The Ballestero Blog

Things You Make Yourself Do.

When every new recruit steps off the bus, he is met by a drill instructor that tells him immediately, that there are two words he never wants to hear, “I can’t and I won’t.” Because he says, “you can and you will.”

I often see Billboards promoting prostate cancer awareness. They proclaim in no-uncertain terms that thousands of men will die this year because of stubbornness.

The Truth Is: Stubbornness, Excuse-Making and Fear Paralyze Many Of Us. Many Times We Have To Make Ourselves Do What Needs To Be Done.

Dieting

I have successfully avoided thinking about that word for most of my seventy years. I am not saying that I wasn’t packing on some pounds. I am admitting that I just hated the thought of going on a diet.

My lifestyle is such that I often find myself a guest in friend’s homes. The richest foods and the world’s best deserts are spread before me. It is hard to say no. (I sure don’t want to offend the cook.)

For years I’ve told myself that I didn’t have much control over what I ate, but that I could watch my portions. Let me tell you, the portion-watching concept doesn’t work well if the food is really good.

Then, January 2014 hit me like a cattle prod.

• I couldn’t button my size 48-suit coat.
• I was running out of air when I preached.
• I enjoyed putting my own socks on and wanted to continue doing that.

With the help of my close friend, Brother Kenneth Bow, I went on a 500 calorie a day diet. I downloaded apps to monitor every thing I ate, drank and drooled over.

I lost forty-five pounds and can now breathe normally again. I realized it wasn’t that hard after I made myself get started. I Just Had To Make Myself Do It.

My Daughter Keeps A Healthy Distance From The Woods And Wooly Creatures.

My daughter Marisa was raised in a world of four brothers and no sisters. She can hold her own with the best of them. Those that know her are aware of her desire to avoid all animals with fur.

It’s not just a dislike; it’s an emotion that is almost over whelming for her. It has been known to create a moment of sheer panic in her when a raccoon, opossum or mouse is too close for comfort.

This month however, she got a tent and took her children on an all night camp-out in the woods. I was amazed at this young mother of three. She stood up and faced her worst fears. She proved to herself that it wasn’t all that bad. She even sent pictures to the family and we saw smiles on all the faces. It Only Happened Because She made Herself Do It

We Make Ourselves Do Some Things To Over Come Our Personal Fears.

1. We make ourselves do things because they need to be done and there is no one else to do them.
2. We make ourselves get up when we don’t feel well and go to work anyway.

• Mommies do it.
• Daddies do it.

We Do Other Things Because God Asks Us To.

1. To repent.
2. To break up our fallow ground.
3. To deny our self.
4. To take up the cross.
5. To humble our self in the sight of God.
6. To love not he world.
7. To forgive 70×7 in one day.
8. To love our neighbor as our self.
9. To be Holy

There Are Times We Have To Tell Ourselves To

1. Obey All Of God’s Word.
2. Pray through.
3. Worship when we don’t feel like it.
4. Pray when we don’t feel like it.
5. Come to church when you don’t feel like it.
6. Fast.
7. Say Amen.
8. Repent to family members, to others, to God when you need to.
9. Stay faithful.
10. Shun the very appearance of evil.
11. Flee fornication.
12. Serve.
13. Witness.
14. Love.

Sometimes We Just Have To Make Ourselves Be Submissive And Obedient.

Some Characters In The Bible Became Our Heroes Because Of What They Made Themselves Do.

Noah

• By faith, built an Ark while the world mocked.
• By faith got in an ark he could not steer.

David

1. Faced a lion and a bear when he was just a lad.
2. Face Goliath the giant when he was about seventeen.
3. Had no one to help him so, he “Encouraged himself in The Lord”

Paul and Silas

• Sitting in Jail, chained, beaten and bloodied, they made themselves pray and sing at midnight.

The Three Hebrew Children

• They were faced with the threat of public death.
• They were commanded to bow and worship a heathen king.
• They made themselves stand firm to their convictions.

Widow Woman Of Zarephath Gave Her Last Two Cakes To Elijah To Eat

• She made herself put the man of God first even when she and her son were facing death by starvation.

The Woman With An Issue Of Blood

• She had tried every doctor she could to no avail until she finally ran out of money.
• She was nearly too weak to walk, but when Jesus came by, she made herself crawl through the crowd so that she could touch the hem of his garment.

Blind Bartimaus

• He was told to shut up by those around him and keep quiet after he cried out for mercy.
• He made himself cry out all the louder.

What Are You Willing To Make Yourself Do To Get Your Miracle?

The Day Of Pentecost

Peter was preaching to a large crowd on the Day of Pentecost. Conviction gripped the hearts of his hearers. They made themselves ask him point-blank while he was preaching what they needed to do to be saved.

Without missing a beat, Peter told them. The requirements he gave that day to be saved are still in effect today.

Acts 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Not Everyone Made Themselves Respond.

Acts 2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

What Are You Willing To Make Yourself Do To Be Saved?