Friday Morning Prayer:)… August 15, 2019
August 15, 2019 - 8 minutes readTell me the old, old story,
Of unseen things above,
Of Jesus and His glory,
Of Jesus and His love;
Tell me the story simply,
As to a little child,
For I am weak and weary,
And helpless and defiled.
Tell me the old, old story,
Tell me the old, old story,
Tell me the old, old story,
Of Jesus and His love.
Tell me the story slowly,
That I may take it in—
That wonderful redemption,
God’s remedy for sin;
Tell me the story often,
For I forget so soon,
The “early dew” of morning
Has passed away at noon.[1]
“…I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.”[2]
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How do you know you are in Christ? In Christ, “…we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, [past, present, and future] in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.[3] Regretfully, sins still linger and those unholy temptations and desires are our real struggles as we work-out this Christ-life. Nonetheless, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ… he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.”[4] You and me were included in Christ when we heard the word of truth, the gospel of our salvation, because we believed. Through God’s mercy and grace, we believed and continue to believe the old redemption story. In Christ, there is recognition and very real longings to experience supernatural power from, fellowship, and even enjoyment with our gracious God.
I recently asked my growing sons about their understanding of this great salvation we share. I wanted to know whether or not they recognized and experienced supernatural power in their Christ life and enjoyed God in fellowship through prayer and reading the Bible. My goal was to encourage them to pursue, recognize, and experience the love of God daily. My son Luke said after a long pause, the power of God is “evident when I seek him.” God, “In love has predestined us to be adopted as his sons [daughters] through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—to the praise of his glorious grace…”[5] We are sealed with the Holy Spirit, (God indwelling) as a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance…[6] This is awe-inspiring amazing truth! However, to really know and experience God, we must seek him.
Oh, the necessity to keep praying for my precious sons, the many saints God has put in my sphere of influence, my neighbors, the saved and the lost, and myself that we would pursue God, seek him with our whole heart, soul, and mind. Paul wrote, “I keep asking…” “I have not stopped giving thanks for you remembering you in my prayers.”[7] He kept asking that God our Father would give the Spirit of wisdom and revelation so that they could know him better. Moreover, we too can pray that the eyes of our hearts may be enlightened in order to know in greater and greater degrees the hope to which he has called us—I want you and me to know and experience the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe![8]
How wonderful, how marvelous it is that we the church, the body of Christ, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way[9] are “…being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.”[10] Through the church, the manifold (very varied) wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms. Peter tells us that even angels long to look into the glories of the gospel.[11] “The church becomes a mirror through which the bright ones of heaven see the glory of God.”[12] Therefore, beloved in Christ, let us by God’s abundant grace, pursue with tenacity and approach our most holy and gracious God with freedom and confidence.[13]
Tell me the story softly,
With earnest tones and grave;
Remember I’m the sinner
Whom Jesus came to save;
Tell me the story always,
If you would really be,
In any time of trouble,
A comforter to me.
Tell me the same old story,
When you have cause to fear
That this world’s empty glory
Is costing me too dear;
And when the Lord’s bright glory
Is dawning on my soul,
Tell me the old, old story:
“Christ Jesus makes thee whole.”
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Sisters are meeting to pray! First Baptist, 1912 Arnold Way, Alpine, 0900.
You are invited to join gals in Christ for a sweet hour of prayer. Sisters in Jesus who share the love and joy of the gospel story united at the cross and interceding, encouraging, and loving one another and us! Thank you!
Brothers are meeting too! First Baptist. 3rd Friday. 0730.
Join us as the Spirit leads and your schedule allows. It is always a joy to join with brothers! For those who haven’t been, you are missed! Pray for us as we rely on the Holy Spirit to lead our time as we cry out for the needs of many, encourage, and humble trust before the throne of grace.
[1] Hymn: Tell me the old, old story
Hymn: Tell me the old, old story Christian hymns and spiritual songs with wonderful truths and music.
Tell Me the Old, Old Story
[2] Ephesians 3:14-17
[3] ibid. 1:7-8
[4] ibid. v. 4
[5] ibid. v. 6
[6] ibid. v. 13-14
[7] ibid. v. 16-17a
[8] ibid. v. 17-19
[9] ibid v. 23
[10] ibid. 2:22
[11] 1 Peter 1:12
[12] Wood, S. A. Expositor’s Bible Commentary (1978). Vol. 11 Gaebelein, F.E. (ed).
[13] Ephesians 3:12
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