Allow Obstacles to Build Your Faith - Part 3

Have you ever approached a crossroads where you knew the decision you would make was out of compliance with God's will and your conscience? Also that dire consequences hung in the balance for yourself and others? Balaam, an Old Testament sorcerer, would cast curses on people for a price. Amazingly, he actually had begun his work as a true prophet of God.

At a transitional crossroads he became a minister for evil. Numbers 22 identifies Balaam being hired to cast a curse on the Hebrew people, who were on their way to the Promised Land. If successful, he could name his own price for his evil deed. God, however, commanded Balaam to abstain from his evil exploits.

The con man within Balaam tried to balance God’s command with own his greed and desire for wealth. He found justification for choosing financial security. He let ambition overrule the admonition to love God with all his heart so God could provide eternal security. The best choice is to always honor and obey God's commands.   

Repentance: Letting Go of Sin - Part 1

I once heard a friend describe an acquaintance as an "accident waiting to happen." My friend was speaking humorously, but some behaviors suggest a recklessness that gives birth to heartbreak and sorrow. Interestingly, some people often gain notoriety because of their resilience to recover from the suffering of terrible tragedies.

Resilience can be a means for continuing immoral behavior. Turning from evil behaviors can be rejected even when the necessity to change cannot be denied. Godly repentance indicates the Holy Spirit is nudging you to face the truth and realize the certainty that Christ Jesus lives in you.

God's mercy and forgiveness sets in motion a process of transforming an arrogant, unrepentant person into a new, Christ-centered person. Ephesians 4:1 explains that you are being made new in your attitude and will experience a new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Won't you give God permission to make this transformation of love within you?