Posts Tagged ‘Holiness’
You Say, “God Doesn’t Look On The Outside; He ONLY Looks At The Heart.” Really?
You Say, “God Doesn’t Look On The Outside; He ONLY Looks At The Heart.”
REALLY?
Surely You Don’t Really Believe That?
You Truly Believe That God Is ONLY Concerned With The Heart, And That He Refuses To Look Upon The Outside?
- Is that because you haven’t read the Bible much?
- Is that because your pastor explains away Bible modesty?
- Is that because you refuse to be holy, even though you seek the Holy Ghost?
- Or is it just an attempt to justify your worldly charismatic and emergent lifestyle?
Here Is The Candy-Stick Verse Of Those Who Resist Holiness Preaching.
(Background – Samuel Was Sent By The LORD To Anoint A New King:)
1 Samuel 16:7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.
1. Samuel LIKED what he saw on the outside.
2. God DID NOT LIKE what he saw on the inside.
3. (It’s amazing that many attempt to twist this verse 180 degrees to justify themselves.)
Why Is This Passage So Beloved By People Choosing To Live And Look Like The World?
Is it just a handy comeback in an attempt to justify their Biblical disobedience? I think, for too many, this may be the case.
Does God Examine The Heart? Absolutely!
Jeremiah 17:10 I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.
Psalm 7:9 Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins.
Proverbs 17:3 The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.
- Yes God Examines The Heart. It’s What the Heart Produces That God Will Reward or Punish.
- He TRIES the heart. He Sees it’s obedience and submission, it’s disobedience and rebellion.
- What Is In The Heart Will Soon Show On The Outside
Remember
2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
I. The Importance Of First Mention Principle In The Bible.
Genesis 2:25 And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.
· In this context it does not mean totally nude, but nakedness in the sense or degree of a lack of sufficient clothing
· One thus may be wearing a certain amount of clothing, but still be considered naked in the sight of God.
Genesis 3:10 And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.
Adam & Eve Made An Attempt To Cover The Shame Of Their Nakedness With Leaves. It Was Inadequate!
Genesis 3:7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.
God Got Involved With Covering Their Nakedness
Genesis 3:21 Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.
· “Coats” is from the Hebrew word, Kethoneth. It is an unused root meaning to cover: a shirt: coat, garment robe.) Meaning a garment with sleeves, coming down to the at least the knees.
· Davis Dictionary of the Bible, page 148, “reached nearly to the knees, though a longer form with sleeves of full length was in use.”
· This clearly suggests God created for man a garment, which covered much more than just his “life giving parts.”
- Why Is This Passage In The Bible If The LORD Doesn’t Care What Folks Look Like On The Outside?
II. Ornamentation, Modesty, Costly Array, Hair Styles.
1 Timothy 2:9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;
1 Timothy 2:10 But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.
“Women wore garments that resembled floor length dresses which would not accent the figure. These garments were modest when working or bending over. The Greek word for apparel in 1st Timothy 2:9 is “katastole”, which basically means a long flowing garment, resembling a robe For further study on this word, see Vines Expository Dictionary of The New Testament and Young’s Analytical Concordance.”
- Why Is This Passage In The Bible If The LORD Doesn’t Care What Folks Look Like On The Outside?
1 Peter 3:2 While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.
1 Peter 3:3 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;
1 Peter 3:4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
1 Peter 3:5 For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:
- Why Is This Passage In The Bible If The LORD Doesn’t Care What Folks Look Like On The Outside?
III. Men Wearing Women’s Garments, Women Wearing Men’s Garments.
Deuteronomy 22:5 The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman’s garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God.
- Why Is This Passage In The Bible If The LORD Doesn’t Care What Folks Look Like On The Outside?
IV. Mixing Fabrics.
Deuteronomy 22:11 Thou shalt not wear a garment of divers sorts, as of woollen and linen together.
- Why Is This Passage In The Bible If The LORD Doesn’t Care What Folks Look Like On The Outside
V. Make Fringes On Your Garments.
Deuteronomy 22:12 Thou shalt make thee fringes upon the four quarters of thy vesture, wherewith thou coverest thyself.
- Why Is This Passage In The Bible If The LORD Doesn’t Care What Folks Look Like On The Outside?
VI. Men Praying With Their Head Covered, Men Wearing Long Hair, Women Praying With Their Head Uncovered, Women Praying With Their Hair Cut.
1 Corinthians 11:4 Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head.
1 Corinthians 11:5 But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.
1 Corinthians 11:6 For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered.
1 Corinthians 11:7 For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.
1 Corinthians 11:8 For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man.
1 Corinthians 11:9 Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.
1 Corinthians 11:10 For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.
1 Corinthians 11:11 Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.
1 Corinthians 11:12 For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God.
1 Corinthians 11:13 Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered?
1 Corinthians 11:14 Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?
1 Corinthians 11:15 But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.
- Why Is This Passage In The Bible If The LORD Doesn’t Care What Folks Look Like On The Outside?
VII. Priests And Levites Were Required To Wear Long Linen Under Garments
Exodus 28:42 And thou shalt make them linen breeches to cover their nakedness; from the loins even unto the thighs they shall reach:
Exodus 28:43 And they shall be upon Aaron, and upon his sons, when they come in unto the tabernacle of the congregation, or when they come near unto the altar to minister in the holy place; that they bear not iniquity, and die: it shall be a statute for ever unto him and his seed after him.
The ISBE Defines “breeches” “A garment, extending from the waist to or just below the knee or to the ankle, and covering each leg separately” – page 518.
In order to cover their nakedness they were to cover from the waist to the knees. Why? Because to expose the thigh was to expose your nakedness – cf. Isa.47:2,3.
- Why Is This Passage In The Bible If The LORD Doesn’t Care What Folks Look Like On The Outside?
VIII. Priests And Levites Must Only Wear Linen When Serving In The Court Of The Lord.
Ezekiel 44:17 And it shall come to pass, that when they enter in at the gates of the inner court, they shall be clothed with linen garments; and no wool shall come upon them, whiles they minister in the gates of the inner court, and within.
- Why Is This Passage In The Bible If The LORD Doesn’t Care What Folks Look Like On The Outside
IX. Priests And Levites Must Not Wear Garments That Make Them Sweat.
Ezekiel 44:18 They shall have linen bonnets upon their heads, and shall have linen breeches upon their loins; they shall not gird themselves with any thing that causeth sweat.
- Why Is This Passage In The Bible If The LORD Doesn’t Care What Folks Look Like On The Outside
X. Priests And Levites Must Change Their Clothes Before They Minister.
Ezekiel 44:19 And when they go forth into the utter court, even into the utter court to the people, they shall put off their garments wherein they ministered, and lay them in the holy chambers, and they shall put on other garments; and they shall not sanctify the people with their garments.
- Why Is This Passage In The Bible If The LORD Doesn’t Care What Folks Look Like On The Outside
XI. Priests And Levites Must Not Shave Their Heads. Priests And Levites Must Not Let Their Locks Grow Long.
Ezekiel 44:20 Neither shall they shave their heads, nor suffer their locks to grow long; they shall only poll their heads.
- Why Is This Passage In The Bible If The LORD Doesn’t Care What Folks Look Like On The Outside?
XII. Attire Of A Harlot. (One Looking For Sex).
Proverbs 7:10 And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and subtil of heart.
- Why Is This Passage In The Bible If The LORD Doesn’t Care What Folks Look Like On The Outside?
XIII. An Exposed Thigh Is Nakedness In God’s Eye.
Isaiah 47:1 Come down, and sit in the dust, O virgin daughter of Babylon, sit on the ground: there is no throne, O daughter of the Chaldeans: for thou shalt no more be called tender and delicate.
Isaiah 47:2 Take the millstones, and grind meal: uncover thy locks, make bare the leg, uncover the thigh, pass over the rivers.
Isaiah 47:3 Thy nakedness shall be uncovered, yea, thy shame shall be seen: I will take vengeance, and I will not meet thee as a man.
- Why Is This Passage In The Bible If The LORD Doesn’t Care What Folks Look Like On The Outside?
XIV. When Jacob And His Family Went To Back To Bethel (House Of God) They:
- Put Away Their Idols
- Washed
- Changed Their Clothes
- Buried Their Earrings
Genesis 35:1 And God said unto Jacob, Arise, go up to Bethel, and dwell there: and make there an altar unto God, that appeared unto thee when thou fleddest from the face of Esau thy brother.
Genesis 35:2 Then Jacob said unto his household, and to all that were with him, Put away the strange gods that are among you, and be clean, and change your garments:
Genesis 35:3 And let us arise, and go up to Bethel; and I will make there an altar unto God, who answered me in the day of my distress, and was with me in the way which I went.
Genesis 35:4 And they gave unto Jacob all the strange gods which were in their hand, and all their earrings which were in their ears; and Jacob hid them under the oak which was by Shechem.
- Why Is This Passage In The Bible If The LORD Doesn’t Care What Folks Look Like On The Outside?
XV. Wearing Of Jewels Earrings Tied To Baal Worship.
Hosea 2:13 And I will visit upon her the days of Baalim, wherein she burned incense to them, and she decked herself with her earrings and her jewels, and she went after her lovers, and forgat me, saith the LORD.
- Why Is This Passage In The Bible If The LORD Doesn’t Care What Folks Look Like On The Outside?
XVI. Body Markings (Tattoo) And Piercings.
Leviticus 19:28 Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD.
- Why Is This Passage In The Bible If The LORD Doesn’t Care What Folks Look Like On The Outside?
XVII, Circumcision.
Genesis 17:10 This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised.
Genesis 17:11 And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you.
Genesis 17:12 And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed.
Genesis 17:13 He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant.
Genesis 17:14 And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant.
- Why Is This Passage In The Bible If The LORD Doesn’t Care What Folks Look Like On The Outside?
XVIII. Lasciviousness.
Ephesians 4:19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
- Lasciviousness Definition:(Also translated by licentiousness, wantonness, lewdness and lustful desires.)
1. Lasciviousness means, “wanton (acts or) manners as filthy words, indecent bodily movements, unchaste handling of males and females” – Thayer.
2. “Denotes excess, absence of restraint, indecency, wantonness” – Vine.
B. Another word for lasciviousness is “lewdness” which Webster defines as “tendency to excite lust.”
When The Bible Speaks Of Lasciviousness, It Is Talking About Trying To Entice Lust In The Hearts Of Other People. This Is One Of The Works Of The Flesh.
Galatians 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
This Generation Is Without Shame And Cannot Blush. They Don’t Even Hide The Fact That They Are Trying To Excite Lust In Those Who See Them.
- Why Are These Passages In The Bible If The LORD Doesn’t Care What Folks Look Like On The Outside?
What Parts Of The Body Incite Lust?
- You Already Know.
- Those Are The Very Body Parts God Sought To Cover!
What Modesty In Dress Does:
- It covers up what GOD calls nakedness.
- It displays shamefacedness, sobriety, godliness and good works
- It reflects purity, reverence and a quiet spirit
Present Your Body A Living Sacrifice, Holy And Acceptable Unto God!
Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Romans 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.
- Why Is This Passage In The Bible If The LORD Doesn’t Care What Folks Look Like On The Outside?
“God Doesn’t Look On The Outside; He Only Looks At The Heart.” REALLY?
Surely You Don’t Really Believe That?
What Is Wrong With Holiness?
What Is Wrong With Holiness?
Bishop Billy McCool
Adapted from an article in the Apostolic Witness, written by Bishop Billy McCool. Used by permission.
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So I Ask, What Is Wrong With Holiness? Holiness is not a privation; it is a privilege. Holiness is my protection against promiscuity, the loss of my reputation and the loss of my sensitivity. Holiness is my shield against sin. Holiness does not require me to puncture my body thousands of times with needles risking infection in order to get a tattoo. Holiness does not require me to painfully pierce my body, my ears, my nose or my eyebrows. Holiness does not require me to wear a metal pin through my tongue. Holiness does not require me to pierce my navel in order to wear body jewelry. Holiness does not require me to shave my head, bleach my hair or color it with outlandish colors. Holiness does not require me to paint my face or disfigure myself in any way. Holiness has no abusive invitation in order to be a member. Holiness requires the least change and least effort from a normal and natural lifestyle than any fraternity, sorority, club, lodge or labor union. Holiness requires no degrees or pedigrees. No one can prevent me from being Holiness regardless of their status or political power. Holiness is not affected by the car I drive, the house or neighborhood in which I live. To be Holiness I am not required to fill out forms, nor pass a written, oral or aptitude test. You do not have to have seniority or be experienced to be Holiness. You do not have to be voted on or elected to be Holiness. No credit check or background information is required to be Holiness. No monetary investments are required to be Holiness. You can be stone broke or wealthy, unable to read or write or have educational degrees by the dozens and still be Holiness. There is no shortage or glut to be Holiness. It is the most readily available blessing God has to offer. Even though it is so available it is also most valuable. Holiness will make you the best employee in your company. Holiness will make you the best student in your school. It will make you the best and most faithful husband or wife in the world. It will make your children the best and most obedient in the world. Holiness will make you the best parent in the world. Holiness Will Eliminate: Holiness Will Prevent:
So I Ask, What Is Wrong With Holiness? Holiness is the answer to mean mothers and deadbeat dads. So I Ask, What Is Wrong With Holiness? Holiness is the least costly, least stringent, most easily attained, yet it is the most valuable teaching, most valuable doctrine, yielding the most benefits and producing the most positive results for mankind. So I Ask, What Is Wrong With Holiness? Holiness is not living a life of being ugly, homely or a wallflower. So I Ask, What Is Wrong With Holiness?
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The Language Of Holiness
The Language Of Holiness
The Encyclopedia Britannica estimates that about 5,000 languages are spoken in the world.
We sometimes hear the use of terms like:
- The language of Mathematics,
- The language of Flowers,
- The language of Medicine,
- The language of Art,
- The language of Emotions,
- Sign Language,
- Computer Languages,
Throughout the ages God has only had one Language. It is a language that He and His people always understand. The Language of Holiness.
We Are Identified By Our Speech.
Peter Was Identified By His Speech:
- Mat 26:73 And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee.
Shibboleth:
- Judg 12:5 And the Gileadites took the passages of Jordan before the Ephraimites: and it was so that when those Ephraimites which were escaped said, Let me go over; that the men of Gilead said unto him, Art thou an Ephraimite? If he said, Nay;
- (v.6) Then said they unto him, Say now Shibboleth: and he said Sibboleth: for he could not frame to pronounce it right. Then they took him, and slew him at the passages of Jordan: and there fell at that time of the Ephraimites forty and two thousand.
Most of us are even able to pinpoint regions of the country someone is from by their speech.
If Holiness Is a Language, What Does It Say?
1. Holiness Says: “I Know Jesus”.
- There is no need to learn the Language if there is no one to talk to. Holiness talks to God, and He is a Holy God.
- God said “Be ye holy even as I am Holy”
- If you claim to know Jesus and you have a problem speaking Holiness, I fear you are fooling yourself about KNOWING Jesus.
2. Holiness Says: “I Hate The World”
My Generation looked with great suspicion upon those that learned Russian, or even wanted to learn the Russian Language. Why? Because Russia was the enemy.
That’s why Pastors and Parents have a hissy fit when folks act like the want to learn to speak the Language of Carnality. Carnality is the enemy of your soul.
When you speak Holiness, you are saying to yourself, to God and to others that you hate the World. We are admonished to “Love not the World.”
Why would you want to speak the Language of Worldliness or Carnality around God?
- God’s not listening.
- The Only ones that are listening to the language of Carnality are the Devil and the Worldly.
- California and other states want to make it a law that English is the primary Language.
- Lets make it a law that Holiness is the Primary Language.
- If you Understand the language of Holiness, you are a part of God’s family,
- If you Don’t Understand the language of Holiness, you are not of His family.
- Is Holiness a Foreign Language to you? Or is it your Native Tongue?
- What Does Carnality Say?
- What does it Sound like to you?
- Can you Recognize it when you Hear it?
- What Does Ornamentation Say?
- Are you trying to learn that Language?
- How come when Immodesty speaks, There are some in the church that try to Learn that Language.
3. Holiness Says: “I Am Not My Own, I Am His”.
- I am a part of His Culture and I wear what pleases Him.
- I Speak Holiness, It is the Language of Submission to His Will. For Obedience is better than Sacrifice
- Holiness is the Unspoken Language that never stops talking!!
God is the one that Understands this Language.
You can Never speak the Language of Holiness Until you have received the HOLY Ghost. And you cannot receive the HOLY Ghost until you Repent of your sins.
You must repent, be baptized in Jesus Name and be filled with the Holy Ghost, speaking with other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance.
Do You Speak The Language of Holiness, or is it still a foreign language to you?
Is Holiness your first language or when you try to speak it, do you still sound like a foreigner after all being in church for years?
If we really want to communicate with Him, I submit that it is important to speak to Him in His language… the Language of Holiness. That’s the language He understands. You you are the Lord on talking terms?
Throwing Electronic Eggs And Cyber Tomatoes
Throwing Rotten Electronic Eggs And Cyber Tomatoes
Some of us have lived long enough to remember moments of light persecution to some of our churches in America. I’m not talking about the level of persecution the early church experienced during the days of the apostles. I’m referring to basic hatred and expressions of animosity against the church seen in our lifetime. Maybe some of it was even done in ignorance, but some of it was not.
I have been in services where rotten eggs and tomatoes were thrown at the church building and cars. Brother Hoy Holcomb in Christ Temple Church in South Bend, Indiana got hit on the head with a big rock thrown through the window by neighborhood teens that hated Pentecost. It was bad and very bloody.
I preached a tent revival in Hemphill, Texas in 1964 and sinners came during the night and sprayed acid all over the canvas so that there was nothing but shreds of canvas hanging from the ropes. They had thrown tomatoes and eggs on the cars during the service as well.
Most all of us have heard stories of what Pentecostal pioneers went through in the last century. An encouraging note is that the work of Jesus Christ has always continued to thrive and grow under such persecution.
There are not too many current reports of attacks on the church anymore. Oh, occasionally some sinner kids spin their tires in the parking lots or do some other acts of stupidity. But by-in-large, Pentecostal worship is becoming more and more accepted by the outside world.
Nevertheless eggs and tomatoes are still being thrown. The ones thrown today are mostly “electronic eggs and cyber tomatoes,” as my friend Pastor Jerry Rowley Jr. says.
The people throwing them are not members of another denomination. The throwers are mainly Pentecostal backsliders and holiness rejecters. They throw them because they are mad. They evidently feel a need to trash truth so they can feel justified for leaving it.
They don’t want the Bible telling them how to live or dress, and they sure don’t want a man of God to preach or write anything that touches any area of their life.
They’ve refused to submit to the Word of God. They’ve refused to submit to the man of God. And many of the women have refused to submit to their own husbands.
These evidently are some of the silly women that got ‘led away captive’ that the Bible talks about in 2 Tim. 3:6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
The electronic egg and cyber tomato throwers are the same people who once talked in tongues and dressed godly but have now been turned over to a reprobate mind. They no longer believe the Holy Ghost is necessary and they dress like they’ve never been inside of an Apostolic church in their life. They now throw cyber tomatoes at anyone who still lives what the Book requires.
They once were numbered with the holiness crowd, now they make mockery of all those that still walk holy and humbly before God. It’s unbelievable! They feel no shame, and they cannot blush.
These little modern-day Jezebel’s with painted faces get on their Facebook pages and rail on anyone else that calls their hand. They don’t have it in themselves to say anything to your face when they see you in person. They are only brave when the get in front of their computer screens at home.
They wish to appear to others as a spiritual giant of some kind. They are very sure they know more than their former pastor. They seem to think they know more about Bible interpretation than anyone else. Their comments make everyone think that they alone are right and everyone in the church they’ve left is wrong and unenlightened.
That’s when their true spirit surfaces. How dare any one tell them they are wrong! They reject anyone who calls a spade a spade. How dare a preacher say black is black, and white is white. How dare he say something is actually wrong. He is being mean when he calls sin a sin. He is harsh if he enforces a standard.
These cyber tomato throwers write about good movies they went to see. They try to give presents of jewelry to the folks still in church. They show off their bathing suits and slacks. They dye their hair purple and act like everyone else has a problem. They can’t cry and worship like they once did because it would smear their makeup.
They are proud of their new tattoos and want you to see them. They are not ashamed. They are proud of their deliverance from bondage, as they call it. The guys can’t wait to show off their new facial hair.
They make jabs at holiness every chance they get. If a young lady dresses godly, they call her a grandma.
One prayerful and modest dressing young woman I know was referred to as “Virgin Mary” because she didn’t wish to be included in their carnal activities.
I am tired of listening to their justifications. I don’t wish to debate with a deluded mind. The Bible says for me not to even eat with them and I won’t.
I can’t tell you that I have ever seen anyone go charismatic and come back repentant or get restored. I am not saying it can’t happen, I am saying I haven’t seen it. No wonder the Bible says, after the second admonition… reject.
Do you know who comments on these rotten egg thrower’s posts and then helps toss electronic eggs? Other backsliders. They won’t call themselves backsliders because they attend a church.
It’s a compromising church with a backslidden pastor that lets them live like they want and dress just like the world. They have a hireling for a pastor and they love it like that. But in their mind, it’s a church.
Their Facebook pages wouldn’t look any different if they were members of a Methodist or Presbyterian Church. What a sham and reproach! The sad thing is, they still feel saved. God has turned them over to a reprobate mind.
They are not content to just go away. They are not content to avoid holiness preachers in the mall. They are not content to be classified as truth rejecters. They have to turn around and throw their rotten cyber tomatoes at those that are still living a life separated unto Him. It helps them feel justified in doing what they are doing. It really makes them feel good.
What about all the folks that love to connect with these egg throwers? At General Conferences, some get real buddy-buddy with them. They wine and dine them. Some even connect with them on Facebook and send sweet messages back and forth. Their Inbox stays busy. But they are not the same people they were years ago.
You are not going to change them. They just might change you. Go ahead, laugh with them, chit-chat and watch as they continue to throw electronic eggs and cyber tomatoes at the good guys. You are setting your self up to be one of them if you are not careful. That spirit will get off on you if you keep hanging around them. Run, don’t walk. Get away from them. They are tools of Satan. You will be to, if you are not careful.
I’m afraid for some the final chapter of ‘throwing’ has not yet begun. If God’s Word is still true, He is going to do some throwing Himself in ‘that’ day when He throws some into a lake a fire.
2Pet. 2:9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:
2Pet. 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.
2Pet. 2:11 Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord.
2Pet. 2:12 But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption;
2Pet. 2:13 And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you;
2Pet. 2:14 Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:
2Pet. 2:15 Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;
2Pet. 2:16 But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man’s voice forbad the madness of the prophet.
2Pet. 2:17 These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.
Remember this when the electronic rotten eggs and the cyber tomatoes start flying. They haven’t rejected us as saints or as preachers, they have rejected Him. The horrible truth will be declared in the Judgment when they finally realize God has rejected them.
The Message Has Never Changed. It’s Still… Holiness Or Hell.
Are We Mistaken About The ‘Separation From The World’ Concept?
Are We Mistaken About The ‘Separation From The World’ Concept?
That’s a strange sounding question from a holiness minded preacher! Hear me out.
The intriguing story of Abraham’s journey with God begins with his being called out and away from his homeland. His walk of faith is carefully chronicled for our spiritual guidance and strength. He staggered not at the promises of God and we honor him as the father of the faithful, and rightly so.
Today, it seems we wish to identify with Abraham only up to a certain point. The present day generation does not wish to leave the world behind to follow Jesus. We desire to live the same as always, and yet claim to be different.
The idea of coming out of the world and away from the old life of sin is found throughout the Word of God. It’s nothing new.
- Israel came out of Egypt.
- Elisha left father and mother to follow Elijah.
- Ruth left her people and her gods to follow Naomi.
- New Testament disciples heard Jesus speak the words Follow Me and they did just that.
These and other stories serve as types and illustrations for Holy Ghost believers. These examples aid us in our desire to leave the world behind and follow Jesus.
The saints of old sang choruses like, “I’m Leaving All To Follow Jesus.” Sadly, today many do not wish to give up much to follow Jesus. They sang:
I’m leaving all to follow Jesus,
I am turning from this world away.
Oh, I still rely upon His promise,
And all I have is His today.
Some of the old saints had to walk away from their families. Some had to leave their jobs. Jesus said unless you love me on this level, you are not worthy to be my disciple.
The word church in the Bible means, called out. That’s what we are supposed to be, called out! We are called out of the world. All that are a part of God’s church are called out.
Most of my generation grew up hearing preachers and old saints quote scriptures like:
2Cor. 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you
Rev. 18:4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.
Why is it we don’t hear verses like these quoted anymore? Evidently it’s just not comfortable to the ears of those who feel they are living in an age of spiritual enlightenment.
There is a lesson to be learned here from Israel. When they wandered in the wilderness, they never seemed to stop complaining.
- They complained about the leadership.
- (They still do that today.)
- They complained about the food.
- (That’s common today too.)
- They complained so much that God sent fiery serpents among them.
Yet I fail to find where they ever complained about what God gave them as dress codes or dietary restrictions. Actually, they seemed to revel in their lifestyle. They never complained about their ‘holiness’ standards. They lived a much more conservative lifestyle than the world around them.
Today, holiness is the first thing worldly-minded saints complain about. It makes one wonder if we even know God as well as Israel did in the wilderness? Why are so many turned off by the word holiness? Whatever happened to “be ye holy even as I am holy”? We sing popular choruses about God’s holiness and often our life and dress don’t match the words we sing.
We tell our selves that we are separated from the world. We pride ourselves in not doing things the world does. Yet while we brag about our separation, we seem to be getting more and more distant from Him in the process.
How is this happening? What’s going on here? Why is it that Pentecostals who have been baptized in Jesus name and filled with the Holy Ghost, do not wish to live holy? They want the Holy Spirit, but don’t want the holy living.
There was a day when modesty was accepted and expected in the church as well as the world. We call it holiness today; our grandmothers called it common decency back then. That’s how far we’ve gone down hill.
God is constant. He never changes. The world, on the other hand, is on a fast slippery slope going away from God.
For as long as I can remember, we have used the world to gauge our holiness lifestyle and standards. Therein, I’m afraid, may be part of the problem. We judge our spiritual condition by looking at the world, and then looking at our distance from the world. We think that by not doing what the world is presently doing we are justified.
It is very unsettling to see church folk doing today with good conscience what sinners looked down upon years ago. What has happened is that while we’ve attempted to keep the world at arms length, we’ve gotten our eyes off of Jesus and have unwittingly distanced ourselves from Him. The world is sliding down a slippery slope. I pray we don’t follow.
The World drifting away from God
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The Church drifting away from God but separated from the World
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The Church separated unto God
What would happen to us as the body of Christ if we like Paul separated ourselves unto Him rather than separate ourselves from the world? What if we turned our eyes upon Jesus and only looked at Him. What if we determined within ourselves to know nothing except Jesus Christ and Him crucified?
Are we hung up on the concept of separation from the world only? If we are, I am afraid we will continue to drift farther and farther away from Him. Let us all stand with the Apostle Paul and choose to be separated unto God regardless of what the world does!
God is going to have a church that loves holiness. I plan to be part of it. Will you join me?
Rom. 1:1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,
Give God What He Can Bless!
Give God What He Can Bless!
(Give God What He Likes, Give God What He Can Use.)
The song service had been sort of ‘average’. No one shouted. No one cried. We all just sang the songs and then waited for the prayer requests to be received. This Bible Study night was not going to be remembered for its worship service. I had done my best to lead the worship, but I just didn’t flow with the Spirit like I should.
On the way home, Dad said, “Son, have you ever noticed that God never blesses that last chorus you sang tonight?”
“No Sir,” was all I could say.
“If you lead long service in my church, then you need to be aware of what kind of songs God blesses.
“He doesn’t bless songs about ‘us’, He only blesses songs about ‘Him’. His Name, His Power, His Blood, His Love, His Mercy, His Grace. Sing about Him next time and He will bless it.”
“Thanks Dad.” I mumbled apologetically.
That, my gentle reader, is a lesson I never forgot. My Father was teaching me to give God what He could bless.
1. Cain
Cain never caught on to the concept. God was willing to bless a ‘lamb’ sacrifice. But, since Cain was not a sheepherder, but rather a tiller of the soil, he gave God fresh vegetables. God couldn’t bless a radish, an onion or a rutabaga. Blood had to be shed. God was only willing to bless a sacrificed lamb.
Because God ignored Cain’s sacrifice, and accepted Abel’s lamb sacrifice, Cain got mad and killed his brother.
Gen. 4:3 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD.
Gen. 4:4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering:
Gen. 4:5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
- There are some Sacrifices God can’t bless.
- You will be disappointed when God doesn’t bless your sacrifice.
- He can’t bless that which is against His Word or His Will
Some want the Blessings of God regardless of how they have lived. Blessings never come when you starting thinking outside “God’s Box”.
2. Saul
In a spirit of disobedience and arrogance, Saul kept the spoils of war, spared King Agag and offered up a sacrifice. Samuel pronounced the curse of God upon him.
Saul admitted he had sinned; yet he wanted to be blessed in spite on his disobedience. He never understood that obedience was better than sacrifice. Not learning that lesson cost him his kingdom and the blessings of God.
1Sam. 15:30 Then he said, I have sinned: yet honour me now, I pray thee, before the elders of my people, and before Israel, and turn again with me, that I may worship the LORD thy God.
Give God a life that He can bless.
Give him a heart that He can bless.
Give God an attitude He can bless.
If Your Life Is Filled With These, God Can’t Bless It!
- Disobedience
- Bitterness
- Unbelief
- Rebellion
- Unconcern
- Disrespect
- Un-involvement
- Addictions
- Worldliness
- Carnal Lusts
- Sinner Boy Friend or Girl Friend
- Immorality
- Love of the World
- Jealousy
- Hatred
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Our idea of what God will bless, may be different than His.
Samuel – at Jesse’s House. Samuel was willing to anoint Jesse’s older sons to be the next king. God did not like what He saw in their hearts. The lad David was anointed King.
- David’s heart was what God was looking at.
- David had a love for Worship. No one made him praise the Lord.
- David was always quick to repent.
- God can bless that.
Give God What He Can Bless. He will always Bless:
- Submission
- Tenderness
- Obedience
- Faith
- Trust
- Mercy
- Honor
- Sacrifice
- Repentance
- Worship
- Praise
- Brokenness
- Humility
- Modesty
- Holiness
- Willingness
- Hunger
- Prayer Life
- Faithfulness
- Consecration
If you will Humble yourself, pray, seek His face in worship, and quit your sinning, God will hear your prayer, forgive you, and even bless your finances.
2Chr. 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.
How bad do you want to be blessed?
Jacob told the Angel that wrestled with him: “I won’t let you go until you bless me.”
When God blesses, He really blesses. He will bless you like this and more besides, if you just give him a life that can be blessed!
Deut. 28:1 And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:
Deut. 28:2 And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.
Deut. 28:3 Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field.
Deut. 28:4 Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep.
Deut. 28:5 Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store.
Deut. 28:6 Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out.
Deut. 28:7 The LORD shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways.
Deut. 28:8 The LORD shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou settest thine hand unto; and he shall bless thee in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
Deut. 28:9 The LORD shall establish thee an holy people unto himself, as he hath sworn unto thee, if thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, and walk in his ways.
Deut. 28:10 And all people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of the LORD; and they shall be afraid of thee.
Deut. 28:11 And the LORD shall make thee plenteous in goods, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy ground, in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers to give thee.
Deut. 28:12 The LORD shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow.
Deut. 28:13 And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the LORD thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them:
You’ll never be blessed living for God ‘Your Way.” God only blesses us when we do things “His Way”! Are you giving God what He can bless?
Is God Ugly?
Is God Ugly?
I don’t mean for this question to sound like it borders on blasphemy. It is important for me not to be flippant or sacrilegious about things that are Divine. With that being said, I will ask the question one more time. Is God ugly?
The Prophet Isaiah makes an amazing prophecy about the coming of the Messiah. He describes him and portrays him in a very uncomplimentary manner.
Is. 53:2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.
Is. 53:3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
When man makes a grand entry, he normally tries to ‘put his best foot forward’. Why then did Jehovah choose to wrap Himself up in human flesh that apparently wasn’t the best He could make?
The mind of man would think, ‘Why He could have gotten more followers if He’s had some ‘great’ looks. People will follow someone that’s easy to look at. That was not how God planned to present Himself.
When God came to earth in the flesh, there was nothing beautiful about Him. I want to talk about that very thing. Look first at the Old Testament.
1. Noah’s Ark – The wood was covered with pitch. It looked ugly on the outside. No one in Noah’s generation outside of his own family was able to get past the ‘Ugly’. They all perished.
2. The Tabernacle In The Wilderness – The outside of the Tabernacle was covered with dyed badger skins. To those that had been there, they KNEW the real beauty was on the INSIDE. It was on the INSIDE that the golden vessels were displayed. It was on the INSIDE that the beautiful Veil hung concealing the Holiest of Holies. INSIDE there was the Shekinah, the Glory of the Lord.
Once the Israelites got past the Ugly, they found the real beauty.
1Pet. 2:6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
1Pet. 2:7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,
1Pet. 2:8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
To those that take the time to Know Him and Believe, He is Precious.
- If Living for God is Ugly to you, you just don’t know Him very well.
- If Worship is Ugly to you, you just don’t know Him very well.
- If Giving God the Tenth of your income is Ugly to you, you just don’t know Him very well.
- If Holiness is Ugly to you, you just don’t know Him very well.
- If the preaching of Doctrine is Ugly to you, you just don’t know Him very well.
- If Long Hair on Women and Short Hair on Men are Ugly to you, you just don’t know Him very well.
- If Standards are Ugly to you, you just don’t know Him very well.
- If Separating yourself from the World is Ugly to you, you just don’t know Him very well.
- If the Prayer Room is Ugly to you, you just don’t know Him very well.
- If Winning Souls is Ugly to you, you just don’t know Him very well.
And the list goes on…
When living for God is longer attractive to you, you don’t really know Him very well. It tells me that you don’t really Believe. It tells me you are Disobedient. (1 Pet 2:7)
Can you get past the Ugly? If you can, He will become Precious to you!
She Doesn’t Want To Live With Him
She Doesn’t Want To Live With Him
Is. 4:1 And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach.
As a young man this scripture seemed unbelievable. I could not fathom a scenario where seven women would be desperate enough that they would fall all over themselves to have some man’s name.
I was thrilled to find one woman who wanted to take my name. But Isaiah speaks of a seven to one ratio. That’s a lot. I understand the literal interpretation of the scripture in it’s context. However, I see that verse in an additional light today.
The number Seven in Scripture may refer to more than just a number. It may also include in it’s meaning, things like perfection, completeness, and fullness.
In the Book of Revelation the number SEVEN is used throughout. There are SEVEN churches, SEVEN Spirits, SEVEN stars, SEVEN seals, SEVEN trumpets, SEVEN vials, SEVEN personages, SEVEN dooms, and SEVEN new things. SEVEN symbolizes Spiritual Perfection. All of life revolves around this number. SEVEN is used over 700 times in the Bible. It is used 54 times in the Book of Revelation.
All of that is impressive, but what about today? Christianity is demonstrating that verse in a very vivid manner. It’s quite easy to see it everywhere.
Many denominations believe in prayer and healing. They believe in miracles as well. They also pray invoking the name of Jesus to heal, to save, and to deliver. Some even believe in the Holy Ghost.
Most stop short of Holiness and the complete Acts 2:38 experience. Some have left the Acts 2:38 experience and turned their backs on Holiness and separation from the world.
It’s as if they are saying to the Lord:
We want your permission to use your Name in Prayer and in everyday life. But:
- We want to set our own standards.
- We want to workout our own life style.
- We want to dress like we want to.
- We want to make our own rules.
- We want to live the way we are comfortable with. Without undo interference in our life from your Scriptures.
- We don’t think all of your requirements are necessary.
- We ONLY want your Name.
- We don’t care to really LIVE with you.
And there, in my opinion is the sad story of this modern-day. They love the Lord and say His name. They wish to use it when they need it or get in trouble. They just don’t like ‘Living’ in His Word or in His world. They wish to continue in theirs.
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"
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Philip Harrelson – "The Barnabas Blog"
Verbal Bean Ministries
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