Ask The Pastor

May 14, 2007

> Question:

> Have you ever heard that when you sling mud you lose ground,

XXX,

Your email was rather hard in spirit in comparison to what I normally receive from Pentcostals. Most Pentecostals who write me are very gracious in spirit and appreciate the things that I have to share.

But it seems you fully misunderstand my intentions in helping UPC people who ask me for help. Had you read my testimony you would have seen this statement up front ---

"This testimony is not about individual members of the United Pentecostal Church. I deeply care for my Pentecostal kinsmen and I believe that most of them also love Jesus deeply. I simply hope that my testimony will encourage others to take a closer look at how the United Pentecostal Church misrepresents the gospel of Jesus Christ."

Since I truly do care about you I'll take time to respond to other portions of your email to me.

> and God is Love and you talk about loving, what an example you give on
> putting your brothers down, because they choose to follow Christ in an
> organization of their choice.

You are again mistaken. What I stand against is any system of religion that distorts the true salvation message of Jesus and the apostles. Jesus did not come to give us a religion. He came to give us Himself. Religion is what men do. Relationship with God is what Jesus does.

> How can you expect to live in Heaven with UPCI brothers when you
> feelings for them are so lacking in Love.

I will be in heaven with whomever else will be there. Being saved is about Jesus Christ being the Lord and Savior of a person's life. My salvation was settled many many years ago. I carry in my heart the divine seal of Christ. Jesus alone is my Lord and Savior.

> Is this the only way you can build a church on trying to crumble the
> UPCI?

The congregation of Christian Challenge is made up of people from all walks of life. As for crumbling the UPC, afraid that isn't a thing I am concerned with. In fact the UPC is losing churches and people and ministers all on their own.

> If you were going to do this why didn't you do this when you were still
> UPCI, .....

I left the UPC over their false doctrines of salvation. Over the years I've seen a continual outflow from the UPC of peoples who have had their own eyes open to our completed salvation in Jesus Christ.

> ... always people that complain and find fault are the ones that do
> after leaving. Jesus found this true also of his follows. I've been in
> this area for yrs. and never heard of you until today, someone e-mailed
> me this to read, their husband has been going to church and now he has
> stumbled onto your web-site and she is afraid he won't return to any
> church, because you are putting the one down he attends.

If your friend's husband found our web site, then the Lord was in it. This is how a great many UPC people find us.

Don't think that I am the only one who is helping hurting UPC people. A great many former UPC ministers are doing the same.

> Is this being a stumbling block.

When a person enters into the light of Jesus Christ, I would hardly call that a stumbling block.

> Maybe you better be very careful you don't get tricked by the enemy and
> lose souls and your own soul.

XXX, you are the one who must be careful. You attacked me with no knowledge of who I am or why I believe what I believe. You made yourself to be my judge.

As for your fear tactics, that is the world that you live in. I escaped from that world a long time ago. I now live in the love of God, in perfect peace, and in the presence of Jesus on a daily basis.

> There's only one way I know how to handle this is, Pray for your
> enemies, and if that's what you are, then God will have to save you or
> remove you, what ever His will is.

This is so sad that you feel a need to resort to threats. What a sad world you must live in.

> I will be sure and take you before the Throne tonight for His will upon
> your life.

I meet with the Lord every morning. Done this for years. He and I are on very personal terms. He is my Father. I am His child. There is no fear in His love. I hope that one day you will be able to rid yourself of such a hardness of heart.

> It's a battle everyday against the powers of darkness for souls without
> having to battle against the good side of evil, ....

Afraid I've never heard of the 'good' side of evil.

> ... in what you would think would be a brother, that should be only
> interested in souls.

You don't know enough about me to make any judgments. As for my interest in souls, I've been in the ministry well over 40 years and the business of souls has been my concern from day one.

> My wouldn't that have been something for Paul or Peter to have written a
> chapter for all those who followed Jesus and didn't agree with
> everything, to leave Him and follow after just them instead.

Paul and Peter preached the same gospel. I preach the same gospel that they preached.

> Isn't that what your doing Judas,...

Dear lady, it would be so sad if these words returned to your home. You have made yourself as an accuser of the brethren. It may be well if you would ask the Lord to forgive you for having such an angry and judgmental spirit.

> ... adding fuel to a fire, acting like you can ease all their problems
> and differances, by joining your movement.

I share whatever the Lord places on my heart to share with these dear people who are asking for help.

> Are you having the Book Of Acts every night in your services, if so, how
> come I haven't heard all the Signs and Miracles happning every night in
> your services, when I'm right here in this area.

There is a lot you haven't heard of.

> O soul awake, soon the Lord will come and none can stand in His sight,
> but those who are washed in the Blood Of the Lamb, when He comes as a
> thief in the night. Create in me a clean Heart O Lord and renew in me a
> right spirit. May God heal your spirit and soul.

I wish I could remove some of the fear that you live under. As for your prayer about a right spirit, you may want to add another part of what David said...

"And see if there by any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." (Psalm 139:24)

XXX, you should never use a 'wicked' way of of writing to one of God's children. I would have been happy to dialogue with you in a gracious manner. I'm sorry that you left me no choice but to respond in accordance to what you have written.

I'll have to leave all this with you.

Buddy

Bro. Buddy Martin - Ask the Pastor

-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-
Lawrence "Buddy" Martin
email: Bro.Buddy@ChristianChallenge.org
Web: http://www.ChristianChallenge.org

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