Pastor Buddy’s Blog

A voice is calling in the wilderness…

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Journal,

The report from MD Anderson of? ‘no cancer’ continues to make its rounds. I’m receiving telephone calls and emails, and meeting people in public, who are expressing their love for me, and their thankfulness for the goodness of God. The report is bringing renewed faith to many. The testimony is to the glory of the Lord. That was my prayer from the beginnning.

Yes, it is time to rejoice. But we must also rejoice in how the Lord will use this to draw many hearts to Himself. We must rejoice in how the many churches who offered prayers for me will take encouagement in that the Lord heard and answered their prayers. We must rejoice in that the message of the cross has never lost its power.

Jesus said, “Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full.” (Jn16:24 nasb) The faith the Jesus gives us to live by is a living faith and a rejoicing faith.

One of the things Satan hates most of all is for God’s people to be renewed and refreshed in their faith in Jesus Christ. He knows that each time a prayer is answered, it calls for more prayer. And Satan hates a praying people. Prayer is the one weapon that we have that can do more damage to the kingdom of darkness that anything else. Prayer links us directly with heaven.

This will help you understand why I’ve kept a prayer journal over the years.

What’s this about a voice calling in the wilderness?

This reference is to John the Baptist. The prophetic text is found in Isaiah 40:3, which reads, “A voice is calling, ‘Clear the way for the Lord in the wilderness; make smooth in the desert a highway for our God.’”

The New Testament says this prophecy has to do with John the Baptist calling for the people to repent and to make ready for the Lord Jesus.

This is where I must share the burden of my heart. For a great many years I’ve been deeply disturbed over what appears to be the occult at work in many churches today. It has been so disturbing that I’ve often called attention to it from the pulpit. I’ve even had dreams over the years where the Lord is admonishing me to warn His people not to get caught up in the ’seducing’ spirits that are working today under the name of Jesus.

Just as a brief summary, occultism is the belief in supernatural powers and the possibility of bringing them under human control. Folks have often heard me use the term ‘metaphysics.’ Metaphysics is a philosophy that includes the learning of spiritual laws and how to use them to control the natural.

The danger side of metaphysics is that it is equally at home in all religions. It is man-centered and this is why it is so attractive to the many. But for a Christian this sort of belief actually undermines the authority and Lordship of Jesus Christ. As one charismatic teacher said not so long ago, ‘You don’t have a god in you. You are one!’

If you wish to know who said that, go to:

http://www.theforbiddenknowledge.com/hardtruth/copeland_exposed.htm

Yes, it is possible that I’ve befuddled a few friends because of my stand against spiritism in the church, but that I have to leave in the hands of the Lord. Hopefully these friends will be awakened themselves to the spiritual dangers that we are facing today.

While I sometimes feel like a lone voice calling in the wilderness, I know this really isn’t the case. Reading the morning paper my attention was captured by the ‘Guest Sermon’ that appears in The Town Talk each Saturday. Today’s Guest Sermon is entitled, ‘Deception in the Church.’

As I read what the brother had to say, I thought to myself, ‘Looks like I’m not alone. Here is another voice in the wilderness.’ Here are some quotes from what he wrote:

“Now the spirit speaks expressly that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons. (1Tm4:1) …

“The Scripture clearly makes the prophecy that the church of the end time will be characterized by apostasy and material wealth. Great deception inside the church is happening right before our eyes. In fact, it may have already come inside your church. How? Through false doctrines, false spiritual gifts, emotional experiences and also a different gospel…

“Positive thinking, positive confession — please listen pastors, don’t encourage anyone from your flock to go to meetings where false teachings claim to be able to transfer the Holy Spirit by the laying on of hands. This only softens people up to receive false doctrines, along with a seducing spirit …”

Here is a clip you can preview. Judge for yourself if you think this atmosphere represents in any sense the true faith of Jesus Christ. Listen closely and you will hear hissing….

http://youtube.com/watch?v=1SgByE0pX1M&mode=related&search=

One thing I do not wish to do is cast a reproach on anyone who has gotten caught up in this sort of atmosphere. It is easy to become part of a mass movement and not realize until later what has actually happened. It is not the innocent believer that I call attention to. It is the leadership. I also realize that in some instances even leaders can be led astray for a bit. But woe to those leaders who are actual pawns of darkness. Their judgment is coming.

Now about the movie ‘September Dawn’.

Betty and I went to see the 4:30 p.m. showing but a strange thing happened. (In my mind.) When I asked for two tickets the gentleman at the window seemed a bit rattled. He had to call for the manager. It was as though they had not planned to show that movie.

In turn the manager had some negative comments about the movie. But she said she would have to turn it on. Well Betty and I did see it and we were the only two people at that showing.

This is what I think may have happened. The Mormon church has tried unsuccessfully to keep September Dawn from being shown to the public. Not able to stop it, then the word went out to use whatever means possible to discourage people from going to see it. (Of course that is just my take.)

On a scale of 1 to 10, I give this movie a 10+. It will stir the deep of your heart. Tears came to my eyes more than once. In fact as soon as it is available I intend to purchase a copy for my own library.

By the way, I’ve had several ‘attacks’ through my blog because of my endorsement of September Dawn. You can guess where the attacks came from. (The attacks are deleted.)

Oh yeah — Got a wedding in a couple hours…

Our Youth Pastor, Jonathan Martinez and Jessica Yougblood are being married at Christian Challenge at 2 p.m. What a joy. I’ve been Jessica’s pastor since she was a wee bit of a lass. And this marriage is a match made in heaven. (Nathan is doing the ceremony.)

Guess I’ll mosey along.

Love as always,

Buddy