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Learning To Live Without God.

Learning To Live Without God.

Living without God in our life would be, without argument, the hardest thing anyone could ever do! It would not just be hard, it would be terrifying, it would be heartbreaking, and it would be filled with pain… so much pain.

To those who are accustomed to the blessings of the Lord’s daily presence, His absence would leave a void too great for words.

I cannot imagine trying to live even one day without the Lord in my life. Every time I finish reading the Bible, those that were foolhardy enough to try, still amaze me.

Day One without God… I wonder what that felt like? Did Day Two or Three get any easier? Imagine living the rest of your life without God’s approval or blessing. Imagine Him turning His head when you pray.

Saul

Saul was the King who at first was so humble and small in his own eyes, but later crossed an invisible line and walked on the side of arrogance until he died. He crossed over into the spiritual realm of service unto God that belonged to the ministry, and God immediately rejected him. God lifted His blessing, approval and support. God even refused to ever speak to him again.

His fatal mistake happened early in his reign. Saul’s 40 years on the throne was spent without God’s help. The prophet Samuel no longer prayed for him or prophesied to him. He had to learn to live without God.

He ignored the office of the man of God in his life.
He thought his kingdom authority gave him spiritual authority.
He made that mistake only once.
Repentance was not an option.

Day one without God… I wonder what it felt like?

Esau

When Esau showed his disdain for the Birthright and sold it for a bowl of pottage, he angered God. The Lord called him a profane man because he saw no value in that which included the covenant blessings of Jehovah.

It may not have seemed all that important to Esau when he sat at the table, but God never forgave him. Esau even tried to repent, but God wouldn’t let him. He cried, but God turned his back on him forever. He had to learn to live without God.

He let his hunger of things of the moment override his hunger for the things of God.
He treated the Word (of God’s covenant) lightly.
He traded the eternal for the temporary.
Repentance was not an option for him.

Day one without God… I wonder what it felt like?

Ichabod

Even the name still scares us. The Ark of the Lord was stupidly and unlawfully carried into battle and lost. A birthing mother heard the news and named her newborn son Ichabod, meaning ‘the glory has departed.”

The Ark was gone and stayed gone a long while. No wonder David danced wildly and with great joy when he saw the ark finally coming to it’s proper home. What was it like for a nation, knowing that the Ark was missing? It seems like all of the congregation would think about that every time they went to the tabernacle to sacrifice. The Mercy Seat was missing. They had to learn what it was like to live without God.

Day one without God… I wonder what it felt like?

The 400 Years

When Malachi laid his head down to rest for the last time, it was all over for Israel. They loved picking up the ways of the heathen. They incorporated the heathen’s ways into their worship. The freely married them as well.

Israel seemed to delight itself in dressing like the rest of the world and ignoring the pleadings of all the prophets. God had sent them prophet after prophet, but nothing changed. So God got tired of wasting His breath and His men. God quit. For 400 years God never spoke to Israel. His mercy and patience wore thin.

How many years went by before someone said, “I can’t remember when I last heard a prophet”? Generations passed without one correction from God. They had turned their back on Him; He turned His back on them.

No preacher in their life.
No direction or correction from God must have brought peace to their deluded minds.
Did it ever dawn on them that they were living with less of an experience with God than before?

By the end of the first year without God… I wonder how much further they had slipped?

You Think God Can’t Get Serious?

You Think The God Of Love And Mercy Will Let You Do Whatever You Want?

Is The Only Scripture You Want To Hear Quoted Is ‘God Is Love”?

The following scriptures are just a few of the passages that shows the other side of God.

“If You Love Sin, God Won’t Listen To Your Prayers.”

Psa. 66:18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:

“If You Kill Your Neighbor With Your Words, God Will Hate You And Your Prayers!”

Is. 1:14 Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them.

Is. 1:15 And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.

Is. 1:16 Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;

“God Won’t Listen To Their Prayers!”

Is. 59:1 Behold, the LORD’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:

Is. 59:2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.

Is. 59:3 For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness.

“If You Mistreat Your Wife And Disrespect Her, God Won’t Hear Your Prayers.”

1Pet. 3:7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

“Don’t Even Pray For Them!”

Jer. 7:16 Therefore pray not thou for this people, neither lift up cry nor prayer for them, neither make intercession to me: for I will not hear thee.

“Don’t Pray For Them, I’m Done!”

Jer. 14:11 Then said the LORD unto me, Pray not for this people for their good.

Jer. 14:12 When they fast, I will not hear their cry; and when they offer burnt offering and an oblation, I will not accept them: but I will consume them by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence.

“I Don’t Want Your Worship!”

Amos 5:23 Take thou away from me the noise of thy songs; for I will not hear the melody of thy viols.

Life Today!

Many church members have turned their backs on God of late. They have rejected the essentiality of Repentance, Baptism in Jesus Name and the infilling of the Holy Ghost evidenced by the speaking with other tongues. They make fun of Holiness and those that are living separated from the world. They attach names of mockery to those that carefully follow Biblical principles of Holiness. They call them “Ultra Cons” and other names of derision. They make fun of Godly women and their long dresses and long hair. There is a falling away.

Sadly, quite a few former Apostolic Pentecostals now live like they have never been inside of a Holiness church. Their dress, their lifestyle, their language, and their social activities show no evidence of Godliness or God mindedness. Their Facebook pages do not identify them as Apostolic. God Is not pleased.

They have explained away, rationalized and cut off any scripture or preacher that speaks against their ‘enlightened’ freedoms. In their delusion, they feel God will accept them as they are, because they don’t plan to change. They want God to change His word so that it will adapt to them.

They continue to go through the motions of having church kind of like Israel did in the Old Testament after God quit talking to them. God doesn’t approve.

Sadly, many that once were submissive to God’s Word have now turned aside to follow after their own lusts.

Does God keep dealing with them? I can’t answer that. I do know that the ones I have seen leave, have no desire to return. I do not know of anyone that has left this truth for an “easier” way, that has ever recovered, come back and God gave them another chance.

It seems to me that they have no choice but to live without God. Live without Him now, and live without Him later.

Backslider? What was Day One like? Are you still trying to live without God? It won’t get any better! The way of the transgressor is hard. I don’t know if repentance is an option.

Written by Martyn Ballestero

July 10, 2011 at 12:07 pm

Posted in Baptism In Jesus Name, Deception, False Doctrine, False Prophets, Fear of God, Holiness, Holy Ghost, Obedience, Old-Time Pentecost, Submission

Tagged with Rejecting Truth

Mutter Your Way To Success

Preach Me The Gospel

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Preach Me The Gospel

Rom. 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Ours is a day of dilution of sacred truths. The importance of our basic tenets of faith is being challenged. Compromise is seen in every too many areas. Some sermons are not much more than an exercise in Pop-Psychology. Word preaching is non-existent in too many places. Doctrine is scorned by some and called ‘old school.’

It may be ‘old school’ to the compromiser, but doctrinal preachers, believers and practitioners are still here and doing well.

They are still living ‘the life.’
They haven’t caved in to compromise and worldliness.
They were blessed to have heard some old-time Doctrinal messages on the New Birth. They got it in their heart.
They heard teaching and preaching about Holiness, Separation from the World, Church Government, and Standards. They loved it.
They were taught why the New Birth was important.
They were taught why separation from the world was important.
They were taught why it is important to live holy.
They were taught why they should worship.
They were taught why they should be faithful.
They were taught why they should honor God with their tithes.
They were taught why they should honor God with their modest apparel.
They said Amen to the preacher.
They believed it.
They received it.
They got in the Word and the Word got in them.

Some churches, organizations and fellowships have neglected the Word and turned to gimmicks and programs to distract from the obvious void and lack of a move of God.

The lack of Word preaching is evident by what is seen in the lives of many at conferences, camps and rallies. If preachers ‘get what they preach,’ someone must not be preaching very much.

There will always be a constant need to preach on worship. Please do not stop. I fear however, that our heavy emphasis on worship demonstration promotes the belief that our best services are always runaways.

Thank God for a runaway. But to me there is no measure of the lasting blessings the Word has on our lives. A shout can be forgotten. But the engrafted Word can be hidden in the heart until we die.

It is easy for some to jump up and down and run the aisle. Yet these same folks seem lost and uncomfortable in a deep move of God. Why?

Every pastor has seen folks shout in church, and then heard of them sinning before the night was over. They had the ‘physical exercise’ part down. They just didn’t get much on the inside. No root.

Luke 8:13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.

Some pastors only want to teach doctrine (or anything that isn’t evangelistic) in ‘closed door settings’. They must be afraid to stand up and preach it to their whole congregation. The shallowness of church membership today is alarming.

Psa. 119:161 …but my heart standeth in awe of thy word.

Psa. 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus tells a story of two houses. One house was built on the rock. The other was built on the sand. All was well until the storm came. Only the house on the rock remained standing.

Without a solid foundation, we too will fall apart when the storms of worldliness come against the church.

2Chr. 15:3 Now for a long season Israel hath been without the true God, and without a teaching priest, and without law.

God give us a season of the teaching priest. Give us a season of loving thy law.

Paul’s Gospel was the New Birth. The Death, Burial and the Resurrection.

Thank God for preachers who just stand up and preach the Word. Thank God for saints who want to hear preaching. Singing doesn’t save us, preaching does.

The Apostle Paul didn’t say to Timothy, “Discern someone’s phone number, their name or medical condition.” He just said to preach the Word.

Carloads will drive miles to hear a preacher call out folks and pray over them. (I can tell you ahead of time what he will say. He will prophesy blessings, healing and prosperity over those he prays for. He will never discern the sinfulness they are living in.)

The same folks that go gaga over that type of ministry get easily bored listening to a ‘Word’ preacher. Some wouldn’t drive across town to hear him.

Take some advice from an old man. If you are a preacher and have a choice between being a feeder or an exhorter, be a feeder. Because a feeder will build a church.

2Tim. 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

Don’t stop the worship, but at the same time, preach the Word. Keep preaching about Worship, but let Doctrine showcase your ministry.

Preacher, there are still plenty of saints out there that bring their Bibles to church.

There are still plenty of saints that bring a notebook and pen to Church just waiting.

There are still plenty of saints that will readily say, “Preach Me The Gospel.”

Written by Martyn Ballestero

June 8, 2011 at 12:47 am

Posted in Baptism In Jesus Name, Believe, Christian Living, Compromise, Doctrine, False Prophets, God Head, Holiness, Holy Ghost, Leadership, Ministry, Obedience, Old-Time Pentecost, Personal Growth, Tithes

Give God What He Can Bless!

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Give God What He Can Bless!

(Give God What He Likes, Give God What He Can Use.)

The song service had been sort of ‘average’. No one shouted. No one cried. We all just sang the songs and then waited for the prayer requests to be received. This Bible Study night was not going to be remembered for its worship service. I had done my best to lead the worship, but I just didn’t flow with the Spirit like I should.

On the way home, Dad said, “Son, have you ever noticed that God never blesses that last chorus you sang tonight?”

“No Sir,” was all I could say.

“If you lead long service in my church, then you need to be aware of what kind of songs God blesses.

“He doesn’t bless songs about ‘us’, He only blesses songs about ‘Him’. His Name, His Power, His Blood, His Love, His Mercy, His Grace. Sing about Him next time and He will bless it.”

“Thanks Dad.” I mumbled apologetically.

That, my gentle reader, is a lesson I never forgot. My Father was teaching me to give God what He could bless.

1. Cain

Cain never caught on to the concept. God was willing to bless a ‘lamb’ sacrifice. But, since Cain was not a sheepherder, but rather a tiller of the soil, he gave God fresh vegetables. God couldn’t bless a radish, an onion or a rutabaga. Blood had to be shed. God was only willing to bless a sacrificed lamb.

Because God ignored Cain’s sacrifice, and accepted Abel’s lamb sacrifice, Cain got mad and killed his brother.

Gen. 4:3 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD.

Gen. 4:4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering:

Gen. 4:5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.

There are some Sacrifices God can’t bless.
You will be disappointed when God doesn’t bless your sacrifice.
He can’t bless that which is against His Word or His Will

Some want the Blessings of God regardless of how they have lived. Blessings never come when you starting thinking outside “God’s Box”.

2. Saul

In a spirit of disobedience and arrogance, Saul kept the spoils of war, spared King Agag and offered up a sacrifice. Samuel pronounced the curse of God upon him.

Saul admitted he had sinned; yet he wanted to be blessed in spite on his disobedience. He never understood that obedience was better than sacrifice. Not learning that lesson cost him his kingdom and the blessings of God.

1Sam. 15:30 Then he said, I have sinned: yet honour me now, I pray thee, before the elders of my people, and before Israel, and turn again with me, that I may worship the LORD thy God.

Give God a life that He can bless.

Give him a heart that He can bless.

Give God an attitude He can bless.

If Your Life Is Filled With These, God Can’t Bless It!

Disobedience
Bitterness
Unbelief
Rebellion
Unconcern
Disrespect
Un-involvement
Addictions
Worldliness
Carnal Lusts
Sinner Boy Friend or Girl Friend
Immorality
Love of the World
Jealousy
Hatred

___________________________________________________________

Our idea of what God will bless, may be different than His.

Samuel – at Jesse’s House. Samuel was willing to anoint Jesse’s older sons to be the next king. God did not like what He saw in their hearts. The lad David was anointed King.

David’s heart was what God was looking at.
David had a love for Worship. No one made him praise the Lord.
David was always quick to repent.
God can bless that.

Give God What He Can Bless. He will always Bless:

Submission
Tenderness
Obedience
Faith
Trust
Mercy
Honor
Sacrifice
Repentance
Worship
Praise
Brokenness
Humility
Modesty
Holiness
Willingness
Hunger
Prayer Life
Faithfulness
Consecration

If you will Humble yourself, pray, seek His face in worship, and quit your sinning, God will hear your prayer, forgive you, and even bless your finances.

2Chr. 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

How bad do you want to be blessed?

Jacob told the Angel that wrestled with him: “I won’t let you go until you bless me.”

When God blesses, He really blesses. He will bless you like this and more besides, if you just give him a life that can be blessed!

Deut. 28:1 And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:

Deut. 28:2 And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.

Deut. 28:3 Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field.

Deut. 28:4 Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep.

Deut. 28:5 Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store.

Deut. 28:6 Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out.

Deut. 28:7 The LORD shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways.

Deut. 28:8 The LORD shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou settest thine hand unto; and he shall bless thee in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

Deut. 28:9 The LORD shall establish thee an holy people unto himself, as he hath sworn unto thee, if thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, and walk in his ways.

Deut. 28:10 And all people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of the LORD; and they shall be afraid of thee.

Deut. 28:11 And the LORD shall make thee plenteous in goods, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy ground, in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers to give thee.

Deut. 28:12 The LORD shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow.

Deut. 28:13 And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the LORD thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them:

You’ll never be blessed living for God ‘Your Way.” God only blesses us when we do things “His Way”! Are you giving God what He can bless?

Written by Martyn Ballestero

February 4, 2011 at 5:41 pm

Posted in Christian Living, Holiness, Obedience, Personal Growth, Prayer, Pride, Sacrifice, Trust

Tagged with Attitude, Holiness, Humlity, Mercy, Modesty, Repentence, Tenderness

She Doesn’t Want To Live With Him

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She Doesn’t Want To Live With Him

Is. 4:1 And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach.

As a young man this scripture seemed unbelievable. I could not fathom a scenario where seven women would be desperate enough that they would fall all over themselves to have some man’s name.

I was thrilled to find one woman who wanted to take my name. But Isaiah speaks of a seven to one ratio. That’s a lot. I understand the literal interpretation of the scripture in it’s context. However, I see that verse in an additional light today.

The number Seven in Scripture may refer to more than just a number. It may also include in it’s meaning, things like perfection, completeness, and fullness.

In the Book of Revelation the number SEVEN is used throughout. There are SEVEN churches, SEVEN Spirits, SEVEN stars, SEVEN seals, SEVEN trumpets, SEVEN vials, SEVEN personages, SEVEN dooms, and SEVEN new things. SEVEN symbolizes Spiritual Perfection. All of life revolves around this number. SEVEN is used over 700 times in the Bible. It is used 54 times in the Book of Revelation.

All of that is impressive, but what about today? Christianity is demonstrating that verse in a very vivid manner. It’s quite easy to see it everywhere.

Many denominations believe in prayer and healing. They believe in miracles as well. They also pray invoking the name of Jesus to heal, to save, and to deliver. Some even believe in the Holy Ghost.

Most stop short of Holiness and the complete Acts 2:38 experience. Some have left the Acts 2:38 experience and turned their backs on Holiness and separation from the world.

It’s as if they are saying to the Lord:

We want your permission to use your Name in Prayer and in everyday life. But:

We want to set our own standards.
We want to workout our own life style.
We want to dress like we want to.
We want to make our own rules.
We want to live the way we are comfortable with. Without undo interference in our life from your Scriptures.
We don’t think all of your requirements are necessary.
We ONLY want your Name.
We don’t care to really LIVE with you.

And there, in my opinion is the sad story of this modern-day. They love the Lord and say His name. They wish to use it when they need it or get in trouble. They just don’t like ‘Living’ in His Word or in His world. They wish to continue in theirs.

Written by Martyn Ballestero

January 29, 2011 at 6:41 am

Posted in Christian Living, Holiness, Holy Ghost, Obedience, Submission

Tagged with Holiness, Jesus Name, Obedience, Seven Women, Submission, Word

God’s Algebra Test

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God’s Algebra Test

I went to 26 schools growing up. It is still very evident that my education lacks much in the way of continuity. Daddy was an Evangelist for 25 years and a Pastor for 25 as well. Quite often he had to stop in his travels and rent a house so us kids could go to school. I got a late start. I turned 7 in Kindergarten. Somehow I was able to get out of the 12^th grade mid-term at 17.

Arithmetic was a very easy subject for me and I always aced a Basic Math test. In 1958 we moved from Yakima, Washington to southern California. My Yakima Math teacher recommended me for Algebra. I got a late start and missed the basics. I somehow couldn’t wrap my mind around the concept of things like X and Y. I had no problem with numbers. But in my mind, letters had no place in a Math test. I saw that I was in trouble and couldn’t seemingly catch up, so I transferred out of Algebra class into Radio and Electronics Shop.

At about 40 years of age I said to myself, “Algebra is the only thing in life you’ve let beat you. Don’t let it.” So I went to the bookstore and bought an Algebra Textbook and a Workbook. I worked my way through and completed the exercises and tests. I cannot say that I’ve ever used Algebra in everyday life since, and that was 26 years ago.

But I have used it in preaching!

In preaching?

Absolutely!

The Algebra book has helped me preach many times.

What would ‘frost my cake’ sometimes during my 30 years of pastoring was when some dear soul would request that the church pray that they would be able to find the will of God for their life.

Yet these same people would somehow seem to be clueless about the will of God for their lives that was written down in black and white. They enjoyed the attention they received by making their mystical prayer request.

I couldn’t believe that some folks would actually ignore the will of God as written in His Word and yet attempt to seek the ‘unknown’ and the ‘as of yet, unrevealed’ will of God.

That’s when the Algebra lessons came in handy. I preached some Algebra lessons in a sermon or two.

One of the first things a student discovers in Algebra, (to put it in basic terminology) is that to find the ‘unknown,’ we have to use the ‘known.’

In other words, if we are serious about finding the illusive and unknown will of God for our lives, how can we be taken serious if we blatantly ignore the will of God that is written in His word?

Some don’t want to be faithful to church, so they ignore Heb 10:25 and still say they are seeking the will of God.

Heb. 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.

Some don’t want to pay tithes, so they ignore Mal 3:10 and still say they are seeking the will of God.

Mal. 3:10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

Some have a problem with holiness, so they ignore Rom 12:1 and still say they are seeking the will of God.

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.

Some won’t submit to their pastor or obey what he preaches, so they ignore Heb 13:17 and still say they are seeking the will of God.

Heb. 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.

Some won’t forgive and seem to want to hold grudges, so they ignore Mark 6:14-15 and still say they are seeking the will of God.

Matt. 6:14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
Matt. 6:15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

I guess you get the picture by now. It’s not really a joke or meant to be taken lightly.

James 4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

Keep on praying and seeking the will of God in your life. Just don’t ignore the will of God as it is written in His Word.

Maybe, just maybe, if you are obedient and faithful in what you have been taught, then God may show you more. Don’t expect more if your obedience is less.

Oh, by the way… If you really want to know what the will of God is for your life, go ask your pastor. Don’t you TELL him, let him TELL you.

That’s what all the God fearing Kings did in the Old Testament.
That’s what you should do too.

Written by Martyn Ballestero

May 6, 2010 at 11:01 pm

Posted in Christian Living, Obedience, Personal Growth, Submission

Going Rogue

with 5 comments

Going Rogue

New York Times

An Elephant Crackup?

By CHARLES SIEBERT

Published: October 8, 2006

Since the early 1990’s, for example, young male elephants in Pilanesberg National Park and the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve in South Africa have been killing rhinoceroses; this abnormal behavior, according to a 2001 study in the journal Pachyderm, has been reported in ‘‘a number of reserves’’ in the region. In July of last year, officials in Pilanesberg shot three young male elephants who were responsible for the killings of 63 rhinos, as well as attacks on people in safari vehicles. In Addo Elephant National Park, also in South Africa, up to 90 percent of male elephant deaths are now attributable to other male elephants, compared with a rate of 6 percent in more stable elephant communities.

________________________________________

NewScientist

Orphan elephants go on the rampage

20 July 1996 by Eddie Koch
Magazine issue 2039

Johannesburg

LIKE children, young elephants need discipline if they are to grow up as responsible members of society. Wildlife biologists say that orphan bull elephants in South Africa’s Pilanesberg Game Reserve have turned delinquent because they have never been taken in hand by their elders.

Rogue elephants have become a serious problem in Pilanesberg, a small wildlife reserve about 250 kilometres northwest of Johannesburg. Earlier this month, a young bull charged a group of tourists on a photo-safari. The next day the same elephant attacked and killed a professional hunter who had been sent to shoot it. These are not isolated incidents. Two years ago another tourist was attacked, chased out of his battered car, and trampled to death in the reserve.

Humans are not the only victims: in the past three years, 19 white rhinoceroses have been gored to death by elephants in Pilanesberg.

____________________________________

Nearly ten years ago, I heard a Dr. James Dobson commercial on the car radio. He said that his favorite animal was a dog. His second favorite was an elephant.

He said that he was alarmed at the rogue behavior recently displayed in young bull elephants. They seemed to delight in pushing over the white rhinos and even goring them to death. They had even been known to kill one another.

In over 100 years of record keeping in Africa, there had never been recorded incidents of such antisocial behavior.

Mr. Dobson said authorities were very disturbed. After much analysis, they determined the cause.

A number of years ago, attempts were made by the Park Managers to thin the herd population. In so doing, they killed off most of the old males. It is the nature of the old males to keep decorum in the herd. Old males will punish younger males that display bad behavior. It is even common for an old male to banish a younger male from the others for a while until they learn better.

Park officials found that if they brought in an old male into a herd with young wild bulls, they old bull restored calmness to the herd almost immediately.

At this point, Mr. Dobson began to talk about the importance of a father in the home and his influence on his sons. He made a powerful point. I am not sure how his 2-minute “Father’s Day” radio commercial ended, because my minded wandered off to another level before he finished.

Many of us have lived long enough to see rogue behavior among those that are ‘in church’. When I see saints or preachers go wacko, say stupid things, or do stupid things, I become spiritually frightened.

It is endangerment at an alarming level. We expect attacks from others outside the herd, but not from the inside.

I even remember asking about a certain young preacher one time, because his conduct and doctrine caused all my warning lights to blink. I enquired, “Who’s his pastor?” Normally, a pastor would have corrected the problem. But this person recognized no one as his pastor.

Preacher or Saint, every one of us has made it this far because we were willing to hear instruction in righteousness. Always receive it willingly and humbly.

If you have a man of God in your life that will guide the flock in the fear and admonition of the Lord, there is safety in your world.

Behavior unbecoming the people of God cannot be ignored. Doctrines that lead the church back to the world cannot be tolerated. The goring and killing of others with slander and defamation has no place in the Kingdom.

The trashing of standards and the discard of convictions is a sad day. It has God’s full attention. It should have ours as well.

I pray you have a pastor that is willing to TAKE the oversight. To speak up and say, “It’s Not Happening Here!”

May your pastor not be a hireling, but a ‘Father in Israel’. May he bring peace to your corner of the world.

What we need are some more ‘old-time’ Pentecostal pastors that will preach what needs to be preached and are not afraid.

May you always thank God for your pastor, even if the one he corrects is you.

Pray for your man of God!

Written by Martyn Ballestero

April 13, 2010 at 1:54 pm

Posted in Christian Living, God's House, Life, Ministry, Obedience, Personal Growth, Submission, Unity

What Was In Heart Of Judah?

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What Was In Heart Of Judah?

Just a Thought. You have to put the meat on the bones.

We Know that Judah, represents Worship and Praise. They have been called the Tribe of the Praisers.

Notice where Simeon is located (taken from my Mac Bible program). It’s in the heart of Judah. Some of Simeon’s definitions are, Submission and Obedience. Typifying to me that Worship and Submission should be in the very heart of our Worship! My Worship to Him won’t mean very much if I am not submitted to Him and His Word. What’s in your heart?