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My Grandfather Was An Idiot! My Dad Was Crazy Too!

My Grandfather Was An Idiot! My Dad Was Crazy Too!

“My grandpa was old school. His ways may have worked back in the 60’s, but this is a new day! They won’t work now. Gramps was sincere and I love him, but bless his heart he didn’t do it right. Since he is gone, and now that I’m the pastor, I’ve had to make changes that will reach my generation. Grandpa’s ways just won’t work today. This is a new day!”

That’s what he said. He laughed and openly made fun of his grandfather as he talked to me about the old-time Pentecostal church services ‘back in the day.’

I knew his grandfather. I’d even preached for him. My father knew his grandfather and preached for him too. Yes, he might have done things different according to the grandson’s ‘enlightened’ thinking, but he still had over 700 in Sunday School having church the old-time way.

(You and I aren’t the finally judges of things, I know. But why can’t some people see what is so obvious and apparent to the rest. It’s seems simple when you do the doctrinal math.)

Grandpa’s “Old Time Pentecostal” Type Leadership Was,

Preaching “Holiness” and naming sin.
Preaching “Modesty in dress”.
Preaching “Separation from the world”
Preaching “Standards”.
Preaching “The essentially of Acts 2:38 experience.
Preaching “You must repent!”
Preaching “You must be baptized in Jesus Name!”
Preaching “You must be filled with the Holy Ghost speaking with other tongues!”

Because Of What He Preached, Grandpa Had Over 700 In Church Membership.

The Grandson’s “Emergent Church” Type Leadership is,

No “Standards” preaching.
No “Holiness” preaching or naming of sin.
No “Modesty” preaching.
No “Requirements for Salvation except Believe” Holy Ghost = optional.

With All His ‘Progressiveness’ He Only Has 40 In Membership.

The bulk of the saints scattered when the grandson tore down what the grandfather had built. Yet in the grandson’s blindness, he still thinks his grandpa was an idiot for preaching the old-time Pentecostal ways. And he still thinks his grandfather did it all wrong. Even though most of the saints have left, he still rejects everything that is, and everything that looks Apostolic.

Nevertheless, Grandpa Was Right!

†††

A Son’s “Enlightened” Pastoral Style

His father pastored a revival church. A growing church, but he got old and retired. The people wanted his son to be their new pastor.

Today, all evidence the father’s holiness preaching has been removed. What once was a Pentecostal showcase in the area and made true Pentecostals smile, now only makes them shake their head in dismay.

The difference is unbelievable and unacceptable to all of the senior saints. Even ministers that grew up in the church, no longer want to go back even for a visit. They now would never consider taking members from their own congregation over for a visit. The church is so shockingly different; it is even shunned by many liberals.

The choir members look just like the sinners they are singing to. All standards have disappeared.

To top things off, the son dangles a weekly retirement check over his aged father’s head in an effort to keep his dad silent. He cannot afford to ever let his father preach again. It’s a shame to see the old man of God treated with such disrespect.

He believes his dad’s doctrinal preaching of the new birth was unnecessary. He also believes preaching about any kind of dress standard is unnecessary too.

The church is not growing, but the son would rather have the smaller church and be free of standards. So, he is happy because his wife is happy. They are free at last.

Nevertheless, Dad Was Right!

†††

I don’t expect one compromiser or hater of holiness to change because of my post today. But I would like to remind my readers of an old scripture.

It’s A Promise And It’s A Prophecy!

1Cor. 3:13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.

There’s coming a day…

Written by Martyn Ballestero

April 26, 2011 at 1:04 am

Posted in Baptism In Jesus Name, Christian Living, Compromise, Doctrine, God's House, Holiness, Holy Ghost, Ministry, Old-Time Pentecost, Pastors, Prophecy

Tagged with Compromise

The Broken Windows Of The Soul

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The Broken Windows Of The Soul

The innocence of our youth is not prepared for the storms of life that happen in the adult world. Our sheltered inner self looks only through shuttered windows. We peer longingly at the outside.

We grow up sequestered and protected by those who love us. They provide for us. Gallant attempts are made by them to prepare us for adulthood.

Our young soul is climate controlled. We live in a private and comfortable world called Peace. Life couldn’t be better. It’s not that we are rich or poor. It’s that we are loved and sheltered.

As we grew older, we see those we know experience joy and sometimes even pain. We watch through the windows of our soul and see their successes and failures. We laugh easily with them. When they cry, we feel sympathy and even cry with them while they hurt. But still we don’t really know how they feel. We’ve lived a sheltered life. We are but young voyeurs gazing at those living life in the big world outside.

With maturity comes the privilege of independence. We merrily launch out on our own. Our hearts are filled with faith and hope. We are thrilled to finally live in the adult world. Yes, we still have our little inner sanctuary. It continues to be our respite from the hubbub. We come home and shut it all out. The windows and shutters are still in place. We are at peace.

Then news of an impending storm headed in our direction frightens us. We prepare the best we can, but we have no experience on preparing for storms. It makes a direct hit where we live. Our worst fears come true. It is fierce and powerful. The thunder is so loud and the lightning strikes too close for comfort. We huddle inside and pray for safety.

The winds of Disappointment loudly howl and the debris of Heartache blows upon the windows of our soul. The outside noise is deafening. A crash is heard. A window is broken. Shards of glass remain around the frame as a stark reminder of what used to be. Two windows are shattered, now a third one. Glass is everywhere. The flying glass cuts everything it touches. Oh how the wind howls!

For the first time, the storm of the outside world has gained access to the inside. The sheltered world of Peace has disappeared, all because of the broken windows of the soul.

Never before have we felt this vulnerable. Winds continue to swirl around the room. Treasured knickknacks and sentimental photos are knocked over. Rain blows violently in with the wind. The carpet and furniture are soaked. The lights go out and stay out. The air conditioning goes off. Desperation takes over.

The contents of the house are at risk. Everything of value must be protected. It is now at the mercies of the elements. The phone is dead. No outside help is immediately available. The temperature is hot and it’s still muggy. Sweat runs profusely. It is impossible to find Comfort. Now what?

After the wind finally settles down, the rain settles in. A few boards are found in the garage to cover up the broken windows. The windows are boarded up from the outside, even though it means getting soaked standing outside in the rain.

The covered windows are now dark. No light comes in from the outside. Looking at the damage done in the rooms, we find pieces of debris that broke our windows.

A chunk or two of Gossip sits by a piece of glass under the window. Splinters of Disappointment are scattered everywhere. A pile of Pain is strewn around the easy chair, staining the carpet. It looks like Failure probably did the most damage, but we can’t be sure until the Adjuster get here.

We busy ourselves trying to mop up and salvage what we can. In our efforts to survive the storm, we realize we tried to block out the noise of the outside world.

With a trash bag of broken things, we head for the backdoor. When we step outside, to our surprise, we see the rain has stopped.

The sun is shining almost apologetically through the clouds. Over there, to the west, is a big beautiful rainbow. It’s over, the storm is over, and God’s promise is still on display. Hope struggles free from the grasp of Fear.

Down the street a few friends and neighbors are seen coming. They saw what the storm did, and they want to help. They have their work clothes on and are carrying some tools with them. With looks of concern that only friends can have, a couple of them run toward the damage. The broken windows of the soul will soon be repaired with hands of love.

Written by Martyn Ballestero

April 21, 2011 at 12:58 am

Posted in Christian Living, Failure, Gossip, Grief, Life, Peace

Tagged with Heartache, Pain

No Nutritional Value

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No Nutritional Value

The evening camp meeting service was over in Ontario. I stood there talking to three Outfitters and five Hunting Guides. The men were all from Ontario and New Brunswick, Canada. They were talking to me about the moose-hunting story that I had told in my sermon.

After a few minutes, one of the Outfitters said to me, “Brother Ballestero did you know that if you were stranded and had nothing to eat but moose meat, you would eventually starve to death? Even with your stomach full? It has basically, no nutritional value. It’s too lean, besides.”

“No!” I said. “That’s unbelievable! I didn’t know that,”

I stood there in unbelief. Just the thought of having a full stomach and yet not being fed caught me off guard.

While I knew that the old Outfitter was probably not a nutritional expert, there were years worth of practical and sound advice being dispensed here for my benefit. I chose to believe him. That’s what he did for a living. He organized and guided moose hunts. He was a woodsman.

My mind immediately went to the lunch conversation I’d had with Brother Wade Bass. He and I had eaten at the little roadside café in Henrietta, Oklahoma back in July. Because he was fighting cancer, his Doctor had him on a very strict diet. He ordered only a salad for his meal.

“Do you have any ‘Romaine’ lettuce?” He’d asked the waitress.

While she went back to the kitchen to ask, he explained to me that he had to eat a lot of salad on his diet. He said that Iceberg lettuce had basically no nutritional value in it, so that’s why he’d asked for the Romaine.

With these two incidents freeze-framed in my mind, I begin to think about spiritual foods and spiritual diets. Or maybe I should have said, “unspiritual” diets.

How many sit every week in church services and hear sermons, sing songs, and then go home pretty much unchanged? Even though they felt like they were absolutely ‘full’? This type of pill is hard to swallow as a preacher, it is something we need to keep close to our hearts.

Is it possible to get ‘full’ on sermons that don’t say much and never seem to change any lives?

It’s possible, I think, to get full on ‘worship’ services that never touch the heart and are not much more than drum beats accompanied with powerless repetitive phrases.

I pretty much enjoy all kinds of Worship. But if I can’t feel God touching my heart, I know there is no nutritional value involved.

There is a big difference too, between being fed the “finest of the wheat” or having to live on a constant sermon diet of Faith, Blessing and Prosperity.

Am I against those sermon subjects? Not at all! Keep preaching them. We need our faith built and we sure could use some prosperity. But there’s more to the Word than just that. Feed me some ‘doctrine’ and feed me some ‘practical living’ sermons while you’re at it. I need something to feed me, not just fill me.

Thank God if you are blessed to be in a good church where you are not only get full, you get fed!

Written by Martyn Ballestero

April 7, 2011 at 2:23 pm

Posted in Christian Living, Doctrine, Worship

Tagged with Doctrine, Worship

The Church In The Torture Chamber

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The Church In The Torture Chamber

Eight years before Nero sat upon his throne, Paul started a church in Philippi. It was the first Christian church in all of Europe.

In Philippi, Paul met Lydia. It was here too that he and Silas were beaten and thrown in jail.

Ruins of Philippi City Center. Foreground: Philippi's Forum. Background: Ruins of market and basilica. Photo by Marsyas

The little congregation of believers in Philippi had no idea what painful days were ahead of them. No one had ever heard the name ‘Nero’ but they were about to.

Nero became an absolute tyrant soon after he attained the throne. He was a monster with authority to do whatever he wanted. Those that knew him believed him to be heartless and without natural feeling. Historical writer Josephus called him a Mad Man. He was totally given to sensuality.

He came into the royal bloodline by adoption. Being two years older than his new stepbrother, he became the heir apparent. At 14, he addressed the Senate and by the age of 17, he had attained the throne.

Nero was an atheist. His life was lived without morals, without restraint and without regard for human life.

He was given Octavia his stepsister in marriage and later forced her to commit suicide. Three times he tried to kill his own mother. He finally succeeded by clubbing her to death publicly.

He seduced his best friend’s wife, Poppea and married her. She was put in charge of arranging his sensual parties. Although he already had a palace, he built a playhouse for his sex parties that had over 300 rooms. He called it the Golden House.

He hated Christians deeply. He really hated them. They were against everything he loved and did.

When he felt Britannicus, his stepbrother, was becoming a threat to him, he decided to kill him with poison. Nero made a poisonous laxative and gave it to a goat. It took the goat five hours to die. He increased the dosage and gave it to a pig. The pig died immediately. He then served it to Britannicus with the same results.

Poppea died because Nero kicked her in the stomach when she was with child. Undaunted, Nero found a young boy named Sporus who closely resembled Poppea. He castrated him, married him in a formal ceremony and Sporus became his wife.

Nero loved chariot racing. He wanted to have chariot races even at night. He ordered Christians to be gathered at random and crucified. Their bodies, dead or alive, were covered with pitch and set ablaze so there would be enough light to race by.

Christians were thrown to the lions for his amusement. He delighted in watching them being eaten alive.

He ordered the Christians to be covered with the bloody skins of slain animals and then tied. When they were securely tied, he turned wild dogs loose to kill them.

Roman soldiers were given permission to behead Christians at their own discretion.

Many Christians were killed to appease the people who disliked them.

The Christian were robbed often.

The women were often assaulted and horribly mistreated on a regular basis.

Many Christians were sold into slavery to help pay the debt of the rebuilding of Rome after it burned.

In the midst of all these unimaginable horrors, the Apostle Paul sat down his prison cell and wrote a letter to these precious people. Paul no doubt felt a strong attachment to them and they to him as well.

He concludes his beautiful letter to theses battered saints with:

Phil. 4:22 “All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar’s household.”

In spite of their brothers and sisters in Christ being killed and abused, they were living for God right under Nero’s nose. They were saints in Nero’s own household.

They no doubt cooked, cleaned, served, preformed their required duties, and still kept their testimonies intact. Each day that they awoke, they knew there was a chance that they would be killed for what they believed. That didn’t stop them.

They proved 2,000 years ago that it is possible to live for God anywhere. Even under the worst conditions imaginable.

Nero committed suicide at the age of 31. He may have died, but the Anti-Christ spirit that drove him is alive and well today.

Today, I honor every brother and sister in Christ who is trying to survive in their own personal ‘hell on earth’ situation. May the comfort of the Holy Ghost especially be yours today and may you feel his hand upon you, guiding your every step. I pray the peace and protection of the Lord upon you, in Jesus Name. God knows where you are at and what you are going through.

Written by Martyn Ballestero

April 3, 2011 at 12:45 am

Posted in Christian Living

Mine Is Better Than Yours!

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Mine Is Better Than Yours!

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Man tries to “make peace” but God “gives peace.” He is the Prince of Peace.

Man’s peace is flawed. It’s temporary. It’s conditional. So Jesus said, “my peace I give unto you.” He knew our peace wouldn’t last, He knew our peace would fail. He knew His was better than ours. Because His ‘peace’ is better than ours, he freely offers His to us today.

Everything He does, He does better than us. His is always better than ours.

God’s hope – A ‘blessed hope’, a ‘better hope’.

Man’s hope – Is in this world only – ‘most miserable’.

(His is better!)

God’s joy – ‘Fullness of joy’.

Man’s joy – Partial and temporary.

(His is better!)

God’s pleasure – ‘Forever more’.

Man’s pleasure – ‘For a season’.

(His is better!)

God’s water – You will never thirst again

Man’s water – You will get thirsty again

(His is better!)

Is. 55:8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.

Is. 55:9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

God’s Thoughts – Are higher than man’s thoughts

God’ Ways – Are higher than man’s ways

(His is better!)

His Name – Is above every other name.

Deut. 32:31 For their rock is not as our Rock, even our enemies themselves being judges.

There’s no god like our God.

There’s no rock like our Rock.

There’s No God Like Jehovah!

Written by Martyn Ballestero

April 1, 2011 at 12:10 am

Posted in Christian Living

A Moment Of Weakness And A Lifetime Of Regret

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A Moment Of Weakness And A Lifetime Of Regret

All it will take to give you pain the rest of your life, is for you to mess up just one time. From then on, your life will never be the same.

Can you image a successful middle-age person who has been in church all his life, never done drugs, yet going out on a Friday night to a bad part of town to try some drugs? I know such a man.

It is sad enough that he did it, but he didn’t expect to get hooked his first time. He lost his job, he lost his marriage, and the respect of his children.

He has been through the drug rehabilitation and counseling Knoxville department multiple times and no longer can be trusted with a ten-dollar bill. He might go spend it on drugs.

When he came to church, he’d just sit and cry during my sermons. For years he would come to the altar, desperately battling the power of his addiction.

Today, the dear brother declares he has deliverance. Thank the Lord. But he has moved to another city in the same state so no one will know his past. He can’t hold his head up anymore and face his old friends. It wasn’t that God couldn’t forgive him; it’s just that he now has nothing but regrets.

Some of us have lived long enough to hear about a moment of weakness that someone had. We know too that they will have a life-time of regret. It’s so horrible. Your heart even hurts for them. It doesn’t matter what the weakness was, regret is quick to cast it’s long shadow over them until they die.

This generation is living so, reckless. Heed the warning, if you will of my Father, a man of God who has gone on home to be with the Lord. He died in 1994 but his message is still relevant.

In the 1950’s, I remember him (Bro. Carl Ballestero) preaching a message that always seemed to fill up the altars. He called it “A Moment Of Weakness And A Lifetime Of Regret.” I found his sermon notes a few years ago. The message was needed then, it’s really needed now.

†††††††

Here is a copy of my Dad’s sermon notes.

I never want to let his messages die.

Sermon Preached by Rev. Carl Ballestero

Written by Martyn Ballestero

March 30, 2011 at 12:15 pm

Posted in Backsliders, Christian Living, Fear of God, Regret

Tagged with Regret

That’s Why I’m Scared!

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That’s Why I’m Scared!

I have said in jest many times, “I ain’t scared of nothing, but I’m scared of that!” I was trying to get a laugh while talking about an uncomfortable subject or situation.

I am not a man who has phobias nor have I ever been called a fearful soul. But today I wish to reveal to my readers, that really, down deep, I’m scared.

I’m not the only one either. Remember what the Apostle Paul wrote to the church at Corinth?

1 Cor. 9:27 KJV But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

1 Cor. 9:27 ESV But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

Paul was fearful enough to be careful.
He was also careful enough to protect himself and prevent a personal disaster.

I have been overwhelmed this year with unbelievable stories of personal and moral failures.

I’m scared of being shipwrecked. I don’t have a problem admitting it either. I don’t have a plan ‘B’ in living for God, so plan ‘A’ has to work.

I refuse to be disobedient to God.
I refuse to rebel against Him.
I love Him too much to want to live without Him.

Let Me Tell You How Scared I Am!

I’m too scared to question God’s Word.
I’m too scared to take chances with holiness.
I’m too scared to take chances with doctrine.
I’m too scared to see how much of the world I can have and still be saved.
I’m scared of the spirit of false doctrine.
I’m scared of my own built-in ability to rationalize the Word of God to my own destruction.
I’m scared of the spirit of immorality.
I’m scared of the lust of the flesh.
I’m scared of the lust of the eye.
I’m scared of the pride of life.
I’m scared of the love of money.
I’m scared of pride.
I’m scared of getting a critical spirit.
I’m scared of getting bitter.
I’m scared not to forgive.
I’m scared not to love my brother.
I’m scared not to have the fear of God in my heart.

James wrote that a man could save himself from a horrible fate if he just wouldn’t make that first mistake.

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.

One might say, ‘Brother, you are only living for God because you are scared.”

I refer you back to Paul’s fear. He was also fearful enough that he ‘died daily’.

Like Paul, I too have invested a lifetime living for God. I’ve loved every day of living for the Lord. It has been the highest honor in the world to have labored for Him.

I have preached many thousands of sermons. Why would I want to throw a ministry away?

I have lived with the most beautiful and loving wife in the world for 45 years. Why would I want to throw that away?

I enjoy the love and respect of five married children, their spouses and thirteen grandchildren. Why would I want to throw that away?

I’m scared of doing anything that would disqualify me in the eyes of God.
I’m scared of doing anything that would disqualify me in the eyes of my wife and children.

That, my friend, is why I must keep myself under subjection every day as did Paul, that I might not become ‘disqualified.’

It would be horrible to fall this close to home! It would be horrible to become a castaway!

That’s Why I’m Scared!

Written by Martyn Ballestero

March 26, 2011 at 7:46 pm

Posted in Christian Living, Fear of God

Tagged with Fear of God

‘Murder’s Nobodies’

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‘Murder’s Nobodies’

The Detective Lieutenant from Homicide stood at the podium in front of the eight photos pinned on the board. The pictures were of unnamed young women that had been brutally murdered.

The handful of Detectives seated in the room hung onto every word as he pointed at the Jane Doe photos of each young woman. The hard-nosed, no-nonsense persona of the old Lieutenant was mostly a front. He appeared to be a little rough around the edges. It went with the territory. Everyone in the room however, understood that his heart was soft. He motives were good. And besides all of that, he really cared about people.

Today, his personal mission was to bring attention to each case before them. That was clearly evident. All eight manila files in front of him had sat in the ‘Open-Unsolved’ Department’s file cabinet for too many years. He couldn’t sleep well at night any more because of them. They were his cases. This was his department. These were cases they all should be concerned about. Not just him. His mind raced ahead as he spoke to his team.

All the girls were listed as Jane Does.
No one had reported them missing.
Maybe they were runaways.
Maybe they weren’t.
No one seemed to miss them and several had been dead for more than five years.
Maybe they’d left in rebellion.
Maybe the family was glad they were gone.
They’d somehow slipped through the cracks.
No splash was made on the news.
There was no front-page write-up in the paper.
Why?

“These young women,” the Detective said, “are ‘Murder’s Nobodies.’ They are the victims that don’t count in the minds of those that knew them. No one knows they’re dead. No one has asked about them. No one cared enough to file a missing persons report. No one loved them. No one came looking. No one called.

“Every one of them was somebody’s daughter. Every one of them counted. They don’t deserve to lie in an unmarked grave. They don’t deserve to be forgotten. They all were horrible murdered. They suffered great pain and no one cries for them.”

The old Detective stopped in his speech and looked at the young men and women in front of him. He wanted his words to strike a note in every heart. He wanted everyone in his department to get a hold of what he was saying. He wanted them to get the Big Picture. He wanted them to care enough to do something.

“They’re ‘Murder’s Nobodies’. They weren’t famous enough to be missed. They weren’t rich enough to make the news. They weren’t pretty enough to be asked about. They were just nobodies. They lived an invisible existence in their society. Unseen, unheard of and now, forgotten. I don’t care how long it takes. I’m not willing to let these cases stay in the Open-Unsolved files. We’ve got work to do.”

The group all nodded their heads as one. Their eyes followed the Lieutenant’s eyes and looked again at the pictures on the wall. They saw them as victims who didn’t deserve to have everything taken from them. They saw them as victims who didn’t deserve to die. They saw them as victims who were called ‘Murder’s Nobodies.’ Every community has some. Every church has some as well.

Written by Martyn Ballestero

March 23, 2011 at 12:53 am

Posted in Backsliders, Christian Living, Love

Tagged with Backsliders, Help the Hurting, Reaching the Lost

The Devil’s Got A Plan

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The Devil’s Got A Plan

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

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

You Are Aware Of His Plan

2Cor. 2:11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

God’s Got a Better Plan

Rom. 5:20 Moreover the law entered, that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:

________________________________________

The Devil’s Got A Plan To Get You To Backslide!

1 Day Plan
1 Week Plan
1 Month Plan
1 Year Plan
5 Year Plan
10 Year Plan
20 Year Plan
Life Time Plan

He’s Got A Plan To Get You To:

1. Make You Quit Paying Tithes

2. Make You Offended

3. Make You Miss Church

4. Make You Withdraw

5. Fill You With Bitterness

6. Make You Hate Holiness

7. Mess Up Your Marriage

8. Stop Your Worship

9. Make You Immoral

10. Make You Love Money

11. Make You Love Pleasure, MORE…

12. Find You A Sinner Girlfriend…

13. Make You Rebel

14. Make You Move From Your Church

15. Stop Your Prayer Life

___________________________________

What Would It Take To Make You Quit Church?

To Make You Backslide?
To Offend You?
Make You Jealous?
To Defeat You?
Make You Sell Your Birthright?
Make You Throw This Away?
Make You Willing to Compromise?
Stop You Paying Your Tithes?
Put You At Odds With The Pastor?
Make You Bitter?

____________________________________

What’s Your Chances Of Recovery?

1. From Not Paying Tithes – Not Good

2. From Being Easily Offended – Rare

(Harder than walled city)

3. Habitually Missing Church – Not Good

4. From Compromise – Rare

5. From Bitterness – Rare

6. From Hating Holiness – Rare

(When folks lose the revelation of Holiness, the Godhead is next.)

7. From Marriage Problems – Difficult

8. From No Worship – Difficult

9. From Immorality – Difficult

10. From The Love of Money – Rare

(Easier for camel to go…eye needle)

11. From the Love of Pleasure – Difficult

12. From Sinner Boyfriend/Girlfriend – Difficult

13. From Rebellion -Rare

(Miriam/Korah 200)

14. From Rejecting Holiness – Rare

15. From No Prayer Life – Difficult

Now, The Big Question:

CAN You Recover? Absolutely!

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

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

__________________________________________

What Would It Take?