Archive for the ‘Personal Growth’ Category
Preach Me The Gospel
Preach Me The Gospel
Rom. 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Ours is a day of dilution of sacred truths. The importance of our basic tenets of faith is being challenged. Compromise is seen in every too many areas. Some sermons are not much more than an exercise in Pop-Psychology. Word preaching is non-existent in too many places. Doctrine is scorned by some and called ‘old school.’
It may be ‘old school’ to the compromiser, but doctrinal preachers, believers and practitioners are still here and doing well.
- They are still living ‘the life.’
- They haven’t caved in to compromise and worldliness.
- They were blessed to have heard some old-time Doctrinal messages on the New Birth. They got it in their heart.
- They heard teaching and preaching about Holiness, Separation from the World, Church Government, and Standards. They loved it.
- They were taught why the New Birth was important.
- They were taught why separation from the world was important.
- They were taught why it is important to live holy.
- They were taught why they should worship.
- They were taught why they should be faithful.
- They were taught why they should honor God with their tithes.
- They were taught why they should honor God with their modest apparel.
- They said Amen to the preacher.
- They believed it.
- They received it.
- They got in the Word and the Word got in them.
Some churches, organizations and fellowships have neglected the Word and turned to gimmicks and programs to distract from the obvious void and lack of a move of God.
The lack of Word preaching is evident by what is seen in the lives of many at conferences, camps and rallies. If preachers ‘get what they preach,’ someone must not be preaching very much.
There will always be a constant need to preach on worship. Please do not stop. I fear however, that our heavy emphasis on worship demonstration promotes the belief that our best services are always runaways.
Thank God for a runaway. But to me there is no measure of the lasting blessings the Word has on our lives. A shout can be forgotten. But the engrafted Word can be hidden in the heart until we die.
It is easy for some to jump up and down and run the aisle. Yet these same folks seem lost and uncomfortable in a deep move of God. Why?
Every pastor has seen folks shout in church, and then heard of them sinning before the night was over. They had the ‘physical exercise’ part down. They just didn’t get much on the inside. No root.
Luke 8:13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.
Some pastors only want to teach doctrine (or anything that isn’t evangelistic) in ‘closed door settings’. They must be afraid to stand up and preach it to their whole congregation. The shallowness of church membership today is alarming.
Psa. 119:161 …but my heart standeth in awe of thy word.
Psa. 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus tells a story of two houses. One house was built on the rock. The other was built on the sand. All was well until the storm came. Only the house on the rock remained standing.
Without a solid foundation, we too will fall apart when the storms of worldliness come against the church.
2Chr. 15:3 Now for a long season Israel hath been without the true God, and without a teaching priest, and without law.
God give us a season of the teaching priest. Give us a season of loving thy law.
Paul’s Gospel was the New Birth. The Death, Burial and the Resurrection.
Thank God for preachers who just stand up and preach the Word. Thank God for saints who want to hear preaching. Singing doesn’t save us, preaching does.
The Apostle Paul didn’t say to Timothy, “Discern someone’s phone number, their name or medical condition.” He just said to preach the Word.
Carloads will drive miles to hear a preacher call out folks and pray over them. (I can tell you ahead of time what he will say. He will prophesy blessings, healing and prosperity over those he prays for. He will never discern the sinfulness they are living in.)
The same folks that go gaga over that type of ministry get easily bored listening to a ‘Word’ preacher. Some wouldn’t drive across town to hear him.
Take some advice from an old man. If you are a preacher and have a choice between being a feeder or an exhorter, be a feeder. Because a feeder will build a church.
2Tim. 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
Don’t stop the worship, but at the same time, preach the Word. Keep preaching about Worship, but let Doctrine showcase your ministry.
Preacher, there are still plenty of saints out there that bring their Bibles to church.
There are still plenty of saints that bring a notebook and pen to Church just waiting.
There are still plenty of saints that will readily say, “Preach Me The Gospel.”
Surviving Your Nightmare
Surviving Your Nightmare
Sometimes life doesn’t seem fair. Worse than that, events happen that knock your feet out from under you. The pain is like a nightmare that won’t stop. Thank God we have the Holy Ghost, a church, a pastor, a Bible, family and friends to help us through. Job didn’t.
What happened in the book of Job is hard for human minds to fathom. The book starts out with a special meeting. The sons of God came before the Lord. Satan came also.
The Lord asked Satan where he’d been and what he’d been doing, then the next question He asked was, “What do you think about my servant Job?
Unbeknown to Job, he was God’s favorite person in the whole world. Being God’s favorite has the greatest of benefits. God loved him so much He put a hedge around him.
Satan was sure that Job only served God for the financial blessings. God gave Satan permission to find out for sure.
Satan’s First Day Of Trying To Destroy Job.
Job 1:6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them.
Job 1:7 And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.
Job 1:8 And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?
Job 1:9 Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought?
Job 1:10 Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.
Job 1:11 But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.
Job 1:12 And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.
Satan took Job’s most prized possessions in one day.
- His Beloved Children
- His Herds
- His Wealth
- All Gone in One Day
Satan’s Second Day Of Trying To Destroy Job.
Job 2:1 Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the LORD.
Job 2:2 And the LORD said unto Satan, From whence comest thou? And Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.
Job 2:3 And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause.
Job 2:4 And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life.
Job 2:5 But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face.
Job 2:6 And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life.
Job 2:7 So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown.
Job 2:8 And he took him a potsherd to scrape himself withal; and he sat down among the ashes.
Satan Attacked Job physically. He couldn’t make him curse God by destroying his possessions and his family. He was still reeling from the loss of his children and his financial empire. But Satan wasn’t done. His second attack on Job was physically and emotionally. Physically with the boils, and emotionally with critical ‘friends.’
- Boils
- Critical And Fault Finding Friends
By this time, Job is feeling pain in every part of his body and soul. His own wife pushes him to reject God. She has had it with living for God. Job was not a weak man and would not budge.
He kept trusting God and said, Job 13:15 “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.”
Job vowed to maintain his ways. He promised God he would keep on doing what he’s always been doing… serving the Lord.
In the end, God blessed Job with double what he had before, yes and double the number of children too.
There may be days in your walk with God that you feel what you are going through is an attack from Satan. You may be very well right.
I can only imagine how devastating it is to feel the cold icy hands of Satan trying to destroy you in your labor for the Lord. I am sure it is very easy to focus on the pain he has inflicted upon your life. Pain comes in many forms, such as the loss of finances, the loss of health, the loss of friendships, and the loss of life. It is a very personal nightmare to watch him tear down everything you have built.
On top of all the pain that Satan brings, he will talk trash to your mind as well. He will tell you that you are, “Out of the will of God. God hates you. You have sinned in the past and this is God’s judgment upon you. You are not qualified to be in the work of the Lord. Get out now.”
He will push you to resign whatever office or position you have in the Kingdom of God. He will tell you to withdraw and lick your wounds. He will tell you that you are not loved or appreciated either.
Satan plays dirty. He is not a gentleman. He will kick you when you are down. He did it to Job, and Job didn’t even have the Holy Ghost.
I am not sure that Job even knew he was God’s favorite man in the whole world. I don’t think that he even knew God had his picture hanging on heaven’s wall. Job didn’t know he was heaven most prized earthly possession. All Job knew about was the pain. He hurt so bad, that pain was all he could see.
To those of us today who feel the harshness of Satan’s handiwork in our lives, I wish to remind you of these things:
- Don’t believe Satan’s Lies.
- God does not hate you. In fact He loves you dearly.
- If pain and problems mean you are out of the will of God, then the Apostle Paul never was in the will of God.
- Job was God’s favorite and he still went through this and God brought him out victorious.
- God’s loves you. You enjoy a better relationship with Him than just being on in His list of Favorites, You are His Child.
- He will bring you out victorious, just like He did Job.
- God knows what you are going through. He has not forgotten where you are.
- He will bring you out
- He will give you back all that the enemy has taken from you… and more!
You Are God’s Favorite Child, In Spite Of What Satan Does.
God Has A Hedge Built All Around You.
It’s God Who Is In Control Of Your Situation.
Be Faithful Like Job, And He Will Bring You Through Your Nightmare.
You Will Survive, In Jesus Name!
15 Things To Do In Church Before You Die
15 Things To Do In Church Before You Die
1. Pray
- Pray till you get the absolute Victory.
- Intercede for a lost or wayward soul.
- Let God use you in the Spirit of Travail
- Pray till the Fire falls.
- Pray someone through to the Holy Ghost.
- Pray before church.
- Pray around the altar after church
2. Sing
- Don’t make the Song Leader beg you to sing.
- Don’t let the Praise Singers do your singing.
- Sing till you cry.
- Sing till you shout.
3. Shout
- Dance in the Spirit
- Leap for Joy
- Lead. Be the first one to shout.
- Run the aisles
4. Believe God
- Believe God for a Healing.
- Trust Him to supply your needs.
- Believe Him for a Miracle and see it come to pass.
5. Get ‘Lost in the Spirit’
- Be taken home drunk in the Holy Ghost
6. Witness
- Teach a Home Bible Study
- Win a soul
7. Say Amen
- Say Amen from your heart. Be willing to Obey.
- Stand to you feet and say Amen
- Say Amen from even if you’re the only one.
- Say Amen even when the Scripture or the Preaching touches a sore spot.
8. Give
- Give your last Dollar, if God impresses you to.
- Become faithful in your tithe and offerings
- Give without expecting anything in return.
9. Read
- Read the Bible through.
- Have a daily Scripture reading.
- Get a Revelation of One God.
10. Testify
- Don’t give some narrative about “he said, and I thought to myself.”
- Just brag on Jesus!
11. Fast
- Fast to crucify your flesh.
12. Love Your Brother and Sister
- Prefer them. Put them first
- Let all jealousy die
13. Refuse To Listen to a Rumor
- Tell the talebearer, “I really don’t want to hear this.”
- Refuse to pass a rumor on.
14. Forgive
- Put all your yesterdays behind you.
- Empty yourself of all Bitterness.
- Be merciful.
15. Get the Pastor’s Heartbeat.
- Try to feel what he feels.
- Work with him for Revival.
- Feel the Spirit of Unity
Now, Let’s Have Some ‘Church’ Around Here!
Give God What He Can Bless!
Give God What He Can Bless!
(Give God What He Likes, Give God What He Can Use.)
The song service had been sort of ‘average’. No one shouted. No one cried. We all just sang the songs and then waited for the prayer requests to be received. This Bible Study night was not going to be remembered for its worship service. I had done my best to lead the worship, but I just didn’t flow with the Spirit like I should.
On the way home, Dad said, “Son, have you ever noticed that God never blesses that last chorus you sang tonight?”
“No Sir,” was all I could say.
“If you lead long service in my church, then you need to be aware of what kind of songs God blesses.
“He doesn’t bless songs about ‘us’, He only blesses songs about ‘Him’. His Name, His Power, His Blood, His Love, His Mercy, His Grace. Sing about Him next time and He will bless it.”
“Thanks Dad.” I mumbled apologetically.
That, my gentle reader, is a lesson I never forgot. My Father was teaching me to give God what He could bless.
1. Cain
Cain never caught on to the concept. God was willing to bless a ‘lamb’ sacrifice. But, since Cain was not a sheepherder, but rather a tiller of the soil, he gave God fresh vegetables. God couldn’t bless a radish, an onion or a rutabaga. Blood had to be shed. God was only willing to bless a sacrificed lamb.
Because God ignored Cain’s sacrifice, and accepted Abel’s lamb sacrifice, Cain got mad and killed his brother.
Gen. 4:3 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD.
Gen. 4:4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering:
Gen. 4:5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
- There are some Sacrifices God can’t bless.
- You will be disappointed when God doesn’t bless your sacrifice.
- He can’t bless that which is against His Word or His Will
Some want the Blessings of God regardless of how they have lived. Blessings never come when you starting thinking outside “God’s Box”.
2. Saul
In a spirit of disobedience and arrogance, Saul kept the spoils of war, spared King Agag and offered up a sacrifice. Samuel pronounced the curse of God upon him.
Saul admitted he had sinned; yet he wanted to be blessed in spite on his disobedience. He never understood that obedience was better than sacrifice. Not learning that lesson cost him his kingdom and the blessings of God.
1Sam. 15:30 Then he said, I have sinned: yet honour me now, I pray thee, before the elders of my people, and before Israel, and turn again with me, that I may worship the LORD thy God.
Give God a life that He can bless.
Give him a heart that He can bless.
Give God an attitude He can bless.
If Your Life Is Filled With These, God Can’t Bless It!
- Disobedience
- Bitterness
- Unbelief
- Rebellion
- Unconcern
- Disrespect
- Un-involvement
- Addictions
- Worldliness
- Carnal Lusts
- Sinner Boy Friend or Girl Friend
- Immorality
- Love of the World
- Jealousy
- Hatred
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Our idea of what God will bless, may be different than His.
Samuel – at Jesse’s House. Samuel was willing to anoint Jesse’s older sons to be the next king. God did not like what He saw in their hearts. The lad David was anointed King.
- David’s heart was what God was looking at.
- David had a love for Worship. No one made him praise the Lord.
- David was always quick to repent.
- God can bless that.
Give God What He Can Bless. He will always Bless:
- Submission
- Tenderness
- Obedience
- Faith
- Trust
- Mercy
- Honor
- Sacrifice
- Repentance
- Worship
- Praise
- Brokenness
- Humility
- Modesty
- Holiness
- Willingness
- Hunger
- Prayer Life
- Faithfulness
- Consecration
If you will Humble yourself, pray, seek His face in worship, and quit your sinning, God will hear your prayer, forgive you, and even bless your finances.
2Chr. 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
How bad do you want to be blessed?
Jacob told the Angel that wrestled with him: “I won’t let you go until you bless me.”
When God blesses, He really blesses. He will bless you like this and more besides, if you just give him a life that can be blessed!
Deut. 28:1 And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:
Deut. 28:2 And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.
Deut. 28:3 Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field.
Deut. 28:4 Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep.
Deut. 28:5 Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store.
Deut. 28:6 Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out.
Deut. 28:7 The LORD shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways.
Deut. 28:8 The LORD shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou settest thine hand unto; and he shall bless thee in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
Deut. 28:9 The LORD shall establish thee an holy people unto himself, as he hath sworn unto thee, if thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, and walk in his ways.
Deut. 28:10 And all people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of the LORD; and they shall be afraid of thee.
Deut. 28:11 And the LORD shall make thee plenteous in goods, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy ground, in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers to give thee.
Deut. 28:12 The LORD shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow.
Deut. 28:13 And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the LORD thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them:
You’ll never be blessed living for God ‘Your Way.” God only blesses us when we do things “His Way”! Are you giving God what He can bless?
Building A Nest In The House Of God
Building A Nest In The House Of God
Have you ever needed to escape? Ever gotten weary of dealing with life’s wear and tear? I know just the place for you to go. No, it won’t even cost you any money. You can go by yourself or with the ones you love. I’ve been there and it’s all they ever told me it could be and more besides.
How did I find out about this place? I read about it in a book. Psalms 84 described it to me. I daydreamed about the place and then I went to check it out for myself.
Psalms 84 was actually written to the Chief Musician and was designed especially for the sons of Korah to sing. They were the descendants of the man who rebelled against Moses. It starts out like this:
Psa. 84:1 How amiable are thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts!
- How comfortable
- How likeable
- How lovely
- How beloved
Psa. 84:2 My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.
- My souls longs for His House
- My soul can’t stand to be away from His Courts
Psa. 84:3 Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O LORD of hosts, my King, and my God.
- A nest for the most restless of birds, the swallows.
There Are Five Things That Are Found In The House Of God.
1. Praise – Worship is always resident in His House.
- Psa. 84:4 Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah.
2. Power – His House is where strength is found
- Psa. 84:5 Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them.
- Psa. 84:7 They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God.
3. Prayer – Here is where our prayers get heard.
- Psa. 84:8 O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer: give ear, O God of Jacob. Selah.
4. Protection – We are vulnerable in life. We need Him to be our shield.
- Psa. 84:9 Behold, O God our shield, and look upon the face of thine anointed.
5. Privilege – It’s an honor to just to get to come into His House.
- Psa. 84:10 For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.
- Psa. 84:11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.
- Psa. 84:12 O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.
Although the passage is powerful and beautiful, it brings me to the unanswered question:
Why Do The Swallows Build Their Nests In The House Of The Lord?
1. The nest is a refuge from the storm, a place to hide. It’s a place of safety.
2. It’s for reproduction. The nest is where new life begins.
3. It’s for rest. The nest is a hideaway where the weary can recover their strength.
4. It’s where the baby swallows are raised. The nest is a place of growth and maturity.
- Swallows are transient birds. They are only here till they make their flight. We too are only here till we make our flight.
- Jewish custom forbade anyone to kill or drive away a bird from the Temple. It’s nest was to be left undisturbed.
Oh, did I tell you where the swallows in Psalm 84 built their nests? They built them on the altar.
Psa. 84:3 Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O LORD of hosts, my King, and my God.
We as ‘spiritual’ swallows will never enjoy the benefits of God’s House until we build ourselves a nest on the altar.
1. Jacob was forever blessed when he wrestled with an angel at his altar of prayer.
2. A nature change overcomes those that build an altar. Ananias was comforted by God over the news that Saul of Tarsus was on his was over to meet him.
- Acts 9:11 And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,
It takes a while to build a nest.
There is where our peace comes from. There is where prayers get answered. They that build their nest at the altar, enjoy safety from the storm. Never fear. No one can run you away from there or disturb your nest.
Have you built yourself a nest yet?
Every bird has a nest somewhere. Where’s yours?
The Little Biscuit Girl
The Little Biscuit Girl
Carlene Branham
My sister, Carlene Branham, is among the world’s best. That’s no joke. This is not just a big brother talking and bragging on his sister. She’s Good. She’s Good with a capital ‘G’.
I’ve eaten in 48 states, and 17 countries. Can’t ‘nobody’ bake better breads, cakes, cookies, cookie bars, or pastries better than hers. She wins hands down.
She makes the ‘Best’ Wedding cakes. They are beautiful AND delicious. Anything that goes into an oven just seems to know Carlene by her first name.
Not only her family, but even her friends and church family look to her for the superb dessert. Her job counts on her to do the companies’ meals for their clients. Even the kids at Bible School, three hours away, know her. They call her ‘Aunt’ Carlene. She currently has a niece named Erica, at I.B.C. that she pampers with goodies and other sweets. She catered to her nephews when they were there. She also panders to the appetites of Erica’s friends by bringing zip-locked bags with their names on them for some of the kids. They love her like family.
At our Ballestero family gatherings, Carlene endears herself to the maximum with her homemade goodies. Carlene smiles her thanks. Her desserts are scarfed up by the chow hounds in the family, of which I am chief.
But that’s not how it started.
I know. I’m the big brother. I’m five years older. I remember the day she didn’t smile.
Let me tell you about the first time Carlene, the Bakery Wizard Girl, made biscuits. In those days, no one ever heard of buying biscuits in a can. They all were made from ‘scratch’.
Carlene was in Elementary School. She was in the 3rd or 4th grade, if I recall right. She had always tried to help Mom in the kitchen and quickly picked up a desire to bake. Mother consented to letting her make biscuits by herself one Saturday.
As we gathered around the table to eat, Mother proudly announced to Dad that Carlene had made the biscuits. Carlene smiled. This was her first attempt at baking. Every girl wants her cooking to meet the approval of her Father. Carlene was no exception.
After the prayer, and the passing of bowls and plates of food, the eating began. Slyly Carlene watched to see if Dad had taken a bite of his biscuit.
Dad picked up the biscuit with great ceremony. He cut it open and then buttered it. After placing the two halves together, Dad raised it to his mouth and took a bite.
Immediately, Dad let his biscuit fall to his plate. Unknown to any of us, Dad had slipped his other hand under the table. When the biscuit hit the plate, Dad thumped the underside of the table with his knuckles at the same time. It was timed perfectly. It sounded like a brick hitting the plate instead of a biscuit.
Carlene immediately burst into tears. Her dream of making good biscuits, was dashed in her mind. Her little heart was broken.
The meal was stopped long enough for Dad to comfort her and make amends.
(I’m her brother and I wouldn’t lie… they were good.)
Who knew that little girl in Elementary School would have such a gift? All it needed was time. Who knew what marvels she would create in years to come.
Yet at that moment in her little life, she came close to feeling like a failure and a disappointment to her Father.
One might say, that was nice family story. What was your point?
Actually, I have two points.
Point 1. If your attempts in living for God sometimes make you feel that you are a failure because of other people’s reactions. Be encouraged. The end is not yet. I would love to think that the day will come when you are the one that is the role model.
God sees the end from the beginning. Your day will come. Don’t cry, just keep trying.
Point 2. I love you so much Carlene. I need some cookie bars real bad!
Are You A Carrot, An Egg, Or A Coffee Bean?
Are You A Carrot, An Egg, Or A Coffee Bean?
(Taken from an email about Sunday School illustrations…)
Author Unknown
___________________________________________
A carrot , an egg, and a coffee bean…
A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose.
Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to boil. In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil; without saying A word.
In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl.
Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl. Turning to her daughter, she asked, “Tell me what you see.” “Carrots, eggs, and coffee,” she replied.
Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg.
Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled, as she tasted its rich aroma the daughter then asked, “What does it mean, mother?”
Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity: boiling water. Each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its insides became hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.
“Which are you?” she asked her daughter. “When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?
Think of this: Which am I? Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?
Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and hardened heart?
Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you. When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest, do you elevate yourself to another level? How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?
May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human and enough hope to make you happy.
The happiest of people don’t necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way. The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past; you can’t go forward in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches.
When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling.
Live your life so at the end, you’re the one who is smiling and everyone around you is crying.
May we all be COFFEE!!!!!! !!
The Fail Factor
The Fail Factor
Prov. 24:16 For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.
Even good people make mistakes!
It’s Not About Falling Down – It’s About Getting Back Up
- We all need help; we just need it in different areas.
- We’ve all had failures, some small, some not so small.
- We ALL can come from a “setback” to a “comeback”.
DEF. Webster: What Is Failure?
- The condition of not achieving the desired end or ends.
- Being found insufficient.
- Falling short.
Two Things Will Happen When You Fail.
- Recover, Draw Closer To God
- Feel Hopeless And Give Up.
- Think you can’t live it,
- Think you can’t be saved.
- Give up!
- Quit
- Run from God
Prodigal Son
Luke 15:13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.
Luke 15:14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.
Luke 15:15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.
Luke 15:16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.
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.
Five Facts About Failure:
No One Is Exempt – We All Make Mistakes
Failure Warns Me There Are Things I Need To Change
- Thoughts
- Habits
- Friends (Ye did run well, WHO did hinder you)
- Actions
- Activities
- Job
- Church Attendance
- Personal Devotions
Failure Can Help Me Find God.
Failure Most Likely Removed Most Of My Pride,
- Arrogance.
- Need To Humbly Seek His Face.
Failure Reminds Me That My Own Flesh Is my Biggest Enemy
I Recognize My Weakness
- Anger
- Lusts
Failure Is Not The Final Chapter
Missionary on the field today – Backslid 14 times as a young person!
Don’t Plan for Failure, Plan For Recovery!
Why Do People Fail?
- A Conditional Commitment To Jesus Christ?
- A Limited Obedience To God’s Word?
- A Careless Attitude Toward Temptation?
- A Failure To Put First Things First?
- (Maybe a combination of reasons.)
The Phases Of Failure
The Reaction Phase
- Shock – I can’t believe it.
- Denial – Won’t admit blame.
- Blame – Adam/Eve
- Withdrawal – Hide in bushes
- Fear – Of more failure
- Anger – Mad at self, at own weakness.
- Shame – I can’t face anyone, I let everybody down.
- Depression – I’m hopeless, I’ll never amount to anything
- Despair – No use! Guess I’ll just give up!
The Response Phase Is Crucial…
What Are You Going To Do?
The Flight Response
- Don’t run from God.
- If God had given up on you, He wouldn’t bother reaching for you or dealing with your heart. He wouldn’t waste a sermon on you.
The Repentance Response
Don’t Ever Give Up.
Luke 15:
The Shepherd (The Good Shepherd) Sought until he found the lost sheep. God hasn’t given up on you.
Woman With 10 Pieces Of Silver: (The Church) Lit a candle and swept until she found the coin. Thank God the Church doesn’t give up on you.
Prodigal Son didn’t give up on himself. He came to himself and came back home.
God Knows About Human Failure.
God knows we will fail. “He knoweth our frame.”
He’s ready to forgive.
He sees beyond our failure.
Failure:
- Made us pray.
- Made us humble.
- Made us try harder.
- Made us cautious.
- Made us thankful for His Mercy.
- Made us appreciate the power of the Blood.
- Drew us closer to the cross.
I Pray That None Of My Readers Ever Fail.
But if you do sin, you have an Advocate (A Defense Attorney)
1John 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
If There Was No Hope. Why Would We Be Given A Defense Attorney?
Rom. 8:34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
Why Would Jesus Make Intercession For Us If There Is No Hope?
THERE IS HOPE!!
Like the story of the prodigal son and his father, you’re not that far from home when:
- When you start getting hungry
- When your pride gets out of the way
- When your thoughts turn towards home
- When you come to yourself
- When you get up
- When you start coming home
- When the Father is watching for you
- When the Father runs to meet you
- When you humble yourself
- When you say you’re sorry
- When you wrap your arms around each other
You’re not that far from home. Come on home! Your failure is not what’s important now. What is important is that you’re heading home!
Ten Traits Of A Successful Saint
Ten Traits Of A Successful Saint
They Have Faith
- They trust God.
- Heb. 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
They Are Obedience
- They don’t argue with the Bible or the Pastor. They willingly submit to His Word.
- Rom. 6:17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
They Live Righteousness
- They live right. They are honorable, pay their bills, and their word are their bond. They give the Church a good name.
- Phil. 1:11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
They Are Humble
- They are not proud or arrogant. Neither do they display attitudes.
- 1Pet. 5:5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
They Love One Another
- They love, forgive, overlook faults, are not harsh or critical. They are kind and helpful.
- 1John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
They Surrounded Themselves With Godly Fellowship
- They are careful about influences in their life. They understand, carnal friends call pull them down and pull them out.
- 2Tim. 2:22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
They Worship:
- They don’t have to be begged to praise the Lord.
- Heb. 2:12 Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.
They Witness
- They never forget who they are and why they are here.
- Matt. 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
They Have Personal Devotions
- They include the Lord in their daily living.
- Acts 3:1 Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.
They Live A Holy Life
- They live like, and even look like someone who has given their life to the Lord.
- Rom. 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
A Second Class Saint In A First Class Church
A Second Class Saint In A First Class Church
He looked up at the most beautiful structure his eyes had ever seen. Of all places in town, he liked this place the best. It was considered by all to be absolutely magnificent. Thousands workers were hired just to build this section of the edifice.
Looking slowly up at the giant pillars, he saw that they were formed into cloisters. They were 50 cubits high. He’d heard that the weight of each pillar was so great that it took 20 men to move it into place.
They each were so large that if three men stood together with outstretched arms, they would barely be able reach around them and touch fingers.
This one cloister of pillars by itself is 100 feet longer the world famous Cologne Cathedral.
There were a total of nine of these colossal entrances. But this one outshone them all. It was the best one.
This one entrance had an arch that was 24ft wide and 45ft high. It was decorated with lilies formed out of brass from Greece. It was an absolute work of art. It was fashioned like a border highlighting the whole top of arch. It shimmered and dazzled in the bright sunlight. It’s beauty made each passerby look on with awe.
The entrance originally was named “Nicanor” after the Alexandrian Jew who built the arch. Recently a grave plaque was discovered bearing the Greek inscription: “The bones of Nicanor the Alexandrian, who made the doors.”
Its other name was “Corinthian,” because of the costly material of which it was constructed— Corinthian brass.
However spectacular this was, it still wasn’t the building. It was just the entrance to the building. The building itself was so beautiful that people had even been known to faint just looking at its beauty. But he had never gotten that close before.
Josephus gives many interesting particulars about this gate, which, he tells us, “Greatly excelled in workmanship and value above all the others. They all were plated with gold and silver, but this one was plated more richly and thickly. It was larger than the other gates too. It was 50 cubits in height, the others were 40.” Its massiveness and magnificence, therefore, earned for it the name Beautiful.
The name stuck. They called it Beautiful. It became known as the gate called Beautiful. It was just one of the entrances into the great Temple.
The beggar sat there just looking at this amazing entrance. He had never been inside. He had no idea what the Temple was like on the inside. He could only imagine. His physical handicap, his lameness, kept him out. Because of this, he was considered a second-class citizen. He even thought of himself as such.
No one seemed to know his name. He was not able to work. Begging was his only option. Everyone referred to him as… the beggar that sits by the gate Beautiful.
He lived in survival mode. He had long ago given up dreams of being called a success in life, let alone ever being a rich man. He was content to be a beggar. He was content to let others support him and allow him to maintain this level of existence. He’d accepted his lot in life. He was content to be miserable. He never believed he could ever be any different. He was just a beggar. A beggar that just happened to be sitting by the most beautiful Temple entrance in Jerusalem.
He was a Jew like everyone else. He just didn’t get to enjoy the same level of relationship with Jehovah everyone else did. He considered himself a second-class member of a first-class Temple.
But one day that changed!
Acts 3:1 Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.
Acts 3:2 And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;
Acts 3:3 Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.
Acts 3:4 And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.
Acts 3:5 And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.
Acts 3:6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.
Acts 3:7 And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.
Acts 3:8 And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.
Acts 3:9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God
Although this story happened about 2,000 years ago, it still continues to happen throughout many Apostolic churches today on a spiritual level.
It is not unusual to notice 2nd class saints in 1st class churches.
Some are easy to spot because they don’t worship or get involved in their church. They always hold back. Something in the past handicapped them and prevented them from enjoying what others enjoy freely every day. They never “enter” into His inner courts. Something keeps them on the outside of everything wonderful. They are content to stay there.
Even in the best of churches, there can be second-class saints.
- Some don’t Worship.
- Some have a problem with Holy living.
- Some aren’t Faithful in attendance.
- Some are lovers of Pleasure MORE than lovers of God.
- Some don’t Obey.
- Some don’t Submit.
- Some don’t Forgive.
- Some don’t give God His tenth.
- Some don’t Witness.
- Some are Proud.
- Some don’t have a Teachable spirit.
- Some are still Babes in Christ.
- Some are filled with Unbelief.
- Some live in Fear.
- Some are Bitter
- Some have no Desire.
All of them COULD enjoy church on a higher level. All of them could even be a blessing to the church family.
There’s no doubt, they are attending a 1st class church. (Surely no one would CHOOSE to be a 2nd class saint and sit in a 1st class church!)
In the Bible story, the men of God invited the lame man to ‘look on us.’
Get your eyes off of every thing else. Look afresh at your Pastor and listen anew to his preaching. Then, do like the lame man did… ‘take his hand.’ You will never change without preaching. You will never be delivered on your own. You can’t even be saved without a pastor. Give your heart to God, and then give your hand to the preacher.
When we join hands with God’s man and “expect to receive something from him,” then we can expect to receive a miracle and a transformation in our life. It will happen.
Even your friends and family won’t recognize you. You’ll act differently. The next time they see you, you will be where you’ve never gone before. You will have entered into the inner courts.
Like the beggar who had never walked or jumped in his whole life, you will praise God and worship Him like you never have before. Your joy will be full for the first time in your life.
We all need to get the revelation that we don’t HAVE to be a 2nd class saint in a 1st class church. We don’t have to sit on the outside while others enter in. There is hope for all. You CAN go to places in God where you have never gone before.
You can be a 1st class Christian in a 1st class Church!
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 