Pastor Buddy’s Blog

Journal,

Isn’t it interesting how a memory can get locked in your mind and be just as fresh today as when the event took place. And yet the years have long since passed by like water under a bridge. 

Case in view is my grandparents. I hold such love for them. When I think about my grandparents it is almost like looking into a ‘time frame.’ Grandfather Carver was born in 1883 and my grandmother in 1892. Grandfather Martin was born in 1876 and my grandmother Martin in 1888. Wow, grandpa Martin was born 132 years ago.

Sure wish I had known my grandpa Martin better. He passed on in 1950. We had moved back to Louisiana from California, in 1949. I only had a few short months to get to know him. What I remember best is how he would sit on the front porch of the old blue house with his coffee, play his guitar and sing. I also remember him playing his guitar and singing in church. Course I have more memories of grandma Martin. She passed in 1972. Boy, I can still smell those cathead biscuits. 

But think about it. One hundred thirty two years is a long time. Yet in the passing of time it is like the twinkling in the eye. My, how times do change. 

And I have wonderful memories of grandpa and grandma Carver. It was always such a treat to get to spend summer time with them. I loved to watch grandpa play with his cats. He would put a sock on the line of a cane fishing pole, and have his cats chasing the sock all over the place. Seems grandpa Carver could do anything. He had a blacksmith shop, a one-horse sugar cane mill, a duck pond, besides being a carpenter and a chimney builder. And he had the longest toes. Grandpa could pinch you until you hollared, ‘Uncle.’ Grandpa use to grab me and say, “Want me to whoop you now or wait til tomorrow.” “Wait for tomorrow, grandpa, wait til tomorrow!!!”

Where do you find a stopping place in remembrances? Well, not yet. But believe me there will be a point to all this sharing of memories. 

Back to the grandmas. Wow, what treasures. Grandmas are always extra special. There was nothing like going to grandma’s house. The smells from her kitchen linger with me to this day. But uncle Cullen was the clown in grandpa and grandma Carver’s kids. Guess that was why all we grandkids loved him so much. When it came time to say grace, uncle Cullen would chime in with, ‘Down through the kitchen. Down through the hall. Hope to God I eat it all.’  (And some others I won’t mention at this point.) Grandma would give him the look and uncle Cullen would just laugh. I think as the baby he was a bit spoiled.

Then my mind goes back to my forebearers and I think of all the different names and all the history that links back through my personal lineage. My Martin line includes such names as, Edwards, Miers, Morgan, Ward, Aragon, and Torres. Some of my Carver ancestry includes, O’Banion, Bonds, Westmoreland, Russell, Clayton, and Brown. And as far as I can tell, all my forebearers were Christian.

This lineage reaches back to the Revolutionary War. Some of my forebearers fought the British. And by the way, like most pioneer families, I do have Indian in my lineage; Cherokee and possibly Apalachee. My kids have a good dose of Chowtaw from their mother. That’s why I sleep with one eye open.  

The picture to the right gives an idea of how some of the pioneer families appeared and lived. They were handsome, robust, and simply down-to-earth people who were willing and able to take their living from God’s good earth. 

Come to think about it, maybe 132 years isn’t so long ago after all. I remember families from my childhood days who lived in log houses that had been built by settlers. I also remember studying by a kerosene lamp, drawing water from a well that daddy and I dug, and watching daddy plow the field with a horse. 

And do you reckon all these memories serve a purpose? Is it possible that we will get to meet those who have gone on long before us, maybe even hundreds of years ago?

That is something to think about. Is there any Bible for this being transported out of time? Could be. The apostle Paul did say that he saw and heard things in the third heaven that he was not permitted to share. But coming back to time, let me share an instance …

Where time past meets time future…

There are two notable men in the Bible who lived separated from one another by about 700 years. The era of Moses was in the fifteenth century before Christ. The era of Elijah was nine hundred years before Christ. Did they ever meet one another? Not only did they meet one another outside of time, but they also met with Jesus, and were seen by the apostles Peter, James, and John. 

Such a thing is difficult for us to wrap out minds around. Here is the Bible setting:

“Six days later Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John his brother, and led them up on a high mountain by themselves. And He was transfigured before them; and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him.

“Peter said to Jesus, ‘Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, I will make three tabernacles here, one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’ While he was still speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold, a voice out of the cloud said, ‘This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!’” - Matthew 17:1-5 NASB

Oh yes, there is more evidence that we will meet and have fellowship with God’s people from all the ages. For instance as many of the Jews continued to struggle over Jesus, some believed in him and some rejected Him, there was a Roman soldier who demonstrated genuine faith in the Lord. Jesus had this to say concerning those who would accept him and those who would ultimately reject Him:

“He marveled [at the Roman soldier] and said to those who were following, ‘Truly I say to you, I have not found such great faith with anyone in Israel. I say to you that many will come from east and west, and recline at the table with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven; but the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ 

“And Jesus said to the centurion, ‘Go; it shall be done for you as you have believed.’ And the servant was healed that very moment.” - Matthew 8:10-13 nasb 

Did you catch it? We are going to have fellowship with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, not to mention David, whom we all love, and Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Paul, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and … Well you get the picture. But I would like to add, and grandpa and grandma Martin, and grandpa and grandma Carver.

What makes all this so wonderful is that the story of redemption has never been fully known. It can be likened to something the Queen of Sheba said about Solomon and his wisdom; “The half has never yet been told.” (Something like that.)

Anyway, I’ve enjoyed sharing this bit about memories and about time. 

May the Lord’s blessings overtake you in your journey of faith,

Buddy

Journal,

The problem with a study on angels centers on all the hype that can come with it, such as ‘new age spirit guides.’  On top of that you have the heretical groups that center their origin on angelic appearances.

Then you have those people who get on flesh trips and are always talking about their angel appearances, their visions, their dreams, and all the voices that are supposedly from God.

The ancient Christian writer spoke of these kinds of peoples as having a ’super-heated human spirit.’ What they contribute to the Spirit are actually workings of their own prideful soulish nature.  

Nevertheless, isn’t it odd how often you hear teachings on demons. There are untold books written about the demonic. Yet the Bible speaks much more about angels than it does about demons. In fact angels are mentioned in the Bible 3 1/2 times as much as are demons. (283 times versus 84 times. nasb)

Yes, there has to be a balance on the teachings of angels. However, if the truth were known a great many miracles in a believer’s life are through the agency of angels. The Lord Himself indicated that every believer has at least one personal angel. There are Scriptures that speak of believers being under the care of angels. 

The holy angels actually carry God’s presence with them. This means that angels sometimes strengthen us with their presence and we don’t even realize it. Oh yes, there is Bible for all this.

Stop and think about it. If Jesus needed special strengthening during His agony in the garden, can there be times that we need the same thing? Did you know that the Lord’s added strength was supplied by the presence of a holy angel?

“And He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and began to pray, saying, ‘Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.’ Now an angel from heaven appeared to Him, strengthening Him.” - Luke 22:41-43 NASB

Angels are the invisible servants of God’s divine will.

They are sent forth to work God’s will in the earth. There are many kinds of angels. This is why the Bible refers to them as ‘the heavenly host.’ But the angels we are most involved with are the messengers of heaven. They are messengers with power to accomplish whatever purpose they have been sent. 

Yes, we have to have certain cautions when dealing with the subject of angels. This Tuesday in our 10 a.m. Bible study, I’ll include in my teaching the ‘wrong and the right’ attitude to have towards angels. However the thing to realize is just how much angels are involved in kingdom work in the earth. We aren’t simply to admire angels. We are to be cognizant of their presence is all the workings of redemption. 

So, the next time you hear a teaching on the demonic, don’t get overly concerned about it. Just remember the prophet’s story:

“Then Elisha prayed and said, ‘O LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.’ And the LORD opened the servant’s eyes and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.” - 2Ki 6:17 NASB

…The sound of trumpets…

Well, while we are still talking about angels, did you know that angel trumpets figure in the gathering of God’s people to Him in the last days. Jesus spoke of this in Matthew 24:31:

“And He will send forth His angels with a great trumpet and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.”  

What a wonderful thought, homecoming. 

And what I love about all this is knowing that all through our pilgrimage on earth, we are surrounded by an innumerable company of the elect angels. And in the heart of every believer is the sweet spirit of Jesus. What a wonderful, joyful walk that is filled with music and song. 

I dearly love what the apostle Paul said, “If God is for us, who is against us!”

Ok, nuff said about angels, for now. But I jest got to admit it…

I like the old timey, blue grass, southern gospel, worship…

There I said it. Fact is for my Tuesday morning Bible studies I got me a harmonica player, a bongo player, and me on the guitar. Til I can get me a fiddler player, a banjo player, a mandoline player, a spoon player, a steel guitar, a comb player, a dobro player, and a rub board player, we’ll just have to do with what we got. 

Ok, how’s about some true heavenly music by the Isaacs. Its title is, ‘Stand Still.’ Learn the lesson they are singing about and you will know how to walk in victory.

 
How about that!

Much love coming your way,

Buddy

Hows about

Journal,

The past couple of days have been memorial for me. Last evening I held our introductory session for our 40th School for Christian Workers Disciple’s Heart Course. For me it is simply awesome to think about this being our 40th School. So many hundreds of disciples have been trained through the various courses offered by our School. And now I get to teach once again the course that I designed personally over the years to serve as a foundational course on Biblical discipleship. What a joy. 

This class is unique in its purpose. We are filming it for our archives and for possible future use of our School. It is a joy for me personally to teach this class and to meet with our nine students. My students take in five women and four men, including three married couples. Actually we have two Disciple’s Heart Classes in place. A regular class is being taught on Sunday evenings. 

Anyway, my heart was quite stirred last evening. I love looking into the eyes of our students and seeing such a hunger to know more about the ways of the Lord, and how to enter into a true spiritual expression of the disciple. Can’t wait for next week. 

But something else happened that was just as stirring to my heart…

This morning instituted our first Tuesday morning Bible ministry. It is like I got a double whammy. This morning carried me back to the very beginning of Christian Challenge in 1976. Our first service at Christian Challenge was March 9, 1976. We had nine people in attendance. Well, this morning we had seven people in attendance.

A Scripture kept coming to my mind while I was in the sanctuary waiting for people to arrive. I was hearing, ‘Don’t despise the day of small beginnings.’ As I walked the front of the sanctuary, playing my guitar and singing a bit to the Lord, that Scripture kept coming to mind. It was like the Lord wanted to encourage me with what He had in mind for these Tuesday morning times of worship and Bible ministry.

Of course I realize it will take awhile for the idea of a Tuesday morning Bible study to catch on, but that did not in the least affect what happened this morning. The handful of folk arrived. I had invited one of my Disciple’s Heart students to bring his harmonicas to the service. I played the guitar. He played the harmonica and we had a wonderful time of worship. And guess what! The Lord met with us as He promised.

And so, the second part of the double whammy came home. My heart was thrilled once again.

But that’s not all. Yesterday I asked the Lord what He would have me to share at our very first Tuesday morning Bible ministry. He impressed me to talk about the most awesome mystery in all the Bible. And so my subject was…

The Love of God

I reminded our gathering of the many songs we sing that speak of God’s love, and how that God’s love for us is so mysterious. For instance I ask them to recall this chorus:

‘The Love of God is more to me,

Than all this world could ever be.

It reaches deeper than any sin stain.

It reaches higher than heaven’s throne.’ 

I also ask them to think about the song which says, “I don’t know why Jesus loves me. I don’t know why He cared. I don’t know why He gave His life for me. Oh, but I’m glad. So glad He did.” 

But I felt that the Lord wanted me to share on why God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, so that those who believed in Him would not perish, but would have eternal life. So, I talked about three special issues:

I - The Importance of Words

It was here that I shared how the Greek language expresses itself in a way that our English does not always pick up. God’s love for the world is not based on anything worthly of loving in the sinner. There is nothing in a sinner that brings pleasure to God.

However, the Greek word for God’s love for the world in John 3:16, that is, ‘agapao’ speaks of a love that springs from the heart that places a high value on the thing or object being loved. And the degree of preciousness of the thing being loved is measured by the degree of the sacrifice. “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son…”

The supreme sacrifice was made 2,000 years ago. This sacrifice is the apex of eternity. 

And that is what creates the problem for us. If there was nothing in our sinful state that could bring pleasure to God, why did He give His only begotten Son to suffer in our place? Why are humans so precious to God?

This brought me to my second issue and what is behind the statement…

II - In the Image of God

So the questioned remains. If there is nothing in a sinner that brings pleasure to God, why then does God exteem sinners so highly? I shared how that fallen humanity carries something in it that angels do not carry. And this something is why Satan hates humans so much. And though this something has been marred by sin, it is yet in the lost man. It is called ‘the image of God.’  

I went on to explain that because humans are actually the fallen children of God, this explains why God can be so compassionate, so forgiving, so merciful, and so caring for both the sinner and for the erring believer. Certainly sin carries its own consequences, but sin itself cannot nullify God’s love for all of humanity. 

I explained that salvation is not about condemnation. It is about life. It is about the life that we are given in Jesus Christ. Salvation is about restoration. And Satan knows this.

Satan knows that the marred image is being restored when a person turns to Jesus. I shared a number of Scriptures throughout the study to let everyone see this. 

Which brought me to my final thought.

III - God’s Perfect Love

I shared how we misunderstand what spiritual warfare is really all about. God left nothing to chance. Satan’s war is not against believers perse. Satan’s warfare is really over the love of God. And Paul said that nothing would ever be able to separate us from the love of God. 

Out of the cross came a degree that nothing would ever again be able to serparate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus. This degree is known as God’s perfect love. This means that God’s love reached its goal at the cross. 

When Jesus cried out from the cross, “It is finished!”, this cry reverberated across the vaulted heavens, the heaven of heavens, and shook the very doors of hell. Yes, demons actually tremble over this issue of God’s love. And somehow Satan has to keep this love message from reaching the lost people in this world. 

This also helps us understand what Jesus meant when He said, “Upon this Rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.” 

Well, what I’ve shared here is just a brief summary of the Bible ministry. Want to hear more? Come to our Tuesday morning Bible ministry. I want to share some things with you that can become life changers. 

If my heart remains with what I believe will be my next Bible ministry, I will be sharing on a subject that you don’t hear much about. The reason is because of the heritical movements that spring out of angel appearances. However, I want to share on how these holy and heavenly creatures actually minister in the lives of believers and even in the lives of those who are not yet saved. Angels are much more involved in the working of the kingdom than believers may realize.

Ok, enough said for now. 

And remember,

There is much love coming your way,

Your brother and friend in Christ,

Buddy

Journal,

The time has come to mix a bit of fun with a wee bit of a Bible lesson. 

I received a splendid card from a dear ‘old ‘friend. Seems he got to worrying about me and felt a need to pass a warning alert to all his friends who were reaching their upward years. Thought I would share this warning alert with my readers who probably need it more than I do. But I do thank Doug for sending it to me.

Here it is:

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

::: BREAKING NEWS :::

in 2010 the government will start deporting all the wierd old people. 

I starting crying when I thought of you. 

Run Old Friend, Run!!!

- God’s Peculiar People -

I will never forget two of the first sermons that I preached as a young minister. (1964) One was on ‘Charity’. My text was from 1 Corinthians 13. What I did not know at the time was that the word ‘charity’ as used in the King James Bible really meant love. Well I did manage to preach on charity without ever mentioning the word love. 

Sort of embarrassing when an older preacher asked me after the service if I knew that the word charity in the King James Bible meant love. I’ve often had to thank the Lord for His grace.   

But I also remember another sermon that I preached, entitled, ‘God’s Peculiar People.’ My text was 1 Peter 2:9, which reads in the King James Bible, 

“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.”

Of course in my youthfulness I thought the word ‘peculiar’ had regard to how people looked to others. In this case the sermon seemed to do quite well. Everyone was pretty much on the same page. It was only later that I gained a deeper appreciation for what the Greek word translated as peculiar was really about. It wasn’t about our outward appearance, that is, how we dressed. It had to do with ownership. 

Anyway, that was nigh forty-four years ago. What I did find out through my years of study is that one word in the Bible can open up a storehouse of Godly wonders for the believer. And the Biblical word translated as ‘peculiar’ in the King James Version is dealing with much more than how Christians look to the world. 

There is no question that Christians are a peculiar people in the world. A better translation from the original Greek would actually be the word ‘possession’. This is how it is rendered in most modern translations. (The New American Standard Bible is my preferred study Bible.)

With that in mind, let’s look at the Greek original. The word translated as ‘peculiar’ in the King James, is ‘peripolesis‘. Peripolesis is derived from two Greek words. One word means ‘to be‘. The other word means ‘around‘. And so peripolesis carries the ideas of ownership, possession, encirclment, and protection. What would make a Christian peculiar to the world is how the Christian is a possession of God and of no one else. We are actually citizens and possessions of heaven.

Paul says it this way: 

“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.” - Php3:20,21

Peripolesis carries an idea of encirclement. One scholar sets forth this Greek wprd as a dot within a circle. The dot is the Christian. The circle is God. Thus Peter is saying that every Christian is a possession God. And because of our God encirclement, the only way anything can happen to a Christian, it has to be allowed by God.

The people of Christ are in the sphere of God. 

All of heaven recognizes that Christians are fully the possessions of God. We are the very children of God. The angels of heaven are sent to be invisible ministers to us during our earthly journey. As children of God, we are very precious in heaven’s sight

Yes indeed. We are a most peculiar people in our relationship to the world. 

Notice how 1 Peter 2:9 is translated in the NASB: 

“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.”

But Peter is not the only writer who draws attention to the word ‘peripolesis.’ Listen to Paul in Ephesians 1:13,14:

“In Him, you also, after listening to the message or truth, the gospel of our salvation–having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.”

As we gain insight into this word, it helps us to appreciate other terms or expressions that are used in the new covenant with regard to the security of Christians.

Here are a sampling of Scriptures that relate to the theme of Christians being God’s own possession:

“For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.” - Col 3:3,4

“By this [knowledge], love is perfected [reaches its goal] in us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He [Jesus] is, so also are we in this world.” - 1Jn 4:17

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.” - John 10:27-29 

There are many more such Scriptures.

But now we need to take this to another venture.

Not only are Christians, God’s people, that is, His particular treasure and possession in the earth, but Jesus Christ Himself becomes the Christians’ preciousness of life. Eternal life is not simply duration of life. It has to do with a divine quality of life that is only given to those who take to themselves Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. This adds to the idea of God’s people being peculiar in the earth.

Eternal life is not some abstract notion of life or some form of spiritual energy. Eternal life is a Person. When Jesus truly becomes Lord in a person’s life, that person comes into something precious beyond words. We carry the very testimony of eternal life. John said,

“And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.” - 1Jn5:11-13

And this is why Peter speaks of what we have as being precious. He writes,

“For this is contained in Scripture: ‘Behold, I lay in Zion a choice stone, a precious corner stone, and he who believes in Him will not be disappointed.’ This precious value, then, is for you who believe…” - 1Pe2:6,7

So, are we peculiar people? Yes indeed. We are the most peculiar in all the world. And its not because we dress a certain way, or look a certain way, or any other such notion. We are peculiar because we are a God-surrounded people, and we carry in us the precious life of Jesus Christ. 

Perhaps John said it as well as it can be said: 

“See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.” - 1Jn3:1 

There is so much more to be said about the Christian’s relationship to God and heaven. Think about it.  Feel free to make your contribution to this idea of being peculiar.

Blessings,

Buddy

Journal, I know I’ve shared my tornado story before, but because of recent events involving hurricane Gustav, my memory went back to an encounter that took place in 1975/76. I want to begin this entry with how God can speak to us in the storm. After all, He did this for Job.

“Then the LORD answered Job out of the storm and said, ‘Now gird up your loins like a man; I will ask you, and you instruct Me.’” - Job 40:6-7 NASB

So off we went. I was to be the lead car. Out of Birmingham, Alabama, we picked up three generators. Off again. My GPS showed the shortest route home was to go through Natchez, Mississippi. What I didn’t realize at the time was that my GPS would take us straight into the hurricane. (Both Nathan and Shana had called asking us not to return home. Course stubbornness is one of my major gifts.) 

No, the Lord did not speak to me in the storm this time. But His overseeing love was our guide and our protection. Just out of Natchez we began to catch the strong wind and the rain. Found one station in Natchez. Everything else was shut down tight.  We cross the Mississippi River. Trees were down. Electrical lines were down. We pushed on. There was no turning back. The closer we came to Pineville, the stronger the winds. But to make a long story, short, the Lord’s hand was stretched over us all the while and we made it home safely. 

It looked like a war zone. All of Rapides Parish was out of electricity. (We have parishes where other states have counties.) But the beauty in all this is how people came together. Really wish I could share all the wonderful things that happened, but that would take a book. Anyway, we are back on board with electricity in place, internet back up, and our phone lines working. 

Ok, now for a bit of fun…

Would you believe that while we were in Tennessee, we came across a picture of our great-great grand parents. Betty and I did not know that our family lineage connected backup the line. In fact our great-great grand pappy and grand mammy look a lot like us. See what you think.

Yup, our great-great grand mama was quite a looker. And being the wealthy land-owner that she was, naturally she needed a body guard. That’s where great-great grand pappy came in. And thats the story of love. Aren’t they a handsome couple!

Now, don’t take any of this serious. The picture is really of Betty and me. I’ve always loved those old timey pictures. Couldn’t pass up a chance to have a couple made.

Does God still speak to His people in the storm? Let’s take a short Bible study that looks at the mystery of the Christian’s life. 

God speaks - We are to listen…

There are mysteries to the Christian life that can only be understood with the heart. A believer is being led even when he is not conscious of it. God leads us to repentance. God leads us to victory. 

As a beginning place, let’s listen to David. The sweet Psalmist of Israel said:

“Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend to heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in sheol, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the dawn, if I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, even there Your hand will lead me, and Your right hand will lay hold of me.

“If I say, ‘Surely the darkness will overwhelm me, and the light around me will be night.’ Even the darkness is not dark to You, and the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are alike to You. For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well.” (Psalm 139:7-14)

The Bible tells us that our purpose and calling in life was recorded in God’s book before we were ever born. The statement most often used for this predetermined plan of God is, “From the foundation of the world.” That statement is used ten times in the new covenant writings. The reason it is so predominate in the New Testament is because much of God’s redemptive work was hidden from the eyes of past generations. But now they are revealed in Christ.

The apostle says in one place,

“Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God.” (1 Corinthians 2:12)

In another place Paul says,

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10)

David says much the same;

“And in Your book were written the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them.” (Psalm 139:16)

But we can carry this a little further. Two of the several signs that a person truly belongs to the Lord is, first, their love for Jesus Christ. But secondly it is this innate feeling of the heart that we are really not of this world. The apostle explains it this way;

“But may it never be that I should boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” (Galatians 6:14)

The NLT says it this way,

“Because of that cross, my interest in this world died long ago, and the world’s interest in me is long dead.” It is this ‘other worldliness’ that serves to remind the believer of his or her divine destiny. Jesus Himself told the disciples, “If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you.” (John 15:19)

And so we come to circumstances and situations in life. How did we come to be where we are at this moment? Did not God ordain our pathway to bring about certain desired results. Even when Satan tempts us to take things in our own hands, the Lord ordains circumstances to divert us. He can take the most adverse situation and cause it to work together for our good.

The point is that the Lord does His greatest work in the hearts of His children. God’s purpose for all believers is that we come to Jesus with a full heart of faith and let our faith rest in Him forever. Jesus Himself is the author and the finisher of your faith. You don’t have to worry about finding God’s will in your life. You are His will. And God works His own will in your life.

So, does God speak to us in the storms of life. Absolutely and without fail. He speaks the language of the heart. We just need to learn to listen with our heart.

Think about it.

The Lord bless you,

Buddy