Archive for the ‘Christian Living’ Category
I Hate Wheelbarrows
I Hate Wheelbarrows
Oh, I guess there are some good things that could be said about them. But that still doesn’t change my mind. I hate wheelbarrows. I hate them for any number of reasons, some of which I will tell you.
First, I hate wheelbarrows because they’re too much work. Entirely too much effort has to be expended to make them go.
Second, I hate wheelbarrows because they are prone to become “lopsided” easily which demands additional effort to correct. They get off balance too easily.
Third, I hate wheelbarrows because they all have to be pushed. They won’t do one thing by themselves. They’ll never budge unless made to. They’ll never go forward unless someone wears their self out pushing them. Then, just as soon as the pusher stops, the wheelbarrow stops too.
Some folks are like wheelbarrows. They’ll carry the load, but you have to push them. They only respond to pressure. And even them, you’ve got to watch them in case they get lopsided.
They have to be pushed to worship God.
They have to be pushed to find the prayer room.
They have to be pushed to live right.
They have to be pushed to dress right.
They have to be pushed to witness.
They have to be pushed to testify.
They have to be pushed to trust God.
They have to be pushed to forgive.
They have to be pushed to be faithful.
They have to be pushed to give.
They have to be pushed to read the Bible.
They have to be pushed to make progress at all.
They have to be pushed in everything.
I hate wheelbarrow Christianity.
I hate what you’ve done to yourselves.
I hate what you’re doing to others.
I hate what you’re doing to you’re church.
I hate what you’re doing to the ministry.
I hate the fact that your spirit is contagious.
I hate the fact that your children may be just like you.
I hate the fact that you can’t ‘have church’ without the preacher pushing you.
I hate the fact you don’t love God enough to progress on your own.
Do you know what we need? I’ll tell you. We simply need a good old-fashioned case of the “I want to.”
I want to have church.
I want to live for God.
I want to have liberty.
I want to have to victory.
I want to worship.
I want to pray.
I want to live holy.
I want to have revival.
I want to be a blessing.
I want to be faithful.
I want to give.
I want to obey the Word of God.
I hate wheelbarrows! I wonder what God thinks about them. I wonder what you think about them. I hope you hate them too. Hate them enough that you refuse to be one. Hate them enough that you will refuse to wait until you are pushed before making progress in God.
That Was A Lousy Performance
That Was A Lousy Performance
per·for·mance
n.
1. The act of performing or the state of being performed.
2. The act or style of performing a work or role before an audience.
3. The way in which someone or something functions.
4. A presentation, especially a theatrical one, before an audience.
5. Something performed; an accomplishment.
Our carnal minds are impressed with performance, be it speed, strength or skill. We use words like ‘Awesome’ to describe a ‘performance’ we enjoyed.
All of us love a song and a singer that pleases our ears. The skillful playing of an instrument fascinates us. It is easy for us to go away feeling awed because of the performance of the musician, singer or speaker.
It’s not that it’s so wrong. It’s actually very normal. Even the Psalmist said in Psalms. 33:3 Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.
From this scripture, it even looks like heaven enjoys a good performance.
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Yet it’s possible that we bring that mindset over into the area of preaching, testifying and special singing.
Nothing deflates our ego any quicker than to feel like we weren’t at our best, or that the crowd response was less than we’d hoped for.
Most every preacher knows what’s it’s like to want to just leave the building as soon as he finished a sermon that didn’t ‘go over’ well. There have been times when a trap door hidden behind the pulpit seemed like a good idea to me.
I’ve seen young singers cry after they went down off of the platform because their song didn’t come out as good as they’d planned.
The devil has told some that stood and testified in a church service that they had made a mess of their testimony and they should never testify again.
Remember the story of the Sower? (Actually the parable is more about the soil than the sower.)
He sowed everywhere he could on his property. He didn’t get good results everywhere. Nevertheless he was faithful in the sowing of the seed.
Performance never entered his mind when he walked into the field that morning. It didn’t make any difference if he sowed with his right hand or his left hand. All he had to do to get a crop was sow the seed. He was just going to sow the seed until he had planted everywhere he could. The power was in the seed, not in him.
If he had sown the seed in our present day ‘church’ fields, we would have expected him to jump up about 2 feet high, click his heels and then power slam the seed into the ground. People would have stood to their feet and screamed ‘Amen’ and maybe a few even run the aisles.
Then all of the critics of sowers would have said, “Man, that’s really sowing the seed! That’s the kind of seed sowing we like around here. He really did an awesome job of sowing the seed.”
We’re so afraid someone will think or say, “That was a lousy performance.” We would be devastated because we are conditioned with a performance mindset.
Yet all of us know that performance has nothing to do with the sowing of the seed. In actuality it may even slow down the process. If the sowing of the seed has to wait until we get done with our performance then heaven may not be pleased.
All the sower has to do is just let go of the seed. Nature and the seed take over from there. He did his job. It didn’t have to be pretty. It didn’t have to be powerful. It didn’t have to be exciting. It just had to be released.
I’m not calling for an end to good preaching and singing. Neither am I asking for any of us to not do our best. What I am asking for is for you to not be disheartened by your own sense of ‘failure’ when your ‘performance’ doesn’t turn out like you wanted. Remember. You are sowing the seed. Seed sowing doesn’t require performance to be effective.
Just sow the seed. Sow it in a song, sow it in a testimony or sow it in a sermon. Forget about performance. Don’t let Satan steal your song, shut your mouth or make you discouraged. When it leaves your hands, God takes over.
Larry, The Confused Lamb
Larry, The Confused Lamb
Larry the lamb enjoyed the flock. What a wonderful day it was. The sun was shining, the birds were singing. The grass was green and lush. The brook was clear and flowed slowly. He happily pranced and played with the other lambs. Life in the flock was great.
He explored the meadow where they were and even listened to the older sheep tell stories. They told about the times that wolves had come close to the flock and their shepherd had protected them. He’d never seen a wolf but he’d heard them howl. It was scary. Mama told him not to worry because the Shepherd heard the wolf too and everything would be OK.
The older sheep bragged on their Shepherd. They all said that he was the best one in the world. They were all safe because of him. He had taken good care of them for many years.
Larry loved his Shepherd too. Shepherd Smith had always taken the flock to safe and comfortable places. There was always plenty to eat and drink in this flock. Shepherd Smith had seen to that.
One day Larry and his friend Simon were standing by the edge of the flock. They looked way across the meadow and saw another flock of sheep in the distance. They noticed that there were lots of lambs in that sheep fold. There were more lambs there than there were in their flock. Some cute ewe lambs were over there too.
One evening Larry and Simon decided they wanted to go visit the other flock. They were afraid to ask for permission because they’d heard that their Shepherd was reluctant to let his lambs go visit other flocks. Shepherd Smith had said he was required by his master to watch carefully over all the lambs and sheep. He didn’t want to be overbearing, but he had to be careful for their sakes.
When Shepherd Smith was looking the other way, Larry and Simon scampered to the other side of the meadow. They were warmly welcomed. Shepherd Johnson stood and announced to the whole flock that they were visiting and wanted the flock to make them feel at home.
All the lambs in Shepherd Johnson’s flock were very friendly. Larry and Simon had so much fun. They laughed and romped with the other lambs. This was a wonderful day. This was a great Lamb Group.
Later, Shepherd Johnson came over and bragged on them personally and told them that they were welcome and very needed in his flock. He didn’t try to send them back to their own flock. But he did offer Larry a job as Lamb Leader in his flock.
During the visit, Shepherd Johnson led his flock into places Larry and Simon had never been before. The curfew for bedding down here was different from Shepherd Smith’s too.
Shepherd Johnson wasn’t quite as restrictive as their Shepherd was either. He let his lambs wander a little bit closer to the edge of the meadow. Larry and Simon got closer to the Big Woods than they’d ever been before. There were more liberties here than they had ever experienced.
These lambs got to go see things the lambs in their flock had never seen. Oh this was exciting.
Simon said, “Larry, I like Shepherd Johnson, and I like Shepherd Smith. I just wish that our flock was as big as Shepherd Johnson’s and that our Lamb Group was as much fun as theirs too.”
“Me too,” was all Larry could say as they began to scamper back toward the home flock. The sun was starting to go down and Larry knew that Shepherd Smith would be concerned and miss them.
In the next several days, Simon and Larry went visiting the neighboring flock. From time to time they would invite other lambs from their flock to go with them.
One day while visiting Shepherd Johnson’s flock, they heard some of the lambs talking about another flock in the big meadow that was led by a Shepherd named Jones. Larry and Simon caught each other’s eye. Maybe they should go check out Shepherd Jones flock too. They did.
Shepherd Jones was very nice. Larry and Simon liked the flock very much. All the sheep and lambs were kind and made them feel welcome. They were all well fed in this flock.
Shepherd Jones noticed Larry and Simon. He came over and introduced himself. He asked the lambs if their Shepherd knew that they were here?
Larry said that he didn’t ask but he didn’t think there was a problem with them visiting other flocks.
‘I’m going to have to let your Shepherd know that you were visiting over here.” Said Shepherd Jones.
“You are?”
“Yes. It’s what I always do when lambs from another flock wander over into mine.” Some Shepherds don’t always return the favor though.
“You’ve got a wonderful Shepherd, Larry. Don’t ever go visiting other flocks unless your Shepherd approves.”
“Thank you, I won’t” said Larry as he and Simon left to go back home.
They had enjoyed their visit. Shepherd Jones seemed like a wise and careful Shepherd. He didn’t let his lambs wander close to the Big Woods like Shepherd Johnson did. He seemed cautious and protective. He guided them all in places of safety.
Larry talked with Simon on the way home. He said, “Simon, I’ve noticed that all flocks are different. The Shepherds all have different rules and lead the lambs in different directions. I’m starting to get confused about which flock is the best. About which Shepherd is the best. I’m really confused.
The next day, Shepherd Smith asked to talk with Larry and Simon.
He said, “I’ve heard from some of the sheep that you’ve been visiting other flocks in the meadow and I’m becoming concerned about you. I’m concerned about what happens to you when you allow different Shepherds to lead you. It confuses you very quickly.”
Larry and Simon nodded their heads in agreement.
“The Shepherds in our meadow are good men, I’m sure, but you are only to have one Shepherd in your life to guide you. It’s his voice and his voice alone that you are to obey. Especially when you are a young lamb, it’s important that you stay close to your Shepherd.
“Before you were ever born, I told this flock, that for their own safety, I don’t want you all to make a habit of visiting other flocks. You may not understand why right now, but when you get older you will understand.
“It’s kind of like a Mother Ewe having a little lamb and after it’s born letting other Mama Ewes that wanted too, help raise it. That would be very confusing to the lamb. Each mother is different, so she parents differently.
“Or it would be like you taking a framed blank canvas around to everyone that calls themselves an artist and let them paint on it whatever they want. When they got done it would be all messed up. It wouldn’t be beautiful at all. That’s what would happen to you. Each Shepherd, with his teaching, paints on the canvass of your heart. If the painting is done by a group of different artists, it can wind up looking jumbled and confusing.
“There may be times when I announce that our flock is going to go over to another flock and visit. In the future, just wait for me to make an announcement about that. When I do , then it’s OK to go.
“If I don’t announce it when the other flocks are having something special, then it’s probably a good thing for you not to go. I may have a good reason that I can’t tell you.”
Larry said, “Thank you for talking to me Shepherd Smith. I love you and I love my flock. I don’t like being confused.
“I think you should know that Shepherd Johnson offered me a job as Lamb Leader in his flock. My father said that other Shepherds shouldn’t do that. He said that it wasn’t right and he should have talked to you first and then if you felt good about it, you would have come to me and told me what to do.”
“Your father is right Larry. He is one of the finest sheep in our flock.
“In the future,” said Larry “I won’t even go visit other flocks unless you tell us we are all to go. I don’t want to ever get confused like that again.” Said Larry.
“Me either,” said Simon.
“Thank you,” said Shepherd Smith. “If you’ll do that, you’ll never be confused again!”
“What God Saw When He Came To Church”
Psa. 23:1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
Psa. 23:2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
Psa. 23:3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Psa. 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Psa. 23:5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Psa. 23:6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
(This beautiful Psalm at first glance, has nothing to do with my title.)
NOTE: These are real people in real churches, with real problems. The names have been changed.
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“What God Saw When He Came To Church”
He watched them as they drove their cars into the parking lot before service.
- He knew their needs and wished to bless them tonight.
- He was coming tonight to heal all that would let Him.
- His Spirit was ready to save and uplift them as well.
- Some were coming early for prayer because they enjoyed talking to Him.
- Some came because they were asked too. He could tell the difference.
He noticed that many were not careful how they entered in His House. They did not come before His presence like they did in days gone by. He watched all manner of people walk into His house. His house became full. At the appointed time, singers and musicians began to praise Him. That pleased Him greatly.
The Lord stood on the platform and watched His people as they began sing. He carefully scanned the crowd and observed their hearts, their thoughts and their words.
- He knew their struggles, their successes and their failures.
- He knew that tonight would be difficult for Him to accomplish what He desired.
- Not every one was coming expecting to receive something from Him.
- He knew that He would have to work in spite of the efforts of Hell.
- He could see the handiwork of sin everywhere.
- This is what he saw! He didn’t like it either.
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Harold Wilson and his wife Angie had argued for the past two days.
- They had even argued in the car coming to church and had been harsh in their comments to each other.
- That’s all they could think about.
Tommy Bourne, a rebellious teen sat slumped in his pew and refused to join in.
Roger Ellis secretly smoked cigarettes and piously played his guitar.
Mary Alice was 17. She was also 3 months along and neither her parents nor her boyfriend knew yet. Her mind was in a whirl.
Tiffany Clanton had been stealing money from work.
Bob Mathis was insanely jealous of his wife.
- He had been imagining the worst.
- He made far-fetched accusations constantly.
- He watched who talked to her and for how long.
- He even watched where she glanced.
- Bob’s marriage was in trouble because of his stupidity and imagination.
- Bob didn’t need any enemies.
- His own mind was enemy enough
Victor Thomas had his car repossessed at 3:30am today and was ashamed to call anyone for a ride.
- Everyone was going to know.
- How could he hold his head up?
Larry Woods heard that, this coming Friday, his crew was going to be laid off. What would he do now?
Prentiss Duvall played the keyboard and sang with the Praise Singers.
- He noticed that Robert Mitchell looked especially cute tonight.
- He prayed that no one would find out about them.
The American Idol and Desperate Housewives was all that Joyce Proctor could think about.
- She couldn’t talk about it though to most of the people.
- Her TV was her secret.
Gary and Pam Griffith drank Margaritas with their supper at an out-of-town restaurant last night where no one knew them.
Bradley Duncan went into a strip joint 2 nights ago.
Darryl Johnson stared down at the floor. He never looked up much. He lived with condemnation and depression.
Jason Harper hadn’t paid tithes in 14 months. He wasn’t even under condemnation. He didn’t care. He couldn’t afford to pay tithes.
Ed Conner was an ex-convict and he had missed reporting in to his parole officer today. His mind was processing all of the possibilities. He expected at any time to see police officers come into the building.
Patsy Sikes disliked the pastor’s wife and said so to everyone who would listen.
Jerrod Walker was a Peeping Tom. He wasn’t cured yet.
Willy Yonts gave his wife Barbara permission to trim the dead ends of her hair a week ago. He sent her to the Beauty Salon.
- He dared anyone to say anything about it.
- Lots of Pentecostals were doing it.
Kandy Watkins had been out of a job for weeks now.
- She had submitted more applications than she could count off the top of her head. Nothing seemed promising so far.
Billy and Sharon Glovers and their two children had shared a can of creamed corn for supper today. That’s all there was. There was no more food in the house and no money to buy more.
Larry Benson was tired. He was real tired.
David and Karen West were 2 months behind on their rent. The Electric Company’s notice arrived in the mail today.
Elizabeth Stewart received a call back from her Doctor today with the results of her last biopsy. The news was devastating.
Kenneth Scott’s heart medicine made him sleepy this time of day.
- Especially when he sat down.
- His eyes were already closed.
Missy Morris kept her bedroom window unlocked at night for Brad Stanton.
- Her parents disliked him and didn’t trust him.
- If she got caught, she would be grounded for life.
Marvin Garrett had stopped taking the medicine the Psychiatrist had prescribed for him for a while now.
- He didn’t need it any more he was sure.
- He didn’t have a problem. Everyone else did.
Lela Flowers wanted a divorce.
- Her husband Steve was an idiot.
- It was time for her to move on.
- Her marriage was boring.
Clyde and Sue Armstrong were sitting crossways with the pastor. They felt he had been preaching just to them recently.
Pat Thurston’s blood sugar level was out of whack tonight and she could tell.
Marsha Cantrell was in pain. Her gall bladder had been acting up. She also didn’t have hospitalization insurance.
Becky Shaw was unhappy with the church dress standards.
- She tried to comply when she came to church.
- She wasn’t convicted.
- What she did on her own time was her business.
- She posted pictures of her vacation on MySpace.
- She was posing on the beach in her new short shorts.
- She cropped the picture to show herself just from the waist up to post on Facebook.
- A lot of the saints were on Facebook.
- Not too many knew about her MySpace account.
- She felt smug and somewhat superior.
Belinda Jones had been writings hot checks from one bank and depositing them in another.
- By hurriedly going back and forth, she was able to make it look like she had more money than she did.
- First Bank had called and left a message before service.
- She feared she would be arrested for kiting checks.
Josh Palmer had 5 days growth of mustache on his face. He knew the Pastor frowned on facial hair.
- He figured maybe Jesus even had a beard.
- Josh loved to test the boundaries.
Don and Debra Martin had both recently resigned from leading the youth group.
- They felt hurt that Paul Roberts was supporting the new youth leader so strongly.
- Paul had never offered to help them.
Kay Ellis was busy texting Elaine Howard. Kay could text without looking at her phone.
- She just stuck her hand in her purse and punched away.
- No one knew but her and Elaine.
Keith Norman had stopped to talk with a Bankruptcy Lawyer after he’d gotten off work today.
Mark and Wilma Faraday’s 14-year-old son Jerrod ran away from home yesterday.
- He’d left a note.
- The police hadn’t found him yet.
- They were beside themselves with worry.
Evelyn Conner was grieving.
- Her darling of 52 years had died 6 weeks ago.
- She was lost in her own grief.
- All she could talk about was her Joe.
- She missed him so much.
Satan stood in the back with his arms crossed.
- A smirk was on his face.
- He was pleased with his successes and accomplishments.
- His Imps were grinning from ear to ear.
- He just knew that he had made God’s work impossible.
- He had done damage to their worship.
- He had brought murmuring into their hearts.
- He had led some astray.
- He had confused the efforts of the Almighty.
- He was exceedingly happy.
NEVERTHELESS…
The Lord ignored Satan. He considered neither him nor his works an obstacle He couldn’t overcome.
- He then turned his eyes and looked the people over.
- In spite of all the problems and problem people, there were hungry hearts in the building.
- His heart melted at their interest in Him.
He was grieved by the sins of His children.
- His arm was not too short to reach them.
- His ears weren’t stopped up so that He couldn’t hear.
- They were their own problem.
- He would not force Himself tonight on them.
- If they were unwilling to reach out to Him He would look for someone who would.
There were new faces in His house tonight. Many had never received heard His Word or felt His Spirit.
In spite of the wicked:
- His hands reached out to touch those who reached out to Him.
In spite of the unbelieving:
- He healed all those that believed in Him.
In spite of Satan’s work:
- He gave strength to the weak
In spite of the unconcerned:
- He comforted the broken-hearted.
In spite of the carnal minded:
- His Glory fell on the righteous.
In spite of the ungodly:
- Conviction fell upon the sinful.
In spite of the rebellious:
- He blessed the willing.
In spite of the workers of evil:
- He gave strength to the faithful.
In spite of the disgruntled:
- He let His presence be felt.
In spite of the perverted:
- He blessed the pure in heart
In spite of the sinful:
- He let His holiness show
In spite of the downcast:
- He lifted up heads.
In spite of His disappointment in their failures:
- He gave His forgiveness.
In spite of past their failures:
- He forgave their sins
In spite of Satan’s efforts:
- Sinners repented.
In spite of Hell’s efforts:
- Seekers were filled with the Holy Ghost.
That His Word might be fulfilled:
In the presence of the enemy:
- A table was prepared
In the presence of the enemy:
- His people would fear no evil.
In the presence of the enemy:
- His rod and staff would comfort them.
In the presence of the enemy:
- He would restore their soul.
In the presence of the enemy:
- He would lead them in the paths of righteousness for His name sake.
In the presence of the enemy:
- He would anoint their heads with oil
In the presence of the enemy:
- He would fill their cups to running over.
In the presence of the enemy:
Goodness and Mercy would follow His children all the days of their life.
The Lord watched as Satan walked out the door
- The smirk was gone.
- The Imps weren’t smiling anymore.
Heaven’s Angels began to rejoice.
- Satan was defeated.
- There was joy in the camp.
- The saints were praising God for His wondrous Works.
They were singing: “There’s no God like Jehovah!”
In spite of what Hell does, God is not powerless.
in spite of who does what, God’s power can prevail.
God will do a miracle in your church, even in the presence of the enemy.
God will do a miracle with your church even in the presence of the enemy.
The Case Of The Rejected Steak House
The Case Of The Rejected Steak House
A popular new Steak House opened in South Bend. I was pleased. Many Sundays it was packed with Pentecostals from the local Oneness churches. Business was good. The food was good. The location was good. It soon became the meeting place for many of my local pastor friends and their churches.
The economy wasn’t bad, our church finances weren’t operating in the red, but no one was getting rich in my neighborhood. We were living week to week. Praying literally for a blessing on our finances, or more accurately, a miracle.
The church needed money. Most of the people in our church needed money. I didn’t NEED any money, but the people I owed, they said they did.
I found myself praying in my office one Monday afternoon. In my selfish mind, I prayed mostly about my personal finances.
I later sat down behind my desk and began to read the Bible. The phone rang. An unfamiliar voice said, “Bro. Ballestero?”
When I confirmed his inquiry, he continued.
“You may not remember me, but many years ago, I had lunch with you and your Dad in the Dallas area.”
I faintly remembered, but his description of the moment helped me recall the occasion.
“I own 15 Steak Houses around the country and I have recently opened one in your town.”
“Oh my yes, I eat there every week. It’s a great place. It’s packed every time I drive by.” I volunteered.
“Yes, I know that and I am very pleased. But that new restaurant has a problem. It has management problems. I’ve got an offer for you Bro. Ballestero, hear me out. I want you to manage that Steak House for me.”
I was completely caught off guard. I knew absolutely nothing about running a restaurant. I did know that the hours always run late into the evening. I also knew he wasn’t looking for a part-time manager.
“My brother!” I said, “I at a loss for words. I am deeply humbled by your offer and honored that you would consider me. But you do understand that I am a Pastor first and foremost. My understanding of managing a restaurant is that if I did, I would have to be married to it.”
“That true,” came the reply, “but you don’t have too. You can choose a couple in your church and let them run it and you can pay them.
I began to think of all the couples in my church. But I could not think of one that I felt comfortable risking their time away from church just for a job.
“What I would like to do my brother, is to let you run the Steak House for two years, and we split the profit 50/50. At the end of two years, I’ll give you the restaurant lock stock and barrel.”
Well sir, you could have knocked me over with a feather. (As some old timers use to say.) I was trying to choose my words carefully.
Was this God’s answer to my prayers? Was this a test to see how desperate I was to make money regardless? I had no answers. But I needed time to pray about this, because I felt a check in my spirit and the bottom line was that it was too good to be true.
“Brother, today is Monday. If you will call me back on Wednesday, I’ll have an answer for you. I want to fast and pray for a couple days if you don’t mind. Thank you again for your very generous and kind offer.”
He agreed and we exchanged goodbyes.
I didn’t eat. I did pray. While praying about the offer, I felt an impression to call the man’s Pastor in a distant state. Although we were not close, I had become acquainted with him when I was a teen. I wrestled with the idea of calling. I even asked the Lord what questions would I ask of the man. I felt like the Lord gave me one question to ask, one question and nothing more.
Tuesday afternoon I picked up the phone and called the Pastor. After I identified myself and we got past the polite formalities, I briefed him on the reason for my call and the proposal that was made to me.
“I have one question that I feel impressed to ask you my friend.” I said. “Does he pay tithes like he should or does he just give conscience money?”
“Well… uh… umm…” was all I heard on the phone.
“Say no more.” I said, “Any one that’s not honest with God wouldn’t be honest with me either.”
He agreed.
I said goodbye and hung up. I understood more clearly that every offer is not from God. I thank Him for guiding me through that decision.
When the Steak House man called on Wednesday, It felt good to say thank you, but no thank you.
Oh, by the way, I’m still not rich, but I’m still in church and I’m comforted to know my treasure is on the other side.
Epilogue
Within a matter of a few months, the Steak House closed down. One year later the Steak House was bulldozed. In my prayers God promised to supply my needs and He has.
The Obed-Edom Interview
Several years ago, I heard one of the most amazing sermons I will ever hear in my life. It was Bro. Kenneth Bow’s sermon about Obed-Edom. It was anointed and unforgettable. His love for research and attention to historical facts makes this outstanding.
Please go to his blog and find the link or go to http://www.savecom.org/orderform.htm and get it for yourself. It will change your life.
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The Obed-Edom Interview
TBB: Welcome Obed-Edom, to The Ballestero Blog. I’m so glad you agreed to grant me a short interview today. I’m very honored to have you here. I know that you are a very busy man.
OE: I am pleased to be here. Thank you for the opportunity.
TBB: For the record, you are of the tribe of Levi, and of the family of Korhite. You’re also from Gath-Rimmon if I remember. That makes you a Gittite?
OE: That’s true.
TBB: And let’s see here…you and your wife have 8 sons?
OE: That we do, counting my sons and grandsons, there are 62 men in my family. It’s never quiet at my house.
TBB: Whew. I can imagine. Tell me, what’s a day like in the life of Obed-Edom?
OE: Well, the first thing every morning after daybreak, I get a report from my Gate Security Office concerning the activities of the past night. I report then to the King. At 9 am I go to Prayers every morning, then later in the day I have either choir practice or orchestra practice. I check on the Storehouse during the day also.
TBB: The Gate Security Office. That’s right, you are in charge of keeping the gates of the city of Jerusalem secure. Let’s talk about that first. So then, is Captain Obed-Edom your official title?
OE: (Nodding modestly) Don’t call me captain. My guards do that out of respect. My friends just call me by my name.
TBB: How many men do you command as the Keeper of the Gate?
OE: Right now, about 1,000. My sons and grandsons included. I might add that we also are in charge of the storehouse as well.
TBB: Wow. The King must really trust you to commission you to this post.
OE: We’ve been friends for quite a while now. I’m honored to do everything I can for My God, my King and for Israel.
TBB: How long have you known King David?
OE: A long time. Remember when the King was transporting the Ark to the Tabernacle and there was a problem and Uzzah touched the Ark and he died because the Lord smote him?
TBB: Yes.
OE: I know it was the Lord that my house was close by, but it didn’t hurt that out of all the houses in the area, the King chose mine as the place to put the Ark. Our friendship, no doubt, helped make that choice easier. It may have made a few of my neighbors a little jealous though.
TBB: I’m sure. How long was the Ark in your home?
OE: About 3 months.
TBB: What was it like to have the Ark in your home?
OE: It was THE biggest Blessings of my life. When I say my home was Blessed, I mean Blessed with a capital B. My finances were blessed, my herds multiplied from that time on. Our health mysteriously improved over night. Everything I touched seemed to turn to gold. It’s never stopped.
TBB: How wonderful. You’re the only man in Israel that has had that honor.
OE: I know. I am thrilled that my house was home for the Ark of God, even for a brief time.
TBB: What was it like after the Ark was moved from your house to where it is now?
OE: I don’t know. I couldn’t bear the thoughts of staying in that house without the Ark in it. So I moved too.
TBB: You moved?
OE: Yes I did. After our home was blessed like it had been because of the Ark., my wife and I decided that wherever the Ark was, that’s where we wanted to be. So we moved here and bought a house just to be close by. Here, I can look in the direction of where the Ark sits and know I am close to His presence. There’s nothing like being in the presence of Jehovah. I wish everyone could have experienced that.
TBB: I do too. That’s amazing. You mentioned about choir practice and orchestra earlier. That’s because you are the worship leader?
OE: Actually Asaph is the Chief Musician and there are 68 others that do what I do. I’m just honored to be part of the worship. We all take turns. You might laugh at me, but after my experience with the Ark, I volunteer for every opening that Asaph has. I’m willing to be a singer or a musician. Sometimes I get the job, sometimes I don’t, but they can count on my name being on the list. I do my best to stay involved.
TBB: You have one of Israel’s greatest hero’s in your lineage. Samuel, the Prophet and Judge, is one of your ancestors!
OE: That’s true!
TBB: He’d sure be proud of you if he was alive today.
OE: That’s kind, thank you. I hope he would.
TBB: It’s common knowledge that King David is proud of you too and wrote Psalm 24 in your honor. That’s a very high honor.
OE: Yes it is. It is the highest of honors the King can bestow me. It is worth more to me than great riches. I am greatly honored by that and yet humbled as well.
TBB: Can you remember any of that Psalm offhand?
OE: I sure can:
“The earth is the LORD’s, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.
“For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods.
“Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place?
“He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.
“He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
“This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah.
“Lift up your head, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.
“Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.
“Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.
“Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah.
TBB: That’s a beautiful Psalm. Every family has a skeleton in the closet or some dark family secret. I know you’re probably wishing I wouldn’t bring up yours, because I imagine it’s uncomfortable for you.
OE: No, actually I’m glad you did. It’s really Okay; I want to talk about it. I believe that event was what reshaped the future of our whole family.
TBB: We’re talking about Korah, your ancestor and what happened to him, Is that correct?
OE: Yes.
TBB: In respect of where you are now and the high stations your family now holds, how did you tell your sons about your family’s dark days?
OE: Well Korah, as you know, was a very prominent leader in our tribe when Israel was in the wilderness. He was quite influential as well. I just hate it that he let pride and ambition get in his heart and got crossed up with Moses and Aaron. He was wrong. His thinking led him into rebellion. His actions invited the wrath of Jehovah.
TBB: I remember the Rabbi reading about the ground opening up and swallowing the rebellious men, and fire coming out of heaven. Then there was that plague that came because some sympathizers accused Moses of getting the people of God killed. 14,000 of them died in that plague. When I first heard the story, I thought the sons on Korah perished along with their father.
OE: Those living a home did, but not all. Some of Korah’s sons were married and living in their own homes when judgment fell. They loved their father, but they did not join him in his rebellion. Our family has handed down the story that when they saw they’re lives were spared; they fell on their faces and prayed. From that time on, all the sons of Korah have been extremely careful about our attitude concerning the House of God and the man of God. We have all been very respectful of our leader and submit ourselves to him. We refuse to let God have a problem with us again. We are thankful God doesn’t hold the sins for our father’s against us. I stress the importance of the fear of God and respect for God’s man to my sons lest history should repeat itself.
TBB: An amazing story. Your life lessons to your sons are extremely powerful as well. You mentioned the sons of Korah. Word on the street is that when King David fled from Absalom and went into hiding, the sons of Korah went with him to protect him. Do you know anything about that?
OE: I’ve heard that too.
TBB: There are a number of Psalms that are written just for your family to sing. That’s a very special honor. Since that includes you, maybe you could share your thoughts on a few of them or at least tell us about them.
OE: Thank you, it would be my pleasure. Well, the first one that comes to mind is the one that starts out… “As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.”
That’s from Psalms 42. I love that one. That’s how I feel. I cry sometimes when we sing Psalms 43 and it gets to the part where it says: “Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.”
When I sing those words, the memory of my family’s dark past comes to mind. Then I see that God has blessed me more than anyone. I just can’t keep quiet about it.
TBB: That’s beautiful.
OE: Psalm 46 starts out with: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
I need to sing that song some days. Then there are other days we feel like dancing while we’re singing. See if you remember this one from Psalm 47. “O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph.”
I really love that one. The last one I’m going to talk about is one I can’t just quote. Would you mind if I sing a few lines?
TBB: Please do. I would love it.
OE: If you know what’s happened to my family, then maybe you can understand why I love to sing Psalms 84.
TBB: Sing it.
OE: “How amiable are thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts!
“My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.
“Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O LORD of hosts, my King, and my God.
“Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah.”
TBB: Thank you for that. You have a beautiful voice.
OE: Every time I sing that last line, I am reminded how blessed I am to be close to the House of God. I thank Him everyday.
TBB: I’m about out of time. What word of wisdom or advice can you give me before you go?
OE: I’ve been honored to be here. Thank you for giving me a chance to speak about my passion. As far as imparting any wisdom to you, I can’t do much better than this. This one is from the 88th Psalm, which is another one written just for the sons of Korah to sing.
“Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.
“I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore.
“For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell.”
We must walk in truth, fear God, praise Him with all of our hearts, and then God will find a way to deliver us and to bless us. That about sums it up for me.
TBB: That it does. It sums it up for me too. Thank you for coming and God bless you.
The Haman Syndrome
The Haman Syndrome
Why is it common among us humans to focus on what we don’t have instead of what we do have? How did we slide from the place where we used to sing, “Count your many blessing name them one by one…” to just counting the blessing we don’t have?
I’m serious.
I was a pastor for many years. It was easy to sit on the platform and make mental notes about who wasn’t there and how many were absent. Often I would catch myself focusing on the absentees instead of the attendees. Then I would always feel chagrined when I caught myself doing that.
That’s the same problem Haman had. Here was a man who had the King’s blessing, his ear, and his backing. He had unlimited power and was honored by all of the King’s subjects. Except for one.
- Esth. 3:2 And all the king’s servants, that were in the king’s gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman: for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence.
- Esth. 3:3 Then the king’s servants, which were in the king’s gate, said unto Mordecai, Why transgressest thou the king’s commandment?
- Esth. 3:4 Now it came to pass, when they spake daily unto him, and he hearkened not unto them, that they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai’s matters would stand: for he had told them that he was a Jew.
- Esth. 3:5 And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath.
Haman couldn’t enjoy the honor and respect of a whole kingdom. The ONE person that didn’t bow down erased all the pleasure in his mind. He was fixated on that one negative event in his world.
His emotions wound up leading him to his own death. The Haman Syndrome may not kill you today, but there are other things it will kill.
In a marriage you may have 95% of what you like and what pleases you. If you are not careful, you can go stupid and focus on the 5% you don’t have. Why not enjoy the 95% you do have? Do you truthfully think that your spouse got a 100% deal? (If you do, this Blog can’t help you. Feel free to go read something else.)
The Haman Syndrome will always surface at your Job, at you Church, in you Marriage and most every other area of your life. You have a choice of letting it take over and obsessing you, or you can do what I talked about earlier.
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It may sound too ‘Old School’ for some of you to sing today.
But the lyrics of the old song written by Johnson Oatman Jr. in 1897 aren’t out of date in 2010.
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Count Your Blessings
- When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.- Refrain:
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
*Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.
[*And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.]
- Refrain:
- Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,
And you will keep singing as the days go by. - When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings—wealth can never buy
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high. - So, amid the conflict whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.
*Alternate text.
The Importance of A Low Standard
The Importance of A Low Standard
Coming from a very conservative background has developed in me an absolute and unchangeable love for Holiness. I have been raised to respect the convictions of others; they could be right!
I grew up hearing Holiness preached by men who lived what they preached. Their ministry instilled carefulness in me that I never wish to let go of. I was taught the necessity of convictions and the importance of dress standards. I am doing my best to hang on to everything that was given to me. Every generation has to get this for themselves. I believe there is much safety in Holy living.
The saddest moments in Apostolic conversation is when in hushed tones, the name of a ‘Holiness’ preacher or a respected saint who messed, is mentioned. The groups that mock Holiness seem to express great joy over the event. Evidently the moral failure of a conservative makes liberal people feel justified about their own lack of convictions.
We all have heard of people with High Standards that still fell into sin. Evidently, their High Standards didn’t keep them from messing up. With that in mind, I wish to suggest the importance of a Low Standard.
A Low Standard? Absolutely!
All of us, in addition to having a High Standard, should also have a Low Standard. By that I mean, there should be something in your heart that draws a line and says:
- I refuse to stoop any lower than this.
- I will never cross this bottom line I’ve drawn.
- This is as bad as I will ever allow things to get.
- I desire to protect my morals, so here is where I draw the line.
- I wish to preserve my walk with God, so right here is where those other activities stop.
- I don’t want to displease God by how I dress. Regardless of fashion, here is where I draw the line.
Others may do things I cannot do. They may go places I cannot go. They may wear things I cannot wear. The reason I cannot do what they do is because I have a “Low Standard” and I refuse to allow my walk with God to stoop to that level.
Interstate Speed Limit Signs tell you what the High Standard is. They also tell you what the Low Standard is. The signs are saying, if you wish to drive on this road, you must pay attention to both.
The Day God Quit Going To Church.
The Day God Quit Going To Church.
Isa. 1:10-17
The Message Bible
10“Listen to my Message,
you Sodom-schooled leaders.
Receive God’s revelation,
you Gomorrah-schooled people.
11-12“Why this frenzy of sacrifices?”
God’s asking.
“Don’t you think I’ve had my fill of burnt sacrifices,
rams and plump grain-fed calves?
Don’t you think I’ve had my fill
of blood from bulls, lambs, and goats?
When you come before me,
whoever gave you the idea of acting like this,
Running here and there, doing this and that—
all this sheer commotion in the place provided for worship?
13-17“Quit your worship charades.
I can’t stand your trivial religious games:
Monthly conferences, weekly Sabbaths, special meetings—
meetings, meetings, meetings—I can’t stand one more!
Meetings for this, meetings for that. I hate them!
You’ve worn me out!
I’m sick of your religion, religion, religion,
while you go right on sinning.
When you put on your next prayer-performance,
I’ll be looking the other way.
No matter how long or loud or often you pray,
I’ll not be listening.
And do you know why? Because you’ve been tearing
people to pieces, and your hands are bloody.
Go home and wash up.
Clean up your act.
Sweep your lives clean of your evildoings
so I don’t have to look at them any longer.
Say no to wrong.
Learn to do good.
Work for justice.
Help the down-and-out.
Stand up for the homeless.
Go to bat for the defenseless.”
What’s Going To Happen To Your Mantle?
What’s Going To Happen To Your Mantle?
As a father and a grandfather, it becomes easy for me to see the importance of imparting things both natural and spiritual to my children and grandchildren.
It is important in my mind that they all have the benefit of learning from my mistakes and life experiences. It’s not right that I should make them start where I started. I want them to be able to start where I finished. After all, I had help. I want to boost them as high as I can and then let them build on from there.
Look at these Bible characters. One Prophet passed his mantle, one didn’t. To a Prophet, his mantle was an important and powerful symbol.
Elijah:
1. Cast his mantle on Elisha as he passed by as an invitation to join him in ministry.
- 1Kings 19:19 So he departed thence, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth: and Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle upon him.
2. Used it to perform miracles.
- 2Kings 2:8 And Elijah took his mantle, and wrapped it together, and smote the waters, and they were divided hither and thither, so that they two went over on dry ground.
3. Left his mantle behind as a gift to his protégé.
- 2Kings 2:13 He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back, and stood by the bank of Jordan;
- 2Kings 2:14 And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said, Where is the LORD God of Elijah? and when he also had smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither: and Elisha went over.
That is the story we love to preach about. The power packed lives and ministries of those men are not easily forgotten. They impacted their generations.
Samuel:
Where would you have to go to find a better example of what a Prophet should be?
Yet his sons were wicked. They had not learned to love the things of God as had Samuel. Regardless, he promoted them and appointed them judges even though God had not sanctioned them.
- 1Sam. 8:1 And it came to pass, when Samuel was old, that he made his sons judges over Israel.
- 1Sam. 8:2 Now the name of his firstborn was Joel; and the name of his second, Abiah: they were judges in Beer-sheba.
- 1Sam. 8:3 And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment.
In King Saul’s final hours he visits the witch of Endor. The Prophet Samuel has died. Saul has no direction. God has ignored him. He asks the witch to bring up Samuel so he can talk to him.
- 1Sam. 28:11 Then said the woman, Whom shall I bring up unto thee? And he said, Bring me up Samuel.
- 1Sam. 28:12 And when the woman saw Samuel, she cried with a loud voice: and the woman spake to Saul, saying, Why hast thou deceived me? for thou art Saul.
- 1Sam. 28:13 And the king said unto her, Be not afraid: for what sawest thou? And the woman said unto Saul, I saw gods ascending out of the earth.
- 1Sam. 28:14 And he said unto her, What form is he of? And she said, An old man cometh up; and he is covered with a mantle. And Saul perceived that it was Samuel, and he stooped with his face to the ground, and bowed himself.
Samuel died still in possession of his mantle.
I wonder how different some chapters would have read if his mantle had been passed on.
Don’t die still wrapped up in your mantle. Take the time to invest yourself in the following generations.
- Don’t get too possessive of your mantle!
- Someone else really needs you to give it to them.
- There’s still much work to be done in God’s Kingdom.
What’s Going To Happen To Your Mantle?
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