Encouragement ~ Prayer:). December 10, 2014
December 10, 2014 - 7 minutes readWhat a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!
“Comfort, comfort my people, says our God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins. A voice of one calling: ‘In the desert prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God. Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, he rugged places a plain. And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.’ ” Isa 40:1-5
Brothers and Sisters In Christ,
Comfort…speak…proclaim…prepare… Worship our God who comforts His people and calls us to comfort those in need, the suffering, lonely, even those captive to “Christmas traditions” … materialism… commercialism…that take the place or overshadow the revealed glory of our gracious Lord. Beloved, let’s join in the proclamation! Our God has come! Nothing in this world can compare… Lord, help me not to envy the ‘splendor’ of the world…. The GLORY of God has been revealed In Christ!
Allow me to share and speak boldly, enthusiastically, joyfully… May God the Holy Spirit prepare the way… hearts be softened… the rough ground of my/your life become level and the rugged places a plain. The proclamation of Isaiah to God’s people: the exiles were to help prepare the way… God’s glory would be seen! Good tidings to Zion…v. 9 Our God restores! Are you willing? Am I? Will I trust and go forth in faith?
The joy of Christmas is the gospel message! “A voice of one calling: In the desert prepare the way for the Lord;…” is fulfilled in John the Baptist’s preparation for the first advent of Jesus! The one and only true Messiah! “In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea and saying, ‘Repent for the kingdom of heaven is near.’ ” Matt 3:1-2. We joyfully speak the gospel! Salvation through Jesus rooted in and proclaimed through Isaiah.
The exiles would see God’s glory through restoration to Jerusalem and world-wide revelation of God’s glory would be revealed through Christ, even today! Therefore, we celebrate the birth of our Messiah… Our own God came!
Let’s work and prepare together, fervently pray, pray, pray together, that ALL mankind will see God’s glory and genuinely experience God’s mercy unto salvation! That is what genuine Spirit filled followers of Christ desire…pray, CRY OUT for this end! You can’t help it! It is supernatural! It is God working through your life!
Tonight we went out for a company dinner. I took my boys with me in my car. It was great! We get to talk and explore what is happening in their hearts. Luke said he’d been singing a song that had something to do with “take me to church” but he wasn’t feeling comfortable about it and did not know why. I asked him if he had looked up the lyrics and read them completely. He hadn’t. So, he Google..ed the song… as he read the lyrics out loud… it became very apparent that the song was worldly and even blasphemous. I could tell he was upset. Praise God!
I told him the fact that he was initially uncomfortable was good evidence that he has been truly transformed! Born of God! A new creation! Moreover, that fact that he wanted nothing more to do with the song was even more evidence that he belonged to Christ! Yes! What am I uncomfortable with? Is God trying to tell me to rid something out of my life that is unhealthy, unholy, hindering my intimacy? Am I listening?
Let’s pray for each other. I want to comfort, speak, proclaim, and prepare well… to God’s glory! So do you!
Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful,
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Are we weak and heavy-laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
Thou wilt find a solace there.
Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised
Thou wilt all our burdens bear;
May we ever, Lord, be bringing
All to Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright, unclouded,
There will be no need for prayer—
Rapture, praise, and endless worship
Will be our sweet portion there.
LoVe Others! Much!
Persevere!
Randall:)
Wednesday Bible Study. 7:00 to 8:00 with Dean Kellio. Alpine Youth Center.
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