon the entire camp of Israel, Moses instructed the Judges over each tribe to slay every Israelite who had “joined himself to Baal-peor.”  Because of their sins, twenty-four thousand Israelites perished under God’s judgment.  (24,000 now that is a lot of people.) 

What caused the Israelites to depart from the one true and living God who had delivered them from Egypt and begin serving false gods and following the idolatrous ways of the Moabites?   

The answer is given in - -

Numbers 31:16:  Look, these women caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to trespass against the LORD in the incident of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the LORD. 

As previously seen, Balaam could not curse Israel.  Only beautiful prophecies filled with blessings flowed from his lips when he was called into Moab by King Balak.  But Balaam did succeed in leading the Israelites astray through his counsel.  The Israelites, through the counsel of Balaam, were led to commit fornication, eat things sacrificed to idols, and bow down before other gods.  And because of these sins, the judgment of God fell upon His people. 

It is recorded in the book of Revelation, John experience a vision while in prison, and he saw Jesus who spoke to him.  Jesus was speaking about the different churches and of one – Jesus said this: 

     Revelation 2:14-15  But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.   

We might ask who were the Nicolatians?  The answer was that the Nicolaitans were false teachers.  They mixed made-up opinions and personal ideas in with their teaching creating confusion and a watered down gospel. They left out doctrine they did not like.  

Paul warned in Galatians 1:8  But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than that which we have preached to you, let him be accursed. 

Now you would think you could trust angel to bring you a true message, but beware if the message does not line up with the Word of God.  Angels have been known to bring messages on golden plates, and present another book that followers of certain groups claim is better or just as good as the Bible. 

There are many factions who claim to be “religious” with another book, another doctrine, one that leaves Christ Jesus OUT as God.  They may refer to God as your “Higher Power” and you are free to make up who ever you like to be that god for you. 

I say nonsense and it is a watered down version with distilled water.  

The group may acknowledge Jesus as a prophet, but do not teach him crucified, risen, coming again, and sending us the Holy Spirit to indwell.  Often they do not believe in a literal hell and want nothing to do with the blood of Jesus. 

(Paul was writing to Christians ) - - Romans 2:2-5  And we know that the judgment of God rightly falls upon those who practice wicked life styles. But do you suppose this, O man, when you pass judgment on those who practice such things and do the same yourself, that you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance? But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God.   

Be on your guard for those who seem so nice and want to share with you their materials will present at first something that appears good.   

Keep yourself untainted and steadfast in the Word of God and you will not be deceived.

So what do we avoid?

1.     Being unequally yoked with unbelievers.

2.     Avoid committing fornication or other sexual sins.

3.     Do not align yourselves with other gods that do not adhere to the Bible and its teachings.  Beware of Eastern meditation and types of exercise that seem helpful but are cunning to pull you into Spiritism.

4.     Attend a Bible Believing Church and join a Bible Study group who study God’s Word.