Archive for September 2013
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.
You Say, “God Doesn’t Look On The Outside; He ONLY Looks At The Heart.” Really?
You Say, “God Doesn’t Look On The Outside; He ONLY Looks At The Heart.”
REALLY?
Surely You Don’t Really Believe That?
You Truly Believe That God Is ONLY Concerned With The Heart, And That He Refuses To Look Upon The Outside?
- Is that because you haven’t read the Bible much?
- Is that because your pastor explains away Bible modesty?
- Is that because you refuse to be holy, even though you seek the Holy Ghost?
- Or is it just an attempt to justify your worldly charismatic and emergent lifestyle?
Here Is The Candy-Stick Verse Of Those Who Resist Holiness Preaching.
(Background – Samuel Was Sent By The LORD To Anoint A New King:)
1 Samuel 16:7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.
1. Samuel LIKED what he saw on the outside.
2. God DID NOT LIKE what he saw on the inside.
3. (It’s amazing that many attempt to twist this verse 180 degrees to justify themselves.)
Why Is This Passage So Beloved By People Choosing To Live And Look Like The World?
Is it just a handy comeback in an attempt to justify their Biblical disobedience? I think, for too many, this may be the case.
Does God Examine The Heart? Absolutely!
Jeremiah 17:10 I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.
Psalm 7:9 Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins.
Proverbs 17:3 The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.
- Yes God Examines The Heart. It’s What the Heart Produces That God Will Reward or Punish.
- He TRIES the heart. He Sees it’s obedience and submission, it’s disobedience and rebellion.
- What Is In The Heart Will Soon Show On The Outside
Remember
2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
I. The Importance Of First Mention Principle In The Bible.
Genesis 2:25 And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.
· In this context it does not mean totally nude, but nakedness in the sense or degree of a lack of sufficient clothing
· One thus may be wearing a certain amount of clothing, but still be considered naked in the sight of God.
Genesis 3:10 And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.
Adam & Eve Made An Attempt To Cover The Shame Of Their Nakedness With Leaves. It Was Inadequate!
Genesis 3:7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.
God Got Involved With Covering Their Nakedness
Genesis 3:21 Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.
· “Coats” is from the Hebrew word, Kethoneth. It is an unused root meaning to cover: a shirt: coat, garment robe.) Meaning a garment with sleeves, coming down to the at least the knees.
· Davis Dictionary of the Bible, page 148, “reached nearly to the knees, though a longer form with sleeves of full length was in use.”
· This clearly suggests God created for man a garment, which covered much more than just his “life giving parts.”
- Why Is This Passage In The Bible If The LORD Doesn’t Care What Folks Look Like On The Outside?
II. Ornamentation, Modesty, Costly Array, Hair Styles.
1 Timothy 2:9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;
1 Timothy 2:10 But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.
“Women wore garments that resembled floor length dresses which would not accent the figure. These garments were modest when working or bending over. The Greek word for apparel in 1st Timothy 2:9 is “katastole”, which basically means a long flowing garment, resembling a robe For further study on this word, see Vines Expository Dictionary of The New Testament and Young’s Analytical Concordance.”
- Why Is This Passage In The Bible If The LORD Doesn’t Care What Folks Look Like On The Outside?
1 Peter 3:2 While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.
1 Peter 3:3 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;
1 Peter 3:4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
1 Peter 3:5 For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:
- Why Is This Passage In The Bible If The LORD Doesn’t Care What Folks Look Like On The Outside?
III. Men Wearing Women’s Garments, Women Wearing Men’s Garments.
Deuteronomy 22:5 The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman’s garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God.
- Why Is This Passage In The Bible If The LORD Doesn’t Care What Folks Look Like On The Outside?
IV. Mixing Fabrics.
Deuteronomy 22:11 Thou shalt not wear a garment of divers sorts, as of woollen and linen together.
- Why Is This Passage In The Bible If The LORD Doesn’t Care What Folks Look Like On The Outside
V. Make Fringes On Your Garments.
Deuteronomy 22:12 Thou shalt make thee fringes upon the four quarters of thy vesture, wherewith thou coverest thyself.
- Why Is This Passage In The Bible If The LORD Doesn’t Care What Folks Look Like On The Outside?
VI. Men Praying With Their Head Covered, Men Wearing Long Hair, Women Praying With Their Head Uncovered, Women Praying With Their Hair Cut.
1 Corinthians 11:4 Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head.
1 Corinthians 11:5 But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.
1 Corinthians 11:6 For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered.
1 Corinthians 11:7 For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.
1 Corinthians 11:8 For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man.
1 Corinthians 11:9 Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.
1 Corinthians 11:10 For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.
1 Corinthians 11:11 Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.
1 Corinthians 11:12 For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God.
1 Corinthians 11:13 Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered?
1 Corinthians 11:14 Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?
1 Corinthians 11:15 But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.
- Why Is This Passage In The Bible If The LORD Doesn’t Care What Folks Look Like On The Outside?
VII. Priests And Levites Were Required To Wear Long Linen Under Garments
Exodus 28:42 And thou shalt make them linen breeches to cover their nakedness; from the loins even unto the thighs they shall reach:
Exodus 28:43 And they shall be upon Aaron, and upon his sons, when they come in unto the tabernacle of the congregation, or when they come near unto the altar to minister in the holy place; that they bear not iniquity, and die: it shall be a statute for ever unto him and his seed after him.
The ISBE Defines “breeches” “A garment, extending from the waist to or just below the knee or to the ankle, and covering each leg separately” – page 518.
In order to cover their nakedness they were to cover from the waist to the knees. Why? Because to expose the thigh was to expose your nakedness – cf. Isa.47:2,3.
- Why Is This Passage In The Bible If The LORD Doesn’t Care What Folks Look Like On The Outside?
VIII. Priests And Levites Must Only Wear Linen When Serving In The Court Of The Lord.
Ezekiel 44:17 And it shall come to pass, that when they enter in at the gates of the inner court, they shall be clothed with linen garments; and no wool shall come upon them, whiles they minister in the gates of the inner court, and within.
- Why Is This Passage In The Bible If The LORD Doesn’t Care What Folks Look Like On The Outside
IX. Priests And Levites Must Not Wear Garments That Make Them Sweat.
Ezekiel 44:18 They shall have linen bonnets upon their heads, and shall have linen breeches upon their loins; they shall not gird themselves with any thing that causeth sweat.
- Why Is This Passage In The Bible If The LORD Doesn’t Care What Folks Look Like On The Outside
X. Priests And Levites Must Change Their Clothes Before They Minister.
Ezekiel 44:19 And when they go forth into the utter court, even into the utter court to the people, they shall put off their garments wherein they ministered, and lay them in the holy chambers, and they shall put on other garments; and they shall not sanctify the people with their garments.
- Why Is This Passage In The Bible If The LORD Doesn’t Care What Folks Look Like On The Outside
XI. Priests And Levites Must Not Shave Their Heads. Priests And Levites Must Not Let Their Locks Grow Long.
Ezekiel 44:20 Neither shall they shave their heads, nor suffer their locks to grow long; they shall only poll their heads.
- Why Is This Passage In The Bible If The LORD Doesn’t Care What Folks Look Like On The Outside?
XII. Attire Of A Harlot. (One Looking For Sex).
Proverbs 7:10 And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and subtil of heart.
- Why Is This Passage In The Bible If The LORD Doesn’t Care What Folks Look Like On The Outside?
XIII. An Exposed Thigh Is Nakedness In God’s Eye.
Isaiah 47:1 Come down, and sit in the dust, O virgin daughter of Babylon, sit on the ground: there is no throne, O daughter of the Chaldeans: for thou shalt no more be called tender and delicate.
Isaiah 47:2 Take the millstones, and grind meal: uncover thy locks, make bare the leg, uncover the thigh, pass over the rivers.
Isaiah 47:3 Thy nakedness shall be uncovered, yea, thy shame shall be seen: I will take vengeance, and I will not meet thee as a man.
- Why Is This Passage In The Bible If The LORD Doesn’t Care What Folks Look Like On The Outside?
XIV. When Jacob And His Family Went To Back To Bethel (House Of God) They:
- Put Away Their Idols
- Washed
- Changed Their Clothes
- Buried Their Earrings
Genesis 35:1 And God said unto Jacob, Arise, go up to Bethel, and dwell there: and make there an altar unto God, that appeared unto thee when thou fleddest from the face of Esau thy brother.
Genesis 35:2 Then Jacob said unto his household, and to all that were with him, Put away the strange gods that are among you, and be clean, and change your garments:
Genesis 35:3 And let us arise, and go up to Bethel; and I will make there an altar unto God, who answered me in the day of my distress, and was with me in the way which I went.
Genesis 35:4 And they gave unto Jacob all the strange gods which were in their hand, and all their earrings which were in their ears; and Jacob hid them under the oak which was by Shechem.
- Why Is This Passage In The Bible If The LORD Doesn’t Care What Folks Look Like On The Outside?
XV. Wearing Of Jewels Earrings Tied To Baal Worship.
Hosea 2:13 And I will visit upon her the days of Baalim, wherein she burned incense to them, and she decked herself with her earrings and her jewels, and she went after her lovers, and forgat me, saith the LORD.
- Why Is This Passage In The Bible If The LORD Doesn’t Care What Folks Look Like On The Outside?
XVI. Body Markings (Tattoo) And Piercings.
Leviticus 19:28 Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD.
- Why Is This Passage In The Bible If The LORD Doesn’t Care What Folks Look Like On The Outside?
XVII, Circumcision.
Genesis 17:10 This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised.
Genesis 17:11 And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you.
Genesis 17:12 And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed.
Genesis 17:13 He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant.
Genesis 17:14 And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant.
- Why Is This Passage In The Bible If The LORD Doesn’t Care What Folks Look Like On The Outside?
XVIII. Lasciviousness.
Ephesians 4:19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
- Lasciviousness Definition:(Also translated by licentiousness, wantonness, lewdness and lustful desires.)
1. Lasciviousness means, “wanton (acts or) manners as filthy words, indecent bodily movements, unchaste handling of males and females” – Thayer.
2. “Denotes excess, absence of restraint, indecency, wantonness” – Vine.
B. Another word for lasciviousness is “lewdness” which Webster defines as “tendency to excite lust.”
When The Bible Speaks Of Lasciviousness, It Is Talking About Trying To Entice Lust In The Hearts Of Other People. This Is One Of The Works Of The Flesh.
Galatians 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
This Generation Is Without Shame And Cannot Blush. They Don’t Even Hide The Fact That They Are Trying To Excite Lust In Those Who See Them.
- Why Are These Passages In The Bible If The LORD Doesn’t Care What Folks Look Like On The Outside?
What Parts Of The Body Incite Lust?
- You Already Know.
- Those Are The Very Body Parts God Sought To Cover!
What Modesty In Dress Does:
- It covers up what GOD calls nakedness.
- It displays shamefacedness, sobriety, godliness and good works
- It reflects purity, reverence and a quiet spirit
Present Your Body A Living Sacrifice, Holy And Acceptable Unto God!
Romans 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.
Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
- Why Is This Passage In The Bible If The LORD Doesn’t Care What Folks Look Like On The Outside?
“God Doesn’t Look On The Outside; He Only Looks At The Heart.” REALLY?
Surely You Don’t Really Believe That?
The Deadliest Woman In Town.
The Deadliest Woman In Town.
“That’s the eleventh patient, so far, that has been brought into the ER within the last 16 hours!” The Doctor said to the others in the room at the Morning Staff Meeting.
“Put up warning signs. Everyone entering their rooms must wear gloves, gowns and masks. Quarantine them all. This is highly contagious. Notify the Center for Disease Control that we have an outbreak.”
Several Nurses hurried out of the room to follow his orders.
“This strain of infectious disease is resistant to treatment of any kind. Most patients die 
with this infection, although I have heard that a few have been known to recover. My guess is that less than ten percent ever survive. It is a slow and agonizing death.”
Those in the room glanced from one to another. Most of them had already made contact of some sort with these patients. Fears begin to grip their thoughts as they worried about their own safety and survival.
“Doctor?” A Nurse called out from the back of the room. “What part of the body does this disease attack?”
The Doctor looked at the papers and handwritten notes in his lap, then he raised his head and said, “Autopsy reports clearly show major heart damage in every patient. The walls of the heart become irreversibly hardened. Also, some family members have reported the victims thinking became irrational.
“The first victim that came in last night was related to seven of the others. The other three were her close friends. She is the carrier. Right now, she’s the deadliest woman in town.
“She infected her husband, her three daughters, a grand daughter and two of her sisters. Now, they are all fighting for their life.”
The Doctor picked up his black Book and turned its pages until he found the citation he was looking for. He cleared his throat and read to his listeners the cause of this viral infection.
Hebrews 12:15
Looking diligently… lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
What Is Wrong With Holiness?
What Is Wrong With Holiness?
Bishop Billy McCool
Adapted from an article in the Apostolic Witness, written by Bishop Billy McCool. Used by permission.
|
So I Ask, What Is Wrong With Holiness? Holiness is not a privation; it is a privilege. Holiness is my protection against promiscuity, the loss of my reputation and the loss of my sensitivity. Holiness is my shield against sin. Holiness does not require me to puncture my body thousands of times with needles risking infection in order to get a tattoo. Holiness does not require me to painfully pierce my body, my ears, my nose or my eyebrows. Holiness does not require me to wear a metal pin through my tongue. Holiness does not require me to pierce my navel in order to wear body jewelry. Holiness does not require me to shave my head, bleach my hair or color it with outlandish colors. Holiness does not require me to paint my face or disfigure myself in any way. Holiness has no abusive invitation in order to be a member. Holiness requires the least change and least effort from a normal and natural lifestyle than any fraternity, sorority, club, lodge or labor union. Holiness requires no degrees or pedigrees. No one can prevent me from being Holiness regardless of their status or political power. Holiness is not affected by the car I drive, the house or neighborhood in which I live. To be Holiness I am not required to fill out forms, nor pass a written, oral or aptitude test. You do not have to have seniority or be experienced to be Holiness. You do not have to be voted on or elected to be Holiness. No credit check or background information is required to be Holiness. No monetary investments are required to be Holiness. You can be stone broke or wealthy, unable to read or write or have educational degrees by the dozens and still be Holiness. There is no shortage or glut to be Holiness. It is the most readily available blessing God has to offer. Even though it is so available it is also most valuable. Holiness will make you the best employee in your company. Holiness will make you the best student in your school. It will make you the best and most faithful husband or wife in the world. It will make your children the best and most obedient in the world. Holiness will make you the best parent in the world. Holiness Will Eliminate: Holiness Will Prevent:
So I Ask, What Is Wrong With Holiness? Holiness is the answer to mean mothers and deadbeat dads. So I Ask, What Is Wrong With Holiness? Holiness is the least costly, least stringent, most easily attained, yet it is the most valuable teaching, most valuable doctrine, yielding the most benefits and producing the most positive results for mankind. So I Ask, What Is Wrong With Holiness? Holiness is not living a life of being ugly, homely or a wallflower. So I Ask, What Is Wrong With Holiness?
|
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 