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10
Apr
2012

Mom’s Memorabilia – A Missionary Report

“Hear, my son, your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching; indeed, they are a graceful wreath to your head and ornaments about your neck.” (Pro 1:8-9)

 

 

Journal,

This past Sunday was Resurrection Sunday. And I am always reminded that it was on Resurrection morning 2005, seven years ago, that my mom went to be with the Lord. She was 85 years young.

How I miss my mom. But as much as I miss her, my heart rejoices that the Lord chose to call her home on the day that we celebrate His resurrection.

Guess I was a bit spoiled. I have three sisters and we have shared a lot of family love through the years. But as an only son, my mom and I had that unique mother-son bond. I use to love to talk with her. She often shared with me about her childhood and how very special her family was to her. We also had wonderful Bible talks.

It reminds of what the sage said:

“Hear, my son, your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching; indeed, they are a graceful wreath to your head and ornaments about your neck.” (Pro 1:8-9)

Yes, it was my mother who first introduced me to the Lord in the children’s prayer of, ‘Now I lay me down to sleep’.

And this brings me to…

 

Mom’s Memorabilia

Occasionally I will look in an old shoe box were mom kept bits of memorabilia about her family. It was mostly newspaper clippings of her kids, along with items about other members of our family. Mom had such a love for her family.

She had a clipping about my cousin Ora Vay, about her appearance on the Grand Old Opry. Another clipping was of my cousin Eddie Tilley, who was a missionary to Norway.

There were clippings about my great-uncle John Carver, a pioneer preacher with the Church of God (Anderson.)

She had a clipping of our son, André, and his military training. (André was in Desert Storm.) It goes on and on. Each clipping spoke to my heart. And each one was special.

Then there was a newspaper clipping where our son Nathan, was interviewed by the newspaper, about his missionary work in Mexico. It is dated, Saturday, May 30, 1987. That was 25 years ago. Nathan was 22 years old then. He is now 47.

Thought I’d share part of mama’s clipping on that interview. Hope you enjoy it.

Here goes…

 

MISSIONARY BRINGS JESUS TO MEXICAN INDIAN TRIBES – Long hikes, witches’ curses don’t deter him – by Sidney Williams, Staff reporter (Alexandria Daily Town Talk.)

Every mission field has unusual elements. Mexico’s version of the unusual is witchcraft.

During these past five months, Nathan Martin has been working with other missionaries in the jungles of southern Mexico preaching and helping establish Christian churches for Indian tribes in the Mexican states, Oaxaca and Vera Cruz.

There are many witches in the area who practice spells and make herbal potions. One area is considered the witch capital of Mexico, Las Tuxtlas, or the “Land of Witches.”

“They’re real proud of their witches,” Martin, a Christian Challenge International missionary, explained.

People there go to witches for consultations. “They all charge money for what they do,” he said.

Martin said the Christian missionaries are not popular with the witches. “When people see the power of Jesus, they stop going to witches,” he explained.

That has led to the witches placing curses on the missionaries.

Miracle and healings

Despite the hardship, Martin said there have been some real miracles, including healings. He attributed that to the fact that the Gospel has never been preached to many in the area, and miracles can be expected when the Gospel comes alive.

Martin also trains churches leaders. Right now, he’s home in Pineville with his family. His father, Buddy Martin

Through the years. Buddy, Betty, Nathan, Andre and Shana

is pastor of Pineville Christian Challenge church.

“I’m required by the Mexican government to come out every six months,” Nathan Martin explained in a recent interview.

The past five months have been busy ones for him. Much of that time he’s had to hike to his preaching points. One trek was 4 1/2 hours over mountains and across a river. That’s not uncommon.

“The people are sturdy,” Martin noted. Most of the Indians are farmers who raise coffee or cattle.

Not familiar with Jesus

Martin, who speaks Spanish, said one thing he’s discovered about the people  is that they don’t have a concept of who Jesus was. When he can present them a message about Christ, they respond.

One time when he was conducting a campaign, which is like a revival, he saw 109 people converted to Christianity. He said many of the people who make that decision continue in a Christian life.

A campaign is an interesting experience, Martin said. A tent is set up and a band plays songs. He said missionaries take generators into remote areas and set up musical equipment.

“Campaigns are electric,” he said. “They’re exciting.”

Build Churches

He said the Indians build their own churches because it gives them a great sense of pride. “They value it higher,” he said.

The churches, like the homes, are of mud or concrete blocks with thatched or tin roofs.

He recalled that one night while he was preaching, a bat flew into one of the buildings. On another night, he saw a man rise, take off his shoe and charge toward the pulpit. Martin said he thought the man was charging at him, but the fellow ran past him and killed a scorpion on the wall.

Congregations in the churches range in number from 10 members in the smaller churches to about 100 members in the larger ones.

Alcoholism is a problem

Martin said there are other problems besides witchcraft among the Indian tribes. Alcoholism is prevalent.

“I think that’s one of the major problems we have down there,” Martin said.

He’s seen women come for prayer whose husbands have spent every penny on alcohol.

“It’s destroying lives,” he said.

Bars close at 8 p.m. in the area where Martin lives, but that doesn’t ease the problem. In the United States, people might see drunks on the street at 1 or 2 a.m. “Down there you see drunks at six in the afternoon,” Martin said.

While there are hardships involved, Martin is enjoying his work and is looking forward to going back.

“I love it. I wouldn’t change it for the world. I know I’m doing exactly what God wants me to do,” he said.

 

Well, that was 25 years ago. The churches have grown and some are sending out their own missionaries now. The last church Nathan and Joel founded has grown to several hundred. And the churches that they founded continue to look to Nathan and Joel as their spiritual fathers.

 

Mama’s Love for Jesus

Well mama, thanks for holding on to all the clippings…

Yes indeed. My mom was an extra special woman. One of my sisters liked to refer to her as a queen without a country. That’s not the case anymore. Before mama went home on Resurrection morning, 2005, she shared with me her wonderful experience with Jesus.

She said that one morning while she was reading her Bible, it was like the very presence of Jesus rested upon her and filled the place where she was sitting. Mama could hardly find words to describe what happened. That awesome feeling of security and happiness lasted three days. She told me that if this is what heaven is like, she was ready to go.

Well, just a few days later mama made her journey home. There was no fear in mama. She loved the Lord deeply. And mama will be there when I make my journey home.

Boy, my mama was one beautiful woman, and in more ways than one.

Well, maybe this country gospel song will tell the story better than I can. Take time to listen to the Palmetto State Quartet as they sing, ‘Don’t That Sound Like Heaven.’

In love with Jesus always,

Buddy

 

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02
Apr
2012

The Christian’s Life is a Story to be Told

“… having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. … they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them.” (Heb 11:13-16 NASB)

 

 

Journal,

In writing to Timothy, Paul instructed him to flee from worldly attractions, especially that of a love for money. He must always pursue those things that have to do with our heavenly life. He then said to Timothy,

“Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” (Cf, 1Tim6:11,12)

Two things stand out. First ‘the’ confession.

Did you know that the early Christians were called, ‘the people of the great confession.’ This is because new covenant salvation is based on the Lordship of Jesus Christ. And a confession made from the heart about Jesus as Lord is what introduces us to the kingdom of God’s beloved son. Listen to the background:

“Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven.” (Mat10:2)

“And I say to you, everyone who confesses Me before men, the Son of Man will confess him also before the angels of God.” (Luke 12:8)

“For not knowing about God’s righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God … for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.” (Cf. Rom10:1-11)

The second thing that stands out in what Paul said to Timothy, has to do with the fight of faith.

There are things we must always remember. First of all we are not of this world. We are pilgrims on a journey. But we must also learn to fix our eyes on Jesus. He is the author and the finisher of our faith.

So, let’s talk about ‘a story to be told.’

The best place to begin is with…

 

The struggle of temptation

Satan’s primary battle plan against believers is to disquiet their walk with the Lord. He does this by searching for something in our life that he can give a temptation against.

Satan knows well how to stir our earthly passions with worldly allurements. His attacks are generally towards the mind, but he also uses our senses. (This is why we have to train our own senses to discern good and evil. Cf. Heb5:14)

For a temptation to work it has to be something that is quite alluring to our senses and to our thought life. Otherwise it would not be a temptation.

James says it this way:

“Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am being tempted by God’; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone [with evil.]. But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed [baited] by his own lusts [desires].” (James 1:13,14)

— The Bible language for temptation carries two thoughts, either a solicitation to evil, or a testing from the Lord with a purpose of strengthened the believer’s faith and trust in the Lord. This was the case of Abraham;

“By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was offering up his own begotten son.” (Heb 11:17. Relates to Gen22)

 

The Solicitation to Evil

A temptation from the enemy is quite real and can be overpowering, especially when the temptation is towards something that we want. The point is that Satan is using something of our own want to bait us. This is why Jesus said to the disciples,

“Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; for the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Mat26:41)

And here you have the key. The flesh is weak. This means that most temptations will center on our own human nature and as an attraction to our fleshly life. The issue is that we do not lose our humanity when we become true believers. It means that a new source of strength and power is now invested in our inner man.

Is this what Biblical prosperity is about?

Keep in mind that a temptation from the enemy is very subtle. This is the reason God’s people need to be cautious when it comes to many earth-centered teachings that abound today. A great many prosperity teachings are earthly focused, worldly-minded, and yet are well wrapped in Bible language.

Does this mean that God is against prosperity? Quite the contrary. David had this to say:

“Let them shout for joy and rejoice, who favor my vindication; and let them say continually, ‘The Lord be magnified, who delights in the prosperity of His servant.’” (Ps35:27)

The word David uses for prosperity is the Hebrew term ‘shalom.’  Shalom speaks of peace and well-being. Whereas Satan’s prosperity message will always have a worldly attachment to it, Biblical prosperity is the outflow heart in a covenant relationship with the Lord.

Listen to these promises:

“Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart.” (Ps37:3,4)

— I would encourage every believer to meditate on all of Psalm 37. It explains God’s philosophy of life.  Philosophy means a love of wisdom.

Thus we have this from the Lord:

 “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matt6:33)

Seeking God’s kingdom was a Hebrew way of saying, ‘Seek the direct rule of God in your life.’ Seeking His righteousness speaks of seeking His way of doing things.

 

God’s Provision for the Believer

A temptation by its very nature should alert a believer that he is under attack. The enemy is checking to see how far he can get with attracting the believer into an area of failure.

Wow, this sounds like we have a great need of defense. We do and God has provided all that we need for our defense against the enemy. Here is one in particular:

“No temptation 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 a way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.” (1Co10:13)

Paul’s point is that the Lord will never stop providing means and ways for you to overcome Satan’s attempts to draw you away from the Lord Himself. The Lord never stops overseeing our life in this world.

Now let’s talk about…

 

The Realness of Life

Christians who struggle the most are those who live compromised lives; sort of one foot in the world and one foot in the kingdom. (As if such a thing were possible.)

Jesus came to give us life! To enjoy true life we have to become single-focused. Double-mindedness is the number one cause of spiritual instability in a believer’s life. No more double-mindedness.

James said,

“But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” (Jas 1:5-8 NASB)

Jesus adds to this in saying,

“The eye is the lamp of the body; so then if your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!

 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.” (Mat 6:22-24 NASB)

Where Jesus said the ‘eye is bad,’ this was a Hebraisms for ‘an evil eye,’ that is, an eye fixed on greed. You cannot be worldly and spiritual at the same time. When our eyes become fixed on worldly pursuits, the result will always a dark spot in our lives. We are called to live as children of the light.

Jesus said,

“I am the light of the world. He who follows Me will not walk in the darkness but will have the Light of life.” (John 8:12)

The point is that all true blessings come from our walk with Jesus. These are directed blessings. And this is why David said,

“The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake … Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” (Cf. Psalm 23)

— Lovingkindness is a covenant expression that speaks of God’s very character, that is, His faithfulness to those in covenant relationship with Him. It speaks a reality that God’s love and kindness are eternal. Paul drew on this word when he said, Nothing would ever be able to separate is from the love of God that is found in Christ Jesus. —

Now for a closer look at…

 

The Path of Separation

We are instructed by the apostles to see our life in this present world as a pilgrimage. Where the world lives in a cycle of birth to death, believers are to live as a people of destiny. We must never lose this focus.

This means in part that every trial allowed by God that we face will always have one goal in mind. The purpose of the God-allowed or directed trial is to keep us moving on the highway of sanctification (separation to God) and in the keeping power of God’s love.

We need to understand that we have been forever sanctified to Jesus through the blood of the eternal covenant. (This is a once-for-all eternal sanctification. To sanctify means to make holy. It speaks of anything that solely belongs to God.)

The path of sanctification has to do with learning to live in our separation to the Lord.

The path of our separation to God is going to have its struggles and temptations. But its greater spiritual feeling of the heart will be found in the joy of learning to live a separated life. Why is this? It is because someone greater is walking with us every step of the way. His presence in our lives is a constant reminder that we belong to Him.

Jesus adds to this:

“These things I have spoken to you so that My joy have be in you, and that your joy may be made full.” (John 15:11)

 “Until now you have asked for  nothing in My name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full.” (John 16:24)

The joyful heart is a hallmark of our walk with the Lord. We know Him. We love Him. He is our joy of life.

There is one more thing we need to understand about ‘The Christian’s Life is a Story to be Told.’ It has to do with what Jesus meant on the cross, when He said…

 

It Is Finished!

When Jesus said, ‘it is finished’, this was the cry of victory! Everything else about God’s great salvation plan would be played out fully in the death, the burial, the resurrection, and the ascension of Jesus Christ.

The work was over. From that moment on, every person who calls upon and confesses Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, is given eternal salvation. Eternal salvation means that you are eternally saved.

This is why the apostle stated two absolute truth with regards to the finished work of the cross. First was the truth that no power in heaven or on earth would ever be able to separate the believer from God’s love.

Paul explains this absolute truth in Romans 8. Listen carefully:

“Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.” (Rom 8:1-2) — In the Greek this is an emphatic statement. It is saying that there is not now, nor can there ever be a damnatory sentence against anyone who is in Christ Jesus, regardless of our personal failures. The reason for this is that Jesus took the total of our life with Him to the cross. In turn He gave us His life and His standing with heaven. 

“For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom 8:38-39)

The second absolute truth of the finished work of the cross ties in with the first truth and relates to our heavenly placement in Christ. Our salvation was so completed at the cross, that when Jesus ascended to the right hand of the Father, He took us with Him.

Listen very carefully to how the apostle explains our being raised up with Christ.

“But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),

“… and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

“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. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” (Eph 2:4-10)

Every believer has been made an heir of the finished work of the cross.

And so, the Christian has a story to be told.

While you think about these things, let this song minister to your heart: “Open Our Eyes, Lord.”

In Christ always,

Buddy

 

 

 

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30
Mar
2012

A Source for Biblical Studies

“By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; and by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches. A wise man is strong, and a man of knowledge increases power.” (Pro 24:3-5)

Readers,

Would you really like to learn the ways of the Lord?

Did you know that God said His ways are not our ways? He also said that His thoughts are not our thoughts.

Did you know that there is a way to walk with God where the blessings of the Lord can enrich your total life? The Psalmist said that God raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap, to make them sit with princes, with the princes of His people.” (Cf. Ps113:7,8)

In my nearly 45 years as a gospel minister, the Lord has helped me greatly to be able to teach many of His life-changing truths. If you are serious about your walk with the Lord, and if you are willing to search the Scriptures with an open and honest heart and mind, there is a good chance that I help you.

I have nearly 500 Bible studies available on the web. This may sound a bit overwhelming, but it doesn’t have be. Simply look at the title of a study to see if it is something that would interest you.

Here are the sites where you can preview the studies:

    1. Archives from my online journal: http://buddymartin.net/blog/archives/
    2. Book of Acts: http://www.christianchallenge.org/hebraic-foundations/Acts/index.shtml
    3. Especially for Pentecostals: http://www.christianchallenge.org/departingupc/index.html
    4. Hebraic foundations of Christianity: http://www.christianchallenge.org/hebraic-foundations/index.html

 

Are You an Eagle or a Chicken 

Perhaps you are struggling over your walk with the Lord. Many years ago I said to my wife, ‘Honey, I feel like I’m caught in a net and I don’t know what it is.’ 

Over time it dawned on me that I was like the little eagle egg that had been misplaced with the chickens. I’ve shared this story before but I never tire of sharing it. It has much to say about a believer’s walk with the Lord. See if there is something in this story that speaks to your heart.

 

The Story of the Little Eagle’s Heart

Somehow an eagle’s egg became mixed with a number of chicken eggs that had been set aside to be hatched. The little eaglet hatched right along with a brood of chicks. The eagle looked a bit different, but for all she knew she was just another chicken.

But something deep in the eaglet’s heart was restless. She had this tugging in her heart that could not be explained. The eaglet kept stretching her wings. It made the other chicks look at her as an odd ball. But since chickens do very limited flying, the eaglet simply had to accept things as they were.

It wasn’t just the stretching of her wings. For some strange reason she didn’t like the food that the chickens were eating.

Now that was a real problem. All the other chickens continuously looked at the ground for bugs or corn or whatever they could find. But this growing young eagle couldn’t keep her eyes off the sky.

So it happened. As was her habit, one day while looking up at the sky, behold the young eaglet saw these majestic birds soaring on the air currents. She couldn’t explain her feelings. Tears filled her eyes. Her heart-strings were being tugged at.

What kind of chickens were they? None of the chickens she knew could fly. In fact the farmer kept their wings clipped so that they could not fly. And it was getting close to the time for the young eagle’s wings to be clipped.

That’s when it happened. One of the majestic birds spotted the young eagle and flew down to check things out.  The great eagle said, ‘What are you doing in that chicken pen?’ The young eagle said, ‘This is where all the chickens that I know, live.’ The great bird said, ‘You are not a chicken. You are an eagle.’

Something went off inside the young eagle’s heart. It was like an eruption of all her pent-up emotions. ‘Is it possible that I am not a chicken?!’

She began flapping her wings as hard as she could. Her feet lifted off the ground but not enough for flying. The majestic eagle said, ‘You are doing it wrong. Come here. Climb on my back. I’ll show you how its done.’

Boy was she nervous. On the majestic eagle’s back she climbed. He spread out his mighty pinions and with a lifting of his wings, off they soared, higher, and higher. The wind flushed through her feathers. How wonderful it felt.

‘Don’t be afraid. It’s your turn. You were designed to fly.’ The majestic eagle did a backward flip and off into nothing went the young eagle. ‘I’m falling! I’m falling!’

‘No you aren’t. Just spread out your wings! You’ll see.’

She spread out her wings and fly she did. She soared and soared and soared. The young eaglet could not believe it. She could not get enough flying. On top of things, she had also found a great family of eagles to be with. They were just like her.

 

OK, so now you know the story of the eaglet who thought she was a chicken.

No, she never went back to the chicken pen. After all, she was an eagle and eagles are birds of majesty. They are designed to soar in the heavenly places.

There is only one more suggestion that I can make. If you will pray the prayer of David, this in itself is a great starting place. Listen:

“Open my eyes, that I may behold Wonderful things from Your law.” (Psa 119:18) – The Hebrew term for Law speaks of the Lord’s instructions. 

Think about these things.

In Christ always,

Buddy

 

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27
Mar
2012

The Desire of the Everlasting Hills

“The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things;

“He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live and move and exist, …

“… as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we also are His children.’” (Act 17:24-28)

 

 

Journal,

Paul is standing in the midst of pagan-idolatry. But you don’t hear him lambasting. He speaks with grace and with wisdom. You can even feel love of God in His words. Paul knows that the one thing that lost men need to hear in the gospel message is that God loves them.

Ever notice that in gospels that the only people Jesus ever upbraided were those with a religious mind-set? With sinners in general He was kind and merciful. Perhaps we could learn a great lesson here.

What is the lesson? We must learn to see the whole of humanity the way God sees the whole of humanity.

Let’s begin with…

 

The Appointments of God

God does all things by appointment. Whether His appointment is for a nation or for an individual, each has its appointed time. 

Listen again to Paul:

“…and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation.” (Act 17:26)

Did you catch it? Every nation on earth is appointed by God and has an appointment with God. Do we understand this? Not really. This is where we need to trust in God’s providence.

The term ‘divine providence’ literally speaks of the guardianship by God. It addresses God’s a manifested foresight and care for his creatures.

Some have the idea that the Lord God was only concerned with Israel, and that He was only present in Israel. While the Bible does tell the story of redemption, it also allows us to see God’s concern for all the inhabitants of the earth.

Providence allows us to see how God is the God of history; that He has always been present among nations.

Consider these references:

“For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God.” (Rom 8:19-21)

 “He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the lovingkindness of the LORD.” (Psa 33:5)

 “How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! And the children of men take refuge in the shadow of Your wings.” (Psa 36:7)

 “[To Abraham] In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.” (Gen 22:18)

 “I am the LORD [God the Father], I have called You [the Son, Jesus] in righteousness, I will also hold You [Jesus] by the hand and watch over You [Jesus], and I will appoint You [Jesus] as a covenant to the people, as a light to the nations, to open blind eyes, to bring out prisoners from the dungeon and those who dwell in darkness from the prison.” (Isa 42:6-7)

Israel’s role was to be a priestly nation to declare the lovingkindness of God to all men. Israel generally lost sight of her calling. Yet in God’s providence Israel’s calling would be fulfilled by God’s new covenant Christian people.

 

 Where Religion Was Dismantled

It is important to understand that God is not some sort of Jewish tribal God. Neither is Jesus a Catholic Jesus, a Pentecostal Jesus, a Baptist Jesus, a Mormon Jesus, a Charismatic Jesus, or a religious Jesus of any sort. The Father did not send His Son to create a new religion. God sent His Son to bring the world into a saving relationship with Him.

Until we understand the final purpose of salvation, it is easy to fall into the same Pharisaic mindset that many of the Jewish people had fallen into. We so easy name Jesus with a denomination, with a movement, with a certain church, or with myriads of other religious things. We tend to create a Jesus in our own image.

If the truth be known, religion was dismantled at the cross. Jesus spoke to this in His dialog with the woman at the well. See what you can discover in this scene –

“The woman said to Him, ‘Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet. Our fathers worshiped in this mountain, and you people say that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.’

 “Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, believe Me, an hour is coming when neither in this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. [by the promised line of Abraham]’

 “’But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers.’

 “’God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.’

 “The woman said to Him, ‘I know that Messiah is coming (He who is called Christ); when that One comes, He will declare all things to us.’

 “Jesus said to her, ‘I who speak to you am He.’”  (Joh 4:19-26)

This lady expressed her wish for the coming Messiah. And this brings us to…

 

The Shadow Across the Nations

The term ‘shadow across the nations’ is a reference to a promise made to Adam and Eve, in the garden of Eden. The promise was for all of humanity. It concerned the coming Son, the Messiah. All the nations of the world have this promise encoded in their DNA.

When Simeon took the baby Jesus in his arms, he spoke by the spirit of prophecy and said,

“For my eyes have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light of revelation to the Gentiles [nations], and the glory of Your people Israel.” (Luk 2:30-32)

To appreciate how this promise has worked through time, I strongly urge every believer to get the book, ‘Eternity in Their Hearts’, by Don Richardson.

Listen again to what Paul had to say when he stood before the philosophers and varied religious leaders at the Areopagus:

“He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we also are His children.’”

What God said in the garden of Eden, has carried on in the hearts and minds of humans through the ages. This is why there is a Messiah consciousness in every cultural group. It is this Messiah consciousness that often gives birth to various religions.

Consider this statement that Plato contributed to the philosopher Socrates [469 BC – 399 BC]:

“We must of necessity wait, till someone from Him who cares for us, shall come and instruct us how we ought to behave toward the gods and man.” Again: “This law-giver must be more than man, that he may teach us the things man cannot know by his own nature” (see J. W. Monser, An Encyclopedia on the Evidences, p. 528).

This longing in humanity for God’s Messiah is also called…

 

The Desire of the Everlasting Hills

The statement, ‘Desire of the everlasting hills’, comes from Jacob, as he prophesied over his sons. This is where we hear some mysterious statements made to Joseph. These statements are sometimes seen as cryptic references to Christ Jesus and the new covenant people of the cross.

Listen carefully:

“Joseph is a fruitful bough, a fruitful bough by a spring; its branches run over a wall. The archers bitterly attacked him, and shot at him and harassed him; but his bow remained firm, and his arms were agile,

“From the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob (From there is the Shepherd, the Stone of Israel), from the God of your father who helps you, and by the Almighty who blesses you with blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep that lies beneath, blessings of the breasts and of the womb.

 “The blessings of your father have surpassed the blessings of my ancestors up to the utmost bound of the everlasting hills; may they be on the head of Joseph, and on the crown of the head of the one distinguished among his brothers.” (Gen 49:22-26)

This prophecy is Messianic. It has to be seen through the lens of the Holy Spirit. The statement, ‘the blessings of the everlasting hills’, could well show in Paul’s words to the Ephesian believers –

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him.” (Eph 1:3-4)

And this brings us back to …

 

God’s Compassions and Mercy

Notice again how Paul addresses the religious gathering at the Areopagus, by calling attention to the ancient philosophers, and to their own poets. Many of the philosophers actually believed there could only be one true God. The apostle speaks to this:

“ … for in Him [God] we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we also are His children.’

“Being then the children of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and thought of man.

“Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent, because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead.” (Act 17:28-31)

What was the result in all this? Some of the people sneered. Some said we want to hear from you again about this. But there were a number who believed in the gospel message and they joined themselves to the apostle.

And all this fits into the eyes of providence.

What say ye? Do you believe that God is arranging the nations for the gospel of Jesus Christ?

Listen to Jesus:

“This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.” (Mat 24:13-14)

And again,

“Then the seventh angel sounded; and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, ‘The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever.'” (Rev 11:15)

So, what do you believe? Let’s hear from our Nigerian brothers and sisters:


In Christ always,

Buddy

 

 

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24
Mar
2012

A Report on CCI’s 36th Jubilee

Alan and Joy Stroud

Alan and Joy Stroud

Readers,

A brother told me that he could listen to Alan Stroud preach all day long. That is a compliment and very well stated.

Last Sunday we celebrated our thirty-six year homecoming Jubilee. Alan was guest speaker.  But I’m almost reluctant to call him a ‘guest’ since Alan has been very much a part of Christian Challenge from our earliest years.

Alan served on the staff of Christian Challenge for a several years before taking the pastorate of Beech Grove Congregational Methodist Church near Anacoco, Louisiana. He served there for twelve years. The Lord then directed him to work with a mission church in San Antonio, Texas. Alan now serves at pastor of worship and spiritual growth with Cross Point Church.

It was a great blessing to have Alan and his lovely wife, Joy, with us. Joy is a sweetheart of a woman, and an excellent pastor’s wife. On top of that, they are newlyweds.

As for Alan’s on-going connection with Christian Challenge, he is a licensed minister of CCI and is a member of our board of directors.

 

Launch Out Into the Deep

I find it very interesting that Nathan chose, ‘Launch Out Into the Deep’ as the theme for this Jubilee. These words reminded me of a dream the Lord gave me years ago. (Yes, I am a dreamer.) 

First let me explain why I reference dreams as often as I do. It is not that I settle my faith on dreams and visions. It is more about how they have played such a major role in my walk with Jesus. My God-given dreams and visions have always come true in their time, and are yet coming true.

Actually according to the Scriptures, dreams and visions are very much a part of the servant of God’s walk. God-given dreams are not ordinary dreams. They always have the signature of the Lord on them.

God spoke to Moses about dreams and visions:

“Then the LORD came down in a pillar of cloud and stood at the doorway of the tent, and He called Aaron and Miriam. When they had both come forward, He said, ‘Hear now My words: If there is a prophet among you, I, the LORD, shall make Myself known to him in a vision. I shall speak with him in a dream.‘” (Num 12:5-6)  — Special note: I do not consider myself a prophet. However, in the new covenant, dreams and visions belong to all of God’s children, and especially if you are a servant of God.)

Peter brings this out:

” … this is what was spoken of through the prophet Joel: ‘And it shall be in the last days,’ God says, ‘That I will pour out My Spirit on all mankind; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; even on My bondslaves, both men and women, I will in those days pour forth of My Spirit and they shall prophesy.” (Act 2:16-18)

So, does the Lord visit us in dreams and visions? Absolutely. Here goes –

Several years ago I woke up with what I have come to call a ‘signature dream’ from the Lord. In the dream I was captain of a ship. We had been sailing not far from the shore line. This is when I heard the Lord say, “Launch out into the deeper waters.” As I was turning the ship out to the sea, I woke up.

That was it. It was short and simple. But the message could not have been more clear. Christian Challenge was to launch out into the deep of God’s faithfulness. That dream came to me in the 80s. 

 

Turning Points With God

Through the years we’ve had many turning points in our voyage of life. We’ve trained hundreds of disciples for the vineyard work in the kingdom of God’s beloved Son. Some have entered the missions fields of the world. Others have become pastors and other Christian workers. Through all this we’ve seen the Lord move us through various venues of ministry concentrations. Every venue became a turning point on voyage of life for Christian Challenge.

With each turning point a new vista of ministry opens up. Once again, we are entering a new turning point. The Lord is speaking into our hearts about the city of Las Choapas, State of Tabasco, Mexico.

We recently returned from a trip to Las Choapas, to see what the testimony of the Lord was. It became quite obvious that we are to have a strong connection with that region and in particular with Pastor Pedro Chulin Gordillo, and with his church, Aqua Viva a las Naciones.

As to how all this will play out will stay in the hands of the Lord. We are beginning the process of translating our School for Christian Worker’s training programs into Spanish. We are also looking at establishing a visual means with the church there where we can offer training by way of big screens. But nothing is firm for now

Other considerations have to do with having some of our leadership makes trips there, and possibly having a mission station in place. In addition, it is possible to have exchanges with their young people and our young people. But once again, this is all in the thinking. What the Lord has in mind could well be something entirely different. One of the great lessons in life that I have learned is in not trying to outguess God.

 

On the Home Front

Christian Challenge continues to grow both in numbers and in spirit. Our School for Christian Workers, our home groups, and our various departments are all doing well. 

We are looking forward to providing a children’s educational building. That will be a major project. But as always, we are not in the business of limiting God.

What we do know is that the time seems very short. It is time to look to the Lord for our continued part of the harvesting work in these last time. And always remember that little is much when God is in it.

Think about it.

Take time for ‘Little is Much When God is in It’ by the Gaither Vocal Band.

In Christ always,

Buddy

 

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23
Mar
2012

The Rules of Thumb for a Life of Faith


“Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]. He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God. [Ps. 110:1.]” (Heb 12:2 Amplified Bible)

 

 

Journal,

Living a true life of faith in Jesus is not that difficult simply because it is relational. Everything is personal.

In 2010, I provided a journal entry entitled, ‘Ten Nuggets of Gold”. The responses to that entry have been good. However, I wanted to set forth a rescript of that entry by combining and concentrating on the major ‘rules of thumb’ that deal with the very heart of a life of faith. In this case I’ve set forth eight rules that that have been a major part of my faith walk as a servant of the Lord during these past forty-seven years.

This entry has its primary emphasis towards those who already believe in Jesus Christ. However, it also has much to say to those who have yet to receive Jesus Christ as their own Lord and Savior.

Rather than give a fuller commentary with each rule of thumb, I will generally share Scripture references on each rule with a few comments about what that rule means in a personal way. Place your cursor over the Scripture references and they will appear.

Let’s begin with…

 

I – Leave the Past in the Past

Keys: Rom4:5-8; 2Co5:17-21.

Whether as a sinner, or if you have stumbled as a believer, don’t dwell on past failures. It is important to remember what Jeremiah said about God’s mercy.

“The LORD’S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. ‘The LORD is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘Therefore I have hope in Him.'” (Lam 3:22-24)

 

 

II – Do Personal Faith Check Ups

Key: Here are the ‘working out’ and ‘testing’ principles: Cf. Phil2:12,13; 2Co13:5.

The walk of faith is deeply personal. Don’t compare yourself to others. And while it is good to listen to mature Christian counsel, don’t allow others to try to design your future for you. It is your future and your life. The Lord has His own plan for your life. Discover it and live.

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand.” (Joh 10:27-28)

 

 

III – Learn to Draw on God’s Grace

Keys: Grace for today. John1:16; Eph2:8,9.

Even in difficult times always keep in mind what the Lord said to Paul:

“Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. And He has said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.’

“Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2Co 12:8-10)

 

 

IV – Recover Lost Ground

Keys: Isa30:15; 54:17 – The ancient people of God considered repentance as a form of worship. To them it meant making continued adjustments to stay on a right path with the Lord. True repentance always involves the mind, the heart, and the walk. It is very much a part of our walk of faith. 

Yes, there will be mistakes and even sin failures in every believer’s life. No one is perfect aside from the Lord. This is why He came into our world. It was at the cross where God dealt with all our failures and sins. The blood of Jesus atones for the total of our life, our past life, our present life , and our future life. Salvation is a total saving.

Always keep in mind that the new covenant is a covenant of the heart. Listen carefully to what God says about the covenant of the cross:

“And the Holy Spirit also testifies to us; for after saying, ‘This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws [Torah means God’s personal instructions] upon their heart, and on their mind I will write them,’

“He then says, ‘And their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.’ Now where there is forgiveness of these things, there is no longer any [other] offering for sin [needed or required. The cross was sufficient].” (Heb 10:15-18)

 

 

V – Refuse to Live in Doubt

Keys: Prov4:20-23; James 1:5-8. The greatest enemy of faith can be summed up in the terms, doubt and unbelief. Doubt can honeycomb your whole personality. It is a destroyer of faith. There is an old adage which says something like this: “If you are going to doubt anything from the Lord, then doubt your doubts.” 

Keep in mind that a walk of faith is never a step into darkness. The sage said, “But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, that shines brighter and brighter into the full day.” (Pro4:18)

Once again the ancients believed that when God said, ‘Let there be Light’, that this Light was the light of wisdom, and that this light was removed until the coming of Messiah. With this in mind, listen to Jesus.

“Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.'” (Joh 8:12)

 

 

VI – Allow the Lord to Choose for You 

Keys: Gen13:14; Psa16:5,6; Isa25:1; Jer29:11. It is not that we should never make any plans for the future. It is in realizing that God’s ways are not our ways. In a walk of faith it is impossible to know fully what the Lord has in store for us. This is why a walk of faith is always about, ‘Today and now.’  

This is why I urge believers to learn to live by their last instructions from the Lord. A believer will always know when He has something else for their life.

The Lord speaks to this:

“But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ “For the Gentiles [earthly nations] eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.

“But seek first His kingdom [This means, ‘God’s direct rule over your heart] and His righteousness [His path for you to walk], and all these things will be added to you. So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Mat 6:30-34)

 

 

VII – Leave Room for the Unexpected

Keys: Isa55:8-11; Eph3:20,21. Don’t limit your faith walk to what you think the Lord can or will do in your life.  God’s measure of life far exceeds our greatest expectations. The Psalmist David addresses this quite well: 

“How great is Your goodness, which You have stored up for those who fear You, which You have wrought for those who take refuge in You, before the sons of men! You hide them in the secret place of Your presence from the conspiracies of man; You keep them secretly in a shelter from the strife of tongues.” (Psa 31:19-20)

Also note the apostle Paul:

“…but we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined 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; but just as it is written, ‘Things which eye has not seen and ear has nor heard, and which have not entered the heart of man, all that God has prepared for those who love Him.’“ (1Co 2:7-9)

 

 

 

VIII – The Language of Faith is Laughter

Keys: Gen17:15-19; 18:10-15; Gal4:28; Psalm 126:1-3. Do you remember those special times when the Lord put laughter in your mouth? Laughter and joy are the natural language and outflow of a faith-filled heart. We laugh because we know that God is true to all His promises. We laugh because we know that the enemy is a defeated foe.

The very name Isaac means ‘laughter.’ Paul says that we are the children of laughter. 

Once again the Psalmist:

“The LORD is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation. The sound of joyful shouting and salvation is in the tents of the righteous; the right hand of the LORD does valiantly.” (Psa 118:14-15)

And so the prophet Isaiah:

“So the ransomed of the LORD will return and come with joyful shouting to Zion, and everlasting joy will be on their heads. They will obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing will flee away. ‘I, even I, am He who comforts you. Who are you that you are afraid of man who dies and of the son of man who is made like grass.'” (Isa 51:11-12)

 

While you meditate on these ‘Rules of Thumb for a life of faith’, here is a song that will minister to your heart.

‘Jesus, Be Jesus in Me’

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UeVZ8mBeRSk[/youtube]

 

 

Much love coming your way,

Buddy

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20
Mar
2012

Do You Need Guidance From the Lord

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you.” (Psa 32:8)

Journal,

It was a new venture for us. We had no outside source of income, no congregation to speak of. What we had was a stewardship from the Lord. That by itself did not cure-all the battles of my mind. I needed help from the Lord.

I don’t recall for certain which of the Psalms my attention was fixed on, but it may well have been Psalm 32. That Psalm certainly fit my need of the moment.

Here is the story of …

What Am I Doing Here?

Here we were on our own. We had just begun our pioneer work of bringing Christian Challenge into existence. It was 1976.

What a venture. Our rented house was not much to look at. We had no outside source of income, no denomination to back us up, and, a tiny little congregation, mostly my family.

Anyway, I’m in bed and my mind is being filled with troublesome thoughts. “What am I doing here?” “How will I take care of my family?” “How will we make it?” “How will we live?” “Are we going to make it?”

That is when I had this nudging in my spirit to get up, that the Lord wanted to have a word with me. (Yes, God does speak to His people.)

I went to our kitchen table with my Bible. When I sat down my Bible opened to the book of Psalms. As I looked at the pages before me, I began to hear in my spirit some instructions from the Lord. He spoke to my heart about this book, that the book of Psalms was placed in the sacred Scriptures for a reason.

The Psalms teach us how to think, how to pray, what to believe, how to prosper in the Lord, how to worship, and on and on and on.

As the Lord was speaking to my heart I felt this wonderful refreshing. I got up from the table thoroughly reinvigorated. All doubt had disappeared.

And from that moment on I’ve held a deeper love for the book of Psalms.

So, what’s so special about Psalm 32? This Psalm has a unique place in God’s book. It is known as….

 

A Psalm of Enlightenment

Actually Psalm 32 is quoted from by the apostle Paul in his letter to the Romans. That certainly speaks to its relevance.

As to relevance, in the book of Psalms you will find certain Psalms designated as a ‘miskil’. A miskil is the Lord’s call to contemplate deeply on how He works in our lives. These Psalms are also known as, ‘Psalms of Enlightenment.’

Let’s take a closer look at Psalm 32 –

[David speaks] “How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered! How blessed is the man to whom the LORD does not impute iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit!

“When I kept silent about my sin, my body wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; my vitality was drained away as with the fever heat of summer. Selah.

“I acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I did not hide; I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the LORD’; and You forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah.

“Therefore, let everyone who is godly pray to You in a time when You may be found; surely in a flood of great waters they will not reach him.

“You are my hiding place; You preserve me from trouble; You surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah.

[The Lord’s response.] “I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you. 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, Otherwise they will not come near to you.

[David again.] “Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but he who trusts in the LORD, lovingkindness shall surround him. Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you righteous ones; and shout for joy, all you who are upright in heart. 

Sins Forgiven – Divine Guidance

In Psalm 32, we find ourselves moving from the joy of having our sins forgiven, to the promise of divine guidance. As I shared earlier, what gives this particular Psalm extra credence is that Paul quotes from Psalm 32 in Romans 4:7,8:

“Blessed are those whose lawless deeds have been forgiven, and whose sins have been covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will not take into account.”

What makes this so special for new covenant believers is that our sins were atoned for at the cross.

While believers do sin, it is enough to say that sin is contrary to our new-found nature in Christ Jesus. Whereas a sinner sins by nature and takes no thought to it. When a child of God sins he hurts in the deep of his heart. A child of God is painfully aware of sin in his life.

What sorrow and pain we could escape by simply being honest about our failings. John said that if we will confess our sin, the Lord is faithful to forgive us and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

When forgiveness is in place, the Lord then appoints us to a walk of righteousness. For a walk to be righteous, it has to be under His guidance. David said,

“He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.” (Psalm 23:3)

And so in Psalm 32, we also hear the Lord say,

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you.

“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, otherwise they will not come near to you.” (Psalm 32:8,9)

Living with the Peace of God

A major problem some believers have is with bull headedness along with an uncontrolled thought life. This is why Peter tells us to gird up the loins of our mind in keeping our thoughts under control.

Where do we begin? God said through Isaiah,

“Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts.” 

We were all wicked at one time. God forgave us. Now it is time to forsake our past way of doing and thinking. Now we must learn to follow the Lord in paths of righteousness.

And this brings us to the mainstay of guidance. Guidance is not a one-time affair. Just as repentance and making spiritual adjustments is not a one-time affair. It is daily business.

When a person truly meets Jesus, something wonderful happens to the human spirit. This happening is so powerful that Paul simply uses the term ‘the peace of God’ to describe it. He says,

“And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

This supernatural peace is God’s governing kingdom peace. It is His grace at work.

It is this peace that keeps us flowing in the path of righteousness. In one place the prophet said,

“He makes peace your borders.” 

In another place we are told to let peace be the umpire in our hearts. (Cf. Psalm 147:14; Col 3:16)

God’s Training in Righteousness – Covenant Consciousness

Listen carefully to the apostle:

“You [Timothy] … from childhood have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

 “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” (2Ti 3:14-17)

When the apostle Paul spoke of our training in righteousness, he was addressing a makeover of both our spiritual and our thought life. We learn to apply God’s Word to all situations. We learn to think God’s thoughts, and speak God’s Word, and walk in God’s ways.

In all this is where we learn the flow of peace. In this walk of righteousness we begin to have formed in us, ‘covenant consciousness.’

What did the Lord say in Psalm 32? He said, 

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go.” 

A true covenant walk, works around a relationship. Jesus said,

“I am the door of the sheep…if anyone enters through Me, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.”

Going In and Out

To go in and out speaks of a covenant walk. It speaks of the leading of the Shepherd. The paths of righteousness includes ‘doors and opportunities of faith.’

In the new covenant, Jesus personally leads each believer, each marriage, each family, and each flock in paths of righteousness that is according to His will. This is what the Lord was teaching David in his Psalm of contemplation.

Some believers struggle because they’ve not yet learned to trust the Lord completely to lead their life. Others struggle because they fear that following after the Lord will mean suffering. Certainly to walk with the Lord can include suffering, but sufferings are usually trying situations.

Yet even in the trying circumstances the promise remains. Isaiah said,

“The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, because he trusts in You.”

Well, there is much more that can be said, but let’s stop for now. Are you ready to take the trappings off? Think about it. Guidance from the Lord is only a breath away.

Much love and blessings coming your way,

Buddy

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15
Mar
2012

I Had a Dream (Part 2)

“And it happened that He was reclining at the table in his house, and many tax collectors and sinners were dining with Jesus and His disciples; for there were many of them, and they were following Him.

“When the scribes of the Pharisees saw that He was eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they said to His disciples, ‘Why is He eating and drinking with tax collectors and sinners?’

“And hearing this, Jesus said to them, ‘It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.'” (Mar 2:15-17)

 

Journal,

The people who Jesus was eating with were considered the very dregs of society. The word ‘sinner’ as used by the scribes and Pharisees was especially used for people who refused to follow the laws of Moses as set forth by the scribes. Sinners were considered evil people. This group included the adulterer, tax collector, and robber. The sinners were seen as outcasts and were expelled from the synagogue.

As I was reading the above Scriptures this morning during my devotion, they triggered a memory from our recent trip to Mexico. Here is what happened.

 

‘You know me – I know you.’

We were sharing a meal with Brother Pedro and others from his church. It was hosted by one of the members. There were about ten of us seated around the table. My attention became drawn to a man who was seated away from the table. I noticed how he kept staring at me. Finally he said, ‘You know me – I know you!’

Everything became quiet. He kept right on insisting that he had met me before. To my knowledge I had never met him. He persisted.

What I didn’t know was that we was recently out of prison. (Or jail.) And that he was an alcoholic. I asked him to come sit by me. Nathan was doing the interpreting. The more we talked, the more he insisted on the story that I knew him and that I had called him to repentance in a gospel meeting.

It gets more intriguing – He went on to say that this happened in Juarez, Mexico. Actually the only time I’ve been in Juarez, was in 1969, when Betty and I left our car in storage and traveled by bus to Mexico City. But I had not been in any kind of gospel meeting. (I did hold revivals in west Texas.) Finally he agreed that it must have been a dream, but that it was so real.

I spent an hour talking and praying with him. He ask me if I would teach him. Of course under the circumstances this wasn’t possible, but I did speak to him about Pedro’s church. (I’ll not use his name since some of my Mexico readers will likely recognize who I am talking about.) All this took place on Saturday evening. The man told someone he would be church the next morning. Sadly enough, he did not show up.

And here is where I am asking my readers for a special favor. This gentleman remains on my heart. I am asking my readers to please pray for him. I wish I could share his name, but all I can say is that the Lord knows who he is. I firmly believe that the Lord is calling him into His kingdom but the enemy will do everything in his power to keep this from happening. When you pray, just use the name Mr. “L”. (He has a Biblical name that begins with an L.)

Why is this story so important? It is important because we must take care to never fall into the pattern of the scribes and Pharisees.

I heard so many wonderful testimonies while in Mexico. Here is another one that should drive the point home.

 

A Sinner Saved by Grace

I am reluctant to share names simply because I am drawing on memories. I don’t want to share anything that may not be totally correct. In any event, here is another story that must be told. It is how I remember it.

This dear lady shared how her husband had been a drunkard. He went on binges and would be found in the streets. His pants were soiled in the worse measure. (Excrement, etc.) Someone would bring him home.

His wife was so tired of this horrible life. She had enough. Then it happened again. His pants were so soiled that she was about to throw them away. This is when the Lord spoke to her heart not to throw them away, but to wash them. (Keep in mind that she would have to do this by hand.)

When she asked the Lord, ‘Why?’ He said, “Because this was how I found you.”

Did you get the point?

But that isn’t the end of the story. Her husband asked her why she had washed his clothing. She told him what the Lord had said. Out of this story came a changed man. 

Did he turn to the Lord? Yes he did. He is a Christian today.

 

Let me leave a few thoughts with you about the gospel. The gospel is not about condemnation. It is about a Savior that loved this dying world so much that He gave His life for the very dregs of humanity. (That takes in all of us.)

Listen to…

 

God’s Love Never Fails

The great mystery of the Christian faith is really the mystery of God’s love. He loved us before we ever knew Him. He never stops loving us.

When Paul said that nothing can separate us from the love of God, he may have reflected off of something the prophet said. The prophet Isaiah gives us a glimpse into the very heart of God. The Lord said,

“Can a woman forget her nursing child and have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, but I will never forget you.” (Isa49:15)

Notice that the Lord said His love far exceeds the love that a mother has for her nursing child. There is no greater picture of love than that of a mother for her child.

But what is it about God’s love that is so incomprehensible? We know the answer to that. God’s love is not static. His love surrounds us. God’s love reaches into our pits and draws us out. God’s love never fails.

How often have we been ashamed of a misdeed, wondering how God could ever love us still, and yet, in our turning to Him, we found Him ever there.

A good example is with the prophet Micah. After dealing with issues of judgments, the prophet writes,

“Who is a God like You, who pardons iniquity and passes over the rebellious act of the remnant of His possession? He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in unchanging love … You will give truth to Jacob and unchanging love to Abraham…” (Micah 7:18-20)

Unchanging love is the catch phrase.

And so the gospel is actually the greatest love story ever told. This is why Christians sing love songs to Jesus. We sing love songs to the Father. We sing of His love to us.

But why? After all, you don’t hear Muslims singing, ‘Mohammed, lover of my soul.’

It is summed up in the cry of the human heart. This cry can only be met in an meet with Jesus Christ.

So we ask, ‘How much do you love us, Jesus.’ He stretches out His arms, and says, ‘This much.’

Yes, He loves us to the end.

Please my friends – Don’t give up on anyone.

Here is your song of meditation. It is titled, ‘Your Love Never Fails.’ (Spanish subtitles for my Spanish readers.)

 

Your friend in Christ always,

Buddy

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13
Mar
2012

I Had a Dream

“How lovely on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who announces peace and brings good news of happiness, who announces salvation, and says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!'” (Isa 52:7)

 

Journal,

Forty-two years ago I had a dream. (1970) It was one of those ‘God directive’ dreams that had to do with instructions for the future. (The Lord has often sealed my instructions in dreams. Cf. Job 33:15,16. Acts 2:17,18)

Here is how it went. I was holding a revival in Sulphur, Louisiana, when the pastor asked me to stay and help him build up the church. He made the package very attractive. But that night I had a dream. In the dream I was standing at the mouth of the Sabine River, looking across the Gulf of Mexico, towards Mexico.

For years I did not understand the significance of the dream but I knew it was from the Lord. The Lord was drawing my affection and my attention to Mexico. I had to turn down the pastor’s offer. (Note the top map.)

Six years later (1976) the Lord gave me a stewardship to raise up a mentoring ministry in Central Louisiana, on the order of the Old Testament school of the prophets. This was the beginning of our School for Christian Workers.

He also put in my heart a song to that would serve as the theme song of Christian Challenge. It is titled ‘How Beautiful Upon the Mountains.’ Don’t expect anything professional, but if you are interested here it is:

http://www.christianchallenge.org/audio/music/14_How%20Beautiful%20Upon%20The%20Mountains.mp3

 

Two Young Missionaries

Nathan and Pedro Chulin Gordillo

In the 1980s we began sending out missionaries. Our son Nathan, was our first missionary. For several years Nathan and his partner missionary, Joel Dyke, worked together in raising up evangelical churches in Mexico. They were able to set up over twelve churches. (The bottom map shows a few of the churches that owe their beginnings to these two missionaries and their wives. – Both these men married their young wives while on the mission field.)

These churches in Mexico are growing at an astonishing rate and they are planting new churches. Some of the churches have hundreds of members. (The churches are generally known by the name of, ‘Agua Viva.’ – Living Water.)

After Nathan and Joel returned to the States, the churches in Mexico continue to look to them as their spiritual fathers. They make trips to Mexico on a regular basis for leadership training. (Nathan returned in 1990 to work with me at Christian Challenge. We also have a children’s home in Reynosa, Mexico, that we work with quite closely.)

But all this brings me to what I wish to share about our most recent trip to Mexico.

 

A Dream in Place – An Amazing Venture 

For the past several weeks, the dream that God gave me in 1970 kept rising up in my heart. Finally I took a pencil and a map, and drew a straight line from the mouth of the Sabine River down into Mexico. Then I saw it!! The line came to rest on a special church in Las Choapas, Verzcruz. Aqua Viva a las Naciones is pastored by Pedro Chulin Gordillo and his beautiful wife, Coqui.

And that is the church that our Mexico trip was to center on. I knew intuitively in my heart that Pedro’s church was to have a special link with Christian Challenge. (Pedro looks to Nathan as his pastor.) We are in the process of translating our training programs to be used in Mexico and especially for Pedro. But we are making them available to other churches that can use them.

I wish I had the words to describe our trip to Mexico. I’ve made many mission trips into Latin American countries, but I have never seen a church like Pedro’s ‘Aqua Viva a las Naciones’. The whole body of believers is filled with a passion for Jesus.

And when I say that Pedro’s wife is beautiful, that is a term I can freely use for Pedro and for all the wonderful people who attend their church.

The one thing that stood out most to me was that every person in Pedro’s church that I met, carried with them a true heart of a disciple. They not only love their pastor, but they have a passionate love for Jesus Christ.

But that’s not all the story. Not only are they true disciples of Jesus, but they are the most generous and loving people who I have ever met. They opened their homes and they treated us like royalty. (I shouldn’t tell this, but I gained six pounds in one week.)

There were three members on our team, Nathan, Rich Carlisle, and myself. During the time of ministry, church members where furiously taking notes, and that includes Pastor Pedro. The people were like sponges when it comes to teachings. (Pedro has to be one of the most humble men that I have ever met. He does not like you to lift him up in any way. My response to him is that we are to give honor to whom honor is due.)

We had leadership training at the church. Each of us would share a greeting at each meeting, then one of us would bring the primary message. Nathan first spoke at the home group leader’s meeting. I spoke at a general leadership meeting. Rich spoke at the young people’s meeting. All the meetings were well attended. There were a lot of heart connections being made. (Our Facebook friends list is growing pretty fast.)

Nathan ministered at Pedro and Coqui’s twenty-fifth wedding celebration. He brought a teaching on marriage and then did the celebration. The building was packed. Tables were set up  for about 300+ people and a meal was served. Believe me, I’ve yet to see anyone celebrate like the Mexicans can. Nathan also spoke at their main Sunday meeting while Rich and I brought greetings. (I also ministered at Pedro’s brother’s church in the town of Agua Dulce – Sweet Water.)

 

When Darkness Turns to Light

I wish I had the time and space to share the wonderful testimonies that we heard. But there is one that I want to share in particular.

Las Choapas, Verzcruz, at one time was called ‘the slaughter house of Mexico.’ This was because the murder rate there was considered the highest in all Mexico. Crime was at a high peak. But something happened that began resetting the tone of that city.

The Lord has used Pedro in an awesome way in Choapas. After he came some of the pastors began to form a unity and to pray over the city. The Christians saw what was happening and the spirit of unity began to make its way through almost all the churches.

The pastors secured permission to make marches. Hundreds and hundreds of Christians brought banners and vehicles, but no one placed their church name on anything. Everything was to glorify Jesus. And did it ever.

The city officials took note. Out of this unity the crime rate began dropping and a calmness began replacing the spirit of darkness over that city. Choapas is a different city today. Businesses are turning their eyes to the city. Choapas is becoming a light house set on a hill.

 

Your Youth Are as the Dew

Sunday morning when we were preparing to leave we were asked to share a word with the church. Each of use spoke of our love. Earlier that morning I had asked the Lord for a special Scripture to give to them. He brought me to Psalm 110:1-3. Take note:

“A Psalm of David. The LORD says to my Lord: ‘Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet. The LORD will stretch forth Your strong scepter from Zion, saying, “Rule in the midst of Your enemies.” ‘Your people will volunteer freely in the day of Your power; in holy array, from the womb of the dawn, Your youth are to You as the dew.'” (Psa 110:1-3)

I shared how pleased the heavenly Father was with them, that they were a refreshing to the Lord. (This is what the term  ‘dew’ has in view.) I also spoke to them about ‘plundering’ the darkness and not to limit their faith.

Once again I am without words. All I can say is, we love you Aqua Viva a las Naciones. We love you Pastor Pedro and Coqui.

We will see you again. And as you often said to us, ‘Please bring your wives.’ We will do that. But you can expect others to also come. I truly wish all our members could experience Aqua Viva, Choapas, in person.

 

Yes, I had a dream. And I am seeing my dream of 1970 become a reality.

It is my custom when sharing on my journal, to end with a song. Let the Lord speak to your heart. This song, ‘Te Doy Me Corazon’, is in Spanish, but the lyrics can be read in English.

 

 

In Christ always,

Buddy

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20
Feb
2012

The Godly Marriage – Never Alone


“…just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will…” (Eph 1:4-5 nasb)

 

Journal,

I’ve often thought about what God said about Adam being alone in life. The Lord said,

“It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him.” (Gen 2:18)

How well do I know that aloneness is not good? Quite well indeed.

As I was about to leave my Navy ship in 1963, I said to some of my shipmates, “Boys, I am sick and tired of this kind of life. I’m going to find me a good woman and settle down.”

Little did I know that my words would be fulfilled in such a short time. A little over three months later I found myself married to a beautiful Christian girl. And so here we are, this September we celebrate forty-nine years of marriage.

 

God’s Goodness in a Biblical Marriage

Betty and I have often talked about the goodness of the Lord in our marriage.  Even when we had struggles of life, we could always rejoice in God’s goodness to us. But we also knew there was something special that kept our marriage long-standing and strong. It had to do with our consecrations to the Lord.

Betty and I have always tried to live our lives in a way that our heavenly Father would be pleased. This is what Jesus did. This is what all believers should seek to do.

Listen to the prophet Isaiah –

“And He [the Lord God] will be the stability of your times, a wealth of salvation, wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is his treasure.” (Isa 33:6)

So, a question remains, ‘Did the Lord have anything to do with bringing Betty and me together?’

To simply say, yes, I do believe the Lord brought Betty and me together, leaves something out of the picture. That something is important to understand. But, yes, I do believe the Lord brought Betty and I together.

But to say that every marriage has been ordained by the Lord is questionable. There is too much sin and selfishness and destruction at work in the world. There are too many marriages that don’t survive. Yet we still need to see beyond our limited vision when it comes to marriage, and to where the Lord fits in the marriage picture.

What I do believe is that two strongly consecrated people can marry, even though they never met before, and have a wonderfully successful marriage. Their marriage would be built on a rock of their consecration to the Lord.

Betty and I were strangers when we met. In the natural state of things there was little hope that our marriage would work. One person said that our marriage would not last six months. Of course they were looking through the eyes of the natural. God had other plans.

So much for the opinions of others.

It gets better.

 

Building on the Rock

Even when there have been failures in marriage, I yet believe that any marriage can be put on a divine path. The secret will always center on a true consecration to the Lord. Finding holiness in marriage is a God thing. It takes three to make it work. You need a husband, a wife, and the Lord Jesus Christ at the very center of the marriage.

Yes, Betty and I were strangers to one another. She was a minister’s daughter and I had just gotten out of the Navy. My order of life was certainly not Christian in any sense of the word. At the same time the Lord had a plan for Betty and me. It wasn’t long before the Lord called me to Himself. Then afterwards He called me into the gospel ministry. What many do not know is that the Lord used Betty in a special way in calling my attention to Him. (A story in itself.)

So, do I believe that the Lord brought Betty and me together. Yes indeed. I do believe the Lord brought us together.

The Lord knew things that we did not know. He knew who each of us needed for our mate. Yes, I will always believe that the Lord was behind our marriage. And for forty-seven plus years we have served the Lord together in the gospel ministry.

By the way, if you need help for your marriage, going to a marriage counselor isn’t always the answer. Finding a older Christian couple who have been married for many years may work even better. Why not seek out their wisdom. They will have some secrets to share with you.

Back to…

 

Aloneness is Not Good

On a general note this is what I believe about the Biblical marriage in and of itself. When God said that it was not good for man to be alone, I believe this had to do with Adam’s completeness. It seems from the Scriptures that a man cannot realize his full human potential until he is joined with his mate. This joining would need to be a thing from the Lord.

It also works the same for the woman. (This is not to discount the gift of the celibate. Though rare, it is a unique gift of its own.)

The ancient people of God certainly knew this to be true. To the ancient Hebrews, a man was not allowed to speak in the council of elders unless he was married. They felt that an unmarried man diminished the divine image.

To make this interesting the Hebrews actually referred to God as the great Shadchan (marriage maker). While we may think this a bit odd, there are Scriptures that point to God’s involvement with the marriages of His people. Proverbs 19:14, says,

“House and wealth are an inheritance from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the Lord.”

The Hebrews also held a special belief that the woman was God’s greatest gift to the man. The reason for this was the uniqueness of the woman’s role. And so they taught that God was more than careful in bringing a woman to the man for a marriage.

Thus we have this in Ecclesiastes 9:9 –

“Enjoy life with the woman whom you love all the days of your fleeting life which He has given to you under the sun; for this is your reward in life and in your toil in which you have labored under the sun.”

Perhaps it would be good to look at the uniqueness of this one we call woman.

 

Called Alongside

The great apostle Paul reflected on God’s gracious gift of the woman, when he said,

“For a man ought not to have his head covered, since he is the image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of man.” (1 Co 11:17)

Eve was not merely an after thought of the Lord. Adam and Eve were created as trustees of the earth, working together, with each having their particular nature and gifting. The human family would lead in Adam, and yet even this needs to be understood in its true sense. Both Paul and Peter touch on this in the new covenant.

Paul says that in Christ there is neither male nor female. His point had a view to God’s work of salvation in that no one is greater or lesser when it comes to God’s gift of grace. This doesn’t mean there are no roles of gifting, of responsibility. and of accountability.

Peter brings this out beautifully. Listen carefully;

 

“You husbands in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with someone weaker, since she is a woman; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.” (1 Pe 3:7)

 

Did you catch it? The wife has equal honor before God and is in no way to be treated inferior by her husband. If a man fails to love and appreciate his wife and her equal standing before God, he may as well not pray. The Lord is not going to answer his selfish prayers.

 

Back to God’s Original Plan

Now back to God’s original plan for the human family. The Bible says both Adam and Eve were created in the image of God. But Adam was created first and as such, had covenant responsibility for the family of man. But in his relationship to Eve, Adam was not to be without Eve, and Eve was not to be without Adam. Each had a role to fulfill. Each had giftings that were theirs in particular.

Each were given special nature traits that were particular to them alone. It would take both Adam and Eve to fully express what the term ‘image of God’ really means.

 

Since we know that Adam was given covenant headship, let’s look at what Eve’s role was in relationship to covenant. Here again we need to see the bigger picture. There are mysteries in the Adam-Eve story that reflect on the total of God’s eternal story. (A teaching in its own.)

Genesis 2:20, says,

“…there was not found a helper suitable for him.”

 

Two words are important, helper and suitable. Helper is the word ‘ezer.’ This word is similar in some respects to the Greek word, parakletos. As you know ‘parakletos’ is applied to the Holy Spirit. It speaks of someone called alongside to help.

Jesus said,

“I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever.”

 

Ezer is also a very interesting word in that it also carries an idea of freshness, or someone who succors. To succour means to run under, come to the aid of, to help, support, to relieve in difficulty or distress. It is a very strong word.

The root for this word is found it most Semitic languages. For example in Ugaritic, it means to rescue and save. (It is often used in a military sense.)

When the Lord said there was no one who could serve as a helper to Adam, you have to keep in mind what this role really meant. And if men truly understood the gifting given to the woman (wife), never again would they look on her as being inferior in any sense.

Then we have the word ‘suitable.’ This is another interesting word. Listen carefully men — Neged literally means ‘in front of’, ‘in sight of,’ or, ‘opposite to.’ It means she is to be ‘before’ your face. (Not ‘in’your face.) So Adam needed someone whose gifting were companion giftings, to make up for His own lack in areas. Yes, the Lord also designed Adam where he could not be a lone ranger.

Well, there is so much more to be said about the Godly marriage. Perhaps I’ve share enough to stir your heart.

Just one last word.

Don’t be discouraged over anything in life.  Just don’t try to live in the past. Learn to take up your cross and move on with Jesus. He is the God of today and He will meet you in your tomorrows.

In the meantime listen to this beautiful song by the Hoppers, ‘Milk and Honey.’

 

 

Much love coming your way,

Buddy

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