Soooo!
Guest Blog
by
Pastor Dennis Morris
Soooo!
A few years ago I was looking for a Jeep to put a plow on for our church lot, I called Eld. Vanslyke to ask what model he had and he said, “Why don’t you buy mine?” So I bought a Jeep from Eld. Vanslyke. When I got it home I found the floor under the passenger seat had a rusty hole big enough to throw a Coon through and when I took the seat out to fix it, the seat was held in with two vise grips. By then I’m laughing my head off. I called him to kid him and when I told him about the floor, he said “Sooooo?” I didn’t get it till mentioned the vise grips and he repeated his first answer, “Soooo?”
Then I got it! I wanted a short Jeep, I got one! I fixed it and it worked great!
Thusly “If we want Salvation, God provides it! If the life around it has a hole in the floor and jury-rigged seats, Soooo? Just get busy and adjust life to fit salvation!
There’s an old saying, “Gettin’ old ain’t for sissy’s!” Well, living for God ain’t either! God isn’t looking for trained soldiers he wants servants that will serve in whatever circumstances He calls them into. He doesn’t just save the able, but He will enable the saved!
The question is not, Can we be saved? The question is, Will we have the intestinal fortitude to use and apply what God gives us to get the job done? He did promise to throughly furnish us to do good works!
Eden was ideal, a paradise, but the tempter was still able to sneak in and cause a problem! God provides all things good but we need to realize that a covenant requires two and both have to keep their part of the bargain. All God required of Adam and Eve was don’t eat from that tree! Easy as pie! Not forbidden fruit pie either… What did they do? Got themselves kicked out of paradise. PLEASE don’t think if you had a perfect environment, it would be a cinch to live for God. The Flesh is flesh, get the whiff? By the way, if you want to be a missionary don’t bother to put Eden on your application as a place you’re willing to go. It had to be relocated because of a lack of interest.
The ark didn’t smell good and probably wasn’t comfortable either but nobody jumped out! The main reason for the ark was to save Noah and his family not to be a luxury touring vessel. For them to file a complaint because it was uncomfortable would have been ludicrous, to say the least. IT SAVED THEIR LIVES, PEOPLE! Mission accomplished. By the by, the animals were kept to save their lives, too. God really wants us to be saved, also. He’s got all the bases covered, trust Him.
The scriptures about the “Great House” let us know everything isn’t perfect there either. (VESSELS OF DISHONOR… really?) If we want to be saved, we can, in spite of the flaws and bad smells. Some of the responsibility for cleaning up the mess in the house is up to us. Could be if we sniff around a little bit we might discover the problem is us. It does say to qualify as a vessel of honor we need to purge ourselves. That’s clean up! Don’t dirty yourself and complain that something stinks. Don’t be the problem. Be part of the solution. It’s a GREAT HOUSE! Be thankful you’re allowed in the door.
Paul said to stay in the ship and live! They didn’t like it and some doubted and complained, they were battered, soaked, saltwater chafed, hungry and thirsty but everyone survived! Not too shabby Paul!
Even the group Jesus assembled had complainers, jealousy, animosity and the worst, there was a traitor! Yes, One of the disciples that Jesus chose was a bad apple but it didn’t stop Jesus or the Apostles from completing the mission they were called for. Oh, Instead of calling Judas a bad apple, I should’ve called him a “Forbidden Fruit“!
Soooo, in spite of the flaws and bad smells! This God idea called the Church works!
Though life sometimes can be difficult the Scripture still says “Let us go on unto perfection“!
I mean, after all, we are all just a piece of work… in progress!
Do You Obey Your Doctor More Than You Obey Your Pastor?
Do You Obey Your Doctor More Than You Obey Your Pastor?
It seems like people obey their doctors more than they obey their pastor. There is a great disparity of respect in the hearts of society between the two. This is openly demonstrated in the way their advice is treated.
The role of a doctor is greatly honored by our society. A doctor’s diagnosis and his orders are so respected that state laws support him. In extreme cases, some states have been known to incarcerate individuals for their non-compliance to the doctor’s orders.
A pastor is greatly honored as well. The members of the congregation can choose to heed his advice. His words are sometimes received with suspicion or outright rejection. The following fictional scenarios may help describe the difference:
PATIENT 1
The new patient sat anxiously in the examination room while the doctor looked over the file holding all the test results. He made notations every now and then. Without a word, he picked up a thick book and thumbed back to the index. He located the reference he was looking for and made a few notations on the chart.
The doctor then asked a few pertinent questions and checked the patient’s vital signs. He then turned and began to write several prescriptions.
The doctor folded the top cover back over the chart and in his best bedside manner broke the news to the patient and his spouse.
“As you know, your blood work came back and I didn’t like what I saw. So, that’s why I ordered the MRI. The bad news is, you have a mass that concerns me, it’s still contained, but if it is cancer and left untreated, it will be fatal.”
The patient then willingly goes through several months of chemo treatments. They endure more moments of pain and nausea than they wish to remember. They change their eating habits and strictly adhere to the diet the doctor gave them.
They also go back every week or so to the doctor’s office for checkups. The journey to recovery maybe years. They will pay the cost and tolerate every inconvenience just to survive. They brag on their doctor and sing his praises when they go into remission.
The cost of the treatment: It varies, but sometimes runs into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. The weekly office visits aren’t cheap either.
Patient 2
The Holistic Doctor looked at her patient. She told him that the cancer had spread. Her prescription was not written on paper, but she advised her patient to drink nothing but a mixture of carrot and asparagus juice. Eat no solid food, and drink only water and the carrot juice cocktail.
She then sells the patient an expensive juicing machine. The patient goes home and ingests nothing into his body but water and the prescribed juice for one year. Friends shake their heads at the patient’s willingness to follow through with the strict regimen.
Visits are made to the office to monitor his progress. After a year, the results are in. The patient is cancer-free. He testifies openly and brags on the results. The diet worked.
The costs of the doctor’s visits weren’t cheap either. Even though the health insurance wouldn’t pay, he happily refinanced his house to pay for his recovery.
In both scenarios, the patient did whatever was asked of them, and willingly paid for their costly treatment. They had no problem doing weekly or monthly follow-up visits. They love their doctors. They are healed.
Church Scene 1
The pastor sits in the office with a crying young man. He tells the pastor what has happened. He is ashamed.
The pastor had great hopes for him. He had shown so much potential. Now there’s much damage and others will be affected.
When the crying ends, the pastor prays with the man and then says, “I’m afraid I’m going to have to take you off the platform and set you down for a while. I want to help you recover yourself”
“How long will I be set down?”
“We’ll see. It depends on how you do. I want to see you in the prayer room before every service. I don’t want you having anything to do with the people we just talked about. I want to see some evidence of your repentance. You can recover. I will be here for you. Call me anytime if you need me or feel yourself getting weak again. I love you.
When the office visit is over, the pastor/saint relationship is over too. Rather than submit to the pastor’s prescription for recovery, and be set down for a while, the man changes churches.
The cost was nothing to the church member. The pastor gave of himself to no avail. The church lost money, a member and quite possibly, a soul.
Church Scene 2
The pastor stood behind the pulpit, his sermon had been impressed upon him in prayer. The Lord stirred his heart to preach against the things of the world that were in the church.
Signs of worldliness had shown itself here and there in the congregation. He preached the essentiality of Acts 2:38. He said when you get this Holy Ghost experience, your life changes. Your friends change. You dress holy. You don’t do the things you used to do. You no longer go to the places you used to go.
The lack of response from the audience loudly stated their reaction to the sermon. A few members looked sideways at their friends and family to catch their reaction. They mostly just looked at the preacher without a visible reaction.
After service, a few phone calls were made. A private meeting was set up. Then a formal meeting was arranged. The pastor was voted out.
The cost? Whatever it was, the people refused to pay it.
I Am Not Talking About Bad Doctors Or Bad Pastors.
I Am Addressing How Even Good Doctors And Good Pastors Sometimes Get Treated Differently.
There are many people alive today because they followed the good doctor’s advice.
There are also many people spiritually alive today because they followed the advice of their good man of God.
Thank God For Every Saint Who Loves His Or Her Pastor Enough To Obey Him.
Jesus said: John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
Hebrews 13:17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
Do You Obey Your Doctor More Than You Obey Your Pastor?
You Really Need To Say Amen! It Means You Received The Word Into Your Heart!
You Ain’t Got Time!!
You Ain’t Got Time!!
I Understand!
I Don’t Know How You Can Do What You Do!
You’re Busy! Very Busy!
I’m Even A Bit Sorry To Say Anything And Interrupt You!
Studies Show The Average American Works 47 Hours A Week. Or, 8.8 Hours A Day.
The Gallop Poll: https://news.gallup.com/poll/175286/hour-workweek-actually-longer-seven-hours.aspx
The Average American
- Sleeps About 8 Hours A Day
- Eats About 67 Minutes A Day
- Drives About 101 Minutes A Day
- Watches 2.8 Hours Of TV A Day
https://www.tempo.io/blog/7-time-consuming-things-an-average-joe-spends-in-a-lifetime
The Average American Spends 12 Hours And 9 Minutes A Day On Media.
https://www.emarketer.com/content/us-time-spent-with-media-2019
The Average American Spends 24 Hours A Week On-Line
https://www.technologyreview.com/f/610045/the-average-american-spends-24-hours-a-week-online/
Teens Spend Nine Hours A Day In Front Of Screens.
Plus, They Go To School For About Six Hours A Day.
Children 8-12 Spend Six Hours A Day With Screens.
Teens Spend ‘Astounding’ Nine Hours a Day in Front of Screens: – BY MAGGIE FOX AND ERIKA EDWARDS
Besides All This… There’s:
- House Cleaning
- Laundry
- Shopping
- Lawn Care
- Home Maintenance
- Gym Work Outs
- Meal Preparations
- Caring For Your Children
- School/College Classes
- Homework
- Cramming For Exams
- Your Job
There Are Not Enough Hours in Your Day. I Get That.
You’re Overwhelmed With Your Schedule. Absolutely.
Your Plate Is Too Full To Add Anything Else. I See That.
I Understand That You Aren’t Able To Be Involved Much At Church Because Of Your Schedule.
So, I Won’t Ask Why You Weren’t At Church Sunday Night, Or At The Midweek Service.
I Also Noticed You Don’t Have Time To Help:
- Drive The Sunday School Bus
- Work The Bus Route
- Teach Sunday School
- Help In The Nursery
- Be Involved In Ladies / Men’s Groups
- Do Visitor Follow Up
- Be In The Choir
- Play In The Orchestra
- Do Bible Quizzing
- Be At Prayer Meeting
- Make It To Pre-Service Prayer
- Be Part Of The Youth Department
- Teach Home Bible Studies
- Do Outreach
- Help In The Easter Pageant
- Help With Children’s Church
- Serve After Church
- Be At Men’s Work Day
- Clean The Church
- Join Usher / Greeter Department
- Cleaning Up After Meals / Washing Dishes
- Decorating
- Fund Raising
- Working In The Fireworks Stand
- Mow The Church Yard
- Plant Flowers
- Pull Weeds
- Help In The Media Room
- Being Used In Intercessory Prayer
- Pray Around The Altar
- Visit The Sick
- Care For The Widows
You’re Very Busy! Yet, You Find Time To…
- Keep Up With All The Sports Teams And Their Stats.
- Know All About Politics And Politicians
- Hang Out With Your Friends Regularly
- Take Selfies At Starbucks And Nice Restaurants
- Take Weekend Get-A-Way Trips
- Go Hunting And Fishing
- Enjoy Your Hobbies
- Visit Friends And Relatives
And, You’ve Got Time To…
- Gossip on The Phone
- Go Out To McDonald’s After Church
- Stay Out Past Midnight
- Play War Games On Your Computer
- Baby Sit
- Play Ball With The Church Group
- Take Your Dog Jogging
You MAKE Time To Do What You Want To Do!
Let’s Talk About Who You May Not Want To Confront You In The Judgment!
Jonah – He was too busy and filled with excuses to obey God’s Call. He ran from his duty. God sent a storm to get his attention.
James And John – Left their nets and their livelihood and followed Jesus.
Matthew – Walked away from his Tax Collecting table and followed Jesus.
Doctor Luke – Closed his Clinic and sent his patients away and followed Jesus.
Martha – Too busy to sit at the feet of Jesus.
Elisha – Was plowing with 12 yoke of oxen. He killed his oxen and made a sacrifice of them and followed Elijah, not even taking the time to tell his family goodbye.
Woman At The Well – Left her water pot at the well to go tell everyone about Jesus.
Ruth – Walked away from her family, her people and her gods, to follow after Naomi and her God.
Noah – Put his life on hold to obey God’s command to build an Ark.
Phebe – “A servant of the church.”
God Even Used Teenagers In The Bible
- Mary – Mother of Jesus
- Joseph – Was 17
- Daniel – Teen when captured. Became Prime Minister
- David – 17 when he killed Goliath
- Jeremiah – 14 when he started Prophesying and said “Ask for the old paths”
- Esther – When she stood before the king.
- James and John – teens when Jesus called them.
- Timothy – A teen when he began to work with Paul
The Inhabitants Of Meroz Were Too Busy Taking Care Of Their Flocks And Herds To Help The Rest Of Israel Fight The Enemy.
Judges 5:23 Curse ye Meroz, said the angel of the LORD, curse ye bitterly the inhabitants thereof; because they came not to the help of the LORD, to the help of the LORD against the mighty.
This Society Wants Everything Given To Them.
They Think Life Is Just About Them.
As In The Bible Days… They Follow Jesus For The Loaves And The Fishes.
They Want Heavenly Rain To Fall On Their Lives, Yet Refuse To Send Up Any Vapor.
Today I Make A Plea For Your Involvement In The Work Of The Lord
Your Lack Of Involvement Is
- Hindering Revival In Your Church.
- Causing Apathy To Spread.
- Cursing Your Soul.
- Killing Your Pastor By Making Him Take Up The Slack.
How Can You Say You Live For God When Your Life Is All About You?
You Are Not Living For God, You’re Living For You.
Actually… It’s Not YOUR Life At All. You’ve Been Bought With A Price.
Deut. 6:5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
Does The Following Scripture Describe You?
Luke 8:14 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.
If So, Repent And Live For God With All Your Heart.
How Shall They Hear Without A Preacher?
Romans 10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
Disclaimer:
Although I love and support Holy Ghost Radio, I do not represent them in any official capacity. I am not paid by them, neither have I been asked to speak on their behalf.
We Have Many Things To Be Thankful For This Year!
- The Revelation of the Mighty God in Christ.
- The Baptism in the Name of Jesus.
- The Holy Ghost!
- God’s provision and protection.
- Our family and our heritage.
- Our church.
- Our health and our home.
One thing that may not have crossed your mind to be thankful for this year is Holy Ghost Radio! We all love it and have it bookmarked on our computers and have downloaded the app for our cell phones and tablets.
Every week for many years someone has mentioned a sermon or song they’ve heard on Holy Ghost Radio. No other Apostolic Pentecostal resource has been continually more effective in reaching the lost, edifying the body of Christ, and strengthening the church.
Pentecost and the world have been blessed beyond measure by the efforts of Brother and Sister Jeff Hoffer and Holy Ghost Radio.
Reports of listeners receiving the Holy Ghost or receiving the Revelation of the Oneness of God continually pour in. We rejoice with them, upon hearing these wonderful reports.
Twenty years ago, Bro. Hoffer felt led to make Apostolic preaching available to the world. It’s free for everyone to listen to. However, it is a huge expense to keep this service available.
Computers and technical equipment need to be upgraded to keep up with fast-changing technology. Technicians, programmers, and staff are needed to keep HGR on the air.
This Is A Voice That Must Never Go Silent!
While I have not been asked to make a plea for support, Partners In Missions are desperately needed!
Pastor… My Prayer Is That You Make HGR A Part Of Your Missions Giving!
As an individual, I have done a very small part by giving a modest monthly pledge. HGR needs us to show our Thankfulness to them by partnering with them on a monthly basis. (Have you ever noticed how God blesses you when you give to missions?)
Please consider blessing this missionary endeavor. Join me in helping them spread this Gospel around the world!
Click The Link Below.
Make A One Time Donation
I Want To Be A Monthly Supporter
Below Is A Letter From Brother Jeff Hoffer To The Friends Of Holy Ghost Radio
Hello Friends,
Back in 1999, when the Lord directed us to begin a radio ministry, we launched out in faith. Our first conference was in 2002 and we’ve been going strong ever since.
2019 has been a tremendous year for Holy Ghost Radio and we could not have done it without you.
We are streaming Truth 24 hours a day, across the world and love hearing all the testimonies of souls being saved and backsliders praying through!
We’re writing today because we are in need of your help.
We are trusting the Lord to help us keep up with the technology to continue to expand, add new channels, pay for the overhead, the app, website, servers, streams, internet, and upgrade our computers to support all of our streams, add new ones, etc.
Technology is expensive and we really need more churches to partner with us monthly, to help us grow, expand, and keep up with the times.
We are extremely thankful for the WPF adding Holy Ghost Radio to its offering list for Global Missions.
Please consider a monthly pledge offering, either personally or through your church, to support Holy Ghost Radio by continuing to fund the gospel to every nation.
You can give online at holyghostradio.com and click donate or send in a check to:
HGR
PO Box 711441
Santee, Ca 92072
Lastly, we’d like to let you know about an increase in our live conference fee, next year to $1,500 plus accommodations and travel expenses effective January 1, 2020.To save you accommodations & travel expenses you can go remote for $1,500
Thank you so much for being a faithful listener and supporter!
Sincerely,
Jeff & Jeannette Hoffer
Holy Ghost Radio
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.
If You See Me At A Distance…
Written By My Dear Friend, Pastor Dennis Morris.
Guest Contributor
If You See Me At A Distance…
If you see me at a distance, just wave…
You don’t have to come my way, just a gesture of recognition and maybe a smile will be enough to make my day.
Your youth and vitality shouldn’t be wasted, because, I know it won’t last forever. Use it wisely and with precision, I could tell you how wasted time leaves many regrets.
Really! I love to just observe from a distance the interaction of folks like you who are full of life and enjoying life with others of your ilk. You know, if you try, you and them together could accomplish a lot for God.
No, I’m no one of importance. I can’t offer much but maybe a little experience, I don’t have the energy to run with the big dogs anymore so I’ll just stay on the porch and bark a little now and then so the man with the shovel doesn’t get the wrong idea.
I can’t finance your project or do very much to support your burden but I’ll encourage you if I can to be the best example of a child of God possible, the rest will be added as God sees fit! God is the driver, we’re just along for the ride.
The so-called “Social Ladder”, never made it down this far, so hanging around with an old fella like me won’t boost your standing with the “In-Crowd ” anyway, so just a wave and a smile is good.
Oh yes, I used to rush there and then here and back to there again. I confess I was impressed for a little while by the “In-Crowd “. While I rushed right by a few Great men and Godly ladies that could have and likely would have given me some good advice about wasting my productive years on pursuits that did not profit anyone. Someone told me that the so-called “Upper Crust” was just a bunch of crumbs held together by their own dough! Hmm maybe so…
Oh, don’t take me wrong I didn’t ignore the good folks but what I did amounted to the same, from a distance I waved and smiled. The amazing thing is the big smile that came to their faces when I did take a little time for them. I wasn’t completely unthoughtful but not thoughtful enough.
It wasn’t them that missed it, I was the loser.
Now I know how much I shortchanged myself.
It may sound like I’m having myself a pity party but, emphatically No, I’m not! I’m not being neglected or pushed aside, I pastor a wonderful church and I have wonderful friends and we communicate often. In fact, I feel very blessed.
I miss getting to go to many of the meetings that I always attended but because of life circumstances, I can’t. In fact, it’s as though God has sidelined me. Again, no complaints. I’ve traveled to mission fields more than most and had and still have some wonderful friends.
I heard it said one time that some preachers couldn’t preach their way out of a wet paper bag, I was probably included in that bunch but that’s alright, God has blessed me abundantly.
Besides all that, I made vows to my sweetheart over 53 years ago and I’ve never regretted it! She’s still my sweetheart, sickness and all.
I’m serious, when I say, I don’t expect sympathy for my situation or recognition for my small accomplishments, which are few and my victories that have never reached Goliath Giant per portions. I’m just a bystander for the most part now, so just wave and smile, I’ll understand and give you the biggest smile I can muster, I promise!
God Bless!
Dennis Morris
Contentment
Contentment
Eld. Dennis Morris
Phil. 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
God says need! We say needs! Our problem living for God often begins when having our need supplied by God isn’t enough. We convince ourselves, or the devil convinces us, that what we want is what we need. So, we become discontent, not just with what we have but also with God.
Are We Ever Content With What We Have?
Heb. 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
Ouch! Content with what we have? Is that possible? The American way is to throw away and get the newest! Even if it’s not worn out or defective, it’s gotta be the latest! We constantly talk about and even covet what others have! Do we ever stop and think, God Almighty said: “I will never leave you”! The psalmist put it this way, “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want”! Bro. James Morar said, ”I have the Lord, I don’t need anything else“! We need to stop grumbling and start praising!
Being Content Must Be A Learning Process!
Phil. 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
Paul seems to be saying that learning to be content is a process! Hearing, repeating, practicing, hearing, repeating, practicing! All for the purpose of modifying behavior. Also, exposure to those who have experienced the learned change can be very beneficial in our quest! If we hang around the greedy, we will likely be greedy; but, if we fellowship contentment, we can learn by their example!
Saints and even pastors who are discontent with their church can have a negative effect on our spirit. Oh, don’t take me wrong, by all means work to see your church grow but never despise your “little“ church! After all it’s that kind of church where God saved most of us!
Being Godly And Being Content Is Progress! (Gain: furnishing, finishing)
1 Tim 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
Instead of always trying to get ahead in the world, why don’t we focus on moving higher in God! The GAIN talked about is not material or monetary it’s Spiritual! That’s worth shouting about!
We used to sing songs like, “I’m Going Higher Yes Higher Some Day“, “A Higher Plain Than I Have Found”!
Moving up in God was always on our minds. What has happened to Pentecost? Have we become so materialistic that we are always discontented and disconnected?
When Was The Last Time We Were Thankful For Just Our Food And Clothing?
1 Tim. 6:8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
I understand the need to replace worn out and outgrown clothes etc. Cars wear out, houses get old, time alone destroys the strongest structures. Replacing or renewing is part of life but too often we’re not even happy with the new for very long. Someone else has a better one so our lip drops into a pout because we feel like we’re inferior till we get the latest! Ho hum… Almighty God wake me up to how very blessed I am before I greedy my way into perdition!
The Home Missions Director Was Afraid Of Twenty Words
The Home Missions Director Who Was Afraid Of Twenty Words!
I sat eating supper at the steakhouse with the Home Missions Director and the District Superintendent.
“Brother Ballestero, we have a total of ten Home Missions churches in our state that we want you to preach a week’s revival at, and we will pay you $700 a week. We have visitors and new converts that we don’t want to scare off. So here is a list of twenty words and phrases we don’t want you to say while preaching in these Home Missions Churches.” The Home Missions Director said while handing me a piece of paper.
I scanned down the list…
Adultery
Fornication
Homosexuality
Gay
Lesbian
Alternative lifestyle
Abortion
Pre-marital sex
Babies out of wedlock
Lust
Immoral
Jewelry
Rings
Immodest apparel
Short skirts
Men’s apparel
Hell
Damnation
Abomination
Trinity
I looked up from the list wanting to see the Superintendent’s reaction. He put his head down and cut another piece of steak. Without a smile or word, I pushed the list back to the Home Missions Director and shook my head from side to side.
The rest of the meal was finished in near silence.
That’s when this scripture came to my mind…
Isa. 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:
I Would Appreciate It If You Just Wouldn’t Mention Anything About…
I Would Appreciate It If You Just Wouldn’t Mention Anything About…
The car glided quietly down the Texas road. The only noise came from the breeze in the open windows of the car. The fact that there was no air conditioner in the car made it necessary to roll the windows down because of the heat.
“Brother Ballestero, tonight is the first night of our revival and you will notice three teenage girls that are the praise singers. You will notice also that they are all wearing mini-skirts. They have such great spirits. I am working with them on their attire and I would appreciate it if you just wouldn’t mention anything about mini-skirts or short skirts while you’re here.”
He said that while looking straight ahead. I never turned mine to look at him. Here was an icon in Texas asking me to not to say anything about mini-skirts.
“No problem!” I blurted out.
“Oh, thank you!” He said.
“Well, that was easy. If you would, I have a couple here who have just inherited $1,000,000.00 and they haven’t paid tithes yet. If you say anything while you are here about tithes, they will think I talked to you about it, get mad and may not pay tithes at all. So, if you just wouldn’t say anything about tithes while you’re here I will take it as a personal favor.”
“Not a problem, sir,” I said.
“Well then, just one more thing. I have a precious little Assemblies of God couple coming here and I am waiting for the Holy Ghost to reveal the revelation of the Oneness of the Godhead to them. So, if you wouldn’t preach on the Godhead while you’re here. I would take that as a personal favor also.”
“Relax brother,” I said.
“While I’m here, all I’m going to preach is Jesus!”
He looked at me with relief in his eyes and said, “Thank You.”
“The reason that all I am going to preach while I’m here is Jesus is that it sounds like no one here knows Him!” I said flatly while looking through the front window.
(I am not sure why that revival only lasted one night, but I have a good guess.)
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 