The Best Policy

Based upon Psalm 130:1–8 

Recommended Reading: Psalm 89:1–52; 123:1–4; Colossians 1:15–23 

Have you ever noticed the boldness of David and of other composers of psalms? They courageously questioned God (see Psalm 89:46) and went so far as to boldly outline for him what in their view he needed to do (see Psalm 123:3). As people well versed in Israel’s history, the songwriters, we might expect, would have kept silent when it came to questioning God’s ways.

However, the psalmists “got away” with what they said because they expressed their feelings with honesty. They knew their own weaknesses and limitations and understood God’s strength and power and majesty. They knew who they were and where they were. But they also knew God.

Here, the songwriter acknowledges his own state as being in “the depths”
(Psalm 130:1). Whether this refers to a physical, emotional or spiritual place doesn’t matter. He’s honest enough to recognize his desperate situation and to cry out to God for help. 

Simply acknowledging our need is the first step down the pathway of redemption.

But what does the songwriter need? He realizes that if God were to keep a record of sin, the psalmist would certainly be lost. With his rhetorical question “Who could stand?” (Psalm 130:3), he anticipates the words of the New Testament: “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). In almost the same breath as his admission of sinfulness, the songwriter honestly expresses who God is. With God “there is forgiveness … unfailing love … full redemption” (Psalm 130:4,7). 

Finally, the songwriter acknowledges God’s promise that “he himself will redeem Israel from all their sins” (verse 8).

Perhaps the apostle Paul had the words of Psalm 130 in mind hundreds of years later when he wrote to the church at Colosse, “For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in [Jesus], and through him to reconcile to himself all things” (Colossians 1:19–20).

Because of Christ we can be honest with ourselves: God comes to where we are to redeem who we are because of who he is. 

The Take Away:

Do you think you’re honest about where you are, who you are and who God is? How can you be sure? When was the last time you thanked God for his forgiveness? In what ways does your life show that you are forgiven and accepted by God? 

(Source: NIV Devotional for Men)

Don't Worry...Be Happy!

HE WHO HEEDS THE WORD WISELY WILL FIND GOOD,  AND WHOEVER TRUSTS IN THE LORD, HAPPY IS HE.  ( PROVERBS 16:20 *NKJV )Dear One,

Never let the enemy steal your joy and leave you downcast!   Instead enjoy what God has given to you, 
for; HAPPY ARE THE PEOPLE WHO ARE IN SUCH A STATE; HAPPY ARE THE PEOPLE WHOSE GOD IS THE LORD!  ( Psalm 144:15 )Now when we have negative thoughts it draws negative results into our lives.  Likewise, when we think positive thoughts we draw positive results in as well!  After all when we are downcast it brings on depression,
worry and anxiety.  All of those things are known to cause health problems.  So always think positive for; A MERRY HEART DOES GOOD, LIKE MEDICINE, BUT A BROKEN SPIRIT DRIES THE BONES. ( Proverbs 17:22  )Now I know that; MANY ARE THE AFFLICTIONS OF THE RIGHTEOUS, BUT THE LORD DELIVERS HIM OUT OF THEM ALL.  ( Psalm 34:19 )  

So again, do not let the enemy steal your joy on any day.  For you know that; YOUR ADVERSARY THE DEVIL WALKS ABOUT LIKE A ROARING LION, SEEKING WHOM HE MAY DEVOUR.    (1 Peter 5:8 )So beloved, enjoy what God has planned for you, and show that beautiful smile of yours.  For when you smile it shows God's joy within you!   Amen.  

Pastor Chad


(from God'sminute.org)

Blessed Are The Publicity Seekers!

The Bible according to many within the Western church has become "Blessed are the braggarts and the noisy for they shall inherit the most attention and publicity in the earth...blessed are the most popular for they shall be seen, praised, and exalted by men!

But the Bible according to the Lord Jesus Christ teaches us something considerably different ... "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.... Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.—Matthew 5:5-8"

We have but to become acquainted with, or even listen to, the big names of our times to discover how wretchedly inferior most of them are. Many appear to have arrived at their present eminence by pull, brass, nerve, gall, self-determination, and lucky accident. We turn away from them sick to our stomach and wonder for a discouraged moment if this is the best the human race can produce. 

But we gain our self-possession again by the simple expedient of recalling some of the plain men we know, who live unheralded and unsung, and who are made of stuff infinitely finer than the hoarse-voiced braggarts who occupy too many of the highest positions or offices in the land. . . the church also suffers from this evil notion. 

Christians have fallen into the habit of accepting the noisiest and most notorious among them as the best and the greatest. They too have learned to equate popularity with excellence, and in open defiance of the Sermon on the Mount they have given their approval not to the meek but to the self-assertive; not to the mourner but to the self-assured; not to the pure in heart who see God but to the publicity hunter who seeks headlines.  

May we not continue to be conformed to the pattern of this world any longer, but let us instead be transformed by the renewing of our minds as we look to Jesus, our example, who said if any man would come after me he must first deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. There is a cross before there is a crown.  There must be humility and self-abasement before exaltation ...for both the Savior and his followers. May it be so in my life today!

"Lord, I thank You this morning for all the unknown but faithful pastors, leaders, and members serving churches in quiet places. We do place a lot of and too much emphasis on the 'personalities' and big-church leaders. Forgive us for following the pattern of the world.  Bring us back to the cross of Christ and heal the church from this dreadful disease of self-promotion and exaltation.  Thank You for the 'quiet heroes' and their faithful service; give them great encouragement today. Amen." 

-adapted from A.W. Tozer

With God All Things Are Possible!

Jesus looked at them and said, "With men it is impossible, but not with God;
for with God all things are possible."  (Mark 10:27)

When we put all of our faith in God, He will help us through life's problems, and bless us as well!  However, Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.  (Hebrews 11:6)

God delights in being believed because it demonstrates that we trust and believe in both His character and His Word.  When we doubt Him and His Word this is displeasing to God because it is an indication of our unbelief, lack of faith, or distrust of who He is and what He said He would do in His Word.  

However, when we have faith in God it pleases Him and we become filled with true peace ... and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.  (Philippians 4:7)

After all what is the opposite of faith, but worry itself!!  So do not let doubt enter your mind, for after all God has said, "Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh.  Is there anything too hard for Me?"  (Jeremiah 32:2 ) It is also written that ...  When a man's ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. (Proverbs 16:7)

So dear one, my prayer for you TODAY is ... that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.  (Colossians 1:10) Amen!

All My Love & Prayers,

Pastor Chad

*adapted from www.godsminute.com

Meeting God Alone Precedes Revival

Intimacy and personal revival intersect when we meet God alone first. 

But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door,
pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in
secret will reward you openly.—Matthew 6:6 

Nothing can prevent the spiritual rejuvenation of the soul that insists upon
having it. Though that solitary man or woman must live and walk among persons
religiously dead, he or she may experience the great transformation as certainly and
as quickly as if he were in the most spiritual church in the world.

The Christian that will have God's best becomes at once the object of the personal
attention of the Holy Spirit. Such a person will not be required to wait for the
rest of the church to come alive. He or she will not be penalized for the failures of his or her fellow Christians, nor be asked to forego the blessing till all the sleepy
brethren catch up. God deals with the individual heart as exclusively as if
only one existed.... Every prophet, every reformer, every revivalist had to
meet God alone before he could help the multitudes. The great leaders who went
on to turn thousands to Christ had to begin with God and their own soul. The
plain Christian of today must experience personal revival before he can hope
to bring renewed spiritual life to his church.

"Lord, I pray this morning the words of Jonathan Edwards: 'Resolved... that
all men would live for the glory of God; resolved, second...that if nobody
else does, I will.' Amen." 

A.W. Tozer

Great Enrichment Weekend Together!

God met with us in a special way at our Saturday morning choir session as we worshipped and broke open the Bread of Life through the Word!  Later we shared some helpful vocal techniques.  We had a fantastic turn-out and a great time of fellowship at the lovely Parmer residence on Saturday evening and another wonderful morning of worship yesterday in the house of the Lord!  Thanks to all of you who took the time out of your busy schedules to come out for this special time of fellowship, team-building, and ministry this weekend.

God bless you!

Pastor Chad

The Rewards of Holiness by C. Spurgeon

"All the days of his separation shall he eat nothing that is made of the vine tree, from the kernels even to the husk." / Numbers 6:4

Nazarites had taken, among other vows, one which debarred them from the use of wine. In order that they might not violate the obligation, they were forbidden to drink the vinegar of wine or strong liquors, and to make the rule still more clear, they were not to touch the unfermented juice of grapes, nor even to eat the fruit either fresh or dried. In order, altogether, to secure the integrity of the vow, they were not even allowed anything that had to do with the vine; they were, in fact, to avoid the appearance of evil. Surely this is a lesson to the Lord's separated ones, teaching them to come away from sin in every form, to avoid not merely its grosser shapes, but even its spirit and
similitude. Strict walking is much despised in these days, but rest assured, dear reader, it is both the safest and the happiest. He who yields a point or two to the world is in fearful peril; he who eats the grapes of Sodom will soon drink the wine of Gomorrah. A little crevice in the sea-bank in Holland lets in the sea, and the gap speedily swells till a province is drowned.  Worldly conformity, in any degree, is a snare to the soul, and makes it more and more liable to presumptuous sins. Moreover, as the Nazarite who drank grape juice could not be quite sure whether it might not have endured a degree of fermentation, and consequently could not be clear in heart that his vow was intact, so the yielding, temporizing Christian cannot wear a conscience void of offense, but must feel that the inward monitor is in doubt of him. Things doubtful we need not doubt about; they are wrong to us. Things tempting we must not dally with, but flee from them with speed. Better be sneered at as a Puritan than be despised as a hypocrite. Careful walking may involve much self-denial, but it has pleasures of its own which are more than a sufficient recompense. 

Let us continually pursue holiness without which no man shall see God. (Heb. 12:14)

He Will Never Let You Go by Max Lucado

The Lord said to [Hosea] again, "Go, show your love to a woman loved by someone else, who has been unfaithful to you." – Hosea 3:1

God will not let you go. He has handcuffed himself to you in love. And he owns the only key. You need not win his love. You already have it. And since you can't win it, you can't lose it.

As evidence, consider exhibit A: the stubborn love of Hosea for Gomer. Contrary to the name, Gomer was a female, an irascible woman married to a remarkable Hosea. She had the fidelity code of a prairie jackrabbit, flirting and hopping from one lover to another. She ruined her life and shattered Hosea's heart. Destitute, she was placed for sale in a slave market. Guess who stepped forward to buy her? Hosea, who'd never removed his wedding band. The way he treated her you would have thought she'd never loved another man. God uses this story, indeed orchestrated this drama, to illustrate his steadfast love for his fickle people.

Then God ordered [Hosea], "Start all over: Love your wife again, your wife who's in bed with her latest boyfriend, your cheating wife. Love her the way I, God, love the Israelite people, even as they flirt and party with every god that takes their fancy." (Hosea 3:1 MSG)

This is the love described in John 3:16. Hasaq is replaced with the Greek term agape, but the meaning is equally powerful. "God so [agapao] the world ... "

Agape love. Less an affection, more a decision; less a feeling, more an action. As one linguist describes, "[Agape love is] an exercise of the Divine will in deliberate choice, made without assignable cause save that which lies in the nature of God Himself."

Stated more simply: junkyard wrecks and showroom models share equal space in God's garage.

A Wonderful Dedication Celebration! August 25, 2013

Special thanks to all who made today's Dedication and Celebration service possible. To God be the glory for great things He has done!!!

Saved to Worship by A.W. Tozer

Give to the Lord the glory due His name; bring an offering, and come before Him. Oh, worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness!—1 Chronicles 16:29 

 There is nothing intrinsically wrong with signing a card when people come to Christ. It can be a helpful thing so we know who has made inquiry.

But really, my brother or sister, we are brought to God and to faith and to salvation that we might worship and adore Him. We do not come to God that we might be automatic Christians, cookie-cutter Christians, Christians stamped out with a die.

God has provided His salvation that we might be, individually and personally,vibrant children of God, loving God with all our hearts and worshiping Him in the beauty of holiness. 

"Lord, I don't need another name in my file, another notch on my belt. But I would like the privilege today of bringing someone to the point of salvation so he could become a genuine worshiper of You. Use me today, I pray, in Jesus'name. Amen." 

A Healthy Regret by Max Lucado

There is an old story about the time Emperor Frederick the Great visited Potsdam Prison. He spoke with the prisoners, and each man claimed to be innocent, a victim of the system. One man, however, sat silently in the corner. The ruler asked him, "And you, sir, who do you blame for your sentence?" His response was, "Your majesty, I am guilty and richly deserve my punishment." Surprised, the emperor shouted for the prison warden: "Come and get this man out of here before he corrupts all these innocent people." The ruler can set us free once we admit we are wrong. We do ourselves no favors in justifying our deeds or glossing over our sins. When my daughter Andrea was five or six, she got a splinter in her finger. I took her to the restroom and set out some tweezers, ointment, and a Band-Aid. She didn't like what she saw. "I just want the Band-Aid, Daddy" Sometimes we are just like Andrea. We come to Christ with our sin, but all we want is a covering. We want to skip the treatment. We want to hide our sin. And one wonders if God, even in his great mercy, will heal what we conceal. "If we say we have no sin, we are fooling ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, he will forgive our sins, because we can trust God to do what is right" (1 John 1:8–9). Going to God is not going to Santa Claus. A child sits on the chubby lap of Ol' Saint Nick, and Santa pinches the youngster's cheek and asks, "Have you been a good little girl?" "Yes," she giggles. Then she tells him what she wants and down she bounds. It's a game. It's childish. No one takes Santa's question seriously. That may work in a department store, but it won't work with God. How can God heal what we deny? How can God touch what we cover up? How can we have communion while we keep secrets? How can God grant us pardon when we won't admit our guilt? Ahh, there's that word: guilt. Isn't that what we avoid? Guilt. Isn't that what we detest? But is guilt so bad? What does guilt imply if not that we know right from wrong, that we aspire to be better than we are, that we know there is a high country and we are in the low country. That's what guilt is: a healthy regret for telling God one thing and doing another. Guilt is the nerve ending of the heart. It yanks us back when we are too near the fire. Godly sorrow "makes people change their hearts and lives. This leads to salvation, and you cannot be sorry for that" (2 Cor. 7:10). To feel guilt is no tragedy; to feel no guilt is.

Transformational Worship

By Pastor Chad A. Stafford

       

 In Worship and Witness by David Wheeler and Vernon Whaley, they state that worship is transformational. [1] They argue that “God uses our obedience, repentance, spiritual growth, and relationship with Him to transform us.” [2]  They say further that “one way we experience transformation is through obedience to the Holy Spirit’s direction.” [3]  I too believe that God transforms the worshiper through obedience. King David equated obedience as the highest form of worship. “When our hearts remain attentive to the Spirit’s transformational work, we can experience transformational worship and display the Spirit’s work to the world.” [4] A great example of this can be found in Acts 1 and 2 at Pentecost when the disciples’ tarried in Jerusalem for the fulfilled promise.  Their obedience to the command of Christ was an act of worship that placed them in a position to receive the promise of the Spirit’s power. 

“Sin robs us of our ability to be Great Commission worshippers.” [5] The Bible teaches that sin is enmity to God and thus separates us from Him.  The word enmity literally means to be hostile or opposed to God.  Living a life that is hostile to God is obviously incongruous and antithetical to a life of loving worship and devoted obedience.  It simply is not possible to please God with a divided heart.  Our sin must first be dealt with if we want to commune with our God who is holy. Think Isaiah in Isaiah chapter 6.  Our sin must be remitted or taken away as Isaiah’s was. [6] This happens when our spiritual eyes are opened to behold His glorious splendor and we recognize His true holiness in light of our sinful depravity.  Once we have been enlightened by the Truth, conviction comes to us by the Holy Spirit and we are given an opportunity to repent and be set free.  Repentance involves a change of mind AND direction which leads to life transformation, or transformational worship as the authors’ call it.  In Isaiah 6, God initiates Isaiah’s vision, cleansing, pardon, and calling – and so it is with us.  God initiates the redemptive act and we are saved by grace as we respond in faith, confession, and repentance.  God always takes the initiative in restoring the broken relationship between God and man.  Our humble acknowledgment and repentance from sin leads to transformation and readiness for service.

The authors’ describe spiritual growth as a result of transformational worship.  Just as a flower naturally grows from a seed in the ground or a baby eventually grows to become a toddler, a child, a teenager, and eventually a full grown adult, spiritual growth naturally occurs over time in the life of the healthy believer who is walking with God in obedience to his Word. So, if you are struggling with obedience - don't give up.  He who began a good work in you is faithful to complete it, but you also must cooperate with that work of obedience by renouncing sin in your life. This turning from sin and obedience to God’s Word leads to spiritual growth AND transformational worship!  David said in Psalm 1 that the righteous ones who meditate upon God’s Word day and night would be like trees planted by living waters that never stop bearing fruit in its season and whose leaf does not wither.  Jesus also said in John 15 that as we abide in Him multiplication will naturally occur.  Jesus calls us to not only to bear fruit but to bear much fruit.  However, apart from Him we can do nothing!  Therefore, I would argue that Christ-connectedness and dependency upon Him is the key to personal spiritual growth and transformational worship. 

In other words, we need to see transformational worship and spiritual growth as the natural and eventual outflow of a healthy and abiding relationship with Christ. The authors correctly argue in Worship and Witness that God “greatly desires an active and personal relationship with His children.” [7] How did God demonstrate this to us?  By giving His only Son to die in our place while we were still in our sins. [8] What further proof do we need to be convinced of God's love and desire for a restored relationship with mankind?  In John 15 we see that our connection to Christ involves intimacy, communion with, and dependency upon Christ.  Jesus said in verse 4, “Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.” [9] 

Finally, we were created for relationship with God AND others which is why Jesus said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” [10] God desires a love relationship with his children.  In Christ, we are no longer strangers but sons and daughters of our Abba Father.  Living in an intimate love relationship with Jesus Christ wipes away all fear. Fear involves punishment but we have been made friends of God brought near by the blood of Christ.  We have access through Christ to the God who is love and perfect love casts out all fear.  The authors relate our relationship with God to a marriage relationship where a man and woman dedicate themselves to loving and knowing one another intimately.  Building a love relationship takes time, even with our Heavenly Father.  We come to know Him better as we abide in close relationship with Christ who is the image of God.  This is a relationship where love, devotion, communication, and trust can flourish because it is built upon mutual affection, trust, and commitment. As stated earlier, God uses our obedience, repentance, spiritual growth, and relationship with Him to transform us.  Like the metamorphosis of a caterpillar to a butterfly we too are transformed and conformed to the image of Christ through intimate relationship with Him which is the highest purpose of transformational worship. Let us daily aspire to this abiding relationship so that we may experience His transforming power in our own lives!

Mega transformational blessings to you in Christ!!

[1] David Wheeler & Vernon M. Whaley, Worship and Witness: Becoming a Great Commission Worshiper, (Nashville, TN: Lifeway Publishing, 2012), page 38.

[2] Ibid., 61.

[3] Ibid., 41.

[4] Ibid., 40.

[5] Ibid., 45.

[6] Ibid., 42-43.

[7] Ibid., 56.

[8] John 3:16 & Romans 5:8

[9] John 15:4

[10] Matthew 22:37-40

48 Choir Robes for Sale on Craigslist!!

Only 48 Robes Left - $480 for the entire set ... 
Excellent Condition!
Purchase individually or as a set @ only $10 p/ robe.

Check out at Craigslist for much more detail.  If you know a church that needs choir robes please pass this link along to them and tell them to give the church a call.

Thanks!

Click here:   http://atlanta.craigslist.org/wat/clo/3992957556.html.

7 Easy Steps to Choir Membership!

7 Easy Steps to Choir Membership! (click here)

Hymn Story: At Calvary (circa late 1890's) By William Newell

William Newell was a noted evangelist, Bible teacher, and superintendent of the Moody Bible Institute in the late 1890’s. One day on his way to teach a class he began to meditate on the suffering of Christ and what Calvary meant to him as someone who was once a lost sinner. William Newell became overwhelmed with the thought and stopped into an empty classroom and penned the words to this song, “At Calvary”.

Do you ever stop to think about the high price that Christ paid for your sin? Calvary means “the place of the skull”. It is amazingly ironic that such a place of intense pain and immense sorrow for our Lord could bring you and me such joy and freedom.

As we sing, At Calvary this Sunday morning, let’s give our attention once again to the wondrous grace and mercy that Christ demonstrated through his death on the cross. In this song we exalt our Lord for conquering sin and death and for being our Redeemer. We praise Him for bridging the mighty gulf between God and man through His atoning sacrifice upon the cross.

NEW SONG THIS WEEK! "Whom Shall I Fear (God of Angel Armies)" by Chris Tomlin, Ed Cash, Scott Cash

(Please listen and learn for Sunday, August 11th)

Verse 1

You hear me when I call
You are my morning song
Though darkness fills the night
It cannot hide the light
Whom shall I fear
You crush the enemy underneath my feet
You are my sword and shield
Though troubles linger still
Whom shall I fear

Chorus 1

I know Who goes before me
I know Who stands behind
The God of angel armies is always by my side
The One who reigns forever
He is a friend of mine
The God of angel armies is always by my side

Verse 2

My strength is in Your name
For You alone can save
You will deliver me
Yours is the victory
Whom shall I fear
Whom shall I fear
(Whom shall I fear)

Misc 1

(Bridge)
(And) nothing formed against me shall stand
You hold the whole world in Your hands
I'm holding on to Your promises
You are faithful
You are faithful
(REPEAT)

CCLI Song # 6440288

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This Week's Announcements! - August 4-11, 2013

ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 4-11, 2013

CHOIR PRAYER NEEDS THIS WEEK:  From board and taken from the floor.

 CHOIR WARDROBE SCHEDULE:  Brown, Cream, and Tan this Sunday, August 11, 2013

 STAGE ETIQUETTE:  (FINAL MENTION)  No purses on seats  while singing / No beverages in sanctuary (only water bottles) / Give your respect and full attention to the pastor during the message / No web surfing, texting, or social networking on the platform / Get plenty of rest the night before – DO NOT FALL ASLEEP PLEASE! / Avoid any and all distracting actions / Do not leave the platform except in an emergency / Keep your voices quiet and low when leaving the platform until in the rehearsal room / Do not blow your nose or slam doors back stage.

FALL CHOIR ENROLLMENT BEGINS THIS SUNDAY: Please be in prayer and invite someone to join the choir this fall.  Enrollment will be open August 11-25.  

SUNDAY LINE-UP TIME:  Choir needs to line up in a timely manner (both service) by the 4-minute countdown mark.  Choir processional begins at the 2-minute mark.  Bill Underwood has been asked by PC to head this up, so please follow his direction on Sunday mornings. 

SUPPORT TEAM MEETING:  This Sunday, August 11^th – 1:00-3:30pm.  2012-13 team members mark your calendars.

 PRAISE TEAM REMINDER:  (FINAL MENTION) All praise team members are requested to stay thru the end of second service on the Sunday they are scheduled to sing and also to sing on the following Wednesday night team.

DEDICATION SERVICE:  Sunday, August 25^th .  Need all choir members here.  Please mark your calendars for this historic day in the life of South Metro Ministries. The choir will sing “This Is Your House” and “Not Unto Us”. 

AUDITIONS:  If you would like to audition for the solo on “Lion of Judah” please sign up on bulletin board in hallway.  Auditions will be held next Wednesday.

MUSIC LISTENING/PRACTICE THIS WEEK:  SONG THIS SUNDAY: “Total Praise” (3x)

All Things Are Possible to Him That Believes! By Charles H. Spurgeon

"All things are possible to him that believeth." / Mark 9:23 

Many professed Christians are always doubting and fearing, and they forlornly
think that this is the necessary state of believers. This is a mistake, for
"all things are possible to him that believeth"; and it is possible for us to
mount into a state in which a doubt or a fear shall be but as a bird of
passage flitting across the soul, but never lingering there. When you read of
the high and sweet communions enjoyed by favoured saints, you sigh and murmur
in the chamber of your heart, "Alas! these are not for me." O climber, if thou
hast but faith, thou shalt yet stand upon the sunny pinnacle of the temple,
for "all things are possible to him that believeth." You hear of exploits
which holy men have done for Jesus; what they have enjoyed of him; how much
they have been like him; how they have been able to endure great persecutions
for his sake; and you say, "Ah! as for me, I am but a worm; I can never attain
to this." But there is nothing which one saint was, that you may not be. There
is no elevation of grace, no attainment of spirituality, no clearness of
assurance, no post of duty, which is not open to you if you have but the power
to believe. Lay aside your sackcloth and ashes, and rise to the dignity of
your true position; you are little in Israel because you will be so, not
because there is any necessity for it. It is not meet that thou shouldst
grovel in the dust, O child of a King. Ascend! The golden throne of assurance
is waiting for you! The crown of communion with Jesus is ready to bedeck your
brow. Wrap yourself in scarlet and fine linen, and fare sumptuously every day;
for if thou believest, thou mayst eat the fat of kidneys of wheat; thy land
shall flow with milk and honey, and thy soul shall be satisfied as with marrow
and fatness. Gather golden sheaves of grace, for they await thee in the fields
of faith. "All things are possible to him that believeth."