Archive for the ‘Christian Living’ Category
He Called You A Liar!
He Called You A Liar!
Who did? David did. David called us all liars. He even wrote it down on paper too, so everyone would read it and know that’s what he said.
Ps 116:11 I said in my haste, All men are liars.
Defending Your Honor
In the not too distant past, men that were called liars, felt the need to defend their honor in a duel with a sword or a pistol. The outcome proved little except who was a better shot or swordsman. Not much was actually solved about the lying part. Sometimes it was the liar that lived because he was better with a gun.
Generations ago, a man’s word was his bond. Today? No one believes what you say! Don’t even argue that point.
This Generation Takes It For Granted That Everyone Lies.
Even The State You Live In Thinks You Might Be A Liar
Two weeks ago, I applied for a Driver’s License in a new state. I also needed to get license plates for my vehicle. The exercise took a total of eight frustrating trips to the DMV before we had all the papers they required.
We rounded up all the below, because they said the state law required it:
- My old Driver’s License
- My Birth Certificate – original with a seal
- My Passport
- Two utility bills at the new address
- Proof of Insurance purchased in the new state.
- Receipt of Property Tax payment.
- The old Car Registration.
- The Car Title
- Our Marriage License. (Yes, we needed our Marriage License to get our Drivers License… Who knew?)
I had to have all of that before they would even give me an eye exam and take my picture.
- My word wasn’t good enough.
- They required proof that I was who I said I was.
When You Travel, Your Government Suspects You Of Lying
The TSA will thoroughly check you to make sure you are whom you say and that you are mostly harmless.
- They check your documents,
- They will check your possessions,
- They will check your body language,
- And, then they check you. I mean, they will check you.
- They will check you with metal detectors,
- They will check you with body imaging machines,
- They will check your body with their hands.
Business Men Suspect You Of Lying
- They give Credit Checks on all prospective customers.
- Most contracts are not even valid without a signature, and two witnesses.
- We then, must have Lawyers or Notary Publics (providing the certified translation service, if necessary) to witness and verify the transaction.
In The Court Room.
- A witness will have to place one hand on a Bible and raise the other one to affirm that they will tell the truth.
- They then are placed under oath to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.
- The Court, the Lawyers and the Jury then tries to determine if someone is lying.
- Lawyers want their witness to be ‘believable.’
These Are But A Few Things That This Generation Submits To, To Prove They Are Not Lying.
- God knows when we lie!
- You can’t fool Him.
- He even has His own tests constructed to show Him, and all others when we lie.
- One of the first and most important of these Divine tests is simply this:
1Jn 4:20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
1Jn 4:21 And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.
Have You Been Lying Lately?
You’re Scaring Me To Death! I Just Wished It Scared You Too!
You’re Scaring Me To Death! I Just Wished It Scared You Too!
Kaleen and Linda sat mesmerized on the couch in the darkened living room. The eerie blue light from the big flat screen flickered on their faces. The half-eaten bag of popcorn now sat idle and cold on the coffee table.
The screen showed a vampire holding the young woman in his arms. His fangs seemed to grow longer just moments before they sank into her neck. The blood flowed freely. The sight of blood excited the vampire and he immediately pressed his lips into the blood, not wanting to let any escape.
The girls watched the video with great interest. They actually found the moment rather titillating and sensual.
Linda had confided to Kaleen that her boyfriend Derrick asked her to let him bite her on the neck and drink her blood, and then he wanted her to bite him back and drink his blood. That way, they truly would be a part of each other, he had reasoned. Linda had refused.
They were watching this movie because it was all the rage and talked about so much at school. Quite a few young people from their church had even clicked its ‘Like’ button on Facebook.
The doorbell rang, momentarily scaring them and bringing them back to reality. It was their friend Anna. She was a member of The First Pentecostal Church across town.
Anna froze in her tracks as she saw what they were watching. “Turn that junk off right now. I won’t stay another minute if you leave that on! I’m serious!”
Kaleen complied with her demand.
“What wrong with you guys?” Anna asked in dismay. “Did your Holy Ghost just quit working, or have you overridden your conscience so much this stuff doesn’t bother you anymore? What’s the difference between you and the world now? Where are your Mom and Dad in all of this? Don’t they care what you bring into their house? Even if my Pastor didn’t care, my Parents would have put their foot down!”
Linda went into her defensive mode. “You’re starting to sound just like my Grandma, and she’s really old school.”
Anna ignored the insult and continued with her lecture.
“Two years ago, you said your Pastor said he was going to quit preaching against you guys watching videos. You told me then, that you didn’t see any harm in watching stuff like Laurel and Hardy, and the Three Stooges.
“Well, I’m not your Pastor, so I didn’t say anything. After watching your funny clips, you eventually got bored and started looking for something else to entertain you.
“It didn’t take long for you to start watching all of the current and popular movies on the rack. You told me about watching romantic and love stories. Then the next thing you tell me is that you now love monster movies.
“Then it was not long before I heard you using names and terms like The Walking Dead, Twilight, and The Undead. I may not have those titles right because I don’t watch them. But, if those types of movies and shows are about what I think they are about, then I am very afraid for you. Aren’t those the movies that include stuff like witchcraft, ghosts, black magic and the occult? Evidently, for you it’s not a far journey from those innocent shows to this.
“Now, today I walk in here and I see blood sucking vampires on your screen. What’s happened to you two? You’re OK with the message this sends to young people? My Lord have mercy, and you’re acting like you are really into it!
“Don’t you know that all this mess you’re watching opens your spirit and mind up to the work of the devil? I sincerely fear that you are making yourself available for demon possession! Is that what you want? Aren’t you afraid?
“I wouldn’t even read a book that had any thing about black magic, ghosts, witchcraft or occult subject matter in it! None of this is Holy Ghost compatible and you should already know that!”
Anna looked at her friends. They had gone to school together all their lives. They regularly went to Youth Rallies together in the same van. She couldn’t believe the mess her friends were involved in. Vampires! Blood sucking! Oh, Lord help!
Her Pastor’s warnings were right on target. She was glad that he tried to be protective of her and guard her from the evils and wickedness of life.
Kaleen went into her defense mode. “Don’t come in here getting all super holy. How do you get off telling us what we can watch and what we can’t watch? What are you now, holier than everyone else? You are starting to sound like them holier-than-thou ultra conservatives, and you know how I feel about them.
Anna was silent, she’d didn’t want to argue with her friends. She had made her point. She could feel the resentment in the room. Their friendship had already been fragile enough over the last year, ever since she’d disproved of Linda liking Derrick.
Standing there silently before her friends, she was quickly brought back to reality of the moment by their loud words. She realized that they were both talking loudly and feeding off of each other.
“We don’t want friends that preach to us. I thought you were our friend!” Kaleen said. “If our Pastor said it’s OK to watch films, then who are you to tell us no? Maybe it’s best if you go.”
Anna looked at them both with unbelief in her eyes. “This is a sad day for me. I love you guys, and I’ll never stop praying for you. But, what you are doing is scaring me to death! I just wished it scared you too!”
With tear-filled eyes, Anna walked slowly toward the door.
What Happens When I Say Amen?
What Happens When I Say Amen?
In Deuteronomy 27:14-26 is a list of twelve curses. All Israelites were required to say Amen to them when they were read. “And all the people shall say, Amen.” (That is what is written at then end of every Verse.)
The phrase Amen is written twelve times in those twelve verses. Could it be today, that if we say Amen at all, we would only choose to say it when it’s in regards to blessings, healings or revival? I hope not!
The thing that makes this stand out is the fact that the Levites were directed by God to speak to all the men of Israel with a loud voice, while they read the curses contained in this passage. The people then were required to shout Amen back to the preacher and to God.
By Saying Amen Israel Acknowledged To God:
- They understood the curse.
- They believed God meant what He said.
- They accepted what He said.
- They agreed with what He said.
But, Something Else Happens When We Say Amen!
It Speaks To The Preacher And Encourages Him.
- He knows someone in the congregation has received the Word of the Lord.
- He knows someone in the congregation is standing by him.
- Saying Amen to the preacher is like saying sick ‘em to a dog.
It Speaks To The Saints And Encourages Them.
- Saying Amen involves everyone in worship.
- Saying Amen signifies to those around him, that he accepts and believes what was said.
- Saying Amen makes others feel comfortable to join in.
- It also signifies to every rebellious church member, where you stand as a Saint.
- It signifies to everyone, that you are standing by the Book. Not by your Family or your Friends, but by the Book.
It Encourages The Sinner.
- Saying Amen signifies to the unbeliever that a Truth has just been spoken.
- Saying Amen says to them, “This is right and this is what I have, and you should have this too.”
You Don’t Say Amen? Why Not?
The Word Amen Is Found Fifty Times In The New Testament?
- All but two of the New Testament writers made use of the term.
- In most of the New Testament books, Amen is used as the final word of that book.
We Have Seen A Change In Our Churches In The Last Generation.
- Some Have Gone From: Hymns To Contemporary Or Even ‘Christian’ Rock Music;
- Some Have Gone From: Holiness To Hollywood.
- Some Have Gone From: Praise To Performance.
- Some Have Gone From: Saying Amen To Applause.
Why Do We Clap Our Hands Instead Of Saying Amen?
- The word Clap or Clapped is only mentioned in Eight Verses in the Bible. About half of those were showing disapproval and shame.
- The Word Amen is used in Seventy-two Verses.
Evidently, some believe that it is OK to hear the Word preached and not say Amen or respond in any verbal form whatsoever. They may justify that position by saying they are afraid they will miss something that the preacher is saying.
I can only imagine how your theory will play out if you use that on your spouse. Go ahead, let them talk for a half hour and you show absolutely no reaction. Let me know how that works out for you. If you wouldn’t do that to a spouse, why do that to God?
I am not sure if I can even get on the same page with some folks, if they claim to have the Holy Ghost and can sit quiet during the preaching. I can’t.
God didn’t require a polite handclap from the audience in my text; he wanted a verbal response. I don’t think He’s changed.
I am also not willing to let my hand clapping be a substitute for saying Amen. If I clap, I will certainly say Amen as well.
Like Jeremiah, I want to feel so much of the Holy Fire shut up in my bones, that I can’t help but say Amen to the Preacher and to the Word of God, whether it instructs me, blesses me or warns me.
If I Don’t Say Amen – My spirit feels like it is showing rebellion or disapproval of what is being said.
If I Don’t Say Amen – I feel like I am not joining in.
If I Don’t Say Amen – I feel condemned.
If I Don’t Say Amen – I feel backslidden.
If I Don’t Say Amen – I know that God is watching.
If I Don’t Say Amen – I know that the Pastor is watching
If I Don’t Say Amen – I know that my Family is watching
If I Don’t Say Amen –I know that the Saints are watching
If I Don’t Say Amen – I know that the Visitors are watching
If I Don’t Say Amen – I know that the Devil is watching
Now, Tell Me Again Why You Can’t Say Amen?
He Gambled With His Life
He Gambled With His Life.
He was born into a world of slavery, so his name was a common slave’s name of the day. They named him Epaphroditus after the Greek god, Aphrodite. His name, among other things, meant lovely, beautiful or charming.
No Christian would ever give their child such a name. But it didn’t matter now. He was a first generation follower of Christ.
His Background
He was born and raised in Philippi. He had received the Holy Ghost and was baptized in Jesus Name in the church that was started after the imprisonment and then the deliverance of Paul and Silas. His church just happened to be in the very city that Nero lived.
Nero was a most perverted emperor who crucified Christians regularly and killed them just for sport. Yet, somehow he could not stop the spread of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Christians could even be found in his own household. https://martynballestero.com/2011/04/03/the-church-in-the-torture-chamber/
It is thought that Epaphroditus was a man of means and respected by those in the congregation. It is known, however, that he was a delegate of the church and was their personal representative to the Apostle Paul.
Paul Got Arrested
About A.D. 61 word had been received in Philippi, that Paul was unjustly imprisoned in Rome, some 800 miles away. (According to Roman custom, if he were not actually in prison, at least he would be placed under some kind of house arrest, and chained to a Roman Soldier. Phil 1:13)
As a prisoner, Paul now had no opportunity to make tents and sell them. He certainly desperately needed help on many levels. He needed money, he was writing letters (Epistles) to churches, and there was no one to minister to his personal health needs.
The church family of Philippi took up a love offering for Paul, and commissioned Epaphroditus to deliver the money and minister to whatever needs Paul may have.
Epaphroditus readily took that commission to heart, and carried it out the best of his ability.
Whatever Paul needed, Epaphroditus obtained for him. Serving Paul was the honor of his life. This was the man who had brought the Gospel to his city and was greatly punished for it. This man was his hero, so he served him willingly.
If the Apostle Paul had never visited Philippi, Epaphroditus most likely would still be living in sin. That thought could not be erased from his mind.
Epaphroditus knew well the meaning of living outside of his life. His background now came to the foreground. He was a slave by birth, now he was a voluntary love slave unto the work of the Lord. He had the heart of a servant, and it showed.
He served Paul diligently day and night without even stopping to take care of himself. He never looked at his work as sacrifice. He willingly served. He burned the candle of his life at both ends.
Here Is What Paul Wrote To The Church At Philippi:
Phil 2:25 Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants.
Phil 2:26 For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick.
Phil 2:27 For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.
Phil 2:28 I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful.
Phil 2:29 Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation:
Phil 2:30 Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.
Paul Called Epaphroditus His:
- Brother
- Companion
- Fellow Soldier
It is commonly believed that Epaphroditus was retired after serving the mandatory twenty-five years in the Roman Army.
He was the kind of man who would rather burn out, than rust out. He didn’t just retire. He refocused and threw himself into the work of the Lord. His local church had seen that willingness in him and chose him to represent them, to Paul. He did not let them down.
His Name
Now let’s look again at the name Epaphroditus. Remember I told you that it meant that he was named after the goddess Aphrodite? Aphrodite was the goddess of luck; actually, she was the goddess of luck and the goddess of beauty as well.
And when the Greeks rolled the dice in their games of chance, they would say “Epaphroditus” as they rolled the dice. His name not only meant Beautiful, but Luck.
A Servant Doesn’t Quit
- A servant doesn’t quit just because the task is hard.
- A servant doesn’t quit just because he is tired.
- A servant just doesn’t quit.
Epaphroditus Gave All
All Epaphroditus knew to do was to give himself to the work of God, no matter how lowly the service. He gave his all and his health as well. He almost died. A man called Beautiful risked his life for the work of the Lord. A man called Luck risked everything for the work of the Lord. He did it without thinking twice about it.
What If Epaphroditus Attended Our Church? Would He…
- Show up for the Epaphroditus workday at the church?
- Show up for Visitation?
- Teach Home Bible Studies?
- Make sure the Church was clean and ready for service?
- Volunteer, or have to be recruited?
- Freely minister to the needs of his Man of God?
- Ask if there was anything else he could do?
Lord, Give Us Another Epaphroditus!
Lord, If You Need Another Epaphroditus, Send Me!
When Your Word Is Made Flesh
When Your Word Is Made Flesh
I love the Gospel of John. I especially love these verses in chapter one!
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
John 1:2 The same was in the beginning with God.
John 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
John 1:4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
The glorious truth of the Godhead is unfolded here. The Word was made Flesh. God wrapped himself in a garment of flesh! And we beheld His Glory! Simply Beautiful!
That truth is the candy stick of Apostolic believers everywhere. Allow me to do an injustice to those precious words by bringing it down to a more personal level.
What Happens When Your Word Is Made Flesh?
Not Everyone That Talks The Talk, Can Walk The Walk!
We’ve all heard someone brag and say something like:
- “I would never do that!” Or…
- “If I were you, I would.”
Regardless Whether The Subject Is…
- Correcting children
- Losing weight
- Coping with a fatal disease
- Dating
- Pastoring
- Dealing with someone’s harness.
- Married life
- Raising children alone.
- Job-hunting
- Coping with a cheating spouse
- Choosing a used car
- Planning a portfolio
- Trying to collect money someone owes.
- Etc.
Some people are quick to give throw in their two cents worth. It’s easy to give others your opinions and make boasts about living life. But what happens when you have to walk through the very moments you previously made boasted that you knew what to do.
- What happens when your trial comes?
- What do you do when heartache knocks on your door?
- What happens when you are introduced to pain?
- What about it now, after you had to walk the walk?
- What about it now, that your words have become flesh?
It’s At That Moment That YOUR Word Becomes Flesh!
Your Flesh Must Attempt To Live Your Words!
1 Kings 20:11 And the king of Israel answered and said, Tell him, Let not him that girdeth on his harness boast himself as he that putteth it off.
It’s easy for someone to brag while they are putting on the armor. But it’s the one who has fought the battle and is taking the armor off whose words hold weight.
That’s When The Warrior’s Words Become Flesh.
The Journey To Wits End
The Journey To Wits End
The Road to Nowhere was marked, sort of. It was off to the side of the road and you to had to be looking for it to see it. Besides, weeds were growing up around its base.
David steered the car as if on autopilot. His mind was in a whirl. Everything was going wrong today. He felt like he had little control over the events of the day.
Last night, he had stopped in Despairville and got a room at The Anxiety Lodge. The floors were not numbered 1,2, or 3. They were given names instead. His room was on Floor – Pacing.
A few others seemed to be heading in this direction also. Occasionally, he saw a car or two coming back from where he was heading.
Around the corner he went and then he saw a Fork in the road. He remembered that someone at the Lodge had recommended that when he came to Crucial Fork, to not take the Right Fork, so he didn’t.
The road climbed up Heartache Hill, and he entered the city limits of Panic Town. The Detour signs caused him to turn onto Frustration Avenue. David drove down that road for quite a ways. He saw no streets to turn off on.
Ahead was a barricade across the road. He had to stop. The barricade had a big sign on it.
It said, “Welcome To Wits End!”
David couldn’t go forward, He had no desire to go back. There wasn’t a place to turn around that he could see.
He leaned his head forward and rested it on his hands as the gripped the steering wheel. Tears streamed down his cheeks. He cried aloud unto the Lord to help him. He lifted his head, and that’s when he saw Him!
- That’s when he found the only One that could help him!
- That’s when his help came!
- That’s when his deliverance came!
- That’s when Jesus took over!
That’s When The Sacred Psalm Came Alive For Him!
Psalm 107:23 They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters;
Psalm 107:24 These see the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep.
Psalm 107:25 For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof.
Psalm 107:26 They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble.
Psalm 107:27 They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wit’s end.
Psalm 107:28 Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses.
Psalm 107:29 He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.
Psalm 107:30 Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven.
Psalm 107:31 Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
When Delight Becomes A Two-Way Street!
When Delight Becomes A Two-Way Street!
On Monday mornings I’ve started sending a group text with a devotional scripture and a short comment to all of my children. It’s like a family memory verse for the week. Today’s verse truly caught me by surprise.
When King David prayed Psalms 19:14, I’m afraid he meant something much more beautiful than we’ve allowed ourselves to think all these years. Please read it with me again!
Psalm 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.
I got hung up today, on the word acceptable. We all know that, what is acceptable to some is not always acceptable to others. So, out of curiosity, I looked up the meaning of the word in Strong’s Dictionary, and Merriam Webster’s Dictionary.
Strong’s Greek & Hebrew Dictionary. Acceptable:
from (ratsah); delight:- (be) acceptable (-ance, -ed), delight, desire, favour, (good) pleasure,
Acceptable, in the minds of English speaking people, is more often similar to Mr. Merriam Webster’s definition:
- Capable or worthy of being accepted.
- Barely satisfactory or adequate
So then, in rereading King David’s prayer of consecration, it suddenly came alive in my spirit. David didn’t want to just get by in God’s eyes. He was asking if he could be God’s Delight!
No Wonder God Called Him A Man After His Own Heart!
David wasn’t even praying about his actions, or his deeds. He dug down as deep into himself and his core values as he could go. He begged God to allow even the thoughts that he thought, and the very words that he spoke, to be a source of delight before Heaven’s Throne!
Don’t you remember how parents and grandparents fully delight in the actions and the darling little words of their children and grandchildren? Well, how much of a stretch is it to believe that David wanted God to look lovingly upon him in a similar fashion?
He wished that his very thoughts and words could somehow bring a smile to God’s Face. He wanted God to be delighted in him! That concept was not new in Holy Writ either.
Joshua And Caleb Pleaded With The Unbelieving Multitude.
Numbers 14:8 If the LORD delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which floweth with milk and honey.
Their point was, if God delights in us, there is no limit to what He will do for us! David expresses the same train of thought for all of us follow.
Delight Is A Two-Way Street In God’s Kingdom. We Want God To Delight In Us, But He Also Wants Us To Delight In Him.
Psa. 37:4 Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
1 Samuel 15:22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.
What Are Our Main Sources Of Delight In This World?
- Sports
- Money
- Screened in porches
- Well mannered children
- Travel
- Chocolate
- The sound of the oceans waves
- Morning coffee
- Fishing
- Cars with heated bucket seats
- Good food
- When your spouse smiles
- Bird watching
- Antique stores
- Shopping
- Flowers
- Holding the new baby
Delight Is A Two-Way Street
Psalm 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
Psalm 1:2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
God wants to be YOUR Delight!!!
IF God Is The Main Delight Of Our Heart, Then This Is What We Can Expect!
Psalm 1:3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
In That Day… We All Long To Hear Him Say, “Well Done Thou Good And Faithful Servant.”
But, What If… What If He Smiled At Us Personally, And Added, “You, Are A Delight To Me?!”
Brother Van Winkle Takes A Trip To The Pastor’s Office!
Brother Van Winkle Takes A Trip To The Pastor’s Office!
The old gentleman tottered a little unsteadily on his cane as he entered the Foyer of the First Pentecostal Church. The Sunday Morning Greeters welcomed him with much ado.
No one recognized him, nor had they ever seen him before. His clothes, although clean and pressed, definitely were way out of style.
After shaking his hand, someone handed him a Visitor’s Card to be filled out, and asked him his name.
“I’m Brother Van Winkle,” was the old man’s answer. He looked bewildered.
“And, I’m not a visitor!” he said as he looked at their unfamiliar faces. “I started attending this church when I was thirty. I got baptized here and received the Holy Ghost in 1959 soon after the church was first started. Who are you people?”
The Greeters exchanged confused glances with each other.
“Where’s Pastor Reynolds?” The old man continued, “He can vouch for me!”
There was a long pause. Finally the oldest Greeter said, “Brother Reynolds died in 1988, and we’ve had two more pastors since then.”
“Oh my! Oh my! My nurse told me that I had fallen into a deep sleep or something for a long time. But, I had no idea how long. The last thing I remember was when John F. Kennedy was voted in as President. What year is it now, the old man inquired?”
“Today is October 21, 2012.”
“Somebody help me sit down, this is too much for my heart,” was all he could say.
The old man was almost in a state of shock. They led him to a pew so he could sit down.
Everyone seemed friendly and attentive. Before church even started, many came by and shook his hand and welcomed him. He looked around carefully to see if he could find a familiar face. He wasn’t sure. He saw nothing he recognized in any of their faces. An Usher eventually took his Visitor’s Card from him, and laid it on the pulpit.
The worship was very lively, and the musicians played with great expertise. There were six young people on the platform singing the choruses. Every singer had his or her own microphone. There weren’t even any cords attached to the microphones either, and yet they worked! That amazed the old man.
The words of each chorus appeared as if by magic on the wall. No one seemed surprised or thought it amazing. Brother Van Winkle could not imagine how it was happening.
The service leader made a point to welcome their new visitor, ‘Brother Van Winkle.’ Everyone clapped their hands and made him feel welcome. But, the whole thing had a hollow feeling, nonetheless. This was his church, yet somehow it was not the same. He realized he really did feel like a visitor.
Brother Van Winkle enjoyed the worship and was also very impressed with the ‘new’ pastor… Pastor Shields. He preached a wonderful and stirring message.
At the end of the altar service, Brother Van Winkle started for the door. His mind was still awhirl trying to sort out all of his emotions and reconcile them with his memories. As he was entering the Foyer, Pastor Shields intercepted him.
“The Lord bless you Bro. Van Winkle! I am so glad you came today. One year ago when I became the pastor here, someone told me that you had been a member here many years ago and had fallen into a coma of some sort. So, I came occasionally to visit and pray for you. I am happy to see that you got your miracle!”
“Thank you so much! It feels like I just went to sleep and woke up the next morning. But the reality of it is, I’ve lost over fifty years of my life.”
“If you can spare a moment or two,” the Pastor said, “I would love to have you step into my office and talk to me about some of the differences you can see in the church today, as compared to back then.”
The two men walked a short distance into the Pastor’s Office and Brother Van Winkle was seated in a comfortable chair that he could get out of, without much ado.
“Thank you for that wonderful message this morning, Pastor. I will feast on that one for a long while.”
The Pastor modestly nodded his thanks and smiled. He motioned with his hand as if encouraging the old man to begin.
“Well, the first thing I noticed was that there are no song books in the church anymore. The singers on the platform really did a great job though.
We never had singers up on the platform like that when I got in church. We only had one song leader. Seeing a group up there was new for me.
I looked around at the congregation a bit, and was very surprised to see that many of them were just looking at the words on the wall and not singing at all. It was almost like they were being entertained.
The Pastor made grimace and shook his head as if in agreement.
“I only knew one song out of the seven that we sang today. They all were very nice songs though, and the people seemed to enjoy them. But in the 1950’s we sang songs about the Blood, the Old Rugged Cross, the Holy Ghost, Baptism in Jesus Name and about Heaven. I guess I’ll get use to the new stuff, but I sure like the old.
“I noticed too, there was no testimony service this morning. You do still have testimonies don’t you?”
Again Pastor Shields made a slight grimace, and this time shook his head sideways.
“I was really hoping there would have been some prayer before the service started today, like there used to be. I really missed not hearing the saints pray out loud. And the Altars! The Altars are missing!
“I know,” the Pastor said with a sad sound in his voice.
“The facial hair on some of the men in the church, and especially on those that were on the platform, really confused me. I’ll have to say; I never saw that when I was young. Then too, not many of the guys dressed up for church today. Where do they have to go that’s more important than God’s House? Don’t they dress up for God anymore?
“I am an old man. But, I was caught off guard today when I looked at the lady folks. Many of the young women and girls here, evidently aren’t very careful about how they dress in public. I especially can’t believe they would dress for church like that if they’ve got the Holy Ghost. The clothes the ladies wore today were much tighter and much shorter than they used to be here in this church. Why would they do that?
“The old saints were very careful about modesty. Back in the day, Moms and Dads wouldn’t have let their kids leave home looking like that! They wouldn’t have even allowed them to buy those clothes in the first place. Some of those outfits didn’t leave much to the imagination.
“I was shocked when I saw some women and girls wearing slacks and jeans! Some had cut hair too! If they claim to be members, and are not new converts, do they even have the Holy Ghost? Really? They don’t look like the saints use to look around here. The saints of old use to get convicted of things like that.
“Then, because of the jewelry and makeup I saw, here and there, I thought we had a number of visitors today until they recognized me, from the pulpit, as the only visitor. The others, I guess, consider themselves members here too.
The Pastor looked down at his desk, as if too ashamed to look the old man in the eye.
“Some of the boys’ hair styles looked like they just got out of bed and they didn’t comb their hair for church this morning.
But, I think what got me the most, was overhearing some of the young people laugh and talk about movies and TV shows. That would have never happened back in the old days.
“I am sounding like a tattler, and I sure don’t want to be. I know that science has improved so much since I was here last. I guess what the kids had in their hands during the church service are some kind of telephones they can carry in their pockets now. The ones by me were fascinated with them most of the service. I could see some of them showing each other pictures or something, and laughing.
“None of them had a Bible, either. They just played with their phone. I wondered why their parents didn’t stop them.”
Then, as if the thought suddenly struck him, he asked, “Pastor, I looked around today to see if there were still any of the Williams family in the church. They were some of the pillars in the church when I was young. Are there any left?”
“No, not any more. The old ones, of course, have died off. The girls married guys from other churches. Larry the oldest boy backslid years ago.”
“What about Bobby?”
“Bobby,” the Pastor continued, “moved to Texas about ten months ago because he could get a job there that paid more pay, than he could earn here.”
“What?” Bro. Van Winkle was astounded! He moved away from his church to make more money? Why, I’ve never heard of such! That is unbelievable. He should have known better. He should have stayed right here and put the church first. God would give him a good job right here where He had planted him. Have you heard anything from him?”
“He stayed in touch with some of his old friends here for a while. The last I heard, he wasn’t going to church anywhere, and him and his wife were getting a divorce.”
“That doesn’t surprise me. God doesn’t lead you away from your church to a place where you will lose out with him. I’ll sure pray for Bobby. He was very young last time I saw him.”
Now, the old man put his head down trying to sort out all the news. These kinds of things made his heart hurt some more. There was a long pause in the conversation.
Bro. Van Winkle finally lifted his head and with a warm smile on his face, and a kind sound in his voice, he said, “Pastor?”
The Pastor raised his head and smiled back.
“Pastor, I am an old man, and I don’t like change. I am so surprised, and even shocked, by some changes I have seen today. I know that most things change over a lifetime. I know too that some changes are for the good and there is nothing bad about them, but some of these changes scare me to death.
“This is still my church and I am happy to call you my Pastor. You should know however, there are some areas that I don’t ever plan to change!”
“Some of these changes I don’t like either,” said Pastor Shields. “It is easy to get use to gradual changes. I know. Some of these have happened over a lifetime, and then some have happened within the last fifteen years or so.
“Regardless, we are THE Church. We should ACT like God’s Church and we should LOOK like God’s Church. That’s my goal here. I haven’t been Pastor here very long. It takes a while to turn some ships around, but with God’s help, I would like to see this church get back on course.
He came around his desk to shake hands with the old gentleman.
“Thank God I have a few good men like you in this church to stand behind me. I would like to invite you to join me in prayer right now for a God sent revival in our church and in our town!’
He picked up his Bible from his desk and turned the pages until he found what he was looking for. He began to read aloud.
2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
The two men stood and prayed for God to bless them and to bless their church, then they shook hands in a bond of agreement before walking out the door. Each man fully committed in his heart to be Apostolic in every area, and to seek God’s blessing and approval on the future of The First Pentecostal Church!
The Drama Of The Waiting Room
The Drama Of The Waiting Room
The Wait
ing Room was full of desperate people. Another shift change brought in a new face behind the desk, but that was the only thing different.
An older woman sat by herself in a corner, observing the actions of some of those around her. She even attempted to guess what had brought them to this place.
A few were in so much pain, that they couldn’t stop the tears from running down their cheeks. Her heart went out to them. She knew the only help she could give them was words, and they needed much more than that.
One of the newest additions to the Waiting Room was a young mom. She nervously paced back and forth. Her face seemed tortured and filled with anxiety. She showed no interest in sitting down. Her lips moved, as she prayed silently while pacing the floor.
Occasionally, she would walk by the clipboard that held the sign-in sheet, as if to see how close her name was from being called. She frowned ever time she looked at it.
When the Attendant occasionally opened the door and picked up the clipboard to call the next name on the list, all conversations stopped, and every ear listened for the sound of their name. The wait seemed like forever.
Some of the people in the room had dried blood on their clothes. A few had addictions, many were diseased, and a number of them had been in an accident of some kind. One or two had limped in with the help of others, but most came alone.
“What are you here for, my dear?” The older lady asked the young mother.
“I have a sick baby that the doctors can’t find a cure for,” was her answer. Her face showed deep worry and pain.
“You poor dear, it hurts so bad to see our babies suffer,” the grandmother said as she shook her gray head, feeling the pain.
“What are you waiting for?” The younger woman asked.
“My husband,” she said, with a hopeful smile on her face.
The young mother looked around the room again at the huge cross-section of people. She could tell that most of them had been there awhile.
“What is wrong with this place? Why does it take so long to get help here?”
The grandma just smiled faintly and slightly shrugged her shoulders. Then she turned and looked into the eyes of the young mom, and asked, “How long have you been waiting?”
“Eighteen months, two days and eleven hours,” she said glancing at her watch. “What about you?’ She continued.
“I’ve been here thirty-six years, this November,” the grandma said still smiling.
“Oh my word,” the young mom said as she sat down. “You’ve been waiting in here for more years than I am old. That’s an unbelievable long time. Are you able to talk to the Physician at all? Does he ever say anything to you?“
“I talk to him everyday. He is the best there is, and he tells me he’ll let me know as soon as he’s finished.”
“What’s wrong with your husband?”
“He backslid thirty-six ago. God is working on him, so I’m just sitting in this Waiting Room till my husband can pray back through.”
Tears ran down both of their faces.
“My dear,” the grandma said as she observed that no one was monitoring the check-in list, “please bring me that clipboard over there, I want to show you something.”
The young woman obediently brought the clipboard over to the grandmother and sat down beside her. They both looked at the list of names.
The older woman began to flip the pages back. She flipped them all the way back to the first page, and then began to call out random names, with dates and times.
“Here on Page One, it shows that Abraham was promised a son, and he waited here in this room for twenty-five years before Isaac was born.
“On Page Two, it shows that Joseph had to wait twenty years before his dreams came true and he got to sit on the throne of Egypt.
“Umm, on Page Three, Moses spent forty years in the Wilderness part of the Waiting Room, just killing time before God could use him.
“Page Twelve shows that David waited almost fifteen years after he was anointed king, before he was allowed to ascend the throne.
“Page Twenty shows there was some guy that waited thirty-eight years in the Pool of Siloam Section of the Waiting Room before he got his miracle.”
The younger woman took the clipboard in her hands and leaned back into her chair while she read down the long list of names.
“According to this log,” she said, “not very many get discharged the same day they come. The good news that I see here, is that the Doctor has an amazing success rate. I am not really in love with the idea of waiting, but I don’t plan to leave here until my baby gets well.”
The grandma slipped her arm around the young woman to comfort her. At about the same time they both looked up at two of the signs on the wall.
Their faces were filled with hope anew, as they bravely faced their future in the God’s Waiting Room!
Pentecostal Spin Doctors?
Pentecostal Spin Doctors?
Car Race Story
Mr. Madden, my teacher from South Bend Central High School, told a story one day to make a point during our Speech and Debate Class in 1961.
He repeated a story that TASS, the official news source of the U.S.S.R. had released during the Cold War.
The news article was a report of an automobile race between an American Ford, and an unnamed Russian vehicle. Only two cars were in the race.
The Ford blew the doors off of the Russian vehicle. Ego was at stake. The Russians refused to lose face, so they skewed the details, without actually lying.
TASS reported that in an International Stock Car Race, the American car came in next to last, and that the Russian car placed second. That type of reporting, Mr. Madden told us, was called Propaganda. Today, we are uncomfortable with using that term. We choose to use the word spin and those who spin, are called Spin Doctors!
Even Husbands And Wives Are Good At It!
Spin Doctors are not always highly paid professionals. Some are folks just like you and me. We may not get paid for doing it, but most of us have tried it on some level.
He – May Try To Put A Spin On Why He Needs A New:
- Boat
- Truck
- Deer Rifle
- iPad 3
- MacBook Pro
She – May Try To Put A Spin On Why She Needs A New:
- Dress
- Pair Of Shoes
- Couch
- iPhone 5
- Mini Van
The Old Testament Even Had Spin Doctors.
The Prophet Isaiah decried the use of Spin Doctors nearly 740 years before the birth of Jesus Christ.
Isaiah 5:20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
This generation has nothing new in Spin Department. It was in use before the church was ever born in Acts Chapter 2.
To feel more comfortable in our waywardness, we mortals try to:
- Justify our sin,
- Justify ourselves,
- Justify our compromise.
Today, some Church Members have done it, some Backsliders have done it, and worse than that, some Preachers have done it too. God, especially, detests the work of Spin Doctors!
For Centuries, Some Have Wanted A Spin Doctor For A Pastor.
Isaiah 30:8 Now go, write it before them in a table, and note it in a book, that it may be for the time to come for ever and ever:
Isaiah 30:9 That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD:
Isaiah 30:10 Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:
Carnal people have always wanted the preacher to leave them alone. “Preach, but don’t preach,” seems to be the message they convey to their pastor. Hirelings have no problem adjusting.
The New Testament Had Spin Doctors.
Paul Warned The Church
Colossians 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
Colossians 2:9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
Paul Warned Timothy
2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
2 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
2 Timothy 4:4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
Some congregations love the Pop Psychology they hear in the pulpit. But, deaf ears are turned to the preaching of doctrine. Not every congregation is willing to sing the song, “Preacher Preach To Me.”
Preacher, preach to me,
Preacher, preach to me,
whatever it takes,
I must be saved.
Preacher, preach to me.For many years I served sin
But a preacher preached to me.
I’ve come thus far, but not on my own
A preacher preached to me.Preacher, pay me no mind.
Preach it right down the line
There’s one thing for certain,
regard not my person
Preacher, preach to me.Preacher, preach it right
Lord knows we need to hear from Heaven tonight
The word itself is pure, there is nothing it can’t cure
Preacher, preach to me.
Preacher, preach to me
Preacher, preach to me,
Whatever it takes, I must be saved,
Preacher, preach to me.
Preacher, preach to me.(Lyrics and music by Bro. Wayne Lawhorn)
Jesus Even Warned His Followers Of Spin Doctors
Matthew 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
Judas Was A Spin Doctor
John 12:5 Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?
John 12:6 This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.
Spin Doctors:
- Write Bible Translations they think people will like better!
- Hate to call sin, Sin! So they rename it or rephrase it.
- Think the mention of the Blood is not necessary.
- Tell you that fat meat is not greasy.
- Want their churches to be seeker friendly.
- Believe they can win more of the world by looking like the world.
- Are in Chat Rooms.
- They are on Forums.
- They have Facebook Accounts.
- They are found in Religious Organizations.
- They are also among Independents.
- They no longer say they spoke in tongues. They say they prayed in their prayer language.
- They no longer say they will baptize in you Jesus Name. They now baptize you, “Into Christ.”
No Apostle Ever Put A Spin On The Gospel Message. Their Preaching Was:
- Straight forward
- Simple
- No-nonsense
- Practical
- Their accounts were accurate and not self serving
- Their words benefited the reader
- Their advice served others, not themselves
- More importantly, it was truthful and anointed.
Satan Was The First Spin Doctor!
Genesis 3:1 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?
Genesis 3:2 And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:
Genesis 3:3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.
Genesis 3:4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:
We all should have learned our lesson from this example alone!
Nathanael Was NOT A Spin Doctor!
John 1:47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!
The Lord Jesus chose him to be a Disciple. He knew Nathanael could be trusted with handling the Truth!
In whom is no guile. That is the very first comment out of the mouth of Jesus when He saw him. Would Jesus be impressed with you as a disciple, because you had no guile?
1 Peter 3:10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:
The Punishment Of Spin Doctors.
Revelation 21:27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.
Revelation 22:15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
The Truth Still Matters!
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 