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Archive for August 2014

Twenty Feet From Stardom

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Twenty Feet From Stardom

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The news on the web reported this year about a documentary showcasing the mostly unknown background vocalists of famous singers which I have never seen, but am very impressed with the title.

  1. They all stood there and heard the words, “And the Oscar goes to…”
  2. They were the ones who made the lead vocalist more famous.
  3. They were the ones who created the harmony the leader basked in.
  4. They made the song sound better.
  5. Very few even know their name.
  6. They never got the limelight.
  7. They are not the ones looked at, the lead singer is.

 

Whether the lead singer was Ray Charles, or Elvis Presley, not many can tell you the names of their background vocalists. They stood just 20 feet from stardom and never got any for themselves.

Many if not most, lived the rest of their natural lives without receiving much recognition for their efforts.

  1. Could you live like that?
  2. Would you be content to let others always benefit from your efforts?
  3. Could you be content to stand 20 feet from stardom and never grasp it?

 

In The Church

God has blessed His work by giving us pastors according to His heart. He also placed into the church those who would stand just 20 feet away from the pastor and never receive much in the way of recognition.

The Bible called these people: ‘Helps.’

1 Corinthians 12:28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

  1. They were not called to be the first man.
  2. Maybe they are a great Assistant Pastor.
  3. Maybe they don’t even have a title.
  4. Yet they stand twenty feet from ‘stardom’ and their contributions seldom receive honor.
  5. God planted them as helps in their church for a purpose.
  6. But some were too proud to stay in that position.
  7. They wanted recognition too.
  8. They got impatient, disruptive and messed up their lives and the church too.

 

On The Negative Side

Judas Stood Twenty Feet From Stardom

Absalom Stood Twenty Feet From Stardom

Lucifer Stood Twenty Feet From Stardom

Demas Stood Twenty Feet From Stardom

 

On The Positive Side:

Peter, James And John Stood Twenty Feet From Stardom.

Elisha Stood Twenty Feet From Stardom

 

Calkers

Ezekiel 27:27 Thy riches, and thy fairs, thy merchandise, thy mariners, and thy pilots, thy calkers, and the occupiers of thy merchandise, and all thy men of war, that are in thee, and in all thy company which is in the midst of thee, shall fall into the midst of the seas in the day of thy ruin.

  • Calkers weren’t mariners.
  • Calkers couldn’t read a sextant.
  • Calkers weren’t allowed to pilot a ship.
  • Calkers weren’t men of war.
  • Calkers weren’t merchandisers.

All They Did All Day Was Work Below Deck

  • They never got to feel the breeze.
  • They seldom saw the sunshine.
  • They lived in the heat.
  • They were used to the foul odors below deck
  • They worked below the water line.
  • They had sticky hands covered in the pitch and tar they dipped the hemp in to plug leaks.
  • They were responsible for keeping the boat afloat.
  • The ship wouldn’t make it without them.
  • Yet no one praised them nor is there a mention of their name.
  • They did their dirty jobs without glory or fame.
  • They never got to hobnob with .the big shots

The Caption Got The Glory.

  • They plugged the leaks.
  • There may not even be a ship afloat if it wasn’t for their efforts.
  • The labored their lifetime 20 feet from stardom.

It is dangerous if the Kingdom of God to seek our own glory. God delights in those who choose the role of servant hood. Those who are willing to labor 20 feet from stardom and still smile. Labor and let God  receive the glory. Labor and let another receive the attention.

Remember This:

If God has chosen to place you in any capacity in His Church…

  1. Be humble and be grateful.
  2. Seek not your own glory.
  3. Decrease so that He may increase.
  4. Never overstep your authority or boundaries.
  5. Be content with your placement in His service.
  6. Support your Pastor and those in the limelight, and God will always bless you for your faithfulness.
  7. Elisha was first known as the man who poured water on the prophets hands.

 

It Is The Calkers That Keep The Boat Afloat…

And They Work Just 20 Feet From Stardom!

Your Uncelebrated Service Helps Keep This Old Ship Of Zion Afloat.

Thank You!

Written by Martyn Ballestero

August 12, 2014 at 2:40 pm

Posted in Christian Living, Leadership, Loyality, Submission

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Finding God In Your Failures

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Finding God In Your Failures

  1. 24:16 for a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again:
  • Life is not over after the falling down; life is all about the getting back up.
  • We all need help, just need it in different areas.
  • We all can come from a setback to a comeback.
  • There is life after “death.”

My Failure Shows Me…

  1. My failure shows me that no one is exempt, not even me.
  2. My failure warns me there are things I need to immediately change in my life.
  3. My failure reminds me that my flesh is my biggest enemy.
  4. My failure can help me see what I need to fix to find God’s favor again.
  5. My failure is not my final chapter.

Why Do People Fail?   (Sometimes It’s A Combination Of Things.)

  1. A limited obedience of God’s word?
  2. A carless attitude toward temptation?
  3. eraser and word mistakesA pursuit of personal fleshly gratification?
  4. A failure to put God first?
  5. Blatant disobedience?

The Phases Of Failure

  1. The Reaction Phase
  • Shock – I can’t believe I did it.
  • Denial – Won’t admit full guilt. Blames others.
  • Blame Others – Like Adam blamed Eve.
  • Withdrawal – Hide in the bushes of shame, like Adam and Eve.
  • Fear – Of more failure
  • Anger – Mad at self, mad at own weaknesses.
  • Shame – Can’t face anyone.
  • Depression – I’m hopeless, I’ll never amount to anything.
  • Despair – I guess I’ll just give up. No use. It’s over!
  1. The Response Phase
  • Flight Response – Leave church, move away. (Quit church)
  • Faith Response – Have a desire and determination to be restored.

 Repentance – Restoration

  • God will give you a space to repent
  • God will give you an opportunity to repent (Spirit drawn)
  • If God has given up on you – He wouldn’t be reaching for you with a message even right now.

 

Don’t Give Up On Yourself!

Luke Chapter 15

  • The Good Shepherd – Type of Christ. He never gave up. He sought until He found the one lost sheep.
  • Lost Coin – Type of the Church – never gave up – swept until she found the lost coin.
  • Prodigal Son. Never gave up on the Father or himself. Came home.

 

What God Knows About My Failure

  1. God knows we’ll all fail.
  2. He knows we are flesh.
  3. He is ready to forgive a repentant sinner.
  4. His blood is ready to cover all of our transgressions.
  5. The Holy Ghost is prepared to renew and transform us.
  6. He sees beyond our failure.

Lessons I Should Learn From My Failure

  • There are no little sins.
  • Prayers of repentance change everything.
  • When we fail, God will forgive if we repent.
  • If we do sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous.
  • God can bring good out of the bad.

 

Failure Focus

  • Looks at the problem as a hopeless one.
  • Looks at the future with great fear.
  • Sees the only obstacles.
  • Assumes the worst.
  • Limits God’s ability to restore them fully.

Faith focus

  • Looks for a solution
  • Looks past the fear, never loses hope.
  • Sees the opportunity to recover and grasps it.
  • Assumes the best.
  • Believes God will.

 

Getting Past Your Failures

2 Timothy 2:25 in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if god peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

2 Timothy 2:26 and that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

  • Really pray through.
  • Ask God to help you and deliver you.
  • Recognize the desire and spirit that caused your error.
  • Admit your sin.
  • Humble yourself.
  • Clear yourself with others.
  • Clear yourself with God.
  • Submit yourself to the Word of God.
  • Submit to the man of God.
  • Learn from your mistakes.
  • Be faithful.
  • Accept God’s forgiveness
  • Ask God for guidance.
  • Get back up.

 

Why Does God Go Through The Trouble To Restore You?

  1. There Is A Reason God Has Dealt This Long With You.
  2. There Is A Reason – He Has Put Up With Your Failures.
  3. There Is A Reason – He Sends Conviction And Sermons.
  4. He’s Not Done With You!

 

Some Biblical Heroes Weren’t Perfect. We’re Not Either.

(Saying this doesn’t excuse our sin or give us permission to sin.)

  1. Abraham Lied
  2. Moses Got Mad
  3. David Was Immoral
  4. Peter Denied Jesus

It Was In Failure These People Found God.

  • The Woman Taken In Adultery
  • Thief On The Cross
  1. I’m Not Interested In What You Did, But…
  2. I Am Interested In What You Are Going To Do Now.
  3. So Get Up, Get Restored And Go On. You Can Do It.
  4. There Is Hope For You!

 

Life Is Not Over After The Falling Down; Life Is All About The Getting Back Up.

 

Written by Martyn Ballestero

August 11, 2014 at 10:57 am

Posted in Backsliders, Christian Living, Failure, Faith, Forgiveness, Mercy, Personal Growth, Recovery

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All Bad Things Must Come To An End.

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All Bad Things Must Come To An End.

We have lived with the old saying, “All good things must come to an end.” I can sure understand the sentiment to some degree. On the other hand, the opposite is what I wish to think on today. All Bad Things Must Come To An End!

They will come to an end. You’ll see! It’s never an if question. It’s a when question! Troubles won’t last forever!

 

Psalm 30:5 … weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.

Job

  • God changed his circumstances and turned his world around,
  • Bad ThingsWhen he prayed for his friends.
  • What would it take to turn your world around?
  • All Bad Things Must Come To An End.

 

Joseph

  • Had to live without love, friends, trust, or hope.
  • Went from despair, to sitting on a throne in one day.
  • Don’t lose hope.
  • All Bad Things Must Come To An End.

 

David

  • In his cave of despair, he was surrounded by friends who had major problems too.
  • But he didn’t stay in the Cave forever.
  • God can single you out for a blessing in an impossible situation.
  • David wrote in Psalm 23:5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
  • All Bad Things Must Come To An End.

 

All Bad Things Must Come To An End When Jesus Comes.

 

When Jesus Comes

Oswald J. Smith 1939

VERSE 1:
One sat alone beside the highway begging
His eyes were blind the light he could not see.
He clutched his rags, and shivered in the shadows.
Then Jesus came and bade His darkness flee.

CHORUS:
When Jesus comes the tempters power is broken.
When Jesus comes the tears are washed away.
He takes the gloom and fills the life with glory
For all is changed when Jesus comes to stay.

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Jesus Came On A Mission.

  • Isaiah 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
  • Isaiah 61:2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;
  • Isaiah 61:3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.

 

When Jesus Came:

  • He Healed Blind Bartimaeus.
  • He Raised The Dead Boy Of Nain.
  • He Raised Jairus’ Daughter.
  • He Delivered The Man Who Dwelt In The Tombs.
  • He Fed The 5,000.
  • He Came Walking On The Water.
  • He Turned The Water Into Wine.

 

All Bad Things Must Come To An End When Jesus Speaks The Word.

 

The Storms Go Away

Murrell Ewing

 

Verse 1.

I’ll never forget that dark night at sea,

The stars hid their faces; there was no hope for me,

The waves lashed the boat, it was tearing apart.

The wins howled, “It’s Over,” fear gripped my heart.

Chorus

Where did the wind go, who stopped the rain?

I only remember just whispering His name,

So the storms don’t decide how long they will stay.

When the Master says, “That’s enough,” they just go away.

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Jesus Spoke The Word And Calmed The Storm.

  • He Will Speak To Your Storm Too.
  • Mark 4:39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
  • All Bad Things Must Come To An End.

 

He Spoke The Word And:

  • Lazarus Came Out Of His Grave.
  • Lepers Were Healed.
  • Sins Were Forgiven.
  • The Man At The Pool Of Bethesda Was Healed.

 

There Will Be No More Sea!

  • Revelation 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
  • No More Separation.
  • No More Tidal Waves.
  • No More Shipwrecks.
  • No More Drowning’s.
  • No More Tsunamis.
  • No More Hurricanes.
  • All Bad Things Must Come To An End.

 

He Will Wipe Away All Tears.

  • Revelation 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
  • All Bad Things Must Come To An End.

 

All Bad Things Must Come To An End When You Come Into His Presence!

  • Psalm 16:11 … in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

 

He’s The Prince Of Peace.

  • Peace Is His Kingdom, That Is Where He Reigns.
  • When You Live Where He Governs, All Bad Things Must Come To An End.

 

To You Who Have Faced:

  • Pain
  • Injuries
  • Rejection
  • Rumors
  • Crisis
  • Devastation
  • Divorce
  • Unfaithfulness
  • Betrayal
  • Bankruptcy
  • Failure
  • Addiction
  • Death Of A Loved One
  • Health Problems
  • Abuse
  • All Bad Things Must Come To An End.

 

You Will Survive Your “Night” Of Weeping!! I Promise!

  • Psalm 30:5 …weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.
  • When All The Bad Things Come To An End… That’s When All The Good Things Begin.

Written by Martyn Ballestero

August 8, 2014 at 1:17 pm

Posted in Christian Living, Death, Failure, Forgiveness, God's House, God's Word, Healing, Life

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