In what ways can we ensure our actions align with God's desires today? A Moment with Balaam “When Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not resort to sorcery as at other times, but he turned his face toward the wilderness.” – Numbers 24:1 • Balaam recognized what delighted God, abandoned the methods God hated, and re-oriented himself toward God’s purpose. That snapshot shows how we, too, can realign our actions today. See What Pleases the Lord • Ephesians 5:10: “Test and prove what pleases the Lord.” • Psalm 40:8: “I delight to do Your will, O my God; Your law is within my heart.” – Study the Word daily; God has already revealed what He loves and hates. – Keep a running list of “God-pleasing” attitudes and actions you discover. Reject What God Forbids • Balaam “did not resort to sorcery” (Numbers 24:1). Leave behind any practice, habit, or entertainment Scripture condemns. • 2 Timothy 2:19: “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord must turn away from iniquity.” Turn Your Face Toward God’s Agenda • Micah 6:8: Act justly, love mercy, walk humbly. • Ask, “How does this decision serve God’s kingdom rather than my own comfort?” Anchor Everything in Scripture • Psalm 119:105: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” • 2 Timothy 3:16-17: Scripture equips us “for every good work.” – Before major choices, open the Bible first, not last. – Memorize verses that speak directly to current struggles. Offer Yourself Daily – Present your body as a living sacrifice. – Let God renew your mind so you “may be able to discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.” Walk by the Spirit • Galatians 5:16: “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” – Begin each day surrendering control to the Spirit. – Watch for His promptings; obey immediately. Stay Connected to Christ • John 15:5: Apart from Him we can do nothing. – Prioritize unhurried time in His presence. – Evaluate busyness; prune anything that chokes intimacy with Christ. Be a Doer, Not Just a Hearer • James 1:22: “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” – After every sermon or study, write one action step and do it within 24 hours. Seek God-fearing Counsel • Proverbs 13:20: “He who walks with the wise will become wise.” – Invite mature believers to speak truth when your choices drift. Trust, Don’t Lean on Yourself • Proverbs 3:5-6: Trust with all your heart; He will make your paths straight. – Replace “I think” with “God says” when making plans. Practice Continual Course Corrections • Like Balaam, when the Spirit shows you you’re off track, pivot quickly. • Regularly ask God to reveal blind spots; confess and realign without delay. Living this way keeps us facing the same direction Balaam finally faced—the way that pleases the Lord and advances His will in our generation. |
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