Encouragement & Prayer:). September 2, 2014

September 3, 2014 - 7 minutes read

Lord, I want to be like Jesus in my heart, in my heart,
Lord, I want to be like Jesus in my heart, in my heart.
In my heart, in my heart,
Lord, I want to be like Jesus in my heart, in my heart.

Lord, I want to be more holy in my heart, in my heart,
Lord, I want to be more holy in my heart, in my heart.
In my heart, in my heart,
Lord, I want to be more holy in my heart, in my heart.

Beloved In Christ,

Proverbs 4 calls for a complete dedication of heart, speech, eyes, and feet in the way of wisdom. v. 20-27. “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the well spring of life.” Jesus is identified as “…the power of God and the wisdom of God.” Therefore, let’s enjoy the lyrics of Fernando Ortega…sing out, cry out in holy desperation! I desire, hunger, thirst to be like Jesus in my heart! Moreover, in my heart, radiating from my whole being… “…the well spring of life” I want to be more more more holy.

I need to be more like Jesus when I pray. In His anguish, He prayed more earnestly… more often I am found asleep, unable to keep watch for even one hour. “The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” Mark 14:37-38. As the Fall Semester begins, I am grateful for developed habits. I know you have cherished habits and rituals that are rejuvenating and precious before our God and King:). My boy Luke and I pray together as I drive him to school. Luke always opens up with, “Lord, forgive me for my sins.” Must be the result of habitual prayer with him and Dylan… truly the grace of our God manifest! Thank you Lord for my boys!

I want to know more and more the Holiness of God, and pray my boys understand/experience too… we recognize our sins, confess, ask for forgiveness because God is holy, holy, holy. I want to be more holy in my heart! In Christ, YOU do too:). God’s grace allows us to participate through Christ, to feel, even convicted, yet embraced, comforted, rejuvenated, empowered, forgiven, experience freedom, to forgive, let go, overflowing Joy, unconditional LOVE, we can truly reflect Jesus more and more through the power of God the Holy Spirit indwelling! :).

I love my brother Tim. He struggles with the flesh. He can’t stay at Luke’s House due to besetting sins that would harm others working to stay sober. Nonetheless, he has been sober for some time now and we text regularly to encourage perseverance. He is always available to help serve. In fact, he would serve daily if I asked:). We went downtown today to give out Daily Breads and give away a multitude of shirts and other items. I share this to demonstrate God’s grace. Not only in serving the poor and loving those in desperate need, which was a mixture of joy and sadness for me, but I see God’s sovereign hand preparing Tim, strengthening him to stand strong through the impending storm.

I spent most of the day with Tim, he even waited at my office as I took care of a few things:). Tim called me around 9pm. He was feeling overwhelmed. He just lost a roommate to sudden death a few weeks ago. Tonight, a resident where he lives and casual friend died suddenly from what appeared to be a heart attack. The guy was in his 30s! Tim said,”I don’t think he was a Christian.” O my brother… how temporary this life… he seemed more determined to talk to folks where he lives (over a hundred residents) about Jesus. Yes! Pray for our brother. God’s grace reassured him, especially as he questioned his own salvation and recognized his mortality.

Finally, I assured Tim that what comes out of him so often is our Lord Jesus. He is always kind to folks, full of love, even toward the unlovable, and ready to give a helping hand at a moments notice. Jesus said, “The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.” Luke 6:45

In the morning, when I rise
In the morning, when I rise
In the morning, when I rise
Give me Jesus

And when I am alone
Oh and when I am alone
And when I am alone
Give me Jesus

And when I come to die
Oh and when I come to die
And when I come to die
Give me Jesus

Give me Jesus, give me Jesus
You can have all this world
You can have all this world
You can have all this world
But give me Jesus

Thank you for allowing me to reflect with you! :). You ongoing prayers mean much! May our sovereign God lead and direct according to His grace, of which our prayers are a significant part.

If you need encouragement, a prayer request, just need to share… send and email or give a call:).

Sincerely,

LoVe YOU much!

Randall:)

Read more: Fernando Ortega – Give Me Jesus Lyrics | MetroLyrics