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… He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay, and He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; Many will see and fear and will trust in the LORD.

“How blessed is the man who has made the LORD his trust, and has not turned to the proud, nor to those who lapse into falsehood.” (Psa 40:1-4)

Journal,

In the Bible, the term clay is often symbolic of a troubled life or of a hardened heart. David speaks to this in our beginning Scripture.

The Lord brought David out of the miry clay of destructive surroundings. He then settled David’s feet firmly on the Rock of His salvation.

Notice carefully to what David says:

1. God blesses the man who makes the Lord his trust and has not turned to the proud.

2. God blesses the man who does not lapse into falsehood.

The point is that the heart that lapses into some form of falsehood, becomes an uncontrolled and an unprotected heart. This kind of heart is open ground for the enemy to sow seeds of sinfulness and destruction. A falsehood becomes a form of false security.

But Satan’s ultimate goal is to create such despair in our lives that repair seems impossible.

Take note of how the Bible describes the kind of life that is without control:

“I passed by the field of the [spiritual] sluggard and by the vineyard of the man lacking sense, and behold, it was completely overgrown with thistles; its surface was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down.

“When I saw, I reflected upon it; I looked, and received instruction. ‘A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, then your poverty will come as a robber and your want like an armed man.” (Pro 24:30-34 NASB)

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What is the answer?

It really is a heart issue. People live from what is in their heart, whether they realize it or not. And so we must always begin with the heart.

Here it is – If you knew that God could and would give you a brand new heart and a total make over of Life, would you want it?

Sure you would. Please don’t think that I am talking about religion. I’m talking about the heart-promise of the new covenant.

On the day of Pentecost, Peter had this to say to the Hebrew people,

“For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.”

The people knew exactly what Peter was talking about. The promise of a new heart and of a watchman to help guard the hearts was written throughout the Old Testament.

Let’s pick it up the promise trail with Moses, then Ezekiel, and finally Jeremiah:

[Moses] “The LORD your God will bring you into the land which your fathers possessed, and you shall possess it; and He will prosper you and multiply you more than your fathers. Moreover the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, so that you may live.” (Deu 30:5-6 NASB)

[Ezekiel] “For I will take you from the nations, gather you from all the lands and bring you into your own land. Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.” (Eze 36:24-26 NASB)

[Jeremiah] “‘Behold, days are coming,’ declares the LORD, ‘when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah, not like the covenant which I made with their fathers in the day I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt …

“… They will not teach again, each man his neighbor and each man his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ for they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them,” declares the LORD, for I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.” (Jer 31:31-35 NASB)

Now, pay very close very close attention to this one statement that the Lord spoke through Jeremiah –

“They will not teach again, each man his neighbor and each man his brother, saying, ‘know the Lord,’ for all will know Me….”

That stand-alone statement reveals how the new covenant cannot be bound up in any religion. No one will be able to say, ‘Lo, Christ is [found] here,’ or, ‘Lo, Christ is [found] there.’ Why is this? Because the Spirit of Christ Jesus will indwell the heart of every one who belongs to Him.

This accords with what Jesus Himself said,

“But you do not believe because you are not of My sheep.

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand.

“My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.

“I and the Father are one.” (Joh 10:26-30)

All the ancient promises that were made to Israel would be fulfilled in Israel’s Messiah, and thereby would extend to all the people of the earth.

Redemption has always been about all of humanity. God’s love for the fallen family of Adam included Jew and Gentile. Many don’t realize that Israel was as much a member of the fallen race as any other people.

This is why it saddens me to see some believers on a ‘Jewish lust trip’, thinking that if they can somehow have a special relationship with the Jews, that God would love them more.

God’s love for humanity has nothing to do with racial or ethnic boundaries

Let’s continue … 

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The promise – A new heart. A new watchman. A new love.

Please don’t misunderstand me when I say that the new covenant is not a religious covenant. I simply mean that the new covenant is not of this world, nor can it be restricted to any form of religion institution that may arise

I am not saying that God’s people should not gather in flocks of His choosing. We are commanded to gather ourselves together as spiritual units (flocks). This is what the Bible word that is translated as ‘church’ means.  [ekklesia: el-kley-see’ah – A called out public assembly of believers.]

It is to be understood that while Jesus places each of His people into a body of believers, yet we are to know that all believers are one body in Christ, and that no single religious entity on earth can be said that they are the church.

Paul’ instructions are:  

“Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.“ (2Tim2:22)

This is why the new covenant would not be a religious covenant. It would be a covenant of life where each believer would know and enjoy the Lord on a personal and an intimate basis. 

It would be a life of, ‘Come to the waters.’

Do you recall what Jesus said when he stopped the priestly procession on its way to the pool of Siloam? Listen carefully where Jesus describes a life that is an outflow of the Spirit:

“Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, ‘If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’

“But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.” (John 7:37-39 NASB)

Did you know that Jesus was speaking from the promise made in Isaiah 55. Once again listen carefully. (If you learn this you will never get caught up in religious-idolatry again.)

“Ho! Every one who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money come, buy and eat. Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy?

“Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and delight yourself in abundance. Incline your ear and come to Me. Listen, that you may live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, according to the faithful mercies shown to David.” (Isa 55:1-3 NASB)

What is the keynote in this prophecy?

Listen! Listen to Me! Come to Me! Learn to have a heart like David’s! Incline your ear!

And so…

What Kind of Heart do You Have

Is it a heart that has learned to listen to Jesus.

Do you need help? Help is on His way. Just call upon the Lord Jesus. He is very near to you, as near as your heart and your mouth. Jesus is only a breath away.

God’s message never changes – 

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

“For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.” (John 3:16-17 NASB)

While you think about these things, take time for this song. The Lord gave it to me a number of years ago. It is titled, ‘What Kind of Man is This.’

Much love to be found in Jesus,

[signoff]

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“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.

“If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.” (Joh 14:2-3)

Journal,

While stationed in the Philippines Islands, I sometimes flew as a radioman aboard a P5M. These were seaplanes known as submarine chasers. Our role was to chart Soviet and Chinese shipping in the South China Sea, especially with regard to Vietnam.

When we reached a certain point I would send a coded message back to our home base, which said, ‘We have reached the point of no return.’ The message meant that in the event of problems, we would not return to base, but would need to go to a closer safety point.

The question I pose for this study is simple – Is there a point of no return for a true believer in Jesus Christ?

Let’s begin by talking about …

The Religious Struggle

One struggle some believers have is in trying to find the right religion. Thus they go from one group to another, seeking to find God’s perfect religion. The problem is that God’s blue print for life is not found in an earthly religion. Jesus said that His kingdom was not of this world. 

Roman Catholics don’t have God’s blueprint. Neither do Southern Baptists, nor Pentecostals, nor any other group you could name. The blueprint of heaven is found in only one place. It is a matter of an encoding of the heart. 

Jesus said,

I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” (John 14:6)

This is not to say that some Christian groups don’t have a better foundation of Biblical teachings than other groups. But the matter never changes. There is no institution or religious order on earth that can say, ‘We are the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through us.’ 

Of course no one would dare admit to making such a statement. But is this not the premise of many sectarian groups? They may not say it that way, but they certainly believe it.

Where is the Encoding to be Found

It needs to be understood that the encoding of the heart is found in only one way.

Listen carefully:

Moses – ‘It is not in heaven, that you should say, “Who will go up to heaven for us to get it for us and make us hear it, that we may observe it?”‘

“Nor is it beyond the sea, that you should say, “Who will cross the sea for us to get it for us and make us hear it, that we may observe it?”‘

“But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may observe it. See, I have set before you today life and prosperity, and death and adversity.'” (Deu 30:12-15)

 

Paul – “But the righteousness based on faith speaks as follows:

“‘DO NOT SAY IN YOUR HEART, “WHO WILL ASCEND INTO HEAVEN?” (that is, to bring Christ down), or “WHO WILL DESCEND INTO THE ABYSS?” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).’

“But what does it say? ‘THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART’–that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, …

“… that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.

“For the Scripture says, ‘WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.'” (Rom 10:6-11)

Did you catch it? Read those Scriptures carefully. Let the Lord minister to your heart.

There is no disappointment for the person who believes in and has received into their own heart, Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. It is in this event that the heavenly encode is sealed in the believer’s heart. The Bible calls this, ‘the seal of redemption.’ 

And so, Moses laid down where life and death is to be found. This great servant of God, had the Lord God and His promised Messiah in view. This is also where the term, ‘word of faith’, needs to be understood.

As a sub note – Some ‘word of faith’ teachings tend to obscure what this term means. We are not little gods on planet earth, who have the god-like ability to create things by simply speaking them into existence. That form of teaching belongs to the category of occultism.

[Occult defined – A belief in supernatural powers and the possibility of bringing them under human control. This is the underlying basis of witchcraft and spiritism of other sorts.]

You may want to view this study that I shared over three years ago. It is still relevant. Titled, ‘Beware of the Lie’

http://buddymartin.net/blog/2010/04/beware-of-the-lie/

Living Life With the Encoding

Most believers today are spiritually mature enough to realize that God has people throughout the varied Christian groupings. We know full well where the encoding of heaven comes from.

The apostle said it well enough –

… the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations, but has now been manifested to His saints, to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

 “We proclaim Him [Christ], admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ.” (Col 1:26-28)

The Bible says that in Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. And God wants all believers to discover this truth for themselves. It really isn’t a matter so much of where you attend church. This is no question that God does place His people into flocks. Simply be where the Lord wants you to be.

What is important, however, is that believers understand the essence of God’s heavenly covenant. The new covenant is an eternal covenant that gives us eternal life.

The people of the new covenant are a heavenly people. They are a people born of heaven. They are given a heavenly directed heart. (That is what being born again actually means.)

Jesus is the heart and soul of the new eternal covenant. His life is our life. This means that new covenant life is under the tutorship of the Spirit of Christ.

Listen very carefully once again:

Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord, equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.” (Heb 13:20-21)

Paul explains this very well when he says,

I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” (Gal2:20)

And now let’s talk a bit about…

The Father’s House

Folk sometimes wonder what specific role does the Holy Spirit have in a believer’s life. There are many specifics to be had but the one most important to our walk of faith is how the Holy Spirit acts as our guide in our journey from earth to heaven.

Listen to these Scriptures:

I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you.” (Joh 16:12-14)

The Greek term for ‘truth’ speaks of an unveiled reality, that is, the very essence of a matter. Here the Lord is calling attention to the matters of the kingdom.

Notice Jesus said, “Whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.”

How real is this? Most believers are familiar with what Jesus said about His sheep –

But you [nonbelievers] do not believe because you are not of My sheep. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.” (Joh 10:26-29)

This Scripture responds to the first question I provided –

Is there a point of no return for a true believer in Jesus Christ?

The point of no return is set in place the very moment we are made a child of God.

This means that God’s people have the capacity to hear the Spirit of Christ speaking in their own hearts, also in providence, also in other ways too many to mention.

When Jesus said that He was ‘the Way’, this term resounds with prophetic overtones. He was saying that He alone is the way to the Father’s house.

The disciples saw the connection. We need to see the connection. This is why the earliest believers often referred to their walk with Jesus as, ‘the Way.’

Listen to the Psalmist as he describes both God speaking and how the Messiah sets forth the way of God:

I will hear what God the LORD will say; for He will speak peace to His people, to His godly ones; but let them not turn back to folly.

“Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him, that glory may dwell in our land. Lovingkindness and truth have met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other. Truth springs from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven.

“Indeed, the LORD will give what is good, and our land will yield its produce. Righteousness will go before Him and will make His footsteps into a way.” (Psa 85:8-13)

Do you see it? The footsteps of Jesus became our way to heaven.

And so, we are back to where we started. 

Here is your meditation song. ‘You Raise Me Up‘. (Why not relax and let Jesus minister to your heart.)

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Remember what the sage said – “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” Is he speaking of your joy, or of the Lord’s joy? Think about it.

“‘The LORD your God is in your midst, a victorious warrior. He will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice [Sing]* over you with shouts of joy.” (Zep 3:16-17) [*Heb: rin-naw’ includes idea of joyful singing.] 

Journal,

Many mornings I wake up with a song running through my mind. The ‘waking up’ song seems to go beyond my gift of music. But perhaps this is one way that the Lord speaks to me.

The song that runs through my mind has a spiritual effect on me, sort of like a cleansing away of any rubbish in my life. (Rubbish would include worries or anything else that had bothered me.)

Perhaps we need to talk about this. Let me share some things that my readers may not have thought about, or perhaps in the way I’ll set them forth. But it all has to do with the Shepherd. What better place to begin other than with Jesus. (After all, Jesus is the Alpha and Omega of our walk with Him.)

Let’s begin with…

The Shepherd Singing

The question is, “Does Jesus ever sing over His people?” Most of the pictures we see of Jesus are about his sufferings. And yet there are Biblical references to Jesus singing over His sheep. I’ll come back to that in a moment. Before I do that, let me add some other questions.

For instance …

What does the Bible mean by, ‘a song of deliverance’? Are songs of deliverance a part of our walk with the Lord? Where do they come from? Is there a special working power in songs of deliverance?

Perhaps David can share some clues. David is called, ‘the sweet Psalmist of Israel.’ The Hebrew word for Psalms speaks of ‘a song to be accompanied with instrumental music‘. [zamir: pronounced as zaw-meer’]

Listen to David –

“Blessed be the Lord, because He has heard the voice of my supplication. The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart exults, and with my song I shall thank Him.” (Psalm 28:6-7)

Here David speaks of his song. But in another place David may be drawing attention to another kind of song.

“You are my hiding place; You preserve me from trouble; You surround me with songs of deliverance.“ (Psalm 32)

Now, is David speaking of a song that he sings because of a victory, or is David including what we would call, ‘a song of the Spirit’, that is, a song that the Lord sings over His sheep, a song we hear in our hearts?

Perhaps both of these ideas are included. However, pay close attention to the following Scripture that speaks of Jesus singing.

“‘I will proclaim Your name to My brethren, IN THE MIDST OF THE CONGREGATION I WILL SING YOUR PRAISE.’ And again, ‘I will put My trust in Him.’ And again, ‘Behold, I and the children who God has given Me.'” (Heb 2:11-13)

Did you catch it? Note the bold in a lighter blue.

In case you are wondering, these statements are from Psalm 22, which is a prophetic Psalm about God’s Messiah. Notice carefully how Psalm 22 begins:

“A Psalm of David. ‘My God, my God, why have You forsaken me? Far from my deliverance are the words of my groaning.'” (Psa 22:1)

It All Begins With God

Take note of this beautiful Poem by Gloria C. Sutton. Why not include it in your morning as your prayer to God. Then consider the picture as God’s ‘Good morning to you.’ 

[note background=”#b9fead” color=”#d79797″]

From God to you.

BEGINNING WITH GOD

Good morning God it’s a beautiful day,

And rightfully so for you made it that way.

I can’t help but marvel at all the wonders I see,

And thank you for blessings you’ve given to me.

Please hold my hand and guide my every step,

It’s through your power that I receive my help.

Let me make a difference in the life of someone,

And be your witness now that day has begun.

– Gloria C. Sutton[/note]

Now for your special meditation take note of these Scriptures. They are not in any particular order. We will begin with the Lord Jesus.

What the Bible Says About the Shepherd

What I want you to see in the following Scriptures is that the same Shepherd that cared for Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and for all the Old Testament believers, is the same Shepherd today who cares for us. Take time to meditate on these Scriptures.

“I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me, even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will hear My voice; and they will become one flock with one shepherd.” (Joh 10:14-16)

“He blessed Joseph, and said, ‘The God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has been my shepherd all my life to this day, the angel who has redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; and may my name live on in them, and the names of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and may they grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.'” (Gen 48:15-16)

“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).” (Gen 49:24)

“Save Your people and bless Your inheritance; be their shepherd also, and carry them forever.” (Psa 28:9)

“Oh, give ear, Shepherd of Israel, You who lead Joseph like a flock; You who are enthroned above the cherubim, shine forth!” (Psa 80:1)

“Like a shepherd He will tend His flock, in His arm He will gather the lambs and carry them in His bosom; He will gently lead the nursing ewes.” (Isa 40:11)

“For thus says the Lord GOD, ‘Behold, I Myself will search for My sheep and seek them out. As a shepherd cares for his herd in the day when he is among his scattered sheep, so I will care for My sheep and will deliver them from all the places to which they were scattered on a cloudy and gloomy day.'” (Eze 34:11-12)

“And He will arise and shepherd His flock In the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD His God. And they will remain, because at that time He will be great to the ends of the earth.” (Mic 5:4)

“And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the leaders of Judah; for out of you shall come forth a ruler who will shepherd My people Israel.” (Mat 2:6)

So, does the Lord sing over His flock? What do you think?

One other thing to consider. Did you know that the demons would leave King Saul, when David sang over him? Yes, indeed, there is power in the songs of the Lord.

Take time for this song by Keith Green, ‘The Lord is My Shepherd’.

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Readers,

It has been awhile since I have shared the latest statistics on the readership of my blog. The ClustrMaps above allow you to see where the blog is going. 

I am deeply grateful that the Lord has given me an avenue for sharing the good news of His kingdom. I’ve had close to 120,000 readers.

Of the over 500 entries that are available through my blog, I wanted to share the top ten entries that have acquired the most readership. Perhaps there is something in the list that you haven’t had an opportunity to view.

Here is the list of the top ten entries from the blog archives that are the most read (Beginning with the most read) –

1. Passing Through the Valley of Baca: http://buddymartin.net/blog/2010/01/passing-through-the-valley-of-baca/
2. My Story: http://buddymartin.net/blog/testimony/
3. Mercy Triumphs Over Judgement: http://buddymartin.net/blog/2009/11/mercy-triumphs-over-judgment/
4. Jesus, the Wonder and Mystery of the Bible: http://buddymartin.net/blog/2009/11/jesus-the-wonder-and-mystery-of-the-bible/
5. 500+: http://buddymartin.net/blog/500-2/
6. Salvation: http://buddymartin.net/blog/salvation/
7. Honoring God With First Fruits: http://buddymartin.net/blog/2009/12/honoring-god-with-first-fruits/
8. God’s Wings and the Blue Thread of Heaven: http://buddymartin.net/blog/2011/09/gods-wings-and-the-blue-thread-of-heaven/
9. How Secure Are You in Christ: http://buddymartin.net/blog/2010/03/how-secure-are-you-in-christ/
10. For The Love of Jesus Christ: http://buddymartin.net/blog/2012/02/for-the-love-of-jesus-christ/

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This is one of the famous sayings by Mama Ethel

“‘As for the saints who are in the earth, they are the majestic ones in whom is all my delight.'” (Psa 16:1-3)

Journal,

One of the most beautiful people I have ever had the privilege of knowing was a woman everyone called, ‘Mama Ethel.’ Actually her name was Ethel Morgan.

I think the reason she was called Mama Ethel, was because she had worked for white doctors through her many years, and the children always called her, Mama Ethel.

Mama Ethel went to be with the Lord, in July, 1999. That was fourteen years ago. But I woke up this morning with Mama Ethel on my heart. It was like the Lord was refreshing me with wonderful memories of this dear saint of God.

I think my readers will enjoy some of the things I’ll share about Mama Ethel. To begin with, Mama Ethel was one of the first members of Christian Challenge when we began in 1976. She was such a sweetheart and so full of the goodness of the Lord. And could she ever do the ‘Mash Potatoes’. (That is a dance of years ago. You old timers will remember it.)

Mama Ethel had a wonderful walk with the Lord, but she could also share some stories that would set your laughter button in motion. At the same time Mama Ethel was as spiritual a person as I’ve ever known. You’ll understand this a bit later in this entry.

Anyway, I’m going to share both some laughter stories from Mama Ethel and then some stories that show how deeply spiritual her walk with the Lord truly was.

With the laughter stories, I pray no one is offended. But if I don’t tell them as best I remember Mama Ethel telling them, we will miss out on some precious things.

Let’s begin with…

Don’t Run Ethel

Mama Ethel had been widowed for many years. She never remarried.

Here is the story from Mama Ethel —

Mama Ethel was young war bride. Her husband was back from WWII. Some of the soldiers were taken to Central State Hospital for recuperation. Mama Ether was visiting him. While they were lounging on the grounds, Mama Ethel saw a rather large gentleman off at a distance who was eyeing them. Suddenly the man started running towards them, and her husband said, “Don’t run Ethel. Don’t run. He is not going to hurt you.”

Enough of that – Mama Ethel took off running as fast as she could go. The man was chasing hard after her. What happened next tells the story. Mama Ethel tripped and fell. The man ran up to her, touch her on her shoulder, and said, “I got you tag.” And he took off running.

What Mama Ethel said next, I can’t repeat, but I’ll let you fill in the blank. Mama Ethel said, “I could have killed that *****!” (The word is generally offensive to our black friends unless they are using it among themselves.)

Don’t think for a moment that Mama Ethel was just a poor black sister with little education. She could speak French as well as English. She had spent a large part of her life traveling with the well-to-do families that she took care of. Mama Ethel knew what life was all about. She had been widowed for many years.

Now I have to tell another story where Mama Ethel reached back to her childhood. Every time she tells these stories, Mama Ethel would just burst our laughing. She would have all of us rolling in the floor.

Here is another.

Running Across the Field

This story takes place at a wake. This was back when funerals were held in the home and family and friends would gather until time to take the body to the cemetery. Some would stay all night. (I well remember this when my grandfather Martin passed.)

Here’s the story Mama Ethel told —

The body was laying there and the room had a number of family and friends attending. Visiting was robust as usual. Plenty of food was available.

Late in the evening everyone began to doze off. Mama Ethel said that when everyone was asleep, some of the boys took the body, placed it in a corner and fixed it where it wouldn’t fall. Then they began shouting out as loud as they could. “Wake up! Wake up!” (Something like that.)

Everyone was startled awake. They looked at the body and all at once, they bound for the door. There was such a commotion with everyone trying to get through the door at the same time. Mama Ethel said that in just a bit, all you could see was the bottom of white feet running across the field. (Those were her words.)

Mama Ethel did not tell these stories to make fun of anyone. We were family to her.

I loved to take Betty and our kids to visit Mama Ethel. Two things especially stood out to me. Mama Ethel always called me, Elder. She would never let us leave her house until she had gone to her pantry and loaded us down with goodies.

She always had a special love for our daughter Shana. She called Shana, ‘Little Mama.’

But the second thing that stood out was what I noticed in her living room. On her linoleum floor in front of the couch were two worn down spots. When I ask Mama Ethel about the spots, she just said those spots were where she placed her knees when she prayed to her husband. (She always called Jesus, her husband.)

Now for something about the deep of this dear woman’s walk.

Pray for Elder, He is in Trouble

It happened in March, 1978. I was holding a meeting in Garland, Texas. I’m going to do something different with this story. I went back into my earlier ‘memoirs’ to find where I wrote about this incident.

Here is the story as written in my memoirs. (Small adjustments are made for clarity. I tend to use my own special shorthand notes. I’ll use brackets [ ] to help clarify something.)

The Story of the Dark Cloud – As Recorded

Reflection – This meeting proved unusual in more than one way. The pastor, R. C. Sandifer had been in Alexandria, where we became acquainted. R. C. was attracted to my ministry and asked me to hold a seminar in their church. Two things happened that are noteworthy. In a prayer meeting at his son-in-laws home, the Lord showed me that some of the couples in that meeting would become part of the Christian Challenge. (I did not share this with anyone.)

In time, two of R.C.’s daughters and their families became part of our ministry. (Alan/Ann Stroud; Jeff/Nan Murphy.) The second thing was the physical distress. [For some reason] I began to get weaker. When I did make it home my physical body had grown so weak that I had difficulty walking. This had to be demonic in nature. The room I slept in was at Alan Stroud’s mother’s home. The walls had occultic symbols on them. (It was Alan’s sister’s room. She was gone.)

The testimony of God’s grace is wonderful. Joe Garlington was supposed to have gone with me but his daughter, Missy, came down with appendicitis.

Mama Ethel, a black sister who attended the ministry from Boyce, called Betty to warn her about a dark cloud following me. When Betty called Garland I was asleep. In trying to talk with her on the phone it was as though I were in a deep tunnel. I could hardly gather myself to speak. [It like I had to fight my way out.]

From that time on weakness began to afflict my body. I didn’t really notice it until I began getting ready to leave.  On the way out of town my car stalled on the interstate. [I could not get it to start. Tried several times.] It was then that I really knew something was wrong. I laid my hands on the steering wheel and began to pray and to rebuke the powers of darkness.

When I turned on the key the car came to life. I made it home. Early one morning the Lord spoke to me and said that He had delivered me from the mouth of the lion. I wept much over the goodness of the Lord. After a couple weeks I began a comeback. I determined not to give in to whatever this was. From this I learned some important things about spiritual warfare and about God’s keeping love. I had and have so much more to learn.

I realize this is getting a bit long but I really need to tell one more story. It has to do with Mama Ethel’s journey home.

Mama Ethel’s Knees

Once again I will reach into my memoirs. Here is how I recorded Mama Ethel’s homecoming.

Recorded Sunday, July 25, 1999 – Note: Ethel Morgan (Mama Ethel) died Monday. She was found on her knees in the living room with her face on her Bible. This was her way of praying.

Nathan and I attended her funeral yesterday at Taylor Hill. When Mama Ethel was a member of CCI at Boyce, she had worn two spots in her linoleum run at the couch where she knelt to pray daily.

Mama Ethel was a remarkable woman. Her family will miss her (especially her prayers and counsel) greatly. She is now with her husband, Jesus. 

Yes, I believe that Mama Ethel was one of the majestic ones that David wrote about. Sure, Mama Ethel had her faults just as we all do. But what a heart for the Lord. 

Was Mama Ethel different? Yes, she really was. But she lived a life without prejudice. She loved everyone equally. And one of her favorite sayings was, “Elder, there ain’t no black Holy Ghost and white Holy Ghost.”

There is more I could write about this special lady but perhaps what I’ve shared will touch someone’s heart.

Here is a song that I pray will touch your heart. Its about going home.

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“When the bow is in the cloud, then I will look upon it, to remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.” (Gen 9:16)

“One who beats an animal to death must make restitution for it, life for life.” (Lev 24:17-18)

“But now ask the beasts, and let them teach you … in whose hand is the life of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind?” (Job 12:7-10)

“A righteous person cares for the life of his animal, but even the most compassionate acts of the wicked are cruel.” (Pro 12:10)

“For every beast of the forest is Mine, the cattle on a thousand hills. I know every bird of the mountains, and everything that moves in the field is Mine.” (Psa 50:10-11)

“Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father.” (Mat 10:29)

Journal,

In the picture above is our dog Zach. Zach is a very small Yorke. The traditional Yorke has long hair. To begin this entry let me share a story about Zach.

Someone had left the back gate of our deck open, and Zach went exploring. He rarely goes very far from home. Anyway, I missed Zach, and went through the house and the back yard calling for him. No answer. Then in a bit I began to hear this pitiful yelp.

I followed the yelping sound, and there on the creek bank near the front of our house was Zach. His hair was entangled in a brier patch. The more he struggled the worse it became.

So, I worked my way through the briers with my pocket knife. Zach was overjoyed that I had come to his rescue. I picked him up and carried him home in my arms.

In the picture above you will see a cut away piece of brier entangled with Zach’s hair. I keep it on my desk as a reminder of this precious little animal that the Lord had given us. (Actually Zack was a gift from our kids to Betty.)

I am telling this story for more than one reason. First of all, this story reveals a lot about my heart. I’ve always had a special love for dogs.

Like most folk, I can hardly stand to see any animal suffer. This is the reason I stopped hunting years ago. It was never a pleasure for me to shoot an animal merely for sport.

(I’m not faulting those who enjoy hunting. This is just for me personally.)

But there is a second reason. I believe that animals carry a message to us from God Himself. And how we treat our animals lets us know if God’s message is getting through. If you aren’t sure about animals carrying a message from God, take time to reread the Scriptures that I share above. Note the bold color in blue.

Let’s take note of how …

God Teaches Us Through His Creatures

I certainly don’t wish to overemphasize how God makes animals a part of our lives, yet at the same time you hardly ever hear any teaching about this. Take the birds for example. Did you know that the birds have much to tell us? This is why Jesus instructed us to consider them.

Listen —

“Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap; they have no storeroom nor barn, and yet God feeds them; how much more valuable you are than the birds!” (Luk 12:24)

The lesson seems simple enough. So much of the world lives in fear of what the future holds. Why should God’s children worry. We are to learn from the ravens, to live our lives with the knowledge that all our needs are provided for by our heavenly Father.

Can the ravens teach us more? Surely they can. Did you know that animals can receive special instructions directly from God. Have you never read when Elijah the prophet fled for his life. Listen –

“The word of the LORD came to him, saying, ‘Go away from here and turn eastward, and hide yourself by the brook Cherith, which is east of the Jordan.

“‘It shall be that you will drink of the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to provide for you there.’

“So he went and did according to the word of the LORD, for he went and lived by the brook Cherith, which is east of the Jordan. The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he would drink from the brook.” (1Ki 17:2-6)

Think about all the lessons the Lord give us through animals. They are numerous. God’s people are likened to sheep. God used a donkey to chasten Balaam. The untamed colt that let Jesus ride on him. The fish that gathered so that Peter could catch them. The boy with the loaves and fishes.

A picture of CJ, my Great Dane. He is with the Lord now. The kids gave CJ to me on Father’s Day, years ago. Sure do miss him.

The list goes on. Noah releases a dove and the dove returns with good news. A fish that brought money to Peter. How about Daniel in the lion’s den, where the lions would not even touch him.

The great fish that carried Jonah to his proper destination. All the animals that entered the ark under divine influence.

God says that animals can even teach us wisdom

“Four things are small on the earth, but they are exceedingly wise: the ants are not a strong people, but they prepare their food in the summer;

“The shephanim are not mighty people, yet they make their houses in the rocks; the locusts have no king, yet all of them go out in ranks;

“The lizard you may grasp with the hands, yet it is in kings’ palaces.

“There are three things which are stately in their march, even four which are stately when they walk: the lion which is mighty among beasts and does not retreat before any, the strutting rooster, the male goat also, and a king when his army is with him.” (Pro 30:24-31)

So the question remains…

Do animals have feelings and emotions

What do you think?

Anyone who has ever had a pet, can certainly tell you that their pet has personality, and feelings, and emotions. They dream. They weep. They bond on a level that we humans don’t really understand.

They care deeply. They will give up their life for you.

As a spokesman for dogs, I can tell you that dogs are unique in their unconditional love.

We have so much to learn from them.

Oh well, enough for now. Take time for a bit of humor.

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And the LORD said to Abraham, ‘Why did Sarah laugh, saying, “Shall I indeed bear a child, when I am so old?”‘

“‘Is anything too difficult for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, at this time next year, and Sarah will have a son.'” (Gen 18:13-14)

Journal,

I occasionally hear from those who have experienced their new life in Jesus, in that it was as though they had rediscovered a long-lost childhood friend, that they knew the Lord as a child.

Actually there is much more to this than meets the eye. This is a God-thing matter.

Let’s begin with God’s side. The Bible tells us that God knew every believer on a personal basis before they were born in this world. I realize this is difficult to wrap our minds around. This is because it is a God thing.

However, the things that God said of the prophet Jeremiah, and of the Psalmist David, and of the Apostle Paul, can be said of all God’s people in one level or another. Listen –

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations.” (Jer 1:5)

“Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; and in Your book were all written the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them.” (Psa 139:16)

“But when God, who had set me apart even from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles … “ (Gal 1:15-16)

Did you know that according to the Scriptures, every person who is ever going to be saved, that their names were written in Lamb’s book of life before the foundation of the world?

Did you know that each saved person has been saved by an arranged appointment with God’s Son?

The Issue of Divine Appointments

The issue of an appointment with eternal life is not something we easily grasp. We always need to balance this out with the fact that not only is God just in all His ways, but He is also ‘all knowing’, and ‘ever present.’ This means that God was present in our past, He is present in our now, and He is already in our future.

Did you catch it? God is already in our future! Yes, He has arrangements for your future. Of course it is a God thing.

There is no place you can be that God is not. Another way of saying this is that the believer is surrounded on all sides by the Lord. This is what Peter was speaking of when he said,

“But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION [kjv has, ‘a peculiar people’], so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” (1Pe 2:9)

The term, ‘a people for God’s own possession’ [Or, ‘a peculiar people’], is rich in meaning. It carries the idea of a possession in the sense of a treasure, belonging only and solely to God. Peter is calling attention to an eternal treasure.

This is also what David is speaking of in this awesome Psalm. (You should read all of Psalm 139, and Psalm 37.)

“You scrutinize my path and my lying down, and are intimately acquainted with all my ways. Even before there is a word on my tongue, Behold, O LORD, You know it all.

“You have enclosed me behind and before, and laid Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is too high, I cannot attain to it.

“Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend to heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there.

“If I take the wings of the dawn, if I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, even there Your hand will lead me, and Your right hand will lay hold of me.

“If I say, ‘Surely the darkness will overwhelm me, and the light around me will be night,’ even the darkness is not dark to You, and the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are alike to You.

“For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well.

“My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth; Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; and in Your book were all written the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them.

“How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would outnumber the sand. When I awake, I am still with You.” (Psa 139:1-18)[/note]

Now let’s talk just a bit about  …

Our Appointment With Eternity

Here is an example of some who met their eternal appointment with God –

“When the Gentiles heard this [the gospel], they began rejoicing and glorifying the word [gospel message] of the Lord; and as many as had been appointed [Greek: ‘tasso’] to eternal life believed.” (Acts 13:48 nasb)

This statement can also be translated, ‘Those who had been designated for eternal life became believers.’

Some would have this to read, ‘As many as were disposed to eternal life believed’, but that does damage to the language. ‘Tasso’ literally means to assign someone to a particular task, to arrange a thing, or to set something in order.

Here are some more places where the word tasso is used. (I’ll use caps to distinguish where the English word is based on the Greek term, tasso.)

“But the eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had DESIGNATED.” (Matt28:16) 

“Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are ESTABLISHED by God.” (Romans 13:1)

“And I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said to me, ‘Get up and go on into Damascus, and there you will be told of all that has been APPOINTED for you to do.'” (Act 22:10)

The Greek word ‘tasso‘ is used seven times in the New Testament. There is no mistaking its meaning. It always speaks of a set time or a set place or a set event. So, we can certainly say in this case, when we were saved, we were saved by appointment.

Does This Mean that Everything is Preordained?

While the Bible does speak of predestination, we must take care not to stretch predestination beyond its rightful place in the redemption program of the Lord. There is no question that the human will is always involved in one way or another in the work of salvation. But predestination can be stretched to the point of fatalism.

[Fatalism: A submissive mental attitude resulting from acceptance of the doctrine that everything that happens is predetermined and inevitable.]

The safest ground for us is to remember that God said that His ways are not our ways, and His thoughts are not our thoughts. (Cf. Isaiah 55)

Perhaps the questions we can ask are along these lines – ‘Is God responsible for my sinful choices?’

‘Can I miss God’s will for my life?’

‘Can I find God’s will for my life?’ 

The first question answer is, ‘No, God is not responsible for your sinful choices.’ 

The second question answer is, ‘Yes, you certainly can miss God’s will, but even this has to have a qualifier.’ 

The last question is, ‘Yes, you most surely can find God’s will for your life.

The place to begin is with the knowledge that you are God’s will. You were born of God’s will and your life is being overseen in God’s will. Remember that you don’t work God’s will in your life. God works His will in your life.

Of course there are always qualifiers with these questions. I’ve given just enough to stir your thinking.

The point is that even when believers make bad choices, and we certainly will, there is a Scripture that binds everything together. Listen –

“… and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

“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.” (Rom 8:26-28)

Notice carefully that Paul did not say that God causes all things that happen in our lives. This would make Him responsible for our sins. He said that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose.

A clear distinction needs to be made between cause and effect. We are the ones who can create a bad situation in life. God is the One who can turn the bad situation to work in some measure for our good.

Also keep in mind that we have a spiritual enemy who is continually at work to try and disrupt our walk with the Lord.

But it isn’t merely about turning bad things into something that works for our good. The ‘all things’ speaks of the total of God’s provisions for His people. All His provisions are designed to work for our good.

Let’s continue with a more personal level and talk about …

Prearranged Times and Events

Salvation is not simply a one time event. The Lord has been working salvation in our lives long before we ever came to know Him through faith in Jesus Christ.

He has made and continues to make appointments for us. He arranges spiritual visitations with us. He guides us step by step into the calling that is upon each of our lives.

The ancients firmly believed this. Listen –

“He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay, and He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm.” (Psa 40:2)

“‘No weapon that is formed against you will prosper; and every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their vindication is from Me,'” declares the LORD.” (Isa 54:17)

“I know, O LORD, that a man’s way is not in himself, nor is it in a man who walks to direct his steps. Correct me, O LORD, but with justice; not with Your anger, or You will bring me to nothing.” (Jer 10:23-24)

“He keeps the feet of His godly ones, but the wicked ones are silenced in darkness; for not by might shall a man prevail.” (1Sa 2:8-9)

“This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day.”(Joh 6:39)

“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)[/note]

May I leave this personal thought with you?

Yes, I Saw the Church that Christ Built

This past Saturday was a celebration of our 50th Wedding Anniversary. It was wonderful beyond words. Thought I’d throw this in extra. And this is what I saw …

I SAW THE CHURCH —

This past Saturday we celebrated our 50th Wedding Anniversary. I don’t know how we could have squeezed more people into the sanctuary. Yet as wonderful as the celebration was, I saw something that moved me deeply and continues to linger in my heart. I saw the Church.

Here is what I saw. First – The table fellowship. Seated together were believers and pastors from various streams of our Christian faith. We had Methodist, Baptists, United Pentecostals, Assembly of God, Charismatics, non-denominational, and others that I haven’t mentioned.

Love and laughter simply flowed. The fellowship was rich. And no one was concerned about who went to what church. In fact when Nathan invited anyone to share, various ones stood to speak from their hearts. All you could hear was the love of Jesus.

But I saw something else. Secondly, I saw history. As I looked across the gathered peoples, I saw friends from long years ago, and I saw friends who are recent. It was like an unfolding of the pages of history beginning with the 1940s, and reaching across to 2013.

When the moment came for me to share, I drew attention with everyone how this celebration reminded me somewhat of the marriage feast of the Lamb. There was joy. There was laughter. Even the tears flowed, but they were tears of thanksgivings.

You could feel the love of God flowing through the entire gathering. It was almost like a river. (Don’t tell anyone, but I can’t remember when I have cried so much.)

Anyway, I just had to share this. I don’t know what everybody else saw. Yes, I saw the Church.

It was a day to remember…

Perhaps you would like to meet the Martins.

You are welcome to respond to this study.

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