To Be Like Jesus - A Poem

To Be Like Jesus

Is there no other way, O God,

Except through sorrow, pain and loss,

To stamp Christ’s likeness on my soul,

No other way except the cross?

And then a voice stills all my soul,

As stilled the waves of Galilee.

Can’st thou not bear the furnace,

If midst the flames I walk with thee?

I bore the cross, I know its weight;

I drank the cup I hold for thee.

Can’st thou not follow where I lead?

I’ll give thee strength, lean hard on Me!

Author unknown

Philippians 3:8-12 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.

Psalm 29:11 The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace.

Evening Song - Nothing but Grace

1 Corinthians 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. 

Ephesians 2:4-10 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. 

I have not control over ads or suggestions.

The Thousand Word Project - In the Pink of Summer

Song of Solomon 2:1 I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys. 

Short Thoughts - Envy and False Humility

 

If I cannot in happiness take the second place (or the twentieth); if I cannot take the first without making a fuss about my unworthiness, then I know nothing of Calvary love.  - Amy Carmichael

Being offended when you aren't given a position you think you should have is something a lot of Christians would recognize as lacking humility. It is common for people to imagine they deserve a more important position or role in a given situation, from family occasions to church events. Most people will try to hide their envy or unhappiness in these situations simply to look "godly," even if they are furious inside. But, we probably all have seen it show through at some point, either in ourselves or others.

I would guess that more people don't recognize the false humility of making a fuss about one's unworthiness when asked to take first place. 

I remember a story my dad told us. Many years ago a position of leadership came open on a certain mission field. A man was asked to step in and take over that role. He knew he was able to do the job and so he quietly, and without fanfare, stepped into the role and began to do it well. There were other missionaries who were offended that he hadn't made a big deal about not being worthy. They considered him proud because he didn't pour on a bunch of fake humility before accepting the role. They didn't know it, but this said a whole lot more about them than it did about him. Eventually he left that role, and I think it was partly because of all the jealous people who thought they should have been asked instead of him. They couldn't stand to see him succeed when he hadn't made sure to declare they were all so much more worthy than he was. Yes, they were full of envy.

Proverbs 27:4  Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy?

Calvary love - the kind of love that took Jesus to the Cross for our salvation - doesn't stand around being resentful that it didn't get the job, nor does it hesitate when asked to do something where it is fully capable. 

Envy and false humility are two sides of the same coin. Neither one is "legal tender" in the economy of God. He doesn't trade on pettiness nor the pride of man. 

1 Peter 5:5-6 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

Hebrews 13:15-16 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. 

Evening Song - Nor Silver Nor Gold

1 Peter 1:18-21 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. 

I have no control over ads or suggestions.

Tennessee Memories - Bright Clouds

Zechariah 10:1 Ask ye of the LORD rain in the time of the latter rain; so the LORD shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field. 

Worth Repeating - A Short Thought on Depression

Due to some very hard sayings recently be John MacArthur regarding depression, I thought this post from 2019 would be a good one to repeat today. I have made some edits. When I first published it, if I remember correctly, I requested permission from Mr. Edwards to use his Facebook post, which I appreciated. 

----------------------

In around 2006 my dad had started through a time of really serious health problems which triggered a deep depression that lasted several years. His body was so covered with eczema that he literally looked like a burn victim. I cannot imagine the pain and itching he endured. This seemed like a topic that I wanted to address today instead of the usual celebrations of the day (Father's Day here in the U.S.) because my dad has a tender heart for those with these types of struggles. Maybe someone needs it.

Psalm 142:5-7 I cried unto thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living. Attend unto my cry; for I am brought very low: deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I. Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name: the righteous shall compass me about; for thou shalt deal bountifully with me.

This is written by a pastor whose Facebook page I used to read sometimes. I appreciated his ministry on Facebook very much for awhile and found much there that was thought provoking and encouraging. This particular one is an important reminder that depression is not a sin. While I do believe in some instances it can be caused by devil possession, as in the case of King Saul in the Bible, or from sin, like King David in Psalm 51, there are many people who are suffering for other reasons. One is simply this - it is the cross they are given to carry because God intends to minister to others through them.
--------------------------------- 

I feel very strong about the post I'm about to make, and it's about DEPRESSION. Depression is the most disabling disease in all of North America, and second in the world.........and it's growing. A couple of overwhelming symptoms are: 1. Detachment - from family, friends, and everyone else. You can be in a crowd, and still feel alone. 2. Guilt- you feel no one really loves you, and no one cares, and the world would [a] better place if you were not in it. You feel like a burden to your family, and you feel like you're making their lives miserable!!! Remember, depression is a sickness. It's not being demon possessed or crazy, but a disease. If you handle it recklessly, or ARE HANDLED recklessly, it makes it worse. I know [because] I live it, and I'm GLAD!!!! I've been able to reach out to, and help people that, according to their own words, wouldn't be here today [otherwise]. God has allowed me to suffer from depression for a purpose, that's far bigger than myself. I've been able to show, and teach others that there is LIFE and HOPE , after and during depression. The fulfillment I've experienced, by being able to help others, is worth the criticism. Others don't get it.....and you know what......I hope they never have to learn the hard way!!!!! God bless you all!!! I love all y'all !!!

Craig Edwards 

-------------------------------

My thought:

Whenever I hear someone say that Christians shouldn't be depressed or have anxiety, that they shouldn't need any medication for it, and that all they need is the Bible, I feel sick. It scares me for them because I know how God chose to teach me the hard way, and it has been the hardest and longest lesson I probably ever had to learn. When I was young I had the idea that only people who "weren't right with God" had depression or things like that. It was definitely not something I learned from my dad. As long as I can remember he showed compassion and kindness towards people with depression and similar struggles. I, however, was very self-righteous about it. The Lord took me through some very hard times to show me the folly and vanity of my thinking. These times sometimes recur for me because it's a lifelong illness for me, as I now know.

Friend, please don't judge others in things you don't understand like this. If God decides to make you go through it in order to correct your puffed up thinking, you will suffer things you really don't want to suffer. I say that with deep personal conviction because He did it to me. I don't wish that lesson on anyone. I would much rather that Christians show compassion and kindness to one another, even in things hard to understand.

1 Thessalonians 5:14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.

Ephesians 4:32 And be ye kind one to another...

If you are dealing with depression, PTSD, an anxiety disorder or anything similar, I really encourage you, as always, to get help. Ask God to lead you to people who will help you, not hinder you, in learning how to live through and beyond these difficult health problems. You need encouragement, not judgment. You very likely need a doctor. Remember Matthew 9:12, But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. There are many causes for both depression and anxiety and related conditions. With time and effort and the leading of the Lord, you will find ways to help yourself - and others, as Bro. Edwards talks about - because we don't live unto ourselves as Christians. God has a purpose for your suffering, something that He wants to do through you as you learn to carry this cross to His glory.

Romans 14:7 For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.

2 Corinthians 1:3-5 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. 

----------------------

Originally published here June 16, 2019.
Painting by Edmund Charles Tarbell.