Knowing Calvary LOVE...

" And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. " 1 Cor. 13: 13

A few years back my sister sent me a magazine clipping with a few excerpts from Amy Carmichael's booklet entitled, "IF". I kept the clipping all these years and have recently been re-reading the words of wisdom found in the little booklet.  I think we all struggle with showing Calvary Love... in one way or another.

Sometimes our hearts turn ice cold, and we fail to live by the SPIRIT... we get hurt and keep grudges, or we get hurt and stop showing love, because we really don't want to be hurt again. But by Christ's love we can overcome... " for greater is He that is in you , than he that is in the world." 1 John 4:4

Thanks be to the Lord Jesus who showed us ultimate LOVE... death on Calvary... as a payment for our sins.

May we learn from our LORD, what true CALVARY LOVE means." Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart.." Matt 11:29

IF

If I have not compassion on my fellow servant even as my Lord had pity on me, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I belittle those whom I am called to serve, talk of their weak points in contrast perhaps with what I think of as my strong points;

If I adopt a superior attitude, forgetting “Who made thee to differ? And what has thou that thou hast not received?” then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I can easily discuss the shortcomings and the sins of any; if I can speak in a casual way even of a child’s misdoings, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I find myself half carelessly taking lapses for granted, “Oh, that’s what they always do,” “Oh, of course she talks like that, he acts like that,” then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I enjoy a joke at the expense of another; if I can in any way slight another in conversation, or even in thought, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I can write an unkind letter, speak an unkind word, think an unkind thought without grief and shame, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I do not feel far more for the grieved Saviour than for my worried self when troublesome things occur, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I can rebuke without a pang, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If, in dealing with one who does not respond, I weary of the strain, and slip from under the burden, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I am perturbed by the reproach and misunderstanding that may follow action taken for the good of souls for whom I must give account; if I cannot commit the matter and go on in peace and in silence, remembering Gethsemane and the Cross, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I say, “Just what I expected,” if a fall occurs, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I do not look with eyes of hope on all in whom there is even a faint beginning, as our Lord did, when, just after His disciples had wrangled about which of them should be accounted the greatest, He softened His rebuke with those heart melting words, “YE ARE THEY WHICH HAVE CONTINUED WITH ME IN MY TEMPTATIONS,” then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I cast up a confessed, repented, and forsaken sin against another, and allow my remembrance of that sin to color my thinking and feed my suspicions, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I have not the patience of my Saviour with souls who grow slowly; if I know little of travail (a sharp and painful thing) till Christ be fully formed in them, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I am afraid to speak the truth, lest I lose affection, or lest the one concerned should say, “You do not understand,” or because I fear to lose my reputation for kindness; if I put my own good name before the other’s highest good, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

 If I myself dominate myself, if my thoughts revolve round myself; if I am so occupied with myself I rarely have “a heart at leisure from itself,” then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I cannot in honest 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.

If a sudden jar can cause me to speak an impatient, unloving word, then I know nothing of Calvary love.* *For a cup brimful of sweet water cannot spill even one drop of bitter water however suddenly jolted.

If I feel injured when another lays to my charge things that I know not, forgetting that my Sinless Saviour trod this path to the end, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I feel bitterly towards those who condemn me, as it seems to me, unjustly, forgetting that if they knew me as I know myself they would condemn me much more, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I say, “Yes, I forgive, but I cannot forget,” as though the God who twice day washes all the sands on all the shores of all the world, could not wash such memories from my mind, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If monotony tries me, and I cannot stand drudgery; if stupid people fret me and little ruffles set me on edge; if I make much of the trifles of life, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I am inconsiderate about the comfort of others, or their feelings, or even of their little weaknesses; if I am careless about their little hurts and miss opportunities to smooth their way; if I make the sweet running of household wheels more difficult to accomplish, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If interruptions annoy me, and private cares make me impatient; if I shadow the souls about me because I myself am shadowed, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If souls can suffer alongside, and I hardly know it, because the spirit of discernment is not in me, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If there be any reserve in my giving to Him who so loved that He gave His Dearest for me; if there be a secret “but” in my prayer, “anything but that, Lord,” then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I become entangled in any “inordinate affection”; if things or places or people hold me back from obedience to my Lord, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I slip into the place that can be filled by Christ alone, making myself the first necessity to a soul instead of leading it to fasten upon Him, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I ask to be delivered from trial rather than for deliverance out of it, to the praise of His glory; if I forget that the way of the Cross leads to the Cross and not to a bank of flowers; if I regulate my life on these lines, or even unconsciously my thinking, so that I am surprised when the way is rough, and think it strange, though the word is, “THINK IT NOT STRANGE,” “COUNT IT ALL JOY,” then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If the ultimate, the hardest, cannot be asked of me; if my fellows hesitate to ask it and turn to someone else, then I know nothing of Calvary love. If I covet any place on earth but the dust at the foot of the Cross, then I know nothing of Calvary love. THAT WHICH I KNOW NOT, TEACH THOU ME, O LORD, MY GOD. 

Excerpts from IF by Amy Carmichael~

May you be encouraged today to follow in the footsteps of our LORD and SAVIOUR... showing calvary love to others.

~Ellie

My Redeemer is FAITHFUL and TRUE...

"It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because HIS compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is THY faithfulness." Jeremiah 3:22,23

Sometimes I'm overwhelmed at God's mercies towards me. How HIS faithfulness never ceases. I stand amazed that my heavenly Father would send His Son the Lord Jesus Christ to die for me. For me He died, it was for me He died... a sinner worthy of death.

And throughout my life I've never seen God fail me... sure my selfish desires may have not been answered, or even my will... but my will is not what matters, ultimately it is HIS will that counts and matters most. Why do I fail to trust HIM... when HE is  SO trustworthy? He's never failed me, no never. HIS compassions fail not. How wonderful to believe that He knows best... whatever our need. This song says it so well,

As I look back on this road I've travelled
I see so many times He carried me through
If there's one thing that I've learned in my life
My redeemer is faithful and true

My redeemer is faithful and true
Everything He has said He will do
And every morning His mercies are new
My redeemer is faithful and true

My heart rejoices when I read the promise
"There is a place I am preparing for you"
I know someday I'll see my Lord face to face
'Cause my redeemer is faithful and true

My redeemer is faithful and true
Everything He has said He will do
And every morning His mercies are new
My redeemer is faithful and true

And in every situation
He has proved his love for me
When I lack the understanding
He gives more grace to me

My redeemer is faithful and true
Everything He has said He will do
And every morning His mercies are new
My redeemer is faithful and true
My redeemer is faithful and true

Songwriters
CHAPMAN, STEVEN CURTIS / ELLIOTT, JAMES ISAAC

May you know that God is truly FAITHFUL... and TRUE. Trust in Him today!

~Ellie

Who is so GREAT a God as our GOD?

" Your righteousness, God, reaches to the heavens, you who have done great things. Who is like you, God? "  Ps. 71:19

After reading Psalm 77 this morning, I stopped a bit and reflected on the verse that asks the question, " Who is so great a God as our GOD?" vs. 13. I meditated on God's power seen in everything around us... the nature is full of HIS glory. And I also reflected on HIS faithfulness to HIS people.... throughout all generations. OH, how true... there is none besides HIM!

Before stepping out to face the day, I began singing a few words of praise to my LORD... before long I thought the words went so well, that I took a pen to jot down my thoughts in free prose. In a matter of minutes I wrote a 4 stanza song as a praise to GOD... who is the only one deserving of our praise.  May HIS great power be enough for us today, for HE carries us in the palm of HIS hand.

O, LORD you are mighty 

O, Lord you are great 

 You are the only one

 Deserving of our praise

****

Your hand always protects us,

You guide us on our path,

To keep us from all ill

And satisfy our hearts.

***

O, LORD you are gracious,

O, LORD you are faithful,

Your mercies never fail

We honor you today.

***

Thank you Lord Jesus,

For dying on the cross

Redeeming us forever

To thine eternal care. 

~Ellie 3/13/14

May you know how GREAT our GOD is today... HE can accomplish anything that comes your way.

~Ellie

Nevertheless I am CONTINUALLY with thee...

"So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before THEE." Ps. 73:22

These past few days I was thinking on this verse found in the well-know psalm... Psalm 73- verse 22. How I can relate! I think we all have at one point or another looked at the wicked, the unbelieving, with wonder... and maybe sometimes with jealousy and covetousness.

Growing up as a child and young adult... I often found myself comparing. Comparing with those who had better things than I did... earthly things, really! Nothing of real heavenly value. Satan always found a way for me to be occupied with comparing myself with others... the earthly things I didn't possess... while others had loads of them! Kept looking at what I didn't have, rather than looking at what I did have.

Why do others, who aren't Christians, fare far better than those who have God as their Heavenly Father. Wouldn't it be the other way around? Oh, no... you'll find the answer towards the end of the psalm. " For, lo, they that are far from THEE shall perish." vs. 27.

It's interesting, because  envy, covetousness, and jealousy comes in all sorts of forms...  it's not only in material things like cars, houses, money... but in intelligence, wittiness, beauty,  even  in talents of all sorts. And when I think about it , nothing we have is really because of our doing. God's hand is in it all. How foolish I was, how ignorant... to think otherwise!

What more could we desire? But to be pleasing to the LORD. To have a clean heart. To be meek and lowly. To have a Christ-like character that is far better than rubies. " How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!" Prov 16:16

Nothing on this earth is worth its weight in gold ... but that only, our salvation and honoring our HEAVENLY FATHER.

"But it is good for me to draw near to GOD: I have put my trust in the LORD GOD, that I may declare all thy works." PS. 73:28

May you put your trust in the LORD God today... and not on earthly treasures that vanish like the chaff.

~Ellie

 

I Will Praise the name of God with a SONG...

" I will praise the name of GOD with a SONG, and will magnify HIM with thanksgiving. This also shall please the LORD better than an ox or bullock that hath horns and hoofs. "  Psalm 69: 30, 31

Reading this verse recently gave me reason to sing a new song to the LORD today. What a wonderful reminder it is to sing praises to our God... who delights in praise and adoration.... better than sacrifice.

A couple of days ago, when I was struggling with an anxious heart my good friend called me to share this song with me. I hadn't heard the words before, but when I read the whole hymn I was uplifted and encouraged with hope.

So I'm sharing the words to the song... in the hopes that it will encourage you as well. It will be a reminder to me of my friend's caring heart, and ultimately my Saviour's LOVE for me.

Jesus Took My Burden

When I, a poor lost sinner, before the Lord did fall,
And in the name of Jesus for pardon loud did call.
He heard my supplication, and soon the weak was strong;
For Jesus took my burden and left with me a song.

Oft-times the way is dreary and rugged seems the road.
Oft-times I'm weak and weary when bent beneath some load.
But when I cry in weakness, “how long, O Lord, how long”?
Then Jesus takes the burden and leaves me with a song.

CHORUS:
Yes, Jesus took my burden I could no longer bear;
Yes, Jesus took my burden in answer to my prayer.
My anxious fears subsided; my spirit was made strong,
For Jesus took my burden and left me with a song.

When I was crushed with sorrow, I bowed in deep despair;
My load of grief and heartache seemed more than I could bear.
Twas then I heard a whisper, “you to the Lord belong”,
Then Jesus took my burden and left me with a song.

I'll trust Him for the future. He knoweth all the way;
For with His eye He'll guide me along life's pilgrim way;
And I will tell in heaven while ages roll along,
How Jesus took my burden and left me with a song.

REV. Johnson Oatman (1856-1922)

May you feel your burdens lifted up by our Lord Jesus... who bore our griefs and carried our sorrows.

~Ellie

Blessed be the LORD who DAILY loads us with benefits...

 

" But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before GOD; yea, let them EXCEEDINGLY rejoice." Ps. 68:3

Today, I'm dwelling on God's faithfulness to me and rejoicing that  He ALONE gives me strength. I've been blessed to be reading through the Psalms again. The psalms have always been of comfort to me throughout my growing up years. I can always find words that speak to me in times of rejoicing... as well as in times of trial.

But as  I am growing older and rereading  the Psalms, I'm finding new "treasures" that speak to me... treasures that are needed for  today. Today is different than yesterday. I'm different than yesterday. Life is different than yesterday. Nonetheless, God's WORD is still the same. And that's what's beautiful, each new day brings a different set of  verses that are seen in a new light as we grow in HIS strength.

God's word is always new and fresh... the wonderful part is that it NEVER gets old. That's enough to make us delight in reading the scriptures daily... for the God of our salvation daily LOADETH us with benefits . "Ps. 68:19.

This particular psalm had loads of benefits for me as I was reading it... God sends plentiful rain , even when we are in "drought"... and confirms our inheritance in HIM, even when we are weary. vs.9.

I was especially blessed when reading that HE commands our strength... Yes, HE commands it for us!

"Thy God hath commanded Thy strength; strengthen, O God, that which though hast wrought for us. " Psalm 68:28

So when we were without strength, Christ died for us (Romans 5:6)... and when our strength is weak, HIS power is made perfect (2 Cor.12:9)... and we can do everything through HIM who strengthens us (Phil 4:13).

I'm grateful for HIS reminder... that God alone does the work in us... HE alone!

The last verse of the Psalm really solidifies this fact:

"... the God of Israel is HE that giveth STRENGTH and POWER unto HIS people. Blessed be GOD. " Vs. 35  

May you know the benefits of HIS strength in your life today.

~Ellie

REST in the LORD, and WAIT patiently for Him...

" Be anxious for NOTHING, but in EVERYTHING by prayer and supplication, with THANKSGIVING, let your requests be made known to God; and the PEACE of God, which surpasses all understanding, will GUARD your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Phil 4:6,7

Today is a hard day for me. And yet it has been good for me. How can the two go together... ?

I've been anxious, fretful, and fearful. My husband needed to make a long drive for work... under very cold temperatures, lots of snow and ice. I wished he didn't have to drive these days.  I let him go this early morning... fearful, fretful and quite anxious. I'm always nervous that he'll have an accident. One might think it's silly of me to think that way. But 16 years ago my husband and I went through a terrible accident on our honeymoon... black ice was involved, and my husband was critically injured.

That memory of seeing an 18 wheeler slam into us will never go away for me.  And the long recuperation  that followed will always be a part of me. Yet besides those memories, I will never forget  GOD'S FAITHFULNESS and seeing His hand of healing and deliverance. That I will treasure most... for HE alone healed us and placed us on a solid foundation from the beginning of our marriage. I will always be THANKFUL to my heavenly Father who always watches over HIS own.

Today is a day when God is testing my faith in Him... and mercifully continues to show me HIS love. After reading through the scriptures  today,  He again has given me peace... peace which surpasses ALL understanding.  GOD will take care of us today... as He did yesterday... and will take care of us tomorrow.

So far, as I am writing this today, my husband has made it safe for half the trip... am waiting patiently on the LORD to fully take care and protect him on the way back.

Lord, increase my faith... and let me see your hand at work, that your name might be glorified in our lives!

The refrain to this song came to me as I was praying for my husband's safety; What a blessing it has been to me! It has been good for me to trust in my Father's wise bestowment... even in my anxious thoughts.

Dying with Jesus, by death reckoned mine;
Living with Jesus, a new life divine;
Looking to Jesus till glory doth shine,
Moment by moment, O Lord, I am Thine.

Refrain

Moment by moment I’m kept in His love;
Moment by moment I’ve life from above;
Looking to Jesus till glory doth shine;
Moment by moment, O Lord, I am Thine.

Never a trial that He is not there,
Never a burden that He doth not bear,
Never a sorrow that He doth not share,
Moment by moment, I’m under His care.

Never a heartache, and never a groan,
Never a teardrop and never a moan;
Never a danger but there on the throne,
Moment by moment He thinks of His own.

May you feel encouraged to WAIT patiently for the LORD.

~Ellie