However, the Lord your God would not listen to Balaam but turned the curse into a blessing for you, because the Lord your God loves you.
Deuteronomy 23:5 NIV
Blessing
This past September, federal investments in science infrastructure were announced that protect and enhance Canada’s agriculture, trade and economy. A site blessing and ground breaking ceremony marked the start of construction for a new plant health diagnostic and research facility at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s Centre for Plant Health in North Saanich, British Columbia. A modern, built-for-purpose greenhouse and header house will improve efficiencies, increase capacity and support a stronger plant science network in Canada.
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Money has often been the downfall of faith leaders. The temptation to take a bribe, or fudge the books a bit, has led to the demise of many Christian leaders over the years. This shouldn’t surprise us. The book of Acts records the death of Ananias and Sapphira who sold property and gave the money from the sale to the apostles – well, most of the money. They ended up keeping some of it and lying about keeping some. There is a story in the Hebrew Scriptures about a prophet of God named Balaam who was paid by Israel’s enemies to pronounce curses on the Israelites so they would lose an upcoming battle. God stopped Balaam before he could curse Israel and instead of cursing, the prophet pronounces blessing on Israel. Deuteronomy 23:5 says “However, the Lord your God would not listen to Balaam but turned the curse into a blessing for you, because the Lord your God loves you.” God continues to turn curses into blessing. Whatever difficult circumstances you find yourself in these days, God will eventually turn it into a blessing. Why? Because He loves you too. He loves to pour out His blessing on his people today, just as He did to the people of Israel. There is a blessing coming.
These have been words from the heart.
Bob Beasley