Archive for the ‘Obedience’ Category
I Didn’t Tell You, Because You Didn’t Want Me To.
I Didn’t Tell You, Because You Didn’t Want Me To.
The old preacher sat on a rock at the fork in the road. The many years of struggle showed on his face, and in the stoop of his shoulders. He watched as travelers passed him by.
Some of his preacher friends and acquaintances stopped a moment or two to chat before continuing their journey. Many came in groups, others by themselves, but they all walked down the road.
The children of his friends walked the road too, some of them walked with their parents, others walked alone.
Most everyone nodded in acknowledgement and smiled at him while continuing on their journey. A few stopped and sat on the rock beside him to visit for a while before walking on.
The old preacher noticed that a large number did not hesitate when they came to the fork in the road. They as if by some predetermination chose which path to walk.
There were those who paused and stared at the signposts, as if unsure. One or two fumbled for their map as if to verify which road would be best.
Those who still seemed unsure of which path to choose, changed from looking at the road signs, to looking at the other travellers. If by chance they happened to see a friend that looked like they knew what path to choose, they simply followed without further ado.
Every now and then one of the young travellers that stood reading the signposts turned to the old man for advice.
“Which fork in the road should I choose?” They asked.
The old preacher would look up at their sincere faces and without hesitation point in the direction that he knew was best. Some sneered, and walked down the other road anyway. Some followed his advice.
Occasionally travelers would return to the fork of the road to look at the signs again, as if to confirm their choice.
One young preacher who had walked down the wrong path quite a ways returned to the old man and began to chastise him.
“Why didn’t you stop me? Why didn’t you tell me that was the wrong path? Why didn’t you tell me how much I would lose if I walked down that path? Why didn’t you tell me I was in delusion to believe it was a better road? I thought you were a friend to my family, and me but you didn’t stop me and tell me which road to go! Why?
The old man didn’t get offended. He looked at the son of his friend, and then began.
“You know I love you, I love your father too. You know what road he walked down, but you felt comfortable in ignoring that fact because your friends and popular people have influenced you.
“I noticed you watching me as I pointed out the right way to others. You chose to ignore this old man’s advice.
“The reason I never told you personally which road to walk down is because you never wanted to know bad enough to ask. Maybe you didn’t want to hear the word, NO! I didn’t tell you because you didn’t want me to.
“If I had told you which path to choose without you asking, you would have taken that as an insult to your intelligence. You would have felt I was interfering in your business, so I held my peace as I held my breath.
“Those who ask for direction really want help. Those who don’t ask will soon need help. It’s a mistake of youth to reject the paths of their fathers in serving the Lord.
“You once believed your choices to always be accurate. Your delusion made it feel that it was God that was guiding you, now you have fear and regret because of your great losses. It’s the mercies of the Lord that you have returned to this point.
“The bad news is there are some things you will never regain. But, the final chapter has not been written. Remember hearing your father singing the song, “It’s Not the First Mile”?
“The real question my son, is now that you know which road is right, which one will you choose?”
With a thankful embrace and a sincere apology, the young man turned and walked back to the fork. This time he chose the one marked, “The Old Path.”
When God Doesn’t Meet Your Expectations.
When God Doesn’t Meet Your Expectations.
Luke 7:23 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.
- What Happens When God Doesn’t Heal?
- What Happens When God Doesn’t Deliver?
- What Happens When God Doesn’t Answer Your Prayers Like You Wanted Him To?
It’s not uncommon to get a notion in our heads about how we think God should supply specific things that we need, or want. Some have gotten mad at the Lord, and even backslid because a loved one died or was not healed.
Since His ways are not our ways, there will always be times when God doesn’t move or work like we think he should. That can be a major test for our faith.
Sometimes, life doesn’t turn out like we expected. Why? I can’t tell you, because I don’t know for sure either. But this one thing I do know. God is still in control. He has never made a mistake. I must always trust Him.
Naaman – Almost Lost His Miracle When Things Didn’t Meet His Expectations.
2Ki 5:10 And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean.
2Ki 5:11 But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the LORD his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper.
Naaman was a man of high position and ranking in Syria. As Captain of the army, he was always given much respect.
Bottom line, I’m sure, was his disappointment that the Prophet did not personally come out to see him. He had imagined the moment of his healing, and it looked nothing like what had just happened to him. He left the prophet’s home in a huff.
His own servant showed more good sense than he did. Only after being reasoned with, did he finally submit. For Naaman, submission and obedience were the keys to his miracle.
Peter – Denied The Lord When Things Didn’t Meet His Expectations.
When accused by the maid of being a disciple of Christ, Peter replied, “I know not the man!” In a twisted way, Peter was telling the truth.
- The Jesus he knew was a Jesus of miracles.
- The Jesus he knew walked on water.
- The Jesus he knew raised the dead.
- The Jesus he knew turned water in to wine.
- The Jesus he knew fed 5,000 with a few fishes and five loaves of bread.
- The Jesus he knew healed the lepers and opened blinded eyes.
Peter Didn’t Know This Jesus.
- He didn’t know a Jesus of defeat.
- He didn’t know a Jesus of rejection.
- He didn’t know a Jesus of disappointment.
What about the three and a half years he had followed Jesus around? Were those years spent for nothing? Evidently, Peter’s faith had momentarily wavered.
John The Baptist Questioned The Lord When Things Didn’t Meet His Expectations.
Of men born of women, there was none greater than John the Baptist. He was even born with the Holy Ghost. He was a fearless preacher and a chosen forerunner for the Messiah.
- Yet, John finds himself in prison.
- His hopes are dashed.
- His future looks bleak.
- His first cousin, Jesus, is nowhere around.
- He becomes tormented by his worst fears.
- His imagination runs wild.
- He even questioned if Jesus was truly the Messiah.
Luke 7:19 And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to Jesus, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?
The Three Hebrew Children – Said, “But If Not…” In Case Things Didn’t Meet Their Expectations.
Dan 3:16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.
Dan 3:17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.
Dan 3:18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
They proudly stood in front of the pagan king and bragged on their God. They said that their God was able to deliver them. But if He didn’t, they still weren’t going to bow down to an idol.
If the Lord God didn’t deliver them, they were still going to be faithful to Him.
Job – Watched His Mouth When Things Didn’t Meet His Expectations.
Job 1:22 In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.
None of us can imagine the horrible loss Job experienced.
- His family was destroyed.
- His children were dead.
- His vast herds stolen.
- His health was virtually destroyed.
- His wife turned in to an unbelieving nag.
- His friends did nothing but criticize and point fingers at him.
We Love To Quote Job’s Reaction To His Dilemma.
Job 13:15 Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.
The second part of the verse stands out to me today. Job certified, that though things had not turned out like he wanted, he was going to maintain his ways. He was going to keep on doing what he had always done.
What Do You Do When Things Don’t Turn Out Like You Wanted? Do You Maintain Your Ways? If You Want Your Story To Turn Out Good, Then:
- Keep on coming to church.
- Keep on worshipping.
- Keep on praying.
- Keep on singing
- Keep on loving
- Keep involved in church.
- Keep on shouting.
- Keep on paying your tithes.
- Keeping on testifying about how good God is.
Israel – Believed The Ten Spies When Things Didn’t Meet Their Expectations.
Did Israel want to go over into the Promised Land? Most certainly! The problem was, the majority of the spies saw the enemy and became frightened and faint hearted.
This didn’t look like an easy victory to them. No one paid much attention to Joshua and Caleb’s glowing report. They ignored the huge display of grapes.
Because they responded in unbelief, God allowed all but the young to die in the wilderness. They needlessly spent 40 years of wandering because of how they reacted.
Things hadn’t turned out like they expected, so they said ‘no’ to God. God in return, said ‘no’ to their inheriting the promise and gave it to their children instead.
- Never stop believing.
- Never say ‘no’ to God.
Paul – Lived With A Thorn In His Flesh When Things Didn’t Meet His Expectations.
- Paul prayed more than once for God to take his pain away. God didn’t.
- Paul had just spoken the word, and a man had gone blind for a season.
- A poisonous viper and taken hold of his hand once while he was carrying wood for a fire. He just shook it off, and though bitten, was not harmed.
Yet this thorn he spoke of, wouldn’t go away. God had answered his other prayers, why didn’t He answer this one?
Paul never knew, but he chose instead, to be content to live with his unanswered prayer request.
So, What Is My Life Lesson Here?
What Should I Do When Things Don’t Meet My Expectation?
- Like Naaman – I choose to humbly submit my self and obey the Word of the Lord given to me.
- Like The Three Hebrew Children – I will always believe God is able. But if He doesn’t deliver me… I’m still going to be faithful.
- Like Job – I want to keep my spirit right, and watch my mouth during my trial.
- Like Paul – If God doesn’t take away the pain in my life; I will learn to be content, and trust His will.
Remember God’s Words In The Old Testament When Things Don’t Meet Your Expectations.
KJV: Isa 55:8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
KJV: Isa 55:9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
The Message Bible: I don’t think the way you think. The way you work isn’t the way I work. For as the sky soars high above earth, so the way I work surpasses the way you work, and the way I think is beyond the way you think.
Remember God’s Words In The New Testament When Things Don’t Meet Your Expectations.
KJV: Luke 7:23 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.
NIV: Luke 7:23 Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me.
ESV: Luke 7:23 And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”
What Do You Do When God Doesn’t Meet Your Expectations?
Some Apostolics Are Happy Their Pastor Ignores A Few New Testament Scriptures.
Are Apostolics Happy Their Pastors Ignore Some New Testament Scriptures?
Apostolics by nature should be firm believers in “coming out from among them” and being separated from the world, and unto Christ. Yet, Christian approved sins may number more than we might first think. There is also a crowd that would ignore Biblical cautions and warnings because in their mind, that was only a guideline, not an actual sin.
It is our understanding that Holiness in both inward and outward. I find it safe to also say that what is on the inside will soon show on the outside.
We sometimes hear the subject of modesty talked about behind the pulpit. We also have many new choruses about God being a holy God. Yet, if we made a list of things we are comfortable not hearing about, it just might include a few of these New Testament Scriptures. There just too many to post here.
Heb 12:15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
- Bitterness (Holding a Grudge)
Eph 4:31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put 
away from you, with all malice:
- Wrath, Anger
- Clamour (A Big Outcry)
- Throwing Fits
- Evil Speaking (Criticism)
- Malice
Eph 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
- Be Tenderhearted
- Forgiving one another
1 Tim 5:13 And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.
- Gossipers
- Busybodies
1 Tim 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
- Love of Money (Includes putting job before church?)
- Coveting To Be Rich
1 Tim 6:4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
- Envy (Jealousy)
- Strife
- Railings (Words of Criticism)
- Evil Surmisings (Imagining the Worst about someone)
1 Tim 6:5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
- Getting Caught Up In Twisted Doctrines And Beliefs
1 Tim 2:9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;
- Costly Array
- Modest Clothing
- Gold,
- Pearls
Heb 13:17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
- Obey (The Pastor)
- Submit Yourselves (One may obey without submitting, but it is impossible to submit without obeying.)
1 Tim 6:17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
- High mindedness
2 Pet 2:10 But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.
2 Pet 2:11 Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord.
2 Pet 2:12 But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption;
- Lust of Uncleanness
- Despise Governments (Don’t want to be told what to do.)
- Presumptous
- Self-willed
- Not Afraid to speak evil of dignitaries (Especially means your pastor)
- Railing Accusations
- Speaking evil of things they don’t understand.
Jude 1:16 These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage.
- Murmurers
- Complainers
- Walking after their own lust (Doing whatever they want)
1 Pet 2:11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
- Fleshly lusts
Matt 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.
- Emotional Adultery
2 Tim 2:22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
- Flee Youthful lusts (If it includes more than the sensual, could it also include sports?)
2 Tim 2:23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.
- Avoid Foolish and Stupid Questions (They just start fights)
1 Cor 11:14 Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?
1 Cor 11:15 But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.
- Men – Get A Haircut.
- Women – Don’t Ever Cut It
Matt 5:41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.
- Don’t Do The Minimum
Matt 5:43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
- Love The Neighbor (Neighboring Countries Too?)
Matt 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
- Love Your Enemies
- Bless Them That Curse You
- Do Good Things To Them That Hate You
- Pray For Them That Are Unkind To You
1 Jn 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
1 Jn 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
- Love Not The World
- Love Not The Things In The World
- Lust of the Flesh
- Lust of the Eyes
- Pride Of Life
Jas 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
- Humility
Jas 4:11 Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.
- Speaking Evil And Unkind Things Of One Another
1 Tim 5:19 Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.
- At Least Two (or Three) Witnesses Needed Before Accusing An Elder.
1 Tim 5:20 Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.
- Saints That Sin Should Be Rebuked In Church?
Jas 4:15 For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.
- Not Saying, “If The Lord Wills)
Jas 4:16 But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.
- Boasting
Jas 4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
- Ignoring The Word
Jas 1:26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.
- Not Watching What You Say
Jas 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
- Visit The Sick Orphans And Widows
- Keep Yourself Unspotted (Unaffected by) The World
Rom 1:24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
Rom 1:25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
Rom 1:26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
Rom 1:27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet.
Rom 1:28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
Rom 1:29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
Rom 1:30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
Rom 1:31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, 
implacable, unmerciful:
Rom 1:32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
- Surely This Doesn’t Need To Be Explained Further
2 Tim 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
2 Tim 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
- There’s A Reason For Every Scripture In The Bible.
- Don’t Ignore
- Don’t Pick And Choose.
Acts 20:26 Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.
Acts 20:27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.
- Peter Wasn’t Afraid To Say What Needed To Be Said
- May God Help Us All
Whatsoever He Saith Unto You, Do It!
Whatsoever He Saith Unto You, Do It!
John 2:5 His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.
Love Me With All Of Your Heart
Mark 12:30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.
Love Your Neighbor, Just Like You Love Yourself
Mark 12:31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.
Forgive Everyone
Mark 11:25 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
Mark 11:26 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.
Make Your Differences Short-Lived
Matthew 5:25 Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
Love Your Enemies
Matthew 5:43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
Matthew 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
Be A Positive Witness
Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Be Consistent In Living For Me
John 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
Turn The Other Cheek When You Get Hurt
Matthew 5:38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
Matthew 5:39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
Live For Me Without Being A Show Off
Matthew 6:16 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
Matthew 6:17 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;
Matthew 6:18 That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.
Serve Your Brother In Humility
John 13:14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.
Be Merciful To Everyone
Luke 6:36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
Walk The Unpopular Way
Matthew 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
Matthew 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
Just Ask Me, If You Need Anything
Matthew 7:7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
Matthew 7:8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
Put Me First
Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Don’t Bite Your Fingernails
Matthew 6:34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
Whatever Causes You To Sin, Get Rid Of It
Matthew 5:29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
Matthew 5:30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
Take Up Your Cross
Matthew 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
Be Born Again
John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
John 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
John 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
Pray For Missions
Luke 10:2 Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.
Be A Witness
Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Preach This As The Message Of Salvation
Luke 24:45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,
Luke 24:46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:
Luke 24:47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
(Peter Preached The Words Of Jesus, Exactly!)
Acts 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Acts 2:39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
Keep Looking For My Return
Matthew 24:42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
If You Love Me, Keep My Words
John 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words:
The Case Of The Dead Bullfighter
The Case Of The Dead Bullfighter
I stood mesmerized in Makielski’s Art Store. This was my second trip in as many days. The high price tags on many of the paintings told me I could only look, but I enjoyed looking.
The first trip I had purchased some art supplies and paints for my air-brush. I then ventured into the room where hundreds of paintings hung on the walls from floor to ceiling. The works of the masters and others hung there. Some paintings I recognized from photographs in books. Most, I did not.
The picture I was fascinated with was very macabre. What was wrong with me? Why was I drawn to this one? It was such a horrible picture of death. Was something wrong with my personality? I didn’t know for sure, so I worried a bit.
Manet ~ Dead Matador, 1865
The picture was of a dead bullfighter. There was no crowd showing in the picture. There was no bull looking down on him victoriously. The only other thing of prominence was a bullfighter’s cape, which was still clutched in the victim’s hand.
This was the second day in a row I had stared for long minutes at this dead man’s picture. Why? Was there a story here? Finally, it came to me like a bolt of lightning!
I put myself into the picture. I felt I could almost feel a bit of the moment captured by the artist. It was like I could see the screaming crowd as they went silent. Mother’s gasped and clutched their babies while trying to cover their tender eyes. Little girls couldn’t look at all. Young boys were mesmerized by the horror. Trained men herded the bull out of the ring and into an open chute, which led it back to a holding pen.
The wife and family of the bullfighter just sat there momentarily stunned. Then, overwhelmed with grief, they convulsed in tears. Their worst nightmare had just come true.
For years he had seemed so invincible. Now this! His death would bring his family pain, on every level, for years to come. Their life as they knew it, was now over.
- He had lived for the crowd’s approval.
- He loved the danger.
- He thrilled at the excitement of a bull’s near misses.
- He always felt he was in control.
- He had bested many bulls over the years.
- He was a professional.
- He loved the prestige.
- His name was on posters and signs.
- His name was well-known.
- He didn’t like his wife and others asking him to quit.
- He’d said he would know when to quit.
- But now he was dead.
- His blood was starting to pool on the ground.
- Death had triumphed.
There he was, a spectacle for all to see.
My mind snapped back to reality. I knew why I was drawn to the picture. I told the clerk I wished to purchase the print. I quickly paid the $42.95 marked on the price tag. The salesman wrapped it carefully in brown paper. I took the print directly to my office at the church and hung it in a place of prominence.
A few weeks later, I had an occasion to counsel with a young man who was struggling living for God. We sat in my office and I listened to his story of worldly involvement.
When he finished, I invited him to look at the dead bullfighter. I said, “Do you know what happened to him?”
I paused for just a moment as his head turned and he looked, not knowing what to say. I really didn’t give him time to answer the question.
“He played with it, until it finally killed him.” I said.
I let that sink in as I watched his face. Then, I finished my thought.
“And, if you keep playing around with sin, it will finally kill you.”
The young man cried.
So did I.
Not Everyone Knows How To “Go” To Bethel
Not Everyone Knows How To “Go” To Bethel
Many people pass by Bethel on their spiritual journey. Some just visit Bethel. Few actually “go” to Bethel. Going to Bethel is by Divine invitation and should not be taken lightly.
For Jacob, Bethel was the place of his spiritual beginning. It was where he found himself, for the first time, in the presence of God.
Genesis 28:20 And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on,
Genesis 28:21 So that I come again to my father’s house in peace; then shall the LORD be my God:
Genesis 28:22 And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God’s house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.
That experience birthed a covenant relationship between himself and the Lord. He vowed to pay God tithes of all he had. He vowed to serve Him, and asked Him to be his God as well.
It had been about twenty-one years since Bethel. A lot of living had transpired in Jacob’s life since then. He’d gotten married… twice. He also had a large family by now. A vast herd of sheep and cattle followed him as well. Jacob was considered to be a wealthy man. God had richly blessed him.
However, his wives continued in their worship of idols and the wearing of jewelry. They were even willing to hazard the wrath of their father Laban, and his band of fighting servants to keep them. They were devoted to their idol worship.
Then it happened! Out of nowhere, God gave Jacob an invitation of renewal. Actually, God commanded Jacob to move back to his place of spiritual beginnings, and build an altar of consecration.
Genesis 35:1 And God said unto Jacob, Arise, go up to Bethel, and dwell there: and make there an altar unto God, that appeared unto thee when thou fleddest from the face of Esau thy brother.
Here’s All That God Said:
1. Go UP to Bethel. Going to Bethel is always an upward experience.
2. Dwell there. Don’t just visit or pass by. Move there! Get back to that first-time experience!
3. Build an Altar. Develop a relationship with me.
Genesis 35:2 Then Jacob said unto his household, and to all that were with him, Put away the strange gods that are among you, and be clean, and change your garments:
Genesis 35:3 And let us arise, and go up to Bethel; and I will make there an altar unto God, who answered me in the day of my distress, and was with me in the way which I went.
When God told Jacob to move to Bethel and build an altar, Jacob understood what that meant. He didn’t have to have God spell everything out for him. He knew. He not only received the Word, he received the Spirit of the Word!
Put Away The Strange Gods.
God hadn’t said one word about putting away the idols hidden in his wives’ tents. Jacob knew they were wrong. He had tolerated them up to now, but no more. He knew he could not go to a place of spiritual renewal with idols in his camp. They must go.
Be Clean!
Clean yourself up! We’re going where God meets with people. Jacob knew this was the most important place in the world they could ever go to. Going as they were, didn’t seem right. “Be clean,” he commanded everyone.
Change Your Garments!
Jacob could see that what they were wearing was wrong. They all needed to wear clothing that was proper for the occasion.
So, Here Is What They All Did!
Genesis 35:4 And they gave unto Jacob all the strange gods which were in their hand, and all their earrings which were in their ears; and Jacob hid them under the oak which was by Shechem.
They Gave Him Their Idols.
There was no lamentation, no weeping, nor tears mentioned here. They just handed them over without making a scene. If you are going to Bethel, taking idols with you will void the experience.
They Gave Him All Their Earrings.
Where did that come from? Why did they do that? God hadn’t said one word about getting rid of their idols or their earrings.
Jacob hadn’t even said anything about getting rid of their earrings either. Yet, they handed them over to Jacob without ceremony.
They gave him all of their earrings. They gave him all of their idols. They not only received the Word, they received the Spirit of the Word!
Was There A Connection Between The Idols And The Earrings? Absolutely!
Hosea 2:13 And I will visit upon her the days of Baalim, wherein she burned incense to them, and she decked herself with her earrings and her jewels, and she went after her lovers, and forgat me, saith the LORD.
Hundreds of years later, Hosea records the connection. The custom of wearing jewels and earrings was directly connected with the worship of Baal. The wearing of earrings was part of the ceremony in worship of that idol.
The family of Jacob understood that if we get rid of our idols, we might as well get rid of whatever goes along with its worship.
God didn’t say anything about it to them in that verse, but they did it anyway. They knew, and that was enough for them.
Jacob, their husband and father hadn’t said anything either, but they knew. So they did the right thing without argument.
Without The Holy Ghost
- Jacob’s wives responded.
- They were convinced.
- They were convicted.
- They gave up their idols.
- They gave up their jewelry.
- They changed their clothing.
- They cleaned up.
For This Generation, It’s Not Always The Same.
Many today want chapter and verse for everything. If the Bible doesn’t name their particular vice, entertainment, lifestyle, or sin, they feel justified in continuing. They will debate, argue, get mad, quit church, or move off, to maintain their lifestyle.
They will justify themselves on Facebook and comment with harshness. Some will debate on blogs as well, in their attempt to hold on to the things that will hinder their Bethel experience.
They only want to go by the Word! If it’s not mentioned, then it must be OK.
They struggle to get the Spirit of the Word!
If you don’t think earrings are an idol even today, just trying preaching against them. Many will fight to keep them on.
I Can’t Make Anyone Go Back To Bethel
- But God is inviting us all to go back to a simple place of renewal and spiritual restoration.
- Don’t wait for God or the preacher to name the wrong or the sin in your life.
- You should have enough Holy Ghost conviction in you to make you feel uncomfortable when you are not doing right.
Come On Church, Lets Get Right!
Come On Church, Let’s Do It Right!
Come On Church, Let’s Move Back To Bethel!
Do You Own A Copy Of The Jefferson Bible?
Do You Own A Copy Of The Jefferson Bible?
Mr. Thomas Jefferson is rightly honored as one of the most brilliant minds in American history. He is remembered for many achievements in his public life and in his service to our nation.
- He served as Governor of Virginia.
- U.S. Minister to France.
- Secretary of State under President George Washington.
- Vice President in the administration of John Adams.
- President of The United States from 1801-1809.
His tombstone makes no mention of those accomplishments. It says rather, that he was the “author of the Declaration of American Independence, of the Statute of Virginia for religious freedom, and Father of the University of Virginia.”
What a man. What a mind. Yet, with all of his understanding, somehow Mr. Jefferson could not actually believe anything about the supernatural, or stories of miracles, as found in the Bible.
He loved the principles of life as taught by Jesus Christ. He approved of almost all of the Lord’s teachings. What he could not accept was anything supernatural. So, he did what he thought best. He made his own bible.
He calmly sat down with two exact Bibles, and began to cut out the parts that he liked. He would then paste all of the verses he liked into a scrapbook. Now, there would be nothing in his new bible that would make him uncomfortable.
Beliefnet Blog: Separating The ‘Diamonds’ From The ‘Dunghill’
“Done with his official work for the day, Thomas Jefferson sat in the new presidential mansion in Washington in 1804, and opened his Bible — not to pray, but to cut. He scoured the text for Jesus’ greatest teachings, sliced out his favorite portions and glued them into an empty volume. He called it “The Philosophy of Jesus.” In 1819, he started over and created a new version called “The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth,” often referred to now as The Jefferson Bible. In Jefferson’s version, Jesus was not divine.”
The virgin birth – gone.
Christ’s bodily resurrection – gone.
The miracles of the loaves, walking on water, raising Lazarus – none of them made Jefferson’s book.
The bad news is that the story doesn’t end there. Although Thomas Jefferson did that 200 years ago, almost everyone is doing it now. It happens in personal lives, homes, churches and denominations. Folks are only taking from the Bible, the parts they like best and they are leaving the rest on the table.
Even some Apostolic Pentecostals have problems in this area. Listen to the audience when the preacher preaches next time. Do they say amen or do they remain quiet? To the preacher, it would be easy to judge the silence of the congregation as non-acceptance. Maybe it is.
The Preacher Can Expect A Good Response If He Preaches On:
- Love
- Mercy/Forgiveness
- Faith/Miracles/Healing
- Blessings/Prosperity
- Winning Souls
- Baptism In Jesus Name
- Receiving The Holy Ghost
- One God
However:
- What happens if the same man preaches on Worldliness?
- What happens if he preaches against the ungodly influence of Hollywood?
- How loud is the sound of amen, when the pastor reads Bible passages about women Cutting their Hair?
- If he reads scriptures about not Loving the World, does the crowd get silent?
- Maybe, it’s when he reads the part about women not Wearing Men’s Apparel?
- Does the crowd grow silent when scriptures warning about Ornamentation are read?
- What about the subject of Tithes? Can they still say amen?
- How about when the preacher reads verses about Modest Apparel?
- What if he just reads verses about Doctrine, is anyone bored yet?
Let’s Talk Some More:
- What does the crowd do when the man of God reads verses on Forgiving One Another and Bitterness?
- Does is tense up when he reads about Gossip and Backbiters and Hatred?
- What do they do when he finds a verse about Jealousy and Envy?
- How about the verses on Submission and Pastoral Authority?
- What about when he reads verses on Loving your Neighbor as yourself, while preaching against Racism? What is the response then?
- What about the audience’s response when the pastor reads verses on Fornication and Adultery?
- What is the reaction when the pastor reads verses about Rebellion?
- How about the ones on Unity?
- When he reads verses about being Faithful to God’s House, what is the reaction of the crowd?
- Do they get uncomfortable when he reads the one about, “not setting any wicked thing before my eyes?’ How does that go over?
Pentecostals have openly talked about having their ‘candy sticks.’ As a rule, that’s a good thing. The downside is that some have taken only their candy sticks, and thrown most of the rest away. It’s kind of like swallowing a camel and straining a gnat.
- All some want to see in their Bible, are verses on Love.
- Others may only be in search of New Birth scriptures in their Bible.
- Then there are those that are only interested in Holiness subjects
- A few hang up on themes like: Faith, Healing, Miracles, Worship, Prophecy, Divorce, Pastoral Authority, and Prayer, to name a few.
Why not just take it all? Let no one be guilty of only taking the part of the Bible they like, and leaving the rest for others. I am convinced that the Jefferson Bible is alive and well in most Jesus Name Pentecostal churches today.
We easily break fellowship with those who have not cut out the same portions of the Bible that we have.
I submit to every gentle reader, that many are crippling their walk with God because they refuse to take the entire Bible. Do not treat God’s Word like a buffet line, and only choose what you like. Choose it all.
Do You Own A Copy Of The Jefferson Bible?
You’ll Never Be Happy, Until God’s Happy With You!
You’ll Never Be Happy, Until God’s Happy With You!
Almost everyone has laughed and nodded in agreement at the old adage: “If Mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy!” Evidently, we humans can put two and two together and all arrive at that conclusion pretty quick.
Why then can’t we see that if God is not happy with us, we have absolutely no chance of being happy in this life?
Esau never valued his birthright. The covenant relationship with God that he could have inherited from his father, wasn’t worth more than a bowl of beans to him. The writer of Hebrews called Esau a “profane person.”
Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words claims one of the definitions for “profane” is “common.” In other words, Esau treated the birthright as commonplace, or as if it was nothing special. Imagine God’s displeasure when He saw how little Esau valued a Divine relationship.
Yes, Esau tried to fix everything with God, later. But the Lord would have nothing to do with him. When Esau sought for a place of repentance, God never let him repent. When he cried tears of regret and sorrow for his actions, God still rejected him. God wasn’t happy, so Esau died an unhappy man.
Remember this Scripture?
Psalm 119:165 Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.
Look at that verse again!
Great peace! When God is happy with you, He’ll give you not just peace, but Great peace. Without peace, there will never be lasting happiness in your life.
How is Great peace achieved? It comes when we fall in love with the law. It comes when we fall in love with His Word, His ways, and His precepts.
It boils down to this… If you fall in love with His Word, (His law), He gets happy. He gets happy enough to give you Great peace in your life. When you get Great peace in your life, you’ll be HAPPY!
You’ll Never Be Happy, Until God’s Happy With You!
Some Did, Some Didn’t
Some Did, Some Didn’t
Fall is a beautiful time in Indiana. The farmers have little roadside vegetable stands set up that stay busy with city slicker customers looking for fresh produce.
By this time of year, most crops have already been harvested. Well, except for maybe soybeans, pumpkins and the field corn.
The average crop of field corn is beautiful when it is harvested. Trucks can be seen hauling the yellow corn to the ethanol plants and to the local Co-op.
For the most part, all the ears of corn look very much alike. But what catches the eye, are the ears of corn that don’t look like the others. Some cobs are full with golden kernels; others are not. There are ears of corn of varied lengths and descriptions. In every truck load.
What these ears of field corn have in common, is that:
- They all were planted by the same farmer.
- They all were purchased at the same feed store.
- They all were planted in the same field.
- They all received the same amount of fertilizer.
- They all received the same amount of sunshine.
- They all received the same amount of rain.
- They all received the same amount of wind.
- They all received the same amount of weeding.
- They all received the same amount of irrigation.
- They were all planted the same day.
- They were all harvested the same day.
- They didn’t all turn out the same.
- Why?
Was it difference the farmer’s fault? Was the problem with the seed, or was it the soil? I’ll never know. The harvest shows the disparity of each ear.
There is another harvest that comes to mind. That one is a Harvest of Souls.
Apostolic churches are beautiful in spirit and worship. They are lovely in holiness and truth. Their love and fervor for the name of Jesus is without equal.
Yet, not every church member looks and acts the same. Here and there exceptions are found in every congregation.
- Some don’t pray like the rest.
- Some don’t worship like the rest
- Some don’t pay tithe like the rest.
- Some won’t dress like the rest.
- Some won’t live like the rest.
- Some won’t be faithful like the rest.
- Some won’t witness like the rest.
- Some don’t love holiness like the rest.
- Some won’t obey God’s Word like the rest.
- Why?
What made them different from all the others? How come others connected with God, the church and the pastor and they didn’t? I can’t answer that, and you may not be able to either.
- They all went to the same church.
- They all sang the same songs.
- They all prayed at the same time.
- They all had the same pastor.
- They all heard the same sermon.
- They all received the same encouragement.
- They all received the same correction.
- They all were given the same love.
- They all were given the same hope.
- They all attended the same revivals
- They all came forward to pray at the end of the service.
Yet some got on fire, and others did not. Some submitted to God, and others did not. Some got a good experience of the Holy Ghost, and others… who knows?
Some lived a life of carefulness. Others did not. Some looked godly. Others did not. Some dressed modestly. Others did not. Some knew God. Others… who knows?
Some women had uncut hair. Others did not. Some men were clean-shaven. Others were not. Some always said ‘Amen”. Others did not. Some had a fiery testimony. Others did not.
Some day, some will hear Him say, “Well done thou good and faithful servant.” Others may not.
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 