Archive for the ‘Failure’ Category
Where Is Your Pain Taking You?
Where Is Your Pain Taking You?
I am not talking about the kind of pain that takes one to the Doctor’s office or the Emergency Room. There are some pains and hurts so bad that they cannot be medicated or cured by science. Those pains need our focus.
There’s A Kind Of Pain That Doesn’t Always Lead Its Companions To The ER.
- This Pain will lead you in one of two directions.
- This Pain may lead you to God.
- This Pain may lead you away from God.
Pain will take you to countries you never knew existed.
Pain will give you citizenship in a foreign land that speaks a language known only to the locals.
Pain can pass itself off as a congenial tour guide while leading you down paths from which from which few ever return.
Pain will isolate you from family and friends.
Pain will tell you that you are alone and no one cares.
Pain will turn on you like a vampire and eat pieces of your heart out every day.
Pain will demand that you let it do your thinking for you.
Pain desires to control your actions and your feelings.
Pain plots to become your master.
Pain will dominate you.
Pain will control you for the rest of your life.
You Don’t Have To Go Looking For Pain. Pain Will Come Look For You!
Oh, Wounded Spirit!
Where Is Your Pain Taking You?
Don’t Let The Thorn (Pain) In Your Side Become A Thorn (Pain) In Your Spirit.
Pain will try to make you question God.
Pain will tell you God doesn’t know where you are at.
Pain will tell you that you are wasting your time at church.
Pain will tell you that you have more friends outside of church than you do inside.
Pain will tell you to turn your back on God because He let your family member die.
Pain will lead you to bitterness.
Pain will lead you to vengeance.
Pain will make you hateful.
Pain will make you unapproachable by God or man.
Pain will control your attitude.
Pain will control your reaction.
Pain will control your walk with God.
Pain will control your relationship with everyone.
Pain will control your attitude.
Pain will control your level of worship.
Pain will control your prayer life.
Pain will control your trust in people.
Pain will control your church attendance.
Pain is toxic.
Pain is demanding of your time.
Pain tends to take you away from God rather than to Him.
Pain will minimize your ability to function as a Person.
Pain will minimize your ability to function as a Saint.
Pain will minimize your ability to function as a Soul-winner
Pain will minimize your ability to function as a Spouse
Pain will minimize your ability to function as a Parent
Pain will minimize your ability to function as a Friend
Pain will minimize your ability to function as a Preacher
Where Is Your Pain Taking You?
To God, or away from God?
Pain Will Point At Your Cancer.
Pain Will Point At Your Divorce.
Pain Will Point At Your Lost Job.
Pain Will Point At Your Unfaithful Spouse.
Pain Will Point At Your Rejection.
Pain Will Point At Your Abuse.
Pain Will Point At Your Disappointments.
Pain Will Point At Your Failures.
Pain Will Point At Your Discouragements.
Pain Will Point At Your Sickness.
Pain Will Point At Your Neglect.
Pain Will Point At Your Injuries.
Pain Will Point At Your Loneliness.
Pain Will Point At Your Shame.
Pain Will Point At Your Addiction.
Pain Will Point At Your Condemnation.
Pain Will Point At Your Scars.
Pain Will Point At Your Enemy’s Success.
Pain Will Point At Your Abused Past.
Pain Will Point At Your Fear.
Don’t let Pain determine your eternity.
Don’t let Pain choose your eternity.
Don’t let Pain control your destiny.
Pain makes injured animals go into hiding to recover or die.
Pain makes injured lambs go to the shepherd for help.
Pain made David seek comfort in the Cave of Adullam.
Pain made Elijah hide in a cave too.
Pain made the Woman with the issue of blood touch Jesus.
Pain made the Syrophoenician mother ask Jesus for a miracle.
Where Is Your Pain Taking You?
Has It Taken You Into Hiding From God And Man?
How Will You Respond To Pain?
What will you do now?
What will be your reaction?
Job’s Attitude Refused To Let Pain Lead Him Away From God!
Job 13:15 Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.
When The Prodigal Came To Himself, He Came Home To The Father And Was Restored!
Where Is Your Pain Taking You?
To God, or away from God?
Things You Won’t Fix
Things You Won’t Fix
Isn’t it amazing how we can allow ourselves to live with situations that are not normal? Not only do we live with it, but also we ignore it, saying that when we get the time we’ll fix it. Like remodel your home, if you want to remodel your garden you can click here to check the best metal parts.
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Things Like:
- A leaky faucet.
- The cracked storm window.
- Some partially finished remodeling job.
- Your leaky roof.
- The broken back doorstep.
- Missing basement handrail.
- A button missing from a sport coat.
- That rotten tooth that needs pulled?
- The broken HVAC, you should find the best heating repair contractor in http://performancebasedheatingandair.com/
We Mention It, Say We Need To Do It, But Let It Go Another Year.
- The things you don’t fix will fix you.
- It WILL put you in a fix.
- Is the cost of not fixing it cheaper than fixing it? No! Never.
- Aren’t there some things your wife has asked you to fix six months ago and you still haven’t gotten around to it?
- If you don’t fix your car, you’ll put it up on blocks and it will sit as an eyesore for years out in the front yard. Everyone will know you by that landmark.
- The leaky faucet will raise your water bill.
- The leaky roof will cost you thousands to fix because you let it go.
- The tooth will give you more pain than you could imagine.
- When a house is not fixed we say they just let the place go.
- There are just some things you won’t fix.
King Solomon Marveled At Men Who Procrastinated During The Harvest.
- Prov. 24:30 I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;
- Prov. 24:31 And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.
- Prov. 24:32 Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction.
Common Phrases Are Used In Regards To One’s Personal Appearance.
- “She fixed herself up.”
- “He let himself go”
When We Do Not Do Something Immediately, We Call It Procrastination.
The closest word to procrastination in the Bible is, sluggard. We are repulsed by even the thought of being called a sluggard.
The sluggard is a procrastinator. His motto is, “Never do today what you can put off until tomorrow.” Sluggards have developed the ability to put off starting a task as well as not completing those they have already begun.
The sluggard rationalizes everything and his mind works much faster than his body. He will always quickly find an excuse not to.
- I don’t have the time
- I don’t have the tools
- I don’t have the know-how
- I don’t have the desire
- I don’t feel in the mood
- I got a lot of irons in the fire
- I have a headache
There Are Those Who Never Fix Themselves Spiritually. They Just Let Themselves Go.
Are There Some Things In Our Hearts That We Won’t Fix?
- A bad attitude?
- A bad habit?
- No prayer life?
- No worship?
- Not honoring God with our tithes?
- Broken family relationships?
- Bridges we need to build?
- Restoring an offended brother?
- Not saying I’m sorry, forgive me?
Be Reconciled To Your Brother Before To Expect God To Hear You.
- Matt 5:23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;
- Matt 5:24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
Need To Fix Your Back Tithe Problem?
- It will cost you heavily if you do not fix the problem areas of your soul.
- It will cost you 20% additional if you do not stay current with your tithing. The longer you wait the more it will cost you.
- Lev 27:31 And if a man will at all redeem ought of his tithes, he shall add thereto the fifth part thereof.
When You Don’t Fix It, Then It’s Becomes Sin!
- Jas 4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
- We like to use the word procrastinate, but that word is not in the Bible. A sluggard is what the Scripture calls us.
- In the natural, your procrastination qualifies you as a sluggard.
- In the spiritual, the Bible just calls you a sinner.
- Spiritually, our pride keeps us from fixing some things.
There Are Things You Won’t Fix, Why?
- You know you need the Holy Ghost speaking in tongues.
- You know you need to be baptized in Jesus name to be saved.
- You know you need to be faithful to church.
- You know you need to worship.
- You know you need to pay tithes.
- You know you need to live a holy and separated life.
- You know you need to be reconciled to your brother.
Jesus Called The Scribes And Pharisees, Hypocrites.
- Mat 23:23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
- They only fixed the part men could see.
- Hypocrites won’t fix what really needs to be fixed.
There Are Men In The Bible Who Never Fixed What Was Wrong In Their Life.
Agrippa Almost Got Right With God.
- Acts 26:28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.
- He never fixed it.
Felix Knew What He Needed To Do, But The Timing Wasn’t Right.
- Acts 24:25 And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.
- He never fixed it.
The Rich Young Ruler Thought It Cost Too Much To Follow Jesus.
- Matt. 19:22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
- He never fixed it.
When It Comes To Fixing, Some Things God Has Put A Time Limit On.
- Eph 4:26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
- God’s curfew for anger is sunset. Fix your disagreements before the sun goes down. That’s God’s requirement.
- Fix it.
The Four Lepers Fixed It
- 2Ki 7:3 And there were four leprous men at the entering in of the gate: and they said one to another, Why sit we here until we die?
- They fixed it!
Jacob Had A Problem But He Fixed It When He Wrestled With The Angel
- Gen 32:24 And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day.
- He fixed it!
The Prodigal Son
- Luke 15:18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
- Luke 15:19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
- He fixed it!
The History of Obligatory Archery Practice!
The references to horses, riders, kingdoms and battles in “For want of a nail” indicate the English origins of the rhyme. One of the English Kings did not leave anything to chance! In 1363, to ensure the continued safety of the realm, King Edward III commanded the obligatory practice of archery on Sundays and holidays! The earliest known written version of the rhyme is in John Gower’s “Confesio Amantis” dated approximately 1390.
“For Want Of A Nail”
For want of a nail the shoe was lost.
For want of a shoe the horse was lost.
For want of a horse the rider was lost.
For want of a rider the battle was lost.
For want of a battle the kingdom was lost.
And all for the want of a horseshoe nail.
Are there are things God has asked you to fix and you still haven’t gotten around to it?
Why would you expect God to fix things for you that you’re not willing to fix for yourself?
Have you got a loose or lost nail in your life?
Please fix it.
Yes, Fix It Now!
Every Judas
It is my great honor to have The Together Magazine publish this article in their current issue. For those readers who may not have access to this wonderful publication, I am posting a copy of it here: – MB
Every Judas
Just ten miles from Hebron and eighteen miles from Jerusalem was the little known village named Kerioth. It was a haven for bandits, thieves and highwaymen. People from the area were known to be assassins, murders.
Into this environment a man named Simon raised his son Judas. In Holy Scripture he was called Judas Iscariot, signifying that he was from the town of Keriot(h)
Simon must have been somewhat responsible for his son’s raising and behavior. His name is always mentioned together with his son’s name. He was called Judas, Simon’s son.
We know nothing of the boy’s mother. What was she like? What kind of teaching did she give him as a boy?
By the time the scriptures introduce us to him, we quickly see that Judas was outspoken and didn’t hesitate to disagree with what he saw.
“Why wasn’t this sold and given to the poor?”
That’s what he said criticizing Mary’s extreme sacrifice. But the Bible is quick to point out that he cared not for the poor, but was a thief and that he held the bag. There was a reason that was said. Why would Jesus allow him to carry the bag?
As a Judean he was a misfit among the disciples. The other disciples apparently were Galileans. He was no doubt a loner. He couldn’t let them see him sneaking money from the bag. He was a thief. I am sure that Judas had a less than stellar past before he met Jesus. Some Commentaries even call him a murder.
The sad news is, that no amount of the preaching and confronting that Jesus did seemed to change Judas into a John The Beloved. The same is true today. If all the words and actions of Jesus could not transform Judas in the Bible days, then neither will our preaching and confronting convert a modern day Judas.
Thirty is number of pieces of silver Judas agreed on to betray Jesus. There are thirty obvious and negative characteristics of a Judas. The Judas Iscariot of the Bible may be dead, but his spirit is still alive today.
Here Are Some Keys To Recognize The Judas In Your Midst.
- Every Judas Shows Enough Potential To Be Placed In A Leadership Role.
- Judas was hand picked. He was allowed to be a privileged disciple. He was chosen to be in charge of the group’s finances.
- Confidence was placed in him.
- Every Judas Thinks And Acts Like He Owns His Appointed Position.
John 12:5 Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?
- Every Judas loves to take the finances with him when he goes.
- Every Judas Lives On A Carnal Level And Is Oblivious To The Spiritual.
John 12:5 Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?
- Every Judas Lets His True Colors Show At The Wrong Time.
John 12:6 This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.
- Every Judas Has A Personal Agenda That Is Separate From The Leaders.
John 12:6 This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.
- Every Judas Gets Disenchanted With His Leader.
- He is willing to sabotage the whole thing if there is enough in it for him.
- Every Judas Receives A Warning From The Lord But Continues Anyway.
John 6:70 Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?
John 6:71 He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve.
- Every Judas Sees The Same Miracles And Hears The Same Sermons But Is Unaffected, Unconvinced And Unconverted.
Luke 9:1 Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.
Peter Talked About Judas In The Upper Room
Acts 1:17 For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry.
- Every Judas Plans His Move Carefully.
Matt. 26:16 And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.
- Every Judas Is An Opportunist.
Matt. 26:16 And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.
- Every Judas Is Driven By Greed.
Matt. 26:15 And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.
- Every Judas Courts Those Whom He Thinks Can Help His Cause.
Luke 22:4 And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them.
- A modern Judas may recruit his people with private meetings,
- Private dinners
- Facebook likes
- Every Judas Possesses An Evil Spirit.
Luke 22:3 Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve.
- Every Judas Can Even Fool His Own Friends And Brothers.
John 13:27 And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly.
John 13:28 Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him.
- Every Judas Gets His Key Players In Place Before He Makes His Play.
Luke 22:4 And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them.
- Every Judas Gets A Divine Warning And Still Ignores It.
Matt. 26:24 The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born.
- Every Judas Should Have Been Still Born.
Matt. 26:24 The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born.
- Every Judas Gets Revealed By The Lord And Has A Chance To Repent.
Matt 26:21 And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.
- Every Judas Lives In Denial To The Truth And Deceiving Himself And Others.
Matt. 26:25 Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.
- Every Judas Makes His Move When He Thinks The Odds Are In His Favor.
Matt 26:16 And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.
- Every Judas Is A Hypocrite.
Matt. 26:49 And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him.
- Every Judas Is Controlled And Guided By Satan.
John 13:27 And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly.
- Every Judas Displays False Affection Toward The Leader.
Matt. 26:49 And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him.
- Every Judas Is Surprised When God Still Manifests Himself In The Midst Of The Betrayal.
Luke 22:50 And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear.
Luke 22:51 And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him.
- Every Judas Is Temporarily Happy.
- He could go back to doing what he was doing before.
- He had brought Jesus down in his own mind to the point that he no longer believed in Him.
- He actually believed he could live with his choice.
- Every Judas Has Second Thoughts.
Matt. 27:3 Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,
- Every Judas Tries To Appease His Guilty Conscience.
Matt. 27:3 Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,
- Every Judas Wakes Up To His Horrible Sin Too Late.
Matt. 27:4 Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.
- Every Judas Repents Too Late.
Matt. 27:4 Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.
- Every Judas Will Hang Himself.
Matt. 27:5 And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.
In Spite Of Judas
In Spite Of Judas – The Will of God was accomplished.
In Spite Of Judas – Jesus rose from the dead.
In Spite Of Judas – The Holy Ghost was poured out.
In Spite Of Judas – The Church was established.
In Spite Of Judas – Revival came.
In Spite Of Judas – The Gates of Hell did not prevail.
In Spite Of Every Judas Today
In Spite Of Every Judas Today – God still has a triumphant church.
In Spite Of Every Judas Today – The church will prosper and go forward.
In Spite Of Every Judas Today – The Glory will fall when the bad spirit is gone.
In Spite Of Every Judas Today – The church will rally and unify like never before.
In Spite Of Every Judas Today – Worship will be better than ever.
In Spite Of Every Judas Today – The Pastor will be loved more than ever.
Judas Was Replaced With A Man Named Matthias.
His name means, “Gift of God.”
There was a gift of God for the church back then. There will be a gift of God after your storm today.
Have You Had To Deal With A Judas?
Take hope, your Matthias, your Gift of God is coming!
The Storm Painter
The Storm Painter
The painter of the storm had a mission. He had painted many a dark sky with thunderclouds before, but from a distance. He had painted the storms from the shore in the shelter of his studio where he was safe from all the elements of destruction. Today would be different. Artist Joseph Turner chose to view this storm outside his comfort zone.
He wished to paint what a storm looked like to him from the inside. This wasn’t to be just any April Showers moment. This storm would be a major blizzard, a rogue storm. Yet not just a bad snowstorm, but a snowstorm at sea. He wanted to view the storm from a boat while the waves threatened to sink his ship.
The seas were tumultuous, the waves high and rolling hard. There was no way he could stand on the deck and not slide off. He had to make a choice. He chose to be lashed to the mast of the ship for hours in the blinding freezing snowstorm. He wanted to paint it so real that on the canvass it would be hard to tell the sea from the sky.
‘Modern Painter’ website paid a huge compliment to Turner’s painting which he simply called Snowstorm.
Snow Storm – Steam-Boat off a Harbour’s Mouth exhibited 1842 Joseph Mallord William Turner
Turner
Joseph Mallord William Turner 1775-1851
Modern Painters described the Snowstorm, as “…one of the very grandest statements of sea-motion, mist, and light, that has ever been put on canvas.“
Maybe We All Are Painters
While almost none of us make our living as a professional painter, we still know a bit about the storms of life. Many know what it’s like to be tied to the mast and feel the snow, the sea spray, to be slapped in the face with freezing winds and have no defense from the storm. Imagine what it’s like to tied:
- For hours with the snow beating your face.
- For hours in the howling wind.
- For hours with the ship struggling to survive the storm-tossed waves.
- For hours seeing life-threatening skies and seas.
- For hours in the bitter cold.
- For hours of being wet and miserable.
Maybe We’ll Never Paint A Portrait Of Surviving The Storm…
Until We Too Have Been Tied To:
- Heartache
- Cancer
- A Heart Attack
- A Bad Marriage
- Spousal Unfaithfulness
- Financial Devastation
- Rumor
- Loneliness
- Afflictions
- Rejection
- Depression
- Lifelong Illness
- Abuse
Maybe We’ll Never Be Able To Paint A Portrait Of Bearing One Another’s Burdens…
Until We Too Been Lashed To The Deck Of:
- Stormy Seas
- Tribulation
- Shame
- Embarrassment
- Overwhelming Disappointment
- Bitterness
- Shattered dreams
- Tears
- Brokenness
- The Death Of A Child
- A Backslidden Spouse
- An Addicted Love One
We cannot accurately paint the storm for others to see until we have lived through one our self. Naysayers may try to find fault with our story. But we have been there. We somehow survived. We felt the mast rub on our back. The rope burns will be there for a while. We suffered hypothermia. Our body shivered with the freezing snowstorm.
We thought of those we knew sitting at home in their warm little world. They could not help us now. It was no longer just a storm. It had become our storm. We chose not to waste our storm but share it with others in the hopes they would be helped or blessed.
Maybe We Will Never Truly Paint A Portrait Of Revival…
Until We Have Been Lashed To The Deck Of:
- A Burden for souls
- A Prayer Room
- Travail
- Tears
- Vision
- Compassion
- Outreach
Maybe We Will Never Truly Paint A Portrait Of A Father’s Love…
Until We Have Been Lashed To The Deck Of:
- A Wayward Child
- Tearful Forgiveness
- Showing Mercy
- Patience
- A Special Needs Child
- Unconditional Love
- Courage
- Sacrifice
Maybe We Will Never Truly Paint A Portrait Of Deliverance From False Doctrine…
Until We Have Been Lashed To The Deck Of:
- False Doctrine
- Error
- Tradition
- Family Pressure
The Storms we survive should make us stronger.
The Storms we survive should be used to help others see.
The Storms we survive can later turn into a thing of beauty for us.
The Storms we survive are a gift from God.
(When we hear a testimony from someone who has survived a storm, it gives us all great hope!)
What Portrait Is Our Life Painting For Others To See?
The Saddest Sight Of All Is The Pacing Of The Caged Lion.
The Saddest Sight Of All Is The Pacing Of The Caged Lion.
The Lion The King Of The Jungle!
Lions, they are no doubt one of the most magnificent of creatures. Even the Lord referred to Himself as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. The lion is an animal so powerfully built, so capable, so beautiful, and awe-inspiring that it was chosen to be a type of the Messiah.
Some even travel on safari trips into the African jungle or veld to view this monarch of all animals in its natural environment. The photos such travelers bring home capture the heart of its viewers.
One of the saddest things to see is this noble creature pacing the floor inside of a steel cage. Back and forth, back and forth it goes looking for a way out. Occasionally it may stop to bite the bars and roar out of frustration.
- It sees others free outside the cage and wants to be free too.
- It wasn’t born to live on concrete.
- It wasn’t created to live in a steel showcase.
- It’s potential and strengths are forever confined.
- Its power will never really be known.
- It’s only a shadow of what could have been.
- It’s a caged lion.
- It’s a pacing caged lion wanting to be free.
- It’s a pacing caged lion looking for a way out.
- It’s a pacing caged lion.
The Caged Lion
No one has to go to the City Zoo to see the pacing of caged lions. They can be seen in many of our homes and most of our churches!
They are beautiful creatures of God with amazing potentials and abilities. Yet they live a life of meager existence. They watch others enjoy freedoms in God that they cannot. They are limited to what lengths they can even go because of their steel bars.
- People come by and look at them.
- Some point and make comments to their friends.
- Some take pictures of what they see.
- The similarities to the caged lion are there for all to see.
- The spirit of unrest.
- The pacing of the caged creature back and forth, back and forth.
- The frustration.
- The caged look.
- The biting at the bars.
- The occasional roars from the soul.
Every one is handicapped to help. Multitudes read the warning signs and keep their distance. They look and then they move on.
What Put The Lion In This Cage? Who Put The Lion In This Cage?
Were they captured in a snare or trap? Were they injured, found and then brought here? Did the lion walk inside willingly and let himself be lock in the cage? Is this cage real or imagined? What happened? No one really knows the whole story. All that is known is that something happened.
- Was it Condemnation?
- Was it a Personal Failure?
- Was it an Addiction?
- Was it an Attitude?
- Was it Rebellion?
- Was it a Rumor?
- Was it an Indiscretion?
- Was it Disobedience?
- Was it Bitterness?
- Was it a Past Injury?
Did Sin Make The Bars Or Were The Bars Man Made?
How Did This Happen?
Every day, everywhere, caged lions are seen. I watch them in churches. The potential for better things is obvious to all who see them. But their actions aren’t much different from the caged king of the jungle.
I watch them pace and hear them roar. They are still caged and confined by the events of the present and the past. They are held captive by things real and things imagined. They barely exist.
I watch them try to worship and they cannot. They try to pray and it sounds empty and hollow, but mostly just quiet. Occasionally they will roar out loud, but their roar does not threaten Hell.
They smile but they are not happy. They raise their hands, but never seem to touch Heaven. They keep their head down in despair while praying. They never feel worthy.
If they are called on to testify. It is a quick, low-voiced attempt that may last only ten seconds or so.
- They watch others worship and shout, but they don’t.
- They watch others sing from the soul, but they are still in a cage.
- They watch others pray with liberty and freedom, but their prayers are caged.
- They see their friends be used of God, while they pace back and forth.
- The bars keep them from doing what they really want to do.
- The bars keep them from being what they really want to be.
If I Could Talk To The Spiritually Caged And Pacing Lion…
I Would Share Four Passages Of Scripture To Give Them Hope.
God NEVER meant for His children to live a cage. He never meant for us to exist just pacing behind bars, a spectacle for all to see. A could-have-been. No matter who made the bars, or how the lion got inside, there is a way out for all.
1. Every One Has A Past. Understand That God Doesn’t Want Your Past To Be Your Future Or Hold You Captive. No Matter What You Have Done Or What You Have Been, There Is Hope.
1Co 6:9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
1Co 6:10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
1Co 6:11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
2. Paul Even Felt Caged By His Past.
(Roman law allowed the dead victim to be tied to the back of the murderer. In it’s decaying state, the worms slowly ate into and killed the killer. Paul felt his past tied to his back, eating away at him. Condemnation is a killer. So he wrote:
Rom 7:24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
But Something Happened To Paul Between Chapter Seven And Chapter Eight. When He Broke Free He Wrote Anew…
Rom 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
3. Jesus Came Down To Earth To Unlock Your Cage
Isa 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;
Dear Child Of God!
Do not allow your self, your sin, or your past to keep you in a cage. Believe in God’s Mercy, His Grace, and His Forgiveness. Accept It.
- The Door Is Unlocked And Open.
- The Cage No Longer Can Hold You Unless You Let It.
- Freedom Is God’s Gift To You.
4. The Door Is Open. God Didn’t Save You To Keep You In A Cage.
Rev 3:8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it:
Inside Mercy’s House
It’s Here!
Download Your Free E-Book Now
(Just click on the picture)
A Short Story for Young People
By
Martyn Ballestero Sr.
Edited By
Nila Marxer
© 2014 Martyn Ballestero Sr.
All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or part without the express written permission. Contact martyn238@aol.com
Dedication
I dedicate this story to my precious Grandchildren.
They all make me proud!
Kalyx Ballestero, Carlton Ballestero, Braden Ballestero,
Huntley Ballestero, Christyana Ballestero, Christian Ballestero, Caison Ballestero, Gentson Ballestero
Jeron Ballestero, Chloe Ballestero, Zion Ballestero
Garrison Hartzell, Cadence Hartzell, & Ainsley Hartzell
The First Paragraph:
“Shame stood there quietly in woods while the afternoon sun lazily highlighted his disheveled hair. His head hung down from sheer exhaustion. He didn’t feel like he could run another step. The birds had stopped singing momentarily to watch this unwelcome intruder as he looked for a place to sit down out of view of the path.”
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This free e-book is available in three formats. Click on the picture or the link to access and download the book from Dropbox. No registration or account is needed. Here’s the Dropbox link:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/h70uly3f9x5u75s/AAAg1mMKav0CCgAa6stWVyV7a?dl=0
There are three file types available.
If you read books on a Kindle, select the Mobi file or PDF
If you read books on an iPad or iPhone, choose the Epub file (or PDF if you have the pdf app.)
If you read books on a Andoid choose the Mobi file and use with the Kindle app.
If you read books on your Computer, and have Adobe Reader try the PDF
If you are having trouble, maybe these “how-to” links will help:
http://osxdaily.com/2012/03/25/transfer-mobi-epub-ebook-files-to-ipad/
http://askleo.com/how_do_i_download_and_read_a_pdf_ebook/
http://www.ehow.com/how_8230718_open-ebook-email-iphone.html
(If you need help or the link does not work, let me know. Blessings to all. – MJB)
Finding God In Your Failures
Finding God In Your Failures
- 24:16 for a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again:
- Life is not over after the falling down; life is all about the getting back up.
- We all need help, just need it in different areas.
- We all can come from a setback to a comeback.
- There is life after “death.”
My Failure Shows Me…
- My failure shows me that no one is exempt, not even me.
- My failure warns me there are things I need to immediately change in my life.
- My failure reminds me that my flesh is my biggest enemy.
- My failure can help me see what I need to fix to find God’s favor again.
- My failure is not my final chapter.
Why Do People Fail? (Sometimes It’s A Combination Of Things.)
- A limited obedience of God’s word?
- A carless attitude toward temptation?
A pursuit of personal fleshly gratification?- A failure to put God first?
- Blatant disobedience?
The Phases Of Failure
- The Reaction Phase
- Shock – I can’t believe I did it.
- Denial – Won’t admit full guilt. Blames others.
- Blame Others – Like Adam blamed Eve.
- Withdrawal – Hide in the bushes of shame, like Adam and Eve.
- Fear – Of more failure
- Anger – Mad at self, mad at own weaknesses.
- Shame – Can’t face anyone.
- Depression – I’m hopeless, I’ll never amount to anything.
- Despair – I guess I’ll just give up. No use. It’s over!
- The Response Phase
- Flight Response – Leave church, move away. (Quit church)
- Faith Response – Have a desire and determination to be restored.
Repentance – Restoration
- God will give you a space to repent
- God will give you an opportunity to repent (Spirit drawn)
- If God has given up on you – He wouldn’t be reaching for you with a message even right now.
Don’t Give Up On Yourself!
Luke Chapter 15
- The Good Shepherd – Type of Christ. He never gave up. He sought until He found the one lost sheep.
- Lost Coin – Type of the Church – never gave up – swept until she found the lost coin.
- Prodigal Son. Never gave up on the Father or himself. Came home.
What God Knows About My Failure
- God knows we’ll all fail.
- He knows we are flesh.
- He is ready to forgive a repentant sinner.
- His blood is ready to cover all of our transgressions.
- The Holy Ghost is prepared to renew and transform us.
- He sees beyond our failure.
Lessons I Should Learn From My Failure
- There are no little sins.
- Prayers of repentance change everything.
- When we fail, God will forgive if we repent.
- If we do sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous.
- God can bring good out of the bad.
Failure Focus
- Looks at the problem as a hopeless one.
- Looks at the future with great fear.
- Sees the only obstacles.
- Assumes the worst.
- Limits God’s ability to restore them fully.
Faith focus
- Looks for a solution
- Looks past the fear, never loses hope.
- Sees the opportunity to recover and grasps it.
- Assumes the best.
- Believes God will.
Getting Past Your Failures
2 Timothy 2:25 in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if god peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
2 Timothy 2:26 and that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
- Really pray through.
- Ask God to help you and deliver you.
- Recognize the desire and spirit that caused your error.
- Admit your sin.
- Humble yourself.
- Clear yourself with others.
- Clear yourself with God.
- Submit yourself to the Word of God.
- Submit to the man of God.
- Learn from your mistakes.
- Be faithful.
- Accept God’s forgiveness
- Ask God for guidance.
- Get back up.
Why Does God Go Through The Trouble To Restore You?
- There Is A Reason God Has Dealt This Long With You.
- There Is A Reason – He Has Put Up With Your Failures.
- There Is A Reason – He Sends Conviction And Sermons.
- He’s Not Done With You!
Some Biblical Heroes Weren’t Perfect. We’re Not Either.
(Saying this doesn’t excuse our sin or give us permission to sin.)
- Abraham Lied
- Moses Got Mad
- David Was Immoral
- Peter Denied Jesus
It Was In Failure These People Found God.
- The Woman Taken In Adultery
- Thief On The Cross
- I’m Not Interested In What You Did, But…
- I Am Interested In What You Are Going To Do Now.
- So Get Up, Get Restored And Go On. You Can Do It.
- There Is Hope For You!
Life Is Not Over After The Falling Down; Life Is All About The Getting Back Up.
All Bad Things Must Come To An End.
All Bad Things Must Come To An End.
We have lived with the old saying, “All good things must come to an end.” I can sure understand the sentiment to some degree. On the other hand, the opposite is what I wish to think on today. All Bad Things Must Come To An End!
They will come to an end. You’ll see! It’s never an if question. It’s a when question! Troubles won’t last forever!
Psalm 30:5 … weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.
Job
- God changed his circumstances and turned his world around,
When he prayed for his friends.- What would it take to turn your world around?
- All Bad Things Must Come To An End.
Joseph
- Had to live without love, friends, trust, or hope.
- Went from despair, to sitting on a throne in one day.
- Don’t lose hope.
- All Bad Things Must Come To An End.
David
- In his cave of despair, he was surrounded by friends who had major problems too.
- But he didn’t stay in the Cave forever.
- God can single you out for a blessing in an impossible situation.
- David wrote in Psalm 23:5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
- All Bad Things Must Come To An End.
All Bad Things Must Come To An End When Jesus Comes.
When Jesus Comes
Oswald J. Smith 1939
VERSE 1:
One sat alone beside the highway begging
His eyes were blind the light he could not see.
He clutched his rags, and shivered in the shadows.
Then Jesus came and bade His darkness flee.
CHORUS:
When Jesus comes the tempters power is broken.
When Jesus comes the tears are washed away.
He takes the gloom and fills the life with glory
For all is changed when Jesus comes to stay.
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Jesus Came On A Mission.
- Isaiah 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
- Isaiah 61:2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;
- Isaiah 61:3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.
When Jesus Came:
- He Healed Blind Bartimaeus.
- He Raised The Dead Boy Of Nain.
- He Raised Jairus’ Daughter.
- He Delivered The Man Who Dwelt In The Tombs.
- He Fed The 5,000.
- He Came Walking On The Water.
- He Turned The Water Into Wine.
All Bad Things Must Come To An End When Jesus Speaks The Word.
The Storms Go Away
Murrell Ewing
Verse 1.
I’ll never forget that dark night at sea,
The stars hid their faces; there was no hope for me,
The waves lashed the boat, it was tearing apart.
The wins howled, “It’s Over,” fear gripped my heart.
Chorus
Where did the wind go, who stopped the rain?
I only remember just whispering His name,
So the storms don’t decide how long they will stay.
When the Master says, “That’s enough,” they just go away.
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Jesus Spoke The Word And Calmed The Storm.
- He Will Speak To Your Storm Too.
- Mark 4:39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
- All Bad Things Must Come To An End.
He Spoke The Word And:
- Lazarus Came Out Of His Grave.
- Lepers Were Healed.
- Sins Were Forgiven.
- The Man At The Pool Of Bethesda Was Healed.
There Will Be No More Sea!
- Revelation 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
- No More Separation.
- No More Tidal Waves.
- No More Shipwrecks.
- No More Drowning’s.
- No More Tsunamis.
- No More Hurricanes.
- All Bad Things Must Come To An End.
He Will Wipe Away All Tears.
- Revelation 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
- All Bad Things Must Come To An End.
All Bad Things Must Come To An End When You Come Into His Presence!
- Psalm 16:11 … in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
He’s The Prince Of Peace.
- Peace Is His Kingdom, That Is Where He Reigns.
- When You Live Where He Governs, All Bad Things Must Come To An End.
To You Who Have Faced:
- Pain
- Injuries
- Rejection
- Rumors
- Crisis
- Devastation
- Divorce
- Unfaithfulness
- Betrayal
- Bankruptcy
- Failure
- Addiction
- Death Of A Loved One
- Health Problems
- Abuse
- All Bad Things Must Come To An End.
You Will Survive Your “Night” Of Weeping!! I Promise!
- Psalm 30:5 …weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.
- When All The Bad Things Come To An End… That’s When All The Good Things Begin.
Apostolic Expository Series
Christy Ballestero (My Beautiful DIL)
http://marciaballestero.com/
Pastor Anthony & Kim Ballestero, New Destiny Worship Center, Clearwater, FL (My Son)
Pastor Bryan & Christy Ballestero, Temple Of Pentecost, Raleigh, NC (My Son)
James Groce Blog – "Toward The Mark"
Kenneth Bow Blog
Kingdom Speak Podcast
Philip Harrelson – "The Barnabas Blog"
Verbal Bean Ministries
Holy Ghost Radio
The Ballestero Blog 