“You shall not go with them; you shall not curse the people…”

            Balaam was a prophet that sold his soul for money and disconnected himself from God.  Some of us choose also to distance ourselves from God and ignore his perfect will for our lives sometimes. This is a very dangerous practice, because it leaves us exposed to unnecessary attacks from our enemy.

            God commanded Jonah to go to Nineveh and proclaim his vengeance, and Jonah did not obey.  On the other hand, God prohibited Balaam from cursing Israel and he did go, although he couldn’t curse (because God changed his curses into blessings). God commands us to follow Him every day and we tend to go astray, following “our hearts” instead.

            Why is it so difficult for us to maintain ourselves inside the center of God’s will?  Why can’t we be like Daniel in the lion’s den?  There he was… surrounded by hungry beasts…a tough situation indeed! He could have avoided all this, simply by compromising a little bit, but he chose to be faithful to God regardless the consequences.

            Balaam’s error was not listening to God’s “first voice.”  God only has one word, and if he says “do not go” that is exactly what he means.  Didn’t Balaam know that?  Of course he did! But he was more interested in acquiring money, fame and recognition, than in remaining faithful to God.

            Later on he offered to return home after the incident with the “talking” donkey.  This was not the solution to his sinful problem.  The right thing to do is to obey God the first time.  The best thing to do is to never depart from the center of his will.

            A. G.

             “…everyone who…shall look at it and live.”

                                        “Just a look of faith, just a look of faith

                                        Can save a sinner today

                                        And if you come to Jesus Christ

                                       He will forgive your sins

                                      Because just a look of faith

                                     Is what can save a sinner.”

            The words of this popular Christian song (in Spanish) clearly express the message of the Brazen Serpent.  Moses was told to make a serpent of bronze and put it on a pole, so anyone who would look at it, would live.

            The Israelites were complaining (once again) to God.  This time they were rejecting God’s provision and the Lord sent poisonous snakes to bite them unto death.  God also provided a way of salvation in the bronze serpent, not that the “serpent” saved anyone, for it was their repentance and (look of) faith that made the difference.

            This serpent is a symbol or type of the devil, but in a way the brazen serpent is symbolic of the cross of Christ. He was also raised up for all to see.  The serpent was placed on a pole and Jesus was nailed to a cross.  When the Israelites looked at the brazen serpent, they were reminded of their own sins and of its terrible consequence.

            When we look at Christ on the cross, we are also reminded of our trespasses and rebellions.  It was our sin that nailed Jesus on that terrible cross.  Jesus is the object of our faith; He is our Savior.

             A. G.

            “Miriam died…the Lord said to Moses…and Aaron died”

            Baseball is “America’s Pastime” and it’s rapidly becoming a worldwide sport.

           The main figure or player in baseball is the “pitcher.” He is the man who throws the ball to the plate. The pitcher’s main objective is to get the hitter “out” one way or the other and to lead his team to victory. The local crowd goes wild every time the pitcher strikes out an opponent.

            God can be compared to a baseball pitcher.  He knows how to “pitch” hard and how to get people out.  As a matter of fact, he made three outs with just three pitches. He cut from the earth or “struck out” Miriam, Aaron and Moses for their rebellion… in other words, they died.

            Our Lord, however, is a different pitcher than all the rest.  He is the only “pitcher” I know, that throws the ball so that the batter can hit it.  He pitches very slow and through the “middle of the plate.”

            If we are sad, he pitches a big ball of JOY; and if we suffer from anxiety, he sends PEACE.  Every time we step up to bat at the plate of life, he gives us a “bat” called “POWER” and throws a pitch named “Second Chance.”

            God dealt this way with Moses, Aaron and Miriam.  He was patient and merciful with them, as he is with us today.  He is slow to anger, and his compassion never ends.  He has even promised to “go to bat” for us when we do not have the strength or courage to go on.

            With such a great PITCHER, it’s only your fault if you strike out! 

            A. G.

             “Then the heifer (cow) will be burned…”

            There was once a beautiful heifer or cow that belonged to a rich family in Israel.  This cow was the pride of the family and the envy of the entire region.  The children would play with this fine animal, and many families were fed daily with her milk.  This cow was truly a blessing from God, and everyone loved her.

            That is why all that knew her, cried on the day of her sacrifice.  She was taken to the altar and was burned in the fire.  The ashes would be mixed with water to be used later in purification rites.

            A question comes to mind in relation with this incident.  What did the poor cow do in order to deserve such a cruel death? She was faithful, obedient and productive, yet she was killed at the altar for the sins of a man.

            This poor cow reminds me of the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus, who being God became poor for us, so that we would be able to partake of the infinite riches of God.  He became a man for the sole purpose of dying for the salvation of God’s elect. He died in order that we might live abundantly.

            The ways of God are very mysterious and strange.  Our finite minds cannot comprehend the purpose behind the cow’s sacrifice and Christ’s death.  The only thing we can do is to accept the fact that He died our death because God’s love determined so. His sinless life made possible a perfect and acceptable sacrifice at Calvary. I thank Jesus for his sacrifice because it was either Him dying on the cross for my sins, or me “paying” the price for my sins in hell…forever.

             A. G.

            “…a most holy thing…”

            “Playing church” is a term that is sometimes used to describe how some youth groups conduct the church services during “Youth Week.” This may be true in some cases, but I think that some young people can do a good (although a bit immature) job, when it comes to serving God.

            This term also applies to those Christians that do not take their faith seriously.  They do not attend church services regularly and when they do finally attend, a spirit of “sleepiness” or indifference takes hold of them.  They are playing the dangerous game of “Let’s pretend.”

            Being serious about our faith, does not amount to being a serious or bitter person.  There is no room in God’s kingdom for bitterness, depression, sadness, gloom, despair or extreme seriousness.  Christians are called to express joy, gladness, and even laughter in their lives every day.  In other words, we can be serious with God and joyous because of God!

            Christ rejoices in the joy of his people, and he is well pleased with those who are also reverent before his presence.  We can praise God with joy and reverence at the same time, for he is holy.  We can bring our tithes and offerings to God as an act of worship, but with gladness in our hearts.

            Everything belongs to our God.  He deserves our offerings, our time, our holiness and our pure joy.  To give to Him something less…it’s just a foolish and dangerous game that we must never play.

            A. G.