Archive for the ‘Life’ Category
Puzzle Prayer Time
Puzzle Prayer Time
The beautiful white-haired grandma sat silently beside me as our car rolled down the Interstate. Marcia Starr Ballestero, my devoted wife of fifty years, was letting her thoughts and heart focus on the needs of a family member.
Small talk between us had died out when she picked up her iPad. From the corner of my eye I could see that she was doing it again. She does it at home too, almost every day.
She was going through her camera roll and albums looking for a specific photo. That’s her pattern. Today she chose one of our children and their spouse. Some times she chooses a picture of just one person, other times it may be a couple or even their whole family. Once in a while she chooses a picture of us.
The selected photo is then imported into her jigsaw puzzle app. Her gentle fingers begin to move over the hundreds of pieces. She moves them here and there trying to make them fit where she thinks they should go.
Her puzzles may last an hour or two, sometimes longer. The attraction she has for puzzles isn’t so much her love for games, but it actually is part of her family prayer time.
As she moves each piece of the puzzle into place, she is praying silently. She is praying for every aspect of their life. She prays for their soul, their marriage, their health, their finances and their home.
I do my best not to interrupt her puzzle prayer time. She methodically attempts to make pieces fit in place. Often she gets it right the first time. Other times not. When it becomes a trial and error project, it is like real-life to her. Her prayer focus is on the missing pieces in that person’s picture. Loving fingers slide over the face, sometimes the heart and then lingers a moment.
- I wonder, is she praying for their heart?
- Is she praying for them to make right decisions?
- Is she praying for God to keep them safe?
- I never ask.
When she is finished, she will hold the photo up for me to see. When I compliment her on the beautiful picture, she smiles. I know that there was a lot of love and prayer put into that puzzle. How much? Only God and her know.
No one else in our family knows about this. Our children and grandchildren do not even know. But heaven knows that there is a loving Mother and Grandmother who is trying to make the pictures of her family turn out right by asking for God’s help to find the missing pieces and put them in the right place.
“Who Are You To Judge Me?”
“Who Are You To Judge Me?”
How many times have we heard someone say that, whether it was directed to us or to someone else? It’s easy for most of us to get offended when others express disapproval of our actions.
By nature, most of us are very private. We resent outsiders intruding uninvited into our personal lives. We automatically throw up a defensive barrier. Somewhere in all of us there is a storage room that houses cryptic phrases designed for rebuttal and justification. We quickly grab one and use it with the hopes of silencing our accuser. Sometimes, it works.
Most church members and ex-church member alike consider the act of judging a grievous fault. So, since most of us have been judged at one time or another, let us look at the subject of judging others.
As citizens, we are used to being judged every day on our skills, behavior, and performance.
Judgment Is Common In Every Day Society
- Television shows, such as American Idol, judge contestants on their ability to sing and perform.
- At the County Fair, someone will judge which pie is the best.
- There are judges at dog shows, and the dollar value of someone’s beloved pet may be at their mercy.
- When a prospective new driver turns 16 years old, his or her driving ability is judged. Someone must determine if they should be issued a driver’s license.
- To be promoted to the next grade and even graduate, a teacher must determine the student’s academic ability.
- To become a licensed minister in an organization. An applicant’s worthiness is determined when he appears before a licensing board.
- Every new pastor that is voted on by the church has his qualifications judged by the congregation’s yes or no vote. The same holds true for politicians.
- The Bank Officer judges the applicants credit rating and payment history before loaning any money.
- The Miss America beauty pageant uses Judges to determine who should represent the U.S.A.
- There are multitudes of judges for every Olympic event.
- The gardener judges whether or not the tree’s branches need pruned, or if the tomatoes need watered.
- Someone will be a judge over who gets custody of the child, and who gets what, in the divorce settlement.
- The Traffic Cop judges whether or not you should be pulled over and cited.
- Every employee knows the meaning of a “Performance Review.” Someone must sit on the other side of the desk and judge the employees worthiness.
- Actually, everyone that wants the bragging rights of being the best, the fastest, or the most gifted, must first meet the judge.
We seem to be comfortable with the idea of being judged according to our fleshly activities. We understand that no one receives approval without a judgment of some kind. However, it’s man’s judgment of our spiritual pursuits, or lack thereof, that brings the fire into our reactions.
Webster Defines The Word, “Judge” As:
Judge
1: to form an opinion about through careful weighing of evidence and testing of premises.
You’re Sick And Tired Of Others Judging You? I Understand. Let’s Look At The Subject Of Judging In The Bible.
Is it true that Christians are told not to judge? The surprise answer is no. In fact, according to Scripture those who do not judge are more likely to be led astray by false doctrines and are less than effective witnesses for Jesus Christ.
Most People Who Cite The Lord’s “Command” Not To Judge, Use Following Quotation:
Matthew 7:1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.
Matthew 7:2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
Matthew 7:3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
Matthew 7:4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
Matthew 7:5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.
To Whom Were These Words Spoken?
This whole passage is addressed to the religious hypocrites of the day. Jesus warned these self-righteous people who criticized others, but were guilty of the same things… or worse.
You’re Sick And Tired Of Others Judging You? As Much As Our Flesh Doesn’t Like It, Church Members Must Make Judgments.
Matthew 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
Matthew 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
1 John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
- False prophets are to be recognized (judged) by their fruits.
Should Christians Judge Each Other? Absolutely!
The Lord is pleased with those that judge righteously.
John 7:24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.
Some Lukewarm Church Members Feel That A Preacher Should Not Be Their Judge.
I would point them the Lord’s instruction to the Priest Joshua.
Zechariah 3:7 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou shalt also judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by.
Remember John The Baptist saying:
Matthew 3:7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
Mark 6:17 For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison for Herodias’ sake, his brother Philip’s wife: for he had married her.
Mark 6:18 For John had said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother’s wife.
- John had guts enough to tell King Herod that he was wrong, that he was living with his brother’s wife. Herod had John thrown in prison and finally beheaded. John was not afraid to make a righteous judgment.
The Prophet Nathan Looked King David In The Eye And Judged Him.
2 Samuel 12:7 And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul;
There Has Always Been Resentment In The Congregation Against Messages That Judge.
Isaiah 30:10 Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:
- Even in the days of Isaiah, men wanted to be left alone by the man of God. They only were willing to hear smooth preaching. Not much has changed. They wanted to do what ever their conscience allowed them to do.
Judges 21:25 In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.
- Without accountability, even the people of God sink to this level. The shocking news for our flesh is that what is right in our eyes may not be right in God’s eyes. We all need help. We just need it in different areas.
What About Discernment Of Spirits?
1 Corinthians 12:10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
- This is a gift that God provided for His body, whereby Holy Ghost filled people may be able to determine what spirit another is manifesting. In a way, it’s like being able to see what’s on the inside of another person.
Try The Spirits. (Judge Them)
1 John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
Samuel
The Prophet learned about judging spirits the hard way. He found out quickly that God looked not only on the outside, like humans, but He looked especially at the heart.
1 Samuel 16:7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.
(Note: They that are spiritually wayward love to justify their carnal and maybe even sinful outward appearance by saying that God looks on the heart. (As if that were the only place He looks.) This passage strongly makes the point that God did not even like what he saw on the inside. Maybe the self-righteous should not use this verse as their defense.)
If You Don’t Want Anyone Judging You, Be Glad You Weren’t There When The Apostle Paul Preached.
Paul Judged Situations Publically Without Being Present.
- Case 1. Immorality
1 Corinthians 5:3 For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed,
1 Corinthians 5:4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,
1 Corinthians 5:5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
1 Corinthians 5:11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.
(Called a…)
- That person’s lifestyle resulted in the church judging them guilty and calling them by the name of their sin.
1 Corinthians 5:12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?
1 Corinthians 5:13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.
- Case 2. Church Factions During The Lord’s Supper
1 Corinthians 11:17 Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse.
1 Corinthians 11:18 For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it.
- Paul Openly Judged Sensitive Situations.
Judgment Is Required Of All Spiritual People.
1 Corinthians 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
1 Corinthians 2:15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
(The Message) 1 Corinthians 2:15 Spiritually alive, we have access to everything God’s Spirit is doing, and can’t be judged by unspiritual critics.
Spirit Filled Saints Are To Judge All Things.
Godly Spirit-filled saints are required to judge all things. Judge spirits? Yes! Judge things as well? Absolutely!
We Are To Judge All Things By God’s Standard Of Judgment. Things Such As:
- Life Situations
- Events
- Relationships
- Friendships
- Music
- Internet Activities
- Entertainment
- Hollywood Presentations
- Sports
- False Doctrines
- Styles of Dress
- Compromise
- Immodesty
Just To Name A Few
(Note: EVERYONE that I have seen who re-evaluated their Holiness Standards or Convictions has not grown closer to God or resembled the Old-time Pentecostal lifestyle, but rather moved closer to looking and acting like the present world.)
The Apostles Judged A Situation Correctly And The Holy Ghost Confirmed It.
Acts 15:28 For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;
Paul Wasn’t Afraid To Have His Brethren Weigh His Words.
1 Corinthians 10:14 Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.
1 Corinthians 10:15 I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.
You Dislike Being Judged? I Understand, But Even Prophets Are Subject To Being Judged.
Prophets Judge Other Prophets.
A Prophet’s reward is not money or fame. It is simply that his prophecy comes true. If the prophecy does not come true he is, by all standards of measurement, a false prophet.
1 Corinthians 14:29 Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.
The Pastor Must Make Judgment Calls.
Some situations a Pastor has to deal with are not mentioned specifically by name in the Bible. So, he must make a judgment call, or a ruling. Hence, they that make good rulings are worthy of double honor.
1 Timothy 5:17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
There’s No Doubt A Good Reason Why Some Make A Loud Noise About Not Wanting Anyone To Judge Them.
Scenario 1
Maybe They Are In Rebellion And Don’t Want To Change.
- Because they are not doing right, and they do not want anyone reminding them.
- They know what they have been taught.
- They remember how they used to live.
- They chose to ignore the Word of God and the Pastor.
Scenario 2
Maybe God Has Turned Them Over To A Delusion.
- They feel they are right and will debate you tirelessly in their attempt to justify themselves.
- They feel saved and content even though they have never been farther away from Truth.
- They wouldn’t love Truth, so God handpicked their delusion and gave them something they would love. Error.
Scenario 3
A Humble Heart Will Repent When Judged And Correct The Error.
2 Timothy 2:25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
Preacher… Preach The Word. It Is God’s Plumb Line.
- Preach Without Fear or Favor.
- Be Not Afraid Of Their Faces.
- You Must Answer To God For What You Preached And Didn’t Preach.
- Preach It Even if It Affects Your Friends Or Family.
- Preach it Because It Is Truth.
Correction Must Be Given When The Actions Of A Saint Are Judged To Be Wrong.
1 Timothy 5:20 Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.
Luke 17:3 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.
2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.
Titus 1:13 This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;
Titus 2:15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.
If We Willingly Receive Correction and Instruction, We Show Evidence Of Being God’s Son.
Hebrews 12:5 … My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:
Hebrews 12:6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
Hebrews 12:7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
Hebrews 12:8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
Hebrews 12:9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?
If You’re Still Sick And Tired Of Others Judging You…
- How Then Can Anyone Help You?
- You Don’t Want A Pastor.
- You Don’t Even Want A True Friend.
- You Choose To Do What You Want.
- No One Can Be Helped Without First Being Judged To Be In Need Of Help.
- Please Don’t Put Up A Wall Of Defense Any More When Your Life Is Judged To Be Not Pleasing Unto God.
Who Are You To Judge Me?
- A Tender Hearted Person Would Never Speak Those Words.
- Have You Become Unteachable?
- Are You Past Help?
- Have You Become Hard Hearted?
- Do You Want A Tender Heart?
- Do You Want To Be Saved?
- Then Start By Humbling Yourself And Submitting To God’s Word.
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?
At What Level Do You Wish To Play?
At What Level Do You Wish To Play?
In the 1980’s electronic chess games became the rage in certain cerebral circles. One particular model would ask its user, as soon as the power button was switched on, “At what level do you wish to play?”
Everyone knew it was just a game. The unit was a cheap handheld device that anyone could play. The user could play in the beginner mode, or even play at the expert level. No one would criticize the level he or she played. It was just a game, and it was only played for fun.
But The Question It Asked Is Still Valid In Real Life Today. At What Level Do You Wish To Play (Or Participate)?
‘Live Like You Were Dying’ is the title of a popular song made somewhat famous a few years ago. The message from just the title of the song is enough to make one think about prioritizing their life.
Like the electronic chess game, some things are just for entertainment, and some things are mainly used to pass the time. Then there are other things that have life and death importance attached. Our souls get intertwined in the process. You have to know which ones are which.
Your Friendships
Your God-fearing friends tell the world the level at which you wish to play.
Your worldly friendships probably display the level you really wish to play. If that is the level you wish to play, so be it.
Friends are more than just pals. Your friends matter to God.
- They Influence you.
- They generate peer pressure that will change you.
- They can take you away from God.
- They can bring you closer to God.
- Chose your friends carefully. You will soon become what they are.
- What do your friendships today say about the level you have chosen to play?
- In Your Friendships, At What Level Do You Wish To Play?
Your Marriage
The way you cherish your spouse and give yourself to your marriage tells your family, friends and the whole wide world the level you have chosen to play.
- God becomes deeply interested and involved in your relationship with your spouse.
- His Word even directs you how to love and express your love to each other.
- Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
- Ephesians 5:28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.
- He pays attention to your mistreatment and neglect.
- 1 Corinthians 7:3 Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.
- 1 Corinthians 7:5 Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.
- Those who have trouble at home soon have trouble in church. The Lord knows that, you should too.
In Your Marriage, At What Level Do You Wish To Play?
At Church
Your Response And Involvement:
- In the Worship service says volumes about the level you wish to play.
- In the Prayer room shows the level you are playing.
- In the Altar service shows the level you are playing.
- In Outreach shows the level you are playing.
- In Giving To Missions shows the level you are playing.
- In Giving Your Tithes shows the level you are playing.
- In the way you argue about Standards shows the level you are playing.
- In Obeying God’s Word shows the level you are playing.
Your Reaction to the Preaching even when it corrects you makes clear the level you wish to play.
Saying Amen to the Word tells God, the devil, the Pastor and the Church family the level you wish to play.
Pictures and Posts on Social media sites tell everyone the level at which you are probably really playing.
Old timers used the phrase, Playing Church. Never let that be said about you.
Living For God Is Not A Game.
At Church, What Level Do You Wish To Play?
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.
The Worst Part Of Being Wrong
The Worst Part Of Being Wrong
The worst part of being wrong is thinking you are right.
- It is very easy to believe a lie and be confident that you are walking in truth when in fact you are not.
- Just because you go to church doesn’t mean you are saved.
- Just because you live a moral and good life doesn’t mean you are saved.
- Some will never know or ever admit they are wrong.
- They may not ever be convinced until The Judgment Day.
- But by then, it will be too late.
It Is Even Possible To Pray About Your Life Choices And Feel That God Agrees With You.
- Just because you feel good about your choice after praying, makes you believe God approves and agrees with you.
- Be careful and don’t make a mistake here. The will of God is not always comfortable for you.
- Balaam felt he was right too. But he died with the enemy.
- Saul felt he was right as well, but God had to knock him to his knees on the road to Damascus before He could turn him around and open his eyes to the truth.
Every Way Of A Man Is Right In His Own Eyes
Proverbs 21:2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the Lord pondereth the hearts.
- First is the rationalization of your decision. You rationalize your choice and point out the negative in those you walk away from.
- Then comes justification. You justify your every action.
- Then comes defensiveness. You defend your every way.
- Then comes arrogance. You cut off those that don’t agree with you.
- You refuse help and Godly counsel.
- You feel good about everything and no one can convince you otherwise.
- Just because it’s right in your eyes, doesn’t mean it’s right in God’s eyes.
- The worst part of being wrong is thinking you are right.
Proverbs 14:14 The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself.
- A backslider’s heart is flooded with his agenda, his dreams and his desires.
- There is no room left for God in his heart.
- For the backslider, it is all about him, and not about God.
- The worst part of being wrong is thinking you are right.
Some Evidently Have To Learn Hard Way.
- It is sad to watch those who appear to be determined to learn the hard way.
- They’re right in their own mind. The pastor, and their family are all wrong.
- They are the ones who are right.
- Even when they go against Biblical instructions and warnings, they feel good about their choices.
- The worst part of being wrong is thinking you are right.
Watching Friends And Loved Ones Self Destruct
- They seem to be happy with their life away from truth and the safety of God’s House.
- The devil has blinded their eyes.
- Your heart aches as you watch them destruct and turn their back righteousness.
- Is like being a thousand miles away from home and hearing that the water pipes have just burst in your basement. You feel helpless to fix the problem. You may make a few emergency calls, but that’s about all you can do.
- The worst part of being wrong is thinking you are right.
If Our Gospel Be Hid…
2 Corinthians 4:3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
2 Corinthians 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
- If truth is hid, it is hid to them that are lost.
- Who is hiding the gospel or the truth from the lost? Satan.
- The reason they can’t see the truth about themselves is because the devil has blinded their eyes and they refuse to admit it or see it.
- As a result, they have easily believed a lie.
- They’ve deceived themselves.
- The worst part of being wrong is thinking you are right.
Acknowledging The Truth About Yourself
2 Timothy 2:25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
- This is not just talking about doctrinal issues.
- This includes praying that the sinner will see the truth about themselves, their errors, their sins and their ways.
- Paul used the word peradventure. That means, he had no guarantee the wayward would ever admit their wrong doing or that God would forgive them, but that in meekness, Timothy should keep reaching for them.
- The worst part of being wrong is thinking you are right.
There Is A Way That Seemeth Right
Proverbs 14:12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
- What seems right to you may also destroy you.
- There may not be a problem you can see now, but at the end, eternal death awaits.
- The Pharisee praying in the temple thought he was the one that was approved by God. How wrong he was even though he felt right.
- The worst part of being wrong is thinking you are right.
Many Churchgoers Are Lost Because Of False Doctrine And Yet Feel Saved.
Matthew 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Matthew 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
Matthew 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
- They even ministered in the name of the Lord and still were lost.
- They were believers
- They no doubt were Spirit filled.
- They cast out devils,
- The saw signs and wonders,
- They prophesied and it came to pass,
- They used the name of Jesus in their ministry,
- Yet they were still lost in eternity.
- The worst part of being wrong is thinking you are right.
Compromisers
- Say they are glad they have been delivered from bondage.
- They say they never felt better.
- They feel sorry for those ignorant folks still in bondage to standards and doctrine.
- Like a dog going back to it’s vomit and a pig to its wallow, they’ve returned to the world and feel good about their soul.
- The worst part of being wrong is thinking you are right.
Fools Blame God For Their Circumstances And Refuse To Repent
Revelation 16:11 And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds.
The worst part of being wrong is thinking you are right.
The Prodigal Came To Himself
A parent’s and a pastor’s prayer is that those they love who are doing wrong will come to themselves like the prodigal son did.
How To Keep From Making Bad Life Choices And Mistakes
Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
Proverbs 3:6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Proverbs 3:7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.
- Your understanding and high IQ is not enough to keep you safe. Admit that to yourself.
- Call on the Lord for direction in every choice.
- Include your pastor in your major decisions.
- Kings even did that in the Bible. They asked the Prophet to enquire of the Lord for them.
- In ALL your ways (decisions and choices) ACKNOWLEDGE Him. Include God in your everyday life and He will direct you path.
- When God directs your path and you walk in it, only then will you begin living a mistake free life.
Remember, The Worst Part Of Being Wrong Is Thinking You Are Right.
The Greatest Trial Of Your Life
The Greatest Trial Of Your Life
Tears are no a stranger to any of us. We came into this world crying at the top of our lungs. For some, not much has changed, except where they now choose to cry.
Many events in life can bring us almost unbearable pain. We cry out to God for help and solution to our problems. We beg Him for relief and consolation. Our emotions crave His comfort and resolution of our problems.
Every one of us seeks to be happy. Even the founders of our great country wrote about the pursuit of happiness.
Mr. Webster Said ‘Trial’ Was The Opposite Of ‘Joy’
Dictionary
joy – noun
A feeling of great pleasure and happiness: tears of joy | the joy of being alive.
Thesaurus
Joy – noun
Whoops of joy: delight, great pleasure, joyfulness, jubilation, triumph, exultation, rejoicing, happiness, gladness, glee, exhilaration, exuberance, elation, euphoria, bliss, ecstasy, rapture; enjoyment.
ANTONYMS – trial.
The Apostle Declared The Source Of His Greatest Joy
3 John 1:4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
If This Is True For Us, Then The Opposite Is True As Well.
We Have No Greater Trial Than To Know Our Children Do Not Walk In Truth!
Praying today to every mother, father and grandparent whose very heart is crushed with the knowledge that the ones they love so dearly have walked away from God. All we can do is pray and have faith.
(If you close the door to your home to them, you might have just closed the door to the church at the same time.)
May God Hear Your Prayers For The Restoration Of Your Lost Loved Ones!
Stupid Men With Smart Wives
Stupid Men With Smart Wives
How does that happen? It’s not all that uncommon today to see a stupid man with a smart wife. It makes everyone wonder about how they met and what was the attraction.
If she is so smart, why did she marry him? Did he con her? Did he keep his real self hidden from view until he married? Was she blinded by love?
Evidently, too many men have turned out to be, or act stupid after their marriage. If the wife had known how stupid he really was when they were courting, she quite possible would have never looked at him twice let alone married him.
I can even name a couple pretty stupid men in the Bible that were married to smart wives.
But, Let Me Just Focus On One, A Man Named Who Was Actually Named ‘Stupid’.
That’s Right, There Once Was A Man Named Stupid.
- That’s what his mama named him.
- He was called Nabal.
- Nabal = ‘Fool, Senseless’ (Hitchcock’s Dictionary of Bible Names)
- When it came to stupid, Nabal’s mama made sure he got to sit at the head of the class.
- He turned out to be the name they called him.
Nabal
He Was A Very Great Man, But He Was Also The Ultimate Senseless Fool.
1 Sam. 25:2 And there was a man in Maon, whose possessions were in Carmel; and the man was very great, and he had three thousand sheep, and a thousand goats: and he was shearing his sheep in Carmel.
- He was considered great because of what he had going on for himself.
- He had local respect and recognition.
- He had great means.
- He had a wonderful wife.
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Nabal Didn’t Fear God Nor Man
- Nabal was rich but he was also harsh and evil in his dealings. (1 Sam. 25:3).
- He didn’t care about helping others.
- He was focused on building his own kingdom, not helping God’s or anyone else’s.
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1 Sam. 25:3 Now the name of the man was Nabal; and the name of his wife Abigail: and she was a woman of good understanding, and of a beautiful countenance: but the man was churlish and evil in his doings; and he was of the house of Caleb.
- She was Smart.
- She was Beautiful.
- She was Unappreciated.
- She was Ignored.
- He was Evil.
- He was Wicked
- But he came from a great family… Caleb’s
- A goodly heritage and background evidently is not enough. He was still stupid in his actions.
- He was Churlish – (rude, mean-spirited, discourteous, uncivil, impolite).
- He didn’t deserve his wonderful wife.
- Abigail was the very image of beauty, wisdom and grace.
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No One Could Talk To Him
- He was Mr. Macho.
- He refused to listen to his wife or anyone else.
- Stupid men view their wives as inferior.
- Sometimes that attitude erupts in anger, irrational behavior and even violence.
- A man couldn’t speak to him. 1Sam 25:17
- No one could reason with him.
- He was always right, everyone else was wrong.
- Nabal never got delivered from his nature.
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Abigail
- Abigail is described as “intelligent” and she is praised in 1Sam 25:33 because of her discernment.
- But Nabal never benefited from his wife’s wisdom.
- They were never a team in his mind.
- She even stopped David and his men from attacking Nabal and killing him.
- She fell on the ground before David to apologize for her husband and beg for mercy.
- David listened to Abigail.
- Abigail described her husband in a very sad way when she made her plea.
- 1Sam 25:25 Let not my lord, I pray thee, regard this man of Belial, even Nabal: for as his name is, so is he; Nabal is his name, and folly is with him:
- She said: “Please disregard my worthless husband, Nabal, is his name and it means foolish. That’s what he is.
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Abigail Saved Nabal’s Life
- He refused to even feed the hungry men that were with David. All they had asked for a piece of bread.
- He ordered them off of his property.
- When Abigail heard what happened, she immediately went to David’s camp and apologized.
- Abigail’s actions are the only thing kept David from slaughtering Nabal and his men.
- When she got home she wanted to tell her husband what she had just done but he was too drunk to talk to anyone.
- She had to wait till he sobered up the next morning, before she could speak to him.
Nabal Heart Died Within Him
1 Sam. 25:37 But it came to pass in the morning, when the wine was gone out of Nabal, and his wife had told him these things, that his heart died within him, and he became as a stone.
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Some Kinds Of Stupid, No One Can Fix. That’s When God Stepped In.
1 Sam. 25:38 And it came to pass about ten days after, that the Lord smote Nabal, that he died.
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Can Anyone Fix Stupid?
I Don’t Know For Sure.
Here’s How I Would Try To Fix Stupid In My Life.
1. Rekindle The Fear Of The Lord In My Life.
Prov 9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
2. Repent – Turn Around.
3. Be a Man That Someone Can Talk To. Whether Pastor, Friend or Wife. Be Approachable.
4. Humble Myself Before God And Man… Including My Wife.
5. Admit I’m Wrong, Especially To My Wife And Family.
6. Willingly Take Godly Instruction. From The Bible, My Pastor, My Friends, And My Wife.
7. Never Let My Heart Die And Turn To Stone. (Because I Know What Happens In The Next Verse. That’s when God stepped in.)
So, if you ever see a stupid man with a smart and beautiful wife… pray for him, but pray more for her. She has a great big cross to bear in life.
When One Part Of Your Brain Hijacks The Other!
When One Part Of Your Brain Hijacks The Other!
Quite a few years ago, I was told about a new book and curiosity made me want to read it. The problem was, I was a little short of cash and not sure I wanted to spend what I had on a book instead of eat lunch.
I stopped by our local Barnes & Nobles Bookstore and asked the lady if they had the book, Emotional 
Intelligence in stock. They did, so I looked at it a few minutes and then found a nice easy chair and began to scan the pages for a bit longer. I read about fourteen pages and then I laid the book down and began to ponder on what I had just learned. I’ve never forgotten.
The premise put forward was that we all have two brains. (I was glad to find that out. I have been told I didn’t even have one.)
The author said that we each have a brain that thinks and a brain that feels. Our life may be at peace and functioning well, but turmoil, pain and great consequences come to us when one of our brains hijacks the other.
He Explained It By Describing Murders And Murderers.
The Brain That Thinks
The brain that thinks can get out of balance and push all emotions and normal feelings aside. It will then ignore every soft and tender thought the person ever had.
- He feels his mind is superior and he won’t get caught.
- He refuses to think about regrets and the pain he will cause.
- He devises ways to lure, entrap, and murder his victims.
Society uses the term Cold Blooded, Premeditated Murder, with Malice Aforethought.
Serial Killers must plan, calculate and orchestrate their dastardly deeds while ignoring every emotion that would stop them. Their brain that thinks hijacks the brain that feels. Society is very happy to lock that person behind bars for the rest of their life. They experience no remorse.
The Brain That Feels
The brain that feels can become so overwrought with painful emotion that it takes matters into it’s own hands and goes into what it believes is an appropriate action.
A loving wife may find her husband in the arms of another and her brain that feels immediately hijacks the brain that thinks.
- She is not worried about consequences.
- She hasn’t got time, in her mind, to worry about the law.
- She can only think about the hurt she feels.
We call it a crime of passion. It was a spur of the moment action. Nothing was preplanned. Sometimes juries have been a bit understanding and even lenient in such cases.
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When A Husband Is Unfaithful To His Wife.
The part of his brain that thinks, has to ignore and hijack the brain that feels. Unfaithfulness is not a spur of the moment action.
The brain that thinks hijacks the brain that feels and he convinces himself that he is no longer in love with his spouse. He says, he doesn’t love her anymore and hasn’t for some time. He tells her that to prepare her for what’s to come. He finds illogical fault with her to justify himself.
She is devastated and angry, and rightly so. The children quickly notice changes in daddy’s behavior and they become defensive of their mother and afraid of this man they loved.
Think about the all the emotional, logical, and spiritual Stop Signs and Road Blocks an unfaithful husband must pass before he arrives at where he thinks he wants to go.
- Permitting thoughts about another woman to have access into mind.
- Letting those thoughts become lustful and pleasurable.
- Creating a moment where the two of them can actually meet and talk.
- Making plans to meet again.
- Making plans to leave and divorce his wife.
- Ignoring the fact that he has no Bible right to leave his wife for another.
- The sending of Text Messages.
- The Emails back and forth.
- The secret Cell Phone calls.
- Then Deleting those Messages and Emails.
- The actual clandestine meeting.
- Touching her for the first time.
- The first kiss.
- The Motel.
Look how many stop sign he has to ignore. Look how many roadblocks he must step over. It’s pre-meditated. It’s planned. The brain that thinks has hijacked the brain that once felt love for his wife and family.
Nothing about unfaithfulness is accidental. It’s planned. It thought out. The brain that feels for God, family, and future has just been hijacked.
It makes no difference if the unfaithfulness is emotional or actual… it’s sin and it’s wrong.
Matthew 5:27 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:
Matthew 5:28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
When his brain that thinks hijacked his brain that feels… He had to ignore every hurt and pain in his wife’s eyes, words and heart. He had to ignore the consequences for his actions. He had to ignore the damage he was doing to his home and his children.
- He had to push aside the loss of his standing with God.
- He had to ignore the loss of his participation in God’s Kingdom.
- He had to be willing to place his eternal salvation in jeopardy.
He had to arrive at a place that made him not think about how much he was throwing away.
He now had a new infatuation and he could not think about anything else but her; not even her husband or her children.
He must be proud of the fact that he is a thinker and has a high IQ. In his own mind, he is smarter than the others who are crying. He refuses to let any emotional connection with his own wife and children stop him from achieving his goals. They have only become baggage and now he wants to be free from them.
Although He Knows These Passages In Proverbs, He Totally Ignores Them.
Proverbs 6:23 For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:
Proverbs 6:24 To keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman.
Proverbs 6:25 Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids.
Proverbs 6:26 For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adulteress will hunt for the precious life.
Proverbs 6:27 Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?
Proverbs 6:28 Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned?
Proverbs 6:29 So he that goeth in to his neighbour’s wife; whosoever toucheth her shall not be innocent.
Proverbs 6:30 Men do not despise a thief, if he steal to satisfy his soul when he is hungry;
Proverbs 6:31 But if he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; he shall give all the substance of his house.
Proverbs 6:32 But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul.
Proverbs 6:33 A wound and dishonour shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away.
Proverbs 6:34 For jealousy is the rage of a man: therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance.
Proverbs 6:35 He will not regard any ransom; neither will he rest content, though thou givest many gifts.
Proverbs 7:27 Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death.
When a husband becomes unfaithful. He is not the only one now with a problem. His selfish thinking and actions have immobilized all those around him that love him. His marriage is paralyzed and may never be restored. His children will never respect him for the way he selfishly walked out on them and their mother.
Later in moments of reflection, he is prone to think he is the only one who needs counseling and help. That thinking is either being naïve, stupid or stubborn. AA and Al-Anon both include the addict and their family in the process. What one person did, now has become a problem for all those who once loved him.
Where Does One Turn To For Guidance And Help With Improper Thinking?
There Is Not Much Hope For Restoration To A Once Godly Marriage Or To Having A Sound Mind Again, If God And His Word Are Left Out Of The Equation. Restoration Is Of The Lord.
Psalms 16:7 I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons.
AMP: Psalm 16:7 I will bless the Lord, Who has given me counsel; yes, my heart instructs me in the night seasons.
If one of your brains has hijacked the other, God will bring release and restoration to your mind if you will turn to Him. He will deliver you. Refusing God’s intervention will only set you up for more devil’s play.
Sir: If There Is To Be ANY Hope Of Restoration In Your Marriage And In Your Walk With God, It’s Up To You To:
- Choose to repent to God, your wife, and pastor.
- Choose to let God’s Word and God’s man guide you into complete restoration.
- Choose to love your wife with all your heart.
- Choose to reassure her.
- Choose to be careful about your thoughts, feeling and interaction with the opposite sex.
- Choose to clear yourself from further suspicion.
- Choose to connect with your wife, family and God like you never have before.
- Choose to live for God and not throw your soul away.
May The Lord God guide your thoughts, your actions, and your motives every day and keep you from all evil and iniquity. May your heart tenderly guide you in all the night seasons.
Now Go Do The Right Thing!
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 