Archive for the ‘Truth’ Category
Why We Fight
Why We Fight!
The US Military showed films in Basic Training during World War II to explain to all the new recruits the purpose of defending America to keep it free and what would happen to us if we didn’t fight. The old 16mm film was also called “Why We Fight.” The church is at war with the enemy of our soul. There are attacks on every side. Here are some of the reasons why the church must fight sin, worldliness and our own flesh.
Fight Back!!
Fight Back!!
Fight Back!!
Why My English Teacher Wanted To Be Baptized In Jesus Name! (Anniversary Re-post)
December 2014 celebrates the fifth birthday of The Ballestero Blog. I personally wish to thank each one of my readers. In memory of this anniversary, popular posts will be showcased from each year. This one is from March 2010:
Why My English Teacher Wanted To Be Baptized In Jesus Name!
Ms. DeGroote, as she wished to be called, was from France and she taught my senior year English class at South Bend Central High. She was 63 and referred to herself as a spinster. We had more creative names for her. Most of the students dreaded her classes. We were taught diction and enunciation with a heavy French accent. It seemed to make learning to speak proper English an impossibility with her as the instructor. By much effort I received the only A in her class both semesters.
My class was filled with Catholic students. South Bend, Indiana still is a predominately Catholic town. Its claim to fame is the University of Notre Dame. I was the only non-Catholic in the class.
Ms. DeGroote was a stern woman who tolerated no-nonsense in any of her classes. I was highly confined in her restrictive and controlled environment.
During the course, we had many weeks of conjugation and diagramming sentences. Somehow the nerd in me found those subjects easy and interesting. No, that is not normal, but it happened nevertheless. (I knew I was a nerd and not a geek, because geeks make more money than nerds.)
One day Ms. DeGroote said, “Now students, tomorrow I want you to bring to class a sentence or sentences that you have diagrammed. You may go to the board and diagram your sentence, and I will correct your paper. Or, I will go to the board and diagram your sentence while you correct the paper.
For the life of me, I could not think of a sentence to diagram. Especially since the whole class would see. Then it dawned on me. What better sentence in the world to diagram! I went home, picked up my Bible, and copied Mt. 28:19 down. I proceeded to diagram the verse. This just had to be right.
The next day couldn’t come soon enough. I was ready for class. When 3rd period English finally arrived I knew I would be the second one called on. Everything in the class was by alphabet. Even our seating was arranged that way. I set behind Adams. We were all called by our last names.
When Adams was called on, he went to the chalkboard and almost got his correct. Ms. DeGroote sat at his empty desk and corrected his paper while he was at the board. When he finished, I heard “Ballestero!”
“I would like you to go to the board and diagram my sentence, and I will correct my own paper,” I said to Ms. DeGroote.
She said, “Read me your sentence.”
“It’s a Bible verse, if that’s OK,” I ventured.
She nodded and I read my Scripture.
Matthew 28:19 (KJV) Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
“Go ye therefore (comma)” I said.
Ms. DeGroote prefaced her work with a (you) in front of the word “Go”.
When I read the verse aloud, I paused on the word “name,” while I waited for her to catch up.
“Of the Father,” I said.
“Now, here we have a prepositional phrase modifying the word name. At this point we do not know yet what the name of the person is, but we do know by this prepositional phrase, that whoever this person is, they are a Father,” she said.
She then drew the appropriate lines on her diagram.
“Of the Son,” I continued.
“Now we know, that this person is both a Father and a Son, but we still don’t have a name.”
“Ms. DeGroote,” a girl named Williams called out with her hand in the air. “Aren’t Father and Son names?”
“They’re just descriptive titles. They tell us something about the name, but they don’t tell us His name, they are only titles.” was her answer.
She again drew the second prepositional phrase on the board.
“Of the Holy Ghost.” I continued.
After the 3rd prepositional phrase was in place, my teacher looked carefully at the diagram on the board from end to end. She shook her head. “All we know here is that whoever this person is, they are a Father, a Son, and they are the Holy Ghost! But we still don’t know what the name is.”
“Martyn,” she said looking at me carefully, “What is the name?”
I had been waiting for this moment. I stood, and gently said, “Jesus is the name!”
Ms DeGroote looked at her writing on the board. Then she turned back to me with her arms wide in surrender. With a heavy French accent, my Catholic English teacher said, “I guess I need to be baptized in Jesus name!”
“Yes!” I said as I pulled my upraised clenched fist down from my chin area. The other 30 students in the class clapped. I did a modest jig in the class aisle myself.
Have you been baptized in Jesus name?
Acts 2:38 (KJV) Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Acts 4:12 (KJV) Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Inside Mercy’s House
It’s Here!
Download Your Free E-Book Now
(Just click on the picture)
A Short Story for Young People
By
Martyn Ballestero Sr.
Edited By
Nila Marxer
© 2014 Martyn Ballestero Sr.
All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or part without the express written permission. Contact martyn238@aol.com
Dedication
I dedicate this story to my precious Grandchildren.
They all make me proud!
Kalyx Ballestero, Carlton Ballestero, Braden Ballestero,
Huntley Ballestero, Christyana Ballestero, Christian Ballestero, Caison Ballestero, Gentson Ballestero
Jeron Ballestero, Chloe Ballestero, Zion Ballestero
Garrison Hartzell, Cadence Hartzell, & Ainsley Hartzell
The First Paragraph:
“Shame stood there quietly in woods while the afternoon sun lazily highlighted his disheveled hair. His head hung down from sheer exhaustion. He didn’t feel like he could run another step. The birds had stopped singing momentarily to watch this unwelcome intruder as he looked for a place to sit down out of view of the path.”
≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈
This free e-book is available in three formats. Click on the picture or the link to access and download the book from Dropbox. No registration or account is needed. Here’s the Dropbox link:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/h70uly3f9x5u75s/AAAg1mMKav0CCgAa6stWVyV7a?dl=0
There are three file types available.
If you read books on a Kindle, select the Mobi file or PDF
If you read books on an iPad or iPhone, choose the Epub file (or PDF if you have the pdf app.)
If you read books on a Andoid choose the Mobi file and use with the Kindle app.
If you read books on your Computer, and have Adobe Reader try the PDF
If you are having trouble, maybe these “how-to” links will help:
http://osxdaily.com/2012/03/25/transfer-mobi-epub-ebook-files-to-ipad/
http://askleo.com/how_do_i_download_and_read_a_pdf_ebook/
http://www.ehow.com/how_8230718_open-ebook-email-iphone.html
(If you need help or the link does not work, let me know. Blessings to all. – MJB)
Miso-Veritas
This guest blog is written by my brother-in-law, Rev. Eric Marxer. He attends Inland Lighthouse in Rialto, CA. – mjb
Miso-Veritas
2 Thess 2:9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
2 Thess 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
2 Thess 2:11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
2 Thess 2:12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
Miso-phonia: literally “hatred of sound“, is a neurological disorder in which negative experiences (anger, flight, hatred, disgust) are triggered by specific sounds. For some people with this condition, mealtime can be torture. The sounds of other people eating – chomping, chewing, slurping, clicking their dentures or sucking their teeth – can send them into an instantaneous, blood-boiling rage.
The last part of verse 10 in our text says, “because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.” The word “truth” in Greek means “verity” which came from the Latin word “Veritas”. Therefore, if Miso-phonia means, a hatred of sound.
Then Miso-veritas means, a hatred of truth, and could be defined as a spiritual disorder in which negative experiences (anger, flight, hatred, disgust) are triggered by specific truths. For some people with this spiritual condition, church time can be torture.
When an Apostolic teacher/preacher delivers this precious truth of One God, repentance, be baptized in Jesus’ name, be filled with the Holy Ghost (with the evidence of speaking in other tongues) holiness message – it can send them into an instantaneous, blood-boiling rage.
Sadly, the scripture gives the ultimate effect from this condition, ” And for this cause (of not having a love of the truth) God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:”
What Happens When Conviction And His Friend Walk Down Your Street?
What Happens When Conviction And His Friend Walk Down Your Street?
What is your reaction when they actually stop, turn, and look directly at where you live. What is your reaction when Conviction takes the initiative and loudly knocks on your door?
What Happens When You Come Face To Face With Conviction?
· Oh, you’ll know him when you see him.
· He is instantly recognizable.
· Do you run and hide?
· Do you shake his hand and welcome him into your world?
· Do you slam the door of your heart in his face and lock it?
· Or do you act like no one is there and ignore him?
His sole purpose of knocking on your heart’s door was to introduce you to his partner, Truth, who stands quietly outside, waiting near the street!
Your first response may forever affect your future and your eternity. Respond wisely.
Reactions certainly vary in us all, nevertheless something transpires in each heart at that moment that forever identifies our true self. We are identified by our reaction or lack thereof.
· (There were three reactions to the crucifixion. Some wept, some mocked, and some watched.)
Something unique happened in us when we first recognized that Conviction was trying to gain access into the rooms of our heart and forever change how we thought, felt, lived, believed and desired.
When Conviction introduced us to Truth, we recognized Him immediately and our spiritual eyes were no longer blinded.
· Acts 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
· Acts 19:5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
But to those who pushed Conviction and Truth out of their heart’s house and ordered them never to return, the future is bleak.
They find it easy to mock, reject Conviction and Truth.
· Their mind is made up.
· They do not wish to change how they live or dress for any reason.
· Doing so would mean losing most of their friends and admitting they’ve been wrong all these years.
· The ability to be stirred and changed is foreign to them.
· Guilt and embarrassment makes some bar their heart’s door.
· Shame makes some run and hide.
Rebellion most often gets vocal and calls Conviction and Truth names. He also has a problem with any of his neighbors, friends and family who welcome Conviction and Truth into their homes and will go so far as to ban them from their life as well.
The sad reality is, Conviction is not required to knock on your door once, let alone twice.
It Is A Great Honor. Treat It As Such!
· Rev 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
· Rev 3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
· Rev 3:22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
I Didn’t Tell You, Because You Didn’t Want Me To.
I Didn’t Tell You, Because You Didn’t Want Me To.
The old preacher sat on a rock at the fork in the road. The many years of struggle showed on his face, and in the stoop of his shoulders. He watched as travelers passed him by.
Some of his preacher friends and acquaintances stopped a moment or two to chat before continuing their journey. Many came in groups, others by themselves, but they all walked down the road.
The children of his friends walked the road too, some of them walked with their parents, others walked alone.
Most everyone nodded in acknowledgement and smiled at him while continuing on their journey. A few stopped and sat on the rock beside him to visit for a while before walking on.
The old preacher noticed that a large number did not hesitate when they came to the fork in the road. They as if by some predetermination chose which path to walk.
There were those who paused and stared at the signposts, as if unsure. One or two fumbled for their map as if to verify which road would be best.
Those who still seemed unsure of which path to choose, changed from looking at the road signs, to looking at the other travellers. If by chance they happened to see a friend that looked like they knew what path to choose, they simply followed without further ado.
Every now and then one of the young travellers that stood reading the signposts turned to the old man for advice.
“Which fork in the road should I choose?” They asked.
The old preacher would look up at their sincere faces and without hesitation point in the direction that he knew was best. Some sneered, and walked down the other road anyway. Some followed his advice.
Occasionally travelers would return to the fork of the road to look at the signs again, as if to confirm their choice.
One young preacher who had walked down the wrong path quite a ways returned to the old man and began to chastise him.
“Why didn’t you stop me? Why didn’t you tell me that was the wrong path? Why didn’t you tell me how much I would lose if I walked down that path? Why didn’t you tell me I was in delusion to believe it was a better road? I thought you were a friend to my family, and me but you didn’t stop me and tell me which road to go! Why?
The old man didn’t get offended. He looked at the son of his friend, and then began.
“You know I love you, I love your father too. You know what road he walked down, but you felt comfortable in ignoring that fact because your friends and popular people have influenced you.
“I noticed you watching me as I pointed out the right way to others. You chose to ignore this old man’s advice.
“The reason I never told you personally which road to walk down is because you never wanted to know bad enough to ask. Maybe you didn’t want to hear the word, NO! I didn’t tell you because you didn’t want me to.
“If I had told you which path to choose without you asking, you would have taken that as an insult to your intelligence. You would have felt I was interfering in your business, so I held my peace as I held my breath.
“Those who ask for direction really want help. Those who don’t ask will soon need help. It’s a mistake of youth to reject the paths of their fathers in serving the Lord.
“You once believed your choices to always be accurate. Your delusion made it feel that it was God that was guiding you, now you have fear and regret because of your great losses. It’s the mercies of the Lord that you have returned to this point.
“The bad news is there are some things you will never regain. But, the final chapter has not been written. Remember hearing your father singing the song, “It’s Not the First Mile”?
“The real question my son, is now that you know which road is right, which one will you choose?”
With a thankful embrace and a sincere apology, the young man turned and walked back to the fork. This time he chose the one marked, “The Old Path.”
Pentecostal Spin Doctors?
Pentecostal Spin Doctors?
Car Race Story
Mr. Madden, my teacher from South Bend Central High School, told a story one day to make a point during our Speech and Debate Class in 1961.
He repeated a story that TASS, the official news source of the U.S.S.R. had released during the Cold War.
The news article was a report of an automobile race between an American Ford, and an unnamed Russian vehicle. Only two cars were in the race.
The Ford blew the doors off of the Russian vehicle. Ego was at stake. The Russians refused to lose face, so they skewed the details, without actually lying.
TASS reported that in an International Stock Car Race, the American car came in next to last, and that the Russian car placed second. That type of reporting, Mr. Madden told us, was called Propaganda. Today, we are uncomfortable with using that term. We choose to use the word spin and those who spin, are called Spin Doctors!
Even Husbands And Wives Are Good At It!
Spin Doctors are not always highly paid professionals. Some are folks just like you and me. We may not get paid for doing it, but most of us have tried it on some level.
He – May Try To Put A Spin On Why He Needs A New:
- Boat
- Truck
- Deer Rifle
- iPad 3
- MacBook Pro
She – May Try To Put A Spin On Why She Needs A New:
- Dress
- Pair Of Shoes
- Couch
- iPhone 5
- Mini Van
The Old Testament Even Had Spin Doctors.
The Prophet Isaiah decried the use of Spin Doctors nearly 740 years before the birth of Jesus Christ.
Isaiah 5:20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
This generation has nothing new in Spin Department. It was in use before the church was ever born in Acts Chapter 2.
To feel more comfortable in our waywardness, we mortals try to:
- Justify our sin,
- Justify ourselves,
- Justify our compromise.
Today, some Church Members have done it, some Backsliders have done it, and worse than that, some Preachers have done it too. God, especially, detests the work of Spin Doctors!
For Centuries, Some Have Wanted A Spin Doctor For A Pastor.
Isaiah 30:8 Now go, write it before them in a table, and note it in a book, that it may be for the time to come for ever and ever:
Isaiah 30:9 That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD:
Isaiah 30:10 Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:
Carnal people have always wanted the preacher to leave them alone. “Preach, but don’t preach,” seems to be the message they convey to their pastor. Hirelings have no problem adjusting.
The New Testament Had Spin Doctors.
Paul Warned The Church
Colossians 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
Colossians 2:9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
Paul Warned Timothy
2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
2 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
2 Timothy 4:4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
Some congregations love the Pop Psychology they hear in the pulpit. But, deaf ears are turned to the preaching of doctrine. Not every congregation is willing to sing the song, “Preacher Preach To Me.”
Preacher, preach to me,
Preacher, preach to me,
whatever it takes,
I must be saved.
Preacher, preach to me.For many years I served sin
But a preacher preached to me.
I’ve come thus far, but not on my own
A preacher preached to me.Preacher, pay me no mind.
Preach it right down the line
There’s one thing for certain,
regard not my person
Preacher, preach to me.Preacher, preach it right
Lord knows we need to hear from Heaven tonight
The word itself is pure, there is nothing it can’t cure
Preacher, preach to me.
Preacher, preach to me
Preacher, preach to me,
Whatever it takes, I must be saved,
Preacher, preach to me.
Preacher, preach to me.(Lyrics and music by Bro. Wayne Lawhorn)
Jesus Even Warned His Followers Of Spin Doctors
Matthew 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
Judas Was A Spin Doctor
John 12:5 Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?
John 12:6 This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.
Spin Doctors:
- Write Bible Translations they think people will like better!
- Hate to call sin, Sin! So they rename it or rephrase it.
- Think the mention of the Blood is not necessary.
- Tell you that fat meat is not greasy.
- Want their churches to be seeker friendly.
- Believe they can win more of the world by looking like the world.
- Are in Chat Rooms.
- They are on Forums.
- They have Facebook Accounts.
- They are found in Religious Organizations.
- They are also among Independents.
- They no longer say they spoke in tongues. They say they prayed in their prayer language.
- They no longer say they will baptize in you Jesus Name. They now baptize you, “Into Christ.”
No Apostle Ever Put A Spin On The Gospel Message. Their Preaching Was:
- Straight forward
- Simple
- No-nonsense
- Practical
- Their accounts were accurate and not self serving
- Their words benefited the reader
- Their advice served others, not themselves
- More importantly, it was truthful and anointed.
Satan Was The First Spin Doctor!
Genesis 3:1 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?
Genesis 3:2 And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:
Genesis 3:3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.
Genesis 3:4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:
We all should have learned our lesson from this example alone!
Nathanael Was NOT A Spin Doctor!
John 1:47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!
The Lord Jesus chose him to be a Disciple. He knew Nathanael could be trusted with handling the Truth!
In whom is no guile. That is the very first comment out of the mouth of Jesus when He saw him. Would Jesus be impressed with you as a disciple, because you had no guile?
1 Peter 3:10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:
The Punishment Of Spin Doctors.
Revelation 21:27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.
Revelation 22:15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
The Truth Still Matters!
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 