Pastor Buddy’s Blog

Journal,

Not much going on today. CJ and I made our morning round. Had my devotion, breakfast, read the paper, and checked up on emails that needed answering. Took time to look over my fishing gear. I’m working on a plan on giving those? bass a run for their money.

Yup, I’m about to hit the? road again —

Andre and Justin and I will do a bit of bass fishing this afternoon at Lake Buhlow. (After Andre gets off work.) I’m really looking forward to being with my son and grandson. But since this is also my cautionary time with regard to chemo, I’ll need to be extra cautious.

Well, I always like to leave you with something to think about. I sometimes get questions on which Bible translation is the best one to use. A simple answer is that the best Bible to use is the one you will read. However, that is really over-simplistic. There are translations that are better than others.

Let’s have a basic study on the ‘kinds’ of translations. At the latter part of the study I want to share why those who use the King James Version should also have a more modern translation at hand.

Let’s call this study, ‘Which is the best Bible to use.’

There are essentially three kinds of translations: the literal translation, a paraphrase, and what is called a dynamic equivalency. We’ll begin with the least literal and work from there.

A paraphrase seeks to render the original Bible languages into the common language of the reader. Good News for Modern Man is an example. A paraphrase is intended for easy reading. They are designed for those who have little to no knowledge of the Bible.

The most popular paraphrase today is called the ‘New Living Translation’ (NLT).? The original work upon which this translation is based was the Living Bible. This was the work of one man. As paraphrases go, it could not be depended upon for accuracy.

Here is an where the Living Bible became? misleading. Acts 13:48 reads, “When the Gentiles heard this, they were very glad and rejoiced in Paul’s message; and as many as wanted eternal life, believed.”

Most folk would not catch the problem area here. The problem has to do with the sovereignty of God. The New American Standard Bible gives the proper rendering: “And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord; and as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed.”

Regardless on what we believe concerning the work of salvation, there is a difference between ‘wanting’ eternal life, and being ‘appointed’ to eternal life.

Because of this sort of misinterpretation, the Living Bible was called into question. It underwent a revision into what is called ‘The New Living Translation.” The NLT now reads, “When the Gentiles heard this, they were very glad and thanked the Lord for His message; and all who were appointed to eternal life became believers.” (Actually the New Living Bible today is likely the most accurate of the paraphrases.)

A dynamic equivalency translation is also called a ‘thought-for- thought’ translation. The dynamic equivalency translations have become the most popular translations today. The premier case is the New International Version. (NIV)

This form of translation seeks to translate ‘ideas’ rather than ‘words.’ But there is a problem that cannot be avoided. In attempting to translate ‘meanings’ into the language of today’s reader, what happens is that ‘exact’ meanings cannot always be translated beyond the intent of the original Bible language. It is sometimes impossible to translate ‘exact’ meanings without translating ‘exact’ words.

And so what often happens with dynamic equivalency translations is that the Scriptures can become simplified beyond what is meant in the original text.

Now to the ‘literal’ translations. In a literal translation there is a genuine attempt to be as accurate to the original wording of the Scriptures as possible. This is why a literal translation should always be part of the serious Bible student’s library.

A literal translation will not flow as easily as a paraphrase or a dynamic equivalency, but this isn’t really a disadvantage for the Bible student. The plus side is that in doing personal research on Bible terms, the reader often discovers treasures that are not obvious in a less literal translation.

Some literal translations include the King James Version, the New King James Version, the New American Standard Bible, and the New Revised Standard Bible. (My personal preference is the NASB.)

And so, which Bible should the believer use? I would recommend that the believer have both a literal translation and also one or more of the easier reading translations. You will find that they work well together.

Now for some tidbits on those who hold to the King James Version. Many people dearly love the kjv. Yet just as with the paraphrase or the dynamic-equilavency, there are certain problems with the King James Version that should not be overlooked. Sometimes it is a actual case of mistranslation.

First, it is important to understand that the kjv is simply a ‘version.’ It was based in part on earlier Bibles such as the Bishop’s Bible, and even draws some on the Latin.

A second issue is that we do not speak Elizabethans English today. As a living language English is ever changing. Many words used in the KJV do not mean the same thing today. (The New King James Bible is a vast improvement.)

Then there was the problem of King James himself. Most people are not aware that there were certain things in the KJV translation that King James would not allow to be changed because of tradition. A good example is the word Easter. This word is not in the Greek. It should have been translated as Passover.

Finally, we come to? manuscripts. Since the KJV was translated there have been over 5000 manuscripts or parts of manuscripts discovered. These manuscripts were not available to the translators of the King James Version. Modern translations take these later found manuscripts into consideration.

The deeper problem can come from ‘not-so-good’ preaching that is based on a misunderstanding of what is being said in the King James Version. For example, Philippians 3:20 in the kjv reads, “For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.”

While this seems very poetic, the Greek text is not speaking of conversation. The Greek word translated as ‘conversation’ in the kjv literally means citizenship. Every modern translation will use the correct word as ‘citizenship’ or ‘citizen,’ or ‘commonwealth.’ (Most have citizenship.) There is a great difference between conversation and citizenship.

Here is a mistranslation found in the King James. In the kjv, Paul supposely says, “Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?” (Acts 19:2) That is not at all what the Greek text says. The NASB gives the proper translation - “Did you receive the Holy Spirit WHEN you believed?” The word ’since’ is a mistranslation in the kjv.

Vincent’s Word Studies brings this out –

“The two verbs are in the aorist tense, and therefore denote instantaneous acts. The [kjv] therefore gives an entirely wrong idea, as there is no question about what happened after believing; but the question relates to what occurred when they believed.”

Those who use the kjv will see this entirely wrong. No one receives the Holy Spirit after believing. Believing in Jesus and receiving the Holy Spirit happen at the same time.

This is just something to add to your collection of ‘things to think about.’

Blessings,

Buddy

Morning journal,

Yesterday was quite a day. It started out with a trip to Cabrini for my regular blood tests. From there Betty and I went to the airport. I wanted to see the new terminal building. Boy, is it ever nice. We did a walk around. Can’t wait to try it out.

After returning home I got a call from Andre. He wanted to take me fishing that afternoon. He came by around four o’clock and off we went. Picked up his boat at Sharp and he and Brandon my grandson and I headed for the lake. Betty would meet us later that evening at Andres, and Judy would fix fish for supper.

What a wonderful time. I’ve never been a bass fisherman. It is one of those things you have to learn. Anyway, I caught the first fish, a nice size channel cat. All together we caught around six. Had to let a few go because of size.

Here’s the interesting part. Not being use to bass fishing I lost a couple of what looked like decent size bass. (In my opinion.) My line would go slack, then it would sort of start towards the boat. Rather than set the hook, I thought the fish was snared. Not so. He was just playing with his food. Anyway, the bass would get near the boat, give me what I saw as a ‘ha ha’ greeting, then off he would go. Boy, do I ever need an education on these crafty creatures. :)

Well, that brings me to a bit of a Bible study —

Been thinking the past few days on the goodness of the Lord. In my meditations this morning I kept thinking about how the Lord can bring something good out of something bad. Then it clicked — That is the story of the gospel. And that is the story of our lives.

I remembered the lady at the well who had been married five times and was then living with a man. Jesus did not condemn her. He simply showed her how goodness can come out of badness. He would be the goodness in her life. As I thought about this lady, I also thought about other gospel stories. Again it dawned on me — That is what the gospels are all about. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are stories of goodness coming out of badness.

Bringing goodness out of badness is the message of the cross. John wrote, “For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.” (John 3:17 nasb.)

Salvation, not condemnation is the message of the cross. God is always at work saving people. I think this is why Paul said, “Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men’s hearts; and then each man’s praise will come to him from the Lord.” (1Co5)

Not passing judgments is a hard thing for we humans to do. We want to pass judgments on just about everything and everyone. And yet we know so little about another person’s life, or where the Lord is at work in that person’s life.

On top of this I think there is a rule that Jesus gave us to follow — He said to certain religious leaders, “He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” (John 8:7)

None of this is a matter of overlooking sin. It is more a matter of loving the sinner but hating the trappings of sin.

Perhaps there is even a deeper lesson here. Paul taught that it is the kindness (or goodness) of the Lord that leads people to repentance. (Rom2:4) He also said that we must never think lightly of the Lord’s kindness, or His tolerence, and of His patience.

We have a tendency to look for God’s judgment on the erring person. Yet it is written, “God does not take away life, but plans ways so that the banished one will not be cast out from him.” (2Sa14:14) The word ‘banished one’ in Hebrew speaks of that one who is being drawn away from Him.

Then we hear this from Paul, “No temptation (drawing power of darkness) has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.” (1Co10:13,14)

What is a better way of saying this? Perhaps the better way is to say that God is not like us. The Lord made this known when he said through Isaiah, “My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways … For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher then you ways, and My thoughts that your thoughts.”   (Isa55:8,9)

None of this means that we cannot know the thoughts of the Lord. In fact in the new covenant coming to know God’s thoughts and His ways is the undergirding truth of the maturing believer. Knowing God’s ways is what gives the believer a compassionate and caring  heart.

Here is the lesson to learn — If it is God’s kindness that brings us to repentance, then repentance must be seen as both a gift from the Lord, but also as a way of life. As a way of life we should continually make repentances for our wrong thinking and our wrong actions towards others.

This is why the ancient people of God believed that repentance was actually a form of worship. To the Hebrews the word itself spoke of making course adjustments. The Hebrew term ’shubah’ means ‘returning.’ It is a feminine noun that in a religious sense is an act of turning back to God, to commit yourself to Him by turning from one’s own wayward ways.

So we hear, “For thus the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, has said, ‘In repentance and rest you will be saved, in quietness and trust is your strength.” (Isa30:15)

How then does God offer repentance as a gift? Paul said that repentance is a work of God’s kindness. (kjv says ‘goodness.’) It is not God’s will for any of his children to be undone by works of darkness. So the Lord sets about arranging things in a person’s life where He can bring goodness out of badness.

Badness was happening to the lady at the well. Goodness met her at her point of need. Was it a chance meeting between her and Jesus? No, the meeting was planned, deliberate, and with purpose. Jesus came to seek her out.

Again this is the story of the gospel. Jesus said“For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:10)

What then is God’s promise to his repented child His promise is, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you.”

But He also adds, “Do not be as the horse or as the mule which have no understanding, whose trappings include bit and bridle to hold them in check…” (Ps32:8,9)

The issue is that God has two means of providing guidance for the returning believer. First, we need to understand that God’s guidance is about life itself, and our need to be willing to walk in His ways by turning from our own ways.

Another way of providing gudance is through restraints. The Lord has ways of restraining His straying children so that they are caused to follow Him. Whatever the restaints may be, they are always a result of His love for His children. Restaints are not punishments. They are necessary corrective measures to keep the believer on the right path.

Perhaps we have all been mule-headed believers in our time. I certainly have. But once the restraining time is over we can then walk in the way of the Lord, without the restraint. The apostolic writer speaks of these restraints as the Lord’s way of teaching us the life of a disciple. Listen:

“All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful: yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness. Therefore, strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble, and make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed.” (He12:11-13)

Ok, that is your life lesson for the day.

What does all this have to do with bass fishing? Much, indeed. Through much discipline I will learn how to be a good bass fisherman.? :)

Much of love coming your way,

Buddy

Morning Journal,

Just a short note to share the good news with everyone.

My doctor was excited when he walked into the examination room. The PET scan was negative which means the lymph system shows no cancer. Also said it is important to complete the treatments as a precautionary measure. (Only three treatments left.)

However, just the fact that no cancers show up on the PET scan means it is ’shouting time on the hills of glory.’

Ok, nuff about me. One other item –

Today is a very special family day. We get together for a luncheon to celebrate Shana’s birthday. Like I tell my kids, family comes before anything else, after the Lord of course. But He is the one who gives us our family. He loves to see us rejoice as a family. After all, Jesus is our elder brother. He is always at the head of the table.  :)

May put out a study later today.

Talk with you later.

Lots of love,

Buddy

Journal,

This morning on my way to Cabrini for my blood test for chemo tomorrow, I made a surprise visit to my minister buddies at Christian Challenge. Boy do I miss those guys. We have such a swell group of pastors. Been meeting for a Wednesday morning prayer breakfast for a number of years. (Rotate between churches.)

Our group includes Baptist, Pentecostal, Non-denominational, Methodist, Wesleyan, Nazarene, and anyone else who cares to join us. It isn’t a large group, usually ten to twelve of us. But we’ve developed a friendship through the years where we leave our denominational hats outside the door.

Perhaps there is a lesson to be had. Over the years we bonded as brothers. The interesting thing is how we now see one another. We see each the other as belonging to the same Lord Jesus. None is more saved than the other, more spiritual than the other, or more in tune with heaven than the other. Wouldn’t be nice if all ministers could come to this realization. Course that can’t happen when we look at one another from a distance.

Anyway, I surprised everyone and got bunches of hugs as a reward. :)

Let’s see — Received a beautiful card from my great-niece Jessicaand her husband Allen. Sent a wedding picture of them and myself. I performed their wedding in August, 2006. What a treat. Wow, how time flies when you are having fun.

Come to think about it, I’m not only a great uncle but I’m a great-great uncle. Well, the only thing better than being great, is being great, great. Can I get an amen on that?

One of the most awesome readings in the Scriptures is where David speaks by the Spirit of Christ in Psalm 22. Wish I had time to do a walk through on this one Psalm. Perhaps I can share just a bit on where David gets, “My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?” (v1)

The prophets of old were God’s very, very special men. This is why the New Testament places such a stress on the prophetic writings, and why Paul instructs us to never exceed what the prophets had written.

Here is the reason — In setting down redemption history, the prophets were literally speaking from the mind of God. It was as though God was thinking His thoughts in them. This means that the prophets wrote across history in what can be termed ‘prophetic perfects.’ Here is what Peter said about the prophets:

“As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful searches and inquiries, seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow.

“It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent frolm heaven–things into which angels long to look.” (1Pe1:10-12)

Did you notice who was speaking in the prophets? It was the Spirit of Christ. Did you also notice the heart of the message. It was about the grace of God that would come with the new covenant. 

The keynote of the new covenant can be written in one word, grace. How hard it is for our human minds to grasp such a subject.  Paul explains it simply by saying, “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Eph2:8,9)

Paul put our salvation in a past tense mode. We are not going to be saved. We have already been saved. There is much to be said here but I’ll leave that be for now.

So as David writes, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” what was flowing through his pen were the actual words and thoughts of the cross. This is why if you really want to know what went through the mind of Jesus while He hung on the cross, then read Psalm 22.

It doesn’t stop there. The entire Psalm reaches from the cross, into the resurrection, and on into the final redemption program of God for all of mankind. Now note how Psalm 22 begins its conclusion:

“All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations will worship before You.” (v27)

This Psalm is quoted in a number of places in the New Covenant.

Let’s make a special connection. Psalm 22, Psalm 23, and Psalm 24 go together. Psalm 22 is the Psalm of the cross that takes us from the cross and to the end of age.

Psalm 23 is the Psalm of the Christian walk, that is, the Psalm of the Good Shepherd. It fully expresses the true journey of faith that begins in this life and carries us into eternity. Notice verse 1 and then the concluding verse.

“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.”

Now verse 6 –

“Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

Remember what Jesus said about the house of the Lord.

“In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you … that where I am, there you may be also…”  (Jn14:2,3)

Psalm 24 is also important. This is the Psalm of the millennium. It has to do with the second coming of Jesus to set up His kingdom on earth. Listen to bits of this Psalm:

“The earth is the Lord’s, and all it contains, the world, and those who dwell in it.” (v1)

And again,

“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.” (vv7,8)

A fuller picture is given of Jesus ‘mighty in battle’ in Revelation — “And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war … His name is called The Word of God … On His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, ‘King of kings, and Lord of lords.” (Rev19)

There is so much more to be said about all these Psalms. Really makes for wonderful meditations.

Well, think I’ll go ahead and shut down for the day. Talk with you later.

Blessings,

Buddy

Journal,

Billy Graham’s column on ’self-help’ books really caught my eye this morning. Someone asked him why they could not seem to change, and that they had read dozens of books on self-improvement with no help in sight. I really love Billy’s response. Thought I’d pass it on.

Rev. Graham - Let me ask you a question: Have you ever read the greatest book that was written on how to become a better person? That book is the Bible — and if you’ve never read any of it, I urge you to do so.

Why do I say this? The reason is because the Bible isn’t just another book on self-help. In fact it isn’t a ’self-help’ book at all because it tells us that we are too weak to change our lives and make ourselves into the kind of people we ought to be. We may not like to admit this — but it’s true, as you know from your own experience.

Instead, the Bible points us to God, for only he can change us and make our lives different. We can’t change our lives — but God can, and he will if we let him. God loves us, and he doesn’t want us to be sunk in a pit of helplessness and despair the rest of our lives.

How does this happen? It begins with repentance — telling God we know we have sinned, and we are turning from our old ways of living. Then we must turn to Jesus Christ and ask him to come into our lives as our Savior and Lord. When we do, God himself comes to live with us by his Spirit. Then we’ll discover the same truth the Apostle Paul discovered: “I can do everything through him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:23).

Well, what can you add to that?

Yesterday I had a? PET scan. This Thursday will be my 5th chemo and the doctor will share the PET results with me. I am? confident that things are going? well.?

Been receiving a number of calls from family and others. Lots of prayers in place. Uncle Cullen called me Sunday morning just before church services. Had a? call from my cousin Nelda Ruth just this afternoon. What a treat. I haven’t seen her in a number of years.

Andre called me last evening. Wants me to get ready for a fishing venture. I’m all for that. Need to put my new (used) boat through its paces. In fact Betty and I went on an outing today to check up on equipment for the boat. I haven’t been fishing in so long don’t know if I even remember how.

My devotion this morning had me in? Psalm 19. Verse 7 really stood out. David said, “The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.”

This entire Psalm is a treasure but as my thoughts centered on God’s law being perfect, I also thought about how imperfect we humans are.? Then I recalled how the law of Moses could never save anyone. It? simply pointed out our imperfections. In fact the more law minded we become, the more we will find ourselves struggling. Then like the Pharisees, we add? laws and more laws until the weight of the law is unbearable.

Is there an answer for this? Yes indeed. Paul said, “For what the law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh.” (Rom8:3)

What God did was take the law and nail it to the cross. He then took the perfections of Jesus and placed those perfections on our account. And in place of the law we are now given the indwelling spirit of Jesus to teach us how to walk in God’s ways.

The point being that there is no law of condemnation hanging over any believer’s life. Where the law condemned, Jesus set us free by taking the law out of the way. This is why the apostle said, “Therefore there is now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.”

The Greek text is even more emphatic in saying that there is not now and never can there be a? damnatory sentence against any of God’s people. This is what Jesus meant when He said, “So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.” (Jn8:36)

Now we have to make full circle. If the law is perfect, how then does the law offer any of its perfections to believers today? Good question. Paul said that the law is good if we learn to use it lawfully. This means that we must always look at the law through the lens of the new covenant. It also means that the Lord can use the law as a book of revealing Himself to us. Once we understand this, then we can approach the whole of the Scriptures with a healthy attitude.

Think I’ll leave this be for now.

Talk with you later.

Blessings,

Buddy

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Morning Journal,

Last evening was a blast at our home. My three sisters along with Roy and Thomas came? for a visit. We had a couple of hours of sheer laughter. Hope we didn’t embarrass Roy and Thomas too much. Johnny? always thought that Bonnie was a bit wierd. Now he knows that the whole family is wierd. (We hide this from the public. There is not a cultured bone in our body.)

You would have to know me and siblings to appreciate how much fun we have with one another.? (To be honest I think it is the Carver blood.) Of course Betty is right in the middle of? things. She learned long ago how to hold her own with this family. Mom always said that Betty was her daughter.

I really love it when my sisters come by. However, I do have to make a defense for Bertie. She is usually the quieter one of the three sisters. She just sits there and grins, that is, until you get her stirred up. Then its ‘bar the door Katie.’? ? ? :)

Actually Bertie is only four years older than me. But I always love to remind her that when mama? left her in charge of us kids, how she? would grab a broom and take off after me. Around the yard? we would go. Course Julie also got chased.? Bertie took her responsibilities much too serious. Come feel the knots on my head.

All I can say is that family has to be one of God’s greatest gifts. I love it when any of my family drops by for a visit.?

Anyway, there was a tribal invasion of sorts. It was each man for his own.

Ok, let me mention a bit about my devotion this morning. While reading Psalm 17, there was one statement David made that really caught my attention. He said…

“As for me, I shall behold Your face in righteousness; I will be satisfied with Your likeness when I awake.” (v15)

While meditating on this, two thoughts came to mind. David must be talking about the resurrection. The apostle John said, “Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is.” (1Jn3:2)

I also believe that David was adding something else in “I will be satisfied with Your likeness when I awake.” The Hebrew for ‘likeness’ is equally translated as ‘form’ or ‘image.’ This would be another of those hidden Messiah prophecies. There is a direct correlation to Jesus here.

The apostle Paul said that Jesus existed as ‘the form of God’ before His incarnation. He also said that Jesus was the image of the invisible God. Both these expressions are to be found in the Old Testament. The Hebrew for form is t’munah.

When God rebuked Miriam and Aaron for their presumptious attitude, the Lord said, “With him [Moses] I speak mouth to mouth, even openly, and not in dark sayings, and he beholds the form (t’munah) of the Lord. Why then were you not afraid to speak against My servant, against Moses.” (Numbers 12:8 nasb.)

Both David and Moses had knowledge of Jesus before He came into our world.? In fact David gives one of the clearest prophecies concerning the Father and the Son to be found in the Old Testament writings. In Psalm 110, David calls Jesus ‘his Lord.’

Listen carefully:

“The Lord says to my Lord: ‘Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.’” (v1)

Peter quoted this verse on the day of Pentecost to show that Jesus had been seated at the right hand of God. Jesus Himself cornered the Jewish teachers concerning this verse, when He said,

“How is it that they say the Chirst is David’s son? For David himself says in the book of Psalms, ‘The Lord said to my Lord, ‘Sit at my right hand, until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.’ Therefore David calls Him ‘Lord,’ and how is He his son?” (Luke 20:41-44)

The point is that Jesus was and is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and of all the Old Testament saints. The apostle brings this over into the New Testament, when he says of Jesus, “My Lord and my God.” (After the resurrection of Jesus where Thomas touches His hands and side.)

Sure there is a great mystery concerning God’s Messiah. Some theologians refer to Christ as ‘God’s other self.’ But the Jews during the time of Christ already had a belief system in place in which they believed that God had a special way of appearing to mankind. They used the terms ‘Memra’, or, ‘haKovod.’ Memra means the ‘Word’. KaKod means ‘the Glory.’ (Christ was also known as the ‘hidden wisdom of God.’)

Paul called Jesus ‘the Lord of Glory.’ John said that Jesus was the ‘Glory as of the only begotten of the Father.’ (Cf. 1Co2:8; Jn1:14) Paul also said that Jesus is ‘the image of the invisible God.’ (Col1:15)

Isn’t this a wonderful mystery? The apostle said that it was once ‘hidden’ but has now been revealed to us.

None of this takes away from there being only one true God. It all comes back to how God Himself chooses to reveal Himself.

Time for? morning services. Think I’ll close down for now.

Blessings,

Buddy

?

Journal,

In this Bible study I want to deal with the one area that people struggle over in coming to the Lord Jesus. It has to do with a works-righteousness mentality. I hope this study will be a blessing to everyone. There is a true faith that we? are to walk in, that is, in learning to possess by faith that which we cannot earn.

One of the worship songs that we sing at Christian Challenge has this phrase in it: ‘To possess by faith what I could not earn, all surpassing gift of righteousness.’

The song title is ‘Knowing You (All I Once Held Dear)’ by Graham Kendrick. The entire song reaches into the heart of our salvation in Christ.

As a prelude to this study here are? lyrics from this song. Listen to them with your heart:

All I once held dear, built my life upon, all this world reveres and wars to own; all I once thought gain I have counted loss, spent and worthless now compared to this.

Knowing You, Jesus, knowing You. There is no greater thing. You’re my all, You’re the best, You’re my joy, my righteousness, and I love You Lord. (chorus)

Now my heart’s desire is to know You more, to be found in You and known as Yours. To possess by faith what I could not earn, all surpassing gift of righteousness.

Oh to know the power of Your risen life, and to know You in Your sufferings; to become like You in Your death, my Lord, so with you to live and never die.

(Each lyric then carries the chorus, ‘Knowing You, Jesus, knowing you.)

Works-righteousness doctrines set forth? the premise that salvation is something that has to be earned on our part. The end result of these sorts of teaching is a form of? of fear. Fear? teachings leave adherents never knowing for certain when they are ultimately saved. The truth of the matter is that we were ultimately and eternally saved at the cross. There is nothing to add to this. Nothing can be taken from it.

And so in the fear doctrines people? wonder which work will determine when their salvation is complete.? And if there is one sin left undone, this one sin can mean the very sentence to? hell. How horrible are these fear generated teachings.

But is this what our salvation is really about? The answer is never! Believers can know that they are ultimately saved the moment they receive Jesus Christ as their own personal Lord and Savior. They just need to understand the true message of the cross.

The apostle John said, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears [punishment] is not perfected in love.” (1Jn4:18)

John is? saying that as long as a believer is living in fear of punishment, or in fear of losing their salvation, then God’s love has not completed its work in that believer’s life.

The apostle Paul said, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Rom8:1)

The literal Greek expresses it this way - ‘There is not now nor can there ever be a damnatory sentence against any who are in Christ Jesus.’

How could the apostles make such ultimate-salvation statements? It is easy. These statements belong to the finished work of the cross.

Jesus not only died for our sins, that is, for the whole of our sinful existence from the beginning of our birth until our passage out of this life, but at the cross a life exchange took place. He exchanged His life for our life. This is why the cross is called ‘the finished work of Christ.’ If it is finished, then there is nothing to be added to it.

The finished work of the cross means that the enemy can never again bring a charge against any of God’s people. Every believer’s? life is now hidden in Christ. This is what makes our salvation complete.

How can this be? The reason is that the finished work is so complete that the death, burial, resurrection and ascension and glorification of Jesus Christ is placed on the account of every believer. Out of the cross God covered us with His own righteousness. Who can bring a charge against God or against His Christ?

John explains why God’s love is able to cast out? all our fears of condemnation and of punishment. Listen carefully - “By this love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He [Christ] is, so also are we in this world.” (1Jn4:17 - We have literally been clothed with the life of Christ.)

As Christ is in heaven, so are we on earth. This is why Paul said that nothing will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is found in Christ Jesus our Lord. (This is how Romans 8 completes itself.)

Is any of this contingent upon anything we can earn by our own efforts? Not one little bit. Any idea of earning our salvation? is a distortion of the? true message of the cross. The only thing a person is called to do to be? saved is to truly? believe in Jesus Christ as their own Lord and Savior. Believing is something that is done with the heart. And true believing implies a repentance is in place. Out of a heart of faith comes our? confession of faith in Him.

Listen to these Scriptures:

“He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” (Jn3:35 - Obedience speaks of receiving Jesus Christ as Lord.)

“Truly, truly I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.” (Jn3:35)

“The one who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself; the one who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given concerning His Son.” (1Jn5:10)

I would encourage any member who is struggling over the? message of salvation to take time to read the book of Galatians.

Keep in mind that every apostle preached the same gospel. The one thing required for salvation is for a person to call upon Jesus as their own Lord and Savior. Peter and Paul both said, “Whoever will call upon the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Whan a person confesses Jesus Christ as Lord, there is a transfer of that person from? the authority of darkness,? into the kingdom rule of God’s beloved Son. In this transfer the believer is given a change of clothing. They give up their old sinful garments and are given the very garment of Jesus. They are clothed with Christ.

In this transfer of kingdom rule, the newly born human is also given a Christ-like nature. Though they can? and will stumble at times, their new nature will not allow them to remain in a stumbling state. Sin will forever remain contrary to their new nature in Christ.

There is more — Not only is this newly born human clothed with Christ, but he becomes a member of God’s family. He? is positionally seated with Christ on His throne. He belongs to the royal family of God. Thus he is a heavenly citizen in an earthly body.

And it doesn’t stop there. This new child of God is made a full heir of all that Jesus has inherited out of the cross. Paul said that we are heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ.

If all this is truth, what then is the problem? The problem is in the believing.

If we no not believe rightfully, we then go about trying to earn our salvation by works. Once again? the doctrine of earning our salvation will? distort the word of the cross. These distorted message become a source of religious bondage.

On our Ask the Pastor site I am often asked which religion is right. My answer is always the same. There is no right religion. There is only a right relationship with the Lord. And this right relationship is found by believing in Jesus Christ.

The answer? It is never faith plus works. Salvation is the free gift of God. Certainly there are good works to be had. For believers our good works? will always be an after-the-fact of our having been saved by grace through faith.

Salvation by grace is the message of the cross. By faith we experience? the death side and the life side of the cross. We die to our selves, to our works, to our self-righteousness, to our pride of life, and thus we die to our old sinful life. In coming to the cross we accept Jesus Christ as the sacrifice for our sinful life.

Out of the death of the cross we then? enter into the life side of the cross. The work of the cross is? placed on our account. We receive our new life in Christ Jesus. Eternal life is not simply about duration of life. It is about a quality of life that is only found in Jesus.

It all comes back to what the song — To possess by faith what I could not earn; all surpassing gift of righteousness.

These are just some things to? think about.

Blessings,?

Buddy

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Journal,

Its been a super day around the ranch.? Today was? friendship day at Christian Challenge and we had around twenty visitors. Nathan did a great teaching on? friendships. Of course Betty and I sat in on the service from home.

Then Shana came by with lunch. She had been to Philidelphia Baptist Church for an? awards ceremony for the basketball leagues.? It is such a joy to visit with our kids.? Just normal family chit chat is a blessing. Naturally we also get all the up-to-date stuff on each of the children.

It is very interesting to see CJ’s excitement when Shana comes for a visit. Next to Betty and me, Shana is his very special friend.? He’ll jump all around her? without touching her personally. ? When you realize just how big CJ is, to jump without touching is quite a feat.

Ok,? so now? let’s hear it for the most Christ-like player in the basketball league. You got it. My youngest grandson, Jared, was selected as the ‘most Christ-like’ player in the entire? league. What an honor. He received his trophy today.? I am so proud of my little buddie.

When Shana left, Betty and I took a stroll on the hill behind Christian Challenge to sit on our special bench for a bit of relaxing time.? The hill is my? meditating place. Really love being with my one and only blue eyed girl.?

What else — Christian Challenge begins its 37th School for Christian Workers this evening. The classes are looking good. Lane starts things off with the Disciple’s Heart Training Program. It took me several years to get that course where I wanted it. It is the kind of training program that no matter how many times you take it, it remains forever new. Of course the primary reason is its use of the Scriptures.

Nathan came by for a visit. This is our Sunday? afternoon norm. Sort of ‘catch-you-up-to-things’ visiting time. ?

5:15 p.m.? Edward Dorsey called to check up on me. Boy do I ever I miss not getting to pick on him in person. Edward has such a pleasant bearing and a? great sense of humor. Love all the Dorsey family. They bring such a dignity with them. That is something I terribly lack.

Reflecting back on the morning service, David Stellwagon filled in for Jeff as worship leader. We really missed Jeff, but David? also does a great job.? A good worship leader has to be a worshipper himself.? This is something that both Jeff and David do.

Then we had a special song by a friend who came with Nora. Don’t know her name. Believe her dad pastors a church in this area. Anyway, she sang ‘Alabaster Box.’? I had chills running up my spine. That girl? put her whole heart and soul into her song.

Well, its going to be a lazy evening. Awana is in full swing. Can’t want to see how Lane’s introduction class went.

Talk with you later.

Buddy

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Journal,

Don’t know if I’ve ever shared how General Claudius Josephus became a member of our family. It is a very interesting story —

Six years ago on Father’s Day, the kids had me go into the living room. Then they brought two Great Dane puppies and placed them in my lap, one black and one fawn colored. I chose the fawn colored puppy. But since they were too young to remove from the mother, they were returned until weaning time.

When we went to pick up the one I had chosen, a very interesting thing happened. Of the number of puppies scampering around, the puppy that I chose came over and sat down between my feet. It was as if he chose me even though I had already chosen him.

Betty and I were talking about that this morning. I thought how this incident puts a face on our salvation in Jesus Christ. The Bible teaches that God loved me before I loved Him, and that He chose me before I chose him. This is one of the great mysteries of salvation.

Ok, nuff on that for now. CJ still thinks he owns me.? :)

Looks like the storms are coming. According to the? reports we can expect very intense weather this afternoon. We have? a? porch that extends across the front of the house. Betty and I love to? just sit there just to enjoy the outside. Don’t know if this will work this afternoon. Oh well, we’ve already had our morning ’sitting out.’

Now I need to share a great secret. While doing my devotion this morning in Psalms, something dawned on me as to why I have grown to love this book so much. It was as though the Lord gave me a deeper understanding on the uniqueness of the book of Psalms.

I always shared how? Psalms teaches us how to pray and how to live a faith walk. What dawned on me this morning is that Psalms doesn’t simply teach us how to pray. When we are reading and meditating in Psalms? we are actually praying. This is what makes the book of Psalms so compelling to our hearts.

Isn’t that strange. I’ve often taught? how to pray the Psalms as first person, present tense. Then it really dawned on me this morning that? when a believer is reading from this unique book, it truly becomes? part of the? believer’s prayer life, even when the believer isn’t fully aware of that.? Guess that is why I find myself lingering in Psalms more than I do in any other book. In fact when I am reading through the Bible, I can’t wait to get to Psalms.

This morning my devotional thought came from Psalm 4:3, where David said, “But I know the Lord has set apart the godly man for Himself; the Lord hears when I call to Him.”

I thought ‘How can David call himself a godly man, when he did so many ungodly things? Even thought about the ungodly things that I have done in life, and even since I’ve been a believer. Is there something more to being godly than simply being? good all the time?’

Perhaps you have wondered about this same thing. What makes? a godly person godly, is not his personal goodness.? Notice once again what David says — “But know that the Lord has set apart the godly man for Himself.” All this has to do with the ’setting apart.’ The godly are set apart people. Out of this setting apart comes the goodness of the Lord, which allows the work of His goodness to take place in our lives.

It is His goodness that brings about goodness in our lives.

Jesus said to the? disciples, “You did not chose me, but I chose you.”

? The idea of divine election is a doctrine that a fleshly mind cannot? endure. It goes against every fiber of our natural thinking.? It is a mystery that goes beyond our ability to understand. Yet David says,? ‘the godly man’, that is the? man set apart and chosen by God,’ will have? prayer success. The Lord hears when he calls.

A major key to all the promises of God is to take to heart the call of salvation. Paul said,? “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (Rom8:28)

If we are called according to God’s purpose, what then is God’s purpose? The sum total of God’s purpose was for Jesus to be the firstborn of many brethren, that is, the firstborn of all the new covenant children of God. It has always been about family.

Jesus taught us to? pray a family prayer of,? “Our Father who is in heaven…”

Ok, nuff preaching for today.

Let’s make a little journey down memory lane. Often when Bety and I visit Campbell Creek Cemetery, I’ll walk around just to view the varied headstones. Two of my great grandparents are there,? my grandfather Martin’s parents, and my grandmother Martin’s parents. Actually? the greater part of that old cemetery is my family. Having to expand all the time.

The past couple of days I’ve been thinking about how quickly time passes and how very much the world we live in has changed from my grandparents time. My grandfather Martin was born in 1876 and grandma in 1888. Those were pioneer days. Grandpa homesteaded 160 acres near where Campbell Creek Cemetery is located.

I really don’t remember grandpa very well. Only got to know him for about six months. I do remember him playing the guitar on the porch of the old blue house that they lived in. The house had a breeze way down the center that opened on both ends.?

But even then wasn’t too far removed from pioneer times. I well remember grandma cooking? on a wood stove and how I had to? do my home work by an oil lamp. Making a trip to town was high adventure and not very often.

Guess my point is that how very little we think about how the pioneer days were not that long ago. When grandpa was born the Civil War had only been over eleven years.

1976? was the year Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone, the year Col. George Armstrong Custer and his men were killed at Little Big Horn, and the year? all Native Americans were order to the reservations.

This brings me to a bit of family history in Betty’s family. There were other ‘trails of tears’ besides the? Cherokee Indians being forced to move to? Oklahoma? Territory. Betty’s foreparents included the Choctaw Nation in Mississippi. They also were forced to? relocate in Oklahoma.

In fact I’ve met Betty’s great uncles and the Indian in them is very obvious. Was telling Betty? that she needs to get a picture of her great uncles to show our kids and grandkids. But the Indian is on both sides. Grandpa Carver said we have Cherokee in our family line. Back on my Martin side, we have Apalachee Indian. Guess all the families that trace back to pioneer stock can find Indian in their lineage.

Wow it’s 4:45 p.m. Time to close out for the day. Don’t want to ramble too much.

Talk with you later.

Buddy

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Howdy Journal,

For some unkown reason (to me) I haven’t been able to access my journal for the past couple of days. Nathan has been seeing to it. Looks like? everything is alright now.

Where do I begin? My sisters sure have been checking up on me. That always happens when the most handsome of all? brothers is walking through some ’stuff.’ (Course I am an only son of my dad and mom.)? :)

First it was Bonnie for a good visit, then Julia called, and then Bertie came by yesterday for a visit. How I? love my three sisters. They are so blessed to have me as a brother. And my wife, how that woman loves me.? :)

What has been really interesting is that for the last three days I’ve been unable to get any further in my devotions than Psalm 3. Psalms is? such an awesome book. Seems every verse speaks to your heart concerning Jesus.

Here is the Scripture portion that? my devotions have centered on the last three days? — ?

“Arise, O Lord; save me, O my God! For You have smitten all my enemies on the cheek; You have shattered the teeth of the wicked. Salvation belongs to the Lord; Your blessing be upon Your people! Selah.” (Vv 7,8 nasb.)

Where do we see Jesus here? Glad you asked.?

‘Arise, O Lord; save me.” This speaks to me of the? resurrection of the Lord Jesus, as our Lord and and Savior.

“O my God!” Who was it that resurrected and ascended into heaven? How did Thomas see Jesus after he was invited to touched the hands and the side of the Lord? He said, “My Lord and my God.”

“For You have smitten all my enemies on the cheek; You have shattered the teeth of the wicked.”

The teeth of the wicked speaks of the enemies ability to gnash himself at us. The cross removed Satan’s power over any believer.? From the cross comes the? victory of Christ. Paul said …?

“When He [the Father] had disarmed the ruler and authorities [forces of darkness], He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him [His Son, Jesus].” (Col 2:15)? ?

How about our personal victory in Christ? Another, ‘Glad you asked.’ No matter what happens in life we have a promise. Listen with your heart — “But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triump in Christ, and manifests through us the sweert aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place.” (2Co2:14)

The victory Paul is describing is the victory of God’s grace. The cross removed any effort on man’s part to get good enough to become saved. We are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.

Here is the Scripture that really arrested my attention –? “Salvation belongs to the Lord; Your blessing be upon Your people!”? (v8)

The blessings that rest upon Jesus, those same blessings rest upon all the children of grace. John said that as Jesus is, so also are we in this world. Paul said that nothing would be able to separate us from? God’s love for us.?

As I meditated on this? Scripture,? another verse came to mind.? The angel told Joseph? in a dream,? “She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21)

Jesus saves us from our sins! The name Jesus in Hebrew signifies ‘Yahweh is Savior,’? or, ‘Yahweh is salvation.’ Jesus can thus mean ‘Savior.’ There is a wonderful connection between the name Jesus in Hebrew and the word salvation in Hebrew. It is sort of like a hidden revelation to be discovered by the searching heart.

The Hebrew name for Jesus is ‘Yehoshua’ (Often shortened to? Yeshua) which means ‘the Lord delivers,’ or, ‘the Lord is salvation.’ It is a proper noun.

The word ’salvation’ in Hebrew is the word ‘yeshuah’ which speaks of welfare, prosperity, deliverance, and victory. It is a feminine noun. It comes from the word ‘yasha’ which simply means ‘to save, to be saved, be delivered, to be victorious’.

There is a relationship that? I want you to see. Whenever you read the word ’salvation’ in the Old Testament, if you will mentally exchange it with the name of ‘Jesus’ the revelation will? delight you.

Here are a couple of examples? where I will exchange the word ’salvation’ with the name ‘Jesus.’

“For Your Jesus I wait, O Lord.” (Gen 49:18. Spoken by Jacob.)

“The Lord is my strength and song, and He has become my Jesus; this is my God, and I will praise Him; My father’s God, and I will extol Him.” (Exo 15:2)

“Therefore you will joyously draw water from the springs of Jesus, and in that day you will say, ‘Give thanks to the Lord, call on His name. Make known His deeds among the peoples…” (Isa12:3,4 - Keep in mind what Jesus said to the lady at the well concerning faith in Him becoming a well of water inside her, springing up.)

I find it more than a curiosity that the early Jewish Christians were able to find Jesus everywhere in the writings of Moses, of David, and of the prophets.

Verse 8 says,? “Salvation belongs to the Lord.” This statement is the sum and substance of the covenant of Christ. The doctrine of our salvation by grace alone is the keystone of the word of God. If salvation belongs to the Lord, then salvation cannot be attributed to man’s will, or his goodness, or his having achieved anything in relation to earning anything from the Lord. Salvation belongs to the Lord!

God calls us by His grace; He makes us alive by His Spirit; He keeps us by His power.

Paul said, “So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.” (Rom9:16)

John said, “…who were born [we Christians], not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.” (John 1:13)

Yes, this is a great mystery. We don’t have to understand it. It simply tells us that God knows a lot of things that we don’t know nor do we understand.

Aren’t you glad His name was called Jesus? The name of Jesus is not some magical word that we use as a matra.? The name of Jesus speaks of the person of Jesus. To call upon His name is to call on Him. Whoever will call upon the name of the Lord will be saved.

Aren’t you glad that you have called upon Him as Lord and Savior? Aren’t you glad that you are a living picture of God’s grace at work? I sure am.

Peter said, “…let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead — by this name this man stands here before you in good health…

“And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men which which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:10,12)

What must a man do to be saved? He must call upon? Jesus as Lord and Savior. This is what it means to confess Him publicly. When this appeal is made, Paul said? a transfer is made. The new believer is taken from the authority of darkness and placed in the kingdom of God’s beloved Son. The kingdom of God’s Son is a kingdom of pure grace.? Is it any wonder that the elders in Revelation threw their crowns at the feet of Jesus.

Ok, nuff preaching for today. Think I’ll post this and then get on with other things.

Blessings,

Buddy

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