Encouragement ~ Prayer:). November 26, 2014

Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee;
Let the water and the blood,
From Thy wounded side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure,
Save from wrath and make me pure.

Beloved In Christ,

“We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Thes. 1:2-3.

Paul, Silas, and Timothy were always thankful to God for ALL the believers in Thessalonica. These brothers, filled with the Holy Spirit, united under the sovereign hand of God…they helped to establish the Thessalonian church. Your pastor, elders, leaders… even me as I think of the diversity of folks reading this email… we give thanks…. Yes! We are thankful for You and express our thanks first to God…He gets the ultimate credit for your transformation and spiritual progress. “All of you” from the most gifted, struggling brothers, mourning sisters, to new believers, those seasoned, the tired, lonely, where ever you are in your journey with Christ… YOU are included! :). Not only do we thank God for your living faith and spiritual progress, but we (Joseph, Jon, Andrew, Kevin, Bob, Mark, Rod, etc., etc., diverse and faithful brothers) intercede and pray every Friday morning for your advancement in the gospel! Most exciting!

I met with Joseph on Friday to present our sisters a gift for their faithfulness…for their constant mentioning YOU in their prayers! Yes… at least 10 of our sisters from different fellowships met on Friday to pray for Alpine and the surrounding communities… each other, our churches…pastors, elders, leaders, youth center, the Body of Christ, etc., …. They didn’t expect us… it was a joy! And, we are truly thankful for our sisters praying for us and ALL those connected to the body, even those needing to be supernaturally connected through our efforts in spreading the gospel.

How will I be remembered? You? Or, maybe I should ask How am I currently remembered, and you too? How are we thought of before our God and Father by those over us in the Lord, our brothers and sisters? What matters most is our character reflecting: faith, love, hope. Paul said, “…your work produced by faith…” Our pastors, worship leaders, teachers…brothers and sisters engaging the hurting, encouraging the broken, praying together, visiting the lonely, widows, helping, serving, in what ever way God leads you… your work produced by faith…be encouraged, where there is a true faith in God, it works. James 2:14ff.

“…your labor prompted by love…” Supernatural love motivates! I am not serving, praying, teaching, etc., because I “have to…” No! The love of God compels me to love and encourage others through diligent effort and even allows me to persevere through the laborious process of serving in various ways. So great is God’s supernatural love indwelling that concern for others goes beyond ordinary effort…the second mile and beyond for the sake of another, especially those in the family of God. Many of you understand or are learning… “In Christ” taking up our cross, humility, self-sacrifice are inseparable from genuine Christian love. Yes! This is for us to pursue… exemplified through God the Father, His Son Jesus, … only grasped and lived through the power of God the Holy Spirit! :). One final thought on this…. God loves me when I am not loveable… therefore, the condition of those we love does not matter! We are called to love others, maintain gentleness, and respect, even when we can’t agree. 1 Peter 3:15.

We were sitting at Mc Donalds one recent Friday. A couple of JWs came over to speak with us. I showed love, and spoke truth in love too. However, a few months prior, at Starbucks… Joseph pointed out that I wasn’t so loving toward a JW who we were sitting with. I appreciate Joseph’s feedback and his enduring love for others regardless of their condition. Oh how we need brothers or sisters to keep us humble, examining our hearts always. :). We labor in love for JWs and all those lost without Christ… our constant prayer is eyes open, hearts transformed to God’s glory!

Finally, Paul was thankful for the believers’ “…endurance inspired by hope…” This last one stirs me up! This endurance is what I need all the time! You do too! A persistent zeal! The power to rule out discouragement and keep moving forward no matter how seemingly hopeless the situation. We endure! Encouraging each other with the certainty of our Lord’s return! Yes! Jesus will return and we can endure together… work through our struggles, lean on one another, seek our God in fervent prayer, cry out, … O Lord, stir us, move us, we surrender all… anticipating your return… we endure through this journey… longing to be complete In Christ! :). Amen.

Not the labor of my hands
Can fulfill Thy law’s demands;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone;
Thou must save, and Thou alone.

Nothing in my hand I bring,
Simply to Thy cross I cling;
Naked, come to Thee for dress;
Helpless, look to Thee for grace;
Foul, I to the fountain fly;
Wash me, Savior, or I die.

While I draw this fleeting breath,
When my eyes shall close in death,
When I rise to worlds unknown,
And behold Thee on Thy throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee.

Need Bible? Join Dean Kalieo this Wednesday, 11/26 7 to 8 pm at Alpine Youth Center. Dean attends Shadow Mountain Community Church and writes the Carpenter’s Corner for the Alpine Sun. He is a knowledgeable Bible student, Pastor, and humble brother In Christ. He is laboring in love every Wednesday for anyone wanting to learn and apply Scripture to daily life. You are invited!

Persevere In Christ!

Love Others Much!

Randall:).