Faith-bearing Seed for the Soul
"The sower soweth the Word."

Mark 4:14

Not every stumbling block is from the enemy

A Because of the many Christians living in this area, and the greatness of the preaching across the midsection of
America, we have been called the "Bible Belt."

Over the past twenty years that I've lived here, I've seen things change considerably.  Perhaps it's happening all over the nation and not only here.  For example, I went to a church meeting friday night. The evangelist spent about 15-20 minutes taking up the offering.  At his conclusion he said, "I want you to get out of your seats and bring your offering forward.  One of the reasons that I want you to do this is so that everyone can see all those who are NOT giving."  At least he was honest about his motives. 

I had a nice size offering ready to give, but I didn't give it and instead took a note and dropped it in the offering for the pastor of the church to call me.  I'm planning to share Matt. 6:1; 2 Cor. 8; and Luke 11:41,42 with him when he calls, if he does.  As we saw in that meeting, some people will do anything for money, even when it is not God's will and some ministers bring curses upon the finances of the Lord's people who participate and encourage them.  Such displays in the house of the Lord would cause one think they live in the smelly "Religious Armpit" rather than the Bible Belt.  I pray that the Lord will open this minister's eyes like He did Balaam's, and that people would stop supporting this type of disgraceful behavior.

2 John 10
"If someone comes to your meeting and does not teach the truth about Christ, don't invite him into your house or
encourage him in any way.  Anyone who encourages him becomes a partner in his evil work."

Balak, king of Moab, feared the Israelites because he had seen how they had destroyed the Amorites.  He sent messengers to Balaam, a man God used to pronounce blessings and cursing. Balak, a type of the enemy, told Balaam that he would give him much silver and gold and honor if he would come and pronounce a curse on Israel.  Balaam asked God what to do and God said:

Numbers 22:12 NLT (emphasis added)
"DO NOT go with them," God told Balaam. "You are not to curse these people, for I have blessed them!"

Balak didn't give up, he sent another group of more persuasive officials to tell Balaam that he would pay him very well to curse God's people. But did Balaam IMMEDIATELY REFUSE them?  NO! 

Numbers 22:19 KJ
"Now therefore, I pray you, tarry ye also here this night, that I may know what the Lord will say unto me more."

"That he may know what the Lord will say?"  God had already told him not to go!  Balaam at that time apparently thought that God could be persuaded to change his mind like humans can be, but He can't, as we see Balaam had soon learned.  Balaam said:

Numbers 23:19
"God is not a man, that he should lie.  He is not a human, that he should change his mind.  Has he ever spoken and
failed to act?"

What had changed Balaam's mind?  On his way to meet with Balak, Balaam's donkey, three different times, bolted,
swerved in the path and even laid down to keep Balaam from going.  The donkey could see an angel of the Lord standing in front of them blocking the path with his sword drawn. Each time the donkey stopped, Balaam beat it, and God had the ass speak to Balaam.  After the donkey spoke, the Lord opened Balaam's eyes to see that it was the Lord blocking his path so he would not be killed. (Numbers 23:21-33). God's grace and mercy towards
Balaam was so great, as it is towards us when we are enticed to do wrong by the enemy, even when we do it for riches or honor.   

Balaam passed three more tests that Balak placed before him to curse God's people, but rather than curse, he blessed Israel.  Like the devil does, Balak kept tempting the man of God, and God used a donkey to reveal his sin to him.  Sometimes I wonder if that isn't one of my callings, being a donkey for the Lord to speak out against those who will do anything for money and honor.  I've been called worse!  <Smile>

If you keep trying to do something and it keeps getting blocked, considered that it may be THE LORD stopping what you are trying to do because it is not His way or will for you!  Not every stumbling block is from the enemy.


Rooted and grounded in the love of Christ Jesus,
Marlene JuHaros.
www.prayervine.org

a.k.a. PrayerVine

Seed for Thought Devotionals are written as the Lord leads and are sent only if you request a subscription by e-mail.  

Would you like to subscribe to the TexasSower Devotional?  e-mail texassower@texassower.com and put "subscribe" in the subject line.

"Keep on sowing your seed, for you never know

which will grow--perhaps it all will."

Eccl. 11:6

return to the TexasSower home page

.

You are cordially invited to visit the   page for additonal inspiration readings and prayer..