The Ballestero Blog

I Sinned A Great Sin Today.

I am so ashamed of myself. I’m sure God is ashamed of me too. I can’t believe I fell for one of the oldest tricks in Satan’s Handbook. I knew better. I’ve even preached and written about it. I am without excuse.

I passed on some information that I’d gotten from an ‘Official’ source, and that ‘Accurate’ information was later determined to be untrue.

The ‘news’ of an acquaintance’ failure brought pain to my heart, and pain to the hearts of the three people I told.

One of the friends, that I’d told, did some calling around and then called me back to tell me the rumor was determined to be unfounded.

That was welcomed news! Thank you Jesus!

But now what?

How do I fix this mess I helped create? I didn’t mean to do wrong, but I did.

I called the other two friends I’d told to tell them the good news. I told them there was no truth to the story. I told them I had given them wrong information. But it was too late.

I wish that were the end of my story. But it’s not.

How do you ‘untell’ something? How do you stop the rumor once it takes wings?

Imagine cutting open a pillow on a windy day and letting all the feathers blow away. Then, after the pillow is empty, just think how hard it would be to go find every feather and put them all back in the pillowcase. Impossible to do.

Am I so sorry I said something that was not true? I’m sorry a thousand times over!

Even though I didn’t mean to be malicious or vicious, I was. Although I thought I was relaying something that was fact and common knowledge, I wasn’t. I was wrong no matter how you look at it.

I disparaged a man’s reputation, I did harm to myself in the process as well. Even if he is totally vindicated in the long run, my believability now is severely damaged. I’m sure I deserve it.

My friend’s that I told had to make calls to the ones they told. They then those people have to call the ones that they told. How many calls will be made? Not enough I’m sure.

I can’t completely undo what I did. I am ashamed. I was wrong. That’s part of the pain of passing along a rumor. Not to mention the graver damage that I did to an innocent child of God.

Pardon me now while I go pray now. I got a call I gotta make too.

Lev. 19:16 Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour: I am the LORD.

Prov. 26:22 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

Written by Martyn Ballestero

April 6, 2011 at 1:54 am

Posted in Gossip, Rumor, Talebearer

Tagged with talebearer

The Sin Of Arrogance

with 6 comments

The Sin Of Arrogance

We don’t hear arrogance preached about very often, do we? I wonder why. Could it be that the subject may come a little too close to home?

Some familiar Bible characters had problems with arrogance.

Belshazzar Was Arrogant And Defiant.

Dan 5:22 And thou his son, O Belshazzar, hast not humbled thine heart, though thou knewest all this;

Dan 5:23 But hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before thee, and thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubines, have drunk wine in them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified:

Dan 5:25 And this is the writing that was written, MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN.

Dan 5:26 This is the interpretation of the thing: MENE; God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it.

Dan 5:27 TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.

He was cursed because, although he knew to do right, he wouldn’t change. He not only became arrogant, but also defiant.

Pharaoh Was Arrogant And Proud.

Ex. 5:2 And Pharaoh said, Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the LORD, neither will I let Israel go.

Exo 10:3 And Moses and Aaron came in unto Pharaoh, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, How long wilt thou refuse to humble thyself before me? let my people go, that they may serve me.

Saul Was Arrogant and Stubborn.

1 Sam 15:23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king

He said – I have sinned, nevertheless bless me.

1Sam. 15:30 Then he said, I have sinned: yet honour me now, I pray thee,

New Testament Church Members That Were Arrogant And Presumptuous.

2 Pet 2:10 But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.

Likewise, Some Today:

Won’t listen
Won’t apologize
Are never wrong
Don’t want help
Know it all
Won’t hear
Won’t change
Ignore help
Won’t repent
Aren’t convicted

Arrogance Will Cause you to:

Ignore God’s word
Backslide
Rebel
Ignore help
Feel superior
Feel invincible
Become Unteachable

Nabal Was So Arrogant, A Man Couldn’t Reason With Him.

1 Sam 25:17 Now therefore know and consider what thou wilt do; for evil is determined against our master, and against all his household: for he is such a son of Belial, that a man cannot speak to him.

Arrogance Cursed By God.

Saul lost his kingdom and God wouldn’t talk to him anymore

Belshazzar lost his kingdom and his life

God’s Condemnation Of Arrogance.

Prov 8:13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.

Adjective: forward,

Usage: archaic

1. Habitually disposed to disobedience and opposition

headstrong, self-willed, willful
See also: disobedient

The Spirit Of Arrogance Is Not A Teachable Spirit.

James 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

1 Sam 2:3 Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.

Don’t Become UNTEACHABLE

God’s Cure for Arrogance

2 Chr 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.

He’ll forgive the sin of arrogance. (It is a sin.)
Humility is the cure!
Humble your selves!

James 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

Nabal wouldn’t listen, will you?
Belshazzar wouldn’t listen, will you?
Saul wouldn’t listen, will you?
Pharaoh wouldn’t listen, will you?
Naaman finally listened, got humble and obeyed, will you?

Arrogance almost robbed Naaman of his miracle! Don’t let that happen to you.

May we always walk humbly before God and our fellow-man.

Written by Martyn Ballestero

April 5, 2011 at 8:18 am

Posted in Arrogance, Pride

Tagged with Arrogance, Pride

The Church In The Torture Chamber

with 5 comments

The Church In The Torture Chamber

Eight years before Nero sat upon his throne, Paul started a church in Philippi. It was the first Christian church in all of Europe.

In Philippi, Paul met Lydia. It was here too that he and Silas were beaten and thrown in jail.

Ruins of Philippi City Center. Foreground: Philippi's Forum. Background: Ruins of market and basilica. Photo by Marsyas

The little congregation of believers in Philippi had no idea what painful days were ahead of them. No one had ever heard the name ‘Nero’ but they were about to.

Nero became an absolute tyrant soon after he attained the throne. He was a monster with authority to do whatever he wanted. Those that knew him believed him to be heartless and without natural feeling. Historical writer Josephus called him a Mad Man. He was totally given to sensuality.

He came into the royal bloodline by adoption. Being two years older than his new stepbrother, he became the heir apparent. At 14, he addressed the Senate and by the age of 17, he had attained the throne.

Nero was an atheist. His life was lived without morals, without restraint and without regard for human life.

He was given Octavia his stepsister in marriage and later forced her to commit suicide. Three times he tried to kill his own mother. He finally succeeded by clubbing her to death publicly.

He seduced his best friend’s wife, Poppea and married her. She was put in charge of arranging his sensual parties. Although he already had a palace, he built a playhouse for his sex parties that had over 300 rooms. He called it the Golden House.

He hated Christians deeply. He really hated them. They were against everything he loved and did.

When he felt Britannicus, his stepbrother, was becoming a threat to him, he decided to kill him with poison. Nero made a poisonous laxative and gave it to a goat. It took the goat five hours to die. He increased the dosage and gave it to a pig. The pig died immediately. He then served it to Britannicus with the same results.

Poppea died because Nero kicked her in the stomach when she was with child. Undaunted, Nero found a young boy named Sporus who closely resembled Poppea. He castrated him, married him in a formal ceremony and Sporus became his wife.

Nero loved chariot racing. He wanted to have chariot races even at night. He ordered Christians to be gathered at random and crucified. Their bodies, dead or alive, were covered with pitch and set ablaze so there would be enough light to race by.

Christians were thrown to the lions for his amusement. He delighted in watching them being eaten alive.

He ordered the Christians to be covered with the bloody skins of slain animals and then tied. When they were securely tied, he turned wild dogs loose to kill them.

Roman soldiers were given permission to behead Christians at their own discretion.

Many Christians were killed to appease the people who disliked them.

The Christian were robbed often.

The women were often assaulted and horribly mistreated on a regular basis.

Many Christians were sold into slavery to help pay the debt of the rebuilding of Rome after it burned.

In the midst of all these unimaginable horrors, the Apostle Paul sat down his prison cell and wrote a letter to these precious people. Paul no doubt felt a strong attachment to them and they to him as well.

He concludes his beautiful letter to theses battered saints with:

Phil. 4:22 “All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar’s household.”

In spite of their brothers and sisters in Christ being killed and abused, they were living for God right under Nero’s nose. They were saints in Nero’s own household.

They no doubt cooked, cleaned, served, preformed their required duties, and still kept their testimonies intact. Each day that they awoke, they knew there was a chance that they would be killed for what they believed. That didn’t stop them.

They proved 2,000 years ago that it is possible to live for God anywhere. Even under the worst conditions imaginable.

Nero committed suicide at the age of 31. He may have died, but the Anti-Christ spirit that drove him is alive and well today.

Today, I honor every brother and sister in Christ who is trying to survive in their own personal ‘hell on earth’ situation. May the comfort of the Holy Ghost especially be yours today and may you feel his hand upon you, guiding your every step. I pray the peace and protection of the Lord upon you, in Jesus Name. God knows where you are at and what you are going through.

Written by Martyn Ballestero

April 3, 2011 at 12:45 am

Posted in Christian Living

She’s A Lady!

with 9 comments

She’s A Lady!

(From an old man’s point of view, with help from the two Beautiful Ladies in my life; my wife Marcia Starr Ballestero and my daughter Marisa Hartzell.)

MJB

÷÷÷

Marcia June Starr Ballestero

If you are a Lady, it is no accident. A lot of caring people got involved in the training process.

A Lady is not born a Lady; she’s made into one.
Someone had to help her.
Her parents, her family, or someone close, participated in her education.
If she is a Lady, it’s not an accident.
A Lady conducts herself as a Lady.
She expects to be treated like a Lady and she won’t settle for less.
There are some things a Lady always does and some things a Lady would never do.

For Example:

1. A Lady Is Never Loud

She uses her ‘inside’ voice when speaking.
A Lady does everything to keep from being known as a loud mouth.
She doesn’t scream and yell unless it’s absolutely necessary.
She doesn’t rant and rave to get her way.
She always strives to keep her composure and show calmness.

2. A Lady Watches Her Language

She doesn’t use swear words.
She lives so that if someone did swear around her, they would apologize.
She doesn’t tell off color jokes.
She avoids being around those that do.

3. A Lady Is Private About Her Personal Life

She does not cheapen her life or others by passing along private information.
She would never ask anyone else about their private life.

4. She Would Include The Pastor (And God) In Her Courtship

She would ask the Pastor’s opinion of the guy she’s interested in.
She would ask him if he would approve of you two ‘seeing each other.’
She would invite him to pray with you about him.
A relationship with a wrong person may destroy her.
Someone worth marrying is most often found worshipping or around an altar, not hanging around the foyer.
She would break up with him if her Pastor advised her to and be thankful that he was watching for her soul.
She would be very worried if her friends didn’t like him.
She would be very worried if her parents didn’t like him.
She would honor her parent’s wishes and requests.

5. A Lady Always Tries To Be On Time

There will always be occasions when things run late. She tries to make that the exception.
A Lady has much more personal preparation than a man. That’s a given. She doesn’t abuse the privilege.

6. A Lady Pays Attention To Her Personal Hygiene

She takes a shower or bath faithfully.
She finds a deodorant that works for her.
She brushes her teeth and uses mouthwash if necessary.
She Keeps a supply of Q-tips .
She knows Cologne can be smelled from afar and that it can be overwhelming. She is uses it with moderation.
She knows that it’s not a substitute for soap.
She shampoos her hair and keeps her scalp free of sweat and dandruff.
She knows that just the word ‘Lady’ conjures up a picture of cleanliness and beauty in a man’s mind.

7. She Is Careful About Her Nose

She excuses herself to blow her nose.
She leaves the table to do it if possible.
She turns her back to the table guests if she can’t leave to take care of her business and then places handkerchief in her purse or out of sight.
She is aware that a wet nose is only tolerated on dogs.
She keeps her finger out of her nose in public.

8. A Lady Pays Attention To Her Clothes

She keeps her shoes polished.
She cleans and trims her fingernails.
She dresses with class.
She does not wear revealing and formfitting clothes.
She does not show cleavage.
She does not dress so as to leave nothing to the imagination.
She wears dresses that cover her knees even when sitting.
She knows that she will not attract a Godly Husband by dressing like the world.
She knows that if she doesn’t dress like the ‘world’ she won’t attract as many undesirables.

9. A Lady Is Gracious

She says thank you when doors are opened for her.
She says thank you when he pulls the chair out for you at the table.
She says thank you when a Gentleman assists her with her coat. (On or off.)
She says thank you when a Gentleman gives up his chair for her.
She says thank you when a Gentleman picks up something she dropped.

10. A Lady Has Dining Manners

She always chews with her mouth closed.
She doesn’t talk with her mouth full.
She takes modest sized bites
She avoids ordering food with garlic if she is going to spend time with ‘him’.
She never uses her finger to shove food onto her fork. She may use a knife or bread.
She doesn’t place her elbows on the table.
She places her napkin in her lap and not in her collar.
She does not eat as if she were condemned.
She knows a Gentleman is grossed out immediately by a Lady’s bad table manners.
She does not burp, pass gas or spit in public.

11. A Lady Is Careful With Her Dating Conversation:

She never mentions former boyfriends.
She asks him questions about himself. (Maybe he’ll catch on and ask her.)
She doesn’t yap on and on about herself.
She will open up and talk if she cares about him.
She doesn’t get too serious too quick.

12. A Lady Makes The Wedding Plans: (When you arrive at that decision.)

She knows a Wedding is the ultimate social event in a woman’s life.
She knows a Lady should have all the free reign she needs in it’s planning.
She knows that He should follow her lead and if He does, He won’t be sorry.

13. A Lady Doesn’t Want To Sound Like A Control Freak To Him.

She doesn’t try to change the music he’s listening to, even if it’s not what she likes.
She knows there will be time to play hers.
She doesn’t try to ‘change’ him as soon as he becomes hers either.

14. A Lady Keeps Her Ego In Check

She never acts like the world revolves around her.
She never pouts or throws a fit to get her way.
She keeps her emotions in check in public.
She will not participate in a ‘Cat Fight’.

15. A Lady Does Not Pursue The Man

A Lady does not openly pursue the man
She waits for him to make the initial call.
She waits for the man to come to her.
She does not cheapen herself to get his attention.
She will not throw herself at a man.

16. A Lady Allows The Man To Pay

She expects Gentleman pays for all the expenses.
She also understands that just because he bought her a hamburger, it doesn’t mean she OWES him anything!

17. A Lady Has Phone Manners

She takes time to speak to his parents or siblings when they answer the phone if she has to call.
She will never just blurt just out, “Is _____ There?”
She knows taking time to talk to the Mother or Father will go a long way in helping her future with the family.
She will not spend her time texting other people when she is with Him.
She will focus on who she is with.
She shows those she is with how important they are to her by not texting or calling other people at the table.
She wouldn’t think of texting in church.
She would never be part of sending or receiving inappropriate photos and texts.
She knows that if a guy is willing to send her an inappropriate photo or text, she has just been warned as to his lack of morals, consecration and his intentions.

18. The Lady Knows When And Where To Draw The Line

She draws the line.
She demands respect of her purity and honor.
She would never make improper advances or say suggestive things.
She would never allow herself to be touched in an inappropriate manner or place.
She would never think of having to ‘Prove Her Love”
She would respect his parents, her parents and their pastor’s guidelines for courtship.
She means ‘NO’, when she says ‘NO”.
She understands that after she says goodnight, if she has to repent before she goes to bed, then something is wrong with her relationship.

20. A Lady Doesn’t Stay Out All Night?

She always honors her parent’s and the pastor’s curfew.
She knows that she should be home before midnight even if there is no curfew. Just to protect her good name.
She will protect herself and protect him, by not spending a lot of time alone together.
She will inform her parents about where she plans to go and what she plans to do.
She will make sure her parents have her cell number and invite them to call her if the need arises.
She knows the Bible already said that flesh is weak. It is weak. She will not knowingly put herself or him in a position to be tempted. There is no guy worth going to hell over.

21. A Lady Will Never Let The Romance Die After Marriage.

She will keep the courtship alive until her last breath.
A Lady will always be loved.

Written by Martyn Ballestero

April 2, 2011 at 12:49 am

Posted in Life, Love, Marriage, Romance

Tagged with Being A Lady

Mine Is Better Than Yours!

with 2 comments

Mine Is Better Than Yours!

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Man tries to “make peace” but God “gives peace.” He is the Prince of Peace.

Man’s peace is flawed. It’s temporary. It’s conditional. So Jesus said, “my peace I give unto you.” He knew our peace wouldn’t last, He knew our peace would fail. He knew His was better than ours. Because His ‘peace’ is better than ours, he freely offers His to us today.

Everything He does, He does better than us. His is always better than ours.

God’s hope – A ‘blessed hope’, a ‘better hope’.

Man’s hope – Is in this world only – ‘most miserable’.

(His is better!)

God’s joy – ‘Fullness of joy’.

Man’s joy – Partial and temporary.

(His is better!)

God’s pleasure – ‘Forever more’.

Man’s pleasure – ‘For a season’.

(His is better!)

God’s water – You will never thirst again

Man’s water – You will get thirsty again

(His is better!)

Is. 55:8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.

Is. 55:9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

God’s Thoughts – Are higher than man’s thoughts

God’ Ways – Are higher than man’s ways

(His is better!)

His Name – Is above every other name.

Deut. 32:31 For their rock is not as our Rock, even our enemies themselves being judges.

There’s no god like our God.

There’s no rock like our Rock.

There’s No God Like Jehovah!

Written by Martyn Ballestero

April 1, 2011 at 12:10 am

Posted in Christian Living

A Moment Of Weakness And A Lifetime Of Regret

with 5 comments

A Moment Of Weakness And A Lifetime Of Regret

All it will take to give you pain the rest of your life, is for you to mess up just one time. From then on, your life will never be the same.

Can you image a successful middle-age person who has been in church all his life, never done drugs, yet going out on a Friday night to a bad part of town to try some drugs? I know such a man.

It is sad enough that he did it, but he didn’t expect to get hooked his first time. He lost his job, he lost his marriage, and the respect of his children.

He has been through the drug rehabilitation and counseling Knoxville department multiple times and no longer can be trusted with a ten-dollar bill. He might go spend it on drugs.

When he came to church, he’d just sit and cry during my sermons. For years he would come to the altar, desperately battling the power of his addiction.

Today, the dear brother declares he has deliverance. Thank the Lord. But he has moved to another city in the same state so no one will know his past. He can’t hold his head up anymore and face his old friends. It wasn’t that God couldn’t forgive him; it’s just that he now has nothing but regrets.

Some of us have lived long enough to hear about a moment of weakness that someone had. We know too that they will have a life-time of regret. It’s so horrible. Your heart even hurts for them. It doesn’t matter what the weakness was, regret is quick to cast it’s long shadow over them until they die.

This generation is living so, reckless. Heed the warning, if you will of my Father, a man of God who has gone on home to be with the Lord. He died in 1994 but his message is still relevant.

In the 1950’s, I remember him (Bro. Carl Ballestero) preaching a message that always seemed to fill up the altars. He called it “A Moment Of Weakness And A Lifetime Of Regret.” I found his sermon notes a few years ago. The message was needed then, it’s really needed now.

†††††††

Here is a copy of my Dad’s sermon notes.

I never want to let his messages die.

Sermon Preached by Rev. Carl Ballestero

Written by Martyn Ballestero

March 30, 2011 at 12:15 pm

Posted in Backsliders, Christian Living, Fear of God, Regret

Tagged with Regret

That’s Why I’m Scared!

with 8 comments

That’s Why I’m Scared!

I have said in jest many times, “I ain’t scared of nothing, but I’m scared of that!” I was trying to get a laugh while talking about an uncomfortable subject or situation.

I am not a man who has phobias nor have I ever been called a fearful soul. But today I wish to reveal to my readers, that really, down deep, I’m scared.

I’m not the only one either. Remember what the Apostle Paul wrote to the church at Corinth?

1 Cor. 9:27 KJV But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

1 Cor. 9:27 ESV But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

Paul was fearful enough to be careful.
He was also careful enough to protect himself and prevent a personal disaster.

I have been overwhelmed this year with unbelievable stories of personal and moral failures.

I’m scared of being shipwrecked. I don’t have a problem admitting it either. I don’t have a plan ‘B’ in living for God, so plan ‘A’ has to work.

I refuse to be disobedient to God.
I refuse to rebel against Him.
I love Him too much to want to live without Him.

Let Me Tell You How Scared I Am!

I’m too scared to question God’s Word.
I’m too scared to take chances with holiness.
I’m too scared to take chances with doctrine.
I’m too scared to see how much of the world I can have and still be saved.
I’m scared of the spirit of false doctrine.
I’m scared of my own built-in ability to rationalize the Word of God to my own destruction.
I’m scared of the spirit of immorality.
I’m scared of the lust of the flesh.
I’m scared of the lust of the eye.
I’m scared of the pride of life.
I’m scared of the love of money.
I’m scared of pride.
I’m scared of getting a critical spirit.
I’m scared of getting bitter.
I’m scared not to forgive.
I’m scared not to love my brother.
I’m scared not to have the fear of God in my heart.

James wrote that a man could save himself from a horrible fate if he just wouldn’t make that first mistake.

James 1:14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

James 1:15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

James 1:16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.

One might say, ‘Brother, you are only living for God because you are scared.”

I refer you back to Paul’s fear. He was also fearful enough that he ‘died daily’.

Like Paul, I too have invested a lifetime living for God. I’ve loved every day of living for the Lord. It has been the highest honor in the world to have labored for Him.

I have preached many thousands of sermons. Why would I want to throw a ministry away?

I have lived with the most beautiful and loving wife in the world for 45 years. Why would I want to throw that away?

I enjoy the love and respect of five married children, their spouses and thirteen grandchildren. Why would I want to throw that away?

I’m scared of doing anything that would disqualify me in the eyes of God.
I’m scared of doing anything that would disqualify me in the eyes of my wife and children.

That, my friend, is why I must keep myself under subjection every day as did Paul, that I might not become ‘disqualified.’

It would be horrible to fall this close to home! It would be horrible to become a castaway!

That’s Why I’m Scared!

Written by Martyn Ballestero

March 26, 2011 at 7:46 pm

Posted in Christian Living, Fear of God

Tagged with Fear of God

‘Murder’s Nobodies’

with 8 comments

‘Murder’s Nobodies’

The Detective Lieutenant from Homicide stood at the podium in front of the eight photos pinned on the board. The pictures were of unnamed young women that had been brutally murdered.

The handful of Detectives seated in the room hung onto every word as he pointed at the Jane Doe photos of each young woman. The hard-nosed, no-nonsense persona of the old Lieutenant was mostly a front. He appeared to be a little rough around the edges. It went with the territory. Everyone in the room however, understood that his heart was soft. He motives were good. And besides all of that, he really cared about people.

Today, his personal mission was to bring attention to each case before them. That was clearly evident. All eight manila files in front of him had sat in the ‘Open-Unsolved’ Department’s file cabinet for too many years. He couldn’t sleep well at night any more because of them. They were his cases. This was his department. These were cases they all should be concerned about. Not just him. His mind raced ahead as he spoke to his team.

All the girls were listed as Jane Does.
No one had reported them missing.
Maybe they were runaways.
Maybe they weren’t.
No one seemed to miss them and several had been dead for more than five years.
Maybe they’d left in rebellion.
Maybe the family was glad they were gone.
They’d somehow slipped through the cracks.
No splash was made on the news.
There was no front-page write-up in the paper.
Why?

“These young women,” the Detective said, “are ‘Murder’s Nobodies.’ They are the victims that don’t count in the minds of those that knew them. No one knows they’re dead. No one has asked about them. No one cared enough to file a missing persons report. No one loved them. No one came looking. No one called.

“Every one of them was somebody’s daughter. Every one of them counted. They don’t deserve to lie in an unmarked grave. They don’t deserve to be forgotten. They all were horrible murdered. They suffered great pain and no one cries for them.”

The old Detective stopped in his speech and looked at the young men and women in front of him. He wanted his words to strike a note in every heart. He wanted everyone in his department to get a hold of what he was saying. He wanted them to get the Big Picture. He wanted them to care enough to do something.

“They’re ‘Murder’s Nobodies’. They weren’t famous enough to be missed. They weren’t rich enough to make the news. They weren’t pretty enough to be asked about. They were just nobodies. They lived an invisible existence in their society. Unseen, unheard of and now, forgotten. I don’t care how long it takes. I’m not willing to let these cases stay in the Open-Unsolved files. We’ve got work to do.”

The group all nodded their heads as one. Their eyes followed the Lieutenant’s eyes and looked again at the pictures on the wall. They saw them as victims who didn’t deserve to have everything taken from them. They saw them as victims who didn’t deserve to die. They saw them as victims who were called ‘Murder’s Nobodies.’ Every community has some. Every church has some as well.

Written by Martyn Ballestero

March 23, 2011 at 12:53 am

Posted in Backsliders, Christian Living, Love

Tagged with Backsliders, Help the Hurting, Reaching the Lost

Change Me

with 4 comments

Change Me

In this physical life, change is inevitable. Every seven years our body’s cells are completely replaced with new ones. It all happens without our conscience involvement.

For most of us, however, it’s the spiritual, the emotional change that is difficult. Change will never happen in our lives unless we want it to. We must be involved.

Merriam Webster gives the definition of “CHANGE” as:

a verb

to make different
transform
to replace with another
switch
to exchange
to undergo a modification

The Apostle Paul wrote about change like this:

Rom. 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

2Cor. 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

1. Before God can change our homes, He must change us.

2. Before God change our church, He must change us.

We Change Many Things On The ‘Outside’.

We change hair styles
We change clothes
We change wardrobes
We change deodorants
We change toothpaste
We change shoes
We change diets
We change our minds
We change schools
We change college majors
We change grocery stores
We change banks
We change the sheets
We change room colors
We change furniture
We change houses
We change drivers
We change auto insurance
We change cars
We change oil
We change friendships
We change relationships
We change churches
We change presidents

We Routinely Change Everything… But Our Hearts.

Today God, I Want You To Change Me.

I want to change how I talk.
I want to change how I feel.
I want to change how I think.
I want to change I how I respond.

I Don’t Like Who I Am Right Now.

I don’t like how I’ve been living, change me.
I don’t like how I’ve been thinking, change me.
I don’t want to be lost, change me.
I don’t like the person I have become, change me.

I don’t like all the resentment I feel, change me.
I don’t like being offended all the time, change me.
I don’t like feeling jealous, change me.
I don’t like being carnal, change me.

I don’t like feeling empty, change me.
I don’t like having to sneak around, change me.
I don’t like feeling guilty, change me.
I don’t want to be lost, change me.

It Won’t Be Easy, Just Change Me.

I know change is not easy, just change me.
I know change brings tears, just change me.
I know change is painful, just change me.
I know it will make me cry, just change me.

The Devil Doesn’t Want Me To Change,

But Change Me Any Way.

Change My Heart.

Change my heart to a heart that you can touch.
Change my heart to a heart that is tender before you.
Change my heart to a heart that is willing.
Change my heart to a heart that is obedient.
Change my heart to a heart that is right.

Change My Mind.

My thinking gets me in trouble, change me.
My life is a mess, change me.
My world is upside down, change me.
My thoughts are not your thoughts, change me.
My thoughts are wrong, change me.

Transform My Life.

Transform my spirit, change me.
Transform my motives, change me.
Transform my goals in life, change me.
Transform my attitude, change me.
Transform my walk with you, change me.
Transform my prayer life, change me.
Transform my relationships, change me.

I’m Tired Of My Old Life, Change Me.

I have lived in sin, change me.
I have done wrong, change me.
I have displeased you, change me.
I have not been holy, change me.

I want to be a man after Your own heart.
I want to be a woman after Your own heart.

Wash Me Make Me Clean.

Wash me with Your Word, change me.
Wash me with Your Blood, change me.
Wash me with Your Spirit, change me.

Change Me Like You Did When You Changed…

Saul To Paul
Jacob To Israel

Change Me…

Change me like you change a caterpillar into a butterfly.
Change me like you change an acorn into an oak tree.
Change me like you change night into day.
Change me like you change rain into sunlight.
Change me like you changed water into wine.

Change me from sorrow into joy.
Change me from despair into hope.
Change me from defeat into victory.
Change me from weakness into strength.
Change me from death into life.
Change me from shame into glory.

I Want To Be A New Creature.

I want to be pleasing unto You, change me.
I want Your blessing upon my life, change me.
I want to be used by You, change me.
I want my old nature to die out, change me.
I want to walk in the light, change me.
I want to be ready for Your return, change me.

I’m done with the world, change me.
I’m through fooling around, change me.
I’m ashamed of my failures, change me.
I’m tired of making excuses, change me.
I’m sick of myself, change me.
I’m sick of sin, change me.
I’m tired of Satan’s victories, change me.
I’m tired of Satan’s hold on my life, change me.
I’m tired of being defeated, change me.

I can’t go on like this any more, change me.
I can’t live this way, change me.
I can’t justify myself any longer, change me.
I can’t hold my head up in Your presence, change me.
I can’t do right, change me.

I don’t want to feel empty.

I don’t want to feel shallow.

I don’t want to be half-hearted.

I don’t want to be unfaithful.

I don’t want to be unmoved.

I don’t want to be sinful.

I don’t want to be left behind.

Change How I Pray.
Change How I Worship.
Change How I Sing.
Change How I Feel.
Change How I Testify.
Change How I Hear Your Word.
Change How I Respond To Preaching.
Change How I Think.
Change What I Say.
Change What I Do.
Change Where I Go.
Change What I Think.
Change How I Feel.
Change How I Respond.

Purify Me

My flesh stinks, change me.
My spirit is not right, change me.
I’m unclean, change me.

Take away my bitterness, change me.
Take away my critical spirit, change me.
Take away my love of the world, change me.
Take away my pride, change me.
Take away my lusts, change me.
Take away my love of money, change me.
Take away my anger, change me.
Take away my hatred, change me.
Take away my arrogance, change me.
Take away my rebellious spirit, change me.
Take away my spiritual lethargy, change me.

Renew Me

Renew me in the Holy Ghost
Restore unto me the joy of the Holy Ghost
Let me feel Your presence.
Let me have liberty in the Holy Ghost.
I want to be an overcomer.
I want to hear You say, “Well Done.”
I want to be victorious.

Change Me So That Someday I Might Be Changed From This Mortality To Immortality.

Wash Me, Right Now

Sanctify Me, Right Now

Justify Me, Right Now

Purify Me, Right Now

Change Me

Written by Martyn Ballestero

March 21, 2011 at 12:09 am

Posted in Renewal

Tagged with Renewal

The Devil’s Got A Plan

with 3 comments

The Devil’s Got A Plan

2Tim. 2:25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

2Tim. 2:26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

You Are Aware Of His Plan

2Cor. 2:11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

God’s Got a Better Plan

Rom. 5:20 Moreover the law entered, that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:

________________________________________

The Devil’s Got A Plan To Get You To Backslide!

1 Day Plan
1 Week Plan
1 Month Plan
1 Year Plan
5 Year Plan
10 Year Plan
20 Year Plan
Life Time Plan

He’s Got A Plan To Get You To:

1. Make You Quit Paying Tithes

2. Make You Offended

3. Make You Miss Church

4. Make You Withdraw

5. Fill You With Bitterness

6. Make You Hate Holiness

7. Mess Up Your Marriage

8. Stop Your Worship

9. Make You Immoral

10. Make You Love Money

11. Make You Love Pleasure, MORE…

12. Find You A Sinner Girlfriend…

13. Make You Rebel

14. Make You Move From Your Church

15. Stop Your Prayer Life

___________________________________

What Would It Take To Make You Quit Church?

To Make You Backslide?
To Offend You?
Make You Jealous?
To Defeat You?
Make You Sell Your Birthright?
Make You Throw This Away?
Make You Willing to Compromise?
Stop You Paying Your Tithes?
Put You At Odds With The Pastor?
Make You Bitter?

____________________________________

What’s Your Chances Of Recovery?

1. From Not Paying Tithes – Not Good

2. From Being Easily Offended – Rare

(Harder than walled city)

3. Habitually Missing Church – Not Good

4. From Compromise – Rare

5. From Bitterness – Rare

6. From Hating Holiness – Rare

(When folks lose the revelation of Holiness, the Godhead is next.)

7. From Marriage Problems – Difficult

8. From No Worship – Difficult

9. From Immorality – Difficult

10. From The Love of Money – Rare

(Easier for camel to go…eye needle)

11. From the Love of Pleasure – Difficult

12. From Sinner Boyfriend/Girlfriend – Difficult

13. From Rebellion -Rare

(Miriam/Korah 200)

14. From Rejecting Holiness – Rare

15. From No Prayer Life – Difficult

Now, The Big Question:

CAN You Recover? Absolutely!

2Tim. 2:25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

2Tim. 2:26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

__________________________________________

What Would It Take?