Encouragement & Prayer:). November 10, 2014

When the morning comes on the farthest hill
I will sing His name, I will praise Him, still.
When dark trials come and my heart is filled
With the weight of doubt, I will praise Him, still.

Beloved In Christ,

Psalm 18 is referred to as a royal psalm of thanksgiving. David singing to our God, “I love you, O Lord, my strength.” v. 1 Indeed! “The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” v. 2 These are living truths, very much applicable today for us through every storm permitted by our sovereign God! Embrace our God through His Living Word!

Prayer: our necessary source of renewing strength, even reflective prayers of the inspired Psalms…. Many many cries for mercy and grace… mercy for those wandering further away, rejecting the light for lures of darkness, worldly pursuits, temporary pleasures… addiction, money, illusions of better… whatever! No! We cry out! Our loved ones, friends, family, co-workers, neighbors… Mercy! I need you and you need me to come along side, listen, comfort, just be present as each of us go through the diverse struggles of this life. Grace to endure, trust, obey, even rejoice In Christ through our pain, disappointments, seemingly never ending struggles… Our gracious God hears our cries for help… like David… “In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears.” v. 6

Tonight I just sat here praying for YOU. All those receiving this email I cried out many times on your behalf. I see your email address, God examines your heart. Many of you I do not know the details, circumstances, struggles of your life….nonetheless, I sense God’s prompt to rejoice with those who rejoice, and mourn with those who mourn. Others reading, I ask our God for redeeming mercy for YOU, especially if you have yet to cry out, your difficulty, even resistance in recognizing your need for supernatural transformation through Christ…. I too was there, God was and is merciful!

I do know a brother on our email list, he is struggling with addiction… Holy Spirit brought him to mind twice today… I called and left him a message. Another brother… with tears… his wife left with his two young daughters… he is struggling and in deep distress daily… the uncertainty, one day, hour, minute at a time…God’s grace to persevere!

Thank you for praying for our brothers… it is clear from Psalm 18, Yahweh always deals righteously and faithfully with those who trust and obey Him, especially those made righteous In Christ! :). v. 20ff.

“As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him. For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God? It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect.” v. 30-32

The Lord lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be God my Savior! v. 46

As you read Psalm 18… yes it was written at a different time… but the truth prevails and the reflections of struggle, emotional pain, trials, tribulation and suffering coincide today in our experiences. Moreover, God’s faithfulness, mercy, grace prevails! prevails! prevails! today and through all time and into eternity! :).

For the Lord, our God, He is strong to save
From the arms of death, from the deepest grave,
And He gave us life in His perfect will,
And by His good grace, I will praise Him, still.

For the Lord, our God, He is strong to save
From the arms of death, from the deepest grave,
For the Lord, our God, He is strong to save
From the arms of death, from the deepest grave,
And He gave us life in His perfect will,
And by His good grace, I will praise Him, still.

Your prayers matter much! God continues to move in our midst through the prayers of many:). Praise God! Only God knows the full extent, power, transformation, mercy, abundant grace… However, we truly have seen our gracious God at work through many faithful servants: through our churches, Sunday school, public schools, treatment centers, Youth Center, communities, prayer groups, etc., Thank you as you pray without ceasing! :).

LoVe YOU! Much!

Overflow!

Randall:).