The Ballestero Blog

Don’t Put Yourself At Risk

I stood in one of the many lines at Denver’s Casa Bonita, a number of years ago, waiting to order. In the adjoining line on my right was a man dressed in National Hot Rod Association racing attire, complete with his number and sponsor patches. He was the center of attention for 20 feet around. People were congratulating him on his race that day and shaking his hand. Other’s asked for his autograph. Some asked questions about the race.

One man asked, “The previous champion always used two parachutes when he raced. Why do you only use one parachute?”

He said that the other racer had already received six cornea re-attachments. He explained that the dragsters  go very fast, and that while the sudden stopping of the car is good, it is bad on the eyes.

He explained that the eyes are the softest and weakest part of the body, and while the body and the car stop, the pressure pushes the cornea forward often causing a detachment. That’s why I don’t use two. They make me stop too quickly.

I only using one, I have only had two retina re-attachments so far. He held up his trophy and said, “But it’s worth the risk.”

The piece of metal he held in his hands and the applause of men in his mind was worth risking his eyesight forever. Even though medical sciences are getting quite advanced and success stories from the quantum vision system are cheering hope on, nothing beats prevention. Word from the wise.

Sadly enough, some folks around our churches are risking more than their corneas. They are putting their souls at risk.

Saints Are Putting Themselves At Risk:

1. By Name Calling

(Mat 5:21)  Ye have heard that it was said by them of old-time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:

(Mat 5:22)  But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

• “In danger of hell fire!” –if you call your brother a liar, fool, be careful!
• Name calling is dangerous.

2. By Rebelling Against Your Leadership.

• Ask Korah – he disagreed with Moses and rallied support against him.
• 200 princes stood on wrong side of the argument.  They too were swallowed up with Korah.
• Don’t ever fight against your pastor.
• Don’t hang around critical (Railers) people. You’ll inherit their spirit.

3. Israel

• A Critical Spirit
• Murmur – Criticized
• God Sent Fiery Serpents because they murmured

4. By Disrespecting The Man Of God

• Bethel – 42 children mauled by bears.
• The children’s parents put them at risk for talking negative about their Prophet. Children are always put at risk, by their unspiritual parents.

5. By Becoming Holier Than The Pastor

• Once this happens, he can never teach you.
• Now, you think you know more than him.
• Your standards are higher, so he can’t ‘help’ you.
• No matter if you have convictions about something and your pastor doesn’t, that does not give you the right to disrespect him as long as he is still in the Truth.

6. Moving To Another Church For A Bad Reason

• Not every transplant is successful.
• Never TELL your pastor you are moving. ASK him what he thinks and have him pray with you about it.
• If he does not feel good about your moving, then there must be a reason.
• Make sure you have your pastor’s blessing and approval

7. Lot’s Choice Put His Family at risk.

• Your decisions in life always include those you love.

8. If You Marry The Unsaved Or Backslidden

• You are going against all of God’s Advice.
• I sincerely ask you not to make that mistake.

9. Don’t Marry The Heathen

• Lest you learn their ways and it becomes an abomination
• Marry heathen,
• Unequally yoked
• Your flesh may think it’s OK, but your spiritual man will always be affected for the worse.

10. By Robbing God

• Do you have God’s money in your bank account right now?
• Why?
• You cannot afford NOT to pay tithes.
• If you delight in the blessings of the Lord, you will NEVER have them without putting Him first.
• Give Him the first fruits of you income, The Tithe.

11. By Being Unfaithful To Church

• Your faithful attendance to God’s House has already been decided.
• Heb. 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
• The night you miss is often the night God had a Word, just for you. That’s why the devil kept you home.

12. By Prayerlessness

• Every day without prayer puts you and your family at greater risk.
• Why would you ignore the very lifeblood of your experience with God?

13. By Ignoring The Word Of God

• None of us ever get too smart or too holy to ignore God’s Commandments.
• When God says something, He means it.
• When God says something, there’s a reason.

14. By Not Responding When God Speaks To You.

• Ignoring God will always get you in trouble. Ask Jonah.

15. By Choosing To Become Offended.

• How long will you let a war go on?
• Life is too short to die bitter.
• Bitterness will destroy you and curse your family.
• Forgive, and love again.

Never Knowingly Put Your Self At Risk