Encouragement ~ Prayer:). January 6, 2015

Come, Thou Fount of every blessing,
Tune my heart to sing Thy grace;
Streams of mercy, never ceasing,
Call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet,
Sung by flaming tongues above;
Praise the mount! I’m fixed upon it,
Mount of Thy redeeming love.

“With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith.” 2 Thessalonians 1:11

Brothers and Sisters In Christ,

In chapter 1 of 2 Thes: Paul was thankful to God for the progress of brothers and sisters. He said, “ …and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing.” v. 3 Moreover, his readers were enduring persecutions and various trials; Paul boasted among the churches about their perseverance and genuine faith. However, there were certainly those who were weary in the face of continued sufferings. Be encouraged! “…you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering.” v. 5b. The day of the Lord will mean eternal judgment for the many opposed to Jesus…the faithless, rebellious, worldly…. “He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.” v. 8.

In contrast, the majesty of His power will be revealed to us…His holy people who long for His appearing will enjoy rest In Christ. As we endure, even through various trials associated with this life, we confidently expect, Jesus…“on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed.” v. 10 Yes! Yes! Our hope! Our certainty!

We persevere! A supernatural process, listening to God, crying out for power, discernment, wisdom, relying on God’s Word to teach, reveal, train, rebuke, correct, guide us in righteousness! We confess our sins, choose humble, we worship, encourage one another, boast about each other’s faithfulness….We diligently pray for one another! Our strong desire is to be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Tim 3:16-17.

For those receiving this email, or reading this post, let’s constantly pray for one another, our churches, Pastors, Elders, Leaders… Youth Center, Bible studies, Outreaches, etc., The proclamation of the gospel! Salvation for the lost! May God truly count us worthy of his calling and by his power fulfill every good purpose and act prompted by our shared faith. Why? So that Jesus may be glorified! Paul said, “We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.” v. 12.

Here I’ll raise my Ebenezer;
Hither by Thy help I’m come;
And I hope, by Thy good pleasure,
Safely to arrive at home.
Jesus sought me when a stranger,
Wand’ring from the fold of God;
He, to rescue me from danger,
Interposed His precious blood.

Oh, to grace how great a debtor
Daily I’m constrained to be!
Let Thy goodness, like a fetter,
Bind my feeble heart to Thee.
“Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,”
Long I cried to be made pure;
“Here’s my heart, O take and seal it,
Work in me Thy double cure.”

Hallelujah! I have found it,
The full cleansing I had craved,
And to all the world I’ll sound it:
They too may be wholly saved.
I am sealed by Thy sweet Spirit,
Prone no longer now to roam;
And Thy voice, I’ll humbly hear it,
For Thy presence is my home.

Love Others! Much!

Randall:).

References:

The Holy Bible, New International Version 1984.
The Cyber Hymnal (http://www.hymntime.com/tch/htm/c/o/comethou.htm)