Archive for the ‘Christian Living’ Category
God Has A Diaper Bag!
God Has A Diaper Bag!
One of the joys of parenthood is to take your little “precious” out of the house and show them off to family and friends We take them to church as well.
An earthly father is often pretty clueless about how much time, patience and effort goes into getting a baby ready to go out of the house. He often is frustrated that his wife and infant are not ready for church in the same amount of time it took him to shower and shave. But, that might be a story for another blog.
When they get to church, friends are quick to show the baby attention and some even ask if they can “hold it.”
Imagine then the service progressing and a friend on the same row is enjoying holding the new baby. Then something happens that distracts and demands immediate attention. The baby has just made a mess. Immediately the child is handed back to the parent that has the diaper bag.
What does mom (or dad) do now? Their ‘pride and joy’ has just made a mess. Stink is in the air (that is why you want to have a diaper pail with a lid at home). Everyone looks to see what is going to happen next. The congregation’s nose hairs are getting glued together by the aroma. All eyes are now on the parent too. How long will they wait before something is done? Where will they take the child?
Parents never say, “Oh my goodness, I can’t believe this child would EVER make a mess! I never dreamed on of my children would ever do something like this. I am so embarrassed. Maybe I should throw this one away and try to make another that won’t do this. I’m mortified.”
When “Junior” makes a mess, the first thing that is reached for is the diaper bag. That bag was packed before they left the house. It was probably packed before the baby was dressed for church and before leaving home. Mama was aware that babies make messes. Sometimes they make lots of messes. Mommies don’t think less of their babies because they make messes. The actually have a ready made plan to provide for such an event.
Mommy takes her bag and the baby back to the area with the changing table. She holds the baby safe on it’s back with one hand while she reaches into the diaper bag to get what she needs. Do you have a clue what all is in one of those things?
There’s:
- Diapers (disposable or cloth) LOTS of them
- Wet Wipes (make sure they are baby wipes and not just wet wipes. Baby wipes are larger, softer, and gentler on the baby)
- Bibs
- Bottles and infant formula
- Bottled water, to add to bottle
- Snacks for baby
- Rash Ointment
- Nose syringe
- Medicine dropper
- Nail clipper
- Baby Tylenol
- Toys rattle
- Receiving blanket
- Extra set of clothing for baby
- Pacifier, if baby uses one
- Johnson Baby Powder
- Baby Magic Lotion
- Anti-bacterial hand cleaner
- Cosmetic-type bag stocked with teething aids, extra pacifier and nail clipper
- Zip lock bags for many purposes, including storage of dirty diapers if no convenient disposal is possible
All of this is in place BEFORE the baby ever makes a mess.
After the baby has been cleaned up, it is brought back into the service. It now is acceptable in polite company everywhere. It now is clean, looks clean and smells clean. Thanks to Mommy’s Diaper Bag and her foreknowledge of what babies may do.
If we understand that concept, then why is it a struggle for us all to conceive that there is a sin or a sinner that God is not able to take care of?
There is no sin common unto man that He can forgive. Before we were ever born, God had a “Diaper Bag” of sorts. Before we ever made a mess of our life, He was already prepared to clean us back up and restore us anew. Calvary provided for all of that!
I’m happy to tell you that He doesn’t throw those away that make a mess. He just cleans them up and brings them back into the service!
Be thankful and be encouraged!
The Children Of Bitterness
The Children Of Bitterness
The Instructor for our marriage seminar was still talking about bitterness. For 3 nights he had brought up the subject and lingered there a good while.
He said that young couples might have an argument and say something stupid like: I hate you, or I don’t love you anymore! There may be a time of repenting and forgiveness for them, but that memory will linger for 40 years. Staying resident just under the surface.
I appreciated the subject being covered for the couples, but tonight was the last night. Bitterness again was still the theme at a marriage seminar. Why? He explained that bitterness gets you in trouble with God, God’s man, and also destroys your home.
It all came together finally for me when he asked for the big chalkboard and drew a family tree down to the 4th generation.
He wrote the name Ted, at the top level, saying that Ted had attended his church for many years. He had also known all 4 generations of his family.
The reason for drawing the family tree was to point out the sad truth that none of us contain our thoughts, feelings and emotions so guardedly that no one else is affected. Like a hereditary cancer, negative emotions and attitudes can grow and contaminate others. It’s a generational thing. Unless someone breaks the cycle, there will be many injured.
“Look,” the preacher said, “at Bro. Ted’s life story.”
(My wandering mind was brought back to reality.)
“He was a hard working, middle-aged Pentecostal. He had a good wife and had 2 children. For a while their home was a haven.
“Bro. Ted was liked by the good folks in the church and was selected to be a trustee. He seemed to enjoy the job and was very active in the church.”
In the 3rd year of a former pastor’s tenure, it just seemed to him that the preaching was getting a bit too conservative and personal for his liking. His preaching felt personally directed to him and Ted resented that. He found himself feeling a strong dislike for the pastor.
It was an unmentioned fact that Ted was slow to forgive and was known to “hold” grudges for a long time. When someone hurt him, his reaction was to hurt back. He always did that.
At a church workday one Saturday, the pastor had said, “Brother, could I get you to sweep up that trash over there, please?”
“What trash?” said Ted looking in the general area, “The only trash we have around here is what stands behind the pulpit!”
God paralyzed him so that he could not move or bend and Ted was carried away like a log. Some of the men tried to put him into the car to take him to the hospital, but he couldn’t bend to close the door. He asked for the preacher to come and pray for him. Ted repented to his pastor, he was prayed for and God restored him to normal health.
I wish that the story ended there. It seemed however, that it was just the symptom of a deeper deadly disease.
Not long afterwards, he felt his wife disapproved of some of his ideas and actions. They argued. Harsh words were used. That hurt him. She needed to be hurt back, he felt. Ted found a woman at work that was sympathetic and appealing. His romantic fling with this woman shattered the marriage.
The children watched the parents argue and destroy their relationship. They saw the bitterness displayed. They heard the bitterness expressed.
Ted’s two children struggled in their relationships. The girl became an unwed mother several times before marrying. She married several times. Her brother was never faithful to his spouses either.
His grandchildren all experienced multiple divorces, affairs, had babies out-of-wedlock, and continued the holding of grudges like their grandfather.
By now, only one or two would even sporadically try to attend church. Holidays were about the only time.
All of the 4th generation, experienced similar marriage, moral, and God problems.
Their bitterness towards God was not contained at that, it had spilled over into all of their homes.
No one broke the cycle. The bitterness, the holding of grudges, the retaliation, and the desire to hurt back descended down from one man.
A few years after the marriage seminar, I went to visit that church one Sunday. Ted had been buried on Friday, two days earlier. None of his children or grandchildren went to church. Ted had died backslidden.
The truth is, children watch their parents. They know whether they forgive or hold grudges.
Openly repenting and forgiving allows children to see that Daddy was not less of a man. Not only would Daddy, or maybe Grandpa be more of a man, he might just be the key reason his children and grandchildren are still living for God and have good marriages. Forgiving others opens us all up to receiving God’s forgiveness.
Matt. 6:14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
Matt. 6:15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
- There’s no hope for the children of bitterness!
- The children of bitterness don’t stand a chance.
- How long will you let your war go on?
- Don’t live like Ted!
- Don’t die like Ted!
- If you are bitter, what future does your marriage have?
- If you are bitter, what future do your children have?
Heb. 12:15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
Children of Bitterness…What will your Epitaph be?
The Land Of Beginning Again
The Land Of Beginning Again
Louise Fletcher
I wish that there were some wonderful place
Called the Land of Beginning Again,
Where all our mistakes and all our heartaches
And all of our poor selfish grief
Could be dropped like a shabby old coat at the door,
And never be put on again.
I wish we could come on it all unaware,
Like the hunter who finds a lost trail;
And I wish that the one whom our blindness had done
The greatest injustice of all
Could be at the gates like an old friend that waits
For the comrade he’s gladdest to hail.
We would find all the things we intended to do
But forgot, and remembered too late,
Little praises unspoken, little promises broken,
And of all the thousand and one
Little duties neglected that might have perfected
The day for one less fortunate.
I wish that there were some wonderful place
Called the Land of Beginning Again,
Where all our mistakes and all our heartaches
And all of our poor selfish grief
Could be dropped like a shabby old coat at the door,
And never be put on again.
Getting Bigger Than Your Scars
Getting Bigger Than Your Scars
Every year in September, I go riding 4-wheelers for a week on the Kentucky and West Virginia border. Sometimes on a ridge we can actually see three states. We always come back and sleep in our house every night. At least one of my sons and several other preachers and their sons go with us. Fifteen to twenty guys is not uncommon.
There are some very respectful and kind men that live in that area who enjoy guiding our trips. They are not really guides in the sense that they charge anything. They just know “them thar hill and hollers.” We do buy their gas and pay for their meals, so that makes them happy. We ride long hours. We ride in all weather.
On a hot day a few years ago, we stopped on a hilltop for a snack break. I was riding 2nd in line behind the day guide, Rick. Somehow as we were eating our snack, Rick a middle aged Southern Baptist, and myself started talking about burns and injuries.
He volunteered, “You know, Bro. Ballestero, when I was 2 weeks old, my folks kept me in a bassinet. Evidently I had a breathing problem of some kind. We had an old steam type humidifier. My Dad was carrying a pan of boiling water to pour into that humidifier. Somehow he tripped on a throw rug and that pan of boiling water spilt on my leg. Because of that, I received 3rd degree burns on my right leg from my knee down.”
“Oh No!” I said as my face furrowed and grimaced in sympathetic pain. How Horrible!! After a few seconds pause, I asked a personal question. “Did you have to have any operation?”
“Many!” was his one word response.
I then was curious to know more, so I asked, “Do the scars still come up to your knee?”
“Oh no,” he said, “They only come up to my ankle bone now.”
“How can that be?” I wondered out loud.
“When you’re a new born baby, from your foot to your knee, is only this far,” he said, as he measured the approximate distance with this hands.
Rick then took off his right tennis shoe and then pulled off his sock too. Sure enough, there was a faint scar and discoloration from his toe on up one side of his foot to his anklebone. I looked with fascination.
“How come it only comes up to your anklebone now, when it used to come up to your knee?” I asked.
“Bro. Ballestero, he said kindly, (but I felt like the biggest goober in the world) Scars don’t grow. I got bigger than my scar!”
It was as if the Holy Ghost spoke a truth to my spirit. Scars don’t grow. It’s normal to get bigger than your scars. If we never get bigger than our scars, maybe it’s a sign we’re not growing.
Are You A Mac Or A PC?
Are You A Mac Or A PC?
We all think differently. We see and hear the same things, yet not always do we arrive at the same conclusion. Why is that?
Bro. Kenneth Bow told me that some people were like Mac computers and others were like a PC. He said we process the information differently. I agree.
I like computers. I bought my first one, a Commodore 64 way back in the dark ages. For most programs, insert the floppy disk and type: load”*”,8,1 (always make sure to press the RETURN key after typing in a command). Sometimes it took several minutes just to load up the program. I often drank a cup of coffee before it finished loading.
That was my introduction to the computer world. Over the years, I owned various PC’s. starting with the 286, 386 and 486. I have used DOS 5.0, Windows 3.0, 3.1, 95, 98, ME, XP, Vista, and recently worked on a Windows 7.
I even taught a computer class for a couple years at HR Block. For the last 10 years or so, it has not been uncommon for me to receive 6-10 calls a week solving computer software or hardware issues. I am not a programmer, I don’t have a business. I am only a user.
In February, 2007, I was given a wonderful gift by my friend Pastor Kenneth Bow. A new MacBook. I was humbled by his extreme generosity. I have been literally thrilled with my experience. The Mac world was a paradigm shift for me, a PC guy. I was amazed that in just a couple of hours I was able to feel comfortable with my new Mac. I love it. I now have no desire to leave the Mac world and go back. I was also pleased that I could still enjoy Microsoft Word and Power Point as well on my new computer.
I have noticed however, a quirk in the Power Points made on my Mac and then played on a PC. If no animations are involved, everything is perfect. Occasionally, I will give the soundman my flash drive with my Power Point on it and the animations don’t work on his computer like it worked on mine. That’s frustrating. Confusing even at times.
It’s because, although it’s theoretically the same program, (I have Mac Office with Word and Power Point) the results are different. We have different ‘Operating Systems.’ We also have different ‘Processors.’ The same program is processed differently for each of us. The ‘Display’ is different! The ‘Display’ becomes then the issue.
We all have different ways of processing information. Sometimes even coming up with different results and conclusions.
The difference in our ‘Processors’ And ‘Operating Systems’ is clearly evident in the discussions of Climate, Economy, Education, Civil Rights, and National Defense. Among others, there are Independents, Democrats, Green Party, and Republicans. We read the same data, and often arrive at different conclusions.
The same is true in our churches and among us as Pentecostals. For example, I read about modesty in the Bible. My ‘Operating System’ is different from some. I ‘Process’ the Word the way I do because I have a ‘Processor’ that interprets the “Modesty Language” for me.
My “Processor” lets me feel comfortable wearing long sleeves for example. A friend in warm climate may have a “Processor” that lets him wear sleeves to the elbow.
My ‘Processor’ has problems with some styles of dress, and entertainment. It also doesn’t at all ‘Process’ the Emergent Church and their lack of Holiness requirements. (There’s that pesky ‘Display’ issue again.)
We have the same program. We process the same information. We are different in that our “Operating Systems” are not the same. We process scriptures differently.
One of the last times my dying father spoke to my wife. He asked in confidential tones, “Is Marty still preaching the truth?”
“Yes Dad,” Marcia assured him.
He said, “Down here there are a lot of themes. Up there, there’s only one theme.” Those were Dad’s last words to her.
It’s easy for us all to justify how we ‘Process’ and understand Scripture. When it’s all said and done. It’s all going to boil down to how does God ‘Process’ His Word.
I want to be operating on the same ‘Operating System’ as He is! I want to ‘Process’ His Word like He meant for me too.
Down here, there’s a lot of ‘Processors’ and ‘Operating Systems.’ Up there, there’s only one.
“A Torment That Seemed Worse Than Hell Could Ever Be”
The quiet young mother of two, Mary Gally, looked anxiously out the front door of her Kentucky home. The school bus was bringing her twin girls home. She couldn’t wait to see them. They were seven (7) years old and as pretty as two little girls could be. They were her pride and joy.
The bus stopped across the street. It’s lights flashed red and yellow warnings. The door opened and out bounced the girls. They walked in front of the bus crossing the street. A drunk driver ignored all warnings and sped past the bus killing both of them while their mother watched in horror.
It was a torment to her mind and to her heart that seemed worse than hell could ever be. For days she lived in numbness. She burnt candles for them at church. It seemed that the solace she desperately needed, she couldn’t find. Her Catholic upbringing provided no answers, solutions or comfort. She was totally empty.
She prayed the rosary, she went to the confessional, and nothing helped. She closed the shades on the windows of her heart and it seemed impossible to comfort her.
The pictures of the horrible scene replayed in her mind several times a day. They wouldn’t stop. They wouldn’t go away. How many times does a mother have to watch her babies die?
Mary began to find temporary comfort in the bottle. It wasn’t a solution. She knew that. It only helped for a few hours a day. Drinking seemed to lessen the pain. Her dependency grew.
A year or so slipped by and Mary slid deeper and deeper into her despair. Someone invited her to Life Tabernacle in Hopkinsville, KY. Mary prayed and in her desperation reached out to the Lord and He filled her with the Holy Ghost.
Mary came alive. Oh yes, there is still a quietness about her that lingers still, but her heart came alive. She enjoyed church. She grew in the Lord and in His Word. After the pastor felt that she was established and grounded in the truth, she was invited to teach a Sunday School class. She accepted.
She always sat on the 1st or 2nd row during regular church services. It seemed like she couldn’t wait for altar call. She willingly prayed with others. God had given her a gift of praying people through to the Holy Ghost. No one has ever seen anyone like her. In one week she personally prayed 25 through in her church. She did it with such easy grace and effectiveness. At every altar service Mary could be found praying with seekers.
After teaching for a while, Sis. Mary asked that if an opening ever came, she would like to teach the seven (7) year old’s Sunday School Class. They’re seemed to be a healing in that thought for her.
The 7 year olds got a new teacher. Sis. Mary was in the fulfillment of her dream. She now was surrounded by children the same age hers were. The kids loved her. The class grew. She helped it grow. She specialized in turning the conclusion of each Sunday School class session into an invitation to seek for the Holy Ghost.
A couple of years ago, Sis. Mary Gally prayed seventy (70) seven (7) year olds through to the Holy Ghost in her Sunday School class, in one year!
She had taken her pain, and turned it around using it for the glory of God, the furtherance of His Kingdom.
Knowing her personally, I stood with pride and let tears run down my cheek at the General Conference of the UPCI. I watched her being honored. This incredible woman of God was presented the “Sunday School Teacher Of The Year Award!” She had prayed more children through to the Holy Ghost in her class in one year than any teacher on record!
Epilogue:
Today, Sis. Mary Gally and her husband have two wonderful children, a daughter and a son, both grown. Her daughter is very active in the church. Her son is now the Associate Pastor with Bishop Adams in Hopkinsville, and he also is the Conquerors President for the State of Kentucky.
Don’t die till you meet Sis. Mary Gally! You’ll love her too!
“The Enemy Would Rather Wound Than Kill”
“The Enemy Would Rather Wound Than Kill”
A friend of mine was stationed briefly at Fort Ord during the Viet Nam war. He was taught that the Viet Cong would make traps, and dig pits with sharpened and poisoned sticks in them to injure the soldier, but not kill him instantly. They sharpened sticks to pierce his feet or body. The poison would get into his blood and bring slow death.
Punji stakes are a soldier’s nightmare. They are set precisely to cause great pain. They are carefully sharpened bamboo sticks positioned behind logs that GI’s step must over. Sometimes they are spread across entire fields.
“Charlie” would rather wound with “Punji” stakes dipped in a special excrement brew. He would rather cause a slow painful death.
He knew that it takes more men to care for a wounded soldier and give him back his health than to care for a dead one.
The reason they wanted to injure and not kill, was if a soldier was injured, the US Army had to stop fighting long enough to care for the wounded. If enough get wounded, others have to stop fighting to tend to them.
The enemy of our soul thinks the same way too! We all know some that have been wounded by horrible life experiences, addictions, unkind comments and the actions of others.
- If people in a church get wounded…
- If one of our friends gets wounded…
- If one of our family gets wounded…
- If people in a organization get wounded…
We stop fighting the enemy momentarily, and concern ourselves with the injuries and injustices done to those we love and know. Our heart aches for their pain. We do our best to help.
- Yes, we should help.
- Yes, we need to help them,
- But never fail to recognize the strategy of the enemy.
- We are not ignorant of the enemy’s devices.
- He wishes to distract us all.
- He wants us to focus on ourselves, our injury, our pain, our loss.
I have great sympathy for the injury of others. I grieve for them, I too am aware that we can only focus just so long on “us”, because there’s still a battle to be fought. I’m so sorry for those that have been injured.
My advice to us all, is “Let’s don’t lay our weapons down, let’s keep fighting, regardless! The battle is not over yet!
God Bless You!!
The House Of The Lady With The Long Hair
The House Of The Lady With The Long Hair
Last night, I finished preaching the 1st night of Raleigh, North Carolina’s annual “Holiness Conference”. As I was stepping down from the platform, a tall brother in Christ made his way to me. “I have a Holiness story for you, he offered.
“A few nights ago, our doorbell rang. It was dark and I couldn’t imagine who would be at our door this late. He said.
“To my surprise, a little boy stood there, his eyes were red from crying. He was visibly shaken. His voice was strong as he said, ‘Please mister, do something. My Dad is hurting my Mom real bad! Call the Police…. Help her, please!’
About that that time, the sound of sirens was heard. Patrol cars were everywhere. Red and blue flashing lights interrupted the darkness.
The out of control, and abusive husband was taken into custody. The mother’s physical needs were being attended to.
He said, “I turned to the little boy and said, ‘I don’t live next door to you. Of all the houses in this neighborhood, why did you come to mine when you needed help?
“The little boy looked up into my face and said, “I just knew, that if I could make it to The House of The Lady with the Long Hair, everything would be alright!”
When To Keep Your Mouth Shut!
When To Keep Your Mouth Shut
Proverbs 21:23 (KJV) Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
1. In the Heat of Anger
- Psalm 116:11 (KJV) I said in my haste, All men are liars.
2. When You Don’t Have All The Facts
- Proverbs 18:13 (KJV) He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.
3. If Your Words Make Your Family, Friends or Church Look Bad
- James 3:6 (KJV) And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
4. When You Are Tempted To Make Light Of Holy Things
- Matthew 22:5 (KJV) But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise:
5. If You Think You Might Regret Your Words Later
- Proverbs 6:2 (KJV) Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth.
- Proverbs 14:1 (KJV) Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.
6. When You Are Tempted To Tell At Lie
- Revelation 21:8 (KJV) But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
- Proverbs 6:16-19 (KJV)
- 16 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
- 17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.
7. If You Can’t Speak Without Yelling
- Proverbs 15:1 (KJV) A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
8. When It’s Time To Listen
- James 1:19 (KJV) Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
9. If You’ve Already Said It Once Before. (Anymore becomes nagging.)
10. .If You KNOW That You Talk Too Much.
- Proverbs 10:19 (KJV) In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.
11.If Your Words Are Meant To Get Even Or To Give Someone A “Piece Of Your Mind”
- Proverbs 15:1 (KJV) A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
12. If You Know It Will Cause Argument Or Debate
- 2 Timothy 2:23 (KJV) But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.
13. If You Know That WHAT You’re Saying Can Hinder Revival In Your Church.
- Galatians 5:15 (KJV) But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.
14. If Your Words Will Offend A Weak Brother
- 1 Corinthians 8:11-13 (KJV)
11 And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?
12 But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.
13 Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.
15.When You’re Tempted To Make A Joke About Sin
- Proverbs 14:9 (KJV) Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour.
16. When The Subject Is None Of Your Business
- 1 Peter 4:15 (KJV) But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters.2 Thessalonians 3:11 (KJV) For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.
17. If Your Words Will Damage Another’s Reputation Or Character
- Proverbs 16:27 (KJV) An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.Proverbs 18:8 (KJV) The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
18.If Your Words Will Damage A Friendship
- Proverbs 17:9 (KJV) He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.
19. When You’re Feeling Critical
- James 3:9-10 (KJV)
- 9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.
10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
20. When We May Later Have To Eat Our Words
- Proverbs 18:21 (KJV) Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
- Matthew 12:37 (KJV) For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
21.If Your Speech Is Not Consistent With Godly Living.
If I Was A Holiness Rejecter!
Holiness Thoughts
After I went to bed. I picked up the pad of paper beside my bed and began to write these thoughts down as they came to me.
I had been in a conversation with a life-long friend and he began to say things that scared me. I saw he had made a turn in his thinking, and I couldn’t make the turn with him. It actually frightened me very much, I wrote for and hour or two, then fell asleep. Three or four times I awakened and continued my writing.
- I even dreamed about it.
- What I don’t know is why I feel Holiness has to be defended.
- It is God’s lowest standard. Israel never complained about all of their holiness requirements and regulations and they didn’t even have the Holy Ghost.
- They didn’t even have a spirit of holiness, they just had law.
- They complained about the food and about their leadership, but never about their holiness.
- That seems to be all that Pentecostals fuss about.
This generation, has the Holy Ghost experience available, yet most of our discussions have to do with negative things about Holiness.
- It’s like we are trying to see how little we can do and still be saved.
- We are attempting to be saved by doing the minimum.
- Saints change churches because they don’t like the Holiness preaching. It was too hard for them.
Wouldn’t it be something if Israel stood up in the Judgment and condemned this generation?
These are the thoughts I have put down as they came to me. They are without organization. They might even be without clarity. All I know is, I felt a touch of God’s Holiness about me before when I finally went to sleep.
1. I like Brooklyn Tabernacle’s song: “Holy Like You”
2. In Isaiah 6, Isaiah was Sanctified before being called or sent.
3. Do I speak “The Language Of Holiness”
4. When I lose Holiness, the Revelation of the Godhead goes too. They are connected.
5. Holy Ghost. How can I have the HOLY Ghost and say I hate HOLY things?
6. I’ve seen new converts changed w/o hearing holiness preached. All by the power of the Holy Ghost.
7. Story of Elizabeth. After being baptized that night, got rid of everything she didn’t think she wanted Jesus to see in her house. Immediately received the Holy Ghost.
8. In Old Testament – Holiness was legislated
9. In New Testament they received the Spirit of Holiness.
10. Holiness includes: purity- heart, modesty-outside, righteousness-conduct.
11. Draw nigh to God. This was written to those that already had the Holy Ghost.
12. There should be a Quest for Holiness.
13. There’s Safety in Holiness
14. There’s Benefits in Holiness
15. The Why Of Holiness.
- Why do some want to re-define standards?
- Why do some want to rebel against what they were taught.
- When they came into this church it was a Holiness church.
- They knew that when they came in.
- Why do they want to change it now?
- That is like a girl marrying a boy and then wanting him to change.
16. Why do they want to dress that way?
17. Why do they make fun of Holiness.
18. What is wrong with them that makes them have a problem with carefulness about the things of God?
19. Why do they reject preaching on Holiness?
20. Why do they distance themselves from all Holiness preaching?
21. Why do ALL Conservative preachers seem harsh and bitter to them?
22. Why is the word Holiness offensive to them?
23. Why does their church get quiet when the subject gets preached?
24. Who are they trying to please when they let down on the standard? God?
25. What will their permissiveness produce?
26. I know what Holiness produces.
27. “You get what you preach.”
28. List the number of churches that have thrown their convictions and holiness out the door, and then tell me about their amazing church growth and climbing attendance. It don’t see it.
29. They threw away their convictions, lost their revelation and never got much in return. It wasn’t worth it. All they received was delusion, and there may never be hope of recovery.
30. In the Military – there is extensive recruiting and training
31. In Sports – there is extensive recruiting and training
32. Yes there’s cuts, drop outs, even AWOL
33. All some Churches think is important is the recruiting. They can even recruit a small army. They wonder why some don’t last. Was it because they were not trained.
34. Some young people have grown up never hearing a sermon on the subject of Holiness.
35. All that we want to hear is Salvation, healing, miracles, faith, and blessings
36. Saints aren’t born, they’re made. It will take some preaching to make saints out of them.
37. Daddy said to me “if you have a choice between being an Exhorter or a Feeder, be a Feeder. Feeders build churches.
38. There is a NEED for training.
39. Prov 22:6 Train up a child… etc. The word train there has to do with touching the palate.
- Developing a taste in the child’s mouth for the things of God.
- Flinging a craving on the child for God things.
- Some try to cram things down people’s throats instead.
40. Why does God want us to be holy?
- It identifies us
- It says we know Jesus
- It says we hate the world.
- It says we refuse to be called the son of pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather… (Holiness is a choice)
- It identifies us with Him
- It is a daily reminder – Israel wore a ribbon of blue
41. Why does God say be ye holy, even as I am holy?
42. Why does God WANT me to be holy?
43. He put His Holy Spirit in me, so why would I Not want to be Holy.
44. If I have the Holy Ghost, why would I be so in love with unholy things?
45. In my opinion, If I was a Holiness Rejecter, I would not be “Enlightened”. I would be backslid.
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 