Journal,

This week is my final week where I am supposed to be extra cautious about? visitors and being in public. The plus side is that my physical strength is being renewed day by day.? I can feel myself becoming stronger all the time.?

As I shared earlier we are heading for Orange Beach, Alabama, early Sunday morning. Need a good time of refreshing. We’ll return? sometime Wednesday. Hope to be in services at Christian Challenge Wednesday evening.

Here’s a bit on the funny side. Ever since CJ snubbed his nose at the dog food we’d been giving him, each morning I’ll take some? dog food and put it in a pan for the squirrels and birds.? They love it.

Well, one? squirrel pretty much claimed ownership to the dog food. The other squirrels would keep their distance. Of course the birds would sneak in at the proper time. It was funny to watch the? ‘ownership’ squirrel turn into a roly poly.? Course I felt sorry for the other squirrels.

Then I decided to put out two pans of dog food. Spaced them far enough apart where ‘ownership’ squirrel couldn’t possess both pans. Great idea. Now I have squirrels, birds, and even a coon coming up to dine to their heart’s content. (Poor old CJ just has fits when he sees the coon.)? ?

This brings me to a bit of study devotion I’d like to share. I’ll entitle it…

Taking Ownership for Your Life.

In my 40+ years of ministry I have seen a great many healings. Many of them were a direct result of forgiveness. Over time I came to realize that the most important factor in a believer’s life is in learning to come to peace with the past, but also to take personal ownership for? sins and failures in life.

Let me simply say upfront that I do not believe that sickness or disease is necessarily the result of personal failure. We live in a disease driven world. Yet a truth remains that some of our anguishes in life are because we have not taken ownership for our own misdeeds.?

The sage said, “My son, give attention to my words; incline your heart to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your sight; keep them in the midst of your heart. For they are life to those who find them and health to all their body. Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs (outgoings) of life.” (Pro4:20-23)

The point is that what is going on in our own hearts will determine the boundaries or the outflowings of our own life. It can be said that we give shape to our? life by what is in our own heart.

The Hebrew word for ’springs’ is the word ‘tosaah.’ This is a geographical word. It speaks of a boundary or a source. Its reflective meaning addresses ‘goings forth’ or ‘outgoings’ or ‘forces.’ The answer? Learn to set a guard over your heart.

David draws attention to this with regard to the man who refused to bless others. Listen carefully:

“Because he did not remember to show lovingkindness, but persecuted the afflicted and needy man, and the despondent in heart, to put them to death. He also loved cursing, so it came to him; and he did not delight in blessing, so it was far from him. But he clothed himself with cursings as with his garment, and it entered into his body like water and like oil into his bones. It came to him as a garment which he covers himself…” (Psalm 109:16-19)

Next we need to talk about ‘roots of bitterness.’ Esau held a grudge against Isaac. He became a bitter man and his bitterness likely affected his whole household. Without retelling the story it is enough to say that this is? the way bitterness works. Bitterness defiles those around us. Thus bitterness can become a defiling thing in our own life.

Most bitterness is a result of not having forgiven someone. We carry the unforgiveness in our heart. It is not a matter of whether the person deserves forgiveness, or even if they have asked for forgiveness. It is a matter of what is going on ‘inside’ us. The real key to life is learning to? keep one’s own spiritual life pure.

We have a perfect example of this on the cross. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them. For they don’t know what they are doing.” When Jesus said, “Father, forgive them,” was this not the message of the cross? Are we not forgiven on the basis of a life exchange with Jesus? Jesus gave His life up for us. Are we not to learn to live in this flow of forgiveness? Are we not to forgive?

We also hear this with the first Christian martyr. Stephen said, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them!” In neither case were the peoples asking for forgiveness.

What many don’t realize is that unforgiveness is a sin. It is a sin because we are under commandment to forgive. We are also under commanded to walk in love the way Jesus walked. The Lord pointed out that a walk of true faith revolves around forgiveness. He said, “Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions.” (Mark 11:25)

The issue is that unless we learn to make peace in our hearts with the past, we will indeed suffer in the now.

But there is another issue that I need to mention. Did you know that the number one hospital patient bed in this country is contributed to some form of mental disorder? Of course mental disturbances are real. But is it not possible that many mental disorders are a result of our not taking ownership for one’s own conduct. We are so afraid to call sin, sin today. It is so much easier to blame our problems on something or someone else.

We use words like disfunctional, socially impaired, victims of bad upbringing. We’ve fallen into the Adam syndrome; “The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me from the tree and I ate.” (Gen3:12)

The Biblical answer is to take ownership for our own choices in life. The apostle John lays this out very well:

“This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.” (1 John 1:5-9)

Did you catch the term, ‘our sins’? When we take ownership for our sins, we are then in a position for our forgiveness and our? cleansing from whatever? deed of unrighteousness had made a deposit in? our lives.?

Perhaps I should point out that this is where good pastoral counselling or other spiritual? counselling can help.? Once ownership is in place, then cleansing is soon to follow. It is not enough to simply ‘medicate’ a sin problem. Sin is a defiler and unless sin is dealt with as sin, there is no true cure.

The answer? Take ownership for your life.

Yes, sin is a power and temptations are very real. But so are choices. James tells us not to be deceived in this area. He wrote:

“Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am being tempted by God’; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.” (James 1:13-16)?

As a way of encouragement it is important to understand that when I speak of ‘taking ownership’, I am not talking about salvation in itself. Jesus took ownership of our lives when we came to the cross. The Bible teaches that we are a God-possessed people and that nothing will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is found in Christ Jesus.

As a God-possessed people, we can be sure that the Lord is always at work in the background of our lives. He will cause everything in our lives to work together for good.

Remember that we are the children of the great King.? Our sins were forgiven at the cross. What we need to do now is? to learn to walk in the cleansing love of the cross.

So what does taking ownership mean? It? means to take? responsibility for a great many things that happen in our lives.? No more blaming others.

Think about it.

The Lord bless you,

Buddy

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Posted: May 24th, 2007 under NHL.
Comments: 4

Journal,

I provided a Bible study on one of our special forums that I thought would be good to? pass to my readers here. The study has to do with the personal side of pastoring. It also contains information in what to look for in a home church. I hope that you enjoy it. In the study I’ll share a bit of personal testimony. The study is entitled…

A Shepherd and His Flock

First lets look at the educational side of pastoring. It is important to understand that the first Christians were all Jews. Over time the Christian Jews were pretty much forced out of the local synagogues. In some instances a Jewish synagogue would become totally Christian. These Christian synagogues were spoken of as ‘ha Notzri,’ or, ‘of the Nazareen.’ (A Talmudic reference.)

James the brother of Jesus calls attention to the early Christian synagogue, when he said, “For if a man comes into your assembly [sunagoge] with a gold ring and dressed in fine clothes, and there comes a poor man in dirty clothes, and you pay attention to the one who is wearing the fine clothes … have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil motives.” (cf. James 2)

However, the term ‘church’ (ekklesia) did become the normal usage for all Christian gatherings. The form of government in the ‘ekklesia’ remained pretty much the same as that of the synagogue. There were? two primary offices in the synagogue. Such is the case in the Christian Church today.

To take this further, often you hear folk speak of a five-fold ministry, that is, apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor and teacher. (In the Greek it is more likely a four-fold.) Yet notice that the? apostolic letters are never addressed to an apostle, a prophet, or an evangelist. The letters are directed to? the saints in a certain area. At? times a letter would call attention to the local church leadership.

For example Philippians 1:1 begins with, “Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons.” The reason for including the overseers and deacons is because the Christian assemblies were functioning as distinct flocks. Each flock had their own God-appointed leaders or overseers. Every flock was semi-autonomous of other flocks. (The head was always Christ.)

Let me repeat just a bit on the structured synagogues. In the synagogue there were two primary ministry roles, the elders and what we call deacons, or in Hebrew ‘chazzan’. The number needed for these offices depended on the size of the synagogue.

The elders had general oversight. The ruling elder was the chief overseer. I’m not sure if the term that we translate as bishop was actually used in the synagogue, but we do find it in the ancient Greek text (the Septuigint), to designate an official place of authority in a religious sense.

With this in mind let’s listen to Paul; “It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do.” Paul then outlines the qualifications to serve in this office.

How an overseer was actually set in office is left unsaid. We can be sure that it was under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and by recognition of the congregation. (Early on it was the apostles or their representatives who set aside elders in the churches that they themselves had established.)

What did the term ‘overseer’ mean to Paul? As a Hebrew man, Paul drew on his rich Hebrew heritage. He knew what an overseer was in the Hebrew culture. And this is where we need to define the Greek and Hebrew words for an overseer. (Keep in mind that the term ‘overseer’ or ‘bishop’ is simply our English translations of a Greek term.)

Let’s begin with the Greek. Where Paul says ‘office of overseer’ this is one word in Greek, the word ‘episkope’. This term carries two interrelated thoughts. It speaks of (divine) visitation. It also carries a meaning of overseeing, attending to, or to look after.

As for its common usage it spoke of an official set aside by appointment who had oversight of public works, that is, a superintendent. Episkope has its roots in another word which means ‘watchman.’

In the Greek Old Testament, we find the term ‘episkope’, used in 2 Kings 11:18; “All the people of the land went to the house of Baal, and tore it down; his altars and his images they broke in pieces thoroughly, and killed Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars. And the priest appointed officers (episkope) over the house of the Lord.”

The Hebrew word for episkope in this case is ‘pquddah’, but the meaning is much the same as defined in Greek. It is sometimes used to refer to an arrangement of fighting men under an officer. (Are we not in spiritual warfare? Should we not be trained? Are we not called to be soldiers in God’s kingdom?)

Anyway, in the New Testament the terms elder, overseer, pastor and shepherd are closely linked and are sometimes seen together. An example is Acts 20:28, where Paul addresses the elders of Ephesus; “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.”

Notice carefully the terms. Elders are to be ‘guards’ (watchmen), shepherds, and overseers. But they are made overseers by the Holy Spirit. And what they oversee is a flock. Actually the Greek term for shepherd and pastor is one and the same. A pastor is a shepherd. A shepherd is a pastor. That is his calling. He is to tend sheep. Sheep do not tend themselves. They are tended by a shepherd.

Since I am a pastor by calling, I want to draw a bit on my personal testimony. I think most other pastors will relate to what I have to share, at least in one way or another.

My first pastorate was in 1969. After six months of pastoring I quit. I decided right then that I did not want to be a pastor. My ministry would have to take other routes. What I didn’t realize was that a God-called shepherd has to be shaped for his calling. Believe me, I was not yet in good shape. Still needed much smoldering in the fire. (Felt like I was pastoring goats. I was probably the hardest head in the bunch.)

Skipping across a bit of history, in 1975 a strange thing happened. We are at home. I’m playing my guitar and singing to the Lord. In a moment of time the Holy Spirit moves over me, and I hear, ‘Go home.’ Home was Central Louisiana. We were then living in South Louisiana.

The ‘Go home’ was so real that Betty and I took our children out of school and headed north. I did not know what the Lord wanted. I just knew the ‘go home’ was not to be ignored. In my own mind I thought perhaps the Lord wanted me to go to a number of churches I had evangelized and share my testimony.

We left our children at my sisters. Across the highway was a church that I had held a revival in. The lights were on. But I knew that it wasn’t a church night. What I didn’t know was that they had lost their pastor and had been gathering to seek the Lord about a new pastor.

Betty and I walked in the door and sat in the back, totally unaware of what was going on. An elder who knew me said, “Brother Martin, welcome. Would you like to share something with the congregation.”

I still did not know what was going on or what I needed to say. So I stood and said, “Brother, I don’t know why the Lord sent me, but I am here.” Things got real quiet. It was a moment of divine visitation. Then I heard weeping in the congregation. The Holy Spirit was bearing witness to their pastor.

When I realized that they wanted me to be their pastor that was when the personal struggle began. My fear has always been, and remains so to this day, that I may hurt someone from the pulpit. The sacred desk remains? an awesome place to me. Out of obedience, Betty and I began traveling 120 miles each way, every weekend, to pastor this little country church.

The struggle remained in place. Then it happened. Sitting on the platform, which is something I hate to do to this day, and something we never do at Christian Challenge, the Holy Spirit spoke to me and said, “I have given you the heart of a pastor.”

Did anything happen? Yes, it happened instantly. It was as real as when the Lord said, ‘Go home.’ The moment that God spoke to my spirit, I knew then I was a pastor. That was my calling.

And that is my point. A true Biblical pastor is set apart by the Holy Spirit to be an overseer, a watchman, and a feeder (shepherd) of a flock that is assigned to him. Yet the flock belongs to the Lord. And God is very careful about who He calls as an overseer. Why so? Because the church has been purchased by His own blood. And a pastor must be very careful in how he tends the flock.

Betty and I entered into a walk with the Lord that we did not know was possible. The total offering for the first month was a bit over $300. That had to? take care of the upkeep of the church and see to the needs of the pastor.

The month the Lord called me back to the pastorate, my personal income was over $2500. Was I to give up $2500 for $300? All I can say is that it was the best thing that could have happened to us. (That is a testimony by itself.)

Anyway, it needs to be understood that before the Lord puts anyone into any kind of ministry role, He is going to test that person to see if they will be faithful. And above all, the Lord wishes to see how that person will relate to His sheep.

The apostle speaks to this; “I thank Jesus Christ our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service, even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor…” (cf. 1Ti1:12,13)

Later Paul says, “But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children.” (1Th2:7)

I share these particular Scriptures because I want you to see the true heart of one of God’s true shepherds.

We see this again when Paul instructs young Timothy on his pastoring role. The apostle says, “The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been help captive by him to do his will.” (2Ti2:24-26)

Keep these ideas in view — gentleness, watchman, guardian, feeder, tenderness, not quarrelsome, kind to all, able to teach, and patient when wronged. All these ideas are incorporated into what a true Biblical pastor is to exhibit. Why is this? Because these are the spiritual traits in the Great Shepherd. These very traits are communicated to each of His undershepherds by the Holy Spirit.

James adds to this in telling us that the wisdom that comes from above, that is, wisdom from the Holy Spirit, is not arrogant, but it is pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, and without hypocrisy. (cf. James 3:13-18)

For the Shepherd to shepherd comparison, hear this Old Testament prophecy concerning the coming of the Lord Jesus: “Behold, the Lord God will come with might, with his arm ruling before Him. Behold, His reward is with Him and His recompense before Him. Like a Shepherd He will tend His flock, in His arm He will gather the lambs and carry them in His bosom; He will gently lead the nursing ewes.” (Isa40:10,11.)

Is there a more tender scene than this? A true under-shepherd will have the heart of Jesus, be tender towards God’s people, and yet be vigilant against the enemy. (This links to the lamb-lion nature of Christ.)

So now — What should we look for in a true pastor? Certainly we should not look for perfection. Even the best of pastors is yet a man. He will have frailties.

We should look for his heart. After all, should we not expect the Lord to give us a pastor who has the heart of a shepherd. This shepherding principle is found in what the Lord said to Israel, concerning their return to the Lord. He said, “Then I will give you shepherds after My own heart, who will feed you on knowledge and understanding.” (Jer3:15)

Where can we find such shepherds? I believe they are out there by the hundreds and thousands. These watchmen on the wall are true shepherds. They care for their flocks. They are not after money or fame. They are not oppressive or domineering or demanding or overpowering or condemning or controlling. They can even rebuke in love. Yet they tenderly care for those assigned to them as a mother cares for her little ones.

And, yes, sheep are assigned to shepherds. This is where I need to make a point. I have different people who see me as their pastor via the internet. Certainly I accept that with the deepest of feelings. At the same time I would expect this to be a temporary issue. It is important that all God’s people become part of a local assembly of believers.

As for where we should assemble, that must be left to the Lord. Some groups can be discounted up front, especially if they are sectarian in nature. Even in the case of home groups, there has to be caution. Some groups begin out of a root of bitterness. We need to make certain that the home group is not simply being reactive against other Christian groups. At the same time a great many churches had their beginnings in a home setting. (Of course this rule also applies to finding a more traditional church to attend.)

So — Can you know where you belong? I believe you can. As a long-time pastor I can just about tell every time if a family is being assigned to our ministry. It is a thing of witness. And the family will know soon enough. If our church is the flock of their assignment, they will not be able to stay away. They may wander a bit, but they’ll come home in time.

And as a final note — In my many years of pastoring one of my greatest joys has been to see my own son take his place as a pastor.? ? I always? thank the Lord that Christian Challenge is in the good hands of our great Shepherd Jesus, and in the good hands of His under-shepherd, Nathan.

Anyway, I hope this study has provided a little more insight into a pastor’s calling and ministry.

The Lord bless you,

Buddy

Posted: May 22nd, 2007 under Devotions & Studies.
Comments: 6

Journal,

Guess it is time to play catch up.

Thursday, May 10th, was my final chemo. Next appointment with my doctor is? Thursday, May 31st. This is? to see about my? two-year maintenance program.? I’ll have either three month or six month checkups. (Also have special treatments to help keep my strength and immune system up.)

I’ve been doing really well. Naturally? the chemo keeps you weaker than normal but I feel good all the time. The doctor seems amazed that I haven’t had any of the side issues that normally go with chemo.? There is no question that the hand of the Lord has been upon me? during? this time.

CJ and I do our walking every morning and I try to do as much physical activites as possible. (Do push ups every morning and evening.) CJ and I and sometimes Betty will do more walking.

Sometimes CJ and I will go on the hill behind Christian Challenge just to relax and meditate. Don’t know how much meditating CJ does, but he really likes to roll in the grass. (Great Danes love sun bathing.)

Also found another hobby — Betty and I’ve been picking up golf balls that? Jon has hit around the property. Got ten of them so far.? Hmmmmm.? ? ?

I’ll miss one more Sunday service then it will be time to plug back into the congregation. Can’t wait. We have some new members that I want to put a ‘hug’ on. And how I miss all the children. They are such a delight.? ? ?

This next Sunday Betty and I, along with Shana and her kids are heading for Orange Beach, Alabama, for a time of relaxation and refreshing. I’m really looking forward to that outing.

Had some special visitors with us this week. Betty’s sister, Karen and her daughter Meliheh, spent a night with us. They were on their way from D.C. to Houston.? Nathan and his family joined us along with Shana and Jeff. We broke out the instruments. I played the banjo, Nathan on the guitar, and Shana on the piano. Jeff joined in the song part. He has a really great voice.? It was such a precious time. Meliheh is getting to discover the ‘country’ side of her family.?

Last week we had another great time with my Fletcher cousins, Jerry, Jerome, and Lane.? It is such a treat to have them visit with us.? We were all raised up pretty much like brothers.They brought the fish and we furnished the drinks. Had plenty of laughter with? memories from our childhood. Nathan was able to be with us also. I’ve always wanted my kids to know my family better. Of course Andre lives right in the midst of them now. (Sharp)

It’s? been made known that as soon as I say ‘go!’ my Fletcher cousins are taking me fishing up on Cane River. They’ve been catching fish by the … (well I’d better not number them.)

Course I’ll be doing plenty of fishing with Andre. Also have some others who want me to fish with them. Would you believe I have a boat that I’ve never even put in the water. Those days are about to be over.

Finally made it out of the book of Psalms for my morning devotion. I seem to get this ‘lonesome’ feeling when I’m coming to the close of a book. You almost feel like a journey has come to an end. Psalms is so rich with portraits of Jesus and the cross.

Guess what! When I opened the book of Proverbs the wonder world of Jesus opened up with another garden of delights. I have to call Proverbs ‘the wonder world of wisdom.’ At the very beginning the Lord starts ministering to my heart.

Let me share just a bit from my recent meditations. I’ve often mentioned to our congregation the? difference between faith and wisdom, and how that? they always work hand in hand. (Sort of like power twins.)

On a simple note, faith is simply believing in and trusting in Jesus Christ. Wisdom on the other hand is learning to live by His instructions for our lives.

It has been both my faith in Jesus and the wisdom? He has given me that has brought me through the journey of lymphoma. The journey has been so refreshing in that it has brought me that much closer to the Lord. All during this time He has been ministering to my heart. What a joy to know Jesus as your own personal Lord and Savior.

Actually I began the journey of lymphoma not knowing if perhaps it was my time to? go home. But after a bit the Lord opened up my heart to understand that He has? more for me to do on this side. He was giving me? ‘wisdom for life.’

Anyway, God’s people need to understand that a walk with the Lord is not about blindness.? It is about living from the wisdom that He gives for all our situations in life. This wisdom is what gives balance to our walk of faith.? Wisdom teaches? us? how to live and how to walk.

This is why Jesus said, “Wisdom is vindicated by all her children.” (Luke 7:35)

How will we know if we are a child of wisdom? Listen to? what Proverbs 3:13-18 has to say about God’s wisdom for life.

“How blessed is the man who finds wisdom and the man who gains understanding.
For her profit is better than the profit of silver and her gain better than fine gold.
She is more precious than jewels; and nothing you desire compares with her.
Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.
Her ways are pleasant ways and all her paths are peace.
She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, and happy are all who hold her fast.”

Not a thing I can add to that.?

Ok, think I’ll? close out for now.?

Blessings,

Buddy

?

Posted: May 20th, 2007 under NHL.
Comments: 8

Morning Journal,

Yesterday’s service at Christian Challenge was a blessing beyond words. Most all my Martin-Fletcher family were in attendance, along with friends and other members of Chase Murphy’s family.?

Lane did a memorial to Chase Murphy. He read from Chase’s Gems for Jesus. (This is a journal that each member of our Disciple’s Heart Class keeps.) Chase’s mom, Martha, shared personal thoughts with the congregation, and on the peace that the Lord had given? her. There was not a dry eye to be found.

Nathan ministered? on the series ‘Sunday School Lessons for Real Life’. His teaching? was on David and Goliath and how that we have to face? real giants in life. I know the entire congregation was blessed. His main points were three:

I - Giants are Real.
II - God is Realer (more real)
III - God has given us the victory keys.

While Nathan was speaking on David’s selection of five stones, I remembered that Goliath had four brothers. Why did David pick five stones when one was all he needed?? I thought to myself, ‘David was ready to take on Goliath and all four of his brothers.’ ?

In my way of thinking I could hear David saying to Goliath, ‘Bring your four brothers on. I’ll take care of all five of you.’ (Sorry.? My thoughts go a bit crazy at times.)? ?

The fact of the matter is that Goliath’s four brothers were dealt with later on. Nathan did an excellent job in bringing this out. His point is that we will have to face giants more than once in our life but we always deal with them the same way. Our faith is to be in the Lord. We are simply to use what He gives us to use.

So what’s this about looking towards the heavens and counting the stars?

I wanted to share a bit? on what true faith is really about.

In the study of hermeneutics there is a principle called ‘the law of first mention.’? (Hermeneutics is the branch of theology that deals with principles of? Bible interpretation.)

The principle of ‘first mention’? means that the first time you find a? term? used in the Bible, that very first time will carry the basic meaning of that term or expression throughout the? Bible. The very first time the word ‘believe’ is used in the Bible is as follows:

“And he [God] took him [Abraham] outside and said, ‘Now look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them.’ And He said to him, ‘So shall your descendents be.

“Then he [Abraham] believed in the Lord; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness.” (Gen 15:5,6)

The apostle Paul said that what happened with Abraham is exactly what happens to Christians when they first? believed in the Lord Jesus. Paul wrote —

“…with respect to the promise of God, [Abraham] did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform. Therefore it was also credited to him as righteousness.

“Now not for his sake only was it written that it was credited to him, but for our sake also, to whom it will be credited, as those who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.” (cf. Rom4:20-24)

Sometimes we struggle over the issue of what believing means. The problem is that? our English word believe does not carry in itself the depth of meaning that goes with the? Hebrew and? Greek language for believing. We tend to believe with our head, that is, sort of a mental assent. But in the Bible, believing is something to be done with the heart. It requires an attachment that can only be made with the heart.

The primary meaning of the Hebrew word ‘aman’ (believe) is that of providing stability and confidence. It can be compared to what a baby finds in the arms of a parent. The sense? conveys the idea of trustworthiness that a person’s word? can fully depended on. (Where we get our English word ‘amen!’)

The Greek term is very much the same, that is, to be firmly persuaded as to something that a person has said.? Our salvation is based entirely on our believing the message of the cross.?

This is why the apostle said, “…that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.” (Rom10:9,10)

The term ‘heart’ as used in the Bible speaks of the deepest of our human make up. (Not the fleshly organ.) And the ability to believe with our heart comes from the Lord speaking into our lives, just as He did with Abraham. The Bible says, “So [saving] faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.” (Christ speaking to our heart.)

There is another connecting issue in believing that we need to understand. Believing altogether has to do with where we are looking. When God told Abraham to look towards the heaven, He was telling Abraham to consider how the very heavens speak of God Himself.

It was when God said, “So shall your descendants be,” that the eyes of Abraham’s heart were opened to the promised Messiah and to God’s redemption program.? At this point it says that Abraham believed in the same Lord that we? believe in. ?

The short side of this is that true faith is God’s call to see past the? physical and to see as God’s sees. True faith requires no outward sign. It is? always a thing of the heart.

And a true walk of faith is learning to fix our eyes on Jesus. He is both the author of our faith and the finisher of our faith. Jesus supplies us with the faith to live by.

Just some things to think about.

Blessings,

Buddy

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Posted: May 7th, 2007 under NHL.
Comments: 1

Journal,

The conversation goes something like this –

“What do you believe?”
“I believe what my church believes.”
“What does your church believe?”
“My church believes what I believe.”
“But what do you and your church believe?”
“We both believe the same thing together.”

I realize this sound quite humorous. Yet it reflects more truth than many care to admit. How many people? can? intelligently tell you what they? believe without parroting something they’ve heard from a pulpit. How would these people know that what they are hearing is true to the Scriptures? if they themselves are not students of the word?

Paul did not say? that people are saved by foolish preaching. The apostle? said that God was well-pleased through the? foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.? In Paul’s day the preaching of the cross appeared as a? foolish message to both the? Greek philosophers? and to the ’sign-seeking’ Jews. And yet the preaching of the cross carries in it both the power and the wisdom of God.

What some folk do not realize is that the gospel message is designed to reach our hearts by way of our minds. The very word ‘repentance’ literally speaks of a? change of mind.

The gospel has intelligent design to it. It is not a message that requires a leap into darkness. It is a message of life. The gospel requires a decision to accept or to reject Jesus as Lord. There can be no salvation until a person? actually accepts Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

The word ‘conviction’ in the Greek language speaks of a moral conquest of the mind. It is a judicial term.

When we hear the? gospel message preached, the Holy Spirit opens our minds to understand the message. Out of the opening of the mind we come to realize our lostness and our need for a Savior. This is why true salvation always involves repentance and a ‘confession’ of faith in Jesus Christ.? The new birth experience is a? work of repentance. (Which is a gift of God.)

There is a Bible designed for teen-agers? entitled, ‘Don’t check your brains at the door - Know what you believe and why.’

The title is very catching. But what is being said is not only for teenagers. The title also sends a message to churched people. Contending against false teaching remains? a major battle zone for the church.

Many today? are being led away from the beauty, from the simplicity, and from the power of God’s message of the cross.? These same folk are being turned into spiritual junkies.

Ever notice with some preaching? it is always about ‘the next revival’, or, ‘the next move’, or ‘we are right on the edge of something great,’ or, ‘God is fixing to do? something new.’ Stop and think about what all these terms are saying. They are saying that Jesus is never enough in Himself. They are saying that no believer can stop and rest.

I realize this sounds a bit negative, but it is important to understand that we are living in an age of spiritual junkies. Metaphysics is replacing the message of the cross.

Metaphysical teachings? undermine the? Lordship of Jesus in a person’s life.? An example of metaphysics is the teaching? that you can create with your words. If you can create your own world, then why would you need Jesus as Lord? (This is not simply an issue of learning to bless with your words. Metaphysics speaks of control by learning to manipulate divine forces.)

Did you know that the apostles never taught a striving after the next move. They taught the Lordship of Jesus. What they preached is our fulfillment? in Jesus Christ.

It is through faith in Him alone that we enter into His rest. Did not Jesus Himself say, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heaven-laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matt11:28)

Did not John say, “For of His fulness we have all received, and grace upon grace.” (John 1:16)

Paul told the Corinthian church, “But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ.” (2Co11:3)

James said, “But the wisdom (fruit of the gospel) from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.” (James 3:17)

The gospel message is not a message of ’striving.’ It is a message of peace and rest.

So what did the apostles preach?? Listen carefully to Romans 10:8-10;

“But what does it say? ‘The Word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart,’ that is, the word of faith which we are preaching …

…that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.”

The apostles taught the principle of Lordship. We don’t only receive Jesus Christ as our Savior. We receive Him as Lord of our lives.

So, do you understand the gospel?

Think about it.

Blessings,

Buddy

Posted: May 3rd, 2007 under Devotions & Studies.
Comments: 4

Morning Journal,

I’ve received a couple of good-humored complaints of late. One is that I’m not blogging as often as I have been in the past.? Another is that I need to keep folks up to par on CJ. (General Claudius Josephus is my sidekick; a thoroughly spoiled great dane who must greet everyone that appears at our door.)

CJ is doing better than ever. We continue to make our morning rounds and occasionally find our resting place on the hill behind Christian Challenge.

The one complaint? from CJ,? has been very obvious. He has not cared? much for the dog food? we normally feed him. It has been an excellent brand. And? the vet said it is best not to change his food. Anyway, CJ got to where he would sniff his food and then nose some it out of the bowl.

I knew that CJ deserved better. I decided to find a different food. Guess what? We hit pay dirt. Of late I’ve been feeding him a special blend of Ol’Roy. The general is? now in doggy heaven.

The mean dogs have disappeared.? The dogs that had been giving CJ a bad time were also? troubling other neighbors.? Seems someone other than myself? made a? report to the local law. The dogs were dangerous. My concern had been for children and for people who walk their dogs in the neighborhood. Anyway, it has been an answer to prayer.

CJ is once again full master of his turf. Each morning he makes sure that all our squirrels, rabbits, doves, foxes, amadillos, deer, coons, that any other critter to be found on the Christian Challenge property are doing well. The squirrels pretty much ignore him.

My book writing has been on the shelf for awhile. For some reason I just can’t get myself in gear. However, I continue to do? a great deal of personal studies. Also do a lot of? on-line ministry. It is always a joy to help folk on the journey of life.

Final chemo next week. Betty and I will take small gifts to my doctor and the nurses.? The Cabrini Cancer Center is filled with precious staff people. There is even a nun who comes out each morning to pray with various groups. She always lifts up Jesus. (Cabrini is a Catholic hospital.)

Along with the final chemo I’ll have one more PET scan and a bone marrow extration to be made part of my medical record. After that I’ll have a couple weeks of recovery. Then its ‘Katie, bar the door.’ (As mom use to say.) What I say is, ‘Fishees, I’m coming to pay you a visit!? ?

Ready for a Bible devotion?

The Father said to the Son.

On the day of Pentecost, Peter quotes from David’s writings which reads, “The Lord said to my Lord, ‘Sit at My right hand, until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.” (cf. Acts 2:34,35; Psalm 110:1)

Some people continue to? struggle over the Sonship of Jesus Christ. Yet this doctrine is the cornerstone of the Christian faith.

When Jesus asked the disciples who they thought that He was, Peter responded, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” The Lord then said that this is the revelation upon which He? would build His church.

Understanding that Jesus is the Son of God is not a matter of trinitarian or oneness theology. Certainly it is a wonderful mystery. But it is a mystery to be acknowledged by all who believe in Jesus.

What we hear in David’s writing is,? “I will make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.” This is the Father speaking to the Son.

But who then are the enemies of Jesus?? His enemies are those who deny His divine Sonship, who deny the finished work of the cross, and who disallow for Jesus having full authority over all of creation.

Jesus said, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.” (Matt28:18

Jesus said, “Not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment to the Son, so that all will honor the Son even as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.” (Jn5:22,23)

Jesus said to the unbelieving Jews, “Do you say of Him, whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’? If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me.” (JUn 10:36,37)

There is a vast religion today that has Biblically made itself? an enemy of Jesus. Inside the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem, which is Islam’s third most holy place, you find written, ‘God has no son.’

But in all this let’s not miss the point. Certainly Satan fights against the message of the cross. The reason is because God finished His business at the cross. And the business that God finished is the business of love.

Listen once again to what the Bible says is the business of the cross: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

“For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.

“He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name [heavenly authority] of the only begotten Son of God.” (Jn3:16-18)

The message of the cross is love. I realize that I’ve often repeated this, but it is so crucial to understanding God’s work of redemption that it needs to be repeated often.

Humans? continue to look at? love and death as mysteries? of the earthly experience. Even the Bible places them together.

In the Song of Soloman we read, “Put me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm. For love is as strong as death, jealousy is as severe as Sheol … Many waters cannot quench love, nor will rivers over flow it; if a man were to give all the riches of his house for love, it would be utterly despised.” (cf. Song8:8,7)

Listen carefully — The story of the cross is the story of love and death meeting together. Love was declared the victor. Why is this? It is because one of the awesome definititions of God Himself is simply, “God is love.”

The apostle John said, “We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.”

John further writes, “By this, love is perfected with us, so that we may confidence in the day of judgment; because as [Jesus] is, so also are we in this world.”

And again, “There is no fear [of judgment] in love; because perfect love [work of the cross] casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears [punishment] is not perfected in love. [Does not understand God's perfected love of the cross.]

What else can I say? The message of the cross is the only message I know. And I’m just a? country preacher who has discovered life and in this discovery I have also discovered the faithfulness of the Lord.?

This is why I say, much love coming your way.

Buddy

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Posted: May 2nd, 2007 under NHL.
Comments: 2

Journal,

Today is a day of sadness for our family. At 2 p.m.? we have a? memorial service at Christian Challenge for? Chase Devin Murphy. He went to be with the Lord,? Sunday, April 29, 2007. Chase is a member of my family. His grandfather, Gus Fletcher,? now deceased, was my first cousin.? Our family is one of those very close families.

Chase recently began attending Christian Challenge after surrendering his life to the Lord. His mother and step-father, Martha and Mike Duncan are members of Christian Challenge, along with his grandmother, Bernette Fletcher, and his uncle, Lane Fletcher, and cousins A.J. and Ashley Richard.?

But it should be said that this day of sadness also carries a peace that? can only come from the Lord. Chase belongs to the Lord eternally. We as Christians know this. The apostle Paul said for a believer to be absent from the body is to be at home with the Lord.

When Jesus prayed, He said, “Father, I desire that they? also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.” (Jn17:24 nasb)

Though Chase departed this world at a young age, at this very moment he is? beholding the glory of Jesus Christ.? John said that one day we would be able to? see Jesus? just as He is. That day has come for one of God’s precious children. Welcome home Chase. Welcome home dear child.

On a personal note –? I am in that seven day period following a? chemo treatment where I have to? avoid? public contact and visitors. Due to this? I am unable to attend the funeral but I will be? there in heart and in love.

Trust in God’s unfailing Love – Here is a Bible devotion that I wish to share concerning the love of God.

Some believers have an unhealthy fear of losing their salvation. There is nothing more important than for believers to understand their love relationship to God in Christ.

As a place of beginning, let’s review one Scripture; “Now before the Feast of the Passover, Jesus knowing that His hour had come that He would depart out of this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.” (Jn 13:1)

This statement is a summary of the gospel. The very foundation of our faith links to God’s love for us. Is it any wonder that we sing so many songs about the love of God; such songs as, “Love Lifted Me.” “I Don’t Know Why Jesus Loved Me.” “Jesus Loves Me This I know.” “Jesus Loves the Little Children.” “Love, Wonderful Love.”

We were saved because of love. We are being saved because of God’s love. We will be saved because of God’s love. The apostle said, “For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38,39)

The apostle John says, “In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” (1Jn4:10) — Jesus suffered for all our sins. He exchanged His life for our life. God finished His business at the cross. It was the business of love.

It says, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” (Jn3:16)

The story of redemption is the story of God’s love. Not just that God loved us. But God is loving us.? God’s love is with us every moment of the day. His love is eternal.

David described this aspect of God’s love when he said, “O Lord, You have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You understand my thought from afar.”

He went on to say, “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is too high, I cannot attain to it.” And then, “If I ascend into heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there.” And, “Even there Your hand will lead me.”

Psalm 139 is a Psalm of God’s redeeming love, and yet it never uses the word ‘love’ not even one time. It doesn’t have to. God shows His redeeming love in how He helps us, in how He surrounds our lives with goodness, and in how He makes us? aware
of His presence, especially in our moments of duress.

Whether we realize it or not, the Lord is always with us even in the dark shadows of life.

When David said that God’s ways were too ‘wonderful’ for him, the Hebrew word for wonderful, is ‘pali.’ Pali speaks of something that is incomprehensible.

The love of God is not something we can ever fully understand. This is because we are dealing with something that belongs to God’s character and nature. It is this same nature that is given to each person born again. We cannot help but love. The Lord said, “By this all men will know you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35)

How much does God love us? Listen to what He said through the prophet — “Can a woman forget her nursing child and have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, but I will not forget you.” (Isaiah 49:15)

In another place the Lord says, “I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have drawn you with lovingkindness.” (Jeremiah 31:3)

The love of God is the very essence of God’s nature, driving away our fears.?

So, should a believer live in fear of losing his salvation? Never. What was said of the early disciples is also said of us. — “He loved them to the end.”

Yes indeed. We are? secure in God’s love.

Just something to think about.

Much love coming your way.

Buddy

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Posted: May 1st, 2007 under NHL.
Comments: 7