Archive for the ‘Bitterness’ Category

The Deadliest Woman In Town.

The Deadliest Woman In Town.

“That’s the eleventh patient, so far, that has been brought into the ER within the last 16 hours!” The Doctor said to the others in the room at the Morning Staff Meeting.

“Put up warning signs. Everyone entering their rooms must wear gloves, gowns and masks. Quarantine them all. This is highly contagious. Notify the Center for Disease Control that we have an outbreak.”

Several Nurses hurried out of the room to follow his orders.

“This strain of infectious disease is resistant to treatment of any kind. Most patients die with this infection, although I have heard that a few have been known to recover. My guess is that less than ten percent ever survive. It is a slow and agonizing death.”

Those in the room glanced from one to another. Most of them had already made contact of some sort with these patients. Fears begin to grip their thoughts as they worried about their own safety and survival.

“Doctor?” A Nurse called out from the back of the room. “What part of the body does this disease attack?”

The Doctor looked at the papers and handwritten notes in his lap, then he raised his head and said, “Autopsy reports clearly show major heart damage in every patient. The walls of the heart become irreversibly hardened. Also, some family members have reported the victims thinking became irrational.

“The first victim that came in last night was related to seven of the others. The other three were her close friends. She is the carrier. Right now, she’s the deadliest woman in town.

“She infected her husband, her three daughters, a grand daughter and two of her sisters. Now, they are all fighting for their life.”

The Doctor picked up his black Book and turned its pages until he found the citation he was looking for. He cleared his throat and read to his listeners the cause of this viral infection.

Hebrews 12:15

Looking diligently… lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

Written by Martyn Ballestero

September 11, 2013 at 7:52 am

Posted in Bitterness

Tagged with Bitterness

The Anatomy Of A Spiritual Shutdown

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The Anatomy Of A Spiritual Shutdown

We read about government shutdowns. We all know of businesses that have shutdown. Computer owners know about the shutdown button on their laptop.

Every child of God knows of a church member that appears to have shutdown. They no longer worship or pray as they did before. They’ve become unfaithful. A change has certainly taken place.

As a pastor and an evangelist, it has been my joy over the years to see people miraculously grow and develop in God. It has also been my heartache and frustration to see some self-destruct and lose their joy, their testimony, their good attitude and their hope of being used of God.

Watching the spiritual decline of a child of God is not an easy thing for one to see. Their choices of wrong friends become the first great influencing factor in their decline. The hearts and souls of their family, friends and the ministry, are made to ache.

“You can’t help those who don’t want help,” is a phrase quickly understood by friends, preachers and teachers. Parents are grieved, spouses are influenced, and children are almost always damaged as a result.

What is the cause? What happened to rob this person of their joy? What happened to rob this person of their respect for the things of God? What happened that would cause the flame of their spiritual fervor to go out?

I think the answer is found in the book of Psalms, Chapter One.

Ps 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

Please Notice This Persons Progression Toward A Spiritual Shutdown.

Walking
Standing
Sitting

1. Walking

Most would refer to their spiritual life, as their ‘Walk With God.” Too often unassuming and impressionable souls have walked in the Counsel of the Ungodly.

Who we listen to, always affects what happens to us.
It’s not long before we become a product of who they are and what they say.
The counsel of the ungodly will never bring anyone closer to God. Their advice will only bring devastation to spiritual progress.
If we claim to be spiritually minded, why would we ever seek advice from the Ungodly?
We must watch whom we walk with and whom we listen to.

2. Standing Still

If we listen to the advice of the Ungodly, then we quickly become the stumbling block that prevents sinners from finding God.

What started out as a Walk, has changed into a Standing still. We become a roadblock of sorts.

The Apostle Paul recognized the powerful influence of the wrong people in our lives. He confronted the issue directly in his letter to the Galatians.

Gal 3:1 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?

Gal 5:7 Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?

Paul made it very clear that it is the Who and not the What that gives us the biggest problems in living for God. People, more than Things bring negative influences into our thinking.

3. Sitting (With A Bad Attitude)

I promise you by all that’s holy, that by allowing our Walk to include the Counsel of the Ungodly, our Walk with God is brought to a standstill. What happens next is so sad. We won’t standstill for very long. We’ll soon find a place to sit down. This is the most grievous of the three positions.

If We Sit in The Seat Of The Scornful, We Will Soon Be:

Critical Of The Church,
Critical Of It’s Standards,
Critical Of It’s Preachers
Critical Of The Saints.
Uncooperative,
Uninvolved,
Joyless
A Hindrance To Revival.
Without The Blessings Of God.
Backslidden In Heart.
A Negative Influence On All Those Around Us.

The Change Is Subtle At First, Then Very Obvious At The End.

Remember the young man who helped the Apostle Paul for a while? He is first listed as a Fellow laborer, or some one who worked shoulder to shoulder with Paul. In the next mention, he is referred to as an also ran… ‘and Demas.’ Lastly, Paul announces the absence of Demas. Demas had a spiritual shutdown.

1. Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers. (Philemon 1:24)

2. Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you. (Colossians 4:14)

3. For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia. (2 Timothy 4:10)

What Are The Chances Of Recovery From A Shutdown?

(How Many Do We Know That Have Changed From Sullen To Joyful?)

I Truly Pray That All Men And Women Will Be Able To Recover Themselves If They Want To!

Paul told Timothy how to deal with these people in the hope they would recognize and admit their wrong doings, and if they did, maybe, just maybe, God would give them repentance.

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

God Promises Some Amazing Things Here:

2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

1. If we will HUMBLE ourselves,

2. PRAY

3. SEEK GOD’S FACE – (Which includes WORSHIP)

4. TURN FROM OUR WICKED WAYS

THEN…

5. He will HEAR our prayer. (God will take us off ‘hold’ status and listen to us pray.)

6. He will FORGIVE OUR SINS

7. HEAL OUR LAND – (Bless our finances)

If You Have Experienced Spiritual Shutdown…

You Can Find Restoration And Once Again Experience The Joy Of The Lord!

Written by Martyn Ballestero

March 25, 2013 at 1:03 pm

Posted in Backsliders, Bitterness, Christian Living, Failure, Mercy, Overcoming, Personal Growth, Prayer, Renewal, Repent, Worship

Tagged with recovery, Shutdown

The Most Dangerous Road Of All

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The Most Dangerous Road of All

My wife Marcia was raised about 100 miles from where I lived in South Bend, Indiana. After we married and would often visit her parents in Albion, Michigan. We sometimes took a shortcut that included a country road with a bad curve.

“That’s Dead Man’s Curve,” my wife would say every time we came to the turn.

I remembered, mainly, because she wouldn’t let me forget. So I always slowed down and tried to be extra cautious on that curve. I didn’t want to be the next dead man.

That Road Was Bad, But That’s Not The Most Dangerous Road Of All

The Tail Of The Dragon

One of the most challenging stretches of road for a motorcyclist to navigate in North America is a stretch of Hwy 129 between Pigeon Forge, Tennessee and Cherokee, North Carolina. It’s called the ‘Tail Of The Dragon. The two-lane road boasts of 318 curves in eleven miles.

During the tourist season, it seems like some cyclist is having an accident everyday. Many ignore the 15 mph warning signs on many of the curves and think it is great fun to take them faster.

At the end of Dragon Tail, there are trees with wrecked motorcycle parts as decoration and reminders that the road is unforgiving.

I’ve ridden it four times, and I am grateful to still be alive.

That Road Was Bad, But That’s Not The Most Dangerous Road Of All

The Death Road

In Bolivia there is the infamous “North Yungas Road”, also known as “Death Road” It is a 43-mile road leading from La Paz to Coroico.

It is known for its extreme danger and in 1995 the Inter-American Development Bank named it the “world’s most dangerous road”.

Approximately 200 to 300 travellers are killed yearly along the road. The road includes cross markings on many of the spots where vehicles have fallen.

But That’s Not The Most Dangerous Road Of All

The Most Dangerous Road In The World Is A Road Called, “Revenge.”

Bitterness will consume your very life. It will be the driving force that veers you off the road of Peace. Many will be defiled or injured, according to the Scripture.

If you are still trying to find happiness in the ‘Eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth’ concept… then you are doomed to living an unfulfilled life. It is a road with no future for a Child of God.

Have you never heard of the feud between the Hatfield and McCoy families? Learn from them too.

How long will you allow a war to go on in your world? It has to stop somewhere.

God chooses to be the One that handles everything in the revenge department of life. One of the best decisions anyone can ever make is to turn the care of all of their injuries and injustices to the Lord.

Written by Martyn Ballestero

March 16, 2013 at 12:24 pm

Posted in Bitterness, Forgiveness

Tagged with Revenge

Some Apostolics Are Happy Their Pastor Ignores A Few New Testament Scriptures.

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Are Apostolics Happy Their Pastors Ignore Some New Testament Scriptures?

Apostolics by nature should be firm believers in “coming out from among them” and being separated from the world, and unto Christ. Yet, Christian approved sins may number more than we might first think. There is also a crowd that would ignore Biblical cautions and warnings because in their mind, that was only a guideline, not an actual sin.

It is our understanding that Holiness in both inward and outward. I find it safe to also say that what is on the inside will soon show on the outside.

We sometimes hear the subject of modesty talked about behind the pulpit. We also have many new choruses about God being a holy God. Yet, if we made a list of things we are comfortable not hearing about, it just might include a few of these New Testament Scriptures. There just too many to post here.

Heb 12:15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

Bitterness (Holding a Grudge)

Eph 4:31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:

Wrath, Anger
Clamour (A Big Outcry)
Throwing Fits
Evil Speaking (Criticism)
Malice

Eph 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

Be Tenderhearted
Forgiving one another

1 Tim 5:13 And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.

Gossipers
Busybodies

1 Tim 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

Love of Money (Includes putting job before church?)
Coveting To Be Rich

1 Tim 6:4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,

Envy (Jealousy)
Strife
Railings (Words of Criticism)
Evil Surmisings (Imagining the Worst about someone)

1 Tim 6:5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

Getting Caught Up In Twisted Doctrines And Beliefs

1 Tim 2:9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;

Costly Array
Modest Clothing
Gold,
Pearls

Heb 13:17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

Obey (The Pastor)
Submit Yourselves (One may obey without submitting, but it is impossible to submit without obeying.)

1 Tim 6:17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;

High mindedness

2 Pet 2:10 But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.

2 Pet 2:11 Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord.

2 Pet 2:12 But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption;

Lust of Uncleanness
Despise Governments (Don’t want to be told what to do.)
Presumptous
Self-willed
Not Afraid to speak evil of dignitaries (Especially means your pastor)
Railing Accusations
Speaking evil of things they don’t understand.

Jude 1:16 These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage.

Murmurers
Complainers
Walking after their own lust (Doing whatever they want)

1 Pet 2:11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;

Fleshly lusts

Matt 5:28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

Emotional Adultery

2 Tim 2:22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

Flee Youthful lusts (If it includes more than the sensual, could it also include sports?)

2 Tim 2:23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.

Avoid Foolish and Stupid Questions (They just start fights)

1 Cor 11:14 Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?

1 Cor 11:15 But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.

Men – Get A Haircut.
Women – Don’t Ever Cut It

Matt 5:41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.

Don’t Do The Minimum

Matt 5:43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.

Love The Neighbor (Neighboring Countries Too?)

Matt 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

Love Your Enemies
Bless Them That Curse You
Do Good Things To Them That Hate You
Pray For Them That Are Unkind To You

1 Jn 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

1 Jn 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

Love Not The World
Love Not The Things In The World
Lust of the Flesh
Lust of the Eyes
Pride Of Life

Jas 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

Humility

Jas 4:11 Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.

Speaking Evil And Unkind Things Of One Another

1 Tim 5:19 Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.

At Least Two (or Three) Witnesses Needed Before Accusing An Elder.

1 Tim 5:20 Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.

Saints That Sin Should Be Rebuked In Church?

Jas 4:15 For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.

Not Saying, “If The Lord Wills)

Jas 4:16 But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.

Boasting

Jas 4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

Ignoring The Word

Jas 1:26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.

Not Watching What You Say

Jas 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

Visit The Sick Orphans And Widows
Keep Yourself Unspotted (Unaffected by) The World

Rom 1:24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:

Rom 1:25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

Rom 1:26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:

Rom 1:27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet.

Rom 1:28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

Rom 1:29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,

Rom 1:30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,

Rom 1:31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:

Rom 1:32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

Surely This Doesn’t Need To Be Explained Further

2 Tim 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

2 Tim 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

There’s A Reason For Every Scripture In The Bible.
Don’t Ignore
Don’t Pick And Choose.

Acts 20:26 Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.
Acts 20:27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.

Peter Wasn’t Afraid To Say What Needed To Be Said
May God Help Us All

Written by Martyn Ballestero

November 6, 2012 at 12:03 am

Posted in Anger, Arrogance, Bitterness, Critics, Doctrine, God's Word, Gossip, Obedience, Pastors, Pride, Rumor, Sin, Submission, Talebearer

Tagged with Ignoring Scriptures

A Private Company

with 4 comments

A Private Company

There exists a Private Company that specializes in secrecy, but is daily impacting lives and changing the world.

This Company specializes in intense Membership training.
Almost everyone in the Company eventually goes into some area of management.
No unions are wanted or needed.
Each local Company is autonomous. There is no Corporate Office.

At first, it is mandatory for every member of the Company to report in daily.

After tenure has been established, Members are encouraged to report in daily, but it is not mandatory.

From the first day in the Company, each Member’s position becomes secure.

Members might be ignored, laughed at, hated, loved, despised, or tolerated by other Team Members, but their position is locked in.

Each Member is encouraged to recruit a new Member into the Company.
Random cash bonuses may become available to all.
Each Team Member has the authority and ability to solve any Company problem of their choosing.
However, most Team Members create more problems than they ever solve.

Each One In The Company Chooses At What Level They Wish To Participate.

Yet, if they remain uninvolved, or uncommunicative, they still remain a part of the team.
Each Member has knowledge of a secret key to build up the Company or destroy it.

The Company is not allowed to go ‘public’ on Wall Street.

The Company never advertises on a billboard, radio, television or newspaper… Yet the growth rate is phenomenal.

Each Member, among their other duties, acts as an official Press Agent for the Company.

The public willingly believes whatever you, as the Company Press Agent, divulge.

Removal of a Member that has been recruited may take a court order, and is always traumatic.
Other Team Members may or may not help you on any given project. It’s their call.
Bankruptcy can’t even put the Company out of business.
There are never any dues

Occasionally there will be unannounced Staff Meetings, and it is important that all Members be there.

Seldom are these Meetings ever occasions for awards or commendations. They are always dreaded.

Any Member may call for a Staff Meeting.

Everyone knows who the Boss is.

When the Boss dies, another takes that position without a vote or appointment. No election is ever held.
Hurt feelings are a serious and common work hazard.
Bitterness and Anger are the most common enemies of the Company’s existence and almost always brings disaster.
Every Member has been known to support others on the Team in good times and bad.

Each Company Is Different. Some Are Involved In Activities Like:

Sports,
Politics,
Fitness,
Religion,
Food Preparation and Fine Dinning,
Money Management,
Travel,
Recreation,
Education,
Decorating,
Boating,
Big Game Hunting,
Child Care

Some welcome visitors, and provide a tour that almost always includes a free luncheon.

Others welcome the public by invitation only.

Security is highly prized in the Company.

Each local Company determines what benefits are desired, and when they should be dispersed.

The Company can survive and even thrive in capitalism or communism.
It matters not if it is in a country ruled by a King, a President, or a Dictator.
It matters not if it is located in an urban setting, rural or even in the ghetto.
It survives in spite of zoning laws, no parking signs, economic down turns, or holidays.

All Members retain their position for life.

There is no ‘30 and out’ requirement.

There is constant gossip at the water cooler.

Invasive Background Checks are not uncommon.

Private calls are not frowned on, but rather encouraged.
While dress codes differ, there are no uniforms or name tags.
The Company will thrive without advertisement. Its name will never be seen on a billboard, in a commercial or a newspaper.
The Company’s only means of public awareness is by word of mouth.

What Is This Company?

Where Can I Find One In My Area?

You’re Too Late.

You’ve Found It Already.

You Have Been A Working Member Of A Private Company For Years Already!

Thanks Right!

I’m talking about your Family.
Your Family!
Your Family is what you make it!
What are you making out of your Family?

Written by Martyn Ballestero

August 7, 2012 at 10:30 am

Posted in Anger, Bitterness, Family, Gossip, Life, Unity

Tagged with Family

Can You Pass The Hurt Test?

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Can You Pass The Hurt Test?

Dave sat on the bar stool, drinking with some buddies from work. His head was feeling a little light. He drank enough beers to loosen up his tongue, and he began to talk. “If it wasn’t for me, they wouldn’t have a decent church building.

“I mowed the grass every week without ever being paid. I replaced all the broken window panes with money out of my own pocket. I never asked to be reimbursed. I hauled off all the trash, free of charge. I was the self-appointed janitor and maintenance man of the church. I did it for years, willingly and without pay.

“Every evening I would stop by the church when I got off work to see if I needed to fix anything. I’ve kept the church building repaired and I’ve kept it clean for years. No one has ever paid me a dime to do anything. Why, even last summer, instead of taking my family on a vacation, I used the money to buy shingles and I roofed the church by myself. I paid for every dime of it too!

“Then two weeks ago, they had a business meeting. They needed to choose another Trustee. My name never even came up. After all I’ve done, no one seemed to appreciate it enough to mention my name.

“What’s a man got to do to get recognized or be a Trustee over there? It must be politics or something. That’s why I’ve quit going to that church.”

Dave backslid because he couldn’t pass the Hurt Test!

Lynn wrote the Pastor a check to purchase 20 beautiful white folding tables and 160 matching folding chairs for the church fellowship hall.

It brought Lynn much joy to be able to buy these. God had blessed her and she wanted to give something back. The pastor had recognized her gift from the pulpit and the congregation clapped their approval. Lynn smiled.

The tables and chairs were ordered and everyone at the church was excited. These were well made and expensive.

Just before they arrived, Lynn had to be out-of-town for three weeks. When she returned and stopped by the church, she didn’t like where the tables and chairs had been stacked. She especially didn’t like how they had been stacked. Her gift to the church was being treated with carelessness, she thought.

These tables and chairs were not cheap, and if the people of this church didn’t appreciate her sacrifice enough to treat it any better than this, then she just could go to another church.

Lynn moved on because she couldn’t pass the Hurt Test!

The Hurt Test, Part 1 – Insults

The Syrophenician woman stood in front of Jesus. She was breaking custom and protocol and she knew it. The Jews had nothing to do with the likes of her. But she had an emergency. Her daughter had an unclean spirit. Her desperation drove her to see this Jesus everyone talked about.

She crumbled and fell at His feet when she came near. With great urgency she begged Him to heal her daughter.

Jesus looked down upon the woman and said, “It is not proper to give the children’s portion to dogs.”

On other days, if a Jew talked to her like that, she might have had a little something to say back. Today was different. Her daughter’s very life was at stake. There was no one else to turn to. She refused to get upset. She chose not to be offended for being called a dog.

She simply said, “Of a truth Lord, but even the dogs get crumbs that fall from the children’s table.”

Jesus marveled at her and instructed her to go home, telling her that her request had been answered. She went home and found her miracle waiting for her there.

The Syrophenician woman easily passed the Hurt Test. She chose not to be offended because of insults!

The Hurt Test, Part 2 – Rejection

King David was a man after God’s own heart. As the King in Israel, he could build anything he wanted. When David told God that he was planning to build Him a house to worship in, God said, “No.”

God told David that he was a bloody man and that building Him a house of worship wouldn’t be appropriate. The Lord said, “I want your son Solomon to build it for me. Solomon hadn’t even thought of building a Temple. He had exhibited neither burden nor passion to do so up to that point. The desire had originally been only David’s.

Rather than pout or get offended because God had rejected his offer, David helped his son, by supplying him with most of the materials needed to build the Temple. If he couldn’t build the Temple, then he was going to help someone else build it.

David easily passed The Hurt Test. He chose not to be offended by God’s rejection of his service, and His choosing another’s.

Extra Credit Test Questions

If someone else is asked to sing a special. Can you still worship with them and help them sing?
If someone else is asked to preach. Can you still say amen and help them preach?
If someone else is asked to lead. Can you joyfully follow?

The Hurt Test, Part 3 – Loss

Job had everything any man could want. He had a relationship with God. He had a wife and wonderful children. He owned vast herds of cattle, camels and sheep. He was no doubt the wealthiest man in the world.

Then the dark day of disaster dawned upon him. In a matter of hours, he lost his children, his herds and all of his wealth.

The second attack upon him was his health. Boils covered his body. He scratched them with shards of broken pottery.

His friends were sure that he had sinned and this was the judgment of God. His wife suggested he curse God and die.

Job told his wife that she was talking like one of the foolish women. He said that if God lets me die, I am going to die trusting Him. I am going to keep on living for Him like I always have.

Job 13:15 Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.

Job passed The Hurt Test. He chose not to be offended at God because he had lost everything. In the end, God blessed him with double wealth and more children!

Extra Credit Test Questions

When you lost your job, house, or car, did you also lose your praise too?
When you were voted out of office or removed from a leadership role, did you show a bad attitude?

The Hurt Test – The Apostle Paul’s Summary

2 Corinthians 11:24 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.

2 Corinthians 11:25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;

2 Corinthians 11:26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;

2 Corinthians 11:27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.

Even with a permanent “thorn in his side,” Paul passed The Hurt Test! He ignored his problems and encouraged everyone around him to “Rejoice evermore.” He said it again in the same breath, “Rejoice!” He even had Silas rejoice with him in prison and the Lord delivered them and all the prisoners, too.

Getting Help Passing The Hurt Test

Jesus stood and read from Isaiah 61 in the Synagogue. He sat down, looked at them all and said, “This day is the scripture fulfilled in your hearing.”

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;

Besides bringing salvation and healing, the other ministry of our Lord is to heal all hurts and bind up the broken-hearted. He can help you pass The Hurt Test.

*Notice: All Students Failing To Pass The Hurt Test Will Be Required To Retake The Exam.

*Remember, The Teacher Will Remain Silent During The Testing!

Written by Martyn Ballestero

February 2, 2012 at 12:19 am

Posted in Bitterness, Christian Living, Failure, God's House, Life, Love, Overcoming, Pride

Tagged with Hurts, Testings

The Broken Finger Syndrome

with 2 comments

The Broken Finger Syndrome

A young brunette goes into the doctor’s office and says to the doctor that her body hurts wherever she touches it.

“That’s impossible,” the doctor says. “Show me.”

She takes her finger and pushes her on elbow and screams in pain. She pushes her knee and screams; she pushes her ankle and screams again. She touches her ear lobe and yells in pain.

The doctor sat there a minute observing his patients behavior and says, “Are you a natural blonde?”

“Why yes, she says, “I just recently died my hair brown.”

“I thought so,” the doctor says. “You have a broken finger.”

My good friend, Brother Kenneth Bow shared that joke with me. We both had a good laugh. He shared the fact with me too, that there are a lot of people with broken fingers. With apologies to him, let me explore this line of thinking a bit more.

Most Politicians Have “The Broken Finger Syndrome”

It seems that every administration blames the previous administration for all of its woes.

High taxes
The poor economy
Unemployment

The “Broken Finger Syndrome” Is Found In Every Community And Also In Every Church.

Those with this affliction find pain everywhere. Everything they touch seems to hurt them. They find pain in all of their relationships. They are easily recognized by their constant exclamations of pain.

We all have met those that stay upset about things in their local church. They constantly yell in pain about the leadership in the church.

The Pastor Hurts Me!

He’s always preaching right at me.
He doesn’t like me.
He offended me.
He corrected my child.
He hurt me.
I’m not being fed
I’m not being used here.
I’m leaving.
(They constantly yell in pain about the pastor.)

The Worship Leader Hurts Me!

The music style offends me.
I can’t worship to the songs they use.
It’s not my style
I plug my ears because of the sound.
(They constantly yell in pain about the worship leader.)

The Church Members Hurt Me!

I don’t belong here!
You’ll never believe what they did to me!
I’m hurt because of them!
They offended me!
They’re bringing people into our church from the “Projects”.
I don’t fit in!
I have no friends here.
I have more friends in the world than I do in church.
They all hate me!
They are all so critical.
They are all so self righteous.
Someone always keeps sitting in my pew.
There is nothing here but cliques in this church.
My children don’t get invited to the young people’s parties.
I’m changing churches and getting away from all these hypocrites.
(They constantly yell in pain about the members of their church.)

My In-laws Hurt Me!

They never have loved me.
They’re trying to control my life.
They’re nosey.
I can’t stand them.
(They constantly yell in pain about their in-laws.)

My “Ex” Hurts Me!

My “Ex” destroyed my life.
My “Ex” tore down my self-esteem.

My “Ex” is a psychopathic.
He’s hiding money from me.
(The constantly yell in pain about their “Ex”.)

My Parents Hurt Me!

They physically abused me.
They emotionally abused me.
They were very controlling.
(They constantly yell in pain about their parents.)

My Children Hurt Me

My children drive me up a wall.
I can’t stand them.
(They constantly yell in pain about their children.)

The List Goes On And On…

If You Thought There Was A Problem Before…

Just Wait Till You Tell That Person They Have A Broken Finger!

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As Sunday School children in the 1950’s ,we sang a little song that went like this:

It’s Me Oh Lord Standing In The Need Of Prayer

Author Unknown

1. Not my father, not my mother, but it’s me, O Lord,