The Sovereignty of God

The absolute sovereignty of God is a difficult doctrine for many to understand and accept. I love this doctrine, it is the foundation for all I understand about God. Johathan Edwards the great American preacher of the 1700 speaks about his journey to believe this doctrine:

“From my childhood up, my mind had been full of objections against the doctrine of God’s sovereignty, in choosing whom he would to eternal life, and rejecting whom he pleased; leaving them eternally to perish, and be everlastingly tormented in hell. It used to appear like a horrible doctrine to me…there has been a wonderful alteration in my mind, in respect to the doctrine of God’s sovereignty, form that day to this; so that I scarce ever have found so much as the rising of an objection against it, in the most absolute sense, in God’s shewing mercy to whom he will show mercy, and hardening whom he will. God’s absolute sovereignty and justice, with respect to salvation and damnation, is what my mind seems to rest assured of, as much as of any thing that I see with my eyes, at least it is so at times. The doctrine has every often appeared exceeding pleasant, bright, and sweet. Absolute sovereignty is what I love to ascribe to God.”(Jonathan Edwards, Selections (New York: Hill and Wang, 1962, 58-59).

Let me ask a question for further reflection of the sovereignty of God. In Ephesians 1:11-12 we find that God "works all things after the counsel of His will.” What do you suppose all things include?

What You Can Do For Your Pastor

This is a bookmark that my wife keeps in her bible. It is the same bookmark that her grandmother kept in her bible (her husband was a preacher).

WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR YOUR PASTOR

1. Pray for him.

No one needs your prayes as much as he hwo stands to preach the truth of God's word.

2. Believe in him.

If he can know you believe in him with all your heart, he will be encouraged to do his best.

3. Stand by him.

Support his visions and dreams for your church. If your church had confidence enough in his abilit to call him as your leader, then stand by him.

4. Talk him up.

Never run him down.

5. Give him a fair trial.

All any person can ask is an honest opportunity to prove himself. Give your pastor that opportunity.

6. Treat him generously.

Churches have often been stingy with their pastors. A little generosity will not only make his way smoother, it will also challenge him to show his apprectiation by working harder.

7. Help him conserve time for his study.

Any person who speaks as often as he does must spend a great deal of time in study and prayer. Protect his time so he can devote himself to this task.

8. Praise him when he preaches well.

He doesnt want flattery, but sincere compliments are always appreciated.

9. Criticize him only to his face and always in love.

We can at least be men and women who meet each other openly and honestly on any matter. But more than this, we are Christians who practice love in all our relationships.

A Word of Encouragement to a Friend

This is a letter my wife wrote to a friend going through a difficult situation. I pray that it will be an encouragement to you and help you to trust in God and rejoice even in your tribulations.

Hey Friend,

First of all I want to say that I am not writing to "answer" any of the questions you were asking Andy about. So, my words may not even be anything that you were looking for...to answer some of the things your heart is screaming. I just wanted to share a few things I was thinking about as a result of some of the things you said. I was thinking about what you wrote to Andy and a song kept coming to my head...i'm sure you know it, but i just wanted to share...

Have faith in God. He's on His throne.
Have faith in God. He watches over His own
He CANNOT fail. He MUST prevail.
Have faith in God. Have faith in God.

(Isaiah 46:10; Eph. 1:6, 9, 11--I inserted these verse to show the biblical truth of this song)

See, my friend...take a step back from your situation. Look at it from God's perspective. His timing is perfect. He has so neatly orchestrated these events to happen when they have. (see blog post "who killed emma?" for an explaination on how God is sovereign over evil, yet He is without sin nor cause poeple to sin--my insert). He is in control of this and He CANNOT fail in this situation. It's against His nature to fail...He cant....HE MUST prevail. It is who He is and He cannot go against His character. Now you have to have faith in Him. Don't think about man and what man can or cant do to fix the situation...the great thing is is that you dont have to trust any man or woman with this.....He is able to work through any person to bring about His plan. Release the fear you have in people and have faith in God working through them.

People are going to believe what they want to believe. You stand firm in knowing your heart in all of this and in knowing you did what God wanted you to do. You are one of the most sincere women I know, in regards to your relationship with the Lord and your desire to follow Him. Don't let maniuplation, or anger, or a need to be seen as right fog what you know to be true, holy, good, blameless, noble, excellent, and pure. Run to God...only say what He wants you to say to those He tells you to talk to. Don't try to "right the wrongs" on your own accord. Stay as focused as possible on the Lord and let Him guide you to what He wants you to be a part of in the restoration process.

Know that I love you and am so proud of how you have conducted yourself. Love ya so much. hang in there.

The Night Before Pastoring

Twas the night before pastoring and all through my soul

Were nerves that were raging and yet peace over flowed

Because my savior is a Sovereign King

Who reigns and rules inspite of me.

The fears that swell in my heart are unfounded and untrue

Becasue Jesus has equipped me to accomplish the task I must do;

Yet I know my own fraility, my weaknesses and sin

The feelings of doubt that fill my mind again and again .

So I turn to the Word, the truth, the written reality

And fall to my knees convicted, yet set free

Beseeching God to open my eyes so that I might see

And behold the wonderful things in His law that He has for me.

I learn of His power, His might, love and mercy,

His righteousness and wrath, but more importantly

I am reminded of his all-sustaining grace

That keeps me and causes me to finish the race.

True there are things I don't know or understand

But God works all things out according to His Sovereign plan;

Like the times of joy and heavenly bliss

But also the pain, suffering, and distress.

There is one thing that I will always aim to do

By the sustaining grace of God this will remain true:

That in my body, whether by life or death,

Christ will be magnified and my soul will find rest.

One thing I pray and make it my goal:

That Christ will become the treasure of your soul

And that you will always find Him to be

Faithful and true now and throughout eternity.

One last thing before we depart

And I hope that you will take it to heart

From the ocean depths to the mountain heights

Happy Sunday to all and to all a good night.

The Calm before the Storm

We just got back from vacation. God has shown his benevolence towards us through Robin's sister and brother-in-law. They gave us four days and three nights at the beach and we enjoyed every minute of it. Rest is needed in life, especially rest in the Lord. I think one attack from the enemy both in our personal lives and in church life is busyness. We work ourselves to death trying to do to much, pouring our lives out, but never refilling. Rest is necessary. Jesus often withdrew himself from the crowds and the disciples to rest in the arms of His Father (God). Yes, worked was needed and many things could have been done, but Jesus knew the importance of retreating and withdrawing (for a time) to a place of solitude.

I have been resting for nearly three months now as I stepped away from formal ministry. It has been good to see how God works through His people and unfold His plan before my eyes. It has been difficult as well. I think it is difficult because it is contray to our sinful nature. We dont like not having some sense of control and this realization is made no clearer to us than when we loose our job, or home, or family member. But there is no better (or harder) place than being aware of your complete dependence upon our Sovereign King.

Monday I will enter back into formal ministry as a Senior Pastor. The thought makes me tremble and rejoice. The responsiblilty will be great, expectations high (atleast upon myself), so our trip to the beach was timely--as is the plan and will of God.

We Have Arrived!

It has been a long four days. Moving has been misserable, but God's Mercy has been wonderful. We have everything in our apartment (everything has its place and those things have found thier place). It has been HOT, and we are tired of all the lifting boxes and furniture, but the mercy of God in the face and help of our new church family has been so encouraging. Eight of them drove down from Belton to Milledgeville on Thursday morning, helped us load up then drove back to Anderson that afternoon where others awaited our arrival and helped unload all the STUFF into the evening hours. It was because of them and those from Milledgeville that this move was enjoyable, even in the pain.
It is good to finally call Anderson our home and Bethany Baptist our church (we offically joined this morning). I am looking forward to laboring along side our new church family in missions and ministry by the mercy of God for the joy of all peoples in Christ to the glory of God.