Journal,

Some people wonder how God in heaven can truly understand the struggles we humans have on earth. What can He possibly know about temptations, about failures, about heartaches, about loneliness, about dying? How can a God that is far off know anything about our brokenheartednesses and struggles in life?  

Actually God knows far more about all these things than we realize. Not only does He know about then, He has experienced them. Yet because of His great love for us, He doesn’t cringe in the least at getting His hands dirty in order to save the fallen race of Adam.

God getting His hands dirty is the  story of the cross…

Seven hundred and fifty years before Jesus was born, the prophet Isaiah wrote about Him:

“Surely our griefs He Himself bore, and our sorrows He carried; yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, Smitten of God, and afflicted. But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, and by His scourging we are healed.” (Isa53:3-5)

Interestingly enough God has been getting His hands dirty ever since the very beginning. When He created Adam, it says,

“Then the Lord God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.” (Gen2:7)

And throughout the ages we see God in the background of the redemption story. He has always been there. And He never lost His love for mankind.

This brings us to the greatest story ever told.

Do you remember the song, ‘Tell me the story of Jesus’ …

Why not listen to it before reading any further:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Cclh18f3Fc4 

Did you know that Jesus is God Almighty incarnate in the Son? The Bible speaks of this as the sacred mystery that was hidden from the ages.

And so we have the story of Jesus. How many times do we see Jesus getting His hands dirty, both symbolically and in actuality as He touches the lives of the down-trodden. In one case the very one who created Adam from the dirt, used clay from the ground to create new eyes for a blind man. Listen:

“While I am in the world, I am the Light of the world. When He had said this, He spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and applied the clay to his eyes, and said to him, ‘Go, wash in the pool of Siloam’ (which is translated, Sent). So he went away and washed, and came back seeing.” (John 9:5-7)

But my heart is always drawn to another story where Jesus uses the dirt to deal with a situation. It was the case of the lady caught in adultery. The religious leaders wanted to use this instance to trick Jesus. Listen to the story, it is well worth your time:

“The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery, and having set her in the center of the court, they said to Him, ‘Teacher, this woman has been caught in adultery, in the very act. Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women; what then do You say?’

“They were saying this, testing Him, so that they might have grounds for accusing Him. But Jesus stooped down and with His finger wrote on the ground.

“But when they persisted in asking Him, He straightened up, and said to them, ‘He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.’

“Again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. When they heard it, they began to go out one by one, beginning with the older ones, and He was left alone, and the woman, where she was, in the center of the court.

“Straightening up, Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?’ She said, ‘No one, Lord.’ And Jesus said, ‘I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on sin no more.’” (John 8:3-11)

Did you know that Jesus Christ is the same today as He has been in all eternity…

God’s love has never changed. This brings us back to the struggles we humans have on earth.

Did not the prophet say,

“All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; But the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all To fall on Him.” (Isa53:6)

What can we say to these things? I can speak for no other but myself.

Yes, I am one of those that the Lord had to reach into the dirt of life to redeem.

With every person born of God there is an act of creation…

This is at the very heart of the sacred mystery of the cross. There are no accidental births in God’s kingdom. In fact, part of the divine mystery is that every person who is ever going to be saved, their name was recorded in God’s book from the foundation of the world.

Could it be that God knew beforehand all who would receive Jesus Christ as their own Lord and Savior?

This is also part of the divine mystery. The apostle said,

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will.” (Eph1:3-5)

Is God still getting His hands dirty…

Oh yes. Jesus continues to get His hands dirty through His people in the earth. He does it anywhere you find the children of the kingdom. After all, He said, “I am with you always, even to the end of age.”

In another place Jesus said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who receives whomever I send receives Me; and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.” (John 13:20)

Nothing left to say other than, ‘Ok folks, let’s get our hands dirty for Jesus!’ 

Think about it.

Blessings,

Buddy

Posted: January 31st, 2008 under Devotions & Studies, General.
Comments: none

Journal,

You can blame this journal entry on our dear friend in Houston, Texas, Lois Gibson. This morning she reminded me of an interesting adventure we had some time ago on a forum that she hosts — We were sharing about Beulah Land, when everyone, which essentially means me, began to tear up.  What can I say – I dearly love the song, ‘Beulah Land.’

Take a listen and see if you like it —

http://youtube.com/watch?v=EyYToQfFJbE

So, where in the world is Beulah Land…

Didn’t think you would ever ask.  : )

For Christians the term ‘Beulah Land’ speaks of heaven. Therefore Beulah Land is not of this world.

Next comes the big question — If Beulah Land is not of this world, is it really just a myth?

The answer to that question is that Beulah Land is most certainly not a myth. The Bible treats what we call ‘Beulah Land’ as a very real country with a glorious city. It is filled with  myriads of angels along with all God’s believers through the ages. Beulah Land is very real.

But how can we know that Beulah Land is real? For one thing the Bible records the testimony of saints who have seen God’s holy city. And on top of that, the fact that there is a heavenly land has been imprinted in the souls of God’s people from ancient time. Listen:

 ”By faith he [Abraham] lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise; for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.”  (Heb 11:9,10 nasb)

“All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own.

“And indeed if they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them.” (Hebrews 11:13-16 nasb)

But God did something special. He sent His Son from heaven into our world in order to take us back into His world…

Some of the most intriguing and heart gripping Scriptures in all the Bible are found in John 13 through John 17. It is here that the Lord is preparing His disciples for His departure.

Their hearts are breaking. They don’t understand why He has to go. They don’t know where He is going. They want to go with Him.

If you really want to look into the heart of Jesus, I would encourage all my readers to take John 13 through John 17 as a reading to itself.

Here is just a bit of what Jesus shared:

“In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.” (John 14:2,3)

“After a little while the world will no longer see Me, but you will see Me; because I live, you will live also.” (John 14:19)

“But now I am going to Him who sent Me; and none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.” (John 16:5-7)

“Therefore you too have grief now; but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you.” (John 16:22)

“[Father] But now I come to You; and these things I speak in the world so that they may have My joy made full in themselves. I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.” (John 17:13-16)

“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.” (John 17:24)

Yes, I believe in Beulah Land. Here is part of my personal imprint called ‘the Holy City’ …

Certainly not professional in any sense of the world. The Lord gave me this song many long years ago. And, yes, that is me on the guitar. My kids are on other instruments, with two sisters from Christian Challenge trying to help me out. Seems like I’m always needing someone to help me out.   :)

http://www.christianchallenge.org/audio/music/08_Holy%20City.mp3

As for my personal imprint, most every song that the Lord gives me comes right out of the Bible. And most of them deal both with our spiritual life and with the world that is ours to come. Such is the case with this song, ‘The Holy City.’

By the way, did you know that every believer really does have a heavenly imprint in their heart of hearts? It is called ‘the seal of the Spirit.’ 

Just something to think about.   

OK, guess its time to pack it in. Much love coming your way,

Buddy

Posted: January 29th, 2008 under General.
Comments: none

Journal,

In reflecting on my years of service in the Navy, my mind is often drawn back to when I flew as a radioman on a P5M out of Sangley Point, Philippine Islands. Our job was to patrol the South China Sea, keeping an eye on Soviet and Chinese shipping. This was during the early years of Vietnam.

The picture to the right is where I was stationed for a year and a half. Sangley Point Naval Air Station was across the bay from Manila. The Station later reverted to the Philippine military.

In our patrols whenever we encounted a foreign vessel, we would circle it, flying low, while pictures were being taken. It was important for the 7th Fleet to know what was coming in and out of Vietnam.

What I to recall in a special way, however, was that at a certain point it was my job to send a coded message back to our home base, which read, ‘We have reached the point of no return.’

This message meant that if we encountered  any difficulties during the flight, we were too far from our station to look to them for help.  We were at a place of having to look forward, and not that of looking back.

I’ve often thought on this as a pattern of life for believers. It has so many ramifications. Perhaps the Psalmist said it well enough: 

“I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; from where shall my help come?
My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to slip; He who keeps you will not slumber.” (Psalm 121:1-3)

Then we have this from the apostle Paul:

 “Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind [i.e., will, affections, and conscience] on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” (Col 3:1-3)

Positional and experiential truths…

There are so many analogies that can be made from this scene of ‘point of no return.’ But for believers this point in our life, positionally takes place at the cross. It is at the cross where we actually become heavenly citizens. In fact the cross is not only the gate of passage to heaven, but it is also passage to our heavenly life. 

Thus the cross becomes our place of no return. And this is what is known as a positional truth. A positional truth is a divine fact. Nothing changes it. But an experiential truth is when we began to experience the reality of a positional truth.

An experiential truth is when heavenly things become our daily companions. This is why we find so much in the New Testament about where we should set our bearings in life. For instance, the apostle said,

 “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.” (Phi 3:20, 21)

Yes, the cross is the gate of heaven. It is at the cross that we are made to pass out of death and into our heavenly life. 

I realize that some struggle over this area of our security in Christ. And this is why it is so important to understand the doctrine of eternal security. Not only did Jesus save us. He is saving us. He will save us.

God’s has made all arrangements for our journey home…

I had another experience in the Philippines that I will never forget. Several of we sailors were at the beach tossing a beach ball around. The ball went into the water and I dove in after it. Little did I realize that the tide and the currents were pulling me out into Manila Bay. Each time my finger touch the ball, it would bounce ahead. Before I realized what was happening, I had been pulled out into the bay. 

And this is where I got into trouble. The harder I tried to swim towards shore, the more I was being pulled out into deeper waters. It wasn’t long before my strength ran out and I began to despair for my life. What happened next makes the point I wish to make.

Thoughts were rushing through my mind. I knew that sharks were in the bay. And I also thought about my uncle whose ship went down in the South China Sea, and how very few of his crew survived the shark attacks.

I had all but given up when I heard banka, banka, banka, banka, banka. A Filipino fisherman saw my plight and headed for me. He picked up the ball and came up besides me. He let me hang to the side of his boat while bringing me to shore. When I tried to thank him, he just smiled and headed back out to sea. That old fisherman became my savior that day.  (The boats are call banka boats because of the sound they make.)

Do I think it was by accident that the fisherman saved me that day? Never in a thousand years. It was the providence of the Lord. This is something else that God’s people need to realize. They need to know that when Jesus saved them, He fully intended that there be no one of God’s children left behind.

Let’s listen to the apostle Paul:

“But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that through me the proclamation might be fully accomplished, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was rescued out of the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed, and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom; to Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.” (2 Tim 4:17,18) 

Look back over your life and see if there weren’t some banka, banka, banka, banka, moments there. I can number them times over. You can too if you’ll think about it. Why not take a moment and share a ‘banka’ moment on the blog. I’d love to hear from you.

Talk with you later.

May God’s love overflow your life,

Buddy

Posted: January 25th, 2008 under Devotions & Studies, General.
Comments: 8

Journal,

Just have to share something funny, then we’ll move on to  other things.

What do you think the pug on the right is saying? Since I don’t speak monkey or pug, my guess is he is saying, ‘Get away from me you dumb preacher!’

Sorry - Just had to do that. 

Actually I clipped the picture from USA Today. And since we’ve had a pug, I thought the picture was down right comical. Anyway, this is what the caption read:

Blessing of the pets. In Madrid: Juan Manuel Villar blesses a dog Thursday during the feast day of San Anton, Spain’s patron saint of animals. Hundreds of Spaniard bring their pets, farm animal or work animals to churches on Jan 17 each year to be blessed by clergy.”

OK, so I’m a bad, bad boy. But if you’ve ever had a pug, you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about. A pug will look at you with a perplexed expression, and cock his head one way and then the other, like they are trying to figure you out. Sort of what some of the congregation does when I am preaching.  

Well now, I can’t wait until Saturday coming…

Course I’ve already touched on this. So this is just a friendly family reminder.

My sweet lady says we Martin-Fletcher clan had ought to put some of our country-gospel music and not so country gospel, and maybe even a bit of not so gospel music together to hand down to our younguns and to our youngun’s younguns.

Now ‘had ought to’  is my Betty’s way of saying, ‘Git with it!’ 

So come 2 p.m. this Saturday afternoon, that’s purtie much what we’us gonna do. We will sho nuff put together a smidgen of old timey bonified foot-stomping, hand-clapping, music. Now, we plan to put in some tear jerkers also. Fact is, we is gonna make one of them modern new-fangled things called a ‘CD.’ Now whiles this is just family stuff, we do welcome anyone who has the wants, to come and discover our cultured sittings. 

Funning aside…

By the way, our 39th School for Christian Workers begins the weekend of February 10, 2008…

Go here for a description of the courses offered:

http://www.christianchallenge.org/scw/index.html

The strength of our school centers on a personal walk with Jesus. We believe that true Biblical discipleship is a communication of life as it is described in the book of Isaiah 50:4,5:

 ”The Lord GOD has given Me the tongue of disciples, that I may know how to sustain the weary one with a word.

“He awakens Me morning by morning, He awakens My ear to listen as a disciple. The Lord GOD has opened My ear; and I was not disobedient Nor did I turn back.” (Isaiah 50:4,5 nasb)

Notice especially the words in bold. These are things the Lord does.

So what’s this have to do with faith —

It has much to do indeed. In the following study I want to share on an area that people often struggle over with regard to what a walk of faith is really all about. The short side is that neither our salvation, nor our walk with the Lord is based on what we can achieve on our own. All is based on our believing in the Lord Jesus and trusting in Him to guide us through life.

We sing a song at Christian Challenge, entitled ‘Knowing You,’ by Graham Kendrick. This song reaches into the very heart of our walk with the Lord. Perhaps you would like to listen to the song. Here it is:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=TcWNwSan5u4

The issue is that there is no part of our salvation experience that we can earn. No person can become good enough to be saved. The very idea of getting good enough to be saved is an idea that works contrary to faith itself. It comes under the term of ’works righteousness,’ rather than under believing unto righteousness.  The apostle said,

“But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness, just as David also speaks of the blessing on the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:

“‘Blessed are those whose lawless deeds have been forgiven, and whose sins have been covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will not take into account.’” (Rom 4:5-8)

Works-righteousness doctrines set forth the premise that salvation is something that has to be earned on our part. The end result of a works-righteousness system of believing is  teachings that generate to fear. The adherents never quite know for certain when they are ultimately saved. The truth of the matter is that we were ultimately and eternally saved at the cross. There is nothing to add to this. Nothing can be taken from it.

In these fear doctrines, people wonder which work will determine when their salvation is complete. And if there is one sin left undone, this one sin could very well mean a sentence to hell.

But is this what our salvation is really about? The answer is never! Believers can know that they are ultimately saved the moment they receive Jesus Christ as their own personal Lord and Savior. They just need to understand the true message of the cross.

The apostle John said,

“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears [punishment] is not perfected in love.” (1Jn4:18)

John is saying that as long as a believer is living in fear of punishment, or in fear of losing their salvation, then God’s love has not completed its work in that believer’s life.

The apostle Paul said,

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Rom8:1)

The literal Greek expresses it this way - ‘There is not now nor can there ever be a damnatory sentence against any who are in Christ Jesus.’

How could the apostles make such ultimate-salvation statements? It is easy. These statements belong to the finished work of the cross.

Jesus not only died for our sins, that is, for the whole of our sinful existence from the beginning of our birth until our passage out of this life, but at the cross a life exchange took place. He exchanged His life for our life. This is why the cross is called `the finished work of Christ.´ If it is finished, then there is nothing to be added to it.

The finished work of the cross means that the enemy can never again bring a charge against any of God’s people. Every believer’s life is now hidden in Christ. This is what makes our salvation complete. (Simply keep in mind that we are not dealing with consequences, but with the issue of security.)

How can this be? The reason is that the finished work is so complete that the death, burial, resurrection and ascension and glorification of Jesus Christ is placed on the account of every believer. Out of the cross God covered us with His own righteousness. Who can bring a charge against God or against His Christ?

John explains why God’s love is able to cast out all our fears of condemnation and of punishment. Listen carefully -

“By this love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He [Christ] is, so also are we in this world.” (1Jn4:17 - We have literally been clothed with the life of Christ.)

What John is saying is that as Christ is in heaven, so are we on earth. This is why Paul said that nothing will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is found in Christ Jesus our Lord. (This is how Romans 8 completes itself.)

Is any of this contingent upon anything we can earn by our own efforts? Not one little bit. Any idea of earning our salvation is a distortion of the true message of the cross. The only thing a person is called to do to be saved is to truly believe in Jesus Christ as their own Lord and Savior. Believing is something that is done with the heart. True believing implies a repentance is in place. And true believing also sets forth a change of heart which results in a change of life. Out of a heart of faith comes our confession of faith in Him.

Listen to these Scriptures:

“He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the son (obedience involves repentance) will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” (Jn3:35 - Especially directed to the Jewish people during time of Christ.)

“Truly, truly I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.” (Jn5:24)

“The one who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself; the one who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given concerning His Son.” (1Jn5:10)

I would encourage any member who is struggling over the message of salvation to take time to read the book of Galatians.

Keep in mind that every apostle preached the same gospel. The one thing required for salvation is for a person to called upon Jesus as their own Lord and Savior. Peter and Paul both said, “Whoever will call upon the name of the Lord will be saved.”

When a person confesses Jesus Christ as Lord, there is a transfer of that person from the authority of darkness, into the kingdom rule of God’s beloved Son. In this transfer the believer is given a change of clothing. They give up their old sinful garments and are given the very garment of Jesus. They are clothed with Christ.

In this transfer of kingdom rule, the newly born human is also given a Christ-like nature. Though they can and will stumble at times, their new nature will not allow them to remain in a stumbling state. Sin will forever remain contrary to their new nature in Christ.

There is more - Not only is this newly born human clothed with Christ, but he becomes a member of God’s family. He is positionally seated with Christ on His throne. He belongs to the royal family of God. Thus he is a heavenly citizen in an earthly body.

And it doesn’t stop there. This new child of God is made a full heir of all that Jesus has inherited out of the cross. Paul said that we are heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ.

If all this is truth, what then is the problem? The problem is in the believing.

If we no not believe rightfully, we then go about trying to earn our salvation by works. Once again the doctrine of earning our salvation will distort the word of the cross. These distorted message become a source of religious bondage.

On our Ask the Pastor site I am often asked which religion is right. My answer is always the same. There is no right religion. There is only a right relationship with the Lord. And this right relationship is found by believing in Jesus Christ.

The answer? It is never faith plus works. Salvation is the free gift of God. Certainly there are good works to be had. For believers our good works will always be an after-the-fact of our having been saved by grace through faith.

Salvation by grace is the message of the cross. By faith we experience the death side and the life side of the cross. We die to our selves, to our works, to our self-righteousness, to our pride of life, and thus we die to our old sinful life. In coming to the cross we accept Jesus Christ as the sacrifice for our sinful life.

Out of the death of the cross we then enter into the life side of the cross. The work of the cross is placed on our account. We receive our new life in Christ Jesus. Eternal life is not simply about duration of life. It is about a quality of life that is only found in Jesus.

What does faith have to do with it anyway? I say it has everything to do with it.

Just something to think about.

Much love coming your way,

Buddy

Posted: January 22nd, 2008 under Devotions & Studies, General.
Comments: none

Journal,

Went to visit the old home place at Sharp awhile back. It was just something I had to do by myself. Sometimes I get this lonesome feeling and need to touch something from my childhood.

Nobody lives in the old house any more. She  looks so lonely sitting back in the woods by herself.  That’s why I don’t venture to see her very much.

Sometimes I would love to put my arms around that old house, and tell her how much I love her. So many memories. I well remember when dad, mom, and we kids made our way back in those woods to find a spot to build the house. Oh yes, we built the house ourselves. Kin folk would pitch in. That was a way of life for us.

Talk about memories, I need to tell you about the night sounds. I can still hear the sounds that would float through the windows of my bedroom at night. There was the whippoorwill with her mournful call. Then you’d hear the screech owl. But then the mockingbird would made her appearance in the mornings. Boy, how that girl could sing.

Do you remember the old song, ‘The Mockingbird Hill.’ I dearly love it. Here it is by Gene Pitney and George Jones…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74Wo2-Kpcwk&feature=related

About those woods — Many a rabbit has graced our table from those woods. In fact much of what we ate came from daddy’s old double-barreled shot gun. Don’t rightly know how long that shot gun has been in our family. It goes back to the 1800s.   

Then there was the old barn crib.  I use to practice my knife throwing at the back of the crib. Also loved to rummage through the metal trunk from my grandpa’s store. All kinds of old timey buttons and cuff links in it  

Would look through the store books that showed money owed grandpa when he closed the store. Those were just hard times for everyone.

Oh yeah, back to the shot gun….

Been with us a long time. The old 16 gauge Baldwin shotgun was pattened in 1883…

This next picture is the shotgun that belonged to my grandpa, then to my dad, and finally to me. And this is the very gun that my dad used to provide wild game for our table. Believe me, that old shot gun could set you on your rear. I found out by experience.  : )

Well, I said it belonged to me. Actually I am giving it to my youngest son Andre. In fact I have four guns that I’m giving to my boys.  

Guess its alright if I brag on our children. Betty and I have three children. We are so proud of them; Nathan, Andre, and Shana. The following picture is of me and my boys. The little girl is Nathan’s daughter, Joy. (Few years ago. Joy is now 17.)

Eat your hearts out girlies. Good looks just naturally runs in my family.  : )

Use to tell my boys, ‘Now don’t both you two boys walk into a room at the same time. Its hard on the ladies. They have a tendency to swoon.’

If you think I’m just funning, just take a look at the  prettiest daughter who was ever born east or west of the Mississippi River. (Excluding her mama of course.) Yep, this is our Shana.  

I use to tell my boys, ‘Good thing I married your mom. You boys sure would have been ugly.’

Try to find a sense of humor. I really am just funning.  : ) 

Ok, I’ll try to get a bit more spiritual. Its that Carver blood again….

The following devotional is a take off from a study that I offered on our Hebraic-Foundations web site…

Learning to make peace with the past…

It happened some 30+ years ago. I was ministering for a brother who had a storefront church. The series had to do with living in forgiveness. At the end of the series, I invited folks to stand as I led them in a prayer of forgiveness. I asked them to call out the name of a person they needed to forgive. Suddenly I heard metal chairs scattering. That is when I saw a lady was on the floor.

It wasn’t one of those falling out things. She quickly jumped up and was beside herself with joy. When I asked her what had happened, she told me that in calling out the name of the person she needed to forgive, it was like a tremendous weight had lifted off her. The lifting of the load  caused her to stumble backward.

And this was only part of her joy. She had suffered with osteoarthritis for a number of years. All the pain was gone. Was she truly healed? I’ve seen this lady over the years and she yet holds fast to her testimony of healing.

Is there Biblical precedent for a person having a physical disorder as a result of harboring unforgiveness, resentments, bitterness or some form of ill will towards others. The Bible does teach that these things can be the root cause for certain physical ailments. This is not to say that all sickness or disease or afflictions have a personal cause behind them. Most often this is not the case at all.

What the Bible does teach is that our life originates from our heart. (We live from the inside out.)

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 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.’ The point is that what we have in our hearts will determine the boundaries or the outgoing of our own life. Thus we give shape to our own life by what is in our own heart.

The New Testament also deals with bitterness. Notice Hebrews 12:14-16;

“Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled; that no immoral or godless person like Esau, who sold his own birthright for a single meal.”

Pursuing peace addresses the peace of God’s kingdom. We are to be makers of peace when it is in our power to do so. The statement about sanctification was addressed to the Jewish peoples. Some were wavering over their faith in Jesus. This work of sanctification is the work of the cross and of the blood of Jesus.

But then we have the ‘root of bitterness’. Here a connection is made with the sin of Esau. Esau held a grudge against Isaac. It began to consume his thinking. He was a bitter man and his bitterness likely affected his whole household. That is the way bitterness works. It defiles those around us.

Both Paul and Peter speak to this. Let’s tie some Scriptures together:

[Paul] “For this reason many among you are weak and sick, and a number sleep. But if we judged ourselves rightly, we would not be judged.” — The background for this is the Lord’s table, but its directive is to those who were resentful of others — 1Co11:22-34.

[Peter] “Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation.” (1Pe2:1,2)

We don’t always catch what Peter is saying. Where Peter speaks of the ‘pure milk’ of the word, he is speaking of milk that is unadulterated, that is, the pureness of God’s Word that is without mixture with the things that would defile it, that is, with malice, deceit, etc.

As a country boy I can give an example of what pure milk is not. In the south we have what is called bitter weeds. A cow will sometimes make these weeds part of her diet. If you drink milk from a cow who has eaten bitter weeds, believe me, you will spew the milk out of your mouth as quick as it entered. The milk is filled with bitterness. Yet the milk itself looked perfectly good.

There is a point to be made. 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 keepings one’s own spiritual life pure.

There is much more to be said both from the Bible concerning forgiveness. The short side is that unless we learn to make peace with the past, we will indeed suffer in the now.

Are you free from the past? Is there something you need to let go?

Where do I begin?

Do you recall the ‘Serenity Prayer.’ Why not meditate on it. It is a good starting place. Here it is for your use right now.

Ok….

So, now about the old home place… 

Certainly we all have childhood memories. Many of them are precious. Yet at the same time we have to move on with life. And while I truly do love our old home place, I also realize that time will take its toil.

And so our instructions from the Lord are as follows:

“For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” (2Co5:1)

Anyway, I really do love to share stories from the Past. I’ve got outhouse stories, swinging on vine stories, water melon patch raiding stories — Well, I’ve got them by the tons.

Well, have you? Have you ever heard a mockingbird in the morning?

Much love coming your way,

Buddy

Posted: January 17th, 2008 under General.
Comments: none

Journal,

Well, I guess the word has been out on me a long time — I dearly love ole timey gospel music. I’m talking about the kind we sang when I was a just a kid.  A good example is ’Life’s Railroad to Heaven.’ If you have the gumption, here it is by Patsy Cline and Willie Nelson…

http://youtube.com/watch?v=t72LxX8Mu6o&feature=related 

Actually I am a lover of all kinds of music but especially for the Spanish sound and for  Irish ballads. Guess the Irish comes from my grandmother who was an O’Banion. Even have a map of Ireland showing a couple of the O’Banion estates. In fact much of what is called hillbilly music is really a take off on Irish melodies.

The truth be known, I fell in love with the guitar when I was about 11 years old. Been playing at it ever since.

Well I said all that to say this…

Got a foot stomping, gospel hoe down coming up Saturday, January 26th…

Yep - Betty decided that the Martins, that is, me and my younguns, and our Fletcher kin need to get together to make a CD of our music for our posterity. After all we older folk are working on our late 60s and 70s.

And so we’uns are getting together with our guitars, fiddles, banjos, drums, base, piano, and anything else that will plunk to do a recording at 2 p.m. on the afore date. While the recording is for my family, of course anyone is welcome to come. It will be at Christian Challenge. And afterwards we’ll have us a gumbo supper.

Now if that ain’t bout as close to heaven as you can get, you jest ain’t never been very close anyways…  : )

Well, what’s that got to do with quietness of love?

Glad you asked.  I’ve been getting some questions lately on how believers can know when the Lord is speaking into their life. Don’t know if I can give much instructions. But perhaps a bit of a Bible study will fit right here.

Ever heard of ‘the Shepherd’s Song’… 

Probably not. Anyway, some years ago I shared a study on our Hebraic-Foundations forum entitled ‘The Shepherd’s Song.’ In that study I dealt with an aspect of our Christian walk that not everyone is versed in, but really should be. The study had to do with how the Lord speaks to us in quietness. There will even be times when He sings over us. 

I knew that one would get your attention.  

Here’s an example - You go to bed a little troubled. You wake up still unsure about how to handle a situation. There you are standing  before the mirror in the bathroom. Everything is quiet. And for some unknown reason your thoughts began to change and you find yourself singing.

Why did your thought life suddenly change? You feel real good. Your heart is uplifted. What happened to bring about this change?  The song just sort of arrived! So where did the song come from?

Listen to what David had to say in Psalm 22:7:

“You are my hiding place; You preserve me from trouble; You surround me with songs of deliverance.” (Psalm 32)

A song of deliverance is a cleansing song. It is a song that lifts us out of the burden of our heart. The Lord has just taken the burden from you.

The Psalmist said…

“Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden, the God who is our salvation.” (Psalm 68:19)

Then in another place we hear of the joy of Christ over the redemption of God’s people through the cross. It says,

“I will proclaim Your name to My brethren, in the midst of the congregation I will sing Your praise.” (Heb2:12)

Does this not mean that Jesus rejoices with us when we gather in His name? I believe it does. Jesus said, “For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.” (Matt18:20)

Then we hear this from the prophet –

“The Lord your God is in your midst, a victorious warrior. He will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.“ (Zeph3:17)

First lets talk about the ’shouts of joy’. This term comes from the Hebrew word ‘rinnah’ which can also be translated joyful singing. Notice how it is used it in 2 Chronicles 20:22; “When they began singing [rinnah] and praising, the Lord set ambushes against the sons of Ammon…”  

But also notice that in Zephaniah 3:17, it said,

‘He will be quiet in His love.’

Here we have singing joy and the quietness of love in one setting. The point is that there is a time for joyful singing and there is a time for quietness. Let’s talk a bit more about the singing part. Just want to stir your heart up a bit.

Have you ever been driving down the road and suddenly burst out in song?

Have you ever gotten so excited that you wanted to stop the car and get out and kick the tires? Where does all that joyful singing come from? It comes with the new covenant working of redemption. The Spirit of Christ indwells every believer. The apostle John speaks of this indwelling as ‘the anointing.’ The anointing is not something that you control. It is the working of the Spirit of Jesus.

Jesus told the lady at the well,

“If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.”

Here the anointing is described as living water. The Lord goes on to explain;

“Whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.” (John 4)

The springing up well is the work of the Spirit of Jesus who indwells every true believer. Jesus told the disciples that He would come back to them and that their joy could never be taken away from them. They would have a springing up fountain in their very heart.

Oh, let’s move on.

Now its time for the quietness part … 

Every notice how these songs usually come out of a moment of quietness? Think about it. You were quiet in your meditations or contemplations. Then your thoughts began to turn towards the goodness of the Lord. The Lord began the changing of your thoughts.

Does any of this provoke a memory. Can you recall times where the Lord Himself picked you up when you were beyond personal resources? Sure you can.

I believe there is a real key to learning to hear from the Lord, and that key involves  this thing we call quietness.  This is why I encourage believers to develop an early morning quiet devotional time.

Rather than labor on this too much, just consider the spiritual implications in the following Scriptures:

“For thus the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, has said, ‘In repentance and rest you will be saved, in quietness and trust is your strength.’ But you were not willing…” (Isa 30:15)

“And the work of righteousness will be peace, and the service of righteousness, quietness and confidence forever.” (Isa 32:17)

“He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters.“ (Psalm 23:2)

“Then they were glad because they were quiet, so He guided them to their desired haven.” (Psalm 107:30)

“The Lord your God is in your midst, a victorious warrior. He will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.” (Zep 3:17)

“Your adornment must not be merely external–braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God.” (1Pet3:3,4)

Perhaps what little I have shared will strike a chord in your heart. Learn the beauty of  quietness? In all my years of serving the Lord, I have found that the Lord almost always speaks to me in quiet reflections of my heart, and most often when I have His Bible in my hands. 

Nuff for now. 

May God’s love chase you down.

Buddy

Posted: January 14th, 2008 under General.
Comments: 8

Hi Journal,

Yep, there it is.

That’s the original pulpit of Christian Challenge. I built it with my own two  hands. Hard to believe that it is almost 32 years old. Well, we had to begin some place. And what is a ministry without a pulpit.

I suppose some folk wonder why we even let the old pulpit hang around. After all, it really isn’t very pretty. Its scarred up with pen markings everywhere. But that old pulpit could tell some stories that many would find hard to believe. Besides that, the old pulpit always reminds me of the road that we have traveled.

Actually if the truth be known, no one aside from my family and one dear sister will have any memories of our two and a half years in Boyce. And the one sister became part of our ministry not long before we relocated to Pineville. She wouldn’t be familiar with the earliest days of Christian Challenge. But Boyce was where it all began.

I could write a book on our ventures in Boyce and could just about guarantee that it would be spell binding. What happened in Boyce is a story hard to believe, that is, of course, unless you truly understand how the Holy Spirit goes about to raise up a ministry. But I’ll spare you on the book part. 

Yep, that old Boyce pulpit could tell a many a story if it could talk. But perhaps I should add that the old pulpit was only our main pulpit for a little less than three years. After relocating Christian Challenge to Pineville, we are now on our third pulpit. The old Boyce pulpit is used largely in our School for Christian Workers. It always warms my heart when I see it.

The point is that the story of a talking pulpit is how…

The Lord raises up a ministry the same way He saves a soul…

This is the part that is difficult for some to grasp. The old pulpit was one part of a calling from the Lord. It was the old pulpit, in an old storefront run down building, with no congregation to speak of, with no backing from any organization or church group, and with nothing to bolster us aside from a stewardship from the Lord. It all had to do with a call.

You see, no one gets saved because they just decided on their on to get saved. The Spirit of the Lord is always in the background of a person’s salvation experience. And our response to salvation has to do with a call. It is as Peter said:

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

“for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” (1Pe2:9,10 nasb) 

Then we have to consider Abraham of whom the Bible sets forth as the prototype of the new covenant believer. In fact we are instructed to follow in his steps. Of him the writer says…

“By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going.” (Heb11:8)

My point is to allow you to see that the same way the Lord saves a soul is the same way He raises up and gives life to a ministry. The very hallmark of genuine Christianity rests entirely upon the call of God.

This is also why we hear the apostle say,

“Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble…” (2Pet 1:10)

So, can it be said that…

Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it…

Seems we now have a problem. If the Lord is the one who builds the house, what part do we have in its construction? We have very much to do indeed. Our part is to be obedient to the instructions that are given us by the Lord Himself.

Even the materials to build the house are supplied by the Lord. What materials you say? Glad you asked. The beginning place is always the foundation. There is only one foundation that we are commissioned to lay. The foundation is contained in a message, ‘the finished work of the cross.’

Once the message of the cross has been provided, then we are to build on that message with doctrines provided by heaven. And this is where a builder must be very careful. It is possible to use man-made and not heaven-made material. Listen:

“For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building. According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it. For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

“Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work. If any man’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.” (1Co3:9-15)

The wood, hay and straw are the doctrines of men. The gold, silver, and precious stones represent heavenly teachings that belong to the covenant of Christ.

Learning to be an assayer…

My old pulpit would be the first to tell you that I didn’t always use the best material in my early preaching and teaching. It wasn’t a matter of purpose. It was more a matter of mixing some man-centered teachings with heavenly teachings. It was so easy to get caught up in teachings that were worldly-thinking without truly realizing it. At the same time I always had a nudging in my spirit that something was off-centered.

But the Lord was faithful to hold me close to the one message that He had given me to preach from the beginning, that is, the finished work of the cross.

Some years later the Lord gave me a prophetic dream concerning the deep of His faithfulness. In the dream He told me to launch out into the deep of His faithfulness. I understood this to mean that it was time to leave off from the shallow-emotional driven, charismatic-type, earthly-centered teachings, and teach people solely about living from a personal relationship with Jesus Himself.

Yes, my pulpit knew there was something in a major change taking place. (This was back in the early 8os.)

And this is where Christian Challenge began to take on its proper nature of being a truly evangelical centered ministry.

What is this about being an assayer?

Would you believe that this idea is a major part of any minister’s walk with the Lord. Even the apostles themselves had to learn how to separate misteachings from the truths of the new covenant. Peter being sent to the house of Cornelius is a classic example. At that time the Jewish apostles still held a distain for Gentiles. Of course the Lord got His message across.

Anyway, here was what the Lord said to Jeremiah:

“Therefore, thus says the LORD, ‘If you return, then I will restore you– Before Me you will stand; and if you extract the precious from the worthless, you will become My spokesman.

They for their part may turn to you, but as for you, you must not turn to them. Then I will make you to this people a fortified wall of bronze; and though they fight against you, they will not prevail over you; for I am with you to save you And deliver you,’ declares the LORD. So I will deliver you from the hand of the wicked, And I will redeem you from the grasp of the violent.” (Jer15:19-21)

I have this odd notion that someone among my readers really needs to catch what the Lord said to Jeremiah. Is that you?

There is so much more I’d like to tell you about our journey of faith. But its time to close down. But to you who are familiar with Christian Challenge proper, remember what I said about the old pulpit. Next chance you get, take a closer look at the old pulpit. That old pulpit has something to tell you. It is filled with stories and messages.

And above all when you see the old pulpit, don’t look at it like some old weathered  piece of junk. It deserves more respect than that. That old pulpit has seen many a person come to the Lord. That old pulpit has seen more than one miracle. That old pulpit felt the heat of a lot of anointed preaching.

What can I say? By now you know why I won’t let anyone get rid of the old pulpit.

Much love coming your way,

Buddy

Posted: January 10th, 2008 under General.
Comments: 8

Journal,

Does it seem like time is passing a bit too fast nowadays? Shut your eyes for a moment and suddenly 2008 is upon us. Makes you wonder if this has anything to do with what the Lord said –

“Unless the Lord had shortened those days, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect, whom He chose, He shortened the days.” (Mk13:20 nasb)

So, what does this have to do with anything? Very much for me. This month my mom would have been 88 years young. I think about her a lot.

In fact…

I have a measurement for one space of time that extends from January 23, 1920, to March 27, 2005…

You see, my mom was born January 23, 1920, into a family that would eventually grow to include thirteen children. This month my mama would have been eighty-eight years old. But she took her journey home on Easter Sunday morning, March 27, 2005. She was eighty-five at the time of her homecoming. Can you believe! Easter morning! The very day we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus.

There’s more about my mom.

The picture to the left was made in 1920. It is of my grandpa Carver and my grandma Carver, and their then six children. (One child had passed.)

To the right of grandpa is Aunt Hazel and Uncle Holiday. In grandma’s arms is my mom. Seated at my grandparents feet are my Aunts Beulah, Cleola, and Claudia.

Talk about a passion for the Lord. The Carver family was endued with it.

Wish I had a picture of the young Carver evangelistic team. Some years after this picture my Aunt Hazel became an evangelist. She and Uncle Holiday held revival meetings with my mom as their piano player. I’m not sure which others in the family got involved. What I can say is that the Carver clan was deeply passionate about serving the Lord.

Aunt Hazel went to be with the Lord when I was only two years old, so I didn’t really get to know her. However, the Carvers have continued to produce a legacy of preachers. Besides myself and my son, Nathan, I have a number of cousins who are ministers of the gospel.

Grandpa’s brother, John Green Carver, was a pioneer minister with the Church of God Anderson. He was born in 1880. I remember him well. Don’t rightly know the year of his passage home. But I do have a mourner’s bench that was handmade by him. It is really a padded kneeling bench with a railing for the seeker to lean on.

Back to mama…

My mom was as pretty a Carver girl as ever was…

Yep, while all the Carver girls were lookers, my mom was as pretty as any of them. In fact here is a picture of my mom at about age fourteen or fifteen, when she was the piano player for Aunt Hazel and Uncle Holiday. She was fifteen when she married my dad. 

See what I mean about looks? I highly suspect that Grace Carver was a main attraction for the Carver revival campaigns. Hmmmmm. Could it be said that some of the young men were ’saved by Grace’? 

Course good looks just naturally passes through our family. 

But as for my own spiritual values, I’ve often shared how mama taught me the children’s prayer of, ‘Now I lay me down to sleep.’ She was always at my bedside when I prayed. Mama taught me to bless everyone that I could think of.  

Of course mama had the same struggles that all we humankind have. Struggles come with the package of life. But if there was ever a picture of true salvation, that picture was seen in my mama.

Coming from a religious family background, mama had her own questions about the issues of salvation. She and her sisters had many a spirited conversation over how a person was saved. You would have to be a Carver to appreciate what I mean by spirited. These girls never lost their love for one another. They simply had intense times of fellowship.

Anyway, the Lord settled the salvation issue with mom shortly before her passage. Mama told me that one morning during her devotional time, while sitting on her couch, it was like the presence of heaven settled down all around her.  The peace of Jesus filled her heart. Mama said, if this is what heaven is about, I am not afraid to go.

Actually the Lord was preparing her for her journey home.

From that moment on the question of religion never entered her mind. And what I had often shared with mama is that religion had not one thing to do with her salvation. Religion is what men do. Relationship is what Jesus does.

Sunday morning, March 27, 2005, it was time to go home…

The evening before mama made her journey home, Betty and I spent time with her. She just wasn’t feeling very well. I tried to get her to eat some soup. She wasn’t up to it. It was early the next day on Easter morning, that the angels came for mama. She got to go home in the company of the holy angels.

There is a wonderful Scripture that comes to mind even as I write this blog. It has to do with what Jesus would do for His people. It says…

 ”To give to His people the knowledge of salvation By the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, with which the Sunrise from on high will visit us, to shine upon those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” (Luke 1:77-79 nasb)

So what is the measure of our life on this earth…

Well, for the child born from heaven we only have one measure. Our journey on this planet has a destination. Jesus is our life. Listen carefully to these Scriptures:

“For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself. (Php 3:20,21)

“By faith he lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise;
for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.” (Heb 11:9,10)

“For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. And indeed if they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them. (Heb 11:14-16)

Here is a song that I wrote years ago concerning ‘the Holy City.’ Perhaps you’d like to listen to it:

http://www.christianchallenge.org/audio/music/08_Holy%20City.mp3

May the blessings of the Lord overtake your life. And always remember what the great apostle said — “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast…” Eph2:8,9

Much love coming your way,

Buddy

 

Posted: January 7th, 2008 under General.
Comments: 2

 Journal,

In this entry I hope to especially benefit those who are cognizance of a call to the gospel ministry, and especially if you are young both in years and somewhat inexperienced. After forty-three years as a minister I believe I do have some things to share. 

The short side of things is that in all my years in the ministry, the insightful principles of faith that I’ve learned came directly from the Scriptures. With regard to the gospel ministry I have to point to Matthew chapter ten.

There are many things that cannot be taught in seminary training or in Bible college. They can only be taught by Jesus Himself. This is how I learned them. They have to become life experiences.

OK, now that I have your attention, I’ll leave Matthew ten off for a bit while I talk about other things.  

First to give a feel for the gospel trail that Betty and I have walked, here are some of the places the Lord has taken us through the years…

Precluding other states and countries, in Louisiana alone I’ve done revivals, conducted seminars, held pastorates, or otherwise preached in a number of places, including -

Mora, Flatwoods, Pinecoupee, Sharp, Lafayette, Breaux Bridge, Thibodeaux, Leesville, DeRidder, Florien, Lake Charles, West Monroe, Pollock, Alexandria, Boyce, Lena, Anacoco, Burr Ferry, Many, Mansfield, Toledo Bend, Tioga, Slagle, Sulpher, Milton, Baton Rouge, Lilly, Natchitoches, Gorum, Marco, Pitkin, Elizabeth, Fairfield, and in other places that I’m sure have slipped my mind.

In addition to the mentioned places, for the last 32 years my service in God’s kingdom has settled almost exclusively in a ministry that I founded in 1976, Christian Challenge International.

From the very beginning it has been my earnest desire to help Christians learn the lessons of Biblical discipleship. I’ve designed training courses, taken believers on mission trips, and have seen several hundreds of people come through the training courses offered by our School for Christian Workers.

It is my joy to say that many are now in the gospel ministry. Many more are serving in various churches with a good understanding of the gospel.

I’ve had more than one of our students tell me that they learned more of a spiritual nature in our ’Disciple’s Heart Training Program’ than they did in all their time at Bible college.

Of course they did. Bible colleges and seminaries pretty much center largely  on their own religions. The under-gird of all our courses have to do with having a true relationship with Jesus Christ that is unencumbered with the trappings of religion.

And as an after thought, believe it or not, I still have many of my sermon notes that reach back to 1965.

So I guess you could pretty much say that all this makes me an old timer.

Enough on that. Now let’s talk about – 

Timeless love and the gospel road…

The figurine in the picture above is a gift to me from my sweet Betty. The title of the figurine is ‘timeless love.’ And it pretty much tells the story of the most important element in a gospel minister’s life, which, by the way, is the minister’s wife.

Is it enough to say that the carrier of the gospel is unable to fulfill his calling until he has a faithful companion who both understands the call to the ministry and is willing to walk beside him each step of the way?

Listen:

“Do we not have a right to take along a believing wife, even as the rest of the apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas?” (1Co9:5)

“It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do. An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, peaceable, free from the love of money. (1Tim3:1-3)

There is so much I would like to share about having a faithful companion, but I’ll simply leave this with you. Your wife is your partner by covenant. Without her fully at your side, your ministry will never be fruitful. 

Now let’s come to one of the most important chapters in all the Bible with regard to the faith walk of a gospel minister. The very lessons that Jesus taught His apostles, will carry over in one form or another into the present day minister’s life.

Without detailing all that Jesus instructed His disciples, the best I can do at this point is simply highlight certain principles that the Lord shared with me, and that I learned by experience. However, I must point that not one of the principles can I teach you. They can only be taught by the Lord. And they can only be experienced in the doing of them.

Spiritual principles of ministry found in Matthew chapter ten…

Every gospel minister should read this chapter over and over until he begins to hear what the Lord would speak into his life. Here are some of the principles:

Verse 7: “As you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’”

We are not to simply preach Jesus of the cross. We are to preach Jesus as the ascended ever present Lord of glory.

Don’t preach deadness. Preach Jesus as the living Savior. Preach Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, and preach Him as a personal Savior. Preach Him as the God of our yesterdays, our todays, and our tomorrows. 

Verse 9: “Do not acquire gold, or silver, or copper for your money belts, or a bag for your journey, or even two coats, or sandals, or a staff; for the worker is worthy of his support.”

This is the one that will tell the story. This is the one that will tell whether you are truly ready to fulfill a call to the ministry. First of all you must have the ‘Go ye!’ Once you have the Lord’s release for ministry, it is here where you must learn that heaven is to be your support base and not man.

Don’t ever get your eyes on man. Don’t be a whiner, a begger, or a moaner, or a crybaby. Whatever you do, don’t preach money. If you will take care of the Father’s business, He will most certainly take care of your business.

The thing to keep in mind is that the gospel ministry is work, but it is work that is well rewarded by heaven. Do your work well and the Lord will reward you well.

I began Christian Challenge in 1976 with no more than a stewardship from the Lord, with no congregation, with no organization to back me. It was my wife, my three children, myself, my Bible, and my guitar. And on top of things the Lord instructed me not to pass an offering plate in our services. I was to learn what it meant to be ‘worthy’ of heaven’s support.

There is where the minister must learn Paul’s secret, when he said, “I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering, I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” (Phil4:12)

Verses 11-13: “And whatever city or village you enter, inquire who is worthy in it, and stay at his house until you leave.”

This principle is what I call God’s ’son of peace’ provision. One way the Lord provides for His servant is by raising up someone who will literally fill the needs of the servant and not even realize that he was chosen to do exactly that. I have met a great many of my ’sons of peace’ providers. These people are especially blessed of the Lord.

Study the Scriptures to see if this is not a true principle for the servant’s calling. These peoples are a special gifting from the Lord to the servant of the Lord.

Verse 27: “What I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in your ear, proclaim upon the housetops.”

This principle requires that the servant be able to hear spiritually. Over the years I’ve had the Lord whisper in my ears, in my heart, in my dreams and visions, and in many other ways. He never fails to give me my  instructions for the matters at hand, and often even something concerning the future.

If you are unable to live by the Spirit, you are unable to fulfill a call of service in God’s kingdom.

Verses 38,39: “And he who does not take up his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who has found his life will lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it.”

A call to the ministry is about giving up all rights to your own life. The most valuable lesson you can ever learn as a minister of the gospel is to release control over to the Lord.  The Psalmist talks about this:

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eyes upon you. Do not be as the horse or the mule which have no understanding, whose trappings include bit and bridle to hold them in check, otherwise they will not come near you.” (Psalm 32:8,9)

There is much more to be said about Matthew chapter ten. In fact I’ve barely scratched the surface, but I find it best to let the Lord provide whatever insights you may need.

Are there other things the gospel minister needs to learn? Absolutely. If I were to make a list, I would place at the very top for the minister to stay out of debt, that is, to owe no man anything but to love him.

Alas, for the sake of time, I find it best to leave off for now. Just felt it on my heart that someone among my readers truly needed to hear what I had to share.

May the blessings of the Lord overtake you,

In Christ,

Buddy

Posted: January 3rd, 2008 under General.
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