Archive for the ‘Mercy’ Category
Inside Mercy’s House
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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 This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or part without the express written permission.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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(If you need help or the link does not work, let me know. Blessings to all. – MJB)
King David Is My Hero, But…
King David Is My Hero, But…
When it comes to praise and worship, I am hard pressed to find a greater example and leader in worship than David. He is my hero when it comes to worship.
His writings gush out praises to Jehovah, and I love it. He makes constant calls for everyone of us to join him in praising the Lord! He never stops thanking God for His new mercies every morning. What a worshipper!
The Lord even said that David was a man after His own heart. Maybe part of that was because even though David was flawed like the rest of us, he was quick to repent. God always forgave him. Where then does my reticence to brag on my ‘hero’ come from?
His Family Relationships Frighten Me.
- He showed love and affection to God, but I see little evidence that all of his family felt loved and nurtured by him.
- It may be just my uneducated opinion, but that family flaw is what scares me as a father and a grandfather.
His First Wife, Michal
Remember the background story of his first wife, Michal? She must have been quite a beautiful woman.
King Saul, her father, offered her hand in marriage to any man who could kill 100 giants and bring him the proof. What young man in is right mind would go fight a hundred giants for an ugly girl? She must have been a trophy wife. David killed 200 for her.
The scriptures say twice that Michal loved David. Yet, nowhere is it ever mentioned that David loved her. She is never referred to in the Bible as David’s wife. She is always called ‘Saul’s daughter.” David never called her his wife, or said that he loved her.
When Saul tried to kill David, Michal helped him escape her father’s wrath. She loved him. When a girl stands up for her husband against her own dad, that is a major event! I see no sweet return of thanks from him for her efforts or love.
David then takes Abigail as his wife, after he removes her husband. When Saul hears of this, he goes and finds Michal and gives her to another man for a wife. That new husband was head over heals in love with her.
Much later, when Abner secretly approached David about reuniting the divided kingdom, David’s response surprised me. David’s only requirement to agreeing with Abner was, “Bring me Saul’s daughter.”
He never said, “Bring me my wife,” or “Go get me my wife and bring her back to me then I will.” He used the term… “Saul’s daughter.” That is not the expression of a man who tenderly loves his wife.
Abner forcibly brought Michal down the road to David. Her new husband followed behind her crying for her. Abner threatened him and sent him home. The wrong man was crying for Michal.
No wonder when David was dancing before the Ark of the Covenant with not very much on but a linen ephod apron, Michal was upset and maybe jealous.
What she said cannot be justified. God even paid attention and closed up her womb because of her attitude and comments.
What it appears to my unscholarly mind is that she was feeling like David was putting his physical anatomy on display by dancing half naked, and the young maidens in the street could see more of him than she was allowed to see at home.
David’s home life shows little evidence of romance. Everyone woman he was attracted to was married to someone else, it seems. She was the unloved trophy wife.
Abigail and Bathsheba were already married when he met them and fell in love. He loved them deeply, but not the woman he was married to. It was as though she didn’t exist.
David conquered many giants, but he lost in love.
His Children
Absalom
Absalom showed zero respect or honor for his father. How did that happen? Something went wrong in the early stages of home life for this to happen. Because of his treasonous behavior Absalom became banished from Jerusalem. David chose not to ever see him again.
Another son, Ammon was a pervert. He had twisted desires for his own half-sister, Tamar. He plotted with and took the advice of his evil friend to entrap her and rape her. He succeeded in his evil plan. The Law demanded that he be put to death. Not one finger was raised against him for two years.
Ammon, and Tamar Fleeing From Him
Tamar ran to the tent of her full-blooded brother, Absalom. Most girls would run to their father for protection and safety, but not her. Why? Was it because she didn’t feel protected him? I don’t know for sure, but that is my guess.
Two years pass and Absalom waits for his father to defend his daughter’s honor. David doesn’t.
Absalom then takes matters into his own hands and sees to it that Ammon is killed. David then mourns for Ammon and it appears Tamar is the second-class citizen, and still unloved. Her father never defended her. David never allowed the law to punish his son Ammon for what he did to Tamar.
It seems that David was never there for his family when they needed him.
My Family
Information and stories like this frighten me. In my mind, the Church, and this Holy Ghost filled life is the greatest thing in the world. Family is the next greatest gift of God I can think of.
I Ask Myself, “Do I Make My Wife Feel Cherished? Or, Is My Life All About Me?”
I really strive to make a conscious effort to make sure my wife feels cherished. My life is supposed to be about her and my family, not just about me.
In my loving God, going to His house, and serving Him, I never want to ever forget about the wonderful wife He gave me.
I am a husband who is still head over heals in love with my beautiful wife after all these years. I feel the desire to tell her often every day that I love her, and need her.
I Ask Myself, “Do I Make My Children Feel Cherished? Or, Is My Life All About Me?”
I am the father, the example to and defender of the five most wonderful children in the world. I am a blessed father. My love for them is not defendant upon their behavior. I love without reservation. Even if I don’t approve of their actions, they know that they are still loved.
I am Papa to fourteen and soon to be fifteen of the best Grandchildren a man could ever hope to have.
No matter what happens to them, they know that Papa will always be there for them. I often go overboard with sweet words and affection.
My Bottom Line
When to a wayward child I close the door to my house, more often than not, I have just closed the door to the church as well. My heart may break and I may cry watching them self-destruct and hurt, yet my heart and my door is always open to them.
Where Do Your Children Go For Help, To You, Or To Others?
Dad? Fathers will always be remembered and maybe despised for their lack of love. A wise father, even through heartache and tears, shows love to his family especially when they hurt.
A dad doesn’t have to be a king to be loved and honored. Even loving dads that are paupers are placed on the family pedestals. Just show them that you love them and even say, “I’m sorry” when you need to, and your family will think you’re the best.
I am greatly flawed as a man, a preacher, a husband, a father, a papa, and a friend. Yet, I have no reservation in showing praise and affection to the Lord, or to my precious family!
Today as always, I choose to express my total love and affection to Jesus Christ.
Today as always, I choose to express my total love and affection to my wife and family. If, (God forbid) they ever stray away from the Lord, I don’t want to be the cause. I have no ‘throw-away’ children.
Now Dad, Go Wrap Your Arms Around Your Family Like You Mean It And Love Them!
It Matters Not That The Whole World Sees You As A King,
If Your Wife And Your Children Despise You.
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.
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.
_______________________________________________________________________
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.
_________________________________________________________________________
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.
____________________________________________________________________
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.
_________________________________________________________________________
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.
__________________________________________________________________________
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.
______________________________________________________________________
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.
________________________________________________________________________
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.
Are You Worth Fighting For?
Are You Worth Fighting For?
We have all heard uncomplimentary remarks by old timers about those people they considered
worthless and no good. They said things like:
- “Ah, they’re not worth the lead it would take to blow…”
- “They’re not worth their salt.”
We have all learned that helping some people can be an exercise in frustration and futility. In choosing our battles and those we fight for, where do we draw a line and fight? When do we throw in the towel?
Go To God’s Word And Examples For Guidance.
Moses – Israel
God was so angry at Israel because of their quickness to backslide, He wanted to kill them and start all over. He told His plan to Moses.
Exodus 32:31 And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold.
Exodus 32:32 Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin–; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.
Moses knew the wickedness of Israel and although he could never justify their actions, he refused to give up on them. He told God; if You are going to blot them out, then just blot me out too. Moses fought for Israel even in their disobedience and wickedness.
Moses Persuaded God To Show Mercy.
Samuel – King Saul
1 Samuel 15:10 Then came the word of the LORD unto Samuel, saying,
1 Samuel 15:11 It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the LORD all night.
Saul was reckless in his life choices and was disobedient to God’s Word. Samuel, even with all his pristine character and godliness, could not help but cry for Saul. Saul wasn’t even crying for himself. Yet Samuel fought with tear all night long.
Pastors – Saints and Sinners
Certainly we can be grateful to live at a time when God’s Mercy is so readily available. Yet, in spite of this, a pastor’s job is never done. He does his best to keep fighting for every soul. He fights for those who want help. He even fights for those who don’t seem to be fighting for themselves.
There Is No Such Thing As A ‘Throw-A-Way Soul.”
Paul – Timothy
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.
Paul’s advice to Pastor Timothy was, don’t be harsh. These sinful people are their own problem. They can’t blame anyone else but themselves. It just may be that God will let them repent and admit the truth about themselves. It may be that God will let them recover and be restored. So, don’t give up on them. Fight for them. They aren’t doing a very good job of fighting for themselves. They need you.
- Fight for their souls.
- Fight for their mercy.
- Fight for their forgiveness.
- Fight for their restoration.
- Fight for their marriage.
- Fight for their family.
- Fight for their future.
- Fight for their eternity.
- Fight for them…
Remember:
1 Corinthians 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.
Are You Worth Fighting For? Absolutely!
King David’s One Line Autobiography
King David’s One Line Autobiography
King David wasn’t young anymore. The gray showed in his hair. Wrinkles on his hands told the truth of his age. His moods had changed; his thinking now wasn’t focused on fulfilling his future dreams.
Now, he spent a lot of his private moments remembering all of his yesterdays. Somehow memories of his life’s failures occasionally crept into the forefront. Some of his sins were even knowledge.
His subjects knew of them, the historians had recorded them, and he even told on himself.
Today, in a moment of transparency uncommon for a king, David turned his thoughts to the times he had failed God, failed his subjects and shamed himself. Bathsheba’s name came to mind, as did her dead husband, Uriah. His encounter with Nabal had raised everyone’s eyebrows. Guilt was not a stranger to his thoughts.
He keenly remembered the preaching of Nathan the Prophet and the three days of God’s judgment and he was grateful for God’s mercy. He knew he didn’t deserve it, but God had been quick to forgive him when he repented.
David picked up a quill and dipped it into the ink and wrote his autobiography in one sentence on the parchment.
Psa. 119:67 Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.
Then he thought a moment and added a short postscript…
Psalms 119:71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.
(How Will Your Autobiography Read?)
“Is There Any Hope For Me?”
“Is There Any Hope For Me?
“I don’t think God can forgive me! You don’t know what I’ve done and I am too ashamed to say anything to anyone. You may not even want me to come back to your church, and I wouldn’t blame you. I’ve made a mess of my life, but I really want to be saved.”
The old pastor sat looking at the tear filled eyes of the desperate man in his office. He had no idea what sins had been committed, and really didn’t want to know every detail unless he really had too.
Knowing that thoughts of hopelessness may drive some people to do drastic things, he turned slightly and reached for the Bible on the edge of his desk. The gentle sound of pages turning in the Bible became punctuated with several sniffles and then a loud nose blowing.
“I want to read to you a very old Scripture, son.”
The preacher ran his finger down the right side of the page until it came to rest on what he was looking for, and then he began to read the verse in a gentle and calming tone.
“Matthew 12:31 Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.”
“All manner of sin shall be forgiven unto men, and all is a very large number.
The preacher leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes while he lifted his face a bit toward the ceiling.
“ Now, I haven’t asked what you have done, but I can tell that your conscience is severely tormented. Let me do something unusual and start listing some sins that God will forgive. He will forgive them, because His Word said, ‘all manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven’ so that should cover things like:
“Lying
“Cheating
“Stealing
“Shoplifting
“Robbery
“Theft
“Blackmail
“Extortion
“Embezzlement
“Bribery
“Fraud
“Murder
“Abortion
“Drinking
“Smoking
“Drug Use
“Drug Trafficking
“Kidnapping
“Car Jacking
“Pornography
“Adultery
“Fornication
“Perversion
“Immorality
“Prostitution
“Lusts
“Abuse
“Hatred
“Wrath
“Assault
“Battery
“Envy
“Jealousy
“Back biting
“Gossip
“Tale bearing
“Rebellion
“Love of the World
“False Doctrine
“Disobedience To God
“Disobedience To Man
“Women cutting their hair
“Women wear slacks
“Men letting theirs grow long
“Robbing God
“Not paying your tithes
“Backsliding
“And the list goes on…
“These are only some of the sins He forgives. All you have to do is repent and really mean it.”
The old preacher opened his eyes and smiled kindly at the distraught form in front of him.
“The good news for you is, yes there is hope for you. Yes, Jesus will forgive you, and yes He still loves you and yes, so do I.
“Let me quote 1 Corinthians 6:9-11
“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,
“Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
“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.
“In the name of the Lord Jesus… Means baptism in Jesus Name.
“By the Spirit o our God… is the Holy Ghost.
“There is forgiveness for everyone if they will repent. You’ve already obeyed Acts 2:38. You’ve already been baptized in Jesus name and you’ve been filled with the Holy Ghost. So, all you need to do to get right with God now, is repent. Confess and forsake your sins.
“Repentance is the first step. It’s the key that gets your life turned around and your sins forgiven. He knows you’ve done wrong. But He is not willing that anyone should perish or go to Hell. Not even you. He’s waiting for you to repent right now.
“If you would like, we can pray right now. Would you like for me to pray with you?”
The pastor stood up and walked toward the weeping man. They both knelt and began to pray in earnest.
That’s when Mercy walked into the room…
The Curse Of The Permissive Parent And Pastor
The Curse Of The Permissive Parent And Pastor
My critics might say that this blog post is written with a bad spirit, I pray not, but it if so, may the Lord forgive me. Please allow me to give an altar call of sorts.
Parents
My beloved wife and I may be senior citizens now, but we have learned a few things about raising a family throughout the years. We have been richly blessed of the Lord with five of the most wonderful children parents could ever pray to have. But, it’s the raising of them that requires the help of the Lord and wisdom of a Solomon.
I cannot take credit for the wisdom part, (My wife is blessed with good common sense.) but we both have been greatly helped by our dear parents, by the Lord and by His Word.
Parents have to learn when to say Yes, and when to say No. Sometimes, both words are hard to say.
A child that never hears the word No while growing up, will most likely have a difficult time saying No to themselves as an adult.
We all enjoy the cute personality displays in our children. We love their antics and brag on their accomplishments. It’s all part of being a parent.
But, no one likes to see a tantrum when a child doesn’t get his or her way. But, it does happen. It happens at home, in Wal-Mart, in the car and even at church.
Many times a parent must say No to their darling child for it’s own good. Those pleading eyes and their sweet-talking may melt your heart. Remember however, your sweet innocent little child has learned long ago how to work the family system and manipulate your emotions. Oh yes.
When we see a well-mannered teen or young adult, we know they didn’t become that way just by themselves. There was someone in their life that helped make and mold them into that young adult we admire.
What Type Of Children Do Permissive Parents Produce?
· Spoiled brats?
· Children that must always have their own way?
· Children that feel free to talk back to their parents?
· Undisciplined and disrespectful that will bring their parents shame?
Who in their right mind would want to be married to someone that carried that same spoiled brat attitude into their adult life?
Children who have been blessed with loving parents, who were not afraid to say No, receive the most compliments in life. Just saying.
Under the disguise of being merciful and loving, some have permitted the development of little monsters in their own home.
The Curse Of The Permissive Parent Is That Your Child Will Bring You Shame.
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Additional Reading:
Seven Signs Your Kid Is A Brat
http://www.care.com/child-care-permissive-parenting-7-signs-your-kid-is-a-brat-p1017-q6594347.html
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Pastors
Pastors also have to learn when to say Yes, and when to say No. Sometimes, both words are hard to say.
Remember the story of Eli, a High Priest in the Bible? He was a nice guy, a real nice guy… just weak. He was so weak he couldn’t say, No.
He was a High Priest over Israel. Yet, he would not judge the sins of his own sons. The boys were a disgrace to their father. They brought shame and reproach upon him, upon Israel and they angered God so much, that He killed them.
Eli’s sons, Hophni and Phinehas were priests, yet they showed great contempt for God’s Law and they openly sinned. No one dared cross them or complain. They made a great mockery in their execution of holy things in the Tabernacle.
KJV 1 Sam. 2:12 Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the Lord.
ESV 1 Sam. 2:12 Now the sons of Eli were worthless men. They did not know the Lord.
Eli’s sons were guilty of great crimes, which brought destruction upon their father’s house. Their actions caused the Ark of God to be lost to the great enemy of Israel.
Phinehas died in battle with the Philistines (1 Sam. 4: 4, 11); and his wife, on hearing of his death, gave birth to a son, whom she named Ichabod, saying, “The glory is departed from Israel” and then she died.
Upon hearing the news of the loss of the Ark in battle and the death of his sons, Eli fell from where he was sitting and broke his neck and died. Scripture says that Eli’s heart trembled for the Ark. That is very commendable. But why didn’t that same love for the Ark make him correct the sons that served the Ark with him?
A pastor that condones or excuses the sinfulness of his children will live long enough to regret the day he gave in to their pleas for permission to do wrong. As a pastor, you of all people should know that you really do not love your child when you:
- Supply them with money for their habits.
- Excuse their inability to keep a job even though they are married with children.
- Refuse to believe they could ever be guilty of wrongdoing.
- Excuse their prescription drug abuse.
- Always take their side against their spouse.
- Allow them on the platform while they are under the influence of a controlled substance to which they are addicted.
- Ignoring their drinking problem.
- Use them in leadership.
- Overlook their moral problems.
- Keep bailing them out of jail and sticking them behind the pulpit again.
- Allow their tempers and threats to cause good people to leave church.
- Have a different standard for the saint’s kids than for your own.
(Saints may not say anything to you, but they are not stupid. They see what is going on, but they keep on, as best they can, hoping you will correct the situation somehow.)
But If You Don’t…
You sir, have just become another Eli. God is not pleased with the shame you have allowed to be brought upon His house. It’s just a matter of time before the word Ichabod will be written again. Only this time, it will be written very close to you.
If you desire the glory of God to continue to bless and anoint the church you pastor. Take the oversight, reprove and rebuke with all long-suffering. Love what God loves, hate what God hates.
Under the disguise of being merciful and loving, some pastors have permitted the development of monsters.
The Curse Of The Permissive Pastor Is That Your Child Will Bring Shame Upon You And The House Of God.
I Promise You, The Glory Will Depart. Revival Will Not Stay.
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 