Archive for May 2010
Divine Comfort
Divine Comfort
2Cor. 1:3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;
It is peace to our spirits to know that our Heavenly Father specializes in comforting. It seems that none of us can make it through life without needing Divine comfort.
In but a moment, your world can change, disaster hit, or calamity fall. None of us are exempt from crisis, whether physical, spiritual, emotional or even financial. When that happens all of us need someone to lean on. He’s always there!
•••••••••••••••••••
(Red Foley made a song famous that brought comfort to many in his generation.)
“Someone To Care”
When the world seems cold and your friends seem few
There is someone who cares for you
When you’ve tears in your eyes your heart bleeds inside
There is someone who cares for you
Someone to care someone to share
All your troubles like no other can do
He’ll come down from the sky and brush the tears from your eyes
You’re his child and he cares for you
When your disappointments come and you feel so blue
There is someone who cares for you
When you need a friend a friend to the end
There is someone who cares for you
••••••••••••••••••••••
Solomon sat down one day and began to recount that in life there are times and seasons we all must face. He described that there was a time and a season for everything. Toward the last of his discourse he makes a simple statement whose truth may escape the unobservant…
Eccl. 3:7 A time to rend, and a time to sew;
Imagine if you will, a small boy playing in the yard and in a moment full of life he tears his pants. Regardless of what they cost or who gave them to him, the damage is done. He doesn’t know how to fix the problem but he goes to bed knowing that his mother said she could mend his little trousers.
When he has gone to sleep, and all the children are in bed for the night, the mother sits in her chair and sews. What took little Johnny but a moment to tear, takes his mother much longer to mend. The mending always seems to take longer than the rending.
Don’t be impatient. Your God knows how to mend the torn areas of your heart and life. Go on to sleep. The God of all comfort is at work. Your heart is in Good hands! Trust Him!
Happy Mother’s Day To My Other Mom
Happy Mother’s Day To My Other Mom
I know I have the best Mom in the world. I could not have been more blessed in life than to have had Content Faith Gleason Ballestero for my mother. I’ve never ceased to tell her that and to brag on her. I have already wished her a Happy Mother’s Day. I love her and call her very often to tell her that.
- But that is not my reason for writing.
I have the greatest Wife in the world; Marcia June Starr Ballestero. Besides the Holy Ghost, God could not have given me anyone more wonderful for a life’s companion than her. She is the love of my life, my soul mate and after 45 years I still thrill at the sight of her and the sound of her voice. I cherish her.
She has sacrificed her body and her life to bring five beautiful babies into our home. She is absolutely the most nurturing and loving woman you could ever hope to meet. She gave herself to me heart and soul and is a mother and grandmother whose abilities are wonderful beyond description. She is passionate about home and family (and me). She is also the world’s best cook.
She made a home that all of our children love to come back to and bring their children. All of her children rise up and call her blessed, and I am the president of her fan club. I would rather hear her sing than anyone else in the world. I fell in love with her the first time I saw her. I have already wished her a Happy Mother’s Day. I cannot imagine my world without her in it.
- But that’s not the reason for my writing.
I want to tell you about Marian ‘June’ Anderson Starr Davis, my ‘Other Mother.’
A prospective son in law understands that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. As awesome as my wife is, it wasn’t an accident. Although much was inherited in the beautiful Greek genes of her family, her Mom carefully taught her and set forth to her daughters the greatest example of what a Wife and Mother should be.
Mothers in law are the constant focus of unkind jokes. They always seem to be portrayed as mean spirited and unloving. I am not certain how that sentiment began. There must have been enough problems somewhere for it to become such a common concept.
Evidently, I got the best deal in the whole world. As a matter of fact, I don’t even tell ‘Mother in law’ jokes. Something in me is highly defensive of my ‘Other Mother.’ I would be crushed if she heard me laughing at one.
She has lived her life in a preacher’s home. Her Father, a Greek immigrant, was a Pentecostal pastor in Indianapolis, Indiana.
She married Bro. William R. Starr. (Bro. Starr pastored in Albion, Michigan and had been the District Superintendent of Michigan for 28 years when he died.)
Six years later she married Bishop Howard Davis of San Bernardino, California. This marriage was another match made in heaven.
Mom Davis (My Other Mother) is a gift from heaven to my world.
I found it easy to call her ‘Mom’ from the beginning.
She is loving to all of her sons in law. (Oh, did I mention that I am her favorite? Actually, she makes all of her five daughter’s husbands feel that way!)
She is supportive of them.
She is not intrusive into her adult children’s world.
She is affectionate.
She has great poise and grace.
She offers wise and practical advice when asked.
She is a Godly influence and example to her family.
All of her family feels thrilled and honored to be with her.
She takes time to listen.
She makes her home an inviting and comfortable haven.
She has been extremely supportive of her sons in law.
She taught her daughters to be loving and affectionate with their husbands.
She always compliments her sons in law.
Her Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren absolutely adore her.
When I was very young she would listen to me talk of my dreams and plans. She listened with animation and encouragement. Looking back at some of the stupid things I talked about, It’s a wonder how she tolerated my ignorance. Yet she made me feel like what I was saying was the most important thing in the world.
When my wife and I married, she sat us down for a talk. She said, ‘Marty, if you have a problem with Marcia, don’t tell your Mom and Dad. We want them to love her. Tell us, we know how to talk to Marcia.
‘Marcia, if you have a problem with Marty, don’t tell us. We want to love him. Tell his Mom and Dad, they know how to ‘fix’ him.’ (I think my wife’s had me fixed twice.)
At meal time, Mom Davis still serves her husband first.
She treats her man like a King.
In turn she is treated like a Queen.
Her beauty is inward and outward. She has been easy on the eyes for over 80 years.
She is a master at decorating.
She is an artist.
She is an author.
She is sought after a public speaker for Ladies Meetings.
She is a master musician with perfect pitch.
She is a woman of great wisdom and intellect.
She is comfortable hobnobbing with Aristocrats or commoners.
She may look like she dresses to the ‘nines’ but she still shops at Goodwill.
She is a great business woman.
She is a problem solver.
She is an administrator.
She’s smart (In her 80’s she’s figured out how to get around on the computer, read blogs and do Facebook in grand style.)
I have never heard one of her son in law say one negative word about her. She is loved, respected and honored by us all.
The term mother in law describes to me a person that has become a mother, by law. (i.e. By marriage to her child.)
Sis. June Davis may be my Mother by law.
The law says she is my mother (in law) but it doesn’t stop there…
My heart says she’s my mother too, regardless of the law.
Happy Mother’s Day to my Mom,
Marian June Davis
I Love You!
When My Mother Knelt To Pray
When My Mother Knelt To Pray
Dedicated to praying mothers, especially mine: Content Faith Ballestero
by
Martyn J. Ballestero Sr.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I cannot tell just how I felt
Or explain to you and say,
The way my little heart did melt
When my mother knelt to pray.
It mattered not just what I did,
Or with what I’d gotten away,
Nothing ever seemed to stay hid
When my mother knelt to pray.
Some mom’s pray with folded hands
And memorized words they say,
But it wasn’t like that, you understand
With my mother knelt to pray.
The power of God would seem so real
In that special time of day,
Heaven’s nearness I could feel
When my mother knelt to pray.
The sweetness of her voice did rise
To God, and melt us all that way,
With a tender cry that I still prize
When my mother knelt to pray.
If hearts could talk, mine’d be the first
To confess to you today,
The “dam” within my soul would burst
When my mother knelt to pray.
She prayed for us all, one by one,
That we’d live for God alway,
It gave new strength to overcome
When my mother knelt to pray.
Hearing my mother thus employed,
From my heart I can only say,
Oh what communion God enjoyed
When my mother knelt to pray.
Years have past and I have knelt
With my family today,
May they, through me, know what I felt
When my mother knelt to pray.
Thanks Mom!
Thanks Mom!
1. Thanks Mom For Loving Me And Making Me Feel Cherished.
2. Thanks Mom For Making Home A Place Your Children Want To Be.
3. Thanks Mom For Being A Mom Your Kids Wanted To Talk To.
4. Thanks Mom For Telling Me “No”
5. Thanks Mom For Dedicating Me To The Lord.
6. Thanks Mom for Praying For Me.
- Beside your Bed at night
- Before School each day.
7. Thanks Mom for Having A Family Altar.
- Prov 22:6
8. Thanks Mom for Being A Woman Of Faith.
9. Thanks Mom For Showing Us How To Be Content At Our Lowest In Life.
10. Thanks Mom For Putting Church First.
11. Thanks Mom For Being Faithful To Dad.
12. Thanks Mom For Never Letting Us See You Argue With Dad Or Fight In Front Of Us.
13. Thanks Mom For Never Displaying Bitterness, Or Carrying Grudges.
14. Thanks Mom For Being Tender Hearted & Submissive.
- To the will of God
- To Your Husband
- Treating Daddy like a King (He treated you like a Queen)
15. Thanks Mom For Being Faithful To God.
- For saying Amen
- For backing up your amen’s with your dress and conduct
16. Thanks Mom For Being A Wonderful & Loving Mother In Law,
17. Thanks Mom For The Rich Heritage You Have Given Your Children.
Thanks Mom!
HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY
I Love You!
God’s Algebra Test
God’s Algebra Test
I went to 26 schools growing up. It is still very evident that my education lacks much in the way of continuity. Daddy was an Evangelist for 25 years and a Pastor for 25 as well. Quite often he had to stop in his travels and rent a house so us kids could go to school. I got a late start. I turned 7 in Kindergarten. Somehow I was able to get out of the 12th grade mid-term at 17.
Arithmetic was a very easy subject for me and I always aced a Basic Math test. In 1958 we moved from Yakima, Washington to southern California. My Yakima Math teacher recommended me for Algebra. I got a late start and missed the basics. I somehow couldn’t wrap my mind around the concept of things like X and Y. I had no problem with numbers. But in my mind, letters had no place in a Math test. I saw that I was in trouble and couldn’t seemingly catch up, so I transferred out of Algebra class into Radio and Electronics Shop.
At about 40 years of age I said to myself, “Algebra is the only thing in life you’ve let beat you. Don’t let it.” So I went to the bookstore and bought an Algebra Textbook and a Workbook. I worked my way through and completed the exercises and tests. I cannot say that I’ve ever used Algebra in everyday life since, and that was 26 years ago.
But I have used it in preaching!
In preaching?
Absolutely!
The Algebra book has helped me preach many times.
What would ‘frost my cake’ sometimes during my 30 years of pastoring was when some dear soul would request that the church pray that they would be able to find the will of God for their life.
Yet these same people would somehow seem to be clueless about the will of God for their lives that was written down in black and white. They enjoyed the attention they received by making their mystical prayer request.
I couldn’t believe that some folks would actually ignore the will of God as written in His Word and yet attempt to seek the ‘unknown’ and the ‘as of yet, unrevealed’ will of God.
That’s when the Algebra lessons came in handy. I preached some Algebra lessons in a sermon or two.
One of the first things a student discovers in Algebra, (to put it in basic terminology) is that to find the ‘unknown,’ we have to use the ‘known.’
In other words, if we are serious about finding the illusive and unknown will of God for our lives, how can we be taken serious if we blatantly ignore the will of God that is written in His word?
Some don’t want to be faithful to church, so they ignore Heb 10:25 and still say they are seeking the will of God.
- Heb. 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
Some don’t want to pay tithes, so they ignore Mal 3:10 and still say they are seeking the will of God.
- Mal. 3:10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
Some have a problem with holiness, so they ignore Rom 12:1 and still say they are seeking the will of God.
- Rom. 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Some won’t submit to their pastor or obey what he preaches, so they ignore Heb 13:17 and still say they are seeking the will of God.
- Heb. 13:17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
Some won’t forgive and seem to want to hold grudges, so they ignore Mark 6:14-15 and still say they are seeking the will of God.
- Matt. 6:14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
- Matt. 6:15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
I guess you get the picture by now. It’s not really a joke or meant to be taken lightly.
- James 4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
Keep on praying and seeking the will of God in your life. Just don’t ignore the will of God as it is written in His Word.
Maybe, just maybe, if you are obedient and faithful in what you have been taught, then God may show you more. Don’t expect more if your obedience is less.
Oh, by the way… If you really want to know what the will of God is for your life, go ask your pastor. Don’t you TELL him, let him TELL you.
- That’s what all the God fearing Kings did in the Old Testament.
- That’s what you should do too.
Arrested For Flatulence
Arrested For Flatulence
“Pull over right here,” my brother-in-law, Pastor Nathan Yandris, said in a tone demanding immediate response. I swerved the truck, pulling into the first available parking place. I could see no apparent reason for the hasty stop.
I only saw one person on the sidewalk. He looked like a bum. He wore a backpack, and his clothes were not freshly laundered. His hat kept most of the sun off of his face.
“He used to go to my church. When I first met him, he lived under a bridge and was homeless. I taught him a home Bible Study, and he got the Holy Ghost. He did great for a while, and then about 3 months ago he wanted to take the bus and go to New York and get his mom in church. He was only going to be gone a couple of weeks. This is the first I’ve seen of him since.”
With that, Bro. Yandris piled out of the pickup and walked up to the man. They greeted each other warmly. I watched through the windshield as they talked. I saw the man shaking his head, and moving his arms explaining something of great importance. It took him quite a while. I lost interest in watching their conversation, and focused my attention elsewhere.
About 15 minutes later, Bro. Yandris gave the man some money, got back in the truck and said, ‘Let’s go!” I backed out and he waved as I drove off.
“I found out where he’s been for the last 3 months. He’s been in jail!”
“Really?” I said.
“Yes, he said that he was on his way to New York, but the bus driver called ahead and they pulled him off the bus and arrested him in Joplin, MO.”
When I asked him what they had arrested him for, he said, “Flatulence.”
“They can arrest you for flatulence?” I asked in disbelief.
“Evidently. He said laughing. The 1st offence was bad enough. They took him to court and he was standing in front of the judge being sentenced when he did it again. He said he couldn’t help himself.
“When the judge realized what had just happened in his court room, he covered his face and shook his head in disbelief. He then sentenced him to 90 days in jail for contempt of court.
“He never did make it to New York.”
*******************************
The religious leaders and critics were criticizing the followers of Jesus because they pulled corn from the field and ate it on the Sabbath day. Jesus announced to them that the words they spoke would defile them more.
Jesus reminded his hearers, it wasn’t what went into a man that was the problem, but that which came out of him.
- Mark 7:18 And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him;
- Mark 7:19 Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats?
- Mark 7:20 And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man.
- Mark 7:21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,
- Mark 7:22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:
- Mark 7:23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.
The words we speak and the things we do can get us in trouble with God. The spirit we manifest, is noticed by the Heavenly Judge as well.
- Psa. 19:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
Don’t live so that the Judge of all the earth holds you in contempt of court.
You Can’t Catch Me
You Can’t Catch Me
I watched and laughed at my young grandson Cade as he ran around the living room telling his older brother, “You can’t catch me, you can’t catch me!” It was a laughable childish game.
What is there that is so exhilarating about the feeling of running and not being able to be caught?
Remember the story of The Gingerbread Man?
- I ran away from the little old lady
- I ran away from the little old man
- I ran away from the horse and the cow
- And I can run away from you I can, I can!
The “You Can’t Catch Me” feeling makes you feel superior to the one chasing you.
Bro. Ike Terry of Bakersfield, CA was talking to an older woman who didn’t want to be pastored. She said, “It takes a good dog to run this rabbit.” She was on the run and didn’t want to be caught.
I once read about a famous thief that played dominoes with the cops at the Police station every afternoon with the very men that were looking for him.
- This mindset requires
- You feel you are untouchable
- Uncatchable
- Above the law
- But he got caught
Eccl. 8:11 Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.
Jonah – ran, but God caught him.
- Jonah 1:3 But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD.
- He also paid the fare. (I will cost you to run from God.)
Achan – hid his sin but God caught him
Prodigal – turned himself back in
Backslider? What if the Father doesn’t chase you?
- The fun quickly goes away
David – covered it but God caught him. (Thou art the man!)
- The Hounds of Heaven chase you
- Be sure your sins will find you out.
- You sin will catch you. In time, in conscience, In Eternity
- Why are you running from God?
- Why are you running from His will?
- How long will you play childish games
God desires to use you in His kingdom, but your mindset of childish games, keeps you from seeing this and surrendering.
Can you recognize the signs you are running from God?
Can you recognize the signs you are running from the will of God?
From the time that my middle child, Martyn II was little, whenever he knew he was about to be corrected, he would run to me and throw his arms around me. There were a few time I wished he would have run away from me. Then I could have gotten upset and spanked him. But when a child is holding on to you and saying they are sorry and that they love you, you just can’t spank them.
If you are one of those that runs FROM God, turn around and run TO Him, wrap your arms around Him. He’ll be a loving Father. I know!
Love, Sin And Jelly Beans
Love, Sin And Jelly Beans
‘They fell in love.” We have heard similar phrases all of our life. It sounds romantic, and the Lord knows that’s appealing. We all know it’s wonderful to be in love. So technically, I understand what we mean by that statement. But I propose that we don’t really FALL in love.
You don’t fall in or out of love according to Biblical terminology. The Bible says you “set” your affections.
Col. 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
David said, “My heart is fixed.” He chose how his heart would feel and respond.
David Dancing Before The Ark
Evidently we have more control over our heart, our thoughts and our actions than we realized. Besides being a requirement for salvation, the Holy Ghost helps us in our daily living. It is much needed and such a blessing. But before the Holy Ghost was poured out, Jesus often said this phrase to those he had healed… “Go and sin no more.” John 5:14, 8:11
It sounds to me that sinning or not sinning is a choice. Even before the Upper Room experience, Jesus knew men were able to choose to quit sinning.
We choose, then:
- To be in love with God and live for Him.
- To quit sinning.
You are in control. There is no one else to blame. You choose. It’s not hard.
P.S. (I was just kidding about the Jelly Beans.)
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 