Journal,

This evening I will be ministering on the subject, ‘It’s About The Children.’ (6:30 p.m. Central time. Go to:

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

Don’t let the title throw you. The emphasis involves the original purpose of creation. The story of creation is the story of Jesus Christ and the children of God. If you love Bible studies, you will certainly enjoy this one. I always let the Bible speak for itself. (If you are unable to be with us this evening, the visual study will be archived for a week.)

My text Scripture will include Ephesians 2:4-7 and also John 11:49-52. You may find it interesting to know that Israel’s high priest, Caiaphas, prophesied over Jesus, without knowing it, and yet it was this same Caiaphas who was responsible for sending Christ, the high priest of the new covenant, to the cross.

What Caiaphas said was given to him by the Holy Spirit. It had to do with the gathering of God’s children.

The teaching will include three major points. (You can fill in the blanks.)

I - The Children of Eternity

II - The Signature of God’s Children

III - Why it can never be religion

Just a taste for the teaching - Did you know that all children of God have a three-fold signature in them that goes much deeper than religion. This is why it can never be religion.

The three-fold signation can be capsulated as the love sign, the homeward sign, and the vision sign.

Ok, enough on that. I’ll need to be in the pulpit in about two and a half hours.

Still checking out my blog…

This shortened journal entry will go out to my subscribers and will also appear on the Christian Challenge web site. Still not certain if it will go to the various groups that it is intended for.

Much love coming your way,

Buddy

Posted: April 30th, 2008 under CCI, Devotions & Studies, General.
Comments: none

Journal,

Wow, what a weekend! Wonderful beyond words. And Betty and I are both tired plum to the bone, but a good tired nonetheless. Think next time we’ll run our guests off no later than 10 p.m. each evening.    :)

Our 32nd Homecoming Jubilee really was a day wonderful. The worship was so uplifting. Pastor Joel Dyke from Life Church in West Monroe brought a heart-stirring message.

Of course he was divinely inspired to tell a few mission stories about he and Nathan’s ventures in Mexico. Don’t think anyone will forget the Alchaselzer story. There was more than enough laughter to go around.  :)

Seems our Homecoming Jubilee did well in capturing the memories of lots of folk. It was great to see so many of our friends from years gone by.   

And talk about a songstress. We had a lovely young lady who can sing and play the guitar with such grace that it will bring tears to your eyes. Yep, we heard a different rendition of Amazing Grace, by our dear friend from Florida, Jenni Baier. Here she is on the left. Now if I can jest get her to turn on a bit of her blue grass gospel picking and grinning.  

Of course I did my bit. Nathan and Shana helped me with one of my songs, ‘The Holy City.’ (Also known as ‘By Faith Abraham.’) But to add some culture to the mix, I led the congregation in our Hallelujah Cajun Chorus. Now that song is a bit tricky —It only has one word. You repeat hallelujah  to the tune of Jambalaya. So sad that I had to chide the congregation to offer a few Cajun yells. 

And when it came time for the eatings, it was ’Kattie bar the door.’ Our good friend City Marshall Larry Jeane, provided the meat.

Had plenty of help in the kitchen. Wow, there are no words to describe such a table as was spread at Christian Challenge.

Oh yes, there was something even extra special for the weekend. We had several of our out-of-state friends from a forum that I host, able to be with us. We had Jenni from Michigan, Jenni from Florida, John and Jamie from Arkansas, and Lois from Texas. Here’s a picture that includes our long-distance friends.  — Further down I’ll tell you who is who —

In fact we are so proud of this out-of-state group coming to visit us that we decided to give them conditional membership to the Cajun Suck-a-Tosh Indian Tribe, of which I am one of the chiefs. Lane Fletcher is the other chief. His mom, Bernett Fletcher is chief of chiefs. (To whom we always humbly bow and pay our respects.)

Now there are two things to keep in mind about the Suck-a-Tosh Indians. For one thing don’t get us confused with the Suck-a-Squash Indian tribe. The obvious difference is that members of the Suck-a-Squash Indian tribe are noted for always sucking on a squash. We don’t do that. Seems to me that they look too much like a possum smacking on a sweet tater.

Anyway, the second thing is that we try to do is interpret conditional members’ name into our Suck-a-Tosh local dialect. Its a bit tricky but here is the best as I an interpret them.

Jenni Baier’s name means ‘She who deeply loves cajun blue grass music but can’t talk about it cause it brings tears to her eyes, but breaks into big grin when you ask her to play some.’

Jenni Yeater’s name means, ‘She who torments men by throwing things at them and when bored, swiftly burns down barns.’

John Smith’s name means, ‘He who is very much quiet til time to testify, then words flow from lips like mighty river.’

Jamie Brunk’s name means, ‘Beautiful lady who lights up room with a single smile, and captures the heart of man named John.’

Lois Gibson’s name means, ‘Mighty awesome lady who can leap big buildings with a single bound, and who loves to stay at Martin house till wee hours in morning.’

Now for who is who. In the above group picture look closely. Working from the left in the back row are, Lois Gibson, Nathan Martin, Lane Fletcher, John Smith, Joel Dyke, Angel Dyke, and Jenni Baier. In the front from the left are Lori Martin, Buddy Martin, Jenni Yeater, Jamie Brunk, and Betty Martin.

And of course we cannot leave out the hero of the party, General Claudius Josephus. (CJ for short.) Here he is on our front porch and laying down.

All I can say about CJ, is that if you ever pet him, you’ve made a friend for life. He will do his best to crawl up in your lap. His way of kissing is simply to shake a little slobber around.

Well, that about wraps it up for now. That is, unless you would like to see a picture of the Founding Pastor and his wife, and the Senior Pastor and his wife. You would. O boy.

OK, here goes:

Founding Pastor, Buddy Martin and Betty —

Senior Pastor, Nathan Martin and Lori…

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Thats it folks. It all began for Christian Challenge, on March 9, 1976. Thirty-two years later and still going.

May the Lord give us much increase in souls for the kingdom in the days that are ahead.

More than enough love coming your way.

Buddy

Posted: March 11th, 2008 under CCI, General.
Comments: none

Journal,

Yup, its that time again. Sunday, March 9, 2008, is our 32nd Homecoming Jubilee. What a venture it has been. It all began in an old storefront building in Boyce. Our very first service was on March 9th, our daughter Shana’s second birthday. As for the building, we held it together with bailing wire and bubble gum. 

Today the Christian Challenge setting is in a rustic background of 7 1/2 acres in Pineville, Louisiana. A major plus is that CCI is presently busting at the seams with new members. We are actually running out of space for our School for Christian Workers.

– Bear in mind that Christian Challenge began with a small sign to the right of the front door which read, ‘School for Christian Workers.’  The School is forever the heart of the ministry. —  

OK, back to the Jubilee. Its all about wonderful worship, special singing, dramas, anointed preaching, dinner-on-the-grounds, and anything else we can stir in the mix.

All I can say is, you’d better come early to get a good sitting down place! The only table reserved will be for our special out-of-state guests.  

Reaching back to our 25th Jubilee…

At the beginning of my stewardship to raise up a training ministry in Central Louisiana, the Lord began to give me songs that were based on the gospel. I early on purposed in my heart to make these songs available to anyone who would like to have them.

At our 25th Jubilee we provided a couple hundred CDs as gifts. The songs are now available on our web site. You can listen to the songs or download them at this site:

http://christianchallenge.org/JubileeCD.html

Note: The motto and the theme song of Christian Challenge is ‘How Beautiful Upon the Mountains.’ The motto of the School for Christian Workers is ‘Preparing Servants for the Nations.’

Christian Challenge has had several hundred believers experience our unique training programs. And it all goes back to our original stewardship of being a mentoring society. What makes our training programs so unique is that they are disciple based, total Scriptural focused, and placed in a format that takes the student right into the spiritual dynamics of the new covenant.

We’ve had more than one of our graduates tell us that they acquired more of a spiritual value in our Disciple’s Heart Class, than they did in two years of Bible college. What makes this even more strange is that our Disciple’s Heart Class only meets once a week for a total of fourteen weeks. Figure that one out.

But there is a point to be made. I personally designed both our Disciple’s Heart Course, and our Shepherd’s Heart Course, to place in the hearts of our students with what I consider to be the spiritual fabrics of life. Spiritual fabrics speaks of the Lord weaving into our own hearts that which pertains to Himself and to His kingdom.   

Note: Our School is not designed to take the place of Bible college or seminary training. Those choices belong to each believer.

The Christian Challenge logo…

Our motto comes from Isaiah 52:7 kjv;

“How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!”

In the Bible, the term ‘mountains’ is often a Hebraism used for kingdoms. With this in mind the logo pretty much tells the story. The three peaks represents the kingdoms of the world. Thus the dove and the Bible speak of the gospel going to all the kingdoms.

In the background you have the ‘rising’ and the ’setting’ sun, which accords with what the Lord said, “That men may know from the rising to the setting of the sun that there is no one besides Me. I am the Lord, and there is no other.” (Isaa45:6 nasb)

OK, how about a short devotional. Let’s call it

Do you know the Master of the wind….

How is your boat of life doing?

Here is where our denomination has to take a back seat. The very heart of the new covenant is the Abba! Father! experience. In this case it doesn’t matter if you are Southern Baptist, United Pentecostal, Assembly of God, Church of God, Church of Christ, Presbyterian, Methodist, Charismatic, and so on. You cannot tell a person who knows the Lord that they don’t know the Lord. The promise of the new covenant is, “They will all know Me, from the least to the greatest of them.” (Heb8:11)

To know the Lord is the great wonder of a believer’s life. This is why we can call ‘knowing the Lord’ the crown of a believer’s life. It is in this knowing that the believer is protected from the false prophet. It is this knowing that causes a believer to distinguish false teaching. It is this knowing that gives the believer the deepest of assurance that he or she is in the will of the Lord. It is this ‘knowing’ that is the sign of a person who is truly born again.

Jesus said, “But you do not believe because you are not My sheep. 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.” (John 10:26-28)

Jesus says there is a knowing relation between both Him and His sheep. In verse 5, He says of the sheep, “A stranger they simply will not follow, but will flee from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers.”

In the new covenant Jesus did not leave it up to religion nor to the efforts of man to establish people in His kingdom. He calls us one by one by one. And He still speaks into our lives in that manner.

Our walk with the Lord is very personal. But for a believer it is a ‘knowing’ walk. Paul said that one of the greatest guiding principles for our walk with the Lord is this kingdom peace that is given believers. This is why he said, “So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”

He afterwards says, “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.” (Col3:12,15)

So once again, it matters not what your religious background may be, the Lord will faithfully guide you on to safer pastures. He has promised to save you.

Why not let Candy Christmas minister this truth to your heart.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=hsxv6I0dTEE&feature=related

Hope to see you at Jubilee.

Much love coming your way.

Buddy

Posted: March 3rd, 2008 under CCI, General.
Comments: none

Journal,

Yesterday my doctor at MD Anderson gave me a clean and clear bill of health with regard to lymphoma and released me back to Cabrini. Once again I really appreciate Nathan making the trip to Houston with his mom and me. (A one day venture.)

Of course this carries in line with the Biblical principle of witnesses: “Every act is to be confirmed by the testimony of two or three witnesses.” (Cf. 2Co13:1 nasb)

With that in mind here is Nathan’s report as sent to the Christian Challenge membership via our ministry email site:

“Yesterday I traveled w/Bro. Buddy & Sis. Betty to MDAnderson Cancer Center in Houston for Bro. Buddy’s followup visit with Dr. Neelapu to go over the results of all the followup tests. As you recall back in August his tests from Cabrini showed the cancer was in the bone marrow but two weeks later the tests from MDAnderson showed no signs of cancer. They had wanted to do followup tests two months later and we were headed back to get the results of those tests that were done last week.

“GREAT NEWS - all tests came back clean!!! There are no signs of cancer, only scar tissue from the dead cancer cells. Dr. Neelapu has released Bro. Buddy back to Cabrini and suggests that he continue doing routine CT Scans just to keep an eye on things. Praise the Lord! Expect the Unexpected!”

Only scar tissue from the dead cancer cells… 

The cancer was put to death. But this brings me back to what the Lord spoke to me during my morning devotion, Monday, August 6th. I was meditating in Isaiah 64:2,3, which reads:

“When you did awesome things which we did not expect, You came down, the mountains quaked at Your presence. For from days of old they had not heard or perceived by ear, nor has the eye seen a God besides You, who acts in behalf of the one who waits for Him.” (Isa64:2,3 nasb)

In that moment of meditation was the divine presence. The Lord spoke to my heart with  regard to MD Anderson, saying, ‘Expect the unexpected.’ He also spoke to me from the last part of verse 4, “Nor has the eye seen a God besides You, who acts in behalf of the one who waits for Him.”

Words to live by…

My point in resharing a bit of this testimony is to show how the Lord gives us words to live by. It has been that way for me over my many years of walking with Him. But not to me only — This is how the kingdom of God’s beloved Son works.

For example, the three disciples heard these words on the mount of transfiguration, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!” (Mt17:5)

Then we have this from the Lord Himself; “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.” (Jn6:63)

Faith comes from hearing Christ speak to your heart …

If there was ever a lesson that God’s people need to learn over and over again, it is the lesson of learning to listen to Jesus. The Bible says that Jesus is both the author and the finisher of our faith. This means much more than our initial salvation experience. It means that Jesus will be with us all the days of our lives, continually giving us words to live by.

This is what new covenant faith really about. It is about the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Jesus said in one setting, “Why do you call Me, Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” (Lk6:46)

When some of the people began to leave Jesus, the Lord asked the disciples if they wished to leave also. Peter’s response sets the tone for a believer’s walk with the Lord. He said, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life.” (Jn6:68)

Dreams, visions, and living words…

One day I wish to share how the Lord has often directed me through dreams, visions and living words. It would be without the purpose of drawing any attention to myself. My desire would simply be to rekindle the faith of God’s people with regard to what a ‘living faith’ involves.

Jesus did not come to give us dead orthodoxy or some formal form of religion to oversee our lives. Neither did He come to give us some charismatic leader to be our guide in life. Jesus came to give us a personal, vital connection with heaven and a way to walk with Him that is filled with life. This is why the new covenant is spoken of as “a new and living way.” (He10:20)

If you see your sister falling by the way…

When I was an evangelist one of the songs I use to sing was made popular by Glen Campbell. (In the 70s) It was entitled ‘Try a Little Kindness.’ Take a moment to listen to it here:

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

The reason I draw attention to this song is because of late one of our sister churches in this this area has been struggling under a great burden. It has been so grevious that the whole Christian community has been affected by it. Much prayer has been forthcoming.

Without speaking to detail of the struggle, I’ve said and I’ve heard a number of others say that there could be ‘no winners’ in this issue. But the more I thought about it, it seems the Lord put in my heart that many winners would come out of the struggle. In fact we’ve seen prayers being answered right and left.

But the keynote is found in the song. Listen to the lyrics and see if this song speaks to your heart –

Try a Little Kindness

If you see your brother standing by the road
With a heavy load from the seeds he’s sowed
And if you see your sister falling by the way
Just stop and stay you’re going the wrong way

You got to try a little kindness
Yes show a little kindness
Just shine your light for everyone to see
And if you try a little kindness
Then you’ll overlook the blindness
Of narrow-minded people on the narrow-minded streets

Don’t walk around the town, down and out
Lend a helping hand instead of doubt
And the kindness that you show every day
Will help someone along their way

You got to try a little kindness
Yes show a little kindness
Just shine your light for everyone to see
And if you try a little kindness
Then you’ll overlook the blindness
Of narrow-minded people on the narrow-minded streets

You got to try a little kindness
Yes show a little kindness
Just shine your light for everyone to see
And if you try a little kindness
Then you’ll overlook the blindness
Of narrow-minded people on the narrow-minded streets

When I drove by our sister church this morning on my way to our weekly pastor’s prayer breakfast, I felt such a sense of love and compassion for them. Prayers flowed forth. Yet in all this I knew in my heart that they were going to be alright. The Lord would see to it.

With regard to kindness, I can add that the Lord was gracious is allowing a few of we local pastors to become part of the healing process in our sister’s struggle. The one thing we wanted was to remain incognito. The Lord granted us that privilege. Certainly it isn’t over, but the full victory will be seen in time. (For everyone.) Yes - There will be plenty of winners involved.

Nuff for now.

Many blessings,

Buddy

Posted: October 31st, 2007 under CCI, NHL.
Comments: none

Hi Journal,

Hopefully our travelings can slow down? for awhile. First it was Alabama, then Houston, Texas, and finally Clinton, Oklahoma. I get sort of road weary after a bit.

We made it in from Oklahoma, Thursday afternoon. Had a great time. After? the Green family reunion we? went on to Betty’s mom’s? for a visit. (West of Oklahoma City.) Got to spend time with? Betty’s sister Lareta and with her brother Darrell, and their spouses. (Darrel lives in New Mexico. He made the drive over to be with us.)

Yesterday and today have been really nice. Got to be in the VBS wrap up last evening. All the teachers were a ‘happy’ tired. After the VBS program it was a ball watching the kids with their water works.

Then today we had a soft ball outing for the church. Great turn out. Betty and I? enjoyed getting to visit with everyone. It is so good to be in the mix at Christian Challenge again.

Well, what this about walking in somone’s footsteps? Thanks for asking.

Many years ago when I was an evangelist I would go to the church where we were holding a revival just to pray. It was my custom to walk around the sanctuary while talking to the Lord. What made my prayer time? even more pleasurable was when I realized that a very young lad was walking right behind me, doing everything that I did.

Yep, that young boy was my son Nathan. Nathan was around five years old. Andre was still a baby and Shana had not yet made her appearance. But Nathan was like my shadow. He wanted to do what daddy was doing.

I recall a revival? I held in Iraan, Texas, in 1969. Betty and Andre stayed with her parents in Kermit, Texas, while Nathan went with me. We had a great time. I would play the guitar and Nathan would play the maracas. He was not the least bashful about standing there with daddy. And a good revival it was.

Well, Nathan is a grown man now with many years of ministry to his credit. He has walked beyond where my footsteps have taken me. In fact tomorrow Nathan and Patrick Calhoun are departing for the Philippines, India, and Nepal. They will be setting up new workers for Christians Sharing Christ. (Nathan serves on the board.)

Christians Sharing Christ is an awesome film-mission ministry. They train Christian nationals in the use of films to bring people to Jesus. It is one of the best missions groups that I know of. CSC can equip? 20 or more nationals to serve their own countrymen for what? it would cost to send one American to do the same work. Is that a bargain or what?

Of course I am asking for prayer for Nathan and Patrick.

By the way, are you learning to follow in the footsteps of Jesus? Think about it.

Looks like I’m being rebaptized into the work of Christian Challenge. I’ll be filling in for Nathan for two Sundays while he is gone. In addition I am initiating a new Sunday evening Bible study group. Maybe I still remember how to preach-teach.?

Hmmmmm. Seems like I said that before.

Tomorrow evening (6 p.m.) I’ll be talking with my study group about ‘living in covenant life.’ The study is a take off from a question that I was recently asked concerning what Hebrews 4:1 meant, “Therefore, let us fear, if while a promise remains of entering His rest, anyone one of you may seem to have come short of it.”

I’ll be sharing with the group that the term ‘rest’ actually refers to covenant life. It reflects back on how the term ‘life’ was used for the Old Testament people of Israel. I’ll also be sharing on the distinctions of the covenant of Moses in comparison to the covenant of Christ and how that the covenant of Christ is actually a ‘covenant of the Spirit.’

Don’t want to overplay my hand. Perhaps it is enough to say that when a believer is in the Spirit, they are in the rest. When they are not in the Spirit, they are not in the rest.

Of course there is much more to the issue of covenant life. You’ll simply need to be in the study group to gather some more gleanings on the life that Jesus came to give us.

Ok, what else? Oh yes. CJ was very happy to see us make it in from Oklahoma. While he enjoys meeting doggie friends at his kenneling, there really is no place like home. (I can attest to that.)

Its nearly 10 p.m. Think I’ll close out for now. (I plan to began? more Bible studies for my journal and the two forum groups that I host. Feel like its time to pick my writings back up.)

Much love coming your way,

Buddy

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Posted: June 30th, 2007 under CCI, NHL.
Comments: 2

Journal,

Yesterday was a day of? rejoicing at Christian Challenge. It was our privilege to? set apart Lane Fletcher to the gospel ministry.? If there was ever a man with the call of a preacher of the gospel,? it is Lane. He has proven himself? in faithfulness both to the Lord and in his serving the? church.?

In addition to our congregation, Christian Challenge overflowed with family and friends. (Of course Lane’s family is my family. His dad was my first cousin.)

The service began with worship. Then Nathan had Jamesette Kile and Jerome Fletcher share a special song at Lane’s request. Jamesette was on the fiddle, Jerome on the guitar, Mike Coutee on the base guitar, and Nathan on the piano. Jerome sang, “I want to stroll over heaven with you.”?

I was the first speaker in bringing a charge to Lane. I spoke on ‘The Messenger and His Message.’ I called attention to the ancient rite of God’s call to be a preacher in that the prophets were preachers. And what makes the feet of the bearer of the gospel beautiful is the message that he brings.

The angel said to the shepherds, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:9,10)

The preacher’s primary role is to bring God’s message of redemption to the world. This is a good news message.

The point is that no one calls themself to the ministry. It is solely God’s choosing. Jesus said, “You did not chose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give it to you.” (John 15:16)?

Actually Noah was the first man to be called a preacher. Peter wrote, “[God] did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a preacher of righteousness, with seven others, when He brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly.” (2Pe2:5)

I shared? five hallmarks of how a man knows he is called to the gospel ministry. They are:

1. The call is innate. This means that the call? will rest upon a person’s heart until he gives place to the call.
2. God’s call to the gospel ministry will carry the witness of? others.
3. The call is irresistible. If a person can stay out of the gospel ministry, he was not called to begin with.
4. The Lord will open doors for ministry for the person called.
5. The one called to the ministry will have shown himself in faithfulness. (God never calls an unfaithful man to the ministry.)

Paul testified to this in saying, “I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service.” (1Ti1:12)

But I also need to make a major point. God never calls a person to the gospel ministry because they lived a sinless life. Far from it. The carrier of the gospel? must always remember that he is also? one of those? sinners for whom Jesus came to redeem. We are all sinners saved by grace.

Nathan then brought the primary charge to Lane. He took his Scripture reading from Acts 13:1-3, and from 2 Timothy 4:1-5. He ministered on, ‘Set Apart for Me.’

Nathan was careful to bring out that the gospel minister will face opposition and that he must be sober in all things,? be willing to endure hardship,? do the work of an evangelist, and to fulfill his ministry of? calling. As a seasoned missionary to Mexico, Nathan well knows about these issues.

At the conclusion of Nathan’s charge he washed Lane’s feet while I sang the Christian Challenge theme song, ‘How Beautiful Upon the Mountains.’ We then had the laying on of hands. Brother Larry Basco, pastor of the Sharp Baptist Church, participated in the laying on of hands along with our board of counselors.

I deeply appreciate Brother Larry Basco being with us. A number of my family attend the church he pastors. Brother Larry is truly an humble servant of the Lord.

Perhaps it? needs to be said that? the greatest witness to all that was happening yesterday at Christian Challenge was the Lord Himself. The entire service testified to God’s pleasure. It was a moment to be cherished.

Well, this brings me to my title for this journal entry — God makes peace your borders. Listen carefully to some of the greatest instructions you will ever hear as a child of God.

The Psalmist wrote, “He [the Lord] makes peace in your borders; He satisfies you with the finest of the wheat.” (Psalm 147:14)?

While this Psalm appears to be directed to Israel’s restoration and prosperity, yet it carries certain truths for God’s people of all the ages.? The one truth that is especially relevant to New Testament believers is in the statement ‘He makes peace in your borders.”

One of the greatest witnessing attritutes of the kingdom of God is the governing peace of the Lord. This is why Peter said that it is crucial? for any child of God? to? seek peace and pursue it. (1Pe3:11) The issue is that God’s peace is available to all God’s children. They simply need to seek it out from the Lord.

One of the prophetic titles given to the Lord is, ‘Prince of Peace.’

Isaiah wrote, “For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace.” (Isaiah 9:6,7)

The apostle Paul added to this issue of God’s governing peace when he said, “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.” (Col. 3:15)

The? way that we can know we are truly trusting in the Lord and that we are in the very center of God’s perfect will is that we have the peace of Jesus ruling our hearts. This governing peace is only available to the child of God. It is not available to the world.

The apostle said,? “And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil4:7)

Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.” (John 14:27)

The way a child of God gets peace from the Lord is to receive it from the Lord. Jesus said, “My peace I give to you.”

The bottom line issue? is that a child of God must take care to? always live in the peace of Jesus Christ. This is where our true? strength? is found.

If for a moment we began to lose our peace,? it is time to stop.? Very often a moment of prayer will solve the problem. Most often when we lose our peace it is because we are allowing something to trouble us from without. The key is always the same? Stop letting your heart be troubled. And don’t let anyone or anything disturb your peace.

There is so much more I would like to say about God’s peace but I need to find a? stopping place. Hopefully you are getting the picture. Just keep in mind that the world didn’t give it to you and the world can’t take it away.

Sending you regards for the general.? CJ is stretched out on his pillow in my office. Not a worry in the world. Now if that isn’t peace I don’t know what is.?

Much love coming your way.

Buddy

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Posted: June 11th, 2007 under CCI.
Comments: none