Rising Above Character Weaknesses - Part 1

It was said of President John F. Kennedy that he possessed all the necessary attributes for winning the White House. Among those attributes were privilege and personal relationships, in addition to possessing a strong personality and charisma. However, all these personality traits do not guarantee the nonexistence of character weaknesses.

Balaam possessed these character strengths, including power to influence the king of Moab’s policies concerning the Hebrew people. Even with these strong personality traits, he failed to achieve positive results. He refused to submit his weaknesses to the redemptive, cleansing power of God.

When weaknesses rule, your strengths lose their power. When Julius Caesar permitted himself to be seduced by Cleopatra, he lost respect and power, which prompted his assassination in 34 B.C. God promises you a way to escape temptation by making his power and help instantaneously available to all who earnestly seek it. Thank God for his mercy and kindness.  

Choose to Control Your Weaknesses: God Will Help - Part 3

I appreciate the Apostle Paul’s honesty in owning up to his weaknesses. He confessed to doing the things he did not want to do and being unable to follow through on what he knew was right. Yet he could declare that where sin abounds, God's grace abounds even more, but then question, "Shall we sin deliberately so God’s grace might more abound?” He answers, “Absolutely not."

Weaknesses exist in each person, but allowing a weakness to dominate opens the door for evil to lay siege to the heart and mind. Consider Balaam’s attitude in Numbers 22. He knew what God required from him, but allowed the desire for social prestige and financial wealth to rule his choices.

When we try to hide or deny our weaknesses, a danger exists of their influence gaining power. The Apostle Paul petitioned God to take away his thorn in the flesh, which he identified as a weakness. God said His grace was sufficient to compensate for any weakness. God assured Paul that His power was made perfect in weakness. Isn't that good news? 

Choose to Control Your Weaknesses: God Will Help - Part 2

The search for happiness seems never-ending and elusive when dependent upon possessions and personal accomplishments. A couple sold their home and furnishings to live on a sailboat, a dream the couple had longed to do for years. It did however get a bit cramped when their adult children and grandchildren came aboard.

Some dreams pollute our moral and spiritual fiber, blinding us to who we are in Christ Jesus. The inordinate need for happiness can allow evil to infiltrate all we are and do. The mother of a musician pushed her son beyond his ability to cope with the pressure. His disappointment is expressed in these words: "We slave to gain a worthless treasure. A house without love is not a home."

Jesus encourages us to store up our treasures in heaven where they will be secure and safe. Treasures worthy of heaven are faith that produces works and deeds done in the name of Jesus, giving honor and glory to God. Jesus gives us joy and peace. These comprise the core for happiness.  

Choose to Control Your Weaknesses: God Will Help - Part 1

It's never been easy to live the Christian life. Every age has enticements that instigate sorrow and pain. There’s something about the human spirit that will flirt with what is tempestuous. God's Word consistently warns us about evil forces that destroy our happiness. A catchy news magazine article focused on the vulnerabilities of children and teenagers.

Children are not the only ones influenced by evil predators. Addiction to pornography is a worldwide adult scourge. Searching for excitement to substitute for the ordinary realities of life drives a person to flirt with evil. This flirtation makes individuals vulnerable to deception.

In Numbers 22 Balaam allows himself to be deceived and then to do what God warned him not to do. Evil gained a powerful foothold in his heart and soul.  Listen to St. Paul’s challenge. "Be careful, then, how you live, not as unwise, but as wise, making the most of every godly opportunity because the days are evil." These words are from God and are wonderful advice.  

Examine Your Choices: Consider the Cost - Part 3

Do you realize that God probes your heart to insure nothing is hidden from him or yourself? In a court of law, attorneys examine and cross-examine witnesses in search of the truth. Counselors listen for thoughts and feelings to help resolve emotional and relational conflicts. Mechanics have diagnostic tools for solving problems with your automobile.

God searches the heart for hidden and unforgiven sin. He examines the heart for motives that sabotage his purpose and plan. He knows we’re capable of intentions that are contrary to his ways and in conflict with our conscience. God checks out your heart to see if fellowship with him is based on truth and to challenge you to live within that truth.

God scrutinizes the heart, seeking wrong motives, thinking, and deeds that prevent growth and maturity in faith. Balaam, in Numbers 22, recognized and confessed his sin but never repented or changed. In contrast, David repented and begged God to create in him a clean heart. God is capable of doing just that. 

Examine Your Choices: Consider the Cost - Part 2

When Joshua challenged the Hebrew people to be committed to serving God, he knew it would require a thorough self-examination of their loyalty, which previously had been questionable. Successful businesses maintain precise inventories to retain profitable items while discontinuing those that do not justify their existence.

Plato, the Greek philosopher who lived four hundred years before Christ, wrote, "The unexamined life is not worth living," which means growth and maturity do not happen incidentally. Businesses give employees personal evaluations to determine their progress, but self-examination is just as important.

A lesson from Balaam’s life in Numbers 23 has to do with failure to do a self-inventory. When needed changes are avoided or side-stepped, a self-made crisis may not be preventable. God closely examines us, as David realized in Psalm 17:3. "You probe my heart and examine me." Thank God he does this so we can choose to remain close to his heart and purpose.  

Examine Your Choices: Consider the Cost - Part 1

Dr. R. G. Lee’s sermon, "Payday Someday," warns us there’s a cost linked to our choices. For those who choose Christ Jesus, a crown of righteousness is stored up and waiting. Jude 11 speaks to those who exist outside of God's favor. "Woe to those who take the way of Cain, motivated by greed and rushing straight into Balaam’s blunder."

Balaam and Cain shared a common problem. Although God spoke to each one personally, each rejected His guidance, love, and kindness, choosing instead to satisfy his own greedy, sinful attitudes. Each rejected God’s way to live.

God’s Word encourages us to follow in his plan of righteousness for he will compensate for what is lost financially, emotionally, or socially.  An ancient hymn from the Dead Sea Scrolls declares, "By his righteousness my sin is blotted out.  If I stumble because of weakness, my justification is certain in the righteousness of God, so by his loving kindness and mercy I am secure." God’s rewards are worth more than any earthly possession.  

Choose God's Way: Resist Evil - Part 3

It’s been said that life is a harsh teacher, but its lessons endure for a lifetime. Numbers 22 tells us that an angel of God told Balaam he was corrupt and had sinned against God. Revelation 2:14 reveals that Balaam informed Balak, the king of Moab, how to dupe the young men of Israel. The trap consisted of invitations to commit sexual sins and to eat food sacrificed to idols.

This defined a stumbling block with serious consequences. However, God will rescue us when we fall short of his glory provided we honestly repent and turn from unrighteousness. Balaam consistently chose unrighteousness instead of God’s way. God created him with the freedom to choose, as he has done for us.

A lesson to learn from Balaam is that we’re capable of misusing the gifts and talents God entrusts into our care. This is preventable by keeping centered on who we are in Christ Jesus so that when we are tempted, we choose to resist. God takes note of our choice and rewards us with integrity and a clear conscience.  

Choose God's Way: Resist Evil - Part 2

No one lives a perfect Christian life. Temptation abounds and must be faced and rejected. God makes sure we are not alone in our fight against evil by sending help so we will not be overtaken by wickedness. The Apostle Paul instructs us to put on the full armor of God so we will be able to stand our ground against Satan. Jesus promises to send the Holy Spirit to counsel and instruct us.

God wants us to be single-minded and resolve to serve him and him alone. Jesus reminds us that we cannot serve two masters - either God or whatever the world offers. Being single-minded requires knowing where you’re going and to whom you are committed. Have you chosen God’s way?

It's appropriate to closely examine yourself to see if you’re in line with God's purpose and direction. The unexamined life is subject to faltering. Remember, it pleases God when you constantly press on toward the high calling in Christ Jesus. God created you to choose his way, so why not make that choice now?  

Choose God's Way: Resist Evil - Part 1

Evil may initially appear harmless and fun. Numbers 25 illustrates how young Israeli men were invited to attend parties given by young Moab women. Soon all of Israel was worshiping the idol gods of these women. While Balaam the prophet could not place an evil curse on Israel, he gave the Moab king this advice: “Get the young Israeli men sexually involved with your young women, and their hearts will turn away from God.”

Although evil may get the upper hand and become dominant, there will be a day of reckoning. While Balaam appeared to be a man of God, he could not let go of the evil permeating his heart and soul. Numbers 31 informs us he was killed in battle against the Israelis.

While temptation is persuasive and evil can deceive God’s people, listen to 1 John 4:4. "Dear young friends, you belong to God and have already won your fight with those who are against Christ, for there is someone stronger than any evil teacher." Praise God for this good news! 

Pervasiveness of Evil: Guard Your Heart - Part 3

Evil has the capacity to invade every area of life, as it did for Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden. Human beings seem to have a propensity toward evil. Although we don't like to discuss it, it’s obvious that evil is a major contender for the heart and soul of every person.

Numbers 25 relates how Israel turned away from God and toward evil. Listen to The Living Bible. "While Israel was camped at Acacia, some of the young men began going to wild parties with the local Moabite girls. These girls invited them to attend sacrifices to their gods. Before long all of Israel was joining freely in the worship of Baal, and the anger of the Lord turned hot against them." Isn’t it amazing how the young people influenced the adults?

It's apparent that guarding one's heart and soul against evil is a lifetime endeavor. As you begin this new year, turn your heart, your soul, your behaviors, as well as your love and affection toward Christ Jesus. What better way to secure God’s blessings? Happy New Year.  

Pervasiveness of Evil: Guard Your Heart - Part 2

The predictability of evil’s being everywhere is undeniable to the point of evil’s being accepted as commonplace. Explicit sex in films and on T.V. is a prime example. Newscasts are so inundated with violence that we become numbed to its power and influence. Evil invades our belief system and cleverly begins to question our values and morals.

Initially President Richard Nixon’s highest aim was integrity for himself and his presidential office. Yet the dark side of himself and his advisers eventually gained power to the point of corruption and destruction.

Balaam, an Old Testament prophet, purposed to believe in God. Listen to his testimony. "How can I curse those whom God has not cursed? How can I denounce those whom the Lord has not denounced? Let me die the death of the righteous and may my end be like theirs." That sounds like a man of faith, but his dark side contaminated by evil upstaged his best intentions. How unfortunate. 

Pervasiveness of Evil: Guard Your Heart - Part 1

God is gracious and kind and has clearly chosen to reveal himself in Christ Jesus. Each person then chooses to open their heart and soul to Christ Jesus to be rescued from the consequences of their sins. God’s word reveals that Jesus is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, who sustains all things by his word.

Balaam believed that God had spoken to him personally. Nevertheless, for ulterior hidden motives, he refused give up old beliefs and idol worship. He would speak for God when confronted to do so but refused to obey God if a chance existed to profit monetarily.

Listen to Balaam’s understanding of God. "God is not a man that he should lie, or change his mind. Does he speak and not act?  Does God promise and not fulfill?" Balaam's heart was corrupted and could not apply God’s revelation to himself. God reveals himself to us so we can choose to love him with all our heart, soul, and mind. God bless you in this New Year.