What’s Wrong With Your Voice?
What’s Wrong With Your Voice?
My father rode beside me in the car as we talked about the alarming decline of standards and morality among some of the churches we knew. Dad shook his head after a while and rhetorically said, “Where’s Bro. Verbal Bean when we need him? Where’s Bro. Joe Duke? I wonder why God took their ministries from us when we needed them the most?”
Since neither of us could answer that question, the car stayed quiet for a while as I drove down the highway. Since then, many more strong voices of men and women have been laid silent in their graves. Today, nearly forty years later, I revisited that moment in the car with my daddy.
We look around us now for another star to shine bright! We look for another champion of the faith. We look for someone with an amazing ministry. A preacher we would drive a hundred miles just to listen to one sermon. Someone who will lift their voice.
Really?
- What’s Wrong With Your Voice?
- What Keeps You From Speaking Up?
- Why Don’t You Say Something?
- Why Don’t You Respond To The Need?
- Can’t You See What Sin Is Around You?
- And, You Still Can’t Open Your Mouth?
Maybe you say to yourself that you don’t have a ministry like Bro. Bean, or a Bro. Duke. So you feel content to be quiet.
Have you never read about a man named Amos in the Bible?
Amos 7:14 Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet’s son; but I was an herdman, and a gatherer of sycomore fruit:
Amos 7:15 And the LORD took me as I followed the flock, and the LORD said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel.
Amos declares that He wasn’t preacher nor a preacher’s son. He was just a herdsman and had a little fruit stand. Yet God chose to speak through him to a whole nation.
God looks for availability.
Eze. 22:30 And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.
Isa. 6:8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.
God is still looking for a voice!
- Are You Available?
- How Would You Respond If God Chose To Use You?
Again, I ask…
What’s Wrong With Your Voice?
Someone Needs To Say Something!!!
Father’s Day, And I Am So Proud To Be A Dad!
Father’s Day, And I Am So Proud To Be A Dad!
I’ve received a lifetime of continuous love, honor, and sweet words from my children. I feel, of all men, that I am most blessed! I am grateful and humbled by every word and expression of their love to me. My family honors me beyond what can even be imagined. I certainly am a very rich man.
From my heart and with tear-filled eyes I say, “Thank You!”
How Did I Get To Be A Father Who Is So Fortunate To Be Loved Like This?
The answer is very simple and only three words long… Marcia June Ballestero!
On this day, most dads receive presents and affectionate words. But, today my heart feels like re-directing the attention from myself to my wife. She is one who deserves all the credit that I enjoy today.
“But”, you say, “you’ve worked hard to put food on the table and you’ve made many sacrifices.”
While there may be truth in what you say. Remember that even if I had been childless or a bachelor, I still would have had to work hard and make sacrifices. We all do. It’s called life.
Now… Let Me Get Back To Talking About My Wife!
She is the one who endured discomfort, pain, and sleepless nights.
She is the one who carried them for nine months.
She is the one who walked right up to death’s door and brought home beautiful babies.
She is the one who nursed and cared for them during all hours of the night.
She is the one who washed their dirty clothes and made their beds.
She is the one who picked up their dirty clothes from the floor.
She is the one who mopped up the trail of mud on the kitchen floor.
She is the one who cooked their meals and washed their dishes.
She is the one who made a house into a home for them to forever cherish.
She is the one that dressed them all for church and then got herself ready.
She is the one who cleaned up after their messes.
She is the one who had to wrangle them through the store while she bought groceries.
She is the one who gave kisses, comfort, and put bandages on their ouchies.
She is the one who maintained their proper level of decorum during church services.
She is the one who cooked the best meals a kid could ever eat.
She is the one who had to cook in a hot kitchen.
She is the one who taught them manners and respect.
She is the one who taught them how to pray.
She is the one who taught them about the love of Jesus.
She is the one who taught them right from wrong.
She is the one who taught them about dressing godly.
She is the one who taught them about the manifesting the fruits of the spirit.
She is the one who taught them what an Apostolic should be.
She is the one who taught them to be Christ-like.
She is the one who taught them how to live for God.
She raised up our children in the way they should go.
She is also the one who taught them to be sweet to their daddy.
She taught them all that and MORE!
I would just walk into the house at the end of the day, and enjoy the love and affection from all my babies because of her.
(It was their Mother, after all, who made me a Father.)
Today, I am enjoying Father’s Day fully knowing that it was my beloved wife who did all the work so I could enjoy this great honor! She deserves all the credit. But, today, I get the thanks!
Thank you, my Darling Marcia, for making me a Daddy!
What Kind Of Son Are You?
What Kind Of Son Are You?
There was a certain Father who had many sons and daughters. The children by now all lived on their own and seemed happy. He had treated them all so kindly that they doted on Him and often just stopped by His house to tell Him that they loved Him.
More often than not they would ask Him if there was anything they could do for Him. That always made Him smile. Sometimes they would say, “Father, if You see me doing something that displeases You… please let me know. You have been so good to me, that I want to spend the rest of my life doing things that please You. It made the Father’s heart rejoice to know His children loved Him.
One day two of the oldest brothers noticed that the youngest brother only came around the Father’s house on Sunday mornings about 10 AM and occasionally on Wednesday evenings around 7 PM when the special family meals were prepared. He wasn’t always punctual, and they noticed that when he did come around it was only for food. Most of the other children came early before meal time to talk with their father and enjoy the comfort of His presence and love, and stayed late. The youngest son never came early, and seldom on time.
Once in a while, he would come to his Father’s house because he needed money or some help with a desperate situation. He would always show his thanks and appreciation for the blessing.
The two brothers watched one night as the youngest came late to the table where the others were already eating and with a sheepish look slid into his chair. They gave each other a knowing look.
The oldest said to the youngest, “How come you only come around the Father’s house when there are loaves and fishes on the table? How come you never want to just come and visit a while with our Father and enjoy His company? Man, you’re really missing out! There’s no one in the world more wonderful than Him! Everyone notices that you have plenty of time to go visit all your friends or do your fishing and hunting. Don’t you know that when the rest of us come to visit with Him that we see Him looking down the road towards your house? He watches you walking in the other direction from Him to be with your friends, or go do your thing. And, then when a need arises you have the gall to act as though you love Him so that you can ask Him for a favor, hit up for money and mooch off of Him. He’s always giving to you and you give nothing back to Him. What’s wrong with you? What kind of son are you?
The supper table grew quiet. A tear ran down the Father’s cheek. The younger son glared at his older brother and left the table. The children put their heads down fearing to see the expression on their Father’s face. They knew how much their Father loved the one who wouldn’t return His love.
Is this your story?
Confusion
Guest Blog – Written by my life-long Friend, Pastor Dennis Morris.
Confusion
1 Corinthians 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
Confusion: instability, disorder, commotion, tumult.
I think we can accurately conclude from this scripture that there is an author of CONFUSION! Satan is that author!
Another conclusion is the peace authored by God is the target of the attacks of confusion.
Ephesians 6:16 speaks of the fiery darts of the wicked!
Fiery: ignited, to be inflamed with anger, grief, to burn or be on fire.
Caution! Sometimes even people can be fiery darts, inflamed themselves with passion for their grievances.
Flaming arrows, if not striking a fatal wound, can be distracting nevertheless. Inflammatory to the point that we take our focus off the enemy and put it on the immediate pain or danger, becoming confused about the problem and disoriented about who our enemy really is. Many have fallen prey to the spiritual tumult caused by confusion. Not suffering natural death but spiritual wounding some never recover from and suffering even death.
Peace: to join, by implication, have prosperity, quietness, rest, to set at one again.
God’s plan is for peace to reign in our hearts and minds. That we be bound together in love, with peace and joy our being our signature presentation before the world. Having through every trial and test “the peace of God which passes all understanding“!
James 3:16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
Envy: heat, jealousy, malice, emulation, fervent (or fevered) mind, indignation (taking offense).
Strife: intrigue (suspicion), factions, contention.
James lets us know that confusion has companions “every evil work”.
The fevered mind of envy and the suspicions triggered by strife make the perfect storm for confusion to cause us to turn against those who God instructs us to love and to even charge God for not caring and doing something to help us! Why God am I wounded?
Isaiah 9:5 For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but this shall be with burning and fuel of fire.
(Confused) Noise: vibration, bounding, uproar, commotion, earthquake, fierceness, quaking, rattling, rushing, shaking.
Someone said that “War is hell”, I’m not sure it qualifies to be compared to hell but according to Isaiah there are similarities.
Eccl. 8:8… there is no discharge in that war…
No matter how bad it is, we can’t just decide not to fight anymore! No matter how fierce the battle gets we must not get confused by the noise and even the death and dying around us!
Satan hath desired to have you that he may sift you as wheat. Wheat sifted, is just flour, wheat ground to powder.
Satan wants to remove all resistance and leave us so devastated that we’ve no recovery possible. Giving in to the confusion will only make matters worse.
- Fight the good fight…
- Prove all things, hold fast to that which is good…
- Having this same mind in you…
- Run the race with patience…
As the battle rages don’t just listen to the clamoring and confusing noise. Listen with a spiritual ear! There is a still small voice, encouraging you to “fight the good fight”.
“We’re not wrestling flesh and blood,”
Go ahead “lay hold on to eternal life”
Child of God, don’t take a chance, through the power of prayer “put on the helmet of Salvation“ don’t get confused!
Living For God Is Easy!
Living For God Is Easy!
Matthew 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
Matthew 11:30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
IF GOD SAYS IT’S EASY… IT’S EASY!
What Kind Of Idiot Made You Believe That It’s Hard To Live For God?
First Of All, When You Live For God There’s…
- No Addictions
- No Hangovers
- No Maternity Tests Needed
- No Social Diseases
- No Fear Of The Police Arresting You
- No Police Record
- No Secrets To Keep
- No Fear Of Drug Testing
- No Longer Victimized By Satan
You’ll Never Have To Hold Up A Cardboard Sign And Beg…
(The righteous has never been forsaken nor his seed ever begged for bread.)
Psalms 37:25
You’ll Have Better Health Care.
(The Great Physician will take care of your every need.)
Exodus 15:27
You’ll Never Make Mistakes In Your Life Choices If He Guides You And Directs Your Path.
Proverbs 3:6
You’ll Never Have To Fight Your Own Battles.
(God says the battle is His.)
1 Samuel 17:47
He Will Supply All Your Needs.
Philippians 4:19
He Specializes In Solving The Impossible For You.
Mark 10:27
He Gives You An Unbelievably Peaceful Life.
(It passes understanding.)
Philippians 4:7
He Will Protect You From Danger And Poison.
Mark 16:18
He Is Available To Help You Twenty-Four-Seven.
Hebrews 13:5
He Will Comfort You Like No Other.
John 14:26
He Will Completely Satisfy You.
Psalms 65:4
He’ll Give You Joy Like You’ve Never Known.
Psalms 16:11
All He Asks For In Payment… Is Your Thanks!
LEARN THIS!
Satan doesn’t LOVE you.
- He DESIRES you.
- He’ll sift you as wheat.
- Luke 22:31
God LOVES you!
- John 3:16
Who Wouldn’t Want To Live For God?
Living for God Is A Blessing Every Day.
Psalms 68:19
- He Puts Food On Your Table.
- He Puts Clothes On Your Back.
- He Pays Your Bills.
- He Puts Gas In Your Car.
- He Helps You All Day Long
You Will Never Have To Waste Money Again On…
- Cigarettes Or Tobacco Of Any Kind
- Makeup
- Jewelry
- Cable TV
- Drugs
- Alcohol
Those Who Say It’s Hard To Live For God, Are Still Trying To Hang On To The World.
That’s Why They Say It’s Hard.
Matthew 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
Deuteronomy 6:5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
Those Who Are Living For God With All Their Heart Join Me In Saying…
Living For God Is Easy!
What’s Your Defense?
What’s Your Defense?
Eph. 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Eph. 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
Eph. 6:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Eph. 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
Eph. 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
The Best Offense Is A Good Defense
George Washington, in 1799: “ . . . offensive operations, often times, is the surest, if not the only (in some cases) means of defence”.
The Moses Defense
Moses Chose Not To Identify As An Egyptian, But Rather As An Israelite.
Heb. 11:24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter;
Heb. 11:25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
The Joseph Defense
Joseph Chose To Say No To Temptation, And Leave.
Gen. 39:12 And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.
The Daniel Defense
Daniel Chose Not To Defile Himself.
Dan. 1:8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.
The James Defense
James Chose To Submit Himself To God, Then Resist Everything The Devil Presented To Him.
Jas. 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
The Paul Defense
Paul Chose To Always Be Ready And To Be Prepared.
Philippians 1:17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.
The Peter Defense
Peter Chose To Stay Alert And Never Take His Eyes Off Of His Adversary.
1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
The Hannah Defense
Hannah Chose To Travail Before The Lord Until She Got Her Answer.
1 Samuel 1:15 And Hannah answered and said, … I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have … poured out my soul before the LORD.
The Syrophenician Woman’s Defense
She Chose To Be Humble And Not Defensive In The Face Of Prejudice.
Mark 7:28 And she answered and said unto him, Yes, Lord: yet the dogs under the table eat of the children’s crumbs.
The Shunamite Defense
She Chose To Make A Place In Her Home For God And God’s Man, Then Believe That God Would Not Fail Her.
2 Kings 4:26 Run now, I pray thee, to meet her, and say unto her, Is it well with thee? is it well with thy husband? is it well with the child? And she answered, It is well.
The Job Defense
Job Chose To Never Stop Praying And Worshipping In Spite Of His Circumstances.
Job 1:20 Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped,
Job 1:21 And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.
No One Will Survive In This Spiritual Warfare Without A Good Defense!
So… What’s Your Defense?
The First Sin
The First Sin
The first sin was never forgiven.
It couldn’t be forgiven.
No repentance was ever made for the first sin.
The sinner was banished to eternity in hell.
Lucifer’s Sin Was Pride.
- There was no forgiveness available.
- He had sinned in Eternity.
- There could be no forgiveness in Eternity.
- No one had ever apologized in eternity before.
- No one had ever repented to God before.
- Forgiveness would only be found in the period known as Time.
- Mercy and Forgiveness were only introduced in Time.
The shedding of a lamb’s blood only brought about temporary forgiveness.
Calvary’s Lamb brought about permanent forgiveness of sin.
When Lucifer sinned in Eternity, he sinned without the hope of mercy and forgiveness.
- His sin wasn’t murder.
- His sin wasn’t immorality.
- He didn’t do physical harm to another angel.
His Sin Was His Own Lofty Opinion Of Himself
- His sin was pride.
- His sin was the first sin.
- His sin caused him to be banished forever.
Pride Is The Reason There Is A Hell.
God Has A Serious Problem With Pride.
He will not tolerate anyone bragging on themselves in His presence.
1 Cor. 1:29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.
Lucifer’s Heart Was Lifted Up.
Eze. 28:17 Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee.
Pride Made Lucifer say, “I Will”…
Isa. 14:13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
Isa. 14:14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.
Isa. 14:15 Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.
Ten Of God’s Reactions To Pride:
1. God Will Go To War Against Pride.
He Hates It That Much.
Jas. 4:6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
- “Resisteth…” God prepares to war against the proud.
- God never said that about any other sin, only pride.
2. God Has Zero Tolerance For A Proud Heart
Psa. 101:5 Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.
3. The First Mentioned Of The Six Things God Hates
Prov. 6:16 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
Prov. 6:17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
Prov. 6:18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
Prov. 6:19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.
4. Pride Is An Abomination, And Will Be Punished.
Prov. 16:5 Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.
5. God Calls Pride, a Sin.
Prov. 21:4 An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.
6. Proud People Are Trouble Makers.
Prov. 28:25 He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat.
7. God Warns Us: “Be Not Proud!”
Jer. 13:15 Hear ye, and give ear; be not proud: for the LORD hath spoken.
8. Pride Is A Sin Very Evident In The End-time.
Rom. 1:30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
9. Those Who Teach False Doctrine Have Pride.
1 Tim. 6:3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;
1 Tim. 6:4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
1 Tim. 6:5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
10. Pride Will Destroy You.
Prov. 16:18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
King Nebuchadnezzar… Ruled The Then Known World
Dan. 5:20 But when his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him:
Pride Hardened His Mind
Somehow… God flipped a switch in his mind and before the day was over, he was on his knees in the pasture. He ate grass like a cow and liked it. He lived like an animal, without any ability to communicate with humans. His body was naked and his fingernails looked like bird claws.
Dan. 4:32 And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.
Dan. 4:33 The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar: and he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles’ feathers, and his nails like birds’ claws.
The Antidote For The Church Today.
2 Chron. 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
Mottos To Live By:
Matt. 23:12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
1 Pet. 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
Prov. 22:4 By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.
Prov. 15:33 The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.
Do Not Let Pride Destroy What God Has Called You To Do!
Don’t Let The First Sin Become Your Last Sin.