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| For the Scriptures say that God told Pharaoh, "I have appointed you for the very purpose of displaying my power in you and to spread my fame throughout the earth." Romans 9:17 |
Hello Friends!
FNF will be hosted by the three amigos -- Eliel, Ezekiel and Victor this week.
We will start with our feast at 6:30pm.
The guys ask that we please bring juice and dessert to help out.
Our study will begin at 7:30pm.
I know we said we'd discuss bald men and bears last week but now I'm leaning towards donkeys :)
For the last two weeks we've had awesome participation and our bible discussions averaged nearly two hours. I hope you all will bring a friend, a bible and come on time so that we can wrap up by 9:30pm.
See you tomorrow!
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Sorry, almost forgot prayer requests --
Symon -- unspoken
Trudy -- testifying of God's faithfulness with interview. Praying for classmate whose husband left her and their kids.
Brian -- thankful for study group and Emma's attendance :)
Kirsten -- praying for jobs in TX for both her and TJ; also praying that her certification will be accepted there. Praying that TJ does well in school at Southwestern and that God provides housing and that everything works to His greater good.
Victor -- praying for guidance and direction in life and for anxieties.
Everyone -- guidance and direction in life and anxieties.
Gratuitous Scripture Break: "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Phil 4:6-7
TJ -- Praying that God guides us all into His truth and that the Holy Spirit will mend strained friendships and show us how to reach out to friends who are hurting.
Tancy -- thankful that mom's second ultrasound didn't show another cancerous area.
Caitlin -- praying for peace for her and her family as she continues to battle pancreatic cancer.
Frederico -- praying for friend with a shoulder injury.
Marcus -- praying for injured ankle.
Doreen -- praying for peace and comfort for family of Christabel and James -- Christabel lost her mother.
Vuyo -- praying for families of the Elyton village kids. Guidance and opportunities to reach out to kids and parents.
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| The Lord frustrates the plans of the nations and thwarts all their schemes. But the Lord’s plans stand firm forever; His intentions can never be shaken.
What joy for the nation whose God is the Lord whose people He has chosen as His inheritance! Psalm 33:10-11
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1 comments:
I have some notes for tonight's study.
Balaam – The Main Points
It is foolish to be for what God is against or against what God is for (Romans 8:31)
Our challenge is not to “convert” God to our side, but to be converted so that we may be on His side.
Many people who attempt to convince us they are eagerly seeking God’s will, but without success, are those who already know God’s will and have no intention of doing it.
When God allows us to do what He has forbidden, it is because it will fulfill His purposes.
We should never mistake God’s longsuffering nature for apathy. There are dire consequences of sin.
Why study the book of Numbers? Reason #1—Balaam. This wayward prophet is referenced in/by Nehemiah, Malachi, Joshua, Moses, Psalms, Jude and Revelation.
Pivotal time in the history of nation of Israel / Landmark experience at the border of the Promised Land.
“We have nothing to fear for the future except as we forget how God has led us in our past.” EGW
Family Reunion -- The Moabites lived in the mountains up from the Dead Sea and the Midianites lived nearby. Lot’s people became the Moabites. Abraham’s family by second wife Keturah became the Midianites. Moses married a Midianite.
Observations!
Observation #1 … God gives gifts and they can sometimes be abused/misdirected/twisted.
Observation #2 … There were other prophets of God who were not right (Jonah, Samuel, 2 prophets in I Kings 13:11)
Observation #3 … Let no prophet ever attempt to take credit for what he “sees” or “says” because God can do as much through a donkey.
Observation #4 … God doesn’t approve of everything He allows (2 Thes 2:10-12)
Observation #5 … Beware false prophets (and check yo’self!) that do all the surface things right/holy-like and then try and ask God to do something that is contrary to His nature. (Num 23:1-4, Isa 4:1)
Observation #6 … Sin will make you stupid.
Observation #7 … If God blesses something, it cannot be cursed/reversed/changed (see marriage, the Sabbath, etc).
Observation #8 … Numbers 23:21 is KEY … So is Numbers 24:17
Observation #9 … Seductive smiles can often do more damage than clenched fists.
Observation #10 … These days the devil is again using sexual immorality and paganism to curse God’s people. We need leaders who, like Phineas, will take a stand against creeping compromise.
Final thoughts
God gives us all gifts. We choose how to use them. We can’t serve two masters and should fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. Balaam started off with knowledge of God, was given many chances & even saw a vision of Jesus yet he still chose temporal riches. We should daily rededicate our lives to God and ask the Holy Spirit to help us overcome the besetting sins that would make us stupid and blind to the great controversy unfolding even in our little, important lives. (-- thanks to Doug Batchelor, Eric Walsh & Bob Deffinbaugh)
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