Pastor Buddy’s Blog

Journal,

As I read through the book of Job, it reminds? of something that I’ve noted about ministers over the years.? The man in the pulpit will always preach from? his own relationship with the Lord. So, if we? hear? fear and condemnation? from the pulpt, this is what the preacher is experiencing.? When we hear teachings that? believers are the very children of God, this is because the minister? experiences God as a? loving Father. Jesus said that a person’s mouth will speak from that which fills his heart.

This can be carried into other areas. For instance if a man preaches false doctrine it is because he is deceived himself. This is what? is very? apparent in the book of Job. Job’s accusers had no relationship with the Lord. But even in the midst of Job’s struggles we hear a man who knows about the Lord.

Listen to two statements, one by Job and the other by Job’s? accuser:

Job - “But He knows the way I take; when He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold … I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.” (Job 23:10,12)

Bildad -? “If even the moon has no brightness and the stars are not pure in His sight, how much less man, that maggot, and the son of man, that worm!” (Job 25:5,6 nasb.)

Let’s take this a step further and compare Bildad’s statement with that of a true man of God:

David - “What is man that You take thought of him, and the son of man that You care for him? Yet You have made him a little lower than God, and You crown him with glory and majesty.” (Psalm 8:4,5 nasb.)

Here we see the maggot philosophy compared to the majesty philosophy. Such a difference. The point is that man was created in the very image and likeness of God. James tells us that even the unsaved man still carries the image, even though it is marred.

So, what are you listening to? Maggot preaching or majesty preaching? Does God see us as maggots? I think not. “For God so loved the world…” That pretty much tells the tale. The work of the cross is to bring salvation to a lost world, and to bring believers back to the glory that was lost. Pretty awesome story if you ask me.? ?

10 a.m. - Morning service. Jeff is? unable to lead the worship because of his voice.? David Stellwagon filled in again. David has a? great voice. He does a good job? interspersing worship with prayers and bits of Godly encouragement.?

Happy to see Gary Fisher back on the? camera.? Really miss that guy. Gary and? Nora are jewels.?

Had a number of visitors. Word is getting out.

Nathan is in his relationship series. Today he taught on ‘Real Marriage.’ Wish every married couple could have heard this teaching. It was also great for those not yet married. Had the high school and? Junior high classes remain in the service. This was one of those ministries where time was of no significance. Really made me appreciate my marriage of 43+ years.

12:45 p.m. - Call from Eddie Dorsey.? Had a nice visit with him and Ruby. Eddie was really? excited over Nathan’s? teaching on marriage.

3:00 p.m. - Board of counselors meeting. Betty will attend but I’ll need to wait for the appropriate time.

Things remain quiet for CJ and me. Believe we’ll close things down for the day.

Love all of you,

Buddy

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