Archive for the ‘Prayer’ Category
When One Part Of Your Brain Hijacks The Other!
When One Part Of Your Brain Hijacks The Other!
Quite a few years ago, I was told about a new book and curiosity made me want to read it. The problem was, I was a little short of cash and not sure I wanted to spend what I had on a book instead of eat lunch.
I stopped by our local Barnes & Nobles Bookstore and asked the lady if they had the book, Emotional 
Intelligence in stock. They did, so I looked at it a few minutes and then found a nice easy chair and began to scan the pages for a bit longer. I read about fourteen pages and then I laid the book down and began to ponder on what I had just learned. I’ve never forgotten.
The premise put forward was that we all have two brains. (I was glad to find that out. I have been told I didn’t even have one.)
The author said that we each have a brain that thinks and a brain that feels. Our life may be at peace and functioning well, but turmoil, pain and great consequences come to us when one of our brains hijacks the other.
He Explained It By Describing Murders And Murderers.
The Brain That Thinks
The brain that thinks can get out of balance and push all emotions and normal feelings aside. It will then ignore every soft and tender thought the person ever had.
- He feels his mind is superior and he won’t get caught.
- He refuses to think about regrets and the pain he will cause.
- He devises ways to lure, entrap, and murder his victims.
Society uses the term Cold Blooded, Premeditated Murder, with Malice Aforethought.
Serial Killers must plan, calculate and orchestrate their dastardly deeds while ignoring every emotion that would stop them. Their brain that thinks hijacks the brain that feels. Society is very happy to lock that person behind bars for the rest of their life. They experience no remorse.
The Brain That Feels
The brain that feels can become so overwrought with painful emotion that it takes matters into it’s own hands and goes into what it believes is an appropriate action.
A loving wife may find her husband in the arms of another and her brain that feels immediately hijacks the brain that thinks.
- She is not worried about consequences.
- She hasn’t got time, in her mind, to worry about the law.
- She can only think about the hurt she feels.
We call it a crime of passion. It was a spur of the moment action. Nothing was preplanned. Sometimes juries have been a bit understanding and even lenient in such cases.
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When A Husband Is Unfaithful To His Wife.
The part of his brain that thinks, has to ignore and hijack the brain that feels. Unfaithfulness is not a spur of the moment action.
The brain that thinks hijacks the brain that feels and he convinces himself that he is no longer in love with his spouse. He says, he doesn’t love her anymore and hasn’t for some time. He tells her that to prepare her for what’s to come. He finds illogical fault with her to justify himself.
She is devastated and angry, and rightly so. The children quickly notice changes in daddy’s behavior and they become defensive of their mother and afraid of this man they loved.
Think about the all the emotional, logical, and spiritual Stop Signs and Road Blocks an unfaithful husband must pass before he arrives at where he thinks he wants to go.
- Permitting thoughts about another woman to have access into mind.
- Letting those thoughts become lustful and pleasurable.
- Creating a moment where the two of them can actually meet and talk.
- Making plans to meet again.
- Making plans to leave and divorce his wife.
- Ignoring the fact that he has no Bible right to leave his wife for another.
- The sending of Text Messages.
- The Emails back and forth.
- The secret Cell Phone calls.
- Then Deleting those Messages and Emails.
- The actual clandestine meeting.
- Touching her for the first time.
- The first kiss.
- The Motel.
Look how many stop sign he has to ignore. Look how many roadblocks he must step over. It’s pre-meditated. It’s planned. The brain that thinks has hijacked the brain that once felt love for his wife and family.
Nothing about unfaithfulness is accidental. It’s planned. It thought out. The brain that feels for God, family, and future has just been hijacked.
It makes no difference if the unfaithfulness is emotional or actual… it’s sin and it’s wrong.
Matthew 5:27 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:
Matthew 5:28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
When his brain that thinks hijacked his brain that feels… He had to ignore every hurt and pain in his wife’s eyes, words and heart. He had to ignore the consequences for his actions. He had to ignore the damage he was doing to his home and his children.
- He had to push aside the loss of his standing with God.
- He had to ignore the loss of his participation in God’s Kingdom.
- He had to be willing to place his eternal salvation in jeopardy.
He had to arrive at a place that made him not think about how much he was throwing away.
He now had a new infatuation and he could not think about anything else but her; not even her husband or her children.
He must be proud of the fact that he is a thinker and has a high IQ. In his own mind, he is smarter than the others who are crying. He refuses to let any emotional connection with his own wife and children stop him from achieving his goals. They have only become baggage and now he wants to be free from them.
Although He Knows These Passages In Proverbs, He Totally Ignores Them.
Proverbs 6:23 For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:
Proverbs 6:24 To keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman.
Proverbs 6:25 Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids.
Proverbs 6:26 For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adulteress will hunt for the precious life.
Proverbs 6:27 Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?
Proverbs 6:28 Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned?
Proverbs 6:29 So he that goeth in to his neighbour’s wife; whosoever toucheth her shall not be innocent.
Proverbs 6:30 Men do not despise a thief, if he steal to satisfy his soul when he is hungry;
Proverbs 6:31 But if he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; he shall give all the substance of his house.
Proverbs 6:32 But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul.
Proverbs 6:33 A wound and dishonour shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away.
Proverbs 6:34 For jealousy is the rage of a man: therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance.
Proverbs 6:35 He will not regard any ransom; neither will he rest content, though thou givest many gifts.
Proverbs 7:27 Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death.
When a husband becomes unfaithful. He is not the only one now with a problem. His selfish thinking and actions have immobilized all those around him that love him. His marriage is paralyzed and may never be restored. His children will never respect him for the way he selfishly walked out on them and their mother.
Later in moments of reflection, he is prone to think he is the only one who needs counseling and help. That thinking is either being naïve, stupid or stubborn. AA and Al-Anon both include the addict and their family in the process. What one person did, now has become a problem for all those who once loved him.
Where Does One Turn To For Guidance And Help With Improper Thinking?
There Is Not Much Hope For Restoration To A Once Godly Marriage Or To Having A Sound Mind Again, If God And His Word Are Left Out Of The Equation. Restoration Is Of The Lord.
Psalms 16:7 I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons.
AMP: Psalm 16:7 I will bless the Lord, Who has given me counsel; yes, my heart instructs me in the night seasons.
If one of your brains has hijacked the other, God will bring release and restoration to your mind if you will turn to Him. He will deliver you. Refusing God’s intervention will only set you up for more devil’s play.
Sir: If There Is To Be ANY Hope Of Restoration In Your Marriage And In Your Walk With God, It’s Up To You To:
- Choose to repent to God, your wife, and pastor.
- Choose to let God’s Word and God’s man guide you into complete restoration.
- Choose to love your wife with all your heart.
- Choose to reassure her.
- Choose to be careful about your thoughts, feeling and interaction with the opposite sex.
- Choose to clear yourself from further suspicion.
- Choose to connect with your wife, family and God like you never have before.
- Choose to live for God and not throw your soul away.
May The Lord God guide your thoughts, your actions, and your motives every day and keep you from all evil and iniquity. May your heart tenderly guide you in all the night seasons.
Now Go Do The Right Thing!
Are You Worth Fighting For?
Are You Worth Fighting For?
We have all heard uncomplimentary remarks by old timers about those people they considered
worthless and no good. They said things like:
- “Ah, they’re not worth the lead it would take to blow…”
- “They’re not worth their salt.”
We have all learned that helping some people can be an exercise in frustration and futility. In choosing our battles and those we fight for, where do we draw a line and fight? When do we throw in the towel?
Go To God’s Word And Examples For Guidance.
Moses – Israel
God was so angry at Israel because of their quickness to backslide, He wanted to kill them and start all over. He told His plan to Moses.
Exodus 32:31 And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold.
Exodus 32:32 Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin–; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.
Moses knew the wickedness of Israel and although he could never justify their actions, he refused to give up on them. He told God; if You are going to blot them out, then just blot me out too. Moses fought for Israel even in their disobedience and wickedness.
Moses Persuaded God To Show Mercy.
Samuel – King Saul
1 Samuel 15:10 Then came the word of the LORD unto Samuel, saying,
1 Samuel 15:11 It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the LORD all night.
Saul was reckless in his life choices and was disobedient to God’s Word. Samuel, even with all his pristine character and godliness, could not help but cry for Saul. Saul wasn’t even crying for himself. Yet Samuel fought with tear all night long.
Pastors – Saints and Sinners
Certainly we can be grateful to live at a time when God’s Mercy is so readily available. Yet, in spite of this, a pastor’s job is never done. He does his best to keep fighting for every soul. He fights for those who want help. He even fights for those who don’t seem to be fighting for themselves.
There Is No Such Thing As A ‘Throw-A-Way Soul.”
Paul – Timothy
2 Timothy 2:25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
2 Timothy 2:26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
Paul’s advice to Pastor Timothy was, don’t be harsh. These sinful people are their own problem. They can’t blame anyone else but themselves. It just may be that God will let them repent and admit the truth about themselves. It may be that God will let them recover and be restored. So, don’t give up on them. Fight for them. They aren’t doing a very good job of fighting for themselves. They need you.
- Fight for their souls.
- Fight for their mercy.
- Fight for their forgiveness.
- Fight for their restoration.
- Fight for their marriage.
- Fight for their family.
- Fight for their future.
- Fight for their eternity.
- Fight for them…
Remember:
1 Corinthians 6:11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
Are You Worth Fighting For? Absolutely!
God Answered Her Prayer
God Answered Her Prayer
Fannie Thorne lived with a deep dark secret. She didn’t know who her biological father was. Her mother was also born out of wedlock. Now, two generations in a row had endured all the whispers and shunning of polite society.
Other members of Fannie’s family were religious. Very religious indeed! Two of her brothers were preachers in the Assemblies of God Church.
Fannie’s Grandmother had not been allowed to marry the father of her child because he was not of the same religion. He was a professional boxer. Actually, he was the World Champion Heavy Weight Boxer, Bob Fitzsimmons.
A kind and loving Mr. Thorne married Fannie’s mother and adopted baby Fannie, giving her a last name.
Fannie grew up going to church. Her family settled in the Fresno, California area. They attended a large Assemblies Of God Church pastored by the renowned Rev. Charles Price.
As Fannie grew into young womanhood, she attracted the fancy of a dashing Catholic boy named Charles. They fell in love. Fannie had to push aside her Spirit-filled Assemblies of God background to allow herself to be married to Charles.
Against her family’s arguments and disapproval, she married him anyway. Charles and Fannie lived in a nice big house on S. Main St. in Los Angeles, only twenty blocks from the Courthouse.
Two sons were born to them. The Birth Certificates certify that the oldest son was named Charley, and the youngest son is listed as Joseph.
Soon after little Joseph was born, Fannie discovered she had Tuberculosis. For several years she struggled to survive. The Doctors weren’t much help.
She was treated in a Sanatorium in Fresno for her sickness. It was there that she desperately prayed for God to heal her so that she might raise her children. Her boys were now six and four years old.
When she lay on her deathbed, at the age of twenty-six, her brothers and aunts heard her pray her last prayer to God.
“God, would you save my baby boy and make him a preacher?”
Young Fannie died and was buried in an unmarked grave in Mountain View Cemetery in Fresno, California.
The boys were raised as Catholics in spite of their mother’s prayers. Little Charley and Joseph became devout Catholics and attended a Catholic school. Their father turned to alcohol for solace after losing his young wife. He never remarried.
The constant drunkenness of their father caused the state to take the boys away from their Father and place them in Foster Care. Joseph was placed in fourteen different Foster homes. He ran away from eleven of them.
More than fifteen years later, young Joseph went down to the altar the first time he visited his mother’s old church in Fresno. God filled him wonderfully with the Holy Ghost and he spoke in tongues.
About four years later while in the U. S. Army, Joseph found Christ Church in Oregon City, Oregon and was baptized in Jesus Name by Pastor Andrew Baker. God called him into the ministry, and he willingly accepted.
Joseph preached all over America. He preached twenty-five years as a Pastor and twenty-five years as an Evangelist. He travelled and preached everywhere, until his body and health gave out.
His Birth Certificate only showed the name Joseph and his last name. You knew him as Carl Joseph Ballestero. I called him Daddy.
My Grandmother Fannie Ballestero lay in her grave for nearly twenty years until it happened. And then… God answered her prayer! Just like she prayed, God saved her baby boy and made him a preacher!
Fannie & Charles
“Is There Any Hope For Me?”
“Is There Any Hope For Me?
“I don’t think God can forgive me! You don’t know what I’ve done and I am too ashamed to say anything to anyone. You may not even want me to come back to your church, and I wouldn’t blame you. I’ve made a mess of my life, but I really want to be saved.”
The old pastor sat looking at the tear filled eyes of the desperate man in his office. He had no idea what sins had been committed, and really didn’t want to know every detail unless he really had too.
Knowing that thoughts of hopelessness may drive some people to do drastic things, he turned slightly and reached for the Bible on the edge of his desk. The gentle sound of pages turning in the Bible became punctuated with several sniffles and then a loud nose blowing.
“I want to read to you a very old Scripture, son.”
The preacher ran his finger down the right side of the page until it came to rest on what he was looking for, and then he began to read the verse in a gentle and calming tone.
“Matthew 12:31 Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.”
“All manner of sin shall be forgiven unto men, and all is a very large number.
The preacher leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes while he lifted his face a bit toward the ceiling.
“ Now, I haven’t asked what you have done, but I can tell that your conscience is severely tormented. Let me do something unusual and start listing some sins that God will forgive. He will forgive them, because His Word said, ‘all manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven’ so that should cover things like:
“Lying
“Cheating
“Stealing
“Shoplifting
“Robbery
“Theft
“Blackmail
“Extortion
“Embezzlement
“Bribery
“Fraud
“Murder
“Abortion
“Drinking
“Smoking
“Drug Use
“Drug Trafficking
“Kidnapping
“Car Jacking
“Pornography
“Adultery
“Fornication
“Perversion
“Immorality
“Prostitution
“Lusts
“Abuse
“Hatred
“Wrath
“Assault
“Battery
“Envy
“Jealousy
“Back biting
“Gossip
“Tale bearing
“Rebellion
“Love of the World
“False Doctrine
“Disobedience To God
“Disobedience To Man
“Women cutting their hair
“Women wear slacks
“Men letting theirs grow long
“Robbing God
“Not paying your tithes
“Backsliding
“And the list goes on…
“These are only some of the sins He forgives. All you have to do is repent and really mean it.”
The old preacher opened his eyes and smiled kindly at the distraught form in front of him.
“The good news for you is, yes there is hope for you. Yes, Jesus will forgive you, and yes He still loves you and yes, so do I.
“Let me quote 1 Corinthians 6:9-11
“Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
“Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
“And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
“In the name of the Lord Jesus… Means baptism in Jesus Name.
“By the Spirit o our God… is the Holy Ghost.
“There is forgiveness for everyone if they will repent. You’ve already obeyed Acts 2:38. You’ve already been baptized in Jesus name and you’ve been filled with the Holy Ghost. So, all you need to do to get right with God now, is repent. Confess and forsake your sins.
“Repentance is the first step. It’s the key that gets your life turned around and your sins forgiven. He knows you’ve done wrong. But He is not willing that anyone should perish or go to Hell. Not even you. He’s waiting for you to repent right now.
“If you would like, we can pray right now. Would you like for me to pray with you?”
The pastor stood up and walked toward the weeping man. They both knelt and began to pray in earnest.
That’s when Mercy walked into the room…
Have I Told You Lately That I Love You?
Have I Told You Lately That I Love You?
The long blue Pontiac sedan rolled smoothly down Highway 30 through the Indiana countryside. My father, Pastor Carl Ballestero was driving. I was his unofficial assistant and the two of us were going to a church anniversary service.
Carl Ballestero
Most trips Daddy was known to be talkative, but sometimes, he was content to ride in silence. Today was one of those days that he chose not to talk much, if at all.
Knowing that he had to preach at this special service, I chose not to interrupt his thoughts, in case he was thinking about his sermon. I only spoke if I saw he was interested in talking.
I contented myself by looking out of the passenger’s side window at the farms and passing landscape. The silence was comfortable.
The car ride had been without a spoken word for more than a half hour. Then, as if from nowhere I heard Daddy say in a soft voice, “Lord, have I told you lately that I love you?”
Tears immediately sprang into my eyes, and the scenery became blurred. I never turned to looked at him. I didn’t want to interrupt or interfere with this sweet moment between him and the true love of his life.
I knew I was in the presence of godly man who truly loved The Lord with all of his heart. The Holy Ghost immediately filled that car, and I wept freely. I thanked God for His presence and His love, but I also thanked him for giving me a father who truly loved Him!
That moment nearly forty years ago has forever impacted my personal devotions. Every now and then I find myself riding along in the car or just setting at home and then seemingly out of nowhere, I will find myself saying… “Lord, have I told you lately that I love you?”
You know what? It still works! I always seem to feel God’s presence anew while tears flow down my cheeks just like they did that day.
Thank you Lord, for a Dad who set such a wonderful example before me. He unashamedly let me see how wonderful it was to fully love The Lord and openly show it!
Thanks Dad!
The Anatomy Of A Spiritual Shutdown
The Anatomy Of A Spiritual Shutdown
We read about government shutdowns. We all know of businesses that have shutdown. Computer owners know about the shutdown button on their laptop.
Every child of God knows of a church member that appears to have shutdown. They no longer worship or pray as they did before. They’ve become unfaithful. A change has certainly taken place.
As a pastor and an evangelist, it has been my joy over the years to see people miraculously grow and develop in God. It has also been my heartache and frustration to see some self-destruct and lose their joy, their testimony, their good attitude and their hope of being used of God.
Watching the spiritual decline of a child of God is not an easy thing for one to see. Their choices of wrong friends become the first great influencing factor in their decline. The hearts and souls of their family, friends and the ministry, are made to ache.
“You can’t help those who don’t want help,” is a phrase quickly understood by friends, preachers and teachers. Parents are grieved, spouses are influenced, and children are almost always damaged as a result.
What is the cause? What happened to rob this person of their joy? What happened to rob this person of their respect for the things of God? What happened that would cause the flame of their spiritual fervor to go out?
I think the answer is found in the book of Psalms, Chapter One.
Ps 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
Please Notice This Persons Progression Toward A Spiritual Shutdown.
- Walking
- Standing
- Sitting
1. Walking
Most would refer to their spiritual life, as their ‘Walk With God.” Too often unassuming and impressionable souls have walked in the Counsel of the Ungodly.
- Who we listen to, always affects what happens to us.
- It’s not long before we become a product of who they are and what they say.
- The counsel of the ungodly will never bring anyone closer to God. Their advice will only bring devastation to spiritual progress.
- If we claim to be spiritually minded, why would we ever seek advice from the Ungodly?
- We must watch whom we walk with and whom we listen to.
2. Standing Still
If we listen to the advice of the Ungodly, then we quickly become the stumbling block that prevents sinners from finding God.
What started out as a Walk, has changed into a Standing still. We become a roadblock of sorts.
The Apostle Paul recognized the powerful influence of the wrong people in our lives. He confronted the issue directly in his letter to the Galatians.
Gal 3:1 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?
Gal 5:7 Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?
Paul made it very clear that it is the Who and not the What that gives us the biggest problems in living for God. People, more than Things bring negative influences into our thinking.
3. Sitting (With A Bad Attitude)
I promise you by all that’s holy, that by allowing our Walk to include the Counsel of the Ungodly, our Walk with God is brought to a standstill. What happens next is so sad. We won’t standstill for very long. We’ll soon find a place to sit down. This is the most grievous of the three positions.
If We Sit in The Seat Of The Scornful, We Will Soon Be:
- Critical Of The Church,
- Critical Of It’s Standards,
- Critical Of It’s Preachers
- Critical Of The Saints.
- Uncooperative,
- Uninvolved,
- Joyless
- A Hindrance To Revival.
- Without The Blessings Of God.
- Backslidden In Heart.
- A Negative Influence On All Those Around Us.
The Change Is Subtle At First, Then Very Obvious At The End.
Remember the young man who helped the Apostle Paul for a while? He is first listed as a Fellow laborer, or some one who worked shoulder to shoulder with Paul. In the next mention, he is referred to as an also ran… ‘and Demas.’ Lastly, Paul announces the absence of Demas. Demas had a spiritual shutdown.
1. Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers. (Philemon 1:24)
2. Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you. (Colossians 4:14)
3. For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia. (2 Timothy 4:10)
What Are The Chances Of Recovery From A Shutdown?
(How Many Do We Know That Have Changed From Sullen To Joyful?)
I Truly Pray That All Men And Women Will Be Able To Recover Themselves If They Want To!
Paul told Timothy how to deal with these people in the hope they would recognize and admit their wrong doings, and if they did, maybe, just maybe, God would give them repentance.
2 Timothy 2:25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
God Promises Some Amazing Things Here:
2 Chronicles 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.
1. If we will HUMBLE ourselves,
2. PRAY
3. SEEK GOD’S FACE – (Which includes WORSHIP)
4. TURN FROM OUR WICKED WAYS
THEN…
5. He will HEAR our prayer. (God will take us off ‘hold’ status and listen to us pray.)
6. He will FORGIVE OUR SINS
7. HEAL OUR LAND – (Bless our finances)
If You Have Experienced Spiritual Shutdown…
You Can Find Restoration And Once Again Experience The Joy Of The Lord!
Heaven’s Last Resort
Heaven’s Last Resort
The Angel Ariel suddenly appeared in front of Jonathan’s desk. They were both Second Degree Angels laboring under a Level Seven Code Red.
“Michael sent me here to verify that we have everything we need on hand in case we have to go into immediate production,” he said without any formalities.
Jonathan’s nameplate on the desk showed that he was the head of the Immediate Response Team, which was a division of the Prayer Room Construction Unit.
“He also wanted me to get a list of the construction materials that were available this afternoon, if we get the go ahead from higher up, I told him I needed to know the type of cut he was planning to make on the wooden stairs, since that depends on the type of circular saw.
“We’ve waited on John and Jane Doe to build their own Prayer Room for years. They’ve talked about it a long time, but they’ve never seemed to get around to getting one built.
“Now, they have waited until till the last-minute. If they don’t build their own, we don’t have much choice but to build one for them.
“It’s The Lord’s last resort, to build someone a prayer room. That is not His first choice. His first choice is that all men would have their own Prayer Room.”
Jonathan shook his head with understanding, and said,
“I recently watched some parents fret because their children, that were away at college, got too busy and neglected to call home. I overheard the mother say to her husband, that if we don’t deposit any money in their bank account this week, they’ll call home.”
“You’re right; we’ve all seen it,” said Ariel. “If the parents cut off the money, then the children remember to call and talk to Dad and Mom, all of a sudden. Actually, that is kind of what happens in the Spirit world, as well!”
Jonathan nodded his head in agreement as he pulled the current Prayer Room Construction Materials List closer to him, and began to read aloud.
“Well, pretty much the usual supplies are all in stock. We are pretty well stocked.
“For Class 1 Spiritual Emergency Circumstances, There Are Things Like…
- Level 7 Temptations
- Code Red Tribulations
- Category 4 Storms
“For Class 2 Physical Emergency Circumstances, There’s…
- Bad Doctor’s reports
- Afflictions
- Incurable Syndromes
- Permanent Injuries
- Long Hospital Stays
“For Class 3 Material Emergencies, We Have
- Financial loss
- Loss of Job
- Loss of housing
- Loss of transportation
- Debt overload
“For Class 4 Emotional Circumstances, We’ve Got…
- Disappointments
- Failures
- Heartache
- Rejection
- Wayward children
- Wayward grand children
- Wayward spouse
“And Under Class 5…,
Jonathan looked up at Ariel to see if he wanted him to continue reading.
Ariel held up his hand as a signal for Jonathan to stop.
“Sounds like everything we might need, is on hand. We are still on standby, hoping against hope that John and Jane Doe will build their own Prayer Room without any help from us. A Prayer Room is only built by us, as a last resort.
“Jonathan, I certainly hope your services aren’t needed, but if they are, I’ll get back with you! Keep your crew on standby.”
With that, Ariel disappeared. Jonathan waited to see what the day would bring forth.
Later that afternoon, Ariel stuck his head around the corner with a smile on his face.
“Good news,” he announced. “John and Jane Doe started building a Prayer Room on their own. Tell the crew to stand down, all is well.”
When God Doesn’t Meet Your Expectations.
When God Doesn’t Meet Your Expectations.
Luke 7:23 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.
- What Happens When God Doesn’t Heal?
- What Happens When God Doesn’t Deliver?
- What Happens When God Doesn’t Answer Your Prayers Like You Wanted Him To?
It’s not uncommon to get a notion in our heads about how we think God should supply specific things that we need, or want. Some have gotten mad at the Lord, and even backslid because a loved one died or was not healed.
Since His ways are not our ways, there will always be times when God doesn’t move or work like we think he should. That can be a major test for our faith.
Sometimes, life doesn’t turn out like we expected. Why? I can’t tell you, because I don’t know for sure either. But this one thing I do know. God is still in control. He has never made a mistake. I must always trust Him.
Naaman – Almost Lost His Miracle When Things Didn’t Meet His Expectations.
2Ki 5:10 And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean.
2Ki 5:11 But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the LORD his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper.
Naaman was a man of high position and ranking in Syria. As Captain of the army, he was always given much respect.
Bottom line, I’m sure, was his disappointment that the Prophet did not personally come out to see him. He had imagined the moment of his healing, and it looked nothing like what had just happened to him. He left the prophet’s home in a huff.
His own servant showed more good sense than he did. Only after being reasoned with, did he finally submit. For Naaman, submission and obedience were the keys to his miracle.
Peter – Denied The Lord When Things Didn’t Meet His Expectations.
When accused by the maid of being a disciple of Christ, Peter replied, “I know not the man!” In a twisted way, Peter was telling the truth.
- The Jesus he knew was a Jesus of miracles.
- The Jesus he knew walked on water.
- The Jesus he knew raised the dead.
- The Jesus he knew turned water in to wine.
- The Jesus he knew fed 5,000 with a few fishes and five loaves of bread.
- The Jesus he knew healed the lepers and opened blinded eyes.
Peter Didn’t Know This Jesus.
- He didn’t know a Jesus of defeat.
- He didn’t know a Jesus of rejection.
- He didn’t know a Jesus of disappointment.
What about the three and a half years he had followed Jesus around? Were those years spent for nothing? Evidently, Peter’s faith had momentarily wavered.
John The Baptist Questioned The Lord When Things Didn’t Meet His Expectations.
Of men born of women, there was none greater than John the Baptist. He was even born with the Holy Ghost. He was a fearless preacher and a chosen forerunner for the Messiah.
- Yet, John finds himself in prison.
- His hopes are dashed.
- His future looks bleak.
- His first cousin, Jesus, is nowhere around.
- He becomes tormented by his worst fears.
- His imagination runs wild.
- He even questioned if Jesus was truly the Messiah.
Luke 7:19 And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to Jesus, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?
The Three Hebrew Children – Said, “But If Not…” In Case Things Didn’t Meet Their Expectations.
Dan 3:16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.
Dan 3:17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.
Dan 3:18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
They proudly stood in front of the pagan king and bragged on their God. They said that their God was able to deliver them. But if He didn’t, they still weren’t going to bow down to an idol.
If the Lord God didn’t deliver them, they were still going to be faithful to Him.
Job – Watched His Mouth When Things Didn’t Meet His Expectations.
Job 1:22 In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.
None of us can imagine the horrible loss Job experienced.
- His family was destroyed.
- His children were dead.
- His vast herds stolen.
- His health was virtually destroyed.
- His wife turned in to an unbelieving nag.
- His friends did nothing but criticize and point fingers at him.
We Love To Quote Job’s Reaction To His Dilemma.
Job 13:15 Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.
The second part of the verse stands out to me today. Job certified, that though things had not turned out like he wanted, he was going to maintain his ways. He was going to keep on doing what he had always done.
What Do You Do When Things Don’t Turn Out Like You Wanted? Do You Maintain Your Ways? If You Want Your Story To Turn Out Good, Then:
- Keep on coming to church.
- Keep on worshipping.
- Keep on praying.
- Keep on singing
- Keep on loving
- Keep involved in church.
- Keep on shouting.
- Keep on paying your tithes.
- Keeping on testifying about how good God is.
Israel – Believed The Ten Spies When Things Didn’t Meet Their Expectations.
Did Israel want to go over into the Promised Land? Most certainly! The problem was, the majority of the spies saw the enemy and became frightened and faint hearted.
This didn’t look like an easy victory to them. No one paid much attention to Joshua and Caleb’s glowing report. They ignored the huge display of grapes.
Because they responded in unbelief, God allowed all but the young to die in the wilderness. They needlessly spent 40 years of wandering because of how they reacted.
Things hadn’t turned out like they expected, so they said ‘no’ to God. God in return, said ‘no’ to their inheriting the promise and gave it to their children instead.
- Never stop believing.
- Never say ‘no’ to God.
Paul – Lived With A Thorn In His Flesh When Things Didn’t Meet His Expectations.
- Paul prayed more than once for God to take his pain away. God didn’t.
- Paul had just spoken the word, and a man had gone blind for a season.
- A poisonous viper and taken hold of his hand once while he was carrying wood for a fire. He just shook it off, and though bitten, was not harmed.
Yet this thorn he spoke of, wouldn’t go away. God had answered his other prayers, why didn’t He answer this one?
Paul never knew, but he chose instead, to be content to live with his unanswered prayer request.
So, What Is My Life Lesson Here?
What Should I Do When Things Don’t Meet My Expectation?
- Like Naaman – I choose to humbly submit my self and obey the Word of the Lord given to me.
- Like The Three Hebrew Children – I will always believe God is able. But if He doesn’t deliver me… I’m still going to be faithful.
- Like Job – I want to keep my spirit right, and watch my mouth during my trial.
- Like Paul – If God doesn’t take away the pain in my life; I will learn to be content, and trust His will.
Remember God’s Words In The Old Testament When Things Don’t Meet Your Expectations.
KJV: Isa 55:8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
KJV: Isa 55:9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
The Message Bible: I don’t think the way you think. The way you work isn’t the way I work. For as the sky soars high above earth, so the way I work surpasses the way you work, and the way I think is beyond the way you think.
Remember God’s Words In The New Testament When Things Don’t Meet Your Expectations.
KJV: Luke 7:23 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.
NIV: Luke 7:23 Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me.
ESV: Luke 7:23 And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”
What Do You Do When God Doesn’t Meet Your Expectations?
The Journey To Wits End
The Journey To Wits End
The Road to Nowhere was marked, sort of. It was off to the side of the road and you to had to be looking for it to see it. Besides, weeds were growing up around its base.
David steered the car as if on autopilot. His mind was in a whirl. Everything was going wrong today. He felt like he had little control over the events of the day.
Last night, he had stopped in Despairville and got a room at The Anxiety Lodge. The floors were not numbered 1,2, or 3. They were given names instead. His room was on Floor – Pacing.
A few others seemed to be heading in this direction also. Occasionally, he saw a car or two coming back from where he was heading.
Around the corner he went and then he saw a Fork in the road. He remembered that someone at the Lodge had recommended that when he came to Crucial Fork, to not take the Right Fork, so he didn’t.
The road climbed up Heartache Hill, and he entered the city limits of Panic Town. The Detour signs caused him to turn onto Frustration Avenue. David drove down that road for quite a ways. He saw no streets to turn off on.
Ahead was a barricade across the road. He had to stop. The barricade had a big sign on it.
It said, “Welcome To Wits End!”
David couldn’t go forward, He had no desire to go back. There wasn’t a place to turn around that he could see.
He leaned his head forward and rested it on his hands as the gripped the steering wheel. Tears streamed down his cheeks. He cried aloud unto the Lord to help him. He lifted his head, and that’s when he saw Him!
- That’s when he found the only One that could help him!
- That’s when his help came!
- That’s when his deliverance came!
- That’s when Jesus took over!
That’s When The Sacred Psalm Came Alive For Him!
Psalm 107:23 They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters;
Psalm 107:24 These see the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep.
Psalm 107:25 For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof.
Psalm 107:26 They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble.
Psalm 107:27 They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wit’s end.
Psalm 107:28 Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses.
Psalm 107:29 He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.
Psalm 107:30 Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven.
Psalm 107:31 Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
The Drama Of The Waiting Room
The Drama Of The Waiting Room
The Wait
ing Room was full of desperate people. Another shift change brought in a new face behind the desk, but that was the only thing different.
An older woman sat by herself in a corner, observing the actions of some of those around her. She even attempted to guess what had brought them to this place.
A few were in so much pain, that they couldn’t stop the tears from running down their cheeks. Her heart went out to them. She knew the only help she could give them was words, and they needed much more than that.
One of the newest additions to the Waiting Room was a young mom. She nervously paced back and forth. Her face seemed tortured and filled with anxiety. She showed no interest in sitting down. Her lips moved, as she prayed silently while pacing the floor.
Occasionally, she would walk by the clipboard that held the sign-in sheet, as if to see how close her name was from being called. She frowned ever time she looked at it.
When the Attendant occasionally opened the door and picked up the clipboard to call the next name on the list, all conversations stopped, and every ear listened for the sound of their name. The wait seemed like forever.
Some of the people in the room had dried blood on their clothes. A few had addictions, many were diseased, and a number of them had been in an accident of some kind. One or two had limped in with the help of others, but most came alone.
“What are you here for, my dear?” The older lady asked the young mother.
“I have a sick baby that the doctors can’t find a cure for,” was her answer. Her face showed deep worry and pain.
“You poor dear, it hurts so bad to see our babies suffer,” the grandmother said as she shook her gray head, feeling the pain.
“What are you waiting for?” The younger woman asked.
“My husband,” she said, with a hopeful smile on her face.
The young mother looked around the room again at the huge cross-section of people. She could tell that most of them had been there awhile.
“What is wrong with this place? Why does it take so long to get help here?”
The grandma just smiled faintly and slightly shrugged her shoulders. Then she turned and looked into the eyes of the young mom, and asked, “How long have you been waiting?”
“Eighteen months, two days and eleven hours,” she said glancing at her watch. “What about you?’ She continued.
“I’ve been here thirty-six years, this November,” the grandma said still smiling.
“Oh my word,” the young mom said as she sat down. “You’ve been waiting in here for more years than I am old. That’s an unbelievable long time. Are you able to talk to the Physician at all? Does he ever say anything to you?“
“I talk to him everyday. He is the best there is, and he tells me he’ll let me know as soon as he’s finished.”
“What’s wrong with your husband?”
“He backslid thirty-six ago. God is working on him, so I’m just sitting in this Waiting Room till my husband can pray back through.”
Tears ran down both of their faces.
“My dear,” the grandma said as she observed that no one was monitoring the check-in list, “please bring me that clipboard over there, I want to show you something.”
The young woman obediently brought the clipboard over to the grandmother and sat down beside her. They both looked at the list of names.
The older woman began to flip the pages back. She flipped them all the way back to the first page, and then began to call out random names, with dates and times.
“Here on Page One, it shows that Abraham was promised a son, and he waited here in this room for twenty-five years before Isaac was born.
“On Page Two, it shows that Joseph had to wait twenty years before his dreams came true and he got to sit on the throne of Egypt.
“Umm, on Page Three, Moses spent forty years in the Wilderness part of the Waiting Room, just killing time before God could use him.
“Page Twelve shows that David waited almost fifteen years after he was anointed king, before he was allowed to ascend the throne.
“Page Twenty shows there was some guy that waited thirty-eight years in the Pool of Siloam Section of the Waiting Room before he got his miracle.”
The younger woman took the clipboard in her hands and leaned back into her chair while she read down the long list of names.
“According to this log,” she said, “not very many get discharged the same day they come. The good news that I see here, is that the Doctor has an amazing success rate. I am not really in love with the idea of waiting, but I don’t plan to leave here until my baby gets well.”
The grandma slipped her arm around the young woman to comfort her. At about the same time they both looked up at two of the signs on the wall.
Their faces were filled with hope anew, as they bravely faced their future in the God’s Waiting Room!
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 