Archive for the ‘Pride’ Category
Some Apostolics Are Happy Their Pastor Ignores A Few New Testament Scriptures.
Are Apostolics Happy Their Pastors Ignore Some New Testament Scriptures?
Apostolics by nature should be firm believers in “coming out from among them” and being separated from the world, and unto Christ. Yet, Christian approved sins may number more than we might first think. There is also a crowd that would ignore Biblical cautions and warnings because in their mind, that was only a guideline, not an actual sin.
It is our understanding that Holiness in both inward and outward. I find it safe to also say that what is on the inside will soon show on the outside.
We sometimes hear the subject of modesty talked about behind the pulpit. We also have many new choruses about God being a holy God. Yet, if we made a list of things we are comfortable not hearing about, it just might include a few of these New Testament Scriptures. There just too many to post here.
Heb 12:15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
- Bitterness (Holding a Grudge)
Eph 4:31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put 
away from you, with all malice:
- Wrath, Anger
- Clamour (A Big Outcry)
- Throwing Fits
- Evil Speaking (Criticism)
- Malice
Eph 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
- Be Tenderhearted
- Forgiving one another
1 Tim 5:13 And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.
- Gossipers
- Busybodies
1 Tim 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
- Love of Money (Includes putting job before church?)
- Coveting To Be Rich
1 Tim 6:4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
- Envy (Jealousy)
- Strife
- Railings (Words of Criticism)
- Evil Surmisings (Imagining the Worst about someone)
1 Tim 6:5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
- Getting Caught Up In Twisted Doctrines And Beliefs
1 Tim 2:9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;
- Costly Array
- Modest Clothing
- Gold,
- Pearls
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.
- Obey (The Pastor)
- Submit Yourselves (One may obey without submitting, but it is impossible to submit without obeying.)
1 Tim 6:17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
- High mindedness
2 Pet 2:10 But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.
2 Pet 2:11 Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord.
2 Pet 2:12 But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption;
- Lust of Uncleanness
- Despise Governments (Don’t want to be told what to do.)
- Presumptous
- Self-willed
- Not Afraid to speak evil of dignitaries (Especially means your pastor)
- Railing Accusations
- Speaking evil of things they don’t understand.
Jude 1:16 These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage.
- Murmurers
- Complainers
- Walking after their own lust (Doing whatever they want)
1 Pet 2:11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
- Fleshly lusts
Matt 5:28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
- Emotional Adultery
2 Tim 2:22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
- Flee Youthful lusts (If it includes more than the sensual, could it also include sports?)
2 Tim 2:23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.
- Avoid Foolish and Stupid Questions (They just start fights)
1 Cor 11:14 Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?
1 Cor 11:15 But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.
- Men – Get A Haircut.
- Women – Don’t Ever Cut It
Matt 5:41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.
- Don’t Do The Minimum
Matt 5:43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
- Love The Neighbor (Neighboring Countries Too?)
Matt 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
- Love Your Enemies
- Bless Them That Curse You
- Do Good Things To Them That Hate You
- Pray For Them That Are Unkind To You
1 Jn 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
1 Jn 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
- Love Not The World
- Love Not The Things In The World
- Lust of the Flesh
- Lust of the Eyes
- Pride Of Life
Jas 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
- Humility
Jas 4:11 Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.
- Speaking Evil And Unkind Things Of One Another
1 Tim 5:19 Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.
- At Least Two (or Three) Witnesses Needed Before Accusing An Elder.
1 Tim 5:20 Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.
- Saints That Sin Should Be Rebuked In Church?
Jas 4:15 For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.
- Not Saying, “If The Lord Wills)
Jas 4:16 But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.
- Boasting
Jas 4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
- Ignoring The Word
Jas 1:26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.
- Not Watching What You Say
Jas 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
- Visit The Sick Orphans And Widows
- Keep Yourself Unspotted (Unaffected by) The World
Rom 1:24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
Rom 1:25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
Rom 1:26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
Rom 1:27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet.
Rom 1:28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
Rom 1:29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
Rom 1:30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
Rom 1:31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, 
implacable, unmerciful:
Rom 1:32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
- Surely This Doesn’t Need To Be Explained Further
2 Tim 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
2 Tim 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
- There’s A Reason For Every Scripture In The Bible.
- Don’t Ignore
- Don’t Pick And Choose.
Acts 20:26 Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.
Acts 20:27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.
- Peter Wasn’t Afraid To Say What Needed To Be Said
- May God Help Us All
Can You Pass The Hurt Test?
Can You Pass The Hurt Test?
Dave sat on the bar stool, drinking with some buddies from work. His head was feeling a little light. He drank enough beers to loosen up his tongue, and he began to talk. “If it wasn’t for me, they wouldn’t have a decent church building.
“I mowed the grass every week without ever being paid. I replaced all the broken window panes with money out of my own pocket. I never asked to be reimbursed. I hauled off all the trash, free of charge. I was the self-appointed janitor and maintenance man of the church. I did it for years, willingly and without pay.
“Every evening I would stop by the church when I got off work to see if I needed to fix anything. I’ve kept the church building repaired and I’ve kept it clean for years. No one has ever paid me a dime to do anything. Why, even last summer, instead of taking my family on a vacation, I used the money to buy shingles and I roofed the church by myself. I paid for every dime of it too!
“Then two weeks ago, they had a business meeting. They needed to choose another Trustee. My name never even came up. After all I’ve done, no one seemed to appreciate it enough to mention my name.
“What’s a man got to do to get recognized or be a Trustee over there? It must be politics or something. That’s why I’ve quit going to that church.”
Dave backslid because he couldn’t pass the Hurt Test!
Lynn wrote the Pastor a check to purchase 20 beautiful white folding tables and 160 matching folding chairs for the church fellowship hall.
It brought Lynn much joy to be able to buy these. God had blessed her and she wanted to give something back. The pastor had recognized her gift from the pulpit and the congregation clapped their approval. Lynn smiled.
The tables and chairs were ordered and everyone at the church was excited. These were well made and expensive.
Just before they arrived, Lynn had to be out-of-town for three weeks. When she returned and stopped by the church, she didn’t like where the tables and chairs had been stacked. She especially didn’t like how they had been stacked. Her gift to the church was being treated with carelessness, she thought.
These tables and chairs were not cheap, and if the people of this church didn’t appreciate her sacrifice enough to treat it any better than this, then she just could go to another church.
Lynn moved on because she couldn’t pass the Hurt Test!
The Hurt Test, Part 1 – Insults
The Syrophenician woman stood in front of Jesus. She was breaking custom and protocol and she knew it. The Jews had nothing to do with the likes of her. But she had an emergency. Her daughter had an unclean spirit. Her desperation drove her to see this Jesus everyone talked about.
She crumbled and fell at His feet when she came near. With great urgency she begged Him to heal her daughter.
Jesus looked down upon the woman and said, “It is not proper to give the children’s portion to dogs.”
On other days, if a Jew talked to her like that, she might have had a little something to say back. Today was different. Her daughter’s very life was at stake. There was no one else to turn to. She refused to get upset. She chose not to be offended for being called a dog.
She simply said, “Of a truth Lord, but even the dogs get crumbs that fall from the children’s table.”
Jesus marveled at her and instructed her to go home, telling her that her request had been answered. She went home and found her miracle waiting for her there.
The Syrophenician woman easily passed the Hurt Test. She chose not to be offended because of insults!
The Hurt Test, Part 2 – Rejection
King David was a man after God’s own heart. As the King in Israel, he could build anything he wanted. When David told God that he was planning to build Him a house to worship in, God said, “No.”
God told David that he was a bloody man and that building Him a house of worship wouldn’t be appropriate. The Lord said, “I want your son Solomon to build it for me. Solomon hadn’t even thought of building a Temple. He had exhibited neither burden nor passion to do so up to that point. The desire had originally been only David’s.
Rather than pout or get offended because God had rejected his offer, David helped his son, by supplying him with most of the materials needed to build the Temple. If he couldn’t build the Temple, then he was going to help someone else build it.
David easily passed The Hurt Test. He chose not to be offended by God’s rejection of his service, and His choosing another’s.
Extra Credit Test Questions
- If someone else is asked to sing a special. Can you still worship with them and help them sing?
- If someone else is asked to preach. Can you still say amen and help them preach?
- If someone else is asked to lead. Can you joyfully follow?
The Hurt Test, Part 3 – Loss
Job had everything any man could want. He had a relationship with God. He had a wife and wonderful children. He owned vast herds of cattle, camels and sheep. He was no doubt the wealthiest man in the world.
Then the dark day of disaster dawned upon him. In a matter of hours, he lost his children, his herds and all of his wealth.
The second attack upon him was his health. Boils covered his body. He scratched them with shards of broken pottery.
His friends were sure that he had sinned and this was the judgment of God. His wife suggested he curse God and die.
Job told his wife that she was talking like one of the foolish women. He said that if God lets me die, I am going to die trusting Him. I am going to keep on living for Him like I always have.
Job 13:15 Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.
Job passed The Hurt Test. He chose not to be offended at God because he had lost everything. In the end, God blessed him with double wealth and more children!
Extra Credit Test Questions
- When you lost your job, house, or car, did you also lose your praise too?
- When you were voted out of office or removed from a leadership role, did you show a bad attitude?
The Hurt Test – The Apostle Paul’s Summary
2 Corinthians 11:24 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.
2 Corinthians 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;
2 Corinthians 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;
2 Corinthians 11:27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
Even with a permanent “thorn in his side,” Paul passed The Hurt Test! He ignored his problems and encouraged everyone around him to “Rejoice evermore.” He said it again in the same breath, “Rejoice!” He even had Silas rejoice with him in prison and the Lord delivered them and all the prisoners, too.
Getting Help Passing The Hurt Test
Jesus stood and read from Isaiah 61 in the Synagogue. He sat down, looked at them all and said, “This day is the scripture fulfilled in your hearing.”
Isaiah 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
Isaiah 61:2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;
Besides bringing salvation and healing, the other ministry of our Lord is to heal all hurts and bind up the broken-hearted. He can help you pass The Hurt Test.
*Notice: All Students Failing To Pass The Hurt Test Will Be Required To Retake The Exam.
*Remember, The Teacher Will Remain Silent During The Testing!
Don’t Take Your Ego Trip To Church!
Don’t Take Your Ego Trip To Church!
A Bible Study
Take your ego trip on a motorcycle ride, on your boat or in your new luxury sedan. Take it hunting, fishing, or even take it on a softball field with the boys. Just don’t take your ego to church.
When you arrive at church, check your ego at the door. Man’s ego has no place in the work of God. God purpose is never fulfilled by an exercise of man’s self-importance. That applies to us all… preachers, musicians, singers, board members and saints.
To say we don’t have an ego would be to lie. Granted, we all know of some that have grown out of proportion. We all have an ego. Its size, or lack there of, determines our usefulness in God’s Kingdom.
Some Signs That You Have An Ego Problem.
- Concerned with the approval of others.
- Cannot live in the moment, you are always planning for the next level.
- Constantly comparing yourself to others.
- Ego needs to always right.
- Blame others
- Know everything about everything
- Never have a problem, only solutions
- Refuse to ask for help.
- Have a constant need for more.
- Always knows what wrong with everyone else.
- Always judgmental of others.
- Never willing to say I’m sorry.
An Ego Makes Us Believe We Are The Center Of The Universe.
Paul Warned Church Members Against Having An Ego.
- Rom 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
God Is Attracted To Humility. God Blesses The Humble.
- 2 Chron. 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.
Ego And Pride Seem To Be The Building Blocks Of Disaster.
1. Lucifer
- Ego got him kicked out of Heaven.
2. Saul.
- Never had a problem when he was ‘little in his own sight.’ When ego raised it’s head, things changed. It caused Saul to rule for nearly 40 years without God talking to him.
- 1 Sam 15: 17 And Samuel said, When thou wast little in thine own sight, wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the LORD anointed thee king over Israel?
- Saul’s ego couldn’t stand the songs sung about David. His jealous rage was driven by his ego.
3. Nebuchadnezzar
- His ego was so big it attracted God’s attention.
- Dan 4: 33 The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar: and he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles’ feathers, and his nails like birds’ claws.
4. Herod
- Wouldn’t give God the glory.
- Acts 12: 23 And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.
5. Nabal
- Nabal was always right in his own mind. He was so right, that no one could reason with him. That is what got him killed.
- 1 Sam 25:17 Now therefore know and consider what thou wilt do; for evil is determined against our master, and against all his household: for he is such a son of Belial, that a man cannot speak to him.
6. John The Baptist
- John the Baptist is honored for saying, “He must increase, but I must decrease.”
- He understood that his ministry was to be in submission to His Ministry.
- The promotion of flesh is not welcomed in the Spirit world.
7. David
- David had confidence, but it was God-based. “I come to you in the name of the Lord.”
- There was no ego trip involved when he fought Goliath, only a job that needed doing.
- It is not a sin to be confident in your calling and in your God. But, be careful about being confident in your flesh.
- David, the anointed future King of Israel, waited for the right time. He kept his ego under submission. He even hid in a cave.
- David may have been the best worshipper in Israel, but it wasn’t an ego trip for him.
- He may have been the best fighter in Israel, but he was modest about it.
The Self-Righteous
Eccl 7: 16 Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself?- Evidently it is possible for some to be so holy, it becomes a problem. Their ego got wrapped up with their righteouness.
- The Pharisee spirit is still alive today.
- Positions such as Trustee or Deacon have caused many egos to rise.
- Preachers, singers and musicians and saints on an Ego Trip in God’s Kingdom, will never arrive at their desired destination in Him.
- Too many young ministers jump the gun. Their ego won’t let them sit under their pastor’s ministry any longer.
- Some times, the ego will tell you to ‘go’ when you are not yet ready to ‘go.’
- Ego interferes with obedience and submission.
- Ego hinders revival.
God Gives Grace To Those That Discard Their Ego To Please Him.
- 1 Peter 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.
- James 4: 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
Are You On A Spiritual Journey Or Ego Trip?
Don’t Take Your ‘Ego Trip’ To Church!
The Unwanted Girls
The Unwanted Girls
The news story told of 285 young Indian girls that had chosen new names.
“Nakusa” or “Nakushi” (two variations of the Hindu word meaning “unwanted”) were among the names abandoned in an effort to promote their self-worth.
“Now in school, my classmates and friends will be calling me this new name, and that makes me very happy,” a 15-year-old girl told the AP after the ceremony. The teenager was formerly named Nakusa by her disappointed grandfather, but chose to be called “Ashmita,” which translates to “very tough” in Hindi.”
Girls hold certificates stating their new official names during a renaming ceremony in Satara, India, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2011. Almost 300 Indian girls known officially as "Unwanted" have traded their birth names for a fresh start in life
≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈
Reading this story made me very sad. Their culture devalues women. An unborn baby girl might well be aborted if the parents knew its gender. It’s heart breaking to me. The very thought, is unthinkable in my family.
I have been blessed more than most men to have been surrounded all my life by loving and amazing women. Their lives are blessed of God. My life has been blessed to the highest level because of them.
In my family, the women and girls are cherished, and loved. They are also respected, listened to, and honored. I always want them to know that!
Each of the married women love and honor their husbands and treat them like kings. No wonder each husband finds it easy to treat his wife like a queen and cherish her.
The daughters love and honor their fathers. They treat him with great respect. They in turn are loved and doted on. They have never felt unwanted, but rather are treated as if they were a princess.
The same is true for all the grand daughters.
It would be a near impossibility to find a family that loves it’s women more than the Ballestero family loves theirs.
With all of the above in mind, today I wish to stop and honor the women in my world.
I want to tell all of you that I love you, I honor you, and I cherish you, and I am proud of you. You all have me forever wrapped around your little fingers. I have you wrapped around my heart.
You are so gifted and talented. You are:
- Singers
- Song Writers
- Musicians
- Music Teachers
- Choir Leader
- Speakers
- Writers
- Authors
- School Teachers
- Recording Artists
- Artistic
- Designers
- Business Owners
- Leaders
- Beautiful
- Loving
- Nurturing
- Tender
- intelligent
- The Best Cooks In The World.
- The Best Mothers In The World.
- The Best Wives In The World.
- And… You really love the Lord.
- (This list could go on awhile…)
You might often be embarrassed by me, but you will never be unwanted! I love you and pray God richest blessings on you in all you do! There will never be such a thing as an unwanted girl in my family!
Let me show my readers a picture or two of why I am such a blessed man!
My Mom, Mother-in-law, Wife, Daughter, Daughters-in-law, Grand Daughters, Sisters, Sisters-in-law and Nieces are shown below. Besides all these, there are my wonderful cousins, close friends and “adopted” family members.
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- My Mother – Content Faith Ballestero
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- My Mother
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- My “Other” Mother – Marian June Davis
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- Mom Davis
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- My Wife – Marcia Starr Ballestero
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- Marcia & Marty Ballestero
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- My Daughter – Marisa Ballestero Hartzell
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- Pastor Brandon & Marisa Hartzell
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- My DIL – Kim Elrod Ballestero
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- Pastor Anthony & Kim Ballestero
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- My DIL – Christy Huntley Ballestero
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- Pastor Bryan & Christy Ballestero
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- My DIL – Courtney Phebus Ballestero
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- Pastor Martyn II & Courtney Ballestero
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- My DIL – Jasmine Robinson Ballestero
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- Andy & Jasmine Ballestero
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- Grand Daughter – Kalyx Ballestero
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- Grand Daughter – Christyana Ballestero
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- Grand Daughter – Chloe Ballestero
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- Grand Daughter – Ainsley Hartzell
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- Sister – Beverly Anne Ballestero
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- Sister – Carlene Branham
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- Sister – Ramona Yandris
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- Pastor Nathan & Ramona Yandris
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- Sister – Nila Marxer
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- Rev. Eric & Nila Marxer
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- My SIL – Alexa Starr Olson
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- Pastor Rick & Alexa Olson
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- My SIL – Rebecca Starr Trammell
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- Pastor David & Rebecca Trammell
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- My SIL – Priscilla Starr Spears
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- Pastor Curtis & Priscilla Spears
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- My SIL – Sara Starr Copple
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- Pastor Tom & Sara Copple
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- Pastor Royce & Step-SIL Glenna Davis Walker
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- Carlene, Nila, Ramona, seated – Martyn
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- Priscilla, Mom Davis, Marcia, Alexa, Rebecca, Sara
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- Niece – Stacy Branham
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- Niece – Elisha Yandris
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- Niece – Erica Marxer
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- Niece – Shauna Olson
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- Niece – Elizabeth Olson
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- Niece – Lindsay & Aaron Olson
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- Niece – Farrah Trammell Erwin
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- Niece – Heidi Trammell
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- Niece – Britt Spears
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- Niece – Charity Spears
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- Niece – Natalie Spears Colegrove
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- Niece – Michelle Hutchison
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- Niece – Sharayah Copple
Every One Of These Ladies Are Wanted!!
It don’t get any better than this. I, my friend, am a blessed man!
+ = − , − = +
+ = − , − = +
Plus Equals Minus, Minus Equals Plus!
What kind of math is that? If Albert Einstein were to read that statement, I’m sure his brow would wrinkle in puzzlement. But, it’s true!
It’s not new math. It’s old math, it’s really old math. It was the Lord that first introduced it to man.
This Old Testament verse explains both concepts:
Proverbs 11:2 When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.
This New Testament passage also explains how it works.
Luke 14:8 When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him;
Luke 14:9 And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room.
Luke 14:10 But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee.
1. + = − (Plus Equals Minus)
Proverbs 16:18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
Proverbs 13:10 Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.
Proverbs 29:23 A man’s pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.
2. − = + (Minus Equals Plus)
Matthew 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Matthew 5:5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
2 Chronicles 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.
It’s God’s Math. His Math principles never change.
Man’s Pride seems to be his biggest Minus.
Man’s Humility turns out to be his biggest Plus!
Things Daredevils Say
Things Daredevils Say
We all have an idea of what daredevils do. Some have amazed us by the very fact they survived. Others have caused us to shake our heads in disbelief that anyone would even consider doing what they just did.
Daredevils like notoriety. They wish to be seen. They enjoy the public spotlight and their 15 minutes of fame. Their ego is fueled by the applause. They really want to make it into the Guinness Book of World Records. They might even be happy if Ripley’s Believe It Or Not took notice of them too.
What Daredevils Do.
Newspapers have chronicled daredevils for years. Going over Niagara Falls in a barrel. Climbing the world’s tallest skyscrapers without a net or harness. Walking on a tight rope between the Twin Towers. Houdini’s underwater exploits while handcuffed and chained to concrete. Evel Knievil’s made over 75 ramp jumps on a motorcycle. He also suffered 433 broken bones in his life.
Hundreds of others have made the front pages because they tried something that normal people would not dare try. Sometimes they lived to talk about it, even though it was from a hospital bed. Others did not fare so well. One or two survived the first attempt, but did not on a second one.
What Daredevils Say.
Long before a daredevil privately or publicly puts himself on the line, he has had to cross that line in his mind. It’s after the twisted wheels of his thinking have already turned that we hear him announce his intentions. His intention is primarily to get attention. It may have started when he was young.
They Tried Their Daredevil Stunts When They Were Kids.
- Look Ma, no hands. (Look Ma, no teeth.)
- Watch this.
They Tried Their Daredevil Stunts When They Were Dating.
- If you love me, you’ll let me.
- What will it hurt?
- Everyone is doing it.
They Even Have Tried Their Daredevil Stunts With God.
- I’m not convicted.
- There is no God.
- Not tonight
- What’ll hurt?
- Nobody will know.
- I don’t care what anybody says.
- I can do my own thinking.
- I don’t need your help.
- I’ll do whatever I want.
- It’s my life.
- I don’t need anything
- I’ve got plenty of time.
- There’s always tomorrow.
- Everybody’s doing it.
- I’m the exception.
- I don’t have to.
- Who do you think you are telling me what to do?
There Were Daredevils In The Bible.
Pharaoh
- He said, “Who is the Lord that I should obey His voice?”
Nabal,
- Was such a son of Belial, that a man couldn’t speak to him.
- He said, ‘Who is David?”
Belshazzar,
- Ignored the punishment of God on his grandfather Nebuchadnezzar.
- Desecrated the Holy Vessels of the Temple in a lewd party.
Nadab and Abihu
- Offered Strange Fire before the Lord.
Ananias and Sapphira
- Lied to the Holy Ghost and To Peter.
Felix
- Said, “When I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.”
God detests arrogance. He called it haughtiness. Humble people aren’t daredevils. Daredevils aren’t obedient. They aren’t submissive. They do not wish to do what others do. They will always struggle to be saved.
Are you a daredevil that is trying to see how much Bible you can ignore and still be saved?
Some daredevils have a problem giving God His tithe. Others struggle with modesty and holiness. Some daredevils challenge the Pastor, the Church and the Bible. It’s dangerous to be friends with a ‘spiritual’ daredevil.
Solomon Describes The Daredevil’s Mindset.
KJV Eccl. 8:11 Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.
NIV Eccl. 8:11 ¶ When the sentence for a crime is not quickly carried out, the hearts of the people are filled with schemes to do wrong.
Daredevil, you might get by, but you won’t get away. If you think it’s not easy being a daredevil in this life, just wait until the next life.
The Sin Of Arrogance
The Sin Of Arrogance
We don’t hear arrogance preached about very often, do we? I wonder why. Could it be that the subject may come a little too close to home?
Some familiar Bible characters had problems with arrogance.
Belshazzar Was Arrogant And Defiant.
Dan 5:22 And thou his son, O Belshazzar, hast not humbled thine heart, though thou knewest all this;
Dan 5:23 But hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before thee, and thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubines, have drunk wine in them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified:
Dan 5:25 And this is the writing that was written, MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN.
Dan 5:26 This is the interpretation of the thing: MENE; God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it.
Dan 5:27 TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.
He was cursed because, although he knew to do right, he wouldn’t change. He not only became arrogant, but also defiant.
Pharaoh Was Arrogant And Proud.
Ex. 5:2 And Pharaoh said, Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the LORD, neither will I let Israel go.
Exo 10:3 And Moses and Aaron came in unto Pharaoh, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, How long wilt thou refuse to humble thyself before me? let my people go, that they may serve me.
Saul Was Arrogant and Stubborn.
1 Sam 15:23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king
He said – I have sinned, nevertheless bless me.
1Sam. 15:30 Then he said, I have sinned: yet honour me now, I pray thee,
New Testament Church Members That Were Arrogant And Presumptuous.
2 Pet 2:10 But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.
Likewise, Some Today:
- Won’t listen
- Won’t apologize
- Are never wrong
- Don’t want help
- Know it all
- Won’t hear
- Won’t change
- Ignore help
- Won’t repent
- Aren’t convicted
Arrogance Will Cause you to:
- Ignore God’s word
- Backslide
- Rebel
- Ignore help
- Feel superior
- Feel invincible
- Become Unteachable
Nabal Was So Arrogant, A Man Couldn’t Reason With Him.
1 Sam 25:17 Now therefore know and consider what thou wilt do; for evil is determined against our master, and against all his household: for he is such a son of Belial, that a man cannot speak to him.
Arrogance Cursed By God.
- Saul lost his kingdom and God wouldn’t talk to him anymore
- Belshazzar lost his kingdom and his life
God’s Condemnation Of Arrogance.
Prov 8:13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.
Adjective: forward,
Usage: archaic
1. Habitually disposed to disobedience and opposition
- headstrong, self-willed, willful
- See also: disobedient
The Spirit Of Arrogance Is Not A Teachable Spirit.
James 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
1 Sam 2:3 Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.
- Don’t Become UNTEACHABLE
God’s Cure for Arrogance
2 Chr 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.
- He’ll forgive the sin of arrogance. (It is a sin.)
- Humility is the cure!
- Humble your selves!
James 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
- Nabal wouldn’t listen, will you?
- Belshazzar wouldn’t listen, will you?
- Saul wouldn’t listen, will you?
- Pharaoh wouldn’t listen, will you?
- Naaman finally listened, got humble and obeyed, will you?
Arrogance almost robbed Naaman of his miracle! Don’t let that happen to you.
May we always walk humbly before God and our fellow-man.
Pompous Pentecostals
Pompous Pentecostals
(May the Lord be praised that we Pentecostal Apostolics have been given the honor of hearing and receiving the Gospel truth of Acts 2:38. It is a privilege to live separated from the world. I have no desire to change from this holiness lifestyle.)
In spite of our God-given heritage, too many of us are plagued with a self-righteous, and holier than thou spirit. It severely hinders the work of God.
1. Pompous Pentecostals Are Hurting The Church. They are hurting our church growth. They are hurting our spiritual growth. Saints and sinners alike observe them with disdain.
Pompous Pentecostals won’t speak to other Pentecostals in the Mall or on the street. You see them coming toward you in the mall and you nod. They don’t even nod back. They act like you are invisible. Why?
I have had warmer responses from Baptists and Methodists. Even strangers, that by all appearances have never been in a Holiness church, will readily respond to a friendly ‘Hello’ or a ‘Howdy’. Why can’t we Pentecostals be friendlier? Are we saying to the world, and even to other Pentecostals, “I’m too holy to talk to you?” Whatever happened to ‘love thy neighbor as thyself’?
2. Pompous Pentecostals Will Disfellowship One With Reckless Abandon. I’m not talking about disfellowshipping a person or a church because of immorality or doctrine that is contrary to Acts 2:38. I’m talking about precious people have been disfellowshipped for doing things that fall into the category of ‘doctrines of men’.
Here is a short list of things I’ve seen some disfellowshipped over by pastors and saints.
Wearing the color red- Wearing shoes with heels out
- Wearing shoes with toes out.
- Women’s hair not in a hair net.
- Because of no seams in women’s nylons.
- Women shaving their legs.
- Playing Old Maid.
The list is endless. Pompous Pentecostals are inconsistent. Pharisees always seemed to incur the rebukes of Jesus. He was more angry with them than the sinners.
My point is this. What if we Pompous Pentecostals disfellowship someone who God is still in fellowship with? Why are we so quick to cut people off?
How are we going to explain that in the Judgment? God forbid that we should go to heaven together with those that we disfellowshipped.
3. Pompous Pentecostals Are The Only Ones That Are Right. They are the last defenders of truth in their minds. Everyone else is wrong. If they are not in our fellowship circle, they are lost.
Two things will be our downfall… Worldliness and Fanaticism.
Eccl. 7:16 Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself?
Eccl. 7:17 Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time?
There are good Holiness minded Apostolic people who are scorned, shunned and discounted because they are not considered exactly like those that we are comfortable around.
4. Pompous Pentecostals Have Need Of Nothing.
Rev. 3:14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
Rev. 3:15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
Rev. 3:16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
Rev. 3:17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
Pompous folks won’t receive preaching that involves correction or instruction. They feel no need for improvement.
A fine young couple moved to the assembly I pastored from a church 2,500 miles away. I knew his former pastor preached against wearing watches.
The couple had been at our church for several weeks. One Bible Study night I singled out our new brother who was sitting on the front row. I welcomed him and told him what a blessing he was to the whole church.
“I notice that you do not wear a watch.” I said .
He shook his head no.
“I honor and respect that carefulness in you. Never lose your carefulness before the Lord.
We have some that wear watches in this church. I appreciate the wearers using them for timepieces and not for ornamentation. The best watches are Plantwear.
“But I don’t want you to go out and buy a watch and hurt your conscience because everyone here has one. I don’t want you wearing one just because we allow them here. Do you understand?”
He nodded.
“On the other hand, if you don’t wear one and we do, then I don’t want you to sit there and feel holier than the rest of the church and the pastor because you don’t and we do.
Because once you feel holier than the pastor, he can no longer help you or teach you. You in your own mind are holier than him and the church.
“If that spirit ever gets ahold of you then I am ordering you to go out and buy two watches and wear one on each wrist until you get over that spirit.
He nodded. He bought a watch.
5. Pompous Pentecostals Get Caught Up In Secondary Boycotts. You are my friend’s enemy, so you are then my enemy, because I love my friend. I don’t know what you did, but my friend leaves you alone, so I will too. There has to be something wrong with you if you and my friend are not close friends.
6. Pompous Pentecostals Show Their Prejudices. God doesn’t have a White Church, a Black Church, a Hispanic Church or an Asian Church. He just has a Church. How can we say we love God and hate our brother enough not to want to worship in the same building with him?
I was at a church were several dozen people boycotted the Sunday services because the pastor had personally canvassed and bused in several bus loads of people from the ‘projects’ the week before.
They wanted no one from the ‘low income’ housing development to attend their upscale church. The boycotting of the weekend services by all the ‘rich’ people was to get the pastor’s attention and make him ignore ‘those low class people’
Jesus came to seek and to save that which was lost. What would it be like in a world where love was felt and people were treated with kindness regardless of income or race?
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Definition – Online Dictionary and Thesaurus
Pompous
Part of Speech: adjective
Definition: arrogant, egotistic
Synonyms: affected, arrogant, bloated, boastful, bombastic, conceited, flatulent, flaunting, flowery, haughty, high and mighty, high-flown, highfaluting, important, inflated, magisterial, narcissistic, ostentatious, overbearing, overblown, pontifical, portentous, presumptuous, pretentious, puffed up, puffy, rhetorical, self-centered, self-important, selfish, self-important, showy, snobbish, stuck-up, supercilious, uppity, vain,
Antonym: (the opposite meaning) = modest
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The opposite of being a Pompous Pentecostal, is being a Modest Pentecostal.
May we all remember the timeless lesson Jesus gave about the Pharisee and the Publican. The Pharisee was proud that he was not like ‘other’ men and bragged on his own ‘godliness.’ The Publican was ashamed and with much inward pain smote his chest and asked for God’s mercy. “I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. ” Luke 18:14
Give God What He Can Bless!
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?
“The Kite, or the Fall of Pride”
(Last night I heard Pastor Tony Spell quote this very rare old poem. I wanted to share it with my readers. It is written by the same man who wrote ‘Amazing Grace.’)
“The Kite, or the Fall of Pride”
John Newton
Aug. 4, 1770
My waking dreams are best concealed,
Much folly, little good they yield.
But now and then I gain when sleeping
A friendly hint that’s worth the keeping.
…
Lately I dreamt of one who cried
“Beware of self, beware of pride;
When you are prone to build a Babel
Recall to mind this little fable.”
Once upon a time a paper kite
Was mounted to a wondrous height,
Where, giddy with its elevation,
It thus expressed self-admiration:
…
”See how yon crowds of gazing people
Admire my flight above the steeple;
How they would wonder if they knew
All that a kite like me can do?
…
Were I but free, I’d take a flight,
And pierce the clouds beyond their sight.
“But, ah! like a poor pris’ner bound,
My string confines me near the ground:
…
I’d brave the eagle’s tow’ring wing,
Might I but fly without a string.”
It tugged and pulled, while thus it spoke
To break the string; at last it broke.
…
Deprived at once of all its stay,
In vain it tried to soar away;
Unable its own weight to bear,
It fluttered downward through the air;
…
Unable its own course to guide,
The winds soon plunged it in the tide.
Ah! foolish kite; thou hadst no wing;
How couldt thou fly without a string?
…
My heart replied, “O Lord, I see
How much this kite resembles me!
Forgetful that by thee I stand,
Impatient of thy ruling hand;
…
“How oft I’ve wished to break the lines
Thy wisdom for my lot assigns?
How oft indulged a vain desire
For something more or something higher.
…
And but for grace or love divine,
A fall thus dreadful had been mine.”
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 