"Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. The single most memorable moment of my life will remind me of this amazing grace of God tomorrow. The third day of December commemorates the seventh anniversary of my re-birthday. It was the moment that the effectual call of God became a reality in my life and His grace began to transform me. Since December 3, 2000, my life has never been the same and I have been led to do things I never imagined doing. I have been a world traveler, I have experienced the most rewarding things a life could possess, I have met and married a wonderful woman, and it all keeps getting better. In the frequent times of distress, I am continually reminded that these sufferings are so slight and small compared to the immeasurable riches that await the followers of Jesus for an eternity to come. I have been graciously been renamed as one of those and can only rejoice in the indescribable grace of God. Tomorrow's gonna be good.
Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many
were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God
chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise;
God chose the weak things of the world to shame the
strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the
despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify
the things that are, so that no one may boast before
Him." 1 Corinthians 1:26-29
Without this effectual call—there is no going to heaven.
This effectual call, is a GRACIOUS call. It is the fruit and
product of free grace! That God should call some—and
not others; that some should be taken—and others left;
that one should be called who is of a more wicked
disposition—while another of a sweeter temper, is
rejected; here is free grace! That the poor should be
rich in faith, heirs of a kingdom (James 2:5), and the
nobles and great ones of the world for the most part
rejected; this is free and rich grace! "Even so, Father,
for so it seemed good in Your sight!" (Matthew 11:26)
That under the same sermon one should be effectually
wrought upon—while another is no more moved than a
dead man with the sound of music; that one should hear
the Spirit's voice in the Word—while another does not
hear it; that one should be softened and moistened with
the influence of heaven—while another, like Gideon's dry
fleece, has no dew upon him; behold here distinguishing,
sovereign grace!
What is the cause of this—but the free grace of God! It
is all enameled and interwoven with free grace!
Those who are monuments of God's mercies, will be
trumpets of His praise. "So that no one may boast
before Him!" 1 Corinthians 1:29
Thomas Watson, "A Divine Cordial"
Dec 1, 2007
The Greatest Celebration of Them All!
Goodness
"May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it." "The grace of God is the unhindered, wondrous, boundless The reward is here and the reward is to come. I had always hoped to get married, but wasn't sure it would actually happen. Considering God's calling on my life, I often doubted that I would be able to find an equally unique and devoted woman to share my purpose in life. Now it's here. The LORD has crowned me with an amazing wife who shares my passion and zeal to live in Africa long-term. Solomon tells us in Proverbs 18:22 that "He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord."
Ephesians 3:19
love of His heart, poured out upon His people in a countless
variety of ways, without stint or measure--not according to
our deserving, but according to His infinite heart of love! This
I cannot understand--so unfathomable are its heights and
depths! God's love is infinitely tender, and self-sacrificing,
and devoted, and patient, and eager to lavish its best of
gifts and blessings, upon the objects of His love.
Put together all the tenderest love you know of, the deepest
love you have ever felt, and the strongest love that has ever
been poured out upon you--and heap upon it all the love of
all the human hearts in the world, and then multiply it by
infinity--and you will begin, perhaps, to have some faint
glimpse of the love and grace of God towards His people!"
Author Unknown
And married life far exceeds my expectations. The wedding itself was a great celebration, but I never imagined how enjoyable being married would actually be. I figured I would learn a lot about selfless living, love, partnership and communication, and cooperation, but in these past three weeks since the wedding, there are no words to describe the depths of spiritual and emotional value that my wife and I have obtained in being together and loving each other. The deepest of connections that has been formed between Kattie and I is something that I have never experienced before and will likely never experience again aside from the relationship I have with Jesus. It's times like last night when the satisfaction of our unification is truly becomes a reality: we were laying in bed together, unable to sleep, when we broke out into songs of praise simply because our God has been so good to us. It was especially enjoyable because my wife didn't even make fun of my dismal singing voice -- it was pure.
Since agreeing to spend the rest of our lives together, Kattie and I have always committed to ourselves and to God that we would be honored to worship God in loving each other. I think that's the greatest part of this whole deal: for those who trust Jesus, all of life is worship. That's why we are commanded to do all things for the glory of God. But what better way to worship than to love someone with all your heart! If this thing called marriage is to represent the way Jesus loves His people, then what an honor it is for us who enter in to such a sacred covenant! We're surely enjoying it, and, by the grace of God, it will only get better. His goodness will continue to prevail.
