Encouragement~Prayer:). October 20, 2014

My Jesus, I love Thee, I know Thou art mine;
For Thee all the follies of sin I resign;
My gracious Redeemer, my Savior art Thou;
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

Beloved In Christ,

This is my story this is my song… praising my Savior all the day long! Yes! I pray you are fired, stirred, filled up many times over throughout this week, even through tough circumstances. How comforting our God through our worship and crying out in prayerful adoration… Just sing… “My Jesus, I love Thee, I know Thou art mine…” Oh my soul…it is well with my soul because my sin… oh the bliss of this glorious thought, my sin not in part but the whole is nailed to the cross and I bear it no more… praise the Lord praise the Lord …oh my soul! It is well with my soul!:). You have a supernatural story, so do I about our gracious Redeemer:). His indwelling compels, moves, motivates us to pray, pray, pray, without ceasing…. Longing to be nearer my God to Thee. Furthermore, I/we must tell Jesus, “If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.”

“A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.” Prov. 15:`13 The challenge for me is putting into practice what I hold so dearly…the power of God through me to manage well this temporary life. The inherent stress, resistance, depravity readily manifest at every difficult turn, interpersonal, thought life, pride, etc., I can’t do it! I have to spiritually die everyday, which is usually recognized after the “old man” rises and takes a few jabs and readily wants to dominate. You understand. I’m just venting! A guy I’ve been working with for some time now sent me a text today,

“One more thing I just realized as I read the Word: is it possible that a part of me is fighting change? Maybe I can’t change as fast as I want because of me fighting me.”

Oh brother! The Light is shining brighter! Praise God for His illumination! “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross DAILY and follow me.” Luke 9:23. Yes Lord. All hail the power of Jesus’ Name… He knows our weaknesses and empowers us to overcome! He alone mends a crushed spirit, gives a joyful heart and a cheerful face:).

“Praise awaits you, O God, in Zion; to you our vows will be fulfilled. O you who hear prayer, to you all men will come. When we were overwhelmed by sins, you forgave our transgression. Blessed are those you choose and bring near to live in your courts! We are filled with the good things of your house, of your holy temple. You answer us with awesome deeds of righteousness, O God our Savior, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas…” Psalm 65: 1-5.

1. We gather to fulfill our vows… “To Thee, O Lord, our hearts we raise…”
2. God is faithful to hear our prayers
3. We cry out for mercy for many, even ourselves longing for comfort when overwhelmed in our own sin
4. Praise God! Forgiveness is experienced as we cry out in despair, prompted by God indwelling, we can’t help but to pray, even with tears, Just as I am… forgive me…restore me…
5. We are empowered to go and sin overtly no more!
6. Sovereign God~ my blessing! We know it is “right” because of His supernatural transforming power!
7. Filled and overflowing… experiencing all that comes with being God’s house, His sanctuary… You know what’s coming:) “Lord prepare me to be a sanctuary, pure and holy, tried and true, with thanksgiving I will be a living sanctuary for You!”

I love Thee because Thou hast first loved me,
And purchased my pardon on Calvary’s tree;
I love Thee for wearing the thorns on Thy brow;
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

I’ll love Thee in life, I will love Thee in death,
And praise Thee as long as Thou lendest me breath;
And say when the death dew lies cold on my brow,
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

In mansions of glory and endless delight,
I’ll ever adore Thee in heaven so bright;
I’ll sing with the glittering crown on my brow,
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

Thank you for prayers, without ceasing we ask seek knock to move the sovereign arm of God!

LoVe You! Much!

Randall:).

Sources:
Faith Publishing House, Evening Light Songs, 1949, edited 1987 (163)
The Gospel Trumpet Company, Select Hymns, 1911 (272
William R. Featherston, 1864