Archive for the ‘Renewal’ Category
Longing for the Presence of God
Longing for the Presence of God
By
Nila Marxer
Editor of The Ballestero Blog
When in the course of this world’s self-centered existence, pleasures no longer seem to satisfy. When there’s an emptiness within that cannot be filled with friendships, social media, entertainment, work, travel or prestige. If there still persists this longing, this emptiness, this abandonment of everything that once brought happiness, if there are moments when tears will flood your eyes, and there’s no comprehension as to why you are crying, when you start to wonder why you’re alive, or why do you exist in a world filled with hatred, pain, disease and every sin that exists, you, my friend, are experiencing a tug from the hand of God drawing you toward Him.
When life gives no pleasure, you may endeavor to search to find the answer. You may seek out various religions, inquire of philosophers, solicit wise men, and explore divinations. Some will experience with sex, pornography, lesbianism, homosexuality, drugs, and alcohol, and still find no fulfillment in life. The void will still be there. The loneliness will still persist even though you are surrounded by multitudes of people. Your life will be empty because your soul is empty.
The emptiness remains. It will always remain until a change is made within. The loneliness will still exist. It will always exist until you make a decision to turn from your life of sin and acknowledge your need of God. The hunger that plagues your soul, and the voice that continually whispers in your ear throughout your day and long into the middle of the night telling you that your soul can only be filled by the One who created it, will always be there until you respond. You may try to stifle it, cover it with distractions, ignore it, but it will not be ignored. God will seek you out. His longing for you will reach to seek you out in the bars, in drug houses, on street corners, in the middle of your great achievements, or in the depths of your deepest depression because your soul is responding to the tug of God wrapping and enclosing it with cords of love and gently, with tenderness, with compassion, and with great longing, He draws you closer to Him. He reaches into the mire of a sinful world to rescue you. You are the one He longs to draw near to Himself. He wants you. You cannot escape His powerful, yet gentle tug. You will be in the middle of some great entertainment and realize that this doesn’t satisfy. You will be on your high, and know that it doesn’t satisfy. Your addiction keeps you going back for more, but you still feel the deadness inside. God will gently drop a hunger down in your soul, and you won’t realize it at first as you try to fill your days with distractions, business, work, or pleasures. How, after you have lived such a sinful existence, can you still feel this hunger? You were created in His image. It was for the plan of God that you exist. He, and He alone knows your thoughts, your desires, your loneliness, and only He can fill it. Patiently He draws your soul; daily He gently pulls it closer to Him, to repent of a life filled with sinful pleasures and turn toward Him.
When you have repented wholly of every sinful action, thought or desire you have done; when you ask this faithful God of heaven to change your thoughts, moods, desires and actions so that you can be transparent, and know what it’s like to live in freedom – freedom from secrets, shame, and sin; when you desire to turn from the life that you thought you wanted, you will be close to living in the presence of God. When you clean your soul by repenting of the filth in which you once filled it, you can wash away every trace of sin by being buried in the waters of baptism in the only saving name, the name of Jesus Christ.
Only then will the God of heaven deign to come into your life – a life cleansed from sin – and fill it totally with His Spirit. You will know the exact moment. Throughout the rest of your life, you will remember the day when this powerful and wonderful change happened to you. It will only come by complete submission. You will begin speaking in a language in which you have never learned. When God takes over your tongue and uses it as evidence of His Spirit coming into your life, only then the most powerful transformation will begin in your soul.
The emptiness is totally, and forever filled. The longing you once felt is satisfied, because your soul was longing for the One who created it. His presence brings love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance. The change in your life will become so apparent you will feel this change. Others will see the change, yet there’s still more. When all self-centeredness, worldliness and pride are surrendered to Him, when wills, hopes, dreams, friendships, and desires are surrendered, and your life is wholly given to Him who desires to love, cherish, perfect and use you, it’s then, and only then you will find peace, contentment and completeness in this sin-craved world in which you live.
When you become so desirous to experience more of God, and become involved in His work, you will not take pleasure in your accomplishments and in your work for Him, but humbly offer them to God, not so others can see, but in love and humility and humbleness offer them to the One who gave you so much. Your desire to be seen and heard is no longer what drives you, but the drive will be that your soul existence is to be seen and heard by God. That His desires become your desires.
When you can desire Him more than the food you eat, more than the very breath you breathe only then can you really see the design He has for your life. You will not wonder, then, when you’re experiencing pain, financial distress, health problems, relationship problems, or whatever difficulty comes to your life because you are confident in the One who designed this temple of flesh, and will purge it of every hindrance so that you can become the complete masterpiece design which God had in mind at the birth of your existence.
When you become wholly dedicated to the will of God, and not question His direction on your life, communicate with Him in complete abandon, desire to dwell in His Word, it’s then that you can become the temple He will take pleasure to abide in. Only then will you be confident that no matter what life brings you, He will always and forever be there with you to face anything that happens in your life, because the circumstances, disappointments, and trials will only strengthen your fleshly temple as He continues to abide in it. Only then will you be a complete and holy temple that is filled with the presence of God.
My Old Man Is Crazy!
My Old Man Is Crazy!
I’m not saying he’s bipolar.
I’m not saying he has schizophrenia.
I’m not saying he should be in an institution or that he’s stupid.
I’m just saying he’s crazy. He’s very smart, yet he’s really crazy.
My old man’s not right.
I hate him too.
He embarrasses me in front of my friends.
When you tell him how horrible he is, he agrees but doesn’t change.
He even makes me cry sometimes.
He has hurt me so bad that I was embarrassed to tell even my closest friends.
I hate to say this, but I really don’t even like him.
I’ve even told him that I don’t love him and I never will.
My Old Man Is Crazy!
He does stupid and random stuff that truly scares me.
I am ashamed for him to be around me.
He lives in denial and keeps justifying all his craziness.
He likes things he shouldn’t.
He really needs help, but no one can help him.
He’s read up on his condition and says he knows what he needs to do.
But, I don’t think he is making any progress.
He really needs to stop and consider his horrible actions.
My old man is not loved by anyone.
His craziness pushes everyone away.
They all roll their eyes when he shows up.
His so-called friends just shake their heads in dismay and disappointment.
My Old Man Is Crazy!
He does things he shouldn’t.
He says things he shouldn’t.
He is very good at rationalizing and justifying himself.
He’s crazy, I’m telling you.
Some would like to see him dead.
I know some would even come to his funeral just to make sure he was really dead.
He’s just that bad.
He is so bad that God doesn’t like him.
I hate everything about him.
He’s horrible.
I loathe him.
He’ll never change.
My Old Man Is Crazy!
No self-help book has a remedy for him.
No prescription can help.
Therapists can’t fix him
Warnings and threats don’t seem to work.
And it’s driving me crazy too.
I wish he was out of my life.
I can’t tell you how happy I would be just to know my old man is graveyard dead,
My old man is crazy.
I told him he is not welcome in my house.
I told him to leave my family alone.
I told him that I cannot allow his influences in my life.
I told him to go away, I never wanted to see him again.
My Old Man Is Crazy!
I told him I am sick and tired of putting up with his mess.
I want my old man to be forever gone.
Judge me if you must,
I want my old man dead.
My old man makes me cry.
His actions are corrupt.
His words are deceitful, and his life is a sham.
I hate everything he does.
He wants attention.
His life is all about him and no one else.
No one can tell him what to do.
He hates that.
My Old Man Is Crazy!
My old man was always there.
He was there when I was born.
He’s been there for every event of my life.
Good times or bad, he was there.
That’s not even a good thing.
He gets all up in my business.
He meddles in every area of my life.
He messes up some of the most wonderful moments of my life.
I got to the place I had to tell my old man he was going to have to die.
He resisted and argued loudly with me.
But I wouldn’t budge, or back down.
He said he wouldn’t die willingly.
My Old Man Is Crazy!
So, I told him to prepare to be buried alive.
I forced him to his knees and kept him there.
I reminded him of every horrible thing he had done to me and my family.
My old man said he felt so dirty and ashamed, but I wouldn’t stop.
He cried and asked for mercy and forgiveness.
That’s when my old man died.
I started smiling for the first time in years.
My old man was dead.
“What shall we do with him?” Someone asked.
“Bury him,” I said.
Several gathered around to help bury my old man.
The Preacher buried him in water in Jesus Name.
My Old Man Is Crazy!
I shouted all over the church when my old man died.
The heaviest weight of my life was lifted.
My friends and family rejoiced with me.
I even told my neighbors that my old man was dead, and I smiled a big smile.
My life became peaceful and serene when my old man died.
I put a marker on his grave.
For all the world to see.
“Here lies My Old Man… Flesh”
(You’re not going to believe this.)
Some days later, I got the shock of my life.
I wanted to scream in horror.
I almost died from fright.
My Old Man Is Crazy!
There standing at my door was my old man.
He just grinned and pushed his way in.
This can’t be happening!
This is unreal!
But there he stood anyway.
My family cringed in fear.
How could this be happening?
My old man was like some un-earthling who could come back alive.
My mother told about a man named Paul.
He had a similar problem with his old man,
And he had to make him die every day.
Every day? E-V-E-R-Y DAY? Oh, No!
My Old Man Is Crazy!
I took him to church.
I needed some help.
I couldn’t let him live in my house anymore.
He couldn’t move back in.
I told him to pray.
I told him to fast.
I told him to deny himself.
I told him I want him to die again.
He doesn’t make going to church a priority, he’s not faithful.
He won’t pray like he knows he needs to.
He doesn’t like the subject of tithes.
He doesn’t read his Bible.
My Old Man Is Crazy!
He’s a rebel.
He hates standards.
He hates preachers.
He makes fun of holiness
My Old Man Is Crazy!
He gets defensive when the preacher said corrective things to him.
Like a macabre nightmare, sometimes he seems dead, then comes right back alive again.
I wish he’d stay dead.
He’s so bad, even God even wants him dead.
The preacher is tired of him, too. He won’t stay dead.
Many preachers have tried to get him to change but without any success.
The church family has tried to tolerate him.
His whole family has about given up on him.
As long as my old man is alive, my life is spent in vain.
As long as my old man is alive, I’ll never be saved.
As long as my old man is alive, I’ll never please God.
As long as my old man is alive, my inheritance is at risk.
My Old Man Is Crazy!
So now it’s a daily routine.
When I wake up in the morning and start my day.
He’s sitting on the edge of my bed.
Very much alive.
My daily routine now includes the unimaginable.
I have to figure out a way to make my old man die every day.
It’s not always easy to do
But it must be done.
My crazy old man.
My flesh.
Must die.
Everyday.
My Old Man Is Crazy!
_______________________________________
Joseph asked his brethren this question about his earthly father.
He called him, “the old man.”
Gen. 43:27 And he asked them of their welfare, and said, Is your father well, the old man of whom ye spake? Is he yet alive?
Today, I Ask This Question Of Your Flesh… Is Your Old Man Alive?
Eph. 4:22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation* the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
*lifestyle
Paul Said That His Old Man Had To Die Every Day. 1 Co 15:31
Is Your Old Man Still Alive?
The Anatomy Of A Spiritual Shutdown
The Anatomy Of A Spiritual Shutdown
We read about government shutdowns. We all know of businesses that have shutdown. Computer owners know about the shutdown button on their laptop.
Every child of God knows of a church member that appears to have shutdown. They no longer worship or pray as they did before. They’ve become unfaithful. A change has certainly taken place.
As a pastor and an evangelist, it has been my joy over the years to see people miraculously grow and develop in God. It has also been my heartache and frustration to see some self-destruct and lose their joy, their testimony, their good attitude and their hope of being used of God.
Watching the spiritual decline of a child of God is not an easy thing for one to see. Their choices of wrong friends become the first great influencing factor in their decline. The hearts and souls of their family, friends and the ministry, are made to ache.
“You can’t help those who don’t want help,” is a phrase quickly understood by friends, preachers and teachers. Parents are grieved, spouses are influenced, and children are almost always damaged as a result.
What is the cause? What happened to rob this person of their joy? What happened to rob this person of their respect for the things of God? What happened that would cause the flame of their spiritual fervor to go out?
I think the answer is found in the book of Psalms, Chapter One.
Ps 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
Please Notice This Persons Progression Toward A Spiritual Shutdown.
- Walking
- Standing
- Sitting
1. Walking
Most would refer to their spiritual life, as their ‘Walk With God.” Too often unassuming and impressionable souls have walked in the Counsel of the Ungodly.
- Who we listen to, always affects what happens to us.
- It’s not long before we become a product of who they are and what they say.
- The counsel of the ungodly will never bring anyone closer to God. Their advice will only bring devastation to spiritual progress.
- If we claim to be spiritually minded, why would we ever seek advice from the Ungodly?
- We must watch whom we walk with and whom we listen to.
2. Standing Still
If we listen to the advice of the Ungodly, then we quickly become the stumbling block that prevents sinners from finding God.
What started out as a Walk, has changed into a Standing still. We become a roadblock of sorts.
The Apostle Paul recognized the powerful influence of the wrong people in our lives. He confronted the issue directly in his letter to the Galatians.
Gal 3:1 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?
Gal 5:7 Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?
Paul made it very clear that it is the Who and not the What that gives us the biggest problems in living for God. People, more than Things bring negative influences into our thinking.
3. Sitting (With A Bad Attitude)
I promise you by all that’s holy, that by allowing our Walk to include the Counsel of the Ungodly, our Walk with God is brought to a standstill. What happens next is so sad. We won’t standstill for very long. We’ll soon find a place to sit down. This is the most grievous of the three positions.
If We Sit in The Seat Of The Scornful, We Will Soon Be:
- Critical Of The Church,
- Critical Of It’s Standards,
- Critical Of It’s Preachers
- Critical Of The Saints.
- Uncooperative,
- Uninvolved,
- Joyless
- A Hindrance To Revival.
- Without The Blessings Of God.
- Backslidden In Heart.
- A Negative Influence On All Those Around Us.
The Change Is Subtle At First, Then Very Obvious At The End.
Remember the young man who helped the Apostle Paul for a while? He is first listed as a Fellow laborer, or some one who worked shoulder to shoulder with Paul. In the next mention, he is referred to as an also ran… ‘and Demas.’ Lastly, Paul announces the absence of Demas. Demas had a spiritual shutdown.
1. Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers. (Philemon 1:24)
2. Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you. (Colossians 4:14)
3. For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia. (2 Timothy 4:10)
What Are The Chances Of Recovery From A Shutdown?
(How Many Do We Know That Have Changed From Sullen To Joyful?)
I Truly Pray That All Men And Women Will Be Able To Recover Themselves If They Want To!
Paul told Timothy how to deal with these people in the hope they would recognize and admit their wrong doings, and if they did, maybe, just maybe, God would give them repentance.
2 Timothy 2:25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
God Promises Some Amazing Things Here:
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.
1. If we will HUMBLE ourselves,
2. PRAY
3. SEEK GOD’S FACE – (Which includes WORSHIP)
4. TURN FROM OUR WICKED WAYS
THEN…
5. He will HEAR our prayer. (God will take us off ‘hold’ status and listen to us pray.)
6. He will FORGIVE OUR SINS
7. HEAL OUR LAND – (Bless our finances)
If You Have Experienced Spiritual Shutdown…
You Can Find Restoration And Once Again Experience The Joy Of The Lord!
Altar Call Songs
Are You Old Enough To Remember These?
- My wife Marcia and I put this Altar Call song list together back in 1999.
- (These may be old songs from at least a generation or two back. But they still work!)
Finding the right song to play and sing for Altar Call is, in my mind, indeed a gift. Not everyone is blessed in that department. More often than not the right song sung at the end of a sermon can make all the difference in the outcome. If the song doesn’t ‘fit,’ if distracts in a noticeable manner.
This generation of musicians seems to have focused on the newer music alone, and not a few have ignored the older songs for altar call altogether. What a horrible loss!
Only the titles of some of the old songs are listed below. They are merely meant to be memory prompts. Either you know them or you don’t. I hope you do.
I thank every musician and singer for making any attempt to keep even a few of our old faithful songs alive.
MJB
https://www.dropbox.com/s/sn5hi2o378jrj05/Altar%20Songs%20List.xls
Click this link to download the file
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Altar Call Songs, Or Songs To Sing While Others Are Praying In The Altar.
| ABOVE ALL ELSE, I MUST BE SAVED |
| ALL HE WANTS IS YOU |
| ALMOST PERSUADED |
| AMAZING GRACE |
| ARE YOU IN THE CHURCH TRIUMPHANT? |
| ARE YOU READY, ARE YOU READY |
| ARE YOU WASHED, IN THE BLOOD? |
| ASK THE SAVIOR TO HELP YOU |
| AT THE CROSS, AT THE CROSS |
| BACK TO BETHEL |
| BECAUSE HE LIVES |
| BEHOLD THE BRIDEGROOM COMETH |
| BLESSED ASSURANCE |
| CALLING TODAY, HE’S CALLING TODAY |
| CLOSE TO THEE |
| COME UNTO ME AND I WILL GIVE YOU REST |
| COMING DOWN DOWN DOWN |
| COMING HOME |
| DEAR JESUS, ABIDE WITH ME |
| DO YOU KNOW MY JESUS, DO YOU KNOW MY FRIEND? |
| DON’T LET IT BE SAID, TOO LATE, TOO LATE |
| DON’T LET ME FORGET WHAT THE LORD HAS DONE FOR |
| DON’T LET ME STAND WITHOUT A STAR IN MY CROWN |
| DON’T LET ME WALK TOO FAR FROM CALVARY |
| DON’T TURN HIM AWAY |
| DOWN AT THE CROSS |
| DOWN FROM HIS GLORY |
| EASTERN GATE |
| ETERNITY, ETERNITY, WHERE WILL YOU SPEND ETERNITY? |
| FARTHER ALONG |
| FILL ME NOW |
| FILL MY CUP LORD |
| GIVE ME A CLEAN HEART |
| GIVE UP AND LET JESUS TAKE OVER |
| GOD’S NOT DEAD, HE’S STILL ALIVE |
| GOT ANY RIVERS YOU THINK ARE UNCROSSABLE? |
| GRACE, GRACE, GOD’S GRACE |
| HAD IT NOT BEEN |
| HALLELUJAH PRAISE THE LAMB |
| HAVE THINE OWN WAY LORD |
| HAVE YOU COUNTED THE COST? |
| HE’S COMING SOON |
| HE’S MY ROCK MY SWORD |
| HE’S THE OAK AND I’M THE IVY |
| HE HAD COMPASSION ON ME |
| HE IS ABLE TO DELIVER THEE |
| HE IS LORD |
| HE IS MY REASON FOR LIVING |
| HE KNEW ME, YET HE LOVED ME, HE WHOSE GLORY MADE |
| HE KNOWS JUST WHAT I NEED |
| HE LOOKED BEYOND MY FAULTS AND SAW MY NEED |
| HE SET ME FREE YES, HE SET ME FREE |
| HE TOUCHED ME |
| HE WASHED MY EYES WITH TEARS |
| HEAVEN IS A HOLY PLACE |
| HEAVEN WILL SURELY BE WORTH IT ALL |
| HERE I AM LORD, HERE I AM, I GIVE ALL MYSELF TO THEE.. |
| HIS POWER CAN MAKE YOU WHAT YOU OUGHT TO BE |
| HOLD TO GOD’S UNCHANGING HAND |
| HOLY GHOST GETTING US READY |
| HOW ABOUT YOUR HEART? |
| HOW LONG HAS IT BEEN? |
| I’LL BE SOMEWHERE A LISTENING, |
| I’LL GO WHERE YOU WANT ME TO GO DEAR LORD |
| I’M GETTING READY TO LEAVE THIS WORLD |
| I’M GOING THROUGH JESUS, I’M GOING THROUGH |
| I’M SO GLAD JESUS LIFTED ME |
| I’M SO GLAD THAT THE LORD SAVED ME |
| I’VE BEEN TO CALVARY |
| I’VE GOT IT, I’VE GOT IT |
| I’VE GOT THE HOLY GHOST DOWN IN MY SOUL, JUST LIKE THE |
| I AM THINE OH LORD, I HAVE HEARD THY VOICE |
| I CAN’T EVEN WALK WITHOUT YOU HOLDING MY HAND |
| I CANNOT FAIL THE LORD |
| I COULD NEVER OUT LOVE THE LORD |
| I JUST STEAL AWAY |
| I KNOW IT WAS THE BLOOD |
| I LOVE HIM FOR HE IS MINE, I LOVE HIM FOR HE IS DIVINE |
| I LOVE HIM TOO MUCH TO FAIL HIM NOW |
| I LOVE HIM, I LOVE HIM, BECAUSE HE FIRST LOVED ME |
| I MUST BE SAVED |
| I MUST TELL JESUS |
| I NEED THEE EVERY HOUR |
| I NEED THEE, OH I NEED THEE |
| I SAW THE LIGHT |
| I SEE A CRIMSON STREAM OF BLOOD |
| I SHALL KNOW HIM, I SHALL KNOW HIM |
| I SHOULD HAVE BEEN CRUCIFIED |
| I SURRENDER ALL |
| I WANT TO BE READY TO GO, DON’T YOU? |
| I WANT TO LIVE THE WAY HE WANTS ME TO LIVE |
| I WAS THERE WHEN JESUS SAVED ME |
| I WILL PRAISE HIM, PRAISE THE LAMB FOR SINNERS SLAIN |
| I WILL SAY YES, LORD, YES TO THY WILL AND TO THY WAY |
| I WILL SERVE THEE BECAUSE I LOVE THEE |
| I WOULD NOT BE DENIED |
| IF I HAVE WOUNDED ANY SOUL TODAY |
| IF YOU’VE TRIED EVERYTHING, AND EVERYTHING HAS FAILED.. |
| IF YOU HAD KNOWN ME, BEFORE I KNEW HIM, YOU’D… |
| IN THE NAME OF JESUS |
| IN THE UPPER ROOM WITH JESUS MY LORD |
| IN TIMES LIKE THESE |
| INTO MY HEART, INTO MY HEART |
| INTO THY CHAMBER |
| INTO YOUR PRESENCE WE COME |
| IS THINE HEART RIGHT WITH GOD |
| IS YOUR ALL ON THE ALTAR OF SACRIFICE LAIN? |
| IT’S FOR ME, IT’S FOR YOU, FOR YOUR CHILDREN… |
| IT’S HARVEST TIME |
| IT’S MY DESIRE |
| IT’S NOT THE FIRST MILE |
| IT’S REAL, IT’S REAL |
| IT REACHES TO THE HIGHEST MOUNTAIN |
| JESUS BE THE LORD OF ALL |
| JESUS BREAKS EVERY FETTER |
| JESUS I LOVE YOU, FOR YOUR TENDER CARE |
| JESUS IS HERE RIGHT NOW, REACH OUT AND TOUCH HIM |
| JESUS ON THE MAIN LINE |
| JESUS USE ME, OH LORD PLEASE DON.T REFUSE ME |
| JESUS, MY REASON FOR LIVING |
| JESUS, OH JESUS, DO YOU KNOW HIM TODAY? |
| JUST A CLOSER WALK WITH THEE |
| JUST AS I AM, WITHOUT ONE PLEA |
| JUST CRY JESUS |
| KNEEL AT THE CROSS |
| LEAD ME TO CALVARY |
| LEAD ME, GUIDE ME, ALONG LIFE’S WAY |
| LEARNING TO LEAN, LEARNING TO LEAN |
| LEAVE THEM THERE, LEAVE THEM THERE |
| LEST I FORGET |
| LET IT BREATHE ON ME… |
| LET ME LOSE MYSELF AND FIND IT LORD IN THEE |
| LET ME WALK WITH YOU JESUS |
| LET THE LOWER LIGHTS BE BURNING |
| LOOK TO THE LAMB OF GOD |
| LOOK WHAT THE LORD HAS DONE |
| LORD DON’T LET ME FAIL |
| LORD LAY SOME SOUL UPON MY HEART |
| LORD LIFT ME UP, AND LET ME STAND |
| LORD LIFT US UP WHERE WE BELONQ |
| LORD PREPARE ME A SANCTUARY |
| LORD SEND A REVIVAL, OF THE OLD TIME POWER |
| LOVEST THOU ME MORE THAN THESE….? |
| MAKE ME WHAT I OUGHT TO BE |
| MANY THINGS ABOUT TOMORROW |
| MERCY REWROTE MY LIFE |
| MERCY THERE WAS GREAT AND GRACE WAS FREE |
| MORE OF THEE, MORE OF THEE, I HAVE ALL, BUT WHAT I |
| MOVE ME WITH YOUR MESSAGE |
| MUST JESUS BEAR THE CROSS ALONE |
| MY HOUSE IS FULL, BUT MY FIELD IS EMPTY |
| NEAR THE CROSS |
| NEARING HOME |
| NO ONE EVER CARED FOR ME LIKE JESUS |
| NO ONE, NO ONE LIKE JESUS |
| NOW LET US HAVE A LITTLE TALK WITH JESUS |
| OH FOR A THOUSAND TONGUES TO SING |
| OH LORD HAVE MERCY |
| OH SOUL AWAY, SOON THE LORD SHALL COME, AND NONE… |
| OH WHAT A SAVIOUR |
| OH WHY NOT TONIGHT? |
| OH, IT IS JESUS, OH IT IS JESUS |
| ONE DAY TOO LATE |
| ONE TOUCH OF HIS HAND |
| ONLY BELIEVE |
| ONLY JESUS CAN SATISFY |
| ONLY TRUST HIM, ONLY TRUST HIM |
| PASS ME NOT |
| PEACE, PEACE |
| PENTECOSTAL FIRE IS FALLING |
| PRECIOUS BLOOD |
| PRECIOUS JESUS |
| REACH OUT AND TOUCH THE LORD |
| RENEW IN ME, THAT 1ST LOVE |
| SEARCH ME LORD, SEARCH ME LORD, SHINE THE LIGHT OF |
| SEARCH ME OH GOD |
| SEND IT ON DOWN, SEND IT ON DOWN |
| SERVE HIM WITH ALL OF YOUR HEART |
| SHELTERED IN THE ARMS OF GOD |
| SHUT IN WITH GOD, IN A SECRET PLACE |
| SIN CAN NEVER ENTER THERE |
| SOFTLY AND TENDERLY |
| SOME GLORIOUS DAYBREAK, JESUS WILL COME |
| SOMEDAY THERE’LL BE NO TOMORROW |
| SOMETHING GOT A HOLD OF ME |
| SPEAK MY LORD, SPEAK MY LORD |
| SPIRIT OF THE LIVING GOD, FALL FRESH ON ME |
| SWEEP OVER MY SOUL |
| TAKE IT ALL, TAKE IT ALL, WHAT THE WORLD |
| TAKE UP THY CROSS AND FOLLOW ME |
| TEACH ME LORD TO WAIT |
| TELL IT TO JESUS, TELL IT TO JESUS |
| THANK YOU LORD FOR SAVING MY SOUL |
| THE CROSS IS NOT GREATER THAN HIS GRACE |
| THE LIGHTHOUSE |
| THE LONGER I SERVE HIM THE SWEETER HE GROWS |
| THE OLD RUGGED CROSS |
| THE OLD RUGGED CROSS MAKES THE DIFFERENCE |
| THE UNSEEN HAND |
| THE WAY OF THE CROSS LEADS HOME |
| THE WORLD NEEDS JESUS, BUT WHY SHOULD I TELL YOU? |
| THERE’S A GREAT DAY COMING, A GREAT DAY COMING |
| THERE’S A SWEET, SWEET SPIRIT IN THIS PLACE |
| THERE’S NO ONE, NO ONE LIKE JESUS |
| THERE’S ROOM AT THE CROSS FOR YOU |
| THERE IS A FOUNTAIN FILLED WITH BLOOD |
| THERE IS A FOUNTAIN WHICH FLOWS FROM CALVARY |
| THERE IS A PLACE OF QUIETNESS |
| THERE IS COMING A DAY |
| THERE IS JUST NO PLACE LIKE HOME |
| THERE IS POWER, POWER |
| THROUGH IT ALL, THROUGH IT ALL… |
| THROW OUT THE LIFELINE |
| TO BE LIKE JESUS |
| TO BE USED OF GOD |
| TOMORROW |
| TOUCHING JESUS IS ALL THAT REALLY MATTERS |
| TRUST IN THE LORD, WITH ALL THINE HEART… |
| TURN YOUR EYES UPON JESUS |
| UNTIL THEN |
| WASTED YEARS |
| WE BRING A SACRIFICE OF PRAISE |
| WE DEDICATE THIS TEMPLE TO YOU LORD |
| WE HAVE COME INTO THIS HOUSE TO MAGNIFY THE LORD… |
| WHAT A MIGHTY GOD WE SERVE |
| WHAT CAN HE DO.. |
| WHEN HE REACHED DOWN HIS HAND FOR ME |
| WHEN I SEE THE BLOOD |
| WHEN I WALK UP THOSE STREETS OF GOLD |
| WHEN JESUS BREAKS THE MORNING |
| WHERE COULD I GO? |
| WHERE HE LEADS ME, I WILL FOLLOW |
| WHERE WILL YOU BE A MILLION YEARS FROM NOW |
| WHILE I WAS PRAYING, SOMEBODY TOUCHED ME |
| WHO AM I THAT A KING |
| WHY DON’T YOU LIFT UP YOUR HANDS AND PRAISE THE LORD |
| WHY NOT TONIGHT? |
| WHY SHOULD HE LOVE ME SO? |
| YES I KNOW, JESUS BLOOD CAN MAKE.. |
| YOU’VE GOT TO LIVE FOREVER SOMEWHERE |
| YOU CAN’T MAKE ME DOUBT IT…. |
| YOU NEVER MENTIONED HIM TO ME |
| YOU WON’T LEAVE HERE LIKE YOU CAME |
Streams In The Desert
Streams In The Desert
The weary traveler was hot and thirsty. His mouth was dry and his sunburned lips had not had water for more than a day. Hot wind seared his skin. His eyes were reddened from the sun and wind.
He could not see any shade in which to sit down and rest. There seemed to be no protection from the cruel elements. He was afraid. He had fallen twice already. If he fell again, he feared he would not have the strength to get up and go on. He could not stop. He had to get to the other side. The buzzards circled slowly over head watching his every step. They knew from experience, it was just a matter of time.
Crossing the desert in the summer was extremely dangerous. He knew that. Many men had died over the years trying to make it across in this heat. Skeletons by the trail was a harsh reminder.
His water was gone. His feet burned from the hot sand. The late afternoon sun was unmerciful. It was dangerously hot.
His eyes and mind had been playing tricks on him since mid-morning. The illusion of a shimmering water hole ahead had raised his hopes a few times. When he had gotten closer, he knew it was just a mirage. With dashed hopes, he still trudged on.
Although unsteady in his steps, he refused to stop. The strength he’d had yesterday was gone. He had walked through the night. He was tired. He was dehydrated. He knew that he was staring death in the face. But he kept walking. He had to make it.
With gritted teeth, he slowly climbed the small hill in his path. It took most of his remaining strength. He made it to the top, just barely.
Then he saw it. Unbelievable! A few trees, and some brush not far below. It looked like a stream of water too!
Surely it was just another mirage. There couldn’t be water flowing out here. Not here! Then by chance he saw a bee flying in that direction. Bees fly in a straight line towards water. He followed.
His hopes were raised. New vigor propelled him forward. He saw it! There it was, a stream a real stream.
The stream wasn’t noisy or loud. It was clear, it was cool, but most of all it was refreshing. The exhausted traveler fell to his knees and refreshed himself from the stream in the desert.
Is. 35:6 Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert.
All travelers in this life know the blessing of finding a “God provided stream” in their desert. If you will stop, drink and be refreshed. You can make it!
Change Me
Change Me
In this physical life, change is inevitable. Every seven years our body’s cells are completely replaced with new ones. It all happens without our conscience involvement.
For most of us, however, it’s the spiritual, the emotional change that is difficult. Change will never happen in our lives unless we want it to. We must be involved.
Merriam Webster gives the definition of “CHANGE” as:
a verb
- to make different
- transform
- to replace with another
- switch
- to exchange
- to undergo a modification
The Apostle Paul wrote about change like this:
Rom. 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
2Cor. 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
1. Before God can change our homes, He must change us.
2. Before God change our church, He must change us.
We Change Many Things On The ‘Outside’.
- We change hair styles
- We change clothes
- We change wardrobes
- We change deodorants
- We change toothpaste
- We change shoes
- We change diets
- We change our minds
- We change schools
- We change college majors
- We change grocery stores
- We change banks
- We change the sheets
- We change room colors
- We change furniture
- We change houses
- We change drivers
- We change auto insurance
- We change cars
- We change oil
- We change friendships
- We change relationships
- We change churches
- We change presidents
We Routinely Change Everything… But Our Hearts.
Today God, I Want You To Change Me.
- I want to change how I talk.
- I want to change how I feel.
- I want to change how I think.
- I want to change I how I respond.
I Don’t Like Who I Am Right Now.
- I don’t like how I’ve been living, change me.
- I don’t like how I’ve been thinking, change me.
- I don’t want to be lost, change me.
- I don’t like the person I have become, change me.
- I don’t like all the resentment I feel, change me.
- I don’t like being offended all the time, change me.
- I don’t like feeling jealous, change me.
- I don’t like being carnal, change me.
- I don’t like feeling empty, change me.
- I don’t like having to sneak around, change me.
- I don’t like feeling guilty, change me.
- I don’t want to be lost, change me.
It Won’t Be Easy, Just Change Me.
- I know change is not easy, just change me.
- I know change brings tears, just change me.
- I know change is painful, just change me.
- I know it will make me cry, just change me.
The Devil Doesn’t Want Me To Change,
But Change Me Any Way.
Change My Heart.
- Change my heart to a heart that you can touch.
- Change my heart to a heart that is tender before you.
- Change my heart to a heart that is willing.
- Change my heart to a heart that is obedient.
- Change my heart to a heart that is right.
Change My Mind.
- My thinking gets me in trouble, change me.
- My life is a mess, change me.
- My world is upside down, change me.
- My thoughts are not your thoughts, change me.
- My thoughts are wrong, change me.
Transform My Life.
- Transform my spirit, change me.
- Transform my motives, change me.
- Transform my goals in life, change me.
- Transform my attitude, change me.
- Transform my walk with you, change me.
- Transform my prayer life, change me.
- Transform my relationships, change me.
I’m Tired Of My Old Life, Change Me.
- I have lived in sin, change me.
- I have done wrong, change me.
- I have displeased you, change me.
- I have not been holy, change me.
- I want to be a man after Your own heart.
- I want to be a woman after Your own heart.
Wash Me Make Me Clean.
- Wash me with Your Word, change me.
- Wash me with Your Blood, change me.
- Wash me with Your Spirit, change me.
Change Me Like You Did When You Changed…
- Saul To Paul
- Jacob To Israel
Change Me…
- Change me like you change a caterpillar into a butterfly.
- Change me like you change an acorn into an oak tree.
- Change me like you change night into day.
- Change me like you change rain into sunlight.
- Change me like you changed water into wine.
- Change me from sorrow into joy.
- Change me from despair into hope.
- Change me from defeat into victory.
- Change me from weakness into strength.
- Change me from death into life.
- Change me from shame into glory.
I Want To Be A New Creature.
- I want to be pleasing unto You, change me.
- I want Your blessing upon my life, change me.
- I want to be used by You, change me.
- I want my old nature to die out, change me.
- I want to walk in the light, change me.
- I want to be ready for Your return, change me.
- I’m done with the world, change me.
- I’m through fooling around, change me.
- I’m ashamed of my failures, change me.
- I’m tired of making excuses, change me.
- I’m sick of myself, change me.
- I’m sick of sin, change me.
- I’m tired of Satan’s victories, change me.
- I’m tired of Satan’s hold on my life, change me.
- I’m tired of being defeated, change me.
- I can’t go on like this any more, change me.
- I can’t live this way, change me.
- I can’t justify myself any longer, change me.
- I can’t hold my head up in Your presence, change me.
- I can’t do right, change me.
I don’t want to feel empty.
I don’t want to feel shallow.
I don’t want to be half-hearted.
I don’t want to be unfaithful.
I don’t want to be unmoved.
I don’t want to be sinful.
I don’t want to be left behind.
- Change How I Pray.
- Change How I Worship.
- Change How I Sing.
- Change How I Feel.
- Change How I Testify.
- Change How I Hear Your Word.
- Change How I Respond To Preaching.
- Change How I Think.
- Change What I Say.
- Change What I Do.
- Change Where I Go.
- Change What I Think.
- Change How I Feel.
- Change How I Respond.
Purify Me
- My flesh stinks, change me.
- My spirit is not right, change me.
- I’m unclean, change me.
- Take away my bitterness, change me.
- Take away my critical spirit, change me.
- Take away my love of the world, change me.
- Take away my pride, change me.
- Take away my lusts, change me.
- Take away my love of money, change me.
- Take away my anger, change me.
- Take away my hatred, change me.
- Take away my arrogance, change me.
- Take away my rebellious spirit, change me.
- Take away my spiritual lethargy, change me.
Renew Me
- Renew me in the Holy Ghost
- Restore unto me the joy of the Holy Ghost
- Let me feel Your presence.
- Let me have liberty in the Holy Ghost.
- I want to be an overcomer.
- I want to hear You say, “Well Done.”
- I want to be victorious.
Change Me So That Someday I Might Be Changed From This Mortality To Immortality.
Wash Me, Right Now
Sanctify Me, Right Now
Justify Me, Right Now
Purify Me, Right Now
Change Me
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 