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God Hates Selfies

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God Hates Selfies

Love Thy Neighbor As Thy Selfie

Love Thy Neighbor As Thy Selfie?

Every Social media seems to be loaded with pictures that users take of themselves. (When someone uses their camera or cellphone to take their own picture, that photo is called a ‘selfie’.) Some seem to be consumed with the daily posting of these pictures.

To the average viewer looking at the different poses everyday, it does seem to be a bit much over the top at times.

In 2013, the word “selfie” made it into the official Oxford dictionary. In fact, it was the “word of the year”.

But, getting back to the title of this post. Does God really hate selfies? He sure does. Humor me just a moment and see what I’m talking about.

He Doesn’t Like Your Selfies Unless He’s In It Too. He Doesn’t Want To Be A Photo Bomb In Your Selfie. He Wants To Be The Main Focus Of The Whole Picture.

As a very young man, I was leading the worship service one evening in our local church in South Bend. After service, my father, the pastor, said he wanted to talk to me a moment. That didn’t seem like it was going to be a good thing for me, from the sound of his voice.

Dad: “Son, have you noticed that God never seems to bless that chorus you sang tonight?”

Me: “What chorus dad?”

Dad: “Working for a mansion, a robe and a crown… that will be glory for me.”

Me: “No sir, I never noticed that.”

Dad: “Well… if you are going to lead the worship in this church you need to pay attention to what songs God blesses and which ones He doesn’t bless.”

Me: gulp,  “Yes sir… I’m very sorry.”

Dad: “The reason He doesn’t bless that song here is because it is all about us. It’s about self. It’s not about Him. If you want the blessings of God on a song service, sing about Him. Sing about His mercy, sing about His grace, sing about His love, sing about His power, sing about His blood, sing about His Word, and sing about His Name. Sing about Him and He will always bless it.”

Me: “Yes sir. Thank you Daddy. Thank you very much!”

2 Timothy 3:2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, 

In a generation dedicated to the pleasuring of its flesh, selfies just seem to be normal. But in His World, our self must decrease so that He might increase. He must be the Lord of all. He delights in our promotion of His Kingdom.

Never Forget That God Is A Jealous God.

Only when we humble and abase ourselves do we find the secret of exaltation.

Luke 9:23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

The Gospel compels us to focus on Him and others, not on ourselves. It challenges us to get past our own little world and minister to others.

It asks us to go into the darkness around us and be the light of the world so that the glorious light of the Gospel can shine abroad unto the lost.

So, focus your heart’s camera on Him right now, take the best picture you can and then go show it to someone who has never seen anyone like Him before.

Remember… He ONLY likes ‘selfies’ when He is included in the picture.

Written by Martyn Ballestero

April 7, 2014 at 10:52 am

Posted in Christian Living, Personal Growth, Witness, Worship

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When’s The Last Time You Really Prayed Through?

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When’s The Last Time You Really Prayed Through?

No, I don’t mean when is the last time you knelt and prayed. I am not even asking about the last time you prayed and cried. I don’t even want to know about when was the last time you spoke in tongues.

 

But, What I Want To Know Is…

  • When was the last time you really prayed through?
  • When was the last time you prayed until you surrendered to His Will and ignored yours?
  • When was the last time you prayed until laid your all on the altar?
  • When was the last time you prayed until you felt truly changed?
  • When was the last time you prayed until your soul felt renewed?
  • When was the last time you prayed until victory and His joy enveloped you?
  • When was the last time you prayed until you knew your problem had just become history?
  • When was the last time you prayed until everyone else could tell that you had?
  • When was the last time you prayed until everyone else could see the difference?
  • When was the last time you prayed until your attitude changed?
  • When was the last time you prayed until you treated others betters?
  • When was the last time you prayed until chose to make things right?
  • When was the last time you prayed until you quit blaming others?
  • When was the last time you prayed until you whole-heartedly repented?
  • When was the last time you prayed until your worship became exuberant?
  • When was the last time you prayed until you loved everyone?
  • When was the last time you prayed until your marriage became safe?
  • When was the last time you prayed until you put God before your desires?
  • When was the last time you prayed until everyone in your family felt secure?
  • When was the last time you prayed until you never wanted to be like your were?
  • When was the last time you prayed until you lost you bitterness?
  • When was the last time you prayed until lost your hatred and hurts?
  • When was the last time you prayed until you lost track of time?
  • When was the last time you prayed until you felt Divine strength?
  • When was the last time you prayed until you had God’s answer in your heart?
  • When was the last time you prayed until you no longer had a problem with standards?
  • When was the last time you prayed until you no longer had a problem with Holiness?
  • When was the last time you prayed until you no longer had a problem with Pastoral Authority?
  • When was the last time you prayed until you could say amen to all of the Word of God?
  • When was the last time you prayed until you quit justifying yourself?

 

When’s The Last Time You Really Prayed Through?

  • Really Praying Through eliminates most counseling trips to the pastor’s office.
  • Really Praying Through stops all petty fighting.
  • Really Praying Through ends jealous rivalry.
  • Really Praying Through stops wandering eyes.
  • Really Praying Through puts homes back together.
  • Really Praying Through puts God’s blessings anew upon your life.
  • Really Praying Through strengthens your walk with God.
  • Really Praying Through makes the world look unattractive.
  • Really Praying Through puts fire in your spiritual bones.
  • Really Praying Through puts you in a position that God can use.
  • Really Praying Through keeps the devil at bay.
  • Really Praying Through blesses the whole church family.
  • Really Praying Through keeps your soul safe.
  • Really Praying Through puts a testimony in your soul.
  • Really Praying Through makes you a better witness.
  • Really Praying Through makes you a light in a dark world.
  • Really Praying Through keeps God the center of your home.

 

When’s The Last Time You Really Prayed Through?

  • I don’t mean a little prayer.
  • I don’t mean a little tweaking of the soul.
  • I don’t mean a $2.00 tune up.
  • I mean a major $2000.00 overhaul.
  • I mean an overhaul so good that your spiritual engine doesn’t hit and miss anymore.
  • I mean an overhaul so good that your spiritual engine starts when it’s cold outside.
  • I mean an overhaul so good that your spiritual engine runs right.
  • I mean an overhaul so good that your engine doesn’t leave you stranded between here and home.

 

When’s The Last Time You Really Prayed Through?

  • When you really Pray Through, Heaven will know.
  • When you really Pray Through, Hell will know.
  • When you really Pray Through, the Church will know.
  • When you really Pray Through, the Pastor will know.
  • When you really Pray Through, your enemies will know.
  • When you really Pray Through, your friends will know.
  • When you really Pray Through, your family will know.
  • When you really Pray Through, you will know.

 

When’s The Last Time You Really Prayed Through?

  • When was the last time you prayed until you got lost in the Spirit?
  • When was the last time you prayed until you the Spirit wrapped you up in love?
  • When was the last time you prayed until the Holy Ghost made intercession for you?
  • When was the last time you prayed until your eyes nearly swelled shut?
  • When was the last time you prayed until the world lost its glow?
  • When was the last time you prayed until you got a taste of Heaven?
  • When was the last time you prayed until you got deliverance?
  • When was the last time you prayed until the heartache was gone?
  • When was the last time you prayed until rejoicing took over?
  • When was the last time you prayed until there was a shout in your soul?
  • When was the last time you prayed until the whole world looked better?
  • When was the last time you prayed until God’s purpose for you was revealed?
  • When was the last time you prayed until God smiled upon you?

 

When’s The Last Time You Really Prayed Through?

 

What Are You Waiting For?

 

Written by Martyn Ballestero

March 27, 2014 at 10:04 am

Posted in Christian Living, Personal Growth, Prayer

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When One Part Of Your Brain Hijacks The Other!

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When One Part Of Your Brain Hijacks The Other!

Quite a few years ago, I was told about a new book and curiosity made me want to read it. The problem was, I was a little short of cash and not sure I wanted to spend what I had on a book instead of eat lunch.

I stopped by our local Barnes & Nobles Bookstore and asked the lady if they had the book, Emotional brain001_thumbIntelligence in stock. They did, so I looked at it a few minutes and then found a nice easy chair and began to scan the pages for a bit longer. I read about fourteen pages and then I laid the book down and began to ponder on what I had just learned. I’ve never forgotten.

The premise put forward was that we all have two brains. (I was glad to find that out. I have been told I didn’t even have one.)

The author said that we each have a brain that thinks and a brain that feels. Our life may be at peace and functioning well, but turmoil, pain and great consequences come to us when one of our brains hijacks the other.

He Explained It By Describing Murders And Murderers.

 

The Brain That Thinks

The brain that thinks can get out of balance and push all emotions and normal feelings aside. It will then ignore every soft and tender thought the person ever had.

  • He feels his mind is superior and he won’t get caught.
  • He refuses to think about regrets and the pain he will cause.
  • He devises ways to lure, entrap, and murder his victims.

Society uses the term Cold Blooded, Premeditated Murder, with Malice Aforethought.

Serial Killers must plan, calculate and orchestrate their dastardly deeds while ignoring every emotion that would stop them. Their brain that thinks hijacks the brain that feels. Society is very happy to lock that person behind bars for the rest of their life. They experience no remorse.

The Brain That Feels

The brain that feels can become so overwrought with painful emotion that it takes matters into it’s own hands and goes into what it believes is an appropriate action.

A loving wife may find her husband in the arms of another and her brain that feels immediately hijacks the brain that thinks.

  • She is not worried about consequences.
  • She hasn’t got time, in her mind, to worry about the law.
  • She can only think about the hurt she feels.

We call it a crime of passion. It was a spur of the moment action. Nothing was preplanned. Sometimes juries have been a bit understanding and even lenient in such cases.

____________________________________________________________

When A Husband Is Unfaithful To His Wife.

The part of his brain that thinks, has to ignore and hijack the brain that feels. Unfaithfulness is not a spur of the moment action.

The brain that thinks hijacks the brain that feels and he convinces himself that he is no longer in love with his spouse. He says, he doesn’t love her anymore and hasn’t for some time. He tells her that to prepare her for what’s to come. He finds illogical fault with her to justify himself.

She is devastated and angry, and rightly so. The children quickly notice changes in daddy’s behavior and they become defensive of their mother and afraid of this man they loved.

Think about the all the emotional, logical, and spiritual Stop Signs and Road Blocks an unfaithful husband must pass before he arrives at where he thinks he wants to go.

  • Permitting thoughts about another woman to have access into mind.
  • Letting those thoughts become lustful and pleasurable.
  • Creating a moment where the two of them can actually meet and talk.
  • Making plans to meet again.
  • Making plans to leave and divorce his wife.
  • Ignoring the fact that he has no Bible right to leave his wife for another.
  • The sending of Text Messages.
  • The Emails back and forth.
  • The secret Cell Phone calls.
  • Then Deleting those Messages and Emails.
  • The actual clandestine meeting.
  • Touching her for the first time.
  • The first kiss.
  • The Motel.

Look how many stop sign he has to ignore. Look how many roadblocks he must step over. It’s pre-meditated. It’s planned. The brain that thinks has hijacked the brain that once felt love for his wife and family.

Nothing about unfaithfulness is accidental. It’s planned. It thought out. The brain that feels for God, family, and future has just been hijacked.

It makes no difference if the unfaithfulness is emotional or actual… it’s sin and it’s wrong.

Matthew 5:27 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:

Matthew 5:28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

When his brain that thinks hijacked his brain that feels… He had to ignore every hurt and pain in his wife’s eyes, words and heart. He had to ignore the consequences for his actions. He had to ignore the damage he was doing to his home and his children.

  • He had to push aside the loss of his standing with God.
  • He had to ignore the loss of his participation in God’s Kingdom.
  • He had to be willing to place his eternal salvation in jeopardy.

He had to arrive at a place that made him not think about how much he was throwing away.

He now had a new infatuation and he could not think about anything else but her; not even her husband or her children.

He must be proud of the fact that he is a thinker and has a high IQ. In his own mind, he is smarter than the others who are crying. He refuses to let any emotional connection with his own wife and children stop him from achieving his goals. They have only become baggage and now he wants to be free from them.

 

Although He Knows These Passages In Proverbs, He Totally Ignores Them.

Proverbs 6:23 For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:
Proverbs 6:24 To keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman.
Proverbs 6:25 Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids.
Proverbs 6:26 For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adulteress will hunt for the precious life.
Proverbs 6:27 Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?
Proverbs 6:28 Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned?
Proverbs 6:29 So he that goeth in to his neighbour’s wife; whosoever toucheth her shall not be innocent.
Proverbs 6:30 Men do not despise a thief, if he steal to satisfy his soul when he is hungry;
Proverbs 6:31 But if he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; he shall give all the substance of his house.
Proverbs 6:32 But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul.
Proverbs 6:33 A wound and dishonour shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away.
Proverbs 6:34 For jealousy is the rage of a man: therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance.
Proverbs 6:35 He will not regard any ransom; neither will he rest content, though thou givest many gifts.

Proverbs 7:27 Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death.

When a husband becomes unfaithful. He is not the only one now with a problem. His selfish thinking and actions have immobilized all those around him that love him. His marriage is paralyzed and may never be restored. His children will never respect him for the way he selfishly walked out on them and their mother.

Later in moments of reflection, he is prone to think he is the only one who needs counseling and help. That thinking is either being naïve, stupid or stubborn. AA and Al-Anon both include the addict and their family in the process. What one person did, now has become a problem for all those who once loved him.

Where Does One Turn To For Guidance And Help With Improper Thinking?

There Is Not Much Hope For Restoration To A Once Godly Marriage Or To Having A Sound Mind Again, If God And His Word Are Left Out Of The Equation. Restoration Is Of The Lord.

Psalms 16:7 I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons.

AMP: Psalm 16:7 I will bless the Lord, Who has given me counsel; yes, my heart instructs me in the night seasons.

If one of your brains has hijacked the other, God will bring release and restoration to your mind if you will turn to Him. He will deliver you. Refusing God’s intervention will only set you up for more devil’s play.

Sir: If There Is To Be ANY Hope Of Restoration In Your Marriage And In Your Walk With God, It’s Up To You To:

  • Choose to repent to God, your wife, and pastor.
  • Choose to let God’s Word and God’s man guide you into complete restoration.
  • Choose to love your wife with all your heart.
  • Choose to reassure her.
  • Choose to be careful about your thoughts, feeling and interaction with the opposite sex.
  • Choose to clear yourself from further suspicion.
  • Choose to connect with your wife, family and God like you never have before.
  • Choose to live for God and not throw your soul away.

May The Lord God guide your thoughts, your actions, and your motives every day and keep you from all evil and iniquity. May your heart tenderly guide you in all the night seasons.

Now Go Do The Right Thing!

Written by Martyn Ballestero

March 19, 2014 at 9:53 am

Posted in Christian Living, Life, Love, Marriage, Overcoming, Prayer, Pride, Regret, Repent, Romance, Temptations

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Are You Worth Fighting For?

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Are You Worth Fighting For?

Kneeling_Warrior_lg

We have all heard uncomplimentary remarks by old timers about those people they considered

worthless and no good. They said things like:

  • “Ah, they’re not worth the lead it would take to blow…”
  • “They’re not worth their salt.”

We have all learned that helping some people can be an exercise in frustration and futility. In choosing our battles and those we fight for, where do we draw a line and fight? When do we throw in the towel?

Go To God’s Word And Examples For Guidance.

Moses – Israel

God was so angry at Israel because of their quickness to backslide, He wanted to kill them and start all over. He told His plan to Moses.

Exodus 32:31 And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold.

Exodus 32:32 Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin–; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.

Moses knew the wickedness of Israel and although he could never justify their actions, he refused to give up on them. He told God; if You are going to blot them out, then just blot me out too. Moses fought for Israel even in their disobedience and wickedness.

Moses Persuaded God To Show Mercy.

Samuel – King Saul

1 Samuel 15:10 Then came the word of the LORD unto Samuel, saying,

1 Samuel 15:11 It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the LORD all night.

Saul was reckless in his life choices and was disobedient to God’s Word. Samuel, even with all his pristine character and godliness, could not help but cry for Saul. Saul wasn’t even crying for himself. Yet Samuel fought with tear all night long.

Pastors – Saints and Sinners

Certainly we can be grateful to live at a time when God’s Mercy is so readily available. Yet, in spite of this, a pastor’s job is never done. He does his best to keep fighting for every soul. He fights for those who want help. He even fights for those who don’t seem to be fighting for themselves.

There Is No Such Thing As A ‘Throw-A-Way Soul.”

Paul – Timothy

2 Timothy 2:25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

2 Timothy 2:26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

Paul’s advice to Pastor Timothy was, don’t be harsh. These sinful people are their own problem. They can’t blame anyone else but themselves. It just may be that God will let them repent and admit the truth about themselves. It may be that God will let them recover and be restored. So, don’t give up on them. Fight for them. They aren’t doing a very good job of fighting for themselves. They need you.

  • Fight for their souls.
  • Fight for their mercy.
  • Fight for their forgiveness.
  • Fight for their restoration.
  • Fight for their marriage.
  • Fight for their family.
  • Fight for their future.
  • Fight for their eternity.
  • Fight for them…

Remember:

1 Corinthians 6:11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

Are You Worth Fighting For? Absolutely!

Written by Martyn Ballestero

March 17, 2014 at 1:52 pm

Posted in Backsliders, Christian Living, Failure, Family, Healing, Love, Marriage, Mercy, Ministry, Pastors, Prayer, Recovery, Repent, Salvation, Tears, The Blood, War

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For Now

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For Now

Today during rush hour, I noticed the license plate on the Toyota in front of me read, “For Now.” Evidently the owner had plans for a more luxurious vehicle in his future.

257_weiss_pepsi_lfn2The world’s message to young and old is to seize the moment. Live in the now.

For Now is a lifestyle to which most of us are accustomed. For example:

Paper And Plastic

Things made from paper and plastic were made to last mostly, for now. Paper plates are for temporary use. They quietly say that someday there will be china on the table. I’m only here for this one meal.

Some Jobs

Very few retire from a fast food job. They only took the job, for now, because the one they want is unavailable at this time. As soon as something better opens up, they are gone.

There are “Temp Employment Agencies” who specialize in the for now.

Some Relationships

Boyfriends and girlfriends come and go. They are the people you can like for now. Some day you hope to find a permanent person to love. It’s called marriage. Sadly, there are even some twisted people who rationalize that marriage is only a for now thing.

Some Homes

Real Estate Brokers sell starter homes. They don’t expect the buyer to grow old there. Those houses are for newlyweds getting a start in life. They are for now.

A Rent House is where you live for now. It’s what you have till you can buy your own house.

Even Motels

Motels are for those needing a place to sleep for now.

Sins Pleasures

Moses chose to identify with the people of God, than with the house of Pharaoh. He understood that sin’s pleasures were only for now, and then they would vanish.

Hebrews 11:24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter;

Hebrews 11:25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;

  1. Adulterers live in a for now world.
  2. Alcoholics, drug users and abusers are addicted to the for now feeling.

Saints of old sang: “This World Is Not My Home, I’m Just A Passing Through.” They were not focused on the for now.

 

Bible Illustrations

Israel was content to dwell in the for now, whether that was in Egypt or the Wilderness. She had to be pushed into the Promised Land.

Esau willingly traded his most valuable possession for a bowl of pottage. His eternal birthright was swapped straight across for something that would make him happy for now. He lost his forever in his quest for now.

Demas was once the Apostle Paul’s travel companion and fellow laborer. His thoughts turned from things above to began to the world around him. He chose to live in the for now, and abandon any hope of the forever.

 

The Song Writer

Jennie Wilson words that have lasted for scores of years. She warned us all to build our hopes on things eternal.

__________________________________________________________________________

“Hold to God’s Unchanging Hand”

Words: Jennie Wilson.

Music: Franklin L. Eiland

 

1. Time is filled with swift transition,

Naught of earth unmoved can stand,

Build your hopes on things eternal,

Hold to God’s unchanging hand.

       

Refrain:

        Hold to God’s unchanging hand,

        Hold to God’s unchanging hand;

        Build your hopes on things eternal,

        Hold to God’s unchanging hand.

 

2. Trust in Him who will not leave you,

Whatsoever years may bring,

If by earthly friends forsaken

Still more closely to Him cling.

 

3. Covet not this world’s vain riches

That so rapidly decay,

Seek to gain the heav’nly treasures

They will never pass away.

 

4. When your journey is completed,

If to God you have been true,

Fair and bright the home in glory

Your enraptured soul will view.

__________________________________________________________________________

 

Troubles Are Temporary. They are For Now Moments.

2 Corinthians 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

2 Corinthians 4:17 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

 

Paul Challenged Us To Not Let the For Now Separate Us From Him.

Romans 8:38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

Romans 8:39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

 

Written by Martyn Ballestero

February 22, 2014 at 10:10 pm

Posted in Christian Living

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What Happens When Galaxies Collide?

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What Happens When Galaxies Collide?

What happens when the gravitational pull of one Galaxy overwhelms another? In the world of suns, moons, planets, stars, and galaxies, the answer is not a positive one.

The same is true in the lives of Apostolic men and women. When our carnal world collides with our Spiritual World, what happens? Are there ever any survivors?

Some attempt to maintain the two orbiting worlds of Spirit and Flesh simultaneously, but it never has a happy ending. There will always be a collision.

Matthew 6:24  No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Especially in the last days, we all have all seen an abundance of human failures. May God help us all to order our worlds aright!

 

Galaxy4

The Milky Way

The Milky Way

The Galaxy With Stronger Gravity Pulls The Weaker Galaxy Into Itself

The Galaxy With Stronger Gravity Pulls The Weaker Galaxy Into Itself

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Written by Martyn Ballestero

February 20, 2014 at 12:29 pm

Posted in Christian Living

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What Would Pentecostals Post On Facebook If This Were 70 Years Ago?

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What Would Pentecostals Post On Facebook If This Were 70 Years Ago?

k-bigpicI’m sure I don’t really know. It’s a crazy supposition, for certain. But what if there had been Internet and Facebook? What kind of posts would we read from friends and family in our FB news feed?

First of all, I am not sure how many would have even been on any social media. Some, in the 1940’s, regularly warned of the worldly influence of radio in Christian homes. Television was called a one-eyed monster.

Secondly, the whole world was at war. The saints of old actually believed they were living in the last days and most of them acted accordingly.

Thirdly, many of them had survived the great depression. Most had little money or possessions. Christ and the Church became the center of their lives.

With this in mind allow me to extract comments and excerpts from my family’s letters and wire recordings (Wire recorders preceded Cassette and Tape Recorders.) made during that same time frame.

I am sure they would have made the same type of affectionate greetings to family and friends.

We would have also read:

  • Victory reports of revival and new church plantings
  • Updates on our children and grand children’s lives
  • Recipes and sewing tips
  • But most assuredly, there would have been much talk about the coming of the Lord, the end time, Heaven, and the importance of being ready

Here are some comments taken from Carl Ballestero’s (my father) letters to Bro. Harvey Davis during WWII.

     1.    “I write to you, Harvey, as Jonathan would to David, with nothing but love and honor in my heart for you.  I know nothing of your failures, (I have enough of my own, for we all are unprofitable servants), but I looked for Jesus in you, and bless His dear Name, I found Him in you in a very pleasing way. It really isn’t hard to see our Jesus in one another, if we would but look for Him.

2.    “As I was sitting at the table thinking of what you said about going all out for Jesus, (you spoke my heart) and it seemed then, how few really want to see things done for God. Most people will go places for God when things are going good and when the message is popular, but only a handful are possessed with the “Jesus passions” for lost souls and genuine red-hot Holy Ghost revival fire to sweep not only their own hearts, but the whole community as well. I pray that God will give us a “go-through” spirit.

     3.    “May the Lord melt us and take away all bitterness from our hearts, for His Name’s sake.

     4.    “We’re strangers here, not wanted, not loved by man, we have a Heavenly City, not made with hands, and One ever beckons to the weary, tempted and tried pilgrims to “Come out from among them and be ye separate” for this world is not their home.

     5.    “Yes, there is hardly a preacher in Pentecost who doesn’t know how far short of the Apostolic power we are. Oh, it is true that we have the Gospel, but then too, “The letter killeth.” It is the Spirit that quickeneth, the flesh profiteth nothing.” It takes more than plain good preaching to get people saved. It takes the signs following you spoke about.

     6.    “…But then may we now say, not “Where is the God of Elijah,” but “Where is the Elijah of God.”

 

     7.    “We, as young ministers could blame the preachers before us for this pitiful state of God’s Body, (and we would not be too far from wrong for they have not been altogether blameless), but we have a wall to build, whether we are the men to do the job or not, I am certain God is pleased that the thought is in our hearts. Let us therefore set our minds to the immense task that lies before us, and consecrate, humble, deny and keep under the Blood every fiber of our being that we might be of a truth, “The apple of God’s eye.” Surely He cannot help but bless that one who has determined to make his time God’s time, who realizes that his members are God’s temple, his very life and breath, a loan from a loving Friend who sticks closer than any brother.

     8.    “I can truthfully say, that my joy is to do the will of my Father in Heaven, yes, that is also my meat, it sustains me, gives me life, for Jesus is truly the “Bread of Life.”

 

     9.    “Let us evermore come to Him that we might have life and that more abundantly. Jesus said, “Ye will not come to Me that ye might have life.” We have life from Him, Brother, but not many have that abundant life, the holy and sanctified breath of God in them that makes giants out of weaklings, that makes heroes out of cowards, that makes intercessors out of sluggards, yea, that makes mighty, prevailing, unconquerable, rugged, self-denying Gospel and Gift entrusted Christian men and women who can move the mountains of sin in the abominable generation of our day.

     10.“What then shall we do? Shall we be sorry for our faults, or defeats? No, not sorry, but rather repent. It is harder to get a Pentecostal person to repent than a rank sinner. Yes, repent and launch out into the deep, for surely hell will be full of sorry people.

     11.“Most of my time is spent in the study of God’s Word. I now am spending more time in prayer that He first might make it burn in my heart so that I can preach it from the very depths of my soul with His fire and unction. I have a wonderful book entitled “The Preacher and Prayer” by Bounds, and if I can’t find any in the bookstores, I’ll send you mine. Marvelous truth! It will fire your passion for souls and shake you into a prayerful attitude.

 

     12.“My typewriter has been in hock for a few weeks now, so that explains the pen and ink. I pawned it so that I could buy a turkey for New Year’s Day. I am sending you all the money we have, but my Father is rich, and “I shall not want”, for truly, with food and raiment, the love of God in my heart, the hunger for more of Him and for others to know Him is more than I deserve, and if I cannot say like Paul, “I have learned …” I can say “I am learning to be content in whatsoever state I am in.”

     13.“Your letter touched my heart, just made me love you so, and cry, so I just had to write you these few lines. (It doesn’t seem many to me, for they flow from my heart.) If I have ever said or done anything to harm or hinder you, please forgive me, as I do want to make Heaven my home. If I have, it was not by choice, from my head, but not my heart.

     14.“We send our love to each of you, pray daily for you.

 

     15.“Other than what I’ve mentioned, in these dark and bewildering days, all that we have to look forward to is the coming of Jesus to deliver us from this body of death. The supposedly strong ones among us have forsaken our God and their cross and left the lambs to continue on with faltering step. It seems that those who really desire to pay the price and go through must do so amidst the railings of those who make a mock of sin, who have no confidence in Christianity, (and why should they have?) Yet, still the love and the Spirit of God pulls our feet homeward, saying “This is the way, walk ye in it.”

     16.“When I listen to good preachers, I begin to wonder if I’ve missed my calling or not, but when I see the way people are failing God, and faith has vanished; when I see the holy standard of Jesus Christ dragged in the gutter, and a bunch of old reprobates who live in sin, and brag about all their wonderful results, and claim to be the “fathers” of this Jesus Name movement, I take courage and make an attempt at preaching anyway,


      17.“Lose your money, lose your reputation, lose your car and all your possessions, but don’t lose your character, don’t lose the anointing of God, don’t lose your soul

     18.“There’s no place like the everlasting arms of Jesus when one is burdened, over-weighted with much sorrow, and about ready to abandon ship.

     19.“I would rather burn out for God than rust out.

     20.“I’m praying for you almost every night without fail. Might have missed you once or twice, but you’re usually upon my heart for your love and fellowship means so much to me.

Bro. Ike Terry’s Comments To My Mother, Connie Ballestero:

  • “Sister Connie, I want to share with you a brand new One God Scripture that I found   today…”

 

Various Saints From The Bakersfield Church To My Mother:

  •  “They carried me home drunk on the Holy Ghost last night. 
  • “We had an all night prayer meeting.
  • “My husband finally got the Holy Ghost during this revival, Hallelujah!

 

  1. If any of the old saints had slipped off to a movie, or read a questionable book they would they have posted it or talked about it openly?
  2. How much Sports talk would have been posted?
  3. What photos would they post?
  4. How much flesh would be on display?
  5. How much would be written about Church, God and Christian living?

 

There would still have been fun and fellowship on the news feed of the 1940’s FB I’m sure, but I would like to think the Coming of the Lord and the End Time would have never strayed from the main focus.

Written by Martyn Ballestero

February 17, 2014 at 3:19 pm

Posted in Christian Living, Old-Time Pentecost, The Coming Of The Lord

Tagged with

Whatever Happened To Carefulness?

with 28 comments

Whatever Happened To Carefulness?

Modern Pentecostalism, as a whole, seems to enjoy flaunting its perceived new liberties in the face of all caution. To them who have lived their whole lives in spiritual carefulness before God, this mindset is repulsive, dangerous and scary.

Why Does One Generation Feel Freer And Less Cautious Than Another?

  • Are they more enlightened in the Word?
  • Is this a New Day in the Kingdom of God?
  • Has God waited nearly 2,000 years to remove every Biblical principle and restriction?
  • Why are things considered right today that were wrong yesterday?
  • Are they backslidden in heart?
  • Why is there an absence of Holiness and things HOLY among those who profess the HOLY Ghost?

There is a horrible price to pay if what our forefathers said is right. Old school preachers said things like: “When you lose your revelation of Holiness, it won’t be long before you lose your revelation of the Oneness of the Godhead.” That dear reader is a very fearful thing.

It appears as if the spirit of the age is one that wants to see how much one can do and still feel saved and justified.

Too many church folks have been influenced by the style and fads of this present world.  Sadly, whatever the new style of the world is on display, it soon will be seen in some churches. It quickly appears in:

·      Men’s clothing

·      Men’s hairstyles

·      Men’s facial hair

·      Women’s clothing

·      Women’s hairstyles

·      And even makeup

  1. Can anyone else remember when it was uncommon to see Pentecostal women wearing form-fitting and revealing attire?
  2. Can anyone else remember new converts changing how they dressed and lived soon after they got saved?
  3. Can anyone else remember when makeup was not acceptable?
  4. Can anyone else remember when women considered long hair their glory?
  5. Can anyone else remember when men didn’t dress in a manner that questioned their masculinity?
  6. Can anyone else remember the day when Consecration services were not uncommon?
  7. Can anyone else remember when no one who claimed to be in church wanted to look like or dress like they were in the world?
  8. Can anyone else remember when there was an absence of facial hair on the men that were in the church?
  9. Can anyone else remember when no one heard of young girls kissing other young girls?
  10. Can anyone else remember when the saints lived their lives carefully, lest they displease the Lord?
  11. Can anyone else remember when saints were not addicted to prescription drugs?
  12. Can anyone else remember when TV was a bad word?
  13. Can anyone else remember when saints didn’t go to movies?
  14. Can anyone else remember when jewelry was not seen on church folks?
  15. Can anyone else remember when church services times were not scheduled around a Super Bowl Sunday?
  16. Can anyone else remember saints being careful about what they read, what they listened to, where they went and whom they went with?
  17. Can anyone else remember when folks repented to each other and before God because they wanted to be saved?
  18. Can anyone else remember hearing sermons on Hell and Judgment?

·      What changed?

·      Did God change?

·      If God changed, not everyone got the memo.

Carefulness Is Produced By Repentance.

That’s The First Thing True Repentance Does. It Makes You Careful.

2 Corinthians 7:10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

2 Corinthians 7:11 For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.

  1. Too many are not careful about giving God the tithe of their increase.
  2. Too many are not careful to manifest the Fruits of the Spirit.
  3. Too many are not careful about what they say, or whom they say it to.
  4. Too many are not careful about what comes into their homes.
  5. Too many are not careful to honor their parents.
  6. Too many are not careful to honor their pastor.
  7. Too many are not careful about their attendance to the House of God.
  8. Too many are not careful about their attitude.
  9. Too many are not careful to keep their marriage vows.
  10. Too many are not careful about their friend’s negative influences.
  11. Too many are not careful about where they allow themselves to go visit.
  12. Too many are not careful about the necessity of the Acts 2:38 Doctrine.

 

Sadly, We Have Gone From Carefulness To Carelessness.

I will have to answer to God some day. So, when I read verses such as these I feel cautioned to be careful.

Hebrews 2:1 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.

Ephesians 5:15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

1 Timothy 4:16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them:

The Holy Spirit Warns Us All About The World’s Influence Upon The Church.

1 Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

2 Peter 3:1 This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:

2 Peter 3:2 That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:

2 Peter 3:3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,

I am sure most will continue to do as they please and feel very justified. That will be between you and the Lord on Judgment Day.

As For Me, I Choose To Finish My Days Walking Before The Lord As Carefully As I Can.

Oh, by the way, are you doing your best to be careful in your walk with God? If not, please join me.

Written by Martyn Ballestero

January 31, 2014 at 11:40 pm

Posted in Christian Living, Compromise

Tagged with ,

The Body

with 4 comments

The Body

On The Street

Your friends, neighbors, the DMV, and the postman know you by your full name. Your Driver’s License says your official name is ‘John Doe.”

In The Hospital

As A Patient In Room 123:

Every attending nurse and doctor always verifies your name and even date of birth when the come into the room to check on you..

Sometimes your name is displayed on the room door.

When You Die:

You are no longer referred to by your name. You are now no longer ‘John Doe’ you are now just a body. Your identity changed.

The doctor pulls the sheet up over the face of ‘the body.’

They then call the morgue and have them pick up ‘the body’ in Room 123.

At A Crime Scene

The first thing the Homicide Detective wants to know when he arrives at a crime scene is, “Where’s the body?”

The Coroner does not examine Mr. John Doe, thinking this is Mr. John Doe! All he sees is a dead body.

Mr. Doe is then placed in a body bag and hidden from view.

In The Morgue

‘The body’ is placed on the slab.

Sometimes ‘the body’ is put into a refrigerated drawer.

At The Funeral Home

The Funeral Home sends a Driver to pick up ‘the body’.

It’s ‘the body’ that is embalmed. As far as we know, no one says, “Mr. Doe is embalmed,” he is now referred to as a body.

‘The body’ is dressed and placed in a casket.

At The Grave

The hearse drives ‘the body’ to the Cemetery.

After the graveside service, ‘the body’ is lowered into the ground.

‘The body’ is later covered with dirt.

Sometimes ‘the body’ is exhumed.

This Is Understood In The Natural Life,

It Happens Similarly In The Spiritual Life.

As Sinners

We are proud of our identity.

We proudly proclaim our heritage and those famous in our family tree.

We promote ourselves.

We do what we enjoy.

(Philippians 2:21 For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s.)

We fight to keep our identity.

We protect ourselves from identity theft.

We make cards to give to strangers with our name in bold letters.

We do our best to live as long as we can and enjoy life.

At The Altar Of Repentance

On the very first trip to the Altar of Repentance, we die.

We die out to sin.

We die out to self.

We die out the things of the world.

We die out to fleshly lusts.

We decrease so that He might increase.

In Water Baptism

We are buried with Him.

The old man dies and is buried.

When We Are Filled With The Holy Ghost

We take on a new identity.

We are no longer our own, we are bought with a price.

Now, it’s not about us, that no flesh should glory in His Presence.

Now we are part of The Body Of Christ.

We relinquished our old identity and receive a new one.

We are members of ‘The Body’.

We become Kingdom Minded.

We no longer are motivated to promote our flesh, but rather do all for the good of ‘His Body… The Body.’

 

Written by Martyn Ballestero

January 29, 2014 at 12:20 am

Posted in Christian Living, Unity

Tagged with , ,

The Day My World Wanted To Crash, But Couldn’t.

with 18 comments

The Day My World Wanted To Crash, But Couldn’t.

I sat on the side of my bed with our house phone against my left ear as I listened to my Dad’s voice. Tears were standing at ready in my eyes, just waiting for any reason to start flowing. It had been one of the worst days of my life.

I was already dressed for my Wednesday night Bible Study. The clock told me that I had only five minutes remaining before I needed to leave for church.

The sound of my Dad’s voice was the best medicine for my mind and soul at this moment. I didn’t tell him what the problem was, but he was very sharp and intuitive. He was a pastor in Sulphur, LA.

For the last eight hours or so I had sat in my pastor’s study at South Bend’s Christ Temple Apostolic Church trying to prepare for the service. Nothing seemed to make sense for me. Even with over 7,000 books in my library, I couldn’t seem to find anything that would prompt me. I read many chapters in the Bible and nothing stood out.

Well, to be honest, I focused primarily on me. I had felt like crying all day and I didn’t know why. I had the most wonderful wife and children a man could ever hope to have. I pastored a church full of people I loved and they were all so good to me.

the_world_crashes_down_by_friskeydomingo-d38ieg6Was I depressed? I didn’t want to think so. Was I dealing with condemnation? No. What was making me a basket case? Why was I on the verge of tears all day?

I tried praying and was grateful for a legitimate format for me to open up and cry in. What was the deal? What was wrong with me? Was I going through some mid-life crisis at 40 years old? I didn’t know.

Was I being overly hard and harsh on myself? Was I crying tears of disappointment because of un-achieved goals and dreams? I was afraid to think too long about that.

Who could I call and vent to? Who’s shoulder would be broad enough? I could think of no one that I wanted to burden down with my heavy load of negative feelings.

Was I out of the will of God? Was God dealing with me about something? Who knew? My self-pity was working overtime.

Even then as I sat on the side of the bed looking at the blank wall, things still weren’t making any sense. I have no memory of that ten-minute conversation of unimportant and mundane things until I said I had to go.

I had spent most of the time listening to my Father talk while I held the mouth piece of the old beige phone up high over my head in case I accidentally sniffled. I couldn’t let Dad hear me cry.

“ I gotta run Dad.” I finally said as I looked at the bedroom clock.

“I need to leave here in five minutes but I want you to know I love you and miss you.”

Then came the words that would turn my world around that night.

“I love you too son,” Dad said. “Remember this. Psa. 46:1 says that God is our refuge and strength. Don’t you ever forget that.”

I thanked him for that word, told him again that I loved him, said goodbye and picked up my Bible. As I walked out the backdoor, I looked up the Scripture passage and marked it with a ribbon.

Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

I visited the prayer room. No Biblical illustration came to mind that could even remotely connect that verse for me. My mind was blank. I really didn’t want to preach that night, and besides, I had nothing to preach. I was a mess.

I sat in my chair on the platform later listening to the prayers and praise of the good saints. I’m sure the worship was wonderful as usual, but I was just going through the motions. My mind was still searching for a character to illustrate the verse. What was I going to do? I didn’t know.

Finally, it was time for me to step to the pulpit. I made a few announcements and read Psa. 46:1 to the congregation while they still remained standing. When I finished, I invited them to be seated.

I announced my sermon title for the evening message. “God Is Our Refuge.” Then, I closed the Bible because there was nothing else there in the verse that could help me.

As soon as I said that God was our refuge, I was reminded of the fact that Job had a hedge around him that was placed there by God and Job didn’t even know it existed.

I pulled a folding chair up for me to sit in while I demonstrated the point. Then the word Hedge stood out to me. So I gathered several chairs around mine into a circle hoping to make a visible hedge.

I looked at the crowd and in a spirit of transparency said. “I don’t know if I am preaching tonight to you or to me. If I am just preaching tonight to me, you might as well go on home now, and I will do the same when I finish preaching this sermon.

My mind has no remembrance of what I said next or how it happened. In about three minutes, the saints began to worship and weep. I wept along with them. Then they began to shout and dance in the Holy Ghost. I shouted too. It became one of the most precious moves of the Holy Ghost we had enjoyed in many years. The service ended with victory in the camp and in our hearts.

There were no sermon notes for later reference, no recordings of the message. It was just a God moment. It was a gift from the Glory World.

I was privileged to understand more clearly what Paul meant when he said to Timothy that by preaching, he would save himself and them that heard him. It happened to me that night.

We all went home with Holy Ghost smiles on our faces. My heavy emotional load had been lifted. That verse came alive just for me, if for no one else. I willing claim it, quote it and stand upon it to this day.

That Was The Day The Day My World Wanted To Crash, But Couldn’t. Because God Truly Was My Refuge.

He’s Your Refuge Too! And In The Words Of My Late Father… “Don’t You Ever Forget It!”

Written by Martyn Ballestero

January 23, 2014 at 7:58 pm

Posted in Christian Living, Comfort, God's Word, Recovery

Tagged with

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