The Ballestero Blog

Not Even Once

Example One

The giant billboard alongside the Interstate blared the drug prevention message: “Not Even Once!”

I stared at the message with great fascination. To me the message was clear. While drug users may both concur or debate the point, there is truth in the message.

A few years ago, I preached in a church on the subject of God’s Mercy, His Forgiveness and Recovery.

The prayer warriors soon surrounded a middle-aged man who was crying out to God desperately.

Several nights in a row I watched as this man prayed. I often prayed with him myself.

I finally asked the pastor about the man one day, and what he said put me in a state of shock.

He said that the man in the altar used to pastor a fairly large church about 30 miles away. The former pastor claims that one Friday night he drove to another city and saw a man loitering on the street corner.

He pulled up and told the man he wanted to try crack or meth and would he help him make a connection. The man said he would, but only he bought some for both of them. The deal was made.

The former pastor claims that the very first time he tried the drug, he got addicted.

He lost his church, his ministerial license, the respect of his family and friends, his reputation, and he almost lost his marriage.

By the time I preached to him, he had already been through drug rehab programs two times and he still couldn’t be trusted with a ten-dollar bill.

For What Happened Once, Became A Fight For Survival.

Example Two

While preaching a Sunday night church anniversary service, I spoke on the importance of honoring and respecting their pastor. When I gave an invitation to pray around the altar, tearful family and saints surrounded an older gentleman at the altar. He sobbed uncontrollably.

The prior Sunday night, the man had stood up in the church service and railed on the pastor and the church.

While he spoke, his throat started hurting him, so he sat down. The next day he went to the doctor and was diagnosed with throat cancer in the last stages.

He Railed On God’s Man Just Once.

Example Three

After service one night, a middle-aged man walked up to me and said, “I am going to divorce my wife and leave the church. I know it’s not the right thing to do, but I don’t know what else to do.

“Do me a favor pastor, tell everyone you talk to, to never commit adultery the first time because it gets easier after that.”

With that comment he walked out of the church and out of my life.

 James Said It Best!

James 1:16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.

• Just don’t mess up the first time!
• Don’t play with sin.
• You can’t take fire into your bosom and not be burned.

God has always hated sin. Why play with the things God hates?

Too many are taking great risks with their souls. They feel more comfortable around sin than they ought.

Maybe they think themselves superior and stronger than the pull of sin. The Bible already tells us our flesh is weak, believe it!

Do Not Err My Brethren!

Do Not Sin My Brother, Not Even Once!

Do Not Backslide My Brother, Not Even Once!

NOT EVEN ONCE

Once – was all Eve had to disobey… and she was cursed forever.

Once – was all Saul had to disobey and disrespect God… and he was cut off.

Once – was all Moses had to smite the rock… and he was kept from the Promised Land.

Once – was all Achan had to disobey… and he and his family were stoned.

Once – was all Ananias and Sapphira had to rob God of their tithes… and God killed them both.

Once – was all Miriam had to talk against her brother Moses… and she became leprous.

Once – was all Gehazi had to disobey… and he was smitten with leprosy.

Once – was all Korah had to rebel and stand up to Moses… and the ground opened up and swallowed him and his friends.

Once – was all Cain had to get jealous and lose his temper… and God marked him forever.

Once – was all the Unknown Prophet had to disobey God… and God let a wild beast kill him.

Once – was all Israel had to refuse to enter into the Promised Land… and God made them wander in the wilderness for forty years.

Once – was all the Rich Young Ruler had to walk away… and never be heard of again.

Once – was all the Five Foolish Virgins had to be unprepared… and they got locked out for good.

Once – was all Balaam had to compromise and chase after money… and he died along side of the enemy.

Once – was all Nebuchadnezzar had to refuse to give God the Glory… and he was made to crawl on his hands and knees like a cow for seven years.

Once – was all Herod had to exalt himself higher than God… and God let worms eat him alive.

Once – was all Belshazzar had to desecrate the Holy things of the Temple… and God’s handwriting appeared on the wall.

Once – was all Esau had to despise the value of his birthright… and God never stopped hating him.

Once – was all Israel had to build a golden calf… and multitudes died.

Once – was all David had to commit adultery… and a whole nation was punished with death.

Be Very Grateful That God Has Allowed You To Enjoy His Grace And Mercy!

If You Have Sinned, Be Grateful For His Forgiveness!

But, Do Not Trample On His Mercy, Not Even Once!

Think Twice Before You Even Sin Once!

It’s Not Worth The Risk!

Don’t Do It!

Not Even Once!