Let Christ Be Your Anchor

Posted on March 9, 2015 by brennaballestero



When the world is making you spin around and pulling at you from all directions, let CHRIST be your Anchor.

Why make yourself crazy trying to please the world? Please God. Because in eternity, ONLY GOD’s appraisal of you matters. 

1) Take a quick glance at your life right now. 

2) Is anything trying to pull you away from God? It could be subtle. Is there a relationship that you seem to choose over going to church or praising Your Creator? 

Are there functions in your personal life that seem to always take priority over God? 

Don’t let the world pull you away. 

When you make these little compromises in your walk, remember the enemy likes to put stumbling blocks in place to keep you away from your Father.

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1Peter 5:8 

3) Cast aside these compromises now before they snowball into a huge obstacle later.  Turn away from disobedience. Partial obedience is disobedience. 

Praise God that He shows us GRACE beyond measure so that, at any time, we can turn back to God and say, “I’m sorry. Forgive me.”  And as simple as that, we can accept God’s mercy and forgiveness!  

How many compromises will you allow to come between you and your Creator?  

And, is it worth it? 

What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Mark 5:8

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For the Persecuted

Posted on February 23, 2015 by brennaballestero

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Father God, what the enemy intended for evil, use for Your Good. Your Glory. Give us strength, Father, in these days. Bless Your
Children. Comfort us in our loss. Cover us in Your Strength. May those members of ISIS repent and come to know You, God. Have mercy on their souls. They do not know what they are doing. Rebuke the enemy behind their evil. Father, I ask this Jesus’ Name. Amen
Your daughter, and bond-slave,
B

My heart broke watching this video. I could see the CHRISTians singing Continue reading →

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I was the sinner on the cross…

Posted on September 29, 2014 by brennaballestero

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  When they came to the place called The Skull, there they crucified Him and the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left… One of the criminals who were hanged there was hurling abuse at Him, saying, “Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!” But the other answered, and rebuking him said, “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.”  Luke 23:33,39-43

     I was a dead woman walking.  I walked around for years as a condemned woman, not realizing that I was actually already sentenced to death row. 
     I was raised Catholic and believed the spoon-fed lie that my “religion” would save me.  Oh, I could tell you how many Hail Mary’s and Our Father’s cursing cost, but couldn’t tell you what The Cross meant for my salvation.  I walked around most of my life shrouded by deceit.
     Then, one day,  everything changed.   I was at a Bayside church service when it happened, right after my love life and work life decided to team up and simultaneously hit rock bottom. But what the enemy meant for evil, my God meant for Good. 
     The faint knocking that had been present for so long soon started to drone out the drums on stage and could no longer be ignored.  I had no choice, but to open the door, to answer The Call on my heart.
And there He stood.  My eyes opened for the first time as I encountered The Risen Savior.  I looked around me, and could see that I was on a cross surrounded by my sin, set to be crucified for my transgressions.   But my Jesus had better plans for me.  He lifted me off the Cross with His pierced hands and showed me that the Cross already won the war.  Jesus already conquered death, freed me from the bondage of my sin, and wiped my ledger clean by the payment of Innocent Blood. 
     There are only two types of people in this world: the sinner who repents and ask for Jesus’ forgiveness or the sinner blind to his sins and condemned.  I was the sinner on the cross who asked Jesus for mercy and remembrance in Heaven.  But Jesus did me one better.  He set me aside to be a princess in Paradise.  I wear a symbol of this daily around my neck, this symbol of His Mercy towards me.  I can never forget, no matter how many Bible studies I lead, or  how involved I am in the church, that I am the same woman Jesus rescued from that death row, and set aside for His purposes.  And I must always remember that I went from dead woman walking, to Saved Woman Praising, for only one reason: I answered that knock, and let Jesus do what Jesus does best.  He presented me up to Our Father in Heaven and said, “It’s is finished.  This one’s been made new.”
    

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Dear Father in Heaven, my Abba Father, thank You for sending Your One and Only Son, Jesus, to pay for our sins so that we may be adopted into the family as heirs. Thank You for allowing us to be rescued from  the cross, from a punishment we fully deserve.   Bless the reader tonight, Father.  For the Believer, I pray that they always remember who they were, and where, when Jesus rescued them, and for the non-believer,  Father, I ask You to soften their heart so they can open the door for The Savior to come through.  Thank You Lord for Your continued Guidance and Great Love.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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How I broke out of prison!

Posted on January 18, 2014 by brennaballestero

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Brenna, why are you so happy?!


This question, whether sneered or asked in earnest, is answered the same: because I’m free! I’m FREE!! Like that song I heard long ago in Sister Act. “I sing because I’m happy. I sing because I’m free!”
I was once bound by the chains of all my sin. I was an inmate in a debtors’ prison!
The Bible tells us plainly,

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” —Romans 6:23

I was in a self-constructed prison, and I’d worked myself into spiritual “debt” with all my sin. Every time I disobeyed the Word of God, I sinned. Oh! And I’d amassed more “debt” than I could ever hope to pay off! There was no way to cover what I owed to my Creator. It was serious! I was bankrupt! I owed so much that I needed to file Chapter 11 on my soul, and yet, God sent us a Kinsman Redeemer! A Savior! The Christ! God sent us His Flawless, Sinless Son to pay off our debts: Jesus. When Jesus allowed Himself to be captured, tortured, and murdered to buy me back from Death
I’m always reminded of the parable of the two debtors from Luke 7:41-43

“Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?” Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.” “You have judged correctly,” Jesus said.

Of course, I am happy! I owed five hundred denarii, and my debt was forgiven. I’ve been saved, and set free from the law of sin and death! (Romans 8:1-2).

Abba, YOU are the reason I am happy, the reason why I sing!!! Thank You, Father for Your Love for us! Thank You for sending Your One and Only Son to die for us! Thank You, Jesus, for taking over my debt, and for saving me from my debtor’s prison, from Death’s hand, and securing me a home in Heaven with You for eternity. Help me honor Your Word daily, and to live in a way that brings Your people to the Cross. Jesus, help me spread the message that other prisoners don’t have to decay in their own cell surrounded by their sin. All they have to do is accept You, Jesus, and ask for forgiveness to be redeemed! Father I love you. Protect and guide us. Amen.

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Literally the Only Light in the Darkness

Posted on January 10, 2014 by brennaballestero

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This must remain short to conserve my iPhone’s charge. But check this out: we are in a power outage in our house. The heat turned off. We feel the chill kicking in. All of our fancy emergency nightlight/ flashlights failed us. All were plugged in and all have been used in the past for emergencies.
We reached for them (more like groped around in the dark for them) but they didn’t turn on. The only thing we could light was the one candle on the dining room table. Our Jesus candle. The one thing bringing us comforting light in the cold darkness. It’s the one light we can see.
Check out this flame. I took a picture of it. What shape does that look like to you?

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Jesus, thank You for being the Light in the darkness. The Light in our lives, Lord. I am thankful for the reminder that You, are the True Light in our lives that can never be darkened! And if we accept You in to our hearts, then we can be a light to others in the dark world. Father, we love You. Thank You for sending Your One and Only Son to die for us. To send us This Amazing Beacon to guide us. Amen.

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Uncharted–Zephyr Point Retreat

Posted on January 10, 2014 by brennaballestero

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It was gorgeous that weekend in sunny Lake Tahoe! I embarked on my journey to Zephyr Point on the Friday afternoon giddy with excitement (and a little anxiety) to Nevada! Between the packing, the dropping off of the Mancub to Grandma’s, the making of extra keys for my puppy sitter, and the traffic, I barely resembled the B of my normal “controlled” world.
As I weaved through the congestion of surface street traffic, and onto the 50 freeway, I realized that, more than ever, I needed this retreat! The getaway!
Sometimes the world is so busy, so full of noise, responsibilities, worries, and cares that it can pull you far away from God (reminiscent of the little weeds, thorns, and birds in the parable of the sower)! (Luke 8:4)
The Parable of the Sower

Anyway, it was needed!!!!
Miracles occurred and it felt like no less than mountains were moved to get me to the retreat! If it wasn’t for my amazing friends I wouldn’t have gone or had the amazing, God-honoring experience that I did! God wanted me there!
Our theme? Uncharted
Our verse?

“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything out of love.” 1 Corinthians 16:13-14

The weekend was incredible, and Our Fusion Pastor, Rosendo, was amazing! He was God’s mouthpiece this weekend!
He probably doesn’t even realize that he demonstrated the practical application of this verse all weekend! Rosendo fought off a virus all weekend that attempted to incapacitate his voice and deplete his energy, but Rosendo didn’t let it stop him from delivering powerful, God-honoring messages all three days! His reliance on Christ’s strength was most evident as he pushed through each message (almost losing his voice) and yet always maintained a loving, patient attitude. I especially loved the last message that focused on 1 Corinthians 16:14 “Do everything out of love.”
To help us understand this message, Rosendo transported us to the book of John, specifically chapter 14 verses 15-27. John 14:15-27
Out of those verses, I was struck with a realization:
LOVE IS OBEDIENCE!

“Jesus replied, ‘Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.'” (John 14:23-26 NIV)

Amen!!! This hit me! It forced me to examine areas of my life where I’d felt called to serve My Father, and even told by my close friends to serve My Father with my writing, and had yet to comply. I’d felt the pull for atleast a year to write a book of devotionals to help His children on their walk and to bring the lost back to Him. I’d felt the pull to teach what I’d learned about Jesus, to people who don’t yet know His Amazing Grace and Amazing Love for us!
God is sooooo merciful and soooo kind! His love for us is unconditional! And all He requires from us is obedience!
We were given an instruction manual so that we could live in a way that would honor Him; a way that would help identify us as His children. You hear the word “Christian,” and it’s a word with so many contemporary connotations, that we forget the title carries with it specific responsibilities. The most important of which is to OBEY Jesus’ TEACHINGS, to FOLLOW in Christ’s footsteps. To die to our own selfish desires daily, and put others before us. To live intentionally, and to love others as ourselves. We’ve been called to utilize our spiritual gifts, as God didn’t give us gifts to squander.

Father, thank You for our incredible blessing and all of our gifts! Father help is to use these gifts to honor Your Holy Name. Father, I just get SO excited! I love Your Face off! Thank You for giving me life at the cost of Your Son, Jesus. And Father, thank You for raising Him up from the dead to be with us forever. We love you… In Your name I pray. . .

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Living On Purpose

Posted on January 8, 2014 by brennaballestero

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Mission Statement

I, Brenna Ballestero, chosen disciple and adopted child of The One True King, by the Will of God, am charged with bringing Christ’s lost sheep to The Cross, teaching His Living Word, and emulating a life of transformational compassion to the sole honor and glory of our Lord Jesus Christ!
Lastly, but nonetheless importantly, I accept my Holy Charge to be the earthly guardian and protector of my son, Braydon Ballestero, and to raise him to LOVE, HONOR, and OBEY God with ALL of his heart, mind, soul, and strength.

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“And He who sits on the throne said, ‘Behold, I am making all things new.’ And He said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.'”
Revelation 21:5

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Happy New Year- kicking off 2014 with an attitude of gratitude!

Posted on January 7, 2014 by brennaballestero

Happy New Year!  I hope you kicked off 2014 with a BANG!  I had an incredible 2013 filled with trials and blessings, and gained an incredible new family that I LOVE and ADORE: The “United Prayer Warriors,”  my church family/ small group who devoted so much time and energy into loving my son and I, and they have enriched our lives immeasurably!

 

Awesome!

Prayer Warriors at Mel's

I love that we are a ragtag group of individuals that couldn’t be more different, brought together through Christ, and made family through His Blood!  I’ve never experienced a group so on FIRE for Christ and The Word!  It’s beautiful! And, because of their love for Christ, He has worked through them to pass on INCREDIBLE BLESSINGS in the lives of me and Little B in such a way, that we will never be the same!

Mancub and I

God also brought into my life a FANTASTIC group of men and women through Fusion Elements and Catalyst, and just so many others at Bayside church who have touched my spirit with encouragement and love.  I’m grateful for all of them.

How did I become so blessed lately?  I know exactly how: Obedience!  To My Father… Who commanded that I not overlook the importance of  FELLOWSHIP with my brothers and sisters. See, I used to kind of go through my walk with Christ with just my son. But I realized last year that, once I was adopted by Our Abba Father, we gained siblings!!!!  Brothers and sisters in Christ!  We are siblings because we share the same Blood:  The Blood of the Lamb who sacrificed Himself for our sake; so that we could live forever with Our Father in Heaven!

So I wanted to start out this first blog entry (of my life and this new year) with gratitude for the many people who have supported me and who have told me to start this blog and to continue writing.

THANK YOU!!!  I love you guys!!

Father, thank You so much for all the blessings You have so generously bestowed upon my son and I. Thank you for every single person who has touched my life and the life of Little B.  You know exactly what I needed to hear and who we needed in our lives!  I love how You know just who we need to touch our hearts; and You know this because You knit us together while we were in our mother’s womb. Thank You Thank You Thank You for loving us SO much, that You sent Your One and Only Son to die for us, so that we can love and live with you for an eternity in Heaven.  Father, touch the lives of  all the men and women You spoke through, who loved on us and cared for us!  (And who continue to love and care for us)!  You know what their special intentions are, Father, and I ask that You continue to wrap Your Arms around them And love on them. I ask that You keep my son and I strong in this new Year!  I pray that my words will honor You.  I love you, Daddy… my Abba Father… My King.  

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