Scripture
If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for My sake, you will save it.
~Luke 9:24, ASV
Quote
Some people are still clinging to the reins of their life, and hoping somehow that God will bow to their will and make their name great.
~Charles F. Stanley
There is a healthy clinging and an unhealthy clinging. After the resurrection, Mary Magdalene was clinging to Jesus and there is no harm in clinging to Him. It is very harmful for us to cling to this world, to our lives, dreams, hopes, resources, ambitions and the like. When we try to save our life, the one we desire to live, we lose out on the opportunity to live the life He has purposed for us. There was nothing is me that wanted the life of a preacher. I had my doubts about preachers. I wanted nothing to do with their brand of holiness. When the LORD began calling me, I began making excuses and I basically promised Him, I would do anything if He just would not make me preach. The devil had convinced me that the life of a preacher was the most boring life on the planet. I was a fun lover and in my mind, preachers never had fun. I am here to tell you, the devil is a liar. I am 72 and having the time of my life. This may end today or tomorrow but I have to tell the truth: to this point, I have been blessed beyond my wildest imagination. I thank God almost daily that I didn’t listen to the devil.
I wanted to be an NFL quarterback but how many 72 year old quarterbacks do you know? I am a slow learner but God has convinced me over the years that His way is always the best way. Over the years, I have learned to trust and obey. My greatest regret is that I did not learn sooner. Growing up fifty plus years ago, we sang this hymn…
Would you live for Jesus, and be always pure and good?
Would you walk with Him within the narrow road?
Would you have Him bear your burden, carry all your load?
Let Him have His way with thee.
Would you have Him make you free, and follow at His call?
Would you know the peace that comes by giving all?
Would you have Him save you, so that you need never fall?
Let Him have His way with thee.
Would you in His kingdom find a place of constant rest?
Would you prove Him true in providential test?
Would you in His service labor always at your best?
Let Him have His way with thee.
Refrain:
His pow’r can make you what you ought to be;
His blood can cleanse your heart and make you free;
His love can fill your soul, and you will see
’Twas best for Him to have His way with thee.
EXTRA
Big day, big weekend…Wade’s COLS this morning, BLOCK PARTY tonight, three services tomorrow capped by REVIVE NOW! Brewer High 6:00 pm. Be there or be in prayer. We desperately need your support. I tried to load a YouTube of the song. Not sure I did it correctly.