The Ballestero Blog

I’ve Come To Be Paid!

The knock at the door was totally unexpected! It was late, very late, too late for a polite social visit.

“Who in the world could that be?” Buster asked out loud, to no one in particular, as he headed towards the front door. The peephole in the door revealed very little. It was too dark outside to see clearly. Or maybe, whoever it was didn’t wish to be seen.

Throwing safety and caution to the wind, Buster flung the door open. There he stood! He looked unsmiling and very serious!

“I’ve come to be paid!” The dark figure said in a threatening tone of voice as he handed Buster a demand notice.

“Paid?” Buster blurted out incredulously! “I don’t even know who you are, and I’m sure I don’t owe you anything. Besides, it’s too late for bill collectors to be knocking on doors.”

Buster lowered his eyes and quickly scanned the bill. He felt the blood drain from his body immediately as he read the amount owed on the bottom line. There was no way on earth he could ever pay the amount being demanded of him! It would ruin him financially to pay that price! It would devastate him. It would devastate his wife and his family as well! This was ridiculous!

“Just who are you, and what makes you think I owe this?”

“My name is Temptation,” the dark figure explained in a self-assured tone. “You know who I am, you’ve used my services regularly, and now I’ve come to collect payment.”

“What are you talking about? I can’t pay the kind of price you are demanding!” Buster stammered, as he held the paper high and in the face of the intruder.

“Oh, you’ll pay it all right,” Temptation said in a threatening tone as he raised his voice, “I’ll see to that! You’ll pay it right now, too. All of my clients pay. They always pay the full price. I don’t give no discounts.

“And besides, what’s the matter with you, trying to act like you don’t know me? You and I have talked almost every day for years, and you have always done as I have advised. You’re crazy if you think you can use my services and not pay me.”

With that, Temptation pushed Buster aside and barged into the house and yelled, “I’m not leaving here until I get paid in full!”

Buster knew then that his life would be forever changed, Temptation wasn’t playing games anymore, and he was demanding payment. And, he was demanding it now!

Panic gripped Buster as he turned away from the door. Looking past Temptation, he saw his wife and family huddled in the corner. They were clinging to each other in fear, as the sounds of loud voices filled the room. Tears were on their cheeks.

Buster could see the pain in their faces. But, he knew that the pain he’d just brought to his family, had only just begun!

James 1:14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

James 1:15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

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

 

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Yield Not To Temptation

H.R. Palmer

Yield not to temptation, for yielding is sin;
Each victory will help you some other to win;
Fight manfully onward, dark passions subdue,
Look ever to Jesus, He’ll carry you through.

Refrain

Ask the Savior to help you,
Comfort, strengthen and keep you;
He is willing to aid you,
He will carry you through.

Shun evil companions, bad language disdain,
God’s Name hold in reverence, nor take it in vain;
Be thoughtful and earnest, kindhearted and true,
Look ever to Jesus, He’ll carry you through.

Refrain

To him that o’ercometh, God giveth a crown;
Through faith we shall conquer, though often cast down;
He Who is our Savior our strength will renew;
Look ever to Jesus, He’ll carry you through.