A Sincere Sacrifice of Pride

Picture two brothers greeting each other for the first time in twenty years. One brother is uncertain if the meeting will be friendly or hostile. Jacob did what was required to make amends for deceiving Esau. He offered extravagant gifts to placate his brother's wrath. Now Jacob stood before Esau with only God's promise of protection.

 

          As Jacob approached his brother, he bowed prostrate to the ground seven times indicating total subjection to Esau. Unquestionable sincerity was required if making amends were to fulfill a godly purpose. Genuine sacrifice is indicative of serious intentions to make amends.  

          When there’s a willingness to sacrifice pride to make amends, God will bless the effort. Genesis 33:4 tells us that when Esau observed Jacob's sincerity, he ran to embrace and kiss him. Then they both wept. Making amends has lasting rewards when both parties are receptive to restoring fellowship. God rewards the sacrifice you make for peace.  

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.  

Don't Dance with the Devil! - Part 2

Balaam, an Old Testament believer in God, portrays an unusual personality. His belief system allowed him to mix unacceptable behavior with God’s truth. God permitted Balaam to explore the unrighteousness of evil, which he did with such eagerness and disregard for God’s boundaries that he provoked God to anger.

Yet God sent an angel to prevent his fall into destruction. The moment he sees the angel Balaam confesses his sin. Yet he is still trying to find a loophole so he can proceed with this allurement into unrighteousness? Satan's grip can ratchet down the heart, soul, and mind so tightly that escape from his captivity seems impossible.

A short time later Balaam is beating his donkey, urging her onward because he refuses to turn loose of what’s driving him to go against God's purpose and will. Great damage is done to oneself and others when repentance is not sincere and real. What God desires is a broken and contrite heart. This paves the way for mercy and forgiveness.  
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To coordinate with KHCB’s “Five Days of Christmas” programming, I will post special Christmas thoughts on my blog Wednesday-Sunday, December 21-25. On those days, KHCB will air only Christmas music and short thoughts from the programmers. 

On Monday, December 19, and again beginning December 26, my blog posts will coordinate with the radio broadcast schedule of Attitudes/Answers that airs at 5:45 PM on KHCB radio at 105.7FM in the Houston area. To stream it live or for a listing of sister stations in TX, OK, LA, and FL, you may click on the KHCB link in the "About Me" section of this page.