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Archive for January 2010

If I Was A Holiness Rejecter!

with 12 comments

Holiness Thoughts

After I went to bed. I picked up the pad of paper beside my bed and began to write these thoughts down as they came to me.

I had been in a conversation with a life-long friend and he began to say things that scared me. I saw he had made a turn in his thinking, and I couldn’t make the turn with him.  It actually frightened me very much, I wrote for and hour or two, then fell asleep. Three or four times I awakened and continued my writing.

  • I even dreamed about it.
  • What I don’t know is why I feel Holiness has to be defended.
  • It is God’s lowest standard. Israel never complained about all of their holiness requirements and regulations and they didn’t even have the Holy Ghost.
  • They didn’t even have a spirit of holiness, they just had law.
  • They complained about the food and about their leadership, but never about their holiness.
  • That seems to be all that Pentecostals fuss about.

This generation, has the Holy Ghost experience available, yet most of our discussions have to do with negative things about Holiness.

  • It’s like we are trying to see how little we can do and still be saved.
  • We are attempting to be saved by doing the minimum.
  • Saints change churches because they don’t like the Holiness preaching. It was too hard for them.

Wouldn’t it be something if Israel stood up in the Judgment and condemned this generation?

These are the thoughts I have put down as they came to me. They are without organization. They might even be without clarity. All I know is, I felt a touch of God’s Holiness about me before when I finally went to sleep.

1. I like Brooklyn Tabernacle’s song: “Holy Like You”

2. In Isaiah 6, Isaiah was Sanctified before being called or sent.

3. Do I speak “The Language Of Holiness”

4. When I lose Holiness, the Revelation of the Godhead goes too. They are connected.

5. Holy Ghost. How can I have the HOLY Ghost and say I hate HOLY things?

6. I’ve seen new converts changed w/o hearing holiness preached. All by the power of the Holy Ghost.

7. Story of Elizabeth. After being baptized that night, got rid of everything she didn’t think she wanted Jesus to see in her house. Immediately received the Holy Ghost.

8. In Old Testament – Holiness was legislated

9. In New Testament they received the Spirit of Holiness.

10. Holiness includes: purity- heart, modesty-outside, righteousness-conduct.

11. Draw nigh to God.  This was written to those that already had the Holy Ghost.

12. There should be a Quest for Holiness.

13. There’s Safety in Holiness

14. There’s Benefits in Holiness

15. The Why Of Holiness.

  1. Why do some want to re-define standards?
  2. Why do some want to rebel against what they were taught.
  3. When they came into this church it was a Holiness church.
  4. They knew that when they came in.
  5. Why do they want to change it now?
  6. That is like a girl marrying a boy and then wanting him to change.

16. Why do they want to dress that way?

17. Why do they make fun of Holiness.

18. What is wrong with them that makes them have a problem with carefulness about the things of God?

19. Why do they reject preaching on Holiness?

20. Why do they distance themselves from all Holiness preaching?

21. Why do ALL Conservative preachers seem harsh and bitter to them?

22. Why is the word Holiness offensive to them?

23. Why does their church get quiet when the subject gets preached?

24. Who are they trying to please when they let down on the standard? God?

25. What will their permissiveness produce?

26. I know what Holiness produces.

27. “You get what you preach.”

28. List the number of churches that have thrown their convictions and holiness out the door, and then tell me about their amazing church growth and climbing attendance. It don’t see it.

29. They threw away their convictions, lost their revelation and never got much in return.  It wasn’t worth it. All they received was delusion, and there may never be hope of recovery.

30. In the Military – there is extensive recruiting and training

31. In Sports – there is extensive recruiting and training

32. Yes there’s cuts, drop outs, even AWOL

33. All some Churches think is important is the recruiting. They can even recruit a small army.  They wonder why some don’t last. Was it because they were not trained.

34. Some young people have grown up never hearing a sermon on the subject of Holiness.

35. All that we want to hear is Salvation, healing, miracles, faith, and blessings

36. Saints aren’t born, they’re made.  It will take some preaching to make saints out of them.

37. Daddy said to me “if you have a choice between being an Exhorter or a Feeder, be a Feeder.  Feeders build churches.

38. There is a NEED for training.

39. Prov 22:6 Train up a child… etc.  The word train there has to do with touching the palate.

  1. Developing a taste in the child’s mouth for the things of God.
  2. Flinging a craving on the child for God things.
  3. Some try to cram things down people’s throats instead.

40. Why does God want us to be holy?

  1. It identifies us
  2. It says we know Jesus
  3. It says we hate the world.
  4. It says we refuse to be called the son of pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather… (Holiness is a choice)
  5. It identifies us with Him
  6. It is a daily reminder – Israel wore a ribbon of blue

41. Why does God say be ye holy, even as I am holy?

42. Why does God WANT me to be holy?

43. He put His Holy Spirit in me, so why would I Not want to be Holy.

44. If I have the Holy Ghost, why would I be so in love with unholy things?

45. In my opinion, If I was a Holiness Rejecter, I would not be “Enlightened”. I would be backslid.

Written by Martyn Ballestero

January 31, 2010 at 7:10 am

Posted in Christian Living, Holiness

Dad, I Remember…

with 6 comments

(This is a portion of a letter I wrote to Dad when I was in my early 40’s. I left out the personal part at the beginning, but wanted to share the memories with you.)

Gleason Reunion (64)

Dad,

Please allow me the privilege of thinking back… with my pen helping me… to a few of the times that you took me by the hand and walked with me, your only son, down “Memory’s Lane”. I’ll not attempt to display all of memory’s treasured trophies; maybe I’ll even forget to point at the biggest and best. It’s not that the unmentioned aren’t important – to the contrary! It just proves, one more time, that no child could ever fully tell how much his parent(s) mean to him!! What is important is that we share memories with those we love.

I remember…

  • When Mom made that wire recording we sent to you while you were gone evangelizing. Mom told me to talk to you and then sing. I told you I loved you, I missed you and that I was praying for you. I then sang two songs, mixed up both up into one somehow! Ha! (Portland – age 4)
  • The time you took me “out” to whip me because I’d misbehaved in church. But I talked you out of it by saying, “Daddy, I love you!”
  • The day you stopped the car in the “middle of nowhere”, and with a knowing look to mom said, “I’m going to see A man about a dog”. I, in innocent eagerness, called to you out the window … “Daddy, I want a St. Bernard!”
  • My first “Bike”! You brought it home in a big box, took it into the back yard of our home in Riverside and put it together. It was red and pretty! I shore was proud!
  • When you’d call me over to you, and you sat in a comfortable chair, and then have me hold up your leg. Sometimes in my hands. (But when they got too heavy, sometimes the shoulders always were the right height!)
  • Riding in that Old Auburn antique car!
  • Mom riding around and around th house on your motorcycle.(She didn’t know how to stop it!) And you and Uncle Stan laughing and trying to tell her how to stop.) Mom just said Uncle Stan showed her how to make it go… but she never waited to finish the lesson. She wound up running into a fence to stop it!
  • My first motorcycle ride. I rode behind you on the luggage rack. You had folded up your sweater to make it more comfortable. I sure enjoyed the ride, but did I ever have a sore bottom!
  • Your coming back to 711 Polk, Oregon City. (from Yakima?) Seems like it was near Christmas, or some holiday. Anyway, I recall you opening the car door and carrying in bunches of apples – with everybody excited, talking and helping you carry them in.
  • Packing the back seat level in the old blue Nash, so all of us kids could sleep while we drove.
  • Walking with you through Anaheim High School as you made the rounds as  a night watchman. You even let me punch the clock. In one room, you let me sit in a desk – my feet never touched the floor. I couldn’t imagine ever being big enough to go to high school.
  • You working on the Plymouth in front of the house in Baytown, Texas and me hanging over the side, watching you. Then, our several trips, afoot, to buy more parts at the Western Auto. You told folks your car was a 1941 Western Auto.
  • The first house we lived in, in Columbus, Indiana. It was an apartment. You told us that the landlord counted how many times we flushed the toilet. We were to flush only when necessary!
  • In Anaheim, the night Eisenhower was voted in. You sat by the radio, with pen and paper and added up the votes. That was before computers. Seems like you stayed up till 2 or 3 am.
  • The day you bought your first new car, a Hudson, and took us all for a ride. (Riverside)
  • The day you gave me my first gun – a .22! –Brother! – was I ever happy and proud!
  • Going fishing with you and Brother Bennett…(we lived in Hope) at a catfish pond. I caught my first fish on Brother Bennett’s pole, while he was at the concession stand!
  • When I’d been sick and you made me a big kite – 6’x 4’ – made out of a light crepe paper, with real heavy fishing line for string. When we took it out to fly it, the wind really picked me up on my tip-toes. Boy! that was the biggest kite a kid could have. I don’t recall ever again, seeing one that big! “They don’t make ‘em like they used to!”
  • In Columbus, one Christmas you asked me if I’d give my bicycle to my sister. (You bought me a new 3-speed). We went to the basement, and sawed off the top cross bar, lowered it, and painted it red.
  • In Richmond – getting a train for Christmas. You played with it for the longest. (To make sure it was working right!)
  • Also in Richmond, after a return from a trip, giving me a book, and censoring it page by page – scribbling out any slang words with a black crayon.
  • During Columbus days- Shooting your gun (.250 – 3000 was it?) or 300 savage? – anyway, I leaned up against a tree. The gun butt and my little shoulder got acquainted in a hurry.
  • The time in Albany, Oregon when I went up with Turney on my first piper cub ride. You looked at us in the plane, and then said to Uncle Orion, “Well, he was a good boy”.
  • The drunk in the Yakima church.
  • Picking apples together, all day one day on a ‘Migrant Farm Workers’ farm.
  • Bringing me an apple home from Libby’s cannery that was as big as a grapefruit.
  • The time in Yakima, when you hugged mom real big in front of us kids, and held her while you sang to her the popular song of the year, “Sugar Time”. (Sugar in the mornin’, sugar in the evenin’, sugar at supper time…)
  • The times you used to ask me if I wanted to hear a funny noise. (If the answer was yes, a playful pinch or knuckle squeezin’ warranted a good loud “funny noise”.)
  • Hearing you (and mom) pray for God to save your boy!
  • National City! When we had no money for gas, nor anything to eat but beans. When we walked several miles to that P.A.W. church, only to find no service that night. On the way back, stopping by that bakery’s exhaust fan and inhaling that wonderful smell. We just grinned at each other until our eyes watered. You said, “I believe I could gain 5 pounds just standing here!”
  • Your remarks and expressions of happiness when I told you I had just received the Holy Ghost.
  • When we were pulling that 35’ trailer with a 66 Ford, 6 cycle, no electric brakes, going down the Rocky  Mountains. You had me hold the car in 2nd gear, so it wouldn’t jump out into neutral!
  • Overhauling that Nash Metropolitan. We had a whole bunch of bolts and nuts left over, in a coffee can!
  • You taking me to get my California’s “Permit”, and me actually driving home – in that Metro- with you beside me.
  • The night in Vista I got my thumb stuck in that drum you’d bought me. You put liquid soap on my thumb. It never came loose until the choir sang, when I stood up in the back row, after about a minute or two. then it fell off and rolled down off the platform!
  • Our last night in Vista, building the sides on the utility trailer, and painting it silver.
  • The last time we had a foot race, and you beat me?
  • Our last arm wrestling match, when you “retired” undefeated!
  • The day you gave me my first set of shaving needs- safety razor, blades, and shaving cream- Boy!- was I ever “growed” up!
  • The way you beamed proudly at me on my graduation day – even though you’d braved the emotion packed day – Beverly’s funeral, mom sick in bed, and a special church service in progress at our church, you still came. Thank-you!
  • The time I called you and told you that I was in jail in Nebraska! You later said that you didn’t know if you should laugh, cry, or horse-whip me!
  • The day you put X’s and O’s on the back of a girl friend’s letter… as a practical joke (and, to find out my reaction- ha!)
  • You gave me my first camera – an Argos C-3.
  • When I called from Louisiana, broke and spending part of my last $5.00 in a phone booth, and you said if I starved to death and died, you’d build me a monument bigger than George Washington’s… because I’d be the first man that God ever let down!
  • Oh, yah! The day when you asked me if I felt the call to preach. When I said, “Yes”, you took me to the church, had me get up behind the pulpit, open my Bible (without looking) point to a passage, read, then you said, “Okay, now preach”. When I couldn’t, you had me sit down, then you showed me “how” – ha!
  • In Fort Worth, when we talked about Marcia. I’d asked you to talk to me, not only as my father, but as my best friend. I wanted to know your opinion of my marrying her. We prayed together, hugged each other’s necks, then I made a long telephone call and a long drive to see her!
  • My wedding day! The Father and Son talks. The look in your eye as you pronounced us man and wife!
  • Laughing at mom trying to walk (purple coat and all) on our U.P. hunting trip. Mom said she had a scarf on her head, a long purple coat, an orange hunting vest, brown work boots, and gloves! She said you guys laughed so hard at her, that you fell on your knees in the snow!
  • The time we got lost for 2 hours in the snow storm and couldn’t find mom on her mountain deer stand– and promised each other not to tell her. (and didn’t for several years)
  • Your letting me drive for you to your speaking engagements. Was I ever proud!
  • The way you put your arm around me and with a beam of pride, we looked together at your first grandchild, (grandson), and your name sake.
  • Our hunting trips – Wyoming and Canada.
  • The night of the bear attack!
  • My first antelope, shot with your gun!
  • The times you told me you were proud of me!
  • The first time you “slipped” and called me “Doc” – I realized you no longer subconsciously regarded me as a boy, but as a fellow laborer!
  • Going down the road in the car, and you asked my advice about an important church problem. That you had asked me, overwhelmed me. And then I thought you probably already knew what you’d do, but you wanted to know how I would react!
  • The night you ordained me and gave me Your Bible!
  • The famous hunting trip with you, mom, Cavaness, Jordan, Buie and me. What a time!
  • The times of correction, and later the hugs of love and forgiveness.
  • Your way of talking to me when I needed it, had a way of melting me, even when I was filled with polite stubbornness, and didn’t want to cry. It was no use, the tears came anyway. Thank-you for being able to reach ‘thru’ to me!!
  • Your washing my feet during “Communion and Foot-washing”.
  • Your telling me that you loved me.
  • In Utah, when you were throwing away some books, and I picked them up. You told mom, “Marty’s a Junker!” ha!
  • Your taking your son to Disney World for a thrill of his young life (ha!) – age 30
  • The Bahamas voyage!
  • The first time I preached in your new church in Sulphur, LA.
  • Visiting your new home there.
  • Our first Christmas together as a family, since I had been married.
  • The…..

If we look in the right direction, Dad, there’s no end to Memory’s Lane!

I may not have always been good company, but I’ve sure enjoyed the walk!!!

Love, your son,

Marty

Written by Martyn Ballestero

January 30, 2010 at 10:02 am

Posted in Family, Life

I Am The Church

with 4 comments

I Am The Church

Matthew 16:16-18

  • I am a Divine experience, built upon a Divine revelation
  • I am built upon the Rock.  That Rock is Jesus.
  • I was born in obscurity, in an upper room.
  • I have lived in palaces and poverty
  • I am no stranger to the poor.  I was raised on the wrong side of the tracks.

Some have called me:

  • Saul of Tarsus
  • Simon Peter
  • Cornelius
  • Philip
  • Stephen
  • Timothy
  • Lois
  • Eunice
  • Lydia

Of late, you have called me:

  • Andrew Urshan
  • G.T. Haywood
  • Robert Tobin
  • Verbal Bean
  • Carl Ballestero
  • Robert C. Cavaness
  • Paul Jordan
  • William R. Starr
  • Jimmy Davis
  • Bill Dross
  • Morris E. Golder

I am the church

I was chosen from a life called:

  • Foolish
  • Weak
  • Base
  • Despised
  • Nothing

That I should not glory in His presence!

  • I am College Students and High School Drop outs,
  • Factory workers and Housewives,
  • Store owners and clock punchers,
  • I am all ages and all sizes,
  • I am teens with braces and Grandma’s with canes
  • I am Sunday School kids whose parents are still asleep.
  • I’ve lived on welfare, stood in soup lines,
  • I used to be addicted to drugs, push dope, and belong to a gang.
  • I was a streetwalker, alcoholic, liar and thief.
  • But now I am washed, Now I am sanctified, Now I am justified, by the blood of Jesus.

I am the church

  • I have lived in the “guttermost”, but have been raised to the “uttermost.”
  • I have been lifted from the deep miry clay.  My feet set upon a solid rock, He has established by goings.
  • Angels attend me daily. I am guided by Divine Direction.
  • Heaven protects my every move.
  • I am an army, I have never lost a battle. I am predestined to win.
  • I am victorious.

I have been given authority in His Name, over:

  • Every evil spirit
  • Every disease known to man
  • I have the power of the Name of Jesus at my command.
  • I speak unto mountains and they are cast aside, In His name
  • I walk by faith and live in the Spirit.

I am the church

Throughout history, I have been:

  • Crucified
  • Stoned
  • Beaten
  • Mistreated
  • Banished
  • Persecuted and Ostracized, I still prevail.
  • I’ve been Lied on,
  • Talked about
  • Laughed at
  • Mocked
  • Scorned,

But Death still can’t stop me.

I shall not be defeated.

By Divine Help,

  • There’s no mountain I haven’t climbed,
  • No river I haven’t crossed
  • No valley too deep.
  • There’s no problem too big!
  • I have been made to survive and flourish.

I am the church

  • I have been hindered, but never stopped.
  • Knocked down, but never defeated.
  • Cast down, but never destroyed.
  • Dictators can’t stop me
  • Kings can’t stop me
  • Presidents can’t
  • Generals with cruel armies can’t
  • Even Communism can’t.
  • The Iron curtain, Bamboo Curtain, The Berlin wall couldn’t stop me.

Even the gates of hell shall not prevail against me.

  • God is with me
  • He is on my side.

Why do I not live in fear?  I have been given precious promises:

Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;

Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.

A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.

There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.

For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.

The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.

The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

I am predestinated.
I am the church.

  • I have lived in prisons, in castles, in cities and in desert places,
  • I have lived in villages and barrios, in every continent and every nation under heaven.
  • I am more colors than the rainbow.
  • I speak the languages of many tongues.
  • Tongues of men and of angels.
  • I entertain no prejudices
  • I am one body

I am the church

  • I am commissioned to the Great Commission
  • I live for the Word.
  • I shout Amen,
  • I run the aisles
  • I dance in the spirit
  • I love praise and worship
  • I speak with tongues and prophesy.
  • I baptize in Jesus Name
  • I clap my hands and sing.
  • I raise my hands in prayer and worship.
  • I leap for joy.
  • I exist to given Him praise.

Psa. 150:1  Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.

2  Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.

3  Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.

4  Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.

5  Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.

6  Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.

I will bless the LORD at all times

His praise shall continually be in my mouth.

O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.

I am the church

Holiness is my trademark
Worship is my hallmark.
Prayer is my secret.

  • I am a tired missionary
  • An exhausted parent of small children,
  • I am a tear-stained altar worker,
  • A tired visitation team
  • A Sunday School teacher with children that won’t be quiet
  • A Home Bible Study teacher, burning the midnight oil
  • I am a weary all-night prayer meeting
  • I am an evangelist with a hoarse throat.
  • I am an exhausted musician in a lengthy altar service,
  • I am a King’s son wearing clothes from Goodwill,
  • I know what it’s like to shout my hair down,
  • I know what it’s like to get Holy laughter,
  • I know what it’s like to shout during the preaching,
  • I know what it’s like to travail in the spirit,
  • I know what it’s like to make intercession.
  • I know what the Pentecostal croup is
  • I know what it’s like to see someone go home drunk in the Holy Ghost,
  • I know what it’s like to be lost in the Spirit,
  • I know where the prayer room is,

I am the church

  • I’ve seen lives changed
  • Families restored
  • Marriages put back together
  • Gays and Lesbians delivered
  • Bodies healed
  • Minds restored
  • Drug Addicts delivered
  • Smokers set free
  • Alcoholics dried out
  • Hard hearts softened
  • Bitterness erased
  • Anger dissipate
  • Mistakes forgiven and wrongs righted.
  • Unity restored
  • All by the Han of God
  • Some, in moment’s time
  • I am the sole possessor of Truth
  • I possess the secret of eternal life and of peace with God

I am the church

  • I am preaching that changes that touches the heart
  • I am an experience that changes the lives
  • I am testimonies that ring that Jerusalem ring
  • I am singing, that stirs the soul,
  • I am prayers that reach heaven’s throne,

I am the church

  • I am faces without make-up
  • I am long dresses and uncut hair.
  • I am modesty on a pedestal,
  • I am virtue and purity on parade with heads held high.
  • I am holiness without an apology
  • I am dedicated to separation from the world.
  • I refused to be influenced by immoral thinking
  • I shun immodest apparel
  • I hate every false way
  • I deplore the works of the flesh
  • Carnal thinking is not for me
  • I keep myself unspotted from the world.
  • I proudly represent the King of Glory
  • He is Holy, therefore, I must be holy
  • My adornment is spiritual and precious, rather than worldly and cheap.
  • My men look like real men
  • My women are my glory
  • I am not a slave to fashion, but rather a servant of Jesus Christ.
  • I am clothed rather in garments of Salvation.
  • Immodesty does not become me,
  • Impurity has no place in my world,
  • I live a separated life.
  • I don’t look like Satan’s children, talk like them, neither do I act like them.
  • I do not feel comfortable in their environment.
  • I hate all the works of the flesh
  • I am not comfortable in Satan’s realm
  • The world is not my home
  • I walk ONLY on the OLD paths.

I am the church

My worship, my music and singing have been copied, mimicked, and duplicated.

But like the magicians, who cast down their rods before Moses, they still didn’t have the message.  Moses had the only message of deliverance.

  • I alone have the message of deliverance for a lost and dying world.
  • I alone have the keys to eternal life.
  • I alone have the message that sets men free
  • I alone have the truth
  • I alone have the revelation of who Jesus is
  • I alone am the bride of Christ
  • I alone known the truth of being born again of water and spirit
  • I alone baptize in the only name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved
  • I alone have a world to reach

I am described as:

  • Glorious
  • Not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing.
  • Holy and without blemish.
  • As terrible as an army with banners
  • The salt of the world
  • The light of the world
  • A Great House
  • The general assembly
  • Mount Zion
  • The city of the Living God
  • The church of the first born
  • An heir of righteousness
  • A chosen generation
  • A royal priesthood
  • The Family of God
  • The Habitation of God
  • The Temple of God
  • The Bride of Christ

I AM NOT:

  • A social center
  • A board run entity or a clever tax shelter
  • I am not Political or politically correct
  • Or Socially acceptable
  • This Secular world was not created with me in mind.
  • I don’t fit in to their societies or programs, their sports or their entertainment.

I AM A REDEMPTION CENTER

  • A Hospital for the hurting
  • An oasis for the weary
  • A home for every one.
  • Give me your weary, your homeless, your outcast, your oppressed, your needy and your distressed.

I am the church

  • I am called to show forth the praises of Him who hath called my out of darkness in to this glorious light
  • I am the sole possessor of the name of Jesus in redemption.
  • I alone have taken His name.
  • I am His bride.  I love His Name.

Revival is my heartbeat,

Calvary is my song,

The blood of Jesus is my hope,

The name of Jesus is my love,

Deliverance is my message,

The coming of Jesus is my prayer

I live only to:

  • Worship Him
  • Witness to others
  • Love one another
  • Praise His Holy Name
  • Pray unto Him
  • Help my brother
  • Obey His Word and His will

I am sanctified

  • Blood washed
  • Blood bought
  • Spirit filled
  • Water baptized in Jesus name
  • Tongue talking
  • Endued with power from on high
  • My name is written in the Lambs book of life
  • I am the reason for Bethlehem,
  • I am the reason for Calvary
  • I am Pentecost in action
  • I grow with tears
  • I become stronger when I decrease
  • I am love with a sword in its hand
  • I am a soldier with compassion
  • A rich man with no money,
  • Royalty with no recognition
  • I am an heir with no earthly home.
  • I am a burden in shoe leather
  • I am joyful when there is repentance
  • I celebrate the death and Home-going of my own,
  • Knowing that to absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.
  • But I grieve for all others.
  • I have prayed teeming thousands out of sick beds,
  • Seen countless others raised up from their death beds,
  • Watched blinded eyes open, and seen the lame walk.
  • Yet I still reach out to help others who have never heard of Jesus.
  • While hope and time remain, I am dedicated to helping others find Christ.
  • I live in the Supernatural, I walk in the Spirit, and I enjoy the benefits of eternity right here on earth.

I am the church

  • I love the unlovable,
  • I reach out to the rejected and outcasts of society while giving hope to the discouraged and depressed.
  • I am a refuge in troublesome times.
  • I am a comfort from despair, and a shelter in life’s storms.
  • I give hope to the hopeless and help o the helpless.
  • I minister to the needs of both the body and soul
  • I am blessed most, when I am being a blessing.
  • I bear my brother’s burdens
  • I am an encourager to all
  • I am an edifier and a giver of strength
  • I point all men to Calvary
  • I lead the hungry to Heaven’s banqueting table
  • I take no glory for myself

I am recognized by the fruit that I manifest.

  • Love,
  • Joy,
  • Peace,
  • Longsuffering,
  • Gentleness,
  • Goodness,
  • Faith,
  • Meekness,
  • Temperance: against such there is no law.

I am the church

  • I am betrothed to the King of Kings,
  • To The Lord God Almighty
  • The Alpha and Omega
  • The Beginning and The End
  • The First and The Last
  • The Prince of Peace
  • The Rose of Sharon
  • The Chief Cornerstone
  • The Captain of Salvation
  • The Desire of All nations
  • The Great High Priest
  • The Good Shepherd
  • Emmanuel
  • The Lamb of God
  • The Lord of Glory
  • The Most High God

He who is called:

  • Wonderful,
  • Counselor,
  • The mighty God,
  • The everlasting Father,
  • The Prince of Peace, This is my beloved.
  • He is altogether lovely.
  • I get excited about the Name of Jesus.
  • His Name is above every other.
  • I am the apple of His eye.
  • I am my beloved’s and He is mine.
  • I love the sound of His voice.  His words to me are life and strength.
  • I delight in them. I am excited when He speaks to me.
  • I long for His touch.
  • I live to be in His presence.
  • I have no other joy.
  • For all that thrills my soul is Jesus, He is more than life to me, and the fairest of 10,000 in His blessed face I see.

My days are limited, my time is short.

  • I am redeeming the time.
  • I am going to be caught away very soon.
  • The Lord Jesus is coming to take me to a place He has prepared for me.

I must work while I still have the time.

  • My light is lit
  • There is oil in my lamp
  • It is trimmed and burning
  • I am watching and praying
  • I am looking for His soon return
  • I am on fire with Pentecostal fire
  • The vision is great
  • The harvest is great
  • My garments are without spot or wrinkle
  • I am ready for the 1st resurrection

I am the church

  • My job is never done, nor my task finished till all have come to the knowledge of the truth.
  • My focus must not be upon myself, but upon others.
  • I cannot rest while one lost sheep is astray.
  • I am called to rescue the perishing
  • I am charged the responsibility of lost souls

Heaven is watching

Hell is watching

The world is watching

  • I must not falter
  • I must not fail
  • I must not weaken or tire
  • I shall not fail
  • I shall be triumphant over all
  • I will pray on
  • I will sing on
  • I will preach on
  • I will go on
  • I will keep on keeping on
  • I will reach out to all that need Him
  • I am determined to know nothing but Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
  • The challenge before me is great, but He is greater.
  • I shall be victorious over all, because of Him
  • I am triumphant because of Him.

I am Called

I am Chosen

I will be Faithful

I am the church

“Are you in the Church Triumphant?

Are you in the Saviour’s Bride?

Come and be baptized into the body,

And for evermore abide.”

“I’m talking about the church

In the book of Revelation

It’s built on the Rock

Got a firm foundation

It’s been through the storm

It’s been through the fire

And one of these days,

This church is gonna move up higher

It’s the church, triumphant, Oh Lord,

And it’s built by the hand of the Lord.”

Are you in the Church today?

If not, then GET in it.

If you are IN it, then STAY in it

Written by Martyn Ballestero

January 29, 2010 at 10:45 am

Posted in Uncategorized

Debeaked

with 4 comments

Debeaked

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Debeaking


When I was 14, our family lived in Yakima, WA. Dad had just started a Home Missions Church in a storefront there. I got a job working for “Pop” Dillon on his Egg Ranch.  He had about 50,000 White Leghorns. I worked there for most of the 8th grade.

It did not take long in those “brooder houses” to find out that if a chicken sees a sore, or blood on another chicken, it will peck at it. Others will join in. They will not stop. Often chickens die as a result. They get pecked to death.

A commercial hen house

One summer morning I arrived at the farm and helped pick up a several hundred dead chickens that had been killed during the night. Pop Dillon was tired of losing so many on a regular basis. He decided to take drastic measures.

I was surprised when Pop said he wanted me to help him “debeak“ the pullets (young chickens). When asked why the procedure was necessary, he explained that it was the only way to keep them from pecking each other to death.

While the chicken’s body was firmly held in his left hand, Pop inserted the index finger of his right hand between the upper and lower beak. He then laid the upper beak down on a bar. When the handle was pushed, a heated piece of steel burned off the tip of the chicken’s top beak.

The chicken can still eat and drink but cannot peck any more chickens to death. Animal rights activists today strongly protest this procedure. However, it was effective. Sometimes drastic times call for drastic measures.

Now, with that in mind, let’s talk about you and me.

Could it be that the things we say about those that have problems and injuries, though true, actually helps finish them off. How many have we helped destroy with our words? We have all seen people with problems. Most of us have made comments.

Lev. 19:16 Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour: I am the LORD.

Prov. 11:13 A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.

Prov. 26:20 Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.

  • (Heaven forbid you should talk about your pastor.)

Some information does not HAVE to be passed on, even if it’s true. Why are we quick to tell what we know or have heard that is bad? Does it make us sound important? We can’t whitewash ourselves by blackening others. If our speech is injurious to a brother, it also harms the unity of the church family. Are we killing one other by being a talebearer?

Gal. 5:15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.

  • Gossip Lesson 101: If you keep pecking at others, you may soon draw unwanted attention to yourself.
  • Drastic measures may occur.

  • Maybe a spiritual debeaking is in order.

Phil. 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Written by Martyn Ballestero

January 28, 2010 at 10:55 am

Posted in Christian Living, Unity

I Wish You Enough

with 3 comments

**I received this in an Email from my life-long Friend, Bro. John McDonald from Eureka, CA.
__________________________________________________ ___

Recently I overheard a Father and daughter in their last moments together at the airport. They had announced the departure. Standing near the security gate, they hugged and the Father said, ‘I love you, and I wish you enough.’

The daughter replied, ‘Dad, our life together has been more than enough. Your love is all I ever needed. I wish you enough, too, Dad.’

They kissed and the daughter left. The Father walked over to the window where I was seated. Standing there I could see he wanted and needed to cry. I tried not to intrude on his privacy, but he welcomed me in by asking, ‘Did you ever say goodbye to someone knowing it would be forever?’

‘Yes, I have,’ I replied. ‘Forgive me for asking, but why is this a forever goodbye?’.

‘I am old, and she lives so far away. I have challenges ahead and the reality is – the next trip back will be for my funeral,’ he said.

‘When you were saying goodbye, I heard you say, ‘I wish you enough.’ May I ask what that means?’

He began to smile. ‘That’s a wish that has been handed down from other generations. My parents used to say it to everyone..’ He paused a moment and looked up as if trying to remember it in detail, and he smiled even more. ‘When we said, ‘I wish you enough,’ we were wanting the other person to have a life filled with just enough good things to sustain them.’ Then turning toward me, he shared the following as if he were reciting it from memory.

I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright no matter how gray the day may appear.

I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun even more.

I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive and everlasting.

I wish you enough pain so that even the smallest of joys in life may appear bigger.

I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.

I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final goodbye.

He then began to cry and walked away.

They say it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them; but then an entire life to forget them.

TAKE TIME TO LIVE….

To all my friends and family, I WISH YOU ENOUGH.

Written by Martyn Ballestero

January 27, 2010 at 7:29 am

Posted in Life

All Bad Things Must Come To An End

with one comment

All Bad Things Must Come To An End

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.

There is an old saying: “All good things must come to an end.” God’s word says the opposite is true as well.

I love remembering lines from songs Bro. Tim Spell sings. Phrases like… “Troubles Don’t Last Always” and ”

“Storms don’t Decide How Long They Will Stay, When The Master Says ‘ENOUGH.’ They Just Go Away.”

  1. Bad things came to an end for Job when He prayed for his friends.
  2. Joseph: went from the Prison to the Throne
  3. David: journeyed from the  Cave to the Throne

Be Encouraged.

Your Nightmare Will End!

Written by Martyn Ballestero

January 25, 2010 at 3:03 am

Posted in Faith

Why Some People Are Always Late!

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Why Some People Are Always Late!

(I found some old sermon notes of mine today that included this subject)

Why Some Are Always Late

(Based on a article in the Indianapolis Star – Aug. 26, 1984)

If you’re never on time (or hardly ever) maybe you can’t help it.

1. Some get distracted – they can’t beat the clock. It beats them.

2. Some have a faulty body clock.

3. Many can wake up in the morning without an alarm clock. Some can’t.

4. You know of some that get hungry at 12 noon.

5. We have heard of a few that late in the day, it dawned on them they missed lunch. Their clock is off.

(A.) A Physical Cause of chronic tardiness can be the use of prescription drugs or over-the-counter medicines that slow down your sense of time

(B.) Psychological Factors.

1. Avoidance

  • Afraid of Boss or Co-Worker
  • “Running away” from the situation by constantly being late.

2. Marital Problems

  • Can’t quite admit.
  • Coming home late for them is an acceptable solution
  • They may not even be aware of their motivation (or lack there of)

C. Hidden Aggression (Passive Aggression)

  • Wants to hit back but can’t do it in a direct way.
  • Arrives late when he know job starts at 9am.
  • Thereby gets back at the boss without admitting to anger or hostility.

(Those who love, are they early or on time?)

D. Depression

  • Immobilizes some.
  • Lateness is a symptom of depression
  • These may come across as slothful, unconcerned, or that nothing important is going on.

The Indianapolis Star said in closing:

“If you are using lateness to cope with anger or resentment or an overt display of depression, the paper recommends professional help.”

My question: “Why do some spend a lifetime coming to church late?” Only they know. Well, actually… Jesus knows.

Written by Martyn Ballestero

January 23, 2010 at 12:00 pm

Posted in Life

When The Bishop Withdrew the Prayer Request

with 6 comments

When The Bishop Withdrew the Prayer Request

There is in some a need to impress others with their knowledge. They try to find “Deep Things” to talk about and say things they deem profound. If they are invited to preach, they want to dazzle us all with their depth of understanding.

Long ago a Bishop was guest speaker at Convention in Indianapolis. This Bishop, my family knew. He was a well-known Bible teacher from the Midwest. While teaching one afternoon said, “Brethren, I am over the hill. I see the lights of home. Some of you have been requesting prayer for me. Save your prayers. My race is run. Pray for these younger men coming up. They need your prayers more than I do.”

This man was a great teacher. He felt the pressure to teach deep and profound things. Things never heard before. He left the preaching of the basics to those who weren’t as deep as he.  He was expected to be “DEEP.”

It was after the withdrawal of the prayer request, that he later got a “new revelation.” He became one of the early exponents of the “Adam Doctrine.” Teaching in essence, that Jesus Christ was actually the 1st man Adam, reincarnated. And that he had to die on Calvary for the sins he had committed in the Garden. He taught that, until Jesus was baptized in the River of Jordan, He was no better than a bum on the street. He died in his error. The Bishop died while still in his error. His church split several ways over that doctrine.

The Spirit of Error is real. Delusion is real. Don’t play with the Book. Stick to the Simple Act 2:38 Message. Don’t add to it, or take away. Don’t wrest it to your own destruction. We don’t have to look for new, for deep, or for profound. The simplicity of the Gospel still works. We know we can be saved doing what we’re doing, preaching what we’re preaching. Why gamble?

Ladies and Gentlemen, the things most surely believed among us, is what binds us together. I have spent nearly 50 years of ministry keeping it so simple, a 1st grader on the front row could understand what I was saying. I’m not deep.

The “You get what you preach” rule, still works. I preached a revival not too long ago in a church with about 140 people and felt impressed to teach on water baptism on Sunday night. I happened to see a tract on Baptism in Jesus Name. It showed 9 places where people were baptized or inferred that they had been baptized in Jesus name. I taught from the verses in the tract. I added very little. We baptized 7 that night and 15 came back Monday (our off night) to get baptized. This old message still works.

We don’t get a lot of people saved trying to appear “Deep” in the eyes of others. Preach the Word. “Simple” still works. Looking for the Masterpiece, thinking that you need to come up with something “NEW”, may curse you. It may load you up with some wild ideas. Guard your mind, watch your direction, be sensitive to the fact that if Paul didn’t preach it and you do, your ministry is accursed.

Gal. 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

Gal. 1:9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

I have read Prophecy for example, till I couldn’t focus. But I have no desire to argue about what horn goes on whose head. I just plan on being rapture ready, and understanding it better by and by. Some things we only see now, in part. We can be saved with what we already know. Don’t look for more revelations. Don’t get sidetracked on things that could lead you into delusion.

I had over 7000 books in my library when I was a pastor. (I gave them ALL away.) When I read an author with weird ideas or doctrines, I would throw the book in the trash lest I be influenced with error. I suggest you do the same. Gentlemen, protect the purity of this Message. Guard your mind and your heart. We know too much to mess up now.

And by the way, don’t forget to keep praying for me.  I may be over the hill and see the lights of home… but I still need your prayers!

Written by Martyn Ballestero

January 21, 2010 at 12:04 am

Posted in Christian Living

My Sermon Outline For Sunday Morning

with 4 comments

My Sermon Outline For Sunday Morning

Introduction:

Text:

Title:

Natural Illustration:

Spiritual Application:

I.

II.

(Try to awaken those that nodded off)

III.

(Cry here)

Conclusion:

Invitation:

__________________

(This is all I’ve got so far)

Written by Martyn Ballestero

January 20, 2010 at 9:15 am

Posted in Humor

What Is A Conservative?

with 5 comments

What Is A Conservative?

Some say they are Conservative and have a humble spirit,

Others say they are Conservative and don’t.

Some say they are Conservative and make Holiness attractive,

Others say they are Conservative and don’t.

Some say they are Conservative and are careful with facts and truth,

Others say they are Conservative and aren’t.

Some claim they are Conservative and have Internet access,

Others claim they are Conservative and don’t.

Some feel like they are Conservative and allow slits in skirts,

Others feel like they are Conservative and don’t.

Some say they are Conservative and allow wedding bands,

Others say they are Conservative and don’t.

Some claim they are Conservative and know more sports facts than Bible,

Others claim they are Conservative and don’t.

Some say they are Conservative and have large churches,

Others say they are Conservative and don’t.

Some say they are Conservative and run off more than they get in,

Others say they are Conservative and don’t.

Some claim they are Conservative and are given to hospitality,

Others claim they are Conservative and aren’t.

Some say they are Conservative and trust God for their healing,

Others say they are Conservative and go to doctors.

Some claim they are Conservative and wear only long sleeves,

Others claim they are Conservative and don’t.

Some look like they are Conservative and don’t eat were they serve alcohol,

Others look like they are Conservative and do.

Some feel like they are Conservative and laugh easily,

Others feel like they are Conservative and don’t laugh.

Some say they are Conservative and are men of great intellect,

Others say they are Conservative.

Some claim they are Conservative and are self-righteous,

Others claim they are Conservative and aren’t.

Some look like they are Conservative and say “I Love Lucy”,

Others look like they are Conservative and don’t know Lucy.

Some feel like they are Conservative and are Revivalists,

Others feel like they are Conservative and aren’t.

Some say they are Conservative and have a prayer life,

Others say they are Conservative and don’t.

Some say they are Conservative and wear costly array,

Others say they are Conservative and don’t.

Some feel like they are Conservative and are bitter,

Others feel like they are Conservative and aren’t.

Some look like they are Conservative and make it harder to be saved than God does,

Others look like they are Conservative and don’t.

Some claim they are Conservative and are straight as a gun barrel,

Others claim they are Conservative and are as empty as one.

Some look like they are Conservative and are gentle with others,

Others look like they are Conservative and aren’t.

Some feel like they are Conservative and allow video, for school, job, education, etc,

Others feel like they are Conservative and don’t.

Some say they are Conservative and are good looking,

Others say they are Conservative.

We are all different.

What binds us together enough to overlook each other’s differences?

What is the common denominator?

What are the things most surely believed among us?

Could it be we are here, trying to do our best to be careful in a world that isn’t?

Could it be we are trying to do our best to please God and not man?

Could it be that we are attempting to draw closer to God instead of re-evaluating all of our Holiness standards?

Could it be that we are very serious about pleasing God?

If So, Welcome!

I’m Happy To Call Myself A Conservative!

Martyn Ballestero

Written by Martyn Ballestero

January 19, 2010 at 10:14 am

Posted in Christian Living, Holiness

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