Encouragement and Prayer: May 5, 2014

May 18, 2014 - 7 minutes read

Beloved Brothers and Sisters In Christ,

Oh Praise the ONE who paid my debt and raised this life up from the dead! Oh Praise the ONE who paid my debt and raised this life up from the dead! Oh Praise the ONE who paid my debt and raised this life up from the dead! YES! Jesus paid it all! All to HIM I owe! Sin have left a crimson stain HE washed it white as snow! :)… HE washed it white as snow!…. Lord, now indeed I find Thy pow’r, and Thine alone, can change the leper’s spots… And melt the heart of stone…. Oh Praise the ONE! JESUS! :). Over and over again!

I love to listen and sing over and over again … hear our Savior say, “Thy strength indeed is small; Child of weakness, watch and PRAY, Find in ME thine all in all.”

O Lord, I call to you; come quickly to me. Hear my voice when I call to you. May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice. Set your guard over my mouth, O Lord keep watch over the door of my lips. Let not my heart be drawn to what is evil, to take part in wicked deeds with men [women] who are evildoers; let me not eat of their delicacies. Psalm 141:1-4.

We cry out in prayer, like David, for help. Help! To battle our foes attacking from without and within. There is a clear understanding that we struggle against ourselves. A mind easily tempted to go sideways, and a mouth that can readily offend those I desperately need to love. Moreover, the powers and spiritual forces of this dark world certainly know my depraved condition and seek to capitalize at every turn.

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers [sisters] in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship.” Rom 12:1

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139:23-24.

The Prayer of Examen: I offer, and encourage you to do the same, my daily lived experiences: foul-ups, wicked thoughts, flesh desires, acts of omission, outright bitterness and anger, etc., Who I am–and not who I want to be–is the only offering I have to give. Therefore, not only do I offer my strengths, but also my weaknesses, not just my giftedness, but also my brokenness–ALL are laid on the alter of sacrifice.

As a result, when I honestly accept the evil that is in me as part of the truth about “me” and offer this sometimes difficult to accept or even admit, “truth” to God, then I am renewed, nourished, and being lead in the way everlasting:). Moreover, accepting, confessing, offering my depraved self (paradoxically, broken, yet righteous, new, yet continually reverting back to “old” self), in fervent prayer at the alter, therein is freedom! :). “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” [!] John 8:32. :).

“Along this path of prayer, self knowledge and the thought of ones’ sins is the bread with which all palates must be fed no matter how delicate they may be; they cannot be sustained without this bread.” Saint Teresa of Avila.

Brothers and Sisters, I pray you are being renewed day by day… A brother called me early in the morning this week just to ask about my brothers and clarify how he could continue to pray. That’s what I’m talking about! Praise God! Tears welled up… I am so thankful for brothers In Christ! YOU too, reach out and encourage the beginning, evolving, and nurturing of relationships. Folks in Christ need you and you need them, especially me! … A text of encouragement, phone call, letter, email, whatever means suits your fancy, just do it! This week:). Pray with a brother or sister and encourage each other as we should IN CHRIST:).

Prayer: At the core foundation of lasting change and transformation is our devotion to prayer. Therefore, please pray more and more throughout each day of every day come, as long as the Lord tarries.

Alpine and Surrounding Communities: Churches proclaiming the gospel, Thank you! Pastors, Elders, Deacons, Leaders, Youth Leaders, Worship Leaders, Teachers, Youth, Families, Singles, Couples, Rich, Poor, Attractive, Unattractive, Big, Small… White, Black, Mexican, Asian, Filipino, etc, etc, etc, All people need salvation through the Lord Jesus. Therefore, we pray, pray, pray! Use me Lord, today, tomorrow, everyday may I be the voice YOU sovereignly use to draw lost folks to Yourself… Have mercy to us and through us!

Women’s Friday Prayer: may many sisters In Christ desire to meet and pray and love each other. Unity at the cross in prayer! Power! And that from our sovereign God who keeps our prayers as part of His sovereign plan. Our prayers: the means to move the sovereign arm of God.

Alpine Youth Center: transformed youth, Jonathan, Kevin, volunteers, Joseph, Jessica, Alexa, Hayden, and little Joey:). Power, discernment, vision, wisdom. Moreover, financial provision, partnership with local churches to reach many for Christ.

It is getting late, And I’m gettin FIRED UP! :). Let’s get fired up together! Thank you Lord for your power! Joy to you my beloved brothers and sisters!

Sincerely In Christ!

The more Christ is glorified in me the more satisfied I am in HIM. The more satisfied I am In Christ the more glorified HE is in me. :).

Your excited IN CHRIST brother,

Randall:).