Pastor Buddy’s Blog

Mary has chosen the good part…

Journal,

A true Biblical disciple is someone who sits at the feet of Jesus, listens, asks questions, learns the ways of the Lord, and takes to heart the path of life that has been ordered for him by the Lord. This is why in the great commission, the only statement that is imperitive in the original Greek is ‘make disciples’. Everything else Jesus says is attached to ‘make disciples’. As you baptise, make disciples. As you teach, make disciples. As you go into all the world, ‘make disciples’. - Cf. Mt28:11-20.

The prophet of old described new covenant spiritual discipleship when he wrote, “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.” (Cf. Isa50:4 nasb. The reference is to God’s Messiah and by extension to all who are disciples of Jesus Christ.) 

Understanding the principle of true discipleship helps us to appreciate what Jesus meant when he said that Mary had chosen the good part. Follow these Scriptures - Note the words in ‘bold’:

“Now as they were traveling along, He entered a village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord’s feet, listening to His word. But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, ‘Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me.’

“But the Lord answered and said to her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.’”
(Luk 10:38-42 NASB)

Here are some good parts that you can choose…

Christian Challenge is an exciting place to be. The heart of our ministry will always be Biblical discipleship. A number of things are presently in play. We are branching out with our Community Groups. These are ’in-home’ care groups where discipleship can be experienced in small group settings. If anyone in Central Louisiana is interested, you can find out more about the Community Groups by visiting our Wednesday evening service, or simply call the church office at, 318 640-4300.

Another good part you can choose is our forthcoming 40th School for Christian Workers. We offer two schools a year. This next School will be extra-special in that we are offering (one time only) two Disciple’s Heart classes. The normal one will be on Sunday evenings, and is taught by Lane Fletcher.

A second Disciple’s Heart class will held be on Monday evenings. It will be taught by myself. This second one is for the purpose of filming and archiving. It will likely be used for our web school of the future. Since I developed this training program, it was decided that I should be the one to provide structure for the future school. Students can choose which ever class they would like to enroll in.

Additional information about the School for Christian Workers is found at the following site - It will be updated shortly with the latest classes offered and the scheduling. The next school begins the Sunday after Labor Day. Registration is required.

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

Another good thing to choose - 10:00 a.m. Tuesday mornings…

Because of the various ‘branching out’ changes at place at Christian Challenge, and since we will not have a traditional Wednesday evening service, it was decided to reinstitute a Tuesday morning Bible ministry that we had in yesteryear. 

I am often asked to continue providing open Bible studies. In the past our Tuesday morning studies became a real blessing to many. We had business people attending along with folks from other Christian backgrounds, and not to mention the mommies who were able to attend since the children were in school, and also retirees. A Tuesday morning study seemed to work well for a great many.

What will make the Tuesday morning ministry extra-interesting is that my forte of ministry is on the Hebrew background of the Christian faith. Some believers are not aware that the Bible is a Hebrew document from Genesis to Revelation. To appreciate it even more is to learn to think Hebraically.

Kinds of Hebrew issues that we will be looking at:

Here are some instances where understanding things Hebraically can cause the Scriptures to take on added meaning. 

• (1) Where did Paul get his teaching that we have already been seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus? (Eph2:6)
• (2) What did Jesus mean when He said, “Their angels in heaven continually see the face of My Father who is in heaven.” (Mt18:10)
• (3) Why is there such a stress on the name of Jesus in the apostolic writings? (Acts 4:12)
• (4) What is the one doctrine taught in the new covenant that has many branches of study, but it is called ‘the rule!’ (Gal6:14-16)
• (5) Why did Paul tell us we must learn to “never exceed what is written?” (1Co4:6)
• (6) What did Paul mean when he said the Christ “existed in the form of God.”? (Phil2:6)
• (7) What did Paul mean when he said that God had “bestowed on [Christ] the name which is above every name.”? (Phil2:9)

All the afore mention areas are only understood properly from a Hebraic perspective. Early church theology was simple. Everything they taught and believed was based on the prophets. 

Special note: The Tuesday morning ministry will probably begin with our next School for Christian Workers.

And now for our song…

You knew I was going to do it.  : )

How could I complete my journal entry without something special that draws our hearts heavenward? How about this one by Candy Hemphill, ‘Lord, Send Your Angel.’

Did you know that you have angels in your life?

Ok, beloved of the Lord. Let the Lord help you make good choices.

Much love coming your way,

Buddy