Pastor Buddy’s Blog

Journal,

As a former Navy man, I think a lot about our military people who are serving in so many places, serving to protect the freedoms of our families. They are my heros, every one of them. 

I received a poem this morning that was penned by LCDR Jeff Giles. It was sent to me by a member of our congregation. I wanted to pass it on. (Thank you John Fruge.)

‘A Different Christmas Poem’

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,

 I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight. 

 My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,

 My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.

 Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,

 Transforming the yard to a winter delight.

 The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,

 Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve. 

 My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,

 Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.

 In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,

 So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.

 The sound wasn’t loud, and it wasn’t too near,

 But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear. 

 Perhaps just a cough, I didn’t quite know, Then the

 sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.

 My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,

 And I crept to the door just to see who was near.

 Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,

 A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight. 

 A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,

 Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.

 Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,

 Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.

 ”What are you doing?” I asked without fear,

 ”Come in this moment, it’s freezing out here! 

 Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,

 You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!”

 For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,

 Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts…

 To the window that danced with a warm fire’s light

 Then he sighed and he said, “Its really all right, 

 I’m out here by choice. I’m here every night.

 ”It’s my duty to stand at the front of the line,

 That separates you from the darkest of times.

 No one had to ask or beg or implore me,

 I’m proud to stand here like my fathers before me.. 

 My Gramps died at ‘ Pearl on a day in December,”

 Then he sighed, “That’s a Christmas ‘Gram always remembers.”

 My dad stood his watch in the jungles of ‘ Nam ‘,

 And now it is my turn and so, here I am.

 I’ve not seen my own son in more than a while,

 But my wife sends me pictures, he’s sure got her smile.” 

 Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,

 The red, white, and blue… an American flag.

 “I can live through the cold and the being alone,

 Away from my family, my house and my home.

 I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,

 I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat. 

 I can carry the weight of killing another,

 Or lay down my life with my sister and brother..

 Who stand at the front against any and all,

 To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall.”

 ”So go back inside,” he said, “harbor no fright,

 Your family is waiting and I’ll be all right.”

 ”But isn’t there something I can do, at the least,

 ”Give you money,” I asked, “or prepare you a feast?

 It seems all too little for all that you’ve done, 

 For being away from your wife and your son.”

 Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,

 ”Just tell us you love us, and never forget. 

 To fight for our rights back at home while we’re gone,

 To stand your own watch, no matter how long.

 For when we come home, either standing or dead,

 To know you remember we fought and we bled.

 Is payment enough, and with that we will trust, 

 That we mattered to you as you mattered to us.”

 PLEASE, would you do me the kind favor of sending this to as many  people as you can? Christmas will be coming soon and some credit is due to our U.S service men and women for our being able to celebrate these festivities. Let’s try in this small way to pay a tiny bit of what we owe. Make people  stop and think of our heroes, living and dead, who sacrificed themselves for us. 

LCDR Jeff Giles, SC, USN, 30th Naval Construction Regiment, OIC, Logistics Cell One, Al Taqqadum, Iraq

 

Who is this man on the mountain…

The soldier in the above picture tells the tale. We don’t know who he really is. But what an awesome story he tells. Yet there is also another man on a mountain that I want to tell you about. 

Nathan just completed a series of studies entitled, ‘Mountain Top Living.’ He took his teachings from ‘the sermon on the mountain.’ (Matthew 5-7) There is one vital key to the sermon on the mountain. The sermon on the mountain has to do with the man on the mountain. Who is this man on the mountain? 

The Bible from Genesis to Revelation, literally wraps itself around the man on the mountain. Listen to these Scriptures.  

“…Who has ascended into heaven and descended? Who has gathered the wind in His fists? Who has wrapped the waters in His garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name or His son’s name? Surely you know!“ - Pro 30:3-4 NASB

“Lift up your heads, O gates, and be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in! Who is the King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O gates, and lift them up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in! Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, He is the King of glory. Selah.” - Psa 24:7-10 NASB

“…but we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predeestined before the ages to our glory; the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.“ - 1Co2:6-8 NASB

“I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and of supplication, so that they will look on Me whom they have pierced; and they will mourn for Him, as one mourns for an only son, and they will weep bitterly over Him like the bitter weeping over a firstborn.” - Zech 12:10 

“And one shall say unto him: ‘What are these wounds between thy hands?’ Then he shall answer: ‘Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends.’” - Zech 13:6 Jewish Publication Society Bible

 

Have you guessed who the man on the mountain really is? What I can tell you is that the man on the mountain did not have His beginning as a babe in Bethlehem. He has been from all eternity. He is the eternal Son of God. 

The man on the mountain is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He is the Son of the living God. He is the Lord of glory. He is the Savior of all who will call upon Him. And this is why it is so important to get Jesus beyond the cradle, beyond the cross, and right into heaven. This Jesus is the Lord of Glory, the very one who appeared to Abraham.

The apostles knew this. Thomas called Jesus, ‘My Lord and my God.’ 

Jesus made the statement, “Abraham rejoiced to see My day. He saw it and was glad.” Certain of the Jews were offended. They said that Jesus was not yet fifty years old and He could not have seen Abraham. 

Jesus responded, “Before Abraham was, I AM.”  The Jews knew exactly what Jesus was saying. And that was when they tried to stone Him. 

But did Jesus really see Abraham? And did Abraham really see Jesus? Oh yes indeed. The apostle said,

“The God [Lord] of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran.” - Act 7:2 MASB

Why is it so important to know who Jesus really is. It is because out of the cross came a decree from heaven. This decree is based upon who Jesus really is. The decree is the Law of Salvation. And Satan knows it very well. This is is why Satan hates true Christians.

The degree is stated this way:

“For the Scripture says, ‘WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.’ For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; for ‘WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.’”  - Rom 10:11-13 NASB

Think about it.

Have you made room in your heart for the man on the mountain?

Blessings,

Buddy

Journal,

The apostle Paul said that the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. So, is the gospel a foolish message? Listen to the testimony of a dear lady who was rescued by the cross. (In her own words. Used by permission.)

I just want to share that no matter what a marriage is going through, with God all things are possible. I am proof that God can and does work out marriages. I married my husband in 02. I then was an alcoholic, adulterer, drug user, and didn’t know a thing about Christ. I cheated on my husband numerous times. We separated and I had an affair.

I was a very hard hearted woman. I didn’t care about my husband. And we do have children involved. I even came to a point where I gave my two boys (at the time they were 2 and 2months.) to my mother. I didn’t care to be a mother.

I was 23yrs old and at the time wanted to do nothing but party, party, party. By the time I was 23 I had tried cocaine, cigarettes’, weed, meth, sherm, mushroom, acid, ecstasy, and popped a few pills. I smoked weed in front of my children and even smoked with one of them while pregnant. 

During this time my husband tried to talk about Christ, but I wouldn’t hear a word of it. He listened to Gospel music all the time and I would make him shut it off. By the time I gave my children to my mother I had been married 3yrs. My husband and I separated but got back together. Our marriage was nowhere near what God had intended marriage to be. 

Low and behold, I came to a breaking point in my life and I gave my life to Christ on April 9, 2006. I didn’t speak in tongues; I didn’t get baptized in the name of Jesus that day. (I did get baptized later) All I did was repent and it was shown to me by God that I was a sinner and sinned against him. and that I needed him more than life. I walked to the altar at church that day and that is the day my life changed forever.

I was freed from all my sins and my ways. I have been sober since. I also got my children back. My love for my husband has become real. I have to admit that before Christ, I knew nothing about LOVE. But after I knew Christ I know that what I was doing to my husband and marriage was not love at all. I say this because no matter what a marriage goes through God is still working.

My marriage isn’t near perfect today. But I can say that I love my husband with a Godly love. I have been married 6yrs now. I went through the thing with the oneness church and that put a strain on our marriage. After coming out of it our marriage has begun to blossom into genuine love because God is my focus.

Jenny A.

What a wonderful testimony to the love and grace of Jesus Christ. The point is that Jenny did not receive her make over of life because of a certain religion that she became involved with. She had a change over of life because she met the author of life Himself, Jesus Christ.   

The Word of God says, 

“All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.” John 1:3-4 NASB

And again,

“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.” - 1John 5:11-12 NASB

Jesus had in Himself the very life of God…

The life that Jesus came to give us is heavenly life. It is this heavenly life of God that was resident in Him as He walked the earth. It was this life that made Jesus one with the Father. It was God’s life that was fully manifested in Jesus. And it is this very life of God that is implanted in the souls of all who turn to Jesus. The life of God is what changes the sinner’s life into a life that is connected with heaven. It is a life that remains forever. 

John said, 

“…and the life was manifested, and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us– what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.” - 1John1:2-3 NASB

It is this very same eternal life that is given to every person who truly believes in Jesus Christ. The apostle makes this very plain when he said, 

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” - John 3:16-18 NASB

The message of the cross carries in it the influence of heaven…

I’ve been a minister of the gospel since age twenty-four. I am now sixty-eight years old. In these forty-four years I can testify to the life-changing power in the simple message of the cross. This is why I love and deeply appreciate every church that preaches the simple message of our completed salvation in Jesus Christ. And I am saddened by those religious groups that add to or take away from the simplicity of the gospel. 

Paul said,

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “BUT THE RIGHTEOUS man SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.” - Rom 1:16-17 NASB

In another place the apostle warned believers to beware of those who would lead people astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ. (Cf. 2Co11:13)

Thank your Lord for the beautiful feet of the carrier of the gospel…

Well, my son Nathan, his wife Lori, and their oldest daughter, Joy, are heading for Mexico later this week. Joy was born in Mexico. They are going there to be with churches that they helped to establish twenty years ago. Nathan was our first missionary out of Christian Challenge proper. He was involved in establishing thirteen churches in Mexico, mostly among the Indians. Their works are still bearing much, much fruit. 

Note: For information on the trip go to Nathan’s blog: http://nathanmartin.blogspot.com/

The Lord has something to say about men and women who carry the gospel message to those who have not heard. Listen:

“For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; for ‘WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.’

How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? How will they preach unless they are sent?

Just as it is written, “HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!’”  - Rom 10:12-15 NASB

As for me, it remains the passion of my heart to share the gospel with others. I’ve preached in many places in this great country of ours and in other countries. I’ve preached in mission works, in tents, in brush arbors, on the streets, in theaters, in revivals, on banana plantations, in store front ministries, and in more churches than I can name. To this day nothing thrills me more than to see the transformed lives of men, women, and children, who come to embrace Jesus Christ as their own personal Lord and Savior. There is no greater joy. 

And thank you again Jenny, for sharing your testimony of life. It was the foolishness of the message preached that gave you your new life.

I would love to hear from others who have come to know the Lord. Share with my readers how your life was changed from darkness to light.  

Much love coming your way,

Buddy

Journal,

A very interesting thing happened this past week. I misplaced my brain somewhere. It all had to do with our Tuesday morning Bible study group.

Several weeks ago I felt in my heart to provide a Tuesday morning Bible study. Well as things go, the group began quite small, usually with seven or eight folks. Then when it appeared that the group was going to dwindle due to work schedules, I wondered if we really needed a Tuesday morning study group.

Well, it seems the Lord was not very excited about my wondering and wandering mind. During my early devotional time on Tuesday morning, that is, before the Bible study time, the Lord spoke to me from this Scripture:

“Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus.” (Rom15:5)

That was just what I needed to hear. It was time to get out of the wavering, wondering, and wandering mind set. 

As I reflected on that Scripture, my mind went back to the early days of Christian Challenge. All Betty and I had in 1976, was a stewardship from the Lord, our three children, our Bibles, my guitar, and a bunch of empty chairs. We had no sponser and no support. Yet over time we literally watched the Lord build a ministry called Christian Challenge International, one building block at a time. 

So, once again I felt that spark from the Lord stirring deep in me. I was not to disturb what was going on with our Tuesday Bible study. And if there were to be any changes, they will have to come from the Lord.

OK Lord, I’m back in the boat.

It gets more interesting. It was time for my second withess. Remember what the Lord said about witnesses: “By the mouth of two or three witnesses every fact may be confirmed.”  

Right after my morning devotion I received a telephone call; ‘Are you having Tuesday morning Bible study?’ Wow, another witness. This was from a person who did not attend Christian Challenge. 

Sure enough we had our study. And yup, it was still a small group this past Tuesday. But it included two new folk and a promise to stir up others. It also included a renewed spiritual vision on my part. 

Of course I need to share about my style of teaching.

Feel free to disturb me…

I have what some would conclude as a strange teaching style. For one thing I encourage interruptions at any point during the Bible ministry. I want folk to feel free ask questions, share insights, or simply give me a bad time. (Just be prepared to receive back what you dish out.)  : ) 

Secondly, I want those who attend to fall in love with the ancient Scriptures. It is my joy to provide liberally from the Hebrew background of the New Testament. There is so much of the Bible that would come alive if folk realized how the Old Testament itself was the New Testament for the earliest Jewish believers. They could see Jesus Christ from Genesis to Malachi. 

Anyway, from our Tuesday morning ministry I came up with the title of this entry, ‘Mirror, mirror on the wall.’ 

Let me share just a smidgen on what it means to …  

Look into God’s mirrow…

The title of my teaching this Tuesday was, ‘Looking Into God’s Mirror.’ I shared with our group what the term ‘mirror of the Lord’ meant to Jewish believers. Took them back to the tabernacle plan where the laver of bronze had women’s mirrors placed in it. There was a reason this. (See if you can come up with it.) We had a wonderful discussion time along with a special request for teachings on the tabernacle plan.

Did you know that every article that concerned the tabernacle plan was ordained by God and according to His design. Each article of furniture, including the priestly vestments all have something to say about the gospel of Jesus Christ. Even the mirrors of the women. (I’ll leave that one with you.)

What I wanted our group to realiize is what the Hebrew term that is translated as ‘mirror’ in the tabernacle plan, actually means. Only in the tabernacle plan do you find the Hebrew word ‘mar’ah’ translated as mirror.

Mar’ah is from the root word ra’ah, which means ‘to see.’ But the actual meaning of mar’ah speaks of a supernatural vision. For example in Genesis 46:2, it says,

“God spoke to Israel in visions [mar'ah] of the night…”

I was able to share how the idea of supernatural vision came to be part of our walk of faith with Jesus. The truth of the matter is that believers can only walk in what they can see with their spiritual eyes. This is why the apostle included in his prayer for the Ephesian believers, that God would open their eyes: 

“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.” - Eph 1:18-21 NASB

Paul also addresses the issue of God’s mirror in his second letter to the Corinthians:

“But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.” - 2 Corinthians  3:18 NASB (In this case the mirror is the written Word of God.)

Now lets carry this a step further and talk about what it means…

To behold the glory of the Lord…

Here is where the wonderment of God’s mirror opens up. When God looks in the mirror, who does He see? He sees Jesus. The Bible plainly says that Jesus is the image of the invisible God. 

So, when our heavenly Father looks in the mirror of His Word, He sees Jesus. This was His design from the beginning. The Bible actually wraps itself around Jesus like a scroll.

And in God’s plan of redemption, the only way He sees us is also in Christ Jesus. This is part of the mystery of the new creation. Our life has been hidden with God in Christ. 

For time’s sake I’ll narrow things down a bit.

So, how about when we look into the mirror of God’s Word? Who do we see? We also see Jesus. Notice Paul said that as we look into God’s mirror, that is, His Word, we are “Beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord.” 

It is in this beholding the Lord that we experience spiritual transformations. 

This is why believers should never read their Bible like they are reading a newspaper.

Don’t read the Bible like a newspaper…

There is no question that the Bible records history before it happens. But there is another aspect to the Bible that can be overlooked if all we are doing is studying the Scriptures to acquire information. 

Let me explain with a story -

Some many years ago I received a telephone call from a lady who did not attend our services. Her daughter was going through a divorce. She asked if I would come to their home to share with the daughter. So I did. The daughter was doing quite well. Seems the mom had the struggle.

Anyway, as I was about to leave, the mom said, ‘Brother Buddy, I hear people say how the Bible has come alive for them. It is not alive for me.” 

That very instant the Holy Spirit gave me her answer. What I told her was to stop reading the Bible like a newspaper. In the future she should read her Bible as though she were looking into the very eyes of God. I gave her the Scripture for this.

The very next day I received a telephone call from this dear sister. She was so excited. Her Bible had come alive!I

Think about it. 

So, I’ll leave you with these questions -

Have you been looking into God’s mirror lately?

What do you see?

Has the Bible come alive for you?

And may the blessings of the Lord overtake you as you walk in the obedience of faith.

In Christ,

Buddy

Journal,

Mud slinging seems to be the norm for politics. During our presidential election there was a lot of mud slinging taking place. (From both sides.) But the more I did my own research, the more disappointed I became with all the misinformation being spread in the guise of factual reporting. 

As for our new president elect, yes I have mixed emothions. I’m sure others share these same mixed emotions. While there are things that I truly admire in Obama, there are concerns that I have for some of his personal positions. How all these things pan out, we will just have to wait and see. 

Regardless of all this, I also realize that Obama could not acquire the office of president aside from God’s express will and intent. For this reason alone we as Christians must pray for him. At the same time we need to ask for insight with regard to the working of God’s plan of redemption.

This is what Daniel heard concerning the ending of the age that we are in:

“But as for you, Daniel, conceal these words and seal up the book until the end of time; many will go back and forth, and knowledge will increase. … As for me, I heard but could not understand; so I said, ‘My lord, what will be the outcome of these events?’ He said, ‘Go your way, Daniel, for these words are concealed and sealed up until the end time. Many will be purged, purified and refined, but the wicked will act wickedly; and none of the wicked will understand, but those who have insight will understand.’” - Daniel 12:4-10 NASB

The first one is taken from his interview by Rick Warren of Saddleback Church, where Obama affirms his faith in Jesus Christ.

This second video clip is from the CNN Compassion Forum - Barack Obama explains his path to Christianity…

The following video concerns Obama’s Tribute to his Mother [Audiobook]

And here is Barack Obama’s Family Photo Album…

Here is a testimony from Obama’s half sister, Maya…

Perhaps the one question that remains is…

How does Obama fit into God’s program of redemption…

The answer to that question is simple. We will have to wait and see. At the same time it should also be understood that every person on this planet will fit somewhere in God’s endtime working of redemption. How we fit depends entirely on our attitude toward the Lord Jesus Christ.

This is what Jesus said:

“So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows. Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven. Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.” - Mat 10:31-34 NASB

Is the sword coming? Yes, it is coming. The Bible is clear on this.

For those who truly believe in Jesus as their own Lord and Savior, we are not to fear. Our eternal security in Christ is already in place. But as I said earlier, our need is to seek the wisdom and insight that can only come from God. It is in this wisdom and insight thatwill guide us in how to pray and in how to look to the future. I stand firm in my faith that there is going to be an upward call for God’s people.

So, maybe we should stop trying to put words in Obama’s mouth, and simply learn to speak for ourselves. We will get to watch all this unfold in the days ahead. 

Just wanted to give some things to think about.

Blessings,

Buddy

Journal,

My mom told Betty, that if she married me she had better love dogs. (Something like that.) That was 45+ years ago and nothing has changed. 

Right after we married I headed for the dog pound and brought back a young dog. Named him SKeeter. The next day I headed back and got a pup. Named her Missy. But since I didn’t want to push my luck too far with my new bride I decided to hold off a bit. Here are pictures of my new bride with Skeeter and Missy.

That was only the beginning...

Not long afterwards I became a police officer. Guess what? I was given my own dog to train. Talk about providence. <grin>

Here is a picture of my police partner, Butch. I had Butch so well trained that I could speak to him with hand signals. He would even ride the back of my motorcycle with me. Of course I’ve had many of these buddies since Butch. Right now we have the General (CJ) and Wee Little Man (Zach). 

Is it any wonder that dogs are called ‘man’s best friend.’ They are so loyal. They love you unconditionally. As for being smart, and for having feelings, both these things are true. One thing I long since discovered about dogs is that they really do want to please you. 

Ok, one more thing about dogs then I’ll share some spiritual insights.

Now look into their eyes…

Every week our paper has pictures of dogs that are up for adoption from the local pound. And every time I see these pictures, my heart gets stired again.

Its that same old feeling. Something in me wants to rush down to the pound that take all these doggies home. Of course none of that will ever happen. 

Take a look at three of the pups that are up for adoption this week, Alice, Molly, and Tinkerbell. Aren’t they adorable. Now look closely into their eyes. What do you see?

What I see is, ‘What am I doing here? I don’t belong here. I belong to some little boy or some little girl. I belong in a nice home where I can chase my tail, and hide slippers, and lick faces, and, and, and…..’

Had enough on the puppies?

Ok, this bring me to the question…   

What are we doing here as the people of God…

An awesome thing happened on November 4th. It is going to be difficult to measure all the ups and downs for our new president-elect, Barack Obama. For the first time in the history of this nation we will have a biracial president. (Biracial speaks of the combining of two races.) 

I realize that folk enjoy seeing Barak Obama as our first African American president, but in reality what we are seeing in Obama, is the merging of his black ancestry and his white ancestry. Obama is equally black and equally white. There is probably much more to this picture than we realize.  

There is no question that we need to pray for our next president. Yes, I voted for McCain. For me it was never about race. It had to do with the political, spiritual, and moral ideology. Now that Obama is to be our next president, we must take to heart his need for our prayers. Obama is facing some issues that will very likely turn his hair grey. He is gong to need a strong team of leaders who can be trusted to lead our country on a path that will seek to honor God. 

Once the jubilation dies down, we will be able to see the reality of the moment.

In the meantime…

God’s people are to serve both as watchmen on the wall, and as restrainers of evil…

We are the stop gap between the man of peace and his power to dominate the entire world. Who is this man of peace? Only time will tell.

Yes, I know that many of God’s people tire of the fight. You can see it in their eyes. And just like the puppies, they are thinking, ‘I don’t belong here.”

It is true that we don’t belong here. The Bible plainly tells us that we are not of this world. But that longing for home has to be tempered with our responsibility to be beacons of light to those who would find Jesus. And once the final call of salvation has been accepted, it is then alone that we will receive our upward call.

What is a major thing we need to give our attention to? I’ve said it hundreds of times. Keep your eyes on Jerusalem. Jerusalem is where the cross took place, and Jerusalem is where the Lord Jesus is coming back. God’s plan of redemption wraps around that ancient city.

But there it much that has to happen in the meantime. Jerusalem will be brought to a place where they will reach out to the Lord Jesus, as a nation. It is at that place in time that her warfare will come to an end.

Listen again: 

“Behold, I am going to make Jerusalem a cup that causes reeling to all the peoples around; and when the siege is against Jerusalem, it will also be against Judah. It will come about in that day that I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples; all who lift it will be severely injured. And all the nations of the earth will be gathered against it.” - Zechariah 12:2-3 NASB

“And in that day I will set about to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem. I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and of supplication, so that they will look on Me whom they have pierced; and they will mourn for Him, as one mourns for an only son, and they will weep bitterly over Him like the bitter weeping over a firstborn.” - Zechariah 12:9,10 NASB

“‘Comfort, O comfort My people,’ says your God. ‘Speak kindly to Jerusalem; and call out to her, that her warfare has ended, that her iniquity has been removed, that she has received of the LORD’S hand Double for all her sins.’

“A voice is calling, ‘Clear the way for the LORD in the wilderness; make smooth in the desert a highway for our God. Let every valley be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; and let the rough ground become a plain, and the rugged terrain a broad valley; then the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all flesh will see it together; for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.’” -Isa 40:1-5 NASB (Partially fulfilled in the first coming of Jesus.)

The voice that is calling will be the voices of God’s born-from-heaven people. 

The next several months are going to see a world changing rapidly to get in line with the wrap up of the age. Sure, there is going to be mockery against Bible believing Christians. But that goes with the territory. Jesus told us not to be surprised if the world hated us. They hate us because they hate Him. 

In the meantime…

Why not hear a Christian-Jewish voice singing in Jerusalem…

As a precurser to the many Jewish voices that will one day sing in the ancient city, let’s hear this Jewish Christian mother singing in Hebrew wtih her kids. They are singing in the ancient city of Jeruslem. 

Well, that’s it for now. The only thing I have left to say to my readers is, ‘Let your voice be heard in the land. Be a voice for Jesus.’

May the blessing of the Lord overtake your life,

Buddy