Pastor Buddy’s Blog

Journal,

Last evening I provided at study at Christian Challenge, entitled ‘What Are You Afraid Of?’ The study was not a new message. It just seems to have become lost in much preaching and teaching today. I would encourage my readers to take time to listen to the message. It may well provide some answers to things you are struggling with by way of fear, of guilt, of insecurity, of condemnation, and whatever else may be causing a spiritual or emotional conflict in your life.   

Go to: http://christianchallenge.org/live/index.html

Scroll down to the two black screens that say Sunday: or Wednesday: For this particular study, click on ‘Wednesday’. 

The motivation for trust is to know that God loves you…

And if you know that He loves you, then you’ll know that God will take care of you.

The only thing you need is to look to Jesus Himself.

Listen:

“I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul will make its boast in the LORD; the humble will hear it and rejoice. O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His name together. I sought the LORD, and He answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.

“They looked to Him and were radiant, and their faces will never be ashamed. This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, and rescues them. O taste and see that the LORD is good; how blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him! O fear the LORD, you His saints; for to those who fear Him there is no want.” Psalm 34:1-9 nasb

Are you listening? The Lord would like to speak into your heart…

You don’t have to bang on the gates of heaven to get God’s attention. You don’t have to wait until you feel worthy to hear from the Lord. You can have an audience with Him this very moment.

This is what the God said through the prophet Isaiah:

“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.’ …” Isaiah 30:15

It is in quietness that we learn to hear Christ speaking in our hearts.  Click on this next song. Relax. Let the Lord fill you with His presence.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Hecaz4NkQVY&feature=related

The Workman’s Diary - Would you like to have a devotional guide…

Many years ago I designed a devotional guide for our students in the Disciple’s Heart Class. Thought it would be good to pass it along. You may wish to print out a copy for yourself. Here it is –

GEMS FOR JESUS WORKMAN’S DIARY
“The Morning Devotion”

THE MOST IMPORTANT time of the day is the time you spend with the Lord preparing for the day ahead. All believers should have a morning devotion. By presenting yourself to the Lord each morning, you begin your day refreshed. Equally important you will find your day ordered in the Lord.

There are no set rules for a devotion. Here are some guidelines that can be applied to cause your devotion to be truly meaningful: 

(1) Begin your devotion with a moment of quietness. Place your Bible in your lap. Close your eyes and just reflect on the Lord’s goodness. David said,

“Surely I have composed and quieted my soul; like a weaned child rests against his mother, My soul is like a weaned child within me.” Psalm 131:2

(2) Give place to praise and worship. Thankfulness is the heart of worship. Your quietness will give place to worship. Worship the Lord freely. It doesn’t have to be aloud. Worship is a thing of the heart. It is as the Psalmist said,

“Then they were glad because they were quiet, so He guided them to their desired haven. Let them give thanks to the Lord for His lovingkindness, and for His wonders to the sons of men!” Psalm 107:30,31

(3) Now comes the hearing. You will sense the Lord’s timing for turning to your Bible. Remember that God can speak to you from anywhere in the Scriptures. You will find this to be true whether you are following a regular reading program or not. As it is written,

“I will hear what God the Lord will say; for He will speak peace to His people, to His godly ones.” Psalm 85:8

(4) Receive your Word for the day. Generally the Lord will minister one special truth to you. As He shares, don’t read any further. Stop and meditate on the truth being revealed. Take this truth as your GEM for the day. Chances are this truth will become a ministry tool sometime during your day. Again the Psalmist says,

“I will sing of the lovingkindness of the Lord forever: to all generations I will make known Your faithfulness with my mouth.”  Psalm 89:1

(5) Now is the time to pray. Oftentimes it is here that the Holy Spirit will begin moving in your heart towards certain prayer needs. Pray over the truth He has given you. Pray concerning your day. Pray for each person the Holy Spirit brings before you. You will have a knowing in your spirit when prayer time is over. Jesus said,

“When He puts forth all His own, He goes before them, and the sheep follow Him because they know His voice.” John 10:4

(6) End your devotion with praise and thanksgiving. Thank the Lord for meeting with you in the special way. Remember that He loves to share with you. It is written,

“They looked to Him and were radiant, and their faces will never be ashamed.” Psalm 34:5

(7) Carry the testimony of the Lord with you. One key to witnessing is to simply take to heart what the Lord shared with you during your devotion. Treasure these things. As you go about your day, the testimony will be there. The Bible says,

“For the testimony of Jesus Christ is the spirit of prophecy.” Rev19:10

OK, so much for the devotional guide. Just one more thing…

Here is a book that I would encourage every believer to read…

This has to be one of the greatest healing books that I’ve ever read. All I can say is that ‘The Shack’ will reach into the deep of your heart. It is an astonishing read.

If you would like to order it, I suggest using the Christian Challenge site link to Amazon.

Go to:

http://christianchallenge.org/bookstore/index.html

Well, enough for now.

And always remember this;

There is much love coming your way.

Buddy