Friday Morning Prayer:)… July 13, 2018

July 13, 2018 - 7 minutes read
What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!
 
 
Are we weak and heavy-laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
Thou wilt find a solace there.[1]
 
 
“But we ought to always thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth.”[2]
____________________
 
 
Do you know that inexpressible and glorious joy experienced in Jesus?  God, in his great mercy you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”[3]  This life is tough.  Although we may suffer grief in all kinds of trials, through faith we are shielded by God’s power.  This week I attended the funeral of a pillar among the Torres family.  My uncle professed Christ and believed in redemption through the blood of the Lamb.  Therefore, although he died, he lives and received the final goal of his faith, the salvation of his soul in the presence of our Lord Jesus.


When God called you and me unto salvation, he saved us out of darkness into his wonderful light.[4]  A living hope that keeps us rejoicing and longing for our glorious future with God in a new heaven and earth.  My uncle Gene has fully realized our anticipated salvation.  His eyes have now seen life immortal.  I along with family members and many friends grieve the loss of a brother in Christ.  I listened as family members spoke of a man who demonstrated a deep love from his heart for others, especially his family.  He was compassionate and humble and consistently exhibited solid Christ-like influences during my earlier years of life as well as toward his own kids, many grandkids, nieces, and nephews.  
 
 
In Christ, we hold fast to our living hope, a supernatural faith pointing to an inheritance that can never perish, spoil, or fade.  I know this supernatural journey in Christ is difficult at times.  Our loved ones die, friends and family get cancer, Christians lose jobs, many times it is a struggle to resist the world and we have a hard time nurturing and growing in grace through faith.  Be encouraged!  God is guarding you!  You and me too, “through faith [we] are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed…”[5]  God is continually active in every regenerate heart.  Every regenerate heart struggles and experiences suffering.  It truly is a mystery of faith contradicting everyday experience that causes that supernatural and inexpressible joy through the midst of it all. 
 
 
This past Sunday our brother Tom shared how God nourishes us through all things as we humbly have our being in Christ.  Our call is to pursue God!  Beloved, make every effort to seek the freshness of the Holy Spirit.  Mr. Bolz reminded the body of Christ that we do not always understand what God is doing through our circumstances.  However, to effectively persevere, we need each other to encourage and help strengthen one another.  Moreover, pray and ask God to create a deep desire to know him better and grow in our shared faith.  A new life in craves the purity of the gospel.  Moreover, we rely on God strive mature in him constantly.  “But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.”[6]
 
 
I want to perceive and understand as much as supernaturally possible, God’s perspective in every context. The good news is that our call to be responsible to live out this Christian life is by God’s empowering grace.  May the Lord help us to participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption of the world caused by evil desires.[7]   
 
 
Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised
Thou wilt all our burdens bear;
May we ever, Lord, be bringing
All to Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright, unclouded,
There will be no need for prayer—
Rapture, praise, and endless worship
Will be our sweet portion there.
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Sisters are meeting to pray.  First Baptist.  1912 Arnold Way.  Alpine.   0900
 
You are invited to join diverse Christian gals for a short time of prayer and encouragement.  Thank you!  We are thankful to our sisters who are faithful in pursuing the grace and power of God through necessary prayer.   I am certain you will be encouraged as you join kind gals in Christ.
 
Brothers are meeting too!  Mt. View Bible.  2710 Alpine Blvd.  Alpine. 0730
 
You are invited to join faithful brothers meeting to ask, seek, and knock as the Spirit leads.  If your schedule allows, join us.

 

[2] 2 Thessalonians 2:13
[3] 1 Peter v. 8
[4] Ibid. 2:9
[5] Ibid. 1:5
[6] Hebrews 5:14
[7] 2 Peter 1:3-4