Tuesday, March 22, 2011
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!
Friday, March 4, 2011
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
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
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Early Morning Coffee
It has been some time since my last blog. Do not think that I have a lack of things to be thankful for. I am the most blessed individual on the face of the earth. The Lord above has blessed me with every advantage this world could afford. Chiefly, He has giving me eternal life through Christ Jesus my Lord. Secondarily, He has blessed me to have heard and understood the gospel of my salvation. I have never had a need in my life that the Lord did not provide for. As Abraham called his name Jehovah-jireh, so my Lord has provided for me.
This morning my sweet wife brought me the largest cup that we own filled with one of the simplest joys and pleasures that it found on earth, steaming hot coffee brewed to perfection. For various reasons, everyone cannot enjoy this simple pleasure. Some are simply too young or too stubborn to give this delight a chance to enrich their lives. Other just do not or have not acquired a taste for the "bitter" bean. Regardless of your personal feelings about this liquid enjoyment, please consider how good and how great our God is.
God created Adam from the dust of the earth and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life. God then planted a garden containing every tree that is pleasant to look upon and good for food. Therefore, in my humble opinion, God put the coffee tree there to be enjoyed without restriction. The commandment that the Lord gave to Adam stated, "...the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die." This commandment was coupled with a great blessing, namely, "Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat." God did not withhold a single tree fit for food and that would enrich Adam's experience in life. God's command regarding the tree of the knowledge of good and evil was a sovereign command. No one could nor should question why God commanded. Adam did not need to eat of that tree. After all, he had the coffee tree. He, also, had every other tree that was good and fit for food.
I consider that there is not one aspect of man that was left untouched by the fall. We know Adam died in trespasses and sins the very day he ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. We know, 930 years thereafter, Adam died a natural death because of the sin that permeated his body. The point I want you to consider, is that Adam's taste buds were also affected by sin. I'm not sure I can prove it other than that sin is in our flesh. Therefore, nothing tastes as good as it actually does because our taste buds are tainted with sin. This could be the reason why many of you do not like the wonderful flavor of the coffee bean. I do not mean that coffee lovers, such as I, are not sinners. For myself, I despise celery. I know Elder David Montgomery is a sinner, he hates hominy. Each, in our own ways, prove we are sinners by nature and practice.
I consider God's goodness in a simple enjoyment of a single solitary "food". Although, we possess a fallen nature, we still enjoy taste tremendously. Every time you taste a food that is yucky, remember you are a sinner. God made everything good, man messed the taste up. And when you enjoy the goodness that our God created for man to enjoy in the foods we eat, remember you are drinking from the saucer. When you remember you are drinking from the saucer, thank the Lord for all His kindness towards us. God bless you.
This morning my sweet wife brought me the largest cup that we own filled with one of the simplest joys and pleasures that it found on earth, steaming hot coffee brewed to perfection. For various reasons, everyone cannot enjoy this simple pleasure. Some are simply too young or too stubborn to give this delight a chance to enrich their lives. Other just do not or have not acquired a taste for the "bitter" bean. Regardless of your personal feelings about this liquid enjoyment, please consider how good and how great our God is.
God created Adam from the dust of the earth and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life. God then planted a garden containing every tree that is pleasant to look upon and good for food. Therefore, in my humble opinion, God put the coffee tree there to be enjoyed without restriction. The commandment that the Lord gave to Adam stated, "...the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die." This commandment was coupled with a great blessing, namely, "Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat." God did not withhold a single tree fit for food and that would enrich Adam's experience in life. God's command regarding the tree of the knowledge of good and evil was a sovereign command. No one could nor should question why God commanded. Adam did not need to eat of that tree. After all, he had the coffee tree. He, also, had every other tree that was good and fit for food.
I consider that there is not one aspect of man that was left untouched by the fall. We know Adam died in trespasses and sins the very day he ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. We know, 930 years thereafter, Adam died a natural death because of the sin that permeated his body. The point I want you to consider, is that Adam's taste buds were also affected by sin. I'm not sure I can prove it other than that sin is in our flesh. Therefore, nothing tastes as good as it actually does because our taste buds are tainted with sin. This could be the reason why many of you do not like the wonderful flavor of the coffee bean. I do not mean that coffee lovers, such as I, are not sinners. For myself, I despise celery. I know Elder David Montgomery is a sinner, he hates hominy. Each, in our own ways, prove we are sinners by nature and practice.
I consider God's goodness in a simple enjoyment of a single solitary "food". Although, we possess a fallen nature, we still enjoy taste tremendously. Every time you taste a food that is yucky, remember you are a sinner. God made everything good, man messed the taste up. And when you enjoy the goodness that our God created for man to enjoy in the foods we eat, remember you are drinking from the saucer. When you remember you are drinking from the saucer, thank the Lord for all His kindness towards us. God bless you.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Small Sounds
Today, I am thankful for the wonderful peace and the quiet that comes from the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.
This world is filled with the sounds of war in the hustle and bustle of every day life. War sounds are heard in the constant complaining of folks trying to get ahead of each other. By nature, we all complain about most everything. We complain about our jobs, our physical pains, our mental anguish, our government's action, our government's lack of action, and the weather (hot or cold, raining or sunny). We complain about the way we look. I mean the things we are born with, like hair color, eye color, or height. I do not have the time or inclination to keep listing all of the complaints I complain or hear others complain. We even complain about others complaining.
This I do know, complaining is not honouring to God. Godliness with contentment is great gain. Complaining shows a lack of faith and trust in our Saviour. It shows a sense of abandonment. Complaining bears all the weight of all of our cares. The scripture tells us to cast all our cares upon Him, for He cares for you.
I am thankful that in the midst of a perverse generation where men are lovers of their own selves, that our Lord and Saviour gives His people a peace that passes all understanding. He gives us an unction from the Holy One that enables us to hear His still small voice. We can hear the peaceful sounds of the leaves rustling in the wind (Holy Spirit of God - John 3), even in the midst of a whirlwind or the gentle rain from heaven while a tempest rages around us.
The scripture teaches each of us to study to be quiet and do our own business. If we can listen as the quiet is given we will having meaningful peace and find ourselves drinking from the saucer.
This world is filled with the sounds of war in the hustle and bustle of every day life. War sounds are heard in the constant complaining of folks trying to get ahead of each other. By nature, we all complain about most everything. We complain about our jobs, our physical pains, our mental anguish, our government's action, our government's lack of action, and the weather (hot or cold, raining or sunny). We complain about the way we look. I mean the things we are born with, like hair color, eye color, or height. I do not have the time or inclination to keep listing all of the complaints I complain or hear others complain. We even complain about others complaining.
This I do know, complaining is not honouring to God. Godliness with contentment is great gain. Complaining shows a lack of faith and trust in our Saviour. It shows a sense of abandonment. Complaining bears all the weight of all of our cares. The scripture tells us to cast all our cares upon Him, for He cares for you.
I am thankful that in the midst of a perverse generation where men are lovers of their own selves, that our Lord and Saviour gives His people a peace that passes all understanding. He gives us an unction from the Holy One that enables us to hear His still small voice. We can hear the peaceful sounds of the leaves rustling in the wind (Holy Spirit of God - John 3), even in the midst of a whirlwind or the gentle rain from heaven while a tempest rages around us.
The scripture teaches each of us to study to be quiet and do our own business. If we can listen as the quiet is given we will having meaningful peace and find ourselves drinking from the saucer.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Prayer
Today, I am, again, made to realize the blessings of prayer.The blessings are too great to describe wholly. I hope that a few thoughts will stir our minds, though.
1. When you are surrounded with troubles, enemies, health problems, sadnesses, guilts, or any other afflictions of the mind or body, it is of the greatest comfort to have spiritual brethren and sisters praying for you. Many times these intercessory prayers go on without your knowledge of them. Sometimes you receive a note or text saying "I am praying for you." But, when I do not feel like my prayers are very effectual, I am thankful for the prayers of those who love me.
2. It is a privilege and a blessing to pray for those I love in the faith, and those who may not be. The exercise of my faith that comes with constant or regular prayer is very valuable, more so than gold. The more I pray to my God the better I become at wording my supplications. The prayers that I see answered in my brethren and sisters' lives only serve to increase my hope and trust in my loving, gracious, Heavenly Father. We should never be surprised when the prayers are answered, but I usually am. My flesh is so very weak. Praying is of great benefit to the ones I am interceding for and for me. Maybe the greater benefit is for me because the Lord could bless the ones I pray for because of faithful brethren that are also praying for them or because they asked for themselves.
3. Prayer is a communication directly with the Lord. (I do not say that is all it is) For whatever time I am communicating with my God, I am not communicating with the world. It is time well spent. Prayer is NEVER a waste of time.
4. Prayer is often by direction or prompting of the Lord. There have been occasions when I feel impressed to pray for someone and I do not know why. Later, I find out that the need was great at the time of the prayer. This is not because I have intuition or prudence but, rather, that the Lord granted me the blessing of following His leadership which mutually benefited of the one I was praying for and me.
There are many other things to say of prayer. I encourage you to pray more often. Mention names (mention my name). Be specific. Ask believing. Ask in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Ask according to His will and be ready, willing and able to bless the Lord if the answer is "No".
The blessings I have found in and by prayer make me realize that time spent in prayer is time spent drinking from the saucer.
1. When you are surrounded with troubles, enemies, health problems, sadnesses, guilts, or any other afflictions of the mind or body, it is of the greatest comfort to have spiritual brethren and sisters praying for you. Many times these intercessory prayers go on without your knowledge of them. Sometimes you receive a note or text saying "I am praying for you." But, when I do not feel like my prayers are very effectual, I am thankful for the prayers of those who love me.
2. It is a privilege and a blessing to pray for those I love in the faith, and those who may not be. The exercise of my faith that comes with constant or regular prayer is very valuable, more so than gold. The more I pray to my God the better I become at wording my supplications. The prayers that I see answered in my brethren and sisters' lives only serve to increase my hope and trust in my loving, gracious, Heavenly Father. We should never be surprised when the prayers are answered, but I usually am. My flesh is so very weak. Praying is of great benefit to the ones I am interceding for and for me. Maybe the greater benefit is for me because the Lord could bless the ones I pray for because of faithful brethren that are also praying for them or because they asked for themselves.
3. Prayer is a communication directly with the Lord. (I do not say that is all it is) For whatever time I am communicating with my God, I am not communicating with the world. It is time well spent. Prayer is NEVER a waste of time.
4. Prayer is often by direction or prompting of the Lord. There have been occasions when I feel impressed to pray for someone and I do not know why. Later, I find out that the need was great at the time of the prayer. This is not because I have intuition or prudence but, rather, that the Lord granted me the blessing of following His leadership which mutually benefited of the one I was praying for and me.
There are many other things to say of prayer. I encourage you to pray more often. Mention names (mention my name). Be specific. Ask believing. Ask in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Ask according to His will and be ready, willing and able to bless the Lord if the answer is "No".
The blessings I have found in and by prayer make me realize that time spent in prayer is time spent drinking from the saucer.
Friday, December 10, 2010
My Best Friend
Today, I am made to realize that the greatest friend, the Lord Jesus Christ, has given many gifts. He gave himself for us, that we might live. He has left us His words, inspired and preserved in our own language. Psalms 68 assures us that he daily loads us with benefits.
There is one particular benefit that I wish to express thanks for. My God gave me a precious gift over 20 years ago. He led me to the place where my bride was. My wife and I share many personal assurances that He brought us together.
She is the most amazing gift I have been given apart from eternal life and the wonderful knowedge of it. She completes me. She helps me. She is the behind the scenes person that makes the production go smoothly. She prays for me. She teaches and loves our children. She cooks and cleans and washes all of my dirt. I could literally go on for many pages expressing all the large and small things that my wife does to better my life. For each of these and all of these I thank the Lord.
Most of all, I thank the greatest friend for my best friend. My wife is truly my best friend. She loves unconditionally, at all times. Everything she does, she does with me on her mind. We share everything, especially the most important things. We worship our Lord together in unity of mind and body. When I think that our relationship and fellowship cannot get better, it does. That is an evident token of the greatness of our God. His ways are unsearchable.
I thank the Lord for this precious gift. I ask, fervently, that this blessing will continue as we grow old together, drinking from the saucer together.
There is one particular benefit that I wish to express thanks for. My God gave me a precious gift over 20 years ago. He led me to the place where my bride was. My wife and I share many personal assurances that He brought us together.
She is the most amazing gift I have been given apart from eternal life and the wonderful knowedge of it. She completes me. She helps me. She is the behind the scenes person that makes the production go smoothly. She prays for me. She teaches and loves our children. She cooks and cleans and washes all of my dirt. I could literally go on for many pages expressing all the large and small things that my wife does to better my life. For each of these and all of these I thank the Lord.
Most of all, I thank the greatest friend for my best friend. My wife is truly my best friend. She loves unconditionally, at all times. Everything she does, she does with me on her mind. We share everything, especially the most important things. We worship our Lord together in unity of mind and body. When I think that our relationship and fellowship cannot get better, it does. That is an evident token of the greatness of our God. His ways are unsearchable.
I thank the Lord for this precious gift. I ask, fervently, that this blessing will continue as we grow old together, drinking from the saucer together.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Taught by a Pupil
Today, I was blessed to read my first blog, a former student's blog. She expressed very wonderfully the blessings she has received at the hand of a gracious God. She made me realize something I have known and often lose site of...Despite the circumstances we find ourselves in, the blessings that the Lord has provided far outshine the current dilemma or temptation we are in. He, also, provides daily blessings to load us down with to help us keep our eyes focused on Him and not on our problems. Our God is a gracious God that daily provides exceeding abundantly above what we think we need. Therefore, He makes us to drink from the saucer. This quote is not original with me, just a lovely expression from an unknown poet...Drinking from the saucer because my cup has overflowed.
For the blessings of this day I thank my God.
For the blessings of this day I thank my God.
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