Archive for the ‘Witness’ Category
How Shall They Hear Without A Preacher?
Romans 10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
Disclaimer:
Although I love and support Holy Ghost Radio, I do not represent them in any official capacity. I am not paid by them, neither have I been asked to speak on their behalf.
We Have Many Things To Be Thankful For This Year!
- The Revelation of the Mighty God in Christ.
- The Baptism in the Name of Jesus.
- The Holy Ghost!
- God’s provision and protection.
- Our family and our heritage.
- Our church.
- Our health and our home.
One thing that may not have crossed your mind to be thankful for this year is Holy Ghost Radio! We all love it and have it bookmarked on our computers and have downloaded the app for our cell phones and tablets.
Every week for many years someone has mentioned a sermon or song they’ve heard on Holy Ghost Radio. No other Apostolic Pentecostal resource has been continually more effective in reaching the lost, edifying the body of Christ, and strengthening the church.
Pentecost and the world have been blessed beyond measure by the efforts of Brother and Sister Jeff Hoffer and Holy Ghost Radio.
Reports of listeners receiving the Holy Ghost or receiving the Revelation of the Oneness of God continually pour in. We rejoice with them, upon hearing these wonderful reports.
Twenty years ago, Bro. Hoffer felt led to make Apostolic preaching available to the world. It’s free for everyone to listen to. However, it is a huge expense to keep this service available.
Computers and technical equipment need to be upgraded to keep up with fast-changing technology. Technicians, programmers, and staff are needed to keep HGR on the air.
This Is A Voice That Must Never Go Silent!
While I have not been asked to make a plea for support, Partners In Missions are desperately needed!
Pastor… My Prayer Is That You Make HGR A Part Of Your Missions Giving!
As an individual, I have done a very small part by giving a modest monthly pledge. HGR needs us to show our Thankfulness to them by partnering with them on a monthly basis. (Have you ever noticed how God blesses you when you give to missions?)
Please consider blessing this missionary endeavor. Join me in helping them spread this Gospel around the world!
Click The Link Below.
Make A One Time Donation
I Want To Be A Monthly Supporter
Below Is A Letter From Brother Jeff Hoffer To The Friends Of Holy Ghost Radio
Hello Friends,
Back in 1999, when the Lord directed us to begin a radio ministry, we launched out in faith. Our first conference was in 2002 and we’ve been going strong ever since.
2019 has been a tremendous year for Holy Ghost Radio and we could not have done it without you.
We are streaming Truth 24 hours a day, across the world and love hearing all the testimonies of souls being saved and backsliders praying through!
We’re writing today because we are in need of your help.
We are trusting the Lord to help us keep up with the technology to continue to expand, add new channels, pay for the overhead, the app, website, servers, streams, internet, and upgrade our computers to support all of our streams, add new ones, etc.
Technology is expensive and we really need more churches to partner with us monthly, to help us grow, expand, and keep up with the times.
We are extremely thankful for the WPF adding Holy Ghost Radio to its offering list for Global Missions.
Please consider a monthly pledge offering, either personally or through your church, to support Holy Ghost Radio by continuing to fund the gospel to every nation.
You can give online at holyghostradio.com and click donate or send in a check to:
HGR
PO Box 711441
Santee, Ca 92072
Lastly, we’d like to let you know about an increase in our live conference fee, next year to $1,500 plus accommodations and travel expenses effective January 1, 2020.To save you accommodations & travel expenses you can go remote for $1,500
Thank you so much for being a faithful listener and supporter!
Sincerely,
Jeff & Jeannette Hoffer
Holy Ghost Radio
He Was Ashamed Of His Stuttering, But He Gave Him A Tract Anyway!
He Was Ashamed Of His Stuttering, But He Gave Him A Tract Anyway!
(To The Embarrassed Man, Who Stuttered… Thank You!)
No one knows your name.
You came out of nowhere. You stopped when you saw the car teetering on the edge of the cliff with the front tires dangling out into space.
A young man sat behind the wheel with his foot on the brake desperately trying to keep the vehicle from moving forward. Only a wrecker could pull the car back onto the road. His friends had gone to get one.
Uncertainty showed in your body language. You knew you couldn’t do anything for the car, but yet you came closer. You walked with your head down and only glanced up to make sure you were walking in the right direction.
When you arrived at the driver’s window, you dug into your pocket and pulled out what looked like an old and well-worn Gospel Tract.
You were nervous and stuttered badly as you handed the tract to the Catholic boy behind the wheel.
It seemed like it took you forever to say, ‘I want you to read this.”
The young man thanked you and watched as you shuffled out of his life. But he never forgot you.
He wondered why the tract you had given was old and not new. Was it your personal favorite or was it the last one you had?
What You Didn’t Know!
You didn’t know that the young man had been raised Catholic.
You didn’t know that he had been a gang leader in Los Angeles and a fugitive from justice as well.
You didn’t know that he wanted to turn his life around.
You didn’t know that he would read your old tract slowly taking in every word.
You didn’t know that when the tract talked about the coming of the Lord and asked the question, “Are you ready?” that the young man realized he wasn’t ready.
You didn’t know that you were the first person to ever make him think about his soul being lost and that he needed the Lord.
You didn’t know that he prayed, “God if there is more for me from You, then I want it. If it is real, I want it.”
What You Never Knew!
The power of a single tract.
The young man soon visited an Assemblies Of God Church in Fresno, California.
Rev. Charles Price preached him to the altar that night and he received the Holy Ghost speaking in tongues.
What You Couldn’t Have Known!
The past caught up with him and he went to San Quentin Prison.
He regularly attended a Bible Study group.
His cellmate was a backslider from a Trinitarian church and he once had the Holy Ghost.
The cellmate would watch the others in the Bible Study group but never join in.
One day the cellmate received a tract from his wife about Acts 2:38. She had just been baptized in Jesus Name and wanted him to be as well.
The backslidden cellmate didn’t want the tract, so he gave it him.
What You May Never Know!
The young man you gave the tract to, read this 2nd tract and received a revelation of the Oneness of God and the importance of Jesus Name baptism, and was thrilled with the new knowledge.
He preached his first sermon in the prison yard. “Though Thy Sins Be As Scarlet, They Shall Be White As Snow!”
After being released, he went into the Army and searched for two years for someone to baptize him.
He found that place in Christ Church, Oregon City, Oregon. The Pastor, Andrew Baker baptized him in Jesus Name.
His family disowned him for leaving the Catholic Church.
He married the most lovely and godly young woman you could ever hope to find. They had five children who also were baptized in Jesus Name and filled with the Holy Ghost.
He pastored nine churches, six of which he started.
He evangelized everywhere for twenty-five years and pastored twenty-five years as well.
His sermons were life changing and unforgettable.
All who have his tapes and CD’s still treasure them.
You would have cried and rejoiced listening to him preach under the anointing.
You would have cried listening to him and his wife sing.
His son became a preacher.
Of his four daughters, one died in her teens, the others are involved in ministry.
Two of his son’s in law are preachers.
He has eleven grandchildren who all have received the Holy Ghost and have all been involved in ministry of some kind.
Five became pastors.
Of his twenty-one great-grandchildren, those who are old enough have been baptized in Jesus Name and filled with the Holy Ghost.
The oldest ones are presently preparing themselves for the work of the Lord.
What I Want You To Know!
He never forgot your willingness to witness, in spite of your stuttering and embarrassment.
You were the first one to ever witness to him, even though you simply handed him an old tract.
He’s not here today to say thank you.
He died on September 11, 1994. His wife, Content died on January 13, 2012.
So I would like to thank you for him!
You see, I’m his son.
His name was Carl Joseph Ballestero.
At What Level Do You Wish To Play?
At What Level Do You Wish To Play?
In the 1980’s electronic chess games became the rage in certain cerebral circles. One particular model would ask its user, as soon as the power button was switched on, “At what level do you wish to play?”
Everyone knew it was just a game. The unit was a cheap handheld device that anyone could play. The user could play in the beginner mode, or even play at the expert level. No one would criticize the level he or she played. It was just a game, and it was only played for fun.
But The Question It Asked Is Still Valid In Real Life Today. At What Level Do You Wish To Play (Or Participate)?
‘Live Like You Were Dying’ is the title of a popular song made somewhat famous a few years ago. The message from just the title of the song is enough to make one think about prioritizing their life.
Like the electronic chess game, some things are just for entertainment, and some things are mainly used to pass the time. Then there are other things that have life and death importance attached. Our souls get intertwined in the process. You have to know which ones are which.
Your Friendships
Your God-fearing friends tell the world the level at which you wish to play.
Your worldly friendships probably display the level you really wish to play. If that is the level you wish to play, so be it.
Friends are more than just pals. Your friends matter to God.
- They Influence you.
- They generate peer pressure that will change you.
- They can take you away from God.
- They can bring you closer to God.
- Chose your friends carefully. You will soon become what they are.
- What do your friendships today say about the level you have chosen to play?
- In Your Friendships, At What Level Do You Wish To Play?
Your Marriage
The way you cherish your spouse and give yourself to your marriage tells your family, friends and the whole wide world the level you have chosen to play.
- God becomes deeply interested and involved in your relationship with your spouse.
- His Word even directs you how to love and express your love to each other.
- Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
- Ephesians 5:28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.
- He pays attention to your mistreatment and neglect.
- 1 Corinthians 7:3 Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.
- 1 Corinthians 7:5 Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.
- Those who have trouble at home soon have trouble in church. The Lord knows that, you should too.
In Your Marriage, At What Level Do You Wish To Play?
At Church
Your Response And Involvement:
- In the Worship service says volumes about the level you wish to play.
- In the Prayer room shows the level you are playing.
- In the Altar service shows the level you are playing.
- In Outreach shows the level you are playing.
- In Giving To Missions shows the level you are playing.
- In Giving Your Tithes shows the level you are playing.
- In the way you argue about Standards shows the level you are playing.
- In Obeying God’s Word shows the level you are playing.
Your Reaction to the Preaching even when it corrects you makes clear the level you wish to play.
Saying Amen to the Word tells God, the devil, the Pastor and the Church family the level you wish to play.
Pictures and Posts on Social media sites tell everyone the level at which you are probably really playing.
Old timers used the phrase, Playing Church. Never let that be said about you.
Living For God Is Not A Game.
At Church, What Level Do You Wish To Play?
God Hates Selfies
God Hates Selfies
Love Thy Neighbor As Thy Selfie?
Every Social media seems to be loaded with pictures that users take of themselves. (When someone uses their camera or cellphone to take their own picture, that photo is called a ‘selfie’.) Some seem to be consumed with the daily posting of these pictures.
To the average viewer looking at the different poses everyday, it does seem to be a bit much over the top at times.
In 2013, the word “selfie” made it into the official Oxford dictionary. In fact, it was the “word of the year”.
But, getting back to the title of this post. Does God really hate selfies? He sure does. Humor me just a moment and see what I’m talking about.
He Doesn’t Like Your Selfies Unless He’s In It Too. He Doesn’t Want To Be A Photo Bomb In Your Selfie. He Wants To Be The Main Focus Of The Whole Picture.
As a very young man, I was leading the worship service one evening in our local church in South Bend. After service, my father, the pastor, said he wanted to talk to me a moment. That didn’t seem like it was going to be a good thing for me, from the sound of his voice.
Dad: “Son, have you noticed that God never seems to bless that chorus you sang tonight?”
Me: “What chorus dad?”
Dad: “Working for a mansion, a robe and a crown… that will be glory for me.”
Me: “No sir, I never noticed that.”
Dad: “Well… if you are going to lead the worship in this church you need to pay attention to what songs God blesses and which ones He doesn’t bless.”
Me: gulp, “Yes sir… I’m very sorry.”
Dad: “The reason He doesn’t bless that song here is because it is all about us. It’s about self. It’s not about Him. If you want the blessings of God on a song service, sing about Him. Sing about His mercy, sing about His grace, sing about His love, sing about His power, sing about His blood, sing about His Word, and sing about His Name. Sing about Him and He will always bless it.”
Me: “Yes sir. Thank you Daddy. Thank you very much!”
2 Timothy 3:2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves,
In a generation dedicated to the pleasuring of its flesh, selfies just seem to be normal. But in His World, our self must decrease so that He might increase. He must be the Lord of all. He delights in our promotion of His Kingdom.
Never Forget That God Is A Jealous God.
Only when we humble and abase ourselves do we find the secret of exaltation.
Luke 9:23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
The Gospel compels us to focus on Him and others, not on ourselves. It challenges us to get past our own little world and minister to others.
It asks us to go into the darkness around us and be the light of the world so that the glorious light of the Gospel can shine abroad unto the lost.
So, focus your heart’s camera on Him right now, take the best picture you can and then go show it to someone who has never seen anyone like Him before.
Remember… He ONLY likes ‘selfies’ when He is included in the picture.
To The Embarrassed Man, Who Stuttered… Thank You!
To The Embarrassed Man, Who Stuttered… Thank You!
No one knows your name.
You came out of nowhere. You stopped when you saw the car teetering on the edge of the cliff with the front tires dangling out into space.
A young man sat behind the wheel with his foot on the brake desperately trying to keep the vehicle from moving forward. Only a wrecker could pull the car back onto the road. His friends had gone to get one.
Uncertainty showed in your body language. You knew you couldn’t do anything for the car, but yet you came closer. You walked with your head down and only glanced up to make sure you were walking in the right direction.
When you arrived at the driver’s window, you dug into your pocket and pulled out what looked like an old and well-worn Gospel Tract.
You were nervous and stuttered badly as you handed the tract to the Catholic boy behind the wheel.
It seemed like it took you forever to say, ‘I want you to read this.”
The young man thanked you and watched as you shuffled out of his life. But he never forgot you.
He wondered why the tract you had given was old and not new. Was it your personal favorite or was it the last one you had?
What You Didn’t Know!
You didn’t know that the young man had been raised Catholic.
You didn’t know that he had been a gang leader in Los Angeles and a fugitive from justice as well.
You didn’t know that he wanted to turn his life around.
You didn’t know that he would read your old tract slowly taking in every word.
You didn’t know that when the tract talked about the coming of the Lord and asked the question, “Are you ready?” that the young man realized he wasn’t ready.
You didn’t know that you were the first person to ever make him think about his soul being lost and that he needed the Lord.
You didn’t know that he prayed, “God if there is more for me from You, then I want it. If it is real, I want it.”
What You Never Knew!
The power of a single tract.
The young man soon visited an Assemblies Of God Church in Fresno, California.
Rev. Charles Price preached him to the altar that night and he received the Holy Ghost speaking in tongues.
What You Couldn’t Have Known!
The past caught up with him and he went to San Quentin Prison.
He regularly attended a Bible Study group.
His cellmate was a backslider from a Trinitarian church and he once had the Holy Ghost.
The cellmate would watch the others in the Bible Study group but never join in.
One day the cellmate received a tract from his wife about Acts 2:38. She had just been baptized in Jesus Name and wanted him to be as well.
The backslidden cellmate didn’t want the tract, so he gave it him.
What You May Never Know!
The young man you gave the tract to, read this 2nd tract and received a revelation of the Oneness of God and the importance of Jesus Name baptism, and was thrilled with the new knowledge.
He preached his first sermon in the prison yard. “Though Thy Sins Be As Scarlet, They Shall Be White As Snow!”
After being released, he went into the Army and searched for two years for someone to baptize him.
He found that place in Christ Church, Oregon City, Oregon. The Pastor, Andrew Baker baptized him in Jesus Name.
His family disowned him for leaving the Catholic Church.
He married the most lovely and godly young woman you could ever hope to find. They had five children who also were baptized in Jesus Name and filled with the Holy Ghost.
He pastored nine churches, six of which he started.
He evangelized everywhere for twenty-five years and pastored twenty-five years as well.
His sermons were life changing and unforgettable.
All who have his tapes and CD’s still treasure them.
You would have cried and rejoiced listening to him preach under the anointing.
You would have cried listening to him and his wife sing.
His son became a preacher.
Of his four daughters, one died in her teens, the others are involved in ministry.
Two of his son’s in law are preachers.
He has eleven grandchildren who all have received the Holy Ghost and have all been involved in ministry of some kind.
Five became pastors.
Of his nineteen great grand children, those who are old enough have been baptized in Jesus Name and filled with the Holy Ghost.
The oldest ones are presently preparing themselves for the world of the Lord.
What I Want You To Know!
He never forgot your willingness to witness, in spite of your stuttering and embarrassment.
You were the first one to ever witness to him, even though you simply handed him an old tract.
He’s not here today to say thank you.
He died on September 11, 1994. His wife, Content died on January 13, 2012.
So I would like to thank you for him!
You see, I’m his son.
His name was Carl Joseph Ballestero.
Andrew Loves Telemarketers
Andrew Loves Telemarketers
Most of us dread it when the calling number is unrecognized by the caller ID. Many have been known to let the call go to voicemail just to see what the caller wanted. Not Andrew!
Andrew is my youngest of five. He responds to the dreaded telemarketers in a manner that makes the rest of his family smile. Even so, it may be a stretch to say he actually loves them. Maybe I could have used a better choice of words.
The Telemarketers have learned to give him a wide berth. Take this last call for instance…
Telemarketer: “Hello Mr. Ballestero, I am Jerry with the Widget Company International. Do you have a few minutes to hear about our awesome products?”
Andrew: “Sure, If you have a few minutes to hear about our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!”
Telemarketer: I’m sorry, we are not allowed to discuss the subject of religion.”
The Telemarketer hangs up!
“Get Off The Road You Old Coot!”
“Get Off The Road You Old Coot!”
In the mid sixties, my mild-mannered father, the late Rev. Carl J. Ballestero, was preaching in Fort Worth, Texas for Rev. C.W. Shew, a well-known and colorful pastor.
Brother Shew preferred his guest ministers to chauffeur him, in his own car. His car of choice for many years was a black Chrysler Imperial.
One evening on the way to service, my father was driving on a two-lane country back road behind a slow moving car driven by an older gentleman. The driver’s slowness irritated Brother Shew.
Every mile on the road was marked by an intersection with a traffic light. At one of the stop lights, the lanes changed from two lanes to four.
At the light, they pulled up along side of the slow-moving car. Brother Shew looked at the old man and rolled his window down.
“Get off the road, you old coot!” He hollered, and then rolled his window back up in time for the light to change.
At the next traffic light, the old man again pulled up beside their car. This time, my father rolled Brother Shew’s window down and said to him, “Now, Brother Shew, invite that man to Sunday School!”
All Brother Shew could say was, “Aw, Doc!”
Does Your Conduct Sabotage Your Witness?
Are You Going To Be Hanging Around Here For A While?
Are You Going To Be Hanging Around Here For A While?
The women in town hated her. She was a threat to them all. Not a few men had been smitten by her beauty and surrendered to her charms. She had the undivided attention of more men in her life than good girls would ever dare dream about. They called her bad names and no one defended her. She didn’t even attempt to defend herself. She was what she was.
The fact that just such a notorious woman lived nearby, often gave mothers teaching opportunities to instruct their daughters of the dangers of living ‘that’ woman’s lifestyle.
Wives monitored their husband’s glances when she walked by. Her actions bore watching, because she was good at attracting men.
In her behalf, she didn’t just laze around all day and let others do the work. Not at all! She wasn’t afraid to pull her share of the workload.
She had her chores pretty well-timed. There was only a dirt floor in the house and no electricity. She had to make candles so the house would have light at night.
There also, was no running water, or even a pump. On the outskirts of the small village, there was a well. Every afternoon, she walked there to draw water for drinking and household needs. Without the water, she couldn’t drink, cook, wash dishes or bathe. This was no easy chore. She had to carry the water for several hundred yards.
Today was no different from the thousand other trips she had made, except for one thing. There was some stranger sitting on the rim of the well. He wasn’t good looking, but he wasn’t scary either. She wasn’t afraid of strange men, so she drew closer.
When she got close, he spoke to her, and asked if she would help him get a drink of water, since he had nothing to use to draw water from the well. The absurdity of his request was more than she could handle and still be polite.
“You’re a Jew,” she said. “You want me, a Samaritan, to help you, get a drink?” You’ve got to be kidding me, was her next thought.
“If you’d have known who I was,” He replied, “you would have asked Me to give you a drink. Because, if you drink the Water that I give, you’ll never be thirsty again!
Well now, this caught her by surprise. “Sir, give me some of this water you’re talking about, so that I don’t ever get thirsty again. I am so tired carrying water ever day.”
“Go get your husband, and then come back,” he said.
“But, I don’t have a husband,” was her meek reply.
“You told me the truth. You’ve had five husbands, and the man you’re living with now, is not your husband.”
Those words told her life story. How could this man possibly know this about her?
“You must be a prophet!” Were the first words that came out of her mouth. Then she shifted the focus of the conversation.
“Our fathers worshipped in this mountain, and you people say we have to go to Jerusalem to worship.”
He said, “Woman, the time is going to come, when men won’t be limited to worshiping in this mountain or in Jerusalem. The hour is coming when true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth. God is a Spirit, and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth.”
She said, “I know the Messiah is coming and when He comes, He will tell us everything we need to know.”
He said, “I tell you, that I am He!”
About that time, the Disciple of Jesus came up to them and just looked on unsmilingly and without comment to her. The woman put down her empty water pot and hurried to tell everyone that would listen, just what had happened to her.
She was the least likely in the whole village to inform anyone on spiritual matters, but she just had to tell them all.
Her testimony was short and to the point. “Come see a man who has told me everything I’ve ever done!”
In a short time, the whole village followed her out to the well to see this prophet, this Jesus, the Messiah.
The townspeople heard Him and begged Him to stay several days. Many of them believed.
Some Key Points:
She was a person with a past,
- Yet she was key to a spiritual awakening in the whole town.
- If the Lord could change her life, maybe He could change theirs too.
She didn’t carry her water pot back into town.
- She left it.
- She witnessed without baggage.
- The water pot one of the most import things in her daily life.
- Things that were once important in her life, now took second place to Him.
She wasn’t quiet about her experience.
- She told more people than just her boyfriend.
- She told everyone she saw.
- Her experience was so powerful she just had to tell anyone that would listen.
She influenced a whole town for Jesus.
- Even those that didn’t believe in her before, could tell something had happened to her.
How powerful is your experience with the Lord? Are you still clutching your clay water pots of life?
Imagine what could happen in our churches if we would all put His work first, and leave our water pots behind.
- What excuses are we hanging on to that keeps us from being a witness for Him?
- Could we too bring out whole towns to meet Him?
- We may never know, till we try!
- We may never know, till we put our water pot down!
Excuse Me…
Are You Going To Be Hanging Around Here For A While?
If you are, then would you mind watching my water pot for me?
I’ve got to go see some folks!
Thanks!
Ref: John 4:6-30
What Type Are You?
What Type Are You?
That is the question that greeted me every morning when I walked out of my motel in Pikeville, Kentucky last week. I have come to this area to ride ATV’s with minister friends and our sons for many years.
Even though the Kentucky Blood Center is very upscale and does an amazing job, this was the first time I’d seen one of their vans.
The question on the van is simple. It is also a direct, yet loaded question.
What they are asking is… “What blood type are you?” Blood types vary.
The American Red Cross shows the following graphics:
The American Red Cross is asking… “What Type Are You” They want you to know that you have within you the ability to save a life. No matter what blood type you are.
http://www.redcrossblood.org/learn-about-blood/blood-types
That Leads Me To The Next Level Of Questioning.
What type of Personality are you? What type of Temperament are you? What type of Person are you? All types save lives. All types can be soul winners.
| The Following Is Taken From An Article on Wikipedia.com |
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_temperaments
The Four Temperaments
Sanguine
The sanguine temperament is fundamentally impulsive and pleasure-seeking; sanguine people are sociable and charismatic. They tend to enjoy social gatherings, making new friends and tend to be boisterous. They are usually quite creative and often daydream. However, some alone time is crucial for those of this temperament. Sanguine can also mean sensitive, compassionate and romantic. Sanguine personalities generally struggle with following tasks all the way through, are chronically late, and tend to be forgetful and sometimes a little sarcastic. Often, when they pursue a new hobby, they lose interest as soon as it ceases to be engaging or fun. They are very much people persons. They are talkative and not shy. Sanguines generally have an almost shameless nature, certain that what they are doing is right. They have no lack of confidence.
Choleric
The choleric temperament is fundamentally ambitious and leader-like. They have a lot of aggression, energy, and/or passion, and try to instill it in others. They can dominate people of other temperaments, especially phlegmatic types. Many great charismatic military and political figures were choleric. They like to be in charge of everything. However, cholerics also tend to be either highly disorganized or highly organized. They do not have in-between setups, only one extreme to another. As well as being leader-like and assertive, cholerics also fall into deep and sudden depression. Essentially, they are very much prone to mood swings.
Melancholic
The melancholic temperament is fundamentally introverted and thoughtful. Melancholic people often were perceived as very (or overly) pondering and considerate, getting rather worried when they could not be on time for events. Melancholics can be highly creative in activities such as poetry and art – and can become preoccupied with the tragedy and cruelty in the world. Often they are perfectionists. They are self-reliant and independent; one negative part of being a melancholic is that they can get so involved in what they are doing they forget to think of others.
Phlegmatic
The phlegmatic temperament is fundamentally relaxed and quiet, ranging from warmly attentive to lazily sluggish. Phlegmatics tend to be content with themselves and are kind. They are accepting and affectionate. They may be receptive and shy and often prefer stability to uncertainty and change. They are consistent, relaxed, calm, rational, curious, and observant, qualities that make them good administrators. They can also be passive-aggressive.
____________________________________________________
Actually, it doesn’t matter what “Type” we are. Every one has the ability to be a Soul Winner!
You Might Be:
- A teenager, or a senior,
- A manager or a laborer,
- A poor person or filthy rich,
- A nerd, or a sports jock,
- A hunter, or a fisherman,
- An outdoorsman, or a desk jockey
- A junk food junkie, or a health food nut,
- A tree hugger, or a lumberjack,
- A Democrat, or a Republican,
- An introvert, or an extrovert.
All Types Save Lives!
Just because you are bashful, quiet, introverted, or not even a good mixer, you still can win a soul!
You still can teach a Home Bible Study!
You still can be a witness!
You still can be an influence… Not only for the American Red Cross, but more importantly, for the Cross of Jesus Christ!
What Have You Done To Save A Life?
Some Did, Some Didn’t
Some Did, Some Didn’t
Fall is a beautiful time in Indiana. The farmers have little roadside vegetable stands set up that stay busy with city slicker customers looking for fresh produce.
By this time of year, most crops have already been harvested. Well, except for maybe soybeans, pumpkins and the field corn.
The average crop of field corn is beautiful when it is harvested. Trucks can be seen hauling the yellow corn to the ethanol plants and to the local Co-op.
For the most part, all the ears of corn look very much alike. But what catches the eye, are the ears of corn that don’t look like the others. Some cobs are full with golden kernels; others are not. There are ears of corn of varied lengths and descriptions. In every truck load.
What these ears of field corn have in common, is that:
- They all were planted by the same farmer.
- They all were purchased at the same feed store.
- They all were planted in the same field.
- They all received the same amount of fertilizer.
- They all received the same amount of sunshine.
- They all received the same amount of rain.
- They all received the same amount of wind.
- They all received the same amount of weeding.
- They all received the same amount of irrigation.
- They were all planted the same day.
- They were all harvested the same day.
- They didn’t all turn out the same.
- Why?
Was it difference the farmer’s fault? Was the problem with the seed, or was it the soil? I’ll never know. The harvest shows the disparity of each ear.
There is another harvest that comes to mind. That one is a Harvest of Souls.
Apostolic churches are beautiful in spirit and worship. They are lovely in holiness and truth. Their love and fervor for the name of Jesus is without equal.
Yet, not every church member looks and acts the same. Here and there exceptions are found in every congregation.
- Some don’t pray like the rest.
- Some don’t worship like the rest
- Some don’t pay tithe like the rest.
- Some won’t dress like the rest.
- Some won’t live like the rest.
- Some won’t be faithful like the rest.
- Some won’t witness like the rest.
- Some don’t love holiness like the rest.
- Some won’t obey God’s Word like the rest.
- Why?
What made them different from all the others? How come others connected with God, the church and the pastor and they didn’t? I can’t answer that, and you may not be able to either.
- They all went to the same church.
- They all sang the same songs.
- They all prayed at the same time.
- They all had the same pastor.
- They all heard the same sermon.
- They all received the same encouragement.
- They all received the same correction.
- They all were given the same love.
- They all were given the same hope.
- They all attended the same revivals
- They all came forward to pray at the end of the service.
Yet some got on fire, and others did not. Some submitted to God, and others did not. Some got a good experience of the Holy Ghost, and others… who knows?
Some lived a life of carefulness. Others did not. Some looked godly. Others did not. Some dressed modestly. Others did not. Some knew God. Others… who knows?
Some women had uncut hair. Others did not. Some men were clean-shaven. Others were not. Some always said ‘Amen”. Others did not. Some had a fiery testimony. Others did not.
Some day, some will hear Him say, “Well done thou good and faithful servant.” Others may not.
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 