Where Mountains Sing

Posted on September 15, 2016 by Wendy Kleker

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WHERE MOUNTAINS SING

“And my God shall provide all your needs according to His riches in Glory by Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4:19

Wow, this verse says a lot. God will meet my needs all of them according to His great riches in Glory. Do you know what His great riches in Glory are? I don’t. I can’t imagine, but He owns the cattle on a thousand, million, trillion hills. He created Heaven and Earth. How big is Heaven? I can’t imagine. The glorious sunsets are but a taste of the wondrous beauty we’ll see in Heaven. Why in Heaven gold is so plentiful they use it for pavement! His riches are far beyond anything I can see or imagine.

Have you ever had Him meet a need before you asked? Or prepared the way before you had the need? Oh yes I have, every time we’ve moved. But the best story is about the time we moved from Montana to North Dakota.

God had provided a nice little farm house 11 miles south of Chinook when John took a job with Sanjel working on gas wells. With the nearest neighbor being a mile away, the place was almost perfect for us, over a half a mile from the highway, nestled in some trees with lots of pheasants running around the crop fields. The house had come open just when we needed it and we knew it was His provision. We loved the small, friendly town of Chinook and we fit into the Alliance church very well.

However, after two years Sanjel laid off all employees in the area and John wasted no time in going to the North Dakota oil fields to get a job driving truck with MBI. So it looked like we were moving to North Dakota. Not my destination of choice!

Leave Montana where I had lived for nearly 30 years? Leave the cozy house and nice farm where I had room to roam? Leave our little church where I had friends? Leave my dear friend who was dying of cancer right when it seemed she needed me most? No leaving Chinook was not in my plans.

“A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” Proverbs 16:1

So John and I sat down and made our plans. We came up with a list of requirements for the place we would look for in North Dakota. We agreed, since we were renting such a nice place in Chinook, that we would not move bag and baggage until we found just the right place.

My List of requirements:

  1. Secluded and Remote
  2. Nearest neighbor at least a half a mile away
  3. At least a half a mile from any road with traffic (more than two cars a day)
  4. Room to roam. Lots of walking space, acres and acres to run my dogs, preferably from the house.
  5. Fenced yard or able to build a fence
  6. Some grassland, not all farm ground
  7. Good water
  8. Preferably able to hunt
  9. Lots of game birds
  10. Preferably a pasture for horses

John’s list:

  1. A heated shop
  2. In his price range

I was pretty solid on the first 5 requirements, the rest were negotiable. The house? Didn’t matter so much. I suppose there needed to be a house.

John had been in North Dakota a month working in the oil patch, when I first drove over with the dogs. When I arrived at the campground where John had our camper, he started telling me about houses in town he had found, and that he hadn’t been able to find any place out of town that wasn’t snatched up quickly. John then proceeded to show me houses in Beach and Wibaux that were for sale fairly cheap. My heart clenched and my stomach rolled. What happened to our list? I asked. He countered that maybe I was being a bit stubborn and needed to compromise.

Compromise! I thought I was compromising by moving to North Dakota! Where I always said I would NEVER live! However, for the sake of John’s job I was willing to leave Chinook, leave my cozy house, leave my friends, to live on the North Dakota prairie, but I needed my space. Ok, that’s compromise. Wouldn’t you say?

He said these were small towns, couldn’t I put up with living in a small town? No! I said. A town is a town.

When I saw the badlands, rolling hills and buttes, I felt better. I never knew such beauty and wonder could be in North Dakota. But living in town! No way! Not an option! If a neighbor can see me in my own yard then they’re too close. And I thought that’s what John also wanted. After all he had agreed to “the list”. Evidently I was wrong.

For the first time in our married life there was terrible friction between us. We did not agree on a very important issue. The air was thick and tense in the pickup that day. I was very close to tears.

His idea was to rent or buy a place in town then take our time and look for a place out of town. I didn’t like the idea of moving twice and I know how such things go. They usually don’t.

The next day was a bit better as it seemed John had resigned to the fact that I had compromised all I was going to and was not going to live in town. A realtor showed us properties for sale near Wibaux, in Montana no less, but with the cost of developing, they were out of our price range. We also looked at a few houses but none met the requirements or fit the budget.

The next day John went to work and rain had me and the dogs captured in the camper, so I opened my Bible.

“Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near.” I read in Isaiah 55:6

That punched home. “Have I not been seeking You, Lord? Haven’t I been calling on You for help in finding a place to live.”

“My thoughts,” God said through His Word, “are not your thoughts. My ways are not your ways. My ways and My thoughts are far above yours, yet you seek to do it your way.”

Okay maybe I had been a bit stubborn, as John said. Maybe I was a bit demanding with the list, but was it wrong to look for a place we liked?

“You forget, Child, I take care of you always. I do nothing in vain. That with a word I will do what I please and it always prospers. I always work for your good.” (from Is. 55:8-9)

Oh no I hadn’t forgotten. “I know Lord that you take care of my needs. You always provide. But what about my wants? Will you take care of my desires as well?”

“Oh you of little faith!” The words seemed to echo in my mind and through the small camper. I even checked to see if the dogs had heard.

“For you shall go out with joy! And be led out in peace. The mountains and hills shall break forth into singing and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.”

“Sure, Lord, mountains in North Dakota! And trees? All I saw yesterday was wide open prairie.”

“Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress tree and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree. This I will do for you in My name.” (Isaiah 55:12-13)

So I had my doubts about trees and mountains in North Dakota, but I had also doubted His provision. I had forgotten that He knows what I need and what I want. He always takes care of me, this I know. He has never yet left me stranded in the desert. Even though I may feed along the road and in the desolate heights, I never have hungered or thirsted. Yes I forgot. He loves me beyond my understanding and He will never leave me alone in the desert heat. He will lead me. He will even lead me beside springs of water where I long to be. (from Isaiah 49:9-10)

“Oh Lord forgive me for my unbelief, for my stubbornness and my strong will. Lead us in the way You want us to go. To the place You have for us. I will not strive any longer but will leave it in Your capable hands.”

That afternoon, with my dogs, I took a walk on the National Grasslands near the campground and I was amazed at the vibrant red and gold of the rolling hills. The next day I drove out in the badlands and the gorgeous beauty took my breath away. As the dogs and I walked amongst mini mountains, pointy hills and crazy shaped formations, it seemed they broke out singing all around us.

That night I had a little talk with John and it came out that because of a misunderstanding about something I had said on the phone, he thought I was demanding we move right away, yet wanted the perfect place. That I wasn’t willing to wait until something came available. I assured him that was not what I had meant and that I had put it into God’s hands and I believed God would provide a place for us.

With that settled, things were much better between us and I told him my plan. Which was to go to Beach in the morning, do laundry (ahh the Beach Laundromat, another story all together!) then drive to Golva, then stop in Sentinel Butte on my way home and ask around in the small communities for houses that farmers may have to rent. Eventually I’d go to Wibaux and other small places in the vicinity. I had my map in hand, my route plotted, my plan in place. The next day I would begin to execute it.         However, God had a different plan.

The next morning, with the dogs in the back of my outfit, I was nearing the exit for Sentinel Butte. I had admired the green hills and red-topped buttes in this area the several times we had passed by on the interstate. I wanted desperately to explore Camels Hump Lake and check out the large flat topped mountain I assumed was Sentinel Butte, but that would come later in the day. First things first!

However as I was approaching the exit, I heard a very strong and audible voice in my mind saying, “Go there now.”

But–but I had planned—”

“Go now!” It was as if my car turned on its own and I found myself driving off the exit. Well ok, I thought I’ll go to Sentinel Butte first.

Two miles off the interstate, I topped a hill and there before me was the sweetest little town I had ever seen nestled between two buttes. Two church steeples tipped the sky, a handful of houses in a haphazard grouping, green fields, mowed lawns and a little old fashioned gas station on the corner. Stopping at the station and getting out, I took a big breath of sweet alfalfa scented air. Now this town I could almost live in. Almost. It certainly seemed like a nice, quiet community to live near.

Inside the station I met the very friendly proprietor, who promptly answered my questions by telling me of two houses south of town that were for rent. John had heard of them both and one was already taken, the other was not an option since dogs were not allowed in the house. I was telling Rick our story when a kind-looking gentleman walked in and listened for bit.

Then he said, “So you’re looking for a place to live?”

“Yeah,” I told him “A place out of town.”

“Well, I have one,” he said with a small grin, “rent free.”

“What?” He had my attention now. “How far out?”

“It’s south of the Butte about 6 miles.”

“How far off the main road?”

“Oh about a mile, I’d say.”

“Any neighbors?” I rapid fired my questions.

“Yep. A couple.”

“How close are they?”

“Oh I’d say about a mile and a half, maybe two to the nearest.”

“Can I walk on the property? My bird dog needs lots of running space.”

“Oh yeah,” he said, “it’s a big place, lots of room and you can do anything you want as long as you take care of it.”

“Is it farmland?”

“Nope mostly grazing, right in the Red Hills.”

“Do you allow dogs in the house?”

“Don’t think it really matters with this house.” He said grinning.

“And you don’t charge rent?” I knew there had to be a catch here somewhere.

“Nope, just take care of the place is all I ask.”

“Oh, is there a shop my husband can use?”

“Two of them.”

Okay to make a long story shorter, the gentleman asked if I would like to go see the place right then since he was leaving town that afternoon for a few days. And I said “You betcha!” (probably came out more like, You bet, since I hadn’t been in Nort’ Dakota long)

He just happened to drop by the station, he told me later. He knew not why, hadn’t been planning on stopping. Just felt he should. Also I know now if I had gone to Sentinel Butte in the afternoon, as I planned, I would not have found the station open since it closes by 2:00, and I would not have talked to the friendly proprietor or met the fine gentleman. Ok, coincidence? Not on your life.

So, south of Sentinel Butte we drove around The Butte. My eyes clung to the rugged, rim-rocked cliffs of the big flat topped mountain and the varied shaped buttes at its base, with scattered trees no less. Then I saw a plain surrounded by hills on every side, where there was a large clump of trees all by itself, not another house in sight, a long ways off the road.

“That’s where we’re going,” he said pointing to the trees.img_8140

“And the mountains and hills shall break forth into singing before you, and the trees of the field shall clap their hands.”

            While we were driving the gentleman asked if we liked to hunt. “You’ll see deer and antelope on the place,” he said, with a twinkle in his eyes, “and plenty of pheasants.”

“Oh by the way,” he asked turning towards me as I drove, “do you have horses? There’s a nice pasture I would like to have grazed.”

“”For you shall go out with joy! And be led out in peace.”

We drove up the long driveway and my eyes widened. Green fields, a lush creek bottom, rolling red-topped hills, a big barn, metal shops and yes, trees met my astonished gaze. I thought I was in paradise!

“Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress tree.” Well cedar will do. “and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree.” Russian Olive is fine. (Is. 55:12-13)img_8227

“Now the house,” he said as I pulled up and stopped, “I don’t know what shape the house is in, its been empty for a couple of months.”

I realized the ramshackle building beside us was not one of the many outbuildings, but the house.   My eyes registered white chipped siding, a broken upstairs window, the back screen door hanging off the hinges, the screen on the front door flapping in the wind, tall grass in the yard and the roof with very weathered shingles.img_2536

“Oh my,” I said, “but I would live in our camper to be able to live here.”

“I’ll put a new roof on it,” he said right away.

So the house was not in real good shape, but it was workable. As we walked through the house, I could see it needed lots of work, paint and cleaning most of all and some repairs.

“I’ll take care of the major repairs,” the kind man said, “and you take care of the small things.”

Sounded like a deal to me. He was willing to replace old windows, put on a new roof and install new carpet. We spent a month cleaning, painting and repairing. Later he did many other major repairs and we continue to do a few improvements every year. Seven years later, the house barely resembles the one I stood staring at that first day.

That night, which was John’s birthday, I told him I had found the perfect place. I proceeded to list the requirements from “the list” that the place met and it was ALL of them!

“And it’s rent free!” I said.

His mouth fell open. “Sounds like a fairy tale to me.”

More like a God-tale.

“And my God will liberally supply (fill to the full) your every need according to His riches in glory, in Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4:19, Amp

My every need and desires too, filled to the full, prepared and planned before I even had the need. According to His GREAT riches in Glory. Wow!

So I had the audacity to tell God there weren’t mountains or trees in North Dakota. God with His humor put us right in the high country, surrounded by rugged buttes and with the badlands a stone throw away.   He must have been chuckling when He orchestrated this place, nestled at the foot of the second highest point in North Dakota, to be available just at the right time!

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Not only that, I discovered mini mountains, peaks in the bottoms, sandstone hills and formations whose song of many colors rise to the sky in every season. And trees? Oh yes there are trees, not a lot but the few around are full of birds in the summer. Birds singing and trilling at the top of their voices, singing praises to their God above who looks to their every need. Trees glistening with frost in the winter morning sun. Trees clapping their hands and swaying to the song of the wind!

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October 2nd will be 7 years since that day I first came out here and we’re still praising God for His provision of this place and a generous man I just happened to run into. It amazes me that here in North Dakota, a place I NEVER wanted to come, God brought us to a place we love to be!

No we don’t know how long we will be able stay here, we hope a long, long time. We have no written contract, no real security for the future, except that we know God holds us in His hands. And He prepares our way and directs our steps.

“I will turn all My mountains into roads and My highways will be raised up.” He will make a way where there is no way.

            “Shout for joy, O heaven! Rejoice O earth! Burst into song, O mountains!

            For the Lord comforts His people and will have compassion on His afflicted ones.” Is. 49:11, 13

This is before, but with the new roofimg_2540

Now

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Barn, before

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Barn now.

Where the mountains sing!

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Posted in God provides, He makes a way, Moving to North Dakota, Put it in His hands, Trust God | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

The Armor of God part 3

Posted on August 20, 2016 by Wendy Kleker

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The Helmet and Sword

“Put on Salvation as your helmet and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.” Ephesians 6:17 NLT

Can you imagine a soldier in hand to hand combat going into battle with all his armor on and not the helmet? Like a snake the enemy would strike. One swipe to the head and it would be all done. End of battle. There is no way we can make it without Jesus. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life.

God sent His Son to pay the price for our sins because there was no other way. No other way that we can be saved but by the blood of Jesus. Accept Him as your Savior, ask Him to forgive your sins and you will have the protection of the helmet of salvation.

“If you confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Believe that Jesus is the Son of God, that He died for your sins and ask Him to forgive your sins and be Lord of your life.

“For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.” Romans 10:9-10 NLT

images613WURDM The Helmet of Salvation is also the certainty that we are washed clean, justified in God’s eyes and redeemed by the blood of the Lamb.

“No guilt in life, no fear in death”, the song, “In Christ Alone” says. I don’t have to fear the here-after, cuz I know where I’m going after here. I know I am redeemed. My Savior has sealed me and keeps me for the day of Salvation, the day I fly away to my home in the sky! He holds me in His hands. Nothing can take me out of His hand.

No guilt in life. I am washed in the blood of the Lamb. He has clothed me with a garment of salvation and covered me with a robe of righteousness. (Is. 61:10) When my Father looks on me, He doesn’t see the blackness of my human heart, but a dazzling white robe.   Because of the blood of Jesus, because of the price He paid, I am pure and clean in God’s eyes.

“Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean. Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” Is. 51:7

With the helmet of Salvation in place, Satan’s darts of guilt and fear can not penetrate my mind. Guilt is something the enemy uses to smash us in the dirt of discouragement. He likes nothing more than reminding us of our past sins and how terribly black our hearts really are and how far we are from the dazzling white of God’s righteousness. And filling our hearts with hopelessness.

But the blood of Jesus flowing from the cross washes all our sin and filth completely away. He gives us a garment that is spotless and white as snow!

“He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.” Ps. 103:12 NLT

He remembers them no more. He sees them not again. Ever. They are gone from His sight. We are made as white as wool. Praise to Jesus our Savior and Lord! Praise His Holy name!

images1KZEBSRV  “Take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” The Bible is the only defensive piece of armor. Every other piece is for protection, God’s word is for fighting back. Don’t hesitate to use it! “Fight the devil with the Bible!” Is what our pastor loves to say.

The Living Word of God is our only weapon in this war we are fighting against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world. The super natural. Mighty powers in this dark world, that we can not see. And evil spirits in the heavenly places that hate our guts! It’s real. It’s true. Satan wants to take us out. He is prowling like a roaring, hungry lion seeking whom he may devour.

His flaming arrows are many; pleasures of this world, sin, lust, guilt, discontentment, depression, disillusionment, discouragement, worry, anxiety and fear. To name a few. He knows where our weaknesses are, he knows just when to shoot the arrows and his aim is sure. Satan is the master deceiver and he has many strategies. He is stalking God’s people. I see it all over. How can we fight such a foe.

God’s word says, “Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.” Only in Jesus and God’s mighty power can we even hope to stand against the devil. “Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.” Eph. 6:10-11

Only with our armor in place can we stand our ground.

With our weapon, the sword, in our hand we must stand on its truth only, nothing else. The truth of God. Stand on His promises, rely on His words, follow His instructions for Godly living.

Godly living, righteousness, or right living, protects our vitals. One step in the wrong way, one slip down the slippery slope of sin and Satan’s arrows will find a crack and make its way to our heart. There is no middle ground. No walking the fence. We are either all in for God or on the other side. We can not stand in both worlds.

We must be prepared with sturdy shoes. We must be ready to climb that mountain. We can only be prepared with a sturdy foundation by being saturated in the gospel of peace. God’s Word. The teachings of Jesus. The promises of the Psalms. Then and only then will we be able to make the grade. Being saturated in His word and continually in His presence so that with His power and strength we will be able to climb that rocky mountainside. And cling to His safety rope of redemption.

ABOVE ALL. Most importantly take up the shield of faith. Trusting Him even in the dark valley of the shadow of death, even when we are surrounded by evil and blackness. Even when we see no light. Even when there seems no way to climb the sheer wall before us. Even when the waters rush over our heads. Trusting that even when there is no way, He makes a way. Trusting Him to get us through to the other side. Putting our hearts and our lives in the hands of the great Healer. Resting in His peace. Rejoicing in His joy. Because in quietness and rest is our strength. Even when turmoil and terrible trouble is all around us. Especially then.

Holding up our solid iron shield of trust will surely block those devastating darts of worry, discouragement, fear and despair the enemy flings our way. With a ping they will sheer away and fall harmless by the wayside.

Trust in a God powerful enough to create worlds, strong enough to hold stars in place, loving enough to send His son into a cursed world to save the likes of me. That’s what it takes.

Put on the certainty of your salvation so your mind will be protected and take up your weapon, the sword of the Spirit, the word of God. Walk by the Word. Wield it against the enemy. Beat the devil with the Bible! Carry it. Read it. Remember it. Live it.

imagesUFAETVKFSoldiers of the Almighty God everywhere here are your marching orders:

“Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.” Eph. 6:18

“So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time He will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you.

Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are.” 1 Peter 5:6-9 NLT

 

 

Posted in Almighty God, Armor of God, arrow, Be strong, Belt of Truth, Darts, Faith, Fiery darts, Living right, Resist the Devil, Salvation, Satan's darts, Shield, Shoes, Stand Firm, Truth | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Arise and Shine

Posted on August 18, 2016 by Wendy Kleker

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ARISE AND SHINE

        Darkness! Can you see it? Blackness! Black as coal, heavy, oppressive, no light, not even a pin prick of light, complete darkness, no sight. I can see darkness moving over the face of the earth. Darkness wrapping around the world like a cloak. Suffocating darkness, enslaving darkness capturing the hearts of men and women.

Evil can you see it creeping over the land? The earth shutters, the people cry. Sickness, disease, sin, violence, terror, pain, rage and oppression. We can see it coming. We fear, we run, we cry out. But where do we run and to whom do we cry out?

“But know this that in the last days perilous times will come, for men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self control, brutal despiser of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying it’s power. And from such people TURN AWAY.” 2 Timothy 3:1-5

We are even fighting amongst ourselves. People of the same nation bickering and slashing each other.  Government leaders turning against God and betraying our great country.  Evil men infiltrating our shores and threatening our children.

“But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.” 2 Tim. 3:13

The enemy is in our midst, deceiving and confusing our minds. He stalks amongst God’s children bringing depression and discouragement where there should be joy and peace.  He’s attacking our marriages, ripping apart families and causing all hope to vanish.  He is the master of deception and he deceives whom he can.

“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill and to destroy.” John 10:10

Is there no light? Not even a glimmer?

A star shines in the night bright and glorious. Star of wonder! Star of Light!

Jesus bright and shining, Jesus loving and giving! Jesus who burst upon a dark world with the Light of the ages is still here. He is alive and ruling.  Jesus the Healer is amongst us!

“I, (Jesus) have come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly!  I am the Good shepherd.  The good Shepherd gives His life for the sheep.” John 10:10-11

Jesus is the Light! He is shinning for all to see! For all who will receive Him as their Savior and make Him Lord of their life.

No darkness, no evil can stomp out His light. Do not be deceived He will come with vengeance and He will stomp out the darkness! He will defeat evil!

“Now I saw heaven opened and behold, a white horse.  And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war.”  Rev. 19:11

Jesus said, “I am the Light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the Light of life!” John 8:12

Choose the Light.  Choose Jesus.  Don’t let the thief steal your joy.  Don’t let the evil one kill your peace.  Don’t let the deceiver destroy your light.

Stand firm against the Devil.  Lean on Jesus. Walk in the Light!  Give Him your burdens instead of falling beneath the load.  Don’t fight the battle by yourself.  March in the power of the Commander of Heaven’s armies!

“He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The word of God.  And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen white and clean, followed Him on white horses.

Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword that with it He should strike the nations.   He Himself will rule them with a  rod of iron and He Himself treads the winepress of fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.  And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written:

KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.”  Rev. 19:13-16

“Arise and Shine! Loved Ones, for your Light has come!

The Glory of the Lord has risen upon you! For behold the darkness shall cover the earth and deep darkness over the people, but the Lord will arise over you! His Glory will be seen UPON YOU!” Isaiah 60:1-2

Jesus is the Light!

ARISE AND SHINE!

Stand in the light!

Fight for the right!

March with His Might!

NO fear!

No Retreat!

No SURRENDER!

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Posted in Darkness, Evil forces, Jesus is coming, Jesus is the Light, Life, Light, NO Fear, No Retreat!, No Surrender | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

The Armor of God part 2

Posted on August 8, 2016 by Wendy Kleker

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Shoes and A Shield

“—and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace, above all taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.” Eph. 6:15-16 NKJ

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Have you ever taken a long hike up a steep mountain trail? How about with a heavy pack on your back? I have. Trails that go up and up for eternity, so it seems, with rocks and roots to step on and around, and sometimes big boulders to climb. I’ve done it for several days with 60 lbs. on my back, traversing steep side hills and trails diving off ridges. Without my sturdy hiking boots to grip the rocks and support my ankles I would never have been able to do it day after day. Without the heavy treaded souls the rocks would have ripped the bottom of my feet and I would not have gone anywhere. No walking, no hiking, no climbing.

This is what the preparation of the gospel does for my walk with God. The gospel of peace is making peace with God, that comes first and foremost, but knowing the gospel inside and out is what protects my foundation. I must be prepared.

You would be silly to run off into the wilderness, many miles from a store or civilization for a 5 day pack trip without being totally prepared. Meals carefully planned, food and essentials packed, boots checked, well oiled and water proofed.

If I am not prepared for what comes my way in life, for the steep mountain trails, the treacherous rock slides, the cold rushing creeks, the huge boulders that I must climb, I will not make it far.

How do I get prepared for life? I saturate myself in the Word of God. I learn the teachings of Jesus. I soak up the encouragements and promises of the Psalms. Then when my feet hit that trail and the climb gets mighty steep, I have my solid shoes on to protect my foundation. I can march; I can walk where God sends me and if I slip and slide in the loose rocks, my sturdy boots will dig in and help me climb the slippery slope.

imagesI92UJ5TY “Above all” it says, so whatever you do, most importantly, hold up that shield of faith so you can quench the fiery darts of the evil one. Not just stop those sneaky little things from darting into to the cracks in your body armor, but stop them cold. Put out the fire so they can’t smolder and smoke and cause all kinds of troubles. Very important, maybe most important piece of the armor is my faith.

Faith in my God. No matter how dark life gets, no matter how bad things look, no matter what I face, I must trust my God. He has all things in control. He is working for my good, He knows what is best. I must rely on Him for all things. Nothing can shake that. I must have my shield of faith in front of me at all times. Without it the fiery darts of my enemy will pierce my body armor.

Satan’s darts are on fire! They sizzle with wrath and smoke with bitterness and smolder with depression. They flare with despair and singe with worry, and burn with discontentment.  Satan knows exactly where the cracks in my body armor are, he is an expert and throwing those tiny darts where they will do the most damage.

In our marriages, I see it all the time, Satan is attacking Christian marriages. Going after our love and respect, destroying our tenderness and caring, convincing us we don’t need to forgive or have grace for each other. If Satan can tear down the marriages of God’s children how can the marriages of the world stand?

Satan is using darts of fear and worry to attack our security and contentment. I have to admit I look into the future and I see things that scare me to bits. What if I lose John? What happens when I grow old and no one is there to take care of me? What if we lose all our money? Or this place to live? And so on, the worries slide in past my armor and burn my peace.

I forget that my Father, who loves me and promises to care for me EVEN when I have gray hairs, is the Creator of the universe. The One who knows how many hairs are on my head and holds my tears in a bottle, is Almighty God. I take my eyes off the face of the Most High and I focus on my weaknesses. I forget that He is my Rock, my Fortress, and my Shelter. I have dropped my shield of trust.

Above all, take up your shield of faith.

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God’s Armor part 1

Posted on August 6, 2016 by Wendy Kleker

The Belt and The BreastplateHistory of Rome and the Roman people

“Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. We are not fighting against flesh and blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.” Eph. 6:12 NLT

“Therefore put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.

Stand your ground putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness.” Eph. 6:13-14 NLT

IMG_8971  Our battle is not with the things we see and hear or in most cases even are aware exist. So how do we fight such a supernatural enemy? Only in the power of our supernatural God. It’s God’s power and might that fights the dark battles, but there are things I need to do, I need to put on my armor, the whole armor of God and keep it on at all times. So what is the armor of God?

belts-baldrics-frogs_roman-gladiator-kidney-belt_117il_fullxfull.415782923_m4c7Stand your ground putting on the belt of truth. The belt was the first piece of armor usually put on by soldiers headed into battle. The belt was not only there to hold their guts in, but it also had strips of leather hanging down, or was a wide strip of heavy leather, to protect the guts and lower body.

So I need to stand on the Truth. God’s truth, not my gut feelings, not what someone else feeds me, but the truth I read in the Bible. Everything that I read, hear and believe should be sifted and tested by God’s word. If I wrap the Truth of God’s words around me, I will be able to stand firm against the lies Satan throws my way. Lies that may sound very good and convincing since Satan is the master of deceit.

img-thingThe breast plate of righteousness, or as the NLT puts it the body armor of righteousness, which is more accurate since this was a piece that wrapped around the whole upper body, back included. The breast-plate was made of heavy leather or metal so that arrows and darts could not pierce it. What did this piece protect? The heart and other important organs, very essential for life.

Righteousness is not being right with God, that’s salvation which is addressed later. No righteousness here is right living. Living the right way according to God’s standards. Following His path, obeying His commands, respecting His authority, walking in a close relationship with Him so we can hear His voice.

Without righteousness, or right living, we are wide open to Satan’s fiery darts. Arrows such as temptation to sin, or fear, or depression, or anger, or worry, or bitterness. Satan knows just what flaming arrow to fling into our hearts that will knock us down or take us out of the fight. If we are not living God’s way, then Satan will use anything he can to ruin our testimony for God, to trample our reputation, to rip apart our families, to snatch our kids away from following God.

Stand firm is our aim. Not running, not hiding, not falling, but standing our ground on His truth and being firm in living right.

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In God

Posted on July 1, 2016 by Wendy Kleker

“Be merciful, O God for man would swallow me up, fighting all day he oppresses me.  My enemies would hound me all day, for there are many who fight against me O Most High.”

Overwhelmed by stresses, problems, the “in your face” world?  Hounded by rude people? Threatened by malicious enemies?  Bombarded by false lies and controlling, dishonest leaders?  Pressed down by fears, worry, fretting, anxiety?

Remember:

“Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You!  In God! I will praise His word!  In God I have put my trust!  I will not fear.  What can man do to me?  What can my flesh, my emotions do to me?  Psalm 56:1-4

“You number my wonderings you put my tears in a bottle.  Are they not in Your book?”

He does not loose sight of what I am going through.  He does not forget the pain I have suffered.  He keeps track of what I do.  He sees my suffering.  He keeps my tears in a bottle.  Like drops on a page they are in His book.  He cares!

“In God! I will praise His word!  In the Lord!  I will praise His word!  In God I have put my trust, I will not be afraid!  What can man do to me?” Psalm 56:8-11

  “Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me!  For my soul trusts in You!  And in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge, until these calamities have passed by.” Psalm 57:1

This too will pass.  Trials come to an end.  Always.  My job is to trust in the One who holds the stars.  To lean on the One who controls the universe.  Sometimes I just need to hunker down under His wings and trust Him.

IN GOD!

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Teachings of Jesus part 3

Posted on June 29, 2016 by Wendy Kleker

JESUS LOVES THE LITTLE CHILDRENDel_Parson_Jesus_Teaches_the_Children_525

Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven” Math. 18:2-3Greg_Olsen_Precious_in_His_sight_525

Just a little story, not enough to really take much notice, but the impact is great.

Some parents were bringing their little children to see Jesus. I imagine the small ones running up to Him with adoring looks in their eyes and big smiles on their faces. Can you just see it? Jesus sits on the ground and with a gentle smile bends his face close to each child, touching their heads, putting His hands on their backs.   The children bounce up and down and clamber to get closer to Him. Some climb on His lap and one precious little girl puts her arms around His neck and squeezes tight.

The disciples, thinking how busy Jesus is and how tired He must be, scold the parents. “Take them away,” they say sternly, “the Teacher has no time for kids!”

Or maybe someone said, “They are too noisy, He can not teach when they are near. Keep them out of the way!”

I can see them shoeing the crowd of children away, telling them not to bother the Teacher. The parents frown and pull their children close.

But Jesus stands up and opens His arms wide, “No, no! Children come here.” Then looking at the disciples He says sternly, “Don’t stop them! Let them come to Me!”

Sitting down once again, He gathers the children close, taking several into his lap and circling many in His arms. He turns eyes full of compassion on the well meaning disciples.

“The Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. I tell you the truth, anyone who does not receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.”* (from Luke 18:15-17)

del-parson-perfect-love-525wEarlier Jesus had told His disciples, “Unless you turn from your sins and become like little children you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven.”

I always thought this meant that we were to be like children in the simplicity of their faith, believing as they do, without question and accepting Jesus as our Savior with eagerness. This is true, but today when I read this I was hit by another thought.

Anyone who does not receive Jesus like a child will never enter the Kingdom, or possibly living in victory.  So let’s look at children. Imagine children in line to see Santa. Most are so eager to be the one to sit on Santa’s lap they can’t stand still. They jiggle, they dance, they twirl in circles. Some talk non-stop. When they get there, and are sitting on his lap, some are so overwhelmed all they can do is stare in awe. Some might give him a kiss on his red cheek, some hug his neck, some jabber on about what they want for Christmas. Some tell him all their problems.

I imagine this is how the children were to see Jesus. He was a good guy who did good things. He had love in His eyes and healing in His hands. They were so eager to get close to Him they bounced up and down and pulled on their mother’s hands. They twirled and danced their way to His side. They held their arms out and leaned against Him. They climbed on His lap and held Him close. Some told Him all their problems.

Jesus said, “Unless you become as one of these little ones—.”

When was the last time you twirled and danced your way to see Jesus?Greg_Olsen_In_His_Light_525

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Teachings of Jesus part 2

Posted on May 31, 2016 by Wendy Kleker

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Valley of Weeping

          In Luke 19:11-27, Jesus and his followers were nearing Jerusalem and his followers thought this was surely the time He would set up His kingdom. Jesus told them this story to correct this assumption.

“There was a certain nobleman who was called away to a distant empire to be crowned king then he would return. So before he left he gave ten of his servants a mina each, (about four months wages) saying, “Do business till I return.”

His people hated him and sent a delegation to try and keep him from being king. However, he was crowned king anyway and after a time he returned. He called for his servants to find out what the profits were from the money he had given them.

The first servant reported, “Master, I invested your money and made ten times the original amount!”

“Well done!” the king exclaimed. “You are a good servant. You have been faithful with the little I entrusted to you, so you will be governor of ten cities as your reward.”

The next servant reported, “Master, I invested your money and made five times the original amount.”

“Well done!” the king said, “You will be governor over five cities.”

But the third servant brought back only the original amount of money and said, “Master, I wrapped your money in a handkerchief and hid it in a closet to keep it safe. I was afraid because you are a hard man to deal with, taking what isn’t yours and harvesting crops you didn’t plant.”

Kinda like me, this third servant spoke his mind. “You take what is not yours to take! You expect your servants to do all the hard work of planting and caring for the garden and yet you harvest all the proceeds for yourself!” This was spoken to the very master who had given him the money in the first place. What audacity!

No wonder the king roared, “Why you wicked servant! Your own words certainly condemn you! If you knew that I am such a hard man who takes what isn’t mine and harvests crops I didn’t plant, then why didn’t you deposit my money in the bank? At least I could have gotten some interest on it. But instead you did nothing!”

Then turning to the others standing nearby, the king ordered, “Take the money from this servant and give it to the one who has ten pounds.”

“But, master,” they said, “he already has ten pounds, this one only has a little.”

“Yes, the king replied, “and to those who use well what they are given, even more will be given. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away. As for these enemies of mine who didn’t want me to be their king, bring them in and execute them right here in front of me.”

The obvious lesson here is that Jesus was going away and would return as King of all and would then set up His Kingdom on earth. Meanwhile He wants us to “do business” for Him, using the talents, gifts and abilities that He has given us to multiply His Kingdom. Multiplied minas would be souls harvested for Heaven.

The questions He might ask his servants are: What did you do with your lives? How did you use what the King gave you, talents, abilities passions, possessions, money for His glory? Did you trust Him even when life seemed unfair or did you run and hide from Him, like the third servant? Did you trust Him with your lives, your loved ones, your possessions? Or were you afraid that a harsh God would take what is not His and harvest crops He did not plant?

The third servant hid his mina to keep it safe. Not safe from robbers or dishonest investors, but from the master himself. Are we hiding our lives from God because we think He is a harsh master?

Maybe He has allowed something in your life to happen that is tough. Maybe you think God is completely unfair and hard to deal with. Maybe you’ve seen what He’s done in other people’s lives and you are afraid to give Him control of yours.

You might think He took what was not His to take. Maybe a loved one taken in the prime of life, or a child taken before they had the chance to even live. Maybe the collapse of a business that you put your heart, soul and money into along with your sweat. Maybe your dream was smashed into non-existence. You think surely God doesn’t care about me or about what I do. You don’t want God’s hands on your life for fear of what He might extract.

So you wrap your life in a clean-looking handkerchief and you hide it away in some dark closet for fear God will take what is not His and will reap what He did not sow.

When I read this before I thought it was dealing with service, with what we did for God with our lives, not mattering if it is a lot or a little just so we do something. But now I see it’s talking about much more. Not just about service but about trust, about allowing Him to work in our lives, living for Him, following Him blindly even when the way seems all wrong, even when the path is going the opposite direction from everyone else, even when it seems He is harsh master, taking what is not His and reaping what He did not work to sow.

Its about when your life is dark and you walk through the valley of the shadow of death; a place where death reigns, where darkness suffocates, where despair overwhelms; when you walk in that dark shadow and you’re bowed down with heavy sorrow, yet you keep leaning on the Savior. Because He is always with you.

It’s about turning to Jesus for your strength and keeping your eyes on His face and thanking Him at all times through all things.

It’s about standing up with iron in your backbone and a smile on your face, maybe with tears running down your cheeks, and with praise on your lips. Even when your life is all wrong.

It’s about trusting Him in the valley, through the black shadows and with the pain.          It’s about coming out of the dark closet and reaching for His light, letting His joy, love and peace surround you.

It’s about trust, my friends, not hiding, or running or turning your back on your God. Even if we don’t understand His way. Even if it seems He is a harsh task master. Even if His way seems so unfair. Even when we walk through the Valley of Weeping and we don’t understand why. When it is the hardest to trust that’s when we need to trust the most.

It’s about trusting that He will always walk with us through the valleys, He will sustain us in the hard times, He will heal our pain. We can trust Him with our lives, with our hearts and with our souls.

We may not understand how God is working, but we just keep doing His business. We don’t see the whole picture, yet we know how the story ends. We know in the end He will abolish His enemies and He will win. For His is King! He has victory over the world. He reigns!

“What joy for those whose strength comes from the Lord, who have set their minds on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem.

When they walk through the Valley of Weeping it will become a place of refreshing springs. The autumn rains will clothe it with blessings. They will continue to grow stronger and each of them will appear before God in Zion.

For the Lord God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory.

The Lord will with hold no good thing from those who do what is right.

O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, what joy for those who trust in You!” Psalm 84:5-7, 11,12

Did you catch that? “The Valley of Weeping will become a place of refreshing springs.” The dark valley a place of refreshment and renewal?

“The autumn rains will clothe it with blessings.” Blessings and growth found in the valley of terrible trouble?

“They will continue to grow stronger” Not weaker, not beat down, not hiding or running, but more courageous, more plucky, more resilient.

Who? Only “those whose strength comes from the Lord”, those who lean on Him, those who turn to Him when they find themselves in the Valley of Weeping.

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Teachings of Jesus

Posted on May 21, 2016 by Wendy Kleker

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The Lost is Found

            Tax collectors and other known sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach. This made the church leaders and teachers of the religious law complain that He was associating with such sinful people, even eating with them! Oh my!

So Jesus told them this story: A man had a hundred sheep and one of them wondered off and was lost. Don’t you suppose he would leave the ninety-nine sheep safely in the fold and go into the wilderness to search for the one that was lost? Certainly, he would! He would thoroughly search the rough country, peering in patches of thick brush, checking each coulee, climbing steep cliffs and probing crevices and caves for his lost one. The shepherd would search all day and even all night, not giving up until the lost sheep was found.

When he finally finds the lost one, maybe caught in a brush thicket, he will joyfully lift the one who was lost in his arms and carry him home on his shoulders. Then when he arrives, he will call together his friends and neighbors, saying, “come rejoice with me because that which was lost is now found!”

In the same way there is more joy in Heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and safe and have not strayed away!”

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How long and hard will God search for His lost child?

“Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Won’t she light a lamp and sweep the entire house and search carefully until she finds it?”

Have you ever lost something you desperately wanted or needed and were determined to search until you found it? I can just see this woman sweeping, moving furniture and frantically looking in all the drawers and closets trying to find her lost coin. I would do the same thing. It drives me crazy when I can’t find something that I know was just there. Where did it go? Where did I put it? It has to be right here!

But finally inside the cracks of the couch, the woman finds the lost coin.

“And when she finds it, how happy she is. She will call in her friends and neighbors and say, “Rejoice with me because I have found my lost coin!”

In the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels when even one sinner repents.”

How important is each and every lost soul to God?

Stephen in June and Nov. 2010

Stephen in June and Nov. 2010

“To further illustrate His point Jesus told this story:

A man had two sons. The younger son, who was a bit rebellious, told his father, “Why should I have to wait until you die to get my share of your estate? I want it now.”

So his father agreed to divide his wealth between his sons. A few days later this younger son said, “I’m getting out of this dump!” And he packed all his belongings and moved to a distant land, where he lived wild and high on the hog, wasting all his inheritance on women, wine and worldly possessions.

However, money didn’t grow on trees so he soon spent all his inheritance. About the same time, a great famine swept over the land and he could find no food. Neither could he buy food, so his belly became very empty. Thinking he could maybe earn at least something to eat, he persuaded a farmer to hire him, but the man sent him into the fields to feed his pigs and gave him nothing. Even the food he fed the pigs looked good, so he sucked and gnawed on the hard corn.

One day as he was groveling in the dirt with the pigs for a morsel of food, it hit him, “Why even my father’s servants eat better than this! They don’t have to fight the pigs for it and even have much to spare! Here I am dying of hunger! What’s wrong with me? I’ll go home and beg my father to take me on as a servant.”

So the young man left that very moment and walked the long miles back to his home. His father, who had been watching for him these many months, saw him coming and filled with compassion, he ran to his son embraced him and kissed him.

The son said, “Father, I have sinned against both Heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.”

But his father told the servants to give this lost son a bath, clothe him in the finest robe in the house, put a ring on his finger and find sandals for his feet. Then he told them to kill the calf they had been fattening and prepare a great feast to celebrate.

“For this son of mine who was dead has now returned to life. He was lost but now he is found! Let the party begin!”

Meanwhile the older son who was in the fields working, came home and heard the music in the house He asked one of the servants what was going on.

“Your brother is back!” The servant replied, “we are celebrating his safe return.”

The older brother was angry and wouldn’t go into the house. He sat outside and pouted, but his father sat beside his first born and pleaded with him to join them.

The older son, who should have been more mature, angrily spouted out his frustrations, “All these years I’ve slaved for you and never once refused to do a single thing you told me to do!” With a red face, he jerked up from the chair and towered over his father, “And not one time have you ever given me even one young goat for a feast with my friends. Yet when this, this rebellious son of yours comes back after squandering your money on prostitutes and wine, you celebrate by killing the fattened calf!”

His father remains calmly sitting and looks up at him with love in his eyes, “Oh son, I love you dearly, you have been faithfully by my side and helping me always. Everything, all that you see, is yours. But don’t you see we have to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!” (from Luke 15:1-32 NLT)

Oh HAPPY DAY when one lost soul comes to the Father!

If you are lost, He is seeking and searching the wilderness for you. Your Heavenly Father will not give up until you are found. The Angels in Heaven will rejoice when you are found.

What a time of celebration when one child who has wondered from the Father’s house returns home!

If you have wondered away, He is waiting and watching for you. Your Father will welcome you with compassion and open arms.

IMG_6632 “Even the sparrow finds a home and the swallow builds her nest and raises her young at a place near your altar, Oh Lord of Heaven’s Armies, my King and my God!

What joy for those who can live in Your house, always singing Your praises!” Psalm 84:3-4

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Israel’s Conquest part 1

Posted on April 7, 2016 by Wendy Kleker

 

IMG_7816 Stephen takes a dip

SPRING UP OH WELL!

            “Spring up oh well!” The Israelites sang at Beer, which means “Well”. “Yes sing its praises!” Numbers 21:17

After years of wondering aimlessly in the wilderness, the Israelites were finally nearing the land of Canaan and were given permission by God to dig a well. Not water gushing from a rock, not someone else’s well where they had to pay, not brackish water found in the wilderness, but flowing clear water. Of their very own. A well they could name. A claim to the land. Putting down roots. Taking possession of the land.

All those years of wondering had toughened the people of God. There had been skirmishes with their enemies honing their battle skills, and even though they were still a bit whiny, they were now ready to begin the Holy war, the conquest of the land of Canaan.

Even though they politely asked for safe passage across a kingdom, they were attacked by the large armies of King Sihon, whom they slaughtered with their swords. With God’s power and enabling they swept through the land of the Amorites killing, conquering and taking possession of the land.

Balak, the Moabite king, stood on a high place and watched the vast company of people spread across the plains near the Jordan directly across from the city of Jericho, and shook in his sandals. He was terrified. This was the horde of people who had nearly wiped out the mighty Amorites and swarmed into their land like locusts on a field. Surely Moab was next.

“This mob will devour everything in sight,” he told the Midian elders, a nomadic people, with whom he must have had treaty, “they will devour everything like an ox devours a field!”

Balak could not see how this vast army of nearly a million strong, who had the hand of a powerful God helping them, could be stopped by military means. He decided to use a different method of attack, spiritual warfare.

He sent a message to Balaam, a famous, pagan prophet and diviner. A sorcerer who was not above claiming the name of the Almighty God to forward his purpose, Balaam was accustomed to working with and manipulating many gods. This God of Jacob, who claimed ownership of these nomadic people, was certainly no different. So he thought.

“Look, a vast horde of people has arrived from Egypt. They cover the face of the earth and are threatening me.” Said the message to Balaam, “Please come and curse these people, because they are too powerful for me. Then perhaps I will be able to conquer them and drive them from the land. I know that blessings fall on any people you bless and curses fall on people you curse.”

Crafty Balaam read desperation in the message and saw a way to get more money than the normal diviner’s fee, which had been sent with the messengers. So he told the messengers he would consult this God. That night God did indeed visit him and told Balaam not to go with the men. Ah Ha! That fell right in with Balaam’s plan and he pretended familiarity with this Deity who had talked to him.

“The Lord will not let me go with you.” Balaam told the messenger the next morning, “So go on home!”

Balak was indeed desperate so he sent more messengers with more money and a promise to pay whatever Balaam wanted. I’m sure the evil prophet’s eyes gleamed when he read the second message. They were playing right into his hands.

“Even if Balak were to give me his palace filled with silver and gold, I would be powerless to do anything against the will of the Lord my God.” Balaam said to the messengers.

Interesting since Balaam was an agent of the evil one, a sorcerer, a diviner, definitely NOT a follower of God who was truly his enemy. Either Balaam was concerned about the well acclaimed power of this God or he was scamming Balak and laying a bold claim to being intimate with and able to manipulate Israel’s God just as he supposedly could many other gods.

Is God being manipulated by this soothsayer? Is Balaam, backed by the power of the evil one, truly more powerful than God? Has Balaam tricked God into believing he was on God’s side? It would seem so since that night God told Balaam to go with the men but to do only what He tells him to do.

So the next morning Balaam saddles his donkey and heads off with the Moabite officials. Apparently in the will of the Lord. However God knew his heart. He might have been able to scam the Moabites but he could not pull the wool over God’s eyes.

There are many false prophets or teachers in our midst who claim to follow our God. The Almighty knows who they are. Do we?

Balaam was well-known for specializing in animal divination. He would use the liver and other parts of an animal, ritually slain, to ascertain the will of the gods. He would also observe the movements of animals and birds in order to read signs from the gods. It was even believed that he could mysteriously influence and manipulate the gods by various rites and rituals using animal sacrifices.

Now it says that even though God had told Balaam to go, He was angry with Balaam for going to Balak. Apparently God saw the evil in his heart and knew his true intentions.

Balaam was riding along on his well-trained and obedient donkey when suddenly she jumped to the side and ran into the field. “Why you—-!” Balaam yelled and beat the donkey with his staff.

So the faithful steed continued down the road until they came to a narrow place where there were two vineyard walls. Frightened, the donkey suddenly swerved to one side and crushed Balaam’s foot against the wall.

“Yeeooww! You insolent beast!” Balaam yelled and jumping off, he beat the poor donkey again.

Getting back on he prodded the reluctant donkey to continue down the road. Soon the road narrowed at a place where there was a rocky cliff on each side. The donkey stopped suddenly and laid down right in the road. Balaam cursed and beat the poor animal once again.

“What have I done to you?” The donkey said, God having opened her mouth. “That I deserve you beating me three times?”

“You have made me look like a fool!” Balaam shouted, apparently not surprised to hear his donkey talking, since, after all, he was an animal diviner. “If I had a sword with me I would kill you!” Jumping off he raised his staff to strike her again.

“But am I not the same donkey you have ridden all your life?” She asked, “Have I ever done anything like this before?”

Balaam’s arm stopped in mid swing, “Well—no.”

Suddenly a bright light shone around them and Balaam looked ahead. His mouth dropped open and his eyes were wide. There stood a mighty figure. A man bright as lightning with a huge shining sword in his hand and a fierce look on his face. Balaam fell with his face to the ground.

“Why did you beat your donkey those three times?” The angel demanded and not waiting for an answer he continued, “Look I have come to block your way because you are stubbornly resisting me. If your donkey had not shied away these three times I would certainly have killed you. And spared your donkey.”

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Oh I loved this story as a kid, and even later as a grown up, but surely I missed the message. I thought God was angry with Balaam for beating his donkey. Which I’m sure He was, but there’s so much more.

How many times does God try to stop me, or give me a message and I don’t get it? Do I doggedly keep going on my stubborn-as-a-mule-way? How many times do I get angry at something that is His road block?

It is interesting, is it not, how the supposedly animal diviner, could not see the Divine that his animal could see! I just love how the abused donkey talked! I so wished that God would open my horse’s mouth and let him tell me things he saw and perceived. Wouldn’t it be the coolest to hear about all the things my dog smelled and heard? Maybe some day!

However, do I as intensely long to hear from my God? Do I longingly listen for His voice in my heart?

Balaam confessed he had sinned and quickly said he would go back home. I mean who wouldn’t, faced with an angelic warrior! He who could converse with the gods, Satan really, knew better than to argue with a divine being. He knew better than to fight the power that had parted the mighty waters of the red sea, or stand up to the God who in His wrath had slain thousands of His own people for disobedience. He knew better than to argue with a God who had empowered His people to nearly annihilate mighty nations and whole kingdoms.

He subjected himself to this God and said, “I will do what EVER you tell me.”

So he went to Balak and stated, “Even though I have come, I have no power to say whatever I want. I will speak only the message God puts in my mouth.”

Having seen the evil power of Satan, he knew what the supernatural could do. Yet he tried his divination, rituals and animal sacrifices three times and all three times this enemy of God spoke blessings, instead of curses, on the nation of God.

He even prophesied about the Star that rises from Jacob, the baby Jesus, who is fair and bright, who can be seen from a distance. And about the Scepter that will emerge from Israel, the King Jesus coming with a mighty army to conquer His enemies. Also about a Ruler who will rise from Jacob, Jesus, the Messiah, coming again as the conquering King, to wipe out all sin and live with His children for ever and ever.

This false prophet who tried to scam the Moabite king and thought he could manipulate the God of the universe, who was himself controlled by the dark power of Satan, was used and manipulated for God’s Glory. God used this pagan sorcerer to bless His people and tell the nations about His plan to save mankind.

Later Balaam showed his true colors in trying an under handed attack on the Israelite men using harlots to draw them away from their God into worshiping false gods. Balaam, however, received his reward; he was killed by Israel in the war with the Midianites. (Num. 31:8)

God will do what God will do. Balaam recognized a greater power than the one he served. He said no sorcery or divination can be done against Israel. There is no power on earth or under the earth that can overcome the Almighty One. Even this pagan diviner said, “What God wants done is done!”

Spring up oh well! Lay claim to every part of my life. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit. Your power in me, Oh my God, make strong. Empower me to conquer my enemies and to take possession of the land. Give me strength to stand in Your truth.

Spring up oh well! Surround me with Your love. Fill me with Your joy. Calm me with Your peace. I will praise You in good times and in bad. I will sing Your praises forever and ever!

Story from Numbers 21-24

 

 

 

 

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