Spring

As Spring has bloomed in Southwest Mississippi, I rejoice to see things which were dead come to life again.  We are blessed to see the beautiful picture of the resurrection.  Not only life, but vibrant, beautiful, majestic, glorious life.  The colors of Fall show our fall by age and death.  Gradually, we all fade as a leaf.  With it comes the beauty of wisdom and faithful worship.  But the beauty of Spring far out reaches the colors of Fall, as the beauty of the resurrection far outshines the beauty of life in the church.  Although the Spirit quicketh, it is surrounded by the body of our death.  In the resurrection, we will be changed in a moment into the glorious image of our Lord Jesus Christ.  While Spring is but a picture of the resurrection, it does reveal several things.  There are so many colors which bloom forth. Jesus said that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed as one of the lilies of the valley.  Each blossom is more glorious than any righteousness of man.  Each one is but a glimpse at the divine character of Jesus Christ our Lord.  I would not presume to identify every color with a characteristic.  However, with some colors there are certain aspects of the work of Christ that come to mind when I see the beauty of Spring.  The crimson colors of some of  my wife's roses and the fields of clover that I gaze upon as I travel the undulating roads of Mississippi remind me of the pure blood of Christ which was shed for me.  The white flowers of Spring make me ponder the righteousness of Christ and perfect obedience which he freely gave to me in the new birth.  The purples make me rejoice that my king reigneth and is coming back to receive me unto himself.  The golden yellows remind me that I have an inheritance with the saints of God in heaven.  So many wonderful beauties to behold, it is little wonder why we drink from the saucer.  Our God is so GREAT!

Special Meetings

There are moments, times, days, weeks, months, and, even, years that seem to be seasons of "Living in high cotton".  I know little of the cotton growing days of our past.  But I have heard the expression and can understand the sentiment.  In the church, we have regular meetings every week and regular meetings every year.  We, also, have special meetings that are scheduled from time to time.  Every one is a special meeting because our Lord Jesus Christ has promised to dwell with us.  He created the place with His own hands.  He has fashioned her according to His own liking.  He has completely furnished her with everything she needs.  She should not want anything else, especially from one that is not her husband.  It is a great, unspeakable joy to serve Him in His church with saints and friends and kindred.
Although we regularly meet and our Lord has promised to meet with us, we still observe that there are seasons of great adoration.  Recently, I (and I trust, we) have been made to enjoy such a season.  Mt. Gilead PBC in southwest Mississippi held our Winter Meeting, in the which we were made to feel a close communion with our Lord and a few of His children.  The messages were doctrinal and instructive.  They echoed the ancient teachings that have been taught throughout the years since 1873.  The week following, I again rejoiced in the message of grace at Macedonia PBC near Ackerman, Mississippi.  I attended two services but was lifted up beyond the sight of this world at the drippings of the gospel.  Please read and consider and meditate on I Corinthians 1: 30.  What a glorious text. 
The Lord willing, tomorrow we will gather with the good brethren of Plymoth PBC near Liberty, Mississippi to ordain a brother who has been set at liberty to the full work of a gospel minister.  The older I become the greater the thankfulness at times such as these.  The harvest is still as white as ever and the labourers as few.  But the Lord continues the same yesterday, today, and forever.  To see the gifts the Lord gives and strengthens His church with and to experience the glorious revival and renewing that reaches the children of God during prayer, singing, and preaching, grants me a peace that can only acknowledged by those of like precious faith who have experience the same.  All of those who have tasted such grace, mercy, and peace have been made to drink from the saucer.  May we have short and long seasons to continually drink from the saucer.
JLA