Archive for the ‘Christian Living’ Category
You Look Beautiful!
You Look Beautiful!
Those words are welcome to most ears. But, if you are like me, don’t hold your breath waiting for someone to say it. It is a very nice compliment but it is not always believable. We may not feel very beautiful at that moment, but the sentiment is always enjoyed.
We humans call a lot of things beautiful. But, we must be pretty shallow to throw the term around so easily. We look at:
- People
- An old 57 Chevy
- Sunsets
- Puppies
- Grandma’s old china
- A poem
- Every bride
- An eight point buck
- Red cowgirl boots
- Every selfie on Facebook
…And say the word, beautiful.
Men say those words to and about women. Sometimes women even say them to other women. Before the words are said, a quick examination of the recipient’s hair, face, smile, attitude, body and clothes is given before offering such a compliment.
The Even Bible Mentions A Few Beautiful Women
- Sarah was “a fair woman to look upon,”
- Lot’s daughters Jemima, Kezia and Karenhappuch were called the fairest in the land.
- Rachel, Jacob’s beloved was the first woman called beautiful in the Bible.
Beauty Products
According to jezebel.com over $38,600,000,000 is spent annually on cosmetics. (They also give a breakdown about the amounts of money that men and women spend each year and their low degree of happiness as a result.) It seems that most people are willing to spend a lot of money to have someone call them beautiful.
http://jezebel.com/5931654/americans-spend-billions-on-beauty-products-and-are-still-pretty-unhappy/
Why Not Choose To Have God Call You Beautiful?
Wouldn’t it be the ultimate compliment if God looked at us and said, “You look beautiful”?
What some folks think looks beautiful isn’t beautiful to God at all. He even uses the word abomination. For example, a woman wearing a man’s apparel doesn’t look beautiful to The Lord.
Carnal Pentecostal women have even been overheard telling their church sisters that they are out of style and that they dress like a grandma. They believe that to look beautiful, a lady should be current in her style of dress and wear clothes that showcase her anatomy more.
These people are called vain because they seek to be beautiful to the opposite sex and crave the attention and compliments of others. Since what we mortals call beautiful is not always what The Lord God calls beautiful. What then does God call beautiful?
I know His Word says that he made “everything beautiful in its time.” Our understanding of that broad statement is very limited at best because we see some things that do not appear beautiful to us. If we pay attention though, He does name some things that he calls beautiful.
God Calls The Church Beautiful.
Psalm 96:6 Honour and majesty are before him: strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
Song of Songs 6:10 Who is she that looketh forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners?
Psalm 48:2 Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.
Beauty Tip # 1: Are you part of His church? Then you’re beautiful to God.
God Calls Preaching Beautiful.
Isaiah 52:7 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!
Romans 10:15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
Beauty Tip # 2: Don’t criticize what God calls beautiful!
God Calls Salvation Beautiful.
Psalm 149:4 For the Lord taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.
Beauty Tip # 3: If you have obeyed Acts 2:38 by repenting, being baptized by immersion in the name of Jesus Christ and have received the Holy Ghost speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gave utterance… Then God has made you beautiful.
God Calls Holiness Beautiful.
Psalm 96:9 O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth.
Psalm 29:2 Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.
2 Chronicles 20:21 And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the Lord, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the Lord; for his mercy endureth for ever.
Beauty Tip # 4: If you live a modest and godly life of separation from the world then God looks at you and calls you beautiful.
God Calls Long Hair On A Woman Beautiful.
1 Corinthians 11:13 Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered?
1 Corinthians 11:15 But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.
Beauty Tip # 5: When women allow their hair to grow long and pray. God calls that beautiful.
God Calls Worship Beautiful.
Psalm 33:1 Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright.
Psalm 147:1 Praise ye the Lord: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely.
Beauty Tip # 6: When worshippers lift up His name in praise, God calls that beautiful.
God Calls Watching His Children Be The Blessed, Beautiful.
Ecclesiastes 5:18 Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion.
Beauty Tip # 7: When you are able to enjoy His blessings in daily life, God calls that beautiful.
You Want To Know What Is Really Beautiful To Me?
Jesus Is Beautiful to Me
Isaiah gave us an advance notice that something beautiful is about to happen when he prophesied about the coming Messiah.
Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
The Word ‘Wonderful’ Is Another Synonym For Beautiful!
He Is Altogether Lovely
Song of Songs 5:16 … yea, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem.
Serving God Is Beautiful
(Copyright, Nelon Music Co. 1986)
Serving God is beautiful
Serving the King of Kings,
I serve Him because I love Him, you see,
Serving God is beautiful to me.
Serving God is beautiful
Serving the King of Kings,
I serve Him because I love Him, you see,
Serving God is beautiful to me.
You Are A Committee Of One
You Are A Committee Of One.
Webster’s Definition: Committee Of One
Noun
- An individual person designated to function alone as a committee.
Society teaches us that we are a committee of one and that each one of us must do the right thing.
The US Army
The Army recently scrapped its memorable advertising slogan, ”Be all you can be,” and replaced it with one intended to appeal to the individualism and independence of today’s youth: ”An Army of one.”
Smokey Bear
For many years public service announcements on the radio have showcased Smokey Bear saying, “Only You can prevent forest fires.” The meaning is clear. Everyone venturing into the forest is expected to handle fire responsibly.
Some things in life depend on just us. We are the bottom line. There is no one else to blame. We then must strive to be responsible.
“The Buck Stops Here”
Last year during a visit to President Harry Truman’s Library, I took note of his signature desktop motto. “The Buck Stops Here.” Seeing that one plaque was one of the more memorial highlights of the tour. The President made it plain, he wasn’t passing the buck, but will to stand up and face the challenge.
We Have Biblical Examples
- Ester Was A Committee Of One When She Went Before The King.
- Elijah On Mt. Carmel Was A Committee Of One.
- David Was A Committee Of One Fighting Goliath’s.
Staying In Church And Being Saved Is Up To You!
Acts 2:40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
“Save Thyself,” Is Still The Message!!
- Each one must want to be saved enough to make the effort.
- The fact is most preachers want to see some folks saved more than they do.
- If you are no longer saved today, you have no one to blame but yourself.
You Are A Committee Of One When It Comes To Staying Saved.
Protecting Yourself From False Doctrine is Up To You.
1 Timothy 4:16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
Paul’s advice warned Timothy to:
- Watch yourself
- Be careful
- Pay attention to your personal life
- Pay attention to your doctrine
- Your life depends on it
- Others are looking at you to follow your steps
- It’s up to you Timothy.
You Are A Committee Of One When It Comes To Spiritual Carefulness.
Holding On To This Apostolic Message, Is Your Responsibility.
The Apostles spoke to the church warning them to protect themselves from false doctrine.
Col 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.
2 Pe 3:17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.
2 Tim 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
- Be careful what holiness and doctrinal arguments you listen to.
- Smooth talkers will lead you astray from truth if you let them beguile you.
- Some try to reason the Acts 2:38 truth and holiness standards away.
- You cannot let them lead you into delusion.
- False doctrine is just an “amen” away.
- If you don’t know the truth, your soul is on the line.
- You are an army of one in protecting your soul.
You Are A Committee Of One When It Comes To Resisting Error.
Being Ready For The Coming Of the Lord Is Up To You.
Matt. 24:42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
- The ‘watch ye’ is understood. It’s your job to watch.
- Watch, Jesus is coming.
- Watch, you have to get yourself ready, and be ready.
- Watch, it’s up to you.
- ‘Preppers’ prepare for potential national and end time disaster.
- They believe survival is up to them individually.
- Some are preparing more for government failure and stockpiling for the tribulation than they are preparing their hearts for the coming of the Lord.
You Are A Committee Of One When It Comes To Being Ready For The Lord’s Return.
Getting Past Grudges And Hurts Is Up To You.
James 5:9 Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.
- How long will you let this battle go one?
- You hold the key to the door of Peace.
- If you don’t forgive others, God won’t forgive you.
- It’s your call.
You Are A Committee Of One When It Comes To Forgiving Others.
Restoration Is Your Duty.
Gal 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
- Don’t be foolish and act too holy to love and restore the fallen.
- Restoration is your duty.
You Are A Committee Of One When It Comes To Restoration
Worship Is Your Job
Psalms 150:6 Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.
- Worship Is Everybody’s Business
- How can anyone be so spiritual clueless as to feel comfortable letting others do the praising for them?
- Don’t let worship leader or praise team do the worshipping for you. It’s your job to praise the Lord.
- Worship is everybody’s business
- Don’t let the same old six or seven lead out in worship. You do it.
- Let everything that has breath… It’s up to you.
You Are A Committee Of One When It Comes To Worship.
You Are A Committee Of One In The Prayer Room.
James 5:16 … The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
- Your prayer is powerful.
- Your prayer can flip the switch the kills the power of the enemy.
- Your prayer is the bottom line of spiritual defense.
- We fight the evil on our knees.
- The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man
You Are A Committee Of One When It Comes To Prayer.
Being A Witness Is Your Job Too.
Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
You Are A Committee Of One When It Comes To Soul Winning.
“I Am The Church” – (An Anniversary Re-post From 2010)
I Am The Church
Matthew 16:16-18
- I am a Divine experience, built upon a Divine revelation
- I am built upon the Rock. That Rock is Jesus.
- I was born in obscurity, in an upper room.
- I have lived in palaces and poverty
- I am no stranger to the poor. I was raised on the wrong side of the tracks.
Some have called me:
- Saul of Tarsus
- Simon Peter
- Cornelius
- Philip
- Stephen
- Timothy
- Lois
- Eunice
- Lydia
Of late, you have called me:
- Andrew Urshan
- G.T. Haywood
- Robert Tobin
- Verbal Bean
- Carl Ballestero
- Robert C. Cavaness
- Paul Jordan
- William R. Starr
- Jimmy Davis
- Bill Dross
- Morris E. Golder
I am the church
I was chosen from a life called:
- Foolish
- Weak
- Base
- Despised
- Nothing
That I should not glory in His presence!
- I am College Students and High School Drop outs,
- Factory workers and Housewives,
- Store owners and clock punchers,
- I am all ages and all sizes,
- I am teens with braces and Grandma’s with canes
- I am Sunday School kids whose parents are still asleep.
- I’ve lived on welfare, stood in soup lines,
- I used to be addicted to drugs, push dope, and belong to a gang.
- I was a streetwalker, alcoholic, liar and thief.
- But now I am washed, Now I am sanctified, Now I am justified, by the blood of Jesus.
I am the church
- I have lived in the “guttermost”, but have been raised to the “uttermost.”
- I have been lifted from the deep miry clay. My feet set upon a solid rock, He has established by goings.
- Angels attend me daily. I am guided by Divine Direction.
- Heaven protects my every move.
- I am an army, I have never lost a battle. I am predestined to win.
- I am victorious.
I have been given authority in His Name, over:
- Every evil spirit
- Every disease known to man
- I have the power of the Name of Jesus at my command.
- I speak unto mountains and they are cast aside, In His name
- I walk by faith and live in the Spirit.
I am the church
Throughout history, I have been:
- Crucified
- Stoned
- Beaten
- Mistreated
- Banished
- Persecuted and Ostracized, I still prevail.
- I’ve been Lied on,
- Talked about
- Laughed at
- Mocked
- Scorned,
But Death still can’t stop me.
I shall not be defeated.
By Divine Help,
- There’s no mountain I haven’t climbed,
- No river I haven’t crossed
- No valley too deep.
- There’s no problem too big!
- I have been made to survive and flourish.
I am the church
- I have been hindered, but never stopped.
- Knocked down, but never defeated.
- Cast down, but never destroyed.
- Dictators can’t stop me
- Kings can’t stop me
- Presidents can’t
- Generals with cruel armies can’t
- Even Communism can’t.
- The Iron curtain, Bamboo Curtain, The Berlin wall couldn’t stop me.
Even the gates of hell shall not prevail against me.
- God is with me
- He is on my side.
Why do I not live in fear? I have been given precious promises:
Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.
There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.
The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.
The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
I am predestined.
I am the church.
- I have lived in prisons, in castles, in cities and in desert places,
- I have lived in villages and barrios, in every continent and every nation under heaven.
- I am more colors than the rainbow.
- I speak the languages of many tongues.
- Tongues of men and of angels.
- I entertain no prejudices
- I am one body
I am the church
- I am commissioned to the Great Commission
- I live for the Word.
- I shout Amen,
- I run the aisles
- I dance in the spirit
- I love praise and worship
- I speak with tongues and prophesy.
- I baptize in Jesus Name
- I clap my hands and sing.
- I raise my hands in prayer and worship.
- I leap for joy.
- I exist to given Him praise.
Psa. 150:1 Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.
2 Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.
3 Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.
4 Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.
5 Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.
6 Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.
I will bless the LORD at all times
His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.
I am the church
Holiness is my trademark
Worship is my hallmark.
Prayer is my secret.
- I am a tired missionary
- An exhausted parent of small children,
- I am a tear-stained altar worker,
- A tired visitation team
- A Sunday School teacher with children that won’t be quiet
- A Home Bible Study teacher, burning the midnight oil
- I am a weary all-night prayer meeting
- I am an evangelist with a hoarse throat.
- I am an exhausted musician in a lengthy altar service,
- I am a King’s son wearing clothes from Goodwill,
- I know what it’s like to shout my hair down,
- I know what it’s like to get Holy laughter,
- I know what it’s like to shout during the preaching,
- I know what it’s like to travail in the spirit,
- I know what it’s like to make intercession.
- I know what the Pentecostal croup is
- I know what it’s like to see someone go home drunk in the Holy Ghost,
- I know what it’s like to be lost in the Spirit,
- I know where the prayer room is,
I am the church
- I’ve seen lives changed
- Families restored
- Marriages put back together
- Gays and Lesbians delivered
- Bodies healed
- Minds restored
- Drug Addicts delivered
- Smokers set free
- Alcoholics dried out
- Hard hearts softened
- Bitterness erased
- Anger dissipate
- Mistakes forgiven and wrongs righted.
- Unity restored
- All by the Han of God
- Some, in moment’s time
- I am the sole possessor of Truth
- I possess the secret of eternal life and of peace with God
I am the church
- I am preaching that changes that touches the heart
- I am an experience that changes the lives
- I am testimonies that ring that Jerusalem ring
- I am singing, that stirs the soul,
- I am prayers that reach heaven’s throne,
I am the church
- I am faces without make-up
- I am long dresses and uncut hair.
- I am modesty on a pedestal,
- I am virtue and purity on parade with heads held high.
- I am holiness without an apology
- I am dedicated to separation from the world.
- I refused to be influenced by immoral thinking
- I shun immodest apparel
- I hate every false way
- I deplore the works of the flesh
- Carnal thinking is not for me
- I keep myself unspotted from the world.
- I proudly represent the King of Glory
- He is Holy, therefore, I must be holy
- My adornment is spiritual and precious, rather than worldly and cheap.
- My men look like real men
- My women are my glory
- I am not a slave to fashion, but rather a servant of Jesus Christ.
- I am clothed rather in garments of Salvation.
- Immodesty does not become me,
- Impurity has no place in my world,
- I live a separated life.
- I don’t look like Satan’s children, talk like them, neither do I act like them.
- I do not feel comfortable in their environment.
- I hate all the works of the flesh
- I am not comfortable in Satan’s realm
- The world is not my home
- I walk ONLY on the OLD paths.
I am the church
My worship, my music and singing have been copied, mimicked, and duplicated.
But like the magicians, who cast down their rods before Moses, they still didn’t have the message. Moses had the only message of deliverance.
- I alone have the message of deliverance for a lost and dying world.
- I alone have the keys to eternal life.
- I alone have the message that sets men free
- I alone have the truth
- I alone have the revelation of who Jesus is
- I alone am the bride of Christ
- I alone known the truth of being born again of water and spirit
- I alone baptize in the only name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved
- I alone have a world to reach
I am described as:
- Glorious
- Not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing.
- Holy and without blemish.
- As terrible as an army with banners
- The salt of the world
- The light of the world
- A Great House
- The general assembly
- Mount Zion
- The city of the Living God
- The church of the first born
- An heir of righteousness
- A chosen generation
- A royal priesthood
- The Family of God
- The Habitation of God
- The Temple of God
- The Bride of Christ
I AM NOT:
- A social center
- A board run entity or a clever tax shelter
- I am not Political or politically correct
- Or Socially acceptable
- This Secular world was not created with me in mind.
- I don’t fit in to their societies or programs, their sports or their entertainment.
I AM A REDEMPTION CENTER
- A Hospital for the hurting
- An oasis for the weary
- A home for every one.
- Give me your weary, your homeless, your outcast, your oppressed, your needy and your distressed.
I am the church
- I am called to show forth the praises of Him who hath called my out of darkness in to this glorious light
- I am the sole possessor of the name of Jesus in redemption.
- I alone have taken His name.
- I am His bride. I love His Name.
Revival is my heartbeat,
Calvary is my song,
The blood of Jesus is my hope,
The name of Jesus is my love,
Deliverance is my message,
The coming of Jesus is my prayer
I live only to:
- Worship Him
- Witness to others
- Love one another
- Praise His Holy Name
- Pray unto Him
- Help my brother
- Obey His Word and His will
I am sanctified
- Blood washed
- Blood bought
- Spirit filled
- Water baptized in Jesus name
- Tongue talking
- Endued with power from on high
- My name is written in the Lambs book of life
- I am the reason for Bethlehem,
- I am the reason for Calvary
- I am Pentecost in action
- I grow with tears
- I become stronger when I decrease
- I am love with a sword in its hand
- I am a soldier with compassion
- A rich man with no money,
- Royalty with no recognition
- I am an heir with no earthly home.
- I am a burden in shoe leather
- I am joyful when there is repentance
- I celebrate the death and Home-going of my own,
- Knowing that to absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.
- But I grieve for all others.
- I have prayed teeming thousands out of sick beds,
- Seen countless others raised up from their death beds,
- Watched blinded eyes open, and seen the lame walk.
- Yet I still reach out to help others who have never heard of Jesus.
- While hope and time remain, I am dedicated to helping others find Christ.
- I live in the Supernatural, I walk in the Spirit, and I enjoy the benefits of eternity right here on earth.
I am the church
- I love the unlovable,
- I reach out to the rejected and outcasts of society while giving hope to the discouraged and depressed.
- I am a refuge in troublesome times.
- I am a comfort from despair, and a shelter in life’s storms.
- I give hope to the hopeless and help o the helpless.
- I minister to the needs of both the body and soul
- I am blessed most, when I am being a blessing.
- I bear my brother’s burdens
- I am an encourager to all
- I am an edifier and a giver of strength
- I point all men to Calvary
- I lead the hungry to Heaven’s banqueting table
- I take no glory for myself
I am recognized by the fruit that I manifest.
- Love,
- Joy,
- Peace,
- Longsuffering,
- Gentleness,
- Goodness,
- Faith,
- Meekness,
- Temperance: against such there is no law.
I am the church
- I am betrothed to the King of Kings,
- To The Lord God Almighty
- The Alpha and Omega
- The Beginning and The End
- The First and The Last
- The Prince of Peace
- The Rose of Sharon
- The Chief Cornerstone
- The Captain of Salvation
- The Desire of All nations
- The Great High Priest
- The Good Shepherd
- Emmanuel
- The Lamb of God
- The Lord of Glory
- The Most High God
He who is called:
- Wonderful,
- Counselor,
- The mighty God,
- The everlasting Father,
- The Prince of Peace, This is my beloved.
- He is altogether lovely.
- I get excited about the Name of Jesus.
- His Name is above every other.
- I am the apple of His eye.
- I am my beloved’s and He is mine.
- I love the sound of His voice. His words to me are life and strength.
- I delight in them. I am excited when He speaks to me.
- I long for His touch.
- I live to be in His presence.
- I have no other joy.
- For all that thrills my soul is Jesus, He is more than life to me, and the fairest of 10,000 in His blessed face I see.
My days are limited, my time is short.
- I am redeeming the time.
- I am going to be caught away very soon.
- The Lord Jesus is coming to take me to a place He has prepared for me.
I must work while I still have the time.
- My light is lit
- There is oil in my lamp
- It is trimmed and burning
- I am watching and praying
- I am looking for His soon return
- I am on fire with Pentecostal fire
- The vision is great
- The harvest is great
- My garments are without spot or wrinkle
- I am ready for the 1st resurrection
I am the church
- My job is never done, nor my task finished till all have come to the knowledge of the truth.
- My focus must not be upon myself, but upon others.
- I cannot rest while one lost sheep is astray.
- I am called to rescue the perishing
- I am charged the responsibility of lost souls
Heaven is watching
Hell is watching
The world is watching
- I must not falter
- I must not fail
- I must not weaken or tire
- I shall not fail
- I shall be triumphant over all
- I will pray on
- I will sing on
- I will preach on
- I will go on
- I will keep on keeping on
- I will reach out to all that need Him
- I am determined to know nothing but Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
- The challenge before me is great, but He is greater.
- I shall be victorious over all, because of Him
- I am triumphant because of Him.
I am Called
I am Chosen
I will be Faithful
I am the church
“Are you in the Church Triumphant?
Are you in the Saviour’s Bride?
Come and be baptized into the body,
And for evermore abide.”
“I’m talking about the church
In the book of Revelation
It’s built on the Rock
Got a firm foundation
It’s been through the storm
It’s been through the fire
And one of these days,
This church is gonna move up higher
It’s the church, triumphant, Oh Lord,
And it’s built by the hand of the Lord.”
Are you in the Church today?
If not, then GET in it.
If you are IN it, then STAY in it
At What Level Do You Wish To Play?
At What Level Do You Wish To Play?
In the 1980’s electronic chess games became the rage in certain cerebral circles. One particular model would ask its user, as soon as the power button was switched on, “At what level do you wish to play?”
Everyone knew it was just a game. The unit was a cheap handheld device that anyone could play. The user could play in the beginner mode, or even play at the expert level. No one would criticize the level he or she played. It was just a game, and it was only played for fun.
But The Question It Asked Is Still Valid In Real Life Today. At What Level Do You Wish To Play (Or Participate)?
‘Live Like You Were Dying’ is the title of a popular song made somewhat famous a few years ago. The message from just the title of the song is enough to make one think about prioritizing their life.
Like the electronic chess game, some things are just for entertainment, and some things are mainly used to pass the time. Then there are other things that have life and death importance attached. Our souls get intertwined in the process. You have to know which ones are which.
Your Friendships
Your God-fearing friends tell the world the level at which you wish to play.
Your worldly friendships probably display the level you really wish to play. If that is the level you wish to play, so be it.
Friends are more than just pals. Your friends matter to God.
- They Influence you.
- They generate peer pressure that will change you.
- They can take you away from God.
- They can bring you closer to God.
- Chose your friends carefully. You will soon become what they are.
- What do your friendships today say about the level you have chosen to play?
- In Your Friendships, At What Level Do You Wish To Play?
Your Marriage
The way you cherish your spouse and give yourself to your marriage tells your family, friends and the whole wide world the level you have chosen to play.
- God becomes deeply interested and involved in your relationship with your spouse.
- His Word even directs you how to love and express your love to each other.
- Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
- Ephesians 5:28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.
- He pays attention to your mistreatment and neglect.
- 1 Corinthians 7:3 Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.
- 1 Corinthians 7:5 Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.
- Those who have trouble at home soon have trouble in church. The Lord knows that, you should too.
In Your Marriage, At What Level Do You Wish To Play?
At Church
Your Response And Involvement:
- In the Worship service says volumes about the level you wish to play.
- In the Prayer room shows the level you are playing.
- In the Altar service shows the level you are playing.
- In Outreach shows the level you are playing.
- In Giving To Missions shows the level you are playing.
- In Giving Your Tithes shows the level you are playing.
- In the way you argue about Standards shows the level you are playing.
- In Obeying God’s Word shows the level you are playing.
Your Reaction to the Preaching even when it corrects you makes clear the level you wish to play.
Saying Amen to the Word tells God, the devil, the Pastor and the Church family the level you wish to play.
Pictures and Posts on Social media sites tell everyone the level at which you are probably really playing.
Old timers used the phrase, Playing Church. Never let that be said about you.
Living For God Is Not A Game.
At Church, What Level Do You Wish To Play?
The Desire To Be Cherished
The Desire To Be Cherished
“They do not love that do not show their love.” – Shakespeare
It’s A Basic Life Need
Cherish – Definition:
- To hold Dear:
- To Cultivate with Care and Affection
- To Nurture
- To Treasure, Prize, Value
- To Feel And Show Affection For
Babies Desire To Be Cherished And Held.
They cry often for their Mama’s touch. Children run to her to be comforted.
When Babies Are Not Cherished:
I read a few years ago about Romanian orphans who were given only the basic nourishment and hygiene. Soon the babies became withdrawn and unresponsive. They may be forever emotionally damaged… much like adults who are not cherished. They will almost always exhibit emotional problems and act out.
All Children Desire to Be Cherished.
Every child remembers if they were loved. Everyone remembers how their parents treated him or her when they were young. Not being cherished is something most difficult to survive.
Little Kids Ask Their Parents.
Am I your favorite? Who do you love the most? How much do you love me? They are putting out feelers attempting to assure themselves that they are cherished.
Teenagers Desire To Be Cherished.
They dream about it. They sing about it. They listen to music about it. They want to be loved. They want someone to cherish them. To complicate the matter, their hormones rage out of control during the process.
Some girls never feel cherished by their father, so they seek elsewhere for male approval. They never felt cherished at home, so they look for someone to validate and approve of them. They want to be cherished.
Sadly, the title of the song: “Looking for Love In All The Wrong Places,” has more truth than fiction.
During Courtship Both Parties Practice Cherishing The Other Person.
- They say sweet things.
- They do sweet things.
- Treat each other with tenderness.
- The boy courts the girl and brings flowers and candy.
- They overlook each other’s imperfections.
My Father-In-Law, the late William R. Starr, gave me some wise insight before I even asked his daughter out on a first date. He said, “Men love with their eyes, but Women love with their ears.”
Dad Starr was telling me in man-talk, that a woman wants to hear that she was cherished! He was a very wise man.
All Husbands And Wives Desire To Be Cherished
Every woman wants to know she’s #1. So does every man. When you hold your wife in your arms and tell 
her that you love her, she wants to feel your words coming from your heart, and not just your mouth.
If you are a wise man, you will NEVER stop courting your wife and affirming your love for her and expressing it often. The words, “I love you!” have a very short shelf life. You need to say it everyday.
Flowers, cards, candy, dates and accomplishing ‘honey-do-lists’ with a smile, sure helps keep life wonderful at home.
Every Prospective Groom Says, “Will You Marry Me?”… Hoping he will be cherished and loved.
Every Prospective Bride Says, “Yes”… Hoping she will be cherished and loved.
To The Wife:
Don’t settle for less than being cherished. Likewise, cherish him. It’s a two-way street.
To The Husband:
Sir, you are to love your wife As Christ loved the church and gave Himself for it. You won’t easily give your life for someone you don’t cherish. The Lord meant for the husband to cherish his wife with his very own life. It’s really not hard.
Jacob Cherished Rachel.
He worked seven years to get her as his wife, and was given the wrong one. The Bible just says: “It seemed but a few days, for the love he had for her.”
David Never Cherished Michal
He always referred her to as “Saul’s Daughter.” He never said that he loved her. He never referred to her as his wife. That may be a reason why she acted out so badly.
Proverbs 31 Wife
Proverbs 31:28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
“He Praiseth Her”: The word praiseth here is – Halal
HALAL – haw-lal’;
- To shine; hence
- To make a show, (let every one know)
- To be (clamorously) foolish; (enjoy with enthusiasm)
- To rave; (to go on and on with excited appreciation)
- To boast, (brag in public)
- To celebrate, (honor every achievement)
- To foolishly glory, (go overboard in expressing praise)
- To sing, (to express your emotion as deeply as possible, sing His praises.)
- To praise, (to say every nice thing you can)
- To rage, (to be wild about)
When joined with abbreviated form of God’s name “Yahweh” = Hallelujah. That’s where the word Hallelujah comes from. (Saying Hallelujah like saying 10,000 praises to Jehovah)
When a man goes to this extent, of ‘Halal-ing” his wife, she will feel cherished and will perform unbelievable things for her home and family because she knows she has the backing of the man she loves.
In like manner, when the same man goes to this extent to Halal The Lord Jesus… there is no telling what the Lord will do for him.
Not Everyone Has Been Cherished In Life, But There Is Great News!
God Cherishes His People.
They Are The Apple of His Eye
Zech. 2:8 For thus saith the LORD of hosts… he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.
- (Warning: Don’t mess with any one the Lord cherishes!)
God Protected Israel In Goshen
- Egyptian Dogs wouldn’t bark against the Israelites.
- No Plagues came nigh them.
God Protected Israel In The Wilderness
- Provided in wilderness.
- No sickness.
- No one’s clothes wore out.
God’s Desire To Be Cherished By Man
Yes, you say you love the Lord, but do you cherish him? Jesus wants to know for sure that you cherish Him before He can use you.
Jesus to Peter
John 21:15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.
John 21:16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
John 21:17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
David
Psalm 137:5 If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning.
Psalm 137:6 If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy.
He was saying he loved God’s house more than anything in the world. David also said, “Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against thee.”
He cherished the things of God! God said that David was a man after His own heart. Was David perfect? Oh no. He was a long ways away from perfect. But the way he cherished everything about God, made God smile upon him.
The Jealousy of God – Is Another Way Of Saying He Just Wants To Be Cherished.
2 Timothy 3:4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
Exodus 20:3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
God Desires Man To Cherish Him
Matthew 15:8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
The Lord knows the difference between lip service and heartfelt expressions of love.
- Men that cherish God – Worship
- Men that cherish God – Come to His House
My Visit To See Marcia In 1965
Before our engagement, in the early stages of our courtship, I once closed a revival service on Sunday night in Fort Worth, TX and drove 24 hours straight through to Albion, MI… just to see a little Miss Marcia June Starr for one hour. I arrived after 10:30pm, left before midnight and drove two hours back to my home in South Bend, IN. It’s never a sacrifice to see the one you love.
You’re Not Faithful To God’s House?
Don’t tell me you cherish God and you can’t make it to church. You don’t cherish Him if you layout of church! It’s never a sacrifice to see the one you love.
Like David, we should all say, “I was glad when they said unto me let us go unto the house of the Lord.”
Jacob Cherished The Birth Right
Jacob had major character flaws I’m sure. But he cherished the same Birthright that Esau despised, so God chose to love Jacob and discard Esau.
God cherished Jacob and said, ‘Jacob Have I loved, and Esau have I hated.’
Make God love you too by cherishing those things, which are Godly and eternal.
Don’t Tell Me You Cherish The Lord Jesus…
- If You Don’t Pay Tithes.
- If You Hate Holiness.
- If You Aren’t Faithful To His House.
- If You Don’t Pray.
- If You Don’t Worship.
- If You Bring Disunity To His Church.
- If You Rebel Against His Word.
- Sing Like You Cherish Him.
- Pray Like You Cherish Him.
- Talk Like You Cherish Him.
- Dress Like You Cherish Him.
God is Jealous Of What You Cherish.
Amp Bible 1 John 2:15 Do not love or cherish the world or the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in him.
You Don’t Cherish The Lord If…
- If Someone Has To Beg You To Come To Church
- If Someone Has To Beg You To Worship
- If Someone Has To Beg You To Pray
Think about the words the next time you sing: “So, I’ll Cherish The Old Rugged Cross”
The Old Rugged Cross
George Bennard 1913
On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
The emblem of suff’ring and shame;
And I love that old cross where the dearest and best
For a world of lost sinners was slain.
Refrain:
So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it some day for a crown.
Oh, that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
Has a wondrous attraction for me;
For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above
To bear it to dark Calvary.
In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,
A wondrous beauty I see,
For ’twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
To pardon and sanctify me.
To the old rugged cross I will ever be true;
Its shame and reproach gladly bear;
Then He’ll call me some day to my home far away,
Where His glory forever I’ll share.
The Lord Cherished Us Even In Our Sins.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
We love Him because He first loved us!
Here’s Your Homework For Today:
Tell Jesus that you love Him! Tell Him from your heart that you love Him. Yes, this very moment… say, “Jesus, I love you with all my heart!” Put your heart into it. He can tell.
Next, go tell your spouse and your family that you love them. Put your heart into it. They can tell.
You Say That You Want to Go To Heaven? I’m Really Not Convinced.
You Say That You Want to Go To Heaven? I’m Really Not Convinced.
You say to me that you are an Apostolic Pentecostal. To me, that means you have repented of your sins and have been baptized by immersion in Jesus Name, and have received the Gift of the Holy Ghost evidenced by speaking in tongues. If this is true, surely Heaven must be on your mind!
So then, if that is who you are, then we need to talk a bit. The reasons I want to talk to you are because of what I have been hearing and seeing lately.
You’ve Been Missing Church.
First of all, I hear that you’ve not been very faithful to your regular church services. How come? What’s the matter? Why is it easy for you to miss church? Why do you put your soul in jeopardy? You must not be very serious about being saved.
Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
You don’t or won’t come to church faithfully, and you still say you want to go to heaven? I’m really not convinced.
You Love Sports More than You Love God.
They tell me that you miss a lot of church, yet you faithfully go to ball games and sporting events. Now that really bothers me. Why are you so willing to sit in an arena full of sinners and let your heart beat as one with theirs, yet you don’t let your heart, as a saint, beat as one with them for Him in the church? You know better.
You can quote all the stats of the major teams. You know their names, their rankings, their coaches and when they play next. Yet, you struggle to remember and quote scriptures. Doesn’t that tell you where your heart really is? You must not be very serious about being saved.
2 Timothy 3:4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
2 Timothy 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
You are wrapped up in sports more than church, and you still say you want to go to heaven? I’m really not convinced.
You Don’t Have A Teachable Spirit.
I see that you question every standard in the church and argue almost every point of doctrine. It’s like you want to change the whole church to suit you.
Some around you get the opinion that you think you know more than your teachers. That you are right and everyone else is wrong. You don’t seem to be teachable. You must not be very serious about being saved.
James 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
You are don’t want anyone to teach you because you know it all, and you still say you want to go to heaven? I’m really not convinced.
You Don’t Pay Your Tithes.
You complain that you can’t afford to pay tithes. That makes me really disappointed in you. The bottom line is that you cannot afford not to pay tithes.
Your argument doesn’t hold much water though when everyone sees that you continue to spend your money on pleasures and life comforts. Don’t you know it’s dangerous to rob God? You know better than to walk around with God’s money in your pocket. You must not be very serious about being saved.
Malachi 3:8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.
Malachi 3:9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.
You don’t or won’t pay tithes faithfully, and you still say you want to go to heaven? I’m really not convinced.
You Prayer Life Is Dead.
How come I haven’t been seeing you in the prayer room very much before church? Your soul needs God’s touch every day. You must not be very serious about being saved.
Matthew 15:8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
You don’t or won’t even visit the prayer room, and you still say you want to go to heaven? I’m really not convinced.
You Don’t Worship Anymore.
Your responses in the services to worship and preaching lately have not been good at all. That is a sign that you are spiritually sick.
Worship is everyone’s business. Especially yours. It is a requirement, you know. Don’t tell me that it is not your nature to be demonstrative. When you were born again, you were given a new nature, use it.
Besides, you show plenty of emotion playing a ball game, catching a big fish, and even celebrating a birthday party. Yet, you sit mummified at church. What’s the deal? You must not be very serious about being saved.
Psalm 150:6 Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.
You don’t or won’t worship, and you still say you want to go to heaven? I’m really not convinced.
You’ve Been Dressing Just Like The World.
Whatever the fad or fashion of the world is, you are so quick to follow. No one can see much difference between you or them.
Your willingness to sacrifice your modesty for fashion is sad. It seems that you desire to look more like movie stars than to be God’s light in this dark world. You have shown no visible testimony. We were counting on you.
On Facebook and other social media you post pictures of yourself and your family that should have embarrassed you as a Pentecostal. But it didn’t. It embarrasses the rest of us though. You seem to have lost your shame. You know better.
Holiness is not only on the inside. What is in the heart soon shows on the outside. And, what’s in your heart is definitely showing. Evidently, your love for style and fashion of this world has made you ignore Scripture about modest apparel. You must not be very serious about being saved.
1 John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
When women cut their hair, put on make up, jewelry or wear pants, mini-skirts and shorts, and still say that want to go to heaven? I’m not convinced.
When men grow their hair long, wear shorts and tank tops, drink alcohol and get tattoos, and still say that want to go to heaven. I’m not convinced.
You Are Dating A Sinner.
Why would you be so foolish as to play the same game Samson did? He lost and you will too. The very fact that you are attracted to ungodly thinking people doesn’t say much in your favor. Why are you willing to risk everything? You must not be very serious about being saved.
2 Corinthians 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
You love the people who love what God hates, and you still say you want to go to heaven? I’m not convinced.
You Are Looking At Someone Else, And You’re Already Married.
How can you even think God is ok with your conduct? You must not be very serious about being saved.
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.
You have exhibited the spirit of adultery, and you still say you want to go to heaven? I’m not convinced.
You Let You Job Keep You Out Of Church.
You and I both know how the devil works. Why do you ignore that? No job is worth putting your soul in jeopardy over. If you really wanted to be in church you would find a way, even if it means changing jobs.
Don’t let your ‘need’ for money drive you away from God or His house. You must not be very serious about being saved.
Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
You are spending your life chasing the dollar, and you still say you want to go to heaven? I’m not convinced.
You Have Become Hateful.
Your mean spirit has caused you to spread hurtful rumors about others. You seem to be filled with bitterness and refuse to let it all go or put it under the blood. Why do you seem to delight holding grudges?
You have caused discord and division in the house of God. God’s Kingdom only thrives on unity and you are destroying that. You are hindering revival. God is not happy. You must not be very serious about being saved.
Proverbs 6:16 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
Proverbs 6:17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
Proverbs 6:18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
Proverbs 6:19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.
You cause division and discord in the house of God, and you still say you want to go to heaven? I’m really not convinced.
You Are Rebellious, And No Different To God Than A Witch Doctor.
So you don’t want anyone telling you what to do or how to live? You would readily believe what you want, and would change churches rather than submit and obey. You must not be very serious about being saved.
1 Samuel 15:23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.
You have lived in rebellion against the man of God for years, and you still say you want to go to heaven? I’m really not convinced.
You Are In Love With Hollywood.
All you seem to talk about is your favorite movie or what you watched last night. Movie Night must be the in-thing now for you right now.
You know all the actors in each sitcom. And, you don’t seem to be too careful about telling it either. Your love for entertainment is so strong. I don’t see you easily turning around very easily.
Would you be comfortable sitting there watching your movie with Jesus sitting beside you? I don’t think so. You must not be very serious about being saved.
1 John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
1 John 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
You love Hollywood more than God it seems, and you still say you want to go to heaven? I’m really not convinced.
You Don’t Even Respond To Altar Calls.
When God gives you a chance to recover yourself and to be restored, you make no move.
The altar is not only where you got saved, it’s where you stay saved. You and I both know that a good old-fashioned praying through would solve all of your spiritual and emotional problems. Why then do you wait?
Your refusal or reluctance to consecrate and pray through is a sign that you are not thinking about heaven. You’ve been avoiding the altar. You must not be very serious about being saved.
Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
You don’t or won’t pray through, and you still say you want to go to heaven? I’m really not convinced.
You Say, “God Already Knows My Heart, Why Do I Have To Convince A Preacher?
Don’t even go there. To even ask that, you must not be very serious about being saved.
If your pastor makes it to heaven, he must to give an account of you before the Lord. God will ask him about you. You really do need a pastor to be saved. You cannot make it on your own.
Hebrews 13:17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
You Must Change.
If you want to go to heaven, it is time right now to start doing something about it. You know what to do. Give God a life that He can bless. He wants to bless you, so give Him the chance.
It is not too late to turn around. Be a light in this dark world. Let your light shine unto them. Be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Live for God with all your heart.
Don’t even think about compromising anymore. Don’t keep cutting corners with God. Get in church like never before.
But, don’t try to get back where you used to be or you’ll wind up again where you are right now. Get more than you’ve ever had. Really pray through this time. Be filled with the Spirit.
If you will pray through and change, and say you want to go to heaven, I’ll really be convinced.
Inside Mercy’s House
It’s Here!
Download Your Free E-Book Now
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A Short Story for Young People
By
Martyn Ballestero Sr.
Edited By
Nila Marxer
© 2014 Martyn Ballestero Sr.
All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or part without the express written permission. Contact martyn238@aol.com
Dedication
I dedicate this story to my precious Grandchildren.
They all make me proud!
Kalyx Ballestero, Carlton Ballestero, Braden Ballestero,
Huntley Ballestero, Christyana Ballestero, Christian Ballestero, Caison Ballestero, Gentson Ballestero
Jeron Ballestero, Chloe Ballestero, Zion Ballestero
Garrison Hartzell, Cadence Hartzell, & Ainsley Hartzell
The First Paragraph:
“Shame stood there quietly in woods while the afternoon sun lazily highlighted his disheveled hair. His head hung down from sheer exhaustion. He didn’t feel like he could run another step. The birds had stopped singing momentarily to watch this unwelcome intruder as he looked for a place to sit down out of view of the path.”
≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈
This free e-book is available in three formats. Click on the picture or the link to access and download the book from Dropbox. No registration or account is needed. Here’s the Dropbox link:
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If you read books on a Kindle, select the Mobi file or PDF
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If you are having trouble, maybe these “how-to” links will help:
http://osxdaily.com/2012/03/25/transfer-mobi-epub-ebook-files-to-ipad/
http://askleo.com/how_do_i_download_and_read_a_pdf_ebook/
http://www.ehow.com/how_8230718_open-ebook-email-iphone.html
(If you need help or the link does not work, let me know. Blessings to all. – MJB)
Why The Ambulance Driver Wears A Bullet Proof Vest
“Help, I Need Medic!”
The wounded soldier’s weak cries for help were barely heard above the sounds of automatic gunfire. Yet, the Medic without much fear for his own safety bravely ran toward the wound soldier and knelt to help him. That’s when he too was shot by sniper fire.
- Yes, he knew the Geneva Convention said that it was wrong and illegal.
- Yes, he knew that the unwritten law of ethics between most nations forbade soldiers from knowingly firing upon a medic treating a wounded comrade.
- He hadn’t tried to convert to his patient’s religion.
- But he had still been shot anyway while he was trying to save a life.
An Ambulance Driver Puts On A Bulletproof Vest.
He asked himself, “What kind of person would say, I am willing to try to help any one even if it means getting shot?” Then dons his bulletproof vest and climbs into the vehicle.
Just because he walked into the room of a sick or injured person did not mean he wanted to join their political party, believe their ideas about the Bible, or agree with anything they think or do.
Just because he bound up a bullet hole in the victim’s chest and attempted to save a life doesn’t mean he wants to be a member of their gender or ethnicity. He was only there to keep them breathing. But that doesn’t stop the bullets from flying at him from gang members or killers.
- He’s unarmed.
- He is not hostile, nor a fighter. He’s in the lifesaving business.
- He knows it’s a crime to shoot him, but he gets shot at anyway.
Most large metro areas, and some not so large, hear shocking reports of an ambulance being fired upon. Why?
- The shooters want the victim to die?
- They enjoy killing a uniform?
I don’t have any answers. But I can remember when no ambulance driver or attendant felt the need to wear a bulletproof vest. Our society is truly sick when we kill those trying to help others. Is this a blood thirsty generation? You be the judge.
Today, Carrying A Bible To Help A Brother Who Thinks Different, May Get Someone Shot Too.
No, he doesn’t agree with the man that he is trying to reason with and restore. He’s there to influence for righteousness sake. Yet, sniper fire is meant to kill the do-gooder.
- He went remembering, “If a brother be overtaken in a fault…” but that didn’t stop the bullets.
- He went remember Priscilla and Aquila’s success in reasoning with Apollos, but it wasn’t the same for him.
- He didn’t have any success with his influence and got shot by snipers in the process.
Whether the story is about the battlefield of war, the sick and dying in our metro areas, or a brother in Christ going astray, the end result is apparently the same. The one trying to help is treated as the enemy.
We are all grateful that in the story of the Good Samaritan, all were safe and the restoration a success. The Samaritan wasn’t beaten for his involvement, but rather honored. Evidently, that was back then, this is now.
God Gave Us The Ministry Of Reconciliation
2 Corinthians 5:18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
Galatians 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
It is still the will of God for His children to help each other!
Now, For The Bottom Line:
What If I Get Shot At From Both Sides?
- Don’t shoot back
- Help try to help anyway.
- Some may refuse to be helped.
- If the one you try to help rejects your efforts, remember:
Titus 3:10 A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;
What About The Snipers?
- They are not your problem.
- They’re God’s problem
- “His bookkeepers don’t make any mistakes!” – Carl Ballestero
Be Fervent, But Don’t Be A Pharisee.
Be Fervent, But Don’t Be A Pharisee
“The Pharisees were the most numerous and influential of the religious sects of Jesus’ day. The were strict legalists. They stood for the rigid observance of the letter and forms of the Law, and also for the Traditions.
There were some good men among them, no doubt, but for the most part they were known for their covetousness, self-righteousness and hypocrisy.” –Bible-History.com
The Pharisee
“There was probably no town or village inhabited by Jews which had not its Pharisees, although they would, of course, gather in preference about Jerusalem with its Temple, and what, perhaps would have been even dearer to the heart of a genuine Pharisee–its four hundred and eighty synagogues, its Sanhedrims (great and small), and its schools of study. There could be no difficulty in recognising such an one. Walking behind him, the chances were, he would soon halt to say his prescribed prayers. If the fixed time for them had come, he would stop short in the middle of the road, perhaps say one section of them, move on, again say another part, and so on, till, whatever else might be doubted, there could be no question of the conspicuousness of his devotions in market-place or corners of streets. There he would stand, as taught by the traditional law, would draw his feet well together, compose his body and clothes, and bend so low “that every vertebra in his back would stand out separate,” or, at least, till “the skin over his heart would fall into folds” (Ber. 28 b). The workman would drop his tools, the burden-bearer his load; if a man had already one foot in the stirrup, he would withdraw it. The hour had come, and nothing could be suffered to interrupt or disturb him. The very salutation of a king, it was said, must remain unreturned; nay, the twisting of a serpent around one’s heel must remain unheeded.” – Alfred Edersheim
The Lord Is Not Impressed With The Pharisee’s Self Righteous Attitude
Pharisee And Publican Praying
Pharisees As Portrayed By Matthew’s Gospel
Pharisees Are Called Snakes By John The Baptist
Matthew 3:7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
Pharisee Righteousness Is Insufficient
Matthew 5:20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Pharisees Are Murderous
Matthew 12:14 Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him.
Pharisees Are Placed In The “Evil And Adulterous Generation” Category
Matthew 12:38 Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee.
Matthew 12:39 But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:
Pharisees Are Offended Easily
Matthew 15:12 Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying?
Pharisees Are Not Sanctioned By God
Matthew 15:13 But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.
Pharisees Are Off Limits To Believers
Matthew 16:6 Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.
Pharisees Love To Argue
Matthew 19:3 The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?
Pharisees Are Politically Motivated And Violent
Matthew 21:45 And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them.
Matthew 21:46 But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude, because they took him for a prophet.
Pharisees Love To Find Fault And Twist Your Words
Matthew 22:15 Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk.
Pharisees Put Themselves On The Same Level With Moses
Matthew 23:2 Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat:
Pharisees Don’t Live What They Preach
Matthew 23:3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.
Pharisees Make Living For God Hard And Grievous
Matthew 23:4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.
Pharisees Have Much Pride
Matthew 23:5 But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,
Pharisees Love To Be Honored
Matthew 23:6 And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,
Pharisees Seek Recognition Of Men
Matthew 23:7 And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.
Matthew 23:8 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.
Matthew 23:9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.
Matthew 23:10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.
Matthew 23:11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.
The Seven WOES Of The Pharisees In Matthew 23
Pharisees Are Hypocrites. They Talk About God, But Do Not Love God And Keep Others From Being Saved
Matthew 23:13 But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.
Pharisees Are They Are Heartless And Money Hungry, While Acting Spiritual. They Will Be Punished In The Judgment
Matthew 23:14 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.
Pharisees Destroy Their Own Converts
Matthew 23:15 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.
Pharisees Taught The Law But Didn’t Practice The Law
Matthew 23:23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
Pharisees Major On Minors, And Are Spiritually Blind
Matthew 23:24 Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.
Pharisees Wear A Mask Of Holiness But Are Full Of Filthiness
Matthew 23:25 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.
Matthew 23:26 Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.
Matthew 23:27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness.
Matthew 23:28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.
Pharisees Give False Honor And Come From A Long Line of Preacher Killers
Matthew 23:29 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous,
Matthew 23:30 And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.
Matthew 23:31 Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets.
Pharisees As Portrayed In Acts
Pharisees… Can They Be Saved? Absolutely, But It Might Take A Miracle!
Acts 9:1 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,
Acts 9:2 And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.
Acts 9:3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:
Acts 9:4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
Acts 9:5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
Acts 9:6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.
(Paul Seems To Be The Only Recorded Converted Pharisee.)
Be Fervent But Please Don’t Be A Pharisee.
Pharisees Are Not Helping God’s Work As Much As They Think They Are.
Twenty Feet From Stardom
Twenty Feet From Stardom
The news on the web reported this year about a documentary showcasing the mostly unknown background vocalists of famous singers which I have never seen, but am very impressed with the title.
- They all stood there and heard the words, “And the Oscar goes to…”
- They were the ones who made the lead vocalist more famous.
- They were the ones who created the harmony the leader basked in.
- They made the song sound better.
- Very few even know their name.
- They never got the limelight.
- They are not the ones looked at, the lead singer is.
Whether the lead singer was Ray Charles, or Elvis Presley, not many can tell you the names of their background vocalists. They stood just 20 feet from stardom and never got any for themselves.
Many if not most, lived the rest of their natural lives without receiving much recognition for their efforts.
- Could you live like that?
- Would you be content to let others always benefit from your efforts?
- Could you be content to stand 20 feet from stardom and never grasp it?
In The Church
God has blessed His work by giving us pastors according to His heart. He also placed into the church those who would stand just 20 feet away from the pastor and never receive much in the way of recognition.
The Bible called these people: ‘Helps.’
1 Corinthians 12:28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
- They were not called to be the first man.
- Maybe they are a great Assistant Pastor.
- Maybe they don’t even have a title.
- Yet they stand twenty feet from ‘stardom’ and their contributions seldom receive honor.
- God planted them as helps in their church for a purpose.
- But some were too proud to stay in that position.
- They wanted recognition too.
- They got impatient, disruptive and messed up their lives and the church too.
On The Negative Side
Judas Stood Twenty Feet From Stardom
Absalom Stood Twenty Feet From Stardom
Lucifer Stood Twenty Feet From Stardom
Demas Stood Twenty Feet From Stardom
On The Positive Side:
Peter, James And John Stood Twenty Feet From Stardom.
Elisha Stood Twenty Feet From Stardom
Calkers
Ezekiel 27:27 Thy riches, and thy fairs, thy merchandise, thy mariners, and thy pilots, thy calkers, and the occupiers of thy merchandise, and all thy men of war, that are in thee, and in all thy company which is in the midst of thee, shall fall into the midst of the seas in the day of thy ruin.
- Calkers weren’t mariners.
- Calkers couldn’t read a sextant.
- Calkers weren’t allowed to pilot a ship.
- Calkers weren’t men of war.
- Calkers weren’t merchandisers.
All They Did All Day Was Work Below Deck
- They never got to feel the breeze.
- They seldom saw the sunshine.
- They lived in the heat.
- They were used to the foul odors below deck
- They worked below the water line.
- They had sticky hands covered in the pitch and tar they dipped the hemp in to plug leaks.
- They were responsible for keeping the boat afloat.
- The ship wouldn’t make it without them.
- Yet no one praised them nor is there a mention of their name.
- They did their dirty jobs without glory or fame.
- They never got to hobnob with .the big shots
The Caption Got The Glory.
- They plugged the leaks.
- There may not even be a ship afloat if it wasn’t for their efforts.
- The labored their lifetime 20 feet from stardom.
It is dangerous if the Kingdom of God to seek our own glory. God delights in those who choose the role of servant hood. Those who are willing to labor 20 feet from stardom and still smile. Labor and let God receive the glory. Labor and let another receive the attention.
Remember This:
If God has chosen to place you in any capacity in His Church…
- Be humble and be grateful.
- Seek not your own glory.
- Decrease so that He may increase.
- Never overstep your authority or boundaries.
- Be content with your placement in His service.
- Support your Pastor and those in the limelight, and God will always bless you for your faithfulness.
- Elisha was first known as the man who poured water on the prophets hands.
It Is The Calkers That Keep The Boat Afloat…
And They Work Just 20 Feet From Stardom!
Your Uncelebrated Service Helps Keep This Old Ship Of Zion Afloat.
Thank You!
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 