Friday Morning Prayer:). August 14, 2014

I am Thine, O Lord, I have heard Thy voice,
And it told Thy love to me;
But I long to rise in the arms of faith
And be closer drawn to Thee.

Friday Morning Prayer: Brothers are meeting at Calvary Chapel, 2267 W Victoria Dr. Alpine. 0730. YOU are invited to come pray and worship our gracious God together:). “How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!” Psalm 133:1

Sisters In Christ:) are meeting at First Baptist, 1912 Arnold Way at 0900. Join with them to pray for our communities, churches, leadership, residents, etc., “For nothing is impossible with God.” So, we pray! :).

Brothers and Sisters In Christ,

My heart has been aching this week. You have weeks like that. One day turns into two and then another… Oh God! Please help through this time of struggle. I want to praise you O Lord, with all my heart; Through our struggles, God embraces us, hugs us, comforts. “Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.” Psalm 9:10. My boy hugged me a number of times tonight for no apparent reason other than he loves me. I can’t help but to think that God prompted those hugs as an expression of His love too.

Moreover, I didn’t deserve those hugs! When I got home from work, I snapped at my boy for no good reason! I hurt his feelings for being a kid and messing up my desk area. God, the Holy Spirit readily convicted me and I apologized, but the hurt was already inflicted. However, God’s GRACE! Humility goes a long ways! Through admitting our faults, hence confessing my sin and outright tendency to hurt others, even my precious son, brought forgiveness, restoration, and a time of Bible reading:).

I heard a phrase this week, “Christians tend to hurt their wounded.” NO! Please Lord, help me to genuinely love and constantly pray for those you bring into my sphere of influence. How much easier it is to categorize and box people, even dismiss for sinful behaviors. Yet, only by the Grace of God am I not caught up in the same mess. May we/I with great effort and humility, take the time to invest in “sinners” of whom I am the worst, understand them, love them, help them experience supernatural transformation and the freedom found only in Christ!

Forgiveness of great sin, produces great love. Only through the CROSS!

There are many many folks residing throughout our communities lost in their sin. I think of Jesus calling unto salvation and discipleship: Matthew (a tax collector), even Paul, a murderer! There are so many Zacchaeus, “woman…lived a sinful life… “Your sins are forgiven.” Luke 7:37, 48 You, ME! There is no interpretation needed! We are called to present the gospel always, love others and make disciples among ALL people groups. Help us Lord to discern, pursue humility, and genuinely love others in Your power. Amen.

Draw me nearer, nearer blessed Lord,
To the cross where Thou hast died;
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer blessed Lord,
To Thy precious, bleeding side.

Consecrate me now to Thy service, Lord,
By the pow’r of grace divine;
Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope,
And my will be lost in Thine.

Oh, the pure delight of a single hour
That before Thy throne I spend,
When I kneel in prayer, and with Thee, my God
I commune as friend with friend!

There are depths of love that I cannot know
Till I cross the narrow sea;
There are heights of joy that I may not reach
Till I rest in peace with Thee.

Thanks for praying!~

LoVe You! Much!

Randall:).