“When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord standing in the road with a drawn sword in his hand, it turned off the road into a field. Balaam beat it to get it back on the road. Then the angel of the Lord stood in a narrow path through the vineyards, with walls on both sides. When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, it pressed close to the wall, crushing Balaam’s foot against it. So he beat the donkey again. Then the angel of the Lord moved on ahead and stood in a narrow place where there was no room to turn, either to the right or to the left. When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, it lay down under Balaam, and he was angry and beat it with his staff. Then the Lord opened the donkey’s mouth, and it said to Balaam, “What have I done to you to make you beat me these three times?’  Balaam answered the donkey, “You have made a fool of me! If only I had a sword in my hand, I would kill you right now.’ The donkey said to Balaam, ‘Am I not your own donkey, which you have always ridden, to this day? Have I been in the habit of doing this to you?’ ‘No,’ he said. Then the Lord opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the road with his sword drawn. So he bowed low and fell facedown. The angel of the Lord asked him, “Why have you beaten your donkey these three times? I have come here to oppose you because your path is a reckless one before me. The donkey saw me and turned away from me these three times. If it had not turned away, I would certainly have killed you by now, but I would have spared it.” (Numbers 22:23-33)

Balaam’s donkey was actually trying to protect him. And it did, it saved his life. God had sent His Angel to oppose Balaam because of His Anger towards Balaam. He disobeyed God by going with the Moabite officials to see Balak when Balak sent for him to curse Israel. So, went his donkey saw The Lord’s Angel he was protecting him from God’s Wrath. But Balaam was stubborn and punished his donkey, again and again, failing to see why his donkey was turning away from the path Balaam chose. He took out his frustration on the donkey. By the third time, Balaam punished his donkey—God enabled the donkey to speak to open his eyes. God then tells Balaam to go on ahead but only say what He tells him to.

How many times do we act like Balaam? For me, too many to count. I think I’m the most stubborn person ever. My donkey is crushing my foot and straying me from the paths I choose all the time. But it’s only trying to protect me. The donkey is saying to me “Am I not your own donkey, which you have always ridden, to this day? Have I been in the habit of doing this to you?” The fact is that God is always there trying to lead us right. He’s never guided us wrong—just like Balaam’s donkey reminds him that he’s never led him wrong either and his doing so now is obviously for a reason. So when our donkey is standing in front of us, it’s because God told him to. God gives us endless warnings and second and third and endless chances but at some point, we have to listen and be obedient as Balaam eventually was after his third warning.

Why do we think we know better than God? Or think that by Him not doing things our way, it must mean we’re being punished or that He doesn’t love us?

It’s actually the opposite. God could’ve released His punishment through His Angel on that road right then and there. When Balaam’s blind stubbornness was keeping him from doing things his way. But instead, He lets him go to Balak and instructs him to bless instead of cursing Israel! He uses Balaam when he turned away from his stubbornness to do as the Lord said and He turned bad into good.

We should learn from this the importance of trusting God when He wants us to choose a different path. This story should remind us to follow God because only He knows best!

Balaam’s donkey was actually trying to protect him. And it did, it saved his life. God had sent His Angel to oppose Balaam because of His Anger towards Balaam. He disobeyed God by going with the Moabite officials to see Balak when Balak sent for him to curse Israel. So, went his donkey saw The Lord’s Angel he was protecting him from God’s Wrath. But Balaam was stubborn and punished his donkey, again and again, failing to see why his donkey was turning away from the path Balaam chose. He took out his frustration on the donkey. By the third time, Balaam punished his donkey—God enabled the donkey to speak to open his eyes. God then tells Balaam to go on ahead but only say what He tells him to.

How many times do we act like Balaam? For me, too many to count. I think I’m the most stubborn person ever. My donkey is crushing my foot and straying me from the paths I choose all the time.

Why do we think we know better than God? Or think that by Him not doing things our way, it must mean we’re being punished or that He doesn’t love us?

It’s actually the opposite. God could’ve released His punishment through His Angel on that road right then and there. When Balaam’s blind stubbornness was keeping him from doing things his way. But instead, He lets him go to Balak and instructs him to bless instead of cursing Israel! He uses Balaam when he turned away from his stubbornness to do as the Lord said and He turned bad into good.

“Then Jesus said, ‘Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?’” (John 11:40)

God’s Glory isn’t just in one place. It’s not visible at a certain time and place. It’s always visible in all things to those who believe. Here Jesus plainly says if you believe, you [will] see God’s Glory.

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31)

As Christians, nothing we do shouldn’t be done for God. All we do should be for God! Whether we eat, drink, or sleep. And it should be done in love.

“Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:37-40)

Jesus showed us how to live and love each other, by serving one another, and it’s for our own good. As Paul phrased it…

“All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.” (2 Corinthians 4:15)

Why? Because when we live following Jesus’s example—people either praise Him and glory are brought to His Name or they become curious as to what makes us the way we are and then they might come to believe and glory is brought to His Name.

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)

Our job is to get more and more people praising the Big Guy Upstairs!

For it’s all for His Glory, all we do and all we are the Glory belongs to our Creator!

Did you know you literally can’t look at the sun without going blind?

Like the sun is SO powerful—our eyes can’t handle it. We just not strong and powerful enough. The same is true when it comes to God’s light.

☼ God’s Light is too much for our earthly, human eyes to take in! ☼

“In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen.” (1 Timothy 6:13-16)

The Sun has a powerful magnetic field drawing in the planets to itself. So, they rotate around the sun. It’s also one of the brightest stars in the solar system and a main sequence star at that.

As magnificent as that is... there’s an even better, brighter star—THE SON OF GOD! The most important of all. Our Creator’s Star!

God is The Greatest Light. He made the world through The Word. Through Jesus, Thee SON of GOD.

“Then God commanded, “Let there be light” — and light appeared.” (Genesis‬ ‭1:3‬)

“In the beginning the Word already existed; the Word was with God, and the Word was God. From the very beginning the Word was with God. Through him God made all things; not one thing in all creation was made without him.” (John‬ ‭1:1-3‬)

Then we see in Exodus that God’s Light is so bright and so powerful that Moses had to wear a veil after he spoke to God. He could talk to God but God’s great brightness would shine so powerfully that Moses’s face would shine very brightly when he left and spoke to the people of Israel. The got to see his face shining but then he’d cover it till the next the he spoke to God.

“When Moses went down from Mount Sinai carrying the Ten Commandments, his face was shining because he had been speaking with the LORD; but he did not know it.”

“Whenever Moses went into the Tent of the LORD’s presence to speak to the LORD, he took the veil off. When he came out, he would tell the people of Israel everything that he had been commanded to say, and they would see that his face was shining. Then he would put the veil back on until the next time he went to speak to the LORD.” (Exodus‬ ‭34:29, 34-35‬)

The awesome thing we see here is that God’s great brightness causes us and helps us shine.

“In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” (Matthew 5:16)

“From deep inside the fish Jonah prayed to the LORD his God: “In my distress, O LORD, I called to you, and you answered me. From deep in the world of the dead I cried for help, and you heard me. You threw me down into the depths, to the very bottom of the sea, where the waters were all round me, and all your mighty waves rolled over me. I thought I had been banished from your presence and would never see your holy Temple again. The water came over me and choked me; the sea covered me completely, and seaweed was wrapped round my head. I went down to the very roots of the mountains, into the land whose gates lock shut for ever. But you, O LORD my God, brought me back from the depths alive. When I felt my life slipping away, then, O LORD, I prayed to you, and in your holy Temple you heard me. Those who worship worthless idols have abandoned their loyalty to you. But I will sing praises to you; I will offer you a sacrifice and do what I have promised. Salvation comes from the LORD!” Then the LORD ordered the fish to spew Jonah up on the beach, and it did.” (Jonah 2:1-10)

Jonah’s prayer demonstrates faith and trust.

He believed God would do what He asked.

“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” (Mark 11:24)

Rewinding to Jonah 1...

So, God tells Jonah to go to a city called Nineveh and speak (prophesy) against it. But Jonah runs off in the opposite direction to Joppa and got on a ship headed for Spain. Then God sent a storm to happen and it was wrecking the ship. So the sailors started to pray (each to his own god). And they went and told Jonah to do the same.

He then told the sailors the truth(that it was his fault they were in such danger) and when they asked what could help them our t of the terrible situation they were in, he tells them to throw him overboard and the storm would stop.

“Jonah went on to tell them that he was running away from the LORD. The sailors were terrified, and said to him, “That was an awful thing to do!” The storm was getting worse all the time, so the sailors asked him, “What should we do to you to stop the storm?” Jonah answered, “Throw me into the sea, and it will calm down. I know it is my fault that you are caught in this violent storm.”” (Jonah 1:10-12)

Notice how they told Jonah running away from God is an awful thing to do! Even though they didn’t yet believe in God, they had this opinion. Their opinion was probably based on what they’d heard about God and what He does to or for His people.

Here we see that even Jonah’s act of rebellion caused people to pray to God. God revealed His Power when He caused—and stopped—the mighty storm. Who knows, maybe the sailors believed in God and prayer to Him from that day on.

“So they cried out to the LORD, ‘O LORD, we pray, don't punish us with death for taking this man's life! You, O LORD, are responsible for all this; it is your doing.’ Then they picked Jonah up and threw him into the sea, and it calmed down at once. This made the sailors so afraid of the LORD that they offered a sacrifice and promised to serve him.” (Jonah 1:14-16)

You can never run from God or His Will!

God loves joy.

He is joyful and He fills us with joy and love.

“You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder.” (Isaiah 9:3)

“Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for God has already approved what you do.” (Ecclesiastes 9:7)

Because God brings us so much joy, we should spread it out around this world that is in constant, dire need of it! It brings Him joy and He is happy when we do so. Why? Because as children of God, who is with them always and meets their every need and blesses them abundantly, how could we not be joyful?!

“The Lord is my Shepherd; I lack nothing.” (Psalm 23:1)

"Teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:20)

Notice how I keep using the word joyful. I’ve learned that we tend to associate happiness with joy and think they mean the same thing when they don’t. Happiness is temporary and may be influenced by situations and/or outcomes; it’s about one thing and creates a momentary emotion. Joyful is not [just] an emotion—it’s a state of mind, constant gratitude, and peace. And a relationship with God is what brings us the most joy! He is close to those who love Him and the joy of this (on both ends) is undeniable and indescribable.

If we remain connected to our Father and do what He’s called us to do, to be kind and loving to our neighbors, listen and obeying Him. He will bring us Peace and Joy through our Lord and Savior—The Prince of Peace.

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)

“The prospect of the righteous is joy, but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing.” (Proverbs 10:28)

We know faith is believing without seeing and by this same faith we gain our abundance of joy.

In Genesis 22 God tests Abraham. Abraham passed the test. Why? Because he was faithful and obedient to God. God called and he answered.

“He said to him, ‘Abraham!’

‘Here I am,’ he replied.” (Genesis 22:1)

Abraham didn’t just answer, he did exactly what God asked of him. He was willing to sacrifice his only son because he trusted God that much. He trusted that even though God was asking him to give up everything—God had finally blessed him with a son when he and Sarah were old and now He was telling Abraham to sacrifice him! That God knew best and would provide for him, always.

Abraham is an example, an inspiration to us all. That we should trust and obey God as willingly as him. To the point that we give up all we have.

“Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, ‘Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?’”

‘Why do you ask me about what is good?’Jesus replied. ‘There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.’

‘Which ones?’ he inquired.

Jesus replied, ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’

‘All these I have kept,’ the young man said. ‘What do I still lack?’

Jesus answered, ‘If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.’ When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.

Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.’” (Matthew 19:16-24)

We must be willing to surrender our priorities to our Savior and follow Jesus.

Notice how Jesus told him, “if you want to be perfect.” Now, Jesus wasn’t saying he could be perfect. Jesus is perfect, Thee Son of God The Most High. But what he meant is that this is how he could be a good person and please God. By helping the poor—loving his neighbor, the second greatest commandment.

“Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.’” (Matthew 22:37-40)

So, let us obey and trust God; love one another as God loves us; and forgive as God forgives us.

But most important of ALL to Love our God with all our hearts, all our souls, all our minds, all our strengths, with every fiber in our being, with everything we are and have!

And God always comes first!

God is L O V E

“Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” (1 John 4:8)

And His Love is endless.

There is n o t h i n g like God’s Love!

As is His Grace which He gives to all of us. Grace that forgives us. Grace saves us. The very Grace that made us. Amazing Grace.

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

God is unchanging and unfailing, so unlike us human beings—His love doesn’t change EVER. It won’t increase for some more than others. It’s equal for all of us, forever.

As St. Augustine once said, “God loves each of us as if there were only one of us.”

And it’ll never EVER decrease or cease!

Though, no one has every seen God, we feel His Love. His abounding, astounding, infinite Love. And we must love each other in order to know God, to feel His Presence in our lives. His Love is with us every moment, it’s what gives us meaning. LOVE(GOD) is what gives us every breath we take and enables every breath we take!

“No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.” (1 John 4:12)

God and His Love is how and why we live and move and have our being!

“For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’” (Acts 17:28)

Here is the passage of The Good Shepherd and His Sheep from chapter 10 of the book of John.

“Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them.

Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.

’I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again.No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.’

The Jews who heard these words were again divided. Many of them said, ‘He is demon-possessed and raving mad. Why listen to him?’

But others said, ‘These are not the sayings of a man possessed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?’” (John 10:1-21)

Jesus is often referred to as The Lamb of God.

“The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, ‘Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!’”  (John 1:29)

Verse 10-11 & 15-18

Verses 11 & 14-18

Yet, He is also our Shepherd.

Verses 11 & 14-15

Verses 2-4, 7-10, & 15-18

“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” (John 14:6-7)

Verse 16

“Then Jesus told them this parable: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.” (Luke 15:3-7) Verses 2-4 Verses 1, 5, & 12-13

Verses 6 & 19-21 talk about the Jews who didn’t believe in or understand what Jesus was saying. Jesus always caused division. Why because as He said in verse 10, He came that we may have life, and have it to the full but those who didn’t believe and trust Him wouldn’t gain the same thing. Instead, they ridiculed Him and His Teachings, while those who did believe in Jesus and knew He was the Messiah defended Him. Verse 21 sounds like either a believer asking a sarcastic, rhetorical question: “These are not the sayings of a man possessed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?” or someone who was starting to believe in Jesus Christ after seeing all the miracles He performed. His sheep were being separated from those who weren’t His sheep. “His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” (Matthew 3:12) “‘Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First, collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’” (Matthew 13:30)