The Ballestero Blog

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!!!!!! !!

Written by Martyn Ballestero

August 11, 2010 at 6:04 pm

Posted in Christian Living, Personal Growth

We Sold Our Name And Our Recipe

with 16 comments

We Sold Our Name And Our Recipe

My beautiful wife, Marcia and I sat in a famous 100-year-old restaurant tonight. This local icon in Marshall, Michigan is where I officially proposed to my beloved 45 years ago. Once again we looked around the room hoping to walk down ‘sentimental lane’. Everything pretty much looked the same. That brought a sigh of relief to our memories. We smiled as we gazed at the table where we had sat that night in 1965.

I might add that the Win Schuler’s Restaurant we were at received the Gold Plate Award in 1971 from the International Foodservice Manufacturers Association, the greatest distinction the industry has to offer.

In 1960 the old English inn’s owner was inducted into the American Restaurant Hall of Fame.

Their cheese and hard crackers are served at every table before the drink order is taken. Marcia and I munched and made small talk while we glanced at the menu.

The table beside us held two retired couples. They were complaining among themselves that the cheese spread didn’t taste the same as it did when they had come there years ago.

“That’s true,” the teenage waiter said. “It’s a different recipe.”

“A different recipe?” the old man repeated in disbelief. “Why in the world would you change? Your recipe was wonderful. We came just because of that.”

“We had to change,” the waiter continued. “Sold our recipe to Craft Foods. We also sold our name too. We no longer can use the name ‘Win’ Schuler. If you see that name in the store, it belongs to Craft Foods. We made up a new recipe using different ingredients, and now we only use the name Schuler.

“Personally,” he said, “I’ve never tasted the old cheese spread. I’ve only tasted this one and I happen to like it.”

“Well, I’ve tasted the old, and it was better than this the old guy said as he shook his white hair. Hmm, sold your recipe and your name! Why would you sell a recipe that’s worked for a hundred years? God have mercy!”

That happened today.

Let me tell you what else is happening today.

Some preachers, some churches and some fellowships have sold their name and their recipe hoping to get a crowd. All of this is done in the name of ‘Revival.’

They sold their recipe for worship, for holiness, and for doctrine. They’ve also sold their name, Apostolic Pentecostal. The greatest loss was when they sold the Name of Jesus in Baptism.

A generation is living today that never tasted the old time Apostolic recipe. They have only tasted this new one that is not like the original. Old timers can tell you, that it does not taste the same. It’s not.

History repeats itself.

In the book of Ezra, it was the same problem. Solomon’s Temple had been destroyed and a new one was built in its place. The young people had never seen the 1^st Temple. They rejoiced.

The Elders had seen the 1^st and the 2^nd. They wept because it wasn’t the same anymore.

Ezra 3:11 And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the LORD; because he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid.

Ezra 3:12 But many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, who were ancient men, that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy:

Ezra 3:13 So that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people: for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the noise was heard afar off.

Whatever road you may walk down, Gentle Reader, purpose in your heart to never sell your Name or your Recipe.

Written by Martyn Ballestero

August 8, 2010 at 10:58 pm

Posted in Backsliders, Baptism In Jesus Name, Christian Living, Compromise, False Doctrine, God's House, Holiness

The Unreasonable Demands Of Sin

with 2 comments

The Unreasonable Demands Of Sin

Mark 10:17-27- The Rich Young Ruler felt Christ’s demands were unreasonable!

So, You think the Church makes unreasonable demands on you?

Before you get the mindset that God’s is unreasonable, let me tell you about the Unreasonable Demands Of Sin.

There are Unreasonable Demands of Life

Keep up w/Jones’s, Car Model changes,

School Busing,

No Prayer in Schools

The Unreasonable Demands Of Life Are A Given. Let’s Talk About The Unreasonable Demands Of Sin.

Sin Wanted:

Eve to Question and Disobey God. = (The Loss of God’s Fellowship)

Noah’s Gen. to Ignore Only Saving message = (The loss of your life.)

Naboth to sell his vineyard = (Lose your heritage)

Daniel to stop praying = (Lose your consecration

3 Hebrew Children to bow down = (Lose your worship)

That was a long time ago.
Let’s Talk About The Unreasonable Demands of Sin Today.

Sin Demands:

Your Innocence
The Early Loss of Your Virginity to be accepted by the world, the in-crowd.
Sin wishes to devalue you in your own eyes and the eyes of others.

Style Demands:

You dress a certain way ——- even if you look stupid.
Wear expensive clothes ——- even if you can’t afford to.
That Holiness be ignored.
That you wear things that God calls an abomination. (Everyone’s doing it)
That clothes be designed without the church in mind.

Drugs Demand:

You support an expensive habit, even if you don’t want to.
You do whatever you have to do to get the money
- Sell your body for more drugs.
- Steal
- Get a criminal record
- Become HIV positive (dirty needles)
- Live a lie
Change into a crazed animal at times
Be abusive to others
Birth children with serious birth defects
Risk losing the ones that love you
Warp your personality
Damage your ability to think clearly
Fry your brains for life.

Alcohol Demands:

You destroy your family
Your marriage go on the rocks
You choose the Bottle over your family
You miss work,
- Lose your Job
- Lose your career
- Consider homelessness an option
- Damage your vital organs
- Destroy your liver
You Lose your Driver’s license and possibly your freedom

Smoking Demands:

You knowingly kill yourself
You jeopardize your health and those around you
You breath stink
Your teeth to turn yellow
Your fingers to stain
Your Hair, clothes, car, house, smell like an ash tray
You turn your lungs into cancer containers.
That kissing you is like licking an ashtray.

Your Temper Demands:

You always have to get your way to be happy.
That you become physical in your anger.
That your family fear you and your violent nature.
That your friends fear you too.
You get offended easily and say things that you’ll regret.
That submission becomes a constant issue.

Your Lust Demands:

Gratification, regardless of the cost.
You risk your health
You risk your reputation
You risk your soul
You disregard risk of embarrassment or injury to your friends, church, family

Your Perversion Demands:

That you become without natural affection
That you live in a closet of deception all your life.
That you continually risk your health
That you continually risk HIV infection
That you continually risk the violent reactions of others
That you live in fear of being outed
That you live a lifestyle that God hates
That you live in fear of rejection by your family and others.
That not only are your desires perverted, your mind is too.
That you get in conflict with the laws of Man and the laws of God.

Your Rebellion Demands

That Pride becomes your motivation
That you ignore God’s Word and God’s Man.
That your spirit be used of the Devil to hinder Revival in the Church
That you feel more comfortable with Self Will than God’s Will
That you bring the Judgment of God on yourself
That Godly people discern your spirit and distance themselves from you.
That you fall into the category of “a worker of iniquity”
That you tempt the Lord every time you open your mouth

Hollywood Demands:

You accept it’s morality
Your senses become hardened by:
- Murder
- Violence
- Vulgarity
- Nudity
- Pre-marital Sex
- Infidelity
- Perversion
- Humanistic values
It Demands Christians be portrayed as:
- Nerds
- Wicked and Hypocritical people
- Churches be put in a bad light
- Preachers are always bad people

Sin Demands that you:

Doubt God, but trust your sinner friends.
Disobey God
Not Fear God
Not Love God with all your heart
Accept what God rejects.
Ignore God
Make light of God’s Word
Ignore God’s Call
You reject God

Sin Demands you:

That you miss church
That you get a job that helps you miss church
That you justify worldly friends
That you feel like God doesn’t love you
That you feel like The Church doesn’t love you
That you feel like the Pastor doesn’t love you
That you believe sinful living is really freedom.

Sin Demands Your:

Involvement
- Your participation, physically/emotionally
- That you recruit others
- That you not go to hell alone
- That when you did go to church to had no desire to recruit others.
Time
Finances – That you throw money to the devil, but have a problem with tithes
Acceptance – Become addicted
Life
Future

Sin Demands that You Live In:

Bondage
Condemnation
Shame
Guilt
Regret
Reproach
In Fear of Dying

Sin Demands You:

Reject God’s Love
It’s wages
Go to Hell
Feel Uncomfortable in Church
Feel Uncomfortable in the presence of God
Become hardened in your heart
Believe a lie and be damned
You backslide
Get rebellious
Lose your testimony

If your Boss was Unreasonable, you’d quit
If your Neighbors were Unreasonable, you’d move
If the Gas Station’s prices were Unreasonable, you’d go elsewhere
If the Restaurant’s prices were Unreasonable, you’d go elsewhere
Sin is Unreasonable, You NEED to go Elsewhere

Sin Demands You consider Heaven’s Demands Unreasonable!

The Reasonableness of Serving God

Yoke is easy
Burden light
Heaven is better than Hell
God blesses you daily
Great is your reward in Heaven
Here is as bad as it gets
God fights your battles
God supplies your needs
God directs your steps
God gives you peace
Guilt is gone
Your sins are forgiven

Rom. 12:1-2 Holiness is reasonable

Obeying God is reasonable

Faith is reasonable

Worship is reasonable

Tithing is reasonable

The New Birth Message is reasonable

Witnessing is reasonable

Fearing God is reasonable ……(the beginning of wisdom)

Sin’s demands at best, can only bring temporary pleasure

What’s Unreasonable about:

God’s Love
God’s Mercy
God’s Protection
Forgiveness
Having your sins washed away in Jesus Name
Being filled with the Spirit
Heaven
Letting God Guide you
Letting God comfort you

Say Good-bye to the Sinning Business
Say Hello to the Reasonableness of living for God

What’s Reasonable About:

Resisting God?
Neglecting your Soul?
Refusing Divine Help?
Running from God?
Ignoring God’s Love?
Living in fear of the Judgment
Living in fear of the Rapture
Living without peace in your soul
Being lost in eternity
Saying goodbye to Salvation

Get Your eyes open to the fact that God loves you,

That the Devil doesn’t love you, he desires you.

It’s Reasonable to respond to the love of God.
It’s Reasonable to Give Him your heart.
It’s Reasonable to Surrender your will to Him
It’s Reasonable to Obey His Word.
It’s Reasonable to Live for God.
It’s Reasonable to Live Holy
It’s Reasonable to Dress Holy
It’s Reasonable to show the World, by how we act and dress, that we belong to God.
When we were in Sin, we showed God who we belonged to, by how we acted and dressed.)

God hasn’t asked you to do some hard thing.

Here is what he’s asked you to do, it’s found in ACTS 2:38

Repent
Get Baptized
Receive The Gift of the Holy Ghost…Speaking with other tongues

Let Him fill you today.

Live For Him! It’s Not Hard!

Written by Martyn Ballestero

August 6, 2010 at 7:10 pm

Posted in Christian Living, Sin

Would You, If You Knew No One Was Listening?

with 12 comments

Carl Ballestero Preaching In Fresno, CA.

Written by Martyn Ballestero

July 31, 2010 at 11:39 pm

Posted in Witness

The Mile High Conference Revival 2010

with one comment

I was blessed to attend two wonderful days of The Mile High Conference Revival in Denver Colorado. The preaching was at a depth in God that was phenomenal. I have posted some of the sermons here on my blog, complete with commentary taken from the church website. Enjoy!

For additional messages from Calvary Apostolic Church, go to http://www.cacdenver.org

Steve Pixler – Transformation Of The Will

Bro. Pixler gives us a deeper understanding of Jesus’ meaning when praying “Not my will, but Thine be done”

≈≈≈≈≈

Tony Spell- Preserving the Truth

Tony Spell – As It Was, So Shall It Be

≈≈≈≈≈

Ron Libby – Grasping Grace

Ron Libby – Grasping Grace II

≈≈≈≈≈

Nathaniel Urshan – The Bartimaeus Syndrome

You must get God for yourself. You can’t live off your Father’s blessing. You must get it for yourself. You may be defined in the natural by your Father, past, history etc… but when you get God, you become his Son and you are then defined by Him. Let him become Your God, Your provider, Your help.

≈≈≈≈≈

Terry Black -What Do You Do After The Ram Shows Up?

Isaac found himself bound on the altar due to his father’s desire to please God. Bro. Black examines his reaction to this unsettling turn of events in his life.

Terry Black – If You Have Your Faith, You Have Your Future

Failure does not spell the end for children of God — Keep your faith!

≈≈≈≈≈

Written by Martyn Ballestero

July 30, 2010 at 9:20 am

Posted in Uncategorized

“The Kite, or the Fall of Pride”

with 3 comments

(Last night I heard Pastor Tony Spell quote this very rare old poem. I wanted to share it with my readers. It is written by the same man who wrote ‘Amazing Grace.’)

“The Kite, or the Fall of Pride”

John Newton

Aug. 4, 1770

My waking dreams are best concealed,

Much folly, little good they yield.

But now and then I gain when sleeping

A friendly hint that’s worth the keeping.

…

Lately I dreamt of one who cried

“Beware of self, beware of pride;

When you are prone to build a Babel

Recall to mind this little fable.”

Once upon a time a paper kite

Was mounted to a wondrous height,

Where, giddy with its elevation,

It thus expressed self-admiration:

…

”See how yon crowds of gazing people

Admire my flight above the steeple;

How they would wonder if they knew

All that a kite like me can do?

…

Were I but free, I’d take a flight,

And pierce the clouds beyond their sight.

“But, ah! like a poor pris’ner bound,

My string confines me near the ground:

…

I’d brave the eagle’s tow’ring wing,

Might I but fly without a string.”

It tugged and pulled, while thus it spoke

To break the string; at last it broke.

…

Deprived at once of all its stay,

In vain it tried to soar away;

Unable its own weight to bear,

It fluttered downward through the air;

…

Unable its own course to guide,

The winds soon plunged it in the tide.

Ah! foolish kite; thou hadst no wing;

How couldt thou fly without a string?

…

My heart replied, “O Lord, I see

How much this kite resembles me!

Forgetful that by thee I stand,

Impatient of thy ruling hand;

…

“How oft I’ve wished to break the lines

Thy wisdom for my lot assigns?

How oft indulged a vain desire

For something more or something higher.

…

And but for grace or love divine,

A fall thus dreadful had been mine.”

Written by Martyn Ballestero

July 28, 2010 at 8:00 am

Posted in Christian Living, Pride

Unrealistic Expectations?

with 3 comments

Unrealistic Expectations?

In the early 50’s my father, Carl Ballestero preached a revival for his dear friend Paul Jordan in Indianapolis, Indiana. Christian Tabernacle, located then at 38^th and Sherman Drive, was a revival church. Visitors came almost every service and many of them received the Holy Ghost.

One night a new lady received the Holy Ghost. Not only did she speak in tongues, she spoke in several different languages. Then she began to sing. She sang 17 songs in 17 different languages. It lasted for what seemed like an hour or so.

The saints were mesmerized. Everyone was amazed. No one ever remembered seeing or hearing of anything like this before. The new convert was ecstatic! Her experience stirred the congregation to jubilation.

At the altar call the next night, a bald headed man about 50 came down and prayed. He prayed until he was the last one in the altar. The saints finally gave up and left the pastor, the evangelist and his family. They alone remained to pray with the seeker.

After two hours of praying, the bald headed seeker finally began to speak in tongues. He spoke in tongues for an hour or more. By now it was way past midnight. My little sisters were asleep near the altar.

Baldy stopped praying. He kept his eyes closed and shook his head.

“It’s no use!” He said.

“What’s no use?” My father asked him.

“The Holy Ghost… I can’t get it!”

“You can’t get it?”

“No sir.”

“Man, what have you been speaking in for the last hour?” My father asked him.

“I don’t know, but I know it wasn’t the Holy Ghost!”

“How can you say it wasn’t the Holy Ghost?” Dad pushed the point.

“Because I didn’t sing those 17 different songs in 17 different languages!” Was his reply.

Although we may smile at what we consider to be unrealistic expectations, Baldy is not alone.

The Disciples thought the Kingdom of God was to be earthly.

James and John’s mother wanted her sons to get to sit on either side on Jesus.

Naaman thought he would be prayed for in a specific manner like Oral Roberts, Benny Hinn, or R.W. Shambach.

2Kings 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.

Because of Naaman’s preconceived notions, he had to humble himself before he received his miracle.

So do we. Let God do His business His way.

We may speak in Tongues for an hour or for a minute, when we receive it, but it’s still the Holy Ghost!

God’s will for you today, may be in the ‘still small voice’ or in the’ rustle in the mulberry bushes.’

1Kings 19:11 And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake:

1Kings 19:12 And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.

It doesn’t have to be thunder and lightening to be God demonstrating Himself in your life.

Written by Martyn Ballestero

July 27, 2010 at 8:27 am

Posted in Christian Living

Once The Seal Is Broken

with 12 comments

Once The Seal Is Broken

Jams and jellies are a necessity in my home. I love them. I like jam on toast, and a big gob on each half of my biscuit. I even have been known to spread jam on my pancakes. I have many memories of my mother making dozens of jars of preserves and jellies each year. My daughter, Marisa Hartzell carries on the family tradition and her jams and jellies taste every bit as wonderful as my Mother’s. I am blessed.

One common practice in my Mom’s canning was the use of paraffin. Once the jam in the jar was ready, she poured melted paraffin on top of the jam. The paraffin would make a seal about a quarter of an inch thick or more. When the wax was cool and the jar sealed, a lid was tightly screwed into place.

Later, when we needed jam, the paraffin seal was broken. The contents of the jar immediately became subject to spoiling if not treated refrigerated properly. The seal was broken and could not be put back into place.

Kerr came out with a special two-part lid for the home-canner. When the contents of the jars are still hot, the rims were wiped clean, and flat Kerr lids were put into place.

As the jar cools, a vacuum is created and the lid is sucked tight onto the rim. The center of the lid is sunken; showing that the seal was successful. Tapping on the lid strikes a musical note only if sealed correctly.

Once the lid is pried off, safe food measures must be immediately taken because the seal cannot be put back into place. Food spoilage is a danger.

Eighteen wheel big rigs are often seen pulling a trailer with a metal seal or seals in the door latch. Something very important and valuable is inside. The owner is worried, that’s why he placed a seal upon the door. Every trucker knows that if that seal is broken, foul play is suspected. It can’t be restored. The seal is broken. Answers will be demanded. Explanations are in order and the contents of the whole trailer are subject to inventory.

What about the seal between the saint and their pastor?

Charlie was a sinner. He came to church, repented, got baptized and was filled with the Holy Ghost. Bro. Charlie did wonderful for 18 years. Then one day his son Josh rebelled and sinned. It caused quite a stir in the church. Several young people were involved. It became an issue that couldn’t be ignored or allow to continue. The pastor had to respond.

Bro. Charlie wasn’t happy with the pastor’s response to his son’s sinning in his preaching or in the counseling sessions. He got offended. He protected his son from the pulpit and eventually told his friends he wasn’t coming back. He didn’t, he changed churches.

In the next 15 years, Bro. Charlie went to at least eight different churches in almost that many states. He still feels saved, so does his son. His boy is now married to a Charismatic woman who cut her hair, wears slacks, and has lots of jewelry. She also talks in tongues.

Charlie wouldn’t take correction. He wouldn’t allow Josh to be corrected. He allowed the seal to be broken between himself and the man of God. Consequently, he has spent many years taking his soul in his own hands, and drifting from church to church. If he doesn’t like the pastor’s stand, on an issue, he moves on. The seal of a Pastor-Saint relationship is permanently missing in his heart.. He broke the seal. Not only him, but also his son has experienced the spoilage that only comes with broken seals.

Don’t ever allow the seal to be broken between you and your man of God. It may never be restored.

Jude 13 referred to those with broken seals as: ‘wandering stars.’

Never let the old flesh bring separation between your pastor and yourself. It is impossible to go back to a life of innocence. It’s impossible to replace that seal. Once you learn how to take your soul in your own hands and make your own life decisions, you can’t be pastored anymore.

Is your seal in place?

Written by Martyn Ballestero

July 23, 2010 at 12:01 am

Posted in Christian Living, Leadership, Loyality, Ministry, Respect, Submission

The Fail Factor

with 9 comments

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.
1. Think you can’t live it,
2. Think you can’t be saved.
3. Give up!
4. Quit
5. 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: