The Ballestero Blog

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Posts Tagged ‘Encouragement

How Long Is The Night?

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How Long Is The Night?

Nights seem shorter during the summer months, and a lot longer during the winter.

John 11:9 Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day?

Without getting too scientific, even at the geographical poles, where the earth’s rotation isn’t a factor, there is a six months night and a six months day.

And according to Yahoo, even “at the equinoxes, when the sun is exactly perpendicular to the equator, everywhere on earth, there is a day somewhere that has exactly 12 hours and a night of 12 hours.”

So… How Long Has The Been For Night For You?

tusleepn-1

 

In The Garden At Night

It was in the Garden of Gethsemane at night, that Jesus was forced to face his greatest battle. It was also a time when his own disciples slept. There was no one to help him during His night season.

The Night Jesus Was In The Tomb.

It was a very long night for the believers of Jesus, when they knew his body lay encased in a tomb. Their hopes were dashed. Their future dreams all dissolved before their eyes.

 

Peter’s Night After The Denial

How long was the night for Peter? He lived all night with the haunting reality of his denial of the Lord.

The Ten Virgins

For the ten virgins, the night was long enough to make them all fall asleep from weariness and exhaustion.

Daniel’s Night In The Lions Den

How long was the night for Daniel as he listened to the lions snore next to him? No one had ever survived an ordeal like this before! Would he?

paul_shipwreck_by_tazi_san-d38hbzyPaul’s Night Floating In The Mediterranean Sea

Paul said he spent all night floating in the open sea after his shipwreck. Sometimes, there is no rest all night long. Night seems to be a time in which men fight for survival.

The Night Of The First Passover

How could they sleep knowing that death lurked outside in the darkness? The blood of the lamb was their only defense! They had to keep their shoes on. In spite of the judgment that fell on the unbelievers, Deliverance came for them the same night.

Night Has Often Been A Time For Coming To Grips With Our Greatest Fears.

  • For some, it’s a time of loneliness.
  • Maybe, it could also be a time for tears.
  • For others, it’s in the night that fear reigns supreme.
  • Nightmares happen in the night.
  • Sounds are heard at night that no one seems to notice during the day.
  • Storms of devastation seem to come at night.

Nights Are Horrible For Anyone That Is Away From God.

  • It seems that the death angel comes more often at night.
  • Sick people gain hope, if they can just make it through the night.

We all have nights, and for most of our lives think nothing of them. There are times however, when situations and circumstances look bleak, and despair seems to show it’s ugly face.

  • Fear grips our hearts.
  • Our mind tells us how hopeless our situation is.

 

Your Night Of Trial And Testing!

I’m Sure It’s Painful! How Often We All Desire To Spare Those We Love From Their Night Terrors!

  • stock-footage-full-moon-behind-clouds-at-nightOnly God has the answer!
  • Only God knows how much longer your night will last.
  • Only God knows how much you will have to bear.
  • Only God knows how He plans to be glorified by your trial of faith.
  • Only God knows where you are ‘at.’
  • Only God knows why you have been chosen to bear your load.
  • Only God knows why you had to hear the doctor’s bad report.
  • Only God knows why you suffered such loss.

 

But, There Is One Thing He Wants You To Know!

 Psa 30: 5 For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.

I Am Praying For You, That Your ‘Night’ Not Last Much Longer!

For The Church Of Jesus Christ

This is a dark time. It is an hour of spiritual wickedness and the prince of darkness is having his last fling. This truly is the midnight hour.

  • But, Be Of Good Cheer. The Morning Cometh!
  • Jesus Is Coming Soon. The Night Is Almost Over!
  • Are You Ready For A New Day?

 

Are You Ready For The Morning?

Written by Martyn Ballestero

December 3, 2012 at 9:16 pm

“Go Preach ‘Em Happy”

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“Go Preach Em Happy”

by Pastor Roy Barnhill

Pastor Roy Barnhill

I introduce to you Rev. Virgil Cox.  Some may not know him, so allow this short biography.

Virgil Cox was raised in St. Louis by his parents Virgil (Deacon) and Christine Cox. As a family, they attended White Way Tabernacle, pastored by Walter Guinn.

Virgil Jr. was 16 years old in 1945.  The “merger” of two oneness organizations was in progress and Virgil was a teenage witness to this historical moment that was being held at White Way. In those days, ministers did not stay in three or four star hotels but rather, were invited to stay in the saint’s homes. Several highly esteemed elders stayed in the Cox home.

During the “merger” and young Virgil was privileged to meet many of them who had come to this historical conference, which convened in St. Louis.

Virgil Cox pastored in Vichy, Missouri and later in Jefferson City, Missouri.  From Jefferson City he was asked to come to Bogalusa, LA where he pastored until his retirement. His son, Kevin Cox, is now District Superintendent of LA.

Through the years, I kept contact with Bro. Cox and would call him on a regular basis just to hear him tell again how things use to be in the “good ole days” and how times have changed.

We never talked about church growth principles, as such, but the advice he gave me before each call was ended, has been some of the best advice on growing people and growing a church. His closing words would always be, “Roy, Go Preach ‘Em Happy”.

After hearing this advice for several months, my curiosity got the best of me and I asked, “Bro. Cox, what do you mean, “Go Preach ‘Em Happy”?

What I heard next should be achieved in People Principles 101.  Bro. Cox shared with me how people are beat up and beat down by life’s hardships and hurts, so when they come to your church on Sunday, they need to hear a message of hope.

Their week may have included a loss of a job, a foreclosure notice, a rebellious teenager that is dealing them much heartache or a companion that has walked out.

Bro. Cox continued, Preach encouragement. Preach hope. Preach they can make it. Preach that Jesus loves them.  Preach that prayer changes things.  Go Preach ‘Em Happy.

Life’s greatest discovery is, if you will love people, they will love you in return. People gravitate to someone who will tell them there is hope in this life and in the life to come. Step One in growing a church is…

Go Preach ‘Em Happy!

Written by Martyn Ballestero

November 9, 2011 at 12:49 pm

Posted in Comfort, Ministry, Pastors

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