Archive for the ‘Tithes’ Category
At What Level Do You Wish To Play?
At What Level Do You Wish To Play?
In the 1980’s electronic chess games became the rage in certain cerebral circles. One particular model would ask its user, as soon as the power button was switched on, “At what level do you wish to play?”
Everyone knew it was just a game. The unit was a cheap handheld device that anyone could play. The user could play in the beginner mode, or even play at the expert level. No one would criticize the level he or she played. It was just a game, and it was only played for fun.
But The Question It Asked Is Still Valid In Real Life Today. At What Level Do You Wish To Play (Or Participate)?
‘Live Like You Were Dying’ is the title of a popular song made somewhat famous a few years ago. The message from just the title of the song is enough to make one think about prioritizing their life.
Like the electronic chess game, some things are just for entertainment, and some things are mainly used to pass the time. Then there are other things that have life and death importance attached. Our souls get intertwined in the process. You have to know which ones are which.
Your Friendships
Your God-fearing friends tell the world the level at which you wish to play.
Your worldly friendships probably display the level you really wish to play. If that is the level you wish to play, so be it.
Friends are more than just pals. Your friends matter to God.
- They Influence you.
- They generate peer pressure that will change you.
- They can take you away from God.
- They can bring you closer to God.
- Chose your friends carefully. You will soon become what they are.
- What do your friendships today say about the level you have chosen to play?
- In Your Friendships, At What Level Do You Wish To Play?
Your Marriage
The way you cherish your spouse and give yourself to your marriage tells your family, friends and the whole wide world the level you have chosen to play.
- God becomes deeply interested and involved in your relationship with your spouse.
- His Word even directs you how to love and express your love to each other.
- Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
- Ephesians 5:28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.
- He pays attention to your mistreatment and neglect.
- 1 Corinthians 7:3 Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.
- 1 Corinthians 7:5 Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.
- Those who have trouble at home soon have trouble in church. The Lord knows that, you should too.
In Your Marriage, At What Level Do You Wish To Play?
At Church
Your Response And Involvement:
- In the Worship service says volumes about the level you wish to play.
- In the Prayer room shows the level you are playing.
- In the Altar service shows the level you are playing.
- In Outreach shows the level you are playing.
- In Giving To Missions shows the level you are playing.
- In Giving Your Tithes shows the level you are playing.
- In the way you argue about Standards shows the level you are playing.
- In Obeying God’s Word shows the level you are playing.
Your Reaction to the Preaching even when it corrects you makes clear the level you wish to play.
Saying Amen to the Word tells God, the devil, the Pastor and the Church family the level you wish to play.
Pictures and Posts on Social media sites tell everyone the level at which you are probably really playing.
Old timers used the phrase, Playing Church. Never let that be said about you.
Living For God Is Not A Game.
At Church, What Level Do You Wish To Play?
The Desire To Be Cherished
The Desire To Be Cherished
“They do not love that do not show their love.” – Shakespeare
It’s A Basic Life Need
Cherish – Definition:
- To hold Dear:
- To Cultivate with Care and Affection
- To Nurture
- To Treasure, Prize, Value
- To Feel And Show Affection For
Babies Desire To Be Cherished And Held.
They cry often for their Mama’s touch. Children run to her to be comforted.
When Babies Are Not Cherished:
I read a few years ago about Romanian orphans who were given only the basic nourishment and hygiene. Soon the babies became withdrawn and unresponsive. They may be forever emotionally damaged… much like adults who are not cherished. They will almost always exhibit emotional problems and act out.
All Children Desire to Be Cherished.
Every child remembers if they were loved. Everyone remembers how their parents treated him or her when they were young. Not being cherished is something most difficult to survive.
Little Kids Ask Their Parents.
Am I your favorite? Who do you love the most? How much do you love me? They are putting out feelers attempting to assure themselves that they are cherished.
Teenagers Desire To Be Cherished.
They dream about it. They sing about it. They listen to music about it. They want to be loved. They want someone to cherish them. To complicate the matter, their hormones rage out of control during the process.
Some girls never feel cherished by their father, so they seek elsewhere for male approval. They never felt cherished at home, so they look for someone to validate and approve of them. They want to be cherished.
Sadly, the title of the song: “Looking for Love In All The Wrong Places,” has more truth than fiction.
During Courtship Both Parties Practice Cherishing The Other Person.
- They say sweet things.
- They do sweet things.
- Treat each other with tenderness.
- The boy courts the girl and brings flowers and candy.
- They overlook each other’s imperfections.
My Father-In-Law, the late William R. Starr, gave me some wise insight before I even asked his daughter out on a first date. He said, “Men love with their eyes, but Women love with their ears.”
Dad Starr was telling me in man-talk, that a woman wants to hear that she was cherished! He was a very wise man.
All Husbands And Wives Desire To Be Cherished
Every woman wants to know she’s #1. So does every man. When you hold your wife in your arms and tell 
her that you love her, she wants to feel your words coming from your heart, and not just your mouth.
If you are a wise man, you will NEVER stop courting your wife and affirming your love for her and expressing it often. The words, “I love you!” have a very short shelf life. You need to say it everyday.
Flowers, cards, candy, dates and accomplishing ‘honey-do-lists’ with a smile, sure helps keep life wonderful at home.
Every Prospective Groom Says, “Will You Marry Me?”… Hoping he will be cherished and loved.
Every Prospective Bride Says, “Yes”… Hoping she will be cherished and loved.
To The Wife:
Don’t settle for less than being cherished. Likewise, cherish him. It’s a two-way street.
To The Husband:
Sir, you are to love your wife As Christ loved the church and gave Himself for it. You won’t easily give your life for someone you don’t cherish. The Lord meant for the husband to cherish his wife with his very own life. It’s really not hard.
Jacob Cherished Rachel.
He worked seven years to get her as his wife, and was given the wrong one. The Bible just says: “It seemed but a few days, for the love he had for her.”
David Never Cherished Michal
He always referred her to as “Saul’s Daughter.” He never said that he loved her. He never referred to her as his wife. That may be a reason why she acted out so badly.
Proverbs 31 Wife
Proverbs 31:28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
“He Praiseth Her”: The word praiseth here is – Halal
HALAL – haw-lal’;
- To shine; hence
- To make a show, (let every one know)
- To be (clamorously) foolish; (enjoy with enthusiasm)
- To rave; (to go on and on with excited appreciation)
- To boast, (brag in public)
- To celebrate, (honor every achievement)
- To foolishly glory, (go overboard in expressing praise)
- To sing, (to express your emotion as deeply as possible, sing His praises.)
- To praise, (to say every nice thing you can)
- To rage, (to be wild about)
When joined with abbreviated form of God’s name “Yahweh” = Hallelujah. That’s where the word Hallelujah comes from. (Saying Hallelujah like saying 10,000 praises to Jehovah)
When a man goes to this extent, of ‘Halal-ing” his wife, she will feel cherished and will perform unbelievable things for her home and family because she knows she has the backing of the man she loves.
In like manner, when the same man goes to this extent to Halal The Lord Jesus… there is no telling what the Lord will do for him.
Not Everyone Has Been Cherished In Life, But There Is Great News!
God Cherishes His People.
They Are The Apple of His Eye
Zech. 2:8 For thus saith the LORD of hosts… he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.
- (Warning: Don’t mess with any one the Lord cherishes!)
God Protected Israel In Goshen
- Egyptian Dogs wouldn’t bark against the Israelites.
- No Plagues came nigh them.
God Protected Israel In The Wilderness
- Provided in wilderness.
- No sickness.
- No one’s clothes wore out.
God’s Desire To Be Cherished By Man
Yes, you say you love the Lord, but do you cherish him? Jesus wants to know for sure that you cherish Him before He can use you.
Jesus to Peter
John 21:15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.
John 21:16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
John 21:17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
David
Psalm 137:5 If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning.
Psalm 137:6 If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy.
He was saying he loved God’s house more than anything in the world. David also said, “Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against thee.”
He cherished the things of God! God said that David was a man after His own heart. Was David perfect? Oh no. He was a long ways away from perfect. But the way he cherished everything about God, made God smile upon him.
The Jealousy of God – Is Another Way Of Saying He Just Wants To Be Cherished.
2 Timothy 3:4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
Exodus 20:3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
God Desires Man To Cherish Him
Matthew 15:8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
The Lord knows the difference between lip service and heartfelt expressions of love.
- Men that cherish God – Worship
- Men that cherish God – Come to His House
My Visit To See Marcia In 1965
Before our engagement, in the early stages of our courtship, I once closed a revival service on Sunday night in Fort Worth, TX and drove 24 hours straight through to Albion, MI… just to see a little Miss Marcia June Starr for one hour. I arrived after 10:30pm, left before midnight and drove two hours back to my home in South Bend, IN. It’s never a sacrifice to see the one you love.
You’re Not Faithful To God’s House?
Don’t tell me you cherish God and you can’t make it to church. You don’t cherish Him if you layout of church! It’s never a sacrifice to see the one you love.
Like David, we should all say, “I was glad when they said unto me let us go unto the house of the Lord.”
Jacob Cherished The Birth Right
Jacob had major character flaws I’m sure. But he cherished the same Birthright that Esau despised, so God chose to love Jacob and discard Esau.
God cherished Jacob and said, ‘Jacob Have I loved, and Esau have I hated.’
Make God love you too by cherishing those things, which are Godly and eternal.
Don’t Tell Me You Cherish The Lord Jesus…
- If You Don’t Pay Tithes.
- If You Hate Holiness.
- If You Aren’t Faithful To His House.
- If You Don’t Pray.
- If You Don’t Worship.
- If You Bring Disunity To His Church.
- If You Rebel Against His Word.
- Sing Like You Cherish Him.
- Pray Like You Cherish Him.
- Talk Like You Cherish Him.
- Dress Like You Cherish Him.
God is Jealous Of What You Cherish.
Amp Bible 1 John 2:15 Do not love or cherish the world or the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in him.
You Don’t Cherish The Lord If…
- If Someone Has To Beg You To Come To Church
- If Someone Has To Beg You To Worship
- If Someone Has To Beg You To Pray
Think about the words the next time you sing: “So, I’ll Cherish The Old Rugged Cross”
The Old Rugged Cross
George Bennard 1913
On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
The emblem of suff’ring and shame;
And I love that old cross where the dearest and best
For a world of lost sinners was slain.
Refrain:
So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it some day for a crown.
Oh, that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
Has a wondrous attraction for me;
For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above
To bear it to dark Calvary.
In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,
A wondrous beauty I see,
For ’twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
To pardon and sanctify me.
To the old rugged cross I will ever be true;
Its shame and reproach gladly bear;
Then He’ll call me some day to my home far away,
Where His glory forever I’ll share.
The Lord Cherished Us Even In Our Sins.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
We love Him because He first loved us!
Here’s Your Homework For Today:
Tell Jesus that you love Him! Tell Him from your heart that you love Him. Yes, this very moment… say, “Jesus, I love you with all my heart!” Put your heart into it. He can tell.
Next, go tell your spouse and your family that you love them. Put your heart into it. They can tell.
How Blessed Do You Want To Be?
How Blessed Do You Want To Be?
There Can Be No Continued Blessings In Our Lives Without Giving God What Belongs To Him, First!
It’s What We Should Do!
Matthew 23:23 …for ye pay tithe … these ought ye to have done…
No matter how much you:
- Fast
- Pray
- Worship
- Are involved in the church
- You still must pay tithes; there is no substitute.
Non-Tithe Paying Christians Rob God!
Malachi 3:8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.
- Why would a Christian even entertain the thought of NOT giving God the tithe?
- It’s His. The tithe Is the Lord’s!
All Non-Tithe Payers Are Cursed!
Malachi 3:9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.
If you don’t give God the tithe, He’ll see to it that you don’t get to keep it either.
- The dentist may get it.
- The auto mechanic might get the money
- The doctor or hospital may even be the one that gets it.
- The list is long…
Here is a Bible precedent for what happens when God doesn’t receive His portion.
God said to Israel through Jeremiah, to let the land rest every seventh year. Israel ignored God’s request for 490 years. God took his portion. For seventy years He allowed Israel to live in captivity. They paid a huge price.
2 Chronicles 36:19 And they burnt the house of God, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem, and burnt all the palaces thereof with fire, and destroyed all the goodly vessels thereof.
2 Chronicles 36:20 And them that had escaped from the sword carried he away to Babylon; where they were servants to him and his sons until the reign of the kingdom of Persia:
2 Chronicles 36:21 To fulfil the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed her sabbaths: for as long as she lay desolate she kept sabbath, to fulfil threescore and ten years.
Those That Bring God Their Tithe Are Blessed Abundantly!
Malachi 3:10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
The Tithe Is The Lord’s, Not Ours!
Matthew 22:21 They say unto him, Caesar’s. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.
- God will stretch the remaining 90% farther than you could have with 100%.
Paying Tithe Did Not Begin Under The Law!
Abraham
Genesis 14:20 And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.
Jacob
Genesis 28:22 And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God’s house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.
Give God Tithe Of All
Leviticus 27:30 And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD’S: it is holy unto the LORD.
Deuteronomy 14:22 Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year.
2 Chronicles 31:6 And concerning the children of Israel and Judah, that dwelt in the cities of Judah, they also brought in the tithe of oxen and sheep, and the tithe of holy things which were consecrated unto the LORD their God, and laid them by heaps.
Accurately paying tithe may seem a bit more simple when there is a check stub in your hand from you boss.
- Farmers need to be careful and keep accurate records.
- Businessmen need to be careful and keep accurate records.
- Other Self-Employed do too.
- Just because there is a Tax loophole, doesn’t mean there is a tithe loophole.
- Just because there is a Tax break, doesn’t mean there is a tithe break.
- I personally benefit by paying tithes on my gross, and suggest you do too.
Unpaid Tithe Results In A 20% Penalty.
Leviticus 27:31 And if a man will at all redeem ought of his tithes, he shall add thereto the fifth part thereof.
- This cannot be ignored.
- Tithe should be the first-fruit of our income.
- Giving God what is His first, always saves money!
God’s Continued Blessings To The Tithe Payer
Malachi 3:11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts.
How Blessed Do You Wish To Be?
2 Corinthians 9:6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
2 Corinthians 9:7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
Mark 4:24 And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given.
Some Did, Some Didn’t
Some Did, Some Didn’t
Fall is a beautiful time in Indiana. The farmers have little roadside vegetable stands set up that stay busy with city slicker customers looking for fresh produce.
By this time of year, most crops have already been harvested. Well, except for maybe soybeans, pumpkins and the field corn.
The average crop of field corn is beautiful when it is harvested. Trucks can be seen hauling the yellow corn to the ethanol plants and to the local Co-op.
For the most part, all the ears of corn look very much alike. But what catches the eye, are the ears of corn that don’t look like the others. Some cobs are full with golden kernels; others are not. There are ears of corn of varied lengths and descriptions. In every truck load.
What these ears of field corn have in common, is that:
- They all were planted by the same farmer.
- They all were purchased at the same feed store.
- They all were planted in the same field.
- They all received the same amount of fertilizer.
- They all received the same amount of sunshine.
- They all received the same amount of rain.
- They all received the same amount of wind.
- They all received the same amount of weeding.
- They all received the same amount of irrigation.
- They were all planted the same day.
- They were all harvested the same day.
- They didn’t all turn out the same.
- Why?
Was it difference the farmer’s fault? Was the problem with the seed, or was it the soil? I’ll never know. The harvest shows the disparity of each ear.
There is another harvest that comes to mind. That one is a Harvest of Souls.
Apostolic churches are beautiful in spirit and worship. They are lovely in holiness and truth. Their love and fervor for the name of Jesus is without equal.
Yet, not every church member looks and acts the same. Here and there exceptions are found in every congregation.
- Some don’t pray like the rest.
- Some don’t worship like the rest
- Some don’t pay tithe like the rest.
- Some won’t dress like the rest.
- Some won’t live like the rest.
- Some won’t be faithful like the rest.
- Some won’t witness like the rest.
- Some don’t love holiness like the rest.
- Some won’t obey God’s Word like the rest.
- Why?
What made them different from all the others? How come others connected with God, the church and the pastor and they didn’t? I can’t answer that, and you may not be able to either.
- They all went to the same church.
- They all sang the same songs.
- They all prayed at the same time.
- They all had the same pastor.
- They all heard the same sermon.
- They all received the same encouragement.
- They all received the same correction.
- They all were given the same love.
- They all were given the same hope.
- They all attended the same revivals
- They all came forward to pray at the end of the service.
Yet some got on fire, and others did not. Some submitted to God, and others did not. Some got a good experience of the Holy Ghost, and others… who knows?
Some lived a life of carefulness. Others did not. Some looked godly. Others did not. Some dressed modestly. Others did not. Some knew God. Others… who knows?
Some women had uncut hair. Others did not. Some men were clean-shaven. Others were not. Some always said ‘Amen”. Others did not. Some had a fiery testimony. Others did not.
Some day, some will hear Him say, “Well done thou good and faithful servant.” Others may not.
Don’t Put Yourself At Risk
Don’t Put Yourself At Risk
I stood in one of the many lines at Denver’s Casa Bonita, a number of years ago, waiting to order. In the adjoining line on my right was a man dressed in National Hot Rod Association racing attire, complete with his number and sponsor patches. He was the center of attention for 20 feet around. People were congratulating him on his race that day and shaking his hand. Other’s asked for his autograph. Some asked questions about the race.
One man asked, “The previous champion always used two parachutes when he raced. Why do you only use one parachute?”
He said that the other racer had already received six cornea re-attachments. He explained that the dragsters go very fast, and that while the sudden stopping of the car is good, it is bad on the eyes.
He explained that the eyes are the softest and weakest part of the body, and while the body and the car stop, the pressure pushes the cornea forward often causing a detachment. That’s why I don’t use two. They make me stop too quickly.
I only using one, I have only had two retina re-attachments so far. He held up his trophy and said, “But it’s worth the risk.”
The piece of metal he held in his hands and the applause of men in his mind was worth risking his eyesight forever. Even though medical sciences are getting quite advanced and success stories from the quantum vision system are cheering hope on, nothing beats prevention. Word from the wise.
Sadly enough, some folks around our churches are risking more than their corneas. They are putting their souls at risk.
Saints Are Putting Themselves At Risk:
1. By Name Calling
(Mat 5:21) Ye have heard that it was said by them of old-time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:
(Mat 5:22) But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
- “In danger of hell fire!” –if you call your brother a liar, fool, be careful!
- Name calling is dangerous.
2. By Rebelling Against Your Leadership.
- Ask Korah – he disagreed with Moses and rallied support against him.
- 200 princes stood on wrong side of the argument. They too were swallowed up with Korah.
- Don’t ever fight against your pastor.
- Don’t hang around critical (Railers) people. You’ll inherit their spirit.
3. Israel
- A Critical Spirit
- Murmur – Criticized
- God Sent Fiery Serpents because they murmured
4. By Disrespecting The Man Of God
- Bethel – 42 children mauled by bears.
- The children’s parents put them at risk for talking negative about their Prophet. Children are always put at risk, by their unspiritual parents.
5. By Becoming Holier Than The Pastor
- Once this happens, he can never teach you.
- Now, you think you know more than him.
- Your standards are higher, so he can’t ‘help’ you.
- No matter if you have convictions about something and your pastor doesn’t, that does not give you the right to disrespect him as long as he is still in the Truth.
6. Moving To Another Church For A Bad Reason
- Not every transplant is successful.
- Never TELL your pastor you are moving. ASK him what he thinks and have him pray with you about it.
- If he does not feel good about your moving, then there must be a reason.
- Make sure you have your pastor’s blessing and approval
7. Lot’s Choice Put His Family at risk.
- Your decisions in life always include those you love.
8. If You Marry The Unsaved Or Backslidden
- You are going against all of God’s Advice.
- I sincerely ask you not to make that mistake.
9. Don’t Marry The Heathen
- Lest you learn their ways and it becomes an abomination
- Marry heathen,
- Unequally yoked
- Your flesh may think it’s OK, but your spiritual man will always be affected for the worse.
10. By Robbing God
- Do you have God’s money in your bank account right now?
- Why?
- You cannot afford NOT to pay tithes.
- If you delight in the blessings of the Lord, you will NEVER have them without putting Him first.
- Give Him the first fruits of you income, The Tithe.
11. By Being Unfaithful To Church
- Your faithful attendance to God’s House has already been decided.
- Heb. 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
- The night you miss is often the night God had a Word, just for you. That’s why the devil kept you home.
12. By Prayerlessness
- Every day without prayer puts you and your family at greater risk.
- Why would you ignore the very lifeblood of your experience with God?
13. By Ignoring The Word Of God
- None of us ever get too smart or too holy to ignore God’s Commandments.
- When God says something, He means it.
- When God says something, there’s a reason.
14. By Not Responding When God Speaks To You.
- Ignoring God will always get you in trouble. Ask Jonah.
15. By Choosing To Become Offended.
- How long will you let a war go on?
- Life is too short to die bitter.
- Bitterness will destroy you and curse your family.
- Forgive, and love again.
Never Knowingly Put Your Self At Risk
Preach Me The Gospel
Preach Me The Gospel
Rom. 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Ours is a day of dilution of sacred truths. The importance of our basic tenets of faith is being challenged. Compromise is seen in every too many areas. Some sermons are not much more than an exercise in Pop-Psychology. Word preaching is non-existent in too many places. Doctrine is scorned by some and called ‘old school.’
It may be ‘old school’ to the compromiser, but doctrinal preachers, believers and practitioners are still here and doing well.
- They are still living ‘the life.’
- They haven’t caved in to compromise and worldliness.
- They were blessed to have heard some old-time Doctrinal messages on the New Birth. They got it in their heart.
- They heard teaching and preaching about Holiness, Separation from the World, Church Government, and Standards. They loved it.
- They were taught why the New Birth was important.
- They were taught why separation from the world was important.
- They were taught why it is important to live holy.
- They were taught why they should worship.
- They were taught why they should be faithful.
- They were taught why they should honor God with their tithes.
- They were taught why they should honor God with their modest apparel.
- They said Amen to the preacher.
- They believed it.
- They received it.
- They got in the Word and the Word got in them.
Some churches, organizations and fellowships have neglected the Word and turned to gimmicks and programs to distract from the obvious void and lack of a move of God.
The lack of Word preaching is evident by what is seen in the lives of many at conferences, camps and rallies. If preachers ‘get what they preach,’ someone must not be preaching very much.
There will always be a constant need to preach on worship. Please do not stop. I fear however, that our heavy emphasis on worship demonstration promotes the belief that our best services are always runaways.
Thank God for a runaway. But to me there is no measure of the lasting blessings the Word has on our lives. A shout can be forgotten. But the engrafted Word can be hidden in the heart until we die.
It is easy for some to jump up and down and run the aisle. Yet these same folks seem lost and uncomfortable in a deep move of God. Why?
Every pastor has seen folks shout in church, and then heard of them sinning before the night was over. They had the ‘physical exercise’ part down. They just didn’t get much on the inside. No root.
Luke 8:13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.
Some pastors only want to teach doctrine (or anything that isn’t evangelistic) in ‘closed door settings’. They must be afraid to stand up and preach it to their whole congregation. The shallowness of church membership today is alarming.
Psa. 119:161 …but my heart standeth in awe of thy word.
Psa. 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus tells a story of two houses. One house was built on the rock. The other was built on the sand. All was well until the storm came. Only the house on the rock remained standing.
Without a solid foundation, we too will fall apart when the storms of worldliness come against the church.
2Chr. 15:3 Now for a long season Israel hath been without the true God, and without a teaching priest, and without law.
God give us a season of the teaching priest. Give us a season of loving thy law.
Paul’s Gospel was the New Birth. The Death, Burial and the Resurrection.
Thank God for preachers who just stand up and preach the Word. Thank God for saints who want to hear preaching. Singing doesn’t save us, preaching does.
The Apostle Paul didn’t say to Timothy, “Discern someone’s phone number, their name or medical condition.” He just said to preach the Word.
Carloads will drive miles to hear a preacher call out folks and pray over them. (I can tell you ahead of time what he will say. He will prophesy blessings, healing and prosperity over those he prays for. He will never discern the sinfulness they are living in.)
The same folks that go gaga over that type of ministry get easily bored listening to a ‘Word’ preacher. Some wouldn’t drive across town to hear him.
Take some advice from an old man. If you are a preacher and have a choice between being a feeder or an exhorter, be a feeder. Because a feeder will build a church.
2Tim. 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
Don’t stop the worship, but at the same time, preach the Word. Keep preaching about Worship, but let Doctrine showcase your ministry.
Preacher, there are still plenty of saints out there that bring their Bibles to church.
There are still plenty of saints that bring a notebook and pen to Church just waiting.
There are still plenty of saints that will readily say, “Preach Me The Gospel.”
15 Things To Do In Church Before You Die
15 Things To Do In Church Before You Die
1. Pray
- Pray till you get the absolute Victory.
- Intercede for a lost or wayward soul.
- Let God use you in the Spirit of Travail
- Pray till the Fire falls.
- Pray someone through to the Holy Ghost.
- Pray before church.
- Pray around the altar after church
2. Sing
- Don’t make the Song Leader beg you to sing.
- Don’t let the Praise Singers do your singing.
- Sing till you cry.
- Sing till you shout.
3. Shout
- Dance in the Spirit
- Leap for Joy
- Lead. Be the first one to shout.
- Run the aisles
4. Believe God
- Believe God for a Healing.
- Trust Him to supply your needs.
- Believe Him for a Miracle and see it come to pass.
5. Get ‘Lost in the Spirit’
- Be taken home drunk in the Holy Ghost
6. Witness
- Teach a Home Bible Study
- Win a soul
7. Say Amen
- Say Amen from your heart. Be willing to Obey.
- Stand to you feet and say Amen
- Say Amen from even if you’re the only one.
- Say Amen even when the Scripture or the Preaching touches a sore spot.
8. Give
- Give your last Dollar, if God impresses you to.
- Become faithful in your tithe and offerings
- Give without expecting anything in return.
9. Read
- Read the Bible through.
- Have a daily Scripture reading.
- Get a Revelation of One God.
10. Testify
- Don’t give some narrative about “he said, and I thought to myself.”
- Just brag on Jesus!
11. Fast
- Fast to crucify your flesh.
12. Love Your Brother and Sister
- Prefer them. Put them first
- Let all jealousy die
13. Refuse To Listen to a Rumor
- Tell the talebearer, “I really don’t want to hear this.”
- Refuse to pass a rumor on.
14. Forgive
- Put all your yesterdays behind you.
- Empty yourself of all Bitterness.
- Be merciful.
15. Get the Pastor’s Heartbeat.
- Try to feel what he feels.
- Work with him for Revival.
- Feel the Spirit of Unity
Now, Let’s Have Some ‘Church’ Around Here!
Is God Ugly?
Is God Ugly?
I don’t mean for this question to sound like it borders on blasphemy. It is important for me not to be flippant or sacrilegious about things that are Divine. With that being said, I will ask the question one more time. Is God ugly?
The Prophet Isaiah makes an amazing prophecy about the coming of the Messiah. He describes him and portrays him in a very uncomplimentary manner.
Is. 53:2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.
Is. 53:3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
When man makes a grand entry, he normally tries to ‘put his best foot forward’. Why then did Jehovah choose to wrap Himself up in human flesh that apparently wasn’t the best He could make?
The mind of man would think, ‘Why He could have gotten more followers if He’s had some ‘great’ looks. People will follow someone that’s easy to look at. That was not how God planned to present Himself.
When God came to earth in the flesh, there was nothing beautiful about Him. I want to talk about that very thing. Look first at the Old Testament.
1. Noah’s Ark – The wood was covered with pitch. It looked ugly on the outside. No one in Noah’s generation outside of his own family was able to get past the ‘Ugly’. They all perished.
2. The Tabernacle In The Wilderness – The outside of the Tabernacle was covered with dyed badger skins. To those that had been there, they KNEW the real beauty was on the INSIDE. It was on the INSIDE that the golden vessels were displayed. It was on the INSIDE that the beautiful Veil hung concealing the Holiest of Holies. INSIDE there was the Shekinah, the Glory of the Lord.
Once the Israelites got past the Ugly, they found the real beauty.
1Pet. 2:6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
1Pet. 2:7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,
1Pet. 2:8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
To those that take the time to Know Him and Believe, He is Precious.
- If Living for God is Ugly to you, you just don’t know Him very well.
- If Worship is Ugly to you, you just don’t know Him very well.
- If Giving God the Tenth of your income is Ugly to you, you just don’t know Him very well.
- If Holiness is Ugly to you, you just don’t know Him very well.
- If the preaching of Doctrine is Ugly to you, you just don’t know Him very well.
- If Long Hair on Women and Short Hair on Men are Ugly to you, you just don’t know Him very well.
- If Standards are Ugly to you, you just don’t know Him very well.
- If Separating yourself from the World is Ugly to you, you just don’t know Him very well.
- If the Prayer Room is Ugly to you, you just don’t know Him very well.
- If Winning Souls is Ugly to you, you just don’t know Him very well.
And the list goes on…
When living for God is longer attractive to you, you don’t really know Him very well. It tells me that you don’t really Believe. It tells me you are Disobedient. (1 Pet 2:7)
Can you get past the Ugly? If you can, He will become Precious to you!
We Failed The Pentecostal Credit Report
We Failed The Pentecostal Credit Report
(Imagine what it would be like if you had to pass a “Pentecostal Tithes Credit Report” to Join or Transfer to another church.)
“Harold! We’ve just been denied membership into the First Pentecostal Church,” Maggie said as she set her bags of groceries on the counter..
“Denied? How can they do that? Why would they do that?”
Maggie turned and faced her husband.
“Well, when we filled out the Application for Membership, we had to grant them permission to do a Credit Check on us and…”
“Oh, that still sticks in my craw that they would require us to do that. This is not how they use to do it!” exclaimed Harold.
“Anyway,” Maggie continued, we were denied membership. I asked the Church Secretary to give me a reason why. Maybe there are laws or something, you know, against them doing that.”
“What did she say?”
“The way she explained it was, if we bought a car, or bought a house, bought a cell phone, or even rented an apartment we would be subject to a credit check.
“She said people are turned down all the time because the seller or the landlord sees you have a poor or late record of payment. They become leery of selling or renting to you.”
“Well, what on earth does that have to do with us and the Church?” Harold wanted to know.
“Everything.” She said.
“Back in 2011 when we transferred to another Church, we didn’t have that problem, why now?”
“The Secretary said that lately, all Pentecostal Churches have been doing a Credit Check of a different sort. Every Monday, all Church Secretaries have to send in a report. All those that pay tithes are given a good rating and those that don’t are given a bad rating. Those that miss giving their tithes regularly are viewed as unacceptable members. They are ‘non-contributors’ she said. They are not viewed as a desirable transfer.
“Now days Pastors review prospective transfers and they request a report on each one. That is part of what they base their decision on.
“We haven’t been faithful our tithes in the past, so they would prefer if we go somewhere else. We failed the Pentecostal Credit Report.”
Preachers, Facebook and Begging For Money
Preachers, Facebook and Begging For Money
Beware! An old problem has invented a new avenue to intrude uninvited into your world!
Over the years, ethical pastors, missionaries and evangelists have strived to work in harmony to further the Gospel.
When an emergency presented itself and additional finances were needed, the brethren all understood there were limitations and restrictions attached to acquiring the additional funds.
Our old pastors taught the younger ministry that ‘If you have a gift, it will make room for you. Don’t make room for your gift.” The advice is still relevant and appropriate today. I have tried to live by that.
They also taught us that if you claimed to have a ‘Faith Ministry” and went around asking for money, it wasn’t ‘Faith’ at all. You didn’t have a ‘Faith Ministry’, you were just a beggar.
Today through the conduit of Radio and TV, many are scammed. They are hoodwinked into investing and ‘sowing seed’ into bogus ministries.
(The great news is that all of us can have salvation and healing without investing a dime in some false prophet’s coffers.)
We now have the Internet. Along with that came Twitter, Everyone’s Apostolic, Facebook and other social networks.
It seems like lately that most of us have been swamped with notes in our Inboxes from assorted preachers.
- Missionaries, that some of us have never even heard of, want you to send them money.
- Evangelists are posting on your pages desperately wanting you to give to them.
- Preachers starting a church or pastoring a small one somewhere need you to contribute and they don’t mind asking.
Don’t give to them.
- You heard me right.
- They are not ethical.
- If they where ethical, they wouldn’t ask you!
Here is how the whole system works. Let’s start with the Missionary first.
Missionaries.
There are two basic and acceptable avenues for them.
If the Missionary is with an organization, they back him. He travels and gets acquainted with new congregations and revisits his faithful supporters. The pastors of those churches make pledges and mail their monthly checks to his Missions Department. The Missions Department then sends him a regular check. If an emergency arises, he contact his Missions Department and they respond. Sometimes a local pastor friend may hear of the need and respond privately.
If the Missionary is independent, he has no headquarters to help him out. He is at the mercy of the Lord and his friends. If he has an emergency, he may call or write a close pastor friend or two. This friend, may not have enough money himself to meet the crises. He them become a spokesman for the missionary and on his behalf will call some of his pastor friends. These men then will go to their churches, if need be, and raise the offering that way.
How ever it’s done, it’s never done privately between a saint in a church and the missionary.
Missionaries who get on Facebook and plead with saints for money are without scruples or ethics. Don’t give to them. Let your pastor guide your giving.
Pastors
Pastors that likewise plead for money from someone else’s saints, are without ethics or principles. Do not respond to them.
You don’t go next door to your neighbors and ask their working teenager to give you money to pay your bills.
Evangelists
Evangelists are out of line to EVER ask a dime from ANYONE. I have pastored 30 years and I have been preaching out for 50 years. During all those years, I have preached 919 revivals and never called and asked for one. I’ve also preached 335 conferences and 62 camps besides.
If you are a God-called preacher, don’t you think that the same God that called you will provide for you? He does!
No evangelist should ever ask for money on Facebook. Don’t be foolish and give to him, no matter if you like him or not.
His asking is without principle.
No evangelist should ever receive money from saints in the church where he is preaching a revival.
If money somehow makes it to his hand or pocket, he must give that to the local pastor.
If the pastor decides to keep the money or give it back, that is the pastor’s prerogative.
Every preacher must understand that God has a way of balancing every thing out. The same God that fed Elijah with a raven knows where each of us is laboring in the vineyard. Our day will come, where all the wine tours will be for us.
If these preachers are having to call and write around begging for money, maybe they should have stayed in their local church and helped their pastor. Maybe,(God forbid anyone should say it.) they’re not really called.
In spite of our talking till we are blue in the face, grievous wolves run loose among the flock. They will fleece you of your money if you let them. Don’t. Give the Bible way. Bring it into the local storehouse. (Church)
Do you want a blessing! Do you want to help the work of God? Then give bountifully to your local church. Give God your tithe. (You want a real blessing? Tithe on your Gross!) Give extra to your Building Fund, Missions and Sunday School. And while you are in a giving mood, slip some money in your pastor’s hand and bless him.
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 