If I Myself Dominate Myself, ...

Lyrics- Robert Robinson, 1758

If I myself dominate myself, 

if my thoughts revolve round myself, 

if I am so occupied with myself I rarely have "a heart at leisure from itself," 

then I know nothing of Calvary love.

24-  "Then Jesus told his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
25-  For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
26-  For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?  Or what shall a man gave in return for his soul?  
27-  For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done.
28-  Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom."  
Matthew 16:24-28, ESV

How convicting!!  

"O that day, when free from sinning, I shall see thy lovely face!  
Full arrayed in blood-washed linen, how I'll sing thy sovereign grace!  
Come, my Lord!  No longer tarry!  Bring thy promises to pass! 
For I know thy power will lead me till I'm home with thee at last."
Robert Robinson, 1735-1790   
Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing, 1758.  

If I am Soft to Myself ...

Mr. Harry (or is it Hairy?) Ragdoll loves to be stroked!!

If I am soft to myself and slide comfortably into self-pity and self-sympathy; 

If I do not by the grace of God practice fortitude, 

then I know nothing of Calvary love.

Is it not within man's nature to want to be stroked and coddled, valued and praised? 

What happens when trials come, or death happens?   What if you've held to hope for something you can't have, and looking ahead hurts?  Is it wrong to need a little more time to reason the angst away? 

Peter must've felt this way when he reacted and spoke in disbelief and alarm when his closest friend said he'd go away and suffer, then die.  Moments earlier, Peter had proclaimed Jesus the Christ, believing His kingdom would always be with us, yet as soon as he heard Jesus say he'd die, he reacted as only a physical mind would...in denial!! 

He denied what didn't make sense!  

Go away, suffer, and die?  Jesus, the Christ?
How can this be? No way,  that can't happen to YOU! It just can't happen!! 

After all the miracles Peter saw Jesus perform, and he told Jesus what He couldn't do?

Jesus knew Peter's heart and mind were not focused on His Father's will....
Peter reacted, not realizing his words were fitting for the work of Satan! 

Yes, death must come.  The cross was the way Jesus had to go to accomplish the will of His Father!  

Doesn't it make sense that the enemy, Satan, would think he could thwart the plan of God so Jesus could not die to save His people from their sins, so his plan would trump God's?  

Eve did the same thing when she rejected God's way for her own! 

God's ways are not man's ways, as Isaiah 55:8-9 states, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."

Peter heard the news and reacted, not imagining interference with the plan of God, but that's what it was!! Jesus rebuked him sternly, (and this could have very well been me) ...

"Get behind me, Satan!  You are a hindrance to me.  For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man."

Then Jesus told his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.  For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.  For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?  Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?  For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done.  Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom."  
Matthew 16:23-28, ESV.  

Jesus' suffering and death was necessary to pay the price for "Eve's" sin of self-will, and "Adam's" sin of self-focus, both choices were in opposition to God's will.  Each of their wills opposed God's will, which lead to the separation and death of a relationship and fellowship with the Giver of true life!   

If I allow myself to think my loss and pain in any circumstance is great, the work of my enemy, Satan, will undermine in my mind the finished work of the One who paid the ultimate price for that very sin of self will, self pity, and self sympathy...what a grave state!    

"Oh, to see my name written in the wounds

for through your suffering I am free
death is crushed to death
life is mine to live
won through your selfless love
This the pow'r of the cross
son of God slain for us
what a love, what a cost
we stand forgiven at the cross." 

Words: Keith and Kristyn Getty

Song:  The Power of the Cross 

This is a Mystery!! 1+1=1...Because God Said So!!!

My heart is full to overflowing in love for this DEAR couple!! 

Almost two weeks ago, this dear couple promised their lives to one another and will soon be covenanted together as one. 

When Beth came to our church less than a year ago, she drove down from TN to help her cousin who'd just had a baby.  While here, Beth desired to find a church to worship with, since she'd planned to linger for a month.  She searched out and found SGBC, and drove one hour, each way, to join us a couple of times each week on Sunday morning worship and Wednesday evening Bible study in our home.  

Our church family fell in love with her from the start... her selfless example and ministry, in both her free time and work (presently as a nanny to a 103 year old lady in her home),  seemed to speak volumes of her love for the LORD and those He's called her to serve. 

Mike didn't pounce on her (because that's not his style), though he quickly noticed and observed her.  Before she left to return home, they shared time together in group gatherings, and their friendship budded so they were able to continue a friendship through correspondence.   What a smart man <smile>, though few initially knew.

With the assistance of our pastor, Mike connected with Beth's pastor and parents, and they eventually invited him to 'come for a visit'.  Mike spent much time in prayer regarding his intentions, and then asked us as his church family to join him in asking the LORD to give him wisdom to know what to do.  In November, Mike made that road trip and he stayed several days.  While there, it became more clear that Mike and Beth's relationship should move forward, and Mike was given a 'green light' from everyone involved.  

How exciting!!  

Today, just a couple of months later, Mike and Beth are engaged to be married, and their wedding is set for April 18th!!!!!  I am over the top excited!! 

I marvel at the providence of God, and the sweet peace He has given everyone.  It remains a mystery to me to consider how at this time last year, Mike and Beth didn't even know one another, yet, in God's perfect providence, He would bring them together and make that possible by bringing Beth to Mike through the circumstances of another's life activities and needs.  

What a JOY, what a LOVE, what a GOD who knows ALL things, that He is pleased for two to become one in Him, for HIS glory!!!

Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh (Genesis 2:24, ESV). 

Lord bless you, Mike and Beth!  We are looking forward to your wedding day!  

We will be there!! 

If I Hold On To Choices of Any Kind, ...

If I hold on to choices of any kind,  
just because they are my choice; 
if I give any room to my private likes and dislikes, 

then I know nothing of Calvary love.
Amy Carmichael, If 


For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, 
that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. 
Romans 15:4-7, ESV 

If I Am Content to Heal a Hurt Slightly, Saying "Peace, peace"...

If I am content to heal a hurt slightly, saying “Peace, peace,” where there is no peace; 

if I forget the poignant word “Let love be without dissimulation” and blunt the edge of truth, speaking not right things but smooth things, 

then I know nothing of Calvary love. 

Amy Carmichael, If 

Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers over all wrongs. 
Proverbs 10:12, ESV

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.

Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 

Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 

Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

Romans 12:9-13, ESV

Turn Me All Into Love

Lord, do thou turn me into love and all my love into obedience, and let my obedience be without interruption. 

Jeremy Taylor, 17th century Theologian/Author

If I am Afraid to Speak the Truth, Lest I Lose Affection, ...

If I am afraid to speak the truth, lest I lose affection, or lest the one concerned should say, “You do not understand,” or because I fear to lose my reputation for kindness; 

if I put my own good name before the other’s highest good, 

then I know nothing of Calvary love.
Amy Carmichael, If 

Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from [her] earnest counsel.   Proverbs 27:9, ESV

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 
Complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.  
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.  
Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.  
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 
Who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 
But emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.  
And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.  
Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 
So that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
And every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.  
Philippians 2:1-11, ESV

Hoops, I am thankful for you and for your family.  Your family has loved and ministered Truth to us in ways beyond what seems dutiful as a pastor's family.  As a dear friend to Katherine, and our family, you have remained steadfast and faithful to 'lean in' to love and demonstrate what being in 'full accord' with others looks like...
Lord bless you, Hoops, and Lord bless your family!  

 

"Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel."

[Proverbs 27:9] - See more at: http://www.prayers-for-special-help.com/friendship-bible-verses.html#sthash.zLIip9cX.dpuf

"Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel."

[Proverbs 27:9] - See more at: http://www.prayers-for-special-help.com/friendship-bible-verses.html#sthash.zLIip9cX.dpuf

"Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel."

[Proverbs 27:9] - See more at: http://www.prayers-for-special-help.com/friendship-bible-verses.html#sthash.zLIip9cX.dpuf

If My Attitude Be One of Fear, Not Faith, ...

 

If my attitude be one of fear, not faith, about one who has disappointed me;
if I say, "Just what I expected" if a fall occurs,

then I know nothing of Calvary love. 
Amy Carmichael, If 


Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil.
For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow.  But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!  
Again if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? 
And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him-a threefold cord is not quickly broken. 
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, ESV

"Love, according to scripture, is to will another's good.  Love is not merely like the pleasure others give us.  It is not treating them as a means to our satisfaction- this would be to put ourselves in the place of God.  Love is obedience to Him who is love.  It is not a mood or a preference or an emotion.  It is not "feeling good about" somebody.  It is a command.  Therefore it requires our will, and our conscious action." 
Elisabeth Elliot,  Marriage: A Revolution and a Revelation*
*Note:  This is an unfinished, unedited, and unpublished draft that was released in spite of its errors. 

If I Deal with Wrong for Any Other Reason...

If I deal with wrong for any other reason than that implied in the words, 
"From His right hand went a fiery law for them.  Yea, He loved the people";

If I can rebuke without a pang, 

then I know nothing of Calvary love.
Amy Carmichael, If

If only I were not soo quick to react... 

"Channels Only!"

I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 

always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, 

because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.   

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. 

It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. 

For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.

And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, 

so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 

filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.  

Philippians 1:3-11, ESV