Archive for the ‘Praise’ Category
When God Doesn’t Meet Your Expectations.
When God Doesn’t Meet Your Expectations.
Luke 7:23 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.
- What Happens When God Doesn’t Heal?
- What Happens When God Doesn’t Deliver?
- What Happens When God Doesn’t Answer Your Prayers Like You Wanted Him To?
It’s not uncommon to get a notion in our heads about how we think God should supply specific things that we need, or want. Some have gotten mad at the Lord, and even backslid because a loved one died or was not healed.
Since His ways are not our ways, there will always be times when God doesn’t move or work like we think he should. That can be a major test for our faith.
Sometimes, life doesn’t turn out like we expected. Why? I can’t tell you, because I don’t know for sure either. But this one thing I do know. God is still in control. He has never made a mistake. I must always trust Him.
Naaman – Almost Lost His Miracle When Things Didn’t Meet His Expectations.
2Ki 5:10 And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean.
2Ki 5:11 But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the LORD his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper.
Naaman was a man of high position and ranking in Syria. As Captain of the army, he was always given much respect.
Bottom line, I’m sure, was his disappointment that the Prophet did not personally come out to see him. He had imagined the moment of his healing, and it looked nothing like what had just happened to him. He left the prophet’s home in a huff.
His own servant showed more good sense than he did. Only after being reasoned with, did he finally submit. For Naaman, submission and obedience were the keys to his miracle.
Peter – Denied The Lord When Things Didn’t Meet His Expectations.
When accused by the maid of being a disciple of Christ, Peter replied, “I know not the man!” In a twisted way, Peter was telling the truth.
- The Jesus he knew was a Jesus of miracles.
- The Jesus he knew walked on water.
- The Jesus he knew raised the dead.
- The Jesus he knew turned water in to wine.
- The Jesus he knew fed 5,000 with a few fishes and five loaves of bread.
- The Jesus he knew healed the lepers and opened blinded eyes.
Peter Didn’t Know This Jesus.
- He didn’t know a Jesus of defeat.
- He didn’t know a Jesus of rejection.
- He didn’t know a Jesus of disappointment.
What about the three and a half years he had followed Jesus around? Were those years spent for nothing? Evidently, Peter’s faith had momentarily wavered.
John The Baptist Questioned The Lord When Things Didn’t Meet His Expectations.
Of men born of women, there was none greater than John the Baptist. He was even born with the Holy Ghost. He was a fearless preacher and a chosen forerunner for the Messiah.
- Yet, John finds himself in prison.
- His hopes are dashed.
- His future looks bleak.
- His first cousin, Jesus, is nowhere around.
- He becomes tormented by his worst fears.
- His imagination runs wild.
- He even questioned if Jesus was truly the Messiah.
Luke 7:19 And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to Jesus, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?
The Three Hebrew Children – Said, “But If Not…” In Case Things Didn’t Meet Their Expectations.
Dan 3:16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.
Dan 3:17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.
Dan 3:18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
They proudly stood in front of the pagan king and bragged on their God. They said that their God was able to deliver them. But if He didn’t, they still weren’t going to bow down to an idol.
If the Lord God didn’t deliver them, they were still going to be faithful to Him.
Job – Watched His Mouth When Things Didn’t Meet His Expectations.
Job 1:22 In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.
None of us can imagine the horrible loss Job experienced.
- His family was destroyed.
- His children were dead.
- His vast herds stolen.
- His health was virtually destroyed.
- His wife turned in to an unbelieving nag.
- His friends did nothing but criticize and point fingers at him.
We Love To Quote Job’s Reaction To His Dilemma.
Job 13:15 Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.
The second part of the verse stands out to me today. Job certified, that though things had not turned out like he wanted, he was going to maintain his ways. He was going to keep on doing what he had always done.
What Do You Do When Things Don’t Turn Out Like You Wanted? Do You Maintain Your Ways? If You Want Your Story To Turn Out Good, Then:
- Keep on coming to church.
- Keep on worshipping.
- Keep on praying.
- Keep on singing
- Keep on loving
- Keep involved in church.
- Keep on shouting.
- Keep on paying your tithes.
- Keeping on testifying about how good God is.
Israel – Believed The Ten Spies When Things Didn’t Meet Their Expectations.
Did Israel want to go over into the Promised Land? Most certainly! The problem was, the majority of the spies saw the enemy and became frightened and faint hearted.
This didn’t look like an easy victory to them. No one paid much attention to Joshua and Caleb’s glowing report. They ignored the huge display of grapes.
Because they responded in unbelief, God allowed all but the young to die in the wilderness. They needlessly spent 40 years of wandering because of how they reacted.
Things hadn’t turned out like they expected, so they said ‘no’ to God. God in return, said ‘no’ to their inheriting the promise and gave it to their children instead.
- Never stop believing.
- Never say ‘no’ to God.
Paul – Lived With A Thorn In His Flesh When Things Didn’t Meet His Expectations.
- Paul prayed more than once for God to take his pain away. God didn’t.
- Paul had just spoken the word, and a man had gone blind for a season.
- A poisonous viper and taken hold of his hand once while he was carrying wood for a fire. He just shook it off, and though bitten, was not harmed.
Yet this thorn he spoke of, wouldn’t go away. God had answered his other prayers, why didn’t He answer this one?
Paul never knew, but he chose instead, to be content to live with his unanswered prayer request.
So, What Is My Life Lesson Here?
What Should I Do When Things Don’t Meet My Expectation?
- Like Naaman – I choose to humbly submit my self and obey the Word of the Lord given to me.
- Like The Three Hebrew Children – I will always believe God is able. But if He doesn’t deliver me… I’m still going to be faithful.
- Like Job – I want to keep my spirit right, and watch my mouth during my trial.
- Like Paul – If God doesn’t take away the pain in my life; I will learn to be content, and trust His will.
Remember God’s Words In The Old Testament When Things Don’t Meet Your Expectations.
KJV: Isa 55:8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
KJV: Isa 55:9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
The Message Bible: I don’t think the way you think. The way you work isn’t the way I work. For as the sky soars high above earth, so the way I work surpasses the way you work, and the way I think is beyond the way you think.
Remember God’s Words In The New Testament When Things Don’t Meet Your Expectations.
KJV: Luke 7:23 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.
NIV: Luke 7:23 Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me.
ESV: Luke 7:23 And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”
What Do You Do When God Doesn’t Meet Your Expectations?
The Best Worshipper In Pentecost Has Just Died!
Most of us are thunderstruck when we read about the emotional outbursts of King David as he worshipped the Lord! David was wild in his worship!
David was well-known for dancing and clapping his hands and lifting up his voice in praise.
In one place, the King even twirled in the air as he danced, when the Ark was coming back home.
But, I’m afraid the good King David will only win the 2nd Place Award in Heaven, when the Awards are handed out for Exuberance In Worship.
The 1st Place Trophy for Exuberance in Worship will just have to go to none other than Brother Donald L. Zhiss!
I can imagine King David taking lessons on the Street of Gold from him, right about now, laughing his head off, just watching Brother Don cavort and rejoice!
I’m also sure they are joining together in worship. I can see it now. Both of them Worshipping and Praising like they never imagined they could!
Today, part of me is sad that this chapter of life has closed for Bro. Don.
But, going to Heaven and seeing Jesus was what he always longed for.
The other the side of me has a big Holy Ghost grin pasted on it.
How many nights have the dear old saints of Christ Temple in South Bend heard Brother Don Zhiss thrill us, as he rejoiced in the revelation of the mighty God Jehovah, manifested in the flesh of Jesus Christ?
I’ve lost track how many times he would quote:
Deut. 6:4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord.
Or,
1 Tim. 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
I can still hear him quoting;
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.
(And then he would proceed to tell us what His name is… Jesus!)
By the time he was finished with his scripture quoting, you could count on him to be out in the aisle. That’s when the shouting would begin. You’ve never seen such rejoicing since the days of King David.
He continually, and exuberantly, rejoiced over the revelation of one God, and knowing that his name is Jesus!
I’ve seen him run the aisles, and a time or two fall down in his running. That didn’t stop him, he would even roll on the floor.
One thing for certain, no man in his right mind would run very close behind Bro Don while he was taking a lap or two around the church, because he was known to change his mind.
Many times he would do a quick reversal a run back the other way, without giving anyone notice. Slower thinking people might be apt to get accidentally run over. How a man of his stature could be so quick on his feet was amazing!
If you don’t have a Don Zhiss story, then you never visited Christ Temple twice.
I never knew him to have an off night, when it came to praise and worship. Will we miss him? You know it!
Worshippers are the ones we miss the most. No one misses a stick in the mud.
This man was a pastor dream. Never, in the 52 years have I known him, have I been aware of him causing a pastor or a saint any problem.
He had no enemies. He was indeed, a pastor’s friend.
Every time he drove by the parsonage and saw a car, with an out-of-state license plate, he would immediately go the Kentucky Fried Chicken and pick up a big bucket of chicken to help us feed our guests.
- Remember the night during Bro. Duke’s revival when he thought he could fly?
- Remember the night when a table got flattened during a worship service in the basement?
- Remember the night when he “forgot to mind the things of the flesh?”
- Remember the night when he didn’t wear his suspenders?
- Remember the night during Testimony service, when Casey got his head polished?
- Remember the night when all the men were out in the aisle, and Ted Stone got run over, several times?
- Remember the night he came home from a Youth Rally in La Porte, with Bro. Jimmy Wyant and Brother Dick Nicely and they had to stop the car several times so he could have a ‘run-away’?
- Remember how many dead services he single-handedly brought back to life with a testimony?
That’s a little of what I’m talking about.
Stories about this dear man will make you laugh harder than you’ve laughed in ages.
When I was a Pastor, Missionaries, Pastors and Evangelists from all around America repeatedly asked me about Brother Don Zhiss.
Their comments would always go something like this:
“What’s the name of that big Jew guy that’s in your church? You know, the man who worships real good?
“What’s his name again?”
“Don Zhiss?”
“Yeah, that’s him! How’s he doing? Is he still alive? I sure did like him! Man he loved to have church!”
They never asked about anyone one else. They all loved this man, because he never had to be prompted to worship.
What Brother Don possessed was like a well of living water springing up!
He was ‘cited about name of the Lord. He never said excited, he just said that he was ‘cited about the Lord!
- Brother Don was almost always the first one to say amen to the preacher.
- He also had a conscious that was very tender and very careful.
- His life was wrapped up in church.
- When the church doors were open, you could count on him to be there.
- As long as I’ve known him, he faithfully attended church, when his health permitted.
- He never let the fire in his soul go out! He never lost his Joy.
Almost every church in Northern Indiana and Southern Michigan has enjoyed a visit or two from Brother Don Zhiss. When he came, few ever forgot him.
Wednesday of this week, we said our final good byes to the best worshipper you could ever hope to meet.
What’s Going On In Heaven Right Now? “I Can Only Imagine!”
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At The Request Of Family And Friends, Here Is His Home-going Service.
It’s Amazing The Excuses Some Have For Not Worshipping!
It’s Amazing The Excuses Some Have For Not Worshipping!
Psa 149:3 Let them praise his name in the dance…
The News Got Home Before He Did!
The News Got Home Before He Did!
News in Apostolic circles always travels fast! The word of Peter’s visit with Cornelius beat him back to Jerusalem. That was no small feat in itself.
Peter looked at the unsmiling faces of his Jerusalem brethren. These were the men whom he had fished with all night long before. They were his old friends. He had literally spent day and night with them for the last three years, or so. Over there sat Doctor Luke, and there was Matthew the old tax collector. His buddies James and John didn’t even show their usual smiles when he had walked in the room. Accusations were in all of their eyes. No one looked kindly at him.
That fact really did not overwhelm the man on the hot seat. He had grown up in a world of rough and tumble. He was familiar with using fists, and was even known to carry a sword. Today however, the war was to be one of words and opinions.
Firmly entrenched in each of the questioner’s minds was a deep bias and prejudice against every non-Jew. There was no moderator or Judge in the room. Peter was fair game for them all. Today would probably be his last day of honor among them. It all hinged on what Peter had to say.
Everyone felt free to question his activities and his motives. They opened the volley of questioning, with what happened to be their first and last shot.
“Peter, we understand you went into a house belonging to an uncircumcised man and ate meals with him and his family,” someone said.
There it was. Peter was guilty of fraternizing with the Gentiles. He had crossed the line of propriety and decorum. His accusers were quite ready to censor him, maybe even worse.
Peter was tired in body. He had been in Joppa just a few days ago when the Lord had given him the vision of the sheet containing unclean things and had commanded him to slay and eat. After his continued refusal, the Lord had said not to call that which He had cleansed, common or unclean. The Lord then told him that there were men downstairs at the door and he was to go with them.
It was a 36-mile walk from Joppa to Caesarea, the Roman capital city of Judea. The trip had taken all day and was tiring by itself. But, as soon as he had entered the home of Cornelius, they put him right to work. They immediately made him stand up and preach to them about Jesus.
While Peter was preaching, the Holy Ghost fell on everyone in the room and they began to speak in tongues, just like the hundred and twenty did on the day of Pentecost.
When Peter heard them speak in tongues, not only was he astonished, but the Jewish believers with Peter were amazed as well. Peter then commanded everyone that had just received the Holy Ghost to be baptized in the name of the Lord.
He then stayed with Cornelius for a few days to further instruct him and his family in the Scriptures.
The 60-mile journey from there back to Jerusalem was wearisome as well. But still there had been no time to rest.
Immediately upon arriving home, he was put on trial. His ministry was now in question. His motives were under suspicion. His actions were reprehensible to every conservative Jew in the room.
It was his make or break moment. Jesus wasn’t here anymore to moderate the dissention. It felt like the whole New Testament Church was against him.
Peter had never used polish in his approach to anything. He spoke with great plainness of speech. He disarmed his questioners by being candid and straightforward. He told them of his vision, his preaching to the household of Cornelius, and how the Holy Ghost had fallen on them, just like it fell on us.
The countenance of each accuser’s face in the room changed. There it was! God had put his blessing upon the whole event, by pouring out His Spirit.
The Question and Answer session immediately dissolved into a worship service. All of the Apostles worshipped the Lord together. They gave thanks because God had given unto the Gentiles, the privilege of repentance.
Acts 11:18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.
The Apostles did not say, “Praise the Lord, twenty-six received the Holy Ghost and twenty-six were baptized.”
They thanked the Lord for Granting Repentance to the Gentiles. They knew, that if the Lord would let them repent, the Gentiles could have anything else that Heaven had to offer. That simple truth is still in effect today. The Goodness of God leads men to repentance. And, If God will let you repent, that means:
- He has just opened the Door for you to be filled with His Spirit.
- He has also just opened the Door of Healing and Blessing as well.
- It matters not what you have said or done.
- It’s no longer important where you’ve been, or with whom.
- Once God Grants you Repentance, He has just opened the Door of Eternal Salvation.
- Take advantage of it today!
It’s A Privilege To Be Able To Repent.
If God Grants You Repentance…
That Alone Is Worthy Of Your Worship!
The Night The Blind Lady Ran The Aisles
The Night The Blind Lady Ran The Aisles
The grandfather’s clock struck 12:30am as the CB radio crackled with static and mundane conversation. A female voice called, “Pastor Ballestero?”
I picked up the microphone and responded. The caller was Mary Swift, a blind lady. With a voice choked with tears Mary said, “I really need God. I want to repent. Tell me how to be saved.”
I was ready for bed and completely caught off guard by her interest in God and her request for guidance. I sat down in my Lazy Boy chair and began to answer her questions.
Mary was someone who I mainly knew from Amateur and CB radio. I had heard her voice for several years. None of her family was in church, nor did they seem interested. Mary’s midnight call was a major event in her family.
I carefully explained to Mary about the need for repentance, baptism in Jesus Name and the Holy Ghost speaking with other tongues. I knew that many were listening to our on-the-air Home Bible Study. I read several verses from the book of Acts chapters 2, 8, 10 and 19.
Every time Mary responded, I could detect sniffles and hear the tears in her voice. When I finished, it was about 1 am.
Mary asked, “Can I be baptized tonight?”
“You sure can,” I said, “I’ll meet you at the church at 1:30!”
My wife Marcia and I met Mary and her husband John at the side door. I baptized Mary in Jesus Name and she received the Holy Ghost while still in the water.
That was Wednesday night; it was also our Bible Study night. At church, I stood at the pulpit and announced the wonderful news of our new baby ‘sister’ in Christ.
I looked at Mary. With unseeing eyes, she was beaming with joy. Mary was sitting beside one of the most precious older women in the church who immediately had taken the new blind lady under her wing.
When the church heard the news of Mary’s hunger and midnight conversion, they yelled with excitement and began to run the aisles.
Mary, new to Pentecostal worship and demonstration, asked the older woman beside her, “What are they doing?”
“They are running the aisles,” was the reply.
“Why?” Mary wanted to know.
“Because you got the Holy Ghost.”
“I want to run the aisles too.” Mary said, “Here, take my hand and lead me.”
The older sister beside Mary was always responsive in worship, but was not one to run the aisles. Tonight however, she had no choice. She took Mary by the hand, and together they ran several laps around the church.
For years some had depended on excuses to exempt them from running the aisles. Tonight saw a blind Sister Mary running. They knew they didn’t have any excuses now. They all got up and ran with her.
That was the night every body ran the aisles. The blind led them in praise and rejoicing.
That makes me ask the question, “What are we waiting for?”
Why do we hold our praise and demonstration in reserve?
Are we waiting to feel condemnation before we worship too?
Worship is everybody’s business.
There are no excuses not to praise the Lord.
Mary continued to worship every service and never tired of running the aisles assisted by her friend.
When she told me they were moving south, I shed tears. Her husband wanted to buy a farm down in Arkansas and she had little choice in the matter. John has never gotten in church to my knowledge.
Thank you Sister Mary Swift. Your desire to lead in worship lingers heavy on mind after all these years. What an example you were to us all. Bless you!
Worshippers are the ones you miss the most.
Making Melody In Your Heart
Making Melody In Your Heart
Eph. 5:19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
This verse is among the Paul’s final words to the church family in Ephesus. It is cloistered sweetly amid his fatherly farewell.
Paul, in a later epistle admonishes the saints of Philippi to rejoice aloud unto the Lord all the days of our life.
Phil. 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord I: and again I say, Rejoice.
Paul promoted vocal worship in the house of God. But while writing to the good folks in Ephesus, he shows a side of himself, which is most revealing. Paul evidently made a melody in his heart even in his darkest moments.
In those few words, he wrote of the importance of singing on the inside. He encouraged all of us to have a song in our heart, and if there was no song, then to make a song. Make a melody in your heart.
This encouragement came from a man who had been through the worst events that hell could manufacture. But he didn’t stop singing. When he couldn’t sing on the outside, he was doing it on the inside.
- We knew him as a Missionary.
- We love him as a writer.
- We read about him as a preacher.
- But Paul the singer?
- Who knew?
Paul Kept Humming A Song.
2Cor. 4:8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
2Cor. 4:9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;
Paul Still Kept On Humming.
2Cor. 11:23… in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.
2Cor. 11:24 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.
2Cor. 11:25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;
2Cor. 11:26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;
2Cor. 11:27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
2Cor. 11:28 Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.
Paul Never Stopped Humming.
No matter what he had been through, he never allowed his circumstances to shut down his inner praise machine.
The story of Paul and Silas perfectly shows how quick Paul was to make melody in his heart unto the Lord. In spite of his pain, he sang.
Even though he had been beaten, his melody maker was still working. Even though he was falsely accused and imprisoned he had a melody going on in his heart.
- It was that melody that caused the earth to shake.
- It was that melody that caused all of the prisoner’s chains to come off.
- It was that melody that opened the prison’s doors for them.
- It’s unimaginable what can come out of having a melody in your heart.
My precious and godly parents sang a song many years ago written by Ira Stanphill. It’s words still echo inside my heart.
You Can have A Song In Your Heart In The Night
Ira Stanphill
1. You can have a melody down in your heart
When it’s aching, almost breaking
Even though the sorrow makes the teardrop start
You can have a melody down in your heart.
CHORUS
You can have a song in your heart in the night,
After every trial, after every mile
Anyone can sing when the sun’s shining bright
But you need a song in your heart at night.
2. Do not let your worries drive your song away,
Though tomorrow brings its sorrow
Just remember after night time comes the day
Do not let your worries drive your song away.
3. Soon the night will pass and morning bring the day
I am longing for its dawning
Until then we’ll labour here and watch and pray
Soon the night will pass and morning bring the day.
God Likes It Loud
God Likes It Loud
Job 36:29 Also can any understand the spreadings of the clouds, or the noise of his tabernacle?
Psa 33:3 Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.
Psa 66:1 Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands:
Psa 81:1 Sing aloud unto God our strength: make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob.
Psa 95:1 O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.
Psa 95:2 Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.
Psa 98:4 Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.
Psa. 150:1 Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.
Psa. 150:2 Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.
Psa. 150:3 Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.
Psa. 150:4 Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.
Psa. 150:5 Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.
Psa. 150:6 Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.
God likes it loud
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 