Archive for the ‘Holiness’ Category
“It’s A Sin For Preachers To Wear Colored Shirts,” He said.
“It’s A Sin For Preachers To Wear Colored Shirts,” He said.
“A preacher should never wear colored shirts to church, much less preach in them. Apostolic preachers should only minister while wearing a white shirt and preferably, a dark suit.” That’s what the consensus was at the closed session Ministers Meeting.
Rev. Carl Ballestero
The occasion was a Morning Ministers Question And Answer Session at the Anniversary Services of Christian Tabernacle in Indianapolis, Indiana. Bro. Paul Jordan was the pastor. My Father, Carl Ballestero, was the moderator for the discussion that day.
The questions for ‘debate’ were written on pieces of paper and placed on the pulpit. Opinions were strong and unrestrained.
The last question of the day was: “What about these young preachers wearing these colored shirts?” My father read the question to the audience and waited for their response. Ninety-nine percent seemed opposed to the idea of young preachers wearing colored shirts. It was a disgrace they all said.
One must remember that this was basically a meeting of ministers within the Apostolic Ministers Fellowship. However, several men from the United Pentecostal Church were also present.
I was 32 years old and pastored in South Bend, Indiana at the time. What brought the discussion a little closer to home, was that I was sitting on the front row, wearing a gray suit, a light blue shirt and a tie with both colors. My Father had given me the blue Arrow Dectolene shirt just the week before.
I sat beside Bro. Jack Langham mainly because he also was wearing a gray suit with a blue shirt just like mine. Bro. Langham and myself were the only two men wearing a colored shirt at the meeting. All eyes kept glancing in our direction.
After many minutes of comments explaining how unprofessional, how ‘Charismatic’, how disrespectful to God, and how horrible it was that preachers were leading the youth astray by wear such attire, I stood up.
I turned around, pulled my coat jacket back where my blue shirt could be seen as I stuck my hands in my pockets and smiled. I began, “The question is, and I quote: “What about these young preachers wearing these colored shirts?”
I pointed at Bro. Langham, a former missionary, just 3 feet away from me, and said with a giant grin on my face, “My question is, what about these old preachers wearing these colored shirts?”
A few chuckles relaxed some of the fervor and tenseness in the room. No one else had anything to say.
After an awkward silence, my Father finally said, “Gentlemen, thank you for your participation in the discussion today. Your opinion is appreciated and your carefulness is to be commended. I would like to remind all of you however, that when the Priest ministered in the Tabernacle, he was to wear blue, purple, scarlet and white linen breeches (britches). Actually, I fear that we got the tradition of wearing black and white to preach in, from the Catholic Church.”
(“After that, no man durst asked him any more questions.”)
The meeting adjourned.
“You Can’t Live In the Past!”
“You Can’t Live In the Past!”
Sis. Connie, Bro. Carl Ballestero 1955
That’s what she said. She said that the church’s holiness standards and dress codes weren’t relevant today. “This is a different day.” She wanted me to know that Pentecost had moved to another level. “This is not your Father’s Pentecost! My generation is progressive!”
I said, “My generation felt it was in a new day when we invented the computer, the microwave, and the stereo. We felt it was a new day when we first orbited the earth, and when we walked on the moon. Each generation, quite possibly, has been able to make some boasts as to its uniqueness and advancements.
So?
Did Cain and Abel say to Adam, “Pops, this is a new day!” (Actually it was!) My point is, that argument is nothing new.
However, it is becoming more common for me to hear the statement, “You can’t live in the past.”
Concerning holiness and standards, I am encouraged to be more progressive and be relevant to this generation. I am confronted by those who laugh at holiness minded people, and make fun of their style of dress and modesty. They explore every taboo of previous generations and dare anyone to tell them ‘no’.
That statement about not living in the past may be true about many things. It has been said to people recovering from broken relationships, and to those that are tightly held in the grasp of grief, for example. There may be times when we may offer that advice, but NEVER for Salvation, and NEVER for Holiness and Separation from the World.
I HAVE PROOF:
1. PAUL orders his son in the Gospel, Timothy, to teach his generation what has been taught to him. He is commissioned to impart to them all of the ‘Past’ that he can. That seemed to be Paul’s heartbeat. There was a reason, a good reason.
- 2Tim. 2:2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
2. PAUL compares Timothy’s spirit and love for the faith, to his Mother’s and Grandmother’s love for the faith.
- 2Tim. 1:5 When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.
3. JOB made the statement, “We are but of yesterday.” We are what we are today because of yesterday.
If we can’t live in the past, then we need to quit singing songs about the past; songs like: “This Is My Christian Heritage.” Why sing about the past and then reject it? Holiness rejecters, are rejecters of all of God’s yesterdays.
When the same crowd hears about the ‘sure mercies of David” however, they chose to claim that part of the past. They want God to be the same, yesterday, today and forever, but we have those among us that reject the Apostolic church of the past. They don’t want the church to be the same yesterday, today and forever.
Holiness Is Not Yesterdays News!
- 1Pet. 1:16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
It’s Present tense. ‘Be’ ye holy. Present tense means it’s relevant.
- 2Tim. 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
“Is profitable”. That’s relevant! Doctrine is not to be kept in the past. It IS profitable. The preaching and teaching of Doctrine, is meant for every age of the church.
4. JEHOSHAPHAT – Walked in the ways of his Great, Great, Great, Great Grandfather David. God used David, the Ruler of Yesterday, to measure the Ruler of Today.
- 2Chr. 17:3 And the LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and sought not unto Baalim;
Jehoshaphat was the 6th king of the Davidic line (he was preceded by David, Solomon, Rehoboam, Abijah, and Asa.)
In God’s mind, David, six generations prior, was the standard to measure all the following generations.
GOD STILL USES YESTERDAY, TO MEASURE US TODAY.
What would make some say, concerning holiness standards, that we can’t live in the past? There’s a reason they talk that way. Evidently, old-time Pentecost conflicts with their love for the world. The Holiness of the past is supposed to make them feel uncomfortable in their shorts, short skirts, tight apparel, jewelry, cut hair and makeup. It is supposed to make Hollywood feel uncomfortable on their conscience. They do not wish to be convicted, so they reject the past on a wholesale basis.
I fear they are no longer Apostolic, but apostate, and don’t even know it. I pray they haven’t been turned over to the spirit of delusion.
The book of Judges mentions, that in those days, every man did that which was right in his own eyes. I am now seeing a repeat of those times.
Speaking of ‘Apostolic,’ did some get ashamed of the word and take it down from their church sign so they could be more relevant? (Just asking!)
I worry that some have fallen into the Colossians’ trap.
- 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.
- Col. 2:9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
5. ESAU.
Remember him? God hated him and wouldn’t even let him repent. You know why? Because he refused to honor what was of yesterday. The Birthright was the blessing of yesterday, but it was also to extend into all of Esau’ families in their ‘tomorrows’. It was to be the blessing he could pass down to his son. But no, he sacrificed the eternal on the altar of the immediate. God hated him for that.
God called him a fornicator. Not because he was morally impure, but because his heart wasn’t faithful to God.
He was called profane. That word in Hebrews, meant: ‘to treat with common place’, or like it was nothing special. The birthright didn’t mean anything special to Esau. He was only interested in the ‘right now’ of his life. He ignored the meaning of ‘the past’.
6. ISRAEL. – Built altars and memorials so that generations to come would know the history and importance of the moment. God wanted future generations to stay connected with their past.
- Josh. 4:5 And Joshua said unto them, Pass over before the ark of the LORD your God into the midst of Jordan, and take ye up every man of you a stone upon his shoulder, according unto the number of the tribes of the children of Israel:
- Josh. 4:6 That this may be a sign among you, that when your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean ye by these stones?
- Josh. 4:7 Then ye shall answer them, That the waters of Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it passed over Jordan, the waters of Jordan were cut off: and these stones shall be for a memorial unto the children of Israel for ever.
7. JEREMIAH. When he was fourteen years of age, he stood before the King of Israel and prophesied. This young teenager did NOT say to the King. ‘Your majesty, this is a new day, and we can’t live in the past.”
This young teen bold announced his love for the past when he said, “
- Jer. 6:16 Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.
The 21st century is not a new day in that respect; they rejected the past back in Jeremiah’s day too. And he was a young person pleading for his nations return to the principles of the old paths.)
This may be a new day for technology, science, medicine, and people comforts, but it’s NOT a new day for truth rejecting.
If they are rejecting the holiness, the modesty, and the separated life style of the our Pentecostal forefathers, then they are not a friend of God. They are not even a God chaser.
They may vote out all the rules and standards out of their local church or organization if they want, but that doesn’t change the Book. The Apostolic Church will never have a future if it lets go of it’s past.
Today, I humbly echo Jeremiah’s advice. Ask for the Old Paths, that’s the good way. Ask for Yesterday. Walk in Yesterday. You will find rest there for your soul.
Your soul will never find rest or be at peace if you reject the old paths. If you want a future you must hold on to the past.
The World’s Greatest Spousal Insurance Policy!
The World’s Greatest Spousal Insurance Policy!
Today Marcia, my beautiful wife of 45 years, and I were riding down the Turnpike in Tulsa listening to XM Radio’s Enlighten on Channel 34. It’s a Southern Gospel Station. Presently a familiar sounding group came on and I read their name on the player. It confirmed what my ears were hearing.
My mind went back many years. I thought of the times I had been in church services with these people, but those days are now forever gone. They are just distant memories.
They once were Jesus Name, Apostolic. I knew them when the ladies in the group had long uncut hair. They wore no makeup or jewelry back then. The men had good haircuts and no facial hair. Somehow, things changed for them. They left the Oneness people seeking more popularity and acceptance from the Trinitarians. They compromised their beliefs about salvation’s requirements and the God-head in the process.
Along the way, they all met with divorce. Their divorces didn’t draw them back to God or to a place of rededication, but their new spouses helped push them even further away from the old landmarks and from truth.
Thinking on these things, my mind reflected on the history of the city of Bethel in the Bible. It was made famous by Jacob, his dream and his covenant with God. At that time, Bethel was only a flat rock that Jacob used for a pillow that night.
The next time we read about Bethel, it is a place filled with people who did not stay loyal to God. Idols were now very common in Bethel. It even became a headquarters for idolatrous calf worship. In Bethel, of all places!
The prophet Amos said that Bethel would “come to naught.” Amos 5:5. Jeremiah hung his head and said that Israel “was ashamed of Bethel.” Jer. 48:13.
Later, Hosea called Beth-el, (which means the house of God) ‘Beth-aven’ which means a house of adultery.
Thinking on that sad progression from the House of God, to House of Idolatry, and then to House of Adultery, I became deeply bothered in my spirit.
In prayer some years ago, I asked the Lord, “How did Bethel go from idolatry to adultery?”
It was like the Lord dropped this thought into my spirit… “The progression was easy. They’re both fathered by the same spirit, the spirit of unfaithfulness.”
If that’s true, then the greatest insurance policy any of us can give our spouse is to be faithful to God. Because, if we are faithful to God, then we will also be faithful to our spouse! It’s that simple. Are you FAITHFUL to God?
We Sold Our Name And Our Recipe
We Sold Our Name And Our Recipe
My beautiful wife, Marcia and I sat in a famous 100-year-old restaurant tonight. This local icon in Marshall, Michigan is where I officially proposed to my beloved 45 years ago. Once again we looked around the room hoping to walk down ‘sentimental lane’. Everything pretty much looked the same. That brought a sigh of relief to our memories. We smiled as we gazed at the table where we had sat that night in 1965.
I might add that the Win Schuler’s Restaurant we were at received the Gold Plate Award in 1971 from the International Foodservice Manufacturers Association, the greatest distinction the industry has to offer.
In 1960 the old English inn’s owner was inducted into the American Restaurant Hall of Fame.
Their cheese and hard crackers are served at every table before the drink order is taken. Marcia and I munched and made small talk while we glanced at the menu.
The table beside us held two retired couples. They were complaining among themselves that the cheese spread didn’t taste the same as it did when they had come there years ago.
“That’s true,” the teenage waiter said. “It’s a different recipe.”
“A different recipe?” the old man repeated in disbelief. “Why in the world would you change? Your recipe was wonderful. We came just because of that.”
“We had to change,” the waiter continued. “Sold our recipe to Craft Foods. We also sold our name too. We no longer can use the name ‘Win’ Schuler. If you see that name in the store, it belongs to Craft Foods. We made up a new recipe using different ingredients, and now we only use the name Schuler.
“Personally,” he said, “I’ve never tasted the old cheese spread. I’ve only tasted this one and I happen to like it.”
“Well, I’ve tasted the old, and it was better than this the old guy said as he shook his white hair. Hmm, sold your recipe and your name! Why would you sell a recipe that’s worked for a hundred years? God have mercy!”
That happened today.
Let me tell you what else is happening today.
Some preachers, some churches and some fellowships have sold their name and their recipe hoping to get a crowd. All of this is done in the name of ‘Revival.’
They sold their recipe for worship, for holiness, and for doctrine. They’ve also sold their name, Apostolic Pentecostal. The greatest loss was when they sold the Name of Jesus in Baptism.
A generation is living today that never tasted the old time Apostolic recipe. They have only tasted this new one that is not like the original. Old timers can tell you, that it does not taste the same. It’s not.
History repeats itself.
In the book of Ezra, it was the same problem. Solomon’s Temple had been destroyed and a new one was built in its place. The young people had never seen the 1st Temple. They rejoiced.
The Elders had seen the 1st and the 2nd. They wept because it wasn’t the same anymore.
Ezra 3:11 And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the LORD; because he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid.
Ezra 3:12 But many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, who were ancient men, that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy:
Ezra 3:13 So that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people: for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the noise was heard afar off.
Whatever road you may walk down, Gentle Reader, purpose in your heart to never sell your Name or your Recipe.
Ten Traits Of A Successful Saint
Ten Traits Of A Successful Saint
They Have Faith
- They trust God.
- Heb. 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
They Are Obedience
- They don’t argue with the Bible or the Pastor. They willingly submit to His Word.
- Rom. 6:17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
They Live Righteousness
- They live right. They are honorable, pay their bills, and their word are their bond. They give the Church a good name.
- Phil. 1:11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
They Are Humble
- They are not proud or arrogant. Neither do they display attitudes.
- 1Pet. 5:5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
They Love One Another
- They love, forgive, overlook faults, are not harsh or critical. They are kind and helpful.
- 1John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
They Surrounded Themselves With Godly Fellowship
- They are careful about influences in their life. They understand, carnal friends call pull them down and pull them out.
- 2Tim. 2:22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
They Worship:
- They don’t have to be begged to praise the Lord.
- Heb. 2:12 Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.
They Witness
- They never forget who they are and why they are here.
- Matt. 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
They Have Personal Devotions
- They include the Lord in their daily living.
- Acts 3:1 Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.
They Live A Holy Life
- They live like, and even look like someone who has given their life to the Lord.
- Rom. 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
APOSTOLIC TIMES by Howard H. Davis Vol.22 Issue 1
Bishop Howard Davis
It has been a good number of years since I published The Apostolic Times. For approximately 20 years, every month, 3000 copies of the 10 to 20 page tabloid were mailed out to Preachers across the USA, Canada and to Missionaries on the field. I was careful to hold true to Bible Doctrines. When it came to things of Holiness Standards, and my honest heart-felt beliefs, I made it plain. I wasn’t mean spirited in the things I wrote, nor, did I water-down or side step any issue that I felt needed a voice of challenge and response. Sure, I received responses. Some Pro, and some Con, mostly Pro. I can only hope for the same, as I feel led, to once again venture into publishing words of challenge to some of the false doctrines and unholy practices, which are being promoted among us today.
Now, that the dust has settled, the apology made, forgiveness received, and the hurts healed; let’s get back to the battle of the “Culture Changers.”
There are Changes being promoted among UPCI Churches, by young, and some not so young, Preachers. These CHANGERS want to totally change the form and order of Church Services, and are ACCOMPLISHING it in some Churches. I understand they don’t think doing so will do away with Godly, tried and proven Church services. Services which are a breath of Heaven. Services filled with Holy Dignity and Order. Services in which the very presence of the Lord is felt, and the Glory of God comes down with conviction that brings sinners to repentance and Salvation. These CHANGERS seem to be totally unaware that they are catering to rebellious, hippy mind set, drug infested, immoral, street living Worldlings. These Worldlings have been steeped in, and engrossed in the {deafening-hype-noise} music of the World. They don’t need some misguided people trying to save them, by offering the same STUFF, in any kind of a Church Setting.
For the most part, I find that they are men who have inherited a Church from their Father, or, a good Godly Holiness preaching Pastor, that has given his very life to build the Church. These Men have on the most part, inherited good solid Churches. Churches formed and built on solid Bible centered Teaching, and powerful Preaching. That Pastor gave His life fighting devils, false doctrines, and sometimes false brethren, to build the Church. These Changers have never SWEAT-OUT the building of a Church from the ground up. Therefore, they don’t know the worth and preciousness of a real God fearing Holiness Church. A Church that has been taught [hopefully] SEPARATION from the World.
1st 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.” Also, The Holy Ghost said, 11Cor. 6:17, “come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing.” Again, the Spirit of the Lord wrote, Rev. 18:4, “…come out of HER, my people, that ye be not PARTAKERS of HER SINS, and that ye receive not HER plagues.” God in His love, has instructed us, yes, commanded us to COME OUT of THEM. {Q} Who is the THEM? {A} The WORLD, of course. Then He commanded us to COME OUT of HER. {Q} Who is the Her? {A} The last days FALSE CHURCH. The so-called Emerging-Church is right in the middle of the last days False Church. IT IS NOT AN EMERGING CHURCH, they are SUBMERGING. All that go that way are submerging into worldliness and false doctrines. Step {1}, leave Holiness. Step {2}, leave Sound Doctrine. Oh Yes they will! God Himself will see to it. Read II Thess. 2:11-15.
So, our wonderful and lovely Saviour, Jesus Christ, commands us to SEPARATE ourselves from the WORLD and the FALSE CHURCH. He said, don’t love the World, don’t love the Things in the World. Think with me my dear Brethren, if ROCK and HEAVY METAL music {noise} is not a THING of the WORLD, there is no validity to what Jesus commanded us. Also, He commanded us, don’t touch the UNCLEAN THING. If ROCK and HEAVY METAL type music, in an Apostolic Church is not an UNCLEAN THING, there are no unclean things in this world. I believe some of the men who have set out to “change” worship in Apostolic Churches are sincere, but they are so woefully wrong. They don’t know what horrible damage they are doing to their Church, when they infuse this wicked practice into it. Any Church that becomes engrossed, drowned and buried in this practice will find themselves members of the Laodicean False Church, of these LAST DAYS.
If you have the stomach for it, go to Youtube, bring up Apostolic Church Worship, you will be absolutely shocked at what you see being passed off as worship in an Apostolic Church. A pitch black auditorium, loud screaming and yelling, just like a Rock Concert, presumable by Holy Ghost filled young people. Totally ignorant of what they look and sound like. Super loud drums, keyboards, bass, guitars, growing louder and louder, suddenly there is an explosion of blinding and stabbing lights on the performers, lights rolling and oscillating across the ceiling and stage props, all this accompanied by great leaping flames of fire, 3/5/6 feet high on several areas of the stage, guys out on ramps among the kids, swaying and playing guitars. You ask, where did these children learn this stuff? They have been watching it on TV, the Internet, or worse yet, they have been going to Rock Concerts. In light of this, The Beach Boys, and their ilk, will have to hang their heads in shame. Astounding! Disgustingly putrid, to say the least.
Apostolic????????????, Fat Chance.
Unclean, unclean cries the Leper. This practice is to me Spiritual Leprosy. It is the spirit of error and it is, Unclean.
They, the “Changers” have for the most part, paid nothing nor sacrificed their life to bring a Church into being, so, they blindly introduce a Rock Concert with all of its noise and shameful carrying on, and call it Apostolic. Their word is, The Culture! The Culture! They say, we’ve got to work with the Culture. It is a different day and time, they say. Listen to me Brother, every generation thinks it is a modern generation. When I was discharged from the U.S. Navy, in 1946, that was THE modern generation for me. It was just as modern to me, as 2010 is to you. However, let me tell you, when I went to the UPC Church in Fresno, California, where Brother A.V. Kelley was Pastor, I didn’t say to him, this is New Generation, and we young men, I was 22 yrs old, don’t want to have this old Church music and songs. Nor did I say, “Pastor, the Church will have to change so we can reach this Modern Generation.” First, let me say to this pitiful kind of reasoning, HOGWASH! And, let me tell you what the Pastor would have said. He would say, “you see that door you came through? It swings both ways.”
The church of Jesus Christ didn’t change for me, and it’s not changing for you or anyone else. We, of my generation, didn’t display the gall, audacity, insolence and bare faced ignorance to try to change the Church to fit our generation. No, we came in, out of a mod generation, a changing time all around us, we were happy to find refuge in the Church of the Living God. We never gave it a thought, we dropped the worldly music that we danced to, played pool to, went the movies and parties to, yes we dropped the worlds music like a hot potato and loved the Church music, the standards of Holiness and conduct. We were so thankful just to find Salvation. This generation will do the same, if they are taught right, and not catered to, to their flesh. If they are witnessed to by Holy Ghost filled Young People that are not afraid to say, I’m Pentecostal, here is how we dress, here are the songs we sing in Church, thereby giving Glory to our wonderful Saviour.
There will be, no doubt, lewd ungodliness following this Change in the appeal to the Culture. Instead of Godly Church Music; loud stadium twanging, ear splitting sounds. Tinkling cymbals and sounding brass; shock waves of sounds that insult the intellect. Soul and Spirit polluting gyrations of flesh gratifying hard-acid-rock NOISE. Theatrics, instead of a Holy, sincere, heartfelt worship service. Some Churches that were once greatly blessed, have now, because of these CHANGERS, become barren waste-lands of ungodly sounds and practices. There is not even a ghost of resemblance to their past Holiness. If the Pastor, who gave his life building an Apostolic Church were to see his life’s work now, he would be SHAMED, SHAMED, SHAMED.
We are bombarded daily, by politicians yelling about “Political Correctness.” I’m not concerned with so-called political correctness. I am concerned with “Biblical and Holy Ghost Culture, Correctness.”
According to Isaiah 1:2-4, Holiness is the most essential element of God’s Nature. {J.S.}
The direction being taken by these Fellows, will lead to similar conditions, in the House of God.
Away with all the CULTURAL TRASH.
Let’s get back to Holy and modest Church Services, and the preaching of God’s Word. Let’s please the Lord Jesus, by returning to HIS CULTURE.
Amen
The Importance of A Low Standard
The Importance of A Low Standard
Coming from a very conservative background has developed in me an absolute and unchangeable love for Holiness. I have been raised to respect the convictions of others; they could be right!
I grew up hearing Holiness preached by men who lived what they preached. Their ministry instilled carefulness in me that I never wish to let go of. I was taught the necessity of convictions and the importance of dress standards. I am doing my best to hang on to everything that was given to me. Every generation has to get this for themselves. I believe there is much safety in Holy living.
The saddest moments in Apostolic conversation is when in hushed tones, the name of a ‘Holiness’ preacher or a respected saint who messed, is mentioned. The groups that mock Holiness seem to express great joy over the event. Evidently the moral failure of a conservative makes liberal people feel justified about their own lack of convictions.
We all have heard of people with High Standards that still fell into sin. Evidently, their High Standards didn’t keep them from messing up. With that in mind, I wish to suggest the importance of a Low Standard.
A Low Standard? Absolutely!
All of us, in addition to having a High Standard, should also have a Low Standard. By that I mean, there should be something in your heart that draws a line and says:
- I refuse to stoop any lower than this.
- I will never cross this bottom line I’ve drawn.
- This is as bad as I will ever allow things to get.
- I desire to protect my morals, so here is where I draw the line.
- I wish to preserve my walk with God, so right here is where those other activities stop.
- I don’t want to displease God by how I dress. Regardless of fashion, here is where I draw the line.
Others may do things I cannot do. They may go places I cannot go. They may wear things I cannot wear. The reason I cannot do what they do is because I have a “Low Standard” and I refuse to allow my walk with God to stoop to that level.
Interstate Speed Limit Signs tell you what the High Standard is. They also tell you what the Low Standard is. The signs are saying, if you wish to drive on this road, you must pay attention to both.
Whatever Happened to Modesty?
Whatever Happened to Modesty?
On A Pentecostal Minister’s Forum, I found a thread about Modesty from an unexpected source. I went to the link, read the article and wanted to share a couple of it’s comments here.
It’s by Michael Hyatt of Thomas Nelson Publishers. His company is publishing Brittany Spears mother’s book.
He is the Chief Executive Officer of Thomas Nelson Publishers, the largest Christian publishing company in the world and the seventh largest trade book publishing company in the U.S.
After watching a MTV awards show he asks:
“Where are these girls fathers? Has anyone ever taught them the concept of modesty?”
He then give us his thoughts about modesty.
Here they are: “Four Guidelines for Modesty”:
- If you have trouble getting into it or out of it, it is probably not modest.
- If you have to be careful when you sit down or bend over, it is probably not modest.
- If people look at any part of your body before looking at your face, it is probably not modest.
- If you can see your most private body parts or an outline of those parts under the fabric, it is probably not modest.
If you think these guidelines are helpful, you might want to pass them along to the young women you know. Evidently, not many are getting the message elsewhere.
http://michaelhyatt.com/2008/09/whatever-happened-to-modesty.html
The Cost Of Doing Business
The Cost Of Doing Business
I’m in Sand Springs, Oklahoma today. I fly out in a little bit, from the Tulsa airport to go to Medford, Oregon.
I wanted to travel today with my clothes all washed and clean. I didn’t have any cash on me, so I stopped at the Quick Trip service station to check my bitcoin balanced and transferred some to my bank account. After reading Midas Letter Crypto News, I had gotten into buying and selling bitcoins for personal investments. Once I successfully transferred the cryptocurrency to USD currency, I found an ATM machine that they have. I swiped my card and punched in the amount I wanted. The machine informed me that it was going to charge me $1.50 for the transaction. I had to accept or decline. I accepted. It was the Bank’s “Cost Of Doing Business.”
I went to the Laundromat. A pixie haired great grandma named Maude was the lone employee. Both doors stood open to allow for cooler air to blow through the warm room. Maude said that in the summer, it got very hot in the laundry. She said that she had air conditioning at home, but even when it was 90 degrees in her bedroom, she didn’t turn on the air. She said if she did, it would make the heat uncomfortable for her when she got to work. Not turning on the air conditioning was what Maude was willing to pay to better enjoy her job. For her it was the personal “Cost Of Doing Business.” She did it without being asked.
The ‘Old Town Café’ in Sand Springs served a good breakfast. The locals were friendly; the stale scent of smoke was noticeable. The cashier said I owed $8.50. I left $2.00 on the table for the waitress. It was just the “Cost Of Doing Business.”
I bought some items at the Drug Store. The lady at the counter said, “That’s $1.95 plus tax.” Sales Tax is what you pay to the State of Oklahoma. It’s the “Cost Of Doing Business.”
At the Counter of United Airlines, the Kiosk charged me $60.00 for my two checked bags. That’s besides the cost of the ticket. I paid United Airlines because they said that it’s just the “Cost Of Doing Business.”
At the airport, I had to take off my shoes, my coat, my wallet, and my belt. I pulled out my computer and placed it in a container. I was required to go through a metal detector. It was an inconvenience. There was an unspoken question of suspicion the TSA has about everyone. I submitted to the personal inspection, it was just the “Cost Of Doing Business.”
I found my seat, and it was not long before I heard “Praise the Lord, Bro. Ballestero! I didn’t recognize the faces of the older husband and wife, but they seemed to know me. She had her long hair fixed very nice and her modest dress represented Pentecost very well. She understood that although Salvation is free, Holiness in conduct and in dress is God’s requirement. It’s the “Cost Of Doing Business.”
I asked them how they were doing and they said, “Wonderful! Thank the Lord!”
They understood too that although Salvation is free, Praise is God’s requirement. It’s the “Cost Of Doing Business.”
The Rich Young Ruler was asked to sell everything he had, give it to the poor and take up the cross and follow Jesus. He went away sorrowful. He wasn’t willing to Sacrifice and pay the “Cost Of Doing Business.”
- Holiness is the “Cost Of Doing Business.”
- Praise and Worship is the “Cost Of Doing Business.”
- Sacrifice is the “Cost Of Doing Business.”
Are You And God Still Doing Business?
The Progression Of Sin
The Progression Of Sin
We can’t talk about Holiness without talking about sin. Holiness desires to live a life separate from sin.
- Appearance doesn’t matter? Some act like it doesn’t. They’re wrong.
- They say they’re “Enlightened?
- We had an Old fashioned Pentecostal term for them… they’re Backslid!
- Leprosy is a Type of Sin
Watch the progression of sin in these 4 example of Leprosy in Leviticus 13, 14.
- These all brought their concerns to the priest.
- Today we wait for the preacher to say something.
- We figure, if he doesn’t say anything, we must be all right.
- They seemed to know, without being told, that something was wrong.
- The good news is they wanted it fixed.
1. SKIN
Leviticus 13:1-9 (KJV)
2 When a man shall have in the skin of his flesh a rising, a scab, or bright spot, and it be in the skin of his flesh like the plague of leprosy; then he shall be brought unto Aaron the priest, or unto one of his sons the priests:
3 And the priest shall look on the plague in the skin of the flesh: and when the hair in the plague is turned white, and the plague in sight be deeper than the skin of his flesh, it is a plague of leprosy: and the priest shall look on him, and pronounce him unclean.
- Makeup
- Eye shadow
- Eye liner
- Blush
- Cover girl
- Tattoos
What what ever happened to Shamefacedness? It’s far to common to see makeup around Pentecostal Churches.
2. HAIR
Leviticus 13:20-25 (KJV)
20 And if, when the priest seeth it, behold, it be in sight lower than the skin, and the hair thereof be turned white; the priest shall pronounce him unclean: it is a plague of leprosy broken out of the boil.
Leviticus 13:30-33 (KJV)
30 Then the priest shall see the plague: and, behold, if it be in sight deeper than the skin; and there be in it a yellow thin hair; then the priest shall pronounce him unclean: it is a dry scall, even a leprosy upon the head or beard.
31 And if the priest look on the plague of the scall, and, behold, it be not in sight deeper than the skin, and that there is no black hair in it; then the priest shall shut up him that hath the plague of the scall seven days:
32 And in the seventh day the priest shall look on the plague: and, behold, if the scall spread not, and there be in it no yellow hair, and the scall be not in sight deeper than the skin;
- Hair Styles
- Cut hair on girls
- Long hair boys
3. GARMENT (Clothes)
Leviticus 13:47-59 (KJV)
47 The garment also that the plague of leprosy is in, whether it be a woollen garment, or a linen garment;
48 Whether it be in the warp, or woof; of linen, or of woollen; whether in a skin, or in any thing made of skin;
- Immodest
- Slits that should never be
- When you try the skirt on and ¾ of your leg comes through the slit, aren’t there alarms that go off in your head or your heart?
- (Who are you dressing like that for?
- Sleeves – sleeveless and cap sleeves are too common. (I’m old school.)
- I know I can be saved dressing like I do, why gamble?
- Tight clothes
- Revealing and sheer clothes
- Israel couldn’t Blush.
- God, don’t let us lose our ability to blush!
4. House
Leviticus 14:34-45 (KJV)
34 When ye be come into the land of Canaan, which I give to you for a possession, and I put the plague of leprosy in a house of the land of your possession;
35 And he that owneth the house shall come and tell the priest, saying, It seemeth to me there is as it were a plague in the house:
What’s in your house that God might consider Leprosy?
- TV?
- All kinds of Videos?
- Improper Music?
- Empty the house – Repent
- Scrape the walls – Heart searching
- Replace Stones and Morter – pray through to a renewal is always in order!
There’s no stopping place for sin. It gets everywhere. The Bible illustrated sin starting in the Skin, showing up in the Hair, displaying itself in how we Dress and then getting in our Home.
Acts 2:40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
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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 