Archive for the ‘Pastors’ Category
Don’t Bother Praying? Yes, You Heard Me Right… Don’t Bother Praying!
Don’t Bother Praying? Yes, You Heard Me Right…
Don’t Bother Praying!
The Holy Scriptures screams the need for us all to pray. The Apostle Paul even said for us to pray without ceasing. Every pastor encourages his listeners to pray. I certainly agree with the admonition.
- Yes, we know that God is a prayer-answering God!
- He specializes in responding to our needs.
- He specializes in healing our bodies and saving our souls.
- He will hear a sinner’s prayer of repentance.
- He answers all prayers for deliverance, forgiveness, and salvation.
- He encourages us to just to ask, and He says, it shall be given.
But, There Are Times, When The Lord Tells Us It Won’t Do Any Good To Pray!
(Yes, You’ve Read That Last Sentence Right!)
1.) God Will Not Choose To Ignore Your Sinning, And Bless You Anyway…
Don’t Bother Praying!
Isa 59:1 Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:
Isa 59:2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.
Those who think they can continually gratify their fleshly lusts and ignore God’s Word when they pray are only fooling themselves. God is not in the mood to listen to them. Be warned.
2.) If You Still Want To Hang On To Your Sin…
Don’t Bother Praying!
Psa. 66:18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:
(NLT) – Psa. 66:18 18 If I had not confessed the sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.
(ESV) – Psa. 66:18 If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.
3.) If You Refuse To Receive Instruction From God’s Word…
(Saying you’re not convicted, e.g.)
Don’t Bother Praying!
Proverbs 28:9 He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.
4.) When You Ask For What You’ve No Right To Ask For.
Don’t Bother Praying!
James 4:3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.
(The Message) – James 4:3 And why not? Because you know you’d be asking for what you have no right to. You’re spoiled children, each wanting your own way.
5.) If You’re Guilty Of Destroying God’s Men And His Saints With The Sword Of Your Tongue, And With Your Railing…
Don’t Bother Praying!
Isa 1:15 And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.
6.) When You Mistreat Your Wife…
Don’t Bother Praying!
1 Peter 3:7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
(NCV) 1 Peter 3:7 …do this so that nothing will stop your prayers.
(The Message) 1 Peter 3:7 …so your prayers don’t run aground.
Every husband must show his wife honor and respect her at all times. If he doesn’t, there is no need for him to bother God by trying to pray. God already has said He chooses not to listen to that man when he prays. No matter who he is.
A man who abandons his wife and family needs to remember that the only prayer God will entertain from him is one of true and complete repentance. He also owes the same repentance to his wife and family.
Sir: Don’t Make God Place A ‘Do Not Answer” Stamp On Your Prayer Request.
7.) If Your Refuse To Forgive
Don’t Bother Praying!
Mat 6:15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
- God hears the prayer of the humble.
- God hears the prayer of the repentant.
- God hears the prayer of the submissive.
- God hears the prayer of the obedient.
- God hears the prayer of those hungry for Him.
May We All Pray Prayers That God Will Hear!
So, When Do The Servers Eat?
So, When Do The Servers Eat?
Imagine Being In A Restaurant.
In the restaurant, we eat and enjoy our wonderful meal. We love being pampered and catered to. We are made to completely enjoy the experience… because of the servers. But, when do they ever get to eat? They just stay busy serving.
Imagine Being In Church.
- In church, we enjoy the worship,
- We enjoy the song service,
- We enjoy the talented musicians,
- We enjoy the multimedia,
- We enjoy the songs and scriptures up on the big screen,
- And, we enjoy the clear crisp sound of every amplified voice.
- We are made to completely enjoy the experience… because of the servers.
- But when do they get to eat?
- They are so busy serving us that they don’t stop to eat when everyone else eats.
When Do The Musicians Get To Sing?
- How long do they have to go without worship?
- How long can their spiritual man survive without food?
How About The People In The Sound Booth?
- Do those involved in multimedia ever get a chance to get blessed?
- Are they restricted from raising their hands?
- Are they so techie and committed to media and sound excellence, that there is no room for worship?
- Is it improper for them to say, ‘Amen” while in the sound booth?
What About The Preachers On The Platform?
When Do The Servers In God’s House Get To Eat What Everyone Else Gets To Eat?
- How long can you go without a blessing?
- How long?
- Has anyone noticed that worship from many of our musicians, multimedia/sound techs, and most of the platform is almost non-existent?
Haven’t they heard that worship is everyone’s business?
- Worship is everyone’s duty!
- Worship is everyone’s privilege!
- No one is exempt!
It would almost appear, that those who have chosen to be in the sound booth and stay there without any response to worship, prayer, or to the preaching… are not showing any signs of a spiritual life.
One might think they have more knowledge of technical stuff in their heads than they have knowledge of God in their hearts.
How can you play an instrument unto the Lord, and you feel anything?
How can you as a minister request the saints to really worship the Lord, and yet you don’t set the example?
If David the King, could take off his golden crown and dance before the ark, why can’t we all take off the golden crown that represents our little office, and dance like David?
- Am I being harsh, or unfair? No doubt. (I won’t even defend myself.)
- I am a preacher. When do I get to partake and enjoy a worship service? (I’ve got to eat too!)
- I am a musician. When do I get to lay my guitar down? When do I get to shout? (I’ve got to eat too!)
I am somewhat of a nerd. I’ve installed sound equipment and set up computers in a number of churches and ran their multimedia for them. When do I get to come out of the sound booth and praise the Lord? (I’ve got to eat too!)
- Never let your office or job put you in a position to stop rejoicing in the Lord.
- Never think worship and responding to His presence is beneath you.
- Never stop responding to preaching, no matter where you are seated in the church.
Is it just the carnal people who volunteer run the multimedia? Or do worshippers still exist back there too?
Is it the mindset of musicians to stay so focused on showcasing their talent that… that’s all it is? Or do worshippers still exist up there too?
Is it the attitude of ministry that they are so deep into the Word, that any demonstration is beneath them? Or do worshippers still exist there too?
I have no answers.
I only have one question.
When Do The Servers Eat?
The Deadliest Plague Of All
The Deadliest Plague Of All
Some Of The World’s Worst Plagues
- The Back Plague – 375 Mil.
- Influenza – largest killer in USA – 50 Mil.
- Plague of Justinian – 25 Mil.
- Plague of Athens – killed 1/3 of population
- 3rd Pandemic of Bubonic- 60,000 a week
- Cholera – 120,000 per day. 3.5Mil cases yr.
- SARS – Global Threat #7
- Malaria – 660,000 per day
- Smallpox – 500 Mil.
The Worst Plague In The Church!
- Not Adultery
- Not Worldliness
- Not Rebellion
The Worst Plague In The Church Is Gossip!
- Gossip Def: Speaking negative about a person not present.
- (Speaking negative with them present not good either.)
God’s Law About Hurting Others
Exodus 21:22 If men strive, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart from her, and yet no mischief follow: he shall be surely punished, according as the woman’s husband will lay upon him; and he shall pay as the judges determine.
MSG. Exodus 21:22 “When there’s a fight and in the fight a pregnant woman is hit so that she miscarries but is not otherwise hurt, the one responsible has to pay whatever the husband demands in compensation.
- If the Church is God’s Bride, and Spiritual babies are about to be born…
- Imagine the Father’s reaction when church folks get into a big fight and that fight stops Revival.
- Everyone can expect the Father to exact damages.
- He will exact damages. If not now, He will in the Judgment.
Know When To Keep Your Mouth Shut!
Proverbs 21:23 Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
In the Heat of Anger – It’s A Good Time To Keep Your Mouth Shut!
Psalm 116:11 I said in my haste, All men are liars.
When You Don’t Have All The Facts – It’s A Good Time To Keep Your Mouth Shut!
Proverbs 18:13 He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.
If Your Words Make Your Family, Friends or Church Look Bad – It’s A Good Time To Keep Your Mouth Shut!
James 3:6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
If You Think You Might Regret Your Words Later – It’s A Good Time To Keep Your Mouth Shut!
Proverbs 6:2 Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth.
Proverbs 14:1 Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.
When You Are Tempted To Tell Something That May Not Be 100% True – It’s A Good Time To Keep Your Mouth Shut!
Revelation 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
Proverbs 6:16 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
Proverbs 6:17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
Proverbs 6:18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
Proverbs 6:19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.
- A talebearer has no place in God’s Favor!
- It violates God’s Law and Commandment – “Do unto Others”
- Love thinks no evil.
- Speech that tears people down, travels like wildfire. Good news goes at a snail’s pace.
- Sowing discord is hellish.
- It’s from the pit.
- It’s from Satan himself.
- Is it your intention to destroy?
- They that live by the sword, shall die by the sword.
If Your Words Are Meant To Get Even Or To Give Someone A “Piece Of Your Mind” – It’s A Good Time To Keep Your Mouth Shut!
Proverbs 15:1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
If You Know That What You’re Saying Can Hinder Revival In Your Church – It’s A Good Time To Keep Your Mouth Shut!
Galatians 5:15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.
When The Subject Is None Of Your Business – It’s A Good Time To Keep Your Mouth Shut!
1 Peter 4:15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters.
2 Thessalonians 3:11 For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.
If Your Words Will Damage Another’s Reputation Or Character – It’s A Good Time To Keep Your Mouth Shut!
Proverbs 16:27 An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.
Proverbs 18:8 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
If Your Words Will Damage A Friendship – It’s A Good Time To Keep Your Mouth Shut!
Proverbs 17:9 He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.
Bottom Line:
If you want to gossip and be a talebearer, I can’t help you.
(You don’t even know what spirit ye are of.)
- God may not even try to help you if you don’t want to change.
- He may not even try to save you if you don’t want to change.
- Why would He want that kind of spirit in heaven?
If You Want God To Be Good To You, You Must Be Good To His Children!
- Gossip is a bigger terror and threat to God’s Church than ISIS.
- Gossip is like a hit and run driver.
- Gossip is not much different from a drive-by-shooting.
All We Have Is Our Name.
All We Have Is Our Character and Reputation.
- Gossiper? Did it ever dawn on you that you are a tool of Satan?
- That your every hurtful word is an abomination to God?
How to Stop Gossip?
- Change the subject.
- Say something positive
- Confront the gossip politely. Yet frankly. (“That sounds like gossip to me!”)
- Point out missing info in the story.
- Walk away.
- Turn the gossip into a prayer for the victim.
We All Must Give An Account For Our Every Idle Word.
Matthew 12:36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
In One Church That I Know:
If You Commit Moral Sin…
- The Pastor tries to be patient and merciful.
But If You Gossip And Don’t Stop After First Or Second Admonition,
- You are no longer welcome.
Gossip Against A Minister.
1 Timothy 5:19 Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.
- Against A Minister, receive not an accusation – (Don’t listen to the accusation)
- There must be at least two actual witnesses before it can be told. That shows respect.
- Why not show your brother in Christ the same respect? Why not two witnesses for him too?
With Gossip:
- Unity is destroyed.
- Revival will stop.
- Friendships are broken.
- Holy Ghost is grieved.
David Protected His Brother’s Inheritance!
1 Samuel 16:11-13
The first mention of David finds him tending sheep. He was the youngest of many brothers. The eldest son received two-thirds of the father’s possessions for his inheritance and the rest divided up the remaining third among themselves.
David was guarding sheep that would never be his. They would wind up being his brother’s sheep. He was in charge of his brother’s inheritance. He was told by the father to guard his brother’s inheritance.
In like manner, we too are guardians of our brother’s inheritance. All your brother has is his good name, (his inheritance) and you are the guardian of that. You may even have to defend it against a lion or a bear.
Remember that you too have a brother whose job it is to defend your good name. You sure want him to do a good job. Why don’t you protect your brother’s inheritance like David did?
Like Yours, Your Brother’s Good Name Is Worth Defending Too!
The Spirit Of The Church Is Worth Saving!
The Deadliest Plague Of All Can Only Be Stopped By You!
Things That Keep An Apostolic Pastor Up At Night
Things That Keep An Apostolic Pastor Up At Night
Being a pastor involves much more than just standing behind the pulpit. As an under-shepherd of the Lord’s flock he has the responsibility of their spiritual protection, feeding, and care. Knowing that some day he must answer to God, a pastor who is according to His heart, strives to be very careful.
A refreshed pastor is more likely to bring a fresh word for his hearers. Tired and burnt-out ones may be happy to just get through the day. That is where a good nights rest is worth its weight in gold.
Sometimes He Wakes Up In The Night And His Mind Won’t Shut Back Down.
- That’s when his sleep is gone.
- That’s when he worries.
- That’s when he tosses and turns.
- That’s when he is desperate for the answer from God about what to do.
- That’s when his wife has her sleep disturbed.
- That’s when he has to get up and go into another room.
So, What Keeps Your Pastor Up At Night? What If It Was You?
Is It You Keeping Him Awake?
- Your spiritual condition.
- Your attitude.
- Your critical comments.
- Your withdrawal.
- Your missing church.
- Your bad choices.
- Your disobedience.
- Your playing with fire.
- Your choice of questionable friends.
- Your criticisms of godliness and standards.
- Your lack of prayer.
- Your lack of worship.
- Your leaving immediately after church.
- Your giving money to everything but God.
- Your refusal to pay tithes.
- Your unresponsiveness to preaching.
- Your lack of involvement to church functions and workdays.
- Your influence on others.
- Your marriage problems.
Is It The Lack Of Money For The Church?
- Church payments coming due, knowing his name is on the line.
- The utility bills.
- How to pay the evangelist.
- Wondering why all the saints won’t pay tithes.
Is It The Lack Of Money For Himself?
- Deciding whether to get a second job or resign.
- Wondering how he will be able to pay his bills.
Is It The Consequences Of Preaching Holiness?
- What will happen if he preaches holiness from the pulpit?
- What will happen if he enforces it?
- What will happen if he doesn’t?
- Why would people who want the Holy Ghost not want to be holy?
Is It Staff Members Who Are Out Of Line?
- They are unproductive.
- They have to be told what to do continually and followed up on.
- They mainly create more problems than they do good.
- They think they own the position.
- They think they are the steward of the church finances and not the pastor.
- They divulge sensitive information to others.
- They will get hurt and offended if replaced.
Is It The Church Members Who Leave?
- Every pastor asks himself what else could he have done?
- Every pastor takes it personal.
- Every pastor wonders who will go with them.
Is It Church Members Who Are Offended?
- Those who wont stop fighting.
- Those who are habitually offended.
- Those who stay home to show their disapproval.
Is It Trying To Pastor A Church That Resists Revival?
- A church that is content with church as usual and will not push itself toward revival.
- A church that has lost a spirit of prayer.
- A church that lost its spirit of worship.
- A church that lets the praise singers do the worship for them.
- A church that lets the same six or seven worship in the audience.
- A church that won’t witness.
- A church that is cliquish.
- A church that won’t rally behind the pastor.
- A church that never catches the pastor’s vision.
- A church that is dead.
Things You Can Do To Help Your Pastor Sleep Better At Night!
- Pray through.
- Love your brother.
- Pay your tithes.
- Worship with all your heart.
- Come early for prayer.
- Get involved in church.
- Become a soul winner.
- Make yourself available.
- Give your heart to God.
- Give your hand to your pastor.
- Verbalize your support to him.
- Tell him you love him, and then show it.
- Pray for him.
We Will Adjust To Your Lifestyle
We Will Adjust To Your Lifestyle
The dietary nurse stood beside my Memphis hospital bed with a clipboard in her hand. I was confident that I already knew the speech she was about to give me. I’d heard it almost seven years earlier, the first time I had gotten blood clots.
“Is this the Anti-Vitamin K speech?” I asked her, expecting that I would not be able to eat anything green as long I was on the Coumadin blood thinner again. Nothing green had entered my mouth in over a year during my first bout with blood clots.
“Oh No!” she responded with enthusiasm.
“We don’t do it that way any more. We now adjust the medicine to fit your lifestyle. We’ve had too many complaints from our patients. They didn’t want to change, so we changed. They didn’t want to change how they ate. That’s why we changed our approach to the treatment of blood clots. We now tell the patient to keep eating like they always have and we will adjust the medicine to suit them.” She said this with a big smile, feeling certain I would share her enthusiasm.
“Really?” I said with my eyebrows raised in surprise.
“Yes,” she said. “For example, if you eat two helpings of turnip greens this week, then just eat two helpings of turnip greens next week too. Keep on living like you always have and we will adjust the meds to adapt to your lifestyle.”
I looked at her not believing my ears. I remembered the many monthly trips I had made to medical labs around the country to let them draw my blood for a PT-INR test. The results were faxed to my doctor so he could check up on my dietary compliance.
She smiled and assured me that I now could have all the salads, green beans, and broccoli I wanted. This news was unreal. The doctor would adjust the medicine to accommodate me. I wasn’t going to be required to change. The doctor and the medication would have to change, but not me. I could live like I always had.
My mind went back to the incident Bro. Wayne Huntley experienced with his heart some years ago. When he returned for his check up one year later, the doctor congratulated him and said, “Most of the patients like you do not make it to their first year check up because they refuse to change their diet. You’ve changed how you live, that’s why you are still here.”
Gentle Reader? The reason you got sick in the first place was because of how you were living, and now you say you want to be healed but aren’t willing to change? Oh my!
What was I missing? Doctors once required their patients to change and adjust their lifestyle, but not any more? Some tell me it’s progressive thinking. But then again, that is the spirit and mindset of the end times, especially for the church.
Evidently, not many want to change their lifestyle to live for Jesus. Over a hundred years ago church folk sang songs like:
Leaving All to Follow Jesus
Ida M. Budd, 1898
Leaving all to follow Jesus,
Turning from the world away,
Stepping out upon the promise,
All I have is His today.
Refrain:
Leaving all to follow Jesus,
Turning from the world away,
Stepping out upon His promise,
All I have is His today.
Some folks don’t want to give up much anymore to live for God. There are women who say they are Pentecostal but still wear their flashy jewelry and make up. They certainly want to wear their tight pants. Even if God did say it was an abomination, it doesn’t bother them. They will not change. They want the preacher to adjust his doctrine and standards to suit their lifestyle while they keep on wearing their skinny short skirts and other immodest apparel. Holiness is distasteful to them.
What do the preachers do about it? Not much as a rule. A surprising number of Pentecostal pastors are presenting the Gospel of Christ in much the same way as my dietary nurse. Pastors who are people pleasers are not God pleasers. The Scripture calls them ‘hirelings’. They are pastors who are not real shepherds. They are employees of the people, nothing more. The wishes of people govern their form of the Gospel, (Which is not a Gospel.) They are truly Laodicean.
Rev 3:14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
Rev 3:15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
Rev 3:16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
Rev 3:17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
Rev 3:18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
To understand the meaning of the word ‘Laodicean,’ and why it is used in this passage, examine the Greek root words from which it is derived: Laos (Strong’s #2992, meaning ‘people’) and Dike (Strong’s #1349), meaning ‘principle, decision’. Laodiceans trusted in their own ability to rule themselves, judging and deciding matters while disregarding Christ and His rule in the Church. The people wanted to rule the church. They didn’t want a pastor who was a God-called pastor to lead them. But, that is really nothing new. The same problem existed in the Old Testament.
Isa 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:
Oh yes! Some like their modern churches with their hireling pastors because no inward or outward change is required. (Just put your money in the basket.)
On The Other Hand, The Bible Is Full Of Examples Of Men Changing:
Luke 9:23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
2Cor 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
The Rich Young Ruler didn’t want to change.
Ruth was willing to change.
No one in God’s Kingdom will ever be healed of sin until they are willing to change. Even before the Holy Ghost was given, Jesus continually reminded those He healed to go their way and sin no more. He told them to change.
Obedience Always Brings Change.
Arguments Come From The Disobedient Attempting To Defend Themself.
The reason you argue about Holiness is because you don’t want to change your way of living. You want to find a church that will preach a message that comfortably conforms to how you want to live, and you will.
Don’t tell me you are not convicted by what is written in the Bible. Don’t even say you’ve prayed about it and don’t feel it’s necessary to obey. If it’s in the Bible, believe it and obey it!
Men change, fellowships and organizations change. Denominations change. God’s Word NEVER changes. The very fact that your hireling pastor won’t preach and enforce God’s Word should be enough to keep you up at night. How can you stay in a church with a compromising pastor and a worldly congregation who like it like that?
In the Old Testament, Israel never argued about God’s Holiness requirements. They just obeyed. On the Day of Pentecost no one argued about the need of Jesus Name baptism or the need of the Holy Ghost. They just repented, got baptized in Jesus Name and were filled with the Holy Ghost.
Paul changed every day. (1Co 15:31… I die daily.)
The High School Driving Instructor taught my class, in 1960, that the average driver makes approximately sixty corrections or adjustments per minute while driving. What if they didn’t make any changes or adjustments?
When a couple marries they must make adjustments and changes, those who refuse will likely divorce.
If someone wanted to play on the football team, they must be willing to change their life to reach that goal. If they don’t change, they won’t make the team. Yet, in living for God, with Heaven in view, we foolishly refuse to change. Why?
So You Want To Be Your Own Pastor?
So You Want To Be Your Own Pastor?
Some Have Tried To Be Their Own Lawyer, By Defending Themselves In Court.
- There’s an old adage: “A man who is his own lawyer has a fool for a client.”
- We have often laughed or shaken our heads in disbelief at such people.
Some Have Tried To Be Their Own Doctor, And Operate On Themselves
Dr. Leonid Rogozov cut out his own appendix.
http://www.southpolestation.com/trivia/igy1/appendix.html
Johannes Lethaeus had a kidney stone the size of a hen’s egg and could not pass it. He got his brother to hand him a knife and he sliced himself open to remove the stone.
- We have often cringed or shaken our head sin disbelief at such people.
Some Have Tried To Be Their Own Dentist, By Pulling Their Own Teeth.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1135582/Man-pulls-13-teeth-pliers-NHS-dentist.html
- Some pull their own teeth
- A few have tried to fill their own cavities.
- There are reports of others making their own braces.
- We have often cringed or shaken our head sin disbelief at them as well.
Some Try To Be Their Own Pastor
- “A man who is his own pastor has a fool for a saint.” – MJB
- Why would we expect people to respect and honor such behavior?
Jude 11 Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.
Jude 12 These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;
Jude 13 Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.
Thayer Lexicon: poimainō ποιμαίνω
- To feed, to tend a flock, keep sheep
- To rule, govern
- To supply the requisites for the soul’s need
Feeding Themselves Literally Means, “Pastoring Themselves” – (Without Fear)
- Feeding themselves without fear.
- No fear! That alone amazes and scares me.
- Not willing to be pastored by anyone.
- Refusing to submit.
- Unwilling to obey.
- Believe they know best for their own soul.
- Remember, they’re pastoring themselves without fear!
Some Even Sit In Church And Refuse To Receive The Preached Word.
- They hear but they are not doers.
- They hear but they are not convicted or convinced.
- They feel what the pastor said was unnecessary for them to obey or comply.
- They attend church but never change their heart, their mind or their life.
- They drag their feet when it comes to submission.
- Remember, they’re pastoring themselves without fear!
Others Quit The Local Church And Start Having Church In Their Own Home.
- They want to do it their way own way.
- They fearlessly start their own church.
- They feel competent to interpret the Bible for themselves.
- They take their family with them to the very brink of destruction.
- They rejoice in their newfound freedom and liberty while doing so.
- Remember, they’re pastoring themselves without fear!
Both types of individuals are so foolish and Biblically ignorant that they never understand they cannot be saved without a God called Pastor in their life.
Some day their Pastor will have to stand before God and give an account of their obedience, and their submission before the Great White Throne Judgment.
- You will not be able to represent yourself before the Throne of God.
- Your pastor is going to be the one God asks that question to, not you.
- His opinion and report of your conduct while under his pastorship will be most important to God.
You may leave your pastor and go elsewhere thinking you are free. But you are not. You quite possibly have left a trail of evidence behind you that will incriminate you on that day. What report the pastor gives to God on Heaven’s witness stand will only fall into two categories, either Joy or Grief.
You may leave your home church because you don’t like the holiness standards or you got crossed up with your pastor. But, remember this, you are still his in the Judgment according to Hebrews 13:17, no matter if you have found another church in the meantime.
Your Pastor will be forced to explain to God that you left because you would not obey or submit.
Hebrews 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.
God Will Ask The Pastor.
- “Did they obey?”
- “Did they submit?”
Understand That It Is Possible To Obey Without Submitting. But One Cannot Submit Without Obeying.
- Go ahead and sit in church all rebellious and come when you want to.
- Lay out of church when you want. Remember, you’re fearless
- Withhold your tithes as a protest to your Pastor.
- Stay home and read your Bible and have your own devotions at home instead of going to church.
- Keep your family home with you. Remember, you’re fearless.
- The scriptures already spoke that people would be foolish just like you.
- Remember, you’re pastoring yourself without fear!
Jude 12 These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear:
- Your spirit of trying to pastor yourself and make your own eternal decisions just got you included in Heaven’s Hall Of Shame along with Balaam and Korah.
- You are no different in God’s eyes.
- Was submission such a big issue for you that you took your soul in your own hands and willingly gambled on your eternity?
- Nothing could be sadder for you.
There Are Those Who Say They Left Because They Are Not Being Fed. Some Continue To Come To Church And Make The Same Claim.
- If I were you I would be embarrassed to admit I was not being fed. Here’s why.
- Isa 1:19 If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:
- Isa 1:20 But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.
- Only the willing and obedient are eating the good of the land.
- Unwillingness and disobedience will keep you at arms length from the blessings of the Lord every time.
The Old Testament Refers Those Who Pastor Themselves As Backslidden.
Prov. 14:14 The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself.
Prov. 21:2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.
The actual chance of someone who has become their own pastor and ever resubmitting themselves to God’s Word and God’s man again is not very good.
- Can such a person repent? Sure.
- Will they ever come to themselves and repent? Not likely if we are to go by all the others we have seen.
- Remember, they’re pastoring themselves without fear!
When Someone Rebels Against God’s Word And His Plans For Our Lives, It Is Seldom That We See Such A One Recover.
- Do we try and talk to them when we see them make bad decisions? Yes.
- Do we pray for them? Sure.
- Do we fellowship them after they leave? Not if they have talked against the pastor or the church.
1Co 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.
- Railer: Noun. One who rails; one who scoffs, insults, censures, or reproaches.
If I were a saint who tried to pastor myself, knowingly or not, I would repent before God and ask Him to restore the Fear of the Lord back into my heart.
I would repent to my Pastor and ask him if I could resubmit myself.
If I was having my own church at home and pastoring myself, I would repent to God and realize God would never advise me to go against what is already written in His Word.
I would close up my ‘self’ church. And repent to my spouse and family. I would go back to my local church where God had placed me. I would repent to the pastor and the church family. I would pledge my obedience and submission. I would plead with the pastor to give me the honor of coming home.
This blog today was not written to invite bad stories about pastors, but rather is a warning to those who choose to become their own priest.
The coming of the Lord is nigh at hand. May His coming not find any of us living in a fearless manner.
I’ll Ask The Question Again… “Do You Want To Be Your Own Pastor?”
Surely Not! Your Precious Family Deserves Better!
The Devil’s Got A Plan For You That Just Might Work …If You Let It.
The Devil’s Got A Plan For You That Just Might Work …If You Let It.
Jesus Told Peter That Satan Desired To Sift Him As Wheat.
Luke 22:31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
Luke 22:32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
- Satan desires to do the same to you.
He Plans To Intimidate You And Ravage You Just Like A Roaring Lion Does.
1Pe 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
Surely You Are Aware Of His Plan.
2Cor. 2:11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.
God’s Got A Plan To Help You Resist The Devil.
James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
- First, submit yourself to God, then resist the devil and he will flee.
The Devil Can’t Do Anything To You That You Don’t Allow Him To Because Greater Is He That Is Within You Than He That Is In The World.
1John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
My Father, Carl Ballestero Used To Say:
“The Devil’s Got A Plan To Get You To Backslide!
He has a One Day Plan to make you backslide. If that doesn’t work…
He has a One Week Plan to make you backslide. If that doesn’t work…
He has a One Month Plan to make you backslide. If that doesn’t work…
He has a One Year Plan to make you backslide. If that doesn’t work…
He has a Five Year Plan to make you backslide. If that doesn’t work…
He has a Ten Year Plan to make you backslide. If that doesn’t work…
He has a Twenty Year Plan to make you backslide. If that doesn’t work…
He has a Life Time Plan to make you backslide.”
To Every Teenager.
Young Man? He’s got a plan to find you a sinner girlfriend.
Young Lady? He’s got a plan to find you a sinner boyfriend.
He’s got a plan to find you a spouse that will destroy you spiritually.
He’s got a plan to make you dress like the world.
He’s got a plan to make you live like the world.
He’s got a plan to involve you in worldly sports and amusements.
He’s got a plan to surround you with improper music.
He’s got a plan to find you a job that will keep you out of church.
He’s got a plan to make you sink lower than you ever dreamed you would.
He’s got a plan to get you addicted to drugs, nicotine and alcohol.
He’s got a plan to load you down with condemnation.
He’s got a plan to overwhelm you with shame.
He’s got a plan to connect you to sinful people.
He’s got a plan to introduce you to porn.
He’s got a plan to make you lose your purity.
He’s got a plan to make you think your best friends are in the world, and not in the church.
The Devil’s Got A Plan For You That Just Might Work …If You Let It.
To Every Child Of God.
The devil plans to make you feel offended and hurt.
The devil plans to make you jealous.
The devil plans to stop your prayer life.
The devil plans to defeat you.
The devil plans to make you fail.
The devil plans to make you sell your birthright.
The devil plans to make you feel there is no hope for you.
The devil plans to make you throw this Holy Ghost experience away.
The devil plans to make you want to quit church.
The devil plans to put you at odds with the pastor.
The devil plans to make you bitter.
The devil plans to take you as low as you will let him.
The devil plans to make you waste every talent God has given you.
The devil plans to curse your life.
The devil plans to make you swallow a camel and strain a gnat.
The devil plans to make you find the mote in others eyes and ignore the beam in your own.
The devil plans to make you look for hypocrites in the church.
The devil plans to let you be disappointed by men’s failures.
The devil plans to make you quit paying tithes.
The devil plans to make you offended.
The devil plans to make you miss church.
The devil plans to make you withdraw from godly fellowship.
The devil plans to make you a bitter person.
The devil plans to make you hate holiness.
The devil plans to make you mess up your marriage.
The devil plans to make you stop worshiping.
The devil plans to make you dislike preachers who tell you the truth.
The devil plans to make you resist all Holiness preaching.
The devil plans to make you consider doctrine a boring subject.
The devil plans to make Hollywood more attractive to you than the church.
The devil plans to make you immoral.
The devil plans to make you justify your wrong living.
The devil plans to make you love making money more than you love church.
The devil plans to make you love pleasure, more than you love God.
The devil plans to make you question God.
The devil plans to make you mad when the preacher says anything that challenges what your family or friends are doing.
The devil plans to make you lukewarm.
The devil plans to make you happy with dead worship services.
The devil plans to let you feel comfortable in quiet prayer rooms.
The devil plans to make you talk against the pastor in front of your children.
The devil plans to make you question every standard.
The devil plans to make you comfortable trying to get by just doing the minimum.
The devil plans to make you part of the spirit of Laodicea.
The devil plans to make you feel uncomfortable with other cultures in your congregation.
The devil plans to make you prejudiced.
The devil plans to make you only knock on doors in certain areas of town during outreach.
The devil plans to make you feel your culture is superior to all others.
The devil plans to destroy unity in your church.
The Devil’s Got A Plan For You That Just Might Work …If You Let It.
To Every Preacher.
He plans to mess you up with false doctrine.
He plans to destroy your ministry with women.
He plans to ruin you with improper use of money.
He plans to sidetrack your ministry in search of popularity.
He plans to make you preach that the new ways are better than the old paths.
He plans to make to you compromise.
He plans to make you quiet about sin.
He plans to make you afraid to preach holiness and separation from the world.
He plans to make you a hireling.
He plans to make you preach only pop-psychology sermons.
He plans to make you think you are right and everyone else is wrong.
He plans to make you focus on pleasing men and not God.
The Devil’s Got A Plan For You That Just Might Work …If You Let It.
To Every Seeker.
The devil plans to blind your eyes and keep you from recognizing truth.
The devil plans to make you think all churches lead to heaven.
The devil plans to make you think the day of Pentecost experience is not for you.
The devil plans to make you resist baptism in Jesus name.
The devil plans to make you justify your lifestyle.
The devil plans to make you think that God’s love accepts of your lifestyle.
The devil plans to make you believe false doctrines rather than the truth.
The devil plans to make you believe there is a trinity rather than just one God.
The devil plans to try to make you rebel against truth.
The devil plans to make you believe that God is only a God of mercy.
The devil plans to make you think God only looks on the heart and completely ignores the outside.
The devil plans to let you see what he thinks is the worst in every good church you attend.
The Devil’s Got A Plan For You That Just Might Work …If You Let It.
To Every Backslider
Are you even looking at what the devil is doing to your life?
The prodigal son did.
That’s when he came to himself.
That’s when he got up and walked away from sin’s pigpen.
That’s when he came back home and repented to his father.
That’s when the father ran to meet him and forgave him.
He’s your father too and He’s waiting for you to come to yourself!
So, What Are You Waiting For?
Luke 15:17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!
Luke 15:18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
Luke 15:19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
Luke 15:20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
Luke 15:21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.
Luke 15:22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:
Luke 15:23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:
Luke 15:24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
The Devil’s Got A Plan For You That Just Might Work …If You Let It.
Don’t Let It!
YES, Is The Answer. Now, What Is The Question?
YES, Is The Answer. Now, What Is The Question?
A fast food chain currently uses this for a slogan. It’s nothing new, really. Actually it’s been around for thousands of years. God’s blessed people have always lived with this mindset.
The willingness to do whatever God requests is a trait that will not only save and bless us, but also keep us saved and blessed. Most Pentecostals are familiar with the words of the song that says, “Yes Lord. Yes Lord. From the bottom of my heart to the depths of my soul, Yes Lord…”
Remember singing that song and feeling the sweet presence of the Lord sweep over you? Remember too the old-timers singing, “Is Your All On The Altar?”
There’s a reason for that. A very good reason. God blesses willingness and submission.
Ezra And The Willing People
Neh 8:1 And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street that was before the water gate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded to Israel.
- Notice the spirit of unity. They gathered as one.
- They requested that the scribe Ezra bring the book of the law and read it to them.
- They wanted to hear the law.
Neh 8:2 And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month.
Neh 8:3 And he read therein before the street that was before the water gate from the morning until midday, before the men and the women, and those that could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law.
- Everyone old enough to understand came.
- Ezra read from morning until midday
Neh 8:5 And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people; (for he was above all the people;) and when he opened it, all the people stood up:
Neh 8:6 And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped the LORD with their faces to the ground.
- Ezra opened the book.
- The people stood up in reverence.
- Ezra blessed the Lord
- The People raised their hands and said, Amen, Amen
- They said Amen before the law was read.
- Then the bowed their heads to the ground and worshipped.
They Were So Hungry To Hear The Word Of The Lord That They All Said Amen Before They Heard What The Law Told Them To Do.
It’s not uncommon to see new converts who have experienced the joys of repentance, baptism in Jesus Name, and the infilling of the Holy Ghost speaking in tongues ask the pastor, “Now, tell me what I need to do.”
Remember Praying Like This?
- I’ll do what you want me to do.
- I say what you want me to say.
- I’ll go where you want me to go.
- I’ll be what you want me to be.
Most young people in my generation never knew it was OK to say no at church. When we were asked to do something like,
- Teach a Sunday School Class,
- Sing a special song,
- Play an instrument,
- Testify,
- Go on visitation,
- Usher,
- Clean the church
- Give a sermonette
- Or whatever,
We just said knew ahead of time that we would say yes.
Mary
Mary the mother of Jesus even told the servants at the Wedding in Cana, that whatever Jesus asked them to do, do it.
Samuel
Little Samuel had the willingness to do whatever was requested and ran to do the bidding of Eli not knowing that it was the Lord speaking to him.
Rebecca
Rebecca was so willing to serve the stranger with camels that she not only offered to water them but also ran to do her duty.
God has always looked for willingness in his people. Those who choose to say no to Him, don’t seem to last long or be used in His Kingdom.
How Did The Spirit Of Questioning Everything Get Into The Church?
- Some read the scripture and say they are not convicted.
- Some read the scriptures and say they do not apply to us.
- Some hear preaching and are not receptive at all.
- Others choose to read only scriptures that speak of blessings and miracles.
- They reject anything that looks like doctrine
- They say no to the word holiness.
- They refuse to separate themselves from the world.
God’s First Principle Of Blessing And Growth
Isa 1:19 If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:
Israel Wouldn’t Go Over Into The Promised Land
Deut 1:26 Notwithstanding ye would not go up, but rebelled against the commandment of the LORD your God:
- A whole generation died.
Because You Would Not Be Obedient
Deut 8:18 But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.
Deut 8:19 And it shall be, if thou do at all forget the LORD thy God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day that ye shall surely perish.
Deut 8:20 As the nations which the LORD destroyeth before your face, so shall ye perish; because ye would not be obedient unto the voice of the LORD your God.
Jerusalem Said No To The Messiah
Mat 23:37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!
Israel Said No To The Spiritual Rest
Isa 28:12 To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.
What Makes Some Say No?
Before You Say No To Anything God Asks…
- Ask yourself,
- How does rebellion start?
- What is rebellion?
- Does God view my spirit as rebellious?
- Am I rebellious?
- How do I change?
Changing From Rebellion To Submission Should Be Easy.
- It’s a one-word change.
- What once was a No… change it to a Yes.
Are You Brave Enough To Say, “No” To God?
Me either.
You are free to choose how you wish to respond to God’s call, His wishes and His Word.
But as for me…
YES, Is My Answer. Now, What Is The Question?
Deut 10:12 … what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul,
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 