Encouragement, Love, Mercy:) June 10, 2014

Bind us together, Lord,
Bind us together
With cords that cannot be broken.
Bind us together, Lord,
Bind us together,
Bind us together with love.

Faithful In Christ,

I pray all is well with YOU In Christ:). Be encouraged as we intentionally pursue to love each other and build one another up in our most holy faith. Paul said, “From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in LOVE, as each part does its work.” Eph. 4:16

I know many of you In Christ:). However, some, whom I haven’t had the pleasure to meet yet, receive this email because our brother Joseph passed on your email in hopes that you’d be encouraged, and reminded to pray, pray, pray for Alpine and our surrounding communities. We need your ongoing prayers for the Alpine Youth Center, Friday Morning Prayer, and the “Body of Christ,” especially as we “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” 4:3.

I have been sending out weekly emails for a little while now and enjoy doing so. I am just one “part” offering a humble “work” In Christ. We intentionally pray for local churches: pastors, elders, etc., by name we lift you up, especially if you are a minister of the gospel within our sphere of influence. Moreover, I do pray as you, brother and sister, read these weekly emails you are encouraged and please hear loudly that YOU are loved and much appreciated!

How deep the Father’s love for us
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure
I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection…

A brother In Christ wrote me recently, “We aren’t educated for ourselves; we’re educated to serve others.” Right on! Serve! Love! Encourage! Always In Christ through the Power of the Holy Spirit!

Paul said, “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation so that you may know him better.” Yes! I want to know HIM better! So do you! Help us Lord. Moreover, “I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and, his incomparably GREAT POWER for us who believe.” Eph. 1:17-19a

I went downtown Monday at lunchtime with the intention of sharing the gospel and helping those most in need in the streets. A guy in a wheelchair came over and wanted to debate the nature of Christ. He pulled out a copy of the Apocrypha and went on and on. 1 Peter 3:15 came to mind “….gentleness and respect.” So it all went well, we parted friends. Mere intellectual information is not enough, it is the enlightening of the eyes of the heart, our inner vision of Christ. “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.” 5:8 GRACE! We cry out to “know Him better” we need His active illumination in our hearts every day! However, even more crucial is the necessity that we cry out for Mercy for the many who don’t know Him at all, especially those within our sphere of influence. They remain darkness!

Please Lord, we pray, we “keep asking” for Your mercy to prevail in the lives of our loved ones, our neighbors, co-workers, ALL within our reach and beyond who do not know Your grace, hence transforming power In Christ.

I pray that the way would be prepared for you this week to serve, love, and encourage someone outside of your comfort zone as the Holy Spirit leadsJ. A guy at the gym came over and said, “you’re sleeping” I smiled. No, I said, I am praying. Opportunity! :). It is much better for me many times over to keep my eyes closed to distractions and pray in the Spirit, especially at the gym. Job 31:1-4

I could go on and on about the encouragement experienced at Bethel Assembly Band of Brothers this last Thursday of the month. The guy downtown who approached me broken, on a six day meth run, wanting God! Mention Jeremy in your prayers. My brother blowing it this week with his family! Yet because he was willing to serve humble pie, God’s grace prevailed! :). What is your experience In Christ? Are you overflowing with a supernatural power you can’t contain easily? I hope so! Let me know:).

“For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being.” Eph. 3:14-16

Why should I gain from His reward
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom…

LoVe YOU much! Thanks for your unceasing prayers!

Sincerely,
Randall:).